บท 10: Chapter 9: Celebrations
They were in the royal hall, a harp playing on the background. People of Nobility were gathered at their tables all celebrating the crowning of the new Ruler.
Sharma was standing at the rear end, watching everyone in the hall. The women were dressed in beautiful gowns and the men were wearing their ceremonial robes attires.
She swirled the goblet of wine in her hand and drank out of it, watching Bohan walk towards her. She was sure his father was still around and although Mobert and his father left after the crowning, they were somewhere around the hall for the celebration. To save face.
Bohan stood beside her, a goblet in his hands too. He scanned around the hall and watched the people laughing. "Queen Sharma..." He shook his head and laughed. His eyes were shining as he looked at Sharma. "you rendered a huge surprise to uncle today."
Sharma smiled. Bohan had been her closest cousin since they were little and though they fought different battles, they still had the fondness. "I presume."
"Long live the Queen!" He stated. "You needed to see uncle's face." He tried to mimick the disturbed face of Sherdane. "He was so perplexed."
Sharma looked at him. "You have not changed, Bohan."
"I am allowed to be loose for one night. Two days from now, I will be returning to Demitun Fortress."
That was true. The state matters will start coming to Sharma as from tomorrow. She was already feeling the new weight on her shoulders. "How is the border doing?"
Bohan gulped his wine down and dropped the goblet on a tray of the servant walking by. "The Sanhadrins are trying hard, but they don't have forces like ours. We control the vast sea itself."
"I heard they almost rampaged through."
"And they left with nothing but dead bodies and broken ships." He scoffed at nothing. He turned to Sharma, "I am not like you Sharma. When I am away from state matters, I love to enjoy myself in the moment."
He stood behind her back and rested both hands on her shoulder pushing her forward to get some fruits on the table. "Apples and grapes are a good combination." He said as he handed her an apple, biting into one himself.
The physician Hadu walked his way to where Sharma stood and bowed, raising a goblet to her with a registered smile on his wrinkly old face. "To you princess Sharma, now queen of Aridal."
Sharma raised her goblet to him and they both gulped down their drinks.
"Now that you are queen, hope you won't forget your humble friend that lives down the town?"
She laughed. "I won't, Hadu."
"If you need anything, don't forget my chambers are down the royale."
"Of course Hadu, I will never forget."
He patted her shoulder.
"Aren't you going to acknowledge me Hadu? Am I that small?" Bohan asked.
Hadu looked at him questioningly, "Lord Bohan, I may be an old man but my memory is very well active. I remember I have acknowledged you two times already. Do you need a third?"
Bohan grinned. "There is never too much acknowledgement, don't you think?"
"Ahhh, I see!" Hadu said and walked away.
Sharma chuckled. "You are an imp, Bohan!"
"There has to be a light-headed one around here."
Romayo was with other females in another corner, chatting away, throwing in a smile or chuckle for effects. But her eyes didn't wander too far from where Sharma stood. Aside from looking at Sharma, she also watched Sherane and Mobert at the other rear end. They looked dissatisfied but were surely enjoying their wines.
Verlock walked to her. "Sorry ladies," he said to the other women who smiled at him. "I need to take her away."
"What is it?" Romayo asked as they walked to a different corner.
"Nothing. I just wanted to say thank you for making up your mind."
Romayo grimaced. "You owe me one."
"I have been owing you since childhood. Don't you think my debt is unredeemable now?" He laughed.
"You have a bucket full of debts to pay up."
"Thank you Roma."
She smiled. Only Verlock called her Roma. "Do you think he is already scheming his plan?"
Verlock looked to the direction Romayo was looking at; it was where Lord Sherdane stood. "He always has a countermeasure. The only reason this will take a while is because he did not fathom its coming. He is one to weigh all possibilities, but he didn't weigh this one— it took him by utmost surprise."
" Hm-hm" Romayo replied and watched them interact among their pact.
Windermer made his way to where Sharma stood and asked her to take a walk with him.
They left the ballroom and started a walk down the east tower.
As they were walking, Sharma flashed back to a moment that took place earlier in the courtroom that day. This was just after she was crowned queen and was now seating on the throne, Verlock stood by her right and Weyback by her left...before the chanting of the people to the palace.
( "It is an abomination!" Lord Sherdane was saying. "This has never been heard of since the days of our great grandfathers and ancestors. It is a taboo!"
"In the days of our fathers and great grandfathers, they've always passed the loop to whoever was worthy. Although they had sons but there was never a rule that said it couldn't be passed down to their daughters." Sharma replied him. "Welcome to the new Era, uncle. I present to you myself, Sharma, first Queen of Aridal!"
"No!"
"Father—" Mobert was saying.
"No!" He didn't listen. "I refuse to be ruled by a woman?!"
"You are saying that you will commit treason in the presence of the Nobles?" Verlock asked from where he stood, drawing out his sword.
Sharma gestured at him to keep his sword back in the belt, which he did.
"You speak with high threat against your queen, my Lord." Gardat added.
Lord Sherdane fumed. " I may not be the King but I am still to be respected as the King's brother!" He looked around the court.
"Sherdane," Lord Roquern said, "the crowning has been completed and you are to respect the Will."
"Respect? This is unruly!"
"Need I remind you, uncle, that I am the Queen of Aridal and I have the first respect of the people?" Sharma's eyes were firing devil gazes at him. "Until you acknowledge my rulership, you will get the respect that you deserve! Any treacherous act you perform from now henceforth will be considered with banishment...or better yet, death! " )
~~~
"Won't you stay one more night?" She asked Windermer as they walked by the pathway.
Windermer shook his head. "I have to leave early tomorrow as I have other pressing matters to attend to."
"That's a shame."
"I will still visit you one of these day. It's two-day's journey from Aridal."
"It will be much appreciated."
When they got to the east tower, Windermer halted and faced her. "There are dark forces Sharma. The darkest part of the night is just before the dawn; you must stand watch. Do not forget the obligation that your father passed on to you before he died." He drew closer to her and whispered. "Anshanda will come when he has completed his quest. Until then, you are to keep watch for him."
He rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, "I know this is a big burden for you to bear but the king also gave you aides to lessen it. Do not forget to seek advice from those who are willing to be with you through trials and vicissitudes—they are the men-in-arm you will need."
"While the reign and journey may look long and tiring, you will still need to train your mind for battles; enemies always look for a weak point to hit. Make sure you are not that weak point, my Lady." He smiled at her. "I know I talk too much."
She chuckled and shook her head. "No."She took his hand and squeezed it lightly in hers. "Thank you."
"You will always be princess Sharma: the beautiful and kind."
She smiled.
He touched her face lightly. "Shall we go back to the celebrations?"
"Celebrations already? You didn't even say much."
"I know my lady. An undying habit. Shall we?"
"Yes... sire."
Windermer laughed as they walked back towards the direction of the ballroom. Little did they notice the shadow of Mobert that stood in the corner watching them.
Perhaps, the dark days that Windermer spoke about were closer than they seemed.
The days of the dawn had just begun...
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