But why

I scanned to see there was no one in the small room but my clothes had been changed into a comfortable ones. Luckily, my ring and necklace were still intact. I walked towards the door in front of the four-poster bed, where voices of soft murmur could be heard.

The door creaked opened and I found the connected room was filled with our staff - my handmaidens, our Taaffeitians Royal Guards, Wystan's Royal Guards and another two ladies whom I assumed the Palace staff. They were busy chit-chatting and trying to console each other. The men were busy exchanging pieces of information on how to best tackle the situation but it made me realised one thing. Papa was nowhere to be seen.

Seeing the layout, I had an inkling the room Wystan chose for me would be a suite. Purely because this room carried his aura. The type to have a complete set of an apartment where he could seclude himself unless needed to before he moved out.

I could see the ghost of his younger self, sauntering freely without a care in the world. Happily to be in his man cave. I closed my eyes and try to shake it off. I need to be level-headed right now. I need to be calm myself down while I still can.

"Where's Papa?" I finally croaked. My voice sounded harsh from all the screaming and my throat hurts like it had been scraped with a rake.

Echoes of "Princess" and "Queen" came out in unison as they all stood up and bowed with respect.

"King Stefan is in the other room," said Sofia with a firm but trembling voice while Matilda was gently patting her back. I made a mental note to ask her what was wrong. But right now, I need some assurance and answers. I gave my thanks and walked straight to the big royal-blue wooden door, into Papa's room.

Papa was staring blankly at the round coffee table in front of him. Nicely arranged savoury snacks on the plate remained untouched and his drink looked as though it have reached room temperature. One would have thought he had fallen asleep. But I knew my father the best. He was under too much stress and I was more than willing to bet that his brain went overdrive with the thinking and analysing.

I gave Papa a shoulder massage in silence. And his hand reached mine as he pat.

"Wystan must have really loved you, my darling Farah."

I kept quiet and let him talk. Was not in the mood to talk at all.

"You see... It's risky to have me flown over. But he did it." Papa went on. Must be due to his age factor, needlessly worrying over something trivial.

"It's been more than five generations if memory served me right. Yes, I believe I am correct. It's been more than five-generation since they closed their borders. Their people were content on not leaving the place and the Hawthorn Empire is the only nation that hides their people. Only the King and a number of his entourage were ever seen by the outside world."

"It would be a dream to live and tell the tales on how the Hawthorn Empire looks like. People, not just commoners but also royalties, tried to find their way in but failed."

Hmm, I've heard of the rumours. But it still seemed dubious if Wystan would not allow me to return when Papa asked me to.

"Unlike other countries, the mysteries that shrouded the Empire brought attention to people outside. Remember? You once cried wanting to come here on holiday," commented Papa with a chuckle.

"I think it's a big mistake for me to be here. It's lovely and all, my darling and I enjoyed every bit of it, I do," said Papa as he turned his head to make eye contact with me.

"But it was a risk to have me flying here and King Wystan knows that. I just didn't expect he would break it and brought me here. Just to make you happy."

Just like that, the thick rope that I had been clinging on very dearly to, snapped as my emotion plummeted. A drop of warm liquid falls heavily at the back of my hand. Its splashes must have reached Papa as he stood up abruptly and faced me.

"I'm so sorry, Farah darling!! I don't mean to put it this way. I'm so sorry for bringing it up. It was silly of me, alright my dear?" Papa's amber eyes constricted as his pupils dilated. He hit himself and squeezed my arms for assurance.

It was too late though. When the dam burst, the dam burst! There's no helping it.

"Does this normally happen?" I forced the words out of my mouth, anticipated that my dear Papa would understand my question.

"I don't know, my Farah."

"No. Is this something royalties all around go through? Because according to my knowledge growing up, it never happened. Was it coup d'etat?"

"I don't have the answer, my dear."

"Then? Is it another country? After all, you did mention people had been eyeing this place."

"No. It was just my own thinking, Farah."

"Tsk! How silly if they do dare to wage war with the Empire!!" My voice raised by the minute as anger slowly replacing my sadness.

"I agree. Calm down, darling." Papa tried to hush me down and earthen my electrified flailing arms.

"Like why would they do that? Who is daft enough to wage wars with a country with its top warriors. Like why? Why in the world?! Why why why?? Why in the freaking world is he even participating in it?!!!!" I broke down to the floor, unable to contain the ranges of emotions dwelling within me.