Mama
After some time, the door opens and both manya and papa leave the room.
“Can I go in now?”
“Yes my dear. Your mama is looking forward to meeting you.”
“Allright, I’ll be right back then.” I answer and walk into the room quickly to avoid papa carrying me and close the door.
Inside is a simple room with a couch, a table, writing utensils, a crystal ball and some refreshments. The projection shows Scarlet's mother that so far I have only seen in paintings, she seems to be fiddling with her hair and clothing to make herself look nice. Taking a deep breath I walk to the couch and sit down.
“He-Hello, your Highness.”
“There is no need to be so formal my dear, you can just call me mama. It must have been rough for you but you’re safe now.”
“Actually your Highness. There is something I wanted to ask you, you might be the only person right now I can turn to. Will you hear me out?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“Please don’t force me to live with you and papa. I love manya but I want nothing to do with Blaze, papa or you.”
“Is there a reason you feel so strongly about this?”
“Yes. I’m scared and don’t want anything to do with papa. When he first came here he nearly killed me and then when I was really mentally vulnerable I was brainwashed to not be scared of him anymore but still I know, even if the feeling is gone, that he’s a dangerous person. He also forces his idea of what’s best for me on me and takes away all my freedom. I don’t want a parent like this.”
Going down on my knees I cry while pleading, “Please, don’t make me stay with a person like this. I just want to be free and live with Scarlet and Rayla.”
“Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. First of all there is no need to cry and beg. Please try to calm down and explain to me exactly what happened.”
“I sniff Okay.”
“Take a deep breath first.”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath in and out.
“Good, now please explain what you were talking about. You were saying something about being nearly killed and brainwashed.”
“Yes, after…After we were attacked by demons for the first time Scarlet said we should summon the knight. I was really scared but manya said everything will be fine if we summon him but right after I pricked myself to summon him the door opened and he slammed me into a wall. Then he started beating me while screaming at me. I was so badly hurt that John, our healer, said I would have died without medical assistance.”
“What…”
“Then after that I was really scared of him and I didn’t want to get near him at all. So Scarlet and my sister Rayla decided to use a time when I mentally turn back into a little kid to force me to be with papa so that I lose my fear of him when I get back to normal which did work…
And because it worked, papa started to hug me and kiss me even though I didn’t want to and started carrying me around against my will because ‘it’s what’s best for me’. No matter what I did I wasn't able to get out of his arms. Now he even banned me from walking on my own and he said no matter what he’ll make go back to Blaze with him. Please, your Highness, I don't want to be with someone like that. Please convince him to leave me alone. You’re my last chance.”
Looking completely pale in the face, the Queen waits a bit before answering, “I completely understand why you wouldn’t want to be with a person like this, Rose. This is not at all how I know my husband but I can also see how many misguided choices could have brought him to commit these acts. I- If this is all true I can understand why you wouldn’t want to get to know me or your father. But I also want you to know that I would never do anything like this to you. I want us to have a relationship but if that’s not possible because of the heinous acts of my husband I’ll understand and will support you from afar if that’s what you need.”
“R-Really? You won’t force me?”
“No. I also want to deeply apologize for what my husband and idiot daughter did to you. I’ll make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
“Really? You’re not lying?”
“No, I’m not lying. Provided all of what you said is true I’ll take steps to reprimand both of them the moment you leave this door.”
“I…Thank you, your Highness.”
“Please just call me mama, Rose.”
“Okay…Thank you mama. Thank you for saving me.”
“Don’t thank me for something like that. I’m your mother. I will always look out for you and you will always have a place with me even if it is without your father. Do you understand?”
“Really?”
“Yes really. I’m not sure yet if Scarlet told you but we dragons don’t make promises we don’t keep. If I need to choose between you and my husband I will choose you.”
“But-But you don’t know me.”
“I know you’re my daughter and that’s enough for me.”
Starting to cry again I say, "Th-Thank you mama.”
“Curse this damn projection…I wish I could hug you right now, my dear.”
“It’s sob It’s alright, I’ll calm down again.”
“Take all the time you need, my dear.”
“Okay...”
After some time calming down again the queen asks, “Do you know how to write and read yet?”
I nod.
“Do you have a pen and some paper available, dear?”
“I think there are some here, yes.”
“Good, then I want you to write something down. Please get them together.”
“Allright.”
After getting a pen and paper she says, “I’m going to tell you how to contact me via the crystals now. What you need to say is…”
After writing down everything she tells me, she continues, “You can contact me whenever you want, dear. There is nothing too small. Even if you just want to tell me about a pretty flower you saw, it's alright, I’ll always listen and you won’t waste my time. Whether it is day or night it doesn’t matter. I’ll also send you any money you need, whenever you need it and if you ever want to come visit me I’ll make sure to make it possible as quickly and comfortably as possible.”
“Why…Why are you so nice to me?”
“Because you’re my daughter and I love you.”
“I don’t love you though.”
“That’s alright, my love for you is unconditional. Even if you never love me back I’ll always love you and I will always support you.”
“I…Thank you so much, mama. I really, really appreciate this a lot.”
“Don’t even mention it. This is the least I can do for you. I really wish I could do more for you.”
“It’s alright. It’s more than enough already. Thank you so much, mama.”
“You’re welcome my dear.”
“Before I leave I just wanted to ask that you don’t scold Scarlet too much. What she did made me lose a lot of trust in her but I do still love her a lot, so maybe just give her a small scolding.”
“Allright, I’ll keep that in mind. Is there anything else you want to talk to me about?”
“No but I wanted to say thank you again. Really thank you for helping me. I’m super grateful.”
“Like I said, this is the least I can do for you my dear.”
“I’ll go then, thank you mama!”
“Don’t forget to tell them to come back inside when you leave.”
“I won’t! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome…”
With a huge smile on my face I leave the communications room.
When she sees me, Scarlet holds my hands with a smile as she says, “You look really happy, Rose! Did you have a good discussion with mama?”
“Yes! I really did, she wants to talk to both of you now.”
“Just the two of us? Or all three of us?”
“Just the two of you. I’ll go wait with Rayla for you two.”
“Alright! I’ll see you soon then. Let’s go, papa.”
“Sure, haha. There must be really good news if she’s that chipper.”
Both of them then go inside and I give Rayla a huge hug, “It all worked out!”
“What did?”
“Mama is going to protect me from papa and she’ll support me without forcing me to do anything!”
“Really!? That’s amazing, oko!”
“Yes! It really is! Mama is a really nice person.”
“I’m so glad you think that!”
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