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“A princess?”
“N—Uh, yes. Yes, I am,” Taylor said and she saw something light up in those brown eyes. A smile came to Taylor’s face at the joy on the little face in front of her.
“I knew it,” she breathed at Taylor, and then her face scrunched up as she took in Taylor again. “What’s on your dress?” she asked curiously.
Taylor looked down. Blood. Derrick’s blood was on her dress.
“Uh, it’s uh—”
“Paint,” Mick offered from the doorway.
Taylor smiled at him gratefully and nodded, looking back at the little presence in front of her. “Yes, it’s paint. They were painting my castle and I was careless and got some on my dress.”
The small child nodded, accepting that answer. “How come you are here?”
“My prince is sick,” Taylor said easily.
The girl’s face became somber. “That sucks,” she said, and Taylor laughed. “You are beautiful,” she said and reached out to touch Taylor’s face. “That’s how I knew you were a princess.”
Taylor felt warmth surge from the inside. “Well, thank you,” Taylor said.
“I wish I was beautiful,” she said and dropped her hand from Taylor’s face to her own arm, which, in addition to the IV, had bruises.
Taylor slipped off her chair and onto her knees before the child. “You are gorgeous,” she said seriously, in shock that someone so young would think anything but wonderful thoughts about herself.
The child looked at the floor. “I’m sick, too,” she said.
Taylor took her fingers and slipped them under the chin of the little tot, tipping her head up to look at her. “You are a beautiful young lady,” Taylor said.
The girl shook her head, “No, I—”
Taylor placed a finger over her lips to silence her. “You have eyes that shine, and one of the best smiles I have ever seen,” Taylor said. “And you are confident and inquisitive which are qualities that only smart, kind, and strong people have. And I know, because I am a princess and I have met lots of people,” Taylor said.
The little girl smiled once again. “Yeah?” she asked hesitantly.
“Oh yes,” Taylor said.
“There you are!” exclaimed a voice from the doorway, and a woman tried to enter the room but was stopped by Mick. The woman shot the huge man a death glare. “That is my daughter,” she said and looked back to the little girl. When her gaze connected with Taylor’s the woman’s mouth hung open. “You’re, you’re—”
“Mommy, I found a princess!” the little girl exclaimed.
The woman nodded at her daughter. “That’s, that’s wonderful sweetie,” the mother said numbly, still staring at Taylor. She shook her head and looked down at her daughter, “But you can’t run away like that.”
“Your mom is right,” Taylor said, “you can’t just leave and not tell anyone. It scares people, trust me,” she said.
“Okay, I won’t do it again,” she promised solemnly to Taylor.
Taylor nodded and stood, taking the little girl’s hand and walking her to her mother. When they had taken a few steps the little girl tugged on Taylor’s hand and then motioned for Taylor to bend over. When Taylor was bent at her level the little girl took her face in her hands. “Your prince is going to be okay,” she said to her seriously. “Princes never leave their princesses behind,” she promised with a nod.
Tears filled Taylor’s eyes. “Thank you.” She gave the little girl a hug, then walked her over to her mother.
“Say thank you, Delia,” the mother reminded.
“Delia?” Taylor asked the little girl’s mother who nodded, and then Taylor looked at the little girl. “Your name is Delia?” she asked, seeking further clarification.
“That’s me,” the small child nodded proudly. “Thank you, Princess.”
“Thankyou,Princess Delia,” Taylor said and curtsied to the little girl, earning a giggle.