“Son.”

  “Mother?”

  Si tried to hold his laughter.

  He loved it when they were so official; it was delightful.

  “Si, why did you do it?” Sara’s voice sounded serious.

  Moreover, it had hints of laughter, Si noticed.

  “Mother, I recommend treating it as a test of the loyalty of our people,” he said, trying to sound grave, but he couldn’t hold it any longer and laughed.

  “Be serious. They see you as their future Lord; of course they will want to be punished. They didn’t listen to you when you kindly asked for scrambled eggs. And then they didn’t do their job, as you prepared your food yourself. It is not us punishing them; it is them punishing themselves,” Sara said in a low voice.

  Si knew his mother tried not to laugh.

  He recently noticed that she was smiling less often.

  His father was not well. It was all about politics, the Unio alliance shaking currently, and again, the attacks.

  All their lost battles. They lost so many of their people during the last fight. Three of his brothers died, leaving only him and his much younger sister, Mei.

  Shadows Lord, his father, was devastated by the loss. He was worried about the future as well, and recently hadn’t been feeling well.

  Si had to admit. What additionally annoyed his father was the behavior of Unio’s ruler. Not only did he still attempt to court Si’s mother—so many years later, he still tried. Domini made attempts to snatch Si to become Unio’s future ruler as well.

  “As if being the next Shadows Lord wasn’t troublesome enough for me,” Si thought.

  It was all complicated and very political. How could he enjoy life when everything around him was political?

  “Let’s not have it that pompous here as Unio has it,” Si said.

  “Si, of course, you decide. You are reasonable,” his mother answered.

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  “Thank you,” Si added and smiled.

  Their family was harmonious.

  They understood each other because they talked to each other. They tried to come to an understanding when they disagreed. Likewise, they liked spending time together, but not by force. They respected each other’s boundaries.

  That reminded him of his duties. No escape from it.

  “Also, mother. I need to go to Unio soon.” Si’s voice was less carefree.

  “The alliance anniversary?” Sara wanted to confirm.

  “Exactly. So, I need to go there and wear what was supposed to have been a one-time joke. What a place. They are energists; their views are prejudiced. Again, let’s not be like them here. I beg you, mother.”

  “Are you thinking of taking Mei with you—to show her Unio? Your sister should finally see it,” his mother asked, looking at him.

  “I gave it a thought. I would rather take her to the OFF; Lukai is there; he could show her around. Unio is too problematic.”

  “Why, you think?” Sara sounded curious.

  “First, my act two years ago, persisted. They truly believe—all the great Unio families believe—that we are ghosts. Mei won’t like it. And Domini, mother, don’t you think one of your children is enough to be treated by him as his pawn? He, were he to meet Mei, certainly would have ideas to draft another contract and force another alliance or something of this sort,” Si said and laughed.

  He wasn’t angry at his mother about it—about her past with Domini, definitely not. Si wasn’t angry at all; it was an oddity of Domini, and it needed to be managed.

  “Arct. Yes, I also need to go to talk to him.” Sara sighed. “Si? Do you think it is finally time to solve the situation with your alliance fiancée? It is not human to do this to this poor girl. Lukai, your friend, should decide.”

  “So, General Lukai is soon to decide. This year must be the last of this show. I have to concentrate on the attacks. I have ideas on how to prepare the defense better. And science—we need to speed it up, mother, truly. Talk to father. Postpone me being involved in politics; let me do science. We need it more…”

  “Si? Think it through again. Science is important, but not that important when we are fearing another attack. Si, you said you plan to go to Unio. This Hal girl from Unio. Si, I do not like her. You know it. Why do you still meet with her? I know you’re meeting her again today.”

  “No need to worry, mother. I said it multiple times. The woman who can surpass my love for food, only her will I marry,” he laughed when he said that. “A joke or not a joke. Mari Hal is not a food lover for sure, so no worries, she won’t join our family.”

  “But why meet with this Unio girl? Don’t you like the other girl, Anna, as you talk about her so much?” Sara asked.

  “Why I do it is I learn about Unio, about their people, in a way any documents can show. They are peculiar; I need to understand,” Si said and stopped, hesitating. “Mother, I get your point. I noticed that she has a crush on me; I need to manage it. Mari Hal is a good girl. She has her dreams; for now, I let her keep them. I hope it doesn’t sound cruel. I will explain my stance to her,” he added.

  Then, instantly happy, Si said. “With Anna, I had a date yesterday. It went well, not fully as I wanted, but I have high hopes. I am happy about it. So yes, I will need to deal with the alliance contract—sooner rather than later. I cannot be politically engaged, thinking at the same time about Anna.”

  His mother raised her brow.

  “I know, I know,” Si added. He was serious this time.