"Sure," Leila replied. "He is in his office, but you better run quickly so they can't catch you." Tim nodded and hopped off her lap and ran through the main room and kitchen to Nalick's office.

"Come, come," Mauve directed Leila.

"Nikias will be here soon to escort you," Mauve explained, ushering Leila back to the dressing room.

"Just one more thing," Mauve added carefully placing a thin gold crown on Leila's head to complete the pale blue, gold accented ensemble Leila wore. With Leila's red hair, the crown was barely visible as it matched the golden highlights of her hair.

"Now am I ready?" Leila asked, and Mauve circled her one last time. Mauve nodded, and Leila slowly moved to the door. Leila was anxious yet scared at the same time.

Nikias was standing outside the door diligently waiting for her. As Leila carefully opened the door, Nikias quickly bowed. He was amazed by how different she seemed than the day he first saw her. She was quieter and shyer than he ever imagine she could be. Hesitation filled her eyes and every movement. Leila was much more uncomfortable as a lady than as a warrior.

"This way," Nikias said leading her down the stairs and to a courtyard where her ride waited for her. Leila took his arm, and he led her to the waiting carriage.

"I heard you gave Anatolio quite a bit of trouble the other day," Nikias commented, lifting her gently to the seat.

"It's kind of hard to get alone time around here. He follows me like my own shadow." Leila yearned to pull the pins out of her head and scratched it.

"That is his job," Nikias responded with a shrug sitting beside her. "Besides, after Seth coming into the palace and him not being there to protect you, I think he feels guilty," Nikias replied.

"That was not his fault." Leila clenched her hands to not pull at her hair.

"You will let us know in the future if you decided to go wandering around outside the palace walls, right? There are still several kings wanting to get a hold of you. We have been sorting through reports of threats on a daily basis since you came to stay in Lexia," Nikias continued.

Leila was surprised to find how easy it was to talk to Nikias. She had not heard him talk much around her beyond barking directions to people. Nikias lifted his arm to gracefully brace her as she slid on the seat at a turn. Leila was beginning to see that Anatolio had a good possibility of growing up into a quite different man than she had pictured. Nikias was quiet, warm, enduring, and funny when alone. Leila would have never pictured this other side of him from all her previous interactions but was happy to see beyond the dull serious man he had become.

"Now don't give Anatolio too hard of a time. He's still young and learning," Nikias added as the carriage came near the amphitheater.

"But if I don't, how will I be entertained?" Leila asked, and he laughed again. Leila liked the sound of his laugh and smiled. Leila could see in Nikias the man Anatolio would be someday. "Do you know why Anatolio isn't escorting me?"

Nikias shook his head no. "He asked if I would escort you. That's all I know." Nikias could see his answer was not what she wanted to hear.

"Anatolio is a shy kid," Nikias explained. "This sort of thing is too bold for him. He would rather sit in the back of the room than on the stage. He has always been like that." She somehow didn't think Anatolio's shyness was the reason he was staying away from her.

They arrived at the ground floor of the amphitheater, and Nikias escorted Leila to the room behind the stage. As soon as she was left alone for a moment, Leila snuck to the edge of the stage and peered from around the corner. In the middle of the room were all the foreign dignitaries she had met days ago. To each side were the nobles of Lior and the fourth and fifth sections were being filled from the people standing behind the seats. Leila was relieved to see that her family was already seated in the front rows. As she stepped back in the waiting room, she was surprised to see Roger. Immediately, she hugged him.

"Finally some company," Leila said to him. "It is supposed to be the happiest day of my life, and I have been left sitting here alone."

"I just wanted to stop by quick and give you this." He handed her a small vial.

"Anatolio explained to me the ceremony. I don't need you getting sick on me before you have to get everyone home to the North Country as I am using most of my resources to get your family back there tomorrow. Now I have to get going also, otherwise there will be no seat for me." Quickly Roger hugged her and disappeared.

Leila sat and looked at the small vial. She had used the stuff before, and it was quite effective at stopping a cut from bleeding. It was just like Roger to worry about a small cut. Roger tended to worry over nothing, but in his own way, he was trying his best to be useful.

When the time arrived, Nikias took her to the right side of the stage, and she waited for the ceremony to begin. Looking across the way, she noticed Nalick was waiting also. He did not see her laugh to herself. Finally, at least I won't be the only one a bit lacking in clothing, she thought staring at Nalick who was shirtless and obviously uncomfortable with it.

As soon as the ceremony started, Leila began to forget the world around her and the large audience that was there. Even though it lasted hours, to her it felt like it only took a minute. As soon as she held onto Nalick's hand, she lost all the nervous regretful feelings. Nalick was as solid as a rock. He did not waver in his decision in the least and had no regrets. His desire to marry her outweighed the consequences of his actions. There was nothing more Nalick desired in life than to stand by her side, no matter how short their time together would be.

In the back of the room, dressed in a disguise with the help of Roger, Anatolio watched the ceremony. Below him, Leila nervously walked across the stage to meet Nalick. She was as beautiful as the first day he saw her. The gold lines on her arm glimmered in the few rays of sun light that penetrated the tent ceiling of the amphitheater. Anatolio could see her nervousness fade as soon she touched Nalick's arm. This was not something Anatolio could have done. With just the look in his eyes, Nalick was able to calm Leila's heart. Someday, it would have to be him, but Anatolio had no idea how to.

Leila was happy to see a full meal waiting for them when they returned to the palace with their children. The room was empty of servants, and Leila relished the quietness of the children laughing and enjoying their time together.

"That's it for today right?" Leila asked Nalick.

"Well there is supposed to be a third ceremony tonight, but I thought it was not necessary since," he paused looking at the children and didn't finish his statement.

"They didn't tell me about a third ceremony," Leila replied, trying to remember any mention of a third ceremony. Nalick coughed to try to cover his laugh.

"Let's just say the priests didn't think the ceremony was needed tonight," Nalick added. A red faced Leila nodded in response. "So, instead I thought this would be a good time; we can spend just the five of us, undisturbed by anyone for the rest of tonight." The children cheered.

After a night of games and stories, Ruth and Tim were the first to fall asleep as all five were lying on Nalick's and Leila's bed. Leila watched as Phillip then fell asleep between his siblings. Leila slowly stood to move to the other side of the bed and sat down next to Nalick who was also falling asleep. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down beside him.

"If I could freeze any moment and keep it that way forever, it would be this moment," Nalick whispered. "Thank you for marrying me." Leila studied his face as he talked. She was trying to remember each detail to forever remember the moment.

"I love you Benet Leila. I can only hope to someday make you as happy as you have made me."

Leila kissed his forehead as he dozed off to sleep.

"Silly man, you already have. I love you too Nalick," she whispered to the sleeping man before standing and going to the balcony. Leila was also quite tired from her long day, but she didn't feel like sleeping yet. The sooner she fell asleep, the sooner the magic of the day would end.

Leila sat on the balcony in the dark and could see the last few remaining lights in the city still sparkling. The situation for now was exactly how she wanted, but in time that would change. What will life be like without him? she wondered. He made her happy for the first time since Erich died. Leila heard the door to the room quietly open, and she turned to watch Anatolio quietly creep into the room. He immediately noticed her on the balcony. Leila stared across the darkness and could not read his expression. Little by little he approached her as she continued to stare at him.

"Why?" Leila simply asked as Anatolio crossed over to lean against the railing of the balcony. He did not face her as he answered knowing that she would try to read his expression.

"It was a day for you and Nalick," Anatolio replied.

"Along with our family and friends," Leila added. "I guess I assumed you fit in that category though, which I am still a bit confused on."

Anatolio smiled slightly. She had always been friendly to him, but she was friendly towards everyone who was not an enemy. Anatolio could not guess her feelings towards him. He was just another young man admiring her.

"You've always been beside me, and yet today you seem to want nothing to do with me," she added, wanting to go over and pull him to face her.

"I just didn't want to be a distraction," he replied. "You had enough to worry about for the day. You didn't need some kid following you around."

"You're not a distraction," she replied. Anatolio was relieved to hear her say it.

"It just would have been nice to have you there," she said quietly. Anatolio could hear the disappointment in her voice.

Anatolio turned to leave and still did not look her in the eyes. He bowed to her as he came close, and he stopped to pick up her hand. Gently he kissed it. "You were truly beautiful today," he said as he looked down at Leila who smiled at him.

"Thank you," she replied, shocked that he actually had gone to the wedding without her knowing.

Chapter 34.

Leila anxiously awaited the next three days in the palace; she could not wait to leave for the North Country. She already had a plan of how to get Nalick, Phillip, Tim, and Ruth there without any problems, but she had to wait for Roger to escort her family back before she could leave with her own plans. Leila was excited to finally get on a boat heading north. She had told the children about her home, but to the three children who had never set foot outside Lexia, they could not understand what she was describing. The children could see Leila's excitement, and so they too were excited. The night before they were going to leave, Leila double checked each bag she had packed. With more than just herself to worry about, she didn't want to forget anything. Nalick was happy to sit and watch her hurry around making lists in her head. In the years to come, it would be the same. When Leila was finally satisfied that everything was ready, she quickly changed into common clothes.

"Now what?" Nalick asked, noticing she was covering up the lines on her arm.

"I'm going to go check our ride," Leila replied.

"Take Anatolio with you please," Nalick begged, seeing that she was going to leave without Anatolio.

Anatolio was standing on the stairway as he watched Leila also get ready. Anatolio didn't need Nalick to remind him to do his job and follow Leila, but she did.

Leila hurried through the calm streets of Lexia on her way to the docks. Anatolio watched her stop and talk to several men from various ships along the way. She was happy to finally not be stuck in the palace. Going home meant freedom. Anatolio recognized the ship that she stopped at as the same ship that returned them to Lior the last time they were in the North Country. Leila easily climbed on deck and searched for the captain.

"My, oh my! If it isn't Meg coming to visit," a young man said from behind her. Leila twirled around and quickly ran over to hug the man, who was barely older than herself, as he lifted her off the ground.

"I hear congratulations are in order. Marx stopped by and said he was in town for your wedding." Gently the captain, Fred, set her back down.

"Marx is here?" Leila asked looking around.

"No, as we pulled in this morning he was boarding another boat north. He just said he came down for a short visit, but I assumed that meant he visited you," Fred explained.

"No, as usual he just came and watched, I guess," she said disappointed.

"So, I hear the whole country has a week vacation," Fred said, changing the subject noticing her disappointment in missing Marx.

"Yeah, I guess so," Leila replied.

"What a time for you to go and get married. The same week as the King of Lior was getting married," Fred added. His father did not tell him who she was marrying. "I've yet to see this new queen, but all the locals say she is the most beautiful woman they have ever seen. Compared to the locals of Lior maybe she is the most beautiful, but no one could compare to you." Leila smiled at Fred and patted his head.

"You're here early. I thought we were to expect you tomorrow?" he said once again changing the subject hoping to stay out of trouble with Leila.

"I was in the area, and thought I'd stop by to check on everything," Leila responded. "I was expecting to see your dad. Is everything alright?"

"Yes and no. He was expecting to see you too, but my mother got sick the last minute, and he stayed home to take care of her. Last time he saw you, dad said that you were planning to get married. Boy did I get an earful from my mother about that." Fred's mother had been bugging him for years to ask Leila to marry him. "She will not be happy until I bring you home as my wife. So any reconsidering on the whole marriage idea?"

"Fred," Leila said playfully punching him in the arm, "I'm a married woman now. You shouldn't be making proposals like that."

"You wouldn't by chance have a sister you could lend me in your place," he added as she punched him again and they both laughed. "My mother is going to be so disappointed."

"So how many crew members do you have with you this trip?" she asked.

"I have all of dad's regular crew. He arranged everything before I left. Roger told him you would have some valuable fragile items you were transporting north to Cath. Trust me, as soon as the men heard it was you that we needed to pick up, we had more men sign-up for this trip than needed. If you want you can drop the large items off tonight," he added.

"I shouldn't do that," she replied knowing that her items would be Nalick and the kids. Transporting human cargo was always done in secret for both the protection of the people being transported and the shipmen doing the transporting.

"I'll bring everything tomorrow morning. What time would you want me here by?" she asked.

"If we leave around sunrise, we can make Dria by midafternoon and Cath around dinner time," he explained.

"Sounds good. We will be on time." Leila gave Fred on last hug before jumping down to the docks and catching back up to Anatolio.

"Is everything in order for tomorrow?" she asked Anatolio not noticing his hesitation to be near her.

"Yes," Anatolio replied. "The cart is packed and waiting in the stables. Roger left two barrels and two boxes as he figured Tim and Ruth could be in the barrels with either Phillip or Elena." Leila nodded finally noticing the distance he was keeping from her. Leila gave him a questioning look, and he just faded back into the shadows. Leila wanted to talk to him more.

Anatolio walked her back in silence. Leila joined Nalick who was sitting outside without a word from Anatolio.

"All done packing?" Nalick asked as she joined him sitting on the balcony overlooking the city.

"Yes, hopefully," she said sitting beside him and trying to remember if she had forgotten anything.

"You promise this time it won't be so cold there?" Nalick asked, remembering his first visit in the snow. Leila was not packing any warm clothing for anyone.

"No, it is spring now, so, the trees should be starting to get leaves and the early flowers blooming," she explained. Leila paused while mentally checking her list for the tenth time. "The snow should be all gone, except for on top of the mountains, but I didn't think you wanted to do any mountain climbing on this trip," she teased.

"Do people really intentionally climb the mountains?" Nalick asked in amazement at her suggestion. Leila nodded while laughing at the question. Nalick moved his arm around her pulling her tight to himself.

"Let's go to bed," Leila suggested, standing and pulling at his arm. "It will be a very long day tomorrow getting to my parents." Nalick stood at her prompting and quickly scooped her into his arms. Leila giggled throwing her arms around his neck. "To bed, husband of mine," she directed nuzzling into his chest. Nalick kissed the top of her head and took her to their bedroom.

Leila rose early the next morning and got everyone moving on time. With all her planning, everything happened in order. She easily transported her family hidden away from the palace to the ship that took them north. With the help of Roger and his sons, her family made it off the ship and out of Cath without a single tracker following them. Leila was a professional and her three months in the palace did not dull her skills at all. After a full days' worth of traveling from before dawn until after dark, they finally arrived at her parents place.

Leila was relieved to make it to her parent's house without a single issue and all of her family safe. Leila opened the door to her parent's house and led the way into their home with her guests. Selma and Dirk were waiting for them with supper for the ones still awake. Leila smiled but could not hug them without waking Ruth.

"We really should put them to bed," Leila said to Nalick who was caring the sleeping Tim. Selma quickly stopped them from walking to the stairs.

"Theo and Macarius can have the same rooms they used the last time," Selma said and they both nodded, "But for you," Selma stopped talking. "I wish it were still light out so you could see it better, but we have a surprise for you."

"Can we put them to bed first?" Leila asked her mother. Nalick pushed Leila to follow her mother. She followed her mother through the living room out a side hallway that had never been there before. The hallway led to a new building behind her parent's home that she could not see in the dark as they approached.

"It's not completely done yet," Dirk explained, walking beside Leila. "But it is livable. The bedrooms and living room are done, but the kitchen is not. We figure if there was one room that couldn't be finished, the kitchen would be the best bet." He was hinting at her lack of cooking skills.

Leila stepped into the living room. Several couches faced the west wall that was lined with windows and a glass door that oversaw the lake. The large stone fireplace along the same wall was burning keeping the large room warm as she noticed the ceiling was higher than normal. Leila could see the staircase in the back of the living room led to a second floor and at the base of the stairs was an archway that led to what she could see was the start of a kitchen.

"There are six small bedrooms upstairs for the kids, Elena, and Anatolio," Selma explained.

"There is a larger bedroom downstairs off of the kitchen for you and Nalick." Leila nodded, following her mother up the stairs. Selma opened the door to the farthest room, and it was decorated with all her old furniture from her bedroom growing up. "I figured Ruth could have this room." Selma pulled the covers down from the bed and Leila laid Ruth inside it.

"Through the kitchen is a room for you two," Selma explained leading them back downstairs and through the closest door to the living room. Leila walked into the room and smiled. Selma had spent much time decorating the room.

"It's beautiful," Leila said while hugging her mom.

"Thank you mom and dad," she said quickly hugging her dad also. Leila looked around the room again. She could see the quilt was hand made by her mother. Gently she touched it knowing how much time her mother must have put into finishing it before they arrived.

"I know it is not as fancy as you are accustomed to now," Selma added, "But we all tried out best. Your brothers even helped out as much as dad."

"Mom, it's wonderful," Leila tried to reassure her mother. Selma stared at her only daughter and hugged her again. It was good to have her back home even if it were only for a week. There was no greater treasure in the world than finally seeing Leila happy after so many years of sadness.