Silver King

Chapter 13 - Elane

I don't even know what I'm doing here. I know why I was told to be here, because Volo Samos wants to know what is going on and separate me from Eve. I know why I agreed to come here, because of Eve. For her sake, and because she believes this could work. I also know why I didn't want to go, because I need Eve's guidance and her loving presence. I know why I wanted to come, because I can't stand my husband's... everything. I know why I shouldn't have come here, because everyone is suspicious. I know why I should have come here, because Eve needs the information for herself (even if she doesn't say it, I know she is interested by this system), and we can all use to know what's happening in the kingdom next to ours.

I know all that. But what I'm supposed to do, what I am doing right now, I have no clue.

I am sitting on a comfortable chair, along with 17 other people waiting for directions. Cal and the lightning girl haven't arrived yet.

I know we're supposed to be the council, be the founders of the democracy system Norta is trying to make. If this carries through, our names will go down in history. It's slightly disturbing, though glorified, to imagine my face in a history textbook, a hundred years from now.

I know all that, I know as much as do these 17 strangers shifting nervously in their seats around me.

The thought isn't reassuring. I am Elane Haven, and I've always known everything ahead, been ready for it all. Eve helped that a lot, too.

Suddenly - finally - Cal enters the room, a thin smile on his lips, lightning girl in tow. You'd have to be blind not to see that his eyes keep darting over to her. You'd have to be blind not to see that he is madly in love with her. And Mare Barrow is quite good at pretending to be blind, unless of course she is blind, which I highly doubt.

They sit down without a word, as if they were simply members as much as us. Except that Cal sits down on the chair at the head of the table, clearly stating that for the present time he is king. I'd almost forgotten that he was still king and official ruler of Norta, with all the democracy talk. It's almost as if he needs that seat to show it, as, even though his body is as muscular and imposing as ever, his eyes are weak, sad and tired. He is worn out.

Cal clears his throat before starting.

" Hello everyone, welcome to the first council meeting, " he starts as a smile lights up his face, " and congratulations on being selected."

Everyone starts clapping, some quite cheerful, others, like me, hesitant. As the lightning girl and Cal start clapping enthusiastically too, everyone's clapping becomes more vigorous. Except mine. I'm still shaking, unsure. Mare seems to notice it, and she adresses me a weak smile, telling me she understands my situation. When there is no way she can. Her situation, though maybe hard, can't compare to mine, it is simply too unique. Once this is through, in a few months' time, she will be free to go and marry Cal, if she forgives him. Which she totally will, I'm sure. Heterosexual relationships always end up this way, everyone is happy and they live happily ever after. This can never happen to me. Even if the whole system fell down, the whole monarchy could burn and still nobody would ever accept our relationship.

I may be bitter, but I know somehow I'm right, and so I look away.

We start the meeting, and it is honestly incredibly boring. Procedures, what has to be done before Cal can 'officially' resign, how the council will work (we throw in ideas, and vote - really? I had no clue)... a very long day, interrupted only by a miserable lunch.

When it is finally over, I am shown to my room, and I drop on my bed, extremely tired by the meeting. I hope the next days will be more interesting.