They were about thirty miles away from Greenwater when Timothy and Lucia got the good news. The Vanadian navy, by sailing from Holm at full speed, had reached Greenwater in time.
The relieved look on Tim's face gladdened Lucia. Yesterday after they got the report that the defense of Greenwater wouldn't last another day, Timothy became distressed. Even though he tried to hide his despair, Lucia had seen through it.
She understood his feelings though. If Greenwater falls, then it doesn't matter even if they win the civil war. The loss of Greenwater would be disastrous since the city could be used to supply the invasion force. Calgari and Tulosa could just send all of their armies without worrying about their supply lines.
Lucia had seen the exact moment Timothy's face lit up after the scout reported that the Vanadian navy had arrived to save the day. Timothy immediately looked at her like a child who had his wish fulfilled.
"Thank you" he said. He only said two words but his expression was filled with a plethora of emotions. At that moment, they fully understood each other. Lucia felt Tim's genuine gratitude towards her. Of course, seeing him like that made her blush.
The scout also reported another piece of unexpected news. King Edmund Vanadis, her father, personally led the navy. Lucia felt mixed emotions after she heard that her father was currently in Greenwater.
She was worried. Her father leading the navy meant that King Edmund wanted to join the war personally. His life would be put at risk.
But Lucia was also happy, elated in fact. It had been nearly three months since she had last seen her father. She missed him. She can't wait to tell him of the numerous adventures she had for the last few months. She also can't wait to introduce Timothy to her father. Imagining the imminent encounter between the two most important people in her life filled Lucia's heart with both excitement and anxiety.
It seems Timothy was also anxious because he was asking nonstop about her father.
"Does he like wine or tea?" Timothy asked.
Lucia tried to remember her father's preference but she found that she couldn't discern it. "Both, I think. I've seen him drink tea, wine, rum and even beer as long as it was produced locally."
Timothy gave her a surprised look. "You mean to tell me that King Edmund Vanadis prefers local produce? I thought he likes expensive things."
Lucia laughed. So that's how people from the outside views her father. But Lucia knew better. "Being expensive doesn't automatically make a thing better. Some local produce taste better compared to the expensive food sold by foreign merchants."
"But from what I heard, King Edmund is extravagant."
"His extravagance is actually just for show Tim. He told me once that Vanadis needs to show its extravagance to the world. He said that we have a reputation to maintain." Lucia explained.
"Is that so? Makes sense actually" Timothy commented. He then became silent. Lucia thought that she had already answered all of Timothy's queries about her father. But Timothy asked her one more time. His question this time showed how anxious he was.
"Do you think we could get along?"
Lucia couldn't help but smile. She was reminded that despite Timothy being the King of Western Castonia, he would still be restless when presented with the thought of meeting his lover's father.
"You'll be fine" Lucia steered her horse closer to him. She then held his hand. "I think the two of you could get along"
"Thank you." Timothy smiled. "And what about your brother?"
Lucia was taken aback. She was so engrossed with the thought of her reunion with her father that she completely forgot about her brother. Her relation with her brother was the complete opposite of her relation with her father.
"Arthur" Lucia paused and recalled her brother's attitude. "He's kind of a jerk. Haven't I told you about his resentment against me?"
"You did. That's why I'm worried. Will he be a problem?"
"No." Lucia shook her head. "He will try to cause trouble. With his personality, he would probably insult both of us and challenge our authority. But I believe you can take care of that?"
Timothy grasped her hand tighter. "Don't worry. If he dares insult you in front of me, then I will have no choice but to indulge in the experience of making a prince wet his pants."
Lucia laughed. "That would be quite a sight"
Despite losing the reason to continue their fast approach towards Greenwater, Lucia and Timothy had decided to keep their pace. They need to still need to plan their next move and to decide the fate of the city. As a result, they arrived in Greenwater that same day.
Lucia looked around and saw that there were many ships anchored in the port. Lucia was not unfamiliar with them because these were the same ships she had seen in the port of Holm.
After seeing their approach, Greenwater sent a welcome party. Twenty horsemen went out of the gate and greeted them.
"King Timothy" The man at the front saluted. "I am Prefect Ryon Walt, the one in charge of the garrison of Greenwater"
"It is an honor to meet you Prefect." Timothy looked around. "We rushed here to reinforce you against the Calgarians. But it seems they are gone. A shame Prefect." He grinned and pointed towards Abaraham at the back with his thumb. "Abraham here has been itching to bash some Calgarian skulls and see if it's true that they bleed tea instead of blood"
Prefect Ryon laughed to Timothy's jest. "They don't Your Majesty. They bleed like we do." He then bowed his head. "I would like to personally thank you for saving Greenwater. The Vanadian reinforcements you sent saved the city."
"You're wrong Prefect. I wasn't the one who sent them and you are thanking the wrong person." He pointed towards Lucia. "This is Princess Lucia Vanadis, my betrothed. She is the one you should be thanking."
Prefect Ryon turned his head towards Lucia and immediately lowered his head. "I'm sorry Your Highness. I apologize for my rudeness. And thank you for sending help"
"It's alright Prefect." Lucia smiled "By the way, where is my father?"
"He's at Lady Maria's house along with your brother. I think he didn't expect that you will arrive today."
Lucia looked at Timothy. "Then let's go meet him"
The soldiers Timothy brought were escorted to the barracks and only their guards remained. Prefect Ryon led the party to Lady Maria's house. Along the way, the people of Greenwater flocked towards them and cheered. The crowd was exuberant despite the pitiful state of the city. It took them nearly an hour just to reach the villa of the Connels.
After entering the villa, Lucia and Timothy were then personally escorted by the Prefect to the living room. After opening the door, she saw the familiar back of her father.
King Edmund was merrily talking with an old woman. There were also other people inside the room which includes Arthur. But Lucia doesn't care about Arthur. Her attention was solely focused on the man who was recounting an old story.
"Father" Lucia called.
Her father stopped talking and turned his head. "Lucia?" he looked like he had seen a ghost. "I thought you'll arrive…"
He didn't finish and immediately rushed towards Lucia. He embraced her. "Oh Lucia. My lovely Lucia. You have suffered. But don't worry, I'm here now. Your father is here."
Lucia buried his head on her father's chest. She was holding back her tears. "I missed you Father"
"Me too. I was so worried when you sent me that letter" he said as he caressed her hair.
Lucia didn't say anything and just enjoyed her father's warmth. She had missed him. She thought at more than one point that she will never see him again. But now he's here.
After they parted, Lucia gestured towards Timothy. "Father, this is King Timothy Castonia."
King Edmund looked at Timothy and examined him from head to toe. "You look different from what I imagined."
Timothy went closer to him. "And how did you imagine I would look like?"
"Older, bigger and with a huge scar like what the rumors say" King Edmund said.
"The rumors also say that I can turn into a huge lion yet here I am, a completely normal human being."
King Edmund paused as if thinking. "Have you tried staring at the full moon? They say moonlight gives power to shapeshifters"
"I have" Timothy grinned. "And all I got were mosquito bites."
And then there was silence. The silence was broken when King Edmund started to laugh. It was a chuckle at first but then it turned into a booming laughter.
"He got humor" King Edmund said to Lucia while still controlling his laughter.
He then offered his hand towards Timothy "I am King Edmund Vanadis. A pleasure to meet you"
Timothy shook King Edmund's hand and smiled. "I am King Timothy Castonia. The pleasure is all mine"