Seeds in the Wind

Part 3

"You may now say your goodbyes."

"Thank you," Delilah bowed to the servant before her.

She took a deep breath and opened the door to her late home.

"Dad." She called out, "Dad!"

Her dad walked out of his bedroom. "How did it go?"

"I-I..." she broke into tears, rushing into her father's arms. "I was chosen, Dad."

"Shh..." He wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry about it darling. You can have everything you want now," he said gently, while wiping a water drop from his own eye.

"But I already had everything that I wanted. What I want is you, and Wyatt."

"And we'll visit."

She squeezed him one last time. "It won't be the same, though."

"I knew you shouldn't have gone." The same boy she met all those years ago was standing against the doorway.

"Wyatt?"

"If we had just run away-" he started.

Delilah's face turned from sadness to reality, "And what? Risk getting caught? Who knows what that king would do to me, or worse, you..." It's what her mother tried to do...

"But you can't go."

"I have to."

Wyatt sighed and pulled her into yet another hug. "Don't do anything stupid."

"I know..."

He then released her and pulled something out from behind his back. "Take this." He handed Delilah a fresh dandelion. "If you ever run out, you can always plant some more," he winked, and quietly added, "It's also so you don't forget me..."

"Thank you." She finally left with a tearful smile. How could she forget him?

Delilah's dad placed his arm around Wyatt, "Don't worry son, it's not too late."

"Oh, but it already is, Mr. Martin..."

____________________

"Miss, your hat and coat?"

Delilah was startled, not even close to being used to people doing things for her. "Oh, uh, thank you." She handed her things over and let her hair down.

The castle was just as big and elegant as before. A row of portraits was hung on the pastel yellow walls in the main entrance. The color of welcoming. And the smells. Oh, the smells, coming from the kitchen were mouthwatering.

"Welcome to your new home, your majesty." A woman, in her early forties, was walking down the many rows of stairs. She then greeted herself to Delilah, "I am Rae Greene, head caretaker of this household. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine," she curtsied.

"Dear girl, you have much to learn. There is no need to curtsy for me. I am merely a worker here. Instead, let me show you to your bedroom."

"All right." She followed Rae to her new room. When they had reached it, she was shocked to her core.

"It's huge." She ran her hands through the satin sheets on the mattress. The drapes tries, each having a specific design. It was twice the size of her other home.

"I hope you like it."

"Like it? I love it, miss."

"Darling, you're too kind." She straightened up her skirt that draped down to her knees. "I will go fetch a maid, and they will be assigned to take care of any needs you have."

"Thank you."

Delilah laid down on the made bed and stared up at the ceiling. Even though she was living the life of luxury, she couldn't help think about Wyatt. And her dad.

"Your majesty?"  Delilah sat up, breaking her thoughts, to see a young girl, about her age, curtsy before her.

"I'm sorry if I am disturbing you," she hastily replied, noticing Delilah's confused stare, "I can leave if you would like."

"What's your name?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Your name, what is it?"

Reluctantly, the girl replied, "Leanne, miss."

Delilah opened her mouth, and the girl braced herself for a scolding, "Leanne, can I have pot with some soil in it?"

"May I ask why?"

"It's a keepsake. You know?"

Fully understanding, the maid nodded. "I'll get that right away."

"Thank you." Leanne bowed and left the room.