The past era 5

"But sister Skalet, how will you handle the divorce issue with Mother and Father? Remember what they did to brother when he said he cannot stay with Princess Heera any longer. Sister Skalet, if this will affect you, please leave it. I can handle my baby alone as a single parent. You must not risk your own life for me," Purmilia expressed her concerns, her eyes reflecting °her worry as she thought about the harsh treatment their brother endured.

"I understand your worries, Purmel. But trust me, I have a plan in mind. I'll approach it in a way that they'll perceive it differently. And remember, Dev wasn't entirely serious at that time. Now he's quite fond of Heera, and their relationship has taken a positive turn. If it weren't for that 'punishment,' we might not be expecting an heir within four months. I don't blame Mother and Father for their actions," Skalia said with a knowing smile, sipping her lemonade. Seeing her brother and Heera's relationship flourish brought her joy.

"Alright, but please, sister Skalet—oh, sorry, Queen Skalia," Purmel corrected herself, "I really want to know your plan. I won't feel comfortable if I don't."

Skalia chuckled and teased, "Well, at least after the plan, you and everyone else will stop calling me that silly title. Instead, I'll refer to you as 'Queen Purmilia.' And I'll be addressed as Princess Skalet, rather than Skalia. Oh, that will be the best day of my life—no Kenia, no Prime Minister Dentinia and his endless talks and meetings, no more Lia family, and no more Malia..."

"Wait there! Are you telling me that you're not going to come and visit me? You're leaving your sister all alone, trying to live your life as an artist. So wicked of you, sister. And besides, you've never told me who you're planning on marrying, sister Skalet," Purmel playfully chided, her tone both reproachful and curious.

"I don't have anyone in mind, and please, I'm tired of weddings, marriages, and all that stuff. I just want to lead a free life, like everyone else," Skalia replied, feeling her irritation rise at the mention of marriage. It seemed like the topic always managed to find its way into conversations, and she wasn't particularly fond of it. She had only been in one real relationship in her liife, and it had been a mess, though the good memories from that time still brought a smile to her face.

"Or is it Madah?" Purmel interjected, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"What on the world of Neptune are you nuts? Why on earth would you even think that?" Skalia exclaimed, taken aback by the absurdity of the suggestion.

"Because you guys are always together, and even if he is your guard, he is still good-looking, I guess," Purmel teased, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Please, stop all this, or I'm telling mother and father that you're pregnant with my husband's child," Skalia exclaimed, frustration clear in her voice. She despised how Purmel often reverted to these playful, absurd scenarios from their childhood, especially the ones where Purmel claimed outlandish things just to get a reaction from her.

"I'm sorry, okay? I was just joking. Besides, I wonder how you would ever confess your feelings to a guy," Purmel responded, her words a mix of jest and curiosity.

"Purmel!"

"Alright, alright! I'm sorry. I'll stop teasing you. Happy now?" Purmel said, trying to make amends. Skalia nodded, her expression still retaining a hint of her previous annoyance.

The sisters shared a moment of silence, the memory of their shared childhood antics mixing with the reality of their present conversation. Despite their differences and occasional teasing, their bond remained strong, a testament to the deep connection they shared as sisters and friends.

"Sister Skalia, please cheer up a little bit. And please, I don't have a dress to wear for the apple festival. Can we go out shopping, please?" Purmel pleaded once more, hoping to lift the mood and indulge in a little sisterly bonding.

"We're not going shopping. I will talk to the designer who's making my dress and ask them to create one for you too," Skalia responded, her tone firm but considerate.

"Thank you so much, Queen Skalet. I love you so much," Purmel exclaimed with joy, unable to contain her gratitude, and she hugged her sister tightly.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. And be careful with the baby," Skalia said with a gentle smile, placing a hand on Purmel's stomach to emphasize her point.

"Okay, I will. Do not worry," Purmel reassured, her eyes filled with genuine affection for her sister. The two shared a moment of sisterly connection, their bond unbreakable despite the challenges they faced.

After their hearty lunch chat, Purmel decided to head over to a horse riding tournament and urged Skalia to join her. However, Skalia politely declined, stating that horse riding wasn't her cup of tea.

"Come on, Sis! Horse riding is like the epitome of royal activities. You're a queen, and you're telling me you don't want to ride? Seriously?" Purmel questioned, a mix of incredulity and playfulness in her tone.

Skalia's annoyance was evident as she uncrossed her arms and retorted, "Excuse me young lady but I'm not exactly the 'royal activities' type unless absolutely necessary. Art and painting are my passions, and I won't stand for you belittling that. You can't just make fun of someone's passion. And just so you know, I might not be in the best mood to come cheer for you at the tournament if this teasing continues."

Amused by her sister's playful annoyance, Purmel couldn't help but burst into laughter. She then leaned in, wrapping her arms around Skalia in a warm hug. It was her way of apologizing for her teasing. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry. Can't I just have a little fun? And by the way, who were you calling 'young lady'? Aren't we the same age?" She waited with a teasing grin for Skalia's response.

"Are you going to get ready for the tournament, or are you planning to keep hugging me from behind like this? And remember, you're pregnant, so be careful. We wouldn't want anything to happen to the baby or you. My plans would be ruined," Skalia said, her tone filled wiith genuine concern.

"But if I don't participate in the tournament, people might get suspicious, don't you think?" Purmel questioned, weighing the options.

Skalia's mischievous grin returned. "Why would anyone suspect anything? Besides, can't a sister just want to keep her sister company while watching a tournament?"

Purmel's expression turned puzzled, prompting Skalia to roll her eyes. She couldn't believe her sister's cluelessness sometimes, wondering why their parents hadn't named her "Dumel."

"You're such a headache, Pur," Skalia remarked, half-jokingly.

"Alright, I know what you meant. I just wanted to see that annoyed look on your face. Now, can we please go watch the race?" Purmel chuckled.

"Whatever, you're really something," Skalia responded, giving her sister a playful shove. "Let's go, then. You better not cheer too loudly and startle the horses."

As they made their way to the tournament, the sisters shared a lighthearted moment, the teasing and laughter bridging the gap between their different persona.

Exiting the garden, Skalia and Purmel strolled across the palace grounds toward the grand field where the horse riding tournament was taking place. Their presence drew curious glances from the spectators who had gathered to witness the competition.

It was a surprising sight for many, as the reigning champion of the last tournament was not participating this time. Skalia's decision to abstain from the competition had caught the attention of the crowd. They were well aware of her passion for horse riding and her exceptional skills in the saddle. However, instead of being in the arena, she was seated gracefully beside her sister, Queen engaging in a lively conversation.

Skalia's absence from the tournament was a topic of discussion among the attendees. Whispers and speculations circulated about why she had chosen not to partake. Nevertheless, her presence radiated an air of regal elegance even without the riding attire and sturdy boots she usually donned for such events. She exuded a natural charm that was hard to overlook.

As Skalia and Purmel settled into their seats, the spectators' attention alternated between the ongoing races and the two royal sisters. The sight of the queen and her sister chatting amiably added an unexpected element of intrigue to the tournament, capturing the fascination of those who had come to witness the competitive displays of horsemanship.

...

The following morning, Skalia decided to stick to her usual routine, heading to the art museum to immerse herself in her favorite paintings. She had invited Purmel to join her, but her sister had chosen to take some rest instead. Accepting Purmel's decision, Skalia ventured to the museum on her own.

As Skalia enjoyed the serene ambiance of the art museum, taking in the strokes of colors that depicted various emotions and stories, she couldn't help but appreciate the solace it brought her. This was her haven, where the troubles of the world seemed to melt away, and the canvases held secrets and messages that only the most attentive eyes could decipher.

Meanwhile, Dentinia found himself growing increasingly frustrated with his son, Justilia. He had anticipated a more cooperative response from him, especially since he had sent a guard to deliver the message. Dentinia had expected Justilia to agree with a simple "sure, why not?" but instead, he received a cold and dismissive "I'm busy, maybe next time."

Dentinia was baffled by his son's response. He believed that Justilia was acting rather recklessly, not realizing the importance of the matter at hand. Determined to get his way, Dentinia decided that a direct confrontation was necessary. He needed to meet with Justilia in person to ensure that his son understood the gravity of the situation and complied with his wishes.

As the sun rose on the next day, bringing with it the anticipation of Kenia's return, Purmel's excitement was tinged with a touch of nervousness. She found herself standing in front of her closet, two dresses hanging before her – one in vibrant red and the other in a rich shade of purple. Unsure of which to choose, she turned to her sister, Skalia, seeking advice and reassurance.

"Please, sister Skalet," Purmel implored, her voice a mixture of anxiety and hope, "help me decide which dress I should wear. I'm feeling so torn right now, and you know how important it is for me to make a good impression today."

Skalia, seated on the edge of the bed, couldn't help but chuckle at Purmel's visible distress. "Oh, Purmel," she teased, "you're acting like a homeless puppy who's come across two houses—one with a juicy bone and the other with a piece of tempting meat in the trash."

Slightly annoyed but also amused, Purmel grabed a nearby pillow and playfully threw it at Skalia, who managed to catch it effortlessly. "Well, I've developed some impressive hand-eye coordination," Skalia quipped with a grin.

Purmel's irritation was palpable. "Can you please just make a decision? I don't need your teasing right now."

Skalia's expression softened, and she adopted a more serious tone. "Alright then, go with the red dress," she said, her voice carrying a sense of conviction.

Purmel's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure? I mean, it's his favorite color, but..."

Skalia nodded reassuringly. "Trust me, Purmel. The red dress will make you stand out and leave a lasting impression."

With a mixture of relief and anticipation, Purmel sighed. "Okay, I'll go with the red dress. I just hope it looks as good on me as it does on the hanger."

Skalia's encouraging smile told Purmel that everything would be just fine, and together they continued to prepare for the day's awaited reunion, both hoping that the chosen dress would indeed make Kenia's return all the more special.