CHAPTER 5

Queen Lisha's heart broke for his words and she roared, "ambassador! How could you say this? I am now the Queen. So learn to give this respect. Life is not like before. Everything has changed now". 

"Such an anger your highness".

"Please it's enough ambassador. You may leave now. Go on" shouted Queen Lisha. 

And ambassador left. 

 Ixan was sitting in a chair for some times. She was engrossed of Prince Pial's words. "Hmm!" she deeply released a hard breath and self-talk, "I am sorry sir but l had no choice other than this".

By the time, Ding arrived home. He called her name several times but no response. Then he walked to her room as he discern her in a sense of foreboding. He kindly moved close and sat next to her. While Ixan was not responding but deep in thought. Then he placed his hands on her knees and Ixan retorted. "Oh father, you're here. Kya aapako kisee cheez kee zaroorat hai (do you need anything)?" She asked, looking at him.

"Yes. I need my daughter back. My own Ixan should not behave like this while I am alive. You have your family and so a friend. To phir tum kyon chintit ho (then why are you worried)?" Asked Ding kindly.

Ixan emotionally looked at him and uttered, "papa (father)! Have you know anyone from Keswick?"

As he heard her question, he bend and raised his head before he sounds, "The kingdom is not our pride land so we have nothing to do with it".

"I can see that. And you keep telling me many times. I know you are aware of the Prince's arrival in this house?"

"Haan (Yes)".

"Yah! Father...".

"Ixan, my child. I am your father. You cannot hide the truth from me. Did anything bad happen to you? Tell me. I will never allow any harm come to you" he sounded with determined.

"Relax father, relax. Nothing has happened and no one did anything bad to me. It's just ... The Prince has arrived here to seek for a marriage proposal. And I couldn't accept his offer. I was scared father. Just that I am thinking l cannot do it".

Ding smiled and embraced her warmly in his arms. "My child, listen to me. Prince Pial is a good man. If there's anything bad, he cannot risk your life. Don't forget he cares for you. Throwing him down is like burning yourself" he uttered.

"Father! You're suggesting...".

"Yes my dear. Main bhee unase sahamat hoon (I agree with him)".

"Agar main aisa karoon to tumhen kya lagata hai maan kya kahengee (If l do so, what do you think mother will say)?. She has hatted anything that has to do with royalty. Papa, look at our condition and look at his status. They're far more pride than us. I cannot do this. I know it's just his will. If the Queen was aware of this she should have invited us personally but she hasn't. By any possibility, this acceptance is the fire and if l mistakenly accept his offer, l will see myself in this fire. And not just me, my worried is for you. Agar tumhen ya mere logon ko kuchh hua to main khud ko kabhee maaph nahin kar paoonga (If anything happens to you or my people, l will never forgive myself)" said Ixan and she held his hand in little nervous.

 Queen Lisha was sitting quietly in a throne. She was deeply contemplated as she was reminding of the late king, Rout Willem at an earlier date. 

{It was in the royal court. The late King of Keswick, Rout Willem, Pliph, Queen Lisha and other court members were having a joyful time. That was when prince Yoon was eight years old. While Pliph was the king's psychic at the time of the warrior great king of Keswick, Rout Willem.

While the court members were giving their opinions consecutively, Pliph came and bow in respect before the king Rout and queen lisha. Then he uttered, "My Lord, I have came to announce you some good news!".

King Rout smiled and asked, "what could be the good news Pliph?"

"I have read it from this year's stars. And from an observation, it's consecrated that our great King will have a devotion for the first time in his life".

King Rout looked at Queen Lisha that was sitting beside him and she smiled.

"I am serious my Lord, of course you have never felt in devotion of a woman. So you cannot understand".

And everyone laughed including the King. As the king responded, "you're so funny Pliph. Then tell us, who's this mighty woman?"

Queen Lisha was expecting her name to be announce perhaps she heard a different sobriquet.

"ARIANA! ARIANA GREG is the woman My Lord" sounded Pliph.

All the court members included king Rout cheers in excited, clapping their hands. While in the other hand, queen Lisha has raged in anger and zealous.

"Mr. Semon, please give him his credit for making us have a great fun tonight" said the king.

And after Pliph collected the credit, he bow again and thank the king before he left.

King Rout smiled and said, "At this age Pliph. I am a kind of King that never falls for any woman. I don't certainly do even now. Please let's everyone leave. The royal court is dismissed".

"Maybe it's possible my Lord. The old man never blethe" said a man amongst the court members.

And king Rout kept silent, thinking for a while before he speaks, "main isake baare mein sochoonga (i will think about it). Council is dismissed". And he swiftly walked away with the soldiers}.

That's when Queen Lisha returned from the world of her thoughts. A hard tears keeps dropping down her cheeks. She swiftly cleaned her face as she heard a voice of her maid, Jes.

"Your highness!" Jes called with concerned.

And Queen Lisha carefully raised her head. "Yes Jes" she answered in kind.

"What's wrong your highness that makes you cry?" Jes asked, looking at her.

"I am just thinking Jes".

"Your highness, please do not stress yourself for what happened. I understand how pain it will be to you but we cannot change the destiny no matter how hard we tried".

"I have seen example of myself Jes but, main chaahata hoon (I wish)...main chaahata hoon (I wish)..." and she started to cry.

"Your highness!" Jes ran close to her, trying to scold her mind. "It's okay. Please don't forget you're the Queen now. No one again will fight you for this kingdom. It's yours and your childrens" said Jes. And she help Queen Lisha cleaned her face.

 While Prince Pial and Lihan were driving their horses back to Keswick, Lihan noticed a change of mood from Prince Pial's face.

"Anything wrong prince?" Asked Lihan.

And prince Pial shaken his head, signing no.

"I sensed something if I ask a question. You can tell me, it's okay. Don't you know whether I will be your salvation".

Prince Pial looked at him.

"Hah ha!" Exclaimed Lihan.

And they both laughed.

"I have told you it's nothing. So it's nothing" uttered Prince Pial again.

"I don't agree more. Now from all my observation l guess this problem has come from sister-in-law is it not? So she started firing my prince. What, she didn't accept our offer?"

"Umh!" Answered prince Pial.

"Ab aap baat kar rahe hain (now you're talking). But that's a simple problem. All this matter is what we faced at our first meeting. Don't worry, she will agree with you even if not today".

"No, please don't make this harder?"

"Apane aap ko dekho (look at you). Enduring pain is what we're used for. It's just a matter of time" said Lihan.

"I am not worried because she didn't accept me. I can see her cautious about the kingdom. As if she has been there before".

"Are you thinking about that? But you told me they're poor" and then he laughed. "Silly! There are also part of us. And she should be scared. Are you not also scared of the Queen. I know if there's world war 4, then this will be. She really hated this alliance perhaps you truly force yourself to like her. I know it's not your fault. And by the way, you have made a good choice my friend. Ixan is a good and mighty lady. Badhaee ho (congratulations). When will you tell the Queen about this?"

"Until the time came. Now my trigger is to hear from the girl's opinion. To agree with me or not is all in her hands now. I wonder why she didn't trust me".

"Vishvaas (trust)! Sincerely I don't trust you from our first meeting. Then explain to me how you expect that from a girl like Ixan?"

And prince Pial threw him the pods of his hands. And they continue riding.

IN THE AFTERNOON,

 Queen Lisha was sitting quietly, drinking some juice. Jes arrived with a bow and sounded, "your highness, there's a good news. Princess Nar is on her way. We should expect her arrival next tomorrow".

Queen Lisha delightfully kept the glass cup on the table and responded, "I am so happy to hear that. That's such... a great news of course. We have to make plans of arrangements to welcome the princess. It's her first time visiting us. Where's prince Pial?". She asked, looking at Jes.