Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After a long day of researching, Keanu had duties to tend to, and he seemed loath to leave me. He apologized for not being able to go to the ocean with me, but I didn’t mind. I went to the ocean by myself, with Alohi trailing not far behind me. Then I hurried to talk to Kiki.
I heard mother coughing before I reached home, and my heart sank.
The sickness is back…
Kiki didn’t even have to say it when she opened the door. I went in and greeted my mother with a kiss on her cheek, but she was sleeping.
“Mother is worried about you, you know,” Kiki said when we sat in the comfortable living space together.
She worked on her quilt, her fingers always so precise.
The quilt she made this time was of purple kahili, definitely something that would hang from the palace walls.
It really was kind that Keanu had allowed such a high-ranking position for my sister as the royal quilter.
“Mother wants to know how this all came about. I told her Kāne has been good to us.”
I swallowed. Was all of this really that good?
At least I’ve provided a good life for mother and Kiki. I couldn’t help but admire the fine details and features of the home Keanu had given them. Gold foiled trim, kapa tapestries, dried tropical foliage, and more.
“So.” Kiki grinned. “How have your first days with your husband been? I’ve been dying to hear everything. I was about to march to the palace if you didn’t show up any sooner.”
I laughed, then spilled everything. About Malakai. The ball. Kalani. Keanu’s apology. And that very day. By the time I finished, Kiki’s smile was as wide as a rainbow stretching across the sky.
“What are you smiling at?”
“Oh, he’s in love with you, isn’t he? I knew it!” She giggled.
“Kiki!”
“And you’re in love with him, aren’t you?” My sister grabbed my arm. “You’re blushing–I knew it!”
“Kiki, that is enough–”
“The riddle makes complete sense, Oli. You must tell him the true meaning!”
“I can’t! What if he doesn’t like me? Or if he’s using me? What if–”
“Oh hush! What if he loves you? Huh?” She raised her eyebrows. I shook my head, but her question lingered with me long after I left.
What if he loves me?
That’s ridiculous, Oli. Right. That was not even an option. He was just flirting because I reacted, and I had to stop reacting. We only knew each other for a few days.
But even as I thought this, I hated that the riddle was becoming clearer and clearer to me.
And, after researching more about the chiefs Keanu met while he was a night marcher, I learned that all of them did not have everything in common except that they were all chiefs.
Keanu and I concluded that the way for the night marcher to break his curse was unique and individual.
“After all,” Keanu had said, “Kāne sent me riddles in my dreams, and the ones I shared with you the night we met were for me specifically.”
So the riddles only applied to Keanu, not all the night marchers.
The reality of my situation terrified me, and by the end of the day, I felt more cold and callous towards Keanu than wanting to get close to him. It was dangerous, especially knowing that at the end of it all, his death was inevitable, and hearts could be broken.
The next morning, Keanu was up before me, leaning over his journal again, writing.
“Good morning,” I said, my voice quiet as I slipped past him into the washroom. Not before he looked up and smiled at me.
“Good morning.” Why was that smile so infectious?
I changed into the dress inside, but heard a knock on the door to our bedroom. Keanu spoke with someone, and then there was another knock on the washroom door.
When I opened it, a maid stood there, a basket of items in her hand… items to make my hair. Hairbrush. Ties. Coconut oil. Purple flowers.
“Good morning, Your Highness.” She curtsied. I would never get used to that. “May I help you prepare for the day?”
Keanu showed up behind her. “I have meetings this morning, Oliana. I would like you to escort me, if you’d like.” His eyes sparkled. “You are queen, after all.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I nodded my agreement.
The maid brushed out my long hair, pulling it into an elegant updo. How she tamed the frizz was beyond me, but when she finished, I looked at myself.
Oliana.
Queen Oliana.
This is not me. I was just the girl who dove for fish.
And now, I was to sit in political meetings with the king?
The spray of purple orchids was elegant in my hair, and the leis around my neck only added to the fragrance and beauty.
When I emerged from the washroom, Keanu was not at his desk. An owl hooted, and I found the king on the balcony, overlooking the kingdom. His breath hitched when he saw me.
I frowned. “Too much?”
“No, you look stunning.” He wore a sash across his chest that matched the color of the purple flowers.
While offering his arm, he said, “I want to work on the riddle today, but there are matters in this kingdom that need direction. Whether I live or die, I want to ensure things are in order for my people’s safety and wellbeing. ”
Keanu sounded so… different when it came to political matters. The playfulness was gone. Not even a hint of flirtation entered his tone. When he did business, he really meant it.
After a brief breakfast, we entered the throne room, the same room where we'd been married.
But this time, instead of pews facing the thrones, or an altar at the front, there were chairs in a circle.
And in each chair sat a man. Some were old with gray or white hair, while others were young, like Peter and Malakai.
Before we even took a step into the room, all the men stood.
I don’t think I could ever get used to this, I thought once more, hating how tiny I felt here. What was I doing? Was this a way Keanu could waste my time while making it feel important? Or, perhaps, humiliate me? He knew I had no experience in this realm whatsoever. So what were his motives?
Peter lifted his chin as he watched us. Malakai bowed his head.
Keanu waited until I sat, then took his seat on his throne.
One of his counselors began talking, welcoming the council and acknowledging the king. Then he paused, and a look at Keanu indicated he needed to welcome me too.
“And we welcome Queen Oliana to our council.” He nodded to me, and with all eyes on me again, I wished I could sink into the sea and disappear. Swimming with fish and sharks was much, much easier than being surrounded by humans.
I did my best to tune in as the council began. They spoke of all the things…
Kalani.
Warfare.
Public health.
Taxes.
Trade.
The talks got a little heated between Keanu and Malakai when some wanted to go to war with Kalani while others thought it unwise.
Then Keanu pointed out the reason he couldn’t stand war. “The widows of these fallen soldiers are suffering, Malakai. Remember that the men who go to fight have families.”
“Which they are happy to protect,” Malakai said.
“But what if they don’t have to go in the first place?”
“And let Kalani burn down the kingdom?”
“We wouldn’t let that happen.” Keanu shook his head. “The widows need help for their livelihoods,” he said. “It’s not fair that they should suffer for the sacrifices their husbands made on behalf of their safety.”
“They can care for themselves,” said a counselor. “This kingdom has ample opportunities for work.”
“But what about the children?” Keanu frowned. “If these mothers are out working all day, who will tend to their little ones?”
“Neighbors, ‘ohana, hanai ‘ohana.” The counselor was relentless.
“We should create a financial help program for them,” Keanu said when the counselor shook his head.
“They will take advantage of that. You know how these things go.”
My heart sank, and I looked at Keanu. He must have noticed I was studying him, because he turned to me. “What do you think, Oliana?”
With all attention and eyes now turned to me, I felt myself shrinking. I wanted to help. Wanted these women, especially, to receive all the help they could too. Because, truly they belonged in their homes nurturing and tending their children.
I swallowed hard. “I think…”
Keanu nodded, encouraging. Did he really believe in me?
The counselor spoke again. “Your majesty, if the government steps in to provide for all the widows of fallen soldiers, it would destroy the delicate balance of power. Those who pay taxes will see the unfairness of this.”
“But isn’t it unfair that their husbands died for the safety of the people?” I asked, my voice quiet.
Keanu watched me, silent, as if he wanted me to keep speaking. I gave him a look.
I can’t do this. I was no queen to speak. Could he just finish my thoughts? We were on the same page on this subject, right? But he didn’t say a word.
And I realized… he wanted to hear my thoughts. They were valuable to him.
That alone caused a stirring inside me.
Keanu believes I can be queen.
I licked my lips before continuing. “The government could create a program where women can work only a few hours a day, or contribute something to the government, so that they can stay at home and have as much time with their children as possible.”
“And what work would require a few hours of labor that would benefit anyone or anything?” The counselor folded his arms.
All eyes turned back to me.
“Perhaps they can help with war efforts, like gathering clothes and blankets. Or making them.”
“There are many things they can help with.” A new voice spoke, and I realized it was Malakai.
He was defending me? It warmed my heart that Keanu’s cousin was on my side.
Malakai listed things they could do to contribute: sewing clothes for the army, preparing food, or even opening small businesses to keep the economic status of the kingdom afloat.
Keanu chipped in. “We care about our people, every single soul. Each life is valuable, and we want our families to thrive, especially when the father figure is missing.”
He placed his hand on mine, as if to confirm his solidarity. I blinked, hoping nobody could see me sweat.