Unmarked

Chapter 13

Lavina kicked a rock around as she sulked outside. She was away from the Market. She was about a town or two over from there. She hit the rock one more time and it clanged on something.

"Lost there child?" Someone said, rubbing his head. "You have quite a lead foot."

"Oh sorry sir."

"You're quite far away from home, your majesty."

"Your majesty? What are you on the council?"

"Afraid not. I'm just a normal man trying to get along in his life. But I suppose you could say all Chelenama's know each other."

"You know my grandfather?"

"Not personally. I've only met him once before. Do you need help getting back?"

"No, I know how to get back." Lavina sat down on the floor. The man sat down next to her.

"You shouldn't be out here alone, your majesty. It's dangerous especially for a young lady such as yourself."

"I know, I'm just trying to clear my head."

"You had a difficult ordeal as of late."

"Someone who I thought I knew well I don't know at all."

"Hm, well why don't you spend time with them, that way you two can get to know each other better." Lavina crossed her arms.

"I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I just can't be around him."

"That bad, huh?"

"Kind of."

"Perhaps you don't need to spend time with him, but maybe you can come to forgive him in time. You know they say time heals all wounds. Perhaps you and him can be good friends again."

"I don't know."

"Come now, how about I take you home and then you can see what happens."

"See what happens?"

"Sometimes it's better to go with the flow and see what happens, if that's what you want."

"Come on now."

"Heavens no you're a strange man, I'll just go back the way I came." The man shrugged his shoulders.

"So long as you get home." The man started to walk away. "Goodbye your majesty."

"Uh, bye." She said, waving. Then she turned the other way and started to walk. "What a weird man." She did what he asked though, she made her way back to the Market. She walked into the palace with her hands in her pocket. It had been a few days since she had talked with her uncle but she still had a report to finish. She walked into the library and grabbed some more books. She sat down near the fire and began to read.

"Lavina." She threw the book in the air.

"You stay away from me."

"Lavina please." He said moving in front of her.

"I'm sorry."

"So what, you brought me a bouquet of flowers?"

"I- I am not equipped for this situation. I made a mistake, but that's what I was trained to do. It was like all of the sudden all I could do was fight and win. On one hand I witnessed Unora dieing but at the same time I saw your mother cry in my arms." He laughed. "It was funny. I held her there in the woods and all she did was tell me how it was going to be ok and that I did the right thing. Even in the darkest times she was always the light at the end of the tunnel." Leo sat down on the floor. "I could never understand how you feel. But I am willing to give all of this up for you. One word is all it takes for me to advocate the throne to you, my darling. All I want is for you to be happy. And if I need to leave and give this up then I will."

"I- I don't want you to leave. I'm mad at you sure but-" She groaned, "You had to do it. And I understand that much. I'm not just going to get over it one night, I mean she was my mother." She paused. "And you're a great king, you've made life better for everyone. Perhaps in time I will learn to forgive you, but as for now, I'm still mad." Leo stood up.

"Thank you, Lavina. I'm sorry again."

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself and do your job."

Leo laughed, "There's my stubborn little niece." Lavina glared at him from her chair.

"Go do your job."

Leo laughed again and then left the library. Lavina rolled her eyes and then went back to her book. She kept taking notes and even made some sketches. Then her phone rang. "Hello? Oh hi Anghi! Yeah I'll be right over."