Finally Free!

The Arrivals

As the final decorations are set up and the final days lead up to everyone's arrival, I try to think hard about what could possibly be proven to save everyone but nothing comes to mind.

As the night turns into day, the Duke's and Duchesses from all over the land as well as those entering society start arriving over the next two days.

"Duke Wolf," my father says with a smile, "it's great to see you again. Are you here early so you can see Aella? The test results have been taking a while." Duke Wolf laughs, "It's great to see you too, Your Majesty, and my sister. Yes, we decided as a family that this should be done as quickly as possible instead of delaying our hope because of a test." "I see," my father says kindly, "Anthurium will take you there. Rose, Wolf and Lotus can all go with, then the rest of the family can come after." Everyone nods and follows me to her room.

"I'll talk to her first and tell her, then you guys can come in," I say kindly and everyone nervously waits outside as I walk into the room, "Aella, I kept my promise." "Did Hesperia help?" she asks me as she looks out the window. "Of course she did," I say kindly, "the people outside are your grandparents. Your mother's mum and dad. Also, your mom's aunt." She nods, "Okay." "You can come in now," I say kindly and the door opens as they walk in slowly.

"Wow," Lotus says as tears start pouring out of her eyes, "she looks just like Lavender. She has to be her's." Wolf nods, "I think the rest of the family can be introduced to her. I will take her home with us after this event." "What about my brother?" Aella asks with concern. "We will have to sort that out, Aella," I say kindly, "we will bring him to where he belongs." Aella nods and looks at these people looking at her, but when her eyes meet someone at the back of the room then her eyes widen, "What is she doing here?" "Who?" I ask her with concern and she starts trembling as her little body leans into me for protection, "everyone leave the room, please." Everyone quickly rushes out of the room as the little girl sobs in my arms.

"Everyone's gone," I say kindly as I pat her, "who was it that scared you?" "The lady with the crown in the back that looks like you," she says as she continues to hide in my arms, "she brought a lot of kids to that place. She hurt a lot of people. She always apologised like she was being forced but it seemed like she enjoyed harming us. Orpheus liked her a lot but she seemed very afraid of him and what he could do. She's not a good person. She did everything he asked her to do. He kept mentioning Aster and how he wasn't Peony's son." "It's okay," I say kindly, "I'll stay as long as you want, and I won't let that lady come back in here again. Once you're ready, I will go deal with this."

After a couple hours, someone knocks on her door so I let her sleeping form go and open the door.

"Duke Cedric," I say kindly, "Duchess Gula. It's nice to see you. Sorry I couldn't greet you when you arrived. Aella is currently sleeping so can you come by later and meet her." "Is everything okay?" Cedric asks me and I sigh, shaking my head, "sadly, no, but it will be soon. Please ask Queen Hesperia to come here." Gula smiles for the first time, "Will do. Cedric should be with his family."

After a couple minutes of watching Aella sleep and hearing many arrivals, Hesperia rushes into the room.

"What happened?" she asks me, then she notices Aella is sleeping. "Aella recognized my mother," I say seriously, "she also mentioned names she would never have heard anywhere else because Orpheus keeps everything from them. Is that enough evidence alongside mine?" Hesperia sighs, "I sure hope so because no one wants to hear that their Queen just committed a whole bunch of crimes, but now that you know Aella's family what will happen to her? I mean, she's a princess so she deserves to be treated like one even her brother is a prince." "I will talk to my father about this issue, but I need you to stay with Aella for now," I say kindly, "I need to deal with a serious matter." I kiss Aella on her forehead and head out of the room to find my mother.