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Her daughter observed me with curious eyes, a smile playing on her lips. Nala held out her arms to me, and I took her from her mother. She was heavier than she looked and smelled like honey and roses.
“Hello, Nala,” I said, tickling her tummy. She giggled and squirmed in my arms.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Your Highness.” Liria bowed slightly. “My husband is one of Ikris’s nephews, so we often come by for a visit.”
“Hello, Princess Thimsal,” Nala said, patting my cheek.
I laughed and kissed her forehead. “It’s lovely to meet you too, Nala.”
Darith glanced at me. “And I’m her Second Darith,”
“Are you really a princess?” Nala asked.
Taken away by the child’s innocence, I only laughed. “Yes, I am a princess. What about you? Are you a princess?”
“No.” She shook her head and her curly hair bounced. “I want to be queen.”
“A queen?” I repeated, amused. “And what would you do if you were a queen?”
Her weight was getting heavy in my arms, so I sat down with her on my lap.
“I would be very kind and make sure everyone was happy,” she said seriously. “And I would have a big castle with lots of rooms and pretty dresses.”
Liria and Darith chuckled.
“Is that so?” I said. “Well, I’m sure you would make a fine queen.”
Nala beamed at me, and Liria laughed.
“Are you really from Midar?” Nala’s eyes became bigger and her bare ears twitched. “I’ve never met a human before.”
“Yes, I’m from Midar.” I leaned forward, and she hid her eyes behind her eyes. “Do you have questions about humans?”
“I do.” An eye peeked behind her hands. “I’ve heard that humans are very different from us. Is that true?”
My hand itched to stroke her soft hair, but I restrained myself. “Well, we are different, but that doesn’t mean we’re not alike in some ways.” I smiled indulgently at her. “We all love to have fun, play and sweets”
“That’s what I’ve been telling her,” Liria chuckled. “But she still has so many questions.”
“I’m sure she does,” I laughed. “But that’s what makes learning about other people so interesting, don’t you think?”
Nala nodded solemnly, her curls bouncing.
“What is it like?” Liria asked. “Living in Midar, I mean.”
“It’s different from here, but not as much as you would expect. The people are friendly and there’s always something to do. But that’s also the case in Rossertham.”
“I’ve always wanted to see Midar,” she said wistfully. “But I never had the chance.”
“Maybe one day you will,” I said. “Who knows what the future holds?”
“I want to visit Midar!” Nala said, her eyes lighting up.
“I’m sure you do, sweetheart.” Liria rubbed her cheeks, and Nala pouted. “But for now, why don’t we let princess Thimsal and Darith finish their lunch?”
“Yes, that’s probably a good idea.” I gently handed Nala back to her mother.
Nala pouted again but didn’t argue, and Liria bid us farewell. As we watched them leave, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope for the future.
