It's been a few days since we started our journey back to the castle. Wyatt and I had been running for hours today and I already can make out the outline of the castle. With a grin on my face I turned behind me where Wyatt has been keeping up the pace.
"We're almost there. Pick up the pace."
He nodded with a poker face, but since I was the one who raised him, I can see that he is nervous. Probably anxious to meet my family.
Few minutes later we've reached the castle but I was surprised by the number of cars parked outside the castle and obviously the loud noise inside. I didn't know he could throw a party like this.
I went to face Wyatt who's panting like crazy. "Come on. Let's get inside." I grabbed his hands and made our way behind the castle door where two soldiers stood guarding their post. "Hey guys."
Their eyes widen then immediately kneeled on their knees with fist above their chest. "Princess Minerva. Welcome back, Your Highness."
I nodded with a smile, "Go inform my brother of my return." The soldier on my left stood up, bowed down and went inside with us following him but went on different direction.
After few turns in the hallway, we've reached my room and was surprised that the room was left with how it is two decades ago but minus the dusts. Beside me, Wyatt was admiring the room since this is probably the first time he saw such luxurious room.
I went to the bed and sat at the corner caressed my hand into the silk bed. I looked up to Wyatt who's watching me with a small smile. I smiled back, "Come here."
Wyatt sat beside me, his smile widen the moment he sat down. "It's good to be back, huh?"
"Yeah." I answered feeling myself relaxed at the familiar room. With my hearing I picked up a fast footstep going in the direction of my room. It stopped just outside my room, then with a bang the door opened revealing the masculine version of myself with the same brown hair and mismatched colored eyes of black and red. Faster than I can blink I was in the embrace of my brother.
"Lucy. Welcome back, sister. I missed you." He pulled back then looked at me with fake hurt on his eyes. "Where have you been, missy? You left the day after my coronation. You didn't even give a notice that you're coming back. And then you didn't even tell us where you are going. What's with the note that you left saying "I'll be back. Out for strolls. Strolls my ass. What kind of strolls is that that it takes two decades! Do you-"
"Stop! Gosh, you're too much. Two decades is just a short time. Anyway, I'm surprised that you're throwing a ball. What's the occasion?"
Chrysander sighed, shaking his head. He was about to answered when amidst of his excitement noticed Wyatt who's been eyeing us with shocked face.
"Who's he?"
"He's Wyatt. My son." Chrysander stood still and then-
"Son?! Who's the fa-"
"No. No. Not that like. I found him abandoned in a forest. Then raised him by myself."
"Oh." Chrysander turned his gaze to Wyatt reaching his right hand. "Welcome to our home. I'm Chrysander, nice to meet you."
Wyatt bowed a little then shook my brother hands, "My name is Wyatt. Nice to meet you too, Your Highness."
"Quit with the formalities. Since my sister brought you here, you're already part of the family. Just call me Uncle Chrys."
Wyatt stilled for a moment then turned to me as if asking for permission. I just nod with a smile and he smiled back.
"Uncle Chrys."
"Good." Chrysander said with satisfaction.
"So... about the ball that you're throwing?" I finally asked. Again.
"Ah. I gathered the Union for a meeting about a possible huge threat. But we'll discuss the rest tomorrow and today is just for formalities and I have to honor your coming home. I'll send up the servants to help you dress up and of course for the young man too."
"Fine. I can't wait to see Lizzy and Nathan."
Chrysander eyes meet mine then reached out to me and placed a kiss on my forehead. "You'll meet then later. They're excited too. Arthur will be outside your room, let him know if you two are finished."
I nodded and then Chrysander walked out of the door not before sending me a warm smile.
Few minutes later, the servants arrived in my room and after the warm welcome they gave us they started the preparation. Wyatt was transfered to the next room as he has his own servants to prepare him.
Within an hour with the servants moving and helping me dress up with a fast speed, I was now standing in front of a mirror making sure that nothing was out of place.
I smile appeared on my reflection, pleased with my appearance. The servants prepared me a simple red evening dress with my brown hair curled to the tip.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in."
The door opened with a handsome young man standing with a proud face.
"My, my. You dressed up like a real man, my dear." He truly was handsome and this is probably the first time I have seen him in a formal wear. "Come here."
Wyatt made his way towards me with a little blush on his cheeks. When he reached me, I gathered him in my arms then placed a kiss on both of his cheeks. Well, I did treat him like my own son, affection to a loved one was something I'll loved to show to everyone.
"You look amazing too, Minerva." He mumbled in my hair.
I pulled back with a smile. Then grabbed his hands and made our way to the door where Arthur is standing. He was our butler since the day we're born. He's like our extended Grandfather. When our eyes met, I'm sure I could make out a few tears in his eyes. Well, I could feel my own tears building up but I kept myself from doing it. I went to hug the old man.
"Arthur. It's been a while. I see that you're still strong as ever."
Arthur chuckled and then kissed my cheek. "Welcome back, Your Highness. Glad you made it back from your two decade stroll."
I laughed and then introduced Wyatt to Arthur. "Arthur this is my adopted son, Wyatt. Wyatt this is our butler, Arthur."
They both shook hands and exchanged their greetings. Arthur then looked up to me and said, "Let's get you two to the ball room."
As we neared to the ball room, Arthur went first and then announced our arrival.
"Sorry for the interruption ladies and gentlemen, Please welcome Princess Minerva Luciella De Luca and Wyatt De Luca."
The door went wide open. Temporarily blinding me with lights. With my head held high and a sweet smile on my face, I entered the room with Wyatt behind me.
Applauses surrounded us but my eyes were fixed ahead of me where my family is standing with a huge smiles on their faces. As I reached the throne, Chrys smiled at me and Wyatt. I turned to Lizzy and hugged her, more like she's squeezing me.
"Oh Lucy, I'm glad you're back." She said with a tears in her eyes.
I smiled and then with a final squeeze at her, I pulled back. "Yeah. I'm glad too."
"Aunt Lucy."
A voice behind me called my name. I turned and was surprise with a young man in front of me. With a grin, I reached to Nathan who's already passed my heights.
"Nathaniel. I was gone for awhile then came back to see you already taller than me." I grinned then kissed his cheeks.
"I missed you too, Aunt Lucy." He said with a big smile.
"Oh. Guys this is Wyatt, my son."
"Son?"
"Reall-"
"Enough,you guys. Let's continue that later. I have to introduced them."
Lizzy and Nathan looked at me with wide eyes that promised a lot of questions. I just winked at them.
"My beloved guest. I present to you my sister, Princess Minerva. She just came back from a two decade stroll along with a little surprise. Let's give her a warm welcome."
I faced the crowd with a smile. It is always a welcoming sight with all the high rankings of each species in a room with all the power mixing in this room. I scanned the crowd, spotting a few familiar faces. But then I could feel a burning hot gaze at the further back of the room. I turned my gaze to that source and then my eyes locked with a pair of gray eyes.
Holy Macaroons!
I felt my face went shock but I regained my composure and then sent him a big smile and a wink.
Indeed, It is good to be back.