“Raise your head.” The King said.

I did as instructed, but avoided looking directly into his eyes.

I had explained my life and the circumstances that brought me here all while Caligo sat next to his father’s bed.

“Earth… what a beautiful name. Haha! When I was a young lad, I often dreamt of returning to home. I wanted to return to a time when my worries were far smaller in scale. Now I sit before thee, king of Lanceberg. I would be lying of I said it wasn’t all tiring.” The King said with a feint smile.

“Stand.” He instructed and I complied.

“Thou art no servant of mine, daughter of earth. From now on, I would prefer it thee spoke to me as thou wouldst a brother. After all, you and I were born on the same world.”

My eyes widened.

I turned to Caligo for answers but his head remained lowered as he sat.

“Uh- if that is your wish, your majesty-“

“Call me Luno. Oh and come closer. I may be the lord of the fabric of space itself, but these ears are not as functional as they once were.” Luno said with a weak chuckle.

I nodded before approaching him.

“Now, thou seeks to assist my son in hoisting that which he so careless allowed to fall. Tell me, how dost thee, a simple maid turned Hand, plan on doing that?”

“May I speak freely?”

“I would be insulted if thou didn’t.”

I nodded before taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm my racing heart.

“I actually wanted to assist High Priest Ranak and the High Lords in whatever way I could. He has his plate quite full what with watching over both Medelona and Aurenia and so I wanted to help lessen the load somehow.” I said but Luno frowned at this.

“What about Kulea? I distinctly remember that she aspired to one day join me in governing Lanceberg. If memory serves, she wanted to watch over Medelona.”

“She did, but she mainly handled religious and cultural issues.” I explained.

“Is that apt excuse for why she let Lanceberg fall?” Luno asked while glancing at Caligo.

“I- I punished her appropriately, father.”

“Ah, one can apply ointments to keep the wound of a lost arm from festering but wouldn’t it be more preferable to not lose an arm in the first place?” Luno asked but Caligo remained silent.

Luno scoffed before facing me once more.

“Go on.”

“I planned on requesting the aid of the kingdom’s knights to aid in more… economic roles like building and transporting of goods since they are strong. I then planned on visiting Agna and trying to mend the relationship between the three states. The reports I read describe Agna as being a relatively peaceful and prosperous place. If we could somehow restart open trade between the states, we could very well see the kingdom in a better place before long. At least, that’s what I think.”

Luno nodded before closing his eyes and leaning back into the many large pillows behind him.

“Zuri… I can tell thine intentions are pure. But… rebuilding Lanceberg will be something that Caligo does. That being said, I’m not so foolish as to discard thine words and so I will leave it to Caligo. Stand, boy.”

Caligo did as his father instructed.

“So… this is the woman that would receive thine love-“

“I did not say that-“

“Interrupt me again and I will see to it that you are sealed somewhere beyond mine sight.” Luno snapped before composing himself with a sigh.

“Take his hand, dear Zuri.”

I looked at Caligo and offered him my hand.

His eyes flickered as he accepted it.

“Zuri, take Caligo and see to it that the two of thee work together in rebuilding Lanceberg. Should Caligo resist, come to me and I will punish him.” Luno said but I didn’t really know how to respond.

Caligo’s head still hung.

Luno saw this and loudly sighed before climbing out of bed.

“Difficult child. Go, have the servants prepare us lunch. I want to discuss a few things with Zuri.”

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Caligo raised his head before glancing at me.

“Disobey me once more and I swear-“

Caligo nodded before dashing out of the room.

Luno chuckled as he walked up to me.

“Shall we?” He asked while offering me his small hand.

I accepted it before following him out of the room.

“I blame myself for this. I just… I could never let the damned boy go. Thou understands, no? As a mother?” Luno asked as we approached the Lunar Hall and all I could do was smile in response.

I wasn’t exactly sure what he was talking about, but I felt the pain behind his words.

We were greeted by the Helma and Yilon, all of whom kneeled before Luno.

“I assume the dining hall is still where it was?”

“Yes, my liege.” Gregar said before accompanying Luno and I into the grand dining room.

It was a long room at the centre of which sat a long table which had chairs which varied in size.

Allowing the pale morning light into the room were countless windows that were as tall as the roof was high.

Luno climbed onto a chair while I sat on the one next to his right, although mine was slightly bigger.

The one to his left was far larger and I assumed it was for Caligo.

Luno sighed before looking out into the rather grey cloudy sky.

“Are there still any kings on earth?” He asked.

“A few. Although the predominant system of government has changed to a more… democratic sort.” I said.

“Oh? And is it any good?”

“I like to think that everything, everyone and every system has flaws, but at least most democracies allow people to speak their minds.” I said while trying to hide that I knew very little about how actual democratic governments worked.

I had studied a bit on the subject during my high-school years, but that was ages in the past.

Luno sighed just as servants entered the room.

They then placed several covered silver dishes in front of Luno and I.

They also placed some dishes in front of the large chair before removing the silver lids in unison.

The room was then filled with countless mouth watering aromas.

Caligo eventually entered the room and he promptly sat next to his father.

My attention, unfortunately, was on the countless roasted meats, gravies, rice and various other foods.

“Haha! Close your mouth, lest you drool all over our meal.” Luno laughed making me realize that my mouth hung embarrassingly.

I did as instructed before joining the king and prince in silent feast and much to my surprise, Caligo had quite the appetite..

We eventually finished eating and the servants cleaned everything up before leaving us in silence.

“I have thought a little more on the subject of our kingdom’s recovery and Zuri’s words lit a flame beneath my old heart. We will have to do this together. All of us. We of royal blood, the knights and the people. With the three of us at the helm, failure would bring us shame which would haunt us long after we die. We will work separately. Thee described Agna as being relatively peaceful, which is laughable because my brother once called that place home- Ah, I digress. I will go to Agna, Zuri will take care of things here in the capital with Kulea and thou will have Aurenia. We will meet here once a week and exchange reports- Haha! I actually tremble at the thought of leaving these walls, but I do not want to be remembered as the king who sat idly on a throne in a fractured kingdom.” Luno said with a bright smile.

I turned my eyes to Caligo but his face was twisted.

“But… I do not want to leave thine side, father-“

I coughed as the air in the room suddenly grew too heavy too breath.

“There is nothing more to discuss. Zuri, take him. And Caligo, if even one of thine feet touches my palace’s floors before the week ends, thine punishment will know no end.” Luno said.

“Now go.”

I nodded before standing and walking over to Caligo who still sat.

I offered him my hand and he accepted it reluctantly before following me back to the hall.

The Helma then escorted us to the teleportation platforms which took us back home.

Caligo listlessly led me into his chamber where he suddenly stopped as I closed the door.

“Seven hundred and fifty years.” He muttered.

“Mmm?” I sounded while walking up to him.

“That is how long it took for me to finally see father’s face again… why… why was he so eager to see me off?” Caligo asked.

“M-maybe it’s because he knows that there is much to be done. The time when we can all be together will surely come, but don’t you think that the needs of the people are just as important-“

“Nothing matters more to me than my father.” Caligo whimpered.

I knew exactly what he meant, but this wasn’t the time for selfishness.

Well… I suppose I too was acting out of some sort of selfishness, but my desire, the desire to get Adia back home, the desire to aid Luno in rebuilding Lanceberg, would surely help people.

I walked up to Caligo, grabbed his hand and led him onto the bed.

“Come.” I said while spreading my arms.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us, but you will meet your father soon enough, come the end of the week. But, if it’s comfort you seek, then maybe I could provide some.” I said.

Caligo stared at me for a moment before sighing.

He then allowed his large head to rest on my chest.

“This is beginning to feel quite one sided. I find myself comforted in thine embrace.”

“What if I find comfort in holding you?” I whispered.

“Good point.” Caligo chuckled while I ran my fingers through his hair.

.

..

The next day arrived rather unpleasantly.

It had begun to rain and distant thunder shook the windows.

Caligo and I got dressed before exiting the bedroom.

We were greeted by the Helma who would be accompanying us on our missions.

Although I would only be taking Sidus and Cento.

Caligo and I had changed into formal clothes with Caligo wearing a certain suit.

I, on the other hand, wore a silky white dress which had golden trimmings and embroidery.

Also… sitting on my head was a thin golden crown signifying that I was indeed Caligo’s consort.

It was presented to me by Lham and the others hands earlier in the morning and I so dearly wish I could still cry because I would have.

I had been smiling like an idiot since then and making my heart dance even more was the fact that Caligo refused to let go of my hand.

The Helma all walked up to us.

We were then teleported to the Golden Spire, only Caligo and I were destined for two different locations.

He would be speaking with Ranak on the lower floors while I was to speak with Kulea on the top floor.

Caligo let go of my hand and I watched him leave with Astír and the others in tow.

Sidus and Cento then accompanied me into the room where I first met Kulea.

I refused to sit until she arrived and so I stood in waiting.

“Words cannot describe how nervous I am.” I said with a weak smile.

“Remain composed. Then do and say what you feel is necessary. I’ll guide and help you when necessary.” Sidus, who wore his helmet, said before looking to his left.

I looked to find Kulea approaching.

She wore a bright orange gown which was covered in all manner of jewels and wore heels that were made from what I assumed was reptile skin.

She clumsily fell onto the couch in front of me before gesturing that I sit.

I did although I could clearly smell the alcohol on her breath.

“Where is his golden highness?” Kulea asked. Her speech slurry and her blond hair unkempt.

“He just left. You will also be conducting business with me from now on.”