11
"I apologize for Meihu's behaviour general," I said once everyone left.
"No apology needed, your highness," the general said, "I know she doesn't speak for you."
I smiled.
"Anything else you would like to talk about?" the general asked. I remained silent. Should I or should I not?
"The sacred thread I gave you," the general's words interrupted my thoughts, "I have another similar one and I gave it to my sister." "The point I am trying to make is," the general continued, "you can tell me anything that a girl would be comfortable to tell her brother."
I smiled. This is such a sweet gesture from him. I decided to speak up.
"I want to know...." I started hesitantly, "what would make the king angry?"
"So many things that I could probably write a book about it," the general joked. "Why do you want to know that?" he asked when he noticed the concerned look on my face.
"Because right now, our relationship is good and I don't want to do anything to make him angry," I confessed.
"That's not a very effective stratergy, your highness," the general immediately responded, "Why would you want to walk on egg shells around your husband for the rest of your life."
"Because the consequences of not doing so are dangerous," I answered.
"There aren't....any dangerous consequences, your highness," the general said almost sounding surprised at my initial statement. "I'd know because I get on his nerves every single day," he added.
I am still not convinced and perhaps the general noticed it too.
"If you are still scared then might I remind you that I took a vow to protect you with my life," he said, "the king has to fight and kill me before he could even think of hurting you."
That was a very assuring statement. Especially coming from a man with such strength and capability. I immediately felt calm and at ease.
"Anything else, your highness?" the general asked.
I shook my head. "Thanks for all your help, general," I said, "It really means a lot."
"Anytime your highness," the general said and made his way out.
Meihu immediately rushed in followed by Naina.
"Your highness, I need to...."
"No," I interrupted. It takes me a lot of assurance to allow myself a tiny bit of freedom and one conversation with Meihu ruins everything.
"Looks like the general charmed you, your highness," Meihu said sarcastically.
"All he did was to say something you should've told me as a friend," I said a little angry.
Wow! I am actually expressing anger. Adi would be so proud.
"And that requires the both of you to be left alone in a private room for the second time?" Meihu asked.
I looked at her in disbelief. I am not even angry now. I am hurt! Genuinley hurt!
"Meihu that's enough," Naina said taking my side.
I was surprised. I always thought Naina is quiet and shy like me, but she knows when to take a stand. Wish I was like that.
"How can you make such deragatory statements about your own friend?" she asked.
"I did not," Meihu replied, "But the other male soldiers did. The world is not as progressive and you and I. The general and queen requesting to be left alone two out of three times they met will never be viewed in good light."
"The king doesn't have a reputation of being patient either," she said turning towards me. "Careful, your highness," she added and left the room.
"Your highness, don't let her words get into your head," Naina tried to console me.
I nodded trying hard to control my tears. "May I be left alone for a while," I asked.
"Of course, your highness," Naina nodded and left the room.
"Is the queen still inside the library?" I asked Naina who was standing outside.
"Yes, your highness," Naina nodded, "She requested to be left alone."
"Left alone?" I asked, "Why?"
Naina didn't answer but looked at Meihu.
"Why?" I asked Meihu. She remained silent.
I looked at Sruthi and Pallavi. Pallavi ran away and Sruthi remained silent.
"Can someone just answer me?" I demanded raising my voice.
"The general visited," Meihu answered.
I know that cannot be the reason. I know Meihu is lying so I looked at Sruthi to see if she would say something. She remained silent too.
"I wish to talk to you later," I told Sruthi and went inside the library. I need to handle my wife first. Everything else can wait.
I was sitting down in the middle of some book lanes crying, when I heard his voice "Vaishu!"
I don't know why but I immediately panicked. I know I am overthinking but somehow I can't seem to stop it.
"Vaishu, where are you?" he shouted again and my first instict was to run and hide. I got up and tried to run but to my misfortune I knocked right into him.
"Vaishu what happened?" he asked concerned.
I turned around and tried to run away but he pulled me back.
"Why are you crying?" he asked again gently holding my shouders. I did nothing but sob.
He signed. "Vaishu....you need to tell me what happened. I can't read your mind," he said trying to maintain his cool.
I didn't respond. I could see him getting frustrated.
"Alright, calm down," he said gently, "Why don't we go back to our chambers, sit down and talk, yes?"
I couldn't even respond to that. I looked down still crying.
The king let go off my shouders rubbed his forehead frustrated.
"What are you doing, Vaishu" he whispered to himself.
"Alright," he signed, "Have it your way."
"Have it your way," I said and left the library.
I really don't know what happened to her and I am very very angry.
Silence is not something I am used to and most of the time Vaishnavi has silence as her only answer.
This is frustrating. It's hard for me to deal with it, especially after a tedious day of work. But I will.
Vaishu is my wife and I will stand by her through heaven or hell. That is the marriage I know and that is the marriage I believe in.
So to sort this problem, I need to find the root cause. I know it's not the general. It can never be the general. It has to do with what happened afterwards, most likely it's Meihu juding by Naina's looks. All I need to do is to find out what poison was fed into Vaishu's mind.
"Naina, to the meeting chambers," I said the moment I stepped out.
"Ask Pallavi to take the queen to the queen's private chambers and you make way to the meeting chambers too," I instructed Sruthi. She nodded.
"And you," I said turning towards Meihu full of spite and anger. "Stay away from my wife," I warned, "Or I will burn you alive!"