Chapter five

Kaliya’s pov

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“He is perfect and so dreamy,” Lumi said as we sat there watching the rest of the introductory ceremony unfold. I had no understanding of what the word 'dreamy' meant but I could tell she was happy and that was all that mattered.

“I'm just glad he isn't ugly, I would have announced my uninterest in marrying,” she said again.

“As if,” I responded and we both chuckled. The thing was, whether he was ugly or not Lumi didn't have a choice, at least from what I know about marriages. It only would have been sad if he were ugly because she was going to live with him forever and that was disturbing.

I looked around having never seen this much crowd, I was uncomfortable at first but I felt more at ease with Lumi around.

“Do you think he is telling Uncle that he is no longer interested in this marriage?” There was panic in her eyes as she stared up at me, I shook my head.

“Just because he tried to shake me and got his hand swatted away doesn’t mean it’s going to be the end of your wedding, father is probably just letting him know that he should never do that”

“That is true, he is an outsider and knows nothing about our culture, he is being educated, I am sure”

I nodded my head, that has to be it.

“But why is it taking so long? I mean what are they still talking about ”

Sighing I turned and held her hand giving it a light squeeze.

“Just so you know I am smiling, “ I said and she chuckled, I had to say it out because there was no way she could tell with my coverings.

“Just relax okay, it has started, nothing is stopping it, besides I prayed for today to go well, you know what my prayers mean”

She nodded her head, with a huge grin. All she needed to do was relax and enjoy herself.

I felt very stiff, my relaxed nerves had tightened again, taking deep breaths I tried to calm myself down, and in between breathing exercises, I saw my father come out of the room he had gone in with Lumi’s groom.

“Kaliya come with me,” he said his voice booming with authority, he sounded pissed so without argument I got to my feet.

“I’ll be right back,” I said to Lumi before hurrying to meet my father by the corner away from prying eyes.

“Is everything alright?” I asked calmly fearing his answer,

“Everything is alright my dear, I just wanted to remind you of some things”

“Dad, look you don’t have to al-“

“You should never look at a southerner, never cross paths with them, and try to avoid eye contact, they are not good people “

“Then why are we letting Lumi marry one of them!” I said in a loud whisper, he should be telling these things to Lumi, not me. “We need to stop this wedding if I-“

“This is for you Kaliya, they threaten the position you hold not Lumi, they do not affect Lumi in any way, this is about you “

“Oh,” I said feeling calm, if this was about me then there was no problem, I would just handle them the way I handle every other man.

“No Kaliya...” as if reading my mind “…do not treat them like every other man, you need to completely stay away from them, they know nothing of our culture, and I-“

“I understand dad, I-“

“You don’t understand anything Kaliya, just listen to me, these people are dangerous to you and when I mean stay away I mean stay away! It is for your good and that of the kingdom”

He paused, his eyes sunk in love.

“So much rests on your shoulders, Kaliya never forget that”

I never forget it and I don’t think I will, with a nod I smiled at my father and he touched my cheeks gently through my coverings.

“Rules are made for a reason,” he said and I rolled my eyes, I was beginning to think he would never bring up the rules mantra.

“I understand Father,” I said before walking away, as I walked back to my seat I made sure I avoided looking in the direction of the Southerners as instructed.

“Are you okay?” Lumi asked and I nodded,

“What was that about?” She asked and I shook my head.

“Regular talk” I replied and she dropped the subject.

“He is back”

“Who?” I asked

“Cody” oh.

“His eyes are so dreamy….” She said and I immediately recognized the thought I had tried to push down, drowning her voice in my head.

The way he had looked at me earlier, even before he walked up to us, there was something strange about the way he tilted his head and looked at me, it was weird, strange rather, no one had ever looked at me like that, was it hate? Did he hate me?

I should have asked Lumi but I would not, there was no need to dwell on the reason, it did not matter if he hated me or not, I was to stay away from them and that was what I intended to do.

“He is looking at me, quick, do I look out of place ?” Lumi asked me and I chuckled.

“You look just fine,” I said trying not to turn around, I stared at anywhere and everywhere except where the southerners were seated, it was better that way.

“He is still looking oh my goddess, what if something is wrong with how I am sitting?” Lumi said panicking and I sighed.

“Nothing is wrong with how you are sitting, you’re overthinking things Lumi just be calm".

To make her stop fidgeting I turned and looked, something I shouldn’t have done because I realized at that moment that he wasn’t staring at Lumi, he was looking at me, right at me.