Meet your father
From Create Your Own Story
This is an important day for another reason: this morning, your father returned from a month's stay in Prag, after receiving a summons from the Emperor. As you stand up, your stomach growls; you realize how hungry you are and decide to head down to the great hall to eat.
Your father is seated at the head of the main table upon the dais, attended by Günther, his master-at-arms and your trainer, and several other important members of the household. Your father spots you approaching and, smiling, comes to meet you. You break into a run and throw your arms around his neck in a tight embrace.
As your father asks how his little doe has been, you kiss him on the cheek and rest your head against his muscular chest.
"I missed you," you whisper softly, enjoying the feel of his safe, strong arms around you.
You are and always have been your daddy's girl. As the lord of a castle your father has many responsibilities and often has to go away, but he is a kind and fair parent and has always found time for you.
Your father kisses you gently on the forehead and smiles, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"I have been away too often lately. Come, let's get some food in you, you look famished."
You giggle with pleasure as he scoops you up as if you were a feather, and gives you a piggy-back ride to your seat at the table.
What you love most about your father is that he still treats you like his little girl. Lately you've felt like you've been growing up too fast, that you have responsibilities and worries you're not quite ready to take on, and that you're losing a part of yourself you can never get back. Only your father still allows you to behave like a child sometimes.
You pretend not to notice, but several of your father's household look notably uncomfortable at your presence as you take your seat. Maybe you've interrupted something important? At any rate, Günther greets you with a smile and tells your father how well you've been doing in training lately. You blush and gracefully accept his kind praise, noting again the stony expressions worn by a few men.
A little apprehensive, you:
