Chapter 5: Departure

I wish I could crawl into a ball and hide. But I can’t because the four bags full of jewels, clothes, and machinery are weighing me down. It’s been four hours exactly since my sisters and I received the news that we would be expanding the business across the sea to our neighboring country Loreilei. Prince Cerulean’s country. Where he will marry his fiancee, and not me…his Twin Ray.

I frown at my doting sisters as they go over the suitcase they’ve prepared for me once again.

“We’ve given you all our best clothes. At least, the ones that you fit. So you better not wear anything shabby in front of the prince,” River says. Her eyes are filled with humor and worry.

Bayou laughs. “Yeah like any of our clothes would come close to something the prince would fawn over.”

River smacks her arm and grumbles under her breath. The two share a heated exchange over it where they glare and solve the argument with a game of rock, paper, scissors.

Bayou wins and turns her mischievous smirk over to me.

“Remember that silky wrap dress you made me?” She asks.

I nod. I made the dress when I first learned to sew. I saved all my allowance for several months to buy her the best pink silks in town.

Then after all that practice, I finally made her that dress for her eighteen birthday. She wore it the day she finally learn about her Twin Ray.

“I’ve packed it up for you. I can no longer fit it since I’ve gained weight. And someone has to wear it and show how multi-talented you are.”

“I am not multi-talented.”

The girls look at each other.

“What are you saying?” Our father’s voice comes from the doorway of my bedroom. The small, boxy room housed me for eighteen years. And while I was sad to be leaving this quickly, I wasn’t exactly attached to the home. More so to the people in it.

“You are a great simmer, you can sew, and cook, and clean, and build furniture, and make gorgeous jewelry, and you yourself are gorgeous.” My father scoops me into his arms. I hug him back. Some of the bags fall to the floor.

He embraces me tightly. “Any man would be a fool to think you are lesser.”

I hide my smile in his warm embrace. “Thanks, Dad,” I mumble.

He rubs my hair and pulls me at arm's length to look at me.

“Let’s go make some money.” He says eagerly. I laugh.

River and Bayou are next to pull me into a tight hug.

“We’ll take care of everything here. You go and enjoy your extended vacation. You deserve it.”

I’m worried I’ll miss them too much to leave. The girls pick up my discarded bags and loop their arms in mine. The four of us trudge out of the house and down the winding, hilly, path to the beach docks.

A large ship looms in the water. Its sheer size blocks all the light from the rising sun. The cold sea air swirls around us, covering the smell of the lingering festival foods.

A cluster of fishermen departs for their fish of the morning. While others sail in with nets full.

Seagulls caw overhead in the gray, cloudy sky.

In the sky, I can still see him. His slender, azure eyes and solemn expression. But now it's more from my own imagination than some divine intervention.

“What do you see in the clouds?” Bayou asks. “Is it still our aunt? Or have you been dreaming of our mother?” Her question throws me off guard. I haven’t thought much of either since my birthday.

Our mother passed when I was much too young. From a sickness, I hope not to get.

I only remember glimpses of her face, and even those memories are fading. But her voice was so ethereal and sweet I could never forget it.

My heart squeezes and I pull the girls into another firm embrace.

“Islet?” River calls. After a moment of shock, they hold me as tight as I hold them. The moment is gone all too quickly. Father collects the bags and we walk down the beach to the dock where the ship is harbored.

Hot tears prick at my eyes. Fatigue eats at my legs and arms. I trudge up the dock my father in toe, to the assembly of guards and nobles who have gathered to see off the Prince and Princess.

“Why do we have to take this boat?” I ask my father. But he is not the one who answers.

“I apologize, but on such short notice, another ride could not be secured.”

I whip around to the familiar accent yet foreign voice. I let out a reassured sigh when I come face to face with the Duke. I take the deepest curtsy I can manage with my suitcase.

He raises his hand and I return to standing. My father does a ninety-degree bow, which he’s perfected over his many years. I envy his lack of back pain.

“Rise, Adrian.”

My father stands up. “Duke Creed. This is the apprentice I told you about. This is Islet, my youngest daughter.” My father waves his hands toward me.

The Duke bows his head and I mimic him. I’m still not sure if I’m doing it right but by his little smile, I’m sure it’s fine.

“Well, thank you for joining us on this long journey on such short notice.”

“It is my honor, Your Grace,” I say. I try my best not to stutter.

He hums. His dark hair swims in the light breeze uncovering the long, silver scar crossing over his left eye. I marvel at how deep the scar is. One of his eyes was milky white the other dark.

He doesn’t hide it but instead seems to understand my curiosity.

“War will do that. Now, let’s board. I will show you to your chambers.” He says.

We pass the King and Queen with quiet excellence.

My eyes lock with Prince Cerulean, whose arms are being loaded with gifts. He raises a curious brow as I board the ship in toe with my father and his uncle.

I’m sure he’s got so many questions. Or maybe…just maybe the reason the Duke even took interest in us is because of him. I quickly banish those thoughts.

If we got this opportunity because of the Prince’s interference I don’t know if I’d be that accepting. I want my results to be reflective of my work.

I gasp when my eyes land on the deck of the ship.

“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?” Whispers a familiar voice.