Judgement

Even when she was just sitting on the throne, Queen Malevke had made an imposing figure. But now that she stood up, I could see just how tall she was. She even dwarfed Nela.

Right. I had said what I wanted to say, and told the person who mattered most to me my feelings: Nela. Her mother, on the other hand, was the one that would judge me.

I wasn't ready. Of course I wasn't ready! Out of the corner of my eye, I spied Ulfret, already lost in some old book. He didn't care about this, or rather, he knew he had no say in this. The same went for Sören, who leaned over his plate close to us. He had the same smile as always on his face, but even I could see that under that smile, he was a little nervous. A somber silence filled the hall, as well as dread and anticipation.

What does she think about my speech? Again, it didn't erase my mistakes. But suddenly, I couldn't help but wonder if I had found the right words. Had I stumbled somewhere? Mixed up the sentence structure? Do I need to bow again, or would that be too much? Too little?

Suddenly, I felt Nela's hand in mine, and she gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Right. I have Nela at my side. I exchanged a quick glance with her, and she even gave me a thumbs-up. I mirrored the gesture. Maybe not everything was fine, but I would be able to get through this.

When I turned my attention back to the queen, I couldn't help but feel as if her gaze had softened.

"I have seen enough today to give my judgment," she finally said.

Her voice echoed through the room, full and warm, yet with a strong authority.

"Child," she said, shaking her head, "Just why do you need to worry your mother so much?"

"But..."

"I only want what's best for you. You know that, don't you?"

I could feel Nela's apprehension. She wanted to say something, but her mother wouldn't let her get a word in. I squeezed her hand.

We can get through this.

"I see that I judged your decision too harshly," the queen continued. "I saw it only as the rash decision of a child."

And, well, maybe that was the case. It was hard to argue against that.

"But the boy took the time I gave him to learn about us, and not only to spend the time with you. I have to say, I'm impressed. Learning a language in this short time frame is not easy."

I nodded in acknowledgment. It had been difficult—but, on the other hand, I didn't really have a choice. Being surrounded by people who only spoke their language, not mine, had been surprisingly helpful for learning.

"And you tried. With the dinner, with the dance... you're just not good at it."

I flinched. Yes, it was true. But...

"Not yet, at least."

Did I imagine it, or did the queen smile slightly?

"I guess I can't say you didn't fulfill my requirements," she said with a sigh. "And seeing you two here, full of love... I doubt it would do you any good, Nela, if I separated you two."

Nela nodded, vehemently.

And for the first time, I heard the queen's husband make a noise. It was a low, warm chuckle.

"They're quite sweet," he said, and his face radiated a warm aura. "They remind me of us, Malevke. Remember when..."

"That does not matter," the queen quickly interrupted him. "Though it is true that we managed to find our own rhythm."

"I also have no objections," Sören said, lifting his hand lazily. "I couldn't tear those two lovebirds apart."

He smiled at us. "And I have to say, this has been thoroughly entertaining."

Queen Malevke let out another sigh.

"I know you helped them," she said. "And as our guest, I was confused by your actions. The same goes for you, Ulfret."

For a moment, Ulfret looked up. But since his mother didn't say anything else, he quickly submerged himself in his book again.

"You, Otherworldler, have a gift. You managed to get the help of the people around you. That is an important quality to have."

I blushed at her words. I really wasn't used to getting compliments, especially not from someone with power.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," the queen continued on, "But despite failing every single task here at the engagement party, I cannot find enough fault in you to not support your engagement. If you proceed with the traditions, you may marry Nela."

I was shocked. I didn't know what to say, what to think. It was as if I was frozen, and yet, at the same time, my legs felt wobbly, as if someone had removed the bones from them.

"Finally! Thank you, Mother!"

Nela turned around to me, her eyes brimming with tears. Happy tears. Her smile was bright and dazzling, and finally, she hugged me.

"We're going to marry!" she whispered in my ear.

"We are," I whispered back.

I hugged her tight. I didn't have to lose her—instead, I was able to spend my whole life with her. There had been no moment of greater happiness in my life. Nela's warmth surrounded me, and we melted into each other's form. It was as if I was made to hug her, as if she was made to hug me. Slowly, but surely, we had grown so accustomed to each other in the last few months that it all felt so natural. I lifted my head and met her gaze. My smile was probably as wide and wobbly as hers.

"I'm going to marry you," I said.

It was still hard to believe, but with each time that I said those words, they became more and more believable. We were going to marry. We were going to marry!

"I love you," she whispered.

And then, we finally kissed. As our lips touched, the stress of the day seemed to melt away, and for this one, precious moment, there was only Nela, and nothing else in the world. She was wonderful. So soft. And...

"You will have one year for the wedding preparations," the queen cut through our moment.

Quickly, we let go of each other. I blushed. We really forgot ourselves there.

"One year. Do you think you will be able to handle that, Otherworldler?"

I nodded. "And all the years afterwards."

Now I was sure that there was a smile on the queen's face.

"I am pleased to hear that. I will welcome you into our family then, Leo."

With that, she sat down. Sören was the first to clap, but soon enough, the other people there fell into it. I squeezed Nela's hand.

There was so much left to do. And yet, I couldn't help but feel happy—for we would have so much more time to spend together.

Just how different would things be in a year? I couldn't wait to find out.