Farewell Daphne

Teresa watched Nicola pack up Daphne's last trunk. They were trying to pack light so Teresa had only laid out a few of the fancy dresses Daphne had. Duchess Roxte was wealthy so it wouldn't be unheard of if the dresses Daphne wore were fancier than the dresses the other girls at the academy wore but too many would raise questions. The part that hurt Daphne most and the reason she had refused to be here when she was being packed up was the fact that she wouldn't be able to take most of her books. There were too many first editions and signed books and Duchess Roxte was not wealthy enough to justify the costs.

Daphne's room was mostly packed when she finally came back in. Astraea and Morgan came in behind her and sat down on the bed next to Daphne.

"We are so so sorry you have to do this." Astraea rubbed Daphne's back.

Morgan picked up one of the books that remained on Daphne's nightstand and flipped it open. Daphne was so young yet so smart. She had scribbled in the margins of one of Morgan's favorite books, a book she hadn't started reading until she was twelve. Some of the revelations Daphne had had while reading the book still went over Morgan's head.

"Don't worry, Daphne. When you get back, after all of this is over, your books will still be here for you. We will take good care of them." Morgan set the book down and reached for another.

Teresa took the chair across from Daphne. "I know we've been over the plan several times. But just in case, I want to go over it again. Daphne, can you tell me what's going to happen to you?"

"Ok. Morgan and I are going to go to Duchess Roxte's estate today. Once I am there, I will live in her home for about a month. She is going to introduce me as a long lost granddaughter and then I will go to the academy as her granddaughter. No one at the school will know who I really am except for Teresa and one of my teachers." Daphne paused to take a deep breath and then continued, "That teacher will also be acting as my bodyguard so I will always be protected even though no one knows. This is all because we are at war and Astraea doesn't want me to get kidnapped or taken because of the war effort."

"None of us want anything to happen to you." Morgan stood and held her hands out to Daphne to pull her up. "It's one of the reasons none of us go out officially as princesses of the kingdom before we turn 10. Mother and Father implemented the rule and we want it to become a kingdom tradition. Cute baby photos can be displayed but we don't want you recognized so you can do things like this and not be recognized."

Daphne nodded, "We're leaving in an hour right?"

Teresa sighed, "Yes. We're waiting for most of the guests to fall asleep."

Astraea hugged Daphne and then passed her off to Teresa for a final hug.

*****

The road leading to Duchess Roxte's country home was lined with huge trees that draped their edge branches over the road. The carriage carrying Morgan and Daphne rattled up the cobblestone road before rolling to a halt in front of the house.

As Daphne looked up at it, she couldn't help but think that it resembled the haunted house from a story Morgan had given her to try and frighten her from reading. The house was mostly in good shape but it had an aura around it that foretold unhappiness. When the front doors creaked out, a far cry from the oiled hinges of the palace, Daphne wondered how much she would have to be put out to stay safe. The illusion shattered when the butler stepped out of the house to greet them. Daphne noted his warm smile and happy eyes as she stepped out of the carriage.

Duchess Roxte was waiting inside for them and while her smile wasn't as warm as the butler's she still greeted them warmly. Morgan formally introduced herself and then Daphne before expressing her gratitude to Duchess Roxte for taking in her sister and expressing her regret that she couldn't stay longer. Morgan bowed out and then returned to the carriage outside. The doors creaked shut behind her before a guard stepped up to help push them shut and lock them. He walked away soon after and Daphne was left standing inside what was supposed to be her new home and two practical strangers.

Duchess Roxte leaned down to get a closer look at Daphne's face, "You look like a very smart girl. I trust your sisters told you what is happening."

Daphne nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

"Good. I know this must be confusing but I am sure Her Majesty Queen Astraea would not have sent you away if it wasn't the absolute last thing she could try." Duchess Roxte straighten up. "Gerad will show you where you will stay until the winter term begins. Once you are settled, would you like to join me for dinner?"

Daphne nodded and clutched her small bag more tightly in her hand. She followed Gerad up a flight of stairs and through a long hallway with many windows. Out the window, she could see the fading cloud of dust the carriage had kicked up when Morgan left.

Her new room was spacious and there was a bookshelf pushed up against one room. Upon further inspection, Daphne saw it was full of children's books but there were a few larger classics on the bottom likely to keep it from falling down. She appreciated that Duchess Roxte must have heard she liked to read and had had a bookshelf put in her room. Daphne set her bag on her bed and then changed into a simple dinner dress that Teresa had put on the top of her trunk for this exact reason. On her way back downstairs, she hoped that Morgan would make it back safely and the war would be over soon so she could be with her sisters.