Esther Petrovin's bedchamber

Niklaus came to Esther's room to see his daughter. She had a governess and many teachers. So she rarely could see her parents in court. He knocked at her door "Are you in..my little princess? It's dad.." He smiled and waited for her to reply

Niklaus smiled and hugged tightly his daughter. Then he motioned the governess to leave them alone. And after the door was closed he looked at her with a proud smile on his face "My sweetheart! I came to see you. I missed you so much. Are you practising with painting? I heard you're even much more good than me.." He chuckled and sat with Esther on the sofa

As we sit on the sofa my heart is filled with happiness." I have missed you and mamma." The smile goes as I mention my mother " " Is mamma ok? " My big eye's ask my father.
As soon as my paintings are mentioned the smile reappears. " Look pappa " As I point to my newest painting " come see. "

Niklaus nodded with a warm and joyous smile "Mom is very well, sweety. But she misses you too. She told me that she will come to see you soon.." He kissed softly her forehead. And as she showed him her new art work, a proud smile came on his face "Oh..let me see..you improve every day, sweetheart. I like it very much..so I heard right: you're a little artist.." He chuckled glancing at her and showing how impressed he was in seeing how she used colors and shadows, shades and figures..

”She did.” My eyes grow big with happiness. ”Pappa I hope she will take me to the gardens like last time.”
I felt a swell of pride as my pappa tells me how good I was and big smile spread across my little face.
“You really think so, do you think even the king himself would like one.” My big eyes looked at him.

Niklaus smiled tenderly and stroke softly her cheek "She will come to you soon, sweetheart. Your mom and I love you more than anyone else in this world. You should never forget this.." He chuckled and took her artwork in his hands again "But of course..I think the King will appreciate this very much. Neither Master Holbein himself could do better. Who knows? Maybe one day you will take his place.." He laughed softly stoking tenderly her red, smoothy hairs

"I will never forget.” My eyes lowered. I just wish you both were not so busy.”
As my father uttered those words about Master Holbein I grew excited. "Do you really think so; I would love to work for his Majesty just as you do.”
I nuzzled my head into my father’s arms and wrapped my tiny arms around him.

Niklaus smiled hugging her rightly "I'm sure you'll be able to do whatever you wish when you'll grew up, my darling.." Then he looked tenderly at her pretty face "But the day will come that you'll get married, Esther. One day a man will come, and he will steal my princess from me. But it's life..it's father's destiny.." He kissed softly her forehead "But remember: if he won't make you happy, I'll throw him from the window.." He added jokingly chukling a bit

My eyes looked at my father as he spoke to me, as she spoke about a man and one day having to leave, I threw my backs back around him. " I don’t wish to marry, I just want to travel and paint pretty pictures.” Nuzzling my head into my father’s chest I could hear his heart beating slowly as I laid my head there.
"Tell me again how you met mamma.”

Niklaus smiled tenderly and kissed softly her forehead "Well..let's see. I'm sure you will become a very talented painter, honey. But even artists can marry.." He chuckled again, and then he paused for a moment after her request. He could remember clearly the moment he met Elizabeth. And even if he told her about this moment many times, he always loved to remember this "So..when I met your mother, I was just arived to England from Russia. One day I came in the garden hoping to see something able to inspire me for some new artwork..when I saw a beautiful, young lady. She didn't see me, at first. But I noticed her immediately. She was beautiful, her white skin captured me. And her eyes..two little lakes. She was your mom.." He sighed deeply, before adding "I was just like you, at that time: I had no intention to marry. I just wanted to paint, travelling around world and to be free. But your mom, with her sweetness and her love, made me change my mind. That's why you're here, my sweetheart.." He said with an amused smile, a mixture of joy and nostalgia

Closes my eyes when he kisses my forehead.“Maybe  one day, but for now I want to be with you and mamma and paint all day." Pouts my lips a little. “But they make me do dance and I keep falling over.”
Sitting next my father as he talks about mamma my eyes were wide as I watched him talk, and I could not help smiling as I could see just how happy he was.
]“I love that story papa, but… where is Russia is that close by, can I visit?”

Niklaus laughed, amused by her words "You know, a lady of your rank must be able doing anything, including dancing. I'm sure your mom can help you with this. She can dance very well.." Then he looked thoughtful towards window "Russia is far from here, sweetheart. That's a beautiful country, especially during winter. One day I'll bring you there with your mom. So I'll show you the snow.." He added with a joking tone like he was telling her a secret

The only word that interested me snow.“Snow papa, what is snow?”
My brows flurried as I wondered what this thing called snow was.
"Do you have paintings of Russia? I would love to see what it looks like.”
My mind was in a mindful of thought, snow sounded exciting even Russia did. Would I ever get the chance to see such a place?
"Tell me more papa.”

Niklaus smiled and looked around. He looked thoughtful, then he stood up and went suddenly to the door "Wait a second, sweetheart. Maybe I have something to show you.." He called for a servant. As he came, he whispered something into his ear and sent him away. After that he reached little Esther again and sat at her side "That's not so easy to explain what snow is, but it's a very beautiful thing. You see...it looks like rain. But it's smooth and white. And very cold.." He chuckled a bit. And as he finished the sentence the servant entered in the room bringing a painting in his arms "This is an old painting of mine, honey. I was a little older than you that time. And the white thing you're staring at..it's called snow. One day I'll bring you and your mom in Russia, and we'll spend some time there. We could go there for Christmas, what do you think?" He asked with a wide smile

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