Heaven ran through the long halls of the castle holding her dress up as to not fall while the air whipped her hair back. She loved running and didn't understand why she had to wear a dress. It was hindering her from running the way she wanted.
"Your highness, be careful!" Lydia called as Heaven ran past her. "There she is running again." She then told the maid next to her.
Heaven kept running until she neared a crossway in the hall and heard some chattering voices. She slowed down and stopped before leaning against the wall and looking from behind the corner. It was her father speaking to some soldiers. He had that serious look on his face that he only had when speaking to men or when scolding her. Heaven didn't want to anger her father or bother him so she lifted her dress again and began to tiptoe over the crossway hoping her father wouldn't notice her. But as usual, he did.
"Heaven!" His voice made her freeze in place with on leg still in the air.?Oh no, she thought.
Slowly she turned her head and found her father walking up to her. "Are you running again?" He asked.
Heaven put her feet down, adjusted her dress quickly and curtsied. "I am, Your Majesty."
Every time she tried to behave like a lady she could see a hint of a smile on her father's face but he tried to remain serious.
"And without shoes again?" He crossed his arms over his chest.
Heaven looked down at her bare feet. She forgot her shoes again.
Looking up she smiled brightly at her father and just when she thought she was getting away she heard another alarming voice.
"Heaven!"
Oh no. It was her mother's turn to nagging her.
"Here you are." Her mother said as she came around the corner. "I was looking for you everywhere."
"What about me?" Her father asked smiling brightly at the queen.
Oh no! Heaven felt embarrassed every time her parents became loving toward each other in front of her.
"I'll be looking for you when your daughter gives me time to look for someone else except for her. Look at her. She hasn't dressed properly yet, and her hair is still unwashed and...oh no." Her mother shook her head as she also noticed that Heaven was barefoot."And she is still running without shoes. You spoiled her too much."
Lucian gave his daughter a stern look. "Do you see? I am getting scolded because of you again."
"I am sorry, Your majesty. I'll dress properly from now on." Heaven told her father. She knew she was her father's weakness. Even when he scolded her he never raised his voice.
"See. I haven't spoiled her. She is a clever girl." Lucian told Hazel.
Heaven nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, mother. I can almost read and write as good as Zarin."
"Almost." Her mother emphasized. "And he is younger than you. I want you to read and write better than him."
"Why?" Her mother asked.
"Because he wears trousers and I have to wear a dress."
Heaven's parents looked at each other then laughed. Heaven didn't understand what was so funny.
"Do you want to wear trousers?" Her father asked.
Heaven looked up suddenly excited. Would her father let her do that?
She nodded.
"But then you will have to be better than Zarin not only when it comes to studies but also fighting skills."
