Chapter 26 - When The Sunshine Is Back
The rain created by Pop has covered the whole sky of Papunika's capital since early morning. Regardless of the announcement about the parade being postponed, crowds are still still gathering along main stteets to wait for the event.
Menuru and friends have been worrying if Pop can remain the spell until afternoon, because it consumes such a huge power from him. But now hearing the news from Furora, Menru is so happy. The news can cheer Pop up, definitely. She looks outside the window and sees such a beautiful October in the rain.
It is because, Leona has got up.
Menru knows this is not only a great news to all of them, it also motivates Pop to keep going well on the spell and he doesn't have to extend the magic cast.
...
In the Royal Medical Household, inside Papunika palace, the first thing Leona asks:
"What time is this?"
The second thing she asks, is to call up an urgent meeting with leaders of major authorities. Apolo immediately carries the order.
The third thing she asks, is about her current condition.
Physician to the Queen is relieved that Leona doesn't question about her hair.
When he is going to leave the room, he hears the Queen screaming.
"My Queen, calm down." He quickly runs back to her bed.
"Why?" She asks. Leona looks like having her heart broken into pieces. Her eyes can tell a millions dismays to the fact that her precious golden hair is gone.
"Your Majesty, we needed to examine any possible underlying skull fracture. The regretful action is required to avoid missing fragments that are lodged in the long beautiful hair."
"Required? Which means it's not compulsory?"
"No, it's not... Your Majesty. But this is the best way that we recommend. We have consulted with the sensei and friends of Your Majesty. Your health is very important, My Queen..." The Physician looks at Larhat and Marlin, seeking for helps.
"The Physician is right, we can't afford any possibility of the hidden fracture." Larhalt is standing by the side of her bed, there is a gentleness in his voice.
Leona turns to him slowly and carefully. Her neck is kept by the cervical collar. It's not easy to move the eyesight around so she has not seen him yet, although she knows he is here together with Marlin, just by different side of her bed.
"You know it's gonna take..." Leona tends to argue with him. However, the moment her eyes catch his image, her breath is taken away.
His hair is shorter, reveals more of his strong neck and the large shoulder.
Suddenly he has a change in his appearance that blows her mind away. He looks very manly and Leona has already forgotten what she tended to argue with him.
"My sincere apology, Your Majesty. I take full responsibility."
"No problem." Leona recklessly answers the Physician when he bows to her. "And, thank you for every effort of your team during last night."
"It's our honor, Your Majesty. We are still following up on your condition closely. Please rest well and don't worry, My Queen."
When the Physician has left the room, Leona asks, "Larhalt, what happened to your hair?"
"Your Majesty, I helped him on that." Standing next to the other side of the Queen's bed, Marlin eagerly tells her.
Seeing Larhalt having an eye contact with Marlin, Leona can't stop herself from pinching him with an instant rising jealousy. But with very low energy remained, she doesn't causes him any pains.
"Your Majesty, everybody is on the way. Would you like the meeting to be in another room?" Apolo is back.
"Yes. Please arrange, Marlin, help Apolo and inform me when everybody arrives."
...
"You must have felt very happy." Leona says when they are alone in the room.
"Not as what you think. I do feel pity for your hair." He admits. Her golden hair is beautiful and adds on to her gorgeousness. "You will have your hair grow long again. Not sure how would you lady take this but in my thinking, no physical traits is more important your health."
"I mean, you are happy when Marlin helps you with the haircut, aren't you?"
And she pinches his arm again.
"It doesn't hurt but I guess you are not happy with my new haircut?"
"No."
Seeing Leona keeping quite with her eyes looking down, showing the long and curly eyelashes with the straight nose and a beautiful face shape, her slender neck is now kept in the brace and her head is covered by a medical cap, bruises around her slim arms, all end up forming a strong desire in his to embrace her.
"Then what is your suggestion?"
His body is firm and warm. Leona can feel that he is completely hugging her.
"No suggestion. Ask Marlin." Leona stays in his embrace, comfortably leaning on his shoulder.
"But I barely know Marlin."
"Of course." Leona bursts into a smile and looks into his eyes, "In fact, you with short hair are sexier."
"There's even a comparison."
He feels it indeed adorable of her. One consistent thing about Leona and himself is that most of the time, he won't understand what has he done that triggers her anger. However, she is very lovely when she is having a temper and her temper is gone as fast as it arrives, all the time.
Still holding her in his arms, he asks, "Can you not attending the Parade?"
"I'm fine to attend the event."
Her stubbornness doesn't surprises him.
His fingers gently moves across the bruises along her arms. "Do they hurt?"
"Yes... and they look ugly."
"Bare with this for a short while, they will be recovered naturally."
"Could you heal them for me? Unlike some of our friends, I don't have any problem with dark power." Leona asks.
What she requests is what he used to think of. He is very tempted to transfer all her injuries and pains to him, but this would cause Leona being affected by dark magic for the rest of her life, something he never wants to happen.
"There is no guarantee your body can take it." Larhalt replies. He is still looking at all injuries that are almost filled up her arms, he feels very, very bad. "I'm sorry. It shouldn't have happened this way."
"Don't be." She gently squeezes his hands. "Many people have tried to kill me since I was born, and I'm a survivor."
"Nobody is dare to kill you any longer. I promise."
"Then we should do this."
And Leona teaches him the promise hand signs.
As their fingers are entwining and they keep looking at each other, they don't notice what is happening around them, for example, they don't notice that Marlin and Apolo have been waiting outside the room, patiently looking for a right time to disturb and announce that the meeting is ready.
...
Top authorities of Papunika immediately turns into a formal silence, all stand up from their positions when the Queen enters the room together with Larhalt, Marlin and Apolo.
Seated on a specialised wheelchair, the Queen gives eye contacts to each of them. "Please sit down, everyone." There is a gleam of joy in her eyes that warm their hearts. She is Queen Leona of Papunika, even her current health condition is not able to fade away the fact that to them, she is always a courageous and inspirational leader.
"Your Majesty... How are you?"
"Compound skull fractures, blood lost and other minor physical injuries that pain my whole body. But fortunately, my brain is still working." Leona replies as if her wound is not severe, although pain killers have been injected to her body. Straightforwardly, she questions about her highest concern, "What's going on with the Parade?"
"Everything is going well, Your Majesty. It has been raining since morning but the rain is within our plan. Leaders from other kingdom are taken care by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. About the Birthday Parade, all are set ready to take place at three thirty this afternoon. Public and media are enthusiastic about the event. And national security is at highest alert. The good news is, everything has been in harmony since last night." Mr Seng, a secretary of the senior council, reports to Leona on behalf of all top authorities attending the meeting.
"I appreciate the calmness and synergy of everybody here. You own such a high level of professionalism and teamwork, I'm indeed proud." Leona smiles.
"Today is always a happiest day of our kingdom, Your Majesty, today of every year. Long live our Queen!" The eldest member of Papunika senior council says.
He is very delighted seeing the Queen awaked.
He has been serving the royal family of Papunika for three generations and Queen Leona is the brightest leader he has ever seen. It's his dream come true when the Queen becomes more and more mature, more and more powerful, although her directions are conflicting to Papunika's traditional values sometimes.
"Long live our Queen!" Everyone repeats after him, even modernists like Marlin, Apolo.
This is not the first time Larhalt accompanying Leona to meetings, but this is a meeting where he witnesses the clearest image of Leona as Papunika's Queen, a powerful image that is normally hidden behind her silent courage. She doesn't have to show if off, her people recognise it for her.
"Thank you..." Leona says. "I promise to take good care of myself."
"Your Majesty, when your were unconscious, there has been a discussion about your participation to the Parade. What is your decision?" The Comrade of Papunika Defence Force asks.
"I won't decide."
Contrary to the surprise of everybody, Leona is laid back. "What are your points of views? If you would like me to attend, I would attend. If you would like me to rest, I would do so. Today is the day of everyone in Papunika. But bare this in mind, I'm totally fine to attend the event."
Members of the meeting look at each other, they don't know most of them are sharing a similar view.
"Let's vote, the majority will win." The Queen decides. "Who would like me to attend the Parade?"
No hand is up.
Without communicating to each other, all members of the meeting reach the same agreement just based on the common love they have for the Queen. Everybody burst into the laughs, even Leona.
"So nobody welcomes me to the Parade?" Leona teases them.
"Your Majesty, I used to think that you presence means everything to the Parade and the image of Papunika. But when meeting you, I can't lie to myself that deep in the thought, nothing is more important than the health of our Queen. And I believe I'm speaking this on behalf of everyone here. With Your Majesty's inspiration and delegation, we are good to be on our own. We can ensure you the Parade this year is a successful one." The eldest member of the Senior Council says.
"Well-said, Sir." The meeting members agree.
"Thanks for all goodwills. I'm sure the public is going to enjoy a great event." Leona nods with agreement. "I would be in the palace balcony to enjoy the musical performance with the public. And I'm attending the banquet tonight. Make sure each of you are bringing along your beloved partner, I look forward to celebrating my official birthday with you."
And the meeting ends in the happiness of everybody.
"Still, please take more rest, Leona." Hyunkel walks to her.
"Sure I will." She looks at his light blue eyes, "Mister, you have a good news to share."
Madam Ryi and several people can hear Hyunkel telling the Queen, "Yes. Marm accepts my proposal."
"Awww... So sweet of you guys... Congrats!" Leona is so delighted.
"Thank you... Please take a good rest and make it to our engagement party."
"I'd certainly make it. Have you fixed the wedding day?" Leona is hugging Hyunkel and asking him excitedly.
"Hyunkel, you are getting married?" Most members of the meeting are surprised by the sudden news, although it's understandable that someone like him is not likely to stay available for long.
"Congrats, Hyunkel." They comes and shake hands with him, including Marlin and Apolo.
"When could we have the honour to meet the lucky lady?"
...
"When is the wedding day?" Leona repeats the question to Marm over the phone.
"The day is not fixed, Hyunkel and I want to focus on getting everything ready for the baby first. So we only think of an engagement party as at now."
"I see. Yes, it makes sense. I bet you want to look perfect in the wedding gown."
Marm is laughing from the other side of the line. "I have many things to share with you and Menruru. Wait until you get better. By the way, are you really fine to attend the banquet in the evening?"
"I'm fine. How about you?"
"Should be..." Marm is reluctant. Her wound is still bleeding. Marm is wondering how does Leona handle such a more serious injury so well. "I'll be there. Just because today is your birthday."
"Today is my official birthday. My real birthday is in another month."
"? How come you have two birthdays?"
"It's another long story. Anyway, if you are coming tonight, be ready to meet many officers in my government who are very interested in knowing you."
"Why are they interested in me?"
"In the meeting just now, everybody has known about your engagement. Your future husband is their good friend. He also invited them to the engagement party."
"Oh, did he?" Marm giggles.
"Yes... Talk to you tonight. I have another conversation now." Leona tells Marm when seeing Marlin and Madam Ryi walking into her room.
"See you, take care."
Just when she hangs up the phone, she gets out of the bed and looks at herself in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, Marm reaches out to call the nurse.
...
Marlin closes the door carefully and takes a seat next to Madam Ryi, they guess there must be some specific orders that the Queen would like to give.
"Your Majesty, how may we assist you?"
"Thanks for coming back, ladies... This is not about work. I'm calling you for something rather personal." Leona says. "Because during the meeting, I notice the way you look at Larhalt is not as usual."
Madam Ryi and Marlin look at each other. They wonder what does the Queen mean but they dare not interrupt Leona.
"I know he looks a bit different with his new haircut. Although I never discourage anyone to run away from their true feelings, but knowing Larhalt, I must warn you ladies to stay away from him, don't fall in love with him." Leona says, each and every of her words coming out clearly, but definitely blood is rushing to her face.
"I understand. Thanks for your... advice and your concern, Your Majesty." Ryi says.
"Your Majesty, but he is not committed to any relationship." Marlin questions.
"Well, I...heard he is going to. So, you'd better don't involve yourself in his personal life." The Queen explains.
...
"Why do you keep smiling alone, Marlin?" Madam Ryi asks when they walking out of the Royal Medical Household.
"Nothing special, I'm just happy that the sunshine is back."
Marlin looks at the clear blue sky and breathes in the fresh air. The day is even more beautiful after the rain.
"Yes, you are right. Even you look different now. During previous days, you ignored whenever I said Hello. Don't be so stressful." The Minister of Foreign Affairs tells Marlin.
"I ignored you?" That was Ella. Marlin realises. "From now on, please inform Her Majesty about my differences if you find out any, ok?"
"Is it necessary? Why should we bother Her Majesty with every matter." Ryi seems reluctant. "By the way, why does Her Majesty think I may fall in love with Larhalt?"
"Perhaps she is just being cautious. But Her Majesty is serious, we must remain a distance from the him." He can be our King in the future. Marlin smiles again, she can read the Queen's heart.
"Do you mean Her Majesty has some problems with Larhalt?"
"Nooooo. Anyway, believe me, please listen to our Queen. I know Her Majesty so well. This is something she takes seriously."
End Chapter 26
