A Queen's Choice

Part Three

Her parents had questions of where she had been for the past year. Truthfully, Yoko thought her parents would never believe where she had been. 

That she was spirited away by a magical creature and was proclaimed Queen of a faraway kingdom. Yeah that would go over well - but she had no other choice she had to tell them the whole truth. Her parents deserved it. They would have plenty of time to catch up.

Yoko continued to observe them. She saw they had been troubled over the loss of her. She could see the regret in her father's eyes from treating her like she wasn't even there. She could see the pure sorrow and grief from her mother's face - the dark bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep or the nightmares that plagued her dreams. It looked like they had been through hell. In which, they had.

She started her tale on her last day in the human world. How her, Yuka, and Asano were spirited away. How a man by the name of Keiki had chosen her to be a Queen over a kingdom called, Kei.

How she at first wanted to go home that she didn't ask for the role. How Yuka betrayed her and had worked alongside King Kou to kill her; and how at the end of this that King Kou had been killed and she had led a rebellion, and lead her people - her kingdom to peace for the next twenty years; even if it meant that a year or two passed in this world. 

It was a lot to take in, and their first reactions were that they didn't believe her - not even one word. Thinking it to be a fantasy story to tell compared to the real reason behind her disappearance. Obviously, thinking she had been kidnapped for the whole year, or worse. Leaving up her reappearance to be explained by her escaping her captor. But, the truth to the matter was she wasn't taken or kidnapped. She had left on her own accord when she had accepted Keiki's vow to be Queen.

It was a far-fetched story. Yoko agreed. But, she showed them her sword that was concealed in its sheath, and the reflection through the blade proved to them that she was being sincere in her story of Kei and the twelve kingdoms. After showing them the court and how Shokei was ordering the officials and ministers that if they don't like her decree then they could find themselves another job.

Yoko laughed internally at the direct forwardness that Shokei gave off.  

"Well, it seems I have you guys much to think about. I will retire for the evening. " Both parents were shocked that they didn't give a reply to their daughter.

Their daughter had matured and changed, and deep inside both of their hearts they were proud of what Yoko had become. Even if it wasn't said aloud.

Yoko closed the door of her room. Raw emotions overcame her- the room that she had told herself that she wouldn't see again. It was the same - her bed, her shelves, and computer sitting on-top of her desk. The homey feel was like a breath of fresh air. Her room wasn't a Queen's chamber, but it was a welcomed room to be seen.

She eyed some pajamas and quickly removed her imperial gown. She had to say she missed normal pajamas they were so comfy. Better then the dresses that they call night gowns back in Kei. She would have to take some back with her when she returned to her kingdom.

The feel of the linen sheets and the feel of her head lying against the pillow made her eyes close. Before she slept, however, she couldn't describe the feeling she felt.

She felt another's presence not in her room or house, but she felt another's presence in the close proximity of her home. A presence of a Kirin. It was a shallow feeling, barely there, but she knew that it was something worth looking into in the next few days she had in Hourai, Japan.