Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 56

As though Milori only lived his life week to week, he finally felt a spark of joy and hope as he and Avalon raced through the skies.
The last few months solely revolved around him trying to get closer to Clarion, failing, and then seemingly waiting for the next attempt.
Each opportunity then seemed to come after a weeks' passing.
Thank god he had white hair already, Milori thought wryly, or else he'd surely need a lot of dye with all the stress Clarions' absence had produced.
However true to the cycle, it had been a little over a week since the High Fae meeting, and today was The Season's Tournament.
That was why he now found himself and his daughter on their way to Pixie Hollow.
It hadn't even been a question as to whether or not he should bring Avalon, it had been far too long since both women had seen each other.
At least that was what he was told everyday by a surly Avalon.
So Milori figured he'd catch two thistles with one lasso; make Avalon happy and make any headway with Clarion.
It was also an added bonus that Milori knew Avalon would not hesitate to let Clarion know her feelings regarding her long absence.
"Why are you wearing riding gear?"
Milori's train of thought was interrupted by Avalon's question and he glanced over at her.
"Well, I might compete in the bunny riding competition."
At this, Avalon let out a loud laugh, "You riding bunnies? Isn't there an age limit or something? Ashe and his friends were talking about competing in that."
Milori huffed as he tried not to be offended.
Yes, generally it was 16-25 year olds who signed up for the race as the winner received a golden wreath from Clarion herself, was crowned King of the Match, and usually offered a ranking position within Clarion's army.
A decent reward for anyone.
However riding bunnies took agility, stamina and to be honest... youth.
Milori had at least two of those things if not all three if he did say so himself.
Ok youth was a bit far but he, Clarion and many other current rulers were not old by any means.
"You know I'm a feared King who personally trains and oversees one of the greatest armies in the region right? That I have seen countless wars and battles?"
Avalon rolled her eyes, "When was the last time you rode a bunny dad? Those things are crazy, there's bound to be proffesionals there today, why do it?"
Milori shrugged, "It's kind of a surprise for your mom actually."
Avalon's eyes widened at this, "Really?"
"Yea, but like I said it's a surprise since she doesn't know I'll be there today much less participating. So don't say anything to her."
Avalon nodded, making a zipping motion across her lips.
Silence settled between them for a moment as the wind picked up and they focused on steadying their owls.
"So are you guys fighting or something?"
At this the reigns nearly slipped from Miloris' hands and Archimedes dipped for a second. Righting him, Milori studied Avalon as he gathered a response.
"Why do you ask that?"
Now it was Avalon's turn to shrug; "It doesn't seem like a coincidence that Clarion leaves for a while and you become super depressed and obsessed with doing random stuff like this for her."
Milori opened his mouth to respond but nothing came out at first.
Was he going about this all wrong?
The one thing he didn't want in all this uncertainty was for Avalon to notice or be affected.
He tried again; "Nothing's wrong honey, like we said, Clarion has a lot at stake right now with her project and needs to travel quite a bit for the time being. And I am definitely sad about that. (All true) I apologize if I haven't been much fun to be around lately, I'm just trying to find ways we can compromise and meet in the middle."
He let out a breath at this, happy he gave a truthful response without divulging too much.
But because Avalon was clearly put on this world to humble him, she shook her head.
"No she took her stuff with her, she broke up with you didn't she?"
She raised an accusing eyebrow following that question.
If Milori could rub his hands over his face in frustration without giving too much away, he would but instead settled for indifference.
That was the only way to deter Avalon.
"One, that's not really how marriage works and two, no matter if something did happen between us and we 'broke up' as you call it,  I would expect you to trust me and in the fact that I would do whatever it took to make things right again."
He ended that statement with his own raised eyebrow and was relieved to see a small smile escape from her as she nodded and faced forwards once more.
They were coming up quickly to the borders of Pixie Hollow and it was time to put his plan into action.