The Scoundrel's Tribute

Fairy Expedition

Dmitry

Dina came to my room that night too and she looked troubled a lot. She crawled into my bed and snuggled to my side. Dina waited till I finished reading the documents in my hand and I asked her.

- Why are you so down angel? The Duchess came to dinner and she'll spend time with you tomorrow. Wasn't that what you wished for? - she seemed sad as she looked into my eyes.

- Daddy, Am I a bad person? - my eyebrows furrowed.

- No! Why do you ask that? - she sobbed.

- I lied to the Duchess...

- You don't want to play with her anymore? - she shook her head and I sighed.

- I had no heart to tell to the Duchess that I was the one who followed her around. She looked so happy that there was a fairy in our garden... She will be so disappointed when she finds out that I lied.

- If it troubles you that much, why don't you tell her the truth? - I asked because I didn't want Rene to spend time with Dina. There were too many questions around her and I was angry with myself for not gathering enough information regarding her before.

- No! If I tell her the truth she won't play with me!

- Won't that show if she really wanted to spend time with you or she just used you to catch a fairy? - I hate that I've tried to manipulate my own daughter this way, but I did it for her safety.

- It would... But... I don't know. I want to get along with her. She is so beautiful and strong dad. - I hugged her because I had no better idea. Dina fall asleep soon and Victor came to my bedroom. I motioned him to speak softly. He nodded and said.

- Dima, there's another body in the garden. It was under the Duchess's windows.

- Take it to the mages and let them get rid of it. - he nodded and left. I sighed and looked at my precious daughter. If it wasn't disturbing enough that there were bodies popping up here and there from time to time, they all appeared near Rene's room. I've given up to get rid of her the last time when one of my best agents was found dead. Still, someone wanted to get rid of Rene desperately. Who could it be? I fall asleep and next morning I felt Dina trying to escape from my embrace. I groaned and hear her gasp as she stopped moving. I wrapped my arms around her more and she giggled.

-I know you are awake daddy! I have to get ready! Let me gooo! - she fought but I hugged her more.

- I'm still asleep. There's no escape! - she laughed happily but our little moment had been interrupted by the nanny's knocking.

- Little Lady! Are you there? - Dina got out of bed and rushed to open the door.

- Good morning nanny!

- I'm so sorry Duke, I put her asleep but I guess she wandered here. - the nanny apologized.

- No problem at all, my daughter's presence is never an issue. - Dina waved goodbye and the nanny hold her hand as they headed back to her room. I got up as well when I heard an unknown knocking on my door. I put my shirt on and said.

- Come in! - I've started to button up my shirt when I heard Rene's voice.

- I think it would be better for me to come back later. - she said adverting her gaze off of me looking at the ceiling and wallpapers.

- I wanted to talk to you as well. Take a seat. - I said and nodded towards the chairs in the corner of the room. She walked there and sat down with elegance like a swan. "No way she stabbed those assassins. Neither pushing out of her window the one we found last night." I finished dressing up and sat across her.

- What do you need? - I asked and she said straight into my face.

- I don't want to disappoint the little Lady, I know she followed me since her friend's birthday. I felt like she tried to find a connection with me, that's why I suggested this fairy hunting. I hope I haven't crossed the line too much and I'd like to apologize. - she said and bowed gently. -" Why is she so tame?" Rene looked almost cute with her hair nicely done, wearing a light yellow colored dress, with no sleeves. The corset of the dress emphasized her thin waist and curvy body.

- Dina had the same issue last night. She didn't want to disappoint you by telling you that she is your fairy. - Rene sighed.

- I'll figure something out. - she said and was about to get up.

- I haven't finished talking. Sit back.

- Excuse me. - she said and took a seat again.

- The patrolling knights found a dead man under your tower. Any explanation?

- A dead man?! Oh my God! - she said and any other men would believe that she has no idea what's going on. As soon as she noticed that she cannot fool me, Rene leaned back in her seat.

- I had an unexpected visitor last night. I haven't invited him. He wanted to take me away and I said I won't go. I pushed him and he fell out. By the way, the last one with the dagger was a nice gift. Such a shame that he had to die before he could've given me your message. - she said and Rene stood up.

- You knew? - I asked as she walked to the door. She turned back to face me.

- Stand in the line Dmitry, you are not the only one who wants to take this pawn off of the board. If I were you. I'd keep in mind, that I'm not a pawn, but the Queen. Your life would be easier if you learned how to use me properly instead of trying to get rid of me. Now, if the Duke excuses me, I have to catch a fairy. Have a day as pleasant as you are! - she said with a quick curtsy and left the room shutting the door closed. Victor walked in immediately and he whistled.

- Wow... She was pissed! I've never seen her so angry. What happened? - I just stared after Rene. I got destroyed by that fragile woman's words.

- She knew the whole time.

- She knew what?

- That we sent a few assassins to get rid of her.

- Oh... Is it good idea to leave her alone with Dina after this conversation? - Victor asked and I jumped up following Rene to the garden, with Victor in my heels.

- Any news of her?

- Not yet, they are still working on the Duke's request, but they took it as priority.

- Great. - we arrived to the entrance of the garden and I saw Dina crunching next to Rene. We approached them carefully and I heard as Rene said.

- Okay we set the trap for the fairy, now we must wait. - Dina nodded with determination and she stared at their tiny trap as if she didn't know who the fairy was.

- Duchess... Are you sure that the fairies like cookies? - she asked and Rene nodded.

- Tell me one living being who doesn't like cookies! - Dina looked pensive and said.

- Neither daddy nor Uncle Victor likes them. - I saw a smile in the corner of Rene's mouth as she said.

- I think they like them, but wants to look strong and they say they don't like it instead. I'm sure that if the Little Lady would prepare some, they'd eat the last crumbs as well! - Dina smiled.

- Really?

- Definitely!

- But,I don't know how to bake cookies.

- Me neither, but we could learn it together, what do you think?

- I love it! - suddenly the trap caught something and Dina gasped excitedly.

- Did we catch the fairy? - she asked and Rene got up.

- There's only one way to figure it out! Stay behind me Dina. - they approached the little trap and before lifting the basket they used as cage, Rene asked.

- What would you like to go with it if we caught a fairy? - Dina looked pensive.

- Release it! I just want to see one! - Rene smiled.

- Ready? - Dina nodded and as Rene lifted the basket. Many sparkling butterfly looking creatures flew out of the basket. Dina watched them fly away and said.

- Such a shame that Daddy cannot see them! - Rene looked at our direction and poked Dina's shoulder.

- I wouldn't be so sure about it. Look! - Dina turned towards us and she started pointing at the sparkling creatures.

- Daddy look! We caught a few of them! Look how beautiful the fairies are!

- They are indeed beautiful. - I said walking next to her. Dina ran to playing with the butterflies before they flew completely away.

- How did you do that? - I asked in a low voice from Rene.

- I don't understand what the Duke is talking about. They are fairies. - I looked at her face as she watched my daughter play and she looked gorgeous. I knew Rene was a beautiful woman, but at that moment, she looked magical.