Goodbye, Father

Chapter 7:

As Mariela made her way back through the winding streets of the capital, something caught her eye—a small, weathered shop nestled between two tall buildings. A wooden sign above the door read Herb Healing, though the lettering was chipped and faded. The storefront looked abandoned, the window panes clouded with dust, and the pots of medicinal plants sat half-wilted, neglected. Still, something about it tugged at her curiosity.

She stepped closer, drawn by instinct and wonder, but just as her hand reached for the door, someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her back sharply.

"Mariela?"

The voice was unmistakable.

She turned in startled surprise. "Gideon?!"

Her cheeks flushed with shock and a flicker of guilt. "What are you doing here?"

Before she could even finish her sentence, he pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around her protectively, his grip almost desperate.

"Thank the heavens," he murmured, his voice muffled against her hair. "I was so scared something had happened to you. Are you all right?"

Still reeling from the hug—and the fact that he had just called her by her name for the first time—Mariela stood frozen. Her voice came out soft and breathless. "I'm okay. Nothing happened."

Gideon finally let her go, stepping back with a mixture of relief and scolding in his eyes. He cleared his throat, attempting to regain his usual composure. "My lady… I believe you left without giving any notice. It's unwise to roam alone like this—especially in unfamiliar territory."

Mariela gave him a teasing glance. "Back to 'my lady,' I see."

Gideon's face turned pink with embarrassment, his stern expression faltering.

She sighed and looked away for a moment. "I'm sorry for making you worry. I shouldn't have gone off like that. But… no one would've agreed to come with me."

Gideon stepped closer, his voice low and firm as his eyes locked onto hers. "You never asked me."

Mariela's breath caught. His face was mere inches from hers, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to still. Her heart skipped, and a blush rose to her cheeks.

"I might have said yes," he added, his tone softer now, almost vulnerable.

She didn't know how to respond. Words tangled in her throat, and the heat on her cheeks deepened.

Gideon straightened, breaking the charged silence between them. "Come on. We should go back. We'll be leaving soon."

Still flustered, Mariela nodded. She cast one last glance at the little herb shop before letting him guide her away, her thoughts spinning faster than her steps.

Prince Richard arrived at the palace ahead of the others, his steps brisk and sure. He knew the corridors like the back of his hand, weaving through them with ease.

Lavish met him at the entrance, clearly flustered.

"Sire, thank the heavens you are back," he said breathlessly. "We have a situation."

The prince raised a brow. "What is it?"

"It's the guest—Lady Mariela. She's… disappeared. We're terribly sorry."

A relieved chuckle escaped Richard. "Is that all? Lavish, you scared me for nothing. She'll be back shortly, don't worry." He waved off the concern. "Now, what else have I missed?"

Lavish composed himself. "About the investigation into Herb Healing… it's as you predicted."

The prince's expression shifted, eyes narrowing. "I see… then I'll have to pay him a visit myself."

Lavish hesitated. "He may not receive you, sire. He's… prideful. Your title might be more of a barrier than a bridge."

"That may be," Richard said thoughtfully, "but we can't let him carry the burden alone. This is what we're here for. Continue monitoring from afar. Provide what they need—quietly. And keep me updated."

"Understood. And… What of Lady Mariela? The king's offer?"

The prince gave a faint smile. "She'll come around. I'm sure of it."

Lavish nodded and took his leave, musing to himself, How does he know she'll stay?

Later that day, Peter Marriott found his daughter sitting quietly, the weight of the decision ahead pressing on her.

"I know you snuck out of the palace," he said gently.

Mariela and Gideon turned in surprise.

"You knew?" they asked in unison.

Peter chuckled. "Of course. Why do you think I didn't fret?"

Mariela came to sit beside him, nervous but needing the moment.

"You've grown so much, Mariela," Peter said softly. "Every day since we arrived here, I've seen it."

"I didn't mean to disobey," she murmured, eyes lowered. "Leaving like that…"

"I wasn't angry," he said. "I was hopeful. I wondered if you would finally do something for yourself."

She looked up, startled. "What?"

"You've always followed my path. And I know you're grateful. But… you never asked yourself what you wanted."

"I didn't think I was allowed to."

Peter placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're not a little girl anymore, Mariela. You're a woman—wise, capable. The king sees it. The prince sees it. Do you?"

Tears welled in her eyes. "I want to stay. I want to help. But I didn't want to disappoint you."

"You could never disappoint me," he said with quiet strength. "I educated you, nurtured you… not to keep you in my shadow but to let you bloom. I wanted to hear it from you. And now I have.

"Thank you, Father," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

Peter stood, smiling. "Make me proud. I'm leaving tonight. Your mother is waiting for me—and I miss her dearly." He looked at her with pride. "Shine bright, my girl. Like the city on the hill."

She embraced him tightly. "Dad," she whispered—a word she had never called him before.

Gideon, watching quietly, stepped outside to give them privacy.

When it was time, Peter's luggage was packed. Prince Richard came to bid him farewell.

"I guess this is goodbye, Sir Marriott," he said.

"Unfortunately, yes, Your Majesty."

"The offer remains open. I hope you'll reconsider."

Lavish added, "We're sending something for your capital. A large package—expect it in a week."

"Thank you, sire," Peter said, bowing his head.

"Oh, thank my father," the prince said. "It's his gift. It not for anyone, you manage to impress him Sir Marriott."

"You humble me, sire."

As Gideon loaded the last of the luggage and opened the carriage door, he turned to Peter and bowed deeply.

Peter rested a hand on his shoulder. "Stay. Look after my sweet Mariela. She's in your hands now. Don't let anyone make her cry."

Gideon didn't speak—he only nodded, eyes serious.

Seeing that Mariela wasn't coming with him, Richard turned to Peter in surprise.

"Prince Richard," Peter said. "Please take care of her. And let Gideon stay by her side. He's family to her. At least… one familiar face."

"Of course," Richard agreed. "There's no issue."

Mariela stood silently, eyes clouded with the sadness of farewell.

"Don't look so down, my girl," Peter said gently. "I know you'll make me proud."

With her voice cracking and a tear sliding down her cheek, she replied, "I will make you proud… Father."

The chariot rolled away.

Gideon turned to her. "My lady… wipe your face. That's not how a Marriott should look."

She turned, sniffling, nose red. "I can't help it! It won't stop."

"Use a handkerchief," he groaned.

Instead, she wiped her nose with her sleeve.

"Not your clothes!" Gideon snapped. "That's not proper!"

"I don't care," she sniffled. "I've just been abandoned—again."

"You begged him to stay!"

"It still counts," she retorted, half teasing. "I'm going to write him a letter right now."

"He just left! Where do you think he's going to get it?"

"You can catch up to the chariot for me. What else are you here for?"

Lavish, watching the exchange from a distance, chuckled. "Those two are certainly close."

The prince nodded. "Good. She'll need support, now that she's far from her people. Let's see what she'll do next."

As their playful bickering continued, Gideon held the door open. Mariela swept inside. Gideon gave a swift bow to the king before following her in, the door closing behind them