Chapter 12 - Can you take these to them?
1012 Words
Elise rushed forward even before the lights disappeared. She turned her attention to the girl. She held her hand, which surprised Nate.
She was initially saddened because the king didn’t appear with them.
“These… I wrote these for the king and the prince. Can you take these to them? Can you enter the palace?” She pleaded as she clutched her hand. She started tearing up again and Nate eyed her with continued surprise.
Nate turned to Vince, who was also eyeing his mother curiously. When Nate accepted the letters, Elise allowed herself to breath properly.
“Mother…” Vince croaked, his throat tightening. It was as Nate said, she didn’t look much different from her portrait.
Elise turned to look at the young man, startled by the word he uttered. She watched as he stared at her, studying her face. She watched him, too, and little by little, she’s able to see some of the king’s features on him.
“Vincent?” She asked as she reached for his face. She barely held her tears earlier, when she saw the human’s return. Her only desire was to make sure she goes back with the letters she wrote, make her promise to hand it to her family.
His small smile, reminiscent of King Edward’s, assured her it was her son. She pulled him into her as she cries and laughs. Oh, how long was it when she last embraced him? She pulled back, studying his face once more as she continued to smile and cry.
“You look just like your father.” She stated as she touched his face and she didn’t say anymore. She embraced him again and Vince hugged her tightly, too. It has been over ten years since she’s gone missing.
Vincent cried, too, and as Nate watched, she couldn’t stop herself from shedding tears as well. She lightly laughed from happiness. So, did Vince. She wasn’t dreaming after all, but in a way, what made her sad is the fact that they weren’t able to bring the king with them. She looked at the letters the Queen gave to her. For her son and husband.
Elise quickly turned to Nate and smiled with tears as she asked for the letters back. Nate handed them over. She understands she would give it to Vince instead.
“These are for you and your father. Make sure you give him the other one, okay?” She pleaded again.
“I’m so sorry for what happened. I didn’t mean to leave. Oh, how I missed you and Edward. I love you. Tell your father I love him, alright?”
“Yes. He’ll be very happy. It’s a shame he couldn’t come.”
Elise frowned at his statement, as her tears slowed. She sniffed and dried her tears. Maybe they wouldn’t be disappearing so soon.
“We tried to come here with him.” He explained, seeing her confusion. She hadn’t seen earlier how they looked around; she was only focused at handing the letters over.
“He knows?” She asked, only realizing that their coming was deliberate. She turned to the girl. “You told them?” She was surprised and thankful.
“Yes, my lady.” Nate answered. They had to figure something else for the king to come here.
“Does my lady know anything about enchantments on portals? Why couldn’t we bring King Edward?” Nate went straight for it. Given how she’s the queen, she’s bound to help them, right?
“This is a world of pure magic. Only someone with magic can cross through dimensions.” As she said it, her eyes widened as she turned to her son.
“You have magic?”
“Yes.” Vince answered with a grin.
“How?”
The question made him uncomfortable.
“I don’t mean to be rude, my queen, but… is your highness a fae or human?” Nate asked instead. Some things they couldn’t properly answer. It was the queen’s turn to look uncomfortable.
Her father, King Florian, and brother took this pause an opportunity to introduce themselves. Erik was surprised to hear his sister call this human her son. And he also heard her say something about a king. They were briefly taking about a king. And the human called her queen before. He’s starting to understand the situation.
“Elise…” King Florian interrupted their conversation. Nate and Vince looked at the two men coming over.
Elise wiped her face again. “This is my father, a fae king of a fae kingdom. I suppose he’s your grandfather, too. King Florian. And this is my brother, prince Erik. Your uncle?”
Prince Erik narrowed his eyes on his sister. “I’m an uncle? To this kid?”
“Don’t be like that. He’s a prince, too. You are equals.”
“He’s not fae. I am.” He challenged. In a way, he’s arrogant. He didn’t like people being treated better than him, except for his father and sister. All others must look up to him and praise him.
“He’s my son. Of course, he’s fae.” Elise reasoned.
Nate and Vince exchanged glances.
“Stop focusing on the unimportant things.” King Florian reprimanded his son, before turning to the newcomers. He extended his arms to hug his grandson. It was somewhat awkward. Vince turned it in his head.
“How about grandfather and grandmother from the south?” He asked, confused as his mother introduced these people as her family.
Elise gave her son a sad smile, “It’s a long story. They’re your grandparents, too.”
Since she occupied the body of a princess, that should technically be correct, right? Let’s say that made her half-human, half-fae.
“There’s a lot to discuss. It’s nearly lunch, how about we head to the dining hall for a meal and we can discuss things over food?” King Florian suggested.
Elise reached for her son’s arm and clung to it as they walk out into the halls, towards the kitchen. They’re all walking at the same pace, glancing at the unfamiliar faces.
“Should we send the other guest to her quarters as we talk to this son of yours?” Erik asked, thinking that the discussion should be limited to family members. The girl is not related to them. She doesn’t need to know their stories and secrets.
Vince reached for Nate’s hand, though. No, they won’t get separated.
The fae all stopped as they saw this situation.
- Writer
