Chapter 8: Suitor for the princess

Reezhel refused to back down, determined to engage in a heated debate with them, until a beautiful woman, her face adorned with a lovely smile, walked in. "Verna, did the tailor leave? The merchant brought the fabric for dress Nai_" She began, but her words trailed off as she beheld her son's hair, bursting with bright, lively colours. Awe overtook her, leaving her speechless with her lips slightly parted.

Riona, the wife of Rashiel and mother to Reezhel. Unlike Verna, Riona was a princess from a royal family, and after her marriage with Rashiel, she swiftly bore fruit and had a child soon after their marriage. As Rysthan and Rashiel were both born to the King's lawful wife and given Rysthan's lack of male heirs, Reezhel stood the next successor to the Mithiyana's throne. Unlike in other kingdoms, where the brothers fought for the throne, Rysthan, the King, and Rasheil, his chancellor, ruled the kingdom with unwavering unity.

"Was it the work of your mischievous daughter, Verna?" Riona asked, a playful smile on her face. She had never allowed her royal lineage to breed arrogance, always treating Verna equally. Infact, both have been best friends since their childhood.

"Who else but my daughter would dare to play pranks on our Reezhel?"

Reezhel cast a heavy sigh in his mother and aunt's direction, their support for his sister mirroring that of his father and uncle. "Enough with your praise for that brat. I will not leave this matter without_

At that moment, their lively conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a guard. "Your Majesty," He addressed with urgency, " A rider from the Aashanti kingdom requests an audience with the King."

"A rider from Aashanti?" Reezhel questioned, a frown etched on his face. "What for?"

Rysthan's brow furrowed while Rashiel swiftly took charge. "Don't you know the King doesn't grant a direct audience? He should report to the command centre. It's the protocol of Mithiyana."

The guard's anxiety was palpable as he nervously addressed the royal chancellor. "I told the rider as much, your Excellency. However, he insists that the matter is of utmost urgency. He says he has important news meant for the King alone."

Verna and Riona glanced at each other.

"Bring him to the council," Rysthan commanded, his curiosity piqued by the arrival of urgent news from his old friend, the King of Aashanti. The guard swiftly departed, and within moments, a rider adorned in a military uniform, adorned with a lotus emblem, stood in the council room before the King and Queen. Rysthan invited his family members as well, allowing them to be present.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I bring a message from the kingdom of Aashanti. It is with great joy and honour that I relay the wedding of Princess Thera to the King of Alcazas. The wedding arrangements have been finalized."

"Thera's wedding is confirmed?" Verna's eyes sparkled with excitement, eagerly searching for the parchment in the rider's hand, only to find it empty. Did the King not send the invitation? Rysthan had initially planned to solidify ties with Aashanti by betrothing Thera to Reezhel, seeking an alliance. However, with Reezhel being two years younger to her and his lack of interest in Princess Thera, the proposal didnot sprout in the garden of history.

"Yes, my Queen. The King has sent the crown prince Dusen himself to extend a personal invitation to His Highness's family. He started a week ago from Aahanti. He wanted to maintain his arrival secrecy for private reasons until he arrived in Mithiyana. However, the King entrusted me with the task of informing at least His Majesty."

"If he set forth a week ago, he should have reached Mithiyana by now," Rysthan remarked, his gaze shifting to Reezhel. "Reezhel, assemble a small contingent of two soldiers and go to the northern gates. Search diligently for Prince Dusen and bring him safely to the palace."

Reezhel nodded in acknowledgement and stepped out of the council chambers, thinking, why had the King sent the crown prince to invite the King? Was there a hidden motive?

After the rider departed, Rysthan leisurely made his way to the balcony, his hand resting thoughtfully behind his back, aware of the Aashanti King's intention in sending the crown prince personally. His gaze wandered amidst the vibrant tapestry of lush green trees, contemplating the matter at hand. "What are your impressions of the crown prince, Rashiel?" He spoke up, aware that Rashiel possessed a deep mind, capable of making astute judgments and providing succinct insights. Despite Rashiel's profound expertise in the military to appoint him as the commander-in-chief, Rysthan had recognized the depth of his abilities and appointed him as the chancellor, a position of great importance in handling the affairs of the state.

"Your Majesty, I have heard much about Crown Prince Dusen. He took part in warfare at fifteen, earning a reputation as an unmatched swordsman winning two wars. Whispers persist that no warrior can best him in sword fighting. As the rightful heir to the Aashanti throne, he holds great promise. Selecting Prince Dusen as a suitor for our Naimishi would be a wise decision. We can seize this opportunity to send her to the wedding to get acquainted with him."

Like his brother, Rysthan received intelligence about Dusen through trusted spies and diplomats. Whispers of the crown prince's valour and unwavering courage reached his ears. Although sending his daughter to the wedding appeared a wise choice, he could sense his Queen's nervousness even without glimpsing her face.

Dismissing the council, Rysthan guided his Queen to the seclusion of their private chambers.

"What troubles you, Verna? Does Prince Dusen not find favour in your eyes?" Rysthan asked a frown etched on his face. He knew all too well that appeasing Verna when it came to matters concerning their daughter was not easy. The memory of the past during the naming ceremony of their daughter resurfaced vividly. He summoned priests, monks, royal advisors, and officials, seeking their counsel in suggesting a name for his daughter. However, none of the names managed to satisfy his Queen's taste. Finally, Rysthan proposed the name Naimishi since Naimishrya Forest had gifted their daughter to them. To his delight, his Queen readily agreed.

"My lord. She is still a child. I don't want to burden her tender mind with the weight of marriage. Furthermore, I am reluctant to send her away to this wedding." Verna declared.

"Your reasons?"

"That...I_" Verna's voice wavered, her hesitation palpable. How could she tell this to her husband? She had been noticing subtle changes in her daughter's body, indications that she was entering womanhood. Her daughter is still innocent and unaware of such matters. Verna couldn't bear the thought of sending her daughter alone to an unfamiliar place, especially during this critical time. What if she experienced her first menstruation and she was not there with her? The worry consumed Verna's thoughts, tugging at her heartstrings.

"I have entrusted you with the authority to make decisions about our daughter, Verna, but that does not imply I am always lenient. Unless you can provide a clear reason, I will not entertain your demands this time. Our daughter will go to Aashanti for the wedding," the King declared firmly before striding out in anger without sparing his wife a single glance.

Verna's fists clenched tightly, her frustration boiling over as she resisted the urge to deliver a solid blow to her husband's thick skull. "You clueless fool, what do you know about women's struggles?" She scolded him. If she can't convince this stubborn man, she will persuade her daughter to avoid attending the wedding. "My husband will never say no to his daughter."

"Where is that trouble magnet roaming now?" Verna sighed. "I have to find her."

Meanwhile, at the northern border of Mithiyana, a young man mounted on his horse gazed down upon the breathtaking Mithiyana. Everywhere he looked, beauty unfolded—a tapestry of vibrant greens, cascading waterfalls, and the embrace of majestic mountains. The forests resonated with the graceful movements of peacocks. "Mythiyana is truly a sight to behold." He whispered. As the wind drew his tousled locks, his handsome features came alive—chiselled jawline, piercing eyes, and a confident presence that drew attention.

"Prince Dusen, they say the women of Mythiyana rival the beauty of the kingdom itself." Remarked the man by his side, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He is the prince's personal companion and close friend. "And I heard the princess of Mythiyana is a sight to behold."

"I heard she is still a child, Trevil. I am not interested in kids. I only do women." Dusen lazily said, his mind thinking if the princess was truly worth the beauty his friend raved about. He knew his father's intentions of sending him here.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered his silence, someone desperate screaming for help.

.....

Apologies for the delay in the update. I had initially written a chapter spanning 2000 words, but upon reviewing it during the editing process, I found it lacked the quality I desired. It was not worth publishing. So, I rewrote a fresh chapter.

Naimishi pronunciation: Na-i-mi-shi