Chapter 9: My only good thing

Namor didn't say much as their group walked around the city.

It was exactly how he expected it to be. Dirty, loud, and full of uncivilized people.

He made sure to stand very close to shuri as they walked down the street. One of the human men, named Tony stark was pointing at things and talking.

" So what do you think?" shuri whispered to him

Namor shook his head in the negative

"you are the only beautiful thing I see in this trash."

Shuri rolled her eyes and pointed to one of the taller buildings.

" but what about these buildings what do you think?"

" are you really asking me to compare this trash to our kingdom? A kingdom that cannot rival your brains and beauty? " Namor whispered with a smug smile.

Shuri could only blush at Chah's compliment.

Looking ahead she could see their group was farther up . She noticed that Okoye kept glancing back at her. A look of concern and mild disapproval on her face.

"hey want to sneak away?" Shuri whispered

Namor gave her an excited look.

" Watch this!" she giggled

It was then Shuri pressed something on her beads and two projections of she and Namor appeared before them .

" let's go before they notice. The projections will follow the group until I turn it off."

The couple then ran away disappearing into a nearby building. Namor was looking to see if the group noticed they were gone but Shuri had turned around and gasp.

"Ch'ah! Look we are in the empire state building!" she cheered

Namor turned around and his eyes widened .

They apparently were in the lobby which was painted gold and brown. With different architecture and some artifacts.

"Oooh Ch'ah! Come on!"

Namor smiled and allowed his queen to lead him through the old building.

When they got the lobby desk, the couple looked at the prices and destinations and decided on the New York digital pass. But one of the managers recognized his queen and her status.

" Princess Shuri! Oh my! what a pleasure it is to meet you! Please allow me to be your tour guide! I insist you don't pay!"

However, Shuri shook her head and insisted she pay but then Ch'ah spoke up.

" I will pay for it. And then you mam can be our personal tour guide."

As the cashier took his card Shuri looked at him in shock.

"I thought you had never been to the surface world. And how do you have a credit card?" she asked lowly.

Namor took his card back. He then put shuri's hand in the crook of his arm and they followed the guide.

" my first year as king, I was only 12 years old. One of the older council members thought we would one day return to the surface world. He knew that many of us wouldn't agree with that. One night he snuck to the surface world and went to search for a banker. He found one and scared the man into doing what he wanted. He had an identity created for me and a credit card. Nick Gomez is the name he gave me. As the years went on, he began to keep tabs on the surface world and he began to invest in things I had no need of. But a few centuries later and nick Gomez's family still lives on. We have billions of money sitting in a what did he call it? A Swiss bank account. The elder stayed in contact with the banker until he died the bankers great great great grandson manages our account. Which doesn't take much. "

" what did you do when you found out!?"

"I was very angry when I found out but then the elders advised me not to kill him. He was thinking of Talokan's future. Looking back on it, I am grateful for that elder. He would always advise me when I needed it most. Even on things I didn't like. He told me to keep my allies close and my enemies closer. Ever since then we've kept ears on the surface world."

" what do you mean?" asked enthralled with her husband's story.

Ch'ah pulled her close as they pretended to listen to the tour guide point different things out.

" as much as I hate the surface world. I am not blind to the events that happen Here. The sea turtles tell me everything they Here on the beach. So do the whales. I am not blind as to what happen to the Asgardians. Their world was destroyed by the enemy and now they live on an island amongst the surface dwellers. But their world, their culture will never be the same. Their children will never see the true asgard . They had to ask the surface world for financial help and their true king has fallen. That will not be us. Not our kingdom, I will do everything in our power to keep our kingdom hidden but if anything were to happen, we would have the resources and not have to ask for hand outs."

Shuri thought about her husband's words as they headed to the tallest part of the building.

In a sense he was right, she had heard about what happened to the Asgardians when thanos made his attack. Their whole world destroyed.

"But Ch'ah the culture and history live in the people they can spread the history to their children. "

"They may be true Mi amore, but they will never see it for themselves instead the Asgardian children will have a taste for earth customs and culture. Lets take you and your brother for example. Your brother follows traditions and many of the old ways but you… you're an innovator. You want to mix the old and the new but you have made sure to make the tradition of your culture the foundation. The Asgardians haven't done that. They have completely adopted earth customs and have allowed the American government to have a say in their former ideals. The magic they once had is gone. The studying of their culture and art forms is ruined. Do you see my frustration Mi amore?"

For once shuri put her ideas to the side and tried to see from her husband's perspective. She could understand his fierce desire to protect their people. The fear of losing one's culture and history was a scary thing, especially when it could get wiped out so easily.

"I understand Ch'ah. I do. But that's what leaders are for. We can make sure our people and our children don't lose sight of what's truly important."

A Humming sound made its way past her husband's lips. His pupils had dilated as he stared at her.

He was going to say something but the tour guide interrupted.

"Are we ready to see the statue of liberty princess?"

" of course lets go."

Shuri could tell her husband was in deep thought as they made their way aboard the boat.

She watched his muscles relax a little bit as he smelled the water.

Just a little closer to home.

" I miss it." She told him as they looked out into the water.

" it misses you." He told her gently.

A pang of longing filled her as she looked at her husband.

Not caring who was around them shuri leaned in for a kiss. Her lover was eager to kiss her back, desire flaming in his eyes.

They pulled back just as quick as they came together. They stared at each other until shuri noticed something from afar.

"Ch'ah! Look it's the statue of liberty!"

Her husband broke his staring at her to look at the huge green statue.

" come princess we will go inside!" the tour guide said eagerly

As Shuri was amazed by the architecture and history of the statue Namor pulled the tour guide aside.

" I would like to do something nice for the princess. Do you have any suggestions? Any places?"

The tour guide thought for a moment before she smiled.

"We have this event called music and love in the park. Its starts tonight at sunset. You guys have about two hours before the sun goes down. I can reserve a spot for you two."

" That would be desirable. Thank you. Just charge it to my card."

And just as Namor turned his back to read some of the information about the statue of liberty.

Shuri pulled the tour guide to the side and said " I would like to do something nice for my friend. He likes painting and drawing. Do you have any suggestions?"

The tour guide smiled brightly.

" I have the perfect idea!"