Page 50 of The Champion
It took me a long second, but I finally admitted, “Yes to all the above.”
“Then you do love me,” Freya declared.
“Maybe.”
She laughed. “I’m loosening up your strings here. Do you feel it?”
“I don’t know if I can ever say those words to you though.”
“You already admitted that you love everything about me.”
“Yes, but that’s different.”
“From what?”
“From saying those words directly.”
“What words?”
“That I love you.”
Freya beamed in a massive smile. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? I love you too.”
Her untroubled, flirtatious energy was dimmed when I sighed and pointed out the tragic truth. “It doesn’t matter how I feel about you, Freya. We’ve been over this a million times and there’s no future for us.”
“I know.” She sunk into the couch. “You couldn’t live in the Northlands and I couldn’t live here. The Motherlands are out because you swore an oath of loyalty to Old Europe.”
“Yes.”
“I’m just curious.”
“Hm?”
“Why is it that you’re willing to be loyal and committed to your country but not to me?”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“Why not? You just said that being limited doesn’t appeal to you. Your country’s laws prohibit you from being in a loving relationship with another person and from traveling the world as you please. Explain to me how it’s fine with you to be bound by your love for one country but not a woman. What if the other two countries have something interesting to offer?”
“It’s different because France needs me.”
“I need you as well, Victor.”
My throat felt dry. “But it’s about the survival of my people.”
“Yeah, but if you died tomorrow, you would still be a national hero who did more for your people than any other. Why limit your loyalty to French people instead of humanity as a whole?”
“I… I…” I wasn’t sure what to answer because I saw the similarities that she referred to. “You have a point but living in the Northlands and Motherlands doesn’t appeal to me.”
“What don’t you like about them?”
“The Motherlands have strict rules about everything. I get annoyed at their soft voices and constant need for everyone to get along. I don’t need to be friends with all my colleagues. In their eyes, I’m probably a dick, but I like short efficient communication with my staff, and I’m not interested in how they slept that night or what their dreams are for the future. I go to work to solve problems, not to get friends.”
“Then why did you ask Shelly to come and help you? She’s a Motlander. Does she annoy you as well?”
“Yes. When she starts to ramble about weird stuff. But she compensates because she brings enormous value to my work. Shelly isn’t like other Motlanders. She has never asked to hug me or told me to walk in peace and tranquility.” I wrinkled my nose when I said the last words and it made Freya smile.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we could pick the best things from each of the three cultures in the world and make our own country?”
