"Casual" Chatter

I'm dressing when the door is slightly opened. Being ajar should mean she's ready to go. Did she take that long or was listening to what I was doing? Doesn't matter.

Shortly after, William steps into the room. He scans the place. "You are ready?"

"Nearly so." I check myself in the mirror. "Are my parents still here? Odin?"

"Yes and yes." William pats my shoulder. "You're playing a role tonight."

"Am I uplifting the troops after losses or trying to stage everything is alright in the country?" I step into the bedroom to see Jessica sitting in the same chair as before. We match. I'd rather we matched as knights, but this is a game. Jessica knows all about these games.

"Uplifting the troops. They know you were around the fighting, so you need to look absolutely perfect."

"Yeah." Not that they let me even see the real battle. My voice lowers, "How many died...?"

"I am not telling you." William offers a grin. "Take your wife's hand and let's go."

I stick my tongue out at my friend. William shrugs. He'll teleport us to the right room then. "Sorry, Jessica."

"No need." She has no problem taking her position. We agreed to this. There's no way we're headed in a different direction. We didn't have any chance to find someone before realizing the true love marks. That on top of required marriage? How would we separate?

No. We're not a perfect match. That's not how it works. If I turn to a villain... She'll step from me. Mom said... So many people are assuming I'll become the bad sort of king. Is that the real reason Xavier is around? They needed someone to survive that can take over as the next royal.

"Smile." William waits for us to be ready before teleporting us to our required location. We stand before the king and queen. Our seats are ready for us even. The only other person on this level is Raida. If she had her family, she'd get a separate table, but she has no one else in her house yet. Do my parents know about the problem around her boyfriend? Not my problem.

"Your Majesties." Jessica curtsies.

"Father, Mom." I offer my bow.

"Join us for a meal." Father motions to our chairs. "I am very glad you are not hiding in your room for longer. We may have to bring up the wedding timeline."

My body stiffens, but I still force myself to sit in my chair. He forced the situation. "We do not have that sort of relationship. We are just accepting of the contract. It would be improper of me to suggest anything in the field that requires the wedding to be had early."

"For now, magic is a far bigger focus." Father whispers. "Do you have a word to say before I punish Odin again?"

"I requested the removal of the curse. It was suggested to me I was strong enough to handle the weight. I am. I just was not expecting the level when Odin finally agreed."

"So you fully agreed to such a thing even knowing the possible concerns?" Father focuses on the room, but there's anger on his voice to me. An anger most won't notice. By Jessica's grab of my hand, I'll guess she knows it already.

"Yes. I did. Once my life was possible with the weight, I wanted it. Odin gave me the books in hopes I would prolong my request, but it was only a matter of time before I begin begging again."

"Ha." The king leans back. "You make it sound as if you were the reason the curse was broken and not because of his love for my wife."

"I would never harm my mother just in an attempt to gain my magic, but knowing there was a way to trick Odin into letting me have my mana, I may have be open to creating issue."

The king finally stares at me. "So I am not to punish Odin?"

"I only request he not be my trainer. Healing magic... Who would you suggest?"

"So it is a punishment not that he'd mind it." Father sulks. "Fine. Knight Richie is one of the top healers in the country. He'll be marked your trainer for healing. I would also like to you listen to any teleportation lessons William offers you. Focus on healing since that would suit you best, but do not fear learning the way of escape."

"I have never feared learning the way to escape." I smirk at my father. The king grunts. "Nor will I disregard any of the spells I will learn over time. Healing though feels as if my best choice at the moment. I will offer the biggest support through that."

"Yes. You have a strong understanding. Others can take main position in battle, but you should always stand behind them supporting without interfering."

I frown. My father wanted me to refrain from becoming knight so young. I glance to Jessica. She is just existing in the moment. Listening to what's around her. I don't turn back to my parents. My attention is on Jessica. "Were you denying me knighthood because you knew who my true love was? Placing me in the same zone as her would be called dangerous while we are so young. Yet it was you who forced our hands." I finally turn back to my father. Mom eyes me, but is not joining the conversation.

This is the king's place only. He eyes me. It's not anger now, though. "Yes. It was one of the reasons. Best you do not learn the rest of them. We pushed for you to gain title so quickly and had you leave as much as you have for very good reason."

Mom whispers, "The knights are corrupt."

I pause and reach out for my mother. "Mom... I..."

She pats my hand. "Don't worry so much about it. I know how the assassins are getting to me. They can't suggest I am cheating now, so they must find a new excuse to stir trouble."

"All the more important I have magic." I say.

"All the more important Jessica is named crown princess as well." Father says without looking at my contracted wife. Jessica stiffens. "If they learn of your connection before she had the classification?"

"She would've been an easier mark without the level of consequences they gain for chasing me." It's a thought I need to truly accept.