Dedicated to My own Glitch, whos always there to lend a hand, or at least an ear

It was well passed midnight and the delegations had hit a standstill. I longed to crawl back to my room where I could draw blueprints or tinker with a bit of machine or just stare blankly at the wall until I fell asleep.

Anything would have been more productive than that meeting. I met the queens gaze and her eyes laughed at me. I winked carefully back. She was just as bored as I. But she held it with far more dignified poise. With an effort, I roused myself to sit up straighter. It was then I realized something heavy was on my coattails I furtivly knocked a pen to the floor. In the pretense of picking it up, I spied a small girl with curious eyes and a long, black braid. She was wearing a light blue nightdress, complete with matching slippers and robe. The eldest princess.

I coughed lightly looking at the queen. She picks up imediately when somethings happening. "Do you need some water, Ambrose? I think we had all better take a breather." With a serene smile, she got up and drifted away. The other members of concil followed.

I put my head under the table and smiled at the young girl. " Your Highness? What are you doing under there?"

"I came to the meeting." She answered proudly.

I swallowed a laugh and nodded. "You certainly have. You will make a good queen one day." I lifted her up and set her on the table.

"And you'll be my advisor right?" She asked happily.

"If you want me to be. You might find someone smarter by then." I replied offhandedly.

She shook her head. "Therell never be anyone smarter than you Ambrose."

"I thank you majesty." I bowed humbly. The child laughed. "Is something amusing princess?"

"You dont gotta bow to me." She smiled and her eyes laughed like her mothers. "Cuz when were married you'll be king."

I felt my face grow very warm. "Do you think so princess?" I stammered. I didnt want to dismiss her imediately, but I knew we would never be married. I looked over to the queen. She's known about her daughters crush on me for some time. Her eyes laughed at me again.

"Well that is for when you are grown up." I replied cheerily. "Right now you need sleep."

"I dont wanna go to sleep I wanna stay up with you." The princess pouted.

I smiled "I don't want to be up. I would like to go to sleep. Maybe we can switch places."

"I wanna stay with you." The small girl persisted.

"What if I sat with you until you fell asleep?"

The princess nodded eagerly and let me carry her back to her rooms.

"How old are you Ambrose?" She asked as we passed the portait of her mother and I.

"Old." I replied, not really sure how to explain Imortality to such a small girl.

"You were grandmas advisor right? And great grandpas?"

I nodded modestly. "And his mothers as well. They said they needed my help."

"But you won't be just my advisor."

I sigh. "Princess. I am the advisor, thats all."

"Nuhuh" She grinned and kissed the tip of my nose. "You're also my friend."

I smiled. "And you're mine. But come, its time for sleeping. You dont want to be too tired to play tomorrow." I carried her to her room and lay her down.

"Tuck me in?" she asked sweetly.

I laughed and aranged the blankets snuggly around her small frame.

"I love you Ambrose" She murmured as her lids drooped.

"I love you too, Princess." I smiled as her lavender eyes closed.