Shaelyn's hands are still shaking as she took a sip of tea that was served by a castle maid.
She is currently staying at one of the many guest rooms of the castle. Headmaster Asha and Clara are the only ones that have been permitted to also stay at the castle. The rest of their group went back to the academy to deliver a message from the headmaster. They are still processing the recent events, that their professors have decided to let them rest for the second day.
The distance between the academy and the capital is not that far by carriage, it will only take about two to three days. That's why they have developed a spell that allows one to directly teleport from the academy to the capital and capital to the academy at a fast rate.
Today is the second day of the party and many have congratulated her for being chosen as the crown princess. She didn't get a chance to sleep properly that night, still pondering whether or not the events that have to happen are merely just a dream.
But clearly, it's not.. since she is currently having tea time with the Queen together with the Headmaster and Clara.
Clara has been fidgeting now and then from her seat, uncomfortable with acting ladylike. While the Headmaster without even a hint of difficulty manages to have a light conversation with the Queen.
"Did you manage to rest properly last night, dear?"- the Queen asks while looking directly at Shaelyn with a smile.
"Y-yes! Thank you for your generosity, your majesty."- Shaelyn answers formally.
"Oh my! I'm glad you manage to rest well. I know how difficult it can be when you sleep in a different bed than you are used to. I was also the same when I first became the Crown Princess at your age. Also, I would like it if you can at least call me Queen mother. Then when you got used to it, please call mom~."- the Queen enthusiastically said while holding Shaelyn's right hand.
"B-but that will be!—"- Shaelyn protested as her face reddens in embarrassment.
"Please I insist."- the Queen said while smiling warmly at her.
Shaelyn glance at the Headmaster for help, Asha only nod at her to tell her it's okay. She sighs in defeat as she opens her mouth,
"Y-yes... your— I mean, Queen m-mother."-
The Queen's face glow in delight and proceeded to hug Shae. While Shaelyn felt weird having to call someone mother, she never even try calling the Headmaster, who is her adopted mother 'mother'. It always felt weird for her to even utter those words. It's because she knows nothing about having parents to raise her.
———
"Your majesty, father... why didn't you tell me about the announcement first?"- Atlas asked his father while the two are playing chess.
"Well... I didn't know she would just appear like that in the first place."- the King answers as he stares at the board.
"She has our heirloom."- Atlas blurted out that made the King choke.
"What?!! How? And why didn't you tell me that first?!"- the King slammed his hand on the board that made the pieces fall onto the carpeted floor.
Atlas sighs, as he picks up the fallen chess pieces.
"I only remembered that now. I should have known that was the biggest giveaway, that she is the one that fairy is talking about."- he said as he places the pieces back on the board.
"When did that happen?"- the King asks curiously.
"I found her in a dazed inside the cursed room, wearing the necklace on her neck like it was nothing."- he explains with a shrug.
"Then?"-
"At first I thought she's one of those thieves that steals and sells cursed items to the public. But then, she was able to use magic."
"Magic? Ah! I remember her mother, the Queen of Lockser is a great mage. Pity that she's not the same as she used to."
"Looks like someone knows the Queen of Lockser well."-The King cough lightly, before moving his bishop.
"I used to spar with her all the time when we, your mother and the King of Lockser, are all studying at the same academy. We were quite a rowdy bunch during our younger days."- the King reminisces with a smile.
Atlas glances at his father's face before moving his bishop.
"I can only imagine you rowdy but not mother. But then again, she can be scary when she's mad."
Both Atlas and the King shuddered because of what he has said. They can still remember the piercing glare of the Queen, and her cold voice that will make you frozen in fear.
"Ahem! We should just change the subject, we would not want her to know that we are talking about her."- the King suggested, fear can be seen from his eyes.
"I forgot to tell you that I have already sent an invite to the Lockser kingdom. They will arrive tonight since I send them few of our mages that can use teleporting spells."- the King admitted.
Atlas stops his left hand from picking up his rook. He looks up to his father and stares at him.
"They already know about her?"- he asked.
The King also stares at his son's face before answering, "Yes, I've already told them last night. It's the right thing to do. They have been grieving for their daughter for fourteen long years. I can never imagine how painful it is to lose your daughter for that long."
"Your sister, Sierra, ever since she was born... I always worry about her health. It pains me that I can't do anything to relieve her from the pain she's going through every day. But.. I also want her to continue staying with us selfishly. If only I can do anything just to save her, I'm willing to even exchange my life."- the King stated while playing with the knight piece on his left hand.
"Yet... I still have the responsibility of being the King of our kingdom. I still have the responsibility to protect and serve our people. To balance being a King and being a father... that is still the life that I have to live."- he added with a bitter smile.
Atlas listen quietly, pondering his father's words.
Soon, he will be the one to hold the responsibility that his father currently has... and with Shaelyn by his side.
For some reason, it made him want to look forward to their future together.
——
"Lady Clara, will you do me a favor and walk with me at the palace's garden? I'm sure you will love the scent of the flowers we have there."- the Queen suggested to Clara, as she stands up from her seat.
Clara also stands up and glances between Shaelyn and the Headmaster.
"Y—yes! Your majesty!"- she answers as she follows the Queen.
Shaelyn stare confuses when the queen suddenly suggested taking a walk, she smiles at her before glancing at the Headmaster.
"Shae... I have something important to tell you."- Asha started, when Shaelyn was about to open her mouth.
Shaelyn turns to face Asha, whose face is turning more seriously than when she and Clara, almost burn down the whole school by 'accident'.
"Is something wrong? Headmaster?"- she asks, what's more, important than her sudden engagement with the crown prince?
"I.. I've found out who your parents are."-Shaelyn's eyes widen in surprise and her heart starts beating fast in curiosity.
"W-who? Who are they?"-
Asha holds both her hands with her shaky ones.
"They— promise me you will accept this as calmly as possible. I know this will not be easy but... I want you to know, I'm still here for you. We are all here for you."- Asha said with a shaky voice, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Even though it's only been two years since they've bonded, she has already hold Shaelyn close to her heart.
"Why are saying that? You are making me nervous.."-
"I'm just... happy that you will finally meet them. At the same time, I'm also feeling a bit conflicted about this. Now that I can't be your only mother from now on."-
"So what? It's not like I will instantly be close to the right? So you are still the closest I have to have a mother."-
Shaelyn can't believe she managed to say those words without stuttering. While Asha smiles warmly at her, squeezing her hands tightly.
"Thank you, dear... for your real parents, they will arrive tonight here. They have been already invited by his majesty, the King and her majesty, the Queen, since after all... they are the King and Queen of Lockser Kingdom."
Shaelyn froze, she blinks again and continues to stare at Asha.
"What did you just say?!"-
——
A royal carriage arrived that night, bearing the insignia of the Lockser Kingdom. They have a carnation flower being protected by two swords as their symbol.
A knight opens the door of the royal carriage as two figures emerge. One is the King of the Lockser kingdom, his face has aged drastically during the long fourteen years of being separated from his one and only daughter.
His once golden hair has long lost its shine, his tired grey eyes staring at his Queen with worry. He helps her out of the carriage, he still has a strong physique from sword training every day. He made a promise to himself to stay strong for his missing princess and his beloved Queen.
On the other hand, the Queen has long lost her strength since the day she collapses because of her grief. She spends her days laying on her bed, hallucinating, having a high fever, and unable to sleep properly at night.
The royal physicians are still trying their best to help their poor Queen to at least maintain her health.
The Queen's silver hair has grown long up until her waist, her almond-shaped crystal blue eyes are shaking while looking around the palace. Her face has grown thinner due to her lack of appetite.
"Is.. is she h-here? M-my baby?"- the Queen's voice shakes as she tightens her hold around the King's neck.
"Yes, our baby is here. Do you remember our dear friends, Sirius and Xienna? They have found her, our dear baby."- the King softly whispers to the Queen's ear while carrying her carefully.
The King's aide is the one who led them to where King Sirius and Queen Xienna are talking.
"His majesty, King Lewis of the Lockser Kingdom and her majesty, Queen Stella of Lockser Kingdom have arrived."- Stephen Sears, the King's aide announced as he opens the door to the drawing-room.
"Welcome! Lewis! Stella! I'm glad the two of you arrived safely."- King Sirius greets them as he and Queen Xienna stands up.
King Lewis gently placed down Queen Stella on the soft cream-colored cushion sofa, inside the drawing-room.
"How are you feeling Stella?"- Queen Xienna immediately went beside Queen Stella and hold both her hands.
"My daughter?"- Queen Stella weakly asks.
Queen Xienna softly smiles at her before placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Don't worry, you will meet her later. Take a rest, for now, you will need your strength to hold her tight right?"- Queen Xienna answers her softly as she helps her to be more comfortable on the sofa.
"How are you holding?"- King Sirius whispers to King Lewis as they watched the two Queens interact.
"You don't have to worry about me, I'm more worried about my wife. It's been a while since she last went out of our kingdom. I hope her health would not worsen."- King Lewis replied his left foot tapping quietly on the carpeted floor.
King Sirius placed his left hand above King Lewis' shoulder and squeeze it. King Lewis mouthed a small 'thank you to him, thankful for his support.
———
Shaelyn has been walking back and forth around the room she's currently staying in. Ever since she found out about the identities of her biological parents, she didn't know what she's supposed to do nor how she's supposed to feel about it.
"Shae!! Stop pacing around and calm down! I'm the one getting dizzy by you walking!"- Clara complained, she holds both Shaelyn's shoulder and shakes her.
"I got it! So stop shaking me!"- Shaelyn pushed Clara away as she slumps down on her soft bed.
The maids are just observing the two arguing since earlier. About five maids are assigned to served Shaelyn. The Queen will add more maid once their engagement has been properly settled.
Asha, who also has been watching the two childishly arguing with one another sighs with a small smile on her face.
"Come now, Shaelyn. Dinner will be ready soon but before that, you need to meet your parents first. I heard they've already arrived, so let's fix your appearance."- she said and motion for the maids to help Shae.
"Do I have to? Can't I just met them like this?"- Shaelyn asks as she stands up and let the maids fix her dress.
Her braided hair got a little bit messy by her walking around in circles and by Clara shaking her.
"You have to get used to this, Shae. You are now the Crown Princess of the Caswell Kingdom. And the only Princess of the Lockser Kingdom."- Asha answers with a proud smile.
"I still can't believe that you are a lost princess this whole time! No wonder you have a different aura than the rest of us in the academy!"- Clara confessed while watching Shaelyn be pampered by the maids.
"I.. haven't fully processed everything yet. Since last night, everything feels like a dream you know?"- Shaelyn admitted staring at her reflection in the mirror.
"Don't worry, we will be here to support you."- Asha said placing her left hand above Shaelyn's shaky ones.
———