18 Years Into The Future
A uniformed teenager marched through the palace, sunlight gleaming over his curly blonde hair. He came to a stop at the current ruler's bedroom, taking a deep breath before knocking on her door. "Vera? It's Colt."
As the door swung open, Colt stood face to face with a green-skinned teenager in an elegant dress. Sparkling beads were scattered within her long dark hair.
As usual, the boy from Earth tried his best not to blush. "Do you...do you have a minute? I sort of needed to- -"
"Hold that thought." Vera pulled a wide-eyed Colt into the bedroom. A second later, she turned sideways. "Could you do me a favor and zip up my dress?" Her eyes were firmly fixed on the hallway.
"Sure..." said Colt, glancing outward as a number of robed nobles walked by.
The men and women briefly paused, observing the sight with curious stares. Seconds later, they continued on their way.
Colt shook his head. "You do this sort of thing on purpose, don't you?"
A sly smile crossed her face. "And what manner of thing would that be?"
"Asking me to zip you up while people are passing by. You just love having fun with your subjects. You love to get them talking."
"Now, now, dear Colt..." Vera faced him. "If I wanted to get them talking, I would've just asked you to pull the dress down." She winked.
Colt rolled his eyes while taking a step back.
"Now then," said the Queen of Mongo, "what exactly can I do for you?"
He hesitated, taking another deep breath. "I came to inform you that I'm going to be moving."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, my restless little friend. As head guard, you're required to live in the queen's palace." Vera raised an eyebrow with mock smugness. "Wasn't that specified somewhere in the fine print?" She smirked while prancing about in her room. "Earth boys..."
Colt looked down, running a hand over his head. "I meant that I'm leaving Mongo. I'm leaving the service here and going back to Earth."
Vera paused, her head turning.
"It's, uh...it's nothing personal. I've had a great experience here. I just think that perhaps it's time to move on."
She stared, hearing her voice lower to just above a whisper. "Oh."
Colt licked his lips as a long silence lingered. Then he looked up and slapped his hands together. "Anyway, I'll certainly be staying for the party tonight. Seems like it's going to be a good one."
"Indeed," said Vera, clearing her throat. "I invited my parents. I'm hoping that both of them make it."
"That'll be nice."
She nodded. "They raised me with a pretty level head on my shoulders, but I can always use their advice now and then. After all, I am continuing the dynasty that they started when they took over."
"And doing a great job as well."
Vera eased down on the side of her bed. "I don't know about great...but as long as I'm running things, I'm going to do my best to be a good leader, and a good protector. I'm not going to let anyone harm the people of Mongo."
"I believe that." Colt smiled. "During your reign, a few attackers have tried, and each of them have failed."
Vera eyed her knees, mumbling to herself. "They've mostly failed because of people like you."
Colt's smile began to fade. "People like me follow an example. We're driven because we have a queen to believe in."
She scoffed. "I know that some of the soldiers don't believe in me just yet."
Colt moved across the room, sitting beside her. "Well, this soldier does — because I've listened to you." He paused, recalling the things that she'd told him. "It sounds like you mostly got your values from your mother, and your boldness from your father."
She continued to hang her head.
"And I think I know what you're trying to do with both of those qualities."
Vera turned to him.
"I know that your mom did great things on both Earth and Mongo. She defended one planet, and guided another." He let his gaze drift forward. "I think that you're trying to accomplish at least half of what she did."
Vera held quiet for a moment, letting herself stare. "I want you to stay here, Colt. I don't want you to resign."
"There are plenty of other men who can do this job."
"I don't simply want you around because you're good at your job."
His lips parted as he turned to her.
"Most people look at me and confuse playful with immature. No one really gets me as well as you do."
Colt began to blush.
"Of course, the fact that you're kind of cute when you're nervous doesn't hurt either."
He looked away with a chuckle.
"Stay. At least for now. If I'm going to accomplish what I've set out to, I want you here to help with that."
Colt looked down at his hands.
Vera watched him in silence.
"All right," he said. "I'll remain a royal guard for now."
"Thank you." She nodded, moving her gaze to the wall. "Colt?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you remember what you told me before?"
"That depends. What did I tell you before?"
"Do you remember when you said that your reasons for leaving were nothing personal?"
He fidgeted, but covered it up. "I remember."
She briefly quieted. "Does the same statement apply to your reasons for staying?"
Colt licked his lips, quivering where he sat. "I..." He gazed about with an awkward expression, then brought his stare straight to her. "I think I'll have to get back to you on that."
"Hmph," said Vera, facing him with a slow smile. "Well whenever you find the answer, you also know where to find me."
Colt grinned. "Fair enough," he whispered, adding a nod.
A touch of sunlight entered the room, spreading over them as they stared into each other's eyes.
Volume II — End
