Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
EIGHTEEN DAYS LEFT
The next morning, while Keanu was gone on his run or swim, I went to the kitchen. The cooks and servants looked a little nervous to see me, but I quickly eased any of their fears.
“I’m not here to ask you to change anything.” I smiled. “Everything you make is absolutely delicious. My cooking could never compare.” They beamed with pride. “But I am asking if you could make something to share.”
I looked around at the kitchen, so spacious and full of ingredients… something I had never dreamed of. How could so much wealth exist in one place?
“Keanu and I are visiting the widows today, so I was wondering if you could prepare little baskets to give them.” I offered ideas of what to put in them: ingredients, treats, fresh fruit and vegetables.
“It would be our pleasure,” said the head cook.
And they seemed genuinely excited to get started.
I left in haste to find additional items I wanted to add to the baskets: books.
Were the children of the kingdom educated?
Could they read? Fortunately, I learned from the missionaries. Did the children here do the same?
While I flipped through a children’s book in the library, hands found my waist.
I jumped and gasped. “Keanu! You scared me!”
He laughed but didn’t release his hold on my waist when I turned around to face him.
“You are as stunning as the ocean waves in the morning light,” he said and drew closer.
“I’m looking forward to today, Oliana. I passed the kitchen and heard them singing and laughing as they prepared those baskets you asked them to.
You are becoming a great queen with each passing day. ”
Each passing day. That reminded me of how quickly time was flying.
“Were you looking for clues to help solve the riddle?” Keanu asked, taking the book from my hands. Our fingers brushed, making them tingle. I was being ridiculous again.
“I was actually looking for books that the families could have.” A blush crept up my cheeks.
“I mean… I now realize what a foolish thing that is. These are not my books, so I have no right to give them away.” I couldn’t look him in the eye.
“And books are expensive. I had never afforded books myself…”
“Oliana.” Keanu lifted my chin. “Everything in this palace is yours.” He grinned. “I’m yours.”
“Keanu–”
“I mean it. Say the word and I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”
“Come on, that’s ridiculous–” He reached past me and pulled out more children’s books, leaving my heart pounding louder than a hula drum.
“Here,” he said. “We’ll start with these. If we need more, we can always come back.”
“We really don’t need to give them away.”
“Don’t worry Oliana. Our future children will have more than enough books in this library to read.” He winked.
My face felt fiery like lava.
Our future children?
“Come on.” He smiled as he carried the books in one arm and took my hand with his free hand. He made me speechless. Always. But when he did, it was because he introduced something I didn’t dare think of. No, something I didn’t dare dream of.
With a wagon full of baskets and books, we headed out together, our guards and entourage on horseback beside us. Our first stop was at Kiki and mother’s home, where they happily climbed into the wagon to join us.
Peter rode on horseback, occasionally riding close to the wagon to speak with Kiki. Malakai was more reserved, keeping an eye on his cousin to ensure his safety.
When we reached the village, Malakai looked at a list in his hands, then directed us towards the home of a widow.
After he knocked, the woman answered it, a baby on her hip, trepidation on her face.
Two little children stood behind her, clutching her skirt.
She did not have the most kept home. In fact, her home looked more like the shack I was used to living in, not like the fancier homes located closer to the palace.
And nothing like the home Kiki and mother lived in.
“The king and queen would like to speak with you,” Malakai said, and I heard the tone of gentleness in his voice, the kindness in his look, as if he wanted her to know that she shouldn’t worry. She relaxed at the way he smiled and bowed, then moved to the side.
I held the basket in my hand and suddenly felt silly. What was I to say?
“Aloha.” My voice was quiet. Then Keanu’s hand rested on the small of my back, causing warmth to spread through me.
“Hello Kanoe,” he said to the woman. I looked at Keanu.
How did he know the woman’s name? “My queen has wanted to gift something to the widows of our kingdom.” He gently moved his hand up, as if he might rub my back.
But he didn’t… not with all the entourage and people around us.
“Your husband fought valiantly for the safety of our people. This gift does not fully show our appreciation of the sacrifice your family has made, but we wanted to do something.”
I held it out and she took it, tears brimming her eyes. “Thank you.” Kanoe looked from Keanu to me.
I knew I should say something. I swallowed, nervous with all the people around us watching. Even people in the streets had gathered to see what the royal entourage was doing.
“Thank you,” I told her. “We are doing all we can to help and support you.”
“That means so much to me.” She blinked back tears.
“And who’s this little one?” Keanu asked, leaning in to smile at the baby.
“Our little Nalu,” she said. “He’s only six months old.” The woman held him out and, much to my surprise, Keanu took Nalu. I hadn’t expected the king to know how to hold a baby, nor did I expect the gentle way he made the baby coo and laugh.
“Let’s see that smile,” he said, and the baby’s smile made everyone around–including myself–grin from cheek to cheek. Keanu bounced the baby gently, rubbing his back and smiling, which made the baby laugh even more.
Something inside of me melted even more, because, for the first time, I was seeing an image of Keanu as a father.
I quickly looked away, but my ears burned. Why was it so adorable watching him like this?
Malakai spoke to Kanoe, asking if she’d direct us to the other widows, and she happily agreed. The two other children still clung to their mother, so I knelt down to speak to them.
“My name is Oliana,” I said. “What is yours?”
The brother and sister looked at one another.
“Pohai and Kai,” said their mother, then returned her attention to Malakai and gave directions.
The boy held a small hook and string in his hand. “Do you like fishing?” I asked.
Silence. Then, slowly, a nod.
“I do too,” I said. “I used to fish in the sea. What fish do you like?”
A pause, then. “Manini.”
I smiled. “That’s the best and quickest fish to get. When I was little, I would fish for manini too.”
The children looked at one another, and a ripple in the crowd made me realize that people were listening.
“The queen? Fishing as a child?”
“She’s unique, indeed.”
I kept my attention on the children to ward off my worries. “Where’s your favorite spot to fish?” I asked.
“It’s on the way to Kamuela’s home,” said Kai, then, much to my surprise, held out his hand.
“I’ll show you.” And before we knew it, our entourage walked along the pristine white sands of ‘Anolani Kingdom, from one widow’s home to the next.
Pohai and Kai held my hands the entire time, while the community and entourage passed baby Nalu from one person to the next.
Peter and Kiki walked alongside one another. He seemed so reserved and polite, his hands behind his back as they walked. She was all smiles.
Malakai took it on himself to escort mother, which was incredibly thoughtful of him, especially because nobody asked him to.
I appreciated his kindness. Alohi kept a somber face the entire time, watching me like a hawk.
He did greet others with a kiss on the cheek or a hug, but he took his responsibility seriously.
The rest of the people clambered around us, cooing at the baby in Keanu’s arms, or smiling at the way Pohai and Kai dragged me with them.
I had never felt so much… love. So much unity. These people really did care for one another.
And it’s all because of him.
I couldn’t help stealing glances at Keanu. I had seen him at the palace. I had seen him at the ball and in political meetings. But this… this was a whole other side of him, like watching a tide turn.
No wonder they love him. But I understood why he cared so much about his people. They were good people. It was his kuleana, responsibility, and his stewardship to care for him. It was never about him. And now I knew why he wanted to come back from the dead. Not once, but twice.
It’s for them.
“Oli, you’re staring.” Kiki hissed in my ear and I snapped out of my thoughts. The sun was setting, the baskets were all delivered, and Keanu was kissing baby Nalu goodbye.
And I’d been staring at him. Again.
After he returned the baby to Kanoe he looked around. Searched. Our eyes met and he smiled. A real, genuine smile. One that made my knees weak, like we were the only ones standing on the beach.
“He cares for you,” Malakai said, and I realized he’d been standing there and heard what Kiki said.
“He cares for everyone.” I had to dodge their observations. I quickly altered the conversation. “How did he know Kanoe’s name? And all the other widows? He seemed to know all of them.”
“Whenever a soldier falls, Keanu takes it on himself to see and tell the family. He’s there for them.”
Keanu was so good. So kind.
The sun began to set beyond the horizon, and Malakai motioned to the servants to load up. “We’d better get back,” he said, then offered my mother his arm.
Keanu was about to make his way towards me, when a villager stopped him to say goodbye first. He kissed and hugged everyone goodbye, and I couldn’t believe how much I admired him for it.
“He adores you, Oli.”
I turned to my sister. “Shh, that’s enough Kiki.”
“It’s so obvious.” She giggled. “And I think you adore him too.” She grabbed my arm and started walking towards the palace. “Come on,” she said. “You have to admit that Keanu playing with baby Nalu was the most charming thing you could have ever seen.”
I swallowed hard. Should I admit it?
I shook my head and Kiki laughed, nudging me. Perhaps I could bargain my way out of a night marcher’s condemnation, but definitely not out of the feelings growing inside of me.
As we walked back to the palace, I couldn’t help watching everyone.
Peter and Malakai know about the riddle. So who was it? Which of the two? Peter kept glancing back at Keanu. Why was he keeping such a strict eye on him?
Meanwhile, Malakai looked genuine. He looked like he actually cared about my mother, his expression sympathetic, like when he spoke to me. He slowed down to her pace and finally offered to take her and Kiki home in the wagon so mother wouldn’t have to walk.
I said goodbye to my family, and upon entering the palace, my insides tightened. Walking out was Pua, the cruel noble lady.
She curtsied to us before turning to leave.
“Wait,” I said as she hurried into the darkness of the night. Either she didn’t hear me or she ignored me, but she fled down the palace steps. “What is she doing here?” I asked. Keanu gently put his hand on the small of my back and led me in.
“Probably something to do with politics.”
“Like what?” Deep down it gnawed on me that she had been there. She hadn’t liked Keanu, and believed someone else could rule better.
“Tributes, gifts, donations to fund different public programs.”
I frowned, thinking about her black dress. She disappeared into the darkness. Was she up to something? Perhaps, something that had to do with a certain murder?
Peter caught up to us and listened, his hands still behind his back. My suspicions grew. Was he hiding something?
“Your majesty, I think the visits today went really well.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Our kingdom is very fortunate to have you.” They spoke for a while about the people, then Peter excused himself, saying, “I have some business to tend to.”
The moon began to shine silvery light all around us, and with the entourage gone, it was just me, Keanu, and our guards trailing behind us.
Keanu motioned to them and they stayed put.
Now it was truly just us. Alone in the palace hallways.