"L-like…" I blushed at the words, trying to process them.
"Yes." The queen nodded her head. "What do you like about my son?"
She was being serious about this question. Not that I really blamed her. She was probably testing to see that I actually liked her son.
Taking a breath to calm myself, I thought over the question, wanting to answer it properly. What did I like about Xavier? Well, there were a lot of things I liked about him.
So, I finally answered, "Well, the first thing I like about him is how straightforward he is, almost to the point of no shame. It's sometimes embarrassing, but I know he'll be honest with me no matter what. I also like his sense of justice… and how he's willing to help those who've been wronged. So, I like his personality."
"And his strength and looks? Are you not worried about his scars?" The queen asked, giving me a bit of deja vu.
"I actually think his scars make him look hot…" I scratched my reddening cheek nervously. It was embarrassing saying this to Xavier's mother, but I knew she wanted me to be honest. "Him being good-looking and a strong male is a bonus. Getting along is the important thing for me. Otherwise, things won't work between us."
"Seems you have a good head on your shoulders." The queen mused at my words before turning her head to the right. "Now how about you stop hiding Xavier and come tell me what you like about Elisa?"
My jaw dropped in horror as Xavier stood up from behind a bush a few meters away, two wooden glasses in hand. How long had he been there?! And how did the queen notice it?!
It wasn't like I was embarrassed about him knowing what I liked about him, but it was a bit mortifying to think he overheard me speaking about him with his mother. This conversation was meant to be private.
"It's red bush tea." Xavier said, handing a glass to the queen and me before sitting down next to me.
The glass was ice cold to touch, making me wonder how it could get like this when it was warm around us. It wasn't like they had fridges in the beastworld. At least I assumed they didn't.
"How is it cold?" I asked.
"We have a contract with the dragons to create ice cellars for us." The queen explained before taking a small sip of tea. She then lowered her cup and added, "It gets very hot during the dry season here and food quickly becomes inedible in the heat. Many die from eating spoilt food, so we created these cold spaces to keep cool from the heat and preserve food."
Well, that explained why Atlas was constantly using his power. He was keeping these ice cellars cold with his power like some ice dragon. It made me wonder if ice was an evolution of the water ability elemental beastmen had.
Before I could think much more about it, the queen asked again, "So, Xavier, what do you like about Elisa?"
"I like that Elisa doesn't judge me and is fair about things. Most of the time." Xavier mused to himself. "Oh and her odd way of speaking. She comes up with the strangest words and ideas."
I wasn't sure how to take that last part. I knew it was meant to be a compliment, but it almost felt like an insult. It was not my fault I came from another planet and was brought up on a certain way of speaking.
The queen sipped on her tea for a moment before she said, "I suppose I'll have to give my blessings then."
"I was going to court Elisa with or without your blessings." Xavier stated, nonchalantly.
I gazed at him with wide eyes, wondering if he understood what he was saying. And to whom. Was he trying to make things difficult?
The queen merely narrowed her eyes at him before she turned back to me. "When is your next estrous cycle?"
Thank goodness I wasn't drinking my tea because I would have choked on it. I did not expect her to ask such a question.
"Um… I'm not sure." I lied.
Well, I didn't know exactly when my period would come again. It would be within the next few weeks and I didn't need it to come out that I got my period regularly.
"Well, when you do, have Xavier come and tell me." The queen stated. "I send over some herbs to help with the pain and increase your chances of having cubs."
"Mother!" Xavier exclaimed in horror. "Elisa and I haven't discussed that yet!"
I silently nodded my head in agreement, sipping on my tea. Maybe we should have, but I felt it was too early in our courtship to be discussing babies. Probably should have though. I was curious now if Xavier wanted cubs.
"And why not?" The queen huffed. "You're not getting any younger here. You should be thinking of having cubs. All your brothers are. You know Simon had three lion cubs a moon ago and they look so adorable. You should think about having some hatchlings."
"At least I'm courting a female…" Xavier muttered. "Rowan isn't even close to finding a mate."
"You know it's hard for him." The queen sighed. "He has to be very careful with who he chooses because his mate will become the next queen."
"And he can't speak to females properly…" Xavier added under his breath.
His mother heard that comment despite him whispering it and frowned. "Elisa, I'm sorry you have to deal with this brat… I'll be sure to help you find better males."
"That's not necessary, your majesty." I chuckled nervously, grabbing Xavier's hand before he went off at her words.
"Mother is fine dear. You're going to be part of this family." The queen glanced over at Xavier. "Anyway, I won't keep you here for long. You should get going before the market gets busy."
"You know?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"You don't carry crystals unless you're going shopping." The queen pointed at the bag. "Now run along and come visit again when you've settled in."