Memories

Maybe it's that smug face that she has every time she sees me or maybe it's just the way she laughs like a maniac when she has power over people that makes me fear her. Who knows, maybe I'm a psychopath myself for actually inviting her over even thought I can't keep eye contact with those crystal red eyes for longer than 5 seconds. Regardless, now I've done it. Why? I don't know but I will have a queen as a guest in my summer home in about 8 hours and there's no going back now.

- Dieter, that man back there was the president of the company which used to produce that new set of weapons for the war, right? The plasma guns and bombs. How come he isn't in prison or at least under surveillance?

- Sir, as far as I know he signed a contract to change all of his machinery in a way that they wouldn't be weapons anymore but transportable sources of energy. That way and by giving 20% of his earning to each Garmania and France he was able to wiggle his way out of that. And about the surveillance, I honestly don't know. He doesn't seem that dangerous now.

- Nobody seems dangerous around Emma and you know it. - I said with a heavy sigh.

- That may be true but aren't you forgetting something? While she does have the position of a queen in the 21st century and while she does have a lot of money and influence she is still only a figure of mockery. The public doesn't think of her as anything but a crazy child who plays queen. There are even some stories about her selling her body to-

- Yes, I'm aware of those Dieter. Thank you. - I interrupted him. - I know that people think that she's just someone who has no experience and is living in her own fantasy world playing empress, but we both know that's not the case. As a matter of fact, all the "important" people know that she's far more skilled and cunning than some old guys who have been in the top 1% of the world's population for decades.

- Sir, sorry to ask this but let me be blunt. Do you admire her? - Dieter asked slowly and silently without looking at me.

I just burst out laughing. I laughed for over a minute. Dieter probably never saw me like that before even though he has known me since birth. Me admiring a prisoner in her own kingdom, someone who the average mind thinks of as a puppet? I quickly regained my composure and shook my head.

- Sorry about that Dieter. You sure do have a way with words. Surprising sometimes, I'll admit that. And no, I don't admire her. I pity her. She has been so strong ever since you know... the end of the war. I mean, she lost everything and had to rebuild it. The people trusted her family like they were some prophets and, they, dare I say, let them down.

She is indeed amazing. At the age of 17 she pulled all her strings and put all of her balls in the technology basket. All of Garmania's resources were used for a single thing: transportation. That's also part of the reason why people don't take them serious. Berlin and the surrounding land got demolished in the war and become flat without many tall buildings. It was the perfect place to make highways and rails. Add to the mix a bit of vehicle construction and you will have a way of surviving. Nowadays, they put all their money in new cars and trains. She probably wanted the president for his plasma and wants to implement it in a new design. Maybe I'll be driving a new plasma powered car next time I come here.

- Sir, this is the written schedule for today. I can cancel some plans if you'd like. - Dieter said as he handed me a laptop.

- Yes, move all of these to next week and I'll have a video conference with anyone who can't come.

- Understood, sir. I will do contact everyone tonight.

- Thank you. How long is this ride by the way?

- Around 10 more minutes. The mansion is pretty close to the new airport you landed at, sir.

- Nice. Can you send a message to everyone there to change plans and prepare for the highness instead of a bunch of men?

- Very well. Is there anything else I can do? - he asked reluctantly.

- No, that's all for now. I'm going out shopping right away. To see the new Hamburg and to get myself some clothes. Do you still remember the old mall we went to all those years ago?

- Of course, sir. The one your cousin had her flower shop in. - he answered right away - While the shop isn't open anymore I think the store on the other side of the alley is still open if that's what you meant.

- You read my mind. Have some people in the crowd as usual just so we don't disturb the peaceful afternoon of the other shoppers.

- As you wish, sir.

We arrive shortly. I have mixed feelings as soon as we stop and I put my eyes on the house. It's a fairly big one but that's to be expected. It has been cared for and not even damaged during the war. Everything is the same as I remember it. The garden too from what I can see. Even the fountain is white like the snow in which Emma and I used to play.

It is true that I didn't really like Emma when we were kids, and honestly, I don't like her now either. One thing I must admit is that she is an honest person. She might seem devious and manipulative but is actually pretty straightforward once you get to know her. I would know, I got snowballs thrown at my face for ruining her snowman and calling her ugly in front of that very fountain.

As much as we got on each other's nerves, we still found some weird connection. We saw the world of adults as a world of masks and I think that deep down we still feel the same way. Maybe that's why we respect each other to some extent, even though I couldn't last longer than half an hour in a room with her.

- That would be all Dieter. I'll take a walk now. Will all the preparations be on time? Be honest with me.

- Probably, sir. We have all the necessary things here; food, decorations, fireworks and the rest. The musicians are on their way as well and will arrive within the next 30 minutes. Now, as for security, do you want us to cooperate with the Garmania security forces?

- Sure, you can do that, I doubt anyone would have the guts to start anything with the Queen around anyway. I read somewhere that she hired a world class martial artist as her bodyguard as well. On top of that, he was in the army. Don't you think that will be enough? - I asked as I started leaving my property.

- Sir, if everything you say is true then we really don't need to worry.

- Who said I worry? You guys are the ones who should worry to get everything done on time. - I said in a laughing tone - Also, if anyone actually appears today let them stay. I'd really appreaciate having someone else nearby while I'm with her.

- Of course. It will be done, sir.

- Oh, one last thing. Drop the "sir", just Iliya is fine.

- As you wish, Iliya. - Dieter said with a huge smile on his face.

I start walking down the road through the forest. It's a 20-minute walk which I used to do with Dieter and my parents when I was little, long before the war. Emma and her parents would sometimes accompany us, and we would all go to the bakery and confectionery. A nice sight you might think. That was all just a freak show. Our dads were always fighting, every single minute of the walk when there were no other people around. As soon as we would get to the residential area they would be like the best buddies you would ever see. It's sickening to think that someone who would buy you sweets with a bright smile could also lead an army like Napoleon or Genghis Khan the next day.

After reaching the suburb area, I start remembering all the people who used to live here. Most of the houses got either rebuilt or are now abandoned. There are some new buildings there as well. A new café, a new bakery and a new sports building from the looks of it.

- "SV Hamburg - Die Tiger" huh. Seriously, tigers? Did some kids come up with that name? - I murmured to myself - I might start playing something. Self-defense is boring after all.

Finally, I reach the mall. It is as beautiful as the day I last saw it. After standing there like an idiot for a few minutes I decide to go in. It even smells like it used to. Unlike most places I've been to recently, this one sparks more vivid memories than the other ones. I remember how Emma got me into trouble after she stole a baguette and accused me of talking her into it. Or that other time we got stuck in the elevator after she pushed some buttons. I still don't know how she did it. Let's be fair, she probably doesn't know either. I got into trouble that time too. I make a weird face while remembering all the times we got yelled at and the punishments that followed.

- That little devil. I swear I'll make her pay one day for making a fool out of me so many times! - I yell as I strike a pose out of a poorly made movie.

Everyone in the mall suddenly starts looking at me and laughs. One grandma comes over to ask if I'm alright and if I need to see or call someone. I politely decline as I make my way to the shop with a red face just to avoid any further contact. This is embarrassing enough.

- Iliya! - someone yells in the distance - Oi, Iliya! Over here!

In front of the shop is a girl yelling my name. She is casually dressed in a hoodie and jeans so that people wouldn't suspect her being someone special but I already knew. That voice can only be Emma's.

- What have I done to deserve this? Hello, universe, God, fate or whoever is playing with me. Why have you done this to me? - I think to myself as I approach her - Here goes nothing.