"You should come with me," said Aisha for what felt like the hundredth time.
She had finally managed to get over herself and visit her parents to tell them about Valtor and the battle that was ahead of them. Before that, she had tried to convince Faragonda to talk to her parents because she was sure that such a conversation would only lead to an argument, and that would not serve anyone. And because she simply didn't want to see or talk to them. But Faragonda had insisted on Aisha doing it by herself, and Aisha was sure that Faragonda only did this because she just wanted her to talk to her parents again, which made her angry.
In the end, Aisha had decided that she should talk to them, and wanted to go to Andros with Anne, but Anne didn't want to go with her, and Aisha started wondering if everyone in the entire Magic Dimension hated her.
"It'll be easier when I'm not there," Anne replied.
"Nonsense," said Aisha. "I need you. I don't want to talk to them alone."
"And your parents probably don't want to talk to me," Anne argued.
"Oh, shut up," said Aisha. "My parents let you live with us back then and shouldn't have an issue with this now. And anyway, you shouldn't give a fuck what they think about you."
Anne sighed. "I don't," she said. "But today I do care what they think. This whole thing is just too important and my presence would only be the cause of an argument."
"We'll end up arguing either way," Aisha muttered.
Anne rolled her eyes. "Just try to be nice," she said. "I bet your parents don't want to fight with you."
Aisha didn't reply, so Anne sighed again, put her hand on Aisha's shoulders and said softly: "I'll go to Domino. When you're done, you'll come after me and then can complain about your stupid parents as much as you want, alright?"
A small smile appeared on Aisha's lips. "Alright," she said finally. She did not want to argue with Anne.
Anne smiled, gave her a short kiss, winked at her and left.
Before Aisha entered the castle, she put on a suitable blue dress and tried to put her thick curls into a somewhat elegant hairstyle.
When she entered the throne room, she realized that except for her parents the whole hall was empty. Her father probably did not want to have any witnesses, in case they would end up in a big argument.
Queen Niobe immediately went to her daughter and embraced her.
"I've missed you so much," she said. "Why did you never visit us or at least sent us a message?"
"Why?" Aisha asked in a harsh tone. "You were watching me either way."
Her mother looked at her with sad eyes but didn't reply anything, and Aisha regretted her words immediately. It was not the time to fight.
"Don't talk to your mother like that," said King Teredor. "If you let us know where you are every now and then, we wouldn't have sent anyone to watch over you."
Aisha bit her lip, trying to swallow any angry words. Then she said, as calm as possible, "That's not why I'm here. There are more important matters to discuss."
"Then tell us everything," Niobe said softly. "Do you want anything to eat, to drink?"
Aisha shook her head and after her mother had sat down again, she began telling them everything, about Valtor and what was about to happen.
Her father's face remained solemn but her mother's was full of fear.
After she had finished, King Teredor got up and walked up and down the hall until he finally stopped and said, "I can't sent my people away."
Aisha had almost expected this. "So you want to stay here like a coward?" she asked coldly.
"I'm not a coward," shouted Teredor. "Valtor has already almost thrown this whole planet into darkness. I won't let this happen again. This time we will be prepared."
"Then be prepared by fighting in Magix," Aisha retorted.
"And if we lose?" Kind Teredor asked. "We'd be left without any defense."
"The mermaids-" Aisha started but her father interrupted her.
"-aren't enough," he finished. "We need people to fight on land."
Aisha shook her head. "How can you be so stubborn?"
"You're the right one to talk," Teredor retorded. "If you can't understand my decision, it may not be a mistake you won't be sitting on this throne."
"No," Aisha said coldly. "It was a mistake. If I'd be sitting in this throne, Andros would have a strong and brave leader instead of a coward."
And with those words she left the hall.
Aisha stood on the balcony, listening to the pleasant sound of the waves. It was nice, being back on Andros after so many years, she had to admit that. Everything still looked like it did back when she was a child.
"Don't you miss it sometimes?" asked a voice behind Aisha. She turned around and saw her mother coming towards her.
"Of course," said Aisha.
For a moment they both looked at the sea in silence. Then Queen Niobe said, "I'm happy you're still here. I've managed to convince your father to at least give you a few of our guards."
Aisha looked at her, surprised. "But you need them, don't you?" she asked, puzzled.
"We've got King Nereus right next to us. If war is coming for us, we'll sure join forces. And this way you'll be able to take at least a hand full of fighters with you."
"A hand full," Aisha repeated. "It's not even a thousand."
"You're right," Niobe replied. "But better than nothing." She paused, then she said, "Your father is right with what he said." Aisha snorted. "But you're right as well. The situation is difficult but your father has taken part in many wars. He's doing what he believes is the right thing for his people. You understand that, don't you?"
Aisha just nodded. Then she sighed and said, "Maybe he's right and it's for the best I didn't become Queen."
"Nonsense," said Aisha's mother. "Just because you would do it your way, doesn't mean you'd be a bad Queen. And your father thinks the same."
"He sure does," Aisha muttered.
"Your father has a bad temper and is rather stubborn, just like you. But he'd love to see you as his successor."
Aisha snorted again. "If I had a younger brother, I wouldn't even own the right for the throne, in his opinion."
"You're right, he would prefer a son," Niobe agreed. "But only because he had been raised that way. That's why he had also arranged your engagement with Prince Nabu."
"Without ever asking me. Yeah, I remember that," Aisha said coldly.
"He did it, because he thought it was the best for you. And so did I," Niobe added and Aisha looked at her, surprised. Her mother had always supported her. Even though she had never disagreed with her father, Queen Niobe still only ever wanted the best for her daughter and had therefore usually given her what she had wanted. "Don't look at me like that. I was betrothed to your father before I had ever met him. And today you're the only person I love more than him. I've thought that you might've found love in your marriage. And I wasn't wrong."
"You were lucky," said Aisha. "Nabu was special," she added quietly. Even after all those years the thought of Nabu hurt.
"He was," Niobe agreed. "Nonetheless, your father and I had realized that our traditions and morals don't have to be yours if you don't want them, and that's why we had canceled the engagement."
"What are you trying to tell me?" Aisha asked and looked directly into her mother's eyes.
"I'm trying to tell you that you have to give your father some time," she said. "He loves you and he is going to accept Anne and all of your decisions eventually. And he definitely wants to see you sit on his throne more than anything."
"If I'm ever sitting on this throne, I'll only do it with Anne."
"I know." Niobe smiled at her daughter. "And your father is going to realize that sooner or later. And now you should go," she added. "You'll have about seven-hundred men. You should at least give them a short speech before they're going to follow you."
"Follow me?" Aisha asked surprised.
Her mother smiled. "Or course," she said. "Your father has to stay here, so you're leading them. It's a good practice if you're going to be Queen of Andros someday," Niobe added with a wink.
"Nex?", Aisha called.
She had arrived on Domino about an hour ago. The whole castle was already filled with people, as Domino had not only gathered its whole army but also a group of volunteers from all over the Magic Dimension.
After she had found a place for her soldiers to stay, she went to see Anne to tell her everything that had happened, and now she was walking through the gardens of Domino, that were also full of people preparing for battle, to get some fresh air and to have a look around.
Suddenly, she had seen a familiar face, one she had not seen in several years.
"Aisha," Nex replied with a charming smile. "I've hoped I'd see you at some point."
"What are you doing here?" she asked. She was happy to see him again but she also felt a bit weird. Her and Nex had been in a relationship for many years but then she had met Anne and went on adventures with her. And she had left Nex behind. He did not seem to be mad at her but he wasn't one to hold a grudge anyway.
"Preparing to fight for Magix, obviously," he explained.
"So, you're still fighting?" Aisha asked a rather stupid question but she didn't want to directly ask him what happened in his life since she left.
"Of course," he said. "But only as a volunteer. You know, I don't really like rules that much," he added winking.
Suddenly, Aisha was afraid Nex would ask her about what she had been up to, so she said, "I've gotta go. Lot to do."
"See you later," Nex said, smiling, and Aisha left with a weird feeling of guilt.