Chapter Text
The little patter of small feet scuffed on the golden carpet lining the hallways of the little palace. The palace was quiet and peaceful. The Grisha had already left to attend their lessons in training, Grisha theory and combat fighting. The only people left in the palace were the armed Oprichniki.
Alina shuffled down the hallway, her hand touching everything she could reach. Her little fingers glided across the smooth marble, touching every nook and cranny although she didn’t pay much attention to it. She was more interested in what was outside. Despite the little palace being the most beautiful and luxury place to see, to touch, to wander, Alina would give it all up to be outside.
The bright morning light was sighted up ahead and she knew she was getting closer to her achievement of going outside. She walked casually to the opening of the little palace, meeting a cool breeze that blew her little black cloak wrapped around her neck. Her dark black hair blew behind her face, her cheeks flushing red, and she hid her face from the attack of the wind. When it was safe to come out, Alina looked out into the courtyard of the palace.
The sun was shining bright, the faint whinnying of horses exciting Alina even more. She grinned to herself, walking quickly to the edge of the step leading down into the courtyard. She was only little, and the steps were big for her. It was like climbing down a mini mountain for her and as she stared down at the stone, she began to wonder how on earth she was going to get down them.
Alina looked up to see a guard stationed right outside. She debated whether to grab his attention. But then there was the mission of doing that. She was a shy little girl and without knowing what to call him, she’d have to use some other method of getting his help. Alina glanced at the floor for any stones she could throw at him, but the palace floors were spotless and the only stones she spotted were of course at the bottom of the steps. She shook that idea out of her head, knowing it was too much work for her. She was only three years old, nearly four and she’d be there all day trying to think of what to say. She’d have to take a risk and jump.
Alina looked over the edge, eyeing the ground up and building up the moment in her head of when she was going to jump. As she looked out into the courtyard, her excitement of exploring the gardens and stables of the palace gave her the little boost of energy she needed to make her jump. And so, Alina bent her knees, ready to fly off the step and into her adventure and pushed off.
“Ooof” something held her back and she was pulled away from the step. The force was strong, and she couldn’t pull away from it. Alina looked up curiously and met the familiar face of her one and only. Her protector, her mentor, the one who knew her best, the one who knew exactly how she felt and who she was going to be. He wasn’t her father or by any means biologically related. Her parents had died when she was a young baby, but they knew who she was to become when she was old enough. As a result, she was given to the general of the second army to look after and ensure she reached her destiny when she was of age. She was so young when she lost her parents, she never really knew them. But she had all she needed right here and her family was all around her.
Aleksander’s finger was hooked in the rim of her cloak, holding her back and away from the dangers of the step. He had made it just in time before she’d fall and hurt her knee or chip her tooth. He couldn’t tell you the number of times a healer had to heal a scraped knee or bruised elbow from her little adventures. The worst one was when she had a cut on her cheek from a branch she’d ran into. But Alina had grown to overcome the pain and had sometimes not even realised she’d hurt herself until Aleksander noticed for himself. And the number of times he told her to be careful had overthrown that. But that was his job, to make sure she didn’t get hurt and to be there for her when she did.
Aleksander raised an eyebrow, titling his head to the side a little. In the time it took Alina to get herself ready to jump off the step and then go for it, Aleksander had already seen her, walked over at his normal pace and pulled her away to safety. He wasn’t angry, he never could be with her at this age, but just curious as to where she was intending to go.
“And where are you going little one?” he said softly. He knew what her intentions were, but he needed the details. Alina had a tendency to want to face danger head on without realising. She was much too young to understand, and Aleksander had already planned for when she was older to sit her down and talk to her about all the dangers in the world. There were too many to list and each day of her life was guarded to full protection. It was crazy to think a little three-year-old girl was the biggest target in Ravka and she already had more guards than the Tsar.
“To play” she said, her voice squeaky like a mouse and a little mischievous smile lingered on her lips.
Aleksander couldn’t help but smirk, shaking his head a little. This little girl had the perfect room, better than any other Grisha that lived here. The giant box of toys, the countless books stacked on the bookshelf, the endless rolls of parchment and coloured chalks… and she wanted to play outside. In the spikey grass, in the hard stone, in the hot blazing sun and the freezing winter mornings.
“Don’t you want to play inside today?” he asked, making the offer tempting and hoping she would pick that one instead. Inside meant safety and less need of supervision. Outside meant possible harm and the constant watch from her guards. Whoever had today’s shift was in for a treat.
“Mmm no” she was amendment on her decision to play outside today.
“Are you sure” Aleksander said, furrowing his brows and for a moment Alina stared at him, thinking whether to take the offer but she was stuck on her decision to play outside.
“I’m sure” she nodded, and Aleksander sighed a little. He didn’t want to stop her from playing outside but the fact that he couldn’t be there himself to watch her didn’t sit right with him. He trusted his guards and their loyalty meant a lot to him. Not only that but his Grisha were the most loyal people to him and he in no way had a problem with them supervising Alina. He trusted them and smart enough to know if something were to happen to her, they would intervene straight away. But Alina was becoming more sneaky and wanted to explore beyond what was safe for her.
The little palace was the safest place in Ravka for Grisha. It was built so they could learn and thrive in peace without fear of being murdered, kidnapped or sold as a slave. Aleksander being the general of the second army had guards posted each and every way. His Grisha were learning their gifts to use against the enemy and their combat skills were outstanding. The little palace had walls for a reason. But that didn’t mean to say no one couldn’t get in. Spies could be lurking around every corner. You never know who might sneak in. And it was that very reason why Aleksander was hesitant to let her go and explore.
Aleksander crouched to her level, releasing his hold on her cloak. Alina turned so she faced him now, her dark eyes lazily looking into his.
“And where are you going to go play?” he asked, feeling he already knew the answer.
“In the garden” she said happily. Aleksander was bang on. The garden, one of her favourite places to go despite there being nothing to actually play with.
“I think maybe you should play inside today” she had been going outside a lot this week and surely, she would be bored by now… but no.
“Why” she said abruptly tilted her head to the side. She was straight to the point and had no time to beat around the bush.
“Because it might be dangerous” he said softly and with concern in his tone.
“But I’ll be very careful… I’m always careful” she said innocently, and Aleksander chuckled grinning wide at her. If only that were true.
“And, and there will be someone watching” she pointed out. She may be three, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew there would be someone there watching her. Aleksander gave her a look, a little bit of surprise on his face at what she had said. He wasn’t sure if he was just being overprotective or that he was gullible but either way, he was convinced. He couldn’t say no to that little face of hers. With a deep sigh, Aleksander gave her a gentle smile.
“Alright, you can go and play” Alina spun around to run off for her adventure, but Aleksander grabbed a hold of her again, this time by the end of her cloak and tugged her back, his face more serious this time.
“But you must stay in the garden, do you understand me Alina” he said, and Alina nodded silently. He didn’t want her running off and not knowing where she was. Yes, she would have someone watch her as she stated but he needed to know where she was at all times.
“Yes” she said. She understood perfectly. But understanding and obeying were two completely different things and whether Alina would remember that and follow through was a different story. Aleksander gave her another smile and he lifted his thumb to his mouth, licking the pad of it before wiping the corner of her mouth where a small piece of toothpaste had been smeared on from brushing them this morning. It wasn’t her fault really; the maid should have caught it.
“Good girl, you be careful now” he said, and Alina nodded. Aleksander stood and waited for Alina to go. She turned and met the edge of the step.
“Umm” she mumbled to herself before looking over her shoulder at him. Aleksander sighed softly, taking one step forward before picking her up and dropping her down on the floor.
“Thank you” Aleksander gave her head a little rub and before he knew it, she was off. He stood and watched her skip off to the garden, her black cloak floating in the air, her hair bouncing. He shook his head to himself.
What am I going to do with her?
He turned around, catching eye with one of his Oprichniki and gave a nod in the direction of the garden. The guard gave a bow and headed on to his duty of watching the little sun summoner while Aleksander retreated to his study.