Celebration
The King's face filled with joy and he saw me reach for my locket. He stopped me and rose me to my feet. Cael's face was pale and he looked like his world was crashing down. He looked at the locket and I opened it to show him the painting inside. I had never known who the people inside were but it was a woman and a man holding a baby laughing. I looked closer and saw a resemblance between the man before me to the man in the locket. He gazed at the painting with tears in his eyes before sweeping me into a hug. "Your Majesty!" I exclaimed before gently pushing him out of the hug. He just smiled at me and I saw my smile in it when I was really happy.
"My Sweet Baby Daughter you have grown up without me and for that I am sorry. I wish I had found you that night in the woods but alas you are here now so I may finish raising you to be our future queen." I don't remember much after that because I fainted and I saw the King's I mean my father's and Cael's face looking panicked as my eyes shut.
I awoke in a huge suite much bigger than the one I had been given when we arrived. I was in a silky nightgown and my curls were cascading down my back framing my face. Against the wall was a pair of double doors that opened onto a balcony. I rushed outside and took a breath of fresh air. Decorating the balcony was roses of every color and filled the room with their sweet smell. I gazed out at the capital and the wind stirred my hair. I turned toward the front of the palace where hoards of people had gathered to hear an announcement which I overheard.
"16 Years ago your Queen was killed and your Princess missing and assumed dead. I am here to confirm the rumors! Yes! She is alive and has returned to me this evening and so we light these lanterns to commemorate her return as we did when she was born." The King's rough voice echoed through the city. I watched as thousands of lanterns rose to fill the sky. I was overpowered by the sight and stood watching them for a good while until Cael rushed beside me. He inspected me and held my face so he could see me. I nodded slowly and he pulled me to him as I cried and cried. When I was finished he wiped my eyes and tucked me in among down comforters. He left to leave. I grabbed his hand and pulled him back to me,"Stay with me please," I whispered. He blew out the candle and climbed in next to me. I laid against him and fell asleep. I had no dreams that night unlike a usually do when I am upset. When I awoke there was sun streaming into the room from the open doors. I turned but Cael was gone but his side was still warm. I rose to head to the bathroom in the back of the room. He was in there washing his face. I saw his back full of battle scars in didn't scare me anymore than it did the first time he was injured. I touched the scar gently remembering the fear I felt when he arrived in my tent unconscious.
"This changes everything,"he whispered as my hands drifted to his bare chest.
"It doesn't change how I feel about you," I said and kissed him gently. He pushed me away and closed the door in my face.
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