Real Talk

The conversation stayed light for a while after that.

We spoke about small things. How mother was recovering just by my presence. How the weather had finally settled. Apparently no more of those ground eating the ground phenomenon anymore. Until next year that is. How Riye had apparently complained about the security staff taking too much holidays, specially on sunny days.

We laughed. Both my belly and my heart was full. I keep trying to imagine that we are at a restaurant at least, so that I don’t feel bed that I was being catered to by my parents personal staffer.

While the table was being cleared for dessert, father dabbed his mouth with a cloth and looked at me seriously.

‘Before we go any further, you should know this.’ He started.

I looked up at once.

‘Security has been heightened quietly. No visible alarms, no unnecessary panic. The palace wards have been reinforced, patrol routes adjusted, and the outer perimeter doubled.’ He continued.

Right. That’s why I am able to walk around safely and freely.

‘There will be no war. Not if I can help it.’ He said firmly.

Mother reached for her cup, but her hand brushed his wrist briefly in silent agreement. She looked absolutely smitten by her king.

Why, aren’t they so sweet?! It’s this sweetness that costed me and Raiona’s life yo!

‘I intend to speak with King Mana directly.’ Father said.

The sudden memory startled my heart.

That’s Marik’s father! My father’s old comrade, and my mother’s former fiancé… So I’ll see him again soon? How can they even speak without alarming Ishara?

‘We were once brothers-in-arms. If there is truth to be had, I will hear it from him myself.’ Father continued.

He met my worried gaze. ‘You are not to concern yourself with this.’

That earned him a look from me and mother.

Ouch! Why though…

He sighed faintly. ‘—which is to say, you may concern yourself, but you are not responsible for it. Keep that in mind.’

That’s better.

‘For now, you are safe. Your mother is protected. This kingdom will not move rashly. And nothing will be decided without care.’ He went on.

I nodded slowly.

Okay. I could live with that. I can concentrate on finding cure for mother, and in finding a way to move between worlds safely.

Mother smiled at me gently. ‘You don’t need to carry everything.’

She only met the new me for a few hours and she could already read my face. Mothers are just on a different plane of existence.

‘From now on, you decide what you want to do. No one will rush you. No one will decide for you.’ Father added.

I nodded and contemplated sharing my thoughts about finding cure for mother and a two-way Meu-Earth transport, but I don’t want to sound pompous. There’s no evidence I could achieve those yet. I needed better knowledge of what’s around me first.

‘I want to study. About Meu. About our city, culture, some history perhaps. I don’t want to keep walking around half-blind.’

That should be a good start.

Mother reached for my hand. ‘That sounds wise. There’s time for everything else.’

Staff returned with dessert and we all settled back into lighter conversations. The oddly colored sweets and breadcakes tasted extra sweet after the weight in my chest had eased.

My mother asked about Earth food. ‘Do they really eat bread that comes in squares?’

‘Yes. And sometimes we toast it twice.’

Father looked appalled. Somehow, the topic shifted again.

Father cleared his throat. I knew that meant he was about to speak. I watched in anticipation as his face grew even more horrified.

He’s actually very animated, behind closed doors. I guess I get to see a happier father now that mother is healthier.

‘Did you have any young men? On Earth? I heard there’s no “bonds” and such over there. Only senseless papers.’ He managed to cough out after clearing his throat three times.

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His expression tightened much more. He looked constipated. Bracing for impact huh?

Mother laughed with me too.

‘Father, no.’ I said between laughter.

He relaxed visibly.

‘Not even one?’ Mother teased.

‘Not even half of one.’ I shrugged.

No time for that to be honest. Study. Kids. Work. Research study. What else? I was too busy. There’s nothing appealing about earth men. Come to think of it, Celphi was the first one to ever take my fancy. Though, if I met any of the other men here first, I won’t be so sure who’d I’d like more.

Mother looked sympathetic and patted my head. She probably thought my silence meant sadness.

‘It’s ok to be unpopular.’ Father said happily. Probably relieved no one had won me over yet.

‘HEEYY! I did receive confessions and invitations to dinners weekly. If not every other day.’ I said in defence.

‘And you never thought to accept any of the invites?’ Mother asked.

‘Never really fit in my lifestyle.’ I shrugged.

‘Maybe they weren’t good men.’ Father told Mother directly.

Mother nodded. ‘Yeah. Maybe they aren’t good-looking at all. Good job rejecting them.’

I spat my drink. 

‘Tell me, my daughter, what catches your eyes?’ Mother started.

Mede lifted from his perch in one smooth motion and glided out of the room without a sound.

Oh shit. Heat rushed to my cheeks.

‘I totally forgot he was there the whole time.’ I whispered to the cookie-looking jelly in my plate.

Mother smiled. ‘Very polite of him.’

Father nodded. ‘Good manners.’

They exchanged a look.

‘We like him for you,’ Mother said gently.

Father hummed in agreement. I nearly choked on my drink.

‘And Riye is capable,’ Father continued.

I said nothing. I just continued hacking away at the smaller pastries. If this was what peace felt like for them, discussing my love life like it’s their prime time TV drama, then I could sit in it a little longer.

Father cleared his throat.

Ok now what…

‘I have vetted and I approve of your engagement with Riye.’

I nearly slid under the table.

‘You what?’

He held up a hand. ‘As Commander of the guard, as a man, and as someone who would stand between you and the world without hesitation. He is capable.’

My mother made a thoughtful sound.

‘Pan is better suited for Ina,’ she said calmly.

‘Excuse me?’

Mother smiled at me. ‘Especially now that we know you were a healer on Earth.’

I straightened instinctively. Something warm flared in my chest.

‘Ina always was. Even here. She healed without realizing she was healing.’ Mother turned to father to debate him.

Vindication washed over me.

Ina. They were calling me Ina. Not Raiona. Not the girl I used to be.

Father frowned slightly. ‘Pan is kind, yes. But if Ina wants a capable man—’

‘—Pan is plenty capable. Just not rigid. He listens. He adapts. He feels.’

She turned to me. ‘And I can already see it. Riye and you will clash.’

I sank lower in my chair.

‘That won’t happen with Pan.’ Mother nodded. She looked utterly impressed with herself.

Father scoffed softly. ‘They are both lions.’

‘Exactly. That’s my concern.’ Mother snapped.

Well, you’re both lions and you’re both lovey-dovey…

‘And my reassurance. Clashing does not weaken a bond. It tempers it. They will survive a petty fight.’ Father countered.

‘Ina is a leader-type. Always had been. What she needs is someone who can support her and guide her into more safer choices. That is perfectly Pan.’ Mother raged on.

‘No. Riye is better cause he can pick Ina up if she fails and he can take the leadership on days Ina doesn’t want to. You know how this one tends to follow to the beat of her own drum.’ Father explained calmly.

Ouch!

‘And Pan can’t? All the staff love him! Everyone listens to him!’

‘That is just coming from a popularly stand point. Being a leader is different.’

‘Also did you just assume Ina would fail? What kind of father are you?’

‘A father who makes sure that if I won’t be alive to take care of my daughter anymore, someone else can.’

My head was like a fan on free mode. Just flicking left and right.

Please stop discussing my hypothetical emotional damage and heartbreak over lunch.

They looked at each other for a long moment. From out of nowhere, they both nodded.

This mind sharing bond skills is scary. They are obviously talking through their minds.

Father said at the same time Mother said, ‘Mede suits her.’

‘He is loyal,’ Mother said softly.

‘And as everyone here knows, he gave his life for her.’ Father nodded.

The room quieted. They weren’t arguing anymore.

Uh… now what?

‘So, these are the three men we approve of for you.’ A satisfied father concluded.

I went quiet.

Three… Riye. Pan. Mede. Are we completely forgetting that I am life bonded to Celphi and Marik… Or, they haven’t forgotten. They just don’t approve.

I shrugged lightly. Actually, men are the least of my worries now.

‘We’ll see. Maybe I won’t like any of them.’

Both my parents froze. Hah! How’s the for a curveball!

I added calmly, ‘Maybe, I won’t like any men in this realm at all.’

It went so silent you could hear the griffiths outside flying.

Well, maybe I said too much. They only care for my safety..

Out of nowhere, mother laughed a full, delighted laugh that made her shoulders shake. Father stared at me in shock for a few seconds then he laughed too. It was deep and booming that the ground shook.

He reached over to pat my head. ‘That’s my girl. Don’t let your heart be ruled by men. Rule the men instead.’

I snorted. ‘Is that what you did, Mother?’

She raised a brow sweetly. ‘I absolutely did.’

Father laughed harder it felt like an earthquake was starting. I had to hold unto the table.

Remind me not to piss him off… No wonder Ishara had to use covert methods.

I sunk back into my chair and let the sound of my parent’s happiness settle around me. Being around them felt bright and easy.