(Other Realm)
Alethia perched on a stool at the bar, her gaze fixed on Tadia as she diligently cleaned mugs. The anticipation of more customers or a request for service hung in the air.
Tadia cast a soft smile at Alethia. "You seem different, my friend. Ever since your return from visiting your family, something has changed within you."
Alethia's brows furrowed as she pondered her thoughts. "Yes, something clicked during my visit, and now I'm unsure if I made the right choice."
Tadia nodded knowingly. "Ah, I see. But fear not, for I am certain your father will find it in his heart to forgive you." Confusion crossed Alethia's face. "I never mentioned my father."
Tadia chuckled. "No need to, my dear. If it were your brothers, you wouldn't be so troubled. And you've spoken of your absent mother before, so I deduced that it must involve your father." Alethia chuckled softly.
"You're quite the Sherlock Holmes, aren't you?"
Tadia tilted her head inquisitively. "Who is that?"
Alethia dismissed the question with a wave of her hand. "Never mind. Thank you, though. You're right. I shouldn't fret." Tadia grinned. "No problem at all. And don't overwork yourself, especially if you have a date tonight."
Alethia laughed. "I'll do my best not to."
As the evening progressed, Alethia served tables and cleaned, her shift drawing nearer to its end. With only an hour remaining, Ryos entered the inn, offering a soft smile to Alethia as he settled at his usual table.
"What can I get you tonight?" Alethia asked with a warm smile.
"The usual, please, beautiful," Ryos replied. Leaning down, Alethia planted a tender kiss on Ryos' lips. "Coming right up."
Suddenly, a commanding voice reverberated through the common room. "Alethia Gwendolyn Starlight!"
Alethia's face paled as she turned to face the doorway, instinctively dropping into a low curtsy. Ryos stood beside her, bowing deeply. Standing before them was none other than Lord Marcus and Galen, the latter sporting a sly smile.
"Father... I can explain... you see..." Alethia stammered, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment as she kept her head low.
Ozark and Tadia silently observed from behind the bar, while the rest of the common room held its breath, awaiting the words of the Elven King and God of War.
Before Lord Marcus could speak, Ryos stepped out of his bow and positioned himself in front of Alethia. His appearance seemed to have changed during the bow, his demeanor more resolute. "Your Majesty, Lord Marcus, please allow me to explain. I have been courting your daughter for quite some time now, and we have grown incredibly close, Milord. No harm was intended."
Lord Marcus unclenched his fists slightly, though anger still radiated from him. "That does not matter, sir. You are still a demon!" The last words hung heavily in the air. Ryos nodded respectfully. "I understand, Milord. However, I must inform you that I am of royal blood. I am one of the sons of High King Hardin."
Alethia, having recovered from the shock of her father's sudden appearance, stood up and stared at Ryos. "You... you are?"
Ryos nodded. "I have kept certain secrets from you, my love. We will discuss them later." Alethia turned her attention back to her father. "You have no say in whom I choose to be with. You lost that right when you lied and kept secrets from me."
Marcus shook his head, his anger still simmering. "Alethia, we need to talk about this. But not here. Come home, and I will explain everything."
Crossing her arms defiantly, Alethia shook her head. "I am not going anywhere. This is my home now, and I don't want to hear anything you have to say."
Ryos gently squeezed Alethia's hand, offering a word of advice. "Perhaps you should give him a chance to explain, my love."
Shaking her head, Alethia sighed softly. "Fine. But if you want to explain, do it here and now."
Marcus exchanged a glance with Galen, who nodded solemnly before speaking.
"Alethia," I spoke with Father in your absence, "and he divulged all. Your memories were expunged for your own protection. In your youth, the God of Chaos ensnared you, weaving a deceitful tapestry of love to manipulate your heart. But it was naught but a web of falsehoods. Now, he harbors a sinister plot to extinguish your life, Alethia. He schemes to draw near once more, to execute his malevolence in the very presence of our father."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, and Alethia shook her head, her lip trembling. "Kidnapped?"
Marcus nodded, his voice filled with regret. "Yes, my child. After we managed to rescue you, you were left distraught and lost. We put you into a deep slumber and shielded you from those memories. Who knows what horrors you endured until you surrendered and believed the lies. We did it all to protect you."
Alethia ran her fingers through her hair, her emotions in turmoil. "I... I don't..."
Marcus stepped closer, gently taking hold of both of Alethia's hands. "I am so deeply sorry for making you feel less important than your sisters as you grew up. But the truth is, Alethia, you possess the strength and resilience of your mother and me. I knew you could handle anything. And when you were taken from me, I thought I had lost you forever. When we finally retrieved you, I did what I thought would bring my little girl back to me." His hand cupped her cheek tenderly. "Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Alethia closed her eyes, tears welling up. Slowly, she nodded. "Yes, of course, Father."
Marcus let out a sigh of relief as he pulled Alethia into a tight hug.
Ozark, spoke up, "That's it, everyone. Show's over. Back to your own lives now."
Marcus chuckled softly. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"
Alethia nodded, laughing. "Yes, of course. Please find a table. I'll be done soon, but I have a few orders to fulfill."
Marcus and Galen made their way to a table near the bar, while Alethia approached Ozark, who was beaming with delight. "You know, ever since you and your sister arrived, I've never had a dull day."
Alethia giggled, hugging him across the bar. "Yeah, well, we never claimed to have dull lives. I need Ryos' regular and a bottle of Elven wine for my father and brother." Ozark grinned. "Coming right up, my dear."
Alethia took Ryos his order, smiling softly. "Thank you, Ryos. You saved me when I was at a loss for words. We do need to talk about this royal blood thing though."
Ryos smiled. "That wasn't how I imagined meeting your father, but I guess my first impression wasn't too bad."
Alethia laughed softly. "I'd better go serve them."
Ryos nodded. "I guess our date is off for the night?"
Alethia gasped. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I almost forgot with all the commotion."
Ryos squeezed her hand. "Don't worry about it, sweetheart. It's your family, after all."
She kissed him on the cheek, smiling. "Thank you, Ryos. Thank you so much." Ryos smiled. "No problem, my dear. Now go before we hear your full name being yelled across the common room again."
Alethia laughed as she made her way to her father's table. "A bottle of our finest Elven wine. What else can I get you this evening?" Marcus smiled, looking at Galen. "I've heard that this place has very good spiced potatoes?"
Alethia nodded. "You heard correctly."
"Two plates of the potatoes with some roast, please. And I'd like to meet the man who hired you and your sister. I'd like to thank him."
Alethia smiled. "Coming right up." She leaned over, hugging Galen tightly. "It's great seeing you again, brother."
He hugged her back. "Nice to see you as well, little sister. Now off with you. I'm starving."
Laughing, she headed back to the bar. "House special tonight and a meeting with the cook."
Tadia nodded. "Ozark, two house specials and you."
Ozark poked his head out of the kitchen. "Coming right up." A few minutes later, Ozark and Alethia made their way over to Marcus and Galen's table. Alethia placed the two plates of food on the table. "Lord Marcus, Lord Galen, this is Ozark, the cook and owner of this inn."
Ozark bowed politely. "It's an honor to meet you, Milords. If you need anything while you're here, do not hesitate to ask."
Marcus stood and shook Ozark's hand. "The only thing I need from you is your word that my daughters will be safe under your care."
Ozark bowed his head. "You have my word, Lord Marcus. No harm will come to your girls while they're under my watch." Marcus smiled gratefully. "Thank you, my good man. That means everything to me."
Just then, there was a commotion on the steps outside the inn. Cordelia burst in, papers from an order in her hands, as she pushed past a few customers. "Hey, Alethia, you should see the horses outside. They're all dressed up as if royalty was riding them. Whoever they belong to must think highly of themselves." She laughed to herself before noticing who Alethia and Ozark were talking to.
"Father?" Cordelia quickly curtsied, unable to believe her luck.
