The Tutor's Niece

Chapter One

Hi, guys I hope you enjoy my story. Just a quick reminder that the only things I own in this story are my OC's and the plot. The picture above is the closest image of what I imagine Alice to look like, so it's not exact, a major difference is the skin would be slightly darker as well as her eyes. I don't own the image and if you know the name of the artist could you let me know so I can give proper credit. Full detailed description of her appearance will be in the story as you read on.

It was a warm sunny morning in the city centre as a maroon carriage came through the slowly growing movement of the capital.  Inside the carriage sat a young woman who looked out the window to see the different cafes, restaurants and shops getting busier as the day goes on. She wore a light blue dress with ivory trims on the sleeves and edged of the skirt. Her light brown hair shimmered in the light from the window was tied up in a high ponytail with ringlets framing her face and her dark brown eyes light up at her surroundings. Her petite hands resting on a economic textbook.

After some time the carriage slows to a stop in front of the royal palace gates where two guards, one was a blonde with a serious disposition and the other was a red head with a carefree demeanour, stood watch as the carriage door opens to the young woman the younger the guards straightened up and walked towards the young woman. As the young woman steps down from the carriage to gather her belongings the guards speak to each other.

"Hey, Ludwig. Who is that girl? I didn't realise we're getting a visitor today." Say the red headed guard in a joyful tone. The second guard, Ludwig, look back at his companion with irritation.

"We're not expecting anyone today. We would have been told if we did, Max." Replays Ludwig as they make their way over to the young woman.

"Hold on, Madame. What brings you to the Royal Palace?" The Ludwig said with suspicion. The young woman seems confused for a moment before she replies.

"Oh. Yes, I'm Alice, the guest of the Royal Tutor. I was told that I would be escorted to Hine once I've arrived." Alice replies with her unease clear as day on her face.

Then the sound of footsteps on the cobblestone echoes through the place entrance. Alice and the two guards turn their heads to the direction of the sound to see an elderly woman with grey-blonde hair walking towards them with poise and grace.  Once she is close enough to the trio, a small smile appears on her face as she stops. She gave a nod of recognition to the guards before she turns to Alice.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Alice. We've heard so much about you from your Uncle."

"Thank you for you hospitality, Your Highness. You're very kind." Alice responded with a small curtesy. The guards next to her were frozen in surprise as Alice walks away with the Queen Dowager.

Alice took a few steps away from the guards before she looked back at them.

"Oh, just so you know I'm Alice Müller, Hine Wittgenstein's niece."

As she walked away to catch up with the Queen Dowager, Ludwig and Max snapped out of their surprise and tried to get back to work.

"I wonder how Their Royal Highnesses will react to her." Says Max after a moment of silence.

"It's best for us not to think about that situation, Max. Just focus on your job." Ludwig replied with a heavy sigh and went back to his post.

While Alice was being escorted by the Queen Dowager, a lesson was going on for the four young princes. Their teacher, Hine Wittgenstein kept a neutral face while teaching a Prince Leonard mathematics while his brothers, Prince's Kai, Bruno and Licht were going through their own tests they had just finished. The room was silent as the on sound made was from the writing on the papers they had, when Leonard suddenly stood up.

"I can't do this anymore! I haven't been so bored in my life."

"Is something the matter with the work you've been give, Your Highness? I made sure you wouldn't be discouraged from the lesson."

"Come on Leo, you shouldn't complain about the work after all you don't want to be a dunce forever." Says the fifth prince, Licht in a taunting manor as Leonard gave a animated response.

The second prince, Kai, simply looked over at the discussion with mild interest in the ruckus as the third prince, Bruno, had a look of irritation at the commotion as he's working on his task and on his economic thesis. He attempts to carry on with his task when Licht's comments towards his older brother grew in volume.

"Damn it, Licht! Does it kill you to focus on your work and not irritate those around you?!"

"Come on Bruni, you know I was just trying to help Leo. He needs to learn to focus more on his work then reacting to me."

Everyone in the room paused in response to Prince Licht's word as they realised that he gave a plausible response. Hine then took a deep breath at this moment and then looked over to the grandfather clock that stood near the group.

'Alice will be arrive soon'

As Hine thought this, there was a knock at the door which stopped the antics of the four princes. The door opened slightly to reveal a maid.

"Professor Hine? A young lady is here to see you. Shall I let her in?"

Hine immediately stood up from where he was originally sitting.  He left the small group of confused royalty and headed closer to the doors in time for a young woman come through the doors.