(Other Realm)
Alethia materialized in her bedroom in Kala-Moran, finding everything just as she had left it. She settled onto her bed, clutching an old stuffed animal to her chest. There was a commotion outside her door, and it swung open to reveal an elderly elf holding bed sheets. Startled by Alethia's presence, she dropped the sheets on the floor. "Mistress Alethia, you have returned?"
Alethia rose, flashing a smile as she quickly gathered the sheets. "Please keep it down, Sophia. I am merely here for a visit."
Sophia embraced her tightly. "We feared you were lost forever, my dear. Where is your sister?"
Alethia returned the hug, her smile widening. "We are both safe and well. We are now working as servers at an Inn under the care of a kind man and his adopted daughter."
Sophia stepped back, holding Alethia's hands. "But why, my dear? Why did you leave?"
Alethia sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Didn't Father inform you?" Sophia shook her head. "No...he has secluded himself in his office. We rarely see him anymore."
Gently kissing Sophia's cheek, Alethia responded, "Ever since Zepher betrayed our trust, and Cordillia never truly felt like royalty, we decided to seek a different path. I have come here several times to see Father, but he is always occupied."
Sophia nodded understandingly. "Of course, your father is in his study, and Galen is in his room if you wish to see them."
Alethia nodded gratefully, leaving the sheets on her bed before making her way down the corridor to her brother's quarters. She knocked softly, awaiting a response. "Come in."
Pushing the door open and peeking inside, Alethia found Galen sitting with his back to the door, engrossed in his spell books. "Just put the sheets on the bed, Sophia. Thank you."
Suppressing a giggle, Alethia stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. She crossed the room, positioning herself behind her brother, and peered over his shoulder. Pointing at the book he was reading, she remarked,
"You know, if you switch these two spells around, you'll create fire instead of air." Galen froze, staring straight ahead at the wall. "I must be dreaming. It can't be real."
Tilting her head to the side, Alethia poked his cheek. "You seem wide awake to me."
Standing up, Galen turned to face her. "You're back?"
Alethia beamed. "Just for a visit."
He pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her off her feet. "Oh, how I've missed you, my little Eveningstar."
Alethia laughed, returning the hug. "It's wonderful to see you too, my brother." Galen set her back down on her feet, holding her at arm's length as he examined her.
"Where have you been? Why did you leave?"
"I've been working with Cordelia at a small-town Inn. We left because this life no longer suits us.."
Galen sighed, nodding in understanding. "I see. How long will you be here?"
Alethia shrugged. "Not long. I have to return to work soon. Please come with me to see Father. Perhaps he will be more inclined to see me if you are by my side."
Galen nodded, taking her hand and leading her through the halls to the third floor where the council room was located. He tapped on the door and pushed it open slightly as their father's voice called out, "Yes, what is it?"
"Father, it's Galen. I have someone here who wishes to speak with you."
"Show them in, Galen."
Galen pushed the door open fully, stepping back to allow Alethia to enter. As she crossed the threshold, Alethia saw her father, Lord Marcus, seated at the long council table, his face etched with weariness as he pored over books. Alethia sighed softly, accustomed to this sight - weeks upon weeks of never seeing her father, not even at dinner. The missed birthdays and celebrations, such as her successful magic test, weighed heavily on her heart.
Alethia awoke to the persistent knocking on her chamber door. Sophia's voice carried through the wood, filled with excitement and urgency. "Alethia, my dear, are you finally awake? Today is a momentous day for you, sleepy head. Rise and shine, for you have a grand day ahead."
Blinking away the remnants of sleep, Alethia realized with a jolt that it was indeed her actual birthday. This marked the day she would transition into young adulthood, a significant milestone in her kingdom. The grand celebration, where she would shed her hair ribbons and don her crown, was scheduled for two weeks from now. Hastily, she dressed herself in a simple, flowing white gown, specifically chosen for this auspicious occasion. Eagerly, she descended the stairs, her heart brimming with anticipation, and entered the dining hall where her family awaited her.
To her dismay, her sister Cordelia had already experienced her own coming of age ceremony months ago and reveled in the glory that accompanied it. As Alethia stepped into the hall, she spotted her siblings and Cordelia seated at the table, along with the head sage.
However, her father's absence was conspicuous.
The sage rose from his seat, his arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture. "My child, this day is meant to be yours. How do you feel?"
Alethia's gaze darted around the room, searching for her father's familiar face. "Where is father?" she inquired, her voice filled with a mix of concern and disappointment.
A somber silence fell over the room as each family member exchanged glances. The sage sighed, his expression filled with regret. "I'm afraid, my dear, your father is burdened with an overwhelming workload at the moment. He won't be able to join us."
Nodding slowly, Alethia took her seat between Cordelia and Galen, her heart heavy with unspoken emotions. Cordelia squeezed her hand, attempting to offer solace. "Do not fret, sister. It is merely another day."
Alethia turned to Cordelia, her eyes brimming with tears that threatened to overflow. "Just another day? It was never just another day when it was your ceremony. Father has always been present for yours and Alhanna's. But when it comes to me, he is too consumed with work. He never misses any of your special moments, so please, do not tell me it is just another day."
Alethia emerged from the depths of her troubled memories, tears streaming down her face as she beheld her father engrossed in his tomes, oblivious to her presence. "Father, it seems you have not slept in weeks," she spoke, her voice heavy with concern.
Marcus slowly raised his gaze, his expression a mix of surprise and relief. "Alethia?" he whispered, rising to his feet. "Is it truly you?"
Alethia nodded, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and frustration. "Yes, father," she replied. "It is I."
He crossed the room in a few swift strides, enfolding her in a tight embrace. "Where have you been, my child?" Marcus asked, his voice laced with worry.
Alethia returned the embrace, her voice tinged with both longing and disappointment. "I have been toiling, father," she explained. "I have also made numerous attempts to visit you, but you persistently turned me away." Marcus shook his head, his gaze darting briefly to Galen. "No, that cannot be true," he protested.
Galen let out a weary sigh, disagreeing with his father. "Father, it is evident that she speaks the truth," he interjected. "Please, lend an ear to her words."
Alethia slowly took a seat, her tone a blend of determination and vulnerability.
"Father, we must converse," she began, her voice quivering slightly. "It is not solely about my whereabouts in recent months. It appears that you have conveniently forgotten certain memories, memories that hold great significance for our bond."
Marcus sighed, stepping behind her and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You must comprehend, my dear Alethia," he pleaded, his voice tinged with regret. "I have always respected your choices. I have always been by your side, even if it did not seem so."
Alethia scoffed, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Is that the truth, father?" she retorted. "Were you truly present for my birthdays or my coming of age ceremony? It seems that you always found time for Alhanna and Cordelia, but never for me."
Marcus appeared genuinely perplexed. "What are you speaking of, Alethia?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion.
Struggling to hold back the tears welling in her eyes, Alethia replied, her voice quivering with emotion. "You were absent, father," she explained, her voice cracking. "Your work always took precedence over the moments that held significance for me. I understood the importance of your role in governing the realm, but it pained me to see you absent from my most important milestones while you made sure to be present for my sisters."
Marcus gently turned her chair to face him, kneeling down in front of her. "Alethia, I have always been there for you," he insisted, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I may have missed certain events, but I believed you were strong enough to comprehend the weight of my responsibilities. I thought you, above all, would understand."
Alethia wiped away her tears, her voice trembling with a mixture of hurt and anger. "Having my father by my side when I was crowned a young adult, when I excelled at the highest level in the school of magic, would have meant the world to me," she confessed, her voice filled with pain.
"Yet, I had to face those moments without you. The absence of your presence, coupled with the revelation that my memories have been tampered with, is unbearable. And you, father, are the cause of this betrayal."
Galen looked shocked, his voice filled with disbelief. "Father, is it true? Have you tampered with Alethia's memories?" he inquired, his eyes searching for the truth. Marcus shook his head vehemently. "No, no, that is not true," he denied, his voice tinged with desperation. "Your sister has been influenced by unknown forces, manipulating her thoughts and filling her head with falsehoods."
Alethia stood up, her eyes burning with anger. "You know, father, I might have been able to forgive you for prioritizing your duties over your daughter," she declared, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and resolve. "But tampering with my memories? That is an unforgivable act." With that, she summoned her teleportation abilities and vanished from the palace, reappearing at the familiar refuge of the Open Arm's Inn.
