I awoke covered in sweat, what an odd dream I had. Of course this wasn't the first time or the last time a dream like that would happen to me. I however had to start my day as normal, I was leaving three days from now and I needed to get everything ready. My routine still hadn't changed, and the day went by as quickly as it started. Yet I still felt odd about that dream, I decided to visit my father. I told him of the dream, as much as I could recount. He was listening to me earnestly and once I finished he had a slight smirk on his face. He was humored it seemed.
"That certainly is interesting, but unfortunately or fortunately if you will, your mother was not from the royal family." he said
"Yeah, I guess dreams are a bit farfetched in the long run." I replied
"Well, I suppose it is about time I do tell you about her, you'll be a full fledged adult soon." my father said, turning serious
I gulped, I'm not sure I'm actually ready for this information, but I nodded my head and took a seat.
"Your mother was an adventurer, we met by coincidence when I was a young man travelling with my father to visit the royal family. She took up a request as a caravan guard and we happened to meet on the road." he said, fondly recounting those times
"Due to the instability in the kingdom at that time, we didn't reveal our titles, as the Varland rebels had hired assassin's to take us out, Galia was a major military supplier and my father was a general for the army at the time. Making either of us prime targets, we enlisted the services of this merchant caravan to take us on the 4 month journey from Kingsgate in the Duchy of Utraria to the capital city of Swanstone. during this time your mother and I grew very close and we spent a night together. As we parted ways, I promised her I would find her after I finished my business and I told myself I would marry her then no matter whether she was a commoner or not. My father, your grandfather, was not opposed to me marrying a commoner, he had seen our growth and saw the form of relationship we had taken. We finished our business in the capital and as promised I returned to your mother, I spent another week with her when suddenly she was gone the next morning, leaving behind a single note. "my dearest Leif, I am with child and it is yours. Through my connections I learned of your nobility status, I know that this child will only bring harm upon your real family and I could not bear to have caused this to you." and that was all that she had left" my father said obviously devastated.
"so how did you end up finding me?" I returned a question.
"Her sister came into contact with me, she delivered you to my manor and explained how your mother had disappeared into a dungeon, leaving you in her care with the sole instruction to send you to the Duke of Galia should she not return." he said
So that's it then, that's how it was. I finally knew the truth yet it felt like there were only more questions. I could tell my father was saddened by this and was trying his best so I didn't ask for more. I had learned enough and I was pleased. However it was time to tell him of my plans to leave.
"Father, I intend to leave for the main island after I become an adult, I want to experience life on my own and see the world." I explained
"I knew the day would come, and while I am sad you wish to leave I want nothing more than for you to be happy." he said with a half smile.
I felt terrible, not only had he lost the woman he loved, but now the son he had with that woman was planning on leaving too. I was determined though, I wanted this and I needed to do this and he too knew that I had to do this. We shared understanding in silence before I made my leave. I was ready to go, and all that was left was surviving my ceremony tomorrow.