"This is where you lived?"
Ignoring the evident disgust in the Princess's eyes, Marlowe softly nodded.
Completely overwhelmed by emotions, she had not realized how close she was to their old hut.
Her green eyes glittered with pure feelings of pain.
Few more steps and she'll be there.
With the series of emotions flocking inside her, Marlowe clenched hard on her fist, attempting to curb them before they would explode.
She never believed that she'll ever get to see this place ever again.
Numbers of time she had thought about it, but she just kept loosing hope every single time.
Marlowe took a step ahead, already close to the shoddy wooden door.
Her hands shook with a feeling she couldn't describe.
Her lower lip, caught between her teeth in a toughened grip.
Marionette watched bafflingly, not apprehending what was going on with her.
When Marlowe had requested that they go pay a visit to her father after their shopping, she had hesitated to utter a response.
Worried that it might alter her later plan.
Not until the Queen begged her.
Something that Queens never do.
In fact, she could see the desperation in her eyes, then…she gave in.
She didn't know what made her agree, perhaps her guilt?
She couldn't fathom, but all she thought back to was her unknowingly nodding slowly to the Queen's sorrowful eyes.
And now here they are!
Finally, Marlowe was able to comport herself. Her shaky knuckles touched down a series of soft knocks on the door.
Her breath ceased midway as she awaited a reply…even a slightest sound.
To her impatience, her suspense was shortened when she heard the voice she hadn't heard for weeks now.
"Who is it?" her father's voice boomed out in questioning.
But she couldn't reply, she could not bring herself to voice a word.
Afraid that she'll immediately break down in tears.
"Hey, won't you say something…" Marionette jerked her with an elbow, she was unable to complete her statement as she trailed off the moment she saw the vulnerable expression on Marlowe's face.
"I'll be right there," the voice from inside the cottage resonated again, making Marlowe feel her palms sweat buckets.
Somehow she felt nervous hearing the familiar footsteps.
The feeling of disbelief growing deeper within her.
If someone had told her that she'd see her father again, she wouldn't have believed it.
But here…thanks to the third Princess, her hidden wish has been granted.
Her heart kept on the speedy rhythm as each minute, she anticipated him to immediately show up in front of her.
It was getting close, and she was getting more breathless.
Until…
Hebron could not believe what was beholding his sight.
His daughter…His youngest daughter, Marlowe.
His hands shivered, falling from the door knob.
He lurched forward from the shock.
His eyes widely opened, and his mouth, hung agape, paused in the position of his interrupted statement.
He couldn't revel more in the feeling of seeing his sweet Marlowe once more.
Once he heard the tragedy that happened that day in the woods, and that his daughter was taken as the tyrannical Vampire King's bride, his heart was torn and shattered to pieces.
He was a like a souless being living with no aim in life. Even about to kill himself for not protecting her well enough, only for his eldest daughter to come to his rescue.
Telling him that his little Marlowe is doing just fine.
And now, finally here she is.
She had not changed one bit.
Even with the change of style and clothing, he could still feel her genuine innocence, her ignorance of the world.
He knew right now, she is nothing more than a sheep in the midst of ferocious wolves.
Oh! How will his Marlowe survive?
"Papa!" Marlowe immediately threw herself at him, holding him tightly like she was holding on to her life.
The tears she tried so hard to restrain came gushing forth without a stop.
Her sobs, filling the entire space, making Marionette rub on her palms in awkwardness.
Hebron firmly held on to his daughter.
He felt her fear.
Her pains.
It was like immediately he came in contact with her, all her negativity found an escape route and reached out to him.
Further increasing that helpless feeling of protectiveness. "My dear child," he emotionally muttered, embracing her as she shook in tears.
He felt like crying too.
But he had to hold it in as he couldn't stop murmuring, "My dear child," throughout.
It was heart touching seconds of father and daughter reunited.
"I'm so glad to see you again, my dear child," Hebron muttered with affection dripping from his voice.
A teary crack in his throat convinced Marlowe that he was as relieved as she was to finally see each other again.
Perhaps he too lost hope?
When they pulled away, her cheeks were already stained with tears of happiness, smudging the little dark thingy the maids usually rub on the rim of her eye lids on a daily basis.
Seeing this made Marionette hiss in irritation.
Brought back from the high of elation by the Princess's mild hiss,
Marlowe turned to her with a face stained with tears.
Mistaking it for something else, she immediately turned to her father and said, "Papa, this is Her Highness, Princess Marionette. The third Princess of Valcresh." she introduced with a voice which had barely gained fervor.
"Your Highn—"
"Oh no no, please," Marionette immediately mowed Hebron off with an awkward laugh, waving her hands in the air, before he could show his respect with a bow.
"There's no absolute need for that. Marlowe is a sweet sister-in-law and a friend to me; you don't have to bow to me,"
She convinced, with a pure smile of innocence.
"It's good to know my daughter isn't alone in the Castle," Hebron was a little bit relieved by this, his youngest daughter at least had someone when he's not there.
Though inwardly, Marlowe was surprised by the Princess's words, she didn't say anything.
They just got to know each other today, why did the Princess make it sound like they were so close?
It seems the third Princess really needed a friend.
"Can I ask a favor from you, Your Highness?" Hebron asked, making both Marlowe and Marionette curious.
Marionette wavered a little, she slowly looked at Marlowe and seemed to be thoughtful, before nodding back at Hebron. "Yes, Mr Alnov," she replied.
He took a look at his daughter, his eyes immediately getting soft at the powerless sight of her.
"Can you take care of her?" he said, his eyes still placed on his daughter.
"Being friends with her, you might have already guessed her nature. She's too timid, innocent and ignorant,"
Yes! She is. Marionette couldn't agree more with the last word.
He finally shifted his gaze on Marlowe to the Princess. "Please can you do me this favor?"
He requested with profound hope for the Princess's response.
Seeing the genuine pleading in an elderly's eyes; this made Marionette feel utterly awful.
How is she supposed to make a promise she cannot keep?
The inner battle was written all over her.