Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Written: 2015, Found: 2018- Licia

Raven and Mika bid Cerise and the others goodbye after the first of the year; the students were headed to their respective homes for the last week of the winter holiday before they headed back to school. It was currently unclear as to whether Mika would be allowed to return- they would know the first week of classes, and Raven said nothing about returning to finish her year. Not long after the students left, Mika and Raven packed; in Marberly, most newlywed couples spent what was the honeymoon secluded to themselves. In Mika and Raven's case, however, they would be spending it in Palmarneae, visiting his family.

So it was three days later that Mika helped Raven out of the car, and up the steps into the grand foyer of the Palmarneae royal family's residence, Crystanillia. Without a word, the pair slipped down the halls, towards the main sitting room, intent on surprising Mika's parents and siblings. It was common tradition that once a child from one of the royal families of the Seven Kingdoms married, they and their spouse took a wing of the castle or palace for their own; it had been that way for centuries, and no one dared change it, despite the modern times. And Palmarneae was no different.

Mika held a finger to his lips as he knocked on the door of the sitting room, waiting until he heard his father's gruff, "Come in", to open the door, Raven following.

"I hope it's okay that we weren't announced, but... it seems kind of silly to be announced when we're trying to surprise you." The rest of the family looked up from their activities, looks of surprise crossing their faces as the pair slipped into the room.

"Uncle Mikalos!" A head of sandy curls bounded towards the couple, and Mika knelt as eight-year-old Jicqieas, the oldest son of Mika's older brother, Targyn and his wife Vankaela, rushed towards him, his younger brother, six-year-old Caysian, following.

"Look at you two! I feel like I haven't seen you for ages! You've both gotten so big!" The boys laughed, sandy curls bouncing.

"You saw us last week, Uncle Mikalos! At your wedding!" Jicqieas replied, throwing his arms around his uncle before turning to Raven. "Auntie Raven!" The young queen laughed, kneeling down to pull both boys into her arms. Once the initial shock had worn off, the others were up and hurrying to join the boys in greeting the newlyweds. Once he straightened, Mika gave Kili a hug before turning to his two oldest sisters- Kiraneleia and Zariegh- and allowing them both to engulf him in a hug. It was well-known that the five children of the Palmarneae royals were exceedingly close; being only a few years apart in age. Of the five, only Kiraneleia had no significant other, for the oldest princess was particular in her choice of a mate, and had admitted on more than one occasion that she was Palmarneaeian and would die Palmarneaeian before she even considered marrying someone from another royal family. Zariegh, his second oldest sister and the third oldest child, had announced her engagement to Devistan, the oldest of the children of Minlex's royal family, at the beginning of the previous year. Currently attending university, the young royals were intent on finishing before marrying.

After releasing the boys, Raven stood, acceping Targyn's hug and then turning to the king and queen. "Your Majesties." She dipped into a quick curtsy, but didn't get very far, as Baxiana caught her daughter-in-law's chin, stopping her.

"We should be bowing to you, Ravenna. And were we in court, we would," The older woman chuckled, releasing the girl's chin and holding out her arms. "But we're not. You're family, and you've always been family. Come here, love." Blushing lightly, Raven let the queen wrap her in a hug, before she pulled away and turned to Pál, who accepted the young queen in a hug with a kiss to her forehead.

"Welcome to the family, Raven," The king whispered against her hair. "It's about damned time."

"Papa!" Zariegh cried in feigned horror, kneeling down to cover her nephews' ears. The king chuckled, pulling away from his daughter-in-law and wrapping an arm around her waist, guiding her to the sofa by the fireplace as the Baxiana called a servant and asked for them to bring tea and coffee. Once everyone was settled and the refreshments had been brought, Mika caught them up on everything- including the petition.

"I still can't believe that headmaster fired you over your relationship with Raven." Kili said, brushing her fingers through the brown curls her daughter hand inherited from her father. "It's... horrible."

"It's Ever After." Mika replied, sipping his coffee. "They don't play by anyone else's rules but their own."

"They're fairy tales, which in their minds, means they're exempt from any real-life consequences." Raven rolled her eyes, high ponytail swinging.

"Well this time they're not." Mika turned his gaze to his wife. "The students are pushing back. They're not going to take any of this lying down. You saw what happened on Legacy Day." He reached out, tucking a flyaway strand behind her ear. "Legacy Day put a target on your back. I don't trust them."

"Legacy Day?" Kiraneleia raised her eyebrows. Mika had told them bits and pieces of what it was like at Ever After High, though he'd only ever mentioned Legacy Day once or twice- and then he'd only ever said it was a 'ridiculous tradition of binding students to lives they don't want'. Her younger brother rolled his eyes.

"It's this... stupid tradition of signing your life away to follow in your parents footsteps. To... how did Cerise describe it, Nevermore?"

"'Keep the stories going', I believe." Raven replied, sipping her coffee.

"That's terrible." Baxiana whispered, lowering her cup. She took her husband's hand, squeezing firmly.

"It's disgusting." Mika replied, taking a sip of his drink. "And what's worse- there's students who actually believe they're owed their 'destinies.'" His sisters shivered; Palmarneae viewed destiny the same way Marberly did- it was simply a word, nothing more.

"Enough of 'destinies,'" Kili replied, setting her cup down. She turned to her younger brother and new sister-in-law. "How long are you staying for?" The pair shared a glance.

"Raven has to get back to Ever After High the week after next, I believe." Mika replied, and Raven turned, glaring at him.

"I'm not going, Mika. Not without you." He sighed, setting his cup down and turning to his wife.

"The only reason I agreed to be let go from Ever After High was if you were allowed to return and finish out your year, Ravenna, you know that."

"I don't care. I'm not going back without you, Mikalos." He shifted to face her, as she set her cup down, moving to prop her elbow on the back of the sofa, resting her temple against her knuckles. "End of discussion."

"This is not the end of the discussion, Ravenna. You're going back, regardless of whether I go back with you, and you're going to finish out your year-"

"What would be the point, Mikalos?" She asked, lifting her head and shrugging her shoulders. "I don't need the schooling; I have... relative control over my powers. In the eyes of the Seven Kingdoms, I'm a grown woman. I'm ruling a country for Goddess's sake!" She stood, moving past the others, headed for the door, a ball of amethyst flame rolling back and forth between her hands.

"Raven! Ravenna!" He stood, moving to catch up with her, catching her wrist. "No one's saying you're not an adult-"

"I get that I'm young, but I'm not stupid, Mikalos! And I resent that everyone seems to think I am!" He tugged her back gently.

"No one thinks that, Raven." He whispered, reaching up to brush his knuckles against her cheek. She let her eyes slowly roll closed, the flame disappearing as she melted into his touch. "But I think it would be good if you went back. If not for the schooling, then yourself. Despite everything, you blossomed at Ever After High-"

"I can blossom in Marberly, where I belong. I don't belong at Ever After High, my husband." She replied, her gaze sliding open as he took her shoulders gently.

"But not like you were. Raven, despite everything, Ever After High was good for you. It gave you friends outside of the other children of the kingdoms, it gave you a chance to experience another culture, it-"

"Brought me back to you." She whispered, as he released her.

"Promise me that you'll at least consider going back to finish your year." A moment passed, before she sighed and met his gaze. She glanced at the others before turning back to him. She held out a hand, which he took with a small smile.

"I'll consider it."

Without a word, he pulled her close, kissing her soundly to seal the deal.