Chapter 33

~Calea~

Nivillia is a tragedy. Calea could barely stand to look out the window at the now barren lands. She shakes her head. Distgut and disapprove contort her face. Ryuu hadn't come back, which made Calea happy but worried. Did he survive? Goddess forbidden did he die?

She sighs and turns around to Lyra, who is getting fitted for a dress. "You're majesty, your belly has swollen a bit." The dress designer says.

 Calea wears a meek smile. "She is with child. Fit her accordingly." Lyra looks back at Calea and smiles. In the back of her mind, Calea loathes the thought of a long line of Dragonborn disintegrating. If Ryuu didn't become stronger, they didn't stand a chance. Other thoughts race through her mind. 

Mostly Javall. Calea had given in past feelings, which ripped open a new door for her. And as much as she hated to admit it, she fell for him again. It wasn't expected, but now it's complicated. If Kamari were to come back, which she prayed for, she'd think that Calea sided with Javall. And it could go the other way as well. Everything feels complicated nowadays. "How many months are you, your majesty?" The fitting woman asks.

"Um, I think two months," Lyra estimates. It's been approximately five months since Kamari left, and the Kingdom is now a place Calea doesn't recognize. The buildings held no life, just dreary wooden boxes that held families trying not to starve. Browen took everything they made for themselves and hoarded it from them. Letting them live off of nothing but scrapes. There greenery that had come back because of Kamari, shriveled and died. 

And part of her died with it. When Browen walks through the door, Calea stomach clenches, but she plays pretend, she bows, "Sire." Browen gives her a nod of recognition and goes to his young wife, "How is my lovely Queen?" He asks as he places a hand on Lyra's belly. Calea tries not to curl her upper lip. They looked awful together, even though Lyra's of age, it just didn't look right to Calea, and man with a dark brown bread, crows feet, and wrinkles when he smiled, Ugh. Calea shivers. Compared to Lyra, who looked quite stunning, Calea thinks it's a travesty. 

Browen turns to her, "Calea, may I have a word with you." Calea bows, "Of course, Sire." Browen's discussions were always so bland she tried not to snooze through them. Browen walks with her through empty halls. "I hope to have a son, but having a daughter would also be good. Marrying someone of royal stature would benefit us at least."

Calea looks down with a tense smile. Even when it came to his own children, Browen sealed their fate unjustly, "I agree, Sire." She lies.

"Oh, Calea," Browen sighs, "You only agree because you have to. We all know that." Browen halts, making Calea stop and turn towards him, her hands folded in front of her as Browen continues, "It's fine with me as long as you're obedient; although," Browen slips his hand into his pocket and pulls something out, and Calea feel a massive lump in her throat as she sees the gleaming white scale in his palm, "I'm thinking you haven't been."

The scale must have been the one Javall dropped, and she forgot to pick it up. Calea locks eyes with Browen, "What does that have to do with me?" She says with a stale face. Browen licks his lips, "I'm not a stupid woman. Your loyalty isn't with me. If it weren't for Javall, I would have executed you long ago." Browen gets in her face, "This," he holds up the scale, "Is a new one, isn't it?" Browen's face contorts in suspicion.

"I wouldn't know—"

*Smack*

Calea stumbles backward, holding her burning cheek, Browen strides forward, "Do you take me for a fool woman!?" Browen roars, "I will kill any Dragon that enters my Kingdom!"

"This is not your kingdom!" Calea screams back. "You stole it from Kamari; you didn't earn anything. You weren't born into the bloodline, so you stuck your little rat nose into it!" Calea's chest pumps in and out. Browen snarls and grabs her by the throat, and smashes her head against the stone wall. Browen had Javall subdue her magic, so she only had her strength to fight with. But Browen dug his nails into her throat, his eyes coated in the intention to kill.

"Hey!" Javall's voice rings out. Calea pinches her eyes closed as he squeezes tighter, her lungs burning, and when Browen's hands release her, she falls to her knees, coughing, sucking in air.

 "We have a fucking deal! Don't touch her!" Javall stands in front of her. 

"Your little witch is hiding something from me! I'm the King, and I can execute both of you!" Browen snarls out.

"Do it." Javall says between his teeth, his fists clenched, "But you would have to answer to the Kingdom of Paldania, and trust me, their torture methods do not lead to death, which you'll wish they'd give you."

Browen glares at Javall. Calea can see both men, their bodies tense and chests pumping. Browen points at Calea, "I will find out what you know, and when I do, you will both be at my mercy." Browen threatens, then turns on his heels and marches away. Javall turns around and helps Calea up. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." She says in a strained voice.

"What happened, Calea?" Javall asks in a hushed voice. "He found the scale," Calea says. She knows Javall doesn't know the truth about where it came from. So? Why did he attack you like that?"

"Because he's a sick, twisted old fool who has no right to the throne." Calea glares down the hallway. Javall sighs, "You insulted him, didn't you? Calea, you can't do that–"

"Why? He's taken enough from me," she whispers harshly, Javall leans into her, "I'm trying to protect both our asses Calea, do me favor and don't make it harder." Calea snatches her hand away from Javall, not saying anything else. "She's pregnant." Calea dusts her dress off, "I thought it would take longer."

Javall chuckles as he rubs his neck, "He probably only had one swimmer…" Calea laughs lightly. And Javall licks his lips while smiling, "Come on, let's not poke the boar anymore." Javall takes Calea's hand, and they walk down the opposite hall. "I missed you at breakfast. Was this what you were busy doing? Taunting the King?"

Calea smiles, "No. Lyra's dress fitting." In seven months, Browen will have a child, and she hopes it isn't a boy. Ryuu still plagues her mind, and she looks out the window towards the water. Calea wonders if he took her advice. He needs to, or how else will he ascend the throne?

I have faith in you, Ryuu…