Chapter 9
A za’s next visit to meet King Abasi was finally confirmed.
She had spoken briefly about him with her friends, but didn’t know much about him or his empire.
Apparently, he kept mostly to himself and didn’t partake in trade very much at all, but when he learned that the beautiful Princess Amiaza was up for grabs, he sent letters to her father to request a visit with the Princess.
His empire, although on the same continent, was almost a three-day trip, which was far too long for everyone traveling, especially the animals.
So, Baba had spoken to the King of the Bashar Kingdom, a friend and neighbor, to ask if Aza and her entourage could stay a night in their kingdom to rest on their journey.
The King happily obliged, despite also having an interest in Aza, for the King had two younger sons who are still unmarried.
Aza also had meetings with them about a potential marriage.
Aza just thought that, of all potential suitors, the Bashar King knows his sons probably won’t be chosen.
Quite honestly, Aza didn’t think the two men, who just happened to be twins, had any interest in getting married right now; they were also fourth and fifth in line for the throne, so they have no real reason or rush to get married.
Aza did, however, very much enjoy them; she didn’t see herself marrying either of them, but they did become friends, and Aza frequently wrote them letters, and they wrote back to her.
She was excited to see her friends again before going to this new land to meet someone she knew almost nothing about.
Because of all this uncertainty, Aza had gone to bed with a knot in her stomach and jitters from anxiety.
But when the moon started to set in preparation for the sun, Jahar had entered her room to wake her.
She smiled instantly at seeing his face when she opened her eyes.
It was her favorite way to wake up, even though it hardly happened.
He had explained that she needed to start getting ready as the carriage would be leaving shortly.
Thankful for having showered right before bed, all she had to do was simply run her fingers through her hair and put strands behind her ears.
She preferred to wear her hair down; it was more comfortable that way, especially since they would be spending the day inside her carriage.
She slipped into the pale pink, thin-strapped dress she had laid out on her corner chair.
It dipped modestly low on her chest, highlighting the tops of her curvy breasts, and the length brushed the ground slightly as she walked.
She gingerly pulled at the corset strings in the back until she had a comfortable curve to her waist and hips and made a small bow.
She slipped on a comfortable pair of white flats.
She would be sitting for a long time after all and wanted to be comfortable.
When she was ready for her adventure, she opened her front door to find Jahar and Bennu.
At the sight of her, they nodded their heads and led her through the palace to the outside, where her private carriage was waiting.
It was a fully enclosed carriage, sparkling in pure silver hue with white flower designs.
Two horses pulled the carriage in the front, and there’s room for two men to sit to control the horses’ reins in the front.
On the inside, there are benches on either side, adorned with light gray seat cushions and deep purple, fluffy pillows leaning against the back.
There’s room enough to fit four people. Underneath the benches are spaces for luggage, and there is extra storage on top of the carriage on the outside.
It was quite a comfortable carriage, especially for long journeys.
Aza’s father had it constructed specially for her to ride in when she traveled to meet various suitors.
Aza felt a pang of nervousness as she approached the carriage.
She always feels like she is going into these visits blind, even though they are stopping tonight in the Bashar Kingdom.
Her father says it’s best that she sees the potential suitors in their natural habitat.
It’s easier to act a part when the suitors are visitors themselves, but it's quite harder when they are dealing with ruling their kingdom and interacting with their staff and citizens. That’s also why he insists that she stay for a week.
It’s harder to keep up a facade for an extended period of time.
It also gives Aza more time to meet the people of the kingdom, see what the kingdom has to offer, how the kingdom is faring, and any other pertinent knowledge.
Either way, it feels like a lot of pressure and uncertainty.
It’s times like these that she is extra thankful for her guards, especially Jahar.
It makes her feel safer and protected having them with her, and it’s a piece of home she takes with her.
As she prepares to enter the carriage, she asked that Jahar ride with her in the carriage while the other guards take up horses to ride alongside.
Naturally, they agreed without resistance.
Jahar holds out his hand to help Aza up into the carriage.
She places her hand in his, and he gently squeezes for stability.
Her heart soars at the few touches she has been able to sneak in with him since Mama’s death anniversary.
She steps into the carriage and takes a seat.
Jahar follows after her and sits in the seat opposite her.
He places a large bag under the seat. She gives him a squinted smile and shakes her head playfully at him.
He squints his eyes back at her, clearly trying to hold back a smile.
She giggles and then breaks out in a yawn, for she did not sleep well last night, due to her anxiety about today and Jahar having the night off to rest as well.
“Did you not sleep well, Princess?”
“Not really. Just nerves for the trip.”
“I see. You should try to rest on the journey. It will be quite a long one,” he suggested.
“That would be a good idea if I could, but I still am far too anxious, and… and you’re here.”
“I could ride one of the horses or sit on the back bench of the carriage so you can have your privacy.”
“No, no. It’s not a privacy thing. I just,” Aza pauses, trying to find the right words to say, “I… I miss hanging out with you like we used to. I know it’s not the same, but I don’t like wasting the time I do get to spend with you when it’s not in the public eye or considered potentially improper, like in my room. But I know things are different now.”
Jahar takes a deep breath and then admits, “I miss those times too. You were a lot more fun back then.”
“Me?!” Aza practically shouts, which causes Jahar to break out in a full laugh, something Aza doesn’t hear very often anymore.
“Do you regret it?” Aza asks, fearing the answer.
“Regret what?”
“Regret accepting the position as my personal guard.”
A look of shock takes over Jahar’s face, “What? No, of course not.”
“I just feel like I took a lot away from you.”
“Princess, it was my decision. I was not forced into it, and you did not take anything away from me.”
“But you’re always working, and you told me that when you’re not, you’re only just sleeping or purchasing necessities.
You used to love being and working in the kitchens, and you used to smile and laugh so much, but it feels like you don’t get to do that anymore.
I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh like you just did in a long time. ”
“Things have definitely changed, but that does not mean I lost things or you took them away. Indeed, I can’t always be as open and free with my emotions as I used to or with my friendship with you, but I wouldn’t change my decision.
I certainly don’t regret it. We get to see each other so much more now.
Almost every day, which is not something we could always do before. ”
“Yeah, that’s true. Sometimes I miss the sneaking to go see you or the suspense leading up to seeing you or the more private moments we used to have.”
“So you don’t want to see me every day?”
“That’s not what I said.” Aza chuckled, then sobered, “It’s just… the dynamics were different back then. It somehow seemed… easier back then. Easier for us to be friends, to hang out, to… express ourselves.”
“I know,” he said, sighing, “But either way, things don’t stay the same forever; who knows where I would be or where you would be had I not taken this position.”
“That’s fair,” Aza agreed, then sighs sarcastically, saying, “You could just let me have my moment, though.”
This earns Aza another full Jahar laugh, and a smile spreads across her face.
“What is it that you miss the most, Princess?”
Aza just shakes her head, but seeing the wonder in Jahar’s eyes has her asking, “Honestly?”
“Honestly.”
Aza ponders this for a moment.
How do I tell him honestly without giving away that I’ve had a major thing for him since the very beginning? Or without hurting his feelings?
“I miss how open you used to be. I miss your jokes and how you used to make me laugh all the time. I miss our conversations. I miss the exciting tension between us, not the fear I have now that I’m overstepping because of our roles.
I…” Aza stops, fearing she has said too much.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to complain.” Aza drops her head.
“It’s okay. I asked for your honesty.” Jahar assured her, “And just because you say you miss things doesn’t mean you’re complaining or don’t appreciate what exists now. It’s okay to miss things, people, or how it used to be. I am sorry a lot has changed.”
“It’s okay. At least we have those memories in the first place, right?”
“Right.”
“How did you get so wise?” Aza jokes.