章節 8: 8. At The Neyan's Private Room
Neyan turns to Baron once and looks back at her parents.
"Did father and mother call me?" asked Neyan in his graceful manner.
"Yes, My Daughter," replied Queen Inayba. "We want to talk about your matchmaking."
"It seems, Baron does not approve of this marriage," said Neyan.
Baron felt bad because Neyan heard him say that before. He didn't know how to fix this situation. He didn't want to marry Neyan or any other woman.
He is a free man, free to do whatever he wants. However, now he feels weak seeing the sadness in Neyan's eyes that words could not describe.
"Maybe Baron was just shocked because he had never heard of this matchmaking before," said Queen Inayba.
"I've talked about this with Baron many times, but he doesn't like this idea. I thought we shouldn't have to continue this again, Mother." Neyan takes a deep breath and exhales slowly through her mouth.
"Not a single animagus has the right to go against the king's orders!" exclaimed Blaker. "Baron doesn't have the slightest respect for King Valo. You have made Princess Neyan sad. King Valo must take firm action on this issue."
Blaker closes his eyes solemnly while lifting his chin high. Baron wants to throw down that face with a pizza box.
King Valo nods calmly. Queen Inayba looks restless on the throne. "What shall we do, My King?"
"Baron should be punished for his impudence!" exclaimed Blaker.
Neyan lowered his head. Baron hopes he could hear Neyan's thoughts. She must have been upset. Baron thinks that people can't force love.
King Valo clears his throat. "I will not rush to punish Baron. I'll give him three days to think. If for three days you still don't want to accept this matchmaking, I will think about the punishment for you. Actually, I don't want to punish you. I think of you as my own son. You are the son of General Shiram, my dear servant. I love you and want you to be my son-in-law. Think again. I will give you power like a prince."
"Thank you, My King, but I don't want to be a prince," said Baron while lowering his head respectfully.
Blaker snorts in annoyance, but then he managed to pull himself. "My King, you are too kind."
"Father, I don't want to marry Baron if he doesn't want me. I can find another man who is suitable for me," said Neyan in his soft voice.
"We'll talk about that later. I cannot ignore this matchmaking, My Daughter."
Neyan nodes. "I will obey your orders, Father."
Finally, after this heavy talk, Baron is allowed to exit the main hall. Neyan walks after him behind.
"Baron!" exclaimed Neyan.
Baron stops his step. Neyan flies up and stops right in front of him. "I have to talk to you face to face."
"Just say it. What is wrong?"
"Not here."
Neyan walks ahead of him while Baron follows her obediently. They walk through the corridor. On the outside, the sky is getting dim.
A flock of bird animagus flew towards the palace garden, landed on the ground, and instantly transformed into humans. They must have just finished patrolling the palace.
The air was cool this afternoon. The wind is blowing pretty hard. Neyan seems to shudder as she rubs her hands. With a slow 'pop,' Baron turns into a fox.
He jumped on Neyan's shoulder and curled up there, warming herself. Neyan looks gasp.
"You don't have to do it," said Neyan quietly, but she didn't push Baron off her shoulder.
Baron thinks that Neyan didn't mind what he did. Since childhood, Baron often protects Neyan from the interference of naughty children who try to annoy her.
Sometimes the minister's children, including the children of Blaker's advisers, were arrogant and annoying. They do not understand they are dealing with who. Neyan is the daughter of the ruler of the Emporion Land.
Baron thought, sometimes he did not respect Neyan. He feels terrible because he had refused his match with Neyan. He becomes worried about what punishment he would receive if, in three days, he still insisted on not accepting this match.
Neyan turns to the palace's east wing and stops in front of an invisible magic door shaped like an ordinary wall. She chanted a mantra, and the wall is magically opening.
Neyan and Baron--who is in the form of a fox, are entering that wall. This place is Neyan's private room. Baron jumps off Neyan's shoulder and turns into a human.
The servants appeared from the door beside the window after Neyan clapped her hands twice in the air. Neyan doesn't need to order anything; the servants know what Neyan needs.
They prepare the fireplace. The air immediately feels warm and comfortable. There are several snacks stored on the table. One of the servants chanted a protective spell on the wall so that no one could hear their conversation from outside.
After they are done with their business, the servants withdraw and walk out of the room. The door beside the window closes and turns into an ordinary wall.
Baron looks around; the room looks like had no door at all. There were only narrow towering windows.
He takes a piece of sweet cake in the shape of a flower decorated with chocolate shavings on top. The cake tastes excellent. Baron takes another few slices of cake and puts them in his mouth.
"Baron, are you ready to hear me speak?" asked Neyan as he folded her arms across his chest.
"I'm always ready," said Baron, chewing the cake. Then he took a glass of pure water from the palace.
The pure water comes from dewdrops collected in the morning and accommodated in a vessel specially made by the craftsman, the deer animagus.
Everybody said that pure water is nutritious to refresh the body and make those who drink it more robust and healthier.
"I want you to think carefully about what my father said. He's not joking if he wants to punish someone," Neyan warned Baron.
"I know."
Neyan turns to face him. "Then, what about your decision? Will you still refuse this match?"
Baron shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea. I still have three days to think about it."
"I don't want you to be punished by my father," said Neyan.
She takes out her wings and flies towards the window. Her eyes look far away.
"Don't you like me at all, Baron?"
"I'm sorry, Neyan. I love you as my sister." He did not know how many times he had to tell everyone that his feelings for Neyan were only just like a brother and sister.
Neyan flew closer to Baron and landed on the floor. She still hasn't folded her wings.
"I'm in love with you, Baron."
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