Chapter 13: GRANDMA'S HOUSE

When I arrived at my grandma's house, it was empty. It's been a while since I last visited her. I haven't seen her since I was five. 

Growing up, I have always seen my mum engage in serious arguments with my grandma. They could never pass a day in the same space.

When I was twelve, my mum banned her own mother from entering the palace. It was one of the worst experiences I've ever had. She also stopped us from visiting her as well.

I let myself in as I dropped my bag in the sitting room. All the memories I made here came rushing to me. I remember always begging grandma to let me ride one of her horses.

She owned a farm not too far away from her house. There was also a ranch. She has always loved plants and animals.

Looking around the room, I saw a picture of a younger version of my mum smiling brightly. Her eyes were filled with life and excitement. Besides her was Grandma; they both looked happy together.

I wonder what happened between them. I saw a few more pictures of my mum with her parents. I really don't want my relationship with my mum to end up like hers.

“Look who came to visit.” I heard my grandma say it behind me. Her voice didn't change; it was just like I remember. I turned towards her immediately with a big smile on my face.

“Grandma!” She already had her hands wide open, inviting me for a hug. I rushed into her arms as I hugged her to myself.

“I have missed you. Look at you; you are all grown up. I am so happy you grew up into a beautiful, strong lady,” she said as we pushed away from our little hug.

“And you still look as beautiful as ever, your majesty,” I said to her as we both laughed. She was still as beautiful as the day I met her. Even though her once-black hair has turned all grey, she still looks good.

“Don't flatter me; I'm getting older as the day passes by. I can't wait to join your grandpa in heaven. We both have a lot we need to catch up on.” 

There was sadness in her eyes as she said those words. I don't have many memories of my grandpa since he died when I was still a toddler.

But I have heard a lot about him from Grandma. When I was little, she usually told us stories about him.

“I'm sure he wants you to live a little more, and besides, your stone of life has to let you go before anything else will come.” I refused to say she would die.

“It's already happening; I can feel my powers leaving me. It's only a matter of time before I go; I really need to rest. There has been much disappointment in this life.”

“That's not true, except you also think I'm a disappointment.” 

“Of course not, sweetie. Come, let's go to the ranch. I'm sure you want to meet up with some of my horses.”

“I will love to,” I said as I happily hugged her hand to myself as we both walked towards the ranch.

“So tell me, what happened between you and your mum? Why did you run away from home?”

“Was it that obvious that I ran away from home?”

“Yes, first you came with your bags, and secondly, your mum strictly said this to my face: do not come near my children ever in your life.” 

I was shocked; I never knew my mum would go that far. That was very disrespectful. Talking about respect, how can she be treating her so badly and expect me to be at her knees?

“That was very harsh. How could she be so disrespectful to you, but yet she wants Alma and me to worship her?”

“Your mum is very strong, and I must admit you took after her in a lot of ways. When your mum was young, she was this free-spirited little girl who always set her goals and got them right.

But when she was chosen as the next queen of Álfheimr, she started changing. Maybe it's because of the weight of burden that comes with being a queen.

I can't believe she still can't handle you because you are the younger version of herself.”

“She wants me to get married.” I said this to Grandma, who didn't look a bit surprised.

“How old are you, Siofra?” Grandma asked.

“I'm twenty-one; why did you ask?”

“Nothing; your mum practically rejected all the suitors I brought to her at your age. She married your father after four years of ruling Álfheimr. She was twenty-seven years old at the time.

Every mother wants her daughters to be successful, but as a leader, your children represent you. That's why we try to pair you up with someone we think is suitable.” 

“Grandma, was your marriage with Grandma a forced marriage?” I curiously asked.

“I wouldn't say forced, but I will use the word arranged. Our parents arranged our marriage; at first, it was a total disaster, but the love began to grow.

At some point, we couldn't stand each other, but the love came, and we were each other's backbone.

When I first paired your mother up, she refused to get married. I never knew she was already in love with your father at that time.

I would be lying if I said I didn't give your mum a hard time; I did, and that is one of the reasons our relationships got affected.

However, your mother was such a stubborn girl that she refused to marry any of her suitors. Before she could propose her intentions, your father was already married to Alma's mother.”

“Mum wanted to propose marriage to dad?” I asked in amazement. I couldn't picture it out of my head.

“Yes. Your mum was pissed; she blamed me for being the cause while her marital life turned out to be a failure. Therefore, she refused to get married for four years.

When she heard of the death of Alma's mother, she took it as an advantage to get your father, who fell for her hopelessly, and today they are married.”

I was amazed; I never knew that there was this complicated story behind my mum’s marriage.

“That is unbelievable. If she is so much against arranged marriage, then why is she doing this to me? She would have simply asked me to move away instead of trying to force me into a marriage I never approved of.”

“I honestly don't know why she wants to marry you off, but you should have asked her and heard her out.”

“I don't need to ask her to know that she wants me out of the way so she can continue grooming her perfect Alma.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Alma. I love her very much, but having to be compared to her every single day was affecting me mentally.

It's always why are you always so ill-mannered; why can't you be more like your sister?” I said, mimicking my mum’s voice. I just want to pour out my heart because I have been holding it all in and it is becoming too heavy for me to handle.

“Do you really love Alma?” Grandma asked, leaving me confused.

“Yes, I do. She is my sister, and she loves me too.”

“Are you sure she loves you, or might she be pretending to love you?”

“I don't understand, grandma; what do you mean?”

“I have not said this to anyone other than your mum, but she didn't believe me.

“Said what?”

“You might not also believe me, but I will tell you later why I think that Alma might not really love you as much as you think.”

"Grandma, that's absorbed; I'm sure Alma cares about me. She has always loved me because of my free spirit; she told me that herself.

She even told me to continue doing what I think is right and that she will always support me.”

“Hmm, so what if I told you that she might just be acting all nice just to get the stone of life? But it's a good thing the stone doesn't choose people based on their outward behaviour.

It has always been about who you are on the inside. The sacrifice you could make to save others”

I couldn't wrap my mind around what Grandma was saying. Why wouldn't Alma love me? She has been nothing but the best sister ever.

I'm just going to hear Grandma out and know what she has to say.