Nearly five years have passed since that fateful Noel, the day that altered the course of my life. Over the course of those years, I immersed myself in all Father could teach me, leaving no stone unturned in my pursuit of knowledge. The path was not without its trials—there were formidable obstacles I had to overcome—but through unwavering diligence and perseverance, I surmounted each one. Gradually, my dream began to take shape, piece by painstaking piece. I could see the fruits of my labor; I was closer than ever to my ultimate goal. Yet for all this, I harbored no delusions of having earned Carolina’s absolution. No, that would only come when my work was complete, and on that day, I would send Father himself to deliver the message.
I knelt gingerly on the windswept hill, a place I had visited countless times before. My gaze flickered upwards, settling on the weathered stone that marked Mother’s final resting place.
“Hello, Mother,” I said, my voice barely rising above the breeze. “It has been some time since I last visited you, hasn’t it? I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve been so busy between the demands of the succession and my duties in the realm of civil service.” I paused, then a brightness overtook my voice. “But you see, I bring good news today: my hard work has paid off! That was what I wished to share with you.”
I glanced back at Father, who stood a few paces behind. When our eyes met, his stern expression softened, and he gave a firm nod of approval. Reassured by his gesture, I turned once more to the grave.
“Mother,” I continued, excitement pulling my voice to a slightly higher pitch. “The truth is...I’ve officially been named Duchess Sanchez—just the other day! Unfortunately, I’m not quite prime minister yet. Father and I have agreed that when the king passes his torch, he will do the same. Of course, that won’t be the end of my journey; it will rather be the beginning.”
I could only imagine what my mother’s reaction would be to my news, but somehow I just knew she would be beaming with pride, congratulating me. The thought warmed my heart, and I found myself smiling, a smile meant only for her.
“It’ll take everything I have and perhaps even more to fulfill my promise to Carolina and secure Celestia’s future,” I continued. “But I won’t falter, not for a moment. Keep watching over me, as you always have, Mother. I’ll make you proud—I’m certain of it.”
With that, I gently laid the bouquet of carnations I’d been clutching against my chest onto her grave. As I bowed my head in silent prayer, hoping these flowers might reach her in heaven, Father’s voice broke the stillness.
“Hello, Karen. Your little girl has grown into a remarkable young woman, hasn’t she? And now...well, I feel like I’ve outlived my usefulness,” he quipped with a shrug, his lips curling into a sad smile.
I could see the bittersweet pride in his eyes, knowing that both Carolina and I had grown strong yet feeling the ache of watching us step further away from needing his care. But just because we were no longer those helpless, fragile children didn’t mean his role in our lives had diminished.
“Father, that’s not true,” I countered, a playful note in my voice. “The road ahead for me and Carolina is still a long one. Now you can watch over us as we grow—just as Mother has.”
I wanted him to understand that being a parent wasn’t just about fixing our mistakes or holding us up when we stumbled.
“We may be older now, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re still your daughters,” I continued. “The world around us may shift, it may change entirely, but nothing will ever break the bond we share as a parent and his children.”
The love of a family was enduring, stronger than time itself. I let that truth shine in my eyes as I met my father’s emerald gaze. And then I offered him a small, bashful smile.
“It’s our turn now, Father,” I said softly. “To honor everything you and Mother have given us, to repay you both for the love and care you’ve shown us. You’ve spent your life nurturing us, and now it’s time for you to see the fruits of that labor.”
This was my implicit promise to care for him in his old age, and in response, Father’s eyes crinkled at the corners, the wrinkles seemingly more pronounced than usual. The lingering gloom from earlier dissipated, replaced by a warm smile that lit up his face. “That means a great deal, my daughter,” he said, his voice softening. Then, that playful twinkle reappeared. “By the fruits of that labor, surely you mean a grandchild to comfort me in the twilight of my days, yes?”
I awkwardly averted my gaze. “Let’s... Well, I’m sure Carolina would be happy to oblige you in that. Me, I’m always too busy with my work...”
Before I could settle on a graceful excuse, Father burst into hearty laughter, the sound rich and full of life. “It was just a joke,” he assured me, still chuckling. A small, indignant pout tugged at my lips, but the absurdity of the moment got the better of me, and soon I too was laughing along with him.
Who would have thought the day would come when Father and I would share such carefree amusement? The old me, the “perfect lady,” would have certainly tutted in disapproval at something so “unladylike.”
I was glad I wasn’t that person anymore. Life was far more enjoyable this way. There are many ways to define happiness or fortune, but this—these shared moments, this lightness—felt like the truest definition of them all.
I glanced at the tombstone, still giggling a little, and I imagined Mother right there with us, her laughter echoing from the heavens, her belly aching with joy.
That day, I learned what it truly meant to laugh until you cried.