Familiar

Dherek saw the royal family of Yoniez or should he say, the disgustingly shrewd royal family of Yoniez. "Do you see them too? I think they are coming this way." He said to Cyan in a low voice. He was close to her and was breathing on Cyan's neck.

"I am not blind, I can see that. Moreover, why are you so close?" She said in a calm manner but Dherek knew that was the very moment not to mess with her. He immediately retreated from her.

"General Cyan. Nice to meet you." Richard said. He stretched out his hand in an attempt to shake hers. He however received a degrading look from her coupled with the fact that she did not shake his hand.

"I see that you are still very annoyed by what I said then. I am very sorry. I did not mean to sound offensive." He said again. Still, he received no response. No reaction what so ever.

"Uhmm, General Cyan, I know that you are greatly offended by the things that happened earlier and even embarrassed but may you also know that this was also partly your fault. If you had just follow our lead, none of this embarrassing situation would have happened. You see, we are greatly affected by this. We are not to be blamed for throwing these parties. In fact, it is not even a bad thing at all. All we wanted is to make our son happy. Look at him over there..." Rita said as she pointed towards the throne room. And there was the little prince, smiling happily while tearing his gifts out of their wrapped paper.

Cyan's fists clenched tightly together but it was only for a moment, before she released it. This was not noticed by anyone, except King Nixon who had his eyes glued on her the entire time.

"We will soon be very busy and would not have time for him. We just want him to feel the love that we have for him, that's all. But now look at what it had caused. I guess it's a bad thing to love one's chi-child so much." She finished with her voice cracking a little bit at the end as she stifled back a sob, keeping her head down.

Both Richard and Livius felt very heart broken seeing her feeling so sad. Dherek would have also pitied her had he not know of all the terrible things she had done to his General.

Cyan burst into laughter. Rita raised her head up, surprised by Cyan's laughter which did not even reach her eyes. They all were.

"Tsk tsk tsk. General Livius, when I said your King was not serious you got angry. But now, I take my words back." She said with a smile on her face even though the smile still did not reach her eyes. General Livius smiled. So did Richard and Rita.

They thought they had been able to prove to and convince her that they were not as bad as she thought. 'What is she saying?!' Dherek thought. This was most definitely not what he thought she had in mind.

"Do you know what I just figured out? From what just happened, I see that not only is your King un-serious, both him and your Queen are both stupid."

Rita gasped in surprise at what Cyan said.

"What?!" Livius said also surprised by what she had said. "Yes." Cyan said and turned to Rita. "It is quite funny that you place a little child's emotions over the Kingdom's affairs. He would not even remember any of these when he grows older. He will still have to face the harsh realities of being a royal born. It would be better if he gets exposed to it now." She said as if she was lecturing them on what they were ignorant of.

"No, it would not be." Dherek muttered in response to Cyan's last statement. No one heard what he said except Cyan who in turn glared at him, hard.

"Moreover, Qu-ween Rita..." She said the word 'Queen' in a manner meant for mocking something or someone. "Don't you think that you are doing too much actually? I mean, are you the King? Why are you doing or should I say talking in places that you are not meant to? Do you think that he is not fit to be King?" She taunted.

"I am just helping my husband. We are partners, if you do not know." Rita replied back, hooking her arms with Richard's and faking a smile.

"Help? Well, I hope your "help" will not land him in serious troubles someday." Cyan said with a smirk on her face.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, "Where am I to stay? And Dherek?" Cyan asked.

"Oh! So sorry, General. My bad. I will lead you there personally." Livius said, stretching his right hand forward for Cyan to hold. She however looked at it and said, " I don't admire touching others hands, General Livius. Why don't we just walk there without the holding of hands?" She deadpanned.

"Definitely. Yes. Uhmm, okay." He quickly said. He walked in front of her and started to lead the way. Cyan and Dherek bowed slightly to Rita and Richard. Cyan walked behind him with Dherek closely behind.

Soon they were out of Rita and Richard's sight. They got to a passage. Livius slowed down his pace with the intention of walking side by side with Cyan. It worked and soon enough, both he and Cyan we're walking side by side.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and took a glance at her. "Uhmm... I want to thank you for honouring my invite and taking time out your busy schedule to come here." He paused for a while before continuing. "I thought you would not come so I am surprised that you actually came."

"I am full of surprises." Cyan said monotonously. "Hmm." He hummed. "Also, I want to apologize for what happened back there, in the hall. I assure you that the King and Queen had no intention of insulting you. The words just did not come out right. And more over-"

"Are you trying to tell me that your King does not know how to construct his statements rightly?" She cut him off with her question. 'Answer that.' Dherek, who did not like it one bit that Livius was speaking to Cyan, thought.

"Are you saying that he does not know how to construct a simple welcome for his invited guest? And you, not taking time to inform your King properly about the person you are bringing in?" She scoffed. "What a Kingdom!" She muttered but he heard her.

He became uncomfortable and he looked forward. Soon he stopped in front of a room. Cyan and Dherek also stopped. "This is your room General Cyan. I will take this man..." He pointed to Dherek. "... To his room." Cyan nodded. He then left with Dherek.

Cyan sighed and stood outside her room for a moment before going in.

...

Later

Cyan was reading a book with her legs crossed on the table. She heard a knock on the door. She looked up from the book she was reading. The knock came again.

She stood up and went to open the door. And right there, at the entrance of the room, King Nixon was standing.