Part one of two

“Anastasia, my lady, are you almost finished there?” Evangeline’s voice bounced around the walls of the princess's spacious bedroom. Each wall seemed to be so far away from one another, some may even say her room is the size of a modest cottage. 

“Almost, Eva!” A voice responded from inside the powder room. In return, Evangeline can only let out a humoured sigh; her princess was a brilliant person, but when it came to the simplest of tasks, well, she wasn't the brightest candle in a dark room. 

Princess Anastasia had been in the powder room for seventeen minutes and thirty two seconds, according to Evangeline’s count. All to just put on her dress. Now, granted, putting on dresses as extravagant as Anastasia’s was less than simple, but, seventeen minutes, to Evangeline, seemed a smidge excessive. 

“Eva!” the princess nearly flew out of the powder room with a look of defeat smitten among her youthful face. She turned around, and Evangeline looked at her back, which appeared to be too uncovered since the corset has yet to be tied. “Can you tighten this up for me?”

“Of course, princess.” Evangeline responded as a smile rose upon her lips. There was a certain light that reached her moss covered eyes, each iris glistening like a tree covered forest within an ecosystem so diverse that the entire community simply flourishes. 

Evangeline cautiously fiddled with the dress’s corset. Her fingers danced with the strings when she stopped a mere moment later, the corset tightened with the dress fully on. 

“And, finished,” Evangeline announced as she tied the string’s ends into a little bow. Without a second to spare, Anastasia turned around letting out an excited squeal in the process, her baby blue eyes seemingly sparkled with enthusiasm.

“Thank you! Now, how about we go take a walk...”

“No, no, no, princess. You have your studies to attend to,” interrupted Evangeline.

The smile from Anastasia’s faltered before she lets out a defeated breath, crossing her arms in the process with her lips slightly pouted before turning her head to look as intimidating as possible. “I wish to not study, how about we go to town instead and get some delicious desserts, or perhaps, skip around the royal garden and... “

Evangeline interrupted again, “Princess it is my duty to ensure that you get to your destinations safely so that you can continue to expand your knowledge. Shall we go?”

“You’re no fun,” Anastasia groaned as her eyes that once shone with excitement dulled with dread. 

Evangeline let out a small chuckle, and she is quick to turn around, opening Anastasia’s door in the process. She allowed the princess to pass through the entryway before closing the door behind herself. 

The two go through the corridors of the castle, the sun shining through the large glass windows. Some of them were colored, casting the illusion of having a rainbow indoors, bringing even more life to the extravagant, accessorized castle. The queen had a knack for decorating, making sure that each room gave off vibrance and energy, from magically enlightened chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to vines that neatly covered the walls, there is never a dull space in the castle. 

Alas, the two arrived outside the grand library. Evangeline stepped forward as Anastasia waited for her to open the two heavy, creaky, ornate grand doors. The library, lined with so many book cases that seem to grow beyond the heavens, had a glass roof that allowed the bright morning’s sunlight to enter, casting a calming glow onto the entire study. 

“Princess, Evangeline,” a voice sounded out; the two turn their attention towards a figure that strides forward. With long brown hair casted into a ponytail and big, honey brown eyes, Valantis Tunzel was a man of wisdom and strength. A retired warrior that participated in countless battles, he started his studies after his fighting days. A few years ago, Valantis became one of the most acknowledged scholars within the entire kingdom of Colosiccus. 

“Valantis, please tell Miss Evangeline that we can skip our studies for today and go out to the market,” pleaded Anastasia. Valantis looked at Anastasia for the briefest of seconds before turning to Evangeline who brings her hand up to her face and pinches the bridge of her nose. Evangeline understood that studying was less than thrilling for Anastasia. 

However, this was one of the few things that Ansastasia had no say is. As it was dictated by the King Ragnar, her father. Evangeline and Valantis would  never consider disobeying King Ragnar's orders for something as delicate as a young girl’s wishes. 

King Ragnar allowed Evangeline in Colossicus when she was found half dead months ago at the gates of his kingdom when he could have easily left her outside for dead. But, he ordered the guards to bring her inside. He allowed her to work for his one and only child, to protect Anastasia with her life, and she felt deep loyalty to him ever since, even though her nation of birth was a mystery to the both of them. 

“Apologies, Princess. I do agree with Evangeline here, your studies are incredibly precious, and we must ensure that you take full advantage of this for the time you have.”

“Ugh, you both are so bloody boring!”

“No, your highness,” Evangeline flipped a few strands of hair out of her eyes before placing her hands on her hips and giving a slight stare, ”We are ensuring that you become an educated young woman per your father’s command, and the sake of the kingdom.”

“What about you? Shouldn’t you also be ‘an, educated young woman’?” pouted the frustrated girl, using air quotes to mock Evangeline.

Evangeline let out a small smile while pulling the recently sharpened sword out of her scabboard that clung to her hip, shining brightly in the morning’s sunlight that was passing through the library’s glass ceiling. “You see, I am educating myself in another speciality.”

“Why can’t I do that?” Anastasia let out an exasperated sigh and threw her hands into the air in over-exaggeration. 

“Because,” Evangeline put her sword away. Snapping her fingers in the direction of Anastasia, giving a wink to her,”I need to train in sword arts, so I can protect you!”

“Fine!” Anastasia groaned as she glared at both Evangeline and Valantis. 

“I trust you’ll take care of her?” Evangeline asked in the direction of Valantis who nods his head solemnly. “Of course. Farewell, Evangeline, enjoy your sparring.” 

Evangeline gave a small smile before waving goodbye. She proceeded to turn around towards the grand double door entrance to the library. Walking out, she headed over to the direction of the training gardens, to do what she does best, fighting.

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Notice: The second part of this chapter has the mature warning due to a slight mention of blood as well as sparirng. I rather take the mature tag than be possibly banned or something like that. Enjoy!~