His Queen

chapter 38

General Jaan’s POV

I was currently readying the things I will be needing for my trip tomorrow, I was not sure if I was to be happy or sad that Junnut was coming with me, I should be happy since if we went together she would have no choice but to talk to me and she will not ignore me but I was not sure if I wanted to be in close proximity with her, the heart was an organ that could betray at any time.

The journey to Dulkhan was two days ride and we will have to stop at the roadside inns or else we will die of exhaustion on the way and the horses needed rest as well, the plan I had was simple, since it was uncommon for a woman to travel with a man who wasn’t her family, we travel under the guise of either brother and sister or husband and wife,

A smile crossed my face when I thought what Junnut will say if I decided that we were husband and wife, she wouldn’t like it, that was definitely for sure.

As put in the last of the things I will be needing into a bag, I found that I was really looking forward to the journey, I wanted to see how long the feisty Junnut could resist my charms, I had always been a charmer when I wanted to be and I most definitely wanted to charm Junnut, something about her appealed to me and drew me closer to her, I had not been able to stop thinking about her since the first time I had seen her crying in the garden that night, I found her intriguing and I wanted to know her more but she didn’t seem to share my sentiments.

As I lay down to sleep that night, I found that I was very much looking to the trip tomorrow.

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Junnut’s POV

I still don’t know what it was that possessed me to volunteer for the trip to Dulkhan, especially when I knew I will be going with General Jaan, he was a man that was not good for my peace of mind and I had to take a long journey with him, I was not looking forward to how things will turn out between us, I just hoped he will be a gentleman and stay away from me all through the journey.

I had already prepared the things I will be needing for the journey, with a deep breath, I grabbed the bag and headed outside where I was sure everyone was waiting for me.

I found the king and Banafsha along with Jawhar and general Jaan waiting for me by the stables, Banafsha had a grim expression on her face, she had tried to convince me the previous night, she was really worried about me but I had told her I will be just fine and she didn’t need to worry about me.

When I had walked closer to them, Banafsha came forward and took my hand in hers, “You can change your mind you know? You don’t have to go, we can find someone who can go” she said,

I smiled and said “You don’t need to worry me so much, I will be okay”

She reluctantly nodded her head and said “I wish a safe journey and a safe return” with that she gave my hand a warm squeeze and went back to stand beside the king, I couldn’t help that something had changed between them, Banafsha was not so cold anymore and he looked at her like she confused him, I hoped that before I retuned things will be better between, they had a chance to be something beautiful if only they will give each other a chance or if Banafsha gave the king a chance.

Jawhar walked up to me, a smile on his handsome face, he had always looked at me as a younger sister and had always been very nice to me, I could not help but smile back at him “Take of yourself Junnut, you don’t need to be scared of anything, you will be just fine and I know you will return victorious” he said, his deep voice was cool as usual, I was not sure I could recall a single moment when I had heard Jawhar raise his voice.

I smiled and said “Thank you Jawhar, you have always been so kind to me, you will look after Banafsha when I am away right? You know she can get when we don’t keep her in check”

His smile became even wider as we both turned to look at Banafsha who rolled her eyes at us but said nothing, there was a small smile on her lips “I will protect her with my life as always” he said,

My heart always broke for Jawhar, he was a good man and he had been dealt a terrible hand by fate, I prayed that he found happiness, heaven knew he deserved it. He smiled once more and stepped back.

The king cleared his throat and said “I wish you both a safe journey and a safe return home” he looked at me and gave a warm smile and I bowed my head.

Finally general Jaan stepped forward, a smile on his face, “My Lady, shall we be on our way?” he said, his voice sent shivers through my body and the way he looked at me made my inside spin.

I simply nodded because I couldn’t trust my voice right now, heavens forbid that it sounded breathless, he was already looking at me with knowing look in his eye, I was already regretting my decision once more, perhaps I could take Banafsha’s offer to simply stay home where my heart was safe from the man that seemed to be nothing but troublesome.

We mounted our horses and turned to direction leading out of the palace, General Jaan turned to the king and Banafsha “We will do our best to make sure we return safely with the princess, you have my word” he said,

King Humair smiled and said “I have no doubt you will general and take care of Junnut, she is very precious to the queen”

His eyes turned to me, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips, “I am aware of just how precious she is” he said,

I felt heat rise in my cheeks, I turned away quickly to look at Banafsha, I gave her one last smile before we turned around and started our journey, general Jaan rode beside me, the sound of his horse filled my ears and I was more than aware that he was looking at me, I groaned inwardly, this was going to a very, very long journey.