Chapter 21 Queen Catherine

Nightmares are like memories that are very difficult to erase. Seeing someone who had been haunting my dreams, that person was right before my eyes. I could have cursed her, cursed her with harsh words. But, what reason do I have to hate Queen Catherine, because that woman haunts me in dreams?

No. More than that, the hatred has taken root and I will never be able to forget it. Queen Catherine ignored the rest of her subjects, enriching herself and a few of her chosen subjects, thus turning a blind eye to the rest of her subjects who were suffering.

I could have disobeyed, and would not have bowed down to respect the woman sitting on her comfortable throne. Father saluted the queen, bowing, I couldn't help but do the same as Father. My hatred is still there for them, but I must not appear that I hate them.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's generosity. At your invitation, I am here to meet you."

My eyebrows shot up. So this is the reason why Father invited me to Calista, namely Queen Catherine invited Father to this magnificent palace. Why did the queen of Andalus invite Father to the palace? There are still many answers that have not been solved.

The woman's slender hands lifted forward, showing her slender, painted nails. "There's no need to be so formal. We were close in the past."

There is something strange. From Queen Catherine's way of speaking and Father's glazed eyes. They used to be close, Father was close to Queen Catherine. Even though Father's eyes looked sad, his attitude was even. Father still respected the woman, even though she was friendly.

"Traditional royal rules have been around for a long time. After all, you are a queen. It's not good to remember the past."

If indeed Father and Queen Catherine had a close relationship, now, she is a queen who is highly respected by the people of the Kingdom of Andalus. A close relationship that might end in a quite painful breakup, to the point that Queen Catherine's expression changed. Sharp and cynical, looking the other way.

'Father, you have so many secrets to hide. What other secrets are still hidden?' My words could not have been heard by him, they were only stuck in his heart.

"Soon there will be a meeting and the delegation from Horaces has arrived in Calista. The Titanos clan no longer exists or you could say they chose to isolate themselves. But, I will not forget their service during the dark times. Jim Titanos, you have earned the right to participate in this important meeting."

The Titanos Noble Clan secluded themselves, however, Queen Catherine was like a benevolent leader. She kindly regarded Father as a member of the Titanos Noble Clan. The expression on Father's face was completely devoid of happiness or the slightest impression. The burden that Father had been carrying was so great that it was difficult for him to express himself.

"Once again, I am very grateful for your generosity, Your Majesty," Father bowed.

Unimportant conversations that are just a waste of time. I don't like being in this annoying situation. The close relationship between Father and Queen Catherine, past and present, means that they seem to miss each other. I am very sure, my Father and special relationship with Queen Catherine in the past.

"He's your son?!" The woman turned her gaze to me.

I almost looked like a fool, amidst my hatred for the Calista people who lived in prosperity. The woman had a smile on her lips. But, I'm pretty sure his smile was just a formality.

"That's right, your highness. Morgan Agathias, my son with Anna Agathias."

Is it just my feeling or is it Queen Catherine's smile that is very stiff, a smile that fades?1 I still have to act like a good boy in front of Queen Catherine. Paying respects and bowing, introducing myself to the queen.

"Agathias? The woman's surname? Why don't you use your clan surname on your handsome son?"

It looked like she was making small talk, however, there was something that made me not like the woman's question. She should be able to say my mother's name, no need to use the word 'that woman' which seems demeaning to the Mother I love most.

"My beloved wife's surname, Anna Agathias!" Father emphasized when he said my mother's name, he didn't accept it because the woman seemed to be insulting my mother. In contrast, Father counterattacked her, to the point that the woman's face looked very sour. "I am no longer part of the Titanos Clan. Very inappropriate, breaking the rules of the Titanos Clan that existed hundreds of years ago. I couldn't give the surname Titanos to my son, I gave my wife's surname to Morgan."

This is the reason I've been trying to find the answer. Father no longer has anything to do with the Titanos Noble Clan, nor do his children have the right to bear the surname of the Titanos Noble Clan.

***

The meeting was very important, even Queen Catherine herself invited Father to the Andalus Palace. I was not allowed to take part in that important meeting. There's nothing I can do, being cooped up in this city for two days.

A palace official took me to the guest house which was located in the Andalus Palace area. This palace is very large, divided into several rooms and several blocks. There is no telling how wide the courtyard of the Andalus Palace is, accommodating so many important people who live here. In the eastern block are the areas that control the government, including the three Great Noble Clans who share in controlling the government.

In the western block is the residence of the Seger Noble Clan, owners of the Andalus Palace. Queen Catherine came from the Seger Noble Clan and still had family ties with the Horaces Kingdom, so the previous war was called a civil war.

The books are very thick, I could read history books all day. The civil war that made so many people suffer due to the war, the selfishness of those at the top. Queen Catherine was the younger sister of King Horaces, married to a prince from the Aether Noble Clan who inherited the throne of the Kingdom of Andalus.

The building looks elegant and the beauty of the beautiful flowers decorate the building. The palace officials took me to the guest house, this is the guest house I will stay in for two days. Too luxurious for me, who is used to living in small houses, this house is too big for Father and I to stay in for a few days.

The relationship between my father and Queen Catherine in the past made me uncomfortable, especially when I saw the beautiful queen's eyes fixed on my father. Cynical, but harboring sadness, as if experiencing the deepest heartbreak.

That's enough. I don't want to think about the relationship between Father and Queen Catherine, nothing will happen in the future. The dream where I almost died at the hands of Queen Catherine, was all just a dream, it had no meaning.

I lay down on the big and very soft bed. This was the first time I felt comfort, a soft mattress, a very spacious room, almost four times larger than my small and narrow room. Then, the bathroom with very complete facilities. There's a soaking area and a fountain, with some buttons I understand.

I accidentally pressed one of the buttons, Water came out of the fountain, hot steam, and when my hand touched the water, it felt warm. The red button releases hot water. Satisfied with looking around the room, I left the room, exploring the guest house alone. This guest house is quite spacious. I can invite Mother, Gisella, and Helen to live in this house, as well as Lyra and her mother. This house is big enough, it can accommodate my family members.

The living room is spacious, there is a library that holds a large collection of books in cupboards and an equally spacious dining room, a long dining table with lots of chairs neatly lined up. Two waiters, a man and a woman, wore waiter uniforms, and carrying dishes on a trolley. They set food and drinks on the table.

I couldn't possibly eat all that food alone. The nobles who live with lots of food, the people of Calista whose noses are full of food. They don't think about us who live in Hill Valley, who have to be able to save money, and enough food for the next few days. Meanwhile, those in Calista can be content with so much abundant food.

 Very unfair.

"Isn't all that food too much?" I asked them. The two waiters were a little surprised by my voice which was almost like shouting, but they didn't seem to dare argue and continued setting the food on the table, After that they left, leaving me irritated and wanting to curse at them.

I scooped up one of the peanut butter sandwiches, popping it into my mouth. I didn't care about manners and walked outside the yard. There's nothing I can do but wait for Father. I was allowed to go in and out of the Andalus Palace as I pleased, walking around the city, looking for something interesting. On the other hand, I thought about Lyra and Helen who were in the Hill Valley, mother and Gisella too.