Draconia Offline vol. 1

66.3. We're Family - Part 3

"You don't need to justify yourself to us, Your Majesty," Mr Anderle is quicker than me. "You're the Celestial Emperor."

"I think I do need to," I insist. "Erik is your son and I'm sure you're worried about him. Please, speak openly and honestly. Say what's really on your mind. Forget for a second who I am and consider me simply to be Erik's partner."

The Anderles take a moment to absorb what I've just proposed. Then Mrs Anderle speaks up.

"We would be lying if I said we aren't worried about our son," she starts slowly but bravely. "Polyamory is a concept we're not very familiar with. Please, don't think of us as bigoted, my husband had his share of boyfriends at university."

"You had, Mr Anderle?" I blink, a bit shocked.

"Bisexual," he points to himself and grins. "I thought Erik told you."

"I'm afraid he omitted that part," I nudge my beloved.

"Sorry, it never came up in a conversation," Erik shrugs. "I didn't think it important."

"The thing is," Mrs Anderle takes a deep breath. "Polyamory isn't really about gender or sexual orientation, it's about commitment. Frankly, we're afraid our son might suffer in such a relationship. We're afraid you won't give him the attention and love he deserves."

"Besides, does Erik even love Gotrid as well?" Mr Anderle asks sharply. "I know a thing or two about polyamory and this is clearly not the case."

"Mr and Mrs Anderle, I realise we Celestials perceive relationships differently, especially when it comes to our Emperor," Gotrid says patiently. "But our commitment isn't any shallower just because our Emperor is permitted and even expected to have more partners. And you're completely wrong about one thing when it comes to commitment."

"Which is?" they don't understand.

"We're not His Majesty's boyfriends, we're his Consorts. And that translates as husbands in human analogy," Gotrid explains. "The fact we didn't have a ceremony to testify that doesn't diminish the truth."

Erik's emotional state suddenly drastically changes. I look at him in alarm, trying to figure out what's going on. And then it hits me—Erik didn't realise we're husbands! It's exactly the absence of an official ceremony that confused his human thinking.

Ryuu, h-husbands...? Really? Erik has to do his best not to let amazement show on his face.

Oh, Erik, I'm so sorry, I start apologising frantically. Do you need time to process it? Do you hate that mere idea? I honestly didn't realise you didn't realise. Seriously, am I really a telepath?

Erik doesn't reply but another powerful emotion stirs inside of him. At first, I'm afraid the commitment is suddenly too big for him to digest, much more than he asked for. I'm scared I did something without his consent which freaks me out because it's the last thing I'd want to do. But Erik's shock quickly transforms into joy.

"You heard him," Erik says proudly. "I'm not just Ryuu's boyfriend, I'm his lawful husband. I'm sorry we didn't inform you, Mom, Dad, but it happened so naturally and there wasn't any ceremony to invite you to anyway."

The Anderles stare at us for almost a whole minute before Mrs Anderle manages to let out:

"So His Majesty is part of our family now?" she says in a daze.

"Ryuu, my mom is your mother-in-law now," Erik nudges me, grinning. "And my Dad is your father-in-law. That certainly gives things a new perspective, huh?"

"Erik, are you happy? Genuinely happy?" Mrs Anderle chews her lip.

"There are challenges in this unusual relationship, I'm not hiding that," he answers confidently. "But love Ryuuto and Ryuuto loves me. He also loves Gotrid now and it's not making our love any smaller. Polyamory might not always work for humans but it's natural for the Celestial Emperor. I've never felt neglected just because I'm not the only partner Ryuu has. If anything, my sweet Ryuu is even more eager to prove his love for me than ever before."

That finally persuades the Anderles—we reached a mutual understanding. I'm truly blessed that Erik's parents are so open.

"Desserts?" Erik points at the table because nobody has touched their cheesecake yet.

"Oh, please!" Mrs Anderle picks up hers, craving sweets now that the tension is over.

Erik eats only half of his cake because he's trying to stay away from excessive sugar. He waits until I finish mine and feeds me the rest of his dessert. The Anderles are watching our lovey-dovey interaction with relief.

"See? There's nothing to be concerned about," Erik assures them.

"Oh, you have a balcony?" Mr Anderle notices only now. "Could we maybe drink our coffee there? I've never been on a balcony so high."

"That depends on whether our Emperor will behave," Gotrid chuckles. "See, the thing is that our sweet beloved can't be trusted with balconies, windows and such. His desire to fly is crazy."

"I will behave," I puff.

For a moment, the Anderles don't know what to make out of it. Then the corners of their mouths twitch into a smile. They may not be able to address me by my name but at least they don't have to be so wary around me all the time.

"Ryuu," Erik warns me because the moment the guards open the door to the balcony and I feel the fresh air, I have an automatic tendency to spread my wings.

"I know, geez," I retort and fold my wings back. "It was just a reflex."

We make ourselves comfortable using pillows and blankets and the maids move our coffee and cakes. We spend the afternoon engaged in a pleasant conversation and the Anderles ask Gotrid a ton of questions.

"They did? That's horrible!" Mrs Anderles is downright outraged when Gotrid tells them his parents disowned him. I feel they are slowly warming up to Gotrid, especially after hearing his life story.

And then it's time to say goodbye. I'm overjoyed the Anderles accepted Gotrid so well and the Anderles are relieved they could confirm for themselves that Gotrid is a decent person. As the Anderles are about to enter the elevator, Erik's Mom turns around rather wildly.

"This will be a serious breach of protocol but screw it, we're family now!" she says cheekily and... hugs me tight.

I feel my guards and maids panicking but I don't care. I hug her back and gobble her kindness. My mother-in-law. I love how it sounds.

"It's okay, you can touch my wings," I tell her, melting in her embrace.

"I can certainly see why Erik never has enough," she laughs. "Your feathers are so soft and nice to pet, Your Majesty."

"Mooom, that's enough," Erik cries because Mrs Anderle is petting my wings all over.

"So what," she shrugs and finally lets go. "I've always wanted to do it. Celestial wings are so inviting and His Majesty's especially."

"Won't I get a hug?" Erik pretends to be offended but he's smiling.

Mrs Anderle hugs him as well, of course, and then looks at Gotrid.

"Oh, come on, you're no longer a stranger," Mrs Anderle embraces Gotrid as well, surprising everybody. "I'm sorry your family is so bigoted, Gotrid. Rest assured that we aren't. It might take some time but we'll come to terms with your unusual relationship arrangement eventually."

"Thank you," Gotrid whispers and his eyes get wet.

Mr Anderle doesn't go for a hug but he nods at Gotrid approvingly and offers him a handshake. When the door closes after them, I also feel my eyes getting wet. They're the family Gotrid and I never had. Words can't describe how happy and fulfilled we feel right now.

"Cien, do we still have the rest of the day free?" I ask my maid.

"You do," she assures me and then adds: "Unless you want to see the newest breakthrough in the Dragonkin crafting?"

"What breakthrough?!" I get excited.

"Love!" Erik and Gotrid purse their lips at me at the same time.

"Right, right," I force myself to calm down. "It can wait until tomorrow. I bet my Consorts have an entirely different program in mind for the evening."