Mateo

She's listening to me! She's actually listening to me! Mateo was relieved as the lasso went away. Maybe she will help me. Maybe this wasn't all for nothing!

"All of this started during Sweethearts Day two years ago," He began, glad to be sitting comfortably again, "I was still living in the castle, and well, I had big plans for that day."

His face flushed and his heart hurt as he remembered just what those plans were. He'd been such a different person back then. Sometimes he forgot that he and that naive young man were the same person.

"Well...anyways, let me start at the beginning…"

Mateo, Two Years Ago.

Mateo de Alva, the royal wizard of Avalor, looked himself over in the mirror for the fourth time in the past twenty minutes. His long curly hair was kept tidily in a ponytail, his face was cleanly shaven and his goatee was trimmed nicely. His robes had been freshly washed, steamed and triple checked for any frayed hems, breaks in the goldwork trim or other battle-incurred damages. Yes, he was certain of it, he looked great. And today was the day, he was especially certain of that. Today was the day that Mateo de Alva was going to finally confess his feelings to Queen Elena Castillo Flores. He was sure that this time he'd be able to do it. Absolutely positive. Failure was impossible. He... he was just going to take one more look in that mirror, just in case.

Mateo sighed. Part of him wondered if it was hopeless. Every time he tried to tell Elena how he really felt, something would inevitably happen. Like an evil fairy would attack. Or a new group of malvagos would pop up. Or Elena would get new magic powers or betrayed by a cousin or just plain something would get in the way and make it impossible for Mateo to even think about imposing his feelings on her; she didn't need the headache of a starry eyed boy. Which Mateo completely understood, Elena had been through things, things he could only imagine. And he respected Elena's feelings more than his own sometimes, it was mostly just frustrating how the timing always seemed to correspond directly with whenever he'd finally found the confidence to tell her how he really felt. But this time he had planned for every possible thing that could go wrong, at least that he could think of.

Today was Sweetheart's Day and with Gabe's help Mateo had set up extra security basically everywhere. The castle, the courtyard, within the city, even the docks. They left no stone unturned; there would be no malvago attacks on his watch. Mateo had checked and double checked every old Maruvian legend and prophecy for any sign at all that some sort of ancient magical evil wasn't due to wake up from a dark shadowy sleep or pop it's evil head out of a pocket dimension today. Good news, they weren't. Mateo had pre-ordered orchids from three different vendors and had another set of flowers delivered to him personally. He had even made certain that Flo was distracted for the day by giving her a 'very important project' to work on. Mateo had prepared for every possible complication, or well, that he could think of anyways. There was just one complication he wasn't sure he could overcome: himself. Mateo still wasn't certain that he'd be able to find it in himself to say the words. Four words, harder to say than any master level spell. Elena, I love you, he mouthed to the mirror, as he had countless times in the past. Guilty embarrassment crept up inside, why was this so hard? It felt like this would be his greatest challenge yet. Sighing, Mateo picked up the bouquet of orchids and with a jolt realized he'd forgotten something of enormous importance: his mother. She needed him for something this morning and he was already an hour late. Mateo was doomed. His love issues would have to wait, for now he'd have to wait for the mother of all lectures on timeliness.

After he got his mandated lecture, Mateo instead found himself a complication he had never even considered: his mother's opinion on his love life.

"Mama! What do you mean it's a bad idea?" Mateo protested as he helped his mother carry half a dozen awkward shaped brown-paper wrapped parcels from her house to her carriage. The packages floated into the carriage as he guided them carefully with his tamborita.

"I mean that it is a bad idea and I am surprised that you don't see why." His mother replied firmly.

"What- because she's the queen and I'm the royal wizard?" Mateo retorted back, astonished that his mother would think that that would even be an issue for Elena.

His mother gave him a tired look, "No mijo, although that certainly plays a part. Have you really stepped back and thought about it?"

"Of course I have!" Mateo said exasperated, "Only every waking minute!" The parcels flickered and fell to the ground as he lost focus. His mother shook her head and knelt to pick them up.

"No Mama- I got that, I'm sorry." Mateo said, fumbling with his tamborita with frustration. Mateo rarely let his emotions get the best of him; especially with his magic. He'd learned from a young age that emotionally charged magic flare-ups could only end badly.

"Don't worry about it Mateo. Your first love is a big deal." His mother said, picking up one of the packages.

First? Mateo thought irritated, I was kind of thinking 'only'. Why is she being so patronizing? I'm an adult!

"What's that supposed to mean?" Mateo asked, flicking his tamborita and scooping the packages back up again.

Rafa gave her son a meaningful look, "Only that I want the best for you. And that you will understand when you're older."

"Older? Mama, how much older do I have to be? Gabe and Naomi got married years ago and you didn't say anything then. You cried at their wedding!"

"Mateo. That is Gabe and Naomi. You are my little Matito. And I know you. You are sensitive. And you oftentimes only see what you want to. And I can only see this ending badly for you." His mother said, placing the last of the packages into her carriage.

"Now, will you give your mama a goodbye kiss for sweethearts day before she takes the long ride into town?"

Begrudgingly, Mateo complied. Part of him wanted to refuse, but he knew the guilt would eat him all day and it wouldn't make him feel any better.

"Now, remember, you are free to do whatever you feel is best. If you want to tell Elena how you feel, then that is your choice. Just as I am free to take all of these down to the marcado." Mama said, getting into the carriage and gesturing vaguely at the brown paper wrapped package mountain behind her. One of the packages fell out of the carriage as she climbed in.

"What are these things for anyways?" Mateo asked, picking it up. It was mostly flat and rectangular, and felt vaguely like wood under the thin paper. The majority of the packages were like this one. A few of them were tubes.

"Oh it's a special Sweetheart's Day surprise the gardening club put together." His mother said, taking the last package from him, "I'm sure you'll see it later today."

"I'm sure it'll be great." Mateo replied, still frustrated. How old would he have to be for his Mama to see him as an adult?

Mateo, The Present.

"I'm guessing your Mom's surprise wasn't exactly what you had in mind." Sofia said.

"No," Mateo said, "No it wasn't anything like I'd imagined. I hadn't realized it but she was keeping a lot from me… I think she was afraid of how I would react."

"Afraid of how you'd react?"

"Yea… let me continue."

Mateo, Two Years Ago.

Sweethearts day was going without a hitch. Mateo was amazed. No malvago attacks. No singing curses. Just chocolate and flowers and Elena. Elena was beautiful. She was so beautiful. She was wearing a new dress for the occasion, it was pink with a swirling orchid pattern, when her skirt twirled it was like the flowers were being carried by the wind. Her smile was like starshine. He found himself watching her as she danced across the palace making sure that everything was running smoothly for the day. His plan was to give her the orchids ideally under the gazebo at the palace, since they had so much history together there. It was a special place. But if that didn't work then he had a few back-up locations. The park, her family's chocolate shop, and the fountain in the marcado were his targets. The absolute worst case scenario option was the palace steps at night.

He didn't get to give them to her at the gazebo. Or in the park. Or at the chocolate shop. Everytime Mateo thought he saw an opening, Elena would be swept off by castle staff or townspeople or any number of things. Everyone loves Elena, Mateo thought as Elena was whisked off to talk to Armando's family, Marcado fountain was looking like a dud as well, Mateo thought defeatedly. He'd already lost 3 of his 4 sets of orchids to the cruel conspirings of fate. The first ones never made it out of the palace, smashed under a giant pile of Sweethearts Day decorations and supplies. The ones for the park were eaten by a donkey, and that was only after Mateo had already saved them from getting smashed by a group of flash performance dancers. The third ones met a chocolatey death at Luisa's chocolate shop. Mateo held the final bouquet close to his chest, trying not to get angry. Why did it seem like the universe was doing everything in its power to stop him and Elena from being together?

Mateo watched forlornly as Elena laughed and made her way back to the carriage, her sister Isa in tow. Gabe and Naomi had split off earlier to spend the day together.

"Are you coming Mateo?" Elena called.

"Coming!" Mateo said, hastily stuffing the bouquet back into pocket-space. Being a wizard had its benefits. I can't give up. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, he reminded himself as he hurried after the girls to the carriage. So you give her the flowers on the castle steps, it's not the end of the world. The location isn't what matters. What matters is that she finds out how you feel. What matters is that you took the risk.

Mateo, The Present.

"We arrived at the palace next." Mateo said somberly, hands curling into his fists on his lap. His breaths shook. He found himself staring at a spot on the floor behind Sofia, not able to make eye contact.

"Sofia, you have to understand.. What happens next… is really hard for me to talk about. I- I had no idea my Mama was planning any of this. I had my head so far in the clouds, I didn't see what was right in front of my face." Mateo hung his head in shame, gripping his wrist, eyes fixating on a series of unraveled threads on the edge of his tattered gloves.

"Take as long as you need to." Sofia said.

"Thank you, Sofia." Mateo said, taking a moment to breath before continuing. Inhale. Exhale. You have to do this, you have to tell her, Mateo reminded himself.

Mateo, Two Years Ago.

There was a commotion outside the palace gates and a feeling of confusion turned to dread as the carriage carrying Mateo, Elena and Isa pulled across the bridge. About two dozen picketers blocked the front gate, standing on boxes and barrels and holding signs Mateo couldn't quite comprehend.

WHERE WAS THEIR TRIAL?

MAGIC IS NOT A CRIME

YOUR MAJESTY: IS THIS TRULY A FREE AVALOR?

There were others as well, saying all kinds of things. Horrible things. Things Mateo couldn't even begin to process. And then there, in the middle of it all, standing up on a box with her fist in the air, was his mother.

"We spent 40 years not speaking up! We owe it to our children to show them that Avalor is brave! That Avalor will not tolerate another 40 years under a tyrant!"

"Mama?" Mateo said dumbfounded as the carriage came to a stop a short distance away. Elena's guards entered protective stances around the carriage.

"Those of us who come from magical families should not be afraid of shopping for the same ingredients we have for centuries! We are not malvagos!" Rafa shouted, joined by resounding cheers.

"And those who are arrested deserve true trials! Where is the jury? Why is the Queen the only voice? Is this the time of Elena or the time of Shuriki?"

There were more cheers as Elena stood up from her seat in the carriage.

"Elena, what's going on?" Isa asked.

It was at that moment that the world started running in slow motion. Mateo watched as Elena stepped out of the college. He was vaguely aware of the guards telling her to get back inside for her safety. He knew he needed to move, but found himself sluggish, snail like and still not fully comprehending what was happening.

"How can you possibly compare me to Shuriki?" Elena demanded, standing between the carriage and his mother, "After everything I have done for Avalor? After everything I have been through? How could I ever be anything like that monster?!" Her dress turned from pink to orange. It was made out of the special fabric Mateo had enchanted. Magic. Elena was losing control of her magic. Eyes still on Elena, Mateo made a motion to open the carriage door. There was visible fear in his mother's eyes, but then she took a deep breath.

"A person is defined by their actions. Not by what led them to do them." Rafa said, stepping off her box and walking to face Elena. Fist in the air, hand gesturing to the crowd behind her.

"Our Queen asked us once if she was ready to rule. I say she never was. I say she is no better than Shuriki!"

"How. Dare. You." Elena said. Mateo felt the wind around them stop. He tasted the crystalline magic in the air. Saw Elena's hand go to her scepter.

"Elena- no!" He finally shouted, finally got out of the carriage, stumbling onto the ground. Mateo dragged himself to his feet, falling to the ground beside Elena's as his mother was consumed by orange magic. Mateo watched wordlessly as his mother's hand-stitched dress turned to solid stone, her clay and jade beads turned grey, her face frozen, eyes locked on Elena. The dozen or so protesters behind her solidified. The damning words on their signs lost beneath smooth undetailed stone. And then it was silent. Elena's dress turned back to it's Sweethearts Day pink. Mateo pulled himself onto his knees trying to understand why. Mama...she just… And Elena… His hand went inside his robe and pulled out the smashed remains of the last orchid.

He held the broken flower in his palm, trying to rationalize what he had just seen.

"Come on Mateo, we need to get back to the palace. They were probably planning something worse."

Mateo looked up at Elena offering him her hand. And back again at his stone-faced mother, already being carted away by Elena's guards. He closed his fist around the little purple flower in his palm.

Mama had been right. Elena and him could never be together. He got to his feet.

"Yea, let's get back to the palace." He'd said, following the Queen back into the carriage.

Extremely long time no update!

Sorry for the wait readers, but this was a hard chapter to write and I wanted to get a little experimental with it. Plus grad school is a real time eater.

Let me know what you think!