Beyond Immortality

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

"You have magic!" she exclaims flabbergasted. I nod explaining it was the magic I used to cure her. "You tried to tell me but I was too naïve to see just how special my daughter is," she says caressing my face.

"I'm sorry I took too long to get you," I apologize my head hung low in quilt. She uses her hand to raise my chin so I look up at her.
"You never gave up on me. What matters is we are together." She pulls me into an embrace. I had longed for those arms to hold me for so many years. For that voice to tell me we are alright and can overcome mountains. I wanted to be there by her side always. I could face anything now, I was not lonely, I was not alone. Mithian returns and announces that mother's room is ready to be accommodated.

Excitedly, I help mother off the bed putting sandals onto her feet. Her room is across the hallway. It was similar to mine only that everything there had a purple theme, The drapes, and the bed items, it was beautiful and covered with FLOWERS! This was hospitable but who would have her room stuffed with flowers, she just go- Leonius, it must be his handy work. Who could blame him he has always asked about my mother since I got here and was more than eager to help me get her back.

"Leonius is outdoing himself," I compliment as my mother admires the room.

"Leonius?" she asks.

"Of course! When I arrived, he kept asking about you and couldn't wait to see you," I said. She shied away.

"He is an honourable man," she says grabbing an apple. I assign Celia to her and then leave her to settle down.

We all sat at the huge dining table which was stuffed with all kinds of foods. Mithian was present with several servants who served us supper before standing against the wall till they were needed. King Hemsworth welcomed my mother warmly and into the family. Mithian had found a perfect purple v-line gown for mother; it had a small train behind it and a simple necklace around her neck. Her hair was neatly combed but let loose to flow in its huge wavy nature. I admired the woman sitting on the other side of the table adjacent to me.

"Is everything running smoothly with the squires?" he asked Orion who took some time before answering. I followed his gaze to Enmyria. He was ogling at her as she blushed. A foot from the other side of the table trailed up my covered legs. I glanced at Enmyria she was making a flirting face. Was she thinking I was Orion? I move my feet. She makes a small giggle biting her lip in realisation or she was doing it intentionally to spite me which would be more relevant.

"Orion?" his father calls out again. I watch him sit up turning to his father. Quickly, I glimpse at mother from the corner of my eye. She wore that face, the curious and quizzical one. She held her tongue getting on with her food.

"It's such an honour to dine with a man such as you," she says to him.

"I guess the honour is meeting the woman who raised a remarkable daughter," Mason chimes in grinning at mother, " whose beauty still radiates even at such a golden age."

"Mason do you ever stop," the king teases, "If anything she is my type." We chuckle at their childish fight over mother.

I glimpsed at Orion who wore a blank face as expected, I was sure he did not stand it when anyone complimented me.

"The wedding planner said he would be here early tomorrow morning," The king goes on. "You two better meet him on time, there's almost no time to dilly-dally,"

"Yes Father," Orion responds.

"I'm sure they will do a wonderful job," Enmyria says sarcastically. We all glance at her. What was she doing here anyway? Doesn't she have a castle back in her father's kingdom? She was starting to tick me off.
                                  ****
As ordered by his majesty I got up earlier to prepare for our meeting with the wedding planners. Hurriedly, I rushed to the banquet room, where they were supposed to be. I was about to push the lightly open door ajar when I heard voices coming from inside. Instead of minding my business, I made up my mind to eavesdrop, pressing my ear against the door opening. The voices coming from inside were male voices and they were in an argument.