BLAMELESS SORROWS

61. New generations.

Heri's Point of View.

Galen and me, we have been sitting in the back garden of the palace for a while now. Waiting for Grandpa Vasely, we are supposed to meet today.

Heri: I oddly felt nervous for some reason today.

Galen look at me as I said that and sigh in relieve?

Galen: Iam kind of glad that Iam not the only one feeling nervous. I mean I have been meeting grandpa Vasely for about fifteen years now and oddly I feel nervous meeting him today.

I nod at that totally agreeing with him.

Heri: Its like I have been caught doing something I shouldn't.

We nod together as I said that, while the door open when we were doing that and come grandpa looking as lively and lovely as always, that is what I wanted to say but he look all gloomy and anxious for some reason.

This is going to be a long day again, isn't it?

Galen: Grandpa, is something wrong? Why do you look so disturbed?

He shake his head nonchalant while we stood up looking all concerned at this point.

Grandpa: It's nothing kids, nothing to worry about here. Now come sit with grandpa for a bit.

With that we all sit down.

Heri: Are you sure you are okay grandpa, something wrong with Tilbe?

I ask concerned while grandpa smile at me.

Grandpa: You too are her sister. But no, Tilbe is all right. It's okay.

He smile at me again which put me at a little ease but why do I keep thinking there is something more to it.

Grandpa: But look at you lovebirds, I went away for three months and all my children have turn to lovers.

He look at us teasingly while Galen and me just smile at that.

Heri: Well, Tilbe is great at spreading information.

Grandpa chuckled at that. I mean the only one who knows about us and can tell it to grandpa is Tilbe. Also, not many people know about Galen and me, it's not that we tried to hide it but its also not like we announce it to the whole world.

Grandpa: Anyways you guys have my blessing, I wish you happines with whatever you guys do.

We smile or rather grin as he said that.

Heri: Thank you grandpa.

Galen: Thank a lot grandpa, it really means a lot to me.

Grandpa nod at that with a small smile on his bright face, that is before he suddenly become all serious and we knew this is business.

Grandpa: Now as for the real reason why I want to see you guys. It is for the succession of the throne.

We look at him comfused, what does he mean by succession of thrones?

I mean in Iklu a throne is succeeded only when the former ruler expire or when they are physically unable to rule anymore.

But grandpa is quite strong and well alive. So why is discussing succession of the throne now?

Galen: What about it?

Grandpa: Well Iam going to step down.

Both Galen and me look at him shocked when he said that, what? Why?

Galen: What?

Heri: What?

Grandpa: You two look quite alike when I look at you together like this.

I looked at grandpa in disbeleive, how can he drop a bomb at us and find time to make small talks at the middle of it.

Heri: Grandpa!!!!!

Grandpa: Okay okay, I just feel that Iam tired now and want to rest for a bit. And this three months Tilbe have done quite well and even Axel have. So I think I can be at ease now.

Wait was this three month vacation of his a test for Tilbe? And who is Axel?

Heri: So this absence of grandpa is a test for Tilbe?

Galen: And who is Axel?

Grandpa looked rather confused by our question or rather by Galen's question.

Grandpa: It can be taken as kind of a test and they passed. And as for the other question, Iam of the knowlege that you have meet my grandson Axel right?

Oh! Ax.

Heri: Yes, we do have met. But we never got to asking the name and besides you will know best but your grandson don't really talk or look at us really.

Grandpa chuckle as I said that, while I look at him with a serious expression.Iam quite serious here, curiousity is killing me.

Galen: And I can't really said that I have met him. I did meet him but we couldn't even said hello. So I just see him I guess.

Grandpa nod in understanding as he said that.

Grandpa: You guys are my trusted allies and my most loyal subjects. That is why Iam okay with you knowing his existence, but as you might have already guess there is some issue with him communicating and meeting others. So for less problems, I will rather you don't say anything about him to others or that you dont get curious about him at all, for the betterment of everyone.

Okay, this just make me more and more curious. And besides the last time I talk to him, his communication skills were quite good so what is the problem?

I mean the only problem I see is his eye but they never accept that as a problem.

Galen: So, by bringing him up despite such situation. Does this mean he is up for the succession of the throne as well?

Yes, either it's that or grandpa is just warning us about Axel himself so to make us more aware and careful of the problem and the consequences.

Grandpa: He is sadly not.

Heri: Then Tilbe will succeed.

Grandpa nod as I said that.

Oh, by the way its not that Iam no longer shock or anything like that. Its just I have decide to go with the flow.

And besides it's not like grandpa is going to tell me why he is doing so or anything like that. If he is going to, he will have told us by now.

Grandpa: There will be some noise about it as it is not done the normal way and besides Tilbe is still quite young and does not really have want guardian.

I look at grandpa confused as he said that.

Heri: She have you.

Grandpa smile at me as I said that.

Grandpa: Heri, child; grandpa is not getting any younger or stronger for that matter. So all this noisy problems which may cause Tilbe all the problem and stress, I want to solve it as much as I can when I still have time. And that time is not that long anymore.

Grandpa smile solemnly while Galen and me completely lost our smile looking at him scared.

Heri: Don't say such thing grandpa. You are still quite able and healthy. You will still live a long life, I swear you will got to see your great grand children from all of us as well.

I know what I said, but I don't even have time to blush at the moment.

Grandpa: I wish so do Heri, but just in case. I have to prepare my little ones so that they can live peacefully. And beside just cause I step down from the throne, it not like Iam not going to supervise and look after her.

I nod as he said that.

Galen: I know you will, and I hope you will. Tilbe is great in what she does and all of us are as well. But at the end of the day, we all need you grandpa to guide and lead us when we went through any kind of troubles. So please dont say such words and continue to be with us for a long long time.

Galen really do love grandpa. I really didn't know they were this close though. I just thought they work together and is close to grandpa like everyone else is, grandpa is really close to everyone. That is the type of person he is, warm and kind.

Grandpa: I will, but besides that Iam so glad that you also have someone to take care of and someone who will take care of you. You kids really have to be happy alright?

Both of us nod at that while he just smile and pat both if our heads.

Grandpa: I cant belive all of you are all grown up now. It seems like it was just yesterday when you guys come to the palace with your parents for the first time, all shy and hiding behind their backs.

Both of us chuckled as he said that, Galen ear a bit flushed by the embarrassing memory while that make me smile a bit more.

As far as my memory is concerned, he was quite an adorable kid as well. Always having the handsome face since he was small.

Grandpa: I just want to tell you guys to remain like this forever. Be it be with Tilbe or be it be with each other, never think of anything else but love each other. Fight but always know when to make up, argue but donr hurt each other at the process. Remember for Iklu to remain prosperous and peacefull , the three family has to be peaceful with each other as well. If you want to call Iklu your people and your family then these three family have to be family with each other first.

We nod as we listen to him.

Grandpa: And please look after Tilbe well for me will you? Scold her when it is needed, praise her when she did something good, and support her cause she really will need it at the long run. She is quite the innocent soul at times, so be harsh for hee stead when he is too soft while be the good for her when she is bad. Please be her happiness when she become miserable and always love and care for each other.

Why does this sound more and more like farewell somehow? No, no, don't think of such silly ideas. Nothing will happen, nothing can happen.

Galen: I promise, I will protect and will always be by Iklu side. And if peace in Iklu means taking care of Tilbe, then I will do it at the best of my ability.

Heri: Dont worry about it grandpa, Tilbe is a sister for me. And I will give my everything for her to be safe and for Iklu to be save.

Grandpa smile looking at us from his seat.

Grandpa: Can I take that as a promise.

Galen/Heri: Yes, we promise grandpa.

Grandpa stand up as we said that while we look at him curiously.

Grandpa: From this moment forth, this Iklu is under you guys now. Take care of it well so that old people like me can be proud and rest peacefully while the next generation will be in peace. But do evrything so that your generation can be happy.

Saying so he walk out of from the door he came in from while we sit there a bit starstruck and lost for some reason.