Blossom in Full Bloom (Book 4: The Pink Blossom Series)

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The next day, we mounted our horses and headed down the road, we originally came. Desti was still very distant and quiet. At least, more than usual. I didn't feel like talking, either. My heart sank, every time I looked at him. I was looking forward to our journey home, for two months, when we had come in the first place. But now, it was a bummer.

I saw the familiar area and my heart accelerated with excitement, when I thought about how long it had been, since I was home.

When we trotted up, my parents and their attendants, were standing there, ready to greet us. We dismounted and I greeted my parents in the usual formal manner, but then I gave them a big hug, afterwards. Mother was starting to show, but only enough to get the attention of those, who already knew about the pregnancy.

We retired to the dining room, for food. I was starving! As soon as the food arrived, we started eating.

"How was Wilant?" Shirayuki asked curiously.

"It is so beautiful. It was snowing before we left, too." I felt like I was slipping into a dream.

"Snow can bring much cold with it." Father informed me, even though, I already knew.

"Isn't that the truth." I remembered being almost frozen as we travelled to the inn. I couldn't feel my hands or face.

"How were things with my brother?" Father seemed a bit sceptical. Not that I am surprised by this. I figured, that I wasn't the only one to get cornered by the King.

"He... did try to press for the truth about the baby-" I was cut off abruptly.

"He knows?!" Their mouths dropped.

"Not exactly. He suspects something, but I never told him anything."

They released their breaths at the same time.

"That's good." Zen answered in relief.

I gave him a curious look. I know why I wasn't supposed to say anything, but why are they so uptight about it? He will know sooner or later.

Father picked up on my confusion and chose to answer my unsaid question. "We don't want him finding out, until we are sure everything works out."

"And then, we would like to give him the message, ourselves." Shirayuki added.

"Of course."

"Is that all? You were there for two whole months!" Zen was sceptical again.

I had to chose my words carefully. I didn't want to start a panic nor cause an uproar, either. "I helped with some of the proceedings in Wilant. And lots of paperwork, too." Vague, but enough to satisfy their curiosity. It was true, just missing a few details.

"He put you to work?"

"Actually, I volunteered."

They both seemed shocked.

"It's not like I haven't done that before." I defended.

"True, but still... I am surprised that you would be willingly to work with King Izana." Shirayuki answered.

I shrugged my shoulders and revealed my indifference towards it.

"When you left, you could barely stand still. Now you're treating this like it's no big deal. I am curious to know why." Zen pried.

"I guess, he wasn't as troublesome as I thought."

"Are you sure you arrived in Wilant?" Zen asked sarcastically.