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After the big event that had started and ended without Omargas attendance, I was happy to see my father and Erlan working away at the table before breakfast. My mind was clouded with all the fun and joy of yesterday, but it seemed both men were as sharp as ever, crossing out and making new plans on the maps. War did not want to be forgotten. Erlan turned with a dazzle in his eye, he had not heard me approach: "Ohh, good morning, princess!" Father lifted his head up with a slight smile.
Then the wizard started filling his pockets: "I will be going so."
A sudden wakening breezed the air and my father stood tall looking down at me and Erlan, both welding confused faces. "Stay," he said reassuringly. Erlan is staying? I turned to him with a begging motion and he stood completely surprised. In these last two days I had seen him act so inappropriately  and it made me think it was not because he was changing, but because I was getting to know him better.
His cheeks burnt red and he bowed to the king in thanks and sat by his left hand. "I'm sorry no one showed up from Omarga, Astra, it was probably because of the weather," he said with a sigh. Erlan kept silent, not moving a single muscle. "Well someone showed up,'' I ducked my head to hide the blush. The starry blue prince said nothing. "Well I'm glad for that," father turned to Erlan with gratitude, but the wizard seemed to be elsewhere. He sat there staring at an empty plate. "E . . Sir?" Father leaned over to check on the wizard and that's when life suddenly flushed down him. "Sorry, I do not . . . Excuse me," his face turned dark with his glazing blue eyes seeking safety. He got up and left.
Silence fell upon me and father and we stared at the empty place now left by the wizard. "He doesn't eat?" Father concluded. But I was not sure that was the problem. Sure, I had not seen him eat, but that did not mean he did not. Maybe the wizard did not like company while eating. Thought that would not also be understandable if Erlan most of all enjoyed company while working.
Father and I finished our meals in silence. It was not an uncomfortable silence because we both knew we were trying to figure out why the wizard had left on our own terms. I finished my glass of water and rushed off the table, but father's words stopped me:" I love seeing you happy as you were yesterday, my dear, your mother would be happy too!"