Across the border at Peshtim, in the room of the crown prince, there hung a painting. It contained the figures of Sophie, Mishty, Dai and Suffle with the backdrop of Sia's old home. The painting had appeared a few days after Shrutketu had seen Sia in the apple orchard.
A day after they had settled in their home, the princess fished out an old letter. She handed it to her husband and pointing at the painting said, "Look at that painting. It had come with this letter."
The prince read that letter.
Dear Sia,
Thank you for the tournament. She seems very happy at the prospect. I was able to capture the divine look on her face when she was enjoying the berries. I won't bore you with the details but thank you for the suggestion. Hope you like the gift.
See you soon,
Neal
The prince laughed. "That was your great idea? Feed her berries?"
"In hindsight, it was not my best plan," Sia said sheepishly. "But I got this painting."
Shrutketu observed that loved seemed like a stupid thing and Sia replied that she would not comment on something that she didn't understand. The would-be parents then got lost in their future child and hopes & dreams about her (Shrutketu was sure that they would have a daughter). Neal and his quest for love were quite forgotten.
The weeks that came afterwards were full of celebrations in the kingdom. The Peshtim King had declared that it was time for him to give up the throne.
If anybody had asked Sia which prospect brought her more happiness, being a mother or being a queen, she could not have answered it sincerely. The two fold increase in her responsibilities terrified her. She was accustomed to taking care of everyone but she couldn't decide if her child would take priority over her subjects.
Shrutketu maintained that he knew that he would become a father and a king, sooner or later. But the news of one event had accelerated the other. So, in solitude, he acknowledged himself to be more grateful for the child.
In company, he would say that he was grateful for his victory over King Suffle.
It was a small bandage on the wound of their loss in most other matches. The fist fight and arrow-aim had been the worst events. They had won the male fast fly, but in the female race they had again secured third. The starlites took solace in the fact that at least the humans had fared better than them. The emperor's army had been missing the war times, and they were glad to have some use of their skills. They had won in almost all of the events that resembled war tactics. Though they had secured the second place in horse-riding.
Two days after their return, Sia received a letter from Sophie.
Dear Sia,
Hope you all reached safely. I know you must not be expecting a letter this soon. But, after you left something unexpected happened at the ball and I must tell you about it.
There are seven commanders in my team. One of them is a fellow named Wilson Williams. You may remember him as one of the boys Dai used to play with during his childhood.
He asked me to dance with him at the ball. I only accepted because the girl he was dancing with seemed creepy. I don't think I have ever seen her before in my life. She was freakishly tall and had a really muscular neck. Her dance moves were also really awful, even worse than mine.
While I was only being a good Samaritan, the commander had other plans. During the five feet round-about, he asked me to marry him. I said no straightaway. It was very awkward because we were right in the middle of the steps. Now I think I should have waited till the end.
He said that we are of the right age and equal in position and it would be a good match. It would have been logical but for his poor work ethics. He is always late or absent at the weekly meetings and his reports are garbage (Colonel Hossier said that in a meeting). I think he only asked me because his twenty fifth natal day is next month. And no one wants to marry someone assigned by the council.
Do you think it was rude of me to say no straightway? Should I have taken some time before rejecting him? Do you think that it'll affect our team-work? Will he think that I deem myself better than him? Because I do.
After that awkward conversation, I left the ball. You had left and Mishty-Dai were enjoying their duty as hosts. I told them that I was not feeling well. Mishty is a sweetheart. I'll confess that I had concerns about her. Yes, I shouldn't have believed the rumours and I should've trusted Dai's choice. But even Mishty agrees that I would not have enjoyed their wedding at Esite. She was worried about me travelling to the grounds when I was not feeling well. I declined her offer to stay at the castle for the night.
And I'm glad to have done that because I had a surprise waiting for me at my house. It was late but the shop below my house was open. Rocus told me that they had a lot of work due to the foreigners' orders. He had finished the Peshtim orders but the Esites, who left a day after you, had still not gotten their orders done. But I digress. Rocus gave me a packet which (he informed me) had arrived in the afternoon.
Guess what it contained? a mask, the dress that Vega had made for me months ago and a note which read- "In urgent need of Anna. Please come."
You had once told me that it is very hard to say no to him. I also find it so. He was not even personally present to persuade me, but still his plans ate too adventurous and fun to pass. I could not ready myself as well as you did, but the mask took care of it. Though I did wish that my hair was longer.
I have returned the dress but I think I'll hold on to the mask. The humans were nice enough, not that I could recognise anyone under the mask. Though it was easy for the prince to recognize me as I was wearing the same old dress.
I think I've gotten the hang of human dancing. It's less exhausting than ours. I would do this when I get old and am unable to dance our way. I swear I dozed off for a while and nobody even noticed. Work and practise had kept me busy for the past few days and then I attended two balls. When am I to sleep?
The prince told me that he had no plans to attend the ball without Anna and he knew that I would come to his rescue. He told be that the ball was a masquerade so that no one would miss him. The whole point seemed moot since he was there. Truth be told, half his conversations go above my head.
Prince Neal does what he wants and nobody is any wiser. Whether we should be afraid of such a person or be glad that he is on our side? I'll let you decide since you have known him longer. Sometimes I miss the old days when I didn't know him and things weren't as confusing.
I wish you could have seen the painting he made of me. Dai liked it.
Be happy, be healthy.
Best Wishes,
Sophie.
Give my regards to everyone.
Sia did not waste a single moment, and wrote an angry letter to Neal.
Neal,
You are an idiot. What were you thinking? My wedding was a one time occasion. Who let you in this time? How many Annas do you aim to pull in one night? What twisted meaning did your convoluted mind get told you to be your own Anna? I had not returned the gown to you so that Sophie could wear it again. Were you just waiting for me to leave, so that you could start your shenanigans? I'm sure you know about Wilson. It's time to get your act together and confess. You seem so sure of yourself. What's the catch then?
I won't save you the next time you are in trouble. The sooner the better. What are you waiting for?
Next time you do such a thing, I'll come kick your ass. (I may send Ketu if I'm otherwise occupied but your ass will be kicked, be sure of that.)
Fed up of your shenanigans,
Sia
P.S.- You'll receive the news shortly. I am to be the queen.
A week later she received the reply.
Dear Sia,
Best wishes to you and your prince for coronation. You both will be great rulers.
I had not waited for you to leave. You saw Anna and did not recognise her. If you didn't then who could? Wilson is a loser, he never had a chance.
I think you are right. I'm taking too many unnecessary risks. Even Princess Marya guessed it. It's just that I want to fill every second, oops, I'm boring you again.
The ball was a success. Human dancing is far superior than starlite dancing. How else would a girl sleep on your shoulder without anybody noticing? Nobody missed me. The masks were mother's idea. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
The important thing is that I've decided to take firm actions now. I promise you that I'll wrap up all this with a ribbon and bow before your coronation.
Wait for my next letter.
Give my regards and apologies to Prince Shrutketu.
Stay healthy and have a beautiful baby.
Your problem for life,
Neal.
Dear Sia,
Glad that I hadn't yet sent this letter but new information has surfaced. My plans will have to be deferred. There is news of turbulence in the water kingdom. Princess Maya has demanded the throne. Queen Raveena is not in the best of health. Mother had a secret meeting with the nymphs but nothing has been decided yet. Is this just a coincidence that this happened when I was just about to confess?
I will write again soon.
Love,
Neal
After much deliberation, the princess decided to nudge his friend in the right direction and wrote him a letter.
Neal,
I fail to understand what any of this has to do with you or her. Don't second guess yourself. Proceed with whatever plan you have concocted.
Have it done before I become,
Queen Sia