Side Chapter: Bel and Her Small Piece of Happiness III

The lamp flickered, its feeble light offering only paltry resistance against the encroaching darkness. Weak though it was, Bel loved to watch the tiny flame dance as she lay in bed, the covers pressing down on her as heavy and gentle as sleep upon her eyelids. These idle moments were some of her favorite, for they heralded the coming of storytime.

“...Mother Elise, could you tell me a story?” asked Bel, gazing expectantly up at the profile of a face that glowed with kindness even in the dim light.

She knew that Elise had one more job she needed to finish—her written record of the Great Sage of the Empire, Mia Luna Tearmoon’s achievements, so that future generations might learn of her great deeds. It was a very important job, one that Elise, and Anne too, valued more than anything else. Bel knew this. She knew she couldn’t bother Elise while she was working. But this period just before bed was different. It was special. This was her time, her favorite time, when she was allowed to be just a little selfish.

“Hmm, let me think... What sort of story should I tell tonight...?”

As proof, not a hint of displeasure clouded Elise’s features. She smiled at Bel’s droopy eyes and sleepy tone, then gracefully rose from her desk and walked over to lay down beside her. Bel immediately snuggled up and wrapped herself around Elise’s arm.

“Weren’t we talking about Mia today? Oh, right, I told you about the things that she was good at. How she was a great swimmer, and rode horses well... Which means I certainly have to tell you this story too.” She grinned at Bel like a child about to divulge a secret. “Did you know that she was a master of dancing too?”

Bel’s petite head shook from side to side.

“...Dancing? Really?”

“Mm hm, dancing,” said Elise with a firm nod. “This is something you should remember, so listen carefully. Her blood runs in you, which makes you a princess. For princesses, ballroom dancing is not just a hobby, but a tool and weapon. Mia used her skill in dancing to charm many lords and leaders into yielding her the advantage in negotiations.”

Then, she closed her eyes for a quiet moment and looked into the past.

“Mia’s dancing was a beautiful thing to witness. The way she’d glide and twirl, it was mesmerizing. Plenty of people said it was like seeing the moon goddess descend from the heavens. There was this one time when I was invited to an imperial ball, and I saw her dance there. She was such a radiant figure on the dance floor. She literally glowed.”

Not yet capable of picking truth from exaggeration, Bel gasped in genuine awe.

“Wow... I wish I could have seen her too.”

Her excited smile contrasted with the melancholic furrow across Elise’s brow.

“If she was still alive, I’m sure she’d be teaching you to dance too. If only Anne or I knew how...”

To Elise’s regret, neither she nor her sister knew enough about dancing to give instruction on performing at a stately gathering.

“Oh, but what about Ludwig? Maybe we can ask him. Goodness, you’re an imperial princess, and you haven’t even been taught to dance. What am I doing...?”

“Don’t say that, Mother Elise.”

She looked up, surprised at first by the strength in Bel’s voice, then the seriousness of her expression.

“I’m very happy here.” The young girl wore a glowing smile. “My life is filled with happiness every day. Mother Anne comes to wake me up, I get to eat tasty food, Mr. Ludwig gives me lessons, Mr. Eugen takes me home...”

She counted her happinesses on her fingers, listing her small blessings one after another.

“I love hearing your stories, Mother Elise,” she continued. “The ones about Grandmother Mia, the ones you wrote yourself... I love all of them. I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get to learn how to dance from Grandmother Mia, and not being able to see mother anymore makes me feel lonely...but I’m still very happy, so please, don’t be sad.”

Her words made Elise’s chest tighten, regret compounded by pity.

She’s still so young... At her age, she should be asking for love and attention, but instead, she’s looking out for our feelings while enduring all this hardship...

Elise squeezed her eyes shut. A few seconds later, her smile resurfaced.

“Back to the story then. Where was I... Right, Mia and her dancing.”

She told the story in a bright voice. Bright enough to keep Bel from worrying. Soon she heard the soft rhythmic breathing of slumber. Trailing off, she watched the sleeping child’s placid expression in silence for a while. Then, placing a gentle palm on Bel’s cheek, she whispered, “Good night, Bel. Sweet dreams.”

It was a routine of hers, quiet and simple, but it was also an honest and fervent prayer that came from the bottom of her heart.

“In your dreams, at least, may you have true happiness...”

That night Bel did dream and in them her grandmother was teaching her to dance. Step by step, move by move, she gently instructed Bel as they turned and twirled together. It was a wonderful dream.

Elise would never know, but Bel had spoken the truth. The girl’s dreams were happy, but so was the girl herself. Snuggled comfortably in the peaceful embrace of Elise’s arms, Bel was enjoying a small but undeniably true piece of happiness.