SOMETHING IS FISHY

Cough! Cough! Cough!

" Are you okay?, here have some water". He said standing up with a glass of water.

"I'm fine". She said, sweeping off his hand. ( "Wait a minute, how did he get behind me, all the way from the other side of the table").

" Are you sure?".

"Hmm?. Sure, am very sure".

"Okay. If you say so". He said placing the the glass cup on the table. He turned away from her since she was "fine".

" Hmm". She replied, these time she was the one saying it.

" Okay, i have to leave now. There are things i have to attend to. If you need anything, you can just call on the maids, the butler is not around right now . So i hope you can manage". He spoke turning around to leave.

( "Guess, there isn't a lot of difference in the way a royal speaks and a husband does.) She thought

Mira have heard lots of rumours concerning the royal life, especially marriage. Their marriage was often arranged and they'll never have feelings for each other till they die except on bed which they often see as a duty. But right now with the way Zamiel just acted, it gave her another impression about the royal people.

"Okay". She nodded as an affirmative. "Sure, don't worry about me". She added

" Okay if you say so. I'll be on my way then.

Later that day....

" It's so boring." She mumbled. "Is a royal life this boring?. It won't be boring when the King and Queen are here". She soliloquized like a mad woman

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!.

" Come in". She said raising her voice a bit so the person at the other side could hear her. She quickly composed her embarrassing situation before the person could come in.

As usual a pretty maid walked in.

" His Highness told me to inform you, the King and Queen are here..

" Hmm". She answered as if not listening, dismissing the maid with a wave.

As soon as the maid left, she gathered her courage and skills, wherever they were, took a deep breath and left the princess room.

" Your Majesty". She breathed out as soon as she stepped into the huge living room.

" Come take a seat". Offered the Queen. She (Mira) quickly accepted the offer given by the Queen. She sat on a cushion chair offered by the Queen. She sat facing the Queen.

" You don't need to feel insecure, okay?"

" I don't feel any of such your Highness"

" Ramiel, come sit by your wife".

( " Ramiel?. I thought he said his name was Zamiel. Strange!). She (Mira) thought.

" Now take a sit". The Queen ranted on and on.

Now it's time for the ritual". The silent one among them finally spoke. It was the King. " Now that we are all here, let's carry on with the process.

( "What process?. What ritual?. What is going on here?. I thought he said we were married"). She thought within her but all these could not be traced as her face looks calm as a flowing water.

"Ah ah, I'm getting confused here".

" Confused?. What do you mean confused?".

" Oh it's nothing much. It just that I'm new to stuff like these. I don't even know anything about the traditions

" It's nothing much, it just a little family ritual". The Queen answered while the duo sat down like an audience watching the play.

" Oh". She replied in realisation.

(Something is not right here)

"Okay now, let's begin with the ritual". The Queen announced clapping her hands.

Two maids came from no where standing in front of them.

" Take her highness and prepare her for the ritual".

"Yes your Majesty". They both chorused leading Mira away from there.

IN THE DRESSING ROOM....

( " Something is not right here. Nah!, They can do whatever they want. Besides, I'm not gonna stay here forever, not when things are getting suspicious. Buuuuut, a minute or two won't hurt. As soon as the ritual is over then it's HOME SWEET HOME). She thought smiling to herself in the mirror.

(" Mira you are such a genius")