23
"You want to see me, your highness?" the general asked stepping into my meeting chambers.
"Yes," I replied, "Regarding the inventory report of our weapons."
"I predicted you would ask," the general said sitting down on the opposite chair and placing some papers infront of me, "It took me a while to get the details from the north side. Apologies for the delay."
"Just apologies? No flowers?" I asked raising my eyebrows.
"Right...." the general immediatly figured out what happened. "I apologized because Naina refused to talk to me if I did not and the flowers were the queen's idea," he explained.
So his both sisters are involved too. Good to know!
"If I may add, your highness, I regret both of those decisions," the general continued, "All I got in return was disrespect and erratic behavior."
"Exaggeration," I commented.
"She was disrespectful to you too, your highness," the general argued.
"She only commented that I need to be in my wife's dreams which I very much intend on doing, " I replied. "The only concerning fact is her being alright with your presence in her dreams. Surely must mean something."
The general fell silent.
"Thoughts, general?" I asked raising my eyebrows.
"No, your highness," the general said respectfully.
"Thoughts, Nandu bhaiyya?" I rephrased my question.
"She is a crazy women Adi-" the general paused and corrected himself, "Your highness."
I rolled my eyes.
I hate when he does that, but atleast he continued to speak his heart out.
"I know what you are thinking," he added, "but we both hate each other and there is no way I would want to be with a women like her."
I did not believe a single word he said. I know him enough to recongize when he lies, but he does not have to know that.
"Okay," I nodded, "Let us get back to work then."
"So the report, your highness......" the general continued.
"I thought you would be in the library, Vaishu," Adi asked surprised when he found me in our chambers.
"Am working on..." I paused and started over to provide the context. "I am scared that the more I delay the gathering, the more I will fear. So, can I have the gathering tomorrow?"
"Does it require my presence?" Adi asked walking my way.
"No," I answered.
"Then it does not require my permission either," he smiled and picked up the paper I am working on. "What is this?"
"My speech for tomorrow," I answered, "I actually wanted to ask if you could go through it and see if everything is alright."
"Let us go through it together," he said and spinned me around so that he could wrap his hands around me and read the paper from across my shoulders.
I shifted my eyes from him to the paper and back to him to decode his reaction.
"You cannot say any of this, Vaishu," Adi said the moment he finished reading.
"But why?" I asked turning around to face him.
"Because it sounds so ordinary and does not reflect the power and influence you have," he answered.
"But that is how I wish for them to see me," I answered, "As an ordinary women."
"What good would that do?" Adi argued.
"They will not be intimidated by me," I answered, "What good would flaunting my power do?"
"Give them the assurance that they can come to you for help," Adi replied.
I was taken by surprise. That is a valid point I never thought about.
"Improving their lives is more important that being their friend, Vaishu," Adi continued.
"You are right," I said, "I will change my speech."
"Start with this part where you refer to me as his highness," Adi said pointing to the paragraph in frustration.
"Why do you sound more offended by that compared to everything else?" I asked genuinely curious.
"Because I am most offended by that," Adi replied, "I need atleast my wife to call me by my name to make sure I do not completely loose my identity."
"I am sorry, Adi" I apologized making sure I stress his name, "I will change that."
"Fine," Adi said still angry.
"Calm down now," I said. He looked away.
"Calm down, Adi," I repeated again.
Still not convinced.
"Look at me, Adi," I said.
Still not convinced but he did look at me.
"Smile Adi," I said purposefully adding his name behind every sentence.
"I know what you are doing," Adi said controlling his smiles, "Stop!"
"I will not stop Adi," I playfully added, "I want to talk Adi....."
"Okay I surrender," Adi said, "Not angry anymore."
"Good," I smiled.
"Or am I?" he said with a mischevious smile as he reached out to my hair.
"Not this time," I said stepping back.
"You think I cannot catch you?" Adi asked.
"I sure want you to try," I replied and started running. I ran outside the chambers but stopped when all the soldiers turned towards me.
Adi who was still inside the chambers stopped too, because he is a man of morals. However, unlike last time, he did not come to my aid and just stood there, perhaps contemplating.
"Evacuate the corridors, please," I commanded myself not wanting to waste time.
"Wow," Adi said impressed.
"Count to 10," I said turning back to him once the soldiers left.
"Am sure the queen does not need a headstart," Adi said and the game began.
This time it was fun. The long corridors and large number of rooms gave us a lot of space to run and the fact that I am not on my menstrual cycle allowed me to move a lot more freely. It continued for a really long time until I stopped because I got so exhausted and could not run anymore.
Adi quickly caught up to me and pulled me closer. I pushed him away and was about to escape but he placed his hand on the wall trapping me inbetween the wall and himself.
"I won," he whispered and was about to reach out for my hair.
"No do not," I said holding onto my braid and I felt his fingers stop. I slowly looked upto him surprised at why he stopped only to find him looking at me with love. It felt so magical that I got lost in his eyes.
He gently carassed my face pushing back a few strands of hair that fell on my face due to the running and leaned in a little forward almost as if he was about to kiss me.
I thought an experience like this would be uncomfortable but it is not. In fact, I felt secure and a part of me wanted to feel how wonderful it would be to experience his love. However, Adi suddenly stopped. He immediately stepped back and looked away as a way to get hold of himself.
I know he stepped back because he thought he does not have my consent but he does. I just did not know how to beautifully phrase it in words.
"I will..." Adi stuttered for the first time ever. "I will inform the general about your gathering. He needs to make the necessary security arrangements," he added and immediately left.
How many of you guessed about Naina being Nanda's sister?