Allura & Romelle
Allura knocked on the door to Romelle's room, but didn't get an answer. Looking at the time, she wondered if her cousin was in the nursery with Erik. Her heart sank at that thought, not because she didn't want to see Erik, but because of Nanny. Allura had tried to be cordial to the woman, but Nanny was still holding a grudge about everything that had happened.
The woman had not been happy when Allura decided that Larmina needed a lady's maid, instead of Nanny. A generous pension and a cottage had only given her too much time on her hands to get bitter. Having Erik to take care of had made her very happy, especially since she was in total control. Allura still cringed when she had told Nanny that she was marrying Lance.
Lance had been the pilot that she always had the most issues with, Allura knew very well. When she had gone to tell the older woman about her decision it had been very unpleasant. Nanny had called Lance several nasty names, and point blank told Allura that she would regret her choice. There had also been the lecture about the dignity of the throne, and the royal house.
When Romelle had wanted to take Erik back to Pollux with her, Nanny decided that she was going along too. Romelle had been very concerned that Allura would be upset at her taking Nanny, but was relieved when her cousin didn't have a problem with it. From Allura's point of view, it solved the problem of Nanny hanging around the castle.
As she walked over to the nursery she thought of Lance's comment at dinner, about how Nanny had looked at him. She debating saying something to the older woman, but decided it wasn't worth an argument. Romelle was scheduled to leave in a couple of days, so the issue would resolve itself.
Allura knocked gently on the door, and then opened it softly as she peered into the room. Nanny was sitting by the fireplace mending something, while Romelle was in a rocking chair nursing Erik. She looked up at her cousin, and smiled for her to come in. Allura went over and sat by Romelle, and watched with interest as her cousin shifted Erik slightly.
She'd had babies on her mind lately, knowing that she and Lance both wanted a large family. She knew that he would be a great father, and it was fun to think about what their children would look like. Allura also wondered what it would be like to hold your own baby, and take care of it. The few times she had held Erik, Allura had felt an ache she didn't understand. Of course those times had been when Nanny was not around.
"Good Evening, Romelle, Nanny. How is it going?" Allura spoke in a low voice, not wanting to disturb the baby. Romelle said hello back, but Nanny just nodded her head not bothering to look up from her sewing. Allura felt bad that it had come to this, with the woman who had practically raised her since her mother had died when she was young.
"How often do you feed him Romelle?" Allura inquired with interest.
"Not as often as when he was first born, then it was every two hours. Now, since he is older and starting to eat some solid foods it is about every four hours. The big help is that he sleeps through the night most nights now, but I leave a bottle of milk that I've pumped for him." Romelle told her cousin, and went on to explain what that meant. She wondered if Allura was asking to make conversation, or because she might be pregnant.
Romelle had felt bad for her cousin having to endure the speculation about why she'd married so quickly. Since the wedding the press had done nothing but postulate about whether Allura was pregnant, when she would get pregnant, and even if she could get pregnant. Romelle thought it was too intrusive for words, to have that kind of scrutiny on you. She decided that she wouldn't ask Allura the reason why she was interested in breast feeding.
"So you are pregnant, Princess? It is about time." Nanny did not have the same scruples that Romelle did. She had been sure that her princess was only marrying the hooligan because she was pregnant. When that turned out to be false Nanny had been secretly disappointed. As mad as she was with the princess she still nursed a small hope that her charge would come to her senses, and call her old Nanny back.
"No Nanny, I am not pregnant. Please keep in mind that I have been married for less than three months." Allura intoned coldly, thinking of all the speculation on the newsfeeds about the matter. She had decided that when it happens, she and Lance would keep it private for as long as possible. The press had been interested in her private life since she was eighteen, and she still didn't understand why.
Romelle finished with Erik, and after burping him, put him in his crib. She said good night to Erik, and then to Nanny. Romelle had the impression her cousin wanted to talk to her, so she invited her to her room. She knew that Allura wouldn't want to talk with Nanny around, and having listened to the woman Romelle couldn't blame her cousin one bit.
Down in her room she offered her cousin some tea, having her own self-heating kettle and supplies. Getting that set up kept her busy, while she gathered her thoughts. Romelle wondered if Allura was down here to talk about Sven, which she wasn't sure if she wanted to or not. Her cousin's husband was her husband's best friend, and she didn't want to betray him. On the other hand, Allura was her cousin and she didn't have any other female relatives to talk to.
"I feel bad that Nanny is treating you like she is." Romelle thought it safe to start the conversation that way, and see how it developed.
"Don't worry about it, Romelle. I really didn't expect anything else. She has never liked Lance, and that is not going to change." Allura laughed dismissively, privately thanking her lucky stars that Nanny lived on Pollux now.
"Why do you think that is? Lance is wonderful to you Allura! He has always been there for you; why doesn't she appreciate that?" Romelle asked, thinking about how affectionate the man was with her at dinner. She also remembered all times that Lance had been there for her cousin, while Arus was being rebuilt.
Romelle had followed the pictures and the newsfeeds, trying not to feel jealous of her cousin. At the time things had still been good with Sven, so she had consoled herself that she had a husband while her cousin didn't. She knew that Allura had been in love with Keith, and felt bad that her cousin was putting her life on hold waiting for the man. Romelle had also felt for her cousin, having to have her love life be such public property.
"Nanny has always had issues with Lance, but I think at the end of the day she would have resented anyone that I married. I probably should not have retired her from taking care of Larmina, but she was slowing down so much." Allura sighed, wishing things had gone differently. She then decided to get off the subject of Nanny, and on to what she came to talk about in the first place.
"Romelle, I don't want to seem like I'm prying, but I'm concerned about how things are with you and Sven?" Allura probed cautiously, not sure what her cousin's reaction would be.
"Well, welcome to the club Allura! I'm concerned to, and Bandor is furious about the whole thing." Romelle let out a heavy breath, as her shoulders sagged before she continued "He is getting harder to deal with, you saw that tonight, I know. I had hoped that if we had some time apart, and some space, things would calm down between us. Unfortunately it hasn't worked that way."
"Romelle, what happened with you and Sven? You two were in love at one time!" Allura wanted to know how things had gone so wrong with her cousin and her friend.
"Allura, I don't know any more if it was love or something else. I was so grateful that Sven helped me in the Pit of Skulls, and I know that I helped him too. We were attracted to each other, but it wasn't like there was anyone else around, if you know what I mean?" Romelle stated, and Allura nodded her head knowingly. The Drules had changed their lives completely, from what they would have known as royal princesses.
"We spent the first year on Pollux organizing the people to fight, and then helping to rebuild. I lived at the palace, which was almost reduced to rubble, while Sven lived in the barracks. We spent time together, and were definitely attracted to each other. We kissed, and that kind of thing, but nothing else; I mean it wasn't like there was a lot of free time. The Drules were attacking, something needed to be taken care, and you get the picture." Romelle explained to Allura, who had no problem picturing it in her mind.
"Sven was always a gentleman, he was kind and caring. The time we did have together was wonderful, Allura. We laughed and talked about the stuff we would do when the war ended." Romelle wanted to cry as she remembered those times.
"The war ended, Bandor came home, and we started rebuilding in earnest. By then Sven and I had been going out, if that is what you call it, for almost three years. People were starting to wonder what was going on with us. I know that you can relate to that!" Romelle exclaimed to her cousin, who rolled her eyes in understanding.
Allura thought about the five years of speculation about her and Lance, and what their relationship really was. Thinking about what Romelle was saying Allura saw how the fact that Lance resided on earth, while she resided on Arus had kept the story from spinning out of control. She started to see how Romelle must have felt pressured about the relationship. She reached out and took her cousin's hand, as she encouraged her to go on.
"Bandor was trying to re-establish the royal house's creditability, after what our father had done. He was hyper-sensitive to anything negative being said about us. I know too that Sven felt funny about the position he was in with the Polluxian defense forces. Bandor had put him in charge, but he wasn't from Pollux, and had no real ties to the planet or the people." Romelle looked off into the far corner of the room, as she thought about that time.
"What we really needed I think was more time to get to know each other, under normal circumstances. I just feel that we rushed into marriage, not understanding each other very well. That is why I thought taking a step back, living in our own houses, and getting re-acquainted would be helpful. Instead I think it has made it worse with Sven." Romelle shook her head as she said that, and clasped Allura's hand tight.
"The thing is though Allura, for the first time in a long time I am happy! When I lived in that horrid house with Sven he wouldn't let me do anything to make it nice. Now, if I want a vase of flowers I can have them. And I don't have someone telling me everything I'm doing wrong, or just being grumpy. It is so nice not to feel like you are walking on eggshells all the time. Allura, it is sad because everyone is much happier now, but Sven." Romelle told her cousin, adding "Well, and Bandor but that is just because Sven is so hateful when he comes to visit."
Allura pictured what Romelle was telling her, about living with Sven. Before the party tonight she would have had a hard time with it. Watching how Sven talked to her cousin though, she understood what Romelle was telling her. Lance had said that he saw why Romelle had moved out, and now she did too. She also understood Pidge's comment, about the marriage counselor. However, she didn't think anything would help this situation.
"Romelle, what are you plans for the future?" Allura wondered if her cousin had given any thought to that, and her life down the road.
"At this point I don't have any, Allura. I am trying to think of what is best for Erik, and I know that he needs his father in his life. Sven wants to be in Erik's life, but he doesn't want me in his, is what I am seeing. I don't want to lose Erik again, but I just don't see how we can live with Sven! I wish it was just the haggerium, but I think it is a lot more than that." Romelle's voice was filled with sadness, as she laid out what her life was.
Allura reached over and hugged Romelle, who started to cry. She felt so bad for her cousin and the situation she was in. She couldn't imagine living with someone who talked to her the way Sven had talked to Romelle at dinner tonight. After a bit Romelle dried her tears, and drank some more of her tea.
"What has Bandor said about the situation?" Allura inquired, knowing that as King, Bandor had final say over his sister and his nephew.
"He really doesn't want any scandal before the wedding, so he wants me to get along with Sven as best as I can. Fauk knows the whole situation, because Bandor felt like he needed to be honest with Elena about what was going on." Romelle hung her head as she repeated what her brother had told her, adding "He says that after the wedding, we can talk more about the issue."
Allura felt bad for Bandor, having to deal with a situation like this just before his wedding. She remembered what he had said once, about how lonely he had been, working all the time. He was pompous, but he was young, almost as young as Allura. Both had been to thrust into positions that should never have been theirs. She wondered if she would deal with the matter any differently than Bandor was.
"Has Fauk spoken to you about Sven?" Allura decided to introduce the subject, thinking about what Lance had said about the charming prince. She didn't like the way her cousin suddenly looked very cautious, whereas she had been so open before. Allura now wondered if Fauk was already the issue that Lance said he could become.
"Not in so many words, Allura, just vague references. Fauk has been great, I mean you saw him tonight, he actually had Sven involved in the conversation." Romelle had no intention of telling her cousin all the things Fauk had told her, or mentioning what he'd done with his foot at the table. As she thought of that, she remembered his comments about why her cousin at the scarf around her neck. Part of her wondered what Allura would think if she brought that up now.
"Yes, he is very charming and I have enjoyed talking to him several times Romelle. Just be careful because people can so easily get the wrong idea, if you get my meaning." Allura decided to sound neutral, not wanting her cousin to shut down. Romelle smiled at her in understanding of the comment.
Fauk had told her almost the same thing, and she knew how important it was to guard their reputations. But it had been so long since she'd had any pleasure in her life, and all Fauk wanted to do was make her happy. Right now, she mused, he was the only one who seemed to care about her happiness. Romelle knew that her cousin meant well, but Allura had a handsome, charming husband who couldn't keep his hands off of her.
Even when they were first married Sven had not acted like that with her. They would have sex, and then Sven would roll over to the far side of the bed, saying he needed to be able to move while he slept. If she was cuddled with him he couldn't do that, and it made him too warm also. Romelle was pretty sure that Lance had never told Allura that, after sex. She and Allura chatted for a little longer, and then Romelle said she was tired, so Allura said good night.