The Scoundrel's Tribute

Under a spell

Dmitry

- So... What happened? - I've asked while I was checking a few documents. Victor cleared his throat and said.

- The Duchess had nightmares and passed out as soon as you left the room with Dina. - I've looked up form the paperwork in my hands and put my reading glasses down.

- Really? Immediately after we left?

- Yes, I suppose she got scared when you appeared in her room and that was too much for her nerves. - I've nodded.

- That's good, at least we can be assured that this wasn't a trick of hers. But keep supervising her. - Victor nodded and left the office. My night with Dina was fun. We had our dinner in my room as planned and played a lot before sleeping, I also read her a fairytale. She snuggled to my side like her mother used to and listened to my voice eagerly.

- What happened after daddy? - she asked and I put the book down when I finished the story. I put my glasses down as well and caressed her back.

- When?

- After the end.

- They lived happily ever after. - I said and she looked at me sceptically.

- How could someone live happily ever after? - she asked and I felt a bit unprepared and unqualified for these kind of questions.

- I suppose, that when you find your special someone, and achieve your dreams, you can live happily ever after, until your dying days.

- But daddy, mom was your special person, wasn't she? - I smiled and kissed her head.

- Yes, your mom was my special person.

- So, now that she is gone, you can't live happily till your dying days? - "How could an eight years old ask this kind of questions at the middle of the night?! And what is the right answer for that?"

- Of course I can! Because even if your mom is not here anymore, she is always in my heart and in your smile, in your laughter, the way you scold me. She gave me the most precious person in the world so I won't be alone after she left. - Dina seemed satisfied with the answer and she closed her eyes. I turned the light off but I heard her voice whispering in the darkness.

- Daddy...

- Yes, love?

- Will the Duchess find her special person if she lives with us?

- Dina, please go to sleep. We will continue this chat tomorrow.

- Okay Daddy! I love you!

- I love you too, my angel.

Yeah.. Luckily she forgot the conversation in the morning but since yesterday, she had been secretly following the Duchess. Wherever she went, Dina went after her. I walked to the widow to stretch my arms and legs a bit and I saw the Duchess in the garden picking a few wild flowers carefully and collecting them in a basket her maid carried. Dina, a little further, watched her every movement hiding behind a bush. I smiled at her silliness and saw how Rene noticed her too. She said something to the maid who turned around to leave. Instead, they took another stroll around the garden so, Dina could keep following them.

- Just when did you become so attentive? - I asked out loud and heard Victor's voice.

- Oh Dima! You finally noticed my efforts! I didn't know if I'll live till this day! - I looked at my most trusted friend and sighed.

- You are tiring sometimes, I hope you know. - he grinned.

- Yes, but that's also part of my charm! What are we looking at? - he asked and joined me at the window.

- Dina is following Rene? - he asked and I nodded.

- Do you know why?

- Not yet, but I'm planning to ask her during tonight's dinner. - that moment my eyes met with Rene's and she nodded slightly with a smile.

- Did she just greeted us?! From this distance?! - Victor asked and I felt the hair stood up on my back. "How could a daughter of a Prince, be so perceptive of her surroundings?"

- Dima, she acts like someone who had been under constant supervision, not only a few weeks ago, but in all her life.

- I've noticed it too. Although, that's impossible. She was a doted and loved lady. The Emperor made sure that she got the best education in every field and showered her with jewelries and parties. Just like his own daughter.

- I was always curious why? The Emperor wasn't in good terms of his late brother, specially when he married Lady Rene's mother and brought barbarian blood into the Royal family tree. - Victor was right.

- Find someone who can investigate this matter further. I've been careless by not gathering information about a woman who was planted into my castle by the Emperor himself.

- Consider it done! - Victor said and left. I walked back to my desk and wondered what will we find out about the young Duchess, who seemed to be a lot different from what I thought so far. That night, we had dinner in the dining room with Dina, but whenever the door opened she turned to look at it with a smile. However, when she saw that it was just a maid or Victor, her smile faded and she kept eating her dinner a bit sadly.

- Is there a problem with the soup? - I asked as she just made circles with her spoon in her favorite creme soup. She didn't notice that I was talking to her until I touched her hand. Dina shivered and the spoon fell out of her hand.

- Sorry daddy! - she said and a maid gave her a new one.

- No problem, but why are you so distracted tonight? - I asked and she avoided my glance. She only did this when she did something I'd consider bad.

- I'm not distracted. - she lied and I smiled how the tip of her ears gor red. Catherine was the same. She couldn't lie, her ears betrayed her all the time.

- Really? Then, tell me about your day, what have you been up to? - Fina looked into my eyes and took a spoonful of the soup into her mouth. I waited patiently.

- I took a walk in the garden, visited the library and also read a little. - she said and I couldn't hide my smile. Exactly what Rene did today according to Victor's report.

- What did you read about?

- Just a few fairytales.

- Why are you keep checking towards the door my love? - I asked and she gasped when she realized she was caught.

- I thought, maybe the Duchess will join us tonight.

- She rarely comes for dinner, Dina. Why would she come today?

- After what happened yesterday, I hoped that she might get a bit closer to me. - I felt a bit bad. I didn't trust in Rene, despite she didn't do anything suspicious. She also suffered from what happened to them yesterday and I haven't even asked about it. No... I should not worry for that wicked woman, this must be a scheme of hers.

- Dina, I know that she was very brave yesterday and even kind to you, but you can't trust her blindly. Remember how she acted a little ago. - her eyes filled with sadness.

- I know, but, even in the books, the bad people sometimes turn out to be good. What if the Duchess was also enchanted like the Ice Queen? - I smiled and caressed her hair.

- I don't think that's the case love, but hopefully, it will turn out that daddy was wrong. Until then, please be cautious.

- Yes daddy. - she said but I wasn't convinced.