When we reached the castle, Charlotte was standing just inside by the grand staircase, flitting about nervously. She looked like she'd dressed herself nicer for the occasion and kept tucking her hair behind her ear like a nervous twitch. When she saw us though, she looked relieved and rushed to meet us. "Oh, dear," she said when she was close enough to take my hands. "Your dress is all dirty. We must get you cleaned up quickly, come on."

Smiling at me, she began to lead me towards the stairs. However, before we made it two steps, a voice stopped her short. "The king says he cannot wait any longer," Xic said, standing by two large doors, his arms crossed over his chest. "Bring her as she is."

Charlotte looked miserable to have to do so, but she nodded and quickly bent down to brush as much dust from my skirt as she could. I held still, wondering what was so important that it couldn't wait five minutes. When Charlotte was satisfied, she nodded to Christopher who took my arm once more and escorted me through the doors Xic had been standing at and into an enormous crown room. I resisted a gasp as I looked around. The ceiling reached far above me, beautifully done paintings of flowers adorning the ceiling itself. The floor was a finely polished marble stone that practically sparkled from the sunlight streaming in from all of the open windows. Along the sides, pillars lined the walls, showing the way to two lavish chairs, intricately crafted to present an air of royalty. They looked like they had been hand carved and painted with the upmost care. However, it was who sat in one of the two chairs that truly appeared worthy to grace them. A man, tall and broad, his dirty blonde hair just reaching his shoulders. He was clean shaven, most likely in hopes of appearing younger, but it was obvious even from a distance he was much older than Charlotte even. His hair had small wisps of gray and lines bore into his forehead and cheeks, showing his true age. His eye color that struck me as most strange, however. As we drew closer, I could tell they were a deep blue, very much like my own, but wiser and sharper than mine. They had a smoldering in them that made me wonder how strong the fire had once been. 

I didn't get to dwell on that curious thought though, as the man stood up instantly when we entered, lifting his chin as he looked down at us. He looked like he was expecting something and I looked to Christopher for an answer to my questioning gaze, but he just knelt on one knee, keeping his head down. "It is very good to see you again, your highness," he said politely. "You're looking well."

The man, the king I assumed, nodded to him, beckoning for him to rise. "It is very good to see you also, Prince Christopher. How is your father doing?"

Christopher stood as he was instructed to and smiled at him. "He is well, thanks to your support for our treaty. He sends his gratitude and apologizes for not being able to greet you himself."

"Very well." The king bowed his head and so did Christopher. Then he turned to me. I stared back at him, unsure of how to respond to his observant stare. Then Charlotte tapped my arm and made a cursty motion. It felt awkward, but I followed suit and dipped down slightly, bowing my head. To my relieved, when I looked back up, the king was smiling brightly. "Just like your mother," he said, and before I could even wonder what he was talking about, he decended the few stairs between us and wrapped me up in his arms, hugging me tightly. 

I didn't move, just blinked rapidly and clenched my hands into my skirts. Who was this man and why was he suddenly hugging me? He mentioned my mother. Did I know him? No, I knew I didn't. He was a complete stranger. I would've remembered meeting someone like him before. Or at least, I thought I would have. A king was a pretty remarkable person for me to forget. Panic at not knowing what was happening rose in my chest and I prayed it would be over soon.

"Now." To my relief, the man pulled back, still smiling at me. "Let me look at you."

His hands were on my shoulders as he looked me over from head to toe, appearing awed and amazed by what he saw. "You've... really grown up," he said. He held a loose strand of my hair in his fingers, shaking his head. He looked like he was ready to cry. Then he laughed, breathy and choked, and stepped back to take my hand and kiss it. When his eyes met mine again, he looked happy. The room fell deathly silent. Then, "Welcome home," he said.

I'm sure to anyone else in the room, it looked like a beautiful scene from some fantasy story book, but to me it just felt awkward. I didn't know this man, or why he was so happy to see me. All I knew was that some stranger was standing before me, acting like we were old friends or something. There was something I wasn't understanding. With less confidence than I would've liked, I pulled my hand away and stepped back, dropping my eyes. "I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong person," I told him. I swallowed nervously. "I don't live here."

When he heard my words, he looked sad, his eyes dropped away from my face with a defeated frown. Then he stood straight and turned to the others in the room. "I apologize, but we need a moment alone," he said. 

As soon as he asked, Christopher bowed his head in assent and Charlotte nodded obediently before both scurried out of the room. Xic, who had been standing near the doors, watched for a moment, before he too left the room, leaving the king and I completely alone. Somehow, that made me feel uneasy.

The king was silent for a minute and I started to worry I had angered him. But then he turned to me, looking hopeful. "May I show you something?" he asked.

I hesitated, but after looking between his face and his outstretched hand, I took it and he lead me up the stairs and to a window just behind the royal chairs. When we reached the open window, he lifted a hand to present the sight to me. When I looked, I could see the entire town from there and farther, past the barrier and across the woods I had traveled through to get here. It was pretty amazing. The grass and trees looked vibrant with color and I could see animals grazing in the pastures. Some boys played in the field just past the town, rolling in the grass and laughing while their mothers called for them to return home for the evening. I put a hand on the stone ledge and stared at all of it, feeling dizzy.

"This is my kingdom," the king said, smiling. "I have ruled over these people for many, many years."

I looked up at him, still confused. "But what does that have to do with me?"

He put his hand over mine. "Do you know why you were living with people who were not your parents? Did you ever wonder why they never spoke of where you came from?" he asked. I frowned. He knelt down on one knee so he could see me better, taking my hands in his. "I have waited sixteen years to see you again, and here you are, more beautiful and strong than I could've ever imagine. You," he said. "... are the heir to this kingdom."

*******

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