"I want a room just for painting," Lucy says, staring at Papa. "Okay. Have your maids clear out a room in Concubine Meng's courtyard" Papa pauses, looking up from his papers. "Do you wish for your own courtyard?" Papa asks.
Lucy's eyes widen. I'm two, dude. Two! "No, Papa. I want to stay with Mommy, and my sisters" Lucy answers. He would arrange it if she didn't refuse. Papa frowns. "Are you sure, little thing?" Papa asks. She nods. "Lucy is sure." She answers. Than. "Papa, do you think Chef Janice will make me pancakes, and bacon?" Lucy asks.
Papa laughs. "Carlos, tell the kitchen to prepare it. And a vegetable dish as well." Papa glances at Lucy, eyes smiling. "You can't eat just sweets and meat, little thing. It's not healthy" Papa says.
Lucy rolls her eyes. I'm eating enough for three teenage boys, does it really matter weather I eat vegetables or not? She didn't say this however, fearing he would force her into a vegetation diet to prove a point. Lucy shudders remembering his last point. One complaint too many about being fed too many soups, and she was left with three days of soup.
Besides the snacks, Selena already had on hand, she wasn't allowed anything but those soups. And it was impossible to complain he was mistreating her as the soups were full of precious herbs, and Aura beast meat. Even with Void Hunger, Lucy at times felt so stuffed she would burst.
Lucy shudders again. Way too harsh on my taste buds! I need sugar, chocolate, strawberries! Nuts, and candy! Cakes and cookies! Melon, grapes, and lemons! Being restricted to just soup...
Lucy jumps off her chair, and runs to Papa. She sweetly smiles, tugging on his arm. "Papa, when can I visit Rimes clan again? I miss Big Sis Jiao, and Big Bro Shui!" Lucy whines. I am two. This isn't shameful, because I am two. Lucy convinces herself.
Papa pats her head. "Later. You've not quite recovered. Let your bond-maid get used to your special needs before you go rushing here and there" Papa says, before turning back to his papers.
Lucy rolls her eyes. I know my limits, Papa. I won't die from a little visiting. Still, Lucy ends up returning to her seat. She opens her sketch pad, an image in mind.
Her tiny fingers seem to fly across the paper. Two familiar people coming alive on page. A scar on his left hand, a freckle on her temple, a insignia ring on his middle finger, and a veil that can't conceal her love, or her tenderness.
Carlos enters after a quick knock. "The kitchens are at work for the Third Miss' snack. I sent a message to Miss Selena on Third Miss' wish for a studio for her art. Baron Seaton has requested a meeting with you, your Highness. It's about his newly Awakened daughter." Carlos reports. Lucy tilts her head. Hmm, is it a good thing, or a bad thing Carlos has stopped censoring himself around me?
Lucy knew lots she shouldn't as Papa didn't bother hiding his business and hanging about in his study was nice quality time. Papa waves a hand. "Set a meeting for next week. Send a letter to Third Brother. Tell him about the recent smuggling of Aura quartz, and that his beloved daughter is testing Imperial Father's patience. It would be best to retrieve her before it snaps." He says darkly.
"Order more Aura cherries, and double my order of Fae silk." Papa says, than turns to Lucy. His scowl fades, and his eyes are gentle. "Are you done sketching? May I see?" Papa asks, doting clear in his tone. It's a good thing I'm used to you, Papa or I'd get whiplash from your moodiness.
Lucy nods, holding the pages out. "I drew you, and Mommy. Did I do well, Papa?" Lucy asks. Carlos ferries the sketches to Papa, when Lucy shows no sign of standing. A hint of pity rose in Lucy's heart. Carlos suppressed even Papa's only son with his status, but her laziness had trained him to such a degree no words were needed.
Papa accepts the papers, and looks over them.. After a minute, Lucy twists her hands. He was just staring. His thoughts were no help. He wasn't thinking at all, his emotions too murky for her to understand. "Papa?" Lucy asks. Did I make mistake? "Papa, do you like it?" Lucy asks, her stomach heavy.
His lips quirk, his smile making Lucy freeze.
Papa is. Papa is so handsome... Really pretty!
"My daughter is a genius" Papa says, quite calmly. "Little thing, you surpass some of those so-called court artists." Papa says, "Drew a yourself. I want your portrait." Papa demands. Lucy blinks. Ahhh.
"But, Papa! I don't even know what I look like!" Lucy protests. How am I supposed to sketch myself without knowing my face!