Chapter 20: Reconciliation

"Say, Vice." she said.

"Hmm?" I said, resting my head on her shoulder.

"We're making a scene here." She said. "They're staring at us, and probably thinking something about us that they shouldn't have – " she added.

I felt all my senses wake up. My face burned and I immediately pushed Yelena away. True enough, we can see Emil, Oril, Rio, and Her Majesty looking at us, smiling. "I, uh…" I said, averting my eyes from their gazes. I lowered my head. "Sorry." I said.

They laughed. The queen sniffed. "Ah… what a lovely display of love – " she said and wiped a tear in the corner of her eye.

My face burned redder. "Th – That's not it!" I said, my face burning with embarrassment as my heart pounds faster. "I'm not … we're not – " I said, trying to defend myself.

They laughed.

"Oh, come on…" I said, wanting to bury myself down the ground. "Yelena… say something – Yelena?" I asked when I turned and saw her staring afar.

"Your Highness? What's wrong?" Emil asked.

"Yelena?" the queen asked, concerned. "Is something bothering you - ?" she asked.

We heard horses' footsteps running in our direction. "He's here." She said.

True enough, a royal carriage bearing the flag of the West Kingdom stopped in front of us. An old man with a regal aura went out. "What a carefree bunch." King Yako said.

"What do you want… ow!" Yelena cried when I hit her on the head. "What - ?! Ugh!" she grunted when I pushed her head to a bow as we all bow down. "Grr..." she gritted her teeth.

"Be courteous!" I whispered.

She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "As I've said, what do you want?" Yelena asked as she looked at King Yako.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. She really has no manners. I thought. I wonder where she went for the past twenty years and how she acquired this attitude. Bet that place sure is full of rascals. I thought and grimaced.

"I apologize for her rudeness, Your Majesty – " I said and bowed.

"What's your title?" King Yako asked.

"Huh?" I said, confused. "Oh, uhm…. I don't have – "

"Then you have no right to retract her behavior – " King Yako said.

I lowered my head. "I … I'm really sorry – " I felt my face burned with embarrassment. Shit! How do I face them now - ?! I thought. I felt the corner of my eyes burn.

"Hey." Yelena said and pulled me to her back as she faced King Yako. "What's your title?" she asked him.

They gasped. "Huh?" I said, shocked by what she said. "Yelena, what are you talking about - ?"

King Yako's eyes turned to slits. "How impudent - !" he said, angry.

"I asked you what's your title?" Yelena asked again.

King Yako's eyes narrowed and glared at Yelena. "You - !"

Yelena… I thought, afraid that the West King might hit Yelena.

"I'm the West Kingdom's ruler, kid!" he yelled.

"Oh? You are?" Yelena asked, surprised. She even covered her mouth with her hand.

Our jaw dropped.

"You impudent - !" King Yako said, then raised his hand.

Emil and Oril were about to come to rescue when Yelena stopped them. "I don't care if you're a king, or a god, sir." Yelena said. "You have no title in my kingdom." She said.

Our jaw dropped.

Yelena! What are you talking about?! He's a king - ! I thought and closed my eyes tight. I can't say careless things this time since the West King might say harsh things again.

"You brat - !" the West King yelled, about to burst in anger.

Yelena lifted her chin. "Go on. Hit me. Just be prepared to be jailed if you're gonna hit me." she told him.

My mouth fell open. This is… this is a new side of Yelena. I thought. Her royal side – as a princess. I smiled.

"Why, you…!" the West King said, his face red with anger.

"Since you're already here, sir, let me clarify this thing to you." Yelena said, then looked straight in West King's eyes. "The moment you step foot in this kingdom, my friends – and my people, are more valuable than you." she said.

Our jaw dropped.

"They may have no title for you, but for me – " she said and held her head high. " – they hold a title even higher than me. Please do remember that." She said. "Let's go." She said and pulled me.

"Ah - !" I exclaimed, almost tripped. "Ah, wait, Yelena - !" I called, but she ignored me.

She stopped when she went past Emil, Oril, and the queen. "Emil, Oril. Please escort the West King outside the kingdom." She told the two.

"Y – Yes, Your Highness!" the two of them said, just woke up from shock.

Yelena nodded and the two went to the West King, who were still shocked as we all are. "Mother." Yelena whispered to the queen. "I'm sorry – "

The queen smiled, just recovered from shock. "No." she said and wiped her eyes.

She… cried? I thought. I smiled. She would. Since Yelena - I looked at her.

The queen smiled widely and reached her eyes. "I'm so proud of you…" she said. "… my daughter." She smiled.

Yelena smiled back and nodded. "Thanks, mother." She said and went inside the castle.

"Ah, wait – " I said, following behind her since she's pulling me. "Yelena!" I called. "Err, Yelena, wait – " I said. "Yelena!" I called and stopped.

She stopped, too.

I looked around. Ah. I said, realized where we are. We're in the middle of the castle's great ballroom. I thought. I sighed, then looked at Yelena. "Yelena." I called.

She's not turning.

"Yelena!" I called. I sighed. "Are you…" I started. "…mad at me?" I asked.

"No." she answered.

"Then why – "

"I'm mad – " she said.

I looked at her.

She turned to me. "Because he insulted you." She said.

My mouth fell open, lost for words. "Ye… Yelena, you – " I said, then let out a big sigh. I'm relieved. I thought, then smiled. "So you're upset – " I said. I smiled at her. "Yelena." I called. "Don't be. He has the right to since I don't really have a title to do it – "

"Don't say that!" she snapped.

I jumped, startled. What…? "Why are you so mad?" I asked. "I just stated the truth – "

"I hate it!" she yelled. Her voice echoed on the walls. "I hate it when they say it like that!" she said. "I hate it - !"

"Yelena!" I said and cupped her face. My heart was crushed when I saw her crying. "It's okay." I said and wiped her tears.

He sobbed. "Why do people do this?" she asked. "Stereotyping – " he said.

I hugged her and let her head rest on my shoulder. "Go on. Cry." I said.

She sobbed. "He has no right to insult you like that." she said.

I smiled. She's like a kid. I thought. "It's okay for me, you know?" I said.

"It's not." she said, then looked at me straight in my eyes.

"Yelena?" I asked.

"I don't like it when he – no." she said and shook her head. "I don't like it if somebody insults you." She said, her face serious.

"Why…?" I asked, confused. What is she saying? I thought. My eyes went wide. Could it be…? I'm special to her - ? I thought, my cheeks flushed.

Her forehead knotted. "Isn't it obvious? Because you're my friend." She said seriously.

"Ah." I said, my hope deflated. "Yes. Right. Friend." I said, disappointed.

"Vice? Is something wrong?" Yelena asked, worried.

I forced a smile. "Yeah…" I said, looking away. Of course not, idiot! I'm super disappointed! I thought and took a deep breath. "I felt like crying." I muttered.

"What was that?" she asked.

I forced a smile again and shook my head. "Nothing." I said.