She opened her eyes with a snap and looked around, finding that she was laid out on a bench under a Gazon tree. Its long swaying streams of purple leaves and white flowers served as some sort of curtain for her as she laid there. She looked around as she lifted herself to rest on her elbow and could hear voices on the other side of the curtain behind her.

"Can I go now? I have much to do before next week."

"Yes, yes, you are dismissed, but I will need to discuss this matter later on with you."

She closed her eyes slowly as she tried to figure out who was there and if they were friends or foes. Squeezing her eyes tightly she blinked away the fatigue and took a deep breath then released it.

"So, you finally woke up."

She jumped up a bit and looked over her shoulder to see that the king was walking into the little space under the tree and a servant was standing right outside the curtain of leaves.

The king walked closer to her as she sat up and fixed her clothes. He sat beside her on the bench and took her hand. She had grown into such a beauty and yet she was riddled with nothing but misfortune.

"What happened?"

The king pressed gently on her hand and then smiled.

"It seems you have not been sleeping well as of late. Luckily, I happened to be walking in your direction when I saw you faint. I asked someone to bring you here and watch over you while you sleep."

"Oh my, I am truly sorry to have troubled you, your majesty-I mean father."

King Fedrick chuckled and patted her hand and shook his head.

"We are alone now, child, no need to call me father if it makes you uncomfortable."

Loraz's eyes widened, and she shook her head.

"I do not feel uncomfortable calling you father, it is because of you that I have been safe the last few years."

"Can you call what you have been going through safe, child?"

"Yes, if not for you I would not be here. Also, you are the only father figure I have had in my whole life since mother couldn't even take in a husband due to her illness."

"I have done nothing more than I promised to your parents."

She sat there smiling and looked over at him, four years ago she held this very same hand as she faced her first taste of death approaching her bedside. His hair was almost white now and his face began to wrinkle a bit, but his eyes still held the calm look of a wise man. Every time she was in trouble he rushed to her aid and made sure she came out okay. He took the role of father to a whole new level in her eyes. The smile across her face grew bigger and she placed her head on his shoulder and then began to tear. It was only while with King Fedrick that she could show moments of weakness.

King Fedrick sighed and looked up at the tree which gave them shade and a place to rest peacefully.

"You remind me of this tree."

She chuckled and sobbed at the same time.

"Really and how do I remind you of a tree, father."

He looked at the tree's leaves and then at its flowers. The white petals bloomed all year round. Beautiful in every way and a sight to see when the petals fell loose and blew in the wind.

"This tree is the most stubborn species of tree I've ever seen. It will keep blooming no matter the weather or conditions. It fights so hard to keep its beautiful flowers and forgets that sometimes rest is required to maintain a healthy life."

She peeked up at him and smiled.

"Really now...seems like a pretty strong tree if you ask me."

He chuckled a bit peeking down at her and he motioned for her to sit up.

"I want to ask you a question, child, and I want you to tell me the truth."

She frowned and her brows knitted up as she looked him straight in the eyes.

"What is the question?"

He squeezed her hand in both of his and pressed his lips together and took a deep breath.

"Could you hold on for two more years or would you rather me send you to Ay Su now?"

"To Ay Su...do you mean to Royal High?"

"Is that what they are calling the school now...yes to Royal High."

"That is what I heard Robert calling it, so I assumed that was its name. I thought I wouldn't be able to go because...well you know."

"In Mossca you'd have to wait until you're at least eighteen, but in the kingdom of Serenity they'd send you off when you reach sixteen. You could go...I could send you now. It would be no trouble..."

"Wouldn't you be lonely if I left you, father? We wouldn't be able to read in the library anymore or take long walks while discussing the various plant life...do you wish for me to leave?"

"No, my dear, I love you as one of my own children. I would be utterly lonely once you left for Ay Su, but I would be so devastated if anything were to happen to you while you were in my protection. The queen of Ay Su will be able to better protect you, my dear. This was the plan all along...to help you retake your throne."

Loraz looked down at her hands.

"I don't know what to say...I mean why is it so important for me to reclaim a throne I knew nothing about until I was twelve. I grew up a commoner with the village children, only to be whisked away from everything that I knew to come here and live the life of royalty, which everyone tells me is for my own protection. Now after four years I am to be sent to another kingdom for the sake of my protection," She looked up at him and frowned. "Tell me father what message we send to the people of Serenity if I keep running and hiding while they have to deal with this stepmother of mine."

King Fedrick leaned in and hugged her tightly. The thought of the last connection he had with her parents disappearing from his sight frightened him, but nothing frightened him more than the thought that she could one day be killed by a member of his family. Ay Su was her only chance to live peacefully the way her parents and her nursemaid wished.

"Listen, child, this place has become too dangerous for you to stay. The Queen of Serenity is getting closer to finding your location and getting what she wants most. Not only that, but I know that the various attacks on your life are due to people with ties to the royal family. I have cared for you as if you were my very own for the past four years of your life and while it will leave me second-guessing myself an awful lot, I still believe it would be safest for you to go to Ay Su after we celebrate for the new harvest."

Loraz pushed him away gently and looked at him.

"You mean after the festival of White? That is only about a month away from now."

"Exactly, we can start the preparations now and on the day of the festival we will reveal your true identity to everyone.".

She jumped up off the bench when she heard this and spun around to face him.

"You can't, father, what if there are sympathizers to my stepmother in the crowd and they come after not just me but you as well. I don't wish to lose any more people who are precious to me. You're all I have left now. When I asked what message we were sending, I didn't mean that we had to do something that would jeopardize you or anyone from Mossca."

"You have your mother's heart and your father's spirit. Would they ever be prouder of the lady you've become? Listen you will eventually have to make your identity known to the world if you ever wish to take back what is rightfully yours. I know what is being told to you is a bit heavy to carry upon your shoulders but know you will never be alone in this battle. You have at least one ally and that will always be the King of Mossca."

Loraz relaxed her shoulders a bit as she sighed heavily and sat back down on the bench.

"I understand, father. Thank you for everything up until now. We can discuss the plans for my departure later for now let us enjoy what little time we have left and take a walk to the library? You can read me that new book that I hear you like so much."

King Fedrick chuckled and nodded his head.

"Changing the subject, I see. Well, unfortunately, I cannot accompany you. I have much I need to attend to. How about I have someone escort you there and show you the book? This way we can sit down and talk about it next time we meet."

"That would be wonderful. How about having dinner together later tonight. We can talk about it then?"

"Lovely, child I will see you then."

The king got up and walked to the curtain of leaves and flowers and walked through.

Loraz looked up at the tree and stared at the flowers hanging from the long vines one last tear escaped from her eye and she quickly wiped it away then got up and followed behind the king.

King Fedrick tapped the servant on the shoulder and he turned around to face and then bowed his head. He was a slender man with feminine features and build.

"Zel my boy can you take Loraz to the library and show her the book I have been reading as of late?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty," Zel said.

The King turned to Loraz and smiled.

"Zel is my most trusted guard, you will be in good hands. I will see you tonight and we will continue our talk about Ay Su."

"Father, if you really wish for me to go then I shall go, but for now let us keep who I truly am between us and these castle walls."

The king hugged Loraz once again and then said,

"Just make sure that when you reclaim your parents' kingdom and restore peace you invite me to your castle so that we may share dinner at your table."

"That is a promise, father, I will never forget your kindness towards me, and you shall always be a father to me," Loraz said.

She wrapped her arms aroundhim tightly as if to tell him not to let her go. Tears streamed from her faceas they held onto each other. Memories flooded her mind of the only peaceshe experienced while at the castle. When she was tortured by the princes forthe four years of her stay there it was the king that kept her moving forwardand manage to keep what little of her smile she had left. She didn't knowwhat Ay Su held for her, but she hoped that when she walked through those doorsit would lead her to her final destination, which was the kingdom her birthparents left for her...Serenity.