Taming the Rogue King

Remus and Romulus

Ira

Incessant knocks woke her up, and she almost tumbled out of her bed. He is here again! I don’t want him to touch me. He should go away to Monike.

She jerked open the door with as much anger as she could muster. But given her condition, she was a little uncomfortable.

She had fallen asleep in her summer dress and her body was stiff as if she had been exercising the entire night.

“Good morning fair maiden. Queen Diana wants to meet you. Please follow me. ” Without waiting for her to reply, Ophelia turned around and started walking.

Ira followed mechanically. It had taken her some time to understand that she was still on the godforsaken vessel.

What wouldn't she do to be back in her world? Right now, she felt she couldn’t even hate Monike. She was happy to face Monike if that meant that she was back with her family & friends.

Nausea had subsided after she had eaten at night.

While following Ophelia, her thoughts went back to the dream. It was more like a vision, as she had been able to talk to Sarena.

She hoped Sarena would come up with a solution.

Her current condition was deplorable. Her clothes needed to be changed, and she desperately needed a shower.

Where do these guys freshen up? How do they brush their teeth? I don't have my toothbrush and toothpaste. Do these guys use toilet paper or water? Thoughts like these made her super depressed.

She dreaded being stuck on that ship forever, away from her family with no books around.

She entered the same cabin where she had met Queen Diana the previous evening.

Ophelia bowed and stepped out.

Queen Diana and King Remus sat at a table. Seeing Ira, Queen Diana got up and approached Ira.

“Good morning, fair maiden of the new world.” She smiled.

“Please! Just Ira. Good morning, my highness.”

“Please, Just Diana,” Diana smiled and continued. “We know that the new world has many comforts. My husband and I have tried to arrange some for you. While you are here, you are free to use our bathroom. After all, you are royalty, and we would hate for you to feel disrespected.”

Ira stared at her, unable to understand. What disrespect? She was only a royalty for the namesake! It wasn't as if she ruled any kingdom!

“In our world, only the Royals and the Alphas have their private ablution rooms. The rest of the members of this ship use the common room on the lower deck.” Diana explained.

That is unfair! Though Ira. She did not voice her thoughts. She was at the mercy of these people. It was better to stay in their good books.

Diana smiled. “I know you love books. After breakfast, we will have an important conversation and then you may proceed to the library cabin that was created just for you.”

“What?” Ira couldn’t believe her ears. She had created the portal using books. Would she be able to get back through the books again?

“You may close your mouth, Ira." Diana chuckled as Ira pulled her hanging jaw up. "You see! I happen to be an Etheral Witch too. I have special powers in languages and moderate powers in creating portals. I have done my homework so that you don’t feel alienated while you are with us. Ophelia will give you the… what do you call it???....Yes! Hygiene kit!” The moment Diana uttered Ophelia’s name, she stood next to Ira, waiting for Ira to follow.

Ira entered a miniature washroom, and Ophelia handed her a kit. In slightly broken English, she explained the usage. There was limited water, so Ira had to be careful.

After explaining to her the workings of the place, Ophelia stepped out to give Ira privacy.

Once alone, Ira looked around and sighed in relief. At least she wasn’t going to look like a pirate with rotted teeth when she went back, if she went back that is!

If Diana is an Etheral Witch and she knew about Ira, was she the one who created the portal?

Ira’s continued mulling as she cleaned her teeth with the powder provided to her. She freshened up and took a sponge bath to save water. Once she felt human again, she stepped out of the small but clean bathroom.

Remus had left, and Diana was waiting for her at the same table.

The menu wasn't very elaborate. There was a similar biscuit that she had at night with some liquid that could be some form of alcohol. And stinky dried meat. She knew she wouldn't be able to eat.

Sitting down, she picked up the biscuit and took a bite. This time she was better prepared, so she did not gag.

"Sorry. This is all I could offer. If you were to meet us at a better time, we would have been more hospitable." Diana apologised. Her eyes looked sad, although she was smiling.

What difficulties are these guys going through? Ira did not speak that out loud. She did not want to pry and come across as rude, especially since Diana was royalty.

"You can ask me anything you want!" Diana's words shocked Ira.

Ira choked on her food. "Can you hear my thoughts, or are you in my brain?"

"I can hear your thoughts," Diana responded quietly.

"That's strange. Shouldn't we be connected by blood or by our order to be able to interact?" Ira was curious. There was so much to know!

"Our elements work strangely. The orders were made in the future after hundreds of years to save the witches. Until then the witches of similar elements could connect. Maybe that's why I can hear you. If you concentrate, you will be able to hear my thoughts too. And I also believe that you would be a part of my family in the future!" Diana smiled, and this time her eyes lit up.

Ira couldn't believe the transformation. She could see Liam's smile on Diana's features. "Can you tell me how you know so much about the future?"

"Yes. That is the talk that we need to have. I know you won't be with us for long. I need to tell you an important story that will help you in the future." Diana said in a steady and serious voice.

"So I would go back?" Ira's heart skipped a beat. The warmth of relief coursed through her veins as she got ready to hear the story.

Diana began, "I am the Queen of werewolves. Remus and I rule our wolves together. He is the Alpha Lycan and I am his witch Luna."

"WOOOOW!" Ira responded. She took a sip of the liquid and looked at Diana in shock. It was her favourite herbal tea. As far as her knowledge was concerned, this ship appeared to be Carthaginian or Roman and tea did not really exist in those days.

Diana smiled again. "I did say that I did my homework. Has it turned out okay? I had to use intricate magic to make it."

"Totally! I love it. Thank you so much! If you keep giving me this tea, I might not even need food." Ira chirped.

Diana clucked her tongue. "Remember, you have promised yourself that you would be more careful with your meals?"

Ira snorted. "You got me there. Okay, tell me more about you. Who are you guys? Where are you coming from? Is this a Carthaginian ship or Roman? Are you all Roman? How many people are on the ship? Are you headed to Australia?" She was opening up to this lovely lady sitting in front of her. She knew Diana had to really work hard to get the tea. It wasn't easy to travel in time even for the witches, so Diana must have used some other force to replicate something from two thousand years later. That is if Ira was reading the time correctly.

She knew little about ships, but she was decent with her history.

"Slow down, my maiden. I will be answering all your questions. I will keep it short and to the point. We don't have much time." Diana responded.

Ira felt embarrassed. Had she made the queen angry with her questions? She chided herself mentally to control her tongue. She wasn't sure what made her feel so close to Diana. She wasn't so open with new people otherwise.

Diana smiled. "I will answer that, too. Have you heard of Remus and Romulus?"

"Yes. I studied the subject ancient world".

"My husband, King Remus that you met yesterday, is 'the' Remus and Romulus was his brother." Diana stopped, waiting for her words to sink in.

*****