Chaos & Order

Chapter 4

Time had passed since that day and Aliyah discovered the benefits of having a guardian
angel. Siel would guide her around most small inconveniences and pains--a large branch got knocked aside and once, a pot fell only for Siel to catch it. His calming aura was also useful for stressful days. Every day, she woke up to see him sitting in his stool at the foot of her bed and, during the rest of the day, he would be her invisible protector.

And this kept going on for a year.

                               ***

One day in the early afternoon, all seemed normal, quiet...until Aliyah ran through the halls, laughing in sheer joy with a mostly-unseen orb of light right over her shoulder. On her heels was her instructor, looking furious

"Get back here, Princess Aliyah!" The instructor shouted as he chased after her. Unfortunately for him, the princess was fast enough to leave him in the dust in a matter of moments.

"Your father told you to finish your lessons." Siel's voice said to Aliyah.

"Sorry, can't hear you~" Aliyah giggled as she zigzagged around servants and guards.

"You can and we both know that." Siel's voice said, exasperated, but entertained.

"Don't act like you're not enjoying this!" She said as she jumped down the stairs.

"I can neither confirm nor deny it." Siel commented.

Aliyah giggled as she turned a corner and bumped into someone, making her fall back with a surprised yell. She felt her heart stop, though, when she realized who she ran into--her father, King Xavier.

"Well, apparently I made a mistake. I thought that you were having your schooling right now." the king said as he helped her to her feet.

Aliyah smiled sheepishly, as she regained her footing, "Hello, father."

"Now, what's your excuse for today, young lady?" Xavier asked with an exasperated smile, "Were you bored or did you see something shiny outside the window? I've heard so many that nothing could surprise me now. Apparently, my teenage daughter has become a toddler..."

"Actually, it's what today is." Aliyah said, excitedly.

"Hmm...what could it possibly be. I have no idea." Xavier said in a playful ignorance.

"Daddy, you know exactly what today is." Aliyah giggled.

"I say you're too old for this, but..." he handed her a small present.

Aliyah looked at him before taking the gift. "What is it?"

"Open it and find out."

She smiled and opened the gift. Within was a small hairpin shaped like a bat and had a small, blood red ruby set into it. Aliyah took it out and beamed, "I love it!"

"I'm glad you do." Xavier said, hugging her.

Aliyah hugged him back. "Thank you."

"Happy birthday, Aliyah." Xavier said. Aliyah kissed her father on the cheek, "I trust you'll be attending the ball tonight?"

"Yes, I was told that it's a masquerade this year." Aliyah said.

"You've been going on all year long about how much you like the appearance of masquerades. I caved last week." Xavier nodded.

"Had a feeling you would." Aliyah smiled, but had an antsy feeling, "Is that all?"

"Well, I admit to having...ulterior motived." Xavier said, "Like...providing your tutors a distraction to catch up with you."