The Hidden Knave, Arlecchino In Who Made Me A Princess

°Memories°

Despite what the maid said, Arlecchino started avoiding the other part of the ruby palace. She's weak right now. Using magic proved it to her. Just one spell Lucas would've done without breaking a sweat, almost made her collapse.

This small body doesn't have the strength necessary to support her mental capacity, a large amount of pain will make it pass out, or break down. It's normal, of course. She knows her body is simply protecting her.

Still, when she thinks about how that pain was easy before. It was just like breathing, there and unconscious. She barely even acknowledged it.

"Meow..."

Arle looked down at the three children. They were looking up at her with worry, something the real one's would've hidden better. Still... She sat down and showed them her hands, the curse had spread over the year, managing to stain the tips of her fingers along with her nails.

The little ones jumped on her hands without hesitation. Rubbing their heads on her palms, hoping that would ease her pain or take her mind off it.

Lucas was right. Holding the little ones against her bare skin, hurt. They were burning, just like her blood. She was essentially holding lava. Three clusters of lava with shape.

Even so, the little ones kept trying to help her. Arlecchino gazed at the window Lucas often used to come in. It's been a day, so there's six days left until he comes back.

It was shameful to admit it, but the small acts of physical affection eased her pain slightly. Lucas was cold, like Sheznaya and her majesty the Tsaritsa, and like Columbina. They were beings where her curses's effects dimmed. Where the pain was soothed for a moment.

She had never said this to anyone, since it didn't matter, and it was a weakness they could've exploited. Especially Columbina.

Arlecchino slowly leaned back, until her head landed on the ground. She lay there with the little ones surrounding her as she stared at the ceiling. With a sigh, she uttered a single word to herself.

"Boring..."

What is he doing now? What are her real children doing now...?

-

Lucas frowned and looked back when he felt something leave the barrier around Arle's side of the palace.

"She left...?"

Odd, Arle always explored, but she never left her side. Lucas rolled his eyes and turned to face forward.

"Whatever."

She'll be fine. Those three will take care of her. He went to take a step forward, but he didn't move. His eyes glanced back, to the direction of the palace. He was far away, and she'll be fine. She's fine. She's a soldier, a strong woman who's lived through hell.

Lucas nodded to himself, and went to take another step forward. But, his mind was filled with images of a small, chubby baby failing to munch on her food. A baby using the crib to stand up, before letting go of the wood and moving forward on her own.

When she was learning, Lucas would pretend to leave since Arle didn't like to practice when he was around. She's always so secretive, doing everything on her own without a word or complain.

Independence was good, Lucas even wanted her to grow up quickly and run around, catch her own food and such.
But in that moment where she walked from one wall, to the one opposite it without falling once... Lucas realized why that book said to treasure the little moments.

He suddenly appeared, making Arlecchino turn to him with a stoic expression. But he could tell she was surprised by her raised shoulders, and the way her lower lip was pulled up slightly in annoyance.