SWNOVELS Chapter 36
"If you wouldn't mind could I speak to my uncle alone?" I glance over to Patrick with somewhat of a hesitant look. I know he wants to be present but for what purpose. This is after all only meant to be me announcing my uncle as king.
"Of course you can, excuse me." Patrick says as he readies himself to leave. I know from what I have seen on the files that the conversations on this ship are recorded and I look at him.
"Turn off the recorder please." I motion for my uncle to remain silent for a moment. Patrick look at me for a second, I don't return his glare I simply look at the table.
"I am afraid all calls are monitored my Queen. It is protocol." Patrick replies in a low tone of disapproval. I look at him and remain silent for a moment. If anyone could turn it off to insure the privacy of my conversation it would be him.
"Please, Patrick I would like to speak to my uncle in complete privacy as he is the only one other than myself that was so attached to my father and discussing his death may be a bit emotional. This for my people is a sign of weakness not meant to have witnesses to such." I ask again as I glare at him in a pout. I make up my reason why I want him to turn it off, after all why should I be honest with a man that has yet to be one hundred percent honest with me. Well the weakness part wasn't a complete lie but it is not the only reason on why I don't want witnesses to my conversation.
"Of course let me turn off the recorder Laoonica." His voice softens a bit from the disapproval of a minute ago but I can still since his reluctance in allowing such a thing. I watch as a small panel opens on top the table and he types in some passwords then I make sure he shows the recording off and the panel closes back down. He gives me a bit of a sigh and a glance then leaves the room.
"I am sorry that you have had to endure such sorrow. I take it that is your husband and new king of our planet." My uncle says as the door shuts and we are alone.
"Yes that is my husband." I say turning back to the screen.
"Why did you have him turn off the recording for our conversation?" The look he gives me is one I would have expected from my father.
"I do not fully trust him. My mother has been working with his people since I was but a child. I am not clear of their motives." I look at my uncle and try to hold back any tears as that would show weakness and I do not want to be seen that way, not by him.
"Might I ask who his people are?" he says looking confused.
"The Raspites." I can see a look of shock on his face when I say the name.
"You married a Raspite." It didn't take long for him to pop out his shock and question it while he still looks completely confused.
"Yes uncle, it was my mother's betrayal that leads to this course of actions. She sent an assassin to the ship my father and I left on. She conspired with them to trick me. I have seen things in their system that tells me that my mother knew shortly after their first visit who they were. Patrick himself was brought up to be able to calm me and therefor I do not trust him." I want to ball my eyes out as even now I know I am doom to be with this man as he now possessed control.
"Why him my queen?" my uncle seem to catch on much faster than I did.
"My husband turns out to be the king of the Raspites." This causes him to stand from his seat and look more firmly. I can tell he is disturbed by this.
"Your mother sent you willingly into his arms? How could she betray her people in this way? You married him, does that mean what I think it does?" I know what he is thinking right away.
"Yes uncle it does, or so it would seem I do have more control over things I hadn't before." I look down at the table in shame.
"You are far more kind then me in this matter as I would have sentenced your mother to death." He says angered.
"She is still my mother regardless of what she has done and since she gave me life I returned the favor. Although at this point I am not sure what life I will be able to have." So many thoughts fill my head but none are plausible.
"What do you purpose my queen?" My uncle asks.
"I was told I could leave but that was before I consummated the marriage. At this point I only hope it didn't lead to conception as I do not think I could bare to give him that at this point." I'm not sure why or how I am able to be so candid with my uncle but he seems to understand my worries.
"A rescue attempt wouldn't be possible at this point, or would it?" I smile gently at his offer.
"I do not think it would do any good, if he does in fact control me and my powers then I fear that it would only end in lives lost." I look at him and see that his demeanor changes to one of hopelessness.
"I understand my Queen so then what is it we need to do now?" he asks as he finally set back down.
"My place is with my husband rather it is for better or worse is yet to be seen. Because of my marriage my mother no longer holds any claims to the throne. That leaves us with one issue." I don't know what else to do. I know the suggestion is faked in the second dream that the Respites created, but I also know that my uncle is indeed a good man.
"What do you want that I should do?" He asks.
"By our laws only royal family can take the throne in my absence. I am naming you the new king of Booravia." He looks at me almost frightened by the suggestion.
"You mean you want me to rule in your place?" He stutters a bit as he asks.
"Yes and under a few conditions of course." I say.
"Anything you want my Queen." He replies.
"If at any time I am capable of returning you will step down with no fight. You will rule our people with the kindness and compassion my father showed, and of course you will not kill my mother I find her punishment more than effective." I say looking at him.
"As you wish. I will do my very best to live up to my brother's reign as our people have prospered thus far. I will do my very best in your stead but I will never truly claim myself to be the king as the crown will be held in trust for you in hope that this is not as bad as it seems." I am comforted by my uncle's response.
"Oh and uncle never fully trust any Raspites that come but do not shut them out either, and never let them have control there." I say before I am about to hang up with him.
"Of course my queen, I shall announce the news to our people and we will all wait for the time when you are allowed to return to us." With that we say our good byes. I sit in the quiet room staring at the blank screen as I'm not ready to let Patrick know how everything went. The realization that I may never see my home again hit me and a tears drop from my eyes. I stand and walk over to the door then press the button for it to open. I look out and don't see the captain or Patrick. I step down and walk slowly towards the giant window to look out at the stars passing us.
"Laoonica," I turn to see Patrick stepping up behind me.
"What is it Patrick?" I say looking back out.
"You should go get something to eat my love." It hit me that in all of this I had skipped breakfast.
"I am not hungry." I say and turn towards the elevator not turning my gaze to him.
"How did your uncle take the news?" He asks following me. He steps into the elevator with me and presses the button that leads to the cafeteria.
"We were raised to believe your people were evil, given what you have now done to trick me you have all but confirmed that belief. How do you think he took it?" I snap at him.
"You can't stay angry forever you know." He smirks and I want nothing more than to slap him or burn him or anything really. I would have settled for any form of harm but I keep myself composed, sort of.
"Forever is indeed a long time your majesty, just imagine having me hate you for as long as we both live, and for me that will be a very long time." I smirk back. I am a bit unsettled that he just seems to laugh at the idea.
"Come you must be hungry by now." He holds out his hand as the door opens. I step out silently with a look of distrust on my face as I am hoping to give off the impression of sheer hatred for him.
"Perhaps a bite to eat will be fine as long as I can eat alone I do not like my present company." I hear his teeth grind as he tries to smile through my abuse towards him.
"I will eat with you like it or not my queen. I am trying my hardest not to exert my control over you and allow you the process of grief or whatever it is that you are going through but my patience is running very thin as of this moment." I look at him and he looks back at me and for a moment I almost feel sorry for him as I look into those eyes.
"Perhaps silence is better for the moment as I do not have anything nice to say about you." I close my mouth and stare straight ahead at the doors which open as we approached.
"Perhaps the silent treatment would be better at this point now smile and act like you're happy." I look at him coldly but a smile came upon my face as we enter the room full of his people. If my mother had taught me anything it was to smile through the displeasure of my predicament.
"King Patrick, queen Laoonica your table is set up over here." Someone I have never really met says as he shows us to the side of the room. It is out of the way and more isolated now. I guess since I know the truth there is no point in acting like this is just a regular ship and crew. I sit as the gentleman pulls out my chair and scurries off after bowing. The meal is served to us and I eat in complete silence. Patrick keeps looking at me throughout the meal. I am not all too sure why but he can't seem to stop looking at me.
"That is somewhat unnerving your majesty." I say through the forced smile.
"I am trying to figure you out all over again. You seem so different now." I look at him without the smile. I want to scream at him and tell him he is an evil manipulative prick, yet all I can think of is the first time I saw him through the haze of my self-protection mode. How had he reached to me even then? How could I have not seen through him? How could I still have feelings toward him?