Motherly Chat

As we're before Butch's room, a knight comes up to me. "Your Highness." I roll my eyes while turning to them. They even offer a bow. "Her Majesty would like to chat with you."

"I'll see her in a moment."

William nods me after the knight. "Go. I know where you are at all times, remember."

I grunt at him before following the knight to my mother. It was supposed to be a quick return to the castle. "Is everyone leaving tonight? Or will they wait for tomorrow?"

"The gates are set up for the castle tonight. Most of us will wait for the morning when it gets switched to Telligence. We want to arrive early and deal with some of the concerns."

"I'm glad that's not my task."

"Goblins are generally easy, but it's better you focus on being crown prince." The knight motions to the proper wing. "This way."

Reaching my mother isn't exactly hard. Anyone else would be blocked. Not me, though. Unless Mom was doing something I could not join, she had to make time for me. They have my father act the same. As long as I can see whatever they are doing, I am given allowance. I can't understand why they fuss over it at times. "You wanted to see me, Mom?"

The queen is resting before the mirror. I don't catch who was in the mirror as it switches back to reflecting her image. "Yes. Thank you for not fighting the request."

"I don't see why I needed to see you. I'm going back to the castle tonight with my friends."

"Is that what you're calling your guards?" Mom smiles at me.

I cross my arms. "Seriously?"

Mom waves it off. She's relaxing. "How was it dancing with Lady Susan?"

I shrug. "I did my requirements."

"You had danced before her. Lady Anise, I believe. She is married and far out of your age range. You are skipping out on the reason for the dances."

"How many dance partners are actually possible options for me?" I eye my mom.

She only smiles. "I only wish for you to compare the options available to the one we picked for you. To see the importance in-"

"Stop." I hold up my hand to her. Mom waits for me. "I do not want any media blasts around a possible relationship. I do not want anyone to look at my list of friends as future important figures. I know who I am. I know what that means. But can't I just have friends?"

"Who pledge allegiance to you?" Mom asks. Everyone saw what Butch did.

I look away. "Especially with the queen thing. Let me be. Don't ask me questions about Jessica. Don't try to get me dancing with everyone who can become queen in the future. I'm not interested. I'm not looking. If you pressure me, I'll refuse more than I am now."

"I don't think you can." Mom seems far too calm.

I'm angry. Why is she so adamant about this? "Why are you doing this? To make sure I won't agree to the contract I won't sign for at least several years?"

Mom stands up to place hands on my shoulders. She looks smaller than me. I didn't realize I am bigger than her now. When we last were close... I sink a little realizing the impact. I'm capable of being an adult. That's the fifteen year mark. Although most won't get any expectations until twenty. "You met so few children to play with growing up."

My jaw tightens. It was a denial. Like most things. "Ally and William were it."

Mom tilts my chin up. "And Jessica."

"What?" I back away from her. She releases me readily. "What do you mean by that? I can't recall Jessica."

Mom nods going back to her chair. "You first met when you were five. That was back before you started climbing out windows." She chuckles. "Jessica came for a tea party. Her first greeting with me. In a weird string of fate, the two of you met."

"That makes no sense." I really can't recall this event. "Did I get magical erasure of it?

"No. You were just five. Most can't recall all their memories. It wasn't a trauma event. Those are the only guarantees of what we remember."

I stare at the ground wishing I could remember such an event. "Just one time?"

"Yes."

"Why? Why once? Why not more than once?"

"The true love finder blessing didn't work. You'd be called a threat." Mom says neutrally.

I freeze though. Those words mean... "She... She isn't my sister."

"The denial only passes on the Crowne boys, so that wouldn't matter."

Fidgeting I try to come up with a reason why she didn't...

"She had language. We assume she would say something about images of a particular person and tingles as most get. Perhaps that did happen and she said nothing. It is the Warton after all."

Picturing the Warton... Jessica didn't grow up watching a couple in love. It would've been a rarity if she saw such a thing. She may have no understanding of things. "Did you question her after the knights exam? The blessing was still there."

"She made no note of anyone. But it can take upwards of two weeks unless you see them directly." Mom smiles at me.

I back closer to the door. "I..." What does someone say to this? "Don't get my hopes up."

Mom's smile says a lot. "So you do wish to find your true love. That's why you push Odin to me. Don't act like we don't know."

This is too much for me. I turn for the door.

Mom waves a hand locking the door from a distance. "I'm pretty sure we're not finished."

"I spoke with Father this morning." I stare at the door. "Was I truly the only one who wished you'd divorce."

"Depends on the day. Thomas?" Mom wraps me up in her arms. "We're not getting a divorce. We are going to stay married. Love isn't needed for a marriage to be strong."

My contract was made because Jessica didn't have the finding spell work. The assumption could be she is mine. But that also sounds dangerous to believe in. "Can you let me figure out love and relationships without your addition? I'll be fine. If you notice me slacking in this field in seven years, I won't complain then."

"Okay." Mom tightens her hug of me. "I just wanted to tell you the truth of the contract. I'll let you enjoy as you wish. The media is not me, though."

"I'll handle them. It becomes impossible when it's my mother doing it." I break free of her to face her again. "Mom, I wanted you to join the knights to prove being a woman, a mother, a wife shouldn't disclude you from training or teaching. I can understand a concern with missions, but it sounds foolish to suggest you can't train others. You have more knowledge and skill than most."

"And they hate me there for it. You're asking me to step on toes."

"That need to be stepped on." I move for the door again. I can hear the click. Mom is letting me leave. "I'm not going to slack. Just give me space."

"Alright. I'll see you at Telligence ball in two days. Think over what I've told you."

"I... May arrive early too." Can't say if it'll be worthwhile for me to.

"Don't. Spend the day at the capital. Act as crown prince or as a knight. I'll see you then."

"Okay, Mom." I open the door and step into the hall. Butch and William stand to the side watching me. "I'm ready."

"Can't wait to sleep in my bed again." Butch comments as William readies his spell.