A Heart's Riddle: Direction of Affection~

"What do you mean?"

Whatever could she mean about me not liking it here? I mean I was here, as was my wife. . . I didn't follow.

"Well, I'm just asking cuz we been getting a few attacks here and their and many would try to leave our land. Thinking it's dangerous. *Sighs* I guess I could blame myself in some way since many of these attacks lead to me and my husband." she said gently.

"A little violence doesn't scare me."

I chuckled as I stared at the sky.

"After all, I became the prince of the dark kingdom for a reason. I needed to fix it, and I'm sure there's still a bunch of chaos over there, but I'm working on it with my representatives who have the power while I'm gone."

Another pause and the nighttime breeze blew by.

"It's quite serene over here. Nothing really to worry about. The attacks, if need be, I can fend off. But why would they be after you and your husband, your highness? Do you have something they want?"

she said nothing but looked up gently to the sky. "Because they want us to go with them. My husband is the ruler for one side and I'm the queen for another. We both ran away to find true love and well, had our girls. I'm guessing Melli got some of our genes and mel has more than the 3 of us." She looked down at her lap to think.

"If we leave, we are hoping Mel can watch over this land and to maybe help whoever she needs to. It's a bit Responsibility for someone like her."

"It seems you and your daughter have similar tastes then."

I smiled and turned to face her. I knew she meant, eventually, these attacks would have to stop and she and her husband might have to go with them. And at that moment in time, Mel will be a queen, and handling a kingdom on her own may be too big a task for her to be able to manage. And thus I was her extra support. I nodded. I needed to be her strength.

"So... I need to be her strength?"

"If that helps, yes but she also needs to learn to take care of herself too without always calling for help. True, having help is great for things of a fight but sometimes you need to do things on your own and I don't know if you had to go do something important and be gone for a long time but I don't know, just making a guess." she said.

"You're right."

I nodded.

"I believe I have told you my background story right? I mean my whole life and my past, my history for you to get a better understanding of where I come from and who I am, not just as her husband, but as a person?"

I sighed and took a pause, I awaited her response. I was fairly sure I did. Then I continued.

"Well being that I'm from that sort of life, I only want what's best for Mel. I want you to not hesitate to call upon me to protect or whatever it is you need me to do. I'll be the wind beneath her wings when she needs it. But, of course, I do understand she has a certain responsibility as an adult to uphold a level of being able to do things by herself. And she has to learn that life is not all that easy. But when she falls I'll pick her up again. That I promise."

I spoke, way beyond my years. I never intended to say something like that. I suppose that's what happens when you start thinking about things.

"But... if I may ask, your highness, this ... succubus business... I did some research on it. But I need more backstory. Would you care to explain?"

the queen smiled to nod to Utena, knowing she understood her words. "Thank you my dear." Feeling happy, she knew I was going to be safe with my beloved. Now, she got worried when asked of the succubus thing. "I knew you were going to ask. Well, to answer you, Of course I'm the succubus queen to every since one of my race, the ones to use our powers to be nothing but pain and hate in this world. *moves up sleeve to show a tattoo on her arm* This is proof. I am of royal succubus blood, the one that was to lead us. Though, we used to be in your kingdom Prince Utena; watching over the dark kingdom." she stops to pull her sleeve down but went on.

"As we watch the kingdom each time of our lives, somehow I grew bored of it, not liking how my race would use their powers for the wrong things but for their pleasure. My own powers are somehow different from the rest; deadly, powerful, and chanting to most but my heart wanted true love; to find someone I can be with to accept me for who I am. So, I left my clan of my family and to be something else. Somehow, i found the king and I knew it was love. WE both knew it even if we just met so we got married, I was made queen here. That is when I gave birth to my girls; Melli and mel but somehow I figured this. Melli's got some of my powers but Mel's got most of my powers and genes when she was born. During the birthing of Mel, I found out me and my two girls were the last of our race cuz everyone else got killed years ago." she explained.

I looked at her, more intrigued by her story. It was funny, of all the items I'd read on succubus they never seemed to mention that they could control their powers. All they seemed to touch upon was that they could attract people and suck the souls right out of their bodies by a kiss. They were temptresses and dangerous for the person's life who was being flirted with. But I didn't feel at all threatened at the moment and I'd supposed the king didn't either. Interesting.

I nodded.

"I see, that's tragic."

I got the story straight in my mind.

"Well, then. Is there any way I can stop this event from happening? I would do anything in my power, and I do believe it mentioned to me ways to stop a full on transformation. I don't want the black blood in her to get the better of her and take over her heart is all. I'm perfectly fine with her race as is."

"I don't know but I'm sure she will not let it take over her. Mel's a good girl and I know she's going to stay herself." My mother sighed before looking at her hand. ".........but if their was any way for that to happen and for you to help her, that would be good." she said.

I nodded.

"Well I want to ensure a way it never harms her to begin with. And the only way I can think of for that is to take the blood right out of her. The book described a way I can do this and prevent this whole thing from even occurring, but it did say it was a bit risky and I don't have all the details yet."

I looked to her in deep thought.

"My question is... which would you prefer?"

The queen looked to Utena with a worried look shown in her eyes but then looked down. "I think mel has to think of that herself. She might say yes or no, depending on what could happen. I thought she could use the blood in her for good and I know she will. I don't want anything happening to her."

"If need be... I'll substitute my magic for her succubus and dark blood and make the thing disappear in exchange, she'll become a witch and I'll become mortal. But, that's my last resort of all."

I smiled softly and then looked back at the gleaming stars. The wind blew through my short pink locks of hair. And the queen could see nothing but bravery shining through.

She looked suprised to hear her words but gently smiled, her eyes closed to feel a single tear fall. "You really are a true prince to my daughter. I hope you and her live happy together." she felt happy but sad for much.

"A-a true prince?"

I blushed lightly, all this flattery. Had I really achieved my dream? Shucks, I was only doing it because I loved her. I noticed the tear fall and I wiped it gently from her cheek with a soft smile.

"You do know if you want to be a true prince, you have to have love, courage and all you care for by your side. I think in my eyes you are a prince." she smiled but looked to Utena. "Mothers only want to see their children happy and right now I am but I thank you so much....very much for being their for my big girl."

"Oh, well.. I mean, you're welcome... I mean..."

I blushed and rubbed the back of my head a little nervous.

"I think that's hardly something you should thank me for. I mean, anyone could fall in love with anyone real. Not to say that I was the only option, but she picked me and honest... ah, I'll shut up now."

I couldn't form one sentence. ^^''

"*laughs* I understand but to be honest, she thought she wouldn't get anyone to love her. Mel's a sort of girl that's quiet to herself but she's very opened minded at times. I think you and here were meant to meet and be in love. That's something very special." she giggled.

I shrugged.

"I suppose."

I couldn't look her in the eyes now. My heart began to beat faster. The vices of love. ~

The queen smiled happy but gets up gently to look up. "I think I should head to bed now. Just think of what I said. It helped me when I was mel's age trying to find love and I did. Good night Prince Utena." with a bow, she turns to walk down the stairs to her room.