#also i am laughing at NY lingo

[madaraism]

Hestia - Part V of Himeros

Ἑστία ; Of family, the home, domesticity and the state.

A/N: We’ve reached halfway! Thank you so much for the ongoing love and support for this series – I still can’t believe I’ve made it so far myself. Please read the previous parts here:

Part I – Himeros // Part II – Algea // Part III – Aletheia // Part IV – Apate // Part VI - Achlys

Summary: The damage done in one year can sometimes take ten years to repair, let alone the damage done in four.

Pairing: Liam x Riley

Rating: Mature           Trigger Warning: Sensitive topics regarding pregnancy.

Words: 7023

Inspirations for this chapter – Naked by James Arthur

Tag List: @hhiggs @theroyalweisme @itzmequeenb @alicars @cocomaxley @blackcatkita @trianiasti @viktoriapetit @umccall71 @topsyturvy-dream @kawairinrin @jayjay879 @bobasheebaby @choiceswreckedme @queencatherynerhys @laniquelove @philiasperanza @hopefulmoonobject @mfackenthal @hellospunkiebrewster @boneandfur @gracepedia @jared2612 @jamielea81 @ashtonmore @alwaysmychoices @hamulau @alwaysthebestchoice @pbchoicesobsessed @creatingjana @morriganswife

“…I only need you, Mom.”

Embarrassed, shame and guilt.

It is an odd mixture of emotions, but Riley feels every single one of them so strongly. Her heart clenches and she can feel her insides do countless flips. She is almost unwilling to look at Liam who stands a few steps behind her.

She wants to get angry at Levi, but she can’t bring herself to.

He sits so innocently in front of her, mindlessly reading, flipping the page every now and then, his finger following the words as he reads.

“But Levi,” Riley starts, her voice is small and weak, breaking at the end of his name, “Liam is your dad…”

She feels like she is almost pressuring the boy, to force him to accept the idea of another man coming into their lives so suddenly, so abruptly.

But he is reluctant and refusing; building a brick wall to protect himself from the very idea. His finger pauses on the page again, gaze remaining on the book itself, unmoving, before he finally looks up at Riley after a moment of contemplation.

“…You’re my mommy because you were with me the whole time…” Levi pauses, his eyes moving back down, “If he is my daddy then why wasn’t he with you? Or me?”

Every word that he utters hits her like arrows through her very being.

And Riley questions her every motive, her every action that she has done since the day she decided to leave Cordonia. Her heart is heavy and she can barely feel the air entering and leaving her lungs, her body is shaking and she cannot control the tears rolling down her face as she stares at her son.

Oh, my poor Levi.

My poor, poor Levi.

…What have I done?

She has unknowingly broken Levi by creating their own little bubble in a bustling city. One that was self-maintained, self-sufficient and self-caring. The outside world didn’t matter to her as she took each day as an almost impossible hurdle and she had unknowingly passed that on to him.

The guilt she has is immeasurable. It weighs her down like anchors in the ocean. She struggles to breathe; her voice and sense of self has lost all meaning.

All that she wanted to do was to protect him, to give him a life full of happiness and laughter.

She thought leaving Cordonia would be the right way – the only way to achieve this. Yet here they are, a crying heap of a mess on the cold floor once again.

Was it the wrong choice?

She finds herself hugging his small figure, eyes clenched shut with her mouth open in silent agony. Levi sits there, taking it in as he always does, his arms trying their best to wrap themselves around his sobbing mother.

His words come out automatically.

“It’ll be okay, Mom. It’ll be okay. I’m here…” His voice is quiet and he lets her cry.

Mature.

Brave.

But oh, so burdened.

Liam’s jaw is clenched. His lips are trembling as he watches the scene unravel before his very eyes.

He feels his stiff body come loose, moving on its own to be next to Riley and Levi. He collapses onto his knees as he brings the both of them close into his arms, into his chest. He had wanted to respect their bond as mother and son, to respect his son’s wishes and allow him the time to get used to him as a father, but to see his son…

To see such a small boy who is nearly five, taking on the role as an adult, as the protector, as the nurturer…

His chest is tight.

His arms, strong and toned, hugs them closer, wanting to keep the two of them safe.

His chest is heaving.

His tears reflect the guilt that he feels; the guilt of his absence that caused this to happen, the pain in his body constricting his lungs as his mind counts the number of times that this scene could have possibly played in this very apartment – perhaps even in this very spot.

How broken Riley must be.

How often something like this must’ve happened for their son to be so calm and nurturing in such a traumatic situation.

And Liam thinks of how much of a failure he is as he weeps with them.

Failure as a King who has unknowingly pushed the love of his life away with his titles and rules.

Failure as a ruler who could not produce an heir with his lawful Queen.

Failure as a lover who could not protect their other half from countless scandals and lies and from the cruelness of the world.

Failure as a father who could not provide his son a joyous, caring and nurturing start to life.

And for what?

For duty?

But at what cost?

He recalls the night that he told Riley about Constantine and Regina pushing for an heir.

He recalls himself avoiding her eyes, avoiding the topic of leadership, of ruling, of duty and of abdication.

He would’ve abdicated in a heartbeat if she asked him to.

But he didn’t even give her the chance.

…A child should not be in a position to look after an adult. Ever.

Yet his son. His own son, not even five…

Levi is a child leading a broken adult.

Riley is strong in the face of the world, but behind closed doors she will let the tears slip. She will let the pain envelop her in silent, private moments, no matter how secret, no matter how hidden, it was at the expense of Levi.

Liam’s lips still tremble as he tries to bite back his tears. He had to be strong; if not for himself then for Riley and Levi.

He uses his touches and caresses to soothe Riley – it was one that he realises when he looks down at his son, that Levi does as well. Their hands rub in the shape of an oval along Riley’s back – mimicking, mirroring, in their nature.

Her tears have stopped but her breath still stutters as she tries to calm herself. She swallows, a whimper escaping her lips as she tries to be strong.

As if it is a routine, Riley looks into Levi’s eyes, almost as if she’s searching for something. When she sees his gentle smile, she feels slightly relieved. “I’m sorry, Levi…”

She means to apologise for crying, to apologise for not telling him about Liam, for not being able to give him the best start in life because of how things happened between them. Her apology seemed simple. Small words with such a heavy meaning behind it.

Levi just grins, his voice is sheepish. “My book is all wet, Mom.”

Riley’s smiles as she rubs the clinging tears away from her lashes, “Well, we can go to the library and-”

“I…” Liam starts, his hands now by his side. “I got Levi something.”

His walk over to the dining table is brisk and he comes back with a book which he places it on Levi’s lap.

“…The Little Prince…” Levi reads; he is fluent but requires the aid and guide of his finger. His love for reading has allowed his skills to surpass other children of his age.

Riley nibbles on her lip when she sees the title and she shoots a worried look over to Liam; she hopes – she begs that he wouldn’t tell him just yet. It was too soon, too big of a change.

“It is a fantastic novella, so beautifully written. It tells of different messages and morals for the reader.” Liam is fond of the book, Levi can tell.

The boy is almost shy as his eyes trails over the cover of the book, instead of meeting his father’s face.

He mumbles out of the politeness that his mother has taught him, “Thank you…”

And Liam feels his heart become warm at the small sign of acceptance; a long journey to go, he knows, but a small win paves a way for a bigger victory.

“I can read it to you… at bed time if you would like…?” Liam is hesitant in his words, his voice slow, testing.

But the distance is still there. The awkwardness, the unfamiliarity, the fear of stepping into the unknown…

His son shakes his head ever so slightly – he is quiet again, a hand clutching onto the hem of his mother’s shirt.

Riley smiles gently and tries to reassure Liam, “Maybe later? We’re still working through Matilda at the moment…”

Liam gives a curt nod, his eyes still lingering on Levi. He is so desperate to shower him with love, with his hugs, with his knowledge and countless stories of his life, his life with Riley, his life as a prince, his life in Cordonia and as their King…

So many stories he wants to tell, so many words of wisdom, places to show his son… his kingdom… their kingdom.

He feels the tug at his heart again as Riley picks up Levi to go about their nightly routine in preparation for bedtime. Liam’s eyes follow their every move.

He is so envious of the connection that Riley has with Levi but also so admiring and in awe; the way that Levi rests his head on Riley’s shoulder, eyes drooping; the way Riley would press kisses to his cheek, her fingers running through his hair.

Liam sees how the two of them are so fluent and in tempo with each other, how the world revolves just around them in the bubble that they have created, and he sits there. His presence alone is like a sharp knife or an ever-curious cat, peering and prying, trying to find a way in, to burst that metaphorical bubble.

His brain is muted after the stress of events from today. A blank, quiet void.

He finds himself in front of the bookshelf – books upon books sandwiched together, most of them old and worn out like they have managed to survive through countless of garage sales. Their binders torn but still somehow serving as a solid skeleton for its pages, hanging on by just a thread. There are picture books and there are short novels for children, and Liam wonders just how many of these has Riley read to Levi, and how many of these can Levi read by himself.

He discovers a photo album and he pours himself over each page, drinking thirstily over the lost moments. He sees pictures of his son as a newborn and pictures of him achieving various milestones; clasping his tiny fingers around Riley’s index; holding his own bottle as he drinks while he peers curiously into the camera; his son crawling along the floor to reach a toy; his first steps without any support; him reading so calmly and at peace with himself at what looked like a public library and a recent one, where Levi sits in the middle of bath time bubbles with a displeased frown on his face.

Liam is silent, losing himself in a series of thoughts that are less than coherent. His eyes are unblinking but he knows he is crying.

And he is so unbelievably sad.

Sad at how Riley took on herself this entire journey for the sake of protecting him when it should be him protecting her and their son.

Sad at how he will never be able to rewind to retrieve and witness these moments as if he was there. Never to share laughter and pride at the things Levi has said or has done.

Sad at how his role as King has chained him into doing something that he would regret for the rest of his life, tormenting him each waking, breathing moment. Knives in his heart when he would remember Madeleine and Regina breathing down his neck to remind him of his duty to his country.

And the guilt.

Oh, the guilt.

“…I took those with the hope that if you ever found out about Levi, or Levi ever asks about you when he is older… that you would want to know everything about him.” Riley speaks from behind him, her voice quiet and gentle.

Levi must be asleep already.

He turns to look at her, a sombre expression on his face.

He places the album down and steps in, his hands on either side of her face as he presses his lips to hers.

He isn’t quite sure how to express what he feels in words, so he tries to translate his thoughts through his kiss.

Liam’s lips are slow against Riley’s. So soft and so gentle, tenderly moving against hers whilst his brows furrow in mixed sadness and frustration. His thumb, sweeping across her cheek repeatedly. His heart is heavy and so full of guilt, he feels almost undeserving to be kissing her.

Undeserving to have missed her presence, to have her body against his and to have her kissing him back.

It is an innocent, intimate moment.

His breath is shaking when he pulls away. His body shudders against her touch and he pulls her closer into his arms to steady himself.

Liam’s eyes are half-lidded and laced with tears. His eyes are full of sadness, remorse and a strong sense of guilt. When he speaks, his voice is broken.

“Riley, I… I apologise that I was not a good enough King to protect you.” He swallows, pausing, thinking. “I apologise that I could not have been a better father for Levi. That I wasn’t there to be with you every second of the way for the past few years.”

She wants to speak, but he stops her.

In every single way, he is still hurt from her words earlier when they were in Central Park.

But truth never promised to come sugar-coated. It never promised it wouldn’t hurt to hear.

He is still hurt and angry for missing out on Riley’s pregnancy and Levi’s upbringing, but he understands her reasons for leaving Cordonia, as upsetting and difficult it may have been for the both of them.

His voice lowers even further, eyes now focusing on anywhere but her own, “And I’m sorry… for what happened with Tariq, with Madeleine… Regina and my father’s expectations… I’m so sorry for not being able to do anything and for putting you in such a position, my love…”

He feels himself break before her. His nostrils flare and his jaw is squared as he forces his eyes to remain open, letting the tears blur his vision.

And she feels herself break at his words. Her hand is against his own cheek, mirroring his own. Her fingers caress his peppered stubble and her thumb reaches up to wipe away fleeing tears.

“I never once blamed you, Liam. You are king, but you are not God.” Riley forces him to meet her gaze, and the regret that she sees in his eyes makes her weep for him.

“We were put in an uncompromising situation that we both hated and yes, it was hell. Yes, things aren’t how we would like it to be, but I never, ever, once blamed you. We can’t help that shit happens but I never blamed you and I never stopped loving you, Liam.”

A broken smile; but she can see her words mending him slowly.

She treasures his presence around her and the feeling of his lips meeting her forehead. His voice is soft and she smiles at the warmth of his words.

“…I never stopped loving you too, Riley Brooks.”

-

Over the next few days, they enjoy and relish in the company of each other, but they are cautious and slow at the freedom presented.

Their familiarity was of hushed, heated and stolen moments, but now their lives is at their own liberty and choice.

The moments they spend on Riley’s uncomfortable couch is civil as they reminisce over the past years with wine. With the topic of a secret son and attempts to reproduce an heir off their shoulders, they explore other conversational topics.

They discuss of their current relationship in each other’s lives and where they stand with each other now that Madeleine is out of the picture.

And Liam shares his hopes of Levi accepting his role as crown prince; a future that they share together as a happy and loving family, one where Riley is able to stand by his side in public, hand in hand, to be able to share loving glances at each other without secrecy, for her to stand by his side and rule together as Cordonia’s King and Queen.

He shares how Levi’s role in Cordonia will provide stability in his country, and while it may seem so unbelievably unreal at the moment, it can be so easily achieved if Riley were to leave with him back to Cordonia with Levi.

It seems almost like a farfetched utopian dream for Riley.

So simple, so easy, yet so unrealistic.

She has grown since the time she worked at the bar as the server for Liam’s then-bachelor party.

The years of endless trials and hardship has hardened her, the scars that she carries in her heart, the dirt in her name and Levi’s very presence and upbringing a repercussion of her childish naïvety back in the day, in a time where she believed she was stuck in some dead-end job.

She still was, of course.

Job after job, shift after shift, but Levi’s presence and future gave her the power to fight, to endure and as something to persevere for.

Riley shares with him these worries that serve as a reason for her not wanting to return to Cordonia. His country may need the stability, but so did she. She did not suffer for the past five years of her life and all of Levi’s four to be swept off by some sugar-coated words of a prince or some noble again, she decides.

She tells him that for the time being, she wants to keep their relationship with a sense of normality. She tells him that she will still be attending her jobs for the time being as a form of safety net in case anything happens.

She cannot be Queen whilst Tariq is still unwilling to admit to his crimes, she reasons, and she is doubtful and unconvinced of her ability to rule the country that Liam so loves.

Riley had once thought she was capable of being Queen, but when Levi was born and she sees the complications of it all, the difficulties, the rumours, the lies and the endless mind games for political advancement… she questions if she is proficient, if she is skilled enough and if she would ever be ready to face it all again – especially when her predecessor was Madeleine, a well-bred, natural Queen.

Riley has hardened with the reality of her life but also broken from the terrors of it all; it was something that she had accepted when she became his mistress, when she fell pregnant with his child, when she decided to leave Cordonia.

So, she had made a promise to herself when Levi was born.

She promised herself that she would not return on some whim, on some love-sick spell that Liam could so easily cast on her.

That she would not leave the safety of her small apartment in New York unless Levi himself knew what was going on, knew clearly who he was and what it meant to be a future ruler.

That she would not leave her safe haven of America for the ruthless battlefield of political drama in Cordonia unless Levi wanted to.

Liam, despite being saddened by the conditions that Riley draws, is understanding of where she comes from. He reassures her time and time again that she would always be a great Queen – she has proven herself to be more than worthy and capable countless times. He reassures her that Bastien will handle her situation with Tariq, and he reassures her that he will love and care for both her and Levi.

He is so desperate for his wish of the three of them being together, in Cordonia. For the three of them to admire the beauty that is his home and country, to love Cordonia like how he does and to understand the impact they could have on his country and the many lives within.

But Liam is also understanding and reasonable. He tells Riley that he will lengthen his stay in New York City for just a while longer. He tells her that he will deal with Cordonia by having his paperwork sent over in almost secrecy, for the sake of Levi and Riley. He promises to her that his priorities first and foremost are as a father to Levi, to bond with him and look after him while Riley worked.

Their talks, while genuine and serious can end up being such distractions. Murmurs of ‘I love you’s and ‘I missed you’s in between heated kisses, their touches trailing fire on each other’s skin as they would hold each other desperately on the couch like a pair of love-sick teenagers.

But all of this was met with unsatisfying cold showers.

The chemistry was there, the want was there, the need was there, but Riley would always excuse herself before anything got too serious or crossed any lines.

She doesn’t tell him, but the churn of almost insoluble disgust, disappointment and betrayal still remains in her body when his hands would ever stray too far south.

The thought of him with Madeleine made her scrub herself down in the shower until her skin is bright red.

Much to Levi’s delight and Liam’s understandable dismay, Riley spends her nights in their son’s room.

Liam finds conversation elsewhere and he is so full of interest of his son – his questions about Levi rolling off his tongue like second nature.

She shares Levi’s obvious delight in reading and also in the arts. She shares how whilst he isn’t a clingy child, he is protective, always asking her if she will be okay, if he makes her happy and if she will promise him to smile. She shares how Levi is predominantly a quiet child, but she always notices how his eyes are constantly searching, always observing as if he is analysing and calculating. She shares how blunt he can sometimes be, how he will point out her lies when she tries to tell him she is okay.

She shares to Liam her worries as a mother – thought on if she is doing enough, if she had done the right thing and her worries for his future; not of his role as crown prince, no, she avoids the topic, but more so on how he will view the world. She recognises and admits that his upbringing has been rocky and may not have been the best, but even more importantly, how his temperament and attachment to her has had such a big impact on him when she interacts with someone new. Levi is always cautious in these cases, his eyes constantly peering with distrust as he would cling onto his mother’s leg almost protectively.

And Liam entering into their lives is an evidence of this.

They can see how strongly Levi has stuck to his words of not needing a father. When he is not distracted by his mother, his books or various curious scribbles on scraps of paper, his dark eyes follow Liam’s every move; it didn’t matter what he was doing, he could be cooking breakfast, doing paperwork or simply reading the paper – Levi’s eyes would be on him.

Yet, Liam does notice how as time progresses, Levi would slowly stop pulling Riley away when he talked to her, or when his simple, innocent caresses lingers for a bit too long.

It must be quite different, this change of pace… Liam would wonder each morning when he would drown Riley’s apartment with the aroma of pancakes with the traditional Cordonian twist of apple spice.

He remembers the first morning when Riley and Levi awoke to him gowned in an apron, serving up Cordonian pancakes for the both of them with a breakfast beverage – a simple cup of coffee regular for Riley and a pairing cup of apple juice for Levi. He remembers the reminiscing look on Riley’s face and the ever cautious one on Levi’s. His son was slow to eat the cut-up pieces Riley gives him, but Liam could tell how much he loved it by the way he would stare longingly at the rest of the stack, which Liam would then cut up for him.

Liam had taken on the role of a domesticated father-figure, and he is so pleased with the routine that they have developed.

Each morning, he makes sure to get up before Riley does to pack her lunch and prepare breakfast for Riley, Levi and himself. Depending on Riley’s shift for that day, Liam would bring Levi along, much to their son’s pleasure, to send Riley off for work. It was something that Levi had never experienced before, since he as either ushered into day care or Daniel would look after him.

Levi and Liam would then venture around, exploring local libraries or even Central Park, if Levi’s legs could carry him that far. Liam has offered countless times to carry him, but he has refused, explaining many days later when he would ask again, that he was turning five very soon and that he didn’t need to be carried.

If Riley’s schedule persists, they would meet up to enjoy lunch together. Afterwards, Liam would take Levi home, where Levi would spend some time resting with a book, playing with his toys or doing a drawing, whilst his father would work on the growing stack of paperwork on the very cluttered dining table.

When Riley returns from work, she would be greeted by Liam’s homecooked dinners. Some were a hit-and-miss as he tries out new recipes that would result in Riley needing to order Chinese takeaway. She is both worried and impressed that Liam hadn’t turned the building into rubble. Their dinners would never be void of any wine or fresh flowers and would always be filled with conversations of what they did each day. Riley remembers seeing the sparkle in Liam’s eye when he would share that Levi, despite how unwilling he was at first to accompany Liam anywhere, to have any prolonged conversations with him or respond to his suggestions, helped mix, or helped season the food on the table. And Riley would remember Levi being specific on which dishes he helped to make and would claim it to be the best one on the table.

Her mischievous little chefs, Riley would call them.

And Liam would wash up the dishes, wipe the benches and sweep the floors. He would pack away the toys that Levi has played with and put bookmarks in the books that he hadn’t finish while Riley bathed him. He would join them later when Levi was tucked up in bed, and with Matilda finally finished, Liam took the liberty to begin reading him The Little Prince.

Liam loves how Levi’s eyes would droop to the sound of his voice once he has gotten past a few pages. He admires how his long lashes would flutter when he desperately tries to stay awake to listen to the story. He loves how Levi sleeps on his side, his hands clutching onto the duvet cover to keep himself warm and tucked in. And he admires his gentle breathing when he finally succumbs to sleep, the way his blanket would follow the slow rise and fall of his chest.

Liam treasured these moments so much, that somehow, everything that had happened since Riley’s departure pales heavily in comparison.

He hasn’t had the pleasure to think about or even explore domestic life since prior to Leo’s abdication. He had been so envious of the life that his brother was now living with his wife, that he feels a great sense of pride that he was now experiencing the same thing, even if it wasn’t in an ideal situation. It was pleasant, however, to experience a slice of life that was in some ways, disconnected to the crown and the court.

He admires the effort that he has put in into their current situation. His relationship with Levi was still sometimes rocky, but it was definitely on the improving edge. At times, Levi would initiate simple conversations which Liam would try to pursue it into something longer and at times, Levi would barely utter a word to him. Liam understands the complications of the current situation and how odd it must be for Levi to take in his constant presence into his life in just a few weeks.

He admires how his relationship with Riley was also improving. Her tears are now replaced with laughter and smiles, their hugs and kisses at the door were of happy nature as they were only exchanged when Riley came home from work, and not because he was the one leaving to be with his legal wife.

Their roles were almost reversed from when they were in Cordonia, Liam notes. It was a nice change from all the tears and longing for each other.

Liam is hopeful of their future, at the very least.

But despite the happiness that they shared, they forget that their situation was forged on a temporary basis and that their expiration date was drawing closer with every passing day.

It all begins when Liam was concentrating on paperwork that sat in the depressingly red despatch box. Bastien makes it an effort to bring over his work every other day, filled to the brim with documents that he needed to sign, papers that he needed to stamp, sheets that he needed to approve, or to simply read.

Levi would ask him simple questions over the weeks out of curiosity. When he spoke to Liam or simply just observing over the edge of his book, his eyes would linger on the different parchments of papers, the red and the gold detail, the various stamps that sat within that red box…

They fail to realise that each individual situation affected the outcome, a butterfly effect of events that forced them to remember the elephant in the room – the last, heavy topic that they have been avoiding.

All of Levi’s questions were short and never on the same day.

It starts with Liam’s accent.

Simple, curious and innocent.

The boy points out the way Liam spoke differently, how he pronounced things differently and even at times spoke in a different language.

European, Liam had replied.

“I was born and raised in a small country in Europe called Cordonia.”, were his exact words.

Liam, being interested in sharing his home, would ask Bastien to bring pictures of Cordonia, and he would receive them the next time he delivered The King’s despatch box.

And Liam would take his time over days, weeks to share the pictures. He tries to describe every detail that he knows and remembers.

The saltiness of the air from the Mediterranean beaches, the crunch of sticks and grass beneath his feet at Applewood Manor, the smell of fresh apples and other various apple themed delicacies, the dusty red colour of tiles, the hustle and bustle of street stalls on a busy market day, the colour, texture and shapes of the stones that makes up Cordonia’s town centre, the cool, crisp water that sprouts out from the famous King Fabian statue, the grandness and height of the bell tower…

He shares with Levi the memories that he has of his mother at the Cordonian library in that very town centre; how he remembers her jasmine perfume, the way the wind would ruffle her hair as they sat on the steps of the library and the way she loved and appreciated books like how Levi did.

“It looks like the New York Public Library here.” Levi had murmured while looking at the pictures.

And Liam would grin when he thinks of the similarities. “The stones are a bit darker in Cordonia. Not as white, and certainly not as big. New York is much bigger than Cordonia, you see.”

The next time Levi brings up Cordonia again, Liam had just gotten off the phone and had realised that he was staring at him.

“…You sound like Aunty Hana.” Levi would insinuate, “And that blonde lady who came to speak to Mom. …Are they from Cordonia too?”

And Liam would nod, remembering Riley mentioning about Hana being her main support over the years and of Madeleine’s very brief, very awkward visit.

And other questions would pop up from time to time.

Questions about Riley in Cordonia.

Questions about the oceans and the beaches.

Questions about the weather and the seasons.

Questions about their obsession with apples.

And Liam is happy to see the curiosity in his eyes, happy that he is eager to learn and to ask. When Riley is there, she too, is happy to share her memories of Cordonia.

But Levi has been staring at it for weeks.

The curious red box that sits on the table. That specific and peculiar shade of red that sticks out in their small and bland apartment. The intricate gold designs that looked like it was symbolic for something. And the gold-stamped letters on the open lid, upside down when it was open.

And when he finally notices the lettering one afternoon, Levi turns his head to try and read what it says. His eyes take in the intricate details of the sigil and how the stamped letters sit in the middle at the bottom, close to the edge.

And he reads the golden, bold letters.

THE KING

He remembers blinking.

He remembers thinking how it was possibly some form of toy; yet the seriousness that showed on Liam’s face and the concentration sketched into his brows showed that it wasn’t some play thing.

It was a look that mirrored his mother’s face when she sat in the same chair, sorting and looking through bills.

It happens a few days later when the three of them sit down for dinner, picking at the small, white takeaway boxes from Panda Express.

Liam and Riley chat away, laughing at something that happened at Riley’s work when Levi suddenly speaks.

His eyes are focused on the food in front of him.

“…What’s the difference between a president and a king?”

A pregnant pause.

Liam is the first to speak, and Levi takes in his words – something about a president being voted in by people for a few years while kingship is hereditary, for life, but both serving as a ruler, as a representative of the country they live in.

Another pause, as Levi pushes the food around on his plate.

“…Does Cordonia have a president or a king?”

“…A King.” Liam replies, a sense of calmness in the situation as he moves his hand to hold onto Riley’s shaking one.

She was deathly pale and quiet, holding her breath. Her mind was not working as quick as she would like, and she was still swaying between if she should or should not tell Levi about his roots.

Liam’s grip on her hand tightens in reassurance as Levi finally looks up at him.

His gaze, Liam notes, is calm, predicting and almost expecting of Liam’s next words.

“And I am the King of Cordonia.”

But Liam can also see the storm of unsorted emotions brewing in his son’s body.

“…Is that why it reads ‘The King’ on your red box?” Levi asks, his eyes unwavering.

So that’s where he found out.

Liam nods.

Riley was not wrong when she said he was observant for a four-year-old.

­-

Instead of the somewhat usual laughter that night, the apartment was filled with eerie silence.

When Riley and Liam enter Levi’s bedroom, he is quiet, sitting in his bed with The Little Prince on his lap, already flipping through the pages and attempting to read the earlier parts.

Riley is quiet, still lost in her own thoughts. She allows Liam to do the talking.

Liam is calm. He sits on the floor so he is at eye-level with Levi – a simple tactic that he has learnt to use in order to convey that he is on Levi’s side, that he trusts him and respects him.

He explains to Levi that he is the Crown Prince of Cordonia and what having that title means. He explains to him the rules and expectations as crown prince, but he also conveys the joys of being able to create change, to shape the future for the better. He reminds him of the conversations that they have had on Cordonia for the past days and weeks; he reminds Levi how much he said he loved the colour of the beaches, the apple delicacies and the Cordonian library. He reminds him of the time that his mother has spent there and how much she had enjoyed it and made countless friends like Aunty Hana.

And Riley jumps in finally when Levi remains silent. She blurts out words of reason, telling him that it also means meeting people who will not trust him and not love him like how Liam and herself does. She tells him how people will talk behind his back and say mean things, but there will be so many people who will love him if he were to love Cordonia like how he loves her. She tells him that being the Crown Prince of Cordonia will mean that they will be able to spend more time with Liam as a family.

They both reason to him collectively, agreeing with each other that he doesn’t need to accept the role as Crown Prince straight away, or ever, if he chooses. They repeat to Levi what Liam had said over dinner, that it was just a hereditary status, that he can take time to think and consider the role that was given to him when he was born.

Levi is still quiet.

It is a lot to take in.

“We can go back to Cordonia together, and you can decide then if you want to stay, Levi.” Liam says, trying to reassure him.

“And we can come back to America if you don’t want to be there, my love”, Riley mumbles, agreeing to Liam’s words as she squeezes and rubs Levi’s hand out of nervousness, out of love and out of worry.

Levi looks at Riley, then Liam, then back at Riley.

He blinks, then stares at his mother’s hand over his own.

He swallows.

And nods, a quiet “Okay.” leaving his lips.

-

He is reassured, over and over again.

He is hugged, over and over again.

He is kissed, over and over again.

They turn off the light in his room after tucking him into bed, wishing him goodnight.

But his eyes stay open, looking at the flashing lights of a plane so far away in the sky.

He thinks back to the book that Liam had given him and there is a slight frown on his brows.

The slight distrust and questioning returning to his eyes.

The Little Prince…

…The Little Prince.

He thinks back to Liam who had read him parts of the story.

And he remembers the different elements presented, written, drawn and explored in the story. The king with no subjects; the contradicting man; the mindless followers; the materialistic businessman; the lonely geographer…

He wonders how many of these people he will meet – what personalities they would all have, how they would interact with him, with Liam, and with his mother.

He is curious and slightly interested.

He doesn’t fully comprehend the situation, but he is sure of one thing when he recalls the whispered conversation shared between his mother and Liam a few days ago.

“Must you go…?”

“I have to… I need to make an appearance for a while, but I will be back as soon as I can, my love.”

“Levi will miss you… he won’t say it but I know he will. And I’ll miss you…”

“I know, my love. I’ll miss the two of you, too.”

And he remembers recognising the quiet sobs coming from his mother and Levi can still feel the uncomfortable tug at his heart.

He can still feel the uncertainty of his mother’s wellbeing that resurfaced in the twists and turns of his stomach if Liam were to leave. The flashing images that crosses his mind of his mother curled up in bed or on the floor somewhere, hands in her face whilst she cries…

He didn’t care about Liam being a king.

He didn’t care about him being a prince.

But he was determined to protect only one person.

He closes his eyes, wishing for sleep to take him.

Levi doesn’t dare to tell his mother that he only said yes because he could see how happy the man who calls himself his dad made her.

-

“What is the meaning of this?”

Cold, abrupt judgement.

“My statement for the press. She has a son.” She is calm.

A scrunched-up paper meets the carpeted floor.

“I do not care if she has a son. There is no valid proof that he is the descendent of the crown.”

“You are forgetting what age we are in, my dear Aunt. Paternal tests exist.” Short and brash.

“Tests can make mistakes. Results can be forged. You, are Queen.” Calculating. Ridiculing.

“…”, Her green eyes are icy as they narrow just the slightest, “And what would you presume I do with this child of mine?”

The Queen Mother’s eyes gazes at the scenery of the garden outside from the tall window. Her thin lips meet the rim of her teacup.

“Nothing but a tiny obstacle. You should know what to do.”

A pause as she drinks.

“Cordonia will not do with a bastard child as their crown prince, Madeleine. Especially not with that whore of a woman as Queen.”

--

Part 6: Achlys