Fallen Royals

Chapter 10

In the last several weeks Natan has noticed the changes. His nightmares were more vivid, the details were excruciating and he now remembered things that he thought were buried deep in his mind. Not anymore, everything he experienced came to surface. Doctor Horvat assured him that this was a normal process of recovery. He had to deal with his demons. He'd prefer if they came one by one, but it seems they were more of "the more the merrier" kind.

He was walking to the private dining hall of his parents. His leg was killing him so he was using a crutch for walking. He was to meet with his parents for breakfast.

His mother's chirpy personality was now going on his nerves. She met him acting like everything was alright and he wasn't a broken man, barely standing on his legs. He believed she'd probably be able to ignore an extinction event if she didn't approve of it. A deadly virus? A nuke? No worries, just ignore. He snickered in his mind.

His father was a different type. He was the one to meet head on with the challenges he faced. Natan was often proud that he took after his father, he knew how to face difficulties. And it seemed that today he'll have to face his mother's obsessive idea of getting him a wife.

"The wolfpack of Hrvatsko Zagorje has been facing some difficult times, a lot of the werewolves can't find their mates, not fated, not chosen. A dozen of them are asking for permission to come here and meet our citizens. Who knows, maybe we're a perfect match."

"Maybe a soulmate could tolerate my existence. Is that what you're saying, mother?"

"Now, now, don't get defensive. You know a soulmate is a cherished, special person for most of the supernatural community. We wouldn't want to offend them."

"I just won a war in one morning. I think I can offend or say anything I want."

"True, but that might not appeal to your future wife."

"Stop it!!!" - Natan lost his composure. - "I had enough. What do you think, dear mother, will happen if I find a wife? What will this woman miraculously do? Will she fix me?!"

"S-son, this is for your well-being. The right person can help you overcome your past."

"What, successfully put it under the carpet?! Newsflash, mother! I already tried that and we all know how it ended up. I'm more broken than I was when I returned home!"

"No, she can ease your burden. It's too much for one person to carry."

"Wrong, only I can deal with my trauma and resolve it." - Natan regained some of his exposure and lowered his voice. - "You all can support me or get the fuck out of my life."

He stood up and left the dining table.

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Natan was surfing over the internet in his study room. The global network of the Old World was gone, but some of its remnants were resurrected in the last 30 years. Nowadays, you could use the internet if you have permission. Researchers would get 8h per week, others up to 2h per week. Until the network of the old became fully functional they had to be satisfied with these hours. Natan was part of a special group of people. High government officials could get up to 32h per week. He was now using his time for personal research. In his sessions with dr. Horvat it occurred to him that he did a lot of stuff to please his parents since he came back. He finished law although he didn't really enjoy it. Now he was looking for a university which offered diplomacy and military strategy, they were the subjects he was interested in. The other take back from his sessions was that he should work on his physical strength; he hoped such a university would offer a military drill and help him with his physical appearance. He was supposed to be a big Croatian like his father. He couldn't do anything about his height but he could have a proud stance and toned body as other men in his family had. Also, it might help him to get rid of the limp once and for all.