Chapter 12

I woke up, by the feeling of slender fingers slowly sliding through my hair. I opened my eyes, and I was treated by a sweet smile on a pretty face, which reached a beautiful pair of green eyes. Silvy had her thick hair braided that gracefully snaked down her shoulders. Her soft voice sounded melodic. “Good morning, Paul.”

I inhaled deeply to get more oxygen into my muddled brain, trying to fight off my sleep. I groaned as I started to feel my sore muscles, I knew I was paying dearly for my vain attempt to flee. Silvy’s face fell and instantly stopped playing with my hair. “What’s the matter? What’s wrong?”

“I’m just very sore.”

Her face blushed red. “I’m sorry, I knew I shouldn’t have done it again.”

I laughed weakly, remembering last night’s adventurous training session. We had great fun, and I definitely would have done it again. “No, no, it’s my muscles. You know, I think I owe the new record of getting here.”

“I’m sorry,” she said meekly as she apparently realized it was her fault I had to run away.

“Hey,” I said soothingly as I gently rubbed her arm, “It’s okay. No harm is done. I’m pretty sure I’ll survive.”

A small smile reappeared as she said, “Pac is waiting for us to go back to the village.”

With some effort I managed to sit up and as I searched for the giant, through the window, I saw that the suns were already high in the sky. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table, and I gasped as I noticed I had slept through the whole morning. Suddenly I felt uneasy when I realized the Talian guard must have been waiting for me to wake up for quite some time.

“Oh shit!” I gushed as I stumbled out the bed, “How long has he been waiting?”

“For a while,” Silvy responded unperturbed, “He didn’t want me to wake you.”

I shook my head out of amazement, realizing he knew exactly how wrecked I would be after the horrendous climb I had endured. Again, I was impressed by his ability to sympathize with others, and starting to understand why Cirin was so taken by him. Within a minute I was dressed, and I walked out of the cottage to greet the friendly giant, with Silvy trailing me.

“Pac,” I said upbeat as I walked towards him, “nice to see you again.”

“Good,” he grumbled as he stood in one fluid move. “You are awake now.”

“Thank you for letting me sleep, but Silvy could have waken me earlier.”

He nodded. “Now your body is in better state. Ciriii and Silvy need healthy man.”

I sympathized with Silvy as I heard her gasp. Again, his estimation of the situation was spot on. I laughed nervously and said, trying to divert the subject. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

Slowly he shook his head. “You have some to eat and then we leave.”

Silvy cleared her throat and said meekly. “I have a bowl of fruit ready for you.”

Cirincendil was not amused as she walked into the dining area of her mother’s cottage. Everything was about to go pear-shaped as Paul and her little sister still hadn’t arrived.

“What a sour face are you pulling, dear,” Mittanyariel remarked, surprised, “Are you still upset about what happened yesterday?”

She hated that her sore arm was restricting her movements, and she knew her body wouldn’t be ready to change until her injuries were completely healed. But the fact a hover car would arrive at any moment to pick her up was truly annoying.

“I’ve been summoned to the Palace,” she grumbled, “and I hoped to say hello to Paul before I leave.”

“Ah,” said her mother, crossing her arms.

She hated the way her mother looked at her as if she had committed a crime. She knew it was wrong to get too much involved with a man, but Paul was undeniably special. She sighed, knowing her mother had reached a much higher level by delivering six healthy offspring. Even her role as regional Matriarch didn’t outrank her mother because of that.

“Mom,” Cirincendil said a little offended.

“You know you have to be careful and not get too involved,” the older lady said softly.

“Easier said than done,” Cirincendil responded curtly, “Especially because he saved my life three times.”

Her mother nodded slowly. “He will be remembered as a hero.”

“Is that all what you can say, mother?” she spat, “I’m not blind.”

Mittanyariel cleared her throat as her face hardened. “Don’t forget I allowed the swap because as regional Matriarch you have that privilege. But now we have a serious disruption in our Gene Match Program since Silvynorien has claimed him as well.”

She huffed. “I don’t care about the bloody GMP. Just stop pretending, I know you’d like to have him as well.”

Mittanyariel’s eyes pierced straight through Cirincendil as she replied with an icy voice, “The difference between you and me is that I can accept the fact it’s not going to happen. May I make you aware that Mr. Morris’s stay will end in four nights.”

“What? But what if Silvynorien is not ready?”

“I guess that is completely depending on what you’re going to discuss with the Queen,” her mother replied flatly.

Cirincendil suddenly understood exactly what her mother tried to explain to her. Her sister’s life was more important. She felt nauseous, realizing she might not have the chance to be with Paul after all. She had to go outside because the walls of the room seemed to close in on her. She was pleased as she stood alone on the veranda, trying to get her racing thoughts to calm down.

She knew it was difficult to have a normal discussion with the Queen. All the time she had spent at the palace she had met her only a few times. Cirincendil remembered the first time she had the opportunity to have a conversation with the eccentric Neutaria. It was shocking to learn that about half of her staff was related to her, being daughters and their offspring as well.

Cirincendil had spent a lot of time and effort to get to know them, which eventually resulted in many friendships at all levels of the castle’s staff.

She knew Pac had informed the Queen about the Tarakonas and that the threat had been eliminated. She was wracking her brain about how she could get Paul to be with her for a much longer period. The only chance of success was to convince the very conservative Queen it was a good idea to let him stay.

“Matriarch?” a timid voice echoed through the secluded area of the cottage. Cirincendil instantly recognized the distinctive voice of the Queen’s youngest daughter, Duvainthel. It was a significant choice of the Queen to send one of her daughters, indicating this visit was important.

She looked up and was pleased to see the joyful smile etched on the lovely woman. Her blue eyes radiated a healthy glow, and her bronzed skin was contrasted beautifully by her lustrous, silver hair. Cirincendil was a little jealous as she saw the early signs of her pregnancy; her breasts were pert, and her stomach was definitely rounder than the last time she had seen her.

“You look amazing,” Cirincendil said as she stepped into the passenger side of the hover car, “The pregnancy suits you very well.”

Duvainthel’s smile wavered a little as she responded, “Well, the mornings are another story.”

“Ugh I know! They say the third month is the most critical one. After that it should go a lot smoother.”

The chauffeur nodded as she smoothly accelerated away from the cottage. “That’s what mom said as well. But still, it’s no fun.”

“Try to see it as just a moment of your life,” said Cirincendil, “better not turn it into a monument.”

“Now, you really sound just like my mother.”

“Sorry, Duvainthel,” she said softly as she gently laid her right hand on the woman’s soft thigh.

“Actually,” she responded meekly, “I shouldn’t complain. I’ve heard what happened to you. Mom wants to speak with you about it.”

I was still sore all over when I climbed into Pac’s massive lorry. I was pleasantly surprised how agile Silvy was, who moved effortlessly herself into position next to me. It was funny as I realized that Cirin had been sitting at the same place as Silvy. This time however I wrapped my arm around the Neutaria, avoiding bumping into each other. Silvy had done the same, holding my lower arm with her slender fingers. I felt joyful and relaxed, knowing my stay at Bishojo would have a happy ending.

The Talian giant nodded as he took the driver’s seat and without a word he accelerated the monstrous vehicle down the mountain towards the small village.

The trip back was fast, and before long I recognized the outskirts of the village, knowing we would arrive at Mitta’s cottage very soon. The moment we turned on the road towards Mitta’s home I saw a luxurious two-seater sped away. Cirin’s hair color was unique enough to be certain that the passenger in the hover car was in fact my sweetheart. With mixed feelings I stared at her beautiful teal hair that was dancing in the swirling airflows of the accelerating car.

“That’s one of the palace cars!” Silvy remarked, animated, “I’m pretty sure Cirincendil was picked up by Duvainthel. She is the youngest daughter of the Queen, and they are close friends.”

It was clear the chauffeur had missed seeing Pac’s big lorry as she raced down the tarmac, disappearing from view just as the road made a slow turn to the right. I was jolted out my reverie when Pac stopped the heavy lorry with a loud hiss. Only then did I realize, I longed to be with Cirin.