…
Seated on the soft patch of grass beside the serene lake, Maan was sharing things that Jwala never thought he would confide her with.
Jwala's hand that was placed on Maan's shoulder moved to his back, offering a comforting touch. She gave a gentle pat a few times before pulling it back into her lap.
Maan's eyes filled with a mixture of melancholy were staring at the distance, his vulnerable form had let its guard down.
Before the atmosphere started to feel too gloomy and the doubts Jwala had just shaken off came back she took the initiative to fill the silence.
"How are you related to the royal commander?" she said and again laid back, on her elbows.
His brows furrowed and he turned to face her. "Why does the queen think so?"
"So you are." She already got the confirmation.
"No, I am not." he looked away, his lips slowly curling upwards.
She laughed. "He also had the same look when he was lying."
He suppressed a smile, drew a deep breath taking in the enchanting fragrance of the lotus, and sat facing her as he whispered, "I will disclose a secret…" he looked at his attendants to ensure no one was listening then continued, "he is my younger brother. My mother was carrying him when my father died."
"Who else knows this?"
"Only me, him, and now you," he said pointing at her with his chin. He leaned closer to her ear, "My mother secretly sent him off to live with a far-related uncle as soon as he was born."
"Why?" She whispered, playing along.
"He cried a lot and we couldn't have been able to provide the ideal living condition for an infant. We both had to work hard and always be on the lookout."
Jwala didn't know how to react to that. Her childhood memories were in total contrast with his, she was a princess, loved by her mother, and pampered by her father and brother. She could only empathize watching his genuine smile.
"It is the first time I am hearing that. In what ways do we look similar?" He lay beside her and asked enthusiastically.
She sat up close to get a better look at his face; the moonlight was pretty but not enough to see his face clearly. "Firstly, the eyes but his aren't deeply set inside the skull like yours, however when he is angry or lying his eyes look similar to yours.
"He gets angry easily." Maan waited for more.
"then your chin and jawline…"
He chortled. "He doesn't have one. Haven't you seen his cheeks? They end at his neck… he has preserved all that baby fat." Maan said making his cheeks look round and covering them with his hands.
She giggled watching him imitate his brother's chubby cheeks. "He has meaty cheeks but you are exaggerating." She slapped his knee.
"We don't look alike, you are just teasing me."
She squinted her eyes and replied, "Yes, how can you? He doesn't have elephant ears or sad lips as you do…"
He went quiet and discreetly touched his ears and got the proof, then he said, "Sad lips, my queen?"
"Yes…"
"How?"
"Haven't you ever seen your face?"
"I have. But this is the first time I am hearing things like this." He defended in a small voice.
She explained to him but he didn't get it. He looked even more puzzled than before.
Jwala sighed. "You see the ends of your upper lip…" She placed her thumb and index finger at both ends of his lips. "… it extends a bit downwards, making you look gloomy and even sad sometimes." She stretched his lips downwards.
'He looks good under the night sky,' She thought as she touched his downturned lips with her thumb. While her wandering eyes were taking a tour of his face she noticed the tiny mole closer to his left eyebrow, right above the inner corner of his eye.
Her hand, which had overstayed on his lips was pulling away when he held it. Maan's hand was holding her hand as he inched closer to her face, their nose almost touching when he said in a breathy voice, "They appear sad because they have been longing to meet with yours, my queen."
Jwala smirked as her eyes lowered to his lips, placing a soft peck on his lips.
Maan waited for more, still holding her hand, nose touching, and breathing slowly. When she didn't move he pressed his lips against hers as soon as he saw her mirroring his desire.
Nestled by the enchanting lake and its enchanting effects, the air crackled with electrifying energy as he placed his other hand on her nape and intensified the kiss. Jwala's hand tenderly traced his jaws, as if her little touch had fuelled him, his hand found its place on the small of her back, brushing past her long hair and pulling her closer.
The attendants at the distance were drowning in shame to watch the king and queen eat each other's lips but couldn't or wouldn't stop stealing glances. It was a first for most of them since they had been working at the palace from a young age, removed from the world of passion and pleasure.
Jwala grabbed Maan's ears and pulled him away to whisper in his ear, "We are not alone, your highness."
He took a deep breath and commanded, "Leave!" His eyes were dark and his voice was bold. He kept his eyes on them.
The intimidated group quickly bowed and ran away before they lose their eyes for witnessing the king's private moments.
This time Jwala claimed his lips, to express that she liked his commanding side.
In the moment of forming a connection, their tongues remained at bay, allowing their lips to do the talking. Their breathing was synchronized, deep, and ragged as they surrendered a part of themselves to the other.
Maan pulled away to catch a breath. His eyes were still on her and her lips while his big thumb traced her slender neck.
Jwala squinted her eyes and said, "It is too late. We should go to bed."
She got up as did he but her next words weren't in his favour. "See you tomorrow," she added and started walking away in the direction of the exit instead of entering the detached palace.
He wanted to protest but she was already far away. He let out a defeated sigh, clenched his jaws, and again lowered himself to the ground to relax. His heart was beating fast as he stretched himself on the grass bed and hoped the cool breeze will cool him down while staring at the sky.
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"Ask her," Bano whispered to Mitra, who was standing by the door while she combed Jwala's moist hair.
Mitra watched and chose to ignore her. The other personal maids were patiently waiting to know what had happened last night after they left. They had tried guessing but couldn't come up with an answer, the only way left to quiet their curiosity was to ask Jwala and the best person voted to do so was Mitra, chosen unanimously.
Bano pleaded Mitra to ask the question. "Please, I will do anything you ask… " she mouthed when she stood up.
"What is she asking, Mitra?" Jwala said, startling Bano. She had been watching Bano through the big mirror.
"Nothing," Bano said resuming her work as the others either pretended to look busy or just left the room.
"Bano wants to know what happened after we left last night," Mitra said bluntly.
Bano was mortified to hear her name upfront. "NO. I didn't."
"Now you chose to speak?!" Bano mumbled as her big round eyes glared at Mitra.
"Nothing that you should worry about," Jwala answered. She knew they were worried since neither of them liked the palace or the king.
They all weren't just women who served her but more like friends, she had known most of them since they were all young and she practically raised Mitra. Their concern was justified as was their curiosity.
Bano's head was lowered at 90 degrees all the while she was helping Jwala get ready for the day. She wanted to get away from Jwala and confront Mitra for throwing her under the bus.
It wasn't just the queen's maids who were curious about last night but the people outside too. Those who had witnessed the 'royal' kiss were way too thrilled to keep it to themselves. Last night's event was spreading across the palace like wildfire, hot and sizzling.
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A beautiful woman, possibly in her mid-20s entered the queen's residence, followed by her maid dressed in a white plain tunic blouse and a light pink skirt. Whereas, the woman was dressed in a purple tunic blouse and a fluffy green overskirt made from fine silk, a thick hairpin with a small golden peacock at one end held her bun in place, like a black snake coiled around a golden arrow.
The woman appeared bright and admirable just like the colors she was dressed in and her small slow steps were graceful, hinting that she came from a family of wealth and class.
She went straight to the meeting hall as if she knew the palace like the back of her hand. She walked up the stairs and waited outside the door with a soft smile.
"Your Highness, the royal concubine, Lady Mi Na is here," Arin announced to Jwala, who was sitting on a floor chair, cleaning her sword while the woman at the door, waited for permission.
"Congratulations on the wedding, Your Highness," Lady Mina said and bowed to Jwala as per formal Hanna custom.
Jwala gestured her to take a seat in front on the cushioned mat. She placed the sword on the table in front of her.
"I didn't see you at the wedding," Jwala said.
"Yes, your highness, I wasn't," Lady Mina said with a slight bow of her head. "A royal concubine isn't to get involved in the palace's affair unless invited."
"You weren't invited." Jwala nodded. "But it isn't appropriate to exclude someone holding a 'royal' title from the royal wedding."
"Thank you for your grace, your highness," Lady Mina said and bowed again, this time it wasn't just the head but her back too.
"Are there any leisure activities you like to enjoy?" Jwala asked reciprocating the woman's smile.
"I indulge myself in painting once in a while."
"Hmm… I can't paint…" Jwala said clicking her tongue. "I thought we could share some time like we share one man but maybe not…"
There was a slight change in Lady Mina's eyes before they returned back to normal as she said, "I am honored just by hearing it, your highness."
"We will have to find something else to bond over then," Jwala said as she noticed that this woman was more than what she had heard.
"As you wish, your highness," Mina said and bowed again.
'She has been smiling for too long,' Jwala thought. 'She looks smart and her alluring beauty explains the title. She is rumored to be the agent of the Beak clan and had been providing the leftists with information but… why do I feel like there's more?'
…
"Court lady Arin, I would like to meet the daughter of the Jheng family," Jwala said as soon as Mina left.
"your highness !" Arin was confused, a queen wanting to meet the woman that would have been the 'queen' if things had gone right.
"Sent an invitation to the Jheng family's daughter, I want to meet her" Jwala repeated and resumed cleaning her sword.
Arin was hesitant but she gathered some courage and said, "Your Highness… It isn't appropri…" But she stopped in the middle when she saw the sharp end of the sword pointed at her.
"I will relay the message, Your Highness." Arin quickly said with a lowered head and rushed outside while she regretted acting on her previous thoughts.
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