The Scoundrel's Tribute

Thunderstorm

Rene

- Duchess, the Little Lady is requesting an audience. - the butler said and I nodded to him to let her enter. Dina walked into my office with a bright smile on her face. Her birthday was approaching quickly and she got more and more excited with each passing day. At the same time, I got more worried and anxious. In my previous lives, Dina died when she was ten, so my time to save her got drastically shortened already. I had the candies prepared, but to avoid any casualties, I've decided to use myself as a tester. Nonetheless to say, that I got pretty sick for a few days, but I managed to adjust the dosage of the poisons for Dina's weight and age. I planned to give her them as a gist along with the fairy doll I made.

- Hello Little Lady! May I help you? - she looked a bit sad but kept smiling.

- Lady Rene, when my classes end today, will we practice again? - she asked and I nodded.

- Of course! My pie still needs some improvement! - she squeaked happily and suddenly hugged me. I froze, and she blushed.

- I'm sorry for being too emotional. It's just that you have been sick many times lately and I'm happy that you are better. - I caressed her face and turned her glance at me.

- Dina, you can hug me whenever you want, you don't need to apologize or ask for permission. Also, I'm very happy to have someone like you, who worries for me. Don't stress yourself, because I'm strong and I'll be around for a very long time! Okay? - she nodded and I decided to give her a kiss on her forehead. Dina gasped and touched her forehead.

- If I've crossed a line, I'm sorry. It was an impulsive action. - I said slightly bowing my head, but out of nowhere, I received a kiss on my forehead too. Dina giggled when she saw my confused expression.

- I like to play and bake with you Rene! I'm happy to have you here! - she said and gave me a brief hug before running to her classes. I sat back to my desk and kept working but my thoughts were interrupted by Victor.

- The Duchess got pretty close to our Little Lady lately. - I didn't even bother to look up from my paperwork.

- I'm her stepmother. Her well-being, proper education and happiness is my duty as well. Do you need something, Lord Victor? - I asked now looking at him. His green eyes searched my face but he shrugged.

- Nah, I just checked if you were still alive. As the Little Lady said, the Duchess had been pretty sickly lately. It would be such a loss to loose you now. - I scoffed and it ended up in a chuckle.

- Come on, no need to force yourself, if you had three wishes the first would be my death. By the way. - I said and reached into my drawer. I pulled a little sack out and showed into my mouth. Victor's eyes widened and I got up handing him the sack.

- Tell Dmitry that it was delicious, but a waste of money.

-This didn't belong to the Duke. - Victor said clenching his hand around the empty pouch. I raised and eyebrow and smiled wickedly.

- What a pleasant surprise! You have free will as well! I thought you were the Duke's loyal dog! Does your owner know that you are trying to kill me?

-Duchess... What are you talking about? - we heard a soft voice from the door and Victor shocked as Dina's eyes jumped from him to me and back.

- Little Lady! Shouldn't you be at your lessons? - he said and tried to act like nothing happened.

- The teacher got sick. I came to ask if Lady Rene could explain me some things from last lesson. But what was the Duchess talking about, Victor? Are you the one who made her sick? - I saw Victor sweating and as much as I'd love to see the fucker struggle, I knew that Dina will need his support in the future. On the other hand, I understood his actions. My sudden change of heart made everyone sceptical.

- It wasn't his fault Little Lady. I've been working too much in the tower garden, and some of the flowers are a bit dangerous. That's why I got sick, I didn't want to trouble you with the details. - Dina walked to Victor and asked.

- What's that in your hand Lord Victor? - her tone and eyes were the spitting image of her late mother whenever she scolded the Duke. I remembered her gentle but strong attitude whenever they visited the castle. I envied and admired Catherine as a young girl once. Today, I respected her. Dina kept waiting and Victor sighed.

- It's an empty pouch.

- What was in it? - Dina asked and Victor forced a smile on his face.

- Just some herbs. You know the Duchess loves them a lot! - he said and Dina took the pouch from him. She looked into it and licked her finger, digging it into the pouch.

- If that's true, nothing will happen if I try it no? - she asked and I panicked. I knew that the spell will take too much effort but I had no better idea. I've stopped time, for three minutes. In those minutes, I washed Dina's hand and grinded some sugar into a power putting it on her hand. Right when time started again, Victor tried to stop her, but Dina licked her fingers. She gave the pouch back to Victor and didn't say anything else. She turned to me and I struggled to keep awake.

- Can you help me with my studies, Duchess? - she asked ignoring completely Victor who was seconds away from a mental breakdown.

- Of course, Little Lady, just give me half an hour to finish my work before.

- May I stay with you till you finish work? - she asked cutely and I caressed her head, feeling how the blood ran out of my face.

- I'd need some peace to finish it, but I'll hurry okay? Please wait for me in your room. - she nodded and sent an angry glance at Victor before she left.

- How?! What the hell happened? - he asked and I smiled.

- Magic. - I waved my hands sarcastically and got so dizzy that I thought I'll throw up. "It wasn't my brightest idea to use such a powerful spell after eating poison." - It thought and heard Victor calling my name.

- Lady Rene, are you okay? - he asked and I grinned lifting two fingers in the air.

- You... Have two wishes left. - I said before I passed out. I knew I won't die, but the terror on that fucker's face worth it. When I opened my eyes, lightnings were lighting up the sky and it was raining heavily. I felt someone holding my hand and when I glanced down, I saw Dina snuggled to my side under my blanket.

- Don't be afraid, I'll protect you. - she said. She trembled in all her body and since she hid under the blanket she didn't see that I woke up. A loud thunder rumbled and I could almost feel it in my stomach its power. Dina screamed a bit but kept holding my hand. I got under the blanket as well and she gasped.

- Duchess! You are awake! - I caressed her head and covered her ears.

- Thank you for protecting me, now I'll protect you, okay?

- I don't need protection! I'm a big girl! - she said and I giggled.

- I know, but even big girls need sometimes a little help. Close your eyes and let me chase the clouds away at times like this, okay?

- But... You were asleep for three days, and... I was very worried that you might go away, like mom did. - I gave a kiss on top of her head.

- I'm sorry to scare you but, I'll never disappear. Now, close your eyes. - I said and she shut her eyes closed. I've started to sing her a lullaby that contained a nice spell.

-When the world is dark and cold

Come into my arms, they gonna hold you close.

It doesn't matter from where it comes

North, South, East or West

My song will subdue the weather beast.

Calm its fury, make it pass,

Protect my home and my loved ones!- with the spell, the thunders slowly became less loud and the rainstorm turned into a light shower. Dina smiled and hugged me in her sleep. That's how Dmitry found us in the next morning and to be honest, he wasn't delighted at all...