The pain had faded now. No more headache and no more grogginess. From my reflection in the window, two green eyes stared back at me. I felt a tinge of remorse, but there was no time for that.

I untangled myself from my mother’s arms. Standing, I stretched my muscles. I had to make sure everything worked after the unintended vacation.

I could see my mother watching me. Tears flowed freely down her checks once again.

“Do not worry mom. Everything is as it should be.” I said, pushing away the pain I felt in my heart. “We have a lot to do today. Supplies and a wagon will not buy themselves. We have a long trip ahead of us, and need to start getting ready.”

My mother nodded, but did not speak. She simply sat there, watching me silently.

Uncomfortable, I decided to head outside. The sparring came to a pause. I got the same looks from my father and brother. Only Donte seemed confused about what was going on.

Unable to find an escape with them, I hurried back inside. I did not want to see my families’ faces right now. It was too painful.

I quickly bathed and changed, preparing for my day. I wanted to rush out of the house afterwards, but was stopped by my grandmother.

“I heard you are leaving in the next couple days.”

I nodded. “We have a lot to do, and the Free Cities can take care of themselves in our absence. We will not be able to survive Envy’s invasion if we do nothing but wait.”

“Your parents have been very secretive ever since they got here, but I spent far too many years in politic not to pick a few things up.” My grandmother said, looking intently at me. “The hushed conversations, the furtive glances, and how they and even Chancellor Otto treated you, it was all very obvious. Though I was not sure about my guess till met you last night.”

“Grandma- “

“We met once before you know. I was just a little girl back then. My father was one of the men you put in charge of Aktaio. I was young, but it was the most memorable moments of my life. The great Immortal Empress returned to her throne for the first time in a generation. We even threw a parade in your honor. Though, I think there were more people cursing your name than praising it that day. You were a lousy ruler.”

“I… I am sorry, but I do not remember you.” I replied, looking down at my feet.

My grandmother laughed. “I did not expect you to. I was just a tiny girl in a giant crowd. I am not telling you this to reminisce. I am telling you this, because after last night, I know my granddaughter is still in there. I do not know all the little details. They are not important. I just wanted you to know you are my precious granddaughter. So long as that remains true. No matter what you may become. Empress or not, you will always have a home here.”

I fought back my own tears as I looked at her kind smile completely free of any judgement. A warmth swelled in my chest. I hugged my grandma. not trusting my voice not to crack, I stayed silent. She hugged me back, and I felt the burden on my heart grow lighter.

Out of everyone who knew my secret, she was the only one today that did not look at me like I had stolen something away from them. She was the only one who accepted me without judging.

I may not have grown up with her the same way I did my parents and brother, but from this one moment I knew. She was my family. I would not have it any other way.

“Now run along dear.” My grandma said, patting me on the head. “I am sure you have more important things to do than to listen to an old woman prattle.”

The next few days were extremely busy. Preparing for such a long trip was a lot of work. We did not just need food, water, and a wagon but also blankets, clothes, toiletries, fire starts, cooking utensils, medicine, and much, much more.

We continued our work with the Aktaio soldiers at first, but as our departure date came closer, we had to relinquish the military power Otto had given us. While there were still people who refused to willingly go to the quarantine, the city was no longer in peril. The number of soldiers on patrol could handle a stray, newborn Demonkin. Though, there might be some casualties. In the eyes of the city elites, it was acceptable.

I examined the wagon my grandma bought for our travels. My father was going to buy a cheap disposable wagon, but she refused. Instead, my grandma bought the most expensive transportation she could find. It was practically a house on wheels.

Painted with bright reds and blues, the wagon was a sight to behold. The inside was lavishly decorated with bright colors, and even had enough space for all of our storage as well as one big bed and two sets of collapsible bunk beds. There was even a small stove and chimney, perfect for the cold nights in our future.

According to my grandma the wagon was called a vardo. For the nomadic people that circulated through the area a wagon like this was their home. They would live their entire lives free, only bringing what they could carry with them in their wagons.

My parents, Charly, and I were loading everything but the food into the wagon tonight. We would be leaving at first light tomorrow. Saying goodbye to Aktaio after all of this time was hard, but saying goodbye to my grandma was harder.

There were a lot of tears and hugs, especially between grandma and my mother. We still had an entire night left before we had to go, but I could understand their feelings. The two of them had spent a lifetime apart, and finally reconciled, only to be torn apart again.

“I promise I will visit once all this is over.” My mother said, fighting back more tears.

“Visit? Darling we have spent far too long apart for a visit. Once this is all over, I will be moving to Ortis. The only way you are getting rid of me is if you run away again.” My grandmother replied.

“You are going to move to our village?” My mother remarked in surprise. “But what about your life here? you always used to brag about nine generations of Aktaio nobility. Are you really going to leave all that behind?”

“Our ancestors will be honored no matter where we live. Family is more important than an old woman’s pride. Do not worry, I will not be there to parent you. I will build a new mansion on the outskirts of the town, well out of your way.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” My father said with a bellowing laugh. “I know the perfect plot of land for you, right near ours. Before we leave, I will send a letter getting everything ready for you.”

Thank you dear.” My grandma said, patting his arm. “I take back all the things I said about you. You might be a good son-in-law after all.”

“Wait, you said bad things about me?”

“Quite a lot.” Said the butler, Jacob. He and Donte were carrying the last of our supplies to the wagon. With this, everything was almost ready to go. “Most of it was about you not deserving her daughter.”

“Jacob!” My grandmother shouted, swatting his arm. “Keep talking and I will not bring you with me to Ortis.”

“With all due respect ma’am, I have been by your side for three decades. After your late husband passed and all the other servants left, I remained. Even if you fired me, I would still show up to help you clean and cook. You are helpless without me.”

My grandma frowned, but did not rebuke him. My mother blinked a few times, looking back and forth between the butler and my grandma.

“By the realms! Are you two- “

“Shush dear. That is none of your concern.” My grandma replied tartly.

Donte placed down the last crate of supplies. They the custom-made crate slid easily into a compartment on the side of the wagon and latched securely.

After finishing, he stood, clenching and unclenching his hands nervously. He took a few deep breaths, squared his shoulders, and walked up to my father.

“Sir, please, I… I would like to go with you. I don’t mind if it is only as a servant. I don’t care if you work me to the bone. I want to come with you to Kala.”

My father raised an eyebrow as he gazed down at Donte. Even from where I stood, I could feel the cold steel in that gaze. He only spoke a single word. “Why?”

Donte met my father’s gaze without flinching. “When I came here, all I wanted was the chance to get back at those who hurt my mum. It was the reason for everything I did. Now you are going off to find a way to fight those monsters. I want to join you, and bring them down… at least, that was my reason in the beginning… The time I spent here, you taught me every day how to fight. More importantly, you taught me why I fight.”

Donte paused, looking at me. I felt myself blush involuntarily, followed by rage and annoyance. I stamped my foot on the ground to get rid of the conflict in my mind. Neither emotion helped. War was at our doorstep. That was all that was important.

Donte continued, unaware of my internal struggle. “I want to fight so that nobody else has to feel like I do. I want to protect those dear to me, and those who cannot fight for themselves. I want to fight so that no one else ever has to.”

My father was silent for a moment as he continued his glare at Donte. Still, Donte did not back down or flinch. Finally, my father was the first one to break. A giant smile appeared on his face, and a bellowing laugh echoed through the evening air.

“Those are some fine words.” My father said in a billowing voice. “Very good words… honestly, if you had said just about anything else, I would have said no. I have no need of servants, hired labor, or an untrustworthy tag along. You can come with us, but not as any of those. So long as those word you spoke hold true, you will be my squire.”

“Squire?” Donte practically shouted.

“That is right. My squire, you will be my knight in training. Are you willing to accept this burden and carry my shield?”

“A knight in training, but I am just…”

“Yes or no boy! What will it be?”

“Y- Yes! A thousand times yes!” Donte replied, with an awkward solute.

“Good, but you better be ready. By the end of this trip, you are going to wish you were only a servant. The training I have in store for you will make even the hottest of flames seem tame. However, good steel can only be forged in flames. Prepare yourself.”