章 7: Thirteen Summers passed

The kingdom that was parched for five long years without a single drop of rain has been graced with the first drop of rainfall with the arrival of this infant. The heavens opened up, cascading rains upon Mithiyana.

"Are we dreaming?"

"It's real. The baby brought rain to our kingdom!"

In a fleeting moment, the child slipped from Rysthan's thoughts, captivated by the sight of rain until he heard her cry. A surge of protective instinct surged within him, and he swaddled the infant in his robe, shielding her from the pouring rain. Anger welled up within him as he looked at the guards, who danced merrily in the rain, ignoring the baby's drenched state. "Are you blind? Can't you see my daughter is getting soaked? Hurry! Find leaves and do a makeshift umbrella." He ordered.

The poor guards stood dumbfounded, mouths hanging open in disbelief.

Witnessing rain after five long years was itself a miracle, and their King was now claiming this infant as his own daughter made them gobsmacked.

Rysthan stared at the infant, a wave of fatherly affection sweeping over him as he locked eyes with the baby's gentle, brown orbs. He couldn't quite grasp the meaning behind Shaman Verdanta's words in the morning. But now, it became clear that she was leading him here purposefully. Rysthan couldn't wait to share the news with his wife and witness the sheer happiness shining in her eyes.

Within the palace walls, Verna immersed in painting, crafting a portrait of a little girl adorned in a vibrant dress. Her heart ached for a daughter of her own, picturing the joy of preparing her every day. She exhausted every herbal remedy, performed countless rituals, and offered fervent prayers to the fertility goddess, yearning to conceive. Yet, it appeared as though her pleas had fallen upon deaf ears.

"What sins have I committed that I am being punished like this?" A tear traced its path down her face. The brush slipped from her grasp, discarded in frustration, as she flung herself upon the bed. But, at that moment, a flash pierced the veil of curtains.

"Is that lightning?" She rushed to the balcony, taken aback by the sudden downpour. Spotting the guards and her husband making their way back to the palace, she swiftly made her way out and watched a scene of happiness among the people celebrating the rain. Rysthan descended, clutching something hidden beneath the leaves.

Verna frowned. What is he hiding? But then, her eyes widened in sheer disbelief as her husband pulled the palm leaves and revealed a baby cradled in his arms. "Your prayers have reached the gods, Verna. Our daughter."

As Rysthan recounted the miracle that happened, Verna's eyes widened in shock. Tears of happiness streamed down Verna's cheeks as she gently cradled the baby in her arms. My daughter! She repeated it like a mantra.

The King commanded the guards to spread the news throughout the kingdom's villages and towns. The story of Rysthan's daughter turning Mithiyana from barren land into abundance quickly spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of neighbouring kingdoms for her power, but Rysthan protected his daughter.

.....

Thirteen Summers passed.

"Where is that little brat hiding?" A young man, barely seventeen, exclaimed, his voice filled with exasperation as he scoured every nook and cranny. "No matter where you are hiding, brace yourself tonight, I will decorate your bed with those creepy bugs." He spoke as he stepped into the living room of the palace.

"Brother Reezel! What on earth happened to your face and hair?" A girl giggled upon laying eyes upon her brother's face decorated with whimsical cat whiskers painted playfully around his mouth. And his hair was transformed into a wild explosion of colours as if he had dipped his very head in a pot of rainbow colours.

"You have taken her measurements properly, isn't it? Ensure the dress fits her body_" Verna, who was instructing the tailor about her daughter's dress as she walked, couldn't help but get distracted by the vibrant hair. Unable to contain herself, she burst into a cascade of laughter. "Reezhel, is that truly you?"

"Are you planning to take part in any theatre performances, young man?" Rysthan chuckled heartily as he walked into the room.

"It appears that my son is following my dreams, dear brother," Rashien, the younger sibling of Rysthan, chuckled warmly as he joined the King.

A stern expression crossed Reezel's face as he fixed his gaze upon his father and uncle. "This is no laughing matter, Father, Uncle, and Aunt. You three know all too well the culprit behind these pranks."

The three cleared their throats.

"She is a kid_"

"A kid?" Reezhel interrupted. "Have you forgotten what that naughty little sister of mine did last time? She cooked up a bogus love letter addressed to a Lady named Orla, a tavern owner's daughter, claiming that I love her. Ever since then, that glutton scored free food in the tavern. She has been eating like a pig for free without an ounce of shame, making me a scapegoat. It's high time we drag her to the court and bring justice for the constant barrage of pranks she has done upon us."

Verna, Rysthan, and Rashiel stared at one another nervously. Dragging that firecracker to the court? They don't have a death wish!