The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 135

Part 20

“Your sense of responsibility does you proud, but I think you are missing the greater social and political implications of the situation.

“We have always benefited from our alliance with The High People, and been very proud of it, and we know that our powerful alliance with them is based on your close personal friendship with Prince Yazadril, which gives our alliance a greater dimension than the merely political.

“Hilia is universally recognized as the most dynamic and progressive nation in The Just Alliance, and your bonding with Prince Mark should represent an alliance between Hilia and The People of Life of an even more profound nature than our alliance with the High People, which is itself strengthened by your bonding with Talia, and by Bezedil’s marriage to Dalia. The fact that Mark and Talia are Key to The Just Alliance and key to the nexus in no way diminishes their popularity and appeal.

“We ask only that you three make it official, both your marriage to Mark and Talia, and the resulting social and political alliance between Hilia and The People of Life.

“Rather than abdicate in favor of Dalia and Bezedil, you should make them co-Regent, or even ruling Prince and Princess Regent if you wish to avoid sessions like this one and to give them a taste of true ruling responsibility. As you know, I would gladly give up the responsibilities of being Regent. But you should not abdicate your rule, Your Majesty, rather you must retain it, it order to strengthen as much as possible our alliance with Hilia. And because you are still our most preferred and cherished choice as monarch.

“That alliance with Hilia may be politically redundant now that we are all allied within The Just Alliance, but you can be certain that our people will still have strong feelings of pride from such a joining.”

“I see.” Alilia nodded. “And you think no one will mind that I would marry a human who already has another wife?”

“Please.” Smogin grinned. “Talia is already beloved by our people for being very capable, adorable, and a genuine war hero. And as far as we’re concerned, Mark isn’t a human, he’s a warlock. So that’s okay. The attitude doesn’t make much sense, but there it is.”

“Thank you Smogin.” Alilia smiled as she considered his response, then looked around at the faces of her petitioners.

“Do your thoughts on this reflect his?”

She had to grin in surprise at the mighty cheer her people gave in enthusiastic agreement.

“Thank you. I’ll most certainly take that into consideration.”

With that subtle but well-understood dismissal, her people bid her and her guests farewell, and took their leave.

As soon as they were gone, Six rose from his chair and walked around the table. He stood beside Alilia, bowed to her most deeply and humbly, then hugged her with warm love and affection. “Princess Alilia, co-mother of my heart, I salute you.” he told her, then he did salute her, with the salute of a Finitran ranger to his superior officer. “It’s so easy to take you for granted, as simply one of our family, a beautiful woman whom I love and respect. But since we’ve been here in the lands of The People of Life your demeanor has changed, and not subtly. Here, your bearing is that of powerful royalty. For the first time, you’ve shown us what you truly are; a mighty monarch who has successfully ruled a great people for almost five thousand years. The love and respect that your subjects have for you is a beautiful thing to see, and the intelligence, speed, and wisdom of your administrative decisions was wondrous to observe.

“I am humbled. I suddenly feel very young and very inexperienced indeed. To know you and to share your presence and your love is an honor and a privilege.”

For a moment Alilia was at a loss for words, and she felt tears of profound love and joy gathering in her eyes. She reached out and wrapped him in her arms and gave him a firm hug, and before she could speak, Mark did so.

“My son, you’ve again spoken well, with words that say what’s in all of our hearts.” Mark told him with a grin and a firm rub on his back.