The Royal Mark-Chapter 373: Farewells

"What’s taking them so long?" Hera impatiently badgers at Nathan who is by the windowsill in one of the rooms in An’oeyn castle waiting for her daughter to arrive.

Nathan didn’t reply and just sighed at Hera who kept pestering him to fly and check Elsa and her family.

"Aren’t you really going to check on them? Are you not worried that something bad happened to them?" Hera nagged.

Nathan rolled his eyes and sighed once more before facing Hera. "You know that you are worrying for nothing right? We are in Qiryn, the safest place they can be. Nothing bad will happen to them."

Hera crossed her arms and glared at Nathan. "You’re only saying that because you don’t want to fly and see where they are now! What’s the use of that wings of yours anyway!" Hera turned around completely annoyed.

Nathan chuckled at how childish Hera was acting. He knows that she’s not really worried about Elsa and Rocco, she only wants to spend more time with them due to their forthcoming departure.

He walked behind her and wrapped her in his arms. He whispered, "How about me, aren’t you going to miss me?"

Hera breathed out deeply and her shoulders dropped. "I will miss you the most. It is so unfair that you can be with our daughter and grandchildren but not me. Both of us spend more time with our daughter than with each other.

I had often dreamt about being your wife in a house together with our daughter like a real family. It will never really happen now. I guess I am cursed for making an angel fall in love with me and I am punished to never be together with my daughter."

Nathan released her from his embrace and gently turned him around to face him. "Hey, don’t say that. I still believe that everything happens for a reason. I also believe that this is not a goodbye for us. We will see each other again."

Hera pouted and hugged Nathan tight. After getting a good hug, Nathan cupped her face and was about to kiss her when they heard someone knock.

"Princess, Queen Elsa, and King Christopher have entered the castle gate everyone must hurry to the great hall." They heard a servant say on the side of the door.

"We are coming!" Hera exclaimed and her once sour mood had been replaced by excitement making Nathan shake his head while smirking.

**********

"Where is everyone? It’s so quiet," Elsa pondered as they entered the castle gate. She not expecting for at least her mother and father to welcome them upon their arrival but they only see the guards and some servants doing their daily tasks.

Chris just kept quiet but she could feel the excitement that he was feeling.

The servants helped them with their things and Chris led the way. She just followed him toward the Great Hall thinking that he was just trying to guess where everyone was.

She was carrying and looking at Rocco and didn’t notice what was inside when her husband opened up the doors and the next thing she heard startled her.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Prince Rocco!" cheers and greetings erupted catching her attention.

Rocco giggled loudly upon seeing Hera and Nathan extend their hands to him to pick him up.

Elsa was flabbergasted when she looked around. The Great Hall was beautifully decorated with party streamers and banners of different colors, betting a little royal prince.

There was a lot of food on the long table and there were jesters and different kinds of entertainers in different corners of the great hall. There was also a group of musicians on one side who started playing music as soon as they came in.

The Great Hall was filled with people that Elsa had met during her stay in Vectus.

Her eyes started to tear up when she saw Allister and Valeria approaching her.

Valeria hugged her tight and said, "Your grandfather and I heard everything from Andrius and your mother. Do not lose hope. We will all work here to find a way to get you back."

Elsa finally let go of the tears that she was trying hard to hold. "I know, Grandma. But I am going to miss you, all of you."

"We will miss you too, my dear," Allister uttered, "But do not think of us when you get to Novus, just focus on your little ones who will soon say hello to the world."

"You’re right, Grandpa. That’s actually the only thing that I am thinking now. I will just think that I am on vacation and I will try to enjoy it while it lasts before the twins arrive. Because once they are out, my sleepless nights will start," Elsa jested.

Valeria chuckled, "That’s the spirit, my dear. Well, we will not hold you up too much, many more people want to greet you."

"It’s more like goodbye, Grandma," Elsa replied with a sad tone.

Allister gestured for Chris to do something to cheer Elsa up. So he quickly put on a paper hat to Elsa’s head that was handed to him by Nathan when they arrived.

"There you go, you look ready for the party!" Chris said making Elsa smile once again.

They both move forward to the center of the Great Hall where more people are waiting for them.

There, Elsa saw her mages and original ladies-in-waiting happily waiting for her to finish her conversation with her grandparents.

"Lauren! You are here too!" Elsa exclaimed and hugged her.

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world!"

They all take turns in greeting Elsa and also saying goodbye to her. She still has five more days before going back to the Tree of Life to accept the goddess’ offer, but all her remaining days will be spent with her family.

Andrius and Hera had explained what happened and were instructed to remain silent about the true consequences. They were told to say their farewells in the most casual manner possible to avoid arousing her suspicion.

However, the truth did not make them sad or hopeless, instead, each and every one of them promised themselves to find a way to help Elsa get back to Vectus one day. Her moving to Novus was not the end of her happiness, it was just the beginning.