4
Meihu immediately rushed in a minute after the king left.
"Vaishu, what did the king say?" she asked anxiously, "Was he angry? Did he ask about you falling asleep?"
"Meihu...everything's fine," I said not wanting to go into specifics.
"Yeah but just tell me what happened," Meihu insisted. Meanwhile a few other girls arrived at the door.
"Can we come in, your highness," they asked.
"Send them away," whispered Meihu, "I need to talk to you."
"There really is nothing to talk Meihu," I said. "Of course, please come in," I smiled to the other women slightly annoying Meihu.
"Apologies your highness," said one of the girls, "for not waiting for you outside the bath chambers."
"That's fine," I smiled and assured.
"Was the king angry about us leaving you unattended?" asked Pallu.
"I don't think he is aware of that," I replied honestly.
"He would've deduced it based on the lack of jwellery and unbraided hair, your highness," said another girl.
"Perhaps he didn't pay attention to that," I said.
"Was he too mesmerized by you?" asked Pallu smiling.
"Pallu stop it," the other girl nudged her arm. I smiled.
"May I know your names?" I asked.
"Of course your highness," said the girl.
"This is Pallavi, Pallu, who is also my little sister," she introduced.
Pallavi and I exchanged smiles. "And I am Sruthi," she continued.
"And the one behind me," she said referring to a girl who hasn't spoken to me yet, "Her name is Naina. She is a little shy."
"Hi Naina," I greeted.
"Hi your highness," she smiled shyly.
"Now that you know all of us," said Sruthi, "What are our plans your highness? We can talk, play games, or if you have other hobbies we can...."
"As much as I would enjoy all of that," I interrupted, "I am a little tired. Would it be okay if I ask to be left alone for a while?"
"Of course, your highness," said Sruthi, "Anything you say would be okay."
Meanwhile one of the guards knocked on the door.
"Come in," I said.
"Your highness," he respectfully bowed, "The King requested to see you."
"Requested?" Sruthi whispered, impressed by the choice of words.
So was I
"Now?" I asked.
"At a time of your convinience, your highness," replied the messenger.
"Wow," Sruthi whispered again impressed.
"Tell the king I am on my way," I replied. The messenger nodded and left.
"You said you wish to be left alone!" Pallu said offended.
"Shh Pallu," Sruthi warned again.
"Forgive her, your highness," she said and stepped away to give me way. I could hear Sruthi and Pallu giggling to themselves. They seem to be genuinely happy about the way the king respected me.
"The queen is on her way, your highness," the messenger informed and I found myself involuntarily looking at the mirror to see if I look alright. Nanda noticed it and let out a smile which quickly disappeared when I looked at him.
I could feel my heart beating fast, in a good way. I've fought countless battles, had countless experiences both good and bad but never have I felt this level of anxiousness. Anxiousness that I somehow like and enjoy experiencing.
The door opened and Vaishnavi stepped in. I found myself involuntarily standing, so that I could look at her, straight in the eyes. Nanda went and introduced himself and brought her to me.
"You wanted to see me, your highness?" Vaishnavi asked.
"Yes, sit down please," I said and the three of us sat down together. Vaishnavi continued to look at me, waiting for me to talk.
"Do you have any friends here Vaishnavi, in the capital?" I asked.
Vaishnavi paused for a second before speaking.
"Do you not want Meihu to be my confidant?" she asked calmly.
'Wow!'
That was the first thing that came to my mind. She accurately deduced my intentions based on one single question and Nanda described her as naive? I don't think she is.
"That would not be my choice of words," I replied, "But I would prefer if someone else takes up her position." "So?" I continued, "any friends?"
"No," she replied.
"Relatives?" I asked, "Sisters? Cousi-"
"Do you not know anything about, me, your highness?" Vaishnavi interrupted me. She remained calm but I felt like I might've offended her.
"Apologies for the interruption, your highness," Nanda interrupted. "The queen recently lost her family in an unfortunate robbery incident," he informed me.
"Robbery?" Vaishnavi asked raising her eyebrows.
Nanda looked down and Vaishnavi dropped the discussion.
"To answer your question, your highness," Vaishnavi said turning her attention back to me, "I don't have any other friends or family but if you think that someone else would be able to replace Meihu, then I do not have any objections."
For the first time perhaps, I did not know how to react.
"If I may take your leave...." Vaishnavi prompted.
"Yes, of course," I nodded, "Thanks for coming."
"Was it actually a robbery?" I asked Nanda once Vaishnavi left.
"Every crime is robbery, your highness," Nanda replied, "Just a difference of what is being robbed."
"And what exactly was robbed that day?" I asked.
"The queen's happiness for sure," Nanda answered.
"That's an intelligent answer general," I said annoyed, "But we both that is not the answer I am looking for."
Nanda signed. "I don't have an answer, your highness," he replied, "There are different versions of what happened that night. Every voice said a different story."
"What is the queen's story?" I asked.
"Silence," Nanda replied and my mind immediately started looking into scenarios of what that could mean.
"Your highness, since the queen has no objections," Nanda interrupted my thoughts, "We might want to find a replacement for Meihu."
"No so fast general," I replied.
"But your highness...."
"You are asking me to override the queen's choice," I interrupted seriously, "I cannot do that. Not without evidence."
"What evidence do your need?" Nanda asked, "I will get it for you."
"You said the queen is naive and Meihu is manipulative. Prove atleast one of those statements," I said.
It is night again.
I've spent the entire day in the room by myself.
So Meihu didn't get a chance to tell me anything but I know for a fact that the king will not appreciate me falling asleep again.
However, I am actually very sleepy and tired and a part of me is partly hesitant and nervous about consummating this marriage.
Not that I don't want to but I'd prefer if the king waited, though I know it's inevitable.
He is a man who follows traditions and traditions say the marriage should be consummated within three days.
So I decided to make a brave move and made way to his private chambers.
"I want to speak to the king," I told the soldiers outside.
"Apologies, your highness," said the soldier, "The king has strictly ordered not to...."
"The king has asked to let the queen in," I heard Nanda's voice from inside and the soldier stepped aside to make way.
I stepped in to find the king and the general standing around a table with a map on it. I stared at it to see if I could make sense of it.
"We are discussing a new war formation," the king provided context. I nodded understanding it a little better now.
"You wanted to talk something?" the king asked looking at me.
"Yes..." I hesitantly started shifting my attention back to him. I could feel my heartbeat raising and my palms sweating but I maintained a neutral face.
"It's...getting late at night...and I am feeling....tired and sleepy," I said finally gaining courage.
"Go to sleep then," the king said as if it was obvious.
Was he being sarcastic?
"But I did not want to fall asleep by the time you are back and disrespect you," I said.
"I will not consider it disrespectful," said the king. He sounded completely genuine.
"Good night Vaishnavi," he added to enhance his point.
"Good night, your highness," I said and turned around to leave the chambers.
As I walked outside, I found a shelf right by the door with books on it arranged vertically.
The titles of the books were written on the spines.
I glanced at them as I walked outside but stopped when one book in particular caught my attention 'Peace at War'.
"Do any of those books interest you, your highness?" Nanda politely asked me from a distance.
I shook my head.
"I can't read," I lied and walked outside.
Sorry for the long chapter haha
Did you guys like it?