Prita smiled at her husband, "My Lord, what are you doing?"
"Nothing. Just looking at my beautiful wife, who was ready to eat me raw a moment ago," he joked. "C'mon, I was just letting out my frustrations. Your mother, Haje, and that annoying wife, Bindiya, caused me so much heartache."
"What exactly did mom say to you?"
For a few minutes, Prita stayed quiet, not saying anything, and playing with her fingers. Then, she raised her head and looked straight into his eyes,
"Mother threatened me. She said that if I don't give birth to a boy this time, she will kill the kids, including the one in my womb, as soon as it's a girl."
She wrapped her hands around his neck like she drew strength from him that way. She leaned in on him and sobbed. "I don't want them to die, they are mine. I mean, ours. This one in me, I want nothing to happen to this baby."
Cunchi patted her back, comforting her. He was afraid for her himself. His family was not the most malleable, but he was willing to defend his queen--even with his life.
"Nothing will happen to them; that is a promise." "But."
"But nothing, Prita. You are my wife and they are my kids. Including this amazing one, this beauty growth in you. You are mine, just like they are mine."
"Cunchi, your mother is the queen mother of Begusarai, and she has a lot of power..."
"But I own the highest authority," Cunchi didn't let her finish, "no one breathes without my permission or exhales without my permission. I am the king of Begusarai, not her, and you Prita. So, don't worry about her. He assured his queen.
"My King, promise me." She looked into his eyes beseechingly.
"I promise."
..................
Lakan and Zoya went upstairs after the little disagreement they had with Haje and Bindiya. Unknown to them, Prita had already heard everything.
"You know, Bindiya shouldn't have said that. But my love, there is a little truth in what they were saying."
"Which is?"
"If Prita doesn't give birth to a boy this time, mother will destroy her."
"Sure, she will do that? Let's see."
"Oh, babe, I need to sleep. Bindiya got me there"
Lakan laughed and walked out of the room, letting Zoya catch some sleep before lunch was ready. He went to the tenth floor, where Cunchi's room was. He knocked and heard the word, "Come in."
He pushed the door gently and entered gently.
"Lakan? Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me. I came here to see the queen, is she in?"
"Yes." he then called for Prita, "Prita! Lakan is here to see you, come over."
Prita left what she was doing in the dressing room, and came to attend to her brother-in-law. She went out of the room with him, leaving Cunchi on his own.
"Yes Lakan, you ask for me."
"I did, Prieta, you know we'll love you right?"
She gave a nod and a smile.
"Yes, I know that, and I appreciate the love and affection this family has bestowed upon me."
..................
....*The Gangan Family*...
Oje was still in shock. He couldn't believe that his son, Marnu--of all people--dared to disgrace him in front of the palace's staff.
Furious, Oje paced about the parlor.
"How dare he slap me. I'm his father; his flesh and blood. He came through me and lives in wealth and plenty all because of me. Now my Marnu had bruised my ego because of that stupid woman. Marnu was never like this. I'm sure, she bewitched him with something powerful and unknown."
..................
"I have to find out about it, as soon as possible. But first, let me go to Mr. S, and give this to him personally" He parked his belongings and was about to leave, when Buki, his sister stopped him.
"Oje! Oje! Have you seen what your son has done to me? The side of my head is swollen and my body aches so awfully because of how forcefully he assaulted me. "If he wasn't my son, he would be dead by now." He threatened. "Oje, you need to fix that son of yours, or else I will do that for you."
But the woman had had enough because she only hissed and walked away.