King of Days: The Veiled Guardians

16. Visitor or Family

Karíto was escorting Lucia around all day, helping her put order to the castle, and to finish tasks. He felt like he was a leaf that is blown to and fro by the whims of the wind. He also felt like he was in a dream, just waiting for it to end. 'When is she going to be done, I need to prepare to leave' he thought.

"Alright, I am almost done. okay..?" came an exasperated response from the kitchen, it was almost as if she had heard his thoughts.

He poked his head into the kitchen "What did you mean by that Lu..." He saw the servants and waitstaff standing nearby and corrected himself "erm, Princess Lucia?"

She sighed giving a ladle back to one of the cooks. "Lord Jude advised me that you needed time off, and so you would be gone for a few days. Is that true?" Karíto looked around, slightly perplexed at her openness to the matter with all the staff around.

She took a ribbon from one of the maids and tied her hair up. "I would have rather you told me directly, rather than getting my father's henchman to do it. I would have gladly given you the time to be with your family. At least with your sister's engagement and all, I would have done it with a smile."

Karíto nearly fell over and stammered "Wait, what, who is what?! How did you know about this and I didn't?" He looked around feeling even more foolish, now that he was being publicly berated, and that she knew more than he did. Lucia shook her head in disappointment, picked up a basket, then flashed a quick smirk as she looked through the basket at him. Karíto just stood there, frozen in disbelief but mind racing. 'who was getting married, it had to be Pruä, maybe that was why she was so angry with him. He had been away for nearly a month after all'

Lucia put the basket down and looked up at him, taking delight in his awkwardness. "Well what are you waiting for, an invitation to your sister's wedding? Get going!" She waved for Karíto to come near "it is fine, I already put my seal on your time off..." her voice trailed off as she stretched her hand out. She was holding a permission to travel, and at the bottom of the letter was her insignia in wax. He took it, and put it in his pocket. She then continued speaking, "Besides, whether I like it or not, your hench-friend has already assigned some knights temporarily to me." She waved him off with a carrot in her hand and gave him a crooked smirk, he felt conflicted but pardoned himself and left.

The walk back to his room felt like he was in a trance, before he knew it he was already packing his things into a bag. 'should I add more clothes' he thought. 'What am I doing, it is not like I am going on vacation or something, it is simply a visit' he then paused again 'I wasn't even going to visit them...' he hit his fist against the wardrobe chest. "Now what am I going to do! I can't just not go now. Now that I know Pruä is getting married!" He sat on the chest with a deep sigh. Hearing a person clear their throat he looked up.

It was Lord Jude, he had a perplexed look on his face, then faintly smiled. "Is it normal for you to talk to yourself when you pack?"

Karíto scoffed "No, it is not usual. Is my sister actually getting married, or did you make that up to get me out?" Lord Jude walked over and sat on the chest next to Karíto.

He tapped his fingers "I am happy and afraid to say so. One of your sisters told me, but pleaded to not let Pruä know she had said it. I guess your sister wanted to tell you herself."

Karíto stretched his hands above his head then put his head down. "Do you at least know when she is getting married, am I able to visit them after?"

Lord Jude shook his head "I am the King's advisor, I know a lot of things, but I am afraid I am not all knowing."

Karíto tapped his head and moved his fingers through his hair. "I honestly do not know what to do, I obviously need to see my family now. But if my father is still a captive, or missing, she will not want to have a wedding without him."