To Aurum With Hate

Eight: Princess Sirena

Eight

Princess Sirena

    The day was spent getting into and out of cars. Our first trip to the orphanage was the only one that I felt comfortable at. The children crowded around us, tugging especially on Imperator Zale, and we handed out books and winter clothes for them. It was a little early for that but Aurum winters were harsh and they were grateful despite the earliness of it.

    In the afternoon, we went to The Gentleman’s Club, which I technically wasn’t even allowed into. It was where the members of parliament met for lunch, so I was being introduced to them there. There was a group of men in suits all lined up in a row.

    Antero, who was with us, went through the list of their names and I promptly forgot every single one of them. I shook their hands and smiled and ate a terrible sandwich with soup at the lunch.

    In a distance, I could hear one of the men talking about me. “Little chit from Aeris, who is supposed to be the answer to the rebellion,” he said, “just because she spreads her legs and gives the Imperator an heir doesn’t mean that we’re going to stop bombing her country until they comply.”

    He was a tall man, with a mustache, and bald.

    At his words, I shot him a look. “Antero,” I said to the guard who was sitting with us at the table, “who is that man?”

    “That is Lord Contos,” Antero said.

    “If we ever have an event with him again, please make certain that I never have to interact with him.”

    “Certainly, my lady,” said Antero, “has he done something?”

    I shook my head. “Nothing they all haven’t done.”

    He frowned. “What’s that?”

    “I’m the outsider,” I said, “I’m the w***e from Aeris that the Imperator is being forced to marry all in a sad attempt at peace. They don’t know me, but they’re all going to hate me simply because of where I come from.”

    “You don’t know that,” said Antero.

            I laughed bitterly. “I do know that. I’ve done the same thing to Zale….”

    “Well, you don’t have to be like them,” said Antero, “it is only the second day of your acquaintance, first if you do not count the portion where you were kidnapped. You can make your relationship with Zale be anything that you want it to be.”

    Zale, at that moment, was up and making the rounds talking with the other Lords. I had abstained from doing it because, after a full day of meeting people, I’d been tired and had only wanted to sit. But if I ever wanted people like Lord Contos to stop thinking of my people as the enemy, I had to do my part.

    That was what I was there for. To make it so that they didn’t want to kill us. I had to remember that, even if I didn’t want to be there. Even if I wanted to kill Zale myself because of all of the things that his country had done to mine. I was not there to make things worse. I was there to make things better. I wouldn’t do that by sullenly sitting off to the side, acting like I wanted nothing to do with this.

    I got up from my seat.

    “What are you doing?” Antero asked.

    “What I’m supposed to,” I said, “helping my country.”

    I walked over to where Zale was talking to one of the Lords, and I looped my arm through his. At the gesture, Zale shot me a look of surprise.

    “Is everything alright, my darling fiancé? I thought that you weren’t feeling well,” he said.  

    I smiled brightly at him. “Everything is fine, my dearest. I was a little overwhelmed for the day. It is a new country, after all, and I was slightly jet lagged because of the time difference. But I am feeling much better after sitting some.”

    He smiled back at me. “Well, I am glad to hear that. Lord Floros, have you met my fiancé, Princess Sirena?”

    Lord Floros smiled. He was an older gentleman, with a salt and pepper beard, and a full head of hair underneath a black top hat. “No, I have not had the pleasure of meeting her yet. My dear, you are doing a great service to your country, and to Aurum, by agreeing to this peace treaty.”

    “Well, I do live to serve,” I said with a smile.

    Zale and I made the rounds, talking to each and every Lord, including Lord Contos. When the afternoon was over, we exited the club, and Zale stared at me in complete and utter shock.

    “Where did that come from?” he asked.

    “What do you mean?”

    “The sudden pleasantries?” he said. “I thought you had decided that every single resident of Aurum deserved to be shot.”

    I laughed. “Not every single one, just a certain select leaders,” I said, “and I….I also realized that every single man in there was in charge of whether or not my country got bombed. I had to make them like me, otherwise it’s the difference between bodies on the floor or people dancing in celebration because we have an heir. I would rather have the second.”

    He raised an eyebrow. “Even if it’s with me?”

    “Even if its with you,” I said.

    “Well,” he said, “I’m glad to see that you understand the cause, at least.”

    “What cause would be?” I asked.

    “Unity,” he said, “it is the whole point of our union, after all.”

    “That is something even I can understand,” I said.

    “Then that means you’ve cancelled whatever plans you had to pour hot tea down my pants at our next event?”

    I frowned. “I thought of no such thing.”

    “Yes, you did. I heard you muttering about it under your breath.”

    “Well. Maybe a little,” I said, “alright, fine, I was. But can we consider this a fresh start?”

    “Absolutely,” he replied with a grin, “does this mean you will actually dance with me at the ball?”

    “Yes,” I said, “I will.”

    “And you won’t step on my feet?”

    I chuckled. “Well, that I can’t promise, but only because I am a terrible dancer. Not because I’m trying to do anything nefarious.”

    “If you stepping on people’s toes is nefarious, then I’ve greater things to worry about. Shall we call it a truce, my dear?”

    “Absolutely, my darling,” I replied.

    He smirked, and before I knew what was happening, he had leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. We were still in The Gentleman’s Club, and when the Lords witnessed it, they all let out a cheer in our honor.

    One patted Zale on the shoulder and said, “Well, that bodes well for heir making, doesn’t it?”

    I saw Zale’s eyes narrow but he smiled at the old man anyway. “Come on,” he said, “let’s go.”

    “But we haven’t finished our lunch,” I objected.

    “Are you really desperate to finish your sandwich and salad?” he asked.

    “No,” I said.

    “Then, come along. There will be better food at the tea, anyway. At least they’ll have cake, and my mother will be there since she’s hosting.”

    I smiled. “Is she more entertaining than them?”

    “Always,” he said.

    “Then, lets go.”

    He took my hand in his, and with Antero protesting in the background, we slipped out of The Gentleman’s club before we were supposed to.