25
Can you please consider voting ??
Will help me with the algorithm....
"And that is all there is to say about me, your highness" said the last women.
"Thank you Ms. Rashi," I smiled. "It has been wonderful knowing you all," I continued completely planning to let go of my speech but for some reason Sruthi came up onto the stage.
"Your highness," she whispered pretending to adjust my hair, "Look at the soldier standing guard in the middle."
I turned to the soldier and immediately figured out who it was.
Adi!!!
He winked at me the moment we made eye contact. I guess it is his way of removing any doubts I might have about his identity. My face immediately beamed with joy.
"Please do not make it obvious, your highness," Sruthi said again.
"Right," I said and gained back my composure.
"Stay calm and say your speech," she encouraged, "We are all with you."
"Thank you," I smiled and Sruthi left the stage.
"So, we had a wonderful discussion so far," I continued confidently, "But I think there is a question that most of you would like to ask but did not, either because you are scared or just being nice.
" "Either way I think it important for all of you to know why the king, his highness.
.." I paused and looked at Adi before continuing, "my husband Adi.
.." I could see the surprised look on everyone's face but decided to continue anyway, "decided to make me incharge of the women working in the palace. ...."
"Oh damn," the general whispered the moment the queen mentioned the king's name.
"What? Are you offended?" I asked the general.
Of course, he would be offended, being the arrogant man-child that he is.
"No, just plesantly surprised," he smiled. "The king always wanted someone to call him by his name.....glad the queen is courageous enough to do so....I could only imagine the joy on his face right now."
Omg he is so cute when he smiles and he approves calling husband by name. I will marry this man!
"What is wrong with me," he said immediately ruining the atmosphere, "Did I stoop so low that I actually answered your question?"
Never mind! I will kill this man!
"No, it was me who stooped low to even try and have a conversation with you," I said in retreat.
"Ms. Sruthi, you...."
"Can you both please stop," the general was interrupted by Naina's whispers, "The queen is giving a speech for god sake."
"I will deal with you later," the general said and we both focussed on the queen and I must admit, she is wonderful. The honesty with which she put forward her intentions to help, the confidence, the word choice were all just perfect.
However, what I found the most adorable is the way the king and queen secretly kept looking at each other.
The love in their eyes....the admiration they have towards each other.
....and the longingness the queen exhibited as she patiently waited for everyone to leave just so that she could approach the king is beautiful to witness.
"I want what they have," I said involuntarily.
Now that the queen's speech is over and everyone slowly began to leave, the general did not let go of the opportunity to taunt me.
"You mean staying in the same room and not talking to each other?" the general asked, "I can gladly do that with you every single day."
I rolled my eyes.
"I meant the love," I corrected.
"I do not think god is cruel enough to curse a man into being your husband," the general joked.
"Say that again and I will strangle you to death," I said looking straight into his eyes.
The general was too shocked that he took a moment to react.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"I said if you say that again, I will strangle you to death," I repeated.
"Ms. Sruthi, let me remind you that you are talking to the General of the Nine Kingdoms," the general said seriously, "Threating me a serious offence for which...."
"You have no proof," I interrupted, "We are amongst my people, my friends. Everyone here will choose me over you. My word over your word. Do you really want to embarrass yourself in court?"
The general seemed to be genuinley offended by this statement for his expression immediately went from playful angry to serious angry. I would be lying if I said I did not find that intimidating.
"Spoke like a true criminal, Ms. Sruthi," he said in a purposefully calm but highly intimidating tone, "Let us see how long you will survive before I actually catch you in a crime. A crime from which even the king would refuse to save you."
I wanted to say something back. Something sarcastic to show that I am not intimidated but my words never left my mouth.
"From now on, my eyes are on you," the general warned and left.
I probably pushed it too far. If there is an award for stupidity, I would get it....or so I thought, until I saw Pallu with the king.
I was impatiently waiting for all the women to leave, so that I can talk to Vaishu when I felt someone tap on my hand. It was Pallavi, who probably did not recognize me with my face covered.
"All the soldiers are leaving, why are you still here?" she asked me.
"I...uh...want to talk to my wife," I answered. "Over there," I added pointing to the stage.
"There are like 20 women over there," Pallavi said, "which one of them is your wife?"
I signed. There is no way I could answer that question without having to hear this girl scream.
"Answer me, young man." she said as if I am the kid in this situation.
"I am not oblidged to answer you, miss," I replied.
"I commend you to answer," she said firmly.
"You are supossed to command," I corrected, "Commend means to praise."
"How dare you defy the....." Pallavi's statement was cut short when she saw Vaishu walking towards me. I looked around. Everyone except for her maids left.
"You can remove the mask, Adi," Vaishu smiled.
"The what now?" Pallavi said flabestered.
I removed the mask and looked at Pallavi. "How dare I defy the...." I prompted her to continue.
Pallu blinked her eyes twice and slowly took a few steps back. Perhaps she expected a chair but there was none, so she deliberately walked to the nearby chair, looked at us straight in the eyes and pretended to faint, falling onto the chair.
Sruthi immediately ran to her sister.
"Pallu, stop embarrassing yourself. We know you are acting," she said.
"BAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" we immediately heard a scream and Pallu ran outside. Sruthi and Naina followed too, perhaps Vaishu told them to beforehand, leaving me and Vaishu alone.
"And apparently, the general and I are the ones with a reputation of yelling," I said sarcastically as I turned around to watch Pallu run away.
Vaishu held my hand to get my attention back.
"Yes, Vaishu," I turned around and asked still thinking about Pallu.
"I love you so much," Vaishu said with tears in her eyes and hugged me.
I invoruntatily smiled as I wrapped my arms around her.
"I love you so much too," I replied.
Hey lovlies, how's the chapter?