Grimm girl

Chapter 10

They left me alone thankfully, if someone would have come, I would have kicked that one out of this room. After more than an hour I stood up and walked out, though I had no idea where to go. Elena... I froze when I heard Eric's voice. I took a second before I turned to him, he had been waiting for me. Are you tired? Not really, but because it was already dark outside I checked the time on my watch, it was only noon... "Huh?" I muttered. Don't forget it is nine hours later here than in Portland. Eric said. "Right..." I muttered and changed the time on my watch. Do you want to go back to your room? He asked and I shook my head. "I am not really tired." Would you like a tour through the palace then and after that we could go for a stroll in the garden? I stared at him, not really sure what to think of this and he shrugged. I just want to get to know you better... I sighed deeply, I didn't have much of a choice. Besides, wasn't there a saying: 'keep your friends close but your enemies closer?' "Sure..." I said and I followed him through the maze of hallways. You'll remember the ways soon enough. He showed me the kitchen, dining room, ballroom, library, some offices... I tried to remember everything but it was all too much. "So, if I get this right... the ground floor is open for public, but the first and second floor is private?" I asked and he nodded. Indeed... I didn't expect you would say ground floor instead of first floor. I thought that was the common way of saying in the US? He asked and I shrugged. "I went to a boarding school in the UK from my fourth till a year ago. The British way is more common to me, though I use a mix of words most of the time, whatever sound better in my head." I looked at him. "What about you? Your native language is German, though you don't have a German accent. It's more British as well." He chuckled. That is something we have in common, I studied in London for several years. He led me outside and I was amazed, the garden was simply beautiful. Eric saw it and smiled. Someone likes it. He said. "It is beautiful..." I whispered. There were so much flowers in so many colours. They will all different, but they seemed in harmony. We walked a little while in silence. About the party tomorrow... Eric suddenly said and I frowned. "Yeah yeah, I will behave..." I said. Actually that is not what I wanted to ask you. I rose my eyebrows, not believing him. All right, I would have but that wasn't the most important question. "Then what is?" I asked. Do you know how to dance? That question was so unexpected that I began to laugh. "Dance?" I asked, still smiling. "Boarding school... The United Kingdom... yeah, I know how to dance." Could you show me then? He held out his hand, totally serious and I glanced at it. It is tradition to dance. He said and I took his hand. "All right, what kind of dance?" He took his phone out and put on some music. Before he could say anything, I stopped him, I had recognized the song. "Let me guess... the Emperor Waltz by Strauss." He grinned at me. Very good... you're learning. He started to lead me through the Waltz and I could see his was surprised that I could dance it without any errors. You're a magnificent dancer. "Thank you..." It is almost 10 pm, let me lead you back to your room. On our way back he explained what would be expected of me tomorrow evening. Naturally I had to act that I was happy I was 'back' with my family. I would meet people of the Austrian parliament and some allies. When I asked if other royal families would come as well, he scoffed and said 'Of course, only you won't know who they are just yet.' He also showed me the first floor, where his room was and that of his father. When I asked about his mother, he said she passed away a few years ago and that for me it was a good thing she did. You are allowed to go everywhere, expect of course my bedroom and father's. And if you want to go into one of the offices or meeting room with a close door, best thing to knock first. I nodded as we arrived at my room. Well then, I will see you tomorrow. Good night Elena. He took my hand and kissed it before walking away. I sighed and shook my head, Eric confused me. I closed the door behind me, I was still too awake to go to sleep and it was all so... unreal. I took the remote control of the TV and switched it on. Austrian TV... ugh, I had to work on my German anyway, I would be here for a while but that didn't mean I had to start now. I zapped a little until I found BBC news. "Better..." I muttered and I sat down on a VERY comfortable couch and while waiting for the news of 10 PM to start, I scrolled through the BBC app. An assessment in Libya, a shooting in Chicago... just the normal news. I had always wondered why there was almost no good news... I just wanted to switch it off, when one article popped out to me. Missing Austrian princess returned with her family. 'No way..." I muttered and opened the article.