Chapter 17 - Acceptance

Emelinia sat on her bed, freeing her sore and dusty feet from her shoes. She smiled faintly in amazement at the kindness of Sharumez and his family. No one had ever treated her so kindly after knowing the truth about her. She would forever be grateful to them.

She looked at her room and it was twice the size of her old room in Vanimaq. It was less fancy as compared to the one she shared with four maids in the royal castle but it was cozy. It had a double bed and a sofa. A lovely white dressing table was close to the window and it had a wide mirror. To the left was a white wardrobe.

The last time she slept there, she didn't pay attention to the details of the room because all she thought of was going home to her mother. That night, however, was different. She looked at the room as the place she was going to spend a great deal of her time in.

She decided to stay with the family while she looked for another job. She hoped to find one in a remote village so that it would be difficult for Queen Lavila to find her. As soon as she found one, she was going to move out.

A knock on the door prematurely cut Emelinia's thoughts. Akirexer peeped in smiling at Emelinia, who nodded her head at her in permission to get in. Akirexer set clothes and two bath towels on the bed. Alainara put two pairs of shoes on the floor and placed three pairs of socks on the bed. She smiled sweetly at Emelinia and ran out of the room. Akirexer sat on the sofa with her legs crossed.

"Those are some Sharaina's clothes and mine. I hope you are okay with them. Later this week we can go and look for clothes more of your size and to your liking," she said, her voice soft and warm as usual.

Emelinia picked up a dress and held it up to take a good look at it, "I like this one very much. It is pretty." she smiled at Akirexer.

"I'm so glad you like it. I feared that you wouldn't because Sharaina hated it and refused to wear it." Akirexer beamed as if showing off her dimples with her infectious smile.

"It is a beautiful dress. Thank you for giving it to me." Emelinia folded it and put it back with the other clothes.

"I have warmed up some water for you to have your bath. Sharaina will bring it up to you."

"Thank you, ma,"

Akirexer got up to leave, "Don't mention it. You are part of the family now. Good night, dear." she assured and left, leaving Emelinia alone to her thoughts, once again,

****

Light picked up a book and pen. He sat on his bed and started scribbling spells he was taught at the academy. He chanted as he wrote. His handwriting to glowed. Things in his room were forced up in the air. They spun slowly around him.

Light scribbled more, chanted faster and the things to spun around violently.

Light was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn't hear Velan knocking on his door and calling out to him. Velan proceeded to turn the door knob and opened the door. When he saw the things spinning, he knew that his son was upset.

When he returned home, he was greeted by Nami's complaints about Light. She told him about how rude he was to her and she completely blamed Sharaina for it. Velan knew how dramatic Nami could be and judging by what was before him, he knew that she went too far.

"Light!" Velan called out once more.

This time, Light heard him and he turned to look. Light put his pen down and everything dropped to the ground. He faced away as Velan tippy toed into the room with his legs apart and his hands hanging. He sat next to Light and took the book away from him.

"Light, my boy, your mother is angry with you," he remarked as he threw the book to the couch.

"I didn't mean to speak to her like that. I guess I just got sick of her nagging me about Sharaina and I lost my temper. It won't happen again." Light replied without daring to face Velan.

Velan sighed and placed his hand on Light's shoulder, "I understand how annoying your mother can be but there is no denying that she is right. The only female friend you should have is your wife. The second one is a destroyer," he softly beckoned.

"Papa, what if I never bring myself to love Yolin?" Light asked Velan, his voice was low and the look on his face, distant.

Velan raised his eyebrow intrigued. "Are you falling for Sharumez's daughter?" he asked Light back.

A moment of silence filled the room as Light pondered on what to say to his father. Velan's calm and comforting appearance gave him a sense of safety. After all, expressing himself to Velan was never an issue.

"I am honestly falling in love with her papa. I feel so condemned for feeling this way."

Velan laughed softly and gave Light a pat on the bac,. "Don't feel condemned son. What you are feeling is normal. It just goes to show that you are a man. Sharaina is a beautiful girl and quite frankly, she is prettier than Yolin." he said in between his laughs and Light looked at him stunned.

"So, what must I do?" Light asked his father with eyes longing for an answer.

Velan traced his fingers down his mustache, "Now that you know that you have feelings for her, you must avoid her at all costs before those feelings develop into something bigger." he said in a serious tone.

Light slumped his shoulders in defeat. It was obvious to Velan that his response wasn't what Light was hoping for.

"The less you see of her, the more you will stop feeling this way about her. This is just infatuation son. You two hardly know each other. Your life partner has already been chosen. You know that your future will never be with Sharaina." he continued and Light sighed distraught.

"Your mother is only protecting you from a broken heart." Velan added.

Light scoffed and shook his head, "We both know that all she cares about is that I am marrying a girl from a wealthy family. All this just to preserve our reputation as a noble family. If she really cared about my feelings, she wouldn't be forcing this marriage on me."

Velan drew closer to Light and rested his hand on his knee, "Son, I understand how you feel. Even I felt the same way when my parents got me engaged to your mother. But look at me now, I am very happy with her. My parents made the right decision for me."

"What if Yolin can never give me that happiness?" Light asked Velan, unconvinced.

"And are you sure that Sharaina will give you that happiness?" Velan asked him back but he fell silent, "It will be wise of you to just forget about Sharaina. Think about her happiness too. You don't want to end up hurting her by marrying someone else now do you?" Velan strengthened his argument and Light slowly shook his head.

"Try to get some rest. Tomorrow, you and I are going out. It has been a while since we had some father and son time." Velan winked at Light and he smiled back faintly at him.

****

King Raglan sat down playing cards and drinking wine with Prince Meelzib and Commander Ouman of the Enchanted Seven. Watching them play as he enjoyed his wine was Commander Sevilon. He listened to the three men tease each other as they played. Prince Meelzib slapped his cards on the table and raised his hands in victory. King Raglan laughed and tossed his aside whereas Ouman banged the table in frustration.

"Calm down Ouman. You know that Meelzib is too difficult to beat at cards." King Raglan said.

Ouman took his remaining wine in one gulp. "I'll get you next time Prince Meelzib." he drunkenly challenged.

Prince Meelzib laughed. "I wouldn't count on it old man." he smirked.

King Raglan turned to Sevilon. "Would you like to join us in the next round?" he cheerfully asked him.

"No, thank you my King." he declined. "I don't feel like playing tonight." he humbly explained.

A little blonde boy who appeared to be four years old went running into the room. The sound of his steps drew the attention of the men and they watched him go to them. The boy ran straight to Sevilon and excitedly placed little hands on Sevilon's laps. Sevilon gave the boy's shaggy hair a rub and he chuckled. He picked him up and made him sit on his lap.

"Waxx, how many times have I told you not to run around especially this time of the night?" his husky voice made the boy chuckle even more.

"I am sorry papa, I forgot." he smiled brightly. "Mama told me to tell you that she is done chatting with Queen Lavila. She is asking if we can go home now. Can we papa?" he asked with so much anticipation.

Queen Lavila and Sevilon's wife, Reena, were best friends. The two of them grew up together and went to the same schools. They got separated when Lavila had to start living in the castle where she spent years learning how to be a queen. She got married to King Raglan when she was still very young. Reena visited her often at the castle and that's how she met Sevilon.

"Sure we can go. Tell your mother that I will be out soon."

Waxx got down to leave when Queen Lavila and Reena walked in. Reena was holding a baby in her arms. Queen Lavila sat next to Raglan and hugged his arm. Reena bowed before him and he smiled at her. King Raglan held out his hands and Reena gave him her baby. King Raglan started making baby sounds and funny facial expressions at the baby and it bubbly laughed.

"What a precious little one." he commented as he admired the baby. "Sevilon, you didn't tell me the name of your new son." he looked at Sevilon with questioning eyes and a smug look.

"I told you his name. You have just forgotten." Sevilon answered and King Raglan laughed.

"I'm sorry, I have had a lot on my mind lately. Please remind me of his name."

"He is Quix." Queen Lavila answered instead and poked the baby's cheek.