Time for the Truth: a story of a sleeping beauty

Chapter 19.5: travels.

"My lovely Siegland, what brings you here?" My father asks, working through papers at his desk. His brow furrows over some piece of news and he studies a paper more closely.
His hair color is beginning to be less and less like mine, as the grey moves in. I am sure Tarana and I both have contributed to that.
"Father, I want your blessing to return to the Moridjians." My father sighs. 

"What choice do we have?" he mutters. I move closer to his desk, so I stand in the circle of light from the lamp on his desk. 

"They are giving me a choice, father. I believe I am making the right one for me and for the people." I say, feeling too young to truly hear those words come out of my mouth. He stands up, and I can tell he is feeling many emotions at once as he struggles for words so rarely- but right now he does. 

I feel my face crumple as I run to give him a hug. He puts his arms around me. 

"I knew this day would come, but lord knows I am not ready my Sie, my reader."He says. I smile tearfully into his shoulder. It is strange to think I will not live with them anymore, that I will be going off into the world. 

I am not sure how I can be an adult when I still feel so young, but I suppose everyone feels like this. 

"How did you know you wanted to marry mother?" I ask, and my father hugs me closer, exactly the way I needed. 

"I knew because even when she made me angry I still knew she was far too beautiful and smart for me. I couldn't not respect her, and I knew she would be interesting for the rest of my life." He says, laughing. 

"Intelligent man." I say, and he laughs. 

He pushes me away from a moment and wipes my tears while his own trail into his fiery beard. 

"I suppose everyone must grow up eventually."He says, and I smile wobbily. 

˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜

"Parisa! Where have you put your sister's ribbons?"My mother calls, her temper running thin. Packing is causing more stress than I had realized. 

I should bother telling my mother that I won't need these dresses when I move there, but she is probably hoping I will set trends or be invited to stately dinners here and need dresses. 

Parisa pops her head into the room, visibly upset that I will be leaving. I run over to pick her up, using all my muscles. She squeals. 

"You know you girls will be seeing me soon enough- the wedding won't be too far away, and besides, you can come visit me any time and you will always be welcome- I mean it!" I say when Parisa looks doubtful. 

"where is Basil?"I ask mother, and she shakes her head, muttering in my ear that he is taking Morrigan to a place she can be tried by both the Moridjian and our courts. I blink rapidly trying to force down my anger. 

I want the worst for her after what she did to Tarana and I, but I am happy I will not be the one to decide. 

Finally my mother closes the trunk and we head out to the carriage. My mother clutches my hands and makes me promise to write soon. 

"Of course I will ma mère! You know that."I stroke her beautiful face, and she smiles, holding back tears. I give my family a last round of hugs, but I can't help feeling excited to go back to the new home I will have. 

Excited to be with Rior and to grow with him, to learn with him. 

We begin the journey back to the Moridjian castle.