"Ehm, Your Majesty...?" Ayame speaks up, disturbing our exchange. Nala twitches away which breaks the connection. I come out a bit disoriented and annoyed. It was so comforting.
I want to give the maid an angry look, but I stop myself just in time. Ayala was woken up early because of me and she kindly brought us refreshments. She couldn't know what we were doing.
"Thank you," I smile at her gratefully and watch as she puts a tray with a teapot, three cups and some mini sandwiches on the table in front of us.
"It's okay if you want to return to bed and sleep for two more hours," I tell her because she's stepping nervously in one place.
"I can't change your clothes, so let me comb your hair at least, my Emperor," she offers, giving Nala a strange stare.
Before I can tell her that it's not necessary, she quickly digs a comb out of the belt of her robe, sits down on a cushion behind me and starts working. Her emotions hit me when she touches my hair and it's the most conflicted mixture. Only my partners, Liana, the doctors and the maids are normally allowed to touch my wings and I looked so relaxed with Nala doing it.
I chew my lip. Even the guards got unnaturally quiet and the chill atmosphere suddenly turned sour. Ayame is making it a bit too obvious to my cousins who I really belong to. Nala looks at Advin and I can feel that they are talking telepathically, but their communication is too fast for me to catch. Still, I sense that both Celestials and my cousins feel extremely jealous of each other right now.
"Ayame, something simple, please," I lament because she starts styling my combed hair into braids. I can tell she's doing it on purpose so that she can stay longer.
There's no way I'd start preferring the Divementis over Celestials, I send her my tender reassurance. Nala and Advin are my family, though, and I want to get to know them. I probably won't have any time during the day so I have a rare opportunity.
Ayame nods, simplifies my hairstyle and stands up. She still doesn't like seeing me fraternising with the Divementis, but I persuaded her for now. I sent her a ton of love which calmed her down a bit. She knows that emotions can't be faked.
"Nala, do the Divementis connect to each other daily?" I ask to disperse the moment of awkwardness.
"Sure, but only with family, partners and close friends," she says. "We don't like connecting to strangers any more than you like strangers touching your wings."
"Strangers? Don't you know everyone here?" I tilt my head.
"How could I? We are almost twelve thousand, Your Highness," she reveals. "Everybody knows me because I'm the Emperor's niece, not the other way around."
"Twelve thousand?" I'm surprised by the number because I expected much less.
The Divementis are still the least populous Draconian race, but if we win this war, reviving the entire species should be possible. I feel immensely relievedâmy people have a future! I stretch for a cup of tea and my hand freezes when I realise that I've just called the Divementis 'my people.'
"You should eat something, cousin, I don't want His Majesty to scold me again," Advin says.
"It's only six, I can't possibly eat this early," I shake my head.
"Why not?" he doesn't understand, finishes one sandwich and takes another.
"I'm used to eating around half past seven and, besides, my husbands aren't awake yet and I always eat with them," I explain.
"You will have proper breakfast later, this is just a snack," he pushes the plate close to me. "The doctors clearly said you have to snack from now on."
I sigh and take one mini sandwich. So now both Celestials and the Divementis will watch over my diet? How bothersome. I bite into it and it's delicious. I take one more to make my adjutants happy and I have to admit that it isn't difficult. Celestials were constantly overstuffing me which I hated. Snacking on smaller portions might be a much better alternative.
I almost drop the cup when Nala touches my wings again, this time without prior asking. She seems so fascinated by my feathered limbs and Advin probably as well, but he's too proud to admit it. I relax and stretch both my wings comfortably over the fluffy carpet. I catch Advin looking at my wings with a badly hidden desire to touch them.
"Gosh, Advin, just swallow your stupid pride," Nala shakes her head. "The prince's wings are so soft; you're missing a lot."
"I'm not having my mind read," he refuses adamantly.
"Your loss then," she smirks and continues petting me.
I half-close my eyes, enjoying both petting and the telepathic connection between us. Nala's mind just feels like family. I feel so safe in her presence. Yesterday, I felt safe in my father's presence for the very first time as well. Are Divementis family bonds something I can't resist? Advin might be teasing me, but I like his company as well.
I felt something deep inside of me open up just a few minutes ago so I go to explore that feeling. I have two natures in me, but they aren't clashing. My Celestial Emperor's nature seems to be in perfect harmony with my Divementis royal bloodline nature. I shiver with joy when I discover that I have room in my heart to love both Celestials and the Divementis.
"Oh, t-that's...," Nala widens her eyes, astonished. "Is this what projecting emotions feels like? Can you do it with anyone?"
I open my eyes again. I realise that I've just sent her my love without knowing. I couldn't help myself. I do it with my partners all the time and Nala feels like... home.
"Only Celestials and people I like," I say. "I can't project a loving emotion towards someone I'm indifferent to or I straightforward don't like."
"So, does it mean you like me?" Nala blushes.
"I can't explain it, but you and Advin feel so familiar," I also blush a little. "I barely know you, but it's as if we've known each other for a long time. Is it normal among the Divementis?"
"Perfectly normal, Divementis family bonds are very strong and we naturally feel drawn to similar genes," she nods. "Advin might tease you, but he can't help it either. By the way, bonded partners, even though not sharing the same genes, feel the same to us. That's why I didn't hesitate and volunteered to transform Lord Erik."
I'm happy to hear that; it means that Nala won't have a hard time connecting to my beloved. I nonchalantly spread my right wing to Advin, pretending to stretch, in case he might want to pet my feathers after all. However, he sees right through me and frowns. Stubborn, I get it. Still, he doesn't sit away even though my wing is super close to him which I consider a good sign.
"Do we expect the Japanese government to visit Nebula premises today?" I ponder.
"Hard to say, the Japanese always take their time when making important decisions," Advin shrugs. "I bet they haven't calmed down yet since yesterday and are still freaking out. Moreover, they were invited to meet aliens at their secret base. They must be scared shitless."
"Figures," I sigh. "What do we..."
I don't get to finish that sentence because Erik and Gotrid storm into the room. At first, it looks like Erik just wants to complain that he woke up holding Gotrid's wing instead of mine and Gotrid doesn't look thrilled either about being used as a blanket.
However, they don't manage to voice their protest because they freeze when they see me sitting on the ground with my Divementis cousins. Nala is still petting my left wing and my right one is so close to Advin that I'm almost hugging him.
I can feel panic growing inside of them. It turns into bewilderment, jealousy and then fear. All that in just a few seconds. Seeing me sitting comfortably next to my cousins and looking so relaxed in their presence does something to them. They start to feel seriously afraid that I might prefer the Divementis in the future.