Meanwhile, the Tribal Council was already waiting for Leandro at the Throne Room. It is where they usually meet to discuss the significant issues within Gaean Realm.
The three members of the Tribal Council were all present. Lord Roberto, the leader of the species that live in the air. He was also from the Nephilus Clan. Lady Marina was also there. She was the leader of the species that live underwater. And Lord Lycano, who was the leader of the species who lived in the land.
From their looks, It seems like they already know the reason for the urgent meeting, as they were already discussing it among themselves even before King Leandro even mentioned it. But they all stood up and bowed down to Leandro as soon as he entered the room.
"Forgive me for my rash actions, your Majesty. I just couldn't hide the fact that a female human was currently living in Gaea. I already told them about it," Lord Lycano said as Leandro sat down on the throne, a smug smile could be seen on his face.
Leandro, who was already sitting on his throne, couldn't help but grimace. He should have known. With that last look on his face before they left, he appeared to be planning something absurd. He has already set the atmosphere of the Tribal Council against Lady Aisha.
"You don't have to apologize, Lord Lycano. My servant told me that she has seen the King with her. And to think that I punished her for scandalizing the King," Lady Marina rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
Leandro drew in a deep breath. He knew that Lady Marina would act this way. He was not unaware of her affections for him. But he just couldn't return the favor.
She is beautiful and physically attractive. But she is part of the Tribal Council. And besides, she could not produce an offspring for him.
"Did the Great Theos know about this? Humans are evil. I wouldn't be surprised that the Great Theos allowed their world to be destroyed. They have self-destructive behaviors. I don't think you would want that kind of person to be the mother of your children, your Majesty," Lady Marina gritted her teeth as she pleaded her case with Leandro.
"And the next King of Gaea will have human blood, too. What kind of King would he be?" Lord Lycano shook his head in a mocking manner.
Leandro's jaw clenched as his hands balled into fists. Even though Lady Marina and Lord Lycano both have personal agendas why they were reacting like that, he knew that they had a point.
There is a reason why the Great Theos didn't allow any human to live in Gaea. He has also witnessed how they destroy themselves through wars and civil attacks in the name of politics and religion.
In his studies, he also gained knowledge that one's blood has something to do with one's personality and behavior. To be honest with himself, that idea was the one causing him to doubt his resolve.
His amaranthine eyes darted at the paintings on the concave wall of the Throne Room. Drawn in it was the history of Gaea. Different events already took place across the centuries.
Other tribe's sons and great-grandsons have already made their legacies.
"Will my name just end with me?" Leandro thought as loneliness crept into his heart. He appreciates the Great Theos gift of eternal life and rulership. But it would be even better if he has someone to share it with, someone that is his own flesh and blood.
"The Great Theos must have known that Lady Aisha was different from them. Or else, he would not allow the Lady to enter our realm. If not for her, how would the King have an heir? Why don't we give the female human a chance? If she would not abide by our rules and regulations, we could then meet again for the next step," Lord Roberto spoke up, diluting the negative atmosphere created by the two.
Leandro gazed at Lord Roberto. Though he was part of the Nephilus Clan who has been supportive of him since his reign, he knew that Lord Roberto was a person who was always rational and objective.
He felt relieved hearing that he was sympathetic with his plan to procreate with Lady Aisha.
"Yes, I have already talked with the Great Theos, and he approved of her. And as I can see with Lady Aisha, she has a compassionate heart and views the welfare of other people more than herself, a character that is different from what we fear among humans," Leandro lifted his head and defended Aisha.
He then asked the Royal Chancellor to make a royal command regarding their wedding. He was about to put the royal seal on it when Lady Marina spoke up again.
"Why don't we test her out first? Make her one of the royal concubines, like the others. Then, if she could provide an heir, she could be your wife. Three months would be enough," Lady Marina suggested.
"Test? What if she could not get pregnant? The King would just dispose her? I suggest that the Lady would not be even a royal concubine at all," Lord Lycano stood up and raised his voice.
Leandro was thinking about both their points. Deep inside, he didn't want to treat Lady Aisha as trash.
She just lost her family and her home. That would be too cruel for her.
"I will make her my wife. If she could give me an heir and her character has not demonstrated signs that she was just like the humans that we fear, I would lift her into the position of the Queen. If not, she would still remain as my wife, with all its privileges. My decision is final," Leandro said with an authoritative voice before sealing the royal command with his seal.
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"When you are a real queen, there is absolutely no reason to try and make people believe that you are one. Because you just are. Life is lived with grace, courage, and serenity. If you must dedicate any amount of time and mental ability to making anyone believe that you are one; you're not!"― C. JoyBell C.
As soon as Aisha finished her meal, she immediately requested Rosalia to accompany her to the Castle Garden. She was hoping that its exquisite beauty would clear her mind.
She was glad that the King had granted her request of compensating the Gatekeeper's family. But his last statement blew her mind away.
"At first, he told me that he would make me his wife. And now I am the future Queen? Oh my gosh, is he kidding me?" Aisha's hands flung in the air in desperation, surprising Rosalia.
"Why, my lady? Don't you like to be a Queen and the wife of the King? Many ladies would die of envy to be in your position," Rosalia expressed her opinion as she continued to direct her steps to the Castle Garden.
Her small nose wiggled and sneezed as it seemed to sense the presence of pollen, signaling that they were already near the Garden.
True enough, as they turned to the left, rows or patches of flowers separated by ground cover plants laid bare before Aisha's eyes. A breeze gently stirring the ornamental grasses caressed her nose, making her downcast lips turned up.
"You're right. This is beautiful," Aisha uttered as her slender legs ran towards the benches where she could sit and watch the butterflies flitting between blossoms.
Her plum cheeks heightened as she admired its beauty. "I know being a Queen is one of the best positions a woman can ever have. I have even daydreamed about it when I was a kid."
She extended her hand to touch one of them, but it flew away. "Actually, that's the reason why I joined beauty contests. I want the crown. But that's it. I don't want responsibilities. And I don't think I can raise up the next King. Oh my gosh, just thinking about it makes me vomit," Aisha held on to her neck to emphasize her point.
"But what if it is a royal command? You could be punished by death if you disobeyed it. And by the looks of the King, I think he is so smitten with you that he will do what it takes to make you the Queen, his wife or a royal concubine, my lady," Rosalia said as she picked up one of the sprinklers on a nearby bench.
She put it down to tie down her apron properly, and then picked up the sprinkler again so she could water the plants.
"Royal Concubine? How could that be a royal thing? Oh right, Kings are entitled to polygamy. I thought that was just in the books," Aisha thought out loud, with her dainty fingers on her rosy lips.
"Polygamy?" Rosalia asked as she scratched her head. She stopped from watering the plants and turned towards Aisha.
"Oh, never mind. But what do you mean by royal concubine? Am I going to be like the 7th mistress or something?" Lady Aisha asked with curiosity.
Rosalia brought down the sprinkler and pondered on what Aisha said. Her fingers shot up as if she was counting how many royal concubines King Leandro has.
"If the King will make you his royal concubine, you will be the 701st. If he makes you his wife, you will be the 307th. And if he will make you his Queen, you will be the first," Rosalia finally answered her with a satisfied smile on her face.
Aisha almost dropped to the floor at Rosalia's response. "700 concubines and 306 wives? What kind of stamina does the King have?" She uttered with her pale lips as she imagined the King with his wives and concubines.
Rosalia couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. "The King has been looking for his Chosen One for decades. And he takes good care of his women, even if they could not give him an heir. As far as I know, only the Chosen One will be hailed as the Queen. That is why the royal concubines and wives are always competing for his attention," Rosalia shared with her as she went to the nearby fountain to wash her hands.
"All the single ladies in Gaea even gave themselves to even just being a royal concubine. But the King has already given up his search years ago," Rosalia sighed as she looked up at the sky. It seemed as if she was one of the ladies that she was talking about.
"Well, a thousand women is enough. I feel pity for the other Gaean men," Lady Aisha shrugged her shoulders. Then she bit her lips before adding, "But I don't want to be the 1,007th Lady Consort. If I am one of them, I cannot go out of the Castle. Am I right? I'm just going to stitch clothes, wait for the King to come to my bed. Jeez, I'm getting the creeps," Aisha shivered and rubbed her arms as her hairs were standing up.
"You would also be taking care of the prince and princess. You will be comforting the King when he is tired and stressed. I think it's a lovely picture, my lady," Rosalia answered with a dreamy look on her face.
"Well, maybe I'm not fit for a family. I don't see myself being a good mother. My children will just blame me for their existence. I don't want that to happen," Aisha drew in a deep breath as she gazed away, as if she could see past the sky and into the realm where she came from.
A wind blew, silencing the both of them. Only the rustling leaves and plant stalks could be heard as they both have their own reminiscing of their past lives.
Just then, one of the royal guards came to them with a scroll in his hand. "A Royal Command for Lady Aisha!"
Rosalia bowed down to him. Aisha, not knowing what to do, bowed down to him as well.
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Your most valuable parenting skill is learning to manage yourself first. —Dr. Laura Markham
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