I took one night to fully grieve for Leopold. I put his memories in a box and buried them deep inside one of my trunks and I said farewell. He will always have a piece of my heart, but I am still here and it is time to live. The storm has finally stopped and I have grown stronger for it.
As I walk out to the Castle Courtyard for the last time, I see a caravan of four carriages waiting for us. The caravan with our knights will travel first. We have brought a mixture of ghouls and Vampyric Knights. Our ghouls will protect us during the day and then when the sun goes down they switch places with our vampyric guards. I brought five ladies to tend to my daily needs. They will take the spot behind our wagon and then the last wagon is a large supply caravan. Not only does it have my many trunks, but also most of our weapons and armor. It also has stores of food for our ghouls and humans. Two of our guards will travel the entire voyage in this carriage to protect our supplies.
Our carriage had no windows, just a door, which at this time is ajar, waiting to swallow its new inhabitants. Father commissioned the caravan especially for this trip. It is armored and you can see runes carved around it. There are two smaller carriages, one for our ghouls and one for the vampyres. And the last carriage is longer than the other carriages and carries our supplies. They are less opulent than the lead carriage. As with my carriage there is only a single door and no windows.
There is a meager entourage waiting to see me off. Father and Dauphine Isolde are standing with Max and Jesica at their side. Lady Sophia is there with Bernard Geuseu, Marquez of the Fleur Realm and a few servants who have watched me grow through the year. As I walk over to Father I can see tears glistening in his eyes.
“Your majesties, thank you for allowing me this opportunity to serve you and serve you well. “
Father steps forward, kiss me on the forehead, “I know you will live up to your word. Heed Arthur’s advice. He will continue to serve as your protector.”
I step over to Dauphine Isolde. She has a mixture of sadness and relief on her face. She dabs at false tears in her eyes and says “Be a shining example to your name, heritage and Realm. You are my most radiant child. We took you in as an infant and raised you as our own. You will be a magnificent queen in your new land.”
I bow graciously and then hug her tightly. She squeezes back as if she forgotten herself for a moment then immediately releases. She places a bouquet of flowers in my hands. I thank her then run towards Arthur, Drucillia, Marie, Pierre and the others waiting by our large caravan.
“Bonsoir, Farewell…”
Arthur takes my hand and escorts me inside the carriage. I take my seat and settle in. For the first time it is settling in how far we will be traveling from home. As the wagon pulls away, I clearly feel that this is the path I am meant to be on and though the road will be long traveled, the destination will be worth the wait.
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