Beatrice

*** Beatrice and Kai are 5 years old***

Beatrice 'arrived' in Oswell a few days before. That was the story told to everyone. In reality, Beatrice was born and raised in Oswell.

There was her bedroom, the ballroom, the garden, the kitchen… etc. She knew every inch of her castle, especially the greenhouse. That was where Beatrice spent most of her days. She liked to look at the collection of wildflowers that came from around the world. But, Bea knew. The greenhouse was nothing more than another birdcage built to imprison her.

When she was younger she would often ask her father why she couldn't go out.

"You will be the queen soon. And, the Queen can not get hurt" he would reply.

Even though Bea couldn't understand him just yet, she knew to not question him any further. The best she could do was copy and repeat. Many tutors came to educate and entertain her.

At first she liked it. The, "Why, our little princess is so intelligent!" or, the ��� Look at how elegant she is. She will grow up to be quite the Queen!"

But then she realized, for she was truly intelligent, that they were complementing the "future queen" or "little princess" instead of her.

The only joy Bea got was when Kai showed up. Unlike the maids or the tutors, Kai was different. He didn't have any expectations.

"This is your cousin, Kaizer Ernestein. Kai, this is Beatrice von Stein. You two can play while the adults are talking" her father said.

'Play,' that was a word unknown to Beatrice. She was more used to the other means of 'play' - to act.

Kai reached out his hand. He was a small child and seemed timid. But, he reached out and offered his hand to Bea. Bea looked at her father who nodded. She placed her hand in Kai's who smiled brightly.

Bea liked his raven black hair. It was like the darkest night. And his red eyes that peered out from them were captivating. She couldn't help but stare at them.

"What do you want to do first?" Kai asked.

Bea didn't know how to respond. She never had 'play time' before. She knew of tea time, of embroidery hour, of eloquent lessons, and dance practice. She knew of many more, but nothing of 'play time.'

Kai saw Beas' nervousness and took the lead instead, "How about we play hide and seek?"

"Hide and seek?"

"Yes! I play this game with Pat all the time! Oh… uhh, let me explain the rules… One person hides while the other person counts to 10 or 50. When the person is done counting they will try their best to find the hider. If they can't find them then the hider wins. If they do, then the seeker wins! Would you like to hide first, or seek?"

Bea paused to absorb the information she just got. She was still a bit nervous. Usually, she was able to catch onto her lessons quickly and was praised to the utmost excellence.

Kai spoke again, " How about we both hide and have the butler try to find us?"

Bea nodded.

"Alright Lady Beatrice, do you know a good place to hide?"

The butler counted as Bea led Kai into a small courtyard. They crouched behind a tree.

Kai talked to Bea, " Lady Bea, don't be so nervous around me… it also makes me a bit nervous…" he tried to force an awkward smile.

Bea laughed a bit. The two talked about different types of wildflowers and teas. It would be long until the butler found them.

Soon Bea and Kai became close. They even called each other by their family pet names (these were names that nobles used as a form of affection).

Beatrice was no longer 'Lady Beatrice,' but a short and simple Bea.

She liked it when Kai visited- looked forward to when her cousin would come. Sometimes they would stroll in the garden or have tea in the greenhouse. The castle seemed much smaller when Kai came, much brighter.

"Hey Bea, I'm going to start Kindergarten soon at Denten Academy. I asked uncle if you could come, but he said no. I probably can't come as often as I do now." Kai looked dejected.

Bea cheered him up, "It's okay, as long as you try your best at school and come visit me ever so often."

"Yeah, I can introduce you to my friends too?"

'Friends.' The word sent shivers down Bea's back. She gave a sad look and saw Kai scramble like he said something wrong.

"No, Bea. That's not what I meant. You will always be my number one best friend!"

She smiled again.

'So if I'm sad then Kai will comfort me, uh?'

*

Kai came less often as Beatrice continued to perfect her lessons. Sometimes, Kai would take lessons with her, but they both focused on the lesson as her father sent a strict tutor.

Bea was happy when her father told her that she was going to become engaged with Kai.

'I can finally play with Kai for longer now.'

But, after the engagement, Kai visited less.

"Kai is just busy nowadays, Bea. You should busy yourself too. Don't get so riled up over such nonsense."

'Father is right. Kai would never forget about me. He loves me.'

*

The door opened and Kai stood there with his butler.

The two bowed to each other, tilted their heads and smiled.

"How's school?" Bea asked.

"It's.. different then what I expected"

"What do you mean?"

"You know," he continued, " we can't be found out just yet in the world. I am Duke Ernestein's son, not his grandson. But, being Kaizer Ernestein isn't that bad"

Bea couldn't tell what Kai was saying, but she knew that Kai liked the outside world much more than she thought.

"What do you mean?" she tried.

"It's nothing… Well, you know how you play a certain role in the castle? In front of the tutor? The maids? I play a role in the outside world too. The unnoticed Duke's son. Bea, you probably wouldn't even recognize me" he chuckled to lighten the tension.

"How about friends?" Bea unwillingly asked.

"I only have one friend in school so far," he chuckled.

"A boy?"

"No, a girl. I thought she was a goddess the first time I saw her." Beatrice's wince was unnoticed by Kai.

"Is she really that beautiful?"

"Yea, she's so beautiful. Probably the most beautiful person I've ever seen. She has shiny silver hair that reflected like the purest snow. Her eyes… her eyes….. Eh-em" he paused… She does everything so gracefully. Even chasing around the boys gracefully" he snickered.

"What about me?" Bea said she was confident in her look. Everyone in the castle always threw compliments at her strawberry red hair and sparkling green eyes. She accepted them kindly.

"You? Umm... You're like a Princess. But, Yena is like a goddess… like an angel. No, is an angel."

"Is it that different?" she laughed even though she was hurt by his words.

"It's incomparable. From the first time I saw her I knew she would change my life forever."

Bea tried her best to cover up her sadness.

'It was the same for me,' Beatrice wanted to say, 'from the first time I saw you I knew I would be forever changed.'

After a few more biscuits and gossip, Bea bid Kai a goodbye.

"I'll miss you. Come visit soon!" she waved.

"Of course, I will" he bowed.

She watched as the carriage rode off. Even though Kai only mentioned her name once, the name 'Yena' simmered on Bea's mind.

*

Eight months had passed since Kai came last. but, today he finally came to the Stein castle. As the doors opened Bea ran out and flung herself into Kai's arms, both herself and Kai over.

"I missed you so much Kai!"

He was different. His face was stiffer, more hardened. She shuttered.

He noticed her shake and softened.

"Hey Bea," he said, using one hand to scratch his black hair

They had tea in the garden as per usual.

Bea talked about a number of classes and tutors that had passed in the months that Kai was away.

Kai smiled and laughed, but Bea could tell his mind was in another place. She scrambled to come up with things to talk about.

"How's school?" Bea eagerly looked for a response.

Kai stopped sipping his tea and placed the cup back on the plate. A light smile spread on his face as he looked off into the garden.

"It's the same. Nothing special."

Bea shuttered again. This was a smile she remembers, the same warm smile reserved for her.

Kai left and Bea remained with Kai's words turning in her head. She ran over to her father's study.

She burst into his room, "Father, I demand to go to the Denten Academy." Her father was shocked to see his perfect daughter behave so undignified. Bea gathered herself together and bowed to her father.

Her father cleared his throat. "Not, yet. You aren't trained for the outside yet."

"Then, train me."