06: Back to Astrae

"Pam, just give me another chance."

"We can't be."

"Why not, Patrice?"

"We're cousins, accept that."

"I don't f*cking care. Are you just going to give us up because of that?"

"That's our difference, Zai, if you don't care, I do."

"Patrice, we're not mortals."

"So, what if were not mortals? I treat her as a family."

"Patrice!"

"Patrice!"

"Just give me a chance."

~~~

"Patrice!" I shaking woke me up from my slumber.

"Zai." I said and he looked at me worried

"You were dreaming and twisting and turning," he said

"I'm sorry." I said and he sighed

"Your carriage will arrive this morning," he said

"Alright." I said and nodded

He left me room and I stared at the empty space drowned in my thoughts

What was that?

Who is that person in my dream?

I am certain the place isn't in the palace so, where was that?

Is it a simple dream or a forgotten memory of mine?

I fixed myself and went to the throne room.

"Thank you for you hospitality, Queen Phoebe and King Darwin." I said and we curtsied before riding the carriage.

While we were travelling, we watched the beautiful scenery.

"Ezra, can I talk to you about what happened in Arcadia?" I told her to break the silence

"Sure, what do you want to talk about?" she asked

"Can you not tell mother what happened in Arcadia?" I asked her

"But why, Avery, shouldn't your mother know that a king from a possible ally kingdom likes you?" she asked

"Trinity Ezra Astraea, just do it. I'll tell mother soon." I said and looked at the window

There are things that my mother shouldn't know and Ezra shouldn't have known, she may have not known my real affiliation with Zairo but the mere fact that she knew Zairo and I knew each other could put the plan we've been formulating and preparing for for years to be in vain.

We didn't risk becoming our own kingdom's enemy and became secret allies for ten long years for nothing.

We want peace.

My mother is only doing this for me. She only agreed because I want to but I know she doesn't want us have alliance with Arcadia.

Even millennia before I was born our kingdoms had been against each other.

My father wanted peace. He wants our kingdom to become friends and allied with Arcadia but my grandfather, the late King Christopher doesn't want to.

When I arrived, Knight Therese told me that mother is expecting me to be in the conference room.

"The Princess is here." Mother said acknowledging my presence when I arrived in the conference room

"Queen Katrina what is it that we've heard that you sent Princess Avery and Lady Trinity to Arcadia? What is it for?" the highest council member asked my mother

"The princess wished to visit the kingdom that she presumes could be an ally." Mother said

The councils all turned to me.

"Have you forgotten what Arcadia Kingdom is for us, Princess?" My mother's royal adviser asked

Queen. I wanted to correct him but given the situation I am in, I did not.

"No, I have not." I answered

"Then why would you consider and presume them as an ally?" they asked

"They can help us improve. They exceed in technologies that our kingdom lacks. They have great warriors and their security is impenetrable. They could be a very reliable ally." I answered firmly

"Then we will improve ours." the other council member said

"And what compete? Compete with the kingdom on an aspect that they've already exceeded pass us?" I asked in an unbelieving tone

"How could you degrade you own kingdom, Princess Avery? Did your stay in Arcadia change you this bad?" the other council said

"No, I speak of how I see the truth. Why compete when in fact we could work well with them? We could trade knowledge." I said

"You don't know how it is done. You are not a Queen." The highest Council Member said

"Then teach me. Teach me to become the queen you want me to be. Teach me and I'll prove you I'm worthy to be Queen." I said determined

"Enough of this nonsense debate, it's irrelevant." Mother said

"Excuse me, but I have to study." I said and walked out of the room poised and with class

I am an Astraeian heir and the kingdom's rightful queen. Astraeian blood runs in my veins. I went to the garden to calm myself.

"You seem heated up." Ezra said

"You didn't get scolded by the old council members." I said and frowned

"Nah let those old people say what they want to say." She said

"He told me I am not a Queen." I said

"Which one?" she asked worried

"The one with the highest position in the council," I answered and raised my knees and buried my face there

It's improper but who cares?

"Oh, Avery, he is still inferior to you." She said

"Mother said he is superior." I contradicted

"Why isn't Zairo here?" She asked diverting the topic

"He asked for a week off, and why do you keep on calling him Zairo? He's a Knight." I said

'a king too' I wanted to add but that would cause us trouble

"What if he doesn't come back? What if he quits?" Ezra asked

"No, he promised he'd return and he is a man of his words." I muttered and looked at the sky

Sometimes I just want to be a villager. No tiaras, crowns, duties, rules and everything a royal person has. I want to be free.

"I was expecting that at times like this you'd be with Zairo." Ezra said

"It's Knight Zairo, Ezra, and why would you think that?" I replied

"Knight Zairo seems to have a Princess-in-trouble radar, he's often there ever since he got hired." She replied

"What in the world is that? Does such radar even exist?" I asked her in disbelief

"I don't know." She said shrugging her shoulders

"He's my near guard but I don't need him to always save me. I'm not a damsel in distress, I'm a queen and I can stand up on my own." I said

"Spoken like a true queen." Ezra said and bowed at me teasingly

"Ezra." I grunted

"Cheer up, cousin. Knight Zairo won't like you back if you're like that." She teased making me look at her in disbelief

"Ezra!" I complained when she started teasing me again

"Chill, Avery. No one will know you're crushing on Zairo," she teased

"Trinity Ezra!" I said complaining at her.

She wouldn't stop teasing me. I ran after her inside the palace halls and rooms. Even in the throne room. I missed these times but I did not miss her teasing me about crushes I do not have or will ever have. We were both panting when we sat on the bench of the garden.

"Why don't you have a crush on, Zairo? He is handsome and a total gentleman." She asked that made me scoff and shake my head

"No, I know him better and your description don't fit much." I said

Zairo well I admit he is handsome but he is my closest friend. Well, he's my only friend, technically. At times, I doubt of Zairo being a gentleman, like when we're at home that guy is not a gentleman but sometimes he is.

I already consider our house in the Valley between the Hesperidia Hills and Mares Mountains as my home. In there I could be me. We could be ourselves far from the bitter truth that our kingdoms are been enemies and we are limited by the conflict; the never-ending feud between our kingdoms.

"You okay?" Ezra asked me

"Yeah." I answered

"What's the matter?" she asked

"I don't know. I just thought of the feud." I answered Ezra

"Wait. Don't tell me you don't like Knight Zairo because the one you like is the king of Arcadia?" she accused which made me shake my head

"Ezra, what are you talking about? I'm just thinking of the feud." I asked in disbelief

"Maybe you're thinking that you and King Zachary can't be together because of the feud." she teased

"Even if King Zachary wasn't in the picture, I'm still worried about the feud. I want to resolve it." I said

"But admit it, he added to the reasons why you want to resolve the feud." She said

"Maybe." I said and shook my head

"Let's go in. It's getting dark." I said and we entered the palace again.

I went to my room and changed into a dress then I joined them for supper.

"Avery." Mother called when I was supposed to go to my room

"What is it, Mother?" I asked

"Be ready for tomorrow, Avery." Mother said which made me curious

"For what, Mother?" I asked

"The princes of the allied kingdoms will come here to court you." Mother said