Finding some pleasing flowers was not hard. Some of the noblewomen here had bought seeds and bulbs from the traders when they came by. It was to make the town beautiful. Once they grew, the spring allowed them to spread around. Going to places that were not owned by anyone, we managed to find some good ones. I was sure that the dryad would love it. Together, we made a big bouquet. We then made our way to Celosia's tree. There was a genuine smile on her face. "I did not know that you meant immediately when you said soon." she said. I shrugged my shoulders. "The preparations are being made for us to leave. I would never deprive them the time to get closer to their mother. That would not sit right with me as a man." The dryad simply looked at me. "You are a strange one, Collin." she said. It was not a rebuke coming from her. It was a statement of fact. I sighed. "I would like to say that I am unique and refreshing." I said instead. "I can agree that you are unique among humans here. But all humans are unique. No human is ever identical in all ways." she replied.
It was true. We presented then flowers to her. She received them with warmth. It took her a bit to pick out her favorite flowers from the bunch. Celosia made them into a flower crown. "Let's share them. You can make your own crowns." she said. None of us knew how. That made Celosia frown. "How can you call yourself a father and not teach the most simple of things?" she pouted. This was a new side from her. I hung my head. "I was never told how by my parents. I would think keeping flowers in the ground would be better than abusing them for failed attempts." Celosia just rolled her eyes. "Yes. You would have wasted them. I will not. Sit on the ground at the base of my tree. I will teach you all." She taught us by making one slowly. She then placed it on Leonardo's head. We then made our own. Mine was pretty good if I said so myself. I did have to admit the the boys were even better at it. I knew that it was a great outing. I would honestly miss this place. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I was unable to hear Leonardo. I looked at him when I noticed. He was pretty nervous.
Getting through his appeal, he wanted to stay here and live with Celosia. I was not going to allow that. I wanted all 6 of my children with me. "I don't know if that would be good for you. I know you are excited to find your mother, but the rest of us would be gone. Don't you think you'd be lonely without your father and brothers?" Leonardo just responded with "You don't have to leave either." I ruffled his hair. "I am sworn to protect Sir Anthony. He is going to support his parents at the new castle. That is not something I can change on my own." I said calmly. Celosia just crouched near us. "It would not be terrible. Leonardo is my child. I would provide his needs." she said. I just raised an eyebrow. "I know that you could easily provide for his needs. I have raised him well. The bare necessities to live is unacceptable. My sons eat meat. They read novels. I sneak them paints and such to allow them to release their imagination and artistic expression. We also train for his knighthood with martial weapons. Just sitting him under a tree and amazing him with glamour is not enough for me." I said.
Having a fate worse than death would be horrible. "I will assure you that I would not stoop to such methods. He loves me just as I love him. There is no need." she said in a slow and annoyed tone. "I am not saying that you would do that, at first. I am just pointing out that there are things that he is used to that will make him feel at a loss. It is human nature. How you respond to that will be on you. After a few days or weeks of that, it would be a temptation. Who would not do anything to put a smile of the face of the son they love? A son that is clearly unhappy but will bear it for you and you alone. I am not saying you would do it maliciously, Celosia. You would do it out of love for him. Even then, it will just an illusion. And, once you do it once, it will be easier and easier to convince yourself it is for the best. Maybe it will appear even good to you if you slowly modify certain things about him while he is under your power. That's why am I saying this now." I explained. Celosia glared at the ground in frustration. This was exactly what Celosia was planning to deal with all of their "problems" if they arose.
