Yonanes then meets his security officers instructing them to double the guards posted inside the palace. Afterwards, he heads back to his original destination when he encounters the two Craiinian brothers returning. He invites them into his private sitting room.
"Congratulations again to the soon-to-be father. " Yonanes says.
"Thank you, your majesty." Zedon says. "And please extend that gratitude to your wife who sent a doctor to check on my wife."
"Think nothing of it." Yonanes says. "She gets excited over milestones like this and it's what I love about her. She is so full of life. To think, I almost lost my chances."
"What do you mean your majesty?" Zyric asks
"Ah alright, in the spirit of secret day, I guess I shall share with my cousins the truth." He motions for them to sit. A servant comes in with a tray of small sandwiches and other appetizers. He takes one and then asks the servant to serve the guests as well. The brothers took from the tray and Yonanes continues.
"Polini was my one true love but to love her would mean war for my countrymen. Her father belonged to the port people called Mrindakiri. They live along our shores and keep the peace at the ports where land people and sea people trade. All of them go through Kohari or military service as they defend the area and keep the peace."
Yonanes shows his guests a shell and opens it revealing gem-like pearls of different jewel-toned colors. "Most of them trade products like these mochoni mollusks that produce these treasures called Quadaira or sea diamonds. These mollusks are often found on the shores.
Polini is to wed one of her own kind. Those who marry outside their tribe were ostracized or banished forever. Besides, she wasn't royalty. My parents would be furious.
I spend years and years studying as hard as I could to prepare for my future role and to find a way to make her my future bride.
Part of my studies led me to support the sea people Oceanologists. Their research paved the way for other scientists and engineers to invent machines powered with Quadaira as fuel. I also funded their research as to how we can make Quadaira farms and reproduce these mochoni molluscks without depleting the natural resources and endangering their species.
The scientists also found algae in the deepest parts of our oceans that have turned into a metal-like element. They are now known as metal algae and are being used to create weapons. These metal algae are initially processed by the port people before being brought to the land factories for further development.
The port people will benefit from these ventures and part of my treaty was for me to wed Polini so I can be accepted also as one of them. It was first met with disapproval until one elder convinced them of a folklore that we from the Desdanin capital were once children of the sea just like them. Our origins are from the goddess of the ocean. With my arguments, they allowed me to marry her.
My parents who were impressed with my efforts eventually gave their approval as well. "
Zyric says. "But what if they didn't approve?"
Yonanes explains. "I'll persist and continue to find a way."
Polini then enters the room and hears everything just in time. "Or I could have just runaway with you and bear being ostracized by my tribe." She goes to Yonanes lap and then caresses his face.
"But then, my kingdom will not accept a renegade queen." He grasps her wrists and kiss them while gaze back at her. "I would stop at nothing just for all to accept you as my Bealyxelle." He holds her in an embrace. Polini rests her head on his chest.
"And you did." She affirms. "You succeeded in your conquest."
"Awwww. Don't think you are just a mere conquest." Yonanes comforts her. "A man knows when he has found that one"
"The one?" Polini teases.
"The one whom you'd defy the laws of the universe for." Yonanes takes her hand and kisses her wrist. "Or at least, rearrange the laws and become a better person for it." He kisses her forehead.
"And that is why you must excuse our demeanor." Polini explains. "We have been holding back our feelings for the longest time. Now we are free to show affection." She caresses her husband's chest. "Well, in private or when we are surrounded by our most trusted people." Both of them smile at each other.
Elzilaura suddenly comes into Yonanes' sitting room with her companions. Immediately, Yonanes and Polini halt their display of affection.
"Ah good tidings". Yonanes exclaims as he rises. He carries Polini carefully as he rises from his seat and allows her to gain balance. Once she was on her feet, he moves to the new comers.
"We were just having a chat and a few bites." He shows the new guests the food tray.
Dazifae rushes and Kanunia sternly looks at her. Elzilaura sees them and remedies the situation. "Oh, come now ladies. Let's eat. I'm sure you're famished." She joins Dazifae in reaching for the finger foods. After taking a piece, he recommends it to her fiance.
"Prince Jarin, this is good. Here have some." She hands over a small sandwich to the prince. He leaps forward and takes the food from her fingers. He takes a bite and agrees. "Indeed, this is the best I've had so far."
"Awwww. What a lovely couple." Polini gets excited. "I wish you both a happy married life just like me and my lord." She looks at Yonanes.
"I agree." Yonanes utters and looks at his wife. "You can even have your wedding here if you like. My wife will be a most accommodating hostess." Polini pinches him in excitement.
"Ahhhh forgive me for the interruption but I better get going your majesties, royal highness, lords and ladies. I must check on my troops." Zyric blurts out as he jolts up and hurries to the nearest exit. Zedon observes his brother but as Zyric bows courteously, he light places his hands on his chest tapping it twice before he takes leave. It was one of their secret gestures notifying his brother that its nothing or there is no threat.
The guests were all surprised. "What a peculiar boy." Polini remarks out loud. Elzilaura respectfully asks permission to leave." I guess I also need to leave for a moment. I feel a bit flushed but I just need some air." Dazifae was ready to follow but Elzilaura motioned to her. "It's okay. Please stay and enjoy the snacks. It is a day of relaxation after all."
As she left the room, she didn't notice Jarin trailing behind.
"Wait for me." He requests.
She turns back and sees him. "Oh, it's alright Jarin." She touches his chest as if trying to push him away.
"I feel something is wrong with my childhood friend. It would be best if I handled this on my own. I hope you understand."
"Of course." Jarin agrees.
She hurriedly takes leave and searches everywhere for Zyric until she finds him at the edge of the vast outdoor garden looking over the lake.
"What was that?" Zyric glances back and sees Elzilaura speaking to him. He moves forward with his head bowed. He stops in front of her and looks her in the eye.
"I'm sorry I can't take it anymore." He explains.
"Take what?" The princess is confused.
He squints and then looks back immediately at her. He takes a deep breath. "How I feel inside and how powerless I am to do anything."
"What?" She gets more bewildered.
"I am in love with you. I always have and I can't pretend that I am okay seeing you with him. I thought I can but -" He wasn't finished when Elzilaura said something.
"Would it bring you comfort if I told you I feel the same way?" She looked frightened and delighted at the same time.
It took him quite a while to process what she was saying. She began to worry when he took his time. Before she could say something, he spoke.
"It does make me happy that you feel the same way and yet I feel hapless that we have no chance at all. It's like being granted your wish only to be denied of it soon after."
All at once, she felt it too; the joy of having your feelings reciprocated and the anguish of not being able to act on it. She approached him and touched his lower arm lightly with her fingers. Her head bowed down before she looked up to gaze at him.
"Let us take delight in the fact that we both feel the same way. Not all people who love are loved back. Some are rejected no matter how pure their intentions are. Even if they make the effort, they are still not reciprocated."
"Yet here we are in misery just like them." Zyric claims. His gaze drops down.
"What would you have me do?" She crumbles.
Zyric holds her hand that has settle in his other arm.
"Release me from being lord marshal." He said sternly as he looked at her.
"No, I need you. Please stay. If not for me, then do it for the kingdom. Isn't Fliska important to you?" Elzilaura almost cried. Her hands grasp his shoulders firmly.
"Yes, it is but I cannot be of service to you. Being with you and knowing how I feel about you is like disrespecting Jarin of Galmar. I am sorry. I truly am." He removed her hands from his shoulders but enclosed them in his own hands. His remorse was painted on his face.
"For the time being, I am urging you to stay. When the war is over, I will let you resign your post. For now, we need you more than ever. Can you at least hold on until we reclaim Fliska?" She was full of hope that the he didn't have the strength to refuse.
He then utters. "Of course. I won't leave in this time of war. Now, I hope you understand why I can't stay in this position for long."
"I respect your decision." Her head drops again. "Even if it pains me too."
She couldn't help but sob. Instinctively, Zyric wraps his arms around her and strokes the back of her head. He knew he wanted more than an embrace but she needed him as a reliable friend. Besides, even if they felt the same way, they cannot be romantically involved.
"I am sorry. I have made you miserable." He was truly apologetic.
"Misery loves company." She answers back. Upon saying this, his grip tightens. Both of them savored the warmth of the comforting embrace.
"And I love you. It's secret day so I guess the secret is out." Zyric says.
"I love you more and because it is secret day, let us cherish this moment. After this, we return to our normal lives. Forget this ever happened. We will move on from here." She claims.
"I cannot promise not to love you but I will accept your decisions and I urge you to respect Jarin by accepting my retirement wholeheartedly." He clings to her tightly.
"I will. I promise you that I will honor this request." She clutches his clothing. "I love you enough to let go."
He caressed her again. Once he felt her relax, it brought solace to him too. As much as he wanted to linger, the sun was setting.
"I will not distract you from your obligations any longer. We must go back." Zyric says as he released her.
"If this is all we could ever have, then let us stay a little longer." She makes this request. "After all, it is secret day and a designated rest day for everyone."
Zyric then leads her to a small bench where they sit together with a small gap between them. They gaze up at the sky changing color signifying the sun is almost nearing the end of its journey. It was that time of the Desdanin season when sunsets are the most beautiful.
"I believe there is girl out there for you. She will make you so happy. She will erase the pain this moment caused you." Elzilaura says slowly while staring blankly in the sky. She lowers her gaze into the lake. "Whilst I will endure it all, the burden of ruling a kingdom and seeing you settle down with her. I will envy her forever."
"Don't." He says adamantly. "She will never have my heart. She will never be sucusuduhari."
She turns to him and then he narrates. "Remember the time when we were little. You and your family visited us." Zyric goes on further. "You sneaked in the kitchen and found me there. I've been having nightmares since the accident.
As you all know, I was struck by lightning once when my siblings and I were in a field. We hurried back home but I got struck down. Men carried me back to the palace and aided my siblings. Everyone thought I would die but I was alive the next morning. I had nightmares ever since. I couldn't sleep well because the thunderstorms are in my dreams.
However, when you handed me the milk, my fears ceased. I believed maybe sucusuduhari must be true."
Elzilaura then argues. "It's also known as Embera or the healing touch I know that folklore and it could happen to anyone especially with children. It is said the innocence of children brings wonders. Their presence gives joy and healing to families. One simple touch such us a hug or a kiss can brighten up a parent's day. Thus, elders believe that children can heal in more ways than one."
Zyric answers back. "The story is different in Craiine. It says that you must be compatible or soulmates in order for sucusuduhari, the healing touch, to work. Besides, I tried to drink milk before but never did work to suppress my nightmares."
"Well, the concept of soulmates is broad. It may pertain to any form of relationship be it filial, platonic or romantic." She pauses for a moment.
But considering it is Embera, it stems from purity of heart. It stands for what is good and true which brings forth good things such as healing." She adds.
"Only you can heal me from this torment." He claims.
"And destroy you even further." She sighs and then continues. "But it is the same for me. Only you can make me feel so much joy and sorrow. It's like burning and freezing at the same time. " She tried to be nonchalant.
"Strange how love has the power to mend and break you." He replies.
"Yes, it is both its strength and weakness." She agrees with him.
She moves closer to him and lets her head rest near his chest while he extends his arm around her shoulder. They both watch the sunset and admire the lights of the evening sky.
Afterwards, they went back into the palace carefully. They go through a secret passageway that Zyric learned from Zedon and Yonanes when they were little. He then escorted her back to her quarters. Before she could open the door, he bids her good night. She turns to him and bids him likewise. They quickly hug one last time before parting ways.
Not far behind, Epirus is strolling down the halls and comes across Zyric. The Fliskan greets the Galmaran and takes leave. Epirus is now even more suspicious as he comes from the direction of the princess' chambers. As he tries to sneak up on Zyric, Zedon and Alednos come in and steal him for a moment to ask about some matters.