Light

Chapter #2

"Shh, it's okay princess." The nanny tried to reassure Alina as she rocked her back and forth in her arms.

Alina only cried more harshly, wanting nothing more but to be in her farther's arms. But right now King Elijah was mourning over his beloved wife's passing. 

There he sat in the gloomy royal garden, where Queen Amelia once enjoyed most of her time reading books. 

The dark clouds and light rain was all to be seen through the upstairs window, as Callan. King Elijah's second in command, and both his and Queen Amelia's childhood best friend, stood.

Callan turned away from the window, where he was previously observing King Elijah from the garden. Turning and walking out in the large corridor, only halt his footsteps after hearing Alina's cry. 

It was as if everything in him froze as he was memorized by hearing Alina's voice for the first time.

Callan turned towards the direction of where Alina's cries where coming from, stopping him in front of a half opened door. And there he saw the old royal nanny trying to sooth the new born princess. 

"Duke Callan, forgive me." The nanny lowered her head in respect.

Callan only waved her off as he was more interested in observing princess Alina.

Alina continued to cry, making the nanny worry again for her small lungs.

"She hasn't stopped crying since King Elijah left early hours this morning. I've tried everything-"

Callan cut the old woman off, coming closer and stretching his hands out. 

The nanny knew not to disobey, and submissively handed the child over for Callan to hold. And as soon as princess Alina was in his arms, she stopped crying.

Princess Alina looked at Callan as if he was something new that she didn't understand. This caught Callan's interest as he continued to glance down at the small child.

'She looks just like her.' He thought, causing a ting of pain in his heart.

Alina reached out and caressed Callan's cheek, causing a giggle to erupt from her small belly.

Callan couldn't help but to fall in love with the small child's laugh, for her smile was identical to Amelia's. She had the joy that radiated like light.

Callan promised himself from this day forward he'd give his life for this little small child laying in his arms. For it was the only thing he could offer Amelia right now. To make sure her child grows and reaches her oldest time in life.

"That's the first time she's smile since her birth." The nanny blurted out in shock, only to go pale from not watching her mouth.

"I'm sorry my Duke, I did not mean to be disrespectful." She lowered her head in fear.

Duke Callan only ignored her formalities, more interested on what she revealed.

"What did you say? Princess Alina smiled when she was born?" Callan asked, giving the nanny his full attention.

"Yes, Duke Callan." The nanny lifted her head and bowed once more before continuing. "When Queen Amelia gave birth, they laid Princess Alina on her chest before she got ill. But they say as soon as Queen Amelia saw her smile she fell in love." The royal nanny gushed, only to be replaced by sadness for her lost Queen.

Duke Callan wasn't surprised knowing Queen Amelia admired Princess Alina's smile, for he felt the exact same way.