Leonora Bernardi locked in the dark. Hurt for most of her life, scared of her own shadow. Not knowing what the outside world is like, she's the epitome of innocence. One look at her and it's like her aura could light up the room.
Nikolai Volkov fut...
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Sprezzatura: - The ability to make one's actions seem effortless or to disguise one's true desire, feeling or meaning.
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Leonora POV
Something's wrong.
I knew something was wrong when Nikolai froze, tensing beneath my gaze, his face neutral but revealing the feelings he was trying so hard to hide. I can tell when he's attempting to hide something by the way his hands clench and the way the right side of his lips twitch downwards when he's worried or thinking.
So now I'm sitting in our cinema room, which I was unaware we possessed until a few weeks ago. Alexei sat between Anastasia and myself, munching on the several cupcakes brought around today.
I was flicking through the many movies we have on here as we wait for the rest of my family to come in. I wanted to wait until we put a movie on but their taking too long.
I pause before clicking on Disney Plus. I enjoy the films on this site. Papa signed me up after I watched some cute little cartoons on TV, and let me just say. I'm totally in love. I go through the movies till I come to Lilo and Stitch. This is my fave Disney film. Stitch is just so cute and cuddly.
I feel something warm plop down on my lap as Alexei comes to sit down on my lap gently, draping a blanket over the top of us both. I smile as he leans his head against my chest both of snuggling into the warm blanket. I look towards Anastasia who gives me a warm smile mouthing thank you to me.
Why is she saying thank you?
I frown confused making her smile widen.
"Alexei's never really had anyone to talk to. Or friends really. He get's nervous when around new people, panicky, shy. But with you he's different. Happy. More open. That's why I thank you Leonora. For being someone Alexei can rely on. For being his friend."
"Sshhhh I wan watch Lilwo and switch." Alexei whispers snuggling into my chest more as the movie plays on.
So, as we lie there eating the last of the cupcakes, we enjoy the warmth of one other's company, the sound of the movie lulling me to sleep.
I attempt to keep my eyes open so I can watch the rest of the movie, but darkness creeps in around the edges of my vision, my body relaxing against Alexei's.
****
Quiet noises sound around the room as I feel something being removed from my body, the heavy weight being lifted off.
"You can cake Alexei upstairs we have rooms for everyone since it's gotten quiet late now." I hear papa whisper, other sounds sounding throughout the room. I groan slumping deeper into the large comfy chair. Half asleep and half awake.
"Nikolai you take Leonora. The rest of you to bed. We'll talk about plans tomorrow." Papa mumbled, steps coming towards me as multiple kisses are laid on my forehead, whispers of promises and goodnight's whispered in my ears.
