Ineffable Conquest

Royal marriage?!

'Can I ask a silly question,' said Xander.

'Go ahead my dear son,' said Erica.

'If Swarada is younger than Aditi then how was she recruited as Aditi's caretaker.'

(He has point!!!!)

'Well,' said Dwayne. 'That was a very good question.'

'That's right,' said Beckett. 'Xander, you pointed out a brilliant point.'

'Can someone clear Xander's doubt,' said Anthony.

'Yes,' said Erica. 'Hybrids have a unusual growth rate. They may age quickly at times or age slowly at times.'

'Swarada was different,' said Sairendri. 'When her mother took Swarada away she was only four months old. But she was four feet at that age. She used to talk as well as practice sword at just four months. No one could say that she was a four months old girl. She looked like a ten years old girl at that age.'

'But then,' said Aditi. 'After father married her she stopped aging. When she used to be my caretaker she used to look like a twenty year old.'

'The growth patterns of hybrids are very unusual,' said Erica. 'Some hybrids have grown younger with growing age while some have died at the age of 10 years due to old age diseases. If you would look at them they would appear as if they are 100 years old humans but actually they are 10 years old hybrids. At times their growth rate stops and at times increases at a high pace.'

'In short,' said Anthony. 'The growth rate of hybrids is difficult to configure.'

'True,' said Erica.

'How did you come to know about Swarada's original age?' said Dwyane.

'She had to tell her origin to king Mahadev,' said Sairendri. 'King Mahadev confirmed from us about Swarada's originality and identity. We checked her birthmarks and examined her. She was truly Swarada. We calculated her age from the time which she had disappeared.'

'That's great,' said Anthony.

'Mother, who is the longest living hybrid?' asked Beckett.

'Rishi Vijay the first,' said Erica.

'Who is this guy? How many years did he live?' asked Anthony.

'He is the one who ended the Yoddhas dynasty and civilization,' said, angry Sairendri.

'Are you okay?' said Xander. 'Are we still friends?'

'You can't change the past,' said Sairendri. 'You can only live a beter present and ensure a safe future.'

'He is the one who established the human rule after ending Yoddhas rule,' said Erica. 'He lived for five millenium.'

'Five millenium!!!' said Beckett.

'Five freaking millenium!!!!' said Anthony.

'FIVE!!!' shouted Xander.

'Before his death he chose his representative and gave him the authority to choose twelve most talented humans and entrust them responsibilities.'

'That twelve guys are gurus,' said Xander. 'Is that right mother?'

'Yes,' said, laughing Erica. 'The representative is considered to be Rishi Vijay. He cuts off all his relations and lives a celibate life dedicated to ensure safety of the human rule. He must be pure human.'

'Not even of any other race?' said Anthony.

'Rishi Vijay knew that only humans could strive for their safety and hence his representatives should be only of human race.'

'What about the gurus?' said Dwayne.

'They can be of any race,' said Erica. 'Currently there are seven human gurus of which six of them are from pedagogue class and I am the only one from nobility class. There are five Yoddhas who have been given the position of gurus.'

'Aren't their any Forgs or Mandhas,' said Anthony.

'They used to be atleast one guru from this races too,' said Erica. 'But from last two centuries there is no one from Mandhas who has attempted to become a guru. It is said that Forgs have forfeited this system from last millenium.'

'That should be enough about Rishi Vijay,' said Erica.

'Where is Swarada's corpse,' said Xander.

'Oh my god!!' shouted Aditi.

'Look around,' said Dwayne.

'Don't bother,' said Anthony. 'Jay must have taken away the corpse.' 'He must have taken her to bury while we were talking,' said Xavier.

'Finally,' said Jay. 'Someone talks sense. You guys didn't even notice me take away that corpse.'

'Hang on!' said Beckett. 'I and Dwayne knew about it. I had noticed the sound of your footsteps.'

'I had sensed the smell of blood fading away,' said Dwayne.

'I was joking,' said Xander. 'I knew about the corpse.'

'Well,' said Jay. 'We have to perform her last rites. I request crown princess to please accompany me. Mother please join us. Gurumatha you can also join us with your beloved sons.'

Swarada was burnt in common cremation ground. Sairendri took leave from Erica and Jay.

'Take care,' said Sairendri. 'I won't always be there with you. I love my dear son.'

'I love you mother,' said Jay. 'Take care.'

'Bye everyone,' said Sairendri. 'Aditi take care. Dwayne, I entrust my daughter to you.'

'Aunt Sairendri,' said Aditi blushingly.

'Sure,' said Dwayne.

Xander was eyeing Sairendri. She met his eyes and nodded. Xander winked and mouthed bye.

Sairendri left for Zimland.

King Mahadev had gained consciousness. Aditi hugged her father. Both of them cried their heart out. Mahadev was the first to speak out.

'I am sorry daughter,' said king Mahadev. 'I misunderstood you. I should have never fallen for that snake. If its possible then please forgive me.'

'What has happened in past must be forgotten,' said Aditi. 'I have forgiven you.'

'Jay,' said Mahadev.

'Your highness,' said Jay.

'I hereby declare you as the generalissimo of Astralayan forces,' said Mahadev. 'Your bravery and dedication towards Astralaya are recognised.'

'Honoured,' said Jay.

'Aditi,' said Mahadev.

'Yes,' said Aditi.

'I would like to declare you as the queen of Astralaya.'

'Father!!!' said Aditi. 'But isn't it too early!!'

'Now I don't have power to rule the kingdom,' said Mahadev. 'I have lost all my hope with this incident. You will be coronated tomorrow.'

'Father!' said Aditi. 'I wanted to tell you something.'

'Ah!' said Mahadev. 'I get it. It is about Erica's son.'

'Yes!!' said, delighted Aditi.

'I thank you Xavier for treating my wounds,' said Mahadev.

'Dad what I meant is.....' said Aditi.

'Of course don't worry, I will give him money and gold.'

'Excuse me,' said Xavier. 'It is not about me. It is about brother Dwayne.'

'Father!!' said Aditi. 'I love Dwayne.'

'Me too,' said Dwayne. 'What I meant is I love Aditi.'

'So,' said Mahadev. 'What should I do?'

'I would like to marry him,' said Aditi. 'We would like to take your blessings.'

'No,' said Mahadev. 'You are not allowed to marry him.'

'Why?' said Dwayne.

'Why should you marry my daughter?' said Mahadev.

'Because I love her,' said Dwayne.

Mahadev laughed.

'She is the queen of Astralaya. What about you?'

'Mind your language,' said Erica. 'You are talking to the son of Manu and Erica. He who has killed Simphox the indestructible in just few minutes. He who has great prowess in mace fighting. He who will be the future crown prince of Southerland.'

'Empress I am sorry but Chevolt's son Aiden has been declared as the crown prince of Southerland. Your sons are just members of royal family.'

'Father,' said Aditi. 'Don't insult them just because they have lost power. They saved our kingdom. They restored our power. They saved my life twice. They saved your life. They even saved Jay's life. Instead of insulting them you must thank them and applaud their efforts. They are going through a tough phase and you should support them.'

'Even doctors save our lives does that mean we will support them in their tough situations. Even soldiers protect us does that mean we will interfere in their personal life. We didn't force them to protect us. They were just our guests. They decided to help us out.'

'You know,' said Xander. 'We never called you as your highness. We always called you as king Mahadev. I never knew why that happened. Maybe because subconsciously we knew you were selfish and narcissistic personality. You are not worthy to be called as your highness.'

'Xander!!' said Aditi. 'You are talking to my father.'

'I am sorry your highness,' said Xander. 'But that is the truth.'

'Dwayne,' said Aditi. 'I will marry you even if my father is against this marriage.'

'Aditi!' said Mahadev. 'If you marry against my wishes then I will not enthrone you as the queen of Astralaya and will dissolve this kingdom.'

'But,' said Aditi. 'What about the kingdom? What about the subjects?'

'I don't care,' said Mahadev. 'You will be liable to them.'

'Dwayne,' said Aditi. 'I am sorry but Astralaya is important for me. I don't care whether I become queen or not but if father dissolves the kingdom then the subjects will be oppressed. I won't put them in danger for my personal interests. Dwayne you are important for me. But Astralaya's interests are far more important than you. You will have to wait for me.'

'Brother Dwayne!!' said Xander. 'She is also like other women. For the sake of becoming queen she has decided to cheat you.'

'Enough insults,' said Dwayne. 'Aditi! I will marry you whenever you would like to. Even if you are a queen or a crown princess or a commoner. I love you. I will wait for you. And Xander never talk of any woman in such a demeaning manner. Aditi is in dilemma. I respect her as she has put the interests of her subjects ahead of her personal interests.'

'We take your leave,' said Erica. 'Come my dear sons.'

'Beckett!!!' said Mahadev. 'Forgs chief wants to meet you in the city of Talo. He will meet you day after tomorrow morning at the city center.'

Beckett nodded.

Erica and her sons left the palace from southwest gate. Dwayne didn't turn back all the way as he knew if he looked back he would see his love crying for him. He would not leave the palace if he saw her crying. Aditi was crying. She never thought that she would reject her own love. She knew that she had to sacrifice her love for the kingdom. Though the crown princess was ready to sacrifice, the woman in her couldn't.

'Call Dwayne,' said Mahadev.

'What?' said Aditi. 'Was this a prank?'

'No,' said Mahadev. 'A small test.'

'Did I pass?' said Aditi.

'Yes,' said Mahadev. 'With flying colours. Now call him before he goes away.'

'Dwayne!!!! Dwayne!!!!' shouted Aditi.

'Dwayne,' said Beckett. 'Aditi is calling you.'

'Beckett!!! Anthony!!! Xavier!!! Xander!!! Empress Erica!!!' shouted Aditi.

'Wait,' said Beckett. 'She is calling all of us.'

Erica along with her sons met Aditi and Mahadev near the southwest entrance of the palace. Aditi hugged Dwayne.

'Father was testing us,' said Aditi.

'I am sorry empress for insulting you and your sons,' said Mahadev.

'As the king of Astralaya I had to ensure that its only heir must have her motives clear. She should consider her subjects as first preference. I am sorry Dwayne but I have a request.'

'Yes your highness,' said Dwayne.

'Dwayne,' said Mahadev. 'When she becomes the queen of Astralaya she has to stay back in Astralaya and she cannot come with you to Southerland. You have shift to Astralaya permanently.'

'Then how will brother Dwayne become the crown prince of Southerland,' said Anthony.

'I will not assume that position,' said Dwayne.

'But.....' said Erica.

'Mother, first approve our marriage then we will decide about other things. I want to marry Aditi urgently.'

'Yes,' said Erica. 'But not now. Wait for some time. Have some patience.'

'Why?' said Dwayne.

'We don't know about the situation in Southerland,' said Erica. 'Let us first visit Southerland. Let us assess the situation and then take a decision on your marriage.'

'Empress,' said Aditi. 'First let us marry and then we will sort out whatever the situation might be. We both are ready to adjust.'

'Yes mother,' said Dwayne. 'We will handle the situation.'

'Okay,' said Erica. 'What do you say king Mahadev.'

'I have no problem if children are okay with it,' said Mahadev. 'But remember this is a royal marriage. Once you have taken the oath you cannot divorce your partner.'

'We don't even want to divorce,' said Dwayne. 'Why would we marry then?'

'Dwayne, remember I am eight years older than you,' said Aditi.

'Why are you telling me this now?' said Dwayne.

'Because now you are not allowed to say NO TO OUR ROYAL MARRIAGE.'