bleeding crown
1172 Words
“When you see at your left there is the water garden, the council hall is located there. And it is famous for its Rupture Ball held every year.” Julia spoke softly in contrary to her Henna stench from her hair.
“A ball?” I chipped in, watching the exquisite building designed with pearl–coloured outlets and five leaves cut out of marble stuck around like the protectors of the globe. “Yes. A very scandalous business, and not everyone is invited.”
Moving forward we reached a ringlet where an ivory statue of a naked lady was continuously bathing in the water from her head; it looked quite erotic to be placed at a centre point, yet its beauty attracted the birds to hum various tones and gulp in water.
I faintly remember this picture of the waterfall from the last time I came here, was bought here actually.
“It is strangely… beautiful.” I commented, and gently went to touch the water which soothed the conciliated tremor of my nerves and heart. At least the waters were welcoming me in Nicoman State.
“Yes, it captivates the pain of the one with the crown… we have a lot of time on the future to talk about this.” Not until Julia had mentioned about the crown did my eyes fall on it; at a first glance the hair looked like the natural hair dripping gallons of water but on a second observation…
The penetrating blades of the crown shrewd the skull, and it signified the conduits of blood smearing all over the responsibilities; it was weirdly meaningful.
“The one who wears it should know to tear it.” I removed my killer heels after giving my final remarks on the statue whose hollow eyes stared me from the above.
Placing my heels as a mark of respect to the beautiful art I followed Julia, who has taken a left turn ahead of me; while my mind still lingered towards the statue–why didn’t they name it? This could be an excellent place for shooting of powerfully portrayed female characters.
My business mind should better strip itself naked, dream a dark dream, and have a hibernation in the farthest well of the Arabian sea and Red Sea’s delta.
I am homesick. Already!
“Oh my god! Madam why are you walking barefoot!” Julia screamed hysterically and quickly unbuckled her boot stripes, “I don’t need them. Put them on. Where is Gabriel?”
The shock on her face didn’t match any thunder of Hulk’s hammer, “Madam, it’s His Majesty! We don’t call him by name for goodness’s sake.”
I’ve already heard this on my entrance to this country, got my luggage stolen by a witch, had a spat with that same witch, and now I am guilt driven that Julia is the same lady whom I had hit when I was kept in that room, I have called her something at that time.
What was it?
Fat liver? No. She was talking too much. I must have named something noise related.
“I am allowed to call my husband whatever I wish to.” I countered her back, using my husband card, which was quite true.
I miss my democratic India. And it’s just been a few hours I am on this soil.
“A husband who will be your king first.” I smiled wickedly as a rebound to her statement.
“A husband first because he will never be my king. I am not your fellow citizen.” This was my Achilles advantage.
“More the reason we not–the–fellow–citizens to give you death threats.” She did have a point. I was a mere foreigner to them; Gabriel was my only connection here. What was I even thinking about while making this decision?
I never did consider the nature and angle of the intensity of various factors like; change in culture, a different environment, no family and friends, a ruling authority I had no experience of and importantly… the public reaction!
I miss Rashmi.
She would’ve cross checked all these. It’s too late, even on a literal basis to go back on my words.
“I guess Gabriel is not a respected and loved King then. Just any other feared and bared ruler. I shall let him know this.”
Observation is a borrowed adroitness but implementing those at suicidal points is a god gifted mastery. And that makes the difference; the power of attacking when cornered.
“Please be kind and let this slide Your Highness.” Julia pleaded twice, bowing a complete ninety degrees; strange, barbarian and old folky approaches to life kept recurring here from the moment I have stepped in.
“Stand straight Julia. This is so embarrassing and it feels like I am bullying you. I want to be loved as peaceful and kind Queen. Let’s move on.” I felt so awkward to even speak those words, and where on earth was Gabriel?
Didn’t even bother welcoming me, supposedly he calls my queen, further worse, he didn’t even check if I’ve arrived or not.
I don’t need a party of fifty strangers welcoming here and showing around. I needed him. If not as my husband for today, maybe like an old friend… I can compromise it to old acquaintance also.
“Your Highness I was rude. Please punish me.” Isn’t it too late for her to come to this conclusion that she has been too rude to me just from the beginning, why now, out of the blue?
Because I threatened her with Gabriel’s name?
I’m missing work and office. Will I survive here?
“I am not sure what has gotten into you. But it would be appreciable if you could just skip all this tour thing and take me to meet Gabriel.”
She opened her mouth to reply, and closed it again after a second; probably she wanted to point out again that I shouldn’t be calling Gabriel Gabriel.
“Yes, your highness. You are very kind. This way please.” Julia said and I followed and felt bad seeing her walking bare feet because of me, I didn’t know what type of respect it was but humans deserve to live free of choice on their basic survivals – which includes dressing, eating, and sleep timings!
We walked in silence following a long pavement made of cement blocks, then came in view a large mansion… castle… or is it called a palace?
“Please be careful, the cleaners must be pouring the water out as it is cleaning day and… ”
Julia could barely complete her sentence when a large splash of water from a higher floor of my existence drenched me in the mix of black water, phenyl stench and dirty dust, Ew!
“Nothing more I could ask for a welcome. Maybe horse hooey.” I said finding everything so credulous.
- Writer
