Aveline's eyes were wide with wonder, her hands on the glass and her knees in her seat. The wildlife outside slowly became the outskirts of the massive castle still a mile out. Nilly tapped her shoulder, causing the bright eyed girl to turn back. Her bright eyes were still filled with excitement, causing her mother to giggle softly.
"That amazing, sweetie? Just wait until we arrive behind the castle walls. The castle town is much grander."
Aveline turned around, sitting more properly. Her hands were folded in her lap as she began to fidget a little.
"Mama, are we gonna go camping with Papa after we go back? It was fun on the way here, but I wanted to see the stars with you and him."
Nilly held her hand over her mouth, but couldn't resist. She wrapped her arms around her daughter and gushed.
"How is my baby so cute?! Of course! Your Papa will go camping with us on our way home! We just have to do the usual, then a little extra and boom. We can go home!"
Aveline smiled brightly, her eyes catching Kyra as she had begun to fall asleep. Her head tilted lower, little by little, until Aveline tapped her mother and nodded towards her. Nilly smiled and cleared her throat. Kyra opened her eyes wide, looking around quickly.
"Kyra..."
"S-sorry, Lady Nilly."
Aveline and Nilly exchanged a glance.
"Kyra, do not misunderstand. When we get into the castle, Theo promised rooms. You spent nearly every night keeping watch as we made our way here. I will, personally, escort you to a very comfortable bed. Until then, please do not hurt yourself by falling over in your sleep."
Kyra began to blush, bowing her head ever so slightly.
"Aveline, sweetie, the two of you are quite close and you are nearly thirteen, so your growth has made it possible. Would you offer Kyra your lap as her pillow? At least until we reach the end of the ride."
Aveline hopped to her feet, a sudden bump on the road causing her to fall forward. She had her face full of softness. As she looked up from between the pillows, Kyra's scarlet face came into view.
"Oh, hi. Pardon me for dropping in."
Kyra looked away, trying not to laugh. Aveline pushed herself up, scooting beside Kyra. She opened her arms, opening and closing her hands towards Kyra.
"Come on!"
Kyra quickly shook her head.
"I-I think I am very much awake now, Lady Aveline."
She was still blushing, while Aveline rolled her eyes and began to pout a little. Deciding to lean forward, Aveline spoke quietly to her mother.
"I think we should get Kyra a new uniform. It... it's a bit small. Maybe even a special present too? She's been so good to us. To me."
Nilly tapped Aveline on the nose, her smirk giving Aveline the okay. The girl smiled brightly, causing her mother to wrap her in a hug once more.
The three ladies rode into the castle gates, coming to a halt at a back entrance. Their arrival being a visit rather than a meeting, the usual grandiose splendor was dialed back. Outside the large wooden doors stood two men. Both largely built, laughing to themselves until the carriage finally opened. One of the men, Thorin, quickly helped the three women to the ground.
"There's my girls. Come say hello to Theo, little one."
Aveline followed her father, her eyes falling on a man she had only met once before. He was shorter than her father, but held a regal air. Aveline looked him up and down for a few seconds before bowing.
"Erm... not sure how to address you now."
Theo smiled as she stood.
"Do not fret, Aveline. While I may be formal to an annoying degree, I ask that you call me what you used to. Though we may not be family by blood, your father will always be my brother. You will always be my niece."
Aveline smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Uncle Theo! Phew! I was worried!"
Theo could only laugh. His eyes lifted towards Nilly. Taking her hands, he gave her a warm smile.
"It is good to see you once again, Lady Nilly. I trust Thorin has been good to you, through and through."
Nilly bowed slightly.
"Yes, yes. He is still terrified of me. Something you never got the chance to see."
Aveline watched in silence, asking Niall a question.
'You think they had a thing?'
--
"Aveline, your mother is a princess. Of course she had the chance to be with King Theo. In the end, she did choose Duke Thorin. It was the same for Marie choosing Qwyn, they went after who appealed more to their taste. Not wealth, nor power. And no, she doesn't want Theo. Theo is also a sore winner, not a sore loser. He has three wives, your father has only Nilly. Though... he still wins."
--
Aveline smiled to herself as she followed everyone into the castle. It was massive, astounding and already astounded girl. Everything was new and massive. As she began to look around, she didn't notice the stares from Kyra and her parents. Each one was happy to see her excited.
Before long, Kyra was escorted to a room where she could finally get some sleep. The tired maid flopped into the bed, barely paying attention as the door closed. Aveline looked up at her mother, a scheming twinkle in her eyes. Nilly had the same look.
"We are here for two days, sweetie. We can find something in town to get for her! Any ideas?"
Theo and Thorin watched in stunned silence as the mother-daughter combo schemed to get Kyra a gift.