Negotiations (Renet’s POV)

I didn't think it would go so easily. I'd always been convinced that my father was firmly on Sevia's side, and so was she, after she'd tried so hard to get his attention as we made our way to the table. Michael was already waiting there and motioned my father to the most comfortable chair and the head of the table. I think he understood that he had the most say. Not me or Sevia; if his orders were given, they would be binding.

"Your parents raised you well, young king," he announced, sitting down with relief. "Sit down."

I sat on one side with Michael to make it clear to my father which side I was on. Sevia sat across from us, just waiting for my father to give her the floor.

"Renet is a traitor!" my sister began immediately. "You see for yourself, Father, how he behaves. I don't understand why he organized this whole spectacle. We'll end this once and for all! Here and now, let's kill all the humans!" Michael tried to defend me, but I stopped him and shook my head. Sevia couldn't just be shouted down, not when she was fired up. Unfortunately, that included him too, so he jumped to his feet.

"We're the traitors! You don't understand that both sides suffered needlessly because we wanted to play war."

"Speak for yourself," she snorted. "I'm just ambitious, and you're stupid for even thinking you had a chance against us."

"You're the stupid one and stubborn as a mule."

"Don't call me a mule!"

"Then let something finally sink in!"

My head started to hurt; it was like listening to small children argue. I could see that my father was also a little disgusted by this behavior, but he was waiting for a more opportune moment, or waiting for specific words to be said that he wanted to address. I wondered what information he'd obtained earlier.

"I won't let Kyo's sacrifice be in vain!" Michael finally said, and I saw that this was what my father was waiting for. He raised his hand to stop Sevia even before she started speaking.

"Who is this Kyo?" I had the impression he was addressing that question only to me.

"Exactly, Father. Renet claims he's in love with that man, which is the worst thing he could have done," my sister decided to answer for me. I slammed my fist on the table, and my father smiled enigmatically and nodded slightly.

"You won't talk about my feelings," I growled at her and turned to my father, looking into his eyes. "Yes, that's the man I love. Sevia and Michael fought fiercely, and he stepped between them unarmed, hoping to somehow get through to them the senselessness of this war. From the beginning, he wanted to prevent it, and…"

"Before he fell, he only said that we must tear down the Wall," Michael interjected, clenching his fists on the table. "And I think he was right."

"Yes, we'll tear it down when it's no longer needed, when you're no longer here. Right, Father?" Sevia smiled at him, like a little daughter knowing her father would fulfill her every wish.

Father suddenly stood up, folded his arms behind him, turned his back to us, and stared into the distance, moving his tail across the ground in a measured, calm rhythm, now from one side to the other.

"A few years ago, I would have agreed with you, child, but now I don't. You know, I met Michael's mother once." The three of us looked at each other in astonishment, and even Sevia didn't dare interrupt her father. "The end of the Wall used to be in the water, but over the years, so much has changed, and now it only reaches halfway to the beach I arrived at. She was sitting there in a chair, staring out at the sea. I thought to myself, "What an easy target." She turned to me, smiled politely, and said, "The sea is so calm today; I'll never tire of this view. Do you like it too?" I approached her, but she showed no fear. Then I saw she was expecting a baby, and I remembered I also had one on the way. I simply sat down next to her. "I'm sorry I can't sit on the sand with you, but in my current state, it would be a bit difficult for me to get up." She laughed heartily, as if we'd known each other for years. Then she winced because her child was exceptionally active. "We'll name him Michael; I hope I can spend as much time with him as possible." Although happy, those words seemed filled with pain. I said I was expecting a baby too. She asked for his name, so I replied, "Sevia", and I even shared with her that I already had an older son, Renet."

I didn't remember my father ever mentioning this event, but he clearly remembered every second of it. I didn't think he could say so many words at once, and my sister probably even more. Father, spinning a story with such emotion, seemed too abstract to us, but I think I understood the transformation within him, the one he hid so well. At least, it didn't catch my eye. Perhaps that's why he retreated into the background, lacking the strength to lead a revolution or openly mention his change of heart.

"We sat there for a long time without a word, my father continued. Until finally, with a smile, she shook my hand and said, "This is probably our last meeting; it was nice to meet you. I hope our children will have such an opportunity someday." I truly never saw her again, and I think I wanted her wish to come true, but it went completely the other way." He sighed and turned to us.

I expected him to hold a grudge against us, but he was simply sad. He clearly resented himself for not having contributed to improving the situation in any way. He sat down and looked at us, still making his final decision.

"First, we're ending this whole farce. Right?"

"Yes," Michael and I agreed.

"No," Sevia muttered, seeming to have lost some of her strength, though if she could, she would have killed me with her gaze.

"Another thing. Renet, you're staying in charge for now."

"No way!" Sevia slammed her fists on the table. I looked at my father in shock; I didn't think he was sane. "Sit down, child, I have another task for you, or rather, an offer you can't refuse. Or rather, you both can't refuse." He looked at Michael, then at Sevia, who was sulking, but seemed to realize there was no point in arguing. "You'll get married," he announced quietly.

"No," it was the potential fiancés who protested this time, but my father silenced them with a simple look.

"Yes, maybe you'll temper each other's characters. And besides, Michael doesn't have a sister, do you? Besides, an arranged marriage to Renet wouldn't make sense then." He smiled at me, leaving us all in shock. "I'll leave this space to you young people, and if you need anything, I'm here to help. Also, I'm a bit tired for now. Come on, Renet, maybe they'll start working out the wedding details." He laughed so heartily that I couldn't believe I was talking to my father, but someone else entirely.

We moved a little further away. I turned around; Sevia and Michael were still sitting in shock. This couldn't be real.

"I think they're a perfect match," my father said. "Maybe she had something to do with it too."

"Yes, in my opinion too," I nodded. "Father, why did you decide that?"

"About marriage, or about you?"

"About me."

"You've shown that you can do it; you just have to use that strength without the help of strong emotions." He patted my shoulder. "I'll rest for a moment, and you go check on Kyo. I remember correctly, right?" I nodded. "I hope he pulls through because I'd like to thank him, even though it was stupid. Ah, young people and their ideas." He shook his head in disbelief and walked calmly forward.

It took a moment for that to sink in, and then all I could do was be happy.