Ivan was impressed by how much Margey was able to teach Amelia, the girl who offered herself to take Rea's place for the time of the banquet. There was little doubt that they wouldn't think it wasn't Rea, especially with Cornelis' help. Amelia really did look like Rea.
Ivan made sure that he briefed her on the course of the happening on the ball. He had told her, who she needed to talk to and to whom she needed to make the most impression. He promised her he would be beside her and that he would do most of the talking. Still, she needed to be ready if by any chance someone catches her alone.
Ivan tried to be calm, particularly around Margey and Amelia. He didn't want to show them, that he still didn't fully like the plan. There were so many things that could go wrong. He hoped that by some miracle Rea would come back. The ball was happening the next day and all the royal ships that had come back, carried no news of The Aster. That meant no words on Rea.
Ivan was more worried with each hour. What if she was captured? She was a princess, soon to be a Queen, after all. Rea was valuable to others. What if the ship ran into some problem and they were stuck in the middle of the sea or an island? What if she was dead?
It would be all his fault. He would never forgive himself, after all it was him that convinced Rea to go on a ship. She must be alive. The kingdom needed her, her people needed her. Ivan had been doing most of the work she had previously done and only now he could fully understand her struggle. Keeping two kingdoms intact wasn't easy.
"General Ivan?"
Ivan blinked, realizing he was still standing before Margey. She was holding two different coloured fabrics.
"Sorry Margey, I spaced out. What did you ask?"
"Which curtains would look better, sir."
Ivan looked at it. Was this really important? Rea is missing and she's asking me which colour would look better. He sighed and pointed at the blue one. There was no point in arguing now. "This one."
"Splendid choice." She handed the fabrics to the maid beside her and turned back to Ivan. "I believe all the preparations and decorations for the ball are prepared. We only need to decide the menus."
"Can I trust you to choose it?"
"Ivan, that is not my job. I shouldn't be- "
"Please, if you can. I still need to brief the guards."
She smiled gently. "Of course."
"Thank you, Margey."
He walked past her and headed outside. He actually didn't need to brief the guards. He had already done that after Rea's birthday. The safety of the castle and the kingdom was the most important thing to him, right after protecting Rea.
Ivan needed to clear his mind. Tomorrow he would need to be prepared, focused and on alert the whole night. There wasn't a place for any casualties. Aside from that, he wanted to visit him.
Ivan headed to the horse stables, saddled his horse, and ran outside the castle. He stopped in the forest clearing where Camellia flowers grew. He made a banquet of them and mounted his horse again. After a few minutes he was up on a small hill covered in tall grass, looking over onto the open sea. Ivan dismounted his horse and tied its rains onto a branch. He walked to their spot and put down the flowers.
"Happy birthday Ameer." He sat down and sighed. "You would be twenty-eight today."
He took one of the flowers and brought it to his eyes. "I know it's not much of a present. I just thought because you always left them for me that maybe for once I could leave them for you. I also hope you had a lovely day, wherever you are. I hope it was better than mine." He said quietly.
"Mine has been pretty stressful." Ivan laid down and looked up at the clouds coloured by the setting sun. "The preparations, finding Rea, trying to handle the kingdom… It's not easy. I almost thought I wouldn't have the time to visit you."
He stayed silent for a moment, the only sound was the wind howling down the hill and the distant waves crashing into the shore.
"I don't know what to do." He whispered. "I wish you were here. You would know what to do. You always did." A tear ran down his cheek. "I really miss you."
The wind brushed against his hair, down his cheek, brushing the tear away. It felt to Ivan like Ameer's kiss. It comforted him. It was like Ameer was there with him, listening to him. Holding him.
"Thank you."
When Ameer was alive, he would always comfort Ivan. Even though he was good with words, the nicest solace was him listening. Holding Ivan's hand and listening. He would stay with him from dusk till dawn and listen.
"If I annoy you with my talking, please tell me." Ivan once said to him.
"You don't annoy me." He pressed his cheek to Ivan. "You could never annoy me."
"But I feel like I never let you speak. I'm definitely getting on your nerves."
"If I wanted to talk I would. You could never bore me, Ivan." He pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I will listen and stay with you from dusk till dawn."
Ivan held the flower firmly in his hand, the wet tear on his cheek feeling like Ameer's kiss. He smiled.
"From dusk till dawn Ameer. I'll be with you from dusk till dawn."
When Ivan came back to the castle it was already dark, and most of the servants went to their quarters. The decorated hallways and the hall were unpleasantly quiet. They had been a mess of people running around and shouting for the past few days.
Ivan headed towards Rea's office to take care of some things. He noticed the door to the hall with portraits slightly open. Nobody should be in these halls this late. Ivan reached for his sword and approached the door. No sound was coming from behind the door. He quietly opened them.
He was relieved to see Amelia dressed in her nightgown, standing in front of the portrait of Rea. Ivan put away his sword and approached Amelia.
"Isn't it too late for you to walk around the castle?"
Amelia twitched and turned to Ivan. "Oh, General Ivan."
"Call me Ivan."
She smiled and nodded. "Ivan. I'm sorry, I just couldn't seem to fall asleep."
"Nervous for tomorrow." She nodded. "I would lie If I said I wasn't either. But don't worry. You'll do great."
"I hope. I really don't want to fail Your Majesty. I am risking this entire kingdom with her name."
"Nothing will go wrong, Amelia. I promise."
She frowned. "I really do hope so." She looked up at the painting. "I always thought she was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. I always looked forward to the days she would come to visit. I knew it was disturbing of me to watch her. I always made sure I never disturbed her privacy." She added quickly. "I just admired her. Her beauty, her courage, and her bravery. She is like a Saint to me. A true Queen." She looked at Ivan and frowned. "It feels wrong to be her, to wear her dresses, to wear her face."
Ivan stepped beside her and looked up at the painting. "I know it feels wrong to you. To be her. You are sacrificing everything for her." He looked at Amelia. "Rea would be grateful for that. She would and she will appreciate the help you've given to this kingdom."
Her cheeks flushed as she smiled gently. "I really hope we find her Ivan."
"We will. She will come back. I promise you." He cleared his throat. "It's late. Do you want me to walk you to your chambers?"
Amelia shook her head. "Thank you, I can go myself."
She turned to leave.
"Get enough sleep."
"You too, General." She smiled and closed the door.
Ivan looked back at the portrait. Amelia really is sacrificing everything right now. Rea needs to come back quickly, because I really don't know how I can keep this promise.