Extraterrestrial Lives

9

I did it, I either just made the best decision of my life or the worst one. For my child though, I would do anything. Once I started thinking of my child my decision made itself. Rafe was right, his father might never like any of his choices. But that's okay since my father hated me. And not how Rafe's father hated him. Rafe's father would never try to kill him. 

But I can never tell Rafe that. I know both the queen and king have forbidden him to watch my memories from Earth. They are terrified of how it would affect him. I think they are right to be worried. Some things just don't need to be known.

Rafe escorts me through some huge doors to an incredible room. It's more like the ballroom from Disney's Beauty and the Beast movie than a dining room. I snicker. Rafe at times could definitely take beasts place.

The room grows quiet. Time to put on my mask. And cue the gossip. Right on cue the gossip starts up barely a whisper turning into a low roar. Rafe escorts me to his father's side and helps me into my seat. I look up at him and smile for the first time since entering this room, a real smile. Seeing his response, I forget about everyone here and just see him. He picks up my hand and gives it a kiss before scooting my chair in.

There is silence, total and complete silence and that's what grabs my attention. Rafe just takes the chair at my side and casually sits ignoring everyone else.

"Son, is there something you would like to share?" The king asks Rafe.

Rafe smiles slyly, "Not really, but since it will be common knowledge soon anyway, Maha has agreed to marry me."

The only sound in the room is the female sitting across from Rafe. She gives a gasp and drops her crystal, or whatever it is, goblet. Ah, that must be the ex girlfriend, Sheena or whatever. 

I study her a bit closer. She's beautiful, there's no denying but, there's something off about her as well. She'd never make a good queen because of whatever it is that's off.

Rafe sees me studying her and gives me a slight nod. So that is the ex. I'll make sure he's never alone with her.

Sheena is making a scene. Mother is right she never would have made a good queen. Father to my amazement though, is smiling at my announcement. He actually approves of Maha? Since when did father ever approve of something I do?

"Well son, we are going to be making a lot of people talk tonight aren't we?"

Father gets up and mother joins him, "We are having this dinner tonight to make an important announcement, but my son wants to make it two it seems. Tonight I am declaring before the court that my son, Rafael Depak Ginhime, is to be my successor to the throne. He will be taking the throne once his tour has completed.

"The second announcement, My son has been assigned the protection of a very special person and that is why he is finishing his tour here. He has somehow convinced that person to marry him. So here's a toast to Rafael and Maha!" The stunned court follow my fathers toast and toast us only because they are accustomed to doing so.

Sheena is shooting daggers at both me and Maha. I don't know why she's so angry, I told her before my tour that I wasn't going to go back to her when my tour was over. Some people never listen I guess.

Mother is beaming at Maha. She knew that Maha wasn't sure if she was even going to stay or not.

Now to convince Maha to marry me as soon as possible to make sure that our child is born with full privileges. We are going to have to have a big circus wedding later with all the bells and whistles or however that Earth saying goes.

I somehow make it through dinner. Why in the world would anyone need so many forks and spoons? Three knives really? Come on, make life far more complicated than it needs be.

The ex across the way watches me minutely, judging me, looking for a way to hurt or destroy me. She's far too late to hurt me with words. One thing growing up the way I did, did do for me is make it so unimportant people's words mean nothing to me.

She pounces, "How lovely, we're going to have a queen that doesn't even know how to eat properly."

Rafe, tenses angrily. I put my hand on his leg. "Sorry, I wasn't raised here. I may be ignorant, but that can be fixed. Bitchiness on the other hand can't. The people should feel lucky that they aren't getting you as their queen." And score.

There are more than a few chuckles at my words. The wannabe queen is furious, but she started the verbal attack, she found out that she can't finish it. Rafe is hiding a smile now.

"Rafe, dear, is this the one that is so desperate that she won't leave you alone?" He is mine.

"Yes. Lady Sheena just can't seem to take no for an answer." Ouch, Rafe you have an inner bitch yourself. There are even more snickers around the table at his response.

Sheena wants to leave, tears are filling her eyes. I might actually feel bad, except the emotion that's with them is anger, not sadness. She's angry at Rafe for his words and asking me to marry him and not her. She isn't upset because she loves him, but because she's losing her chance to gain the throne. I give her a scathing look.

Rafe pulls my attention back to him by taking and kissing my hand. I smile at him warmly. "Thank you." That's all he says but I understand him.

The rest of the dinner goes well, more or less. Ignoring Sheena makes eating more of a chore than I had hoped, but hunger drives us all eventually. My child decided that he or she likes this food and couldn't get enough.