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I rose checking one last time on the muffins, setting a timer, and made my way to the counter. I pulled out the opposite stool, sitting to face her. Nightmare jumped onto the counter, running towards the Queen who smiled, her eyes twinkled with appreciation.
“Nightmare, it’s an honour as always. I see you found the Princess. I’m glad you’re reunited after all these cycles,” she whispered.
Nighty purred as she rubbed her head against her hand before sitting; her tail curled around her body.
“You know Nightmare? As in um...” I began but trailed off, not wanting to reveal her true identity for the risk of my assumptions being false.
She gave me a light smile before nodding.
“A few of us Royals know about Nightmare and a few other gods familiar forms. Some gods change after many cycles, but Nightmare and three other gods keep the same appearance. I’m not surprised to see her by your side. When you were younger we all knew if we saw Nightmare, you were not far behind, even when you could only crawl,” she confessed as she reminisced on the past, such memories lost to me. She continued.
“I don’t want to linger on what you went through during your cycles at that forsaken place, but I wanted you to know, I’m grateful to see you are well and have recovered from the incident in Realm One.”
I stared back at her, shocked at how caring this woman before me was.
“But...you don’t know me? You knew Rosalina, but I’m different. How can you be happy that I’m well?” I asked, confused.
She shook her head, holding back another laugh before her expression softened as she rested her elbows on the table; her face rested in her hands as she stared at the ceiling.
“When Ryder was nine, we decided to bring him to Heila as a birthday present. He’d been asking for rotations and we finally decided it would be a good chance for him to see other realms. We’d come to visit your Father and Mother, having a little meeting in the living room when a sleepwalking, brown haired girl, in a poofy pink dress waddled into the room, Nightmare by your side as you carried a plastic cup of milk. The look on Ryder’s face when he stared at you was priceless. You stared at him before sitting in the corner with your milk. He sat right next to you until you woke up a few minutes later. Then the shenanigans began.”
I blushed, cursing my younger sleepwalking ways. I wasn’t surprised with the milk drinking, but it still sounded embarrassing.
“Shenanigans?” I questioned.
“Oh yes. The moment you two started talking, you just connected. Playing from that moment until the both of you could barely keep your eyes open. We couldn’t separate you two till you were both knocked out, and by the morning, you’d somehow managed to sleepwalk to the other side of the castle and into his bed. I’d never seen Arthur’s face so red before. He was so embarrassed, but I thought it was hilarious. His little ninja princess, able to sneak across the castle filled with guards. Priceless.” She chuckled at the memories, rubbing at her eyes before sitting up; her hands relaxed on the counter.
“I’m sure I was a troublemaker,” I commented.
“Indeed, you were. Your demon and angel spirit especially. It was no wonder why Stryker liked Rose so quickly. They both gave the nannies such trouble. You’re lucky you were royal children, or your mother and I would have had to spend a fortune to have a skilled enough sitter for the both of you.” She took a deep breath before her expression looked sad.
“Then the day came when you were stolen on your sixth birthday. I’d never seen such sadness in my son’s eyes till that day. He spent two weeks looking for the best gift to give you and there he stood, frozen in place with the little-wrapped box in his hand. When he finally got over the shock, it was Stryker’s turn to anguish over the fact Rose was gone. I guess you could say I was thankful to the Starlight Gods for uniting him with the other boys. I don’t think I could have handled seeing him like that for much longer. I didn’t like the fact they were called at such a young age to take on such an important mission, but it was what Ryder and the other boys needed. Now that you’ve returned and are well, I’ve seen the difference in him. Especially, after you woke up,” she finished.
I blinked, unable to stop a tear from rolling down my cheek.He loved me so deeply back then, too?
She stood up, walked around to my side, before standing at my side. I turned to face her before her hands held my face; her thumb rubbed away the tear that escaped my watery eyes.
“My son has adored you from the moment his eyes gazed upon you that fateful day. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and know exactly when something is bothering him that involves you. Even after all these cycles apart, your chemistry still holds in both you and Rose. You could only imagine how amusing it was to see your little display yesterday in the hall. I’ve never seen my maids so afraid since Ryder burned half the castle down when he was ten,” she admitted.
He burned the castle? I’d have to ask him about that.
“But...why is your husband trying to find a partner for him?” I whispered.
“I think it’s his way of distracting him...between you and me, I think he believes if Ryder finds another partner to love he’d move on and focus on home. They’re not as close as they used to be,” she whispered, frowning.
“I don’t think he’d like me,” I mumbled, wondering how the King of Minato looked. From all the information I’d gathered, he seemed like a strict man who wouldn’t tolerate certain behavior.
“Hah. My big, old, teddy bear is nothing to fear. He’s simply rough around the edges, but he has a big heart. I know it’s hard to see at first glance compared to your Father, but trust me, he cares about his son’s happiness and he’d be a fool to ignore the change in Ryder since you were rescued and awakened,” she admitted, smiling down at me before her arms pulled me into a hug.
I froze, shocked at her sudden gesture.
“Regardless of my husband’s future attempts to try and intimidate you, realize that I support your relationship with my son. Besides, Ryder’s too serious all the time. I wish he took more of my playful side. He’s going to get wrinkles if he keeps constantly having such a serious face,” she joked, but tightened her embrace.
I hugged her back, allowing my tears to fall. “Thank you for raising such a wonderful man,” I whispered.
“Thank you, Makoto for loving everything about my boy. I know he isn’t perfect and is dealing with his own demons, but his intentions are pure, and he’d do anything to make you happy.” She pulled away, a tear rolled down her cheek.
“It’s not even seven in the morning and I’ve made my boyfriend’s mother cry. The horror.” I giggled.
