The Family

Such Sweet Things...

The sun shone all around me...the colors seemed brighter than usual as I walked along a beautiful stone cobble way.

I walked across the pathway as light engulfed my surroundings. Everything shone brightly except for a single willow tree. I walked across the pathway and towards the tree.

As I got closer, I could faintly make out a figure of a woman.

Onwards, I walked and eventually made my way to the willow tree.

I couldn't make out any distinct features but, I don't know why, but I thought this figure was my mother for some reason.

Willows were her favorite.

As I finally walked over to the trunk of the tree. My mother turned around and held out, what I thought was, her hand.

And then I heard a voice through all this. I thought it was my mother as she spoke.

"My trésor,my trésor are you awake?" The deep voice was familiar and yet unfamiliar at the same time.

It was hazy at first but gradually became clearer.

Until I felt everything shaking as if a earthquake was happening.

The colors gradually faded and I was brought back to reality.

My vision was blurry at the sudden sunshine that hit my face. After my vision had accustomed to the sun, I could make out a figure hovering over my face.

Out of fright and due to instinct, I lunged my fist at the face and sat up immediately. The man fell to the ground and groaned.

His groaned dissipated and instead were replace with light chuckles.

I looked over at the man and quickly gripped my gun at his face.

My grip was steady as I was ready to take the shot at only the slightest movement.

Until a voice broke through the silence and caused me to loosen my grip.

"Ah, my trésor holds a gun to my head once again." He sighed with a mischievous grin.

"Why did you wake me up?" I asked as irritation coated my words.

"Well my poor trésor has spent the night in that uncomfortable vehicle and I thought that I could at least grace her with a delectable breakfast. So how about it." He expectantly held out his hand, waiting for me to take it.

I slapped his hand away,"Thanks but no thanks. I ain't hungry." I mumbled but my stomach chose the worst time to protest as a loud growl rumbled from my stomach.

I looked down to my feet as Nicolas gave a triumphant smirk and grabbed my wrist to pull me out the car and towards the house.

Despite my protests and me trying to pull my wrist from his grasp multiple times. He showed surprising strength as he lugged me into the house.

I pouted as I sat by the kitchen counter, Nicolas sat next to me. He had already told his butler to fetch some breakfast as we sat in silence.

I had given up trying to escape a long time ago. I excused myself to the bathroom and walked out the door.

As I finished up and walked out from the bathroom, I could hear distant voices emanating from the kitchen.

I walked over and hid behind a corner so no one could see me.

I strained my ears and made out two familiar voices.

It was Arabella and Nicolas...

"Oh Nicolas! It's so lovely to see you bright and early in the morning. And I have a surprise! There is a show that's going to be held and it's opera!" Arabella squealed.

Nicolas scratched the back of his neck.

"Yes, that's sounds lovely. When is it?" He asked.

"This evening, I just wanted to tell you so that we could meet up there. How about 6?"

He nodded his head and Arabella leaned in closer,"Oh I do hope you attend, it would be lovely." She batted her long eyelashes.

I rolled my eyes and intervened. I walked in and slung my arms around his shoulders,"Lovely, when do we leave?" I asked as I innocently smiled.

She gave me an irritated look,"I'm terribly sorry, but the invitation only extends to Nicolas here." She said as she gave me a sly smile.

I simply smiled back as Nicolas intervened,"I'm afraid if Valentine does not attend, I cannot attend either." He gently said.

"W-why?" She questioned.

"Because, I'm Mr princes bodyguard and wherever he goes I goes." I spat.

She quivered in anger and scowled,"Fine, I guess..." she trailed off.

"Thanks!" I said as she stomped off.

After I heard the front door slam, I turned around and faced Nicolas.

"Opera?" I asked. Staring him down.

He sighed and rubbed his temples,"Well...I actually loath it but...Arabella looked so excited so..." he trailed off.

I shook my head and walked out the kitchen.

"Wait where are you going?" He called out to me.

"Home...might as well look good for the show." I said. His face lit up,"Oh! We have lovely gowns here! From France!" He said.

"Ummm...no thanks...I was just gonna change my suit into something more...I don't know." I shrugged. He shook his head and grabbed my wrist.

"Is this really necessary?" I sputtered as maids and servants measured me and helped me out of my previous clothes. I didn't like to be seen without clothes so I rebelled and crawled away from them, knocking over a few vases that were probably worth more than me.

Nicolas called out from outside the closed door,"Yes, now please cooperate with the maids, it'll make everything go quicker." He said in a patient voice.

I sighed and tried choosing something with pants but the maids insisted on me wearing a dress.

After an entire afternoon of arguing and protesting, I realized I wasn't gonna be winning this fight and gave up.

They pulled my hair up into an uncomfortably tight updo and gave me a deep crimson dress that fell to the floor that complimented my pale and reasonably small frame. They powdered my face and put a whole country's worth of makeup on me.

After the whole process they pushed me out the door and into the hallway where Nicolas stood.

"I don't get it, where am I supposed to put my weapons?" I said, inspecting the dress.

"You're not supposed to have weapons. A lady like yourself should be defenseless and...innocent." he commented, earning a frown from me.

"Listen Mr princey, it seems you're forgetting who's protecting you here and I got a job to do. The only reason I'm going is so that I can keep an eye on you, not to enjoy the show...that's your job with that girl who's been makin goo goo eyes at ya." I spat as I stomped out the house and settled into my car.

I couldn't even walk properly because of the dress and heels.

I sat with my arms crossed and avoiding eye contact when Nicolas arrived, ready for the show.

I started the car and violently drove off.

"I-I apologize for my words earlier." Nicolas said sheepishly.

I clenched the steering wheel and sighed.

"Hey don't worry about it, I'm bring my holster and jacket anyways so it's no sweat." I said as we drove off into the night.