Chapter 14: Meeting With Father

When Bayrel first heard that Serenah was awake, he kept his stoic expression at Alastar's obvious happiness at the news. He couldn't understand why she would wake up now, after having slept for a year. It would have been better if she had just died and saved him a lot of hassle. However, defying expectations, she had lived. He also couldn't kill his child because the Grand High Priestess Sacar had informed him that if any harm were to befall Serenah, he would lose his life as ordered by Autem.

This bit of unwelcome news had pissed him off. Was the lame excuse of a god, still trying to control him? Who did Autem think he was to dictate to Bayrel what he could and could not do with his own progeny?

Once Alastar finished delivering his report, Bayrel made him wait for several minutes out of spite before shooing the younger man away. He also didn't miss the glare that Alastar threw in his direction. He didn't give a damn about the guard's feelings. If you were not useful, you deserved to die. Serenah was fast approaching that category.

He would have to wait for an advantageous moment to accidentally get rid of her. Maybe he would even have Alastar kill her. It would be tragic but a terrific way of solving two problems at once. He was sure if Serenah were to die, Alastar would leave the ranks of imperial knights. He would hate to lose the talented knight, but he didn't need weaklings either.

He decided to call for his youngest. Might as well get this conversation over and done with. He sent one of his guards to fetch her and patiently waited for her to arrive.

Fifteen minutes later, the doors swung open, and in walked Serenah. He frowned. She appeared to be healthy. Abnormally so. Looking at her, no one would ever guess that she had been asleep for a year. He made her stand for several minutes before addressing her.

"Serenah, I can see that you are finally awake." He smirked when she flinched.

"Yes, Father. I am awake. I apologize for sleeping so long. I know not what caused my condition."

Bayrel almost laughed at her confusion. He knew what had caused that unnatural sleep. It was all Autem's doing. Not that he would share that information with his daughter.

"It is not a concern at the moment." He smiled at her hurt look. Good, he wanted to wound her. His youngest had low self-esteem, a fact he went out of his way to cultivate daily. If she was cowed, then she wouldn't be a problem to his plans.

He had not forgotten the prophecy that was given on the day the twins were born. No, he had to keep her obedient, docile, and subservient to himself and Amanah. He could not, would not, let Serenah gain power of any kind.

"Now that you are awake, you are expected to acclimate to this new world we find ourselves in."

"Father, how did we come to be here? The last thing I remember was doing healing on the battlefield. When I opened my eyes, we were here in this place." She waved her hand about indicating the room they were in.

"Autem sent us here."

"He did? But why? I don't understand."

"You do not need to know. You will obey my orders and your sister's orders while we are here."

She stiffened and he frowned. Was she going to defy him? The thought brought him glee. He would trample her if she tried to step out of line.

Serenah abruptly dropped her gaze and curtsied. "I understand, Father."

Disappointed that she wasn't put up a fight, he growled, "Get out."

She raised her head and hurried from the room.

He watched her leave and tried to shake the feeling that he had somehow lost this round to his youngest.

~***~

Once she left the throne room, Serenah made her way to her bedroom and closed the door. She slid down the door to the floor and tried to still her trembling body.

What the hell just happened? She rubbed her throbbing temple. While her father was talking, she suddenly was assailed by a burst of memories. Her father was hiding things from her. She had to find out what it was. She didn't want Autem to punish her a second time.

She refused to die along with her father and sister. She wanted to live.

The knock on the door startled her and she scrambled to her feet. "Come in."

Alastar, followed by Lael, entered. Behind them came an elderly gentleman whom she did not recognize.

All three bowed to her.

Confused, she looked to Alastar for guidance. He smiled at her, and she relaxed.

"Princess, this is Johan Hulight, former Marquis of LaRoc."

"Lord Hulight, it is an honor to meet you."

Serenah had heard many tales of the former Marquis from those at court. He had been a brilliant strategist in his day and was often by her father's side when her father was the Crown Prince.

"Likewise, Princess. I've heard good things about you from our people about your kind deeds and healings of the less fortunate."

She blushed at his praise. She detected no malice or mockery in his words or tone. It was a refreshing feeling.

"I'm sorry that I'm causing you to take time out of your busy schedule to help me."

"It is a privilege, Princess. I have talked to your former tutors, and they all praise your learning skills and diligence in your studies. This is rare to see. I look forward to teaching you."

"If it is alright with you, can we begin tomorrow? I'm still settling in after being asleep for so long."

"That is not a problem. Is first thing in the morning, after breakfast, agreeable with you?"

"That's perfect. I've always been more of a morning person anyway."

Lord Hulight smiled. "I shall see you then, Princess." He bowed and hobbled from the room.

Serenah went to the table and sat down. Alastar and Lael followed. No one spoke for a moment.

She broke the silence. "Alastar, is he the only teacher you have for me?"

Briefly, an expression of anger and disgust crossed his face. "He is the only one available on short notice."

She understood what he wasn't saying. No one else was willing to step up because she was not the favored princess. That was fine. She would do it alone with Alastar's and Lael's help. She would do what she always did—persevere and learn.

"That's fine. The smaller the number of people involved, the better."

She patted Lael's hand. "Don't worry. We will carry on as we always do. It will turn out fine in the end."

Serenah said the words, but deep in her heart, was worried that this time it might not be that simple.

"Enough gloom. I'm starving. Let's have a snack."

Alastar and Lael laughed at her sly tone before leaving to get her some food.