Astra got back to her palace, and went straight to those that used to be her friends first, she needed people to be with her, before she will face her parents, but even before she got to the first witch house, they all knew she was coming and they have heard about her, and the down fall of Mogana, they remember how she used to brag back then, pushing all of them aside, saying soon, she will be working with Mogana, she will Marry Mogana's son, and she will rule the world. They were ready to mock her, they just needed to see her first.
"Hey Lilac". She greeted her friend, hoping that if one of them, would at least answer her, then she could get in their click again.
"Hey super, most powerful princess, how is your prince, how come he isn't beside you? Lilac asked with a sinister smile, and the sarcasm on her tone, was clear enough, but Astra still found a way to laugh with them.
"Well, don't pretend like you have not heard, Mogana is dead? She says, adding to the joke.
"And how come you are still alive? Mosaic, one of the witches asked, and the other two laughed. Astra couldn't help but beg to be accepted.
"Look girls, I know how you all feel, I was too busy with royal duties, I wasn't free, to be around you all. I am sorry". She pleads.
"Sorry? Cane the rhetorically question from the third witch Sofia.
Are you saying sorry, because the supposed most powerful witch is dead, and you have no one to flubt with again?
Are you saying sorry, for killing the one whom Jayden loves and now she wants to kill you too, so you need a shield? Are you sorry, because you have been lying to us all along that you are waiting for your mate, without knowing you have been secretly seeing Adman, your parents servants?
"Sofia, I am still the princess here, mind how you talk to me". She got her voice back, even though she needs them as her friends, they should still show her some respect.
"Anyway girls, if you want to stay and listen to her, be my guest, I am not interested in her apologies". Sofia says and walked away, while Lilac followed her immediately, but Mosaic stayed back, to mock her some more.
"Now you are back, you have no mate, you have no crown, and you have a very sick father, who will be over thrown as soon as he breath his last. I really feel bad for you Astra". She left, even before she could react. She just heard that her fatter is terribly sick, maybe she could do one thing right, she should get home first, her parents are expecting her already, she didn't walk, she transported herself to the palace, and what she met there, was discouraging. It was more like a deserted area. Apparently, Mogana have been helping, to keep her parents in power, they should have been dethroned a long time ago, but because of relationship, and their agreement of having Astra be her son's Mate, Mogana have been helping them, but now that she is gone, most of her magic powers have gone with her, which means they needed to make things right, if they must remain in the business of ruling.
She rushed into her father's room, only to find him as sick as Mosaic have made it sound.
"Papa". She cries, rushing towards him towards him to hug him. The sick king, is really happy to have his daughter around, it's been only some months, but it him, it felt like ages, but she didn't see her mother around.
"Where is ma? She asked.
"She left me, as soon as she heard that Mogana is dead, she left me, saying if I won't be king anymore, then there was no need for her to stay back, she might come for you, you know your mother, she is desperate for power, she always wants more power, she must be looking for another kingdom, with an old king or a widower, so that she could be with him, and continue ruling". Astra being a mean witch, have never thought that her mother could be so mean to her father.
"But why will she do that? She asked, before hearing her mother's voice behind her.
"Finally, you decided to come home, I thought I might come down to Demini to retrieve you, along side the powerless body of that evil witch Mogana". Astra shook her head at her outburst. Now Mogana is wicked, and evil, but before, she was everything her mother ever wish she could be.
"Why did you leave pa, like this, knowing he is very sick? She asked, but her mother raised her hands to stop him from going further.
"That is nit why I came back, I heard you are back, and that is why I came. You are coming with me. If it didn't work out between you and Jayden, it could work with you and another prince".
"Mother! She looked shocked at her mother.
What are you? She further asked, expressing shock, as to how low, herother would sink.
"Astra, I am not in any way ready to gossip, I am going to take you away from here, and we will both have a better life. Your father is sick, soon, the kingdom will ask for a new king, for he has been incapable for more than six months now, since you have been away, so you better take my offer, so you don't end up suffering unnecessarily". Astra is mean, but she just couldn't believe her mother.
"I cannot go with you mother, I cannot leave father, he is my father, and I cannot leave him alone". She says, going back to sit close to her father, but then, her mother dropped a bomb she'll.
"He is not your father". She was shocked, that even the sick man looked up at her, and asked with a sick voice.
"What did you just say?
"Look Joba, I didn't mean for you to find out this way, but you should have known, you are a wizard after all. She isn't yours, I was already pregnant with her, before you came, so now is the time of truth. Joba, son of Jarius, Astra is not your daughter". The sick king almost had a heart attack just listening to his heartless wife, he held on to his heart, and almost passed away, but Astra rushed to him, held him close, and sent all her powers to him, giving him instant healing, but she became sick instead.
Herither and father were shocked.
"He is my father, I grew up knowing him as my father, and though I have done so many bad things, I will like to do one thing right. Lucky for me, I didn't miss out on everything, I have a healing power from Mogana, so I can heal my father, fall sick for a while, then heal again". Her mother was shocked, and knowing she couldn't stay anymore, she left them shamefully.
Astra felt good, doing one good thing, and though they may loose their kingdom to her father's rival opponent, she still fells happy, that she has at least one powerful person, with her. Her father.
She lay on the bed with him, with their face looking up at the ceiling, unsure of what the next hour, holds for them, but she is sure, things will get better, with time, she will get better.