Dishonored

In the sprawling Leikol, the ministers of the court were assembled for a very significant occasion. The expansive garden was one of the many which resided inside the seven miles estate of the Kangla palace of the kingdom of Kangleipak.

This garden was the king's favourite spot for social activities and it was tended with essential care and attention. A startling number of seven hundred and eighty-one varieties of flowers, fruits and orchids grew inside. In addition, water channels of considerable sizes flows across the garden, for resourcefulness as well as aesthetics purposes. And it was also a beautiful dwelling place for birds and other small creatures.

All in all, it was a pleasant day accompanied by fragrances and scents wafting in the air.

The two distinguished noble clans, the Ningthouja and the Ningthemja were gathered for a special arrangement on this day, hosted by the king himself, along with the other men of the court. They were all dressed in luxurious robes of exquisite designs and colours.

KorouNganba of the house of Ningthemja sat quietly in a pavilion. He was clad in a white gold furit and pheijom with a long shawl, patterned in khamenchatpa which was draped on his toned body, looking handsome and elegant. His long lashes quivered as he blinked dazedly, playing with the gold ring on his forefinger as he watched the ducks paddling in the clear lake besides.

"Ah my son, it's your day, smile a little, Korou!" a voice spoke up.

The man turned to look and saw a regally dress old man and a beautiful woman stepping into the threshold before him. They were his parents.

"Mother, father." He got up and greeted them, sincerely.

"Your father's right, please look a little cheerful, mm?" his mother said as she walked up to him and fixed his clothes a bit. "Or else the young lady will be put off." She added.

"Ridiculous! Who can be put off by my son's handsome appearance?" the man huffed. The woman clicked her tongue at her husband but she smiled lovingly anyway.

"Her lady is right, try to smile a bit Korou, you are putting me off!" Another man entered the pavilion and said. He was the older company of the younger man, Mangi Achom. And besides him was an old man, his face was aged beyond years and his eye pupils were a murky white.

He was a blind seer of the family.

"My lord and lady." he greeted with a small smile.

Mangi continued excitedly, "I have heard that the Ningthouja's daughter is quite the beauty. The most fairest of maidens in the land!"

"Mangi, are you going to say such things in front of His Majesty and his daughter, Her Highness?" the lady asked amusedly.

"My lady, it's not my own words! They are words passed on the streets of the kingdom everywhere. In my defence, the Crown Princess, Tamphasana is surely a beauty by herself!" the man added with an animated expression.

"You humour us as always, Mangi." she said with a gentle laugh.

The others except for Korou, all laughed heartily.

"Ahem, sorry to disrupt your pleasantries, but I seek your person, minister Irabot." A rough voice interrupted.

The Ningthemja household turned to the source of the voice. There, standing in the threshold was minister Yaima, with his lips curved to a grin. He was a robust man in his fifties and on either side of him, stood two tall young men. The older looking of the two had dark curly hair and a demure smile was plastered on his handsome face.

The younger man on the other hand, had on a sombre and disinterested expression but he was exceedingly handsome with an attractive gaze. He was clothed in a cream gold furit and pheijom with red patterned khamentchapa shawl.

"Ah, Yaima! And these two handsome lads must be your sons?"

"Yes, indeed. Lanchenba and Lamyanba." The man said as he gestured to his sons.

"Wonderful. KorouNganba is my only son." The other man said.

"Of course, how could I forget the name of the man my daughter will be engaged to. I promise you, my daughter Lingjel will be so delighted."

"It is such a joyful occasion. I really can't wait to see it happen." Irabot said.

As the two clans were exchanging their pleasantries, an attendant of the king came and said, "My lords and lady, Our Majesty seeks your audience."

At this, all of them walked out together towards the centre of the garden where the king was making his entrance. The man was in his late forties, he was dressed in his royal garbs along with gold ornaments. He wore a kokyet and his matured benign face wore an appealing smile.

The king's four attendants stood dutifully on each side of his handsome person. One of the servants carried a red pe, high over the king's head shielding away the hot sun rays while the head personal servant patiently waits on him. Two strong bodyguards stood a little far behind them.

"Your Majesty!" The subjects greeted their king as they bowed in unison.

The king smiled satisfyingly and began,

"Today, I'm delighted to be the host of this wonderful occasion happening between two of the most respected households in my kingdom.

To be a major part of such a sweet affair, of witnessing the betrothal of two beautiful young people, KorouNganba of the Ningthemja clan and maiden Lingjel of the Ningthouja clan, I'm wholly touched, and I cannot wait until this event comes to fruition."

"Yes, your Majesty, I can't tell you how elated I'm that you are the one who wisely proposed this happy engagement between our families." Said minister Yaima looking at the other minister Irabot who smiled and joined in,

"Indeed, I'm very eager for our son and daughter to be finally able to have their official meeting."

"Then, my dear ministers, let us wait no further." The king said as he put up his hands and waved to one of his waiting servant.

And soon enough, the gentle tinkles of bangles was heard, everyone present look to the side, Her Highness, the Crown Princess had entered the centre of the garden.

She was dressed in vibrant colours of phanek and innaphi; shining gold ornaments of varied designs decorated her neckline, ears, hair as well as her hands and waist. And right besides her was princess Lingjel, she was apparelled in phanek and innaphi of unique colours and immaculate prints and patterns, and she was also adorned with a modest measure of gold ornaments. Both princesses garlanded a beautiful bright flower each, on either side of their left ears. They were the embodiment of girlish loveliness as they gracefully stepped in together, accompanied by their loyal female attendants.

The eyes of the audience where hence glued to the charming girls, most especially towards Lingjel, who appeared effortlessly gorgeous and once again paled the Crown Princess Tamphasana.

The Ningthouja head secretly looked proud and smug, seeing the awe-struck expressions of the Ningthemja clan gazing at his daughter.

Both princesses greeted the king first, then turned to greet the other nobles amiably. The lord and lady of the Ningthemja eagerly walked towards the princesses. The man who was quite taken to Lingjel's beauty started carelessly, "Ah, daughter you are the most beautiful-"

His lady swiftly interjected, "Yes, the most beautiful daughter one is blessed to have besides His Majesty's, of course."

She said as she smiled as genuinely as she can towards the Crown Princess but, she found that the princess was not even listening to them, instead she was staring at something or someone behind them with bemused eyes and reddened cheeks. The old couple curiously followed her gaze and soon saw the dashing image of the younger son of minister Yaima, Lamyanba who was speaking to his brother, unaware of the eyes upon him. The Ningthemja pair secretly looked at each other and was vehemently amused.

So, the rumors were true, the Crown Princess was besotted with the younger Ningthouja prince.

All of a sudden, somebody shouted and broke the pleasurable atmosphere, startling everybody present,

"What deceit is this?! She is impure! This maiden is far off from a virgin!"

The whole crowd astounded, looked at the direction of the voice. There standing with a disgusted expression on his aged face was the blind seer of the Ningthemja family, he continued shouting boldly,

"Such a tainted maiden cannot partake in a sacred matrimony! This is truly revolting!"

"Amaiba, what did you say?" minister Irabot asked in disbelief.

"My lord, the maiden is not a virgin! They dare offend us bringing such a woman to be a bride of the Ningthemja house! How atrocious!"

These sudden claims had everyone confused and shocked, they couldn't believe what they were hearing! But the shock soon wore off, and the first one to break the silence was minister Yaima who immediately grabbed his sword from his servant and roared furiously,

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! HOW DARE YOU DEMEAN MY DAUGHTER'S CHASTITY? HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY FAMILY! I'LL KILL YOU!"

The rest of the Ningthouja clan all took out their swords. Swing! Swing!

Threatened, the Ningthemja clan followed the same action. Swing! Swing!

Dozens of blades gleamed in the garden in a matter of minutes, the tension was so thick in the air. The other nobles feared that at any moment, an ugly fight was to be ensued between the two families. But then, a thunderous voice rang loud,

"You all dare released your swords before Your King?! Put them down at once!"

Both clans put down their swords at the command immediately.

The Ningthouja head bowed down fully before the king and began in an imploring tone, "Eningthou! Please forgive me and family! But as a father of such a beloved daughter yourself please understand the turmoil of my heart! How could I just stand to do nothing at such repulsive insults thrown at my dearest daughter and my family!"

The man said as he gestured with a heartbroken glance at his daughter Lingjel, who was already weeping silently in the corner and was being comforted by the Crown Princess and the maids. Then, he looked seething at minister Irabot and his seer.

"My king, please do forgive us for our impudence! We were threatened with their swords directed at us so suddenly!" minister Irabot said bowing before the king then he added in a nervous but determined voice,

"My king and to my fellow minister Yaima, please allow us to explain, our family is caught just as surprised as the rest..."

"There is nothing to explain! Not after those insults your seer degraded us with! Irabot, I have nothing against you and your family but I demand the head of that foul mouth blind seer! Only then my heart will be at ease!" minister Yaima spat sourly.

Minister Irabot and the rest of the family looked tensed. The blind seer was an indispensible and respected man of the clan, still they cannot take back his words back and pretend nothing was said by him.

"I..." he was tongue-tied, confused as to what decision to make.

The king knew his trouble so he interrupted in a firm tone,

"My ministers, the situation is very dire and unseemly, before we continue any further let us dismiss the ladies and the youngsters first."

Both parties agreed to this arrangement and the princesses and princes along with their attendants were sent away. But even after that, nothing was settled as the blind seer stood resolute in his claims much to the horror and displeasure of his clansmen. The conflict got worst instead and the king finally said it will be continued the next day in court and with strict command that neither clansmen will go about to straighten out this dispute outside, without his counsel.

He also demanded no one present was to breathe a word of this affair to anyone other than the people present on the day. But words of mouth travels faster than winds and by next morning half the population of the capital already knew about it.

Ahanlem and the group came to know early of this news too. Actually, they were told by the officials of the crime faction about an internal conflict which had delayed their trial with the king and his court. But they came to know about the incident in detail by gossips passing on the streets.

Ahanlem's heart and mind were in shambles. The timing was so unjust! How could this happen to them?!

-

It was late evening, in the private little garden of the king's residence. The king sat looking tired in his dishevelled robes. Then, one of the palace attendants came and announced,

"Your majesty, the guest has arrived."

"Your Majesty." the guest entered and greeted.

The king turned and said softly, "Hm, Khaba you finally came to see me. Do you remember your king only now?"

"Pardon me, my king. I've been too busy but I swear on my heart, I have never once forgotten you."

"You are here about the Nongbal troupe master murder case, I assumed. I heard it happened in your town."

"Yes, the accused is unfortunately, a kin of a late man I have much respect for."

"I see. I'll help as much as I can but right now, my hands are tied. You must have heard, the incident between the Ningthemja and Ningthouja clans..."

"Yes, the whole capital seems to be talking about it. It's really regrettable, dare I ask how it is going, Your Majesty?"

"I just came back from a heated argument between them in the court. The Ningthoujas have been demanding the life of the seer who uttered the claims but the Ningthemja is stubbornly reluctant about it. I have an audience with them again tomorrow."

"Well I understand, I shall wait patiently until it is all settled. But for now I must leave for Chengmei. I'll come back again.

And I pray Your Majesty take us much rest despite all these affairs. It is a humble request from me." The chieftain said bowing.

"Alright, my loyal subject. I look forward to your visit later." The king said with a smile.

-

The chieftain called Ahanlem out from her room that evening. He informed that he will be leaving for the town the next day. He said that he will comeback a week later where the hearing was arranged to be held. The chieftain was leaving one of his men and told her to help out in the inn during her stay. The generous man already paid for her lodging and food and assured her not to worry.

Despite all these reassurance and help, Ahanlem couldn't help feeling the pit in her stomach sinking gradually.

But in the end, there was nothing a mere person like her could do to better such a situation. So, she was left with no choice but to wait out, easing the restless feeling in her heart.