Like a nightingale, her melodies flooded the entire room as she twirled the knitting pins in her hand. She looked up at her husband and daughter on the bed, and with a smile as broad as the sun, she continued with what she was doing.

On the bed, the Duke of Houston smiled as he put down the brush in his hand and picks up another one smaller in size, he continued with what he did on his daughter's back. Eyes fluttering in admiration, the little girl watched her mother from where she lay. By now she was used to it: her father sketching or drawing or writing in her back while she lie on her stomach. She couldn't tell what exactly her father always worked on, on her back, how could she, she wasn't even allowed to look at it in the mirror. No one but her father and mother knew what was there, not even her maid did, because no one but her parents could see her naked. It was the one unbroken rule they had. Her mother, the Duchess took care of bathing her by herself, and each time her hands got to her back, she could always feel her mother tracing whatever was there for seconds, before continuing with bathing her. As long as her parents were happy with whatever was there, she was happy.

And just like every other night, all three of them were in her father's room, her mother worked on that same old shawl she has been working on for years now while singing beautifully by the corner, illuminated by the lantern light, her hair flowing gloriously down her back in perfect curls. While her father worked on her back as she lies flat on her stomach, her back bare. They never tell her what it is they do on her back, but like every other night, she gave it another try.

"Papa, what is it you're doing this time?" She asked. And even without turning to look at him, she could feel her father smile.

"Patience Kidaya, patience. One day, you shall see it all." The Duke says continuing with what he was doing. He glances at his wife who smiles at him still singing. "What is the key again?" He asks his daughter.

Smiling. "Behind the house with no door, beneath the tree with no leaf, the eye is seen," Kidaya says proudly.

Smiling back. "You must never forget it my dear. It is the only eye."

**

"Come out Kidaya, I know you are behind the door." The Duchess says putting down her teacup and turning to face the door. She had seen her six-year-old daughter tiptoe behind the door while she was having a meeting with the women who had come for tea and talks about hats and the latest fashion in town especially as the most exciting season of the country was drawing near. Duchess Vlaya has always hated such talks, but being Duchess also meant sitting through meaningless meetings such as the one that has just finished, whilst having a convincing smile on your face as though you wouldn't want to be anywhere but with the women. Some traveled long distances just for such pieces of news and chats and gossip.

When she had seen Kiday sneak behind the door, the Duchess had almost used her as an excuse to leave the unending meeting. But letting them know Kidaya was behind the door would only have put her daughter in their mouth as the next juicy gossip: (not in front of her, of course) but no one would stop them from running their mouth the moment they stepped out of her presence, about how unladylike it was for Kidaya to eavesdrop. So still smiling, the Duchess had listened on while glancing at her daughter behind the door from time to time, to make sure she didn't make her presence known.

Eyes cast down, hands wrapped behind her, Kidaya walked out from behind the door and walked towards her mother.

"What have I told you about eavesdropping, Kidaya?" Her mother asks getting a face towel from her handmaid and dapping it gently on Kidaya's cheek to take off a stain. She showed the stain to Kidaya with an expression that said 'caught you.'

Giggling. "That it isn't right for a Lady to eavesdrop. It makes one look improper. But I wasn't eavesdropping Mama. I mean... I was but I didn't mean to."

The Duchess just gave her a look that made her laugh more.

"Am serious Ma-" she got a scowl from her mother. "I am telling the truth, Mama." Kidaya corrected herself, eyes down.

"Have you been playing outside again?" The Duchess asks picking up her tea cup again.

Kidaya watched as her mother elegantly sipped from her cup. "I could not find Ria, and I -

"I sent Ria to the storehouse to sort out your new books that have arrived. It will take her a while."

"Can I go play with the cook's boy?" Kidaya asks.

"Come here Kidaya." The Duchess beckoned. Slowly, Kidaya walks closer to her mother who picks her up. "I have a question for you, Kidaya. May I ask, My Lady?" The Duchess teased.

Smiling, Kidaya nods her head, then as if realizing her mistake, she quickly says. "Yes, you may."

Smiling. "If I kill someone, does that make you the killer?" The Duchess asks.

Shaking her head. "No, it doesn't."

"If your Papa stole something, would that make you the thief?"

"No Mama."

"Then why address him by a title his mother earned? Who is the cook?"

"His mother."

"And who is he?"

"Ralph," Kidaya answers.

Smiling. "Then you should always address him as Ralph, and not the cook's boy. Alright, milady?"

Smiling. "Alright. Now may I go play with Ralph, Mama?"

"No Lady Kidaya, you may not."

"But why?"

"Because a Lady does not play."

"Does a Lady fake her smile like you did when the women were around?"

The Duchess laughs. "You caught me didn't you, you little sneaky Lady." Kidaya laughs. "A Lady cannot play with a man."

"But why, Mama?"

"Because it is scandalous. You should not even be seen alone with a man without a chaperone, it would ruin you."

Kidaya fakes a frown.

Smiling. "But I know Ralph is a gentleman, so you can go promenade with him."

"Just promenade?"

"Just promenade, Kidaya. And where people can see you. Okay?"

She gets down from her mother's leg. "Okay, Mama."

**

The Duchess was in her room getting ready for dinner when she heard horses blaring outside the castle walls. She knew it was about time her husband came home, maybe he was already a few minutes late, but why the noise? She looked outside her window just in time to see their men drive speedily towards the castle with her husband leading them. They seem to be in a rush, but why? She watched as he jumped off his horse and immediately looked up at her through the window.

"Get Kidaya!" He screamed with a nod before dashing into the front door.

Vlaya didn't wait another minute to be told again. She quickly dashed out of her room and raced across the hall to her daughter's room. "Kidaya!" She screamed as she ran into the room.

"She fell asleep while waiting for the Duke to return so I put her to -

"Get up dear." The Duchess screams making it to the bed and yanking her off the bed. Kidaya groaned in her sleep. "Wake up dear, we need to leave." And without waiting for her daughter to get an idea of what was happening, she begins to drag her along as she ran. Turning to her daughter's maid. "You know where to go?"

Bowing. "Yes, Duchess." And she was gone.