Flower In the Palace

Chapter 4: Narrator

There were still many in power, who distrusted the circumstances surrounding the plot to dethrone Prince Kai. Men who would see that the wrongs were made right. But without evidence, their hands were tied.

In the end, the old emperor had pulled through and had stayed alive these past fifteen years. But here of late, there had been a change.

The crown prince had been co-governing the nation for the past couple of years, putting into effect all those things his enemies were afraid of.

For the Morgana family, there were also changes ahead. A missive had just arrived calling them back to court for an audience with the old emperor.

The wording had been such that Dunal had great hopes that this was the time he had been waiting for. That finally he would be given the chance to clear his name and bring to light the truth.

He looked out at his child as she strolled in the garden. One of the few times she wasn't on the training grounds practicing. Her mother must've gotten after her again he thought.

He had only one moment of doubt since reading the letter from the palace. His daughter would be accompanying him on the trip to the capital as well as his eldest son. It was because he wasn't sure of what awaited him that he felt a slight hesitance.

However, they had called for his son and it was his choice not to leave his only daughter behind. The other problem bothering him was what to do with Des.

He knew without asking that the boy wouldn't let Mia out of his sight, so he would have to take him along as part of his retinue. Hopefully, he would stay put when they visited the palace.

Dunal went in search of his fourth wife to give her the news that they would be leaving for the capital in a few days. It was bound to be a bittersweet journey for both of them due to all that had passed.

As he thought of his youngest child once again, he had another worry on his mind. Vengeance! He had long known that the girl had a fire burning inside her to right the wrongs that had befallen her beloved father all those many years ago.

Now he wished that maybe he hadn't been so free in the telling when he'd retold the story over the years. But the inquisitive and bright child had always sought him out to hear the tale time and again.

It was only as she'd grown older that he understood the significance of her interest. He should've known that this child of his felt just as deeply as her brothers for the plight of their father.

There was nothing to be done about it now. Her head was already filled with her own ideas and he well knew there was no use trying to talk her around.

He'd just have to caution her on the two-day journey to the capital city. For the first time, he was grateful for her mother's teachings.

At least his Mia could hold her own with the other noblewomen and dignitaries when it came to court etiquette. And if all goes well she won't draw her sword on anyone in the time they were there.

Oh hell! He could try talking her into leaving her weapon at home but knew it would be a wasted effort. She'd just give him one of her looks and do as she pleased anyway.

While he, softhearted as he is when it comes to his little imp, would laugh and let her have her way anyway. He smiled now as the love he bore the girl welled up inside him.

If nothing else, he hoped this trip was a good omen. That finally their time of darkness was at an end and he could find a good match for his beautiful child.

It had long bothered him that because of his fate, the girl would be wasted on someone less worthy of her charms. She was indeed in his eyes, a rare gem.

All fathers, of course, thought this of their offspring. But in this case, it was truly warranted. For Mia was one of those rarest of beings. That bright shining star that came along only once in a lifetime.

Blessed not only with immense beauty, she also imbued all the virtues of heart found lacking in many. Her fierce spirit and love of truth and all things fair, made her a rarity indeed among all.

It had ever been his fervent hope, that he could give his only daughter more than he was now capable of. It's something he'd carried around in his heart even as he'd cursed those who'd brought about his fate.

He thought of her birthmark. Not many would know, but the Phoenix was the sign of an empress, a ruler. And though his thoughts did not reach such heights, at least a Lord of the realm would take the girl to wife.

He'd not let himself think these things in the past. No one with any standing would even look in his family's direction, let alone give one of their sons to the daughter of a family of such disgrace.

But maybe now, this little glimmer of hope after so many years of silence from the palace meant that their luck was finally about to change. Maybe now he could find a way to make his daughter's future much brighter than her past.

It showed his great love for the girl that his mind was filled only with thoughts of her future. His sons he'd never worried about, they were men after all and could take as many to wife as they pleased.

But his little girl could have only one husband, and he wanted for her the best the land had to offer. It's what she deserved after all. This special child of his.

And though it would break his heart when the time comes for her to marry, he couldn't bear to part with her for anything less than the best of men.

He didn't dare get ahead of himself though. But looking at the missive he still held in his hand once more as he searched out his wife, he couldn't help but be hopeful.