brie was happy to spend the time with Draven. Even if it meant after the festivities going back to how things were for a while longer. Surely they could get through four months. Their love was growing with each passing day. True brie could not serve Him as she hoped but there was plenty of time for that.
The King stayed on a while after the wedding to make sure things continued smoothly. It was of no shock to brie since the criminal, Lord Ulrich, was still at large. There was a bounty placed upon his head that was sure to attract bounty hunters and honest people to the crown a like. The King and the Duke hunted and there was no hardship to the stores of food that year for the crops had been plentiful.
The Duke and the Princess welcomed brie into the household like a daughter. Princess zara enjoyed having a fellow cat person to talk to and share stories with. brie enjoyed the company as well because it made her miss Draven less. Sure He was just within the dungeon below but she wasn't permitted there.
The dungeon was no place for a lady and brie was a lady first. Draven enjoyed his daily walk with her. He knew this was a special privilege being bestowed upon them. He made sure to make the most of each moment and still taught things to brie that she needed to know in order to serve Him best. brie used those moments to share what she could with Him.
Princess zara and brie got along famously until one day she brought up the subject of Lord Ulrich still being on the run. They had a terrible row and Princess zara ran from the room in tears. brie felt terrible about it and made herself scarce the rest of the day. brie had not realized how long the Princess had been with Lord Ulrich and had made light of her plight.
brie spoke with Princess zara with Duke Elrik in attendance that next morning. The room was tense for certain. It was then that brie finally understood the torment that Princess zara had endured at the hands of Lord Ulrich. brie apologized for having made light of it the day before. Princess zara forgave brie for it because it wasn't truly her fault.
It hurt Duke Elrik to hear the things that Princess zara said about her time with Lord Ulrich. He was quite thankful to have stolen her away from him. He knew then that His motives had been right on despite it bending a few laws in the process. brie was lucky to be alive, but He knew she bore physical scars from her short time knowing the man.
The next day a letter arrived for brie from her Father.
My darling daughter,
I have news for you that you will find enlightening to your heart as it is to mine. I shall be coming to visit you at Duke Elrik's within the week. I was able to get my crops in early thanks to help from some neighbors who knew I was worrying about you so. I can not wait to meet this Draven fellow that has taken your heart so. I hope to not be a burden to the Duke and will be bringing some provisions of my own that perhaps you hunger for. Things that your dear mother used to make.
Your loving father,
Gregory.
Tears of joy fell down brie's face as she read the letter to herself several times. On one hand she was happy he was coming so soon to see her, but on the other hand she knew that then her father would know that Draven was in the dungeon for his crimes. she went straight away to Duke Elrik and consulted with him about what to say in her Father about such things. The Duke was very understanding and assured brie that things would work out as they should.
He couldn't change the sentence but perhaps could bend the rules a wee bit while her Father was here. That made brie excited to hear and would be happy with what ever Duke Elrik would be able to arrange for her precious Draven. she set about making plans for her Father's arrival so that things would not seem a miss. she knew a return letter would only be for naught. He was probably all ready on the road by now.