Volume 16 Chapter 5: Am I Bad Parent?

“Well, I’m going to go with them! Later!” Tharaziel ran away in the same direction as Eri. Clearly, if he stayed here, he would stay here forever. Scarlet sneered, “That idiot, does he think I’m going to eat him?”

“You were going to.” Keith chuckled before asking, “What happened?” Her nose was crinkled, and her eyes oozed frustration: he had an idea, but he wanted confirmation.

“Alastair.”

“What about him?”

“Eri was meeting with him.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Can you be more stunned?” She brought him shocking news, and he was so unfazed.

“It is shocking, but Alastair is the king.” A king walking around his own castle was normal; it would be abnormal if he didn’t.

“...”

“I know you don’t like him, but he isn’t that terrible.” Keith stroked her head, “Come on, I’ve baked cookies.”

“...Chocolate?”

“Yes, double-stuffed chocolate.” Scarlet was a sucker for chocolate-themed treats.

“Okay.”

Lilith sat in the pergola across from the two, spectating this incident while sipping her tea. Only Keith could coax her granddaughter so well. Actually, he was sort of a playboy. Keith called the others back so they could have a snack.

“I’m more amazed King Alastair could play with them.” Out of all the people he would guess Eri and the others were playing with, Alastair was the last person who came to mind. However, he had no qualms; Eri was happy.

“It is weird.” Scarlet pouted as she chomped at the cookie, “Why does he have to be a good father now?”

“Hmm?” The little fox glanced at her.

“Nothing, Eri.”  

“…”

Late in the night, Elyndra propped herself against the headrest of her bed while reading her book; it was her usual routine. As she placed it down and prepared to head to bed, her eyes glanced at the door creaking open. Her eyes narrowed, “Who is it?” After the attack by Sarthos, she was more vigilant. However, this vigilance soon turned into astonishment,

“Your Majesty. Why have you come?”

“…Is this not my bedroom as well?” Alastair coughed; they were husband and wife. However,

“But you sleep in your office quarters,” Elyndra explained. Silence soon surfaced between the two. Yet, it made sense; Alastair’s office had a bed to sleep in. He would only sleep in his bedroom once a week, and that was on a good month. The last time he came was a few days ago. It took the queen by surprise.

“I have come to sleep.”

“Mmhmm.” Elyndra nodded as she scooted over to let him in. Silence continued to loom over the two; this was a new feeling. Elyndra did not know what to say before Alastair spoke up, “…How has your day been?”

“I’ve been fine. I’ve been tending to the plants with Selk.” She would go to the garden from time to time to help tend it. It was a good way to pass the time.  

“I see.”

“Has your arm recovered?”

“Yes.” Alastair raised it up, “Although there are minor complications, it is functional.” Luckily, his arm was sliced clean off between the bones; if it wasn’t, reattaching it would take a long time.

“…” Another awkward silence between the two. Elyndra stared at her husband’s face. He seemed to want to say more, but it was obvious she could see he was struggling for words. Cute. The way he acted right now was like a little kitten.

“I heard you were taking care of Eri.”

“Mmhmm.” Alastair nodded, “She had interesting creatures around her.” The two round creatures are dangerous. His thoughts went to Mir and Lei; he didn’t know what they were, but he felt his instincts rile up. Seeing that they didn’t attack, he thought little of it.

“Indeed, but I am more amazed that Keith can tame so many,” Elyndra chuckled. What was surprising was the sheer volume of creatures Keith tamed: there weren’t many tamers who could tame this many.

“...How long has it been since we talked like this?” This was the first time he had felt a calming conversation between the two.

“It has been a long time.” Despite being King and Queen, interactions between the two in a day could be counted on one hand. Moreover, the interactions were only a few words, given the king’s silent and aloof behavior.

Alastair took a deep breath, “I apologize for not spending more time with you.” He had an inkling of how Elyndra must have felt: the feeling of being ostracized. She was arranged to be his concubine out of necessity. No one had seen her as a royal but as a tool. He did the same in the beginning as well, but the one who changed it was Fioreal.

Elyndra shook her head, “No, you do not need to apologize. I played a part in this as well.” She had left him alone when he mourned Fioreal’s loss. Both individuals took her death to heart, but they didn’t look at each other’s pain and focused on themselves. She added, “Husband, let’s talk more. It can be about work; I want to spend time with you.”

“Mmhmm.” Alastair spoke, “I plan to spend more time away from work.”

“Really?” Elyndra’s eyes sparkled; it was next to impossible to get him out of the office. But for him to say he would take time away was growth!

“Mmhmm,” Alastair added, “I want to spend more time with you and the family…If you want?” Can I really bring this back? Can years of damage be fixed?

“Of course! I would love to.” Elyndra nodded.

“Then we can walk around the garden if you wish?”

“That would be lovely.” Elyndra smiled, “You should talk with the kids.”

“…”

“…Did something happen?”

“…Am I a bad parent?”

Elyndra looked away, but her gesture was enough to convey the message: Alastair was by no means a good father. He was far from it.

“I want to speak with them.”

“Then how about Scarlet first? She would-“ Before she could speak further, a brooding expression appeared before him. Ahh, she is the worst choice to start out. It would be stepping on a magic landmine. Even today, she was out for murder.

“How is Tharaziel?” Alastair asked; he had another child.

“Umm…he’s a work in progress.” Elyndra rubbed her head; the youngest was brash. But he was the easier one to talk to. She then stared into her eyes, “I have an idea.”