Chapter 100 - An Announcement Made

>> Yohan

“Your highness, can we really?” One of the hyter sprites, Nia, asked me and I nodded. Hyter sprites are sort of fairies that can shape-shift into sand martins. They usually help out lost kids.

I stood on the big tree stump while I addressed the dwellers of the forest. I told them it was fine to come to the palace and there was no longer any need to stay away.

“Your majesty, you’re no longer angry?” A selkie asked. Selkies are seals that have human form on land.

I took a deep breath, “I wasn’t angry.” I knew I spoke harshly with them and I owe them an apology, “I’m sorry I spoke harshly, I didn't mean to.” I looked at them all, “I was just worried.”

“About that human?” An elf, Nistim, spoke.

“Yes.”

“Your majesty may I ask?” Nistim spoke again.

“Go ahead.”

“Is that human your fated partner?”

Nistim’s question alerted everyone and they all exchanged glances among themselves and then looked at me. Eyes wide with expectations and curiosity.

I smiled.

Elves sure are smart.

“Yes. That human, Maya, is my mate AND your future Queen.”

It’s best to make it clear right now. All of them better treat her with respect. I know Fae are usually friendly but it doesn’t mean they can’t be mean and cruel. Exceptions are always there, especially when there is an outsider.

“So humans do exist?” A minotaur child asked.

“They do. But their world and our world is best separated.” I answered him. After the deforestation incident in the human world the connection we had just kept getting thinner and humans started to become a myth.

“Your highness can we go see the Queen then?” A fox spirit asked. There was a glint of mischievous shine in her eyes, along with her many others asked the same question.

“Your highness! Can we!?”

“I want to see the Queen!”

“King Yohan’s fated partner?! Wow.”

“Your majesty please. You did say we don’t have to stay away anymore!”

“Yes! We have your approval right!!”

“Yes! We can go right!”

Their excitement started getting out of hand and their voices started to overlap

“Stop.” I ordered and they did as I demanded, “I have allowed you to go to the palace but in no way will I tolerate anyone being a burden to the future Queen. Do not forget that she is a human and needs time to get accustomed to the realm of magic. Just like none of you have ever seen a human, she hasn’t seen magical beings.” They all gulped as I talked. I wasn’t being harsh this time but I was firm with my words, “Think about it, if there was only one of you and you were surrounded by humans how would you feel?”

“...” None of them spoke.

It’s something that is hard to imagine.

“We’re sorry.” Lyla, a water nymph spoke. She lives in the water stream that passes through the forest, “We got too excited.”

“I’m not angry.” I smiled to reassure them, “I just want you all to be careful.” They all relaxed when they saw me smile, “I’ll be counting on you all to make your future Queen feel at home.”

“Yes your highness!!” They replied simultaneously.

“You can all go now.” I said when Nadia, another elf asked.

“Your majesty. When is the wedding?”

All the dispersing people halted in their paths and shot their heads towards me. I could see the twinkle in their eyes and I was very well aware why.

This was going to be a royal wedding. A once in a lifetime celebration because the raven-maid blood lives very long. The last wedding was about like four- maybe five hundred years ago.

A royal wedding means a huge party will be thrown even after the wedding.

In short.

The celebration continues for days and the preparation is also done for weeks.

Moreover, the fae were finally about to get a full royal couple and that hasn’t happened in centuries.

I sighed.

How do I answer this?

The elves always put you in difficult positions with their smart mouths.

Right now. It seems pretty difficult.

Maya has no memory of our past. She isn’t even aware of our relationship.

I don’t want to burden her with anything and naturally let things fall in place but I can’t tell them we won’t be having one.

I mean I want this wedding more than anyone else!

“The wedding…” I started and their gazes intensified. If I say we will have one the word will definitely reach Maya.

That would be really burdensome for her.

“The wedding?” Lyla asked.

“It will definitely be held BUT!”

“But?” They all asked.

But what?

I don’t know.

“It will happen….”

“Yes?” They all asked.

“When-”

“YES?!” They all seem even more anxious than me.

“When I find the most beautiful wedding dress for my Queen.”

What?

They all blinked in confusion.

What I said seems suspicious right? It just came out. I just don’t want any of them to know that Maya is there yet.

“Oh! Your majesty!” The females clasped their hands together, “You’re so romantic.”

“Your mate is so lucky.”

“We’re so happy for you.”

Oh! That worked.

“Your majesty! We’ll help you find the most beautiful dress!”

Hmmm

“Yes! We can even make one!”

Hmmm

This was giving me ideas.

“Okay.” I started, “You all can help out but how about we keep the wedding and the dress a secret from your Queen to be?” They all looked confused, “It will be a surprise for her.”

“Oh!!!!”

Good.

They love it. At least they all will keep their mouths shut now.

A crisis averted.

“You all can go back now.” I gave them a smile and they dispersed.

I took a deep breath and decided to leave as well.

I got off the stump that worked like a podium and was about to shift to go back to the palace when a familiar voice called out to me.

“Your majesty, King Yohan. Seems like you’re doing good.” It wasn’t coming from anywhere near. Rather, it was telepathic. The person was communicating from outside the forest.

It was the voice of someone I knew long ago.

Milia, the witch.