"I'm sorry young miss, the master has passed on."She could tell, could feel how bereft of warmth her father's hand was. It held her hand a moment ago, now it hung limp by the side of his bed."No..."Yet the words escaped her lips like a whisper, as her tears dripped to the floor. She clung to her father's hand and sank to her knees beside the bed."Miriel..." She heard a voice from across her.Miriel looked up as tears clouded her eyes. She saw the figure of her uncle, eyes drooping with his brows creased. He stood on the opposite side of the bed, his head bowed."Miriel, you must go." He repeated.She understood, but she couldn't move. Her legs never felt so heavy, her body never so weary.
Slowly, she raised herself off the ground and stood.
"Louis." She wiped her tears, eyes fixed on her father's pale face."Yes, young miss?" He stood beside her dutifully in his perennial suit. His face wizened, his hair white."Prepare the carriage." She turned to face him."Right away, young miss." He bowed and left.She watched him leave the room, the creases in his clothes apparent. Even Louis, ever inscrutable, slumped as he paced."Uncle Yorn."He turned to her, black hair dishevelled, grey eyes red and teary."I'll hold it together. You should hurry. We are short on time." He said. His shoulders slumped, but his voice was steady.She took one long look at her father. So serene was his face that she wanted to believe he was simply asleep.She nodded to her uncle and left the room.-
She stared at the mirror above the sink as water dripped from her face.
Miriel looked terrible.Her brown hair was messy. Her light-brown eyes were still red with shadows below them. Her lips were pale. Her face gaunt. Freckles spanned from one cheekbone to the other.Draped in black, she stained the mirror with her reflection.Her only respite was her otherwise clear skin. Fair, though there were people even fairer.She wiped her face with a towel and nodded to herself as she stared intensely at the mirror."No more tears. No more drowning in sorrow." She repeated to herself, even as they threatened to overflow."Young miss?" Miriel heard Louis knocking on the door."Is everything ready?" She asked."Everything has been prepared for your journey." He replied.She took one long look at the mirror, then turned and left the washroom.-
Memories flitted through her mind like the trees they swept past with the carriage.
The sun fell and darkness soared. She saw nothing above, neither moon nor stars. Lampposts faintly illuminated the road, erected at alternating sides regularly.Miriel sat on a pillow and leaned against the carriage wall, another pillow between them.She stared at the sacks that sat beside her and opposite her, one larger than the other.When was the last time she ate?She untied the one beside her; there was bread and a leather waterskin.She nibbled on the bread - it was sweet and soft - and drank from the waterskin.The road was paved with stone tiles, levelled and smoothed. The carriage shook a bit, but was bearable.Her belly filled partly, she heaved.She sank further in the pillow, her eyes drooped.She dearly needed some rest.The Capitol was a day's journey by carriage. Should they stop at an inn? But they were pressed for time.She spread the curtains, readjusted, and then closed her eyes.-
She reclined on the sofa with her feet hanging in the air.
The sun was up high. Its light fell upon the windows and marked the glass and panes on the ground.In her lap, she held the book 'Why the Sun has flowers'.It was a gift from her father. She didn't like it but she brought it with her to her father's study only to show him that she was reading it.A book Miriel hadn't seen for a while.'Ah, I'm dreaming.'She turned her head to see her father at his desk, head buried in his documents with his glasses on. One eyebrow raised with a palm supporting his chin.His dull, wheat coloured hair was parted at the side.'Father...'He raised his head and met her eyes. A goofy smile spread across his lips.Her chest was warm, yet tears welled in her eyes.'Oh, father...'"Milly?"His eyes widened and he rushed to her side. How long had it been since she heard his footsteps?He picked her up and brought her to his chest.
She nestled her head on his shoulder as her tears dripped on his coat."What's wrong Milly? What happened?"'Nothing, father. Nothing's wrong' The words wouldn't leave her mouth."There, there. Father's here. It's okay. Everything's fine."He patted her back.'Not anymore.'She wrapped her hands around his neck.'Oh, how I miss you, father. So, so much.'He held her as she wept'It's hard but I'll try.'