Revelations from a ghost

Elyrielle stared at the letter, unable to fully process what she was seeing. That wasn't her father's handwriting. Of course, she knew it well. She has seen it several times over the centuries. His elaborate and over the top cursive handwriting. Full of curls and lines that barely separated phrases. But he was the king. No one ever told him that his handwriting was almost unreadable. This handwriting was readable. It was simpler and more separated.

Could handwriting change over the years? Yes, it could. But something wasn't quite right. So she opened the letter and started reading it.

"Dear citizens. I, your king, am reporting from Ry'kloth to tell you about my adventures. I have encountered many interesting new species that I will let my most trusted men to deliver my report to you.

I have also signed a pact with this land's king that will allow us to explore and export as many materials as we find interesting. In exchange, we will protect this land with our lives.

About the rumors of my daughter, Elyrielle's disappearance. She is currently going on a trip for some important materials that only she can find. My dearest daughter can and will make her work as expected. So, please, anyone who spreads rumors will be reprimanded immediately.

I wish you luck on your travel, my adored daughter.

Without anything more to report. Your King signs out. The Elf's will still be the best empire of this world."

There was no way that was his father. Not only that handwriting wasn't his, but also that wasn't the way wrote things. This was a simpler and kinder report than any of his earlier reports. "Adored daughter"? He never liked her to begin with.

Elfs can only have children with pretty specific circumstances. They have a mating timetable when they turn 500 years old that lasts until they turn 800 and they are not very fertitile either. It might sound like a lot of time, but for elfs that is a short period. To add salt to the wound, elfs are extremely picky when it comes to finding a mate. If they don't belong to the royal family, marriage is usually too expensive as well. Many elfs (specially male ones) prefer to study all kinds of magic during his life even after retirement. This leads to many of them dying alone. For female elfs there is no more chances either. Once they reach 500 years old, quests are usually prohibited by their parents. They are asked to look for a mate and only focus on that. The not so extended elf race desperately needs more of them. This leads to female elfs trying to find a mate of any kind before their reproductive system shuts down forever.

If they get married, the female is expected to leave her life behind, her believes, dreams and just become a housewife until her final days. While the males usually keep studying no matter what. Resulting in unhappy marriages and resentment over centuries. But tradition is tradition. Nobody does anything about it because "It's always been this way".

Taking all of this facts into account, The King Oberon, the all powerful king wanted a son. Someone that will continue his legacy once the elder's fog got to him. He found a wife that he chose because it matched all the boxes for him. Extremely beatiful and educated. Known for her patience and good manners. Excellent grades on the academy. Good reviews as an adventurer. Great magic control and willing to become just "the king's wife" and not queen. Elfs are really proud race, both men and women. Not any female elf would want to resign the opportunity for being the queen. A title is something that they just could not let go because of pride. But Elyrielle's mother, Elyria, didn't care about that.

She made a deal with Oberon. She still wanted to do research if they got married but in secret. Oberon didn't like it at first but ultimately agreed. He would even use royal guards to cover up her wife’s shenanigans. She was 400 years old when her and Oberon made that agreement and got married when she turned 450. The day that she turned 500 years they started trying for a baby, the so awaited man that would take her father's throne. That wasn't the case, Elyrielle was born. A girl. A woman. A disgrace, he thought. He sent her wife away to keep her research because "you had only one job, and you couldn't even do that". Elyrielle only saw her three times when she was little, she barely remembers her.

Elyrielle was raised by maids all her life. Her father only paid attention to her once he noticed her great magic capability. But he never loved her and she always knew. "Beloved daughter"? Never. More like "The son I wish I had"

Maybe her father wanted to prove how good of a father he was? No, she didn't think so. He never hid his disappointment from anyone. Not even his people. She remembered the judging eyes looking at her with pity when he straight up ignored her on public events. And don't even bring up the fact when he found out that somehow the elder's fog never caught up to him. Once that happened he was known as "the eternal" King. He straight up stopped communicating with her daughter whatsoever. He didn’t need to. Furthermore, her purpose wasn't needed anymore. Yes, she had a son. But it didn't matter, if he couldn't die. And now, out of the blue, he tried to show affection for her? It didn't make sense.

<< So you see me as a hypocrite? >> Said a familiar voice.

Elyrielle tuned fast and froze. The King, Oberon, her father, was right there. Looking down at her as always. In the corner of the room, staring at her with curiosity.

He was wearing his golden crown full of sapphires. His long beard and his favorite black cape Tha covered all his body. A serious expression on his already cold face. Her golden eyes, as two burning sons where piercing her with so much disgust that she had to look away for a few seconds.

- A hypocrite, huh? - Said again the king.

- Father? Are you a... - Elyrielle extended her arm, but her hand went right through the figure.

- Astral projection? A ghost? I will let you find our on you own. - Said the king with a sour smile.

- You are not a message either. I cannot trace any magic trick here. Oh! Of course. -Elyrielle started laughing. The king raised an eyebrow in response.

- You are just a hallucination. I forgot this could happen as well.

- Believe what you want. I'm just here to see what you do.

- What I do about what?

- The elder's fog. How you manage it. For now, you left your very comfortable life that I made sure that you had. What a shame. You ungrateful brat. You are just like your mother.

- That is why I intend to find you. Find the real you I mean. To find out how you avoided the fog. It shouldn't be possible.

- The real me huh? And what made you think that you would even reach me on time? What makes you think that your mind, magic or body will let you even get out of this continent? Foolish child, you have no idea what you are doing. Running around playing hero. Have some self respect and go back to your home.

- Like my mother, huh? How would I know of that is true if you GOT HER AWAY FROM ME! - Screamed Elyrielle for the first time. All her frustration and anger got out as well as some tears.

- Who cares about that? She preferred her beloved research over you. She went to study without you. She left YOU behind to keep her selfish fantasies of being a well known researcher. I stayed. I made sure that you were fed and alive. For all I care I did more that she did for you. She just birthed you and went away. She was just a vessel for my legacy and couldn't fulfill that role. That is why I got her expelled. Just as you did exactly what I wanted and married who I wanted. No, your mother at least followed her dream. She remained true to herself. You didn't.

- NO! I DIDN'T!

- Yes you did. You did everything that I told you to do exactly as I wanted to do. And you just left now because I'm not here anymore. Because the so scary figure that you hate so much is no longer here to watch over your every step. You know what? I am here. I am here to look at you in the eyes as the life of them gets away. I'm here to see you fail over and over. As the failure that you were always meant to be.

- NO!

- And you thought that you could find peace just because you are dying? HA HA. I will enjoy every second of seeing you gave up to the sickness. I am here to be the last thought before you die.

Elyrielle collapsed to the floor crying without making a sound. After all, that is how she used to cry, so her father wouldn't notice it.

Luckily for her, a knock on the door made her come to reality.

- Lady Elyrielle? It's me, Leonard. The magician. Could we talk for a minute? The party is waiting outside. We want to plan what we are going to do tomorrow.

She wiped her tears, sighed and went to open the door. Just when she grabbed the handle of the door, she turned to see his father. He was gone.

She managed to calm herself as much as she could and opened the door.

- Good afternoon Mr Leonard. Yes, of course! I will assist now.

Leonard looked at her with a worried expression.

- Is everything all right Lady Elyrielle? Would you want to talk to us tomorrow or...

- NO. No, just... Talking to another real being would make me feel better. - Said Elyrielle with a smile.

<< Real? How dare you >>

- Real? - Asked Leonard.

- Oh, it's nothing. I'm just tired Mr Leonard. Let's go.

<< And who is this? Your boyfriend? A human? Can you get any lower? >>

Elyrielle took the chance that Leonard wasn't looking and turned to look at her "father"

There he was again. With that stupid grin and his glowing judgy eyes.