"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 .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt

"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 antic.i.p.ation . "I promise I will do my best . " she adds as if that didn't already show in her face . It was refres.h.i.+ng 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 amba.s.sador to The Fierce Waters Kingdom had arrived today . He a.s.sumed 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 .