38.2. Uncomfortable - Part 2

"My Emperor, I was so scared when I heard," Gotrid is overjoyed that we finally have a chance to speak again. I still don't feel strong enough to work properly but I can at least talk to people online and encourage those who are far away and not in a good environment.

I haven't seen Gotrid for quite some time. While we're communicating with Celestial communities all over the world every day, there're so many that it's impossible to speak to everyone via a videocall on a regular basis. But I always find time for people I personally know from the game and ask how they're doing.

The only problem is that they stopped seeing me as their friend and completely switched to treating me as their Emperor. Gotrid was using my title ingame to teasingly flirt with me but there's not even a hint of tease when he calls me 'my Emperor' now. This is my new reality, I should probably just get used to it.

"You look good," I give him a smile and study his wings. They're growing slower than mine and Liana's but still getting bigger at a steady speed.

"Thanks, I just love them," Gotrid happily flutters his feathered limbs and proudly presents them in their current size.

A shiver goes down my spine. Something within me reacts wildly and I'm really grateful that Erik left to stretch his legs because whether I want to admit it or not, it inevitably arouses me. I don't know if it's because Gotrid is my type or because I just love the sight of nice wings, most probably the combination of both, but I can't help it. My Celestial libido is at fault here.

"How are things in the States?" I have to try hard to suppress that feeling and calm down, not letting anything show on my face.

"Well, turbulent," he shrugs. "Our first European embassy getting attacked made the situation even worse."

"How worse?" I'm almost afraid to ask.

"Her Excellency didn't tell you?" he tilts his head. I don't want to say that I'm still pissed at my Viceroy and haven't spoken to her since, but Gotrid immediately continues. "Naturally, Draconians were raging when it appeared in the news. Oh, Your Majesty, you were so godly in that video! You saved everyone!"

"Thanks," I blush. "And the public opinion? Sorry, I don't know much, Julia ordered absolute rest so the gang doesn't want to tell me anything solid."

He becomes serious in an instant.

"Thankfully, not many people approve of such brutal attack. Not even those who are totally against us," he says. "They know that it takes just a spark and there could be a civil war. For instance, if one of the rulers was killed. Even you just getting hurt is a big deal. Celestials are angry, seriously angry. And other races also aren't indifferent."

"B-but... they aren't doing anything?" I swallow. "I wouldn't want it."

"I know and they know as well so they stand by," Gotrid doesn't dare to lie. "And they're training like crazy these days, including me. Look," he conjures a level 2 flame with ease.

"Oh, nice!" I praise him.

"We want to be able to protect ourselves," he says and lets the flame dissolve. "And we also want to be ready when you'll need us, Your Majesty."

That takes me aback. Need? For what?

"Most of us in the US are just waiting for the government to lift the ban on Draconians travelling," he continues, not noticing my bewilderment. "The truth is, we long to be where our Emperor is. How can you not know, Your Majesty? It's our Celestial instinct to flock to our ruler, the embodiment of magic."

"I'm no embodiment of anything," I blurt out. "And I had no idea about it."

"I think the Viceroy wants to protect you from that for as long as possible," he ponders. "She's not telling you everything, especially now that you're recovering after such a serious injury. How does it feel to have...?"

"Horrible," I say and slowly pull my right wing closer to the camera. "It's totally crippling for a Celestial. Be careful, okay? Don't let anyone to hurt your precious wings."

"I won't," he says confidently. "I can protect myself now."

The door opens and Erik appears, his hands full of snacks. I refused to see it before but his jealousy is really obvious every time I'm talking with Gotrid, I can see it clearly now. I think he suspects Gotrid is my type. Well, he's right about actually that but that doesn't mean anything. I love Erik. Only him. I say goodbye to Gotrid and end the call.

"Is he okay? The situation isn't good in the States," Erik says with a rather fake interest in his apparent rival and tosses the snacks on the bed in front of me.

"Holding somehow... training," I answer vaguely on purpose and look at what he brought.

While he was trying to fetch some healthy sweets, they're still sweets. Not that I'm afraid of diabetes, Celestials burn sugar into mana without any side effects. I take a banana protein bar and bite into it. My dizziness wore off this morning when I woke up which also raised my appetite.

"The situation is crazy out there," Erik says while watching me nibbling, content that he doesn't have to force me. "More and more Draconians are flooding, trying to find a job and shelter here. Every Celestial I met was asking about you so I had a hard time to even get to the cafeteria. People were taking photos all the time and the guards were busy just keeping them off me."

"Well, you're my partner," I swallow and slowly bite again. "The Royal Consort."

"I know and I was prepared for a lot of attention. But I'm still surprised how crazy it is," he sighs. "Not that I'm complaining," he adds quickly. "I signed up for this."

His phone starts ringing when I'm reaching for an oat bar.

"My parents," he prolongs his face when he glances at the screen. "They've been texting me nonstop, especially after that attack."

"Take it," I nudge him. "Your parents are cool and they love you. They deserve to know what's happening with their son face to face, not just via texts."

"I know they are... it's just...," he looks at me, a request reflecting in his eyes. "Would you mind if we talked to them together?"

I stop eating, the bar halfway to my mouth. Wait a second! T-talk together? As if...?! Does that mean I'm about to officially meet them for the first time? Is that what it is? I'm suddenly so nervous! What if they hate me for taking their son? What if they disapprove of our relationship? Blame me that their son is all over the media, becoming a world-class celebrity basically overnight?

"Don't worry, you look beautiful even in your sleeping kimono," he kisses me on my cheek, misinterpreting my worries, and without actually waiting for my decision, he picks up.

"ERIK, YOU FINALLY PICKED UP! ARE YOU...?"

Erik's parents appear on the screen and freeze when they realise that their son isn't alone.

"The Celestial Emperor!" Erik's mother gasps for breath. She has the same eyes as him, how cute.

"Hello, it's really nice to meet you," I greet them timidly and look at Erik's father. Oh, so now I know from whom Erik inherited his adorable unruly hair. "You can call me Ryuuto or Aefener, whichever you prefer. I know that Draconians refuse using their human names but I don't mind."

"Mom, Dad, I'm okay as you can see," Erik says eagerly. "But Ryuuto was injured while protecting me... protecting everyone. But I guess you know about that from the news."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Erik's mom says extremely politely, evidently not wanting to offend me in any way.

"Just my name is fine, really, Mrs Anderle," I try to give her my best smile but I see how my golden eyes unnerve her. It doesn't help that I'm hugging Erik with my left wing either.

"How are you?" Erik tries to divert their attention. "Is the press and the EU still giving you trouble?"

"It calmed down a bit but it's still crazy," Erik's dad sighs. "Thanks for those bodyguards you hired us."

Oh, so Erik had to get bodyguards for his parents? He never mentioned that. I was naïve again and I didn't realise how inconvenient our relationship must be for them. My Grandma seems to enjoy the attention but she isn't exactly sane.

"I'm not saying it's easy," Erik says honestly. "But I don't regret anything. I'm serious about Ryuuto and he is about me. It doesn't matter to me who or what he is now."

"I can see that, hon," Erik's mom nods understandingly. "I guess more parents are going through the same—their kids suddenly dating another species."

"Only you had to choose to date the Celestial Emperor himself," Erik's dad sighs but plays it into a joke.

Erik's parents are genuinely good people, I can see that clearly. They're concerned for their son's happiness but at the same time they give him freedom to make his own choices. Naturally, they're worried sick but they aren't questioning him or our relationship.

"And I wouldn't exchange it for anything," Erik says confidently and clutches my hand.

"Well, His Majesty is definitely your type," Mrs Anderle grins, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Most beautiful, right?" Erik smirks and kisses me on my cheek. "Universal androgynous beauty."

"Y-you," I turn red and now it's me who decides to divert his parent's attention. "Mr and Mrs Anderle, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me, okay? I can give you money and protection."

"That's really kind, Your Majesty, but we're fine," Mr Anderle says confidently. "We'd welcome to finally meet the person our son is crazy about, though."

I think my heart just skipped a beat. Oh my God, it's here! They want to meet for real! And it doesn't seem they say it out of being polite, they genuinely want to get to know me. Come on, don't look rude, me! Invite them!

"That can be easily arranged," I nod eagerly. "Just say when you're free and my people will come to fetch you."

Are you sure, Ryuu? Erik asks me in his thoughts, a bit panicky all of a sudden. It's a big step, you'll get to know my family. I promised you that we'll take it slow and I mean to keep that promise.

I am sure, I answer quickly and I'm surprised myself that I wish for it so much. Erik's parents seem so nice, unlike my Gran. I can only guess how pleasant it must be to have a functional family.

"We'll text to Erik then," Mrs Anderle agrees and looks both nervous and excited about meeting me.

We end the call short after that and I suddenly get anxious. I'm really going to meet my boyfriend's family, it's official! This is what couples who are serious about each other should eventually do, right? It's completely normal, right? I shouldn't be freaking out, right? Or should I?

"What if they're going to hate me?" I voice my biggest worry.

"Oh, they'll love you," Erik assures me. "My parents are neither homophobic nor racists. They'll come to term with you being a different species. I think that if you were literally anyone else than the Emperor, they wouldn't see any issue. By the way, am I royalty now as well or do I have to marry you for that?"

I forget to breathe for several antagonising seconds of total astonishment. Did I hear right? Did Erik just casually mention marriage just now? In connection to me? Are wonders not going to end today?

"Oh, I guess I did," he scratches his freshly shaven chin. "I hope I didn't scare you. I'm fine taking things slow. I really am. And we know each other only for a year so there's no rush."

"N-no, that's not it," I shake my head violently. "It's just... are you really thinking...?"

"Well, one day?" he takes my hand and kisses it. And then he smirks because he can tell that I'm panicking and feeling embarrassed. But I'm exceedingly joyful as the same time.

"When the situation calms down and we have more time for each other," he continues because I'm still not able to put together a coherent sentence.

My imagination runs wild and I try to imagine that. Me and Erik truly living together, buying a house somewhere remote so that I can go flying without worries. Having a proper household, maybe even adopting a pet. Spending days together, happy about the most mundane things. Growing o---

Erik's eyes widen because he catches what I'm thinking about.

"Oh, Ryuu, that's a really sweet dream, but...," he bites his lips and his initial enthusiasm gets colder.

"But," I lower my head. "Not happening, right? We won't grow old together. My own race won't give me up so that I can live in peace somewhere just with you. The government won't stop being interested in me and the media won't stop chasing me."

"I'm afraid not," he gently caresses my hair. "But we can be happy wherever if we decide it so."

And then we start kissing and there's no more room for talking or being sad.