Chapter Three
"Pinky Swear"
"In summer, the song sings itself."
-W.C. Williams
"Nanny Eunji? Why isn't Mother mad at me?" Krystal frowned at the reflection of the middle aged woman
who was currently combing her hair tenderly. The sweet smell of roses and perfume oils was bracing her senses and making her lean indulgently and contentedly to the warmth of her guardian.
Nanny Eunji had always been Krystal's confidant in this enormous mansion. Whenever she'd get hurt or be
in trouble, Nanny Eunji would always see to it that she was okay. Sometimes, she would even get in trouble
from Lady Victoria for slipping some food for Krystal whenever she was being punished and locked up inside
her closet. Sometimes, the older lady would even stay with her just outside and reassure her that she wasn't
alone so she would stop crying. In those times, she would often ask Krystal to sing with her.
Little Krystal loved to sing. So, though still weeping, she would do it anyway. And just like magic, she'd feel alright again… and braver. Nanny Eunji would also hold her during the times she would cry nonstop whenever she'd have nightmares in the middle of the night. She would then read her some bedtime stories, Greek Mythology was her favourite.
She also got to have some extra midnight cookies. It was their little midnight secret. Her mother had strongly forbidden the elves to give her anything after dinner. She said it would make her get used to it until she'd grow older, and it would ruin her shape… whatever that meant. Sometimes, she couldn't really understand why her mother was too strict on her but not so with Kris. Nanny Eunji said it was just because she was a girl, and that her mother just wanted to protect her.
But she didn't want any protection…
She just wanted her love.
"You were hurt pretty badly, my darling. I suppose she's just too worried of you to have the time to get mad,"
Nanny Eunji smiled reassuringly at her while she continued to brush her shiny curls carefully, making sure to
place the right amount of potion to tame it. The young girl had naturally quite a frizzy hair and Lady Victoria
insisted that Nanny Eunji should have a proper routine for its care every night.
"But she always gets mad at me. It's just weird that she didn't punish me a while ago," Krystal frowned, and had then gulped and looked a little scared all of a sudden. "You don't suppose she's postponing my punishment because we have visitors, do you? Maybe she's going to double my punishment after they'll go! Help me, Nanny Eunji… Please," Krystal pleaded as she jumped from her seat and abruptly hugged the older lady.
"Oh, my dear darling... It's not like that at all. Maybe she—"
"Maybe I'm not really angry at all."
Krystal's eyes bulged in fear and panic before she scampered away from her nursemaid and went dutifully towards her mother. "H-Hello Mother," she greeted, pursing her lips in nervousness before tiptoeing to kiss her when she bent down and sat in front of the huge traditional dresser.
"Come," Lady Victoria beckoned her to sit on her lap and the little girl did so, moving as graciously and cautiously as possible. "Eunji?"
"Yes, my lady," Nanny Eunji bowed down amiably before walking out of the room and slowly closing the door.
