Nadine - The Beginning

13. Goodbye

I wake up the next morning and just stare at the ceiling. I am not looking forward to this morning.

My mom lays her hand on mine. "How are you feeling today princess?"

"Very sad and excited at the same time."

"Why are you sad?"

"I have to say goodbye to Tre." I sniffle as I fight some tears back. "I really don't want him to go momma."

She nods. "I can understand that. And why are you excited?"

"It's my first day studying medicine. I get to wear a new type of dress. I'm also going to travel in a week and see a lot of country side. Then 2 new villages. I'm really excited about all that mom."

"I'm excited about those things too. It has been a long time since I have been away from the castle."

She smiles. "So you going to be ok today at the going away party?"

"I don't know mom. I still don't understand why daddy is sending them away."

"They agreed it was the right thing to do child. You are still to young. If they didn't step in things would start happening between you 2 that could hurt your futures if you don't end up being mates."

"Do you think we'll be mates someday momma?"

"It's impossible to know that child. And by the way you were staring down Dipak I wouldn't be surprised if he was your mate."

I am instantly so embarrassed. "Momma he didn't notice did he? I mean he just had so many muscles. I couldn't look away."

My mom laughs. "No child I don't think he noticed. I can just tell what your looking at, even with the veil on. Most only see the veil, but I know what your thinking."

I take a deep breath. "That makes me feel better."

"Your servant is going to come in and help you get ready. I would prefer you wear something light colored. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. We are gaining a new village and castle for our people."

"Ok momma."

Mary comes in a couple minutes later. "How are we this morning princess?" She picks out two dresses and I point to the one I want. A nice pretty pink dress.

"Mary I want to the market yesterday with Tre."

"I heard. Did you have fun?" She gets the dress on me and starts messing with my hair.

"No one knew who I was. We just walked around looking at everything for hours. I want to go back with you. We will have so much fun. We can take a few things and maybe do some trades."

"I don't know princess. That might be dangerous."

"No it's just fun. There's lots of guards but they don't know who I am until I tell them. Trust me we will have fun."

"Ok miss. We can try it out another day. Today is the goodbye party and you are starting your study of medicine."

I just sit there smiling. I notice she's giving me a weird look. "What?"

"I just figured you would be upset this morning."

"I am upset but excited too. Now I get to travel to another village 4 hours away next week. I will see so much new stuff. And a human village. I've never seen one up close. You have to come too."

"Oh I don't know princess. That's a long way. How would I get there? Not sure my feet would let me walk that long."

"You will ride with me. I have my own carriage we will ride in."

"Oh I guess that would work princess." She finishes pinning down the veil and gives me a big smile. "Now I'm excited too. I mean not as excited as seeing Dipak without a shirt on though."

We both start laughing and my dad walks in. "What are you two laughing about this morning?"

"Hi Daddy! We were having problems with the veil pin. It's ok now."

"Sure." He shakes his head. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok for the going away party this morning. But it seems like you will be fine."

"Yes, I'm sad daddy and I'll miss Tre but I'll be fine. It's not forever."

Dad nods and as he walks out the door he says "I'll just tell Dipak to join the party shirtless that seems to make everyone happy."

Me and Mary both look at each other and bust out laughing.

The closer I get to the front gate of the castle the sadder I get. I'll have to tell Tre good bye. I know it's only a week but, I will still miss him.

A lot of people are at the gate, servants and guards are everywhere. There are 7 carriages all lined up and horses and guards everywhere. I see a bunch of servants climbing in the last carriage. I guess they don't have to walk.

I look over and see Dracul with my dad and the other advisors. Asa is standing by my mom. My brother is running around with some of the other kids his age. I don't see Tre anywhere.

"Hi princess."

I turn around so fast and Tre is standing behind me with some wild flowers. "I was looking for you."

"I wanted to get you some flowers before I leave."

I just stand there and start crying. "Tre you're leaving."

He puts his arm around me. "I know princess but, it will be ok. You will come and see us in a week. And this isn't forever."

I take the flowers and look at him. "It's a long time."

He guides me to sit on the steps with him. I hold onto the flowers and just stare them. I can feel the tears pouring out of my eyes. He knows I'm crying. He can feel my body shaking.

"Please be strong princess. I hate seeing you like this. This won't change anything with us."

"I'm just sad. I wish you didn't have to leave."

"Me too princess." He pulls me closer. "Promise me something."

"What?"

"You'll keep yourself busy. I want you to learn as much as you can while I'm away. Even shooting that bow and arrow."

"You're ok with me learning boy stuff?"

"Of course. I want a strong and smart queen. I know you can do anything. You are so smart and brave princess."

"So are you Tre. I just hate that you're leaving. I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too princess. This week will go so slow."

"The 2 of you can walk to the carriage now princess." Mary is standing behind us. "The others are walking towards their carriages."

I look around. "There's no speeches?"

"Not today princess. Just good byes. Let's get you up." Mary helps me up as Tre stands up and reaches for my hand.

We walk to the second carriage in the line. I have my arm through his. "No one rides with you Tre?"

"There is 1 servant and 2 guards in there princess. I won't be alone."

I nod and look over at my parents. Asa already entered the carriage and Dracul is shaking my dads hand right outside it.

"I guess this is it Tre." I wrap my arms around his waist so fast I don't think he knew it was coming. "I'm going to miss you so much."

He puts his arms around me. "I'll miss you too." We must stand there for a second to long because next thing I know my mom is with us.

"Ok you two. It's time to say goodbye. Tre you need to get in the carriage. Princess you will stand over here with me."

I start sobbing. I look at Tre and his eyes look red.

He nods at me. "I'll see you in a week princess and I will miss you so much."

"Good bye Tre. I will miss you. A week will take so long." I finally let go of him.

Mom puts her arm around my shoulders and starts leading me away. "Have a nice trip Tre. We will see you in a week."

"Thank you ma'am." With that he gets in the carriage and a guard shuts the door.

"Be strong princess. Just smile and wave. I know it hurts. I've had to watch your father leave many times."

I nod and start sobbing again. "No one can see my face anyways."

Mom holds me tighter as dad walks over to us. We wave as the carriages pull away. As soon as the carriages pull away my dad starts a speech. "Good bye's are always hard and sad. But everyone remember this is for the good of our people."

Everyone starts walking back into the castle. Mary grabs my shoulders and guides me back to my room.

I just sit on the stool. "He's really gone Mary."

She pulls the veil off then starts working on the dress. "It will get easier princess. And you will see each other again soon."

I just nod.

"You'll be fine princess. It'll just take some time."

"Your right Mary. I need to focus. If we end up being mates, this won't change anything. It just hurts for now."

"That's a good way to look at it princess. Now lets get this new medical gown on you. It's time for you to get ready for the medical area."

I nod and stand up. We get all the new stuff on and it all fits perfectly.

"Did you want me to walk with you princess?"

"Yes please. I would like to eat something first though."

"Ok go to the dining area. I will figure something out."

I walk into the dining area and my parents are both there.

"That is very much different than ball gowns my princess. Are you comfortable?"

"Yes daddy this is nice. Not so much fabric, doesn't weigh as much." I sit down and my mom brings some fruit over.

"You ok princess?"

"I'll be fine momma. I just need to go and do something. Keep myself busy you know. I'm really looking forward to spending time in the medical area."

Mary walks in with some bread and blood. "I'm sorry I didn't realize you would be here sir, ma'am."

"That's fine servant. You can continue."

I eat the food and drink the blood. "I think I'm ready to go."

"Ok let's get the veil back on princess." Mary pins down the veil and help me out of the chair. "Can you see ok princess? This was a different fabric."

"Yes I can actually see better." I stand there looking around the room. "Yes this is not as foggy. Can we do all the veils out of this fabric momma?"

"I will look into it child. I don't know how many colors they have."

"Thank you momma."

"Your welcome child. Enjoy your first day."

I give my mom and dad both a hug. "Thank you both. I am so excited to start this. Hopefully I will be good at it."

My dad takes a drink. "You'll do fine my princess. You are such a smart girl."

They both smile as Mary and I walk out.

"I wonder if Dipak will be there for a follow up?" I can't help it. I say it loud enough for my father to hear.

"I heard that." My dad yells down the hallway.

I hear my mom say "Girls."

Me and Mary both start laughing as we open the door to the main part of the castle.

Dipak is standing there looking at us.

We both stop laughing immediately and just stare at him.

"What was so funny princess?"

I hear my mom bust out laughing from down the hallway. "Come in Dipak."

I grab Mary and we trade places with Dipak fast. Then we take off running. He starts laughing.