Hidden through time

40. Home is where the heart is

Written 2016 by VeGirl ©

I stepped carefully through the mansion the first days, worried that I would be taken for a trespasser as soon as I was caught walking there without Ty by my side. Everybody smiled friendly though and curtsied to me, and after the first few days of feeling like an intruder, I started to revel in my new environment.

The days consisted of lazy mornings in bed over the first couple of weeks. The nights were amazing, but felt a little awkward. Charles was the only man I had been intimate with and however much I tried to convince myself otherwise, Ty felt out of my league. It was here I noticed his passion for exactness that in hinesight I had seen before. He hung his clothes, making sure they were smoothed out and exactly positioned. This was something I had been neglecting for many years, but I tried to respect the garment with his precision.

After some time of lazy mornings, Ty wanted up early while the air was crisp, he said. I had never been a slugabed but I missed the innocent morning cuddle. This was the time of day where we could talk, could get to know one another.

There was so much for me to discover in this place while Ty was busy, and the staff seemed delighted to having me here. They were eager to make me feel at home and did everything for me.

Breakfast was ready whenever I pleased to show up in the dining room, steaming hot and exquisitely mouthwatering. Whatever time or day I wanted to take a bath, it was already steaming as I walked into the bathroom. It was as if they could read minds. The bed was made and whatever I might have placed in the wrong spot, somebody moved when I looked away.

It was easy to become spoiled.

Ty turned out to be an active man; not that his physical appearance said anything else, but I hadn't expected him to be quite that athletic. He was running or working in the gym, in between riding and sword fighting.

The pool just outside was heated and I gladly joined him as he did laps in it, or I sat on the patio observing him as he swam from one end to the other.

This was the easy life; the good life.

Ty was involved in training what I found out was part of the Royal guards. I who had regretted not taking that self-defense class during my human years, now had opportunity to train with the big boys. Ty was a great tutor and I soon made improvements. Sword fighting was where I drew the line though and stepped out of the game.

Another great tutor was Cael who came to the mansion daily to teach me how to speak alvish. The language dissolved bit by bit and I could not only understand, but making myself understood as well. Cael was a small sinewy man who probably had a millennium of teaching experience on his CV and a pleasant air surrounding him.

Even though I felt like a youngster again, sitting in my newly installed desk in the office, I was eager to learn. Linguistic improvements made life so much easier and I felt less like an alien when I could express myself easier.

Mrs Canto though, who came regularly to foster me in how to act at court, was a nuisance. It wasn't that I thought I could manage on my own, because there was a lot of do's and even more don'ts, but she was constantly looking down her nose at everybody. I was fairly sure she did the same to me when I wasn't looking. Despite her harsh ways, or perhaps due to it, she had me striding gracefully with my head held high in no time.

To know who to bow for, and who you shouldn't bow to was according to Mrs Canto essential. Even more essential to me was what to do when others bowed to me; which felt unnatural. I became edgy and embarrassed at once, but with a little help from my new friend I stood tall with nothing showing of the knot in my stomach.

My days were filled with physics, linguistics and social training.

Even though Ty's mansion was situated in a remote area, it was not far from civilization and we often took a walk into the minor town. I could still not get enough of the market with both fruit and vegetables, and the odd stuff I knew very little about.

Everybody knew Ty, something that didn't surprise me, but what did, was how warmly they accepted me into the society. Here I showed up like jack in a box, and everybody seemed just having waited for me.

Once in a while, Ty had to go away and help his aunt with some official matter. Sometimes I came along, but more often I stayed in the mansion while he went away. At those times of solitude, I often sought the company of Ty's books. With some of his guidance I had a pile of history literature to go through. As a member of this royal family it was important to know about the Alfheim I was supposed to one day participate in ruling. That scared me immensely.

Now and then thoughts of Quin passed through my mind. I wondered what he did and how he was doing. Forcefully I pushed those aside and focused on my task.

* * *

At first, the business dinners were exciting and felt almost exotic, compared to the life I had lived with Charles. Eventually I learned that the dinner meetings and formal affairs were just like any other meeting, however luxurious the dresses were, and however delicious dinner was.

"There is that formal smile again," Ty whispered discretely and I cleared my throat.

"Sorry." I tried to turn that strained smile into an honest one.

"It won't be too long this time."

All I could do was smile and watch him leave with the other men.

"What do you say about a walk?" A warm familiar voice behind me made me spin around.

"My Queen." I curtsied deep.

"Francine Eleonore, get up from that floor this minute," her voice echoed in the room and I didn't doubt that she got the respect she deserved in a lot of situations. "My name is Nuvian Aguilon and I would very much prefer if you would call me by my name."

"Nuvian," I smiled shy.

"Come." She hooked her arm under mine and we strolled out the door, descended the wide stair and walked into the lush ornate garden. This was the same garden I had walked through with Quin but it felt so different now.

"I am so proud of Taitleach," the Queen interrupted my line of thoughts. "He had a rough start in life poor boy, but he has really stepped up. A lot of it is due to you my dear girl."

I blinked surprised.

"For decades he drifted rootless around, but he has finally settled down."

I didn't know what to say and her intelligent eyes roamed my face.

"I'm glad he finally got over that teen crush of his."

That sobered me up abruptly. "Did you ever meet her?"

"I unfortunately did not." There was a fleeting look of regret at that, but she smiled past it. "And none of that matters now." She squeezed my arm affectionately.

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