princess? please if you need a book from high up allow me to get it I dont want to see you get hurt giving her a soft smile as the book sits on top of his head

Umm yeah sure takes the book off his head as he's puts her down

looking to the shelf scanning it then to her are you alright princess? you have... seemed out of it.... do you miss the king and queen?

No sitting as she reads hiding all her feelings well

he looks down at her as he sighs staying near her for hours as a maid brings up a tray of cookies and tea princess the king and queen return today from the trip to king matthews land. we recieved word a few moments ago.

she looks up gives a nod then gose back to her book not saying a word

she nods leaving as estolie looks down at her then up its wonderful to hear they are returning yes?

Yes sipping her tea like a lady

he smiles looking up as they sit for afew more hours a knock on the library door

Come in?

fritz walks in with roderich as they smile Maria? we are home our love

she gets up and runs to them holding them tight I missed you!!!

fritz smiles as estolie smiles fritz picking her up oh my love im so sorry we have been gone so much lately

she cries when will it end?

we finished our work with king matthew and king gilbert we are now home for good he smiles kissing her cheeks no tears baby its okay

calms down holding him thank you daddy

he smiles looking to estolie did you have fun with estolie? was he a gentleman?

He was borrrreiinnggg .....helpful but boreing

estolie laughs looking to her im sorry i wasnt to your standard princess.... i shall try to be more fun in the future fritz laughs thank you estolie you may return to your duties he bows leaving as fritz sets her down so my dear its almost dinner time shall we go eat together?

Yes!! What's Matthews kingdom like? Is it bigger then ours?

no we are about the same size. but his is surrounded by mountains while we have only the main mountain to the north. we were discussing our peace treaty and alliance.

Are they mean people?

no baby but when your grandpa ruled he and the former king of Matthews land didn't get along. we have changed that and now we are living in peace

What's grandpa like? roderich looks away not wanting to awnser

he sighs looking forward your gandfather was a king that ruled with an iron fist. he had power and loved using it. thats not how you run a kingdom though. you use power to PROTECT not to get what you want... do you understand maria?

...I do but what if you need something and another kingdom has what you need? But they won't give it to you?

he sighs you dont need to worry about that

Okay daddy getting to the mess hall as a feast is prepared

fritz smiles as they all sit and eat together

she smiles eating quietly but still wondering about the other kingdoms and what they are like

time passes as it gets late alright mari a off to bed... tomorrow you will spend all day with us

Yes daddy! huggig them both before running off

he smiles looking to roderich are you alright?

smiles of course just tired from the trip

gives him a kiss go on to bed i have some things i need to finish. i'll join you soon

Don't be long, you look tired too walking off

he smiles going to his office as he works for a long while falling asleep on his desk

the next day roderich sleeping in as Maria plays in the garden

Estolie stays near keeping an eye on her

Maria sits on a little stool drawing in a book sketching a rose listening to the birds sing

he smiles watching her..... a maid walks out setting breakfast on a small table next to her

thank you putting her pad down drinking the tea

he smiles as a yell is herd as he jumps looking over as the head of guard comes marching toward him as he takes a step back falling into the pond WHOA!!!

Maria stands in a panic as she runs scared

Estolie getting grabbed as he is dragged off dripping wet

scared hiding behind a bush staying quiet shaking

watching him getting dragged away

he gets yelled at as he struggles stop I have to protect the princess I just... I just wanted to give her her privacy!!

she gets angry and runs out of the bush crying and "punching" the head of the guards back and "kicking" him LET HIM GO!!! LET HIM GO!!

he gasps as they let him go, the guards glaring at her taking a step tward her as Estolie moves in front of her take one more step and you will regret it They smirk with a laugh get out of the way boy she has been bad~

he glares drawing his sword Princess Maria go inside... please... glancing back his eyes soft but strong

she runs inside screaming DAAAAAAAADDYY!!!

Fritz looks up stepping I to the hall seeing maria sweet heart?? Estolie outside getting beaten to the ground

she takes his hand pulling him as she cries

he follied her as he finds them surrounding Estolie in shock as he yells WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!?! they gasp moving back as Estolie looks up covered in bruises as he tries to sit up with a groan roderich joining them

roderich gasps and sits up estolie slowly Maria crying hard as her hand maiden takes her away to calm her Roderich looking up why did you do this!!?

they look at each other not sure what to say as Fritz gets mad YOUR QUEEN ASKED YOU A QUESTION!! They flinch as one speaks he... he hasn't completed the duties in the barraks Fritz glares upset he has been on a mission protecting the princess... more guards appear arresting the men I will decide your punishment later!!

the guard take them away are you okay Estolie!? roderich looking over him

his breath heavy his eye swollen closed i... I'm fine how is my lady.... they... reached for her... they didn't touch her but... I need to know she is okay Fritz getting more angry

can you stand? puts his arm around roderichs neck holding him up slowly taking him inside taking him to the grand maester to get estolie patched up

Fritz follows them before going to Maria's room

mairas hand maids hug her and brush her hair calming her down telling her stories of their own lives

Fritz walks in looking down at her are you alright my love? kneeling to her level

nods staying quiet

fritz looks into her eyes my beautiful daughter im sorry that happened to you

Is ..is he okay?

you mean Estolie? I'm not sure shall we go check on him? offering his hand

nods taking his hand

helps her up taking her to the infirmary as Estolie sits on a bed being treated bandages being applied to his chest

she hides behind Frederick still alittle sad about what happend

Fritz looks to her with a soft smile it's okay Maria he did it to protect you. you should thank him Estolie looking up seeing Maria as he gives a smile and a sigh

Thank you Estolie feeling bad about what happend

he smiles standing slowly as he takes a knee bowing low to her it was an honor to protect you and keep you safe my princess. I am so sorry you had to see that but, I'm so glad i could keep you safe

Don't your hurt!! taking his arm

he smiles taking her hand nothing major princess i promise.

she hugs him I wish you ran with me

I had to make sure they didn't follow you *hugs her bavk