“Sorry,” Nalick replied. “Mauve needs to start early. The first set of ceremonies begins at dawn.”
As she walked into the main room, it was still dark outside, but she could see the sun was creating a light haze on the horizon. Nalick stood on the balcony looking at the city below him. Leila approached quietly as he was deep in thought. Nalick was busy watching the few people in the city below move around. He too was filled with a mix of emotions; he was setting in motion the events that would lead to his own death, but he only had a single regret. He would leave Leila before they could grow old together. Nalick had made sure she would not be alone and his children would have a father, but still his death would greatly affect her life. Words were not needed for him to understand her feelings towards him.
“Hey, you!” Leila said, startling him as he did not hear her approach. “Are we going to do this or not?” she teased.
Nalick turned to see Leila dressed all in white with her hair hung loose down to her waist. To him she looked like the same wood nymph he thought she was the first time he saw her. In the dimly lit room she seemed to sparkle. Stunned, Nalick could not reply. He was truly speechless at the sight of her. Leila giggled and moved closer to him.
“Do I need to slap some sense into you?” she asked patting his face playfully. Nalick smiled and took both her hands in his. He could not find the words to tell her how beautiful he thought she looked so instead he just kissed her hands. Leila blushed at his sudden loss for words. “We better go. It will be dawn soon, and we wouldn’t want to be late to the start of a very long day.” They made their way to the door of their room. Leila quickly looked up at Anatolio’s bedroom door and saw it was still shut.
“He’s young. In ten years, he will be a man. Things will be different between you then. I’m sure he will love you,” Nalick replied, and she nodded her head. At times she thought that she could see he already loved her, but at other times, he was completely indifferent.
I can do this, she thought. Nalick took her hand and squeezed it. He could feel her nervousness, and he automatically smiled. The great ghost courier could get nervous.
Chapter 33
The dawn ceremony lasted longer than Leila had expected, and she was happy to go back to their wing and find breakfast waiting. The children happily greeted them at the door as they arrived. Leila picked up Ruth as she moved to the table and gladly began to eat. Ruth sat on Leila’s lap and began to play with her mother’s loose hair.
“Why’s mommy’s hair this color?” Ruth asked and everyone laughed.
“Where I come from people have all different color hair,” Leila replied. “Red, yellow, brown, black.”
“Can Ruth be different too?” Ruth asked.
“But you’re beautiful the way you are now,” Leila replied and Ruth grinned. “You’re the most beautiful princess in all of Lior.” Ruth giggled and clapped her hands.
Leila’s happy breakfast was short lived. Nalick carefully kissed Leila’s forehead as he whispered, “I’ll see you at the amphitheater.” Leila nodded; she sat Ruth on the chair and was immediately dragged away by Mauve. She was already sick of all the pampering, but it was not a day to complain. Leila’s thoughts wandered as she sat getting ready. As Leila started to get sad thinking about how short ten years would be, Tim ran into the dressing room past the women, who all tried to catch him. Quickly, he sat down and grabbed Leila’s leg.
“Mommy,” Tim cried. “They are trying to make me wear girl clothes.” Leila could not move to pick him up so she patted her lap, and he happily hopped on it.
“Are you sure it is girls' clothes?” Tim nodded. “We should tell dad about this,” she suggested knowing that if Tim saw what Nalick was wearing, he would change his mind.
“Mommy,” Tim started, “you look pretty.” Leila hugged the small child. He could cheer her up so easily. Leila hugged him again. “Should I go tell daddy?”
“Sure,” Leila replied. “He is in his office, but you better run quickly so they can’t catch you.” Tim nodded and hopped off her lap and ran through the main room and kitchen to Nalick’s office.
“Come, come,” Mauve directed Leila.
“Nikias will be here soon to escort you,” Mauve explained, ushering Leila back to the dressing room.
“Just one more thing,” Mauve added carefully placing a thin gold crown on Leila’s head to complete the pale blue, gold accented ensemble Leila wore. With Leila’s red hair, the crown was barely visible as it matched the golden highlights of her hair.
“Now am I ready?” Leila asked, and Mauve circled her one last time. Mauve nodded, and Leila slowly moved to the door. Leila was anxious yet scared at the same time.
Nikias was standing outside the door diligently waiting for her. As Leila carefully opened the door, Nikias quickly bowed. He was amazed by how different she seemed than the day he first saw her. She was quieter and shyer than he ever imagine she could be. Hesitation filled her eyes and every movement. Leila was much more uncomfortable as a lady than as a warrior.
“This way,” Nikias said leading her down the stairs and to a courtyard where her ride waited for her. Leila took his arm, and he led her to the waiting carriage.
“I heard you gave Anatolio quite a bit of trouble the other day,” Nikias commented, lifting her gently to the seat.
“It’s kind of hard to get alone time around here. He follows me like my own shadow.” Leila yearned to pull the pins out of her head and scratched it.
“That is his job,” Nikias responded with a shrug sitting beside her. “Besides, after Seth coming into the palace and him not being there to protect you, I think he feels guilty,” Nikias replied.
“That was not his fault.” Leila clenched her hands to not pull at her hair.
“You will let us know in the future if you decided to go wandering around outside the palace walls, right? There are still several kings wanting to get a hold of you. We have been sorting through reports of threats on a daily basis since you came to stay in Lexia,” Nikias continued.
Leila was surprised to find how easy it was to talk to Nikias. She had not heard him talk much around her beyond barking directions to people. Nikias lifted his arm to gracefully brace her as she slid on the seat at a turn. Leila was beginning to see that Anatolio had a good possibility of growing up into a quite different man than she had pictured. Nikias was quiet, warm, enduring, and funny when alone. Leila would have never pictured this other side of him from all her previous interactions but was happy to see beyond the dull serious man he had become.
“Now don’t give Anatolio too hard of a time. He’s still young and learning,” Nikias added as the carriage came near the amphitheater.
“But if I don’t, how will I be entertained?” Leila asked, and he laughed again. Leila liked the sound of his laugh and smiled. Leila could see in Nikias the man Anatolio would be someday. “Do you know why Anatolio isn’t escorting me?”
Nikias shook his head no. “He asked if I would escort you. That’s all I know.” Nikias could see his answer was not what she wanted to hear.
“Anatolio is a shy kid,” Nikias explained. “This sort of thing is too bold for him. He would rather sit in the back of the room than on the stage. He has always been like that.” She somehow didn’t think Anatolio’s shyness was the reason he was staying away from her.
They arrived at the ground floor of the amphitheater, and Nikias escorted Leila to the room behind the stage. As soon as she was left alone for a moment, Leila snuck to the edge of the stage and peered from around the corner. In the middle of the room were all the foreign dignitaries she had met days ago. To each side were the nobles of Lior and the fourth and fifth sections were being filled from the people standing behind the seats. Leila was relieved to see that her family was already seated in the front rows. As she stepped back in the waiting room, she was surprised to see Roger. Immediately, she hugged him.
“Finally some company,” Leila said to him. “It is supposed to be the happ
iest day of my life, and I have been left sitting here alone.”
“I just wanted to stop by quick and give you this.” He handed her a small vial.
“Anatolio explained to me the ceremony. I don’t need you getting sick on me before you have to get everyone home to the North Country as I am using most of my resources to get your family back there tomorrow. Now I have to get going also, otherwise there will be no seat for me.” Quickly Roger hugged her and disappeared.
Leila sat and looked at the small vial. She had used the stuff before, and it was quite effective at stopping a cut from bleeding. It was just like Roger to worry about a small cut. Roger tended to worry over nothing, but in his own way, he was trying his best to be useful.
When the time arrived, Nikias took her to the right side of the stage, and she waited for the ceremony to begin. Looking across the way, she noticed Nalick was waiting also. He did not see her laugh to herself. Finally, at least I won’t be the only one a bit lacking in clothing, she thought staring at Nalick who was shirtless and obviously uncomfortable with it.
As soon as the ceremony started, Leila began to forget the world around her and the large audience that was there. Even though it lasted hours, to her it felt like it only took a minute. As soon as she held onto Nalick’s hand, she lost all the nervous regretful feelings. Nalick was as solid as a rock. He did not waver in his decision in the least and had no regrets. His desire to marry her outweighed the consequences of his actions. There was nothing more Nalick desired in life than to stand by her side, no matter how short their time together would be.
In the back of the room, dressed in a disguise with the help of Roger, Anatolio watched the ceremony. Below him, Leila nervously walked across the stage to meet Nalick. She was as beautiful as the first day he saw her. The gold lines on her arm glimmered in the few rays of sun light that penetrated the tent ceiling of the amphitheater. Anatolio could see her nervousness fade as soon she touched Nalick’s arm. This was not something Anatolio could have done. With just the look in his eyes, Nalick was able to calm Leila’s heart. Someday, it would have to be him, but Anatolio had no idea how to.
Leila was happy to see a full meal waiting for them when they returned to the palace with their children. The room was empty of servants, and Leila relished the quietness of the children laughing and enjoying their time together.
“That’s it for today right?” Leila asked Nalick.
“Well there is supposed to be a third ceremony tonight, but I thought it was not necessary since,” he paused looking at the children and didn’t finish his statement.
“They didn’t tell me about a third ceremony,” Leila replied, trying to remember any mention of a third ceremony. Nalick coughed to try to cover his laugh.
“Let’s just say the priests didn’t think the ceremony was needed tonight,” Nalick added. A red faced Leila nodded in response. “So, instead I thought this would be a good time; we can spend just the five of us, undisturbed by anyone for the rest of tonight." The children cheered.
After a night of games and stories, Ruth and Tim were the first to fall asleep as all five were lying on Nalick’s and Leila’s bed. Leila watched as Phillip then fell asleep between his siblings. Leila slowly stood to move to the other side of the bed and sat down next to Nalick who was also falling asleep. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down beside him.
“If I could freeze any moment and keep it that way forever, it would be this moment,” Nalick whispered. “Thank you for marrying me.” Leila studied his face as he talked. She was trying to remember each detail to forever remember the moment.
“I love you Benét Leila. I can only hope to someday make you as happy as you have made me.”
Leila kissed his forehead as he dozed off to sleep.
“Silly man, you already have. I love you too Nalick,” she whispered to the sleeping man before standing and going to the balcony. Leila was also quite tired from her long day, but she didn’t feel like sleeping yet. The sooner she fell asleep, the sooner the magic of the day would end.
Leila sat on the balcony in the dark and could see the last few remaining lights in the city still sparkling. The situation for now was exactly how she wanted, but in time that would change. What will life be like without him? she wondered. He made her happy for the first time since Erich died. Leila heard the door to the room quietly open, and she turned to watch Anatolio quietly creep into the room. He immediately noticed her on the balcony. Leila stared across the darkness and could not read his expression. Little by little he approached her as she continued to stare at him.
“Why?” Leila simply asked as Anatolio crossed over to lean against the railing of the balcony. He did not face her as he answered knowing that she would try to read his expression.
“It was a day for you and Nalick,” Anatolio replied.
“Along with our family and friends,” Leila added. “I guess I assumed you fit in that category though, which I am still a bit confused on.”
Anatolio smiled slightly. She had always been friendly to him, but she was friendly towards everyone who was not an enemy. Anatolio could not guess her feelings towards him. He was just another young man admiring her.
“You’ve always been beside me, and yet today you seem to want nothing to do with me,” she added, wanting to go over and pull him to face her.
“I just didn’t want to be a distraction,” he replied. “You had enough to worry about for the day. You didn’t need some kid following you around.”
“You’re not a distraction,” she replied. Anatolio was relieved to hear her say it.
“It just would have been nice to have you there,” she said quietly. Anatolio could hear the disappointment in her voice.
Anatolio turned to leave and still did not look her in the eyes. He bowed to her as he came close, and he stopped to pick up her hand. Gently he kissed it. “You were truly beautiful today,” he said as he looked down at Leila who smiled at him.
“Thank you,” she replied, shocked that he actually had gone to the wedding without her knowing.
Chapter 34
Leila anxiously awaited the next three days in the palace; she could not wait to leave for the North Country. She already had a plan of how to get Nalick, Phillip, Tim, and Ruth there without any problems, but she had to wait for Roger to escort her family back before she could leave with her own plans. Leila was excited to finally get on a boat heading north. She had told the children about her home, but to the three children who had never set foot outside Lexia, they could not understand what she was describing. The children could see Leila’s excitement, and so they too were excited. The night before they were going to leave, Leila double checked each bag she had packed. With more than just herself to worry about, she didn’t want to forget anything. Nalick was happy to sit and watch her hurry around making lists in her head. In the years to come, it would be the same. When Leila was finally satisfied that everything was ready, she quickly changed into common clothes.
“Now what?” Nalick asked, noticing she was covering up the lines on her arm.
“I’m going to go check our ride,” Leila replied.
“Take Anatolio with you please,” Nalick begged, seeing that she was going to leave without Anatolio.
Anatolio was standing on the stairway as he watched Leila also get ready. Anatolio didn’t need Nalick to remind him to do his job and follow Leila, but she did.
Leila hurried through the calm streets of Lexia on her way to the docks. Anatolio watched her stop and talk to several men from various ships along the way. She was happy to finally not be stuck in the palace. Going home meant freedom. Anatolio recognized the ship that she stopped at as the same ship that returned them to Lior the last time they were in the North Country. Leila easily climbed on deck and searched for the captain.
“My, oh my! If it isn’t Meg coming to visit,” a young man said from behind her. Leila twirled around and quickly ran over to hug the man, who was barely older than herself, a
s he lifted her off the ground.
“I hear congratulations are in order. Marx stopped by and said he was in town for your wedding.” Gently the captain, Fred, set her back down.
“Marx is here?” Leila asked looking around.
“No, as we pulled in this morning he was boarding another boat north. He just said he came down for a short visit, but I assumed that meant he visited you,” Fred explained.
“No, as usual he just came and watched, I guess,” she said disappointed.
“So, I hear the whole country has a week vacation,” Fred said, changing the subject noticing her disappointment in missing Marx.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Leila replied.
“What a time for you to go and get married. The same week as the King of Lior was getting married,” Fred added. His father did not tell him who she was marrying. “I’ve yet to see this new queen, but all the locals say she is the most beautiful woman they have ever seen. Compared to the locals of Lior maybe she is the most beautiful, but no one could compare to you.” Leila smiled at Fred and patted his head.
“You’re here early. I thought we were to expect you tomorrow?” he said once again changing the subject hoping to stay out of trouble with Leila.
“I was in the area, and thought I’d stop by to check on everything,” Leila responded. “I was expecting to see your dad. Is everything alright?”
“Yes and no. He was expecting to see you too, but my mother got sick the last minute, and he stayed home to take care of her. Last time he saw you, dad said that you were planning to get married. Boy did I get an earful from my mother about that.” Fred’s mother had been bugging him for years to ask Leila to marry him. “She will not be happy until I bring you home as my wife. So any reconsidering on the whole marriage idea?”
“Fred,” Leila said playfully punching him in the arm, “I’m a married woman now. You shouldn’t be making proposals like that.”