Reincarnated Prince just wants a quiet life

Part 5: Divine Meeting

Catlin watched as her son left the room with Darcia right on his heels. She stared after them for sometime before she let out a gasp of air that she herself was unaware of holding. What was that immense aura I felt? Had it truly come from Ivan?

"Your highness?" said Luna in a meek voice.

Turning to face the woman she was glad to notice that Luna was also quite shaken. "Are you alright Luna?" she asked

"Your highness, what was that just now?" she replied in a shaky voice.

Catlin looked down at her own hands that were shaking and tried to will them to stop before speaking, "I .... I am not sure." she replied in an equally shaky voice, "It felt as if I suddenly had the whole of the world pressing down on me. It was ... terrifying."

Nodding her head Luna gingerly took a few steps towards the lounge chair before collapsing into it. "W-was it truly master Ivan who ..." she trailed off.

"I.... I am not sure, but what other explanation could there be?" Catlin said while walking over to the nearest chair. "If it was indeed my son who..." She shook her head and tried to push the awful feeling aside. "I will have to talk to him at some point, but for now I would like to hear the rest of your report Luna." she paused and studied the other woman's face before adding, "If you are up for it that is. If you are not then I would understand, even I am reluctant to do anything other than crawl into a bed and sleep."

"N-no, I am fine, your highness. I.. I just need a minute to collect myself" Luna replied before taking a few deep breaths.

That night dinner was as awkward as a first dinner with an in-law. The silence was deafening save the sounds of forks clanking against plates. Luna had joined us, which had only served to make me feel even more awkward. She would cast a curious glance over in my direction as if waiting for us to make eye contact but when we did she would avert her eyes. My mother however, would not avert her gaze instead she would raise an eyebrow and wait for me to look away. Both Darcia and my father seemed to be lost in thought and barely ate or looked around. Finally unable to bear the silence any longer I cleared my throat and immediately four pairs of eyes were on me. "It seems that this silence is uncomfortable after all. I'd much rather have a conversation. Mother, it looks to me that you have something to say, please be my guest."

"I would ask you why you were so furious earlier and I hope you did not take it out on poor Darica after you left." she said, raising an eyebrow.

I nearly choked on my food and was sent into a coughing fit. "Mother I would never! I admit that I was furious but I would never take my anger out on Darcia or any woman."

"Then why does Darcia look so dejected and sad?" she replied dryly.

"That is because Ivan still feels so distant." Darcia said in a soft voice, "It was he who asked me to join him on this earth but yet he hardly pays any attention to me and instead favors the company of books."

"I.... That .. " I stammered.

"Well if that is all it is to it then it is but a simple solution." My mother said, "Ivan, I am limiting your access to the Library."

"What? Mother, why would you?" I exclaimed

"Because it is clear that Darcia is in distress because you wont pay her any attention. So spend some more time with her now that you can no longer go to the library as freely." she said flatly.

I looked at Darcia and I swear I could have seen the traces of a smile forming but I was unable to be for certain. Looking around the table to Luna and my father for any help I was met with blank stares from the both of them. Turning once more to face my mother I let out a sigh, "Mother, is this really necessary?"