Beautiful Ocean Moon

Garden

“Others?” I said the word in a questioning tone as I looked at my father confused. “Yes others. I have a few younger siblings that have children. I had intended to tell you all this after you had breakfast.” The Archduke gave Nyx an annoyed look for apparently jumping the gun but I got the feeling it wasn’t a serious one. “Oh, sorry my dear brother I guess…” “Save it Nyx I know my sister well enough to know you actually don’t mean that apology.” The Archduke interrupted Nyx and I could swear he had a small smile playing on his lips. “Mira finish your breakfast and then we will take a walk just the two of us Nyx.” He said and made a point to catch Nyx’s eye when he said the last part. “Kehlani you will go see Chica about your rank update and then go to training as usual.” He added and we both just nodded. “Well then I shall take my leave of you my beloved brother and niece. I will see you at dinner.” Nyx said before turning and swiping out of the dining hall with such grace it was hard not to be in awe. “Finish eating Mira.” Kehlani’s voice brought my attention back to food and I began digging in again. The Archduke waited patiently for me to finish and I noticed that no one seemed all that concerned with the archduke sitting there.

I had finally eaten what seemed to be enough for both the archduke and Kehlani because neither said anything when I pushed the plate away. However, Kehlani stopped me from taking the plate when I stood up. “You are not responsible for that and considering a few things. The only way you will understand that is by telling you that if you do it your taking away from the people who get paid to do it. So please Lady Mira leave the dishes for them to take care of and you go talk with your father.” Kehlani’s words kept me from arguing so I merely nodded and then realized that someone was standing and waiting for the dishes so I stepped out of the way. “Come my child.” The Archduke took my hand and I stepped toward him thinking we were about to walk when suddenly I was lifted into his arms and he turned walking out the door. But no one seemed to care because the people that were still in the dining hall paid no mind to us. I looked to Kehlani but she only followed silently behind us out the doors but then bowed and went a different direction than us. “Um, father.” I said very hesitantly as he continued to carry me. “I’m not setting you down until we reach our destination so do not ask.” He told me and I blinked surprised he knew that’s what I was going to ask. Before long we came to some more doors that once we got so close the doors opened by themselves. I had to shield my eyes some against the bright sunlight but once my eyes adjusted I found we were in a large garden that took my breath away.

The garden was covered in mostly wildflowers but with lavender, some different colored roses. Ivy wrapped around the garden structures with little lights woven into them to make what I am sure is a beautiful scene at night. A cobblestoned path lay before us leading to a small bridge that crossed a small stream. As my father carried me across the bridge I saw that he was taking me to a gazebo. I study the gazebo and noticed each pillar had a different flower vine winding around it with the flower in full bloom at the top of said pillar. Once we where in the gazebo I was sat down on a cushion while father sat across from me. We preceded to have a long conversation including me admitting I was scared that he would be disappointed in me once he got to know me but he assured me all he cared about was that I was home him. We also talked about Cassandra and her son who was my younger half brother but that Cassandra never let him out of her sight. We continued to talk until dinner and I began to finally feel at home and safe. Now it was time to finally live my life.