May The Way Be With You

Family Reunion

Next morning there's a loud knocking on the side ramp of the Crest. It makes me jump awake, and Din jumps up with a blaster. The knocking bangs louder and I call out to give us a moment. Din gets his armor and helmet on as I throw on my clothes as fast as I can. 

Once Din's helmet is on, I open the side ramp. There are three guards and Zena. "Morning sleepy heads!" Zena smiles.

"Zena! Good to see you!" I smile as I come down the ramp. I give her a quick hug as Din joins us.

"The King and Queen have summoned you to the castle. The results should be ready soon." She smiles. I nod and after Din makes sure the ground protocols are activated, we walk with Zena. As we walk through town, people are bowing to Zena.

"How important are you?" I ask her. She smirks and shakes her head.

"Almost as important as the King and Queen." She answers. I feel like she's not telling us the complete truth, but I don't push it. We get to the castle, and are brought back to the throne room. Mother and Father are on the thrones again, and I kinda wonder if they really ever leave them.

I bow respectfully to them, hoping I'm proving my sincerity about just wanting to find my family. I see Riley is with what looks like court nobles, and she smiles at me. Things are tensely silent, and I'm starting to get nervous. Eventually, the doctor from yesterday appears with a folder.

They hand the folder to Father with a bow, then leave. He opens it, and silently reads the paper inside. "Well, this says you are not our daughter." He says. My heart drops, but I nod.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. As I promised yesterday, we will not darken your doorstep again, and I shall continue to look for my family elsewhere." I tell him. I turn and start walking out the door, Din following closely. All the evidence pointed to them being my family, how are they not? No matter, at least I don't have to be a princess.

"Don't worry, we'll find your family." He tells me softly. I nod and get to the doors before the King calls out to us.

"I didn't dismiss you." He says. We stop and turn around to face him again. He motions us back to where we were standing, so we move there, unsure of what's going on. The King stands up, leaving the results on his throne. As he walks towards us, I notice the Queen looking at the paper, and she has to cover her mouth as she lets out a sob.

The King stands before us, and I am unsure if I'm supposed to look at him in the face, so I keep my head bowed. He reaches out and lifts my head up. Din stiffens next to me, not liking another man who isn't friend or family touching me. "My darling girl, you passed!" He smiles widely before pulling me into a tight hug.

Ok, now I'm REALLY confused!!!! The King pulls back, still smiling. "I... What?" I ask.

"I needed to make sure you are a woman of your word. As Crown Princess, you will be taking the throne one day! I had to make sure you will be a good queen." He tells me. Wait... Am I... "I lied. You are my flesh and blood. My daughter." The King smiles. Tears spring up in my eyes, and I hug Father tightly. Mother rushes down from her throne to hug me as well, then we're almost knocked to the ground by Riley.

Mother kisses my head repeatedly, telling me she missed me so much. Riley tells me she never doubted for a second that I'm her sister, and apparently I have a few other siblings to meet. When the hug ends, I hold out my hand to Din, who's been standing a few feet away.

"Mother, Father, this is my husband Mando. Mando, meet my family." I smile. He nods to them and Father seems to give him a critical eye.

"How long have you been married?" Mother asks.