"Ah. I see. You went to the river to play with the fairies." Mordrin said and Raina's mouth fell open in a unladylike O. He chuckled and pointed over her shoulder.
Clovis was surprised to see a pretty pale white fairy dressed in pale blue fabric on her shoulder hiding in her black hair. Realizing she's been seen she peaked out from inside the black veil, having shrunk herself down to half height, a total of three inches tall. She landed softly on Raina's shoulder.
"Yes... " Raina admitted knowing there was no way not to. She felt oddly warm inside that the fairy had indeed followed her. It was the same snowdrop fairy who had danced across the Zither.
"So you saw the fairies dance for a zither player and now you want to try?" Vella asked gently. Her voice was understanding and full of warmth, almost excitement. However, Raina didn't reply. she was trying to decide how to admit that she had done.
"or did you play the Zither, Raina?" Mordrin asked patiently. Her expression alone was enough to confirm his suspicion. He chuckled and took a swig out of his cup. Clovis smiled a bit.
"Raina, do you want to learn to play the Zither?" Clovis asked with a gentle gaze. She looked up meeting his eyes and he got lost in the innocents of his little girl's heart.
"Yes, please. I already have a teacher I just need you to say it's okay." Raina replied hopefully. Her excitement was back and her eyes were joyful as she watched her father in anticipation. "I promise I will do my best." she adds as if that didn't already show in her face. It was refreshing for the older three to see such sincerity in the palace. It was rare among the royals for sure.
"Alright, Princess, who is this teacher?" Clovis asked feeling a bit uneasy. Who had his daughter been spending time with outside of his family and his home? No servant would have dared teach her and the beauties thought of her as a curse. Mally didn't know how to play so once again he was stumped.
"I...She's a guest of the Emperor." Raina replied honestly. Clovis smiled remembering the two Princesses and The ambassador to The Fierce Waters Kingdom had arrived today. He assumed it was one of them. "She's a very good teacher...:" Raina added seeming to want to keep the name a secret.
"I see. I will allow you to keep your little secret for now." Clovis chuckled happy to see her so lively. It reminded him of what he was fighting for. She got up and walked over, bowing to her father before hugging him tight around the neck. He smiled and patted her back, placing a kiss to her hair.
"Thank you!" Raina cheered with a smile that lit up the room. Vella caressed the little one in her tummy, wondering what would excite the child like his or her cousin was now. What would make her child glow. She couldn't wait to find out.
"Of course there is one condition." Clovis added and Raina looked up at him as she let go of the hug. She nodded enthusiastically.
"What? Anything." she agreed and he smiled
"You must play for your Grandmother's birthday." Clovis replied with a grin. Raina's smile fell a bit. That was only 2 months away.... what if she wasn't good enough by then. Seeing her hesitation he waited. This would tell him exactly how much she really wanted this.
"I will play Snow Dreams at Grandmother's birthday then." Raina replied firmly. She smiled and the fair on her shoulder cheered. The sound of little bells being all they could really understand from her tiny lips.
"Then it's settled Little Zither Girl." he pat her head and Raina smiled. "off to be ready for bed, Raina. I love you." he told her and she dashed away to get ready for bed.