Chapter 10: Chapter Chapter X – Rebuilding a Kingdom

A day after the revival of Bryne, Alex sits in the throne room in front of a large audience. Representatives of all nations pile into the throne room to watch the royal court. Alex waits patiently in his throne with Fromm right next to him standing at attention. Beside Alex is Sara’s throne that remains empty as the more pile in. People even poor out the doors trying to get as close as possible to this historic occasion. Courtney and Tucker sit in the front row on the right side along with Isabella, Katherine, David and Anne. On the left side of the aisle sits Rahm and Cali.

“Make way for the future queen!” yells a voice.

The crowd parts way like the Red Sea, as Sara and Bryne make their way through. Bryne now wears a red bandana over his eyes. His face is freshly shaven, and his warrior hawk hairstyle is recut and braided neatly. Courtney sees Bryne and runs up to him and puts her arms around his neck.

“I am guessing this is Courtney,” he says trying to breathe.

He hugs her back.

“How did you know?”

“Who else would interrupt a royal entrance with a hug?”

Sara clears her throat and Courtney steps back. The whole room is quiet with most eyes on them.

“Oops,” she blushes. “Come, we have a spot for you.” She grabs Bryne by the hand and ushers him to a chair in the front row between to her and Tucker.

“Hey B, how are you feeling?” asks Tucker.

“Feeling great, Tucker.”

“So, you really are blind?”

“As a bat. I had to have Sara shave me this morning.”

“Do you think I would look good with an authentic Hishonian haircut?” asks Tucker.

“I don’t think so, bud,” answers the blind warrior.

“You know something? Sara said something similar to me about Katherine’s hair. I think you and Sara’s negativity must belong together.”

Sara reaches her throne but remains standing in her dark red and gold dress. Alex rises and so does the rest of the room. Fromm steps in front of the king and queen facing the audience.

“Before we allow any court proceedings to begin there is a matter needing to be met. The crowning of High King and High Queen. Will Eugene and Lucile please step forward into the room?”

Eugene and Lucile walk elegantly through the open doors while each are holding a pillow with a beautiful crown on it. The crowd stands with gazing eyes as the crowns pass their sight. Soon, they approach, and Eugene stands before Alex while Lucile stands facing Sara.

“Sara Hodgins, do you swear to protect and uphold the laws set by the Council of Kings? Do you swear to lead people of the land for the best and keep them from harm? And do you swear to be not only fair but also just in your decisions?”

“Yes, I do.”

He takes the crown from the pillow and places it on her head. He bows, and she bows and steps back. He leaves her up there standing in front of her throne and moves on to Alex.

“Alex Hodgins, do you swear to protect and uphold the laws set by the Council of Kings? Do you swear to lead people of the land for the best and keep them from harm? And do you swear to be not only fair but also just in your decisions?”

“Yes, I do.”

Fromm sets the crown on his head and they return bows before he steps back. Fromm turns around to look at the at the crowd while Lucile and Eugene move off to the side.

“People of the Five Kingdoms, it is my privilege to present High King Alex and High Queen Sara. Long Live their reign.”

The congregation claps and cheers at the thought of a new day in age. Sara and Alex sit down in their thrones and look fondly upon the crowd.

“Unfortunately, today we cannot start off the day with celebration. The king and queen will decide the fate of members of the kingdom. The council has voted and decided to accept the decisions of the people for the people. The first case to be here is the fate of the Kingdom of Armel. Will Adam Rashad step forward? My king, the floor is yours.”

Fromm goes and stands next to the king as a guard. Adam steps forward as the representative of Armel.

“Isabella, leader of the Hishonian, please step forward,” orders Alex.

She steps forward looking questionable at Alex.

“Today the broken lands of Armel will cease to exist.”

The crowd comes up in a roar of mixed emotions. Alex stands up and raises his arm.

“Silence!”

The room goes absolute silence and everyone’s face stays still except for Bryne who cracks a smile.

“Now, it has become quite clear that the kingdom is in need of change and of leadership. I have seen how the people need help and are suffering. Isabella, I was told by a trusted source that you and your people want to exist in this world. I offer partial ownership of Armel to the Hishonian. It is clear that even after the hardship they have been through they stand strong and have developed a successful community. I am anxious to see what exactly the Hishonian can do when not operating in secrecy.”

“Thank you, my lord,” says Isabella smiling.

“After a year of a probationary period, a king or queen will be chosen by the council to rule the Hishonian people.”

She bows and heads back to her seat.

“I could not agree more, King Alex,” says Adam before taking his seat.

“Also, partial ownership shall belong to the Edjer. The Hishonian and the Edjer will need to sit down and discuss their boundaries with each other on a separate occasion.”

“Duke Kjell, step forward.”

The dwarf leader steps forward with a limp in his left foot. He has an angry look about him as if he is ready to fight anything still.

“Duke, you will take over as the leader of the dwarves.”

“Thank you, my lord,” he says surprised.

“Now, you will be punished for your defiance of the council and it will be your responsibility to assure it is fulfilled.”

“We followed the High Queen at the time. We did nothing wrong.”

“As you know very well, the high royalty does not rule unless voted on by the council. The council that you attended voted that the Five Kingdoms will not support her any longer and that I was to take command of all armies. You were told then, that there would be punishment dealt.”

“And what of the Armel, they voted against as well and fought against as well?”

“Did you not pay attention, master dwarf? The Armel no longer exist. For the next five years 50 percent of all profits mined from your mountain will belong to the world. You will pay for the rebuild of the kingdom and retributions of those lost because of the war. You will no longer stain the world with your greed.”

“Fifty percent? That’s outrageous.”

“How much were you paying the queen?”

“That was different.”

“King Rahm will be in charge of overseeing your work. And if he reports any suspicion of treason, I will not hesitate to hand your kingdom over to the elves. Dismissed.”

Without a word the dwarf goes back to his place in the audience.

“Now, if my sister would join me, I would like to end this court on a positive note.”

Sara gets up and joins her brother on stage.

“Will the following people please line up in front of us? General Fromm, Princess Katherine, Prince Bryne, King Rahm, Isabella and Reese of the Hishonian, Tucker, Courtney, and Eugene.”

The group stands before Alex and Sara together. He starts with Eugene.

“Eugene, I want to thank you for the service you have provided for this castle and this kingdom. For that reason, I grant you and your wife the title of nobility in the castle of Berthold.”

Next, he moves onto Tucker and Courtney.

“You two have been great friends to me. Tucker you have been with me my whole life. Courtney, for whatever reason, I am glad you tagged along with my sister that day. I don’t know why you were brought to this world, but you definitely belong here with us. I award both of you the title of Duke and Duchess of Berthold. I promise I will one day find a way to send you home.”

Courtney gives the king a big hug. He hesitates but ends up smiling and returns the hug.

“Alex, your right, we have been friends for a long time. Don’t worry about bringing us home. We are here for you.”

“He’s right.”

“Never lose that smile, Courtney.”

She blushes, and he smiles and goes to Isabella and Reese.

“Isabella, Reese, I will forever be in debt to you and your people. Without you, we may not have won the war at all. I look forward to working together to rebuild this world. There really isn’t much more I can offer you other than a title of nobility and a place in my court.”

They bow in appreciation.

“Katherine, there isn’t much I can give you, that is worth your sacrifice than maybe your full sight back.”

He pulls out a mechanical eye with a strap on it. Her eye tears up with joy.

“Alex, this is great. But how is this possible?”

“We can help install it later if you would like. I would also like to give you this sword of Berthold as a symbol of peace between the North and Berthold. I look forward to your official coronation, Queen of the North.”

The sword has a lion’s head on it while roaring. Katherine takes it with pride in her eye. Alex next moves in front of the Black Prince.

“Bryne, I would give you sight too, if I could. I would make you a member of the royal family if you weren’t already part of one. I would grant you the title of king if I could. I would give you my entire treasury if that is what you desired. You have become much more than a hired hand in the time I have known you. You have become a brother to me. Beyond all of your accomplishments, few if any can say they have died and came back. I wish there was something I could give you but all I have is my blessing for you and my sister. I have never seen love so pure and so real.”

“That is more than I deserve to ask for from you. You will have my allegiance until I can no longer be risen from the dead. My king.”

Bryne smiles and bows to Alex for the first time ever. He steps back to look at them all at once.

“We have lost many in the pursuit of freedom and to destroy darkness. We have lost sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, and much more loved ones. It is no secret that the war is far from over. However, with these people before me, King David, and my trusted leaders I know we will finally defeat evil once and for all. General Fromm, I present the great weapon that defeated the White Queen to you for being my most trusted ally. It may not me magical or enchanted, but may it serve as a symbol of hope in the face of evil.”

Fromm steps up and is presented with the ivory sword.

“I accept this gift as a symbol of what is yet to come from you and this kingdom.”

“Thank you, that will be all. I welcome all member to the grand hall to celebrate the rejoining of the Five Kingdoms. I do ask that all that are part of the Council of Kings please stay for a moment longer. That includes Isabella, Reese, and Duke Kjell. Apologies, King Kjell.”

All except for those asked to stay are ushered out by guards and one another. They all wait until the last patron leaves the door and the last guard follows. They all assemble towards the front of the throne room.

“I will be quite frank, I am not requesting to assemble the council at this time because I am requesting to disband the council.”

“What?” asks Rahm in shock.

“The council has existed for over a thousand of years,” adds David.

“And where has it gotten people. Before I arrived, the council had not gotten together in around a hundred years. The world outside has been ignored for too long. Kings and Queens of the world must take care of their own respective kingdoms. For that reason, I suggest we create a new council, not of kings but of the people. They will be stationed here in Berthold at all times and must be appointed by their kingdom’s ruler. This way they will be able to meet more often because this is not just our world but their world too.”

“So, you mean like a senate?” asks Sara.

“Precisely.”

The room goes quiet as everyone thinks about this decision.

“I will nominate my brother as the representative of the North,” says Katherine.

He looks towards her direction in confusion at first but then nods.

“I accept the nomination. I mean I do enjoy the nice weather down here. Plus traveling while blind seems somewhat dangerous for a short time.”

“I nominate my sister, then,” says Rahm.

“I like this idea,” agrees Kjell. “I nominate my leader of my armies, Captain Tjark.”

“Me and Reese I think both agree that Adam, the former representative of Armel would be a good fit.”

“King David?”

“We accept but we will have to find someone. I will let you know immediately.”

“Thank you. Let this be a better kingdom for all.”

In the grand hall hundreds of people celebrate the new day in age. The High King and High Queen sit next to each other watching their people dance and sing. David and Anne dance together with David holding Anne close to him. Isabella and Reese are seen kissing on the dance floor. Even the dwarves seem to be finally enjoying themselves. Alex gazes across the dance floor until his eyes lock on the cute Elvish princess, Cali. Her hair is tied back with flowers and pearls around her neck. She stares back at Alex as she continues to stand alone looking elegantly.

“You going to dance with her or just stare?” asks Sara.

“I think I am going to go dance. What about you?”

“I need to go steal back my man it would look like.”

She points at Bryne dancing with a girl that looks to be no older than eight years of age.

“Tough competition. Good luck.”

He gets up and finds Cali. He grabs her around the waist and they smile as they get lost in the crowd. Sara follows his lead and gets up and walks over to Bryne and smiles at him.

“Is that the queen behind you?” Bryne asks the little girl.

She turns around to see Sara standing there smiling at her. She quickly bows to her.

“Rise, you don’t have to bow to me.”

“I thought you were blind,” the little girl says to Bryne angrily.

“I am but true beauty is always visible.”

“May I have a dance with the prince?”

“Prince?” the girl says shocked. “How many secrets do you have? First you can see through a blindfold and next you are royalty.”

The little girl marches off in a huff. Sara watches and smiles as she takes Bryne by the hand. He takes both hands and puts them below her waist. Her eyes open wide in shock and she moves them up to her waist.

“Sorry, my mistake.”

“You can tell I am standing somewhere but you can’t tell the difference between my waist and my ass?”

“That’s no way for the High Queen to talk.”

“Oh, shut up. You are a prince.”

“Of the North. We are just a bunch of warriors and heathens.”

She brings his face down to hers to kiss him. They spend a few moments there before he pulls away staring down at her with his blindfolded eyes.

“What’s up?” she asks.

“I just want to take a look at you.”

“But you can’t see me.”

“I can always see true beauty, remember. You are the light fighting the darkness inside of me.”

“So, when are we getting married?”

“What?”

“Well I thought we were getting married. Isn’t that what the bow means?”

“Yes, it is. I am just surprised you still want to. Whenever you want.”

“Of course, I still want to. If the worse should ever happen again I want to know we are together forever, and we did everything we could with each other.”

“Hmm, everything huh? Maybe we should try-,” he starts to say before she put her hand over his mouth.

“I don’t think so.”

“How about this summer, then?”

“Let’s do it.”

After a few minutes of holding each other, they go sit down with a bunch of others around a table. Sara and Bryne, Isabella and Reese, David and Anne, and Katherine all sit around smiling and laughing with each other.

“So, Queen Anne, have you decided if the rumors about me are true?”

“Depends on the rumor,” she smiles at him. “You are a terrible influence if that’s what you are asking.”

“I like to think I show people what not to do.”

“Ah, but as my father would say, ’There is no good or bad influence. There is just influences and we choose to make it,” says Cali walking with Alex to the table.

“Well, our father would say,” starts Katherine.

“Whoa, nobody needs to hear that,” interjects Bryne.

“Fair enough.”

“But seriously, Cali, what is your opinion of me?”

She blushes at the question but does not answer. He spots Hailey not too far away he grabs he attention.

“Hey, Hailey.” He says as she walks over. “Do you really think I am a terrible influence?”

“I stowed away to the wilderness to St. Augustine,” she says laughing.

“Sara, am I a bad influence?”

“The worse. But that’s why I love you. Every day is an adventure. I mean I can’t think of any other boyfriend that I have had that I watched literally die on our first date.”

“Your counting that our first date?”

“I have to count something.”

Everyone oo’s as they all laugh at Sara’s comments. They spend the next few moments of the evening laughing and enjoying stories of the past.

“Where do you think our dad is?” Sara asks Alex.

“I bet he’s out there. It would definitely seem he had his share of secrets.”

“Speaking of secrets, can you teach me to transform, Isabella?”

“Honestly, you may be too old but also you don’t have Hishonian armor.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” asks Courtney.

“Have you noticed how we aren’t naked when we transform from animal to human? Our weapons, and armor are specialized magic to our spirit.”

“I’ve honestly been wondering about that,” says Tucker.

“I do think it is interesting that you are the lion spirit.”

“Why is that interesting?”

“The lion is the king of the jungle, the leader of the pack. The alpha wolf is the leader of his pack. One hunts alone while the other hunts together,” says Bryne.

“So basically, we are a terrible match for each other?”

“The worse,” says Isabella. “Because Bryne is not the alpha but a lone wolf.”

Bryne decides to stand up with a goblet of wine in his hand and raises it up high above his head.

“I would like to take a moment to say how honored I am to have not just friends here around this table but family.”

“Well, he’s drunk. He gets sentimental when he gets tipsy,” says Katherine.

“No,” he stumbles a bit, “ok yes. But I mean it. Look to your left and then look to your right. These will be the people that will have your back no matter what. I am honored to fight alongside any of you no matter what.”

He takes a drink along with everyone else before sitting back down next to Sara and Fromm. He senses Fromm next to him.

“You know I used to really hate you.”

“I used to really hate you too, kid.”

“What changed?”

“I saw what you are really capable of and I also saw who you really are.”

“Huh, interesting.”

“What changed with me?”

“With what?”

“You said you used to really hate me.”

“Sounds about right.”

“Should I wait to have this conversation once you are sober?”

“I would strongly recommend it but would not expect a different answer.”

Fromm takes his goblet and sniffs Bryne’s drink. His eyes immediately tear up and he starts to cough.

“That is not wine.”

“Nope.”

“Alright, that is enough for you. Do you need me to lead you to your tent?”

“Don’t worry, Fromm, I will take care of it,” says Sara.

“Sounds good, my lady.”

“Come on you drunk.”

She helps him back up to his feet and leads him out of the dining hall and up the stairs to the bedrooms.

“Sara, this isn’t the way towards the tents.”

“I do not feel like going all of the way to your tent. You will be in my bedroom for tonight.”

They get out of view of everyone and Bryne stands up straight and walks on his own. Sara stands back and is shocked.

“You aren’t drunk!”

“No, I just wanted to get you out of there.”

“Why?”

“So, I could do this. He grabs her and pushes her body against her own bedroom door. His hand runs up her dress giving her chills. With his other hand he opens up the door and they stumble into her bed. She stares at him with her deep blue eyes. He imagines them as beautiful as they as they were the last time, he saw them. He drops down and starts kissing her inner thighs. She goes to stop him when she starts to bite her lower lip. Soon, her moans echo off of the stone walls.

Back in the dining hall Alex looks around at the table and then looks around at the dining hall to see how empty it has become.

“It must be getting late.”

“It is, I think we will be heading out of here soon,” says David and Anne nods. He holds his sleeping son in his lap and Hailey looks to be not too far away.

“Can I walk you back to your tent, Cali?”

She gives a sly smile and looks at him with her bright green eyes.

“Definitely, my lord king.”

They get up and she puts her arm around his and they all bid each other a good night before heading off to their own tents and bedrooms. Cali and Alex walk out of the dining hall and she starts to lead him up the stairs.

“Cali? We can’t exit the castle from here.”

“Good.”

She looks around quickly and sees nobody around and pushes Alex up against the wall. He makes out with her for a bit before she pulls away and starts to walk away.

“Thank you for a lovely night, my king.”

She pulls away and walks back downstairs alone. Alex stays there against the stone wall smiling but confused at the same time.

“Elves. I will never understand.”

That’s all he says before heading off to his bedroom and crawling into bed with a content smile on his face.

Later that night, Bryne sleeps with Sara snuggled up next to him. Not long after sleep he starts to stir. He continues to see those darkness thoughts replay in his mind. He wakes up finally but of course sees nothing. Carefully, he leaves the bed and stands at the balcony and looks out towards the night sky. Not far away in the king’s quarters, Alex also has a restless sleep. He continues to stir and stir but does not awake.

“Join me,” says the voice of Dubhan.

His dark voice in Alex’s head gives him chills throughout his body.

“Never.”

“Your friend said that, and they have already betrayed you. You will serve me just as they will.”

“Bryne? He has already defeated you.”

“You know nothing, Bryne was strong but I underestimated his will. I will and have found another way to rule the world. He will forever be cursed, or I will kill him and the rest of your loved ones.”

He soon sees a vision of his Sara, Isabella and Katherine dead or dying in front of a large figure in a throne. The figure wears bones as armor, and eyes as red as the rubies on his sword handle. He sits in his throne sits holding the head of a white wolf in one hand and his large sword in the other. Beside the throne is his father stuck on a large stake and his sister locked up in a small cage.

“You know what you see. The death of my heir followed by the death of those closest to you.”

“My father isn’t even in this world.”

“You see everything young king, but you know nothing. Didn’t your last vision come true. Your sister’s suffering, your home destroyed, and friends killed. My servant was arrogant and fell but gave me a way to rise my armies and open the gate.”

“Alex,” says the body on the stake, “Don’t give in. Nothing is set in stone.”

“Father? Where are you?”

“Closer than you think. You need to save me, son.”

“Where are you?”

“Find me! Find me! FIND ME!”

He wakes up to see the room is empty, but his bed is soaked in sweat.

“It’s time to find my father.”

Epilogue That summer, all of the Five Kingdoms watches as Bryne stands in front of the South Sea. He has his prince’s circlet on his head and looks cleaned up. In front of him is King David in his robes smiling at the congregation. Behind Bryne, is Alex, Tucker, and Reese. As they wait longer, Bryne starts to shift awkwardly in his spot.

“You doing alright,” asks Alex.

“What is taking her so long?”

“She will be here.”

“What is she regrets everything and decides not to marry me? I mean I wouldn’t marry me.”

“Relax,” says Alex rubbing his shoulders. “Eugene?”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Would you mind checking on the ladies?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

He walks up to the large tent that is set up for the marriage ceremony. He cautiously enters, not seeing anyone at first.

“Hello, Lucile?” he asks.

Lucile pops her head around the corner in surprise.

“Eugene! What are you doing here?”

“The king asked me to check on everything. Everyone is waiting.”

“Everything is fine,” she says trying to usher him out.

Suddenly, the sound of a woman throwing up in the rear of the tent is heard. Eugene stops and looks at Lucile with concern.

“Is Sara alright?”

“She is fine.”

“That doesn’t sound fine. I must alert someone”

He goes to run outside but his wife grabs the back of his clothes and pulls him back into the tent.

“No! Do not say a word. She is not hurt. She is with child.”

Eugene pauses for a moment and a glowing smile goes over the elderly man’s face. He pulls his wife in closely for a hug and they both smile with glee.

“She is to be a mother?” he asks in shock as she smiles and nods.

Isabella, Katherine, and Courtney come out of the back room holding bouquets of flowers and are shocked to see Eugene inside.

“Eugene? What are you doing here?” asks Courtney.

“I-,”

“He was just leaving,” cuts in Lucile. “Now go and wait for the bride like everyone else.”

“Of course, my lady.”

She leans in and gives him a cute little peck on the cheek before he heads back to the congregation. He soon approaches the front row and smiles at Alex and Bryne but doesn’t say a word.

“I guess a smile is better than a cry,” Alex whispers to Bryne.

“True.”

Lucile follows shortly after and cues the band to start playing gentle music before taking her seat next to Eugene. He takes her hand in his as the elderly couple watch the first bridesmaid appear over the hill. Isabella is the first, followed by Katherine and then lastly, by Courtney. As soon as Courtney arrives at the front of the ceremony, everyone stands up and looks at the top of the hill. Sara, accompanied by Fromm, walks slowly down the center aisle. She takes a deep breath as the entire world stands there watching her approach just before the podium. Bryne steps forward in front of Fromm and Sara.

“Who is giving Sara to Bryne, this day?” asks David.

“I do, Fromm Schultz. Son of Donne. Protector of the Five Kingdoms and General of Berthold.”

He gives Sara a hug before handing her off to Bryne. He also shakes his hand in respect before taking his seat next to Rahm. Bryne smiles at Sara, even though he is unable to see, he stops right at the right spot. Sara notices a tear rolling down the warrior’s face and she wipes it with her soft thumb.

“Are you okay?” she whispers as David says his introduction.

“I can only imagine how beautiful you look right now. I wish with every ounce of will that I could see you right now.”

“I still love you, no matter how blind you are. Besides this wedding is the perfect time to tell you that I have put on fifty pounds in the last few months,” she jokes.

“Oh, well, I guess that is more of you that I can love,” he responds as he leans down and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

“Hmm, Hmm,” David clears his throat.

“Oops, sorry, I couldn’t wait. What are you gonna do, stay mad at a blind guy.”

Sara can’t help but let out her little giggle.

“Anyway,” says David starting again. “Queen Sara Hodgins, do you promise to love, cherish and take care of Bryne until the day he perishes?”

“I do and long after as well.”

“Prince Bryne Wolfcrier, do you promise to protect, love, cherish, and take care of Sara until she dies.”

“Of course, I do.”

“Does anyone have any reason why these two should not be wed on this day?”

Isabella lifts her foot up to step out of line but then sees Reese on the other side and remembers that she is married to him.

“Then by the powers invested in me by the Five Kingdoms I want to present Queen Sara and Prince Bryne Wolfcrier for the first time. Now, you may kiss your wife.”

He leans over and plants a long passionate kiss on Sara’s lips and she kicks her leg backward into the air. They remain kissing long enough for the crowd to quiet down before they separate. Sara blushes and Bryne stands tall before walking back out of the ceremony. He pulls her off to the side once they get to the end of the congregation.

“Is something wrong?” she asks him concerned.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You taste as if you were sick before the wedding.”

“Seriously, Courtney said she couldn’t tell.”

“Sara, I have the senses of a dog not to mention I am blind and have been increasing my other senses. So are you ok?”

“I am fine, but I do have an announcement for you.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“I am pregnant.”

He stands there in shock for a moment and then a big smile goes across his face. He picks Sara up and holds her above him kissing her belly.

“Put me down,” she says laughing.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, of course but I realize you are going into the mountains to train with the Mountain Priests.”

“It can wait.”

“You need me hear, right now.”

#

“But the world needs you there, learning how to defeat Dubhan.”

He sits down to ponder for a moment and thinks about his options. She follows him to the ground and rubs his rough hands in hers.

“I will be okay. I have Alex, and Fromm and Isabella that I am sure will stay here with me. I will be okay, I promise.”

“I will not be gone long,” he says. “I will come back for you two, I promise.”

“I know.”