The loud, pounding music coming from a large ornate phonograph awoke Sir Edward Windsor from a deep and rapturous sleep. Gently rising from the bed as not to awake his sleeping wife, he crossed the room, tossing on his dressing gown on the way. Arriving in the parlor, Sir Edward saw his five year old daughter tracing the first steps of a classical waltz, trying to keep rhythm of the music.
Arena had just started her dance lessons a week ago, and had rose early in her excitement to the upcoming session. The dance tutor praised her for her natural grace and patience to learn and had insisted extra time to instruct. Seeing great talent and future in their daughter, the Windsors had agreed wholeheartedly. Though they were proud of Arena, Sir Edward needed to quiet down her sudden energy for early morning practices.
Striding across the room, Sir Edward touched his young daughter’s arm when she did not notice him. Arena started as she was jerked from her daydream back to reality and quickly turned her gaze to her father.
“Arena, it is six in the morning. You know your mother dislikes being roused so early and I must say, I don’t care for it either,” said Sir Edward in a firm, but gentle tone.
Arena big, innocent blue eyes flew to the phonograph as her father lifted the needle off of the record to still the music. She looked back up to her father’s face and replied, “I am sorry, Father. I cannot read the clock, though Mister Evans has tried to teach me. I saw daylight out of my window and heard the servants, so I thought it was morning. I’m sorry, can you and Mother forgive me?”
Sir Edward looked into his child’s eyes and sighed, giving out on any strictness he had held. “Of course, my dear. Your mother did not wake up this time, but please wait until after breakfast to practice. Are we understood?” The adoring father smiled gently at his daughter.
Arena sheepishly smiled back at him and wrapped her dainty arms around her father tall legs. Happy that he was not mad, she held on to her father tightly before asking, “Must I go back to bed?”
Sir Edward laughed at his daughter’s frankness and replied after a moments pause, “Well we are both awake and still have two and a half hours until breakfast. Why don’t we both retire to dress appropriately, and meet outside in 15 minutes to race hoops?”
She beamed with excitement, bobbed her head in agreement, and then ran back up to her room. Sir Edward watched daughter as she hurried out and had a thought, She must learn manners soon, but for now, I will love her binge a child. He followed Arena up the stairs in quick steps.
