Chapter 21

**Odette’s point of view: Sharing exciting news with my parents and saying our farewells to the rest of the grou**p.

At the end of the hallway, right next to my room, were a second door that lead to the sleeping quarters of where my parents were staying. I knocked twice before entering.

Mom and dad were also fully dressed, sitting on a sofa in front of the window, with the fireplace burning in a corner. They turned their heads and smiled at me while waving me over to the chair across from theirs.

When I sat down, mom instantly noticed my new overcoat!

Sofia: “Good morning my darling, you look very lovely this morning.”

I started to blush again and nervously pulled on my sleeves, before looking mom in the eyes and smiling at her with excitement slowly filling my heart. It’s time to give them the wonderful news.

Odette: “Mom, dad do you remember, when I told you about my new friend Alex, whom I danced with last night?”

In response mom just nodded her head and dad suddenly sat in a more upright position with a now serious expression on his face.

Odette: “Well after everyone went to sleep, I met with him again and he took me to a quiet place to talk. He then confessed to me his true identity and then told me I’m his immortal mate.”

Odette: “We decided to tell the both of you about his true identity, when we meet him later today; after the morning brunch.”

I then stood up and slowly twirled around, to properly show them my beautiful new coat.

Odette: “This is a gift, I received from him this morning.”

I said proudly, while smiling ear to ear.

Dad was still silently processing the information, but mom excitedly jumped up from the sofa and gave me a tight hug, before examining the material with an impressed expression on her face.

After a while someone nocked on the door and announced that the brunch is being served in the dining hall.

We waited for the rest of our group to gather in the hallway, before we all followed someone down the halls back to the dining hall.

When we entered the dining hall, most of the tables were already filled with guest. We carefully walked in between all the tables, until we found an empty, fae decorated table and sat down. While we ate, everyone talked about last night’s ball and festivities afterwards. They also described the beautifully decorated sleeping quarters they spend the rest of the night in.

As the morning progressed further, everyone in the group expressed their feelings about the whole experience, since the moment they have arrived and how everything has proceeded until now. Everyone was glad to have experienced this wonderful opportunity, but at the same time, they were also saddened by the fact that it’s all coming to an end and that we have to go back home today.

When reality struck me, my chest tightened by just the mere thought of leaving here… With my mom’s natural intuitive instinct, she silently observed my facial expressions while sitting next to me, the whole time we were busy chatting and instantly noticed the sudden signs of anxiety flashing over my face.

Without attracting any attention to me or herself, she reached out and took my hand in hers and squeezed it tightly. While making eye contacted, mom wordlessly motioned me to slowly breath in and out. After doing it a few times, I calmed down a bit and gave my mom a small grateful smile.

With one last glance in my direction, mom made sure that I was feeling better, before she turned her attention back to conversation taking place around the table.

Later when brunch came to an end, a loud voice made a farewell announcement. He thanked us for attending another successful and wonderful event. He then ended the speech smoothly, with wishes of good health and safe travels home.

Afterwards, a short silence befell the room. Then suddenly it came back to life, when the guests continued with their previous conversations and started to rise from their tables. Then they all formed groups, before leaving the dining room in an orderly fashion. We also made our way to the large double doors and then slowly followed the crowds outside.

When we entered the ballroom, Xavier suddenly appeared in front of us.

In a short formal greeting, Xavier slightly bowed his head in our direction, not used to these kinds of formalities, mom and dad acknowledged his greeting, with slightly awkward bows of their own, in Xavier’s direction. I also slightly bowed my head at Xavier, before giving my parents a reassuring smile, because I could see the confusion on their faces.

With a serious expression, Xavier turned to the rest of our company and calmly told them, that the carriages with their luggage, are already waiting outside for them whenever they are ready to leave. Everyone hugged us and wished us a safe journey home, but not without expressing their curiosity about the whole situation, when they shared long meaningful glances in each one of our directions.

When none of us decided to disclose any information with them, they said their last farewells and then followed the remaining crowds out of the ballroom.