Wherever I Am

Chapter 21 - Part 1

"So you're in charge of this country," Nathan said. He, Sinense, Ellie, and I sat in the dark on the balcony, sipping some honey-plum wine.

"It seems that way," I agreed. I'd figured that since Lauretti had me move into these chambers, but she made it official in our post-supper Realm meeting. "I guess when Uncle John shows up, he could decide something else, but I doubt that."

"You're not ready, Lord Kevin," Sinense said.

"Which is why Cornelia and Reginar are here as advisors," Ellie said. "And Nathan is your second."

"Whatever that means," Nathan added.

"It means," Sinense said with some exasperation, "that if Lord Kevin is called to another area of the Realm, you will take his place until his return."

"And if he doesn't return."

"Then you're Lord of Baemardis."

"Why not Ellie instead of me? She'd probably do better anyway. I don't know anything about this shit." Nathan sounded a little shaken about this whole idea, or maybe it was that we were on our second bottle.

"Maid Elexus cannot rule. That takes a man. If you want her to rule, marry her and let her tell you what to do. That's how women rule."

I started laughing. I knew it was the wine, but I couldn't stop. They were all staring at me as I caught my breath. "I could see Ellie doing that," I said as I continued to chuckle.

"That doesn't seem terrible," Nathan said and gave Ellie a smile.

I was missing something here, but I wasn't sure what. Why had she texted him back at Uncle John's place when we were attacked? We hadn't even seen him for three years. I chatted with him on social media, and we sometimes played video games, but this was something different.

"If the man isn't strong, he can still be effective if he has a strong woman behind him," Sinense said.

"That's how it was here with the Regent," Ellie said. "Grigore was a wimp, but Nicoleta seemed to be the power there. He couldn't decide shit if she weren't around."

Sinense frowned. "How did he become Regent?"

"His father died, so Grigore took his place. One of the problems with a hereditary system."

Sinense looked like she was going to say something but contented herself with nodding.

"Sinense," Ellie said. "Tell us where you're from. You seem much more up on the protocols with nobility."

"I am, and since I am the unmarried daughter of a Baron, I would appreciate it if you would call me Maid Sinense, and I will call you Maid Elexus or Maid Ellie, whichever you prefer."

"I prefer just Ellie."

"In time, I might, once we get to know each other better, and only in private. It would be best if you Lords also made sure to heed this. Lord Kevin can get away with this familiarity because he is your brother, though it still is too familiar for public statements. At the same time, Lord Nathan, you are not closely enough related to Maid Elexus to speak familiarly, even if you have been or will be intimate with her. You would dishonor her by speaking such of or to her. I don't understand how you don't know all of this."

"We don't have this in our world," Nathan said. "I've only learned of this in the last twenty-four hours, so forgive me if I slip up with these cousins I've known all my life."

"I will, but others may not understand. The same goes for you, Lord Kevin, with Maid Sorina. You wear her favor, so show your respect by not being familiar with her in public."

"Dude, what's this favor?"

I fingered the ribbon on my vest. "This."

"And what does it mean?"

"It means she's pissed right now," Ellie said, pulling up her sleeve and showing a pink mark under her bicep. "Lauretti injected me, Doina, Zoe, Mara, and Sorina with birth control devices that are good for at least a year. Sorina wasn't happy about this. Kevin, how can she give you an heir if she can't have babies?"

"Great," I replied. "That does seem to be her goal in life." Visions of the last few days passed through my head, and my chest tightened.

"And you would marry her, or at least acknowledge the children?" Sinense asked.

"I don't know, and...and yes, I would. I'm not ready for that, but I would if that happened."

"Why? You are here to rule, and she seems nowhere close to your rank."

"Two nights ago, she held me while I was dying, and...and...." I couldn't finish. I was crying, and Ellie's arms went around and hugged me. Nathan's hand fell on my shoulder and squeezed, a quiet "Shit, shit, shit," repeating from him.

"I should've stayed with him," Ellie said, her voice breaking, "but I had a fucking country falling apart here, and Sorina said she'd stay with him until he got better, but he wasn't getting better and...." Then she was sobbing against my neck.

It was the wine doing this, and maybe it would've been a good thing if Sinense wasn't here. With her here, I didn't know. I caught my breath and pulled Ellie into my lap. Another breath or two, and maybe I could explain more.

"Adrian...he was my squire...and died...when I almost did." Sinense seemed frozen in place when I looked at her. "He's Mara and...and Eliza's older brother. Their parents were killed in a Sobeck attack a week ago." I took another breath. The tightness had lessened some. "Stefan's my older page and Sorina's little brother. Their father died in that attack, too. Sorina, Adrian, and all the rest grew up together as almost a single family. They have each other, and they have us. Things have happened where they are more...."

"To us, they're family," Ellie finished for me.

"And I'm not family," she whispered.

I looked at her, blinking the tears out of my eyes.

"Not yet," Ellie breathed.

Sinense looked at us, brows furrowed for a moment before nodding.

"Lauretti didn't tell us anything about this, dude," Nathan said. "Said some serious shit was going on with wolfmen and some different Realm attack, but that's it."

I shifted Ellie and kissed her hair before letting her up. "We'll fill you in tomorrow...when we're all sober."

"L-Lord K-K-Kevin," a voice came from the balcony opening.

"Yes, Stefan," I answered.

"M-M-Master Tadzi...wishes t-to...." I heard him take a slow breath. "Speak w-with you...a-about the f-f-feast."

"Tell him I'll be there in a minute."

"Y-Yes, Mi-Milord."

Sinense stared at the doorway. "That's your page?"

"One of them. Radu must be asleep."

"That was awful."

"Actually," Ellie said. "He's already gotten better than he was with a few things Kevin's told him to try."

"So, Lord Kevin, you're a speech therapist, too?"

"No, but I have a friend...Ellie, can you tell her? I've got to pee, then see Tadzi."

"I didn't need to know that," Sinense said.

"Welcome to the family," Ellie said.