"Crowns topple easily. Thrones crumble like dust. Hearts cease to beat. Thorns draw blood."
In a country torn into two, there should have been no room for mistakes. Especially not at the very core of the royal family. That was what she was. Yes, a...
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"Dima. Dima. Dima." Irina trailed off, barely containing her laughter.
"Yes, Princess Irina?" Dima answered gruffly, the frown settling on his face like a bad case of pox.
"How does the mud taste?" She couldn't resist the snickers escaping from her lips. "Is it smooth and sweet? Or is it dense?"
He wrinkled his nose at her. "Very mature of you, Your Highness."
At that, Irina had descended into loud giggles, remembering the events that had occurred during the day.
Dima had been watching over her as she played with the young gleeful children in Ryevost.
Their mothers were at the river, washing their clothes clean. Irina had chosen to join them, providing the children with games and distraction as their mothers busied themselves with their laundry.
The simple games of tossing stones over to the other side became a full-on water fight. All of the children joined in, splashing water at each other.
Irina scooped water with her palms in an attempt to win amongst the children. She couldn't help but feel a sense of childish glee. Growing up with strict tutors and guards, she was not able to participate in such games.
There was also the fact that she was a tad bit too competitive. Even as a child, she had always liked winning among the older children of the nobles.
It was all laughs and giggles until one of the children slipped on one of the wet stones. The laughter stopped once the child started crying, right in the middle of the river.
Irina made a move towards the child, to console the poor girl but Dima had beaten her to it.
Dima had picked up the little girl, rocking her back and forth slowly. "Shh, it's alright."
The little girl already showed the beginnings of a smile when Dima put her down at the river's edge. Irina couldn't help but crack a grin as well at such a sweet moment.
Her guard had always been quiet and at times, stoic, but only at that moment did she see his soft side.
Unfortunately for Dima, right as he placed the girl down, he slipped on the same stone she slipped on. However, instead of falling on his back, he fell forward meriting him a taste of the mud right at the river's edge.
Poor Dima had all the children laughing. Including the princess.
Seeing it happen again in her mind's eye, Irina burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.
Dima shook his head at her, seemingly disappointed.
When the laughter dissipated and all that remained was a small smile, Irina turned to her guard. "When did you get so good with children, Dima?"
