Black Crystal Part 1 - The Origin

Chapter Twenty Three ~ Why You Must...

Xander wandered around the Castle's massive halls late that night, as he always did. He had an affinity for being up at night, though during that specific night, he had a reason to be up that late. Why does mom want to talk to me about Garen? Xander thought to himself. Garen's stupid, and dumb, and... and stupid. What with his lineage and orphan...age and all that crap. He doesn't belong in a Castle like this. He finally approached the closed door to the throne room and looked up at it. The door absolutely seemed to tower over him. "Why am I so short?" he scoffed before finally opening the door. His mother, Queen Maevis, was already walking around inside with what looked like a cup of tea.

"Good evening, Xander," Maevis said with a smile, sitting down on one of the four thrones. "Sit down, please."

"Quit with the whole 'formal Queen' thing," Xander replied as he rolled his eyes, walking towards his own throne. "It's annoying enough that we have to act like that in public." Maevis sighed.

"Tell me something." She turned towards Xander as she spoke. "Why in the world don't you like Garen? Honestly; what has he done to you to make you dislike him so much?" Xander shifted a little in his throne uncomfortable, trying to avoid eye contact with Maevis.

"I dunno..." he mumbled quietly.

"I'm sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you."

Xander sighed and shook his head. "Ugh... why do you have to make me think rationally?" After a moment of contemplation, Xander shrugged and shook his head. "I really don't know. I just don't think I trust him around Lenora. That might be it."

"Oh dear..." Maevis sighed, looking down. "That's exactly what I was afraid of."

"Mom? What the flip are you talking about?" asked Xander, but Maevis hesitated to speak.

"Well..." She turned towards Xander again. "I'm 99.37% sure that Garen is actually... in love with Lenora." Maevis braced herself for an outburst, but something even worse happened. Xander remained silent. His expression didn't even change. "And I feel like Lenora could potentially feel the same way for him. You see? That's why I want you to start getting along with him more."

"Huh." Xander wasn't quite sure how to react. "You think that's why she offered to let him live with us? She's too nice for her own good, mom. She could've been just doing an act of kindness for him."

"Either way, Garen clearly has feeling for her. So please, for your sister's sake, try to get along with Garen, okay?" Xander was quiet for a bit, until finally, he nodded and sighed.

"Fine," he said. "I'll try."