A Farewell That Was Never Equal
427 Words
The decision was made the next morning.
It was delivered without discussion, without ceremony, and without Alice’s presence. Words passed between officials behind closed doors, weighed not by concern but by convenience.
“For her safety,” they said.
“For efficiency.”
“For stability.”
Alice was informed an hour later.
She stood in her room as a servant folded her belongings into a single travel trunk. Not many things fit inside—books she was allowed to keep, a few dresses chosen for her, and the small photograph she never let anyone see.
“You will depart before noon,” the servant said gently. “The escort from Valenreach is ready.”
Alice nodded.
No one asked if she needed time.
No one asked if she wished to say goodbye.
Down the corridor, Lunareth moved on.
When Alice reached the outer hall, a small group waited. Officials in pressed garments. Guards standing straight. Faces arranged into expressions of polite finality.
There were no embraces.
No words of pride.
No promises of return.
One of the officials cleared his throat. “We trust Valenreach will ensure her… proper transition.”
Alex, standing a step behind Alice, did not answer immediately.
“She will be treated with respect,” he said at last. “As agreed.”
The official inclined his head, satisfied—not with Alice’s future, but with the smoothness of the exchange.
Alice felt it then, clearly and without confusion.
She was not being sent off.
She was being handed over.
The gates of Lunareth opened wide.
Alice paused at the threshold, turning once to look back. Stone walls rose tall and unyielding, unchanged by everything she had endured within them.
Nothing pulled at her.
Alex noticed.
He extended his hand—not ceremoniously, not for show. Just enough for her to take.
She did.
As the procession moved forward, Lunareth disappeared behind them, shrinking into the distance without resistance.
Only when the city was out of sight did Alice finally exhale.
“That was fast,” she said quietly.
Alex glanced at her. “Too fast.”
She nodded. “They didn’t ask me anything.”
“I know.”
For a moment, the road stretched ahead in silence.
“I don’t think I’ll miss it,” Alice added, almost apologetically.
Alex did not contradict her. “You don’t have to.”
They rode on.
Behind them, Lunareth closed its gates without ceremony.
Ahead of them, the road to Valenreach waited—long, uncertain, and for the first time, not entirely empty.
- Writer
