Ineffable Conquest

I am the queen of...

'Dwayne,' said Erica. 'Why don't you understand? I know you love Aditi but why do you want to marry her so early? If she becomes the queen of Astralaya then you have to settle down in Astralaya or if you become the crown prince of Southerland then she has to move to Southerland. Your lives are different. You have to forget your life.'

'Mother,' said Dwayne. 'I am ready to leave the position of crown prince of Southerland. Let Anthony take the position. I will marry Aditi and settle down in Astralaya. Mother cannot be forgotten. You cannot move on. I am sorry but I can't leave Aditi.'

'I have an idea,' said Xavier. 'Why can't we take the middle path?'

'What do mean rabbit?' said Dwayne.

'You will stay in Astralaya as its king for six months with her highness,' said Xavier. 'Her highness can stay in Southerland as its crown princess for six months with you.'

'You mean we have to play a dual role both as king and queen of Astralaya and crown prince and crown princess of Southerland,' said Dwayne.

'Basically yes,' said Xavier.

'What if our royal family takes objection over this situation?' said Anthony.

'You take the position of crown prince,' said Dwayne. 'I have to discuss on this with Aditi.'

'Sorry,' said Aditi. 'I eavesdropped the whole conversation.'

'When will you stop doing so?' said Dwayne.

'God knows,' said, laughing Aditi. 'Maybe never in this life.'

'This is not appropriate,' said Erica. 'If you are becoming the crown princess of Southerland then you have to maintain etiquettes. This was not expected from the future queen of Astralaya.'

'I am sorry....' said Aditi.

'Let her go,' said Dwayne. 'She is angry over me. Because I didn't heed her. What do you think of Xavier's proposal?'

'Well that was a good plan,' said Aditi. 'We could do that.'

'Thank you,' said Xavier. 'I hope I was of help your highness.'

'Stop this,' said Aditi. 'Xavier just call me Aditi.'

'I will try,' said laughing Xavier. 'I take your leave. Brother Beckett!!!'

'Brother Beckett, you look panicked,' said Dwayne.

'No,' said Beckett. 'Just concerned. Aiden had become crown prince of Southerland. We have to meet lord Savlin. I think he is the only one who could guide us.'

'Brother but today Aditi is getting coronated and we were thinking to marry tonight,' said Dwayne.

'That's good,' said Beckett. 'Anyways we are meeting him tomorrow. I want all the four of you with me. No excuses!! Especially Dwayne.'

'Okay,' said Dwayne. 'I will come with you.'

'Brother Beckett I think you should rest a bit,' said Xavier. 'I will inform Xander and brother Anthony.'

'Sure,' said Beckett. 'I will be there at the coronation.'

'Now,' said Dwayne. 'We are alone.'

'We have to plan our marriage,' said Aditi.

'What do need to plan for the marriage,' said Dwayne. 'Your father will officiate our marriage and the chief priest of Astralaya will tell us the royal oaths. That is just a matter of few minutes and your father can arrange it.'

'Dwayne!!!' said Aditi seductively. 'Have some patience.'

'I can't,' said Dwayne.

Dwayne held Aditi by her waist and kissed her. Aditi deepened the kiss. Dwayne playfully nibbled her lower lip. They parted due to lack of breath.

'Dwayne!' said Aditi. 'Let me talk to my father about this proposal. In our absence Jay could take care of the administration.'

'Yes,' said Dwayne. 'You should talk about this with your father.'

'I will,' said Aditi. 'If you leave my waist.'

'Y....Yes,' said Dwayne.

'Ah!!!' said Aditi. 'Dwayne, it hurts.'

'I pinched so that you could get hurt,' said Dwayne.

'Naughty,' said Aditi. 'I will send you to message about coronation.'

'Sure,' said Dwayne. 'I will be waiting.'

'Why do I smell blood?' said Dwayne. 'Guards!! Search around.'

'There is no one around,' said Aditi. 'You must be imagining, Dwayne. Maybe because you are getting married.'

'No,' said Dwayne. 'I smell blood.'

'Hail Astralaya!!' said the guard. 'We searched around. We didn't find anyone.'

'Leave us alone,' said Aditi. 'Happy! Now take some rest until I send you the message.'

'Okay,' said Dwayne.

'Can I enter your highness,' said Xander.

'Of course son,' said Mahadev.

'I am here to say sorry about my words,' said Xander. 'I shouldn't have spoke to you in such a rude way.'

'I understand your feelings,' said Mahadev. 'I have forgiven you.'

'Thank you,' said Xander. 'I will take your leave.'

'Sure,' said Mahadev.

'Father,' said Aditi. 'I hope I am not disturbing.'

'No!' said Xander. 'Anyways I was leaving. I am sorry for my words your highness.'

'I have forgiven you,' said Aditi.

'Thank you,' said Xander.

'Daughter,' said Mahadev. 'What Xander had said was the truth. I am a selfish person.'

'Father you were a selfish person,' said Aditi. 'I have seen change in you. Even Xander has apologised for his words. This is because even he has seen the change in you.'

'You are grown up, daughter,' said Mahadev. 'We have discussed alot about me. No tell me why are you here?'

'Actually Xavier gave a proposal about how I and Dwayne should live our life,' said Aditi. 'I wanted to ask you about it.'

'Daughter,' said Mahadev. 'You are allowed to take your own decision. I will not force you.'

'Your could advise me,' said Aditi.

'What is the proposal?' said Mahadev.

'Dwayne will stay in Astralaya as the its king for six months with me,' said Aditi. 'Then I will stay in Southerland as its crown princess for six months with Dwayne.'

'Who will administer the kingdom in your absence,' said Mahadev.

'I was thinking about generalissimo Jay,' said Aditi.

'Okay,' said Mahadev. 'If you think this will work then go ahead.'

'Thank you!!!!' said Aditi. 'You are the best father in the world!! Thank you!! Thank you!!!'

'Go get ready for the coronation,' said Mahadev.

'Yes father,' said Aditi.

'Xander!!!' said Xavier. 'I was searching for you. You were not in your room.'

'I went to meet king Mahadev,' said Xander. 'I went there to apologise for my rude speech yesterday.'

'That's so good of you,"?' said Xander. 'Tomorrow early morning we are leaving for city of Talo along with brother Beckett.'

'To meet the chief of Forgs?' said Xander.

'Yes,' said Xavier.

'Are sure we will reach there by time,' said Xander. 'Maybe we should leave a bit more early.'

'The city isn't far away,' said Xavier. 'Just about an hour on horses.'

'I will there,' said Xander. 'Have you told brother Anthony.'

'Yes,' said Xavier.

'I will meet you at the coronation,' said Xander.

'Okay,' said Xavier.

'Dwayne!' said Aditi. 'How do I look?'

'That looks stunning on you,' said Dwayne. 'Maybe you should wear this peacock design jewellery.'

'If you like this then surely I will wear this jewellery.' said Aditi.

Aditi was wearing a regal strapless gown of sky blue embroidered silk, with an asymmetrical overpanel revealing a heavily embroidered underskirt supported by a petticoat. Her tight waist was achieved by a bodice to keep her upright and with perfect posture. The dress was off the shoulder style and with bare arms. Dwayne was mesmerized. Aditi blushed and hugged him.

'You liked the dress,' said Aditi.

'Are asking me or telling me?' said Dwayne.

'Telling you i***t,' said, laughing Aditi.

'Now wear this jewellery,' said Dwayne.

'Yes,' said Aditi. 'This jewellery seems to be heavy.'

'It is,' said Dwayne. 'It will look good on you.'

The coronation ceremony had begun. It was a large ceremony with many Astralayan officials and commoners visiting the palace to see their queen's coronation. Erica and her sons had to stay hidden. Hence they decided to wear simple clothes. King Mahadev removed the sapphire studded tiara and placed ruby studded crown on her head. The crown was made of gold with three amethysts studded vertically at its centre. She was presented the royal Astralayan sword which was said to possess mystic powers. The scabbard of the sword had initials of the previous kings and queens of Astralaya. The last initials were of Mahadev. Along with the sword she was given a golden colour trident which was unbendable and unbreakable. It was time for oath of the queen.

'I, Aditi Mahadev Shaiva, pledge solemnly in the name of the supreme lord that I will faithfully execute as the queen of Astralaya and will to the best of my ability protect and defend Astralaya till my last breath and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of Astralayan people.'

'That was a quite an applause,' said Mahadev. 'Thank you. I strongly believe that my daughter will be a lot better than me. Now, the queen of Astralaya will speak.'

'Astralayan people,' said Aditi.

The applause was thunderous. Their were cries of Aditi!!! Aditi!!! Aditi!!! Her bravery and determination towards the kingdom was spread throughout the kingdom. Nobody knew really what had happened. Jay had twisted the tale. It was told to the Astralayan people that HYRE had attacked Astralaya. HYRE had imprisoned the king and Astralayan soldiers. Aditi along with some mercenaries freed the king and Astralayan soldiers. But in due process of protecting king Mahadev, queen Swarada had lost her life. The mercenaries were dead and the survivors were handful of Yoddhas and Aditi. She was already very popular among her citizens but after hearing this tale some called her to be the incarnation of the mother of all demigods. While some called her as godmother. She was given the status of god. People had already started building temples of her. Some started of rumours saying that she had incarnated to again give birth to new demigods. But the truth is she was a ordinary queen just like the previous ones. But people didn't budge from making their own theories. Aditi was a great orator. The applause had to be stopped by the soldiers so that when she used speak, her voice could be audible. The palace was designed in such a manner that the voice used to amplified when it would hit the walls. Lord Savlin's grandfather himself had designed this palace. Aditi continued,

'We as a kingdom have always supported peace. We always want positivity and prosperity. But this attack on HYRE....this attack on HYRE is a answer to each and every kingdom which thinks that Astralaya is a weak kingdom. We will retaliate if you even touch a single strand of hair of an Astralayan. We are not only a nation which produces the best of the weapons but also a land of brave soldiers. I, introduce the new generalissimo of Astralaya. Meet Jay Indravanshi. Together we will ensure that Astralaya will grow as a major super power of Sech. Now, as a gift from new queen, I, declare a tax deduction in farming and animal husbandry. Also all the Astralayan people will given ten gold coins. Hail Astralaya!!!'

'Hail Astralaya!!!! Hail Astralaya!!!!

Hail Astralaya!!!! Hail Astralaya!!!!' shouted the crowd.

Aditi went to her new room. Dwayne was already waiting for her with two bracelets. In Sech a marriage was officiated when the couple would confess their love in front of an officiator who should be a priest or clergymen. As a proof of their love the couples had to wear bracelets with the name of the other on it. This practice helped others to recognise whether the person has married or not. The number of bracelets indicate the person's number of marriages and the names on the bracelets are partners of that person. If a partner dies then the other has to remove the bracelet on which the name of deceased is inscribed. Thus if a person is alive and bracelet on which his name is inscribed is not there on the wrist of his partner then it is assumed that it is premarital or extramarital affair with that person.

'Aditi!!!!' said Dwayne. 'Down!!!'