Arrival of Lydia
It's been three weeks now, Alysia's birthday is past, she is now thirteen years old, A teen. It is one year remaining for her coming of age. She is to begin her preparation practice just as her mother has predicted.
Now, she is in sword practice, her sword practice is advanced, with a new teacher and the practice seems hard, like she was in a battle field or something. But Alysia always loved competition, she had a bet with postinur that before six weeks, she would be strong enough to fight with one of their able bodied soldiers of the empire and she doesn't like losing to postinur because he would start calling her weak Ally. And she hates his teasing because it never seems to end.
Alysia is done with sword practice and is about to go take a shower, when her mom entered
Queen Odessy: see how sweaty you are. This is your first practice and you look worn-out. Poor my dear, poor. (Shakes her head in disapproval)
Alysia: Momma(pouts) it's difficult!
Queen Odessy: (mimics her) Momma, it's difficult!
Alysia: Common Momma, besides you said that I shouldn't be stressing my beautiful self all the time
Queen Odessy: That was then, not now, when you have to be so good at sword fighting for future purposes.
Alysia: Mommy my love. I love you (pecks her)
Queen Odessy: I know. (Alysia chuckles). By the way, I got a good news for you
Alysia: What's that, mommy
Queen Odessy: Your cousin Lydia arrives soon
Alysia: (excited) really! That's great news mom. (Pauses) But why is she coming? I thought she stopped visiting when she was twelve and I was eight because she had to prepare for her coming of age
Queen Odessy: Yes dear. But now, she's of age and even ripe for marriage. She's sixteen. Anyways, since there aren't any suitors for her yet, I talked with my brother, your uncle, Duke Simeon, to please let her stay with us for a while, till you come of age. (Alysia looks on, confused)
She's a lady of perpetual grace, dignity, pride and etiquette. So I invited her here to live with us so that you can imbibe her ways and get to learn from her
Alysia: Okay Mom. I'm just happy to live with my lovely cousin again. (Queen odessy blesses Alysia in her mind)
A maid comes in to announce Lydia's presence and Lydia is let in. Exchange of greetings were made and both cousins hugged each other tightly as they both missed each other's company.
Lydia: My baby is so grown and beautiful too! (Shrieks)
Alysia (giggles) And you are of marriage age!
Tell me, how's your fiance(winks at her)
Queen odessy: Alysia! You know she doesn't have any suitors yet!
Alysia: But at least she has a lover(winks at Lydia) am I right, Lydia?
Queen odessy: I will leave both of you together (walks away)
Alysia: Later mommy
Lydia: Later Aunt (Queen odessy leaves)
Alysia: So tell me, how is your lover? Hmm?
Lydia: Can you leave us, maids?
Maids: Yes your grace (both bow and leaves them alone)
Lydia: Well, you know me too well, cousin, I have a crush but I don't think he likes me back
Alysia: Awww, too bad. What is that stupid guy's name that doesn't want to love my beautiful cousin sister (touches Lydia's cheeks)
Lydia: (chuckles) Well, Sisi, he is a prince
Alysia: ohohoo, my duchess cousin wants to be a princess (teases her)
Lydia: You're crazy(giggles)
Well, (looks dreamily) he is so handsome and loving but is a little spoiled.
Alysia: Tell me his name already
Lydia: He's name is Duren, Prince of Lystra kingdom
Alysia: Lystra kingdom? That's postinur's…. Um I mean, that's great dearie.
Lydia: Thanks Sisi. Do you know what?
Alysia: Tell me!
Lydia: (whispers) I always snuck to festivals of the kingdom's, to see my prince charming's beautiful face
Alysia: Bad girl! You've always had a bad girl spirit since we were kids (chuckles)
Lydia: shushh! (Covers her mouth)
Then I only played pranks and did tricks. But now, I just take pleasant risks for my prince charming's sake
Alysia: Lover girl.
Let's get you settled in the guest room dear. Then I will take my bath and get ready for dance class
Lydia: (pretends to be irritated) yuck! No wonder the scent of the room was Pungent. You stink! (Holds her nose)
Alysia: You're just teasing me. I know (both
laughs) Let's get going Lydia (both leaves)
Lydia got settled and went to greet the king.
Alysia got dressed and was waiting for her energy drink which she sent for when postinur appeared.
Alysia: Postinur! Did you see? My lovely cousin is here!
Postinur: Lydia?! What is she doing here
Alysia: Oh common! Can't my lovely cousin visit? Anyways mom invited her to come live with us till she gets a suitor and till I come of age. So that I can learn dignity and grace from her
Postinur: That's good. You need to learn those.
Alysia: Yes. How's your mom? I know you went to see her as you always do
Postinur: She's good.
But I have been noticing some strange behaviors.
Alysia: Like?
Postinur: You know Diana right? The goddess of beauty
Alysia: Yeap. Who doesn't know her?
Postinur: My mom has her image in a secret room and goes to commune with her
Alysia: Dude, Almost all women worship Diana. It's normal
Postinur: No. You don't get it. It's like she summons Diana and Diana responds
Alysia: (laughs) common postinur. Diana as many other gods don't talk to humans. Maybe you saw wrong
Postinur: I don't think so. (Pauses) Well, you might be right. I don't know what I'm saying
Alysia: Yeap. And guess what!
Postinur: Hit me!
Alysia: Lydia is in love with your baby brother Duren
Postinur: Huh! That's crazy!
Alysia: But cute (winks)
Postinur: Whatever, who cares
Alysia: (chuckles) You haven't fallen in love before, so you don't understand
Postinur: I have fallen in love before, in fact I'm in love now
Alysia: Hmm with who? Some other girl ghost?
Postinur: Is it forbidden to love a human?
Alysia: Is that even possible, A ghost and a human? That's absurd
Postinur: (crestfallen) Anyways, I'm in love with myself. You won't understand (fakes smile)
Alysia: (Chuckles) funny ghost.
Postinur: Like you have ever fallen in love before (rolls his eyes)
Alysia: Nah. Love is so not my thing (Lydia enters, unknown to Alysia and postinur) Besides, Love is something mysterious, that I'm not ready to try.
Lydia: Aly? Who are you talking to
Alysia: (surprised) um, em, I was…
Lydia: Don't Tell me you still have an imaginary friend at this age! (Laughs)
Alysia: Yeap, totally an imaginary friend!
Lydia: Grow up, sisi! Anyways, I was told to call you for your dance class. Plus I wanna join the class too
Alysia: Oh that's great. (Turns to postinur) imaginary friend, I will talk to you later.
Lydia: Baby (laughs) Let's go baby Aly. (They leave)
Postinur: I have to talk to King Klein. It's high time Alysia knows about everything so that she can understand what she is preparing for. Besides, I smell trouble with this cousin of hers.