Princess Aravo Part 1

25

On the next day Irbis's first exhibition should take place. For almost that entire day she was preparing everything for it. The girl put carefully different ancient books with illustrations in glass stands, put labels near them, checked devices from which magic mirrors could get information, articles and a little bit of translations written by our heroine. She had to work out each detail as the Master Manager and the Master of Ceremonies were very meticulous organizers. Then she was left for an hour as there other people were needed. Irbis wanted just to read some book quietly in the locked for visitors section and went deep into the library.

Suddenly she heard a strange noise. It seemed that there was someone in the reading area though that day the library was closed for visitors. The reading area was separated from the rest of the library with a curtain. Before the girl numerous desks with lamps upon them stood. Although she didn't see anyone she knew that someone was actually there. She walked between the desks trying to hear the quietest rustle. Some noises were heard under one desk. Irbis looked and what did she see? A doll? No, a very cute boy sat under it. Golden curls stood in beauty on his head. Blue forget-me-not eyes were gazing at her with a spark of naughtiness. The smile appeared on his plump face and he put his little finger to his childish lips.

"Why! Who do we have here?" the girl smiled. "Young man, the library is closed today."

"I am here quietly..." whispered the boy.

"By the way, what are you doing here?"

"I am hiding from Sir Bevzenius."

"And who is Sir Bevzenius?"

"My tutor."

"Ah... So that's it! What is your name?"

"Nali."

"How old are you?"

"Seven."

"You are quite an adult!"

"At first everyone speaks so and then always says that I am too little."

"Really? Yes, thus they do no right... So let's get know each other. My name is Irbis."

"Irbis?"

"Yes, it is my name. And now listen, Nali. At first, you should as a gentleman offer me a seat."

The boy smiled and moved a chair to her. She sat on it and told him to sit in front of her. He did it.

"Why do you hide from your teacher?" the girl asked.

"He is boring and a dry old stick as Nanny says."

"You should respect him and not tell bad things behind his back."

"The same thing my father says," sad expression appeared on his face.

"Your father wants for you the best because he loves you and wants you to become a worthy man."

"No... My father doesn't love me..."

"Don't say so."

"It is true... He bothers about me only when Sir Bevzenius complains of me."

"Perhaps you father has a lot of work. Maybe he can't show it. And yet I am sure that he loves you. He bothers about your education and that's why he makes Sir Bevzenius teach you. Your tutor makes his duty to help you to become better. So why is he then at once a dry old stick?"

"He makes me learn things that seem so clear but in such explanations that they become so terrifying. He is nasty. I often come here and hide."

"So you are playing truant."

"There are always these lessons. Lessons and lessons... I should always sit at my desk and listen to Sir Bevzenius. And I don't want!"

"But you should learn."

"But it is always learning and learning and no moment for myself!"

"Do you have friends?"

"I sometimes come and play with other children in this palace but it happens for such short time that I am not able even to wink. I also like Tobro. He is very good to me. And Dilarita is grumpy!"

"I see... Nali, you should understand that playing games is good but you should also learn to be a clever man."

"With Sir Bevzenius you cannot learn!"

"I think you do him injustice."

"Everyone says so! I like learning new things! I like how my Nanny tells stories, how Tobro explains things but Sir Bevzenius is boring. Besides now we are studying such nasty topic..."

"And what are you studying?"

"Irregular verbs."

"Yes, the topic is difficult... You just need to remember them all. I know it sounds quite not easy but imagine that it is a height you should conquer to become a champion."

"Sir Bivzenius gives me a list of words then takes it away from me, tells me a verb and I should call all participles. But I can't... It's nasty!"

"I understand, Nali. Yes, such method is a bit not suitable for such boy as you. You may learn them yourself having practice."

"Having practice?"

"Yes, by reading books for example... Or you may come here and play for you better to remember those verbs."

"I like the idea about playing but I don't like books."

"Why?"

"They are boring."

"You see, Nali, there are different books. The fact that you didn't like one book doesn't mean that you won't like others. You need just to try. Wait, it seems to me that I know a book you would possibly like."

Irbis went out of the reading area and returned with a book about different adventures. She set on her seat and started reading it to the boy. By itself it was a very interesting book but the girl read it in such way that Nali just burst out with rapture. She wasn't reading, she was playing like an actress making different and sometimes really funny voices for each character and when she read descriptions it seemed that they were actually there.

"Do you like it?" Irbis asked having read the first chapter.

"Very much!" the boy exclaimed all excited.

"Come tomorrow after lessons and we will type your name in the catalogue. Then you may read it by yourself."

"Irbis, please, read further."

"You can do it yourself."

"I like how you are reading."

"Thank you."

"Please..." he pleaded and made such eyes as of the Puss from "Shrek".

"All right. So listen..."

She continued reading...

"...The wind howled like a wolf and beat the windows as if it wanted to break them. But it also seemed to be something or even someone else. Harry felt the cold shivers all over his skin. He sat wrapped into sinister darkness of the night not able to move. "I am not afraid," he said to himself. The wind continued howling and it seemed that something dark appeared in a window standing in the way of the moonlight. Harry's heart started beating like a crazy one. The shadow disappeared from the window. Maybe it didn't really exist? But suddenly the door shook all ringing as if by pain but it was locked and refused to let in the stranger. That someone pushed it furiously but it still didn't obey him. Then strange noise was heard and the door fell on the floor. The wind at last got inside and started letting its coolness on everything around and the curtains were saddled by the floods of the air. A very big silhouette was seen in the doorway. It came up to Harry and bent over him. He looked at it with frightened eyes. It was..."

"Father!" Nali suddenly screamed.

The girl at first didn't understand. The boy looked at something behind her. Irbis turned round and jumped on her feet. It was the prince.