Aurelie leaned against the wall, hoping desperately to shrink away from view under the sprawling foliage. It was not her petite form that made it hard, but the rather garish colours she had chosen to adorn this fine morning. Oh, she wasn't complaining about her choice of outfit; she never could get enough of flamboyance anyway. Her resplendent pink gown was cut to perfection just like a little lady's. Its creamy lace and gauze trimmings rustled with every movement of her skirts which is why it was so hard to be so inconspicuous.
Lady Arlington would be so terribly mad right about now. And for once the little blond haired child didn't seem to care. Always proper and well-mannered, especially around adults, Aurelie always felt it best to bring out the 'mature' side of her around men and women of nobility and class. It was like second nature now, with her haughty little nose turned up, and vivid green irises peering through thickset lashes, her delicate mannerisms and appropriate conversation always impressed and awed her audience. But not the old crone that was appointed her chaperon.
The Arlingtons' were not so small a name in definitive circles, and if anything they mattered to the crown in general for their duties and their loyalty. Which is why she heard they were frequent guests at the palace and had cordial relations with Nobility in general. And Aurelie had tried her hardest to keep that in mind when she accompanied her Nanny or sat down for her lessons; but there was just something about that old hag that brought out the worst in herself, and she would drop all pretentious courtesies and tête-à-tête for childish retorts, unladylike behavior and occasionally escaping the elderly woman's company, just as she was doing right now.
Let her get into trouble for this. She scowled, marring her pretty features with an expression of distaste. Always having hated the idea of needing to be taken care of, Aurelie had never been too tolerant of her 'Nannas' ', though never quite to this extent. And the feeling seemed to be mutual. Her heart-wrenching alibis for why she had been improper would always throw off any impending scolding or punishment from just about anybody. The Noble-child knew that on account of her own apparent character and the sympathy she received for her only parent being away practically all the time, she would not be reprimanded by anyone else save the evil woman who had assumed duties in her household. Let everyone know that the 'Dragonlady' had lost her charge in a place as big as the palace. That would make her sorry!
This was also one of the trips to the palace. Apparently there had been some incident regarding one of their mutual associates and Lady Arlington had been in a rush to personally pay her regard and regrets. Aurelie had tagged along, having grown quite fond of the grandeur and opulence of the princely estate. Her footsteps would always echo on the marble floors and there was always something important going on that made her feel like a part of this grand institution; something she had her childish heart set on since the moment she first laid eyes on it.
Turning very slowly Aurelie peered out from her hiding place, through the banisters on the side. It had been a while, and she had not heard of anyone come to fetch her. She had lost them! Good. She thought. Or she had lost herself.Her inner voice mused. She did not know the palace as well as she would have liked, and she had not really been paying attention to where she was going.
Tentatively, she gathered her skirts in her arms and eased her way out from her hiding place between the wall and the bushes, careful not to let any bramble catch onto the finery of her dress. Brushing imaginary dust off the material and her hair, she looked around her to make sense of where she was. It was probably one of the main entrances. She had the choice to take to the gardens and find a soldier to get her carriage and return home. Surely it would ruin Her chaperon's career if she was found at home unattended. It might even bring her father back for a short visit. It had been a while since she had seen him last.
A flash of colour and the sound of light footsteps made her hold her breath and release it as she realized it was simply a child running off in search of something. Perhaps it would be easier to ask him than a soldier, because an adult was most likely to turn her in, and she felt too tired to charm the soldiers. Having sat in the hot sun for a while, her garments were beginning to itch and she felt uncomfortably warm. She never did like too much sun. It ruined her complexion!
Running in the general direction of the blur, she finally ended up in what appeared to be the foyer, and watched from a distance as a blond haired boy about her age tried to make himself comfortable on the floor.
Ah, must be a pageboy She smiled as she paused just out of sight in order to catch her breath. Those were easy to handle. He probably ran away from kitchen duties to catch a nap and would be easy to pester into showing her the way.
Try as she might, she simply did not get along much with other children, for most of the time, she was expecting of them what their titles demanded at a nascent age which normally inspires freedom and playtime in the young. They would not understand as she did, the necessity to maintain an admirable visage at all times as representation of their noble blood. Yes, she was proud. And there was nothing wrong with beating it into somebody who did not appreciate it.
Walking over to the now sleeping figure, Aurelie stood in front of him, hands on her hips, effectively blocking out the sun he was trying to shield his eyes from.
"You, boy!" she called in best authoritative tone, poking him with the toe of her pointed slippers, "Do you not know sloth is a major affliction?"