Poloria's POV
"Master." Dasa bowed. "A servant just came to inform that the King and Queen have arrived, the three young masters have accompanied them." I nod. It's been month, the twins and Calin are healed physically. Sera is coming out of her slightly depressed mindset, thankfully.
During this time, they clung to me even closer. I didn't push them away; a habit I picked up from the time I woke up till now. "Mother. Should I go and escort them in?" Varin asked. "No need." We were supposed to be training but I skipped it.
Breakfast had yet to be served and my parents have arrived already. "They were escorted straight to the garden pavilion. It's large enough that everyone can have breakfast." Dasa stated. "Then shall we get going?" Gena asked. "Why the rush?" Soria teased. "She's wants to see her fiancée. What other reason could there be?" Varin joined in.
"Alright. Stop teasing Gena. Do it after the marriage is confirmed." I stood from my chair and walked down the corridor. "Will this go badly?" Gena asked seriously, her playful tone was now gone. "Should it?" I glanced back at her and she lowered her head.
"I haven't done anything shameful. Why would it go badly?" She didn't answer so I stopped and turned to look at her. "I'm afraid things won't go over smoothly. Although you are their daughter, so is she." I chuckled, turned and continued walking. "When I beat her within an inch of her life for saying what she shouldn't have to my children, no one said a word then. They won't say a word now." Gena remained silent the rest of the walk over.
Everyone was already sitting and waiting for us. When I walked up the steps of the pavilion, the children stood and bowed. "Mother." I nodded and motioned for them to sit. I bowed my head to my parents before sitting.
"Let's not make things awkward and start with formal introductions." I say as I settle in my chair. "Rain, my eldest and his wife, Varin." The two bowed their heads to mother and father. "Kain, my second and his wife Soria." They bowed their heads. "Gena is Kai's soon to be wife." I paused.
"My grandchildren: Sena and Sera. Calin is Sera's fiancée. Rya, Amara, Seni, Seri, Sanei, Risa and Adia." I look at my parents. "Queen Malari and King Railin, my parents, your grandparents and great grandparents."
"Any questions before I start eating?" I asked, looking at everyone. "Did your father always know, that you were alive?" Mother asked. Clearly, she asked father already, but she wanted to see if I would give the same answer. "I never specifically told Father anything. I think he figured out who I was that dinner before I regained my memories."
Mother smiled. "You always had a deeper bond with your father." She said it as though she was pitiful. "The bond was deep because he understood my words without me having to say much and understood my actions without asking me why. Otherwise, I would've left that letter to both of you, instead of just you." I clarified while picking up my chopsticks. "Anything else can be spoken about after breakfast."
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"You didn't need to do anything. You could've come back home." Mother suddenly spoke as the servants cleared the table. Breakfast was silent, the awkward kind. "If I came back, all of your children would've died." She flinched as though my words physically hit her.
"It happened once; it wouldn't have happened again. You know how powerful your father is." I look at my father and he nodded. "It happened more than once." Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What? What do you mean?" She looked at father.
"The real reason Ria left the first time was because of three previous assassination attempts." Father said. "Poison and two close attacks done by a guard and maid. Ria killed them and you thought she was too bloody." Mother looked at me. "After the last attempt, I left and went to Feri Kingdom. Father took that time to clear out the rest of the assassins without causing an uproar."
"The last attempt was the last straw and Ria left for good." Father added. "Why didn't you tell me anything?" I didn't answer her. "She heard you." Father stated. "When you said that she was scaring you and that she enjoyed killing too much." Mother placed her hands over her mouth.
"I didn't- I didn't mean it like that." She looked at me. "Ria-." I stand up. "It's fine. You weren't wrong after all. I have some documents to check; you can get acquainted with everyone while I'm busy." I turned and left the pavilion.
"Master..." Dasa called out to me softly. "It's okay. I knew she would've asked that question, so she was going to know at some point." Dasa sighed softly. Some small details were omitted when I spoke about the past, mainly because they weren't important to me but clearly, it's important to other people.
"Master." I look up from my document. "Eldest and second young master wishes to speak with you." I nod to Dasa and looked back down. Moments later, the two walked through the doors and Dasa closed the doors behind them. I sighed the document, placed it aside and picked up a new one.
"Mother." They greeted. "Hm." I read the document as the boys sat to the table near the window. I glance at them to see them eating the pastries and drinking tea silently. I look back down, sign the document and looked at back them. "Boys." I stand up and walk over to them. Rain poured tea in a cup and place it in front of me as I sat down.
"Mother, you seem extra diligent today. Even missing lunch." I raised an eyebrow. "I did?" They nodded. "Yes. We came here immediately after lunch to reprimand you." I smiled. "Wow. I guess I'm in for a scolding." I picked up the teacup and took a sip. "It's been a while since the three of us sat down like this." I said, trying to suppress my smile.
"Yes, it's been a while." Kain nodded. "Mother." Rain grabbed my hand. "Tell us the truth." He paused and Kain grabbed my other hand. "Do you love him?" I shook my head. "I don't have any particular feelings for him. I love you, your wives, your children, my parents and your siblings but I don't have any clear feelings about anyone else." I paused.
"Dasa, Bira and Kana, I'm grateful to them. They stayed loyal to me through everything. Dasa especially. She was in the dark, taking care of you, taking care of me and helping in everywhere she could. I would never forget what she's done." I pulled away.
"Why are suddenly asking about your father?" I asked. "Tomorrow. We want to go into the Palace and meet with him." I nod. "Okay. I've never stopped you from wanting to get to know him." They nodded. "What if we decide to stay?" Kain asked. "Then we stay."
"And if we decide to leave?" Rain asked. So, this was the reason. "Then we leave."
"Fifteen years wasn't enough?" A voice came from out the window. "You had her for fifteen years, why can't you leave her with us?" Kai jumped in through the window. "I had her for one year. One year and she died. You had her for fifteen years. Aren't you satisfied?" He accused angrily.
"One year. I also had her for one year. One year over the course of thirteen years and you had her for day after day, month after month." Kain stood up. "Two years she was in a coma. When she woke up, she was blind, sick and lost her memories. Coughing until blood covered her clothes. She fell into another coma for another year and when she woke up, she was stronger, she could see but still couldn't remember." Kain took a step forward.
"You wouldn't have been able to take it, seeing her like that. You wouldn't have known what to do, how to take care of her. None of you-!" I grabbed Kain's hand and stand up. "I didn't say anything when you appeared nearby and had the conversation normally, but you were out of line for interrupting this conversation."
I look at Kai as he was looking at me angrily with tears in his eyes. "Fifteen years, I stayed with them for fifteen years, that's true but what Kain wasn't wrong. None of you would've been able to take care of me. Kana's healing skills aren't better than theirs. The five of you all learned some part of my skills but they learned all. Mastered all of them. Kain was the reason that war ended the way it did. Rain was the reason the Pendant Tower still run as smoothly as it did before."
I walk to him and touch his cheek. "No one is stopping visits but right now. I'm more at ease with staying in Ojun whether you like it or not."