Act 12: An Impossible Decision Rue tried to put on a happy face when they finally rejoined the family celebration, but it was difficult when all she could think about was tomorrow morning, when she would have to say good-bye to the man she loved. When they had been unable to think of a plan that would allow them to stay together, while also giving Rue the chance to reconnect with her family, Mytho had insisted she stay in Kinkan. Despite her protests, he adamantly refused to let her leave the Hoffmanns. He thought it was the best situation for everyone if he simply went back to his kingdom alone. Rue wasn’t sure how she felt. Her heart, which had been filled with joy just a few short hours ago, now felt as if it was breaking in half. No matter what choice she made -- stay in Kinkan or return to the story with Mytho -- she would never be truly happy. How could she possibly choose between the man she had loved ever since she was a little girl and the loving family she had always wanted? It was impossible. “Gisela?” Rue jumped, startled from her thoughts when somebody placed a hand on her shoulder. “Oh, Mama, it‘s you.” Her mother smiled. “You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear you call me ‘Mama’,” she said, caressing Rue’s cheek. “I never did get to hear your first words. Those awful crows took you away before we ever got the chance…” Tears formed in her eyes, which she dabbed at with her handkerchief. “My goodness, you’d think my eyes would be all dried up by now! I’m sorry.” “It’s okay, I understand,” Rue assured her. “It’s been an emotional day for everybody, after all.” “Indeed, it’s been one of the happiest days of my life. Yet it seems to me like something is bothering you.” “What do you mean?” “You’ve been acting rather distant ever since you and your husband returned from the gardens,” her mother said, surprising Rue, who had thought she had been doing a fairly good job of hiding her conflicted feelings. “Did something happen? You two didn‘t have a fight, did you?” Rue shook her head. “No, nothing like that. We did have a serious discussion about our future, though.” Her eyes searched around the room until she found Mytho, who had a laughing Anneliese on his lap. A lump formed at the back of her throat at the sight, thinking of how Mytho would never have the chance to hold their own hypothetical child if she was to stay in Kinkan, but she forced herself to swallow it back, not wanting to break down in front of her new family. “Mytho plans to return back to his kingdom tomorrow.” “So soon? I mean, I know you say he’s a prince of some fairytale realm, and he must have his duties, but surely he could stay for a longer visit. Karl and I would very much like to get to know our son-in-law a little better, as well as our daughter.” “I’m afraid he won’t be your son-in-law for much longer,” Rue said softly, her mother’s eyes widening in shock. “What? You’re getting a divorce?” “In a manner of speaking, I suppose you could say that.” Seeing the confusion on her mother’s face, Rue elaborated. “Traveling between worlds is not as simple as opening a door and walking through it. Technically, Mytho shouldn’t even be here. The last time he came to Kinkan, though only a handful of people remember it, the entire town became a strange mixture of fantasy and reality, and he’s afraid if he stays here for too long, it will start happening again.” “What about you, though?” “Oh, since I was born in this world, I shouldn’t have much of an effect on things here. It‘s like I've just returned from an extended vacation.” Her mother shook her head. “You misunderstood me, Gisela,” she said, gently placing her hands on Rue’s arms. “I was asking how you felt about Seigfried leaving. From what you’ve told me, it almost sounds as if you don’t expect to ever see him again.” “I don’t, Mama.” “But why, darling? I don’t quite understand. I understand that Seigfried can’t stay in our world for too long without serious consequences, but that doesn’t mean you can’t split your time between both worlds, does it?” “Like I said, traveling between the worlds is not easy,” Rue reminded her. “The only one with that power -- a friend of ours -- lives here in Kinkan. Asking him to take me back to Mytho’s kingdom is easy enough, but I would have no way to contact him if I wanted return back to Kinkan to visit you. It’s only pure coincidence that Fakir brought us back here when I became curious about who my real parents were.” “Oh, I see.” Letting go of Rue’s arms, her mother sighed. “You know, if you really do love Seigfried, I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay here with us.” “What?” Rue didn’t understand. Didn’t her mother want her to stay? Almost as if she guessed what Rue was thinking, her mother gave a small smile. “Don’t get me wrong,” she said. “After all the years we’ve missed, your father and I would love nothing more than for you to stay here for us, but we don’t want you to stay at the expense of your own happiness. Just knowing that you are alive and happy is enough for us.” “But I want to be with you,” Rue insisted. “Ever since I learned the truth about my kidnapping, finding my true parents has been my most fervent wish. Now that I’ve found you, I can‘t just leave.” “Yet you are really willing to give up the man you were planning to spend the rest of your life with?” “I… I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head. “I just don’t know.” DISCLAIMER: "Princess Tutu" doesn't belong to me. AUTHOR'S NOTE: Any comments or criticisms can be sent to me at ElysionDream@aol.com.