Imperfection

~Chapter 20~

When word reached the town people's ears that the Earth guests, Benjamin Tennyson and Kevin Levin had left Anodine, gossip spread like a wildfire. Gwendolyn Tennyson still remained in the palace. What had happened? Had Gwendolyn decided that Anodine would be her permanent home?

Hera pursed her lips as she passed others on the streets. Workers were due back to the palace, their holiday over. She had known that this would happen. Workers outside the palace would leave, and Ben and Kevin would strangely leave the planet without Gwen? The feelings inside her were beyond suspicions. She understood that this was Micel's doing.

"Hera!"

She looked over her shoulder and tried for a smile. "Hello Mya."

The elder woman caught up, her face bright with emotion. "Have you heard? Ben had left, without a word to us. How rude is that?"

"I don't know Mya…" she trailed off. "Maybe he had to answer to a call. Earth is his home."

She sniffed disdainfully. "He could have at least said goodbye. 'Thank you for letting me stay' and so on. But what still gets me is why Gwen left." She poked Hera with a pout. "You're close with the Queen. Do you have any ideas?"

The mystery of why Gwen Tennyson remained had been told about in various forms. She wished to stay on Anodine with her grandmother to learn more about her powers. She had an argument with Ben and Kevin, and they had left her. She wished to be royalty, and so on. Hera could only hope it was the first story. Hera sighed and shook her head. "So are you still planning on working in the palace? Shouldn't you start your own business?"

She snorted. "And miss out on all the dramatics of the royal family? Of course not." Mya was an elder with the affinity of spirit, with the talent of painting beautiful artwork and sculpting. "And what about you? I'm sure the Queen would still like to keep her messenger. I'm sure she needs all the information she needs. We're going to be getting a lot of guests, espicially since Ben left."

"And why do you believe that?"

"To see what's been going on of course." Hera shook her head. She wondered how Mya could be eighty-seven and have the mind of a ten year old. "But aren't you excited?"

"No."

"I thought you loved your job! You get to work so closely with the royal family at such a young age. It's an honor to hold."

Hera shrugged. "I just don't want to get caught up in the drama of it all. I'm hoping nothing wrong happened between the three of them. They all need each other."

"It will be fine Hera. Come on, don't be late!"

xXxXxXxXxXxXx

The Queen paced the marble floor, her skirt rushing against her ankles. "It's best not to worry," she assured herself quietly. She didn't know what had really happened. Maybe Ben and Kevin had to answer to a call from the Plumbers and Gwen wanted to stay with Verdona. "Yes...that's all there is to it."

"Your Majesty."

She turned to see Gwen standing behind her, wearing another dress that a maid had given her. Her skin seemed a bit pale, her eyes blank. Maybe she was sick?

"Gwen," she breathed in relief. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm quite alright your Majesty. I'm sorry about my sudden advancements from before. I did not mean to act so rudely to royalty such as yourself." She smiled softly and curtseyed. "I hope you forgive me."

"That's just fine Gwen," the Queen nodded. She was just thankful Gwen was herself. "It was not rude at all. It was very strange, yes, but humans are different to me."

"I'm only partially human," she laughed, "but I suppose you don't understand. What I did was rude."

"Then I graciously accept your apology." She stepped forward, touching Gwen's cheek. She jumped at the action and the Queen pursed her lips. Her skin was very warm, despite the paleness of her flesh. "Are you sure that you are not ill?"

"I'm very sure your Majesty."

"Then what happened with Ben and Kevin? They left without saying a word-"

Gwen's eyes flashed, making her stop. Gwen's lips tightly pressed together and she turned away. "They felt like leaving." Her tone was cool, yet there was something...wrong. Very wrong. "They're better off on Earth than on Anodine."

"What-"

"You are kind your Majesty." Gwen's fists clenched and her shoulders shook. "This is a wonderful palace. They were foolish to leave."

"Did you...have an argument?"

A growl built inside of Gwen, making the Queen freeze in shock. "What happens between the three of us is none of your concern your Majesty. You focus on your people, I focus on mind. A good, humble Queen cares about her people. An excellent Queen cares about people's well being." Then she muttered something under her breath, and in a flash, she was gone."

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Verdona picked at her short red hair, pouting. "Mm. Seems like I'm getting split ends." She snapped her fingers and the tips of her hair began to glow. The frayed strands smoothed completely and she smiled. "Thank goodness for mana." She brushed her fingers through her hair and closed her eyes. How are you holding up?

Max made an internal husky chuckle. I'm just fine. How are you doing? Enjoying the five star treatment?

Of course. She was thankful for being able to communicate with Max through her thoughts. Now adays, that was the only way she could communicate with him while she remained home. Traveling back and forth to Anodine took a long time and drained her mana. She was able to be careful. What are you doing?

Making some lunch with some old friends. Magister Hulka is here. He used to be my teacher at Plumbers Academy. It's been some time.

And when you say "some time", you mean decades, right?

She could imagine him rolling his eyes. Humans aren't gifted with eternal youth you know.

No. Not eternal youth. We just live longer than you humans. It was an unfortunate truth, but it was life. She could be outliving her lover by one hundred years.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in," she called. Gwen opened the door. Verdona got up to hug her, but stopped in her tracks. Gwen didn't look alright. Her skin was pale, her eyes were tinted pink and when Verdona read her aura...Gwen was upset. Ill. "Oh, honey, are you alright?"

"I'm just fine Grandma." Her voice sounded hoarse. "I just wanted to learn a few more spells." She coughed into her hand. "Ugh..." She sniffed, rubbing her nose. "Alright. I'm not okay. I feel like I've been run over by three trucks. And a bulldozer." She coughed again, a fit that racked through her body violently. "I think I need help."

"What about Ben or Kevin? Did you tell them anything?"

"They left Grandma." Gwen looked into her hands and moaned. "What's going on?"

Verdona took her hands and gasped. A thick red substance coated her pale hands. "Oh Goddess..."

A/N: Drama is lovely :D REVIEW!