In the Hall of the Mountain Queen

Relief flooded over Gysu's face. He was honestly expecting to be killed on sight, let alone have the queen laugh at the news of her daughters pregnancy. "Thank you, my queen, for not killing me on sight," He replied, "However, due to the lack of bounties, I must say that I have no money to put forth into raising the child, nor do I have the money to take care of Mulanza. I would like to ask to stay here, at the palace in order to make ends meet."


Six months later:


Gysu woke up and got out of his bed and looked at the other side, Mulanza was still sleeping on the bed. Her pregnant belly swelled and sticking out. He bent over and kissed her forehead. He then went over to his wardrobe. He opened it up and almost spat in disgust. In the six months he had been living here, no one had even bothered to put in a suit of armor. And every time he put a set in, the next morning it would be gone. He grimaced as he put on a set of fine clothing, it would never feel natural to him. He had grown up wearing armor, and now he was stuck wearing silk shirts.

eventually, Mulanza stirred. it would only be a couple more months before she brought a child into the world, and what then? she rubber her eyes, eventually pulled herself up, and got dressed. she turned to Gysu during this time.

"everything okay?" she asked him, deciding to sit back down on the bed? "I don't think my mother is going to kill you... you've taken wonderful care of me over the last few months. I... well, I feel like I should thank you again."

Meili was busy in other matters and so she did not bother the two of them much. she would occasionally pull Mulanza aside to ask her a few things, but whatever went on in these discussions did not seem to affect Gysu. or perhaps did, only not in a negative light. the terse, warning glares seemed to have lessened over the months. Meili seemed less threatening, or perhaps just more trusting. nonetheless, she knew that she was not going to live her daughter's life for her, and so she stayed out of it for the most part.

"Everything is fine, I just miss my armor that's all." Gysu replied while sitting down on the bed next to her. "I know that your mother probably wont kill me, but I didn't live this long in my business by not being careful. You'd be surprised by how many escaped and/or released criminals want me dead. Come on, get dressed and we can walk through the garden." Gysu left to devoid his bladder of wastes. When he returned, Mulanza was fully dressed. Gysu took her hand and walked out to the garden. Over the past few months, word of the swamps beauty had spread to queen Meili's ears. So she had put in an area made to resemble the swamps, which included some of the plants and animals. Which had adapted to living in a smaller environment. "I know that it's not the same, but it's still a swamp." Gysu said to Mulanza. He leaned over and kissed her, "Come on, let's go get breakfast."

"well," Mulanza giggled, "I'm sure that there's no ban on wearing armor." she replied, "my mother still wears it a lot. I think it might just be a matter of asking her."

she glanced this way and that as they walked, and Mulanza mused a bit.
"you know..." she indicated, "Mother doesn't control our lives. we could always take a vacation back down there if we wanted."
she was certainly up for it, but she wasn't going to press it.

for now, it was time to follow Gysu and get some breakfast.

Gysu walked on down to the dining hall, "I don't think that she would approve of me wearing my armor," Gysu told her, "But I'll ask her." Gysu and Mulanza walked into the dining hall, he helped her to sit down and then he sat down himself. In the past few months, he still had no idea as to which silverware he should use while eating. "Hey, which spoon do I use again?" Gysu whispered to Mulanza as a bowl of what appeared to be porridge was set down in front of him.

Mulanza giggled. "that one," she pointed. "but frankly, if she doesn't, then she's hypocritical for doing one thing and saying another. I see nothing wrong with being prepared, as long as the armor is of your home nation, anyways."

"but..." she giggled again, kissing his cheek, "I think you look cute like this."

Gysu smiled a little sheepishly, "You're just saying that." He took the spoon that she indicated and began to eat the porridge. Then Meili walked in, after she sat down, Gysu spoke to her from across the table, "My queen," He started to ask, "can I start wearing my armor again? I know that it isn't Earth Nation, but it really suits me."

"but I'm not," she argued, "I mean it. I personally thought it was cute how we almost matched..."

when Meili sat down, she heard Gysu out.
"I am unsure for what this sudden reasoning for change is," She replied, "but I cannot deny it without becoming a hypocrite myself. Therefore, I suppose if that is what you wish--though it better not change anything regarding my daughter."

she doubted it will, but she just wanted to reinforce her old warning. she seemed slightly more protective as Mulanza grew closer to giving birth.

"There is no need for it, it's just that I feel more comfortable in it." Gysu replied, "Don't worry, it wont change a thing." Gysu finished his porridge and sat back in his chair waiting for Mulanza to finish her own breakfast. He felt oddly well about being allowed to wear his armor again.

"Very well." Meili nodded.

soon Mulanza finished eating and, and leaned back for a moment, putting a hand on he rbelly. she then turned to Gysu, as if to ask "what now?"

"How about we go out to take a walk around the city?" Gysu asked Mulanza, "It could be fun."

"alright," she replied, standing up and straightening her dress. "lead the way... though, don't walk too fast."
she had been slowed down a bit from the weight around her midriff. she wasn't complaining, but it was there nonetheless.

"Of course not," Gysu told her lovingly, "Just tell me if I need to slow down." He started to briskly walk away. He then turned around and smiled, "Kidding." He went back to her and then they set off into the city. Once out of the palace, Gysu looked around. He had hardly ever walked outside of the palace due to the fact that he was sure that queen Meili would think of him as being untrustworthy. "Why don't you lead the way?"