Back and There Again

Tap ta-tap tap ta-tap.

Marie’s gentle knocking pattern woke me up. It was bright and early.

I thought back to the kiss — my very first — and felt butterflies all over again. A smile overtook my face, outside of my control. I kissed Finley.

Tap ta-tap tap ta-tap. “Oh, sorry, yes. Come in, Marie!”

My maid and best friend came in. “I’m glad you’re recovering so well, Miss Elisabeth.” She strode over to me and smiled. “Are you ready for today?”

“I think so. So long as nothing happens on the way again,” I admitted.

“Well, even if it does… We’ll have those two to protect us again. Now come, get yourself out of bed. We depart in less than an hour.”

I obliged, taking her hand to rise from my delicate slumber.

She helped me pick out a dress and held it open for me.

I mean, she still technically was my maid, you know, despite our reconciliation. I cared very much for her, but you’ve gotta be kidding me if you think I’ll turn down her help with all this fancy stuff.

She got me dressed in a comfortable yet slightly formal gown. The material was heavenly, and the dress felt simply right to wear. I did a little spin for Marie, and she clapped. I relished in the airy feeling, the cloth swaying out and back in as I turned. I want to wear dresses for the rest of my life.

Being Elisabeth filled me with joy. The foreign feeling, that awful ten-ton weight on my chest, was a distant memory. I knew for certain the moment I woke up that morning that here was where I was meant to be — and Elisabeth was who I was meant to be.

Marie and I each grabbed two suitcases and made our way to the foyer, where we deposited them by the entrance. Someone else was going to load them up for us. After that, we happily delivered ourselves to the dining hall, where Finley, Diana, and the King sat waiting.

“Hmph. Took your time, hmm, Elisabeth?” the King grumbled.

“Oh, hush, old man. She just woke up from illness,” Diana chided.

A smile spread across King Lumineuse’s face. “Well, I suppose I could forgive you, just this once.”

I wasn’t sure if I totally trusted him after everything that had happened, but this was at least a start. Perhaps I could forgive him, just this once, too. I smiled, hopeful.

Marie and I both sat down at the table, she across from Diana and I, Finley. We had a delicious breakfast of multiple different kinds of egg dishes. I asked the waiters for seconds about four times.

When we had all had our fill, sitting back with full bellies and drooping eyelids, Marie cleared her throat. “It’s about time to depart, Your Majesty.”

“Right. Very well, then. Shall we go?” He stood up.

“After you, Your Majesty,” Finley bowed.

Together, we left for the foyer and were joined shortly by the Queen. She walked slowly, falling behind to join Marie and me.

She leaned over and whispered to me as we moved, “I must say, I think he is a much finer man than that Deighsel boy. You’ve done a good job finding him.”

She was absolutely right. I whispered back, “I only got lucky. But I’m glad to know I have your approval.” We giggled together.

Finley looked back from his conversation with the king. “Something the matter?”

“No, Master Finley. Not at all,” I waved him away. “Official girls’ business.” Man, that felt good to say.

He smiled and returned to the king.

The main entrance to the palace was wide open, providing a clear view of our transport — two absolutely massive carriages, even more ornate than before. And far more fortified. They looked like they could take a grenade and barely creak. Consequences of your kingdom’s only princess getting attacked in one, I suppose.

The King and Queen climbed into one alongside Sir Robert, and the twins, Marie, and I ascended the steps into the other. A full four Scourge regiments were to travel with us, just in case. The entire royal family was in this caravan, after all.

However, the day was still young. If all went to plan, we wouldn’t even have to stop in the Cernnos Woods to use the bathroom.

The carriages jostled us with a start.

Diana sighed. “Finally, onwards to home.” Marie and I gave her a stare. “What? Lumineuse is great, but it ain’t nothing like Bridd Palace, if you ask me.”

Marie laughed. “You really are a character, you know that, Diana?” Diana winked at her in response.

I turned to the man next to me. “Finley, are you looking forward to being back?”

He gazed out the window at the palace, slowly disappearing from view. “I think so, but, well,” Finley turned back, “I think the place I’m happiest to be is right next to wherever you are, Elisabeth.”

“Oh, way to show me up, brother,” Diana whined.

I stuck out my tongue at her. “Not my problem!”

Feeling especially bold and elated to be back where I belonged, I grabbed Finley’s arm and leaned up against it, snuggling against him for the long ride ahead.

He leaned his head down over me, fitting us together like two puzzle pieces. I felt the methodical rhythm of his heartbeat pulse through his body. It was just as fast as mine.

Well, this is still pretty new, after all.

I closed my eyes, perhaps seeking to get a few extra hours of shut-eye on the road.

Oh, that’s right! I don’t think I told you. We were gearing up to head back to Andraste. Well, I hope that much was obvious.

We were taking the whole Lumineuse family back to reconcile with the Caestras and begin the process of rebuilding the relationship between our nations once more. It was going to be a challenge — what with how Luminesians felt about Andraste. We also brought the vaulted records of the Radiant Princess with us; Finley and I had resolved to study Soul Bifurcation in private in the Bridd Palace library.

But, well, that’s a story for another time.

For now, I settled into the loving presence at my side and basked in the joy of womanhood. I had done a lot to figure it all out. And you know what?

I think I was just the tiniest bit proud.