Her father has finally come to see her!
Marlowe couldn't contain the excitement shimmering within her with the thought that crossed her mind when she heard she had a visitor.
Who would pay her a visit except from her beloved father?
For the first time in a long while, a genuine smile of happiness bloomed on her once gloomy face, as she ran non-stop not giving attention to the maids chasing after her.
After what felt like forever, a breathless Marlowe stood in the reception room, panting hard as though she was chased by the wild beast in the woods.
Her shoulders slumped and her hopeful expression crumbled when what greeted her wasn't the sight of her father.
Instead, she was facing a female back with dark long hair.
Marlowe's brows creased, trying to recollect where she had seen this figure as the back of the woman looked overly familiar to her.
As if the lady in question heard her thoughts, she immediately turned to face her. An anxious look on her face as she hastened towards Marlowe, throwing herself at her.
"Dear Lord, how have you been?" the familiar voice laced with worry questioned.
Unaware of the tears welling up in her dazed eyes, Marlowe immediately hugged her back in a hardened grip.
A sudden sob escaped her.
"Sister…" she wailed brokenly, her voice, depicting her sorrows.
"It's alright, my love," Embracing her to herself, Nadine rubbed her palm on the small of Marlowe's back incessantly, letting her cry out her anguish.
"It's okay," she whispered.
Slowly pulling her away, Nadine grasped her head between her palms, looking into her teary eyes she felt her heart burning from such sight.
"Don't cry, my dear, look at me," she urged in light whispers. "Hush, look at me," Nadine tried to coax as it seemed Marlowe's cry only grew louder by her attempt to calm her down.
She skillfully wiped her tears away like something she had been doing for ages.
"Sit, let's have a talk," Nadine carefully supported her to the nearest seat.
Just then, Merkin interrupted while handing Marlowe a tissue to wipe her tear stained face, and serving them snacks. When she was done, she shifted away, giving the sisters privacy to chat.
After wiping her tears, Marlowe looked at her elder sister, Nadine. Who she has not seen in a long time now.
Because Nadine was married to a citizen of Dhroghen, so as expected, she moved away with her husband after their marriage.
It's been six years now.
"I heard," Nadine said as she watched Marlowe in her pitiful state.
Her heart, aching miserably by the sight.
"I…I don't want this, Nadine…I don't," she cried dejectedly.
"I understand," her expression softened as she saw her sister's sadness. "I rushed here immediately after I arrived at Valcresh. How have you been?" she questioned.
Marlowe gave a weak shrug. "Not that bad," she said.
"Well, I can see that from all the heavy ornaments on your body," Nadine mildly chuckled before her gaze turned serious, "I mean mentally, Marlowe," she refined her question.
Sighing loudly, Marlowe lowered her gaze. When she brought it up again, she asked, "Where is father? How is he?" Worry took over her beautiful green shade, staring into the deep brown ones of her sister who shared the same with their father.
The absolute fact was that Marlowe shared no tiny bit of resemblance with her father and sister. But when she asked, she was told she looks like their mother. Fiery red hair and dazzling green eyes, and a beauty so unmatched by many.
She was told that their mother died while giving birth to her, that's the reason she has no recollection whatsoever of her.
Undoubtedly, Marlowe believed, blaming herself for months for her mother's death.
It took a lot of effort to pull her out of her self blame and depression.
"I haven't paid him a visit yet, Marlowe. I was planning to do that after I see you and make sure you're okay,"
Marlowe pursed her lips.
Abruptly grabbing Marlowe's hand which was on her lap, Nadine's expression was immediately replaced with that of amusement. "I also heard about what happened on the day of the said banquet,"
Marlowe's brows knitted trying to recall, her eyes immediately widened with realization, "You mean the attack in the woods?"
"Yes. News of it spread all over the continent, there's no kingdom that hasn't heard of it. I heard even the council is involved."
"Is it that serious?" Marlowe asked with a disturbed frown, not wanting to remember that day's tragedy.
"Yeah, it is. Hundreds of citizens died that day, I was so glad when I heard you weren't one of the unlucky victims. Thank Goodness," Nadine sighed, drawing Marlowe to herself in a warm hug.
While Marlowe bit her lip in guilt.
And there she was praying for God to take her life then.
Without even considering her family.
They saw it as luck, but to her, it was nothing but a cursed fate.
Nadine pulled away, too slow to catch the guile swirling in Marlowe's eyes.
"How is your life in Dhroghen, by the way?" Marlowe questioned, the corners of her lips stretched in a strained smile.
It was Nadine's turn to look heavily burdened, therefore alarming Marlowe as she adjusted uncomfortably on her seat. "What's wrong? Is Sullivan treating you bad?" she worriedly queried.
"No he isn't," Nadine said with a humorous chuckle. "In fact, he has been the best even after so many years, it's just official works getting in his way now and then, especially now that a problem has risen in the kingdom,"
"Problem?" Confused, Marlowe sought elaboration, because Dhroghen is known to be the most peaceful kingdom in the whole continent. So hearing of a sudden dispute made her surprised.
She wasn't well versed with the politics and all, but this little she knew.
"Yes, there're news of mages practicing dark sorcery to enhance their abilities. And that's not the only issue, reports of missing people are all over, which only means that the dark practitioners are responsible for this."
Shock gripped Marlowe by what Nadine had just told her. With a dropped jaw, she said, "I hope you're not going back there?"
"Of course not, Marlowe, that's my home. I have to go back, I just want you to be careful because I heard they're still some sorcerers in Valcresh as well. Since Valcresh is the Kingdom with most creatures and kinds, they surely have a plan in mind, and I'm certain they're not completely innocent of what is happening in Dhroghen. They do not want peace."
Marlowe knew Nadine was right. But sorcerers and mages were long extinct from Valcresh because of their unending greed and desires.
But the thought of few remaining brought immense fear to her faint heart.
Spilling her thoughts, Marlowe asked, "Is it possible for the crisis at Dhroghen to spread to Valcresh too?"