The past era 4

"It's about your relationship with Kenia," Skalia said, still taking sips from the lemonade in her hand.

Purmilia's heart skipped a beat as her sister broached a subject that had always been a delicate and unspoken one between them. She had never anticipated that Skalia would bring up the topic of Kenia, especially considering their shared history.

Reflecting back on their childhood, Purmilia recalled the days when both she and Skalia had harbored a crush on Kenia. It was a time filled with mixed emotions and unspoken yearnings. However, there was an unspoken agreement between the sisters to keep their feelings hidden due to the complex dynamics that surrounded Kenia and his interactions with them.

Kenia had been known to bully Skalia during those days, a fact that left Purmilia heartbroken and confused. She had witnessed the pain in Skalia's eyes as Kenia directed his harsh words towards her. Purmilia had yearned to confront Kenia, to ask him why he treated her sister so differently, but the fear of worsening the situation had always held her back.

Skalia's voice brought Purmilia back to the present moment. She looked at her sister, the memories of their past shared glances and unspoken conversations flooding her mind. She couldn't help but wonder what had prompted Skalia to finally breach the topic.

"But sister Skalia, is there something wrong? You've never asked a question concerning me and Kenia before," Purmel's voice wavered slightly, her nervousness palpable. She rubbed her stomach absentmindedly, a gesture that caught Skalia's attention. Though Purmel seemed eager to share, an undercurrent of apprehension remained—a fear of judgment, perhaps.

Skalia observed her sister's behavior closely, noting the unusual intensity of her actions. Her thoughts raced as she considered various possibilities for Purmel's behaviior.

*Could Purmel be pregnant? Is that why she's acting this way, rubbing her stomach? But she's also eating a lot of Italian bread… Maybe she's just very hungry.*

Suppressing her concerns for the moment, Skalia decided to address her own topic first. "Yes, I want to step down from my throne," she said in a solemn tone, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with Purmel.

Looking at her sister's unwavering confidence and the gentleness in her eyes, Purmel felt a mix of emotions—surprise, confusion, and a hint of hope. She hadn't expected Skalia to take such a drastic step, especially for her and Kenia.

"But sister Skalia, why?" Purmel's voice was a blend of curiosity and trepidation. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Skalia might have somehow uncovered her secret, which only amplified her unease.

Skalia adjusted her gloves, a gesture that was both calming and collected. "I want to fix everything that I have destroyed between you and Kenia," she stated with sincerity. Skalia's words resonated deeply with Purmel, evoking memories of their shared past, both the beautiful and the painful.

Purmel's heart raced as her sister's words sunk in. How could Skalia possibly fix what seemed irrevocably broken? The hurt she had felt when Skalia married Kenia still lingered, a wound that had never fully healed.

"But how are you going to fix everything?" Purmel's voice trembled as she continued. "After you were the one who married him, I felt foolish for trusting you. You acted like the perfect daughter and princess in front of everyone, and I believed you would leave Kenia for me. But you continued to act as the perfect in-law, and you not only stole the hearts of the late king and queen of Malia but also took away everything from me. You got both titles—the princess of Bron and the queen of Malia. All I ever got was nothing but a title—the so-called princess. You took everything away from me, including Kenia."

Purmel's words hung heavy in the air, revealing the depth of pain and resentment she had been carrying. Skalia was taken aback by the raw honesty in her sister's words, the pain that she had unknowingly inflicted on her.

Then, Purmel's hand moved to her abdomen, and she showed Skalia the small bump that was growing there. Skalia's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. The sudden news hit her like a wave, crashing over her with a mix of surprise and realization.

The truth that her sister was carrying Kenia's child—a child born out of a love that Skalia herself once felt—was a revelation that cut deep. Skalia had never expected this turn of events, and her heart felt heavy with the weight of it all.

As Skalia processed what her sister had revealed, she realized that there was so much more to the story than she had ever known. The tangled web of emotions, secrets, and regrets had finally come to the surface, and Skalia knew that she had to navigate it with care if she was to fulfill her newfound determination to mend the broken bonds between them.

"Wait, you're pregnant?" Skalia's eyes widened in genuine surprise as her sister's revelation sank in. The news was unexpected, and for a moment, it seemed like the world around them had come to a standstill.

Purmel's eyes held a mix of vulnerability and determination as she confirmed, "Yes, I am." She sought Skalia's attention with an earnestness that was hard to ignore. As their hands intertwined, Purmel's eyes spoke volumes, conveying regret and a plea for understanding.

"I'm really sorry for everything I said earlier. I was just confused, trust me, sister Skalet—I mean Queen Skalia. Please forgive me, your highness. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Can you accept my apology?" Purmel's words were a heartfelt plea, and her respectful bow emiphasized her sincerity. Despite their equality as sisters, the dynamics of their roles demanded a certain formality, and Skalia was touched by her sister's humility.

Purmel's genuine remorse was palpable, and Skalia could sense the weight of regret in her words. As her sister begged for forgiveness, Skalia's heart softened. She had always cherished their sisterly bond, even in the midst of misunderstandings and conflicts.

Skalia looked into Purmel's eyes, finding a reflection of her own emotions—the love, the pain, and the longing for a resolution. "Purmel, I…," Skalia began, her voice catching slightly. She took a deep breath and continued, "I forgive you. And I'm sorry too, for not realizing the pain I caused you."

Purmel's eyes glistened with gratitude, and the tension that had been between them started to ease.

"And please," Purmel added, "do not see this as a reason to step down from the throne, sister Skalet. Your position as queen is important, and stepping down won't change what has happened."

"I am not stepping down from the throne because you are pregnant. In fact, I didn't even know that you were having a baby," Skalia clarified, a mixture of surprise and reassurance in her tone. The news of Purmel's pregnancy was a shock to her, and it was clear that Skalia had not anticipated this turn of events.

Purmel exhaled a sigh of relief at Skalia's words, feeling a weight lifted from her shoulders. She had been ready to defend her sister's right to the throne, but now it seemed that the conversation was taking a different path.

"I was going to step down from the throne because it is not rightfully mine," Skalia continued, her voice carrying a sense of honesty and resolution. "The throne belongs to you, because Kenia was meant for you. The only reason why I got married to him was because our family said so."

Purmel's eyes widened in surprise, taking in Skalia's confession. The revelation was unexpected, and she realized that her sister's decisions hadn't been as easy as they might have appeared on the surface.

"As for now, I'm going to be an aunt," Skalia conntinued, a touch of excitement in her voice. "Even though I really love children, and the kingdom of Malia needs an heir to the throne. If I don't provide one in the next two years, I am no longer the queen and no longer married to King Kenia."

Purmel absorbed the gravity of the situation. The future of the kingdom rested on the delicate balance of succession, and Skalia's predicament suddenly became much clearer.

Skalia's mischievous look caught Purmel's attention, signaling that her sister had something up her sleeve. It was a look Purmel had seen many times before, usually when Skalia was about to put a plan into action.

"How long have you been pregnant?" Skalia's question was straightforward, accompanied by that familiar glint in her eyes.

"Three weeks," Purmel replied, her lips curling into a small smile. She knew that Skalia's mischievous nature often led to interesting and unexpected outcomes. And as they sat there in the garden, talking openly and honestly, the rift between them seemed to heal, replaced by a newfound understanding and the promise of a brighter future.

"Three weeks," Purmel confirmed, her mind racing with the possibilities of what Skalia might be scheming.

Skalia's excitement was palpable as she continued to share her plan. "Perfect, that's just the timing I wanted. This way, I can file for a divorce, and you and Kenia can have a shotgun wedding if you both agree to it. But I really hope he agrees; otherwise, the whole plan will be ruined."

Purmel listened, her mind whirling with Skalia's words. It was evident that her sister was taking an active role in shaping their futures. However, a question arose in Purmel's mind, one that was important for their safety and the success of Skalia's plan.

"Sister Skalia, if I may ask, do Mother and Father know about this yet?" Purmel's voice carried a hint of worry. She knew well the power and influence their parents held, and the thought of them finding out was deeply unsettling.

"No, and I hope you're not planning on telling them either," Purmel answered her own question, her eyes reflecting her concern. The fear of their parents' wrath was very real, fueled by past experiences that showcased the extent of their parents' power.

"I can't even begin to imagine what they might do if they find out," Purmel continued, her voice tinged with apprehension. The memory of their parents' actions in the past was a vivid reminder of the lengths they would go to protect the family's reputation and interests. "We have to be careful, Skalet. Their reach is vast."

The memories of their family's iron grip on their livess were never far from their minds, haunting them like shadows from the past.

"Forcing you to marry Kenia felt like a 'behave yourself, young lady, or else' type of punishment," Purmel mused, her eyes narrowing as she remembered how Skalia's desires were stifled in their homeland of Bron. Skalia had aspired to be an artist, to embrace a life of creativity and self-expression. But those dreams were swept aside, much like her art supplies, before she even had a chance to pursue them.

"Yes, it was," Skalia agreed with a wistful smile, her gaze distant as she recalled her suppressed passion for art. "But I've learned to navigate their expectations and use words like a skilled painter uses colors—strategically and with purpose."

The garden seemed to hold their shared memories, a backdrop to the quiet conversation they were having. Their sisterly bond was evident in the way they finished each other's sentences and understood the unsaid emotions beneath their words.

"No, I won't risk telling them," Skalia affirmed. "They can be relentless and ruthless when their image is at stake."

Purmel's concern was evident as she worried about the consequences. "But sister Skalet, how will you handle the divorce issue with Mother and Father? You remember what they did to our brother when he said he couldn't stay with Princess Heera any longer. If this puts you in danger, please don't go through with it. I can handle my baby alone as a single parent. You mustn't risk your own life for me."

Skalia's expression softened with a miixture of determination and affection. "Purmel, I've seen enough of our family's control and manipulation. This is a chance for us to change our own fates, and I won't let them dictate our lives any longer. Besides, we're in this together. We'll find a way to navigate this storm."

As they exchanged these heartfelt words, a gust of wind rustled the leaves around them, carrying with it a sense of unity and shared purpose. The sisters' resolve had never been stronger, and they were ready to face the challenges ahead, hand in hand.