For a long while, Mulberry sat, perfectly still, watching Marcus. He was not crying, though he looked as if it wouldn't take much for him to start. He stared off into space aimlessly, his expression one of utter and abject misery. Occasionally he sighed, but he didn't say a word. Mulberry sat, cross-legged, until she felt her knees and her ankles and the backs of her calves start to stiffen uncomfortably. Then, with a loud, almost theatrical sigh, she broke her position, stretching out her legs, then knitting her fingers together and stretching out her arms.
She had an idea that could help Marcus. A good idea. She tilted her head to one side, her short, black hair shining in a thin beam of wintry sunlight. She smiled, the most pleasant smile she could manage, and said, "You miss her already, eh?"
Marcus shrugged, politeness or simply the desire to speak overwhelming his despondency. "It isn't fair. She was supposed to be mine. I found her. I promised to raise her. She was supposed to be my daughter."
"I know, Marcus. I know. I'll miss her too. But isn't it better that she knows her real father? A man who knew and loved her mother? She even has an older half-brother, now."
"And if she were with me, she'd have cousins, and a grandfather, and aunts."
"I know, Marcus, I know, but these really are her people. They really are her family. She knew the Emperor. Somehow, she knew him. Besides, I thought that maybe - "
“Yeah, she knew him.” Marcus stuck his lower lip out, like a child pouting. "Like in that stupid prophecy. I wish I had never heard of it!"
Mulberry sighed again, "So do I."
"So she's gone. My Aurelia turns out to be some stupid Princess Victoria, and they take her away from me. I'll never see her again, will I?”
Mulberry heard his voice catch in his throat.
“I – I think there might be a way to see her. Often," Mulberry said carefully, "For both of us to see her often. For you to help raise her, if you're interested."
Marcus made a face. "I'm not kidnapping her. The Emperor would have my head on a platter. Literally."
"That isn't what I meant."
“Alright, so what's your brilliant idea?”
“It isn't that brilliant,” Mulberry shrugged. “It's just that the Emperor promised you a reward. Of your choice. Why not ask to be Aurelia – er, Princess Victoria's – bodyguard? ”
Marcus tilted his head to the side, staring at Mulberry.
“He said he'd grant you any reasonable request, right? Well, this is reasonable. You were in the army, so you know how to fight -”
“I'm a clerk. I know how to fill out forms.”
“You do know how to fight! I saw you with that bandit! And besides, you love Aur – er, Princess Victoria – so you'd protect her with your life. And if you're her bodyguard, you'll probably spend more time with her than anybody! More time than the Emperor will, anyhow, with how busy he must be!
Marcus nodded his head. Then, slowly, he said, “You know that might – that might work. I'd get to see her, and spend time with her. More time than I would if I was in the army and you were raising her at home with my family. And if I'm working in the capital, rather than out on the borders with the army, that would please my dad.” Marcus snorted, “He'll think I'm less likely to show up dead, you see.”
Mulberry smiled, “So there you are. It solves all your problems.”
“But what about you? You'll still miss her. And it doesn't solve all my problems. Just the Aurelia problem, and the army problem. My father though, he still wants me to marry some-”
Impulsively, Mulberry leaned over and kissed his cheek. Marcus blinked in surprise.
“Oh,” he said, softly. “Do you mean, you and I - “
Mulberry nodded.
He stared at her. “But what about -”
Mulberry shrugged. “I'm willing to give it a try, Marcus. If you are. Shall we go try to catch up with the others?” She elbowed him.
Marcus stood up slowly, almost thoughtfully. He scowled at the empty throne, but then his expression softened. He turned to Mulberry, returning her smile.
“Sure, let's go.”
The End