Aliza didn't know the last time she had woken up inside this room, but it was a while ago. Just like the drawing room, this room with the broken white, turquoise and golden colors was not strange to her. She used to sleep here all the time, shortly after Harel moved into the mansion. She even showed it to her father, when he picked her up the first time. Back then, Lord Eldar assured her father that they would take good care of her if she stayed the night. A promise he still kept even it had been a while, she smiled when she saw that nothing has changed in here. There were some of her clothing laying ready for her, she only has to draw on a cord that hung next to the large bed and one of the maids would rush towards her aid. But she knew how to draw up a bath, she didn't need a maid for that. She pushed the covers off her, and went over to the large bathroom. This bedroom, had a separate bathroom and tearoom. There was a small balcony that looked out over the big garden, rose bushes had claimed the railing as their home. If it was the Yxjun's season, then the whole room would smell like the flower. A smell she right now longed for, so she placed the bath soap that smelled like roses into the water. She turned off the tap when the turquoise glass bathtub was full, she undressed and slid in. The warm water was a nice feeling, after all, what happened. She humiliated herself by acting like a spoiled child that didn't get her way, in front of the Imperial couple no less. She had fallen asleep on the couch, and most likely the Emperor had carried her towards the room. He used to do that too when she was a bit younger, but now she was an adult. Which made the whole thing even worse, but the whole family knew how she was. She has showed that more than once, and she keeps losing control of her emotions when she got tired. And she lost her job, temporarily. Still, she would not be welcome in the temple, her home away from home, for quite some time. The though of it made her almost lose control, all over again. What was she supposed to do with all that time. Work for her father, no, she wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. The smell of the place would stay with her for days, and that was only the front of the whole business. The back of the business was busy with, in her opinion, honorless killing. So that was not an option, still what other option did she have? She was not going to stay home, doing nothing. She could come here, like she has done in the old days. Train with Shir and the new recruits. That might be an idea she was going to bring up during dinner. The door of the bedroom opened up.

"Aliza?" it was her father. What was he doing here?

"I am taking a bath!" she said loudly, she looked at her wrinkled skin. How long has she being in here? She didn't know, but the temperature of the water has changed too. "Wait a second, I am coming out of the water." she said while climbing out of the bathtub. She opened a handle that opened up a tube through which the water could escape. She wrapped herself in a towel and walked out of the room.

"There is my girl," her father said as soon as he saw her. He sat down on the bed, while she walked behind a screen that gave her some privacy while she got dressed. "I heard what happened. I am so sorry that it happened." he was not sorry, he never liked the fact that she joined the Paladins instead of the 'family' business. But he never said it out loud, and he supported her over the years. She sighed, and closed her eyes.

"I do not know what is worse. The suspension, or the way I acted after." she said. "I almost beat the Emperor to a pulp, if he hadn't brought me down to reality." Her father chuckled.

"I wish that I was there to see that, but I always believed that he was a very reasonable guy. And it is not the first time that he has seen you at your worst." her father reminded her. "I remember the time your first period surprised us all. You had a complete meltdown, not that I could blame you. You didn't know what was happening to you, because, and I still blame myself for it, I didn't tell you. I thank the Gods and Goddesses that Empress Meyda was there to help you through it. There are more things they helped you with, and I never can repay them for their kindness." Aliza nodded, she remembered those events as well, as much she wanted to forget it. "But enough with the heavy stuff, so I am going to be the first to tell you that you have being a sleep for a whole day. Which gave me the time to order something special for you, and right now it lays right in front of you." She frowned and there it was, a small package in brown paper laying on the small vanity table. She unwrapped it and in it was a black outfit with gold elements. It looked so much like her Paladins armor, but she had the feeling that this was not a normal outfit.

"Are those armored clothes?" she asked.

"Yes they are, provided by the Chain Cloths Co. finest weavers and alchemists. I hope you like the color scheme." he said, well she was not banned to wear the Paladin colors. But then the coin dropped about what he said earlier, she has slept for an entire day. She quickly dressed herself in the armored clothing, it looked a lot like a tunic with stockings. And a jacket that goes with it. With a brush in hand, she walked past the screen and looked at her father, who still sat upon the bed. He seemed a bit out of place, because that was the way he felt.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"Did you say that I have been a sleep for an entire day? Meaning today is the 20th day, Month 2 in Chenton's season?" she asked and her father nodded.

"Harel explained to me what happened in detail, and I can say that you probably needed the sleep to come to terms with all of this." he replied, but she was not so sure about that. But she was not going to argue with him. A knock landed on the door, and Harel entered.

"You look good, Liz," he said with a smile. "Grandfather has sent me up here to inform you that diner will be served in fifteen minutes." Aliza nodded, so it would be almost be the 21st then. She can't believe that she has slept for an entire day. "There is something else you should know, during yesterday's meeting my grandfather and uncle shared their plans for my future. And I am right now engaged to Nilith." he said, and it was clear to her that he wasn't enjoying this one bit. Not that she could blame him, Nilith is a bit spoiled. Not a pleasant person to be around. But the girl was only eighteen, so she has time to grow up.

"Congratulations. I gaze." she said. "I know you have your doubts, but you will grow to accept it. I know you are."

"We have an agreement, one that is supported by my aunt. We will break off this engagement if we find someone we truthy love. I do not want to marry her, and become the next Lord Eldar. I was fine with the role I had. The adopted grandson, who might inherit a small piece of land with a small house upon it. I really do not want more than that." he said, and he looked so defeated. She shook her head, now he was in the same state of mind as she was in twenty-four hours ago. She felt for him, she really did. But there was nothing she was able to do to help him out. Not this time, because there was nothing but friendship between them. They shared a kiss, when she was twelve. But that was purely out of curiosity, not because they had feelings for each other. Her father cleared his throat, he finally stood up from the bed.

"I think it is time for supper." he said.

******

Diner was a bit uncomfortable, the Imperial family was present, so was Dorian and Lord Eldar's daughter and son-in-law, Lord and Lady Inaam. Their two daughters were not present, which was not that strange.

"I am glad that you got some sleep," Empress Meyda said with a soft, and warm smile. "You were so.."

"I am so sorry for my behavior, it was so childish and unprofessional." Aliza cut in, she knew that it was impolite to do so. But she has being sitting on this for the entire meal. Dorian sighed and lowered his head.

"You were tired, and the church took away something you are proud off. It is more than understandable that you are mad about it. Then add the lack of sleep to it, and well you were not thinking straight. I am just grateful you didn't break anything valuable, this time." he said, and Aliza turned a bit red. He was talking about a vase that once stood in the same hallway she was guarding a couple of nights ago. Harel, Aliza and some other children played tack inside the hallway. And one of the boys pushed her a bit too hard against the vase and it broke. Right now, there was a replica placed.

"That was not my fault, I got pushed." she said loudly and the whole table, all of them knew the story, laughed. Lord Eldar sighed and took a deep breath.

"Now we got that out of the way, let us discuss the matters at hand. All of you know about the engagement between Harel and Nilith. She is still my heir, and her engagement doesn't change that. But now she was someone to support her, and this also gives Harel something I believe he deserves. He is a member of this family for eighteen years now." Lord Eldar said, but nobody congratulated the couple, because all of them knew that this was not something to celebrate. "Katelin, you and Mizmor requested that members of the wolf pack join your crew upon a voyage to... sorry, the county and city escapes me."

"Duchy of Tresania, Father, and yes, there are a lot of pirates roaming those waters. And some extra men, or women, with weapons would help." Lady Inaam replied.

"But here is the thing, I have asked Shir and none of the members of the wolf pack wants to go. Seasickness and some other myths and legends. But I think I found someone that is more than capable of handling a weapon and has some free time upon her hands." Lord Eldar said. He was talking about her, and all the details, an unknown city, pirates being on a ship sound exciting. She looked over to her father.

"I told Lord Eldar, yes he shared this plan with me already, that I wouldn't stand in your way if you really wanted to go." her father said. She gave him a warm smile, he was again not happy with this. But again he was showing his support.

"Thank you daddy." she said softly. "I really want to go, when those the ship leave? What is the main religion of that country, what it the cargo?" Lord Inaam started to chuckle.

"The ships will set sail next week, the cargo are spices and slik." he said.

"They worship Rhuldite, God of the Volcano above and Darena, Goddess of the Volcano below." Dorian added, Aliza started to jump up and down in her seat. She loved to see their temple, try out new food and see new things. She loved her trip to Sodora, a couple of years ago. And this was even further than Sodora. She once again turned her attention to her father.

"Am I really allowed to go?" she asked.

"You are an adult, Aliza. I can't hold you here even if I wanted to." he said. "I only want you to be careful. Lady Inaam said that there might be pirates and I do not want to lose you." Like he lost her mother. He didn't say the words outloud, but she knew that they were inside his head, as they were in hers.

"I will be careful daddy, I promise."