A/N: Sorry for the long break. The new semester has started and I've been rather busy these past weeks. Hopefully, I'll be able to upload more frequently now :)
"But I want to go with you and visit queen Krystall," Cataleya said loudly. Since Flora and Helia had told their children that they had to leave them alone for a few hours, their daughter had been insisting on going with them.
"No, Cat," replied Helia softly. "I'm sorry, but we have important things to discuss. You'd only get bored."
Helia had already explained this to her several times but she still tried to convince her parents again and again. But now, Flora and Helia were about to leave and Flora could see on Cataleya's face that she had finally accepted her defeat.
Actually, Flora did not like the thought of leaving their children alone. It was not that she did not trust them – Ren was the only one who liked to get into trouble, but the others have him under their control – but after everything Faragonda and Daphne had told her yesterday, Flora had a universal feeling of fear rising up inside of her.
However, she could in no way take all four children with her to court – especially not when they were going to talk about such serious topics.
Flora had offered Helia to stay at home but he had refused, because he knew Krystall better than she did, and had also not seen her in a long time.
And Flora had not wanted to stay at home, because she did not want to leave Helia alone with Krystall.
Stop with these doubts!, Flora admonished herself again and again but it did not work.
Of course she trusted Helia – there was no one she trusted more – but she also knew that Helia and Krystill had been friends since they were young children and if he would at some point find out he had more feelings for her … Flora did not want to think about this, but she had to, because it was not impossible. But she could not do anything except hoping that this would never happen. Though she could at least prevent Helia and Krystall from spending too much time together.
This thought made Flora feel incredibly guilty but she could not help it. A few years ago, they had decided to not marry but to live in some kind of open relationship. This way, everyone would have his freedom, and should one fall in love with someone else, one should be free to leave.
At the beginning, Flora had found this thought to be liberating. Not that she ever wanted another man at her side – it had been this whole thing, some kind of modern freedom. Especially as she believed that most relationships failed do to limited freedom.
However, sometimes things sound great but do not work that perfectly. Of course, Flora would never talk with Helia about her worries. He should not believe her to be jealous, because she was not, she was sure of that. But what was it if not jealousy…
It was useless sticking to these senseless thoughts. There were more important problems at the moment, problems which worried Flora far more.
When she had told Helia everything yesterday evening, he had kept quiet and let her explain. But while she had been talking, Flora had seen how Helia's eyes had gotten darker and darker with each sentence and how the frown on his face grew. He had immediately understood this serious situation, and had sent a message to Krystall a few minutes later to tell her about their short term but urgent visit.
This morning, Krystall had told them personally that they were more than welcome to visit her.
"Lilian, take care of your younger siblings, alright?" said Flora to her eldest son and gave him a kiss on his forehead. She then went to the other three to give them a kiss as well, but Ren escaped her, as he apparently did not want to be kissed by his mother. This made Helia laugh – which was something Flora had not heard or seen him do since yesterday evening.
The fight hasn't even started, let alone a war, and yet it has already gotten darker around us, Flora thought sadly.
"And you are sure about this?" Krystall asked for the second time.
"Faragonda and Daphne are sure," Flora replied. "And there is no reason to doubt them."
"But they could be wrong?" Krystall added.
Flora shook her head. "Faragonda would never prepare for a war if she wasn't certain about it."
Krystall seemed to think about this for a moment. She was about the same age as Flora, but because of her slim body and round face she looked many years younger – almost like a girl. And she seemed like one as well, because you could slightly hear the insecurity in her voice.
Flora knew that is was not easy for Krystall. Three years ago, her father had died and she had to rule over Lynphea without any preparation. Her gentle, helpful and cautious nature might let the people love her, but she was not made for war.
"Which armies already support Magix?" Krystall asked.
"That's irrelevant," said Helia. "Magix needs every –" Flora lifted her hand to interrupt him, because she knew that Krystall was asking this question to see whether she would have to basically fight alone or if she would be part of a huge army. The answer would determine her decision, and Helia argument would not be helpful.
"Well, Faragonda will see that Magix's whole force is going to be part of it – whether the government wants it or not," Flora explained. "Domino will send all of his fighters, as well as Solaria, and most likely Eraklyon and Andros. We'll also try to recruit many fighters from Melody and Zenith. That's all information we got at the moment."
Actually, she only knew that Domino was going to send its full force, but she had to exaggerate a bit. Also, she was rather certain that it would look more or less like this in the end.
"Doesn't sound bad," said Krystall. "The problem is that you apparently don't know anything about your enemy's forces, which means no one can tell whether your numbers are enough."
Krystall might look like a girl but she was definitely smart.
"That's why we need your help," Helia said. "The more the better." Again, he did not seem to realize what Krystall wanted to hear.
"I know, Helia," replied Krystall, a said smile on her lips. "And I also understand that you need my help, but it's more complicated than that." She sighed. "I also have to think about my people. To send them into a war that is already lost would be irresponsible."
"It's not a war," countered Helia. "Not yet. The battle on Magix will decide this. If we can defeat Valtor there, then we can prevent a war. But if he wins, he will spread darkness over this and many other universes."
Krystall seemed to think about Helia's words for a moment, then she said, "Alright, I'll help – I have to – but I can't give you more than half of my fighters." Helia wanted to interrupt her but she continued before he could. "When you lose in Magix, Lynphea would be without an army. Furthermore, we are a rather peaceful nation, so our numbers won't really make a difference."
After their conversation Krystall had asked to speak to Helia, alone. Flora knew that they just wanted to talk with each other for a short moment, but somehow this knowledge did not soothe her. It should not bother her that Helia wanted to spend some time with his childhood friend – but it did bother her, and Flora could do nothing except trying to suppress this feeling.
"Ready to leave?" asked Helia's voice from behind. He just came out of the throne room while Flora had been waiting in the corridor.
"Yeah, sure," she replied, and immediately damned the coolness in her voice, hoping that Helia did not notice it. But Helia noticed everything.
He came towards her, put his hands on her arms before her said, "I know that you don't really like Krystall but please try to be a bit nicer."
"I do like Krystall," protested Flora, a bit too loud. As Helia looked at her, raising his eyebrows, she added quietly, "I really do like her. She's nice and obviously a good queen. Really!" she added as Helia continue looking at her with a weird expression.
Helia seemed to think about this for a short moment and then he said, "I believe you. Still, you're rather … cold towards Krystall, and that surprises me. You're even nice and friendly with people that can't stand you, and Krystall does like you."
Maybe, but the problem is that you also likes you a lot, Flora thought guilty. Then she sighed. There was no other way, she had to tell him how she felt. She could and would not lie to Helia, and he obviously seemed to be bothered by Flora's apparent dislike towards one of his closest friends.
"I like Krystall, I really do," explained Flora calmly. "Krystall isn't even the problem. It's rather … your friendship with her."
For a moment, Helia just looked confused, but then he suddenly started to laugh out loud.
"That's not funny," shouted Flora and Helia immediately went silent.
But his smile stayed as he stated, "You are jealous."
Helia saying it out loud made Flora feel even more guilt, and it must have shown on her face, because Helia's smile vanished and he said seriously, "That's nothing terrible. Everyone gets jealous."
"Everyone except you," muttered Flora.
"Me?" Helia asked confused.
"Of course," Flora replied. "I know how much you hate such drama."
Now, Helia smiled again. He had not loosen the grip on her arms and now he pulled her closer to him.
"Sure, I don't like it," he admitted. "But who does? And that doesn't mean that I never get jealous."
Flora looked at Helia, surprised, and he laughed again. "Do you think it doesn't bother me when some guys obviously flirt with you? You are beautiful and your friendly nature lets many believe that you like them."
"I don't –" Flora started to protest but Helia interrupted her, "I know, my rose. But that doesn't make it easier for me – knowing that there are many people who would love to have you at their side. That makes me wonder why I'm the lucky one you are staying with."
"Because I love you," Flora replied softly.
"And I love you," said Helia. "And Krystall is one of my closest friends but nothing more. Never more. And I know that you know that. That's why I would never judge your feelings. They just shouldn't affect our relationship."
"They won't," Flora assured him, and then she raised herself on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. Helia did not seem to think that one short kiss was sufficient, as he pulled her closer to deepen the kiss.
Flora could not tell for how long they were kissing. When they broke apart, she said breathlessly, "I think we should go home."
Helia laughed and offered her his arm. Flora took it, laughing, and together they left the castle.
When they arrived at home, Flora immediately regretted leaving her children alone.
Apparently, Ren had thought it would be fun to climb upon the huge oak in their garden. Flora and Helia allowed their children to climb smaller trees, because Flora had always loved climbing as a kid before she had got her wings. But the oak was forbidden.
"I've told him 'no'," said Lilian again and again, close to crying.
"I know, sweetheart," Flora said, trying to comfort him as good as she could while treading with Ren. He had probably taken a wrong step and immediately fallen form the tree. Now he was laying on the couch, injured, while tears of pain and guilt were running down his face.
"I'm sorry," said Ren and Lilian almost simultaneously.
"We can talk about this later," said Helia. "Let your mother look at your leg first, Ren."
Ren let Flora palpate his leg but not without screaming.
"It's broken," Flora told Helia.
"Can you heal it?" Helia asked.
Flora shook her head. "The risk that it might not properly grow back together is too high. We'll have to visit a doctor."
"I don't want a doctor!" cried Ren. Because of her powers and experience, Flora had always taken care of her children's sicknesses and injuries, so it was unimaginable for them to visit a doctor.
"You won't have a choice," Flora replied. She tried to be gentle to Ren but she could not completely suppress the disappointment and slight anger. But now was not the time to admonish him.
"I'll take him to the doctor. You can stay," Helia told her.
Flora nodded gratefully, and after a few arguments with Ren, the boy finally gave up and Helia took him to the nearest doctor.
After they had left, Flora asked the other children what had happened. Cataleya and Jacently had not even noticed anything at first, because they had both been busy. Lilian had told her that he had caught Ren wanting to climb up the oak and had forbidden him to do so, but of course Ren had not listened to him.
Flora assured Lilian that it had not been his fault.
After all three had found something to do again, Flora lay down on the coach where Ren had been just a few minutes ago, and then closed her eyes for a short moment.
Oddly, she was not really worried about Ren. Probably because a broken leg was nothing compared the danger Valtor brought with him.
Flora hoped that the worst thing Ren and the others would ever experience was a broken leg.