The manner at which Maxmin had left the clan didn’t go well with either Catori or Amelia. They had enjoyed good bonding In the days past only for to turn sour because of love. It made Amelia feel so bad that she was in the middle of the whole saga. It caused her to move in isolation and avoided everyone as much as she could especially Catori. The easy going king had priorities she was the least of them. Unlike Maximin he didn’t cluster over her. She missed his disturbance and missed all his problems. He was her project, to save and then to love, why did he turn out so badly.” She asked herself as she lay on her bed of wool gazing at the thatched ceiling of her room. She was still thinking when there was a knock on the wooden door.
” Yes. Come in please. She said and quickly suited the tips of her red gown to make sure it afforded her more modesty.”
” Lady Amelia. The king would like to see you in his palace.” Said Bonis and stood gazing at the beautiful lady that was about to rise from her bed.
” Okay sure. Good morning Bonis.” She said , wondering to what she owed the awkward stare.
” Yes.. I will tell him then. Your hair is beautiful.” She said and hurried out with a smile even before Amelia could finish saying “thank you”. She wiped her face with her palms, drank some water from the plastic keg beside her bed and left the room.
” Catori, I haven’t seen you since yesterday. Where did you go?” Amelia said with a smile as she dawned on the throne.
” Good morning Amelia. Our standards here aren’t five stars but I’m sure you aren’t lacking a thing are you?” He said while sitting on his throne. He was wearing a black jean trouser with no shirts and no shoes. His spear was held tight and his upper arms were encircled with Talismans of various kinds.
” I’m having the time of my life in your kingdom. They treat me like Royalty.” She said after climbing up the throne. She bowed her head in respect and waited for his next order.
” Please sit down. It’s the least we can do for a guest of your Caliber.” Said Caro who neither had a frown nor did he have a smile, it was all blank to him.
” Thank you. How have you been. I’m sorry for what…”
” Never mind.” He said and watched her seat before he began to speak again.
” I have been thinking my dear. In as much as I have tried to be the generous one, I realized that I may just actually be the selfish one.” Said Catori with his gaze facing the meadow in majesty. He sat straight on his throne and with one hand holding his spear, while the other palm was stretched on his knees.
” What have you been thinking to make you have such disdainful opinion on yourself. If I know one selfless person, then it’s you.” She said in sober tone of concern.
” My ego, my emotions and your well being are two different things which I never should have intertwined. If I truly love you more than Maximin then I should have left you follow him. Knowing well the coming days are full of uncertainties” Said Catori and sighed causing his big chest to brim in Valor.”
” You didn’t make me stay. No one asked me to stay. I chose to. Why do you blame yourself for the decision I have made.” She said and fought had not to reach for his hands. It was his selflessness that blew her away. He was silent for a short moment and began to speak again.
” You knew I had feelings for you. I failed to keep it at bay. I take the blame for influencing your decision. I have decided…”
” Catori! No one influenced me to do anything. I’m nineteen years and I have spent more than a decade alone in the wood. Alone just me and my instincts. If they weren’t wrong to bring me this far then they won’t be wrong on you. I chose to stay because I felt at ease here. Maximin was my project. He came into my life when I was lonely and hard no one. When he came wounded and bruised into my cottage, I vowed to give him care and healing. I vowed to save his life and make him my man. I was compensated with his presence. I didn’t see all the woes that were going to come afterwards. You saved our lives. War looms on your land . the least he could do was to wait around and see how things turned out for you. He Left. I saved his life to. Some days when I’m in trouble, he will leave. Do you see why I chose to stay by your side.” She stated to Catori and slowly reached for his hand. He sighed in marvel to how deep she was able to think.
” Thank you. If it’s what you have decided, then stay and observe me. If you think you love me then I will come for your hands in marriage. There’s no point in rushing you to widowhood.” Purred Catori and turned his gaze towards her in admiration.
” You are an understanding man Catori. The gods will safeguard you and your clan from all harm.” She said and smiled contagiously at him. He did smile but nodded once and turned his face away.
” And you ? Wouldn’t they gods safeguard you?” He asked in a flat tenor.
” They will. I will fall faster for a man if he smiles more often.” She said and slowly turned her face away from him while she had him hooked on her peripheral gaze. He still didn’t smile but nodded once. She could see his gaze narrowed and his head slightly bent forward, no doubt he was seeing something of bewilderment and Amelia quickly focused her gaze to see what it was.