Page 25 of Tristan
“Good. I’d rather you didn’t sit with your cousin—he gets you into trouble.”
I want to say that I get myself into trouble, but that doesn’t seem like the best defense, so I keep my mouth shut and eat. I don’t bother explaining that I intended on sitting with Papa and Mother. He most likely wouldn’t care.
Breakfast is often an informal affair, more like a party. The king prefers this way. He enjoys watching everyone move around and have a good time. Father disapproves of the king’s disorderly meals, but he usually attends.
Once I finish eating, I dare to ask Corrik permission to speak with my uncle. It doesn’t look like he wants to let me go. “How is your stomach feeling?”
“I’m all right now—the food helped.”
“Very, well. Don’t be long.”
Does he really care that much, how I feel?I approach my uncle at the head of the table.
“Ahhh, Tristan my boy! Your aunt was looking forward to this day. She would have been proud of you, as am I.”
My aunt, and Lucca’s mother, died shortly after I was betrothed to the Elven prince; she died in childbirth. Lucca’s baby sister was a surprise.
The pregnancy with Lucca was hard on the queen and they decided not to have any more children after him because the king was terrified of what might happen to his Georgina. When she became pregnant with Anna, the king begged her to terminate the pregnancy, but the queen refused. The pregnancy was worse than with Lucca and the queen could not handle the birth. Anna was not strong either. She died only days after the queen.
Many things happened this past year, that being just one of theterrible things.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Amarail. We miss her.”
“That we do, son. That we do. But today is a day of celebration! You are like my own Tristan, every bit a son to me as Lucca and I am so happy to have seen you wed into a good family. I hope you will have the joy of children one day—they bring such happiness to a heart, especially when you witness their success.”
Does the king consider my marriage to Corrik such a success for me?I know it is for the kingdom, but for me as well? I don’t want to ruin his good mood, especially when strong emotions could resurface. “Thank you, Uncle Amarail, for everything. You are a good Uncle. I will miss you.”
We embrace and he pats me on the back. When we part, Papa is there. “Tristan, could we have that conversation now?”
Papa pulls me aside; he looks nervous.
“Papa? Is everything all right?”
“Yes, fine. Everything is fine, but there’s something I should have talked with you about long ago. Tristan we are similar, you and I.”
He’s redundant, trying to say something big, but I haven’t the slightest clue where he’s going. “Papa, of course we are alike—you raised me.”
“Yes, and well that’s not what I mean, but well it is what I mean, but damn it, Arcade!”
“I’m not Arcade, I’m Tristan.”
“Yes, I know who you are. I’m cursing your father. I wanted him here to … well it doesn’t matter.” He huffs and brushes his long hair behind his ear.
“You’re not making much sense, Papa.”
“I know,” he says with a heavy sigh. “Tristan, do you remember much about your father and I growing up?”
“Of course, I do.”
“We have aspecialrelationship,” he begins.
“I know that.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Everyone knows. It’s clear how much you two love each other. Everyone always says how you’re meant to be together—it’s because you’re special.”
“No, I mean, yes, but that’s not what I’m referring to.” He can’t seem to find the words. “Look, Tristan. Your father has one role in our relationship, and I have another. It’s who we are. It’s how we’re wired inside.”
