Short chapter today, didn't have a lot of time to write, but it's okay.
Princess Rivalee (Part 9)
Riva was allowed to see her father off. Even though her eyes raked the ranks of soldiers for Glen and his men. When she did find him he didn’t look up. Her heart went out to him as he disappeared.
Her father rode stoically through the crowd. She watched as he passed. His faced was hard and deeply lined. I wonder what it was like when the Queen was alive. Did he laugh? In her mind a quick flash of a younger version of the King appeared, laughing with someone she assumed to be the Queen. They looked happy, full of life. She blinked and the image was gone.
Just as quickly another thought struck. He’s not going to make it through this. He won’t be coming back and I’ll have never known him. She imagined him young and happy again.
She paused caught in indecision.
Impulsively she broke through her guard and dashed out into the parade. She grabbed her father’s reins and pulled the horse to a stop. The white beast, jerked his head up and then settled.
“What are you doing?” The King hissed angrily, glaring at her with fierce blue eyes.
She swallowed, trying to wet her dry mouth. I don’t know! She thought fervently. All she did know was that she didn’t want her last memory of her... of her only father- the only man she had ever considered as her father- to be a horrible one.
“Father-I... I’ll miss you. Please be careful.” She sputtered.
He stopped and gazed at her intently. Riva stared back steadily, feeling no malice. He dismounted and strode to her. He stood proud and tall and laid a heavy hand on her shoulder like he was laying a great weight there. “Be a good queen- like your mother.” He whispered gruffly, then he nodded once as if to say, “that’s that” and mounted again.
Her guard fell in around her and she felt tears sting at her eyes. “I will, I promise.” She swore vigilantly.
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