Nicneven clapped her hands, motioning for the surrounding guards to do the same. Mars was in shock. He barely heard the clapping after his father's announcement.
"Father! I cannot," he protested. The King's smile disappeared, and he frowned. "It's your duty as a prince.
You have no say in the matter. Now, return to your room. Tomorrow we will meet with the Duke and his daughter and get you two acquainted. No arguments," he said sternly. Mars turned his pleading eyes to his mother, but she avoided his eyes.
Finvarra dismissed everyone, and Mars was escorted away by two guards to his room.
"Honey, you were too harsh on him," Nicneven chided. Her husband snorted. "He'll be five hundred this year. Taking a human perspective, he is still in his twenties.
As an adult, he must take responsibility for his actions. He played enough in the human world."
"But to declare him king, isn't it too early?"
"No, dear. To continue to protect the Sith, we must act before they do."
Nicneven glanced fearfully at him. "You mean, the hellcniht? But they're behind the Veil. It's indestructible for eternity. I know you feel responsible for guarding it, but-"
"But nothing!" Finvarra shouted as he slammed his fist. "The royal family's main duty is the Sith's safety. Ailbhe must marry and produce an heir. It may look like things are peaceful right now, but we must always stay on our toes for the future.
If the hellcniht ever becomes free, not only our world, but the human world will suffer as well," he said with gritted teeth.
The queen stroked his hand soothingly. "Ailbhe doesn't understand. He loves the human world. And perhaps he became attached to that boy, Nathan. Before you gave him time. Maybe you can give him a little more this time as well? For his sake."
She squeezed his hand. Finvarra stared at his wife's golden eyes. "Last time was different. But we'll see, depending on what happens tomorrow," he said. Nicneven smiled.
'That's the best I can do for you. The rest you must do on your own,' she thought as she kissed her husband.
*
"Good day, Your Highness. I'll be your servant during your stay. My name is Brynne." A female maid introduced herself to Mars. Her light red hair was tied into a ponytail, and she wore the black robe of the palace servants.
Mars didn't acknowledge her as she served his food; everapple cider, honey cake, nut bread with fig jam, and a fruit pie. She bowed as she finished and departed.
His stomach had been rumbling ever since he last ate tuna for breakfast. He glanced forlornly at the spread before him.
Since residing in the human realm, he has become accustomed to eating meat. He missed it now that he had returned home. Sighing, he picked up a slice of pie. He wondered how long he had been away.
Was he missed? Was Nathan all right by himself? Mars felt very lonely.
The next morning, Mars was dressed very formally. He wore a traditional white clothes with golden embroidery and golden boots. He wore his circlet, torque, and bracelets, signalling his status.
His mother swooned when she saw him. "You look so handsome! I'm so proud of my son. Give mommy a hug?" she simpered. Mars cringed. "No Mother. It'll wrinkle the clothes. Where's Father?"
Looking disappointed, she answered, "He's speaking with the Duke right now. Come on. I'll walk with you."
Feeling dispirited, Mars walked beside Nicneven to the main hall, where the King met his guests.
As the guard respectfully opened the giant golden doors, both entered elegantly, drawing the attention of those inside. Mars observed his father sitting on a large chair.
He looked regal as always, his laurel crown on his head. Just below him was a delegation of Sith. Dark-skinned and red-haired, they wore the Donnachaidh house colour of emerald.
In the front was a large male Fae wearing a silver torque, and beside him was a young woman. Her hair was tied in a braid, and she wore a silver tiara. She was incredibly beautiful.
But that didn't impress Mars, though. They bowed, and the king made introductions. "This is the Duke Arran of Donnachaidh with his daughter, Catriona. Arran, this is my son, Ailbhe, her betrothed."
Catriona blushed as her father examined his future son-in-law. "He looked just like you when you were at your peak. Excellent. I'm satisfied. What about you, dear? Your fiancé seems like a fine man to me. And marrying him will make you the future queen.
No one can ask for more than that!" he laughed. Catriona looked upset at her father's demeanour. "It doesn't matter if I become queen. I want to marry for love," she whispered but he didn't pay attention to her.
Mars looked piteously at her. Her feelings were similar to his. He approached her while he spoke. "Good day. My name is Prince Ailbhe. But you can call me Ailbhe. I feel the same. I still have things I need to do." He lifted a surprised girl's hand to his lips.
"I wonder if you can help me. Neither of us wants to marry right now. The problem is our parents," he murmured.
"Anything," she breathed. Mars smiled and kissed her hand, unaware of his mother's watchful eye. Nicneven looked amused at the two newly engaged, and grinned inwardly.
"Of course, we have to invite all the noble houses. Unlike my wedding, where only the family was invited! Hahaha!" Arran roared. Finvarra smiled patiently as the Duke chortled. "Indeed," he said.
"A shame my wife is frail, or she could have attended," he blabbered on. "She looks forward to it, you know? Not to mention the grandchildren."
Catriona became embarrassed at his talking, so Mars interrupted. "It's getting late, Father. Don't you think it's about time we went for lunch?"
"Yes, dear. The cooks might wonder where in the world we are," his mother quickly followed. The king, a very intelligent person, got the hint and agreed.
'I hope Ailbhe thinks of something soon.' the king fumed. 'I can't stand the thought of having this idiot become part of the family!'
'This looks like fun, heh, heh,' the queen laughed inwardly as everyone glided towards the dining hall.
*
I had just returned from parking practice when my dad called me. "Hi Dad. Yeah, I'm doing good. How's Mom? What? Is there something wrong with my report?
No, I'm not stopping. It's too much fun. Huh, Mars? He's still missing. No, he didn't abandon me. At least I don't think so," I said.
I fixed myself up while speaking to dad. I brushed my hair until it sparkled. My hair has now reached shoulder-length. I bet he would be surprised by my looks if Mars ever returned.
My dad scoffed when he saw the photo of me, but I don't care. He was too traditional anyway. "Why did you call me? Don't tell me it's just to scold me."
"No. I was curious about Mars, you see. When your mother and I met him, he still appeared as a cat. But when I read your grandfather's proper notes, he had a different appearance.
So I got the impression that he might be an ancient being. A deity, or even a demon. When you said that he disappeared, I wondered if he had an emergency and returned to his home," Dad explained.
"Why would he? You think he got homesick? Broke your contract?" I joked.
"Stop kidding around. It says in the notes that time passes differently in our worlds. So for him, it could be only an hour. However, for us, it would be weeks. That could be one reason. The other is that he got tired of your shenanigans and ran away."
"Hey!" I protested. I'm not that bad. I examined myself in the mirror. I was sexy, my body was in good shape, my teeth were perfect, and I considered myself very lovable. How else did women fall for me so easily?
"What was Mars' appearance when he met Granddad?" I asked distractedly.
"He was a human." I coughed. "Say what? What does he look like?"
'Small and ugly, like a Rumplestiltskin,' I secretly hoped. However, when dad described him, I nearly choked.
"What the heck? Beautiful? Hey dad, what about me? What do you think of me?" I begged.
"Huh? What about you? Smart, handsome, and generous are not what I think of you. Don't change the subject. He's apparently from a race called-" I pressed the phone dead. I didn't want to hear any more.
That stupid cat was prettier than me. That stupid, nagging cat! I peered around my empty house. The island where he loved to sleep. I was always irritated because I kept having to wipe off the cat's hair. And the refrigerator is full of tuna.
I consider myself to be a perfect human being. But Mars is a perfect deity. Yet he still messed up my house. I laughed just thinking about it.
"Mars, where are you? When are you coming back? It's been two months already." I broke down. I was never as lonely as I am right now.