Rama froze in position as she watched the terrifying beast slowly veer around with a growl and moved towards another path in the cave that seemed more like a labyrinth.
She watched the retreating black dragon, his bat like wings came into her view before it faded into the thick darkness.
She didn't realize she was holding her breath until she let out heavy huffs of breath. She could feel an ominous presence emanating from the cave, it felt distinguishable from the black dragon's and she felt a pair of eyes on her but when she examined around, she saw nothing.
She pushed it aside as she slowly dragged her feet one after the other until she submerged out of the mouth of the cave, meanwhile, a pair of crimson red eyes scrutinized her every move with a dangerous smirk on his face.
Rama's heart pounded harder against her ribcage as she immersed out of the cave, a smile threatening to break through her lips, she had succeeded, she would finally take her rightful place.
She clambered down the sloppy cliff to meet the rest of the entourage awaiting one of their returns. She saw Roshan's panicked face as he crossed his arms against his broad chest awaiting her arrival.
Her eyes locked his and a huge grin spread on his face accompanied with a sigh of relief as he half ran to meet her, his hands seated on her shoulders as his eyes screened her from head to toe.
"You made it!" She heard Roshan's deep voice exclaim.
"Did you doubt me?" A smile garnished her face as she spoke.
"Of course not."
Her eyes darted to the officials whose faces had gone pale with stupefaction and horror washed down on it.
"Well, we have a coronation to hold, Lucky Jafar, he didn't die by my hands, he got chewed up by the black dragon." She smirked with a taunting glare at the officials and they meekly bowed their heads.
Rama saw her mother running out of the Castle as soon as their horses galloped into the castle grounds.
"Rama! You made it, how?" Her mother's dark blue eyes were enlarged with astonishment as she goggled at her daughter who had not a scratch on her.
"It's only possible because I'm the true ruler, I've proven myself to the Empire and the black dragon, it chose me." Rama spoke with a whiff of pride in her voice.
Her mother wanted to say more but was interrupted by the running footings of Jafar's mother towards them whose face had gone pale when she didn't see her son but instead Rama.
"Where's my son? Where's Jafar?!" She yelled hysterically as she directed her questions to Rama who only gave her a blank expression.
"You should prepare for a burial whereas I have a coronation to organize." Rama said in a neutral tone as she walked away leaving the woman speechless with horror.
The coronation was held in a week, and not a word was uttered against her rule as they were all mindful of the black dragon choosing her and respected the decision the black dragon made to avoid its wrath.
Rama stood in front of the full body mirror, staring back at her reflection. She was dressed in a beautiful black laced flowing gown with gold embroideries, her black hair was let down in beautiful waves, and not much makeup was applied on her face but she radiated like the Queen she was meant to be.
Nervousness hit her, she was about to take a new drastic change in her life by obtaining the throne and ruling the Empire and she wished her Father was there to guide her, he would have told her precisely what she needed.
She took in a deep breath as she slowly gained a relaxed composure which was interrupted as her mother suddenly barged in.
"Mother." She called with a wry smile on her face, at that moment, she felt regretful for the words she had uttered to her mother the night before she ventured into the black dragon's lair, she had been distressed and overwhelmed greatly with both the sudden death of her Father's passing and fighting for the throne, she took out her pressure on her which wasn't fair.
"You look lovely, you've always looked lovely but today you become a queen, I'm proud of you and I'm sure your Father would've been. He was always proud of you."
She saw a bright smile light up on her mother's face as she neared her and took her into her warm embrace.
"I'm sorry for everything, I know I'm not the best but..." Rama's words were interrupted by her mother as her voice croaked.
"Shh my dear, it's all right. I love you and I'll always be proud of you." Her Mother's gentle voice made the tears she had been holding back threaten to burst out.
Tears flowed down her eyes and she sobbed softly in her Mother's embrace, the tears she had restricted from leaving her eyes came down like a waterfall and she felt her mother caressing her back softly.
"Don't cry, you were right, I should have been there for you when your Father died, I should have stayed beside my lovely girl. I'm sorry I was too selfish, but now that's enough crying don't ruin your face dear."
On hearing her Mother speak she stopped crying and wiped her face with the kerchief she gave her but still, the guilt lingered in her heart and she hoped she could make it up to her mother one way or the other.
A soft knock was heard on the door, disrupting their mother-daughter session.
"Come in." Rama said loud enough, her voice slightly cracked from her crying.
Malika walked in with lowered head.
"Your Highness it's time for the coronation, everyone's looking forward to catching sight of your presence." Malika informed and she nodded.
"Good luck my love." Her mother said before exiting her chambers along with Malika, she watched their retreating figures and when the door shut close, the realization hit her.
She was young and she was going to be crowned the queen, she would take the throne that came with heavy obligations and responsibilities she had to carry all alone but she would never regret it, she'd rather carry all the burden of seating on the throne rather than pass it on to an incapable spineless wimp like Jafar.
'Good riddance' she thought inwardly before preparing one last time and setting to leave.
Rama stood in front of the towering double engraved doors that extended very high and she waited for the door to be pushed open by the guards.
She grabbed a handful of her dress slightly up, to walk with ease as the gown swept the floor.
The door swung open and all gazes fell on her, officials, High courts and royals from other kingdoms had attended the coronation. The hall was beautifully decorated for her coronation, a chandelier with burning candles hung atop the high ceiling, the chairs were filled up with people whose eyes were on her, watching her every move like a hawk.
She maintained her straight composure as she walked slowly down the aisle, placing one foot after the other to avoid falling in her surplus gown that swept the floor but her chin was raised high, and her eyes looked straight ahead as she walked down the aisle.
A slow orchestra played as she did and before she realized it, she was already at the throne, the High Priest stood on the podium in front of her and her eyes darted to the beautiful golden crown embedded with precious jewels sitting perfectly on a cushion.
She gulped softly and then her eyes darted to the throne which was designed similarly to the crown, it was a gold seat embedded with precious jewels.
She had finally gotten the throne but she felt uneasy and anxious, it was only natural, she thought to herself. It was her first time ruling so it wasn't unpredictable that she felt that way.
The strong clearing of throat by the High Priest's throat brought her back from her trance.
"I bestow upon you the ruler of the Saba Empire, Queen Rama." She heard the priest say and observed as he took hold of the crown which he hovered above her head.
She tilted her head down slightly until she felt the heavy crown resting on it, her heart thumping hard against her ribcage as she got a mixture of different feelings, pride, relief anxiety, and adrenaline coursing through her veins.
She could hear the standing ovation resonating from the crowd but she didn't turn to look as the High Priest paved the way to her throne.
She climbed up to the podium watching her steps carefully before taking her seat on the throne, jade blue eyes scrutinizing the people in front of her, some truly genuinely happy for her, others harboring displeasure and contempt as they watched her take the throne.