Arrangements

Chapter 13: War

Hey everyone! Now it has been a while since I've done a shoutout, but I really wanted to thank rorypondfoster for always supporting this book, and for understanding just how annoying big brothers can be. Without further ado, enjoy!

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Bella's pov, the next morning:

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I'm scared. No, I'm absolutely terrified. War, the concept of it, everything it means and encompasses, completely terrifies me. And can you blame me? There are so many variables, the possibility you might not ever get to see someone you love again. I hate it.

"Dad you can't, you just can't. We wouldn't see you for weeks! I mean, our birthday is in under 3 weeks now! You can't leave us dad." I begged him, hoping to change his mind.

"Bella, sweetheart, I have no choice. We have the upper hand here and no one threatens my family and gets away with it. If all goes well and we kill Alpheus quickly, I'll place someone I choose as governer over what will simply become Lemurian." Dad smiled.

"Dad, who's going to look after everything whilst you are gone?" Evie asked, holding my hand.

"You and your mother." Dad nodded.

Kai was holding on tight to dad and the triplets had made themselves quite comfortable on his lap. Mom was visibly shaken, and Evie was holding tightly onto Eldoris. Ryuku was nowhere to be seen, and I could really have used his arm to hug.

"Ryuku will be joining me for the first week." Dad said finally.

I felt my pulse speed up, and I forced myself to nod in understanding, but I couldn't escape the feeling of dread. I don't know why I was so worried. It wasn't like he'd be in danger. Right?

"Okay, we'll be leaving very soon, so I'd better go check in everything." Dad smiled, kissing Mom quickly. 

I groaned, and went upstairs alone whilst Evie sought comfort in Eldoris. I needed to get ready for school, and on my way, I saw grandad.

"How are ye faring with this news sweetheart?" He asked with a smile as I grabbed my school bag.

"Um, I'm kind of scared to be honest. And my fiance is going to war too." I gulped.

"You know, he is my son but I'm not worried. He loves us all too much to leave us. As for Ryuku, well, I'm sure he doesn't want to leave." Grandad said.

I smiled at his optimism, but I didn't share it. I couldn't really find a way to not be scared of all this. I still hadn't seen Ryuku, I assume he's already left. He could have said goodbye.

Why did I think he would? Ryuku doesn't care about anyone except Ryuku himself. And he hates me, so he didn't need to do anything in his books.

I held my school bag and walked downstairs, giving my dad a crystal bracelet which was enchanted with a tracking device and hugged him extra tightly. I didn't want him to go.

"I love you daddy. Be safe for us, please?" I whispered, finally needing to cry.

"I will, I promise. I love you my sweet baby." Dad replied, kissing my head.

I let him go, and comforted my mother and siblings as he boarded the carriage as it left. Thousands of guards got up and began to leave as Dad did, and my mother sobbed as he left. We may not see him for weeks. I'm going to miss him so much.

But I put on my usual front and had to leave. Kai didn't want to go to school alone, so I walked him down and then walked to our school, which Evie couldn't go to this morning, due to her new role for Mom's helper.