Chaos & Order

Chapter 7

The two came to the top of the staircase and approached the doorway. When Aliyah reached for the door, she suddenly stopped. She looked at Siel, looking embarrassed and like she was trying to get something out.

"Is there something that you want to ask me, Aliyah?" Siel asked.

    Aliyah then realized what she had to do. Admit what was in her heart. To the angel's face. She took a deep breath and quickly said, "Actually, I...yes. But it's about...you, not about my mother." Aliyah said.

"Then ask away." Soterasiel said.

    Aliyah hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "Do you think you could fall in love like she did?"

    Aliyah cursed this plan when Siel went silent. He was quiet for a few moments before asking, in a serious tone, "If you don't mind my asking, why do you ask?"

    "Aliyah, remember that you're not my first charge. Other charges I've protected have claimed to have feelings for me." Siel said, "I'm meant to protect you and I do love you. Who could not? But...I cannot love you in the way you are talking about. Live your life and fall in love with someone else. You'll be happier that way."

    Aliyah looked at Siel in shock for a few seconds. Then, she laughed in a dismissive way, "I was asking out of curiosity, Siel. Not because I have feelings for you or anything."

She turned to open the door before walking into her room. She made sure that her back was to him, so he wouldn't see the hurt in her eyes. She shut the door behind her and walked over to her bed, seeing her familiar had returned and was fast asleep. She smiled sadly and climbed into the bed, cuddling up to the white wolf and buried her face into his fur before falling asleep.

    When her back was turned, Siel's face fell from his gentle smile to an emotionless expression. He turned his back with a sigh. He hoped that this would be a simple affair, but feared that this would become much more complicated.

    Siel didn't enter her room. If she needed help, he would be by her side. For now, though...he kept his space.

***
                                                     
The next day, Aliyah was in the throne room with her father, listening to petitions again. Her father was listening, but she was zoning out. She could sense Siel nearby, but he was remaining silent and invisible. She let out a heavy sigh, a little more audibly than she originally intended. She sprung up, surprised, and saw her father was looking at her.

Before she could make an apology, Xavier cleared his throat and said to the villager, "I'm sorry, I truly am, but things came up and we had to deal with them. I assure you that it was NOT because my daughter had another...incident."

    The villager bowed before leaving. Xavier sighed before slumping over, tired, "Aliyah? Be happy you're a girl. Because, despite what all the power struggles in history would have you believe, being the king is dull work..."

    "Yes, Father." Aliyah replied, only half listening.

    "Something the matter?" Xavier asked, "Normally, you'd suggest a swap so I can see how 'easy' it is being a princess."

    "I'm fine." Aliyah said, sitting up straight, "I'm just a little tired."

    "What happened to you last night? I spent a while impaled on a stake, then that angel came back with you..."

    "I lost control again..."

    "Oh." Xavier said. Clearly, this wasn't the answer he was expecting. His next question was, "Did...anyone...?"

    "No. Siel said I didn't hurt anyone."

    "Well...that's a relief." Xavier nodded, "Maybe I misjudged that angel."

    "Daddy, after this, can we have lunch together? There's something...I think we should talk about." Aliyah said.

    "Certainly. It'll have to be a late lunch, though." Xavier said, "Now, straighten up and look regal."

Aliyah nodded as she prepared to listen to more complaints. The doors opened again as Siel slipped away, invisible. Unless Aliyah was prone to dying of boredom, she would likely be safe.

Outside the throne room, he found Fang walking down the halls in his human. Aliyah's lupine familiar looked at Siel before asking, "Not with Aliyah today?"

    "She'll be fine. Just hearing petitions and complaints from the citizenry. The downside of being a good ruler, I suppose." Siel said, playfully.

    "I suppose." Fang said, "Though she was acting strange this morning. Did anything happen last night?"

    "Well...I told her about her mother." Siel said.

    Fang stopped. "You did what? Does the King know?"

    "She asked me and I knew the answer. I'm her guardian, I couldn't withhold that information from her if she directly asked me." Siel said.

Fang sighed. "I see. Though it doesn't explain why she's blocking me."

    "Who's to say, really?" Siel asked.

    Fang looked at Siel. "You seem different today as well. You're not as carefree as you usually are."

    "Sorry. Moods with angels shift as much as any other entity." Siel said.

    "Both of you are acting strange, Siel. What really happened between you two?" Fang frowned.

    "Fang, you're not my charge. I have no obligation to tell you." Siel stated.

    The wolf familiar sighed., "I should've known that would be your answer. Very well."

    "It's between her and me, Fang." Siel said.

    "I understand, Siel. I'm just worried about her."

    "We all are, Fang. We all are."

    Fang nodded. "I'd best be off. Have a good day."

    "Will do, noble wolf." Siel said. As Fang walked off, Siel looked away.

He remembered one particular charge. She professed her love to him, but he told her exactly what he told Aliyah. She had tried drinking herself into a stupor, but he insisted on batting the cups out of her hand. That was how she encountered another mortal, one whom she later married and had a family with, dying a contented, happy woman. He began to speak to himself in a reassuring voice, "The same will happen with Aliyah. She'll find someone eventually. The most I can do is help her to that path."