Page 77 - RotalTutor

Alexander on a ride up into the mountains. The king watched Alexander closely and seemed satisfied both with Alexander’s manners and his ability to work with horses and deal with the situations they encountered. As her parents were saying good-bye, she felt a slight twinge of homesickness. It was different than she had felt before. It was the feeling a person feels when she knows what she calls home is making way for a new life, as she, herself, is changing from a girl to a woman. Her father told her they would be back to take her home in three months, at the end of summer. She said she would be glad to see them. He then turned to Alexander. “You take good care of my daughter.” Alexander bowed. “I will, Your Majesty.” Then the king looked from one of them to the other and smiled for a brief moment. Louise wondered if he truly knew more than she thought. As she hugged him good-bye one last time, and he kissed her, she truly knew her father loved her, despite their differences, or perhaps, more likely, because of their similarities. As she waved their carriage down the road, she vowed that, someday, when the time was right, she truly would make sure her parents got to taste raspberries with milk and honey candy. 75