To Protect Dragons

14. Pleasure

Everyone was back at the table for dinner. Emelia had been talking everyone's ear off about a soldier in the Southern army that had passed by the village a few weeks ago, she kept swearing it was love at first sight. Emelia was also interrogating Eun-ji, challenging her to a sparring match, although only getting minimal response back. I felt at ease back at this familiar house with Emelia and her mother. The smell of the stew that she had made brought childhood memories to my mind and I sighed contently as I hungrily devoured the soup. I hadn't realized how tired I was of eating bread until today.

"Now Kana, I've heard news from your father that Riko is coming back to town soon, it's been such a long time since I have been that boy." I stopped eating and Emelia almost choked on her own spoon. Riko was coming back? I stared at my soup in confusion, trying to formulate a sentence, after all this was news to me too.

Reo looked at me quizzically, "Who is Riko?"

Emelia glanced at me with a sympathetic look in her eyes. "Just a friend of mine from the Northern Kingdom, he went to join the army two years ago." I tried to smile, but even I could hear that the sadness in my voice was evident.

"That boy I swear, just up and left without even saying goodbye. After I practically raised him." Emelia's mom said angrily. "When he gets back i'll be sure to give him a nice big smack for worrying us all like that." From across the table I could feel Kazuto's gaze on me, I was having trouble meeting his eyes, still unsure what to make of our previous encounter. I decided that it would be best if I ignored what had happened before, and tried to smile as the conversation around Riko had dullened my mood quite a bit. I still couldn't believe he was coming back.

"When is he coming back?" Emelia suddenly asked gripping her spoon harshly, her knuckles turned to a white shade from gripping it so hard.

"I know he had arrived in the Northern kingdom only a few days ago, i'm sure he is bound to visit soon. Let's hope he gets here before you and your friends leave." She said smiling, oblivious to everything that had occured when he had just up and left without notice in the middle of the night.

Emelia shot a look at me that I knew said let's hope not.

I cleared my throat, needing to process what has happened, I hadn't expected him to come back at all. I thought his future was paved of becoming a general in the army, after all, he didn't have any reason to come back.

"I think i'm going to go to bed. We've had a long day and i'm tired. Thank you so much for the food." I said softly patting Emelia's mom's shoulder as I walked away. As I made my way to Emilia's room I could hear her mom badgering Kazuto and Reo with questions, most of which included, "Now which one of you is going to marry my daughter?" And other things along those lines.

I walked into the bedroom sitting down on Emilia's bed. I sat dumbfounded. He had the nerve to come back here. But then again, he has every right to return. I was deep in thought as I didn't even hear the door open and Eun-ji walk in, making her way over to the two matts that her mother had set up for me and her.

"Sorry to startle you princess, are you okay?" I was shocked that she had even taken any interest in me, let alone said any words to me.

"Yes, just tired. I guess traveling only really kicks in when you finally are in a warm house with home cooked food." I said laughing lightly. Of course I didn't expect her to laugh with me. Instead she nodded her head and sat down to where her matt was.

"Well at least we are halfway to the Northern Kingdom" I said, trying to fill up the awkward silence that had engulfed me and Eun-ji. "I think you all will love Amree. I'm so excited for you all too meet her."

"I am curious to see how a dragon behaves, although I worry about the true nature of those creatures."

I was slightly aggravated at her comment. They were mercilessly killing these animals for no reason. Before I could say anything I heard a knock at the front door. With a surprised voice coming from Emelia, "Riko?"

I quickly jumped out of bed, "I-I'll be back" I said almost impulsively running towards the door. When I finally made it to the kitchen Riko was shaking Kazuto's hand with a firm grip. He stopped and dropped his hand as he made eye contact with me. I stood there, unsure of what to do. I took a small step towards him. It had seemed that the world had stopped it's motion.

"Kana". His voice radiated through me, he's really here. I walked towards him faltering in my movements, not sure what to do. I was so angry with him. I convinced myself I hated him. But I couldn't help but just stand there with my arms at my side as he engulfed me into a hug that I used to be so familiar with. I quickly pushed away, it wouldn't go back to the way it was. If he thought he could walk in here and everything would go back to normal he was wrong.

"What are you doing here?" I said, my voice faltering with every word. I had to be strong in front of him.

His face fell, remorse and regret filled his eyes, I wanted to hug and forgive him but it wouldn't be that simple. "Can we talk" he said taking a step towards me, "Please?" He begged. Emelia's mom I think could finally sense the tension in the room, making an excuse to leave that I didn't quite hear. Eun-ji hadn't left the room, probably intuitive enough to know that this wasn't the best time for introductions.

Emelia suddenly stepped in, "She's tired, they all have been traveling for days. You guys can talk tomorrow." Emelia said with a more demanding tone.

Riko looked at Emelia with a hurt look in his eyes. He wasn't a fool. I felt trapped, he was right here in front of me, but I couldn't think of two words to say to him. All this time that I spent thinking of what I would say to him when I finally saw him again, all this time accepting that he was never coming back, and yet I couldn't say anything.

Reo looked angry, his hands were gripped into fists, it didn't take a genius to be able to tell how uncomfortable I was in this situation.

"Let's just all sit down and talk, I haven't seen any of you in a long time, and I would like to get more acquainted with your majesty and Reo." However he wasn't looking at anyone else when he said this, he was staring at me. Eyes silently pleading for me to agree.

"Okay." was all I could manage to say. Reo glanced at Kazuto, unsure if they should sit down at the table or leave it to be a personal matter between me Riko and Emelia. Kazuto stared at me, and then walked swiftly over to the table sitting down.

Dead silence loomed over us as we all sat at the table. I could feel Riko's emerald eyes on me, once upon a time I would have given anything to have him look at me.

Reo being the uplifting person he was tried to break the silence, "So Riko, are you on leave from the army right now?" Riko broke his gaze from mine. I dug my nails into my hands, clenching my knuckles tightly.

"Yes, some of the soldiers were aloud to go on leave to visit their homes." He paused, "If you don't mind me asking what is the majesty and you doing with Kana?"

"Ah yes, we are taking care of business with the princess that required us to come to the North with her, although I think it's more a gift that this has happened she is a pleasure to be around." Reo said again, trying to lighten the mood that had taken over at the table.

Riko looked at Reo, confusion filling his eyes at the casual way that Reo had spoken about me. "Yes, she is." he said staring at me directly.

I laughed. I didn't mean to laugh, but I couldn't help it. My laugh was distant even to my own ears, bitterness dripping from it.

All four pairs of eyes were glancing at me. Emilia looked at me concerned. She had been there with me when he had left, she was with me when he had made me fall in love with him, then leave without notice.

"After two years and all that happened that's what you say? That i'm a pleasure to be around?"