Queen Maleeka

Chapter 4

“A lot has changed since I last saw you, Maleeka”

“Really? I don’t see much of a difference in me,” she replied, not able to note any difference he may be seeing. Except—for the loss of her father.

She had offered to give Prince Pedro a tour of the Castle and they are now in the garden. It is her favourite place in the castle. The flowers were beautiful, ranging from Roses, Tulip, and Jasmine. They were all planted by her mother as she was told.

“The giddy princess I know isn’t here.” He stated the obvious

Maybe it is true, she had not been herself lately. And being the Queen was tedious.

“How is your brother?” she inquired, changing the subject of the topic.

“Fine, just had his second child. He is happy.”

Maleeka nodded in understanding. Children are a blessing, but she was not one to her mother. It hurts that she could not meet the woman who birthed her.

A comfortable silence took over their conversation while they stood in awe of the garden. There was a Lake at the end of it, the entire look made it dreamy.

“Thank you for coming, Prince Pedro”, she broke the silence.

“No worries, what are friends for?” He responded with a smile that cuts up on Maleeka’s face. Yes, they were indeed friends since childhood.

Sarmatia and Achaemenid have been loyal to each other for ages. Both had encountered the other at various events that were graced with their presence.

“I get to woo a Queen.” He joked, which earned a genuine smile from Maleeka. He somehow always knew what to say she thought.

“This is serious, Pedro!”

“I was not joking”, he laughed.

“If it means protecting a friend, I will marry you and ensure no harm comes to you“ he sighed, displeased with the turn of events. “I knew something like this would happen but you resorting to marriage, it sounds outrageous, not the Maleeka I know. You’ve changed,” he added.

“I didn’t want to change! I had to, I had no choice,” she complained bitterly, pouting her lips.

“What you are doing now is dangerous. King Eric is no ordinary man, and we know what he wants. You shouldn’t have sent him a letter.”

“I was desperate!” she pinches in between her brows, “I just wanted to protect the throne from Godric and his letter has saved me time.” Her heart is pained, but she is trying to hold it together.

After hearing her lash out about the entire situation, he wants to help.

“I know you are betrothed to another, I’m sorry if this has broken it.”

He had just met his betroth and developed something for her, he knew sacrifices like this had to be made for the sake of the union between nations.

“Apology accepted. I do hope this issue can be resolved quickly.”

She sighed and smiled at him. She was glad for a friend like him

“The servants will show you to your Chambers,” she tells him as they walk back to the castle. He gave a curt nod and followed the servants.

Maleeka moved in the opposite direction to the nickers and whinny of horses. She entered the stable, and a particular horse caught her attention. It was black, majestic and beautiful. Taking a carrot, she offered it to the horse. It neighed and ate it. She rubbed the cheek and moved its forelocks to the side.

“Should I prepare the horse Your Majesty?” the stableman asked

“Yes,” she replied softly.

It was her father’s horse and looking at it brings back memories of how her father taught her how to ride a horse. The stableman saddled the horse and gave the reins to her. She climbed it and then rode it to an open field. Lucius followed her from a distance on his horse.

She rode for a while forgetting everything, her mind a clean slate without worry.

A bizarre siren blasted through the cities, and she drew her horse to a halt. There was some noise coming from the city or is it music? Turning a confused look to Lucius she asks.

“What is going on?”

“Must be King Alden,” he answered.

“Of Northern Selemy?”

“Yes my Queen, the music is played anytime the King enters the capital of a Kingdom.” He explained

“We might as well head back, I should welcome him,” they go back to the stables and drop their horses.

Strangely, as she got ready, Dalia informed her that King Eric had also arrived. Perplexion overtook her because the west was at least five days journey, but he came earlier than anticipated. Come to think of it, how did the reply return earlier than the rest of the kingdom? She pounded.

She had sent them a message to join her for dinner; now she was watching them from a distance as Elder Andras and Elder Maximus were briefing the three suitors at the table waiting for her arrival.

“Oh, they are so handsome!” Dalia beamed delightfully.

She ignored her words patting the invisible wrinkles of her dress. Dalia nudged her with her elbow smiling widely

“What?” she raised a questioning eyebrow

“You are denying that they are handsome?”

“I said nothing, Dalia.” She rolled her eyes

“Look at King Eric,” she hummed.

He did look good, with the muscles. All the rumours about him were not a lie, but the menacing man she had heard of was not what she was seeing. He had a small smile which made him look less intimidating.

“Yes he is handsome” She purses her lips, Dalia giggled at making her admit the obvious

“Be happy, Maleeka, you get to choose yourself a spouse, not that grim Godric,” stressing on the name, her face waved the look of disgust.

“I know” Her lips twitch up at the sides. Her attention drifted to King Alden as he reacted to whatever Andras was saying. He is a bit over thirty and has been ruling for twenty years. His reign has been successful. Since he lost his queen he is yet to remarry, which was why she sent him a letter.

“I should go now.”

An Orator announced her presence as she descended the stairs. The trio and elders rose from their chairs

“Please, have your seats”, she chimed, taking hers. “It is an honour to have you here,” she bowed her head gracefully.

King Alden's eyes recked through her features. She was adorned with rare jewels that accentuated her beauty. Her smile was rather bewitching than she had intended. But that was only to Alden. It was like love at first sight. His ears turned rosy, and exciting feelings drummed in his heart.

The servants served their first meal; the appetizers were a simple dish followed by the main course. King Alden jabbered on how savoury and soft the beef was and how the wine complemented the meal. Maleeka smiled satisfied with his reaction.

Now and then her eyes flicked to King Eric. Since she sat, he had not uttered a word. He just ate his meal quietly, passive to the small talk.

As they finished their dinner Maleeka proceeded with the purpose of their meeting

“I am sure the elders have explained everything to you,” she said

“Ah! Yes, Queen Maleeka, I quite understood everything that was said. However, your letter didn’t give a hint that this would be sort of a competition with you as the prize,”

She glowered at King Eric; he had not said a word, and now he opened his mouth. Maleeka found it better that his mouth was shut.

Elder Maximus cleared his throat and spoke “King Eric, I am afraid it was stated that the Queen was welcoming suitors.”

“We apologize if this is not to your liking, but we are just being conscious of the importance of affection in marriage,” Andras assured.

“That is besides the reason we are here,” he said smugly, “it can be a bonus anyway.”

Maleeka just observed the men before her, quietly. She was beyond angry, she was afraid that he would seek to overthrow Sarmatia, as Pedro said earlier.

And he was loquacious than she heard, not quite the King that spoke with his eyes and people smothered.

Pedro shook his head silently advising her to dismiss her anger. At the moment, she was like a cannon, anxious to let her ball hit her target. She took a deep breath looking back at King Eric

“King Eric you have the option to withdraw from this,” she refuted, doing her best to stay calm.

He leaned forward, looking straight into her eyes, and smiled. He was handsome but exuded arrogance

“Not when you are the prize.”