40.2. Restless - Part 2

"No, it's this little fork," Liana lightly slaps my hand and sighs. "How come magic comes so naturally to you but you can't remember a few pieces of cutlery?"

"That's not a few," I cry over my lunch. A highly formal lunch with the Prime Minister. Bauerova is watching us, amused. Liana wouldn't be teaching me table manners in front of other state officials but it seems she does consider the Czech Prime Minister to be her friend even if she doesn't admit it openly.

"This should make it easier," Erik passes me his phone with a diagram picture of the formal dinnerware setting.

My chin drops. This is easier? What the hell is an oyster fork? Celestials can't even eat seafood to begin with. And a butter knife? I don't see any butter in front of me.

I look at our newbie, Rien, who is sitting just two seats away from me. He's skilfully cutting his steak with the right tool and has a napkin on his lap. At first, I feel envious because he looks so good at it but then I realise that he feels anything but that. His clawed hands are too big for that tiny cutlery, he's forcing himself to nibble salad and doesn't feel happy at all.

"This isn't natural for Clawfangs," I mumble.

"Hm?" Bauerova looks up from her plate.

Oh, I didn't mean for her to hear me. But then I decide to say it properly because I get upset that Rien is struggling against his Clawfang nature just to please his aunt and meet certain rigid expectations.

"At least don't force him to eat salat, you're torturing him," I say aloud.

"Rien, is it that unpleasant?" Bauerova asks, startled. It seems she didn't realise.

He twitches his whiskers and hesitantly nods.

"I'm sorry," she apologises readily. "I thought you just prefer meat now, not that you started to hate all vegetables."

"We should act more according to our natures," Fefnir approves and doesn't bother with anything besides his own giant steak and some chips that used to be potatoes ages ago so he doesn't mind.

"Which has nothing to do with our Emperor refusing to learn proper table manners," Liana resumes her lesson.

Celestials like acting all dignified, hm? Erik comments, sending me his thought distantly. Clawfangs might get away with bad manners but not you.

More or less, I answer and resist sighing.

It's so strange. I don't struggle with my Celestial nature anymore and I'm gradually starting to feel as the Emperor but it doesn't make things any easier. Endless meetings, formal lunches, making decisions that can influence the whole world... this new reality scares me.

"No telekinesis at the table," Liana clicks her tongue when she notices I'm trying to get a bowl of fried onion that's too far from me using levitation. "You either politely ask someone to pass you things or tell your servants."

"To be honest, I don't like formal eating either," Bauerova winks at me, trying to ease my pain and awkwardness. "Don't believe that's what the rich and royalty do all the time, Your Majesty. It's for appearances only. Most of the time I just get takeaway and eat it in front of my computer or on my sofa watching TV shows just as any other normal person."

I smile at her, grateful for that calming remark, and relax a little. Right, Liana is teaching me for representative purposes only, it's not like I'll be doing it every day.

After lunch, we form those work groups Bennett was talking about earlier. Me, Luvi, Erik, Rien and Ms Ortega make one group that's supposed to discuss social and cultural differences of new races while Liana, Fefnir, Ingri, Bauerova and Dubois make another that will focus on security. We take a smaller briefing room and connect to delegates that were assigned to us. I'm pleasantly surprised that Twyla and Werden also participate. So Deminas will be with Liana I assume?

This time Erik can sit next to me because Liana isn't present and Luvi takes the seat to my left. Our wings touch again so that she can keep advising me in secret. Still, from time to time I do ask about something aloud so that I don't arouse suspicion that I suddenly know too much.

Erik is gobbling every word and he's even taking notes. Did he decide to study politics from now on? I just hope he isn't doing it just for me but because it's something he wants to. He became the Royal Consort and that can mean many different things.

He can be simply my spouse and accompany me to official events and that's it. Or he can learn about politics and make it his proper job. That would certainly be very helpful but I don't want to force him. But as I know him, he wouldn't be able to do nothing. He's not material for a stay at home husband.

We work until five with just one short break for snack and coffee. Luviael is a great advisor, Ms Ortega is also more than willing to explain things to me and the delegates we're talking to aren't as scary as I originally thought. While they're quite adamant in their views, they can be reasoned with if presented with proper arguments.

"Let's end here for today," Ms Ortega finally says at ten past five. "Some of you had to wake up awfully early and we can continue tomorrow. It's not like we'll be able to solve everything after one meeting."

The projector goes off and I stretch with a relieved sigh. Despite the new chairs that are finally comfortable for Celestials, I feel sore after sitting the whole day. I glance at our newcomer who's been quiet during the whole meeting, sitting in the corner and also taking notes. I feel Rien's coping well and he's really content to be surrounded by Draconians.

I slowly stand up, careful not to bump into stuff or people with my wings. Luviael, Rien and Ms Ortega stand up quickly as well. Is this some protocol thing towards royalty I don't get? I look at Erik but he shrugs.

"Act normal, Jeeesus," I prolong. "We're not streaming."

Nobody smiles, they all look dead serious.

"The meeting was longer than I've anticipated," Luviael says, ignoring my comment. "You still have the magic training session, Your Majesty. We can shorten it but I'm afraid cancelling is out of question. Unless you're not feeling well."

"I'm fine," I assure her. "And I could use some exercise."

Erik grabs my hand and we're about to leave when I notice that Rien is nervously stepping in one place. Am I supposed to take care of him or something?

"So... ehm... you will live in the skyscraper I guess?" I say uncertainly. "Luvi, do we know when Emi should return?"

"We don't," my adjutant shakes her dead. "But Rien has already been assigned a room. I'm sorry but I'm afraid it won't be a private apartment, we're too full for that."

"Flat-sharing?" Rien widens his eyes.

I expect him to be offended because he's a rich kid after all but he gets excited. Well, at least he's looking forward to new experience. Luvi offers to show him into his room so we can get moving, saying goodbye to Ms Ortega. And then I face that damned tiny elevator again.

"Stairs?" I say hopefully.

"Don't be ridiculous, love, it's twelve floors," Erik shakes his head, pushes me gently inside but he hugs me immediately.

It's not as horrible the second time. The claustrophobia hits me again but now I expect it. I brief steadily, focusing on Erik's comforting emotions. And I survive. It wasn't pleasant but I managed. Still, I flee the metal box as soon as the door opens.

"You don't have to watch me training," I tell him when we stand in front of the fitness suite.

"I don't mind," he smiles. How I love that smile! But I can't drag him with me wherever I go. He needs some free time. He needs a break from me.

"I know you don't but it's a waste of time for you," I argue. "You should rest or do something fun for a change. When was even the last time we did something just for fun?"

"Since the Great Evolution... never I guess?" he starts thinking. "Okay, point taken but don't be late, okay?"

Then he turns to my guards. "At seven, I want my partner back home, understood?"

Surprisingly, the guards nod. I'm really glad they listen to him. I was afraid that they'd never take an order from a human. Well, maybe they wouldn't but they have to obey the Royal Consort at least.

"At seven," Erik repeats, kisses me and boards the elevator again. "Will you be okay on your way back...?"

"I should survive," I sigh. I can't rely on Erik riding the elevator with me every time I need to move. Claustrophobic or not, I have to learn how to deal with it myself.

"Your Majesty, you're here!" Taranah greets me enthusiastically the moment I appear in the fitness suite and bows. "Her Excellency also promised to show up but she's running late. Shall we start without her? Do you feel strong enough to cast? You have no idea how glad everyone is that you've recovered so quickly and can rule again."

"How have you progressed while I was indisposed?" I ask and try to ignore the fact that bowing is slowly transforming into something I'll have to face daily. And that everyone is acting so crazy when I show up.

"Marvellously," he boasts and shows me three elemental level 3 spells in a quick succession. "I think I'm finally getting the hang of releasing my mana. All the guards are training hard as well. We can't let the incident with your injury repeat ever again."

"Have you got into your growth spur?" I study his wings. They look significantly bigger than when I last saw him.

"I have," he grins proudly. "Oh, Your Majesty, I can't wait to be finally able to fly. Too bad we're several weeks behind you. You'll have to wait for us I'm afraid."

"Wait?" I tilt my head, confused.

"Of course, you can't go flying without us," he says as if it should be obvious to me. "We're already coming up with plans how to make our flying sessions safe. That terrorist attack only proved that we're in serious danger. When we go out, there's no telling what we're going to face. Therefore, we should focus on conjuring protective shields from now on."

I already attempted that before my injury but I didn't get far. Still, something he's just said bugs me. I'll have to wait for their wings to grow full size? Are they kidding? It's torture for me already not being able to exercise my new limbs and they want to keep me inside for weeks even after I become able to fly?

"I've succeeded in materialising the transfiguration symbol needed for the spell yesterday but I can't make it solid," Taranah casts Minor Shield in front of him, not noticing my annoyance. "Do you maybe have some suggestions, Your Majesty?"

I sigh and decide not to pursue the thing for now. It's something I have to discuss with Liana anyway. I take a deep breath to focus better and also try casting Minor Shield. The symbol does manifest but when I try touching it, my hand goes through.

We spent half an hour making the shield solid but we keep failing. When we apply too much mana, the symbol breaks. When too little, nothing happens. To be honest, I'm partly glad for it. I hope that if other Celestials finally catch up on me, they might stop treating me as the embodiment of magic.

"Sorry, I'm late," Liana shows up quarter past six and looks really tired.

Because our relationship is mended, I don't hesitate to go for a hug. Our wings touch and there's something really pleasant about our feathers brushing against each other. I discover that Liana is ever more tired that she lets show on her face.

"Go straight to bed, Li," I scold her. "You're in no condition to waste mana."

"But I have to train, we promised," she insists but her voice lacks her usual drive.

"Not if we're not feeling well, I'm sure," I shake my head and look at her guards. "Take the Viceroy to her apartment, she needs to rest."

Liana wants to protest but I can tell she's secretly glad for my intervention. I hope I wasn't acting weird in front of Taranah but it seems even he could tell that Liana is exhausted by just looking at her so he isn't suspecting anything.

"It's heart-warming to see how concerned you are for your subjects, Your Majesty," Taranah smiles and feels genuinely moved.

"Not a subject, Liana is my close friend," I correct him with a frown. "And I consider you my friend as well. Did you forget how many times we went for raids together when Draconia was still a game?"

"I didn't but this isn't just a game anymore," he objects. "I'm sorry for being so blunt but it's evident you don't realise how crushing your presence is, Your Majesty. I can't be familiar with you, it's simply impossible."

"C-crushing?" I'm confused by that word. Liana never mentioned anything.

Taranah stretches his wing and gently touches mine.

"I can feel your mana leaking, Your Majesty," he says and his golden eyes mirror both admiration and slight apprehension. "You're like a blinding sun. So full of magic. The Viceroy, despite being the second highest-ranked Celestial, doesn't come even close. Why are you holding back during our training?"

"I... I'm not holding back," I gasp at that accusation. "I'm struggling with this spell... just as you."

"Really?" he narrows his eyes. "So you're sabotaging yourself subconsciously?"

I stare at him. What the hell is he talking about?

"Your mana channelling is so delicate I can't even comprehend it," he says. "Yet, with this spell today... I noticed your hesitation each time the symbol gets more solid."

"I was recovering for more than a week, I'm just out of practice," I try to defend myself. "Our levels should be approximately the same now."

"Except you managed a level 10 healing spell that one time," Taranah says calmly.

He's still touching my wing so I carefully connect to his mind. I don't want to intrude his privacy but I need to know what he's thinking right now. I need to know how he sees me. His mind is totally Celestial, he doesn't even try to understand human thinking anymore. He gave up humanity completely.

And in his eyes, it's an unquestionable truth that I'm the Emperor.