𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴

The Hard Truth (part 2)

Having spent the best half of the afternoon walking through doors, I found my chance to talk to father whilst we was alone in the room:

"Father, if I will become queen-"

"When you become queen." He corrected.

"When I become queen," I restarted, "I need to know about what lays outside the towns walls. I need to know how to look after this town and lead this town. If you don't tell me, how am I supposed to put the crown on my head and tell everyone they are in safe hands? If-"

"Slow down, Hilda." He interrupted. "Come with me. I knew it wouldn't be long before you started asking questions."

We walked out of the glass doors of the ballroom and into the rose garden. Here we walked through the rows of flowers and towards the fountain in the center. Father sat on the stone bench and motioned for me to do the same.

"I realize now that I can't keep this from you forever." His voice was serious.

I waited for him to continue.

"You remember the battle the raged a few years back?"

I nodded.

"I tell the town it is peaceful now but in reality it is getting worse. Worse than it was before. Soon there will be another battle."

"What is the fight over?"

"Land. Wealth. People." He said with a wave of his hand.

"So you lead this town on lies?" I questioned him. "You live in your home and lie to your family that all is well when we are hanging from a thread and war is not far form us. How am I supposed to be queen when I have only found this out now and do I tell people the truth or do I lie like you?"

"I couldn't tell you, Hilda. You were too young."

"Really? I think I could have taken the news, father. Our lives are at stake. The people's lives are at stake."

"Hilda, please. I need you to listen to me." He sounded sad all of a sudden, almost desperate.

I tried to calm down and breathed deeply.

"I was wounded in the last battle." He wasn't looking at me as he spoke. "I have been experiencing pain from the area around the healed wound. The same pain that I had when it was being treated. I am surprised I have lived to see you come of age. I am not sure I will see Lenas though."

I sat in silence, letting the information sink in.

"Hilda." He grasped my hand. "I am dying."

I just sat there. All emotions left me. I felt numb. Numb but for an arrow being shot through my heart.

"I am sorry. I should have told you."

"Yes." It came out horse. I cleared my throat. "Yes. You should have." I could feel myself becoming angry, I tried to contain it though. "Does anyone else know? Mother? Lena?"

"No. None else knows."

"What am I to do?" I asked. "Medicine? Is that what you need?" Now I was becoming desperate. I can't be angry, I have to help him.

"No. There is no need. I think I will live for a few more months, maybe until the leaves turn golden. Then, I will go silently and pass all I have onto you."

"Father." I said desperately trying to reach out to him through words. His hands left mine, he stood and he was gone.

I was motionless. How much longer was he going to live for? Why hasn't he told anyone about this other than me? What else is there that's being hidden from me and the rest of the Mythgrave?