Gravensnod (manxman)

Chapter One

A/N: Part II will have a little more Ari than the first Part. I'm also not uploading this part all together, because it isn't done yet. :)

Alexei 

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Agatha, happy birthday to you!"

Everyone cheered and clapped as Agatha blew out the candles on her cake, my eyes getting watery. Her eyes found mine and her face erupted into a smile as she ran over and jumped into my arms. I laughed while easily lifting her up into my arms and swinging her around in a circle.

"Did you see that Daddy? I blew out all the candles on my first try!"

"It was quite impressive honey; you're so grown up now. How is it possible for you to be four already?" She smiled as I ran a hand over her black untimely hair. "You're a lady."

Agatha squealed in delight as I kissed her before gently putting her down. She was then running back over to the table where Genevieve was placing a piece of cake onto her plate. When my wife looked up I quickly adverted my eyes out the window and frowned when seeing the heavy downpour outside. When a plate of cake was being shoved into my hands, I sank down into a chair while watching my daughter laugh with her friends. Her smiling face was the best thing to ever happen to me. She made all the bad days good and always made a smile form onto my face.

When my eyes slowly traveled back to Genevieve, my mind wandered back to our wedding day. It had been quick and everyone in the country had seemed to accept her. The wedding took place a week after Philo left and never came back. I always hoped that he would come back just for a visit, but nothing in the last four years. I knew that Louise left every Christmas and other times throughout the year, but I had no idea where she went. When she finished school I practically begged her to stay in the castle. It was bad enough that I lost Philo; I didn't want to lose her too. Plus she looked a lot like her brother. My heart always skipped a beat when I saw her from behind until remembering he wasn't coming back. And I was to blame.

Sudden laughter brought me out of my thoughts as I looked up to see Ari and Mikael laughing with Agatha. Four years ago I really thought my best friend was going to try and get together with Fyn. The air around them just seemed to be different, but nothing happened. Ari never wanted to talk about it and before I knew it he went back to London. Fyn hadn't been himself when Ari left with Mikael, and he really hasn't shown any emotion. Fyn was now one of my personal guards, always keeping my daughter and myself safe.

Whenever I brought up the topic of marriage to Ari he simply shrugged it off. He seemed happy with Mikael, but I knew he could he happier. But life never seems to give you what you really want in the end. The only thing I was enjoying about life now was my daughter. Without her I knew I would have been a complete mess when Philo left.

I watched as Agatha brought a piece of cake over to Fyn, who was standing in the back by the windows. He accepted with a smile and nod, he had a soft spot for the little princess. When she turned away his smile fell and his face got hard once again, cake left uneaten. He didn't even try to attempt to look at Ari anymore.

Placing my untouched cake onto a nearby table, I got up and told Agatha I'd be right back. Once in the hallway I ventured into the bathroom. After coming out I stopped upon hearing sudden deep coughs. Following the sound, I walked into the library doorway to see Louise reading a book by a window. Her cough sounded awful and it seemed like she was slightly shivering.

"Louise?"

She instantly looked up while closing her book and holding it against her chest. "Hello Alexei. Having fun at Agatha's party?"