The pope and his guards soon left, placing a kiss on Zephyr cheeks signifying family status. It was all too unbelievable.
I almost forgot about my happy feelings, and they were less than 30 minute ago.
Now what?
We waived them off promised to see them tomorrow night.
He wanted his new little brother inside the Apostles palace and invited every noble, including the puppet king and family, to attend .. a celebration in his name.
" Lord Zephyr, we thank you for indulging His holiness and us alongside him."
Father smiled a winner's smile.
As the architect of this story, he landed in a very favourable position as the man introduced him and was responsible for this little extension of our trip.
Damn you.. I could be leaving in a few hours if not for your hungry interference.
" Please..it was my pleasure." Zephyr smiled politely and then turned to me.
" Carlos, how did it go? "
I woke up by his clear voice. " It went well.. She signed. "
I pulled out the wrinkled paper, handed it to him.
Reading it, his smile grew. " I'm happy for you, Em. "
" Than..
" How wonderful indeed. Carlitos, unfortunately, her parents will arrive sometime tomorrow so we can't avoid them on the Zephyr celebration. But don't you worry. I handled it. Make sure they are seated far away from us."
She looked uncharacteristically enthusiastic.
I haven't seen her this happy or excited for a long time.
" I'll leave it to you Ma..Zephyr let us retire. You must be chuffed. "
" Hmm.. Rico, I must rely on you and your good taste for clothes and such..sorry about the inconvenience. "
Father hushed him. " Don't you worry, my boy. It shall be done.. Julia, let's send for Shilian and his sister. " he called for the most expansive tailors, and my mother went immediately to make sure they arrived in time.
" Now go you two..rest and enjoy being home. " He gently pushed us towards the door.
I walked away behind Zephyr, pretty confident he meant those words mostly for him.
At least thanks for this little development. My divorce meant nothing now. The Anolas were only important in certain circles, but this guy? He was important in all of them.
Once far from the main castle. " How did that happen!? " I asked.
He peeked back, shaking his head.
" I was ambushed while looking for food..this damn place is like a maze and your mother ... it's like she knew where, I was exactly. This whole place is just spooky if you ask me. "
He walked along nonchalantly.. Does Lylly have to live this?
" I meant you and..
" We touched the clouds.."
He did mention touching God..so he took the Pope flying. It explains some things.
" ..after that he was kind and loving like a long lost big brother, your father by the way.. " he stopped suddenly and shook his head again but this time with some amusement.
" I can almost respect his cunning mind. These people are easy to please, thank God.." - he snorted, not even hearing how ridiculous what he was saying.
Touching the clouds? The pope of a nation acting as a long-lost family member? Easy..?
I saved the other questions on the account of the cold and waited until we both sat down comfortably in the golden house.
He was only in a black sweater, matching pants and boots, playing with his necklace he treasured very, very much..
The Revel brothers made fun of it before they knew him and found themselves very close to ..touching God.
" Forgive me, my love... " he closed his eyes, asking Lylly for forgiveness a thousand miles away.
He snapped open his eyes. " Go.."
" What now? "
It was the most important question, after all. Does he plan something?
" We will spend a lovely night and leave the next morning.. don't look at me like that. " - he put away his necklace and pointed at the bag. " Give it.. I'm starving and only had that dreadful wine. "
I handed him our bag over and waited until I was munching on mazzepan he loved so much. Lylly made sure he had plenty.
" I had no choice..you told me not to offend these mans names in front of people. What, I'm supposed to do when your father shoves him in my face? "
I leaned back, somewhat relieved. Victim of circumstance.
" I'm sorry.. but I did..
" I know..warned me. It might be useful to have a powerful ' Brother ' like him. He might be a monster and comes from a whole line of them, but.."
He layed down the couch with his feet hanging and made himself comfortable.
"..nevertheless, he has an army of fanatics and worshippers who do anything he commands. That's useful.."
True enough, having someone like that as a ' brother ' is preferable than having him as an enemy.
" Still, you played the part very well.. fooled them all. How does someone pretend like that? " I asked, making myself comfortable.
I found his performance theatre worthy.
He was as friendly and easygoing when he was home surrounded by our own family.
" I told you... pleasing them is easy. A few flattering words, then show them something they never saw, and they become fans. After that, it is just a careful repeat of the same things just in smaller doses. "
Cold, calculating..he understood what was needed and when.
He disliked these people as much as I did but also saw opportunity in them and had the means to exploit it.
In times of war, having the spiritual leader of a nation at your back and call is handy.
But again, it was only achievable if we talked about Zephyr.
His looks, charms, power, and soft spoken, easy going character allowed to befriend and, if necessary, use others by manipulation or, if he must, violence to his benefit.
Family is all... This way of life was easy to understand and to fall in love with the senses of belonging those words carried.
It might sound empty or naive ideology for some, but if someone like Zephyr meant it.. you never feel fear again as long as he considers you such.
I lay down myself slowly, exhaling the nervous breath held since I saw those archers surrounding my families castle.
" I'm glad you think ahead. But,
I doubt Viego will help us against them. He moves to marry the Kings daughter to secure peace forever. Soon, Dharma and Insatel will be uniting as one "
" Who said we need his help? I said he would be useful..he mentioned something about that engagement and how urgent it is before Karta attacks them. Instead, they need a stronger alliance. "
I sat up smelling something. " So you do have a plan? "
" Chensler has two blessed with him, right? The fire guy and the healer? "
I got confused.. I told him about those details months ago . " Yes..the fire guy is strong opponent by nature of his blessing, and women is just as talented as Viego with healing. As long as you are not dead, she'll bring you back."
Those two are the main reasons why some sort of direct assault would never work on that cockroach.
He was well protected and kept alive as long as he was breathing. They never left his side.
" We just need him to leave, Tetra, right? Don't you think his son's engagement party held here in Dharma? Would it be enough to make him move?"
" Why would he agree to hold it here? "
" What if the church demands it? Just like here..in Insatel, their presence is large enough even if not by force. "
" That's sounds great.." I felt the sarcasm coming because he didn't know the priest of Ehlite at home and how corrupt their first acolyte was. " ..why would the church demanded it? Viego hates them..and the first acolyte."
They both believe themselves, the one closest to Ehlite, and refuse to acknowledge one another.
His smiled, though..confidant as ever.
" Leave that to me. Let us bring the faithful of two nations together and rejoice. " he put his hand together and turned his head towards me.
" Uniting them should be easy..since first acolyte Levian is already a .. ' trusted brother' of mine."
" Y-you..him!..h-how do you got so close him!? "
He looked back up the ceiling adorned with gold flowers.
" I told you... pleasing them is easy. "