8. Father (1)

"What if your parents suddenly show up on your door and wants you home? Will you go with them?"

Just as December was about to answer, a knock on the door interrupted her. She was confused and asked Maria, "You have a visitor again?"

She gasped when an idea came into her mind. Looking at Maria with her doe-like eyes full of teasing, "Is that your boyfriend?"

Maria was aghast when she heard was December have just said. "You take back what you say! That's utter nonsense! I will open the door and you must behave right there!"

Maria stood up to open the door and she curtsied when she saw the king. December saw that Maria curtsied so she became curious of who is at the door.

"Good evening, your majesty. It is an honor to grace this humble place of your presence."

Your majesty? Why would a royalty be here? December was trying to figure out what is happening when a man whom she had seen the night before enter her line of sight.

This was the king of our country?! Jeez!

Shocked, December hastily stood up and curtsied in a hurry.

"G-Good evening, your majesty," she stuttered in nervousness as she remembered the way she talked to her last night.

When she lift her head up, she was stunned when she saw that the king was staring at her intently. She felt her heart skip a beat as she stared back at him. Her intuition is telling her that she saw the man when she was young. She have a sense of familiarity with him.

However, when she remembered who the man is and how she have offended him last night, she bowed immediately and apologized.

"I apologize for my crass behavior and for not recognizing his majesty last night. Please accept my forgiveness!"

King Augustus snapped out of his reverie when heard her apologizing to him and keep on bowing down. He suddenly reach out to her and could not stop himself for embracing her.

"No, you don't have to apologize. It… it should be me begging for your forgiveness."

December stiffened when she felt a pair of arms enveloping her body, yet she did not resist as she feels secured in it. Her mind is still processing the words the king had said.

'Why would he be asking for forgiveness from me?'

"I'm so sorry my child for finding you just now. Forgive your father for failing to be a good one for you."

December felt her head explode upon hearing what the king had said.

'He… he is my father? What the heck?'

Chuckling to herself, she slowly extricated herself from his embrace.

"Your majesty, I… think you've mistaken me for someone else. How- how could I be your child?"

Shaking her head, she look at Maria who is crying. Backing up, she tried to comprehend what is going on in front of her.

"December, dear… he… his majesty is your father," Maria said while suppressing her sob after a few minutes of silence pervaded over them.

December's expression was already calm. She look at Maria, then at the king who claimed to be his father.

When the king saw this, his heart clenched knowing that his precious child is putting up her guard against him.

"December, my child… forgive me if I only found you now, but I am here to bring you back home," King Augustus said and tried to reach out to her, however, the girl dodged from his hand.

After she have calmed down, December see things clearer and ask, "How could you say I am your child? How are you so sure that I am the same December that you have been looking for? It may just be a coincidence for me to have the same name as your child. And besides, everyone knows that you and the queen only have one child, Princess June."

Rude as it may be, December protect herself by denying what the king is saying.

She doesn't remember anything when she was young. Although Maria said that she found her covered with blood in front of this building, she still doubted that she's a princess. Everyone would know if a princess fell into danger as it is a national emergency. Why does no one knows about a lost princess?

"You look exactly like your mother when she was at your age. We did not disclose to the public about your kidnapping incidence to not increase the danger you were in back then. When we arrived at the place where you were held captive, all we saw was blood. We… we thought you were dead…" the king explained almost whispering the last sentence. "But when we heard our maid talking about seeing you in a cafe, we verified if you really were the December we have been looking for. We performed DNA test with you in secret to not jeopardize your safety. When we confirmed you are really the daughter we have lost, we decided to bring ou back home. The enemy is still out in the open and we want to make sure that you are safe. Please come back with me, my dear child."

Looking at the pleading eyes of the king, who claims to be his father, her heart ached but she made a decision.

"I'm sorry, your majesty. But I can't go back with you now. I still have my life here and I don't want to leave it just because I suddenly became a princess. Please give me ample time to spend with Maria and my friends. You… you can fetch me when vacation starts."

King Augustus looked at his daughter and sighed. "Alright. But I will leave some royal guards with you for your safety. Will it be alright with you?"

December nod and smiled poitely. "Yes… thank you…father."