The morning after the trials, the palace was unusually quiet. There were no people carrying out noisy training sessions in the courtyard, nor conversations in the hallways.
I found Noko sitting on the balcony, her legs dangling outward and her tail swaying slowly.
—"Did you rest well last night?" I asked, approaching.
—"Ren-sama… Yes-nya, but I've been thinking," she said, gazing at the walls that protected the kingdom.
—"It's rare to see you thoughtful. Did something happen?" I sat beside her.
Noko hugged her knees.
—"When I was a child, everyone told me that one day I would have to be queen. That I had to learn customs, etiquette, and speak with the royal council. But I…" —her ears drooped a little— "I don't want to live like that."
—"Is that why you left?"
Noko nodded.
—"Here everyone follows traditions. And it's not that they're bad… but I wanted to see the world. To see other cities, eat different foods, meet people-nya. I didn't want to think about being locked up here all the time."
—"That sounds just like you, Noko," I smiled.
At that moment, Ragan appeared in the doorway, arms crossed.
—"And what are you saying about our culture?" he asked in a deep voice, though there was a playful glimmer in his eyes.
—"Dad!" Noko jumped to her feet. "I was just telling Ren-sama why I left."
The king slowly approached, and for a moment I thought he was going to scold her. Instead, he placed a hand on her head.
—"You're my daughter, Noko. I can't help wanting you to be here… but I also can't chain you down if your heart wants something else. You must have gotten that from me. Hahaha!"
—"Does that mean…?" Noko looked at him cautiously.
—"It means I won't force you to stay," Ragan smiled, though with a hint of nostalgia. "Just promise me that wherever you go, you'll remember who you are."
Noko's eyes sparkled, and her tail swished strongly.
—"I promise-nya."
It was sweet to see this scene. Without a doubt, Ragan is a great king and also a good father.
Later, during lunch, Maya and Zara listened to the story.
—"So your father accepted that you'll keep traveling," Maya said. "That's unexpected."
—"I think he knows it would be impossible to keep her," Zara commented, sipping her tea.
—"Exactly!" Noko raised a finger. "But he still wants us all to take part in tonight's celebration before we leave."
—"Celebration?" I asked.
—"Don't you remember?" Zara replied. "The king mentioned that, to celebrate your official acceptance after passing the trials, he would hold a feast tonight."
While Noko spoke enthusiastically about the celebration, Ragan entered the dining hall and cast me a look that made my hair stand on end.
—"I hope you have energy, boy. Here, celebrations last until dawn!"