Biham was oblivious to what others were thinking about him. He seemed not to care about the world because the world was slowly fading around him.
Balfour poked his tongue in his cheek. His king had fallen head over heels for Lady Kinshra. This was going to be good. He said, "The group has a small petition. It has been signed by the netizens."
Biham jerked his head back. This was something very new. "Okay... send the group in." Signed a petition for what? It was as if they were about to rebel or point out a flaw in the system of the law. He looked at Kinshra who shrugged. Then he gazed at his courtiers if they knew anything about it. Most of them returned blank stares while some tried not to smile. Strange.
Balfour walked to the main door of the throne hall and asked the guard to send them in. The group led by the Elders entered the throne hall and they all immediately bowed to the king when they approached the throne.
Biham was perplexed, but he acknowledged them. There were a total of five Elders and it was rare that the Elders of Pegasii visited the king.
"Your Highness," said the one in the front who was leading the group. He handed a scroll to General Balfour. "This is a small petition signed by the citizens of Pegasii. We would be honored if you would read it and highly obliged if you would work towards it."
Balfour handed the scroll to his king who was frowning and in deep thought. Biham took the scroll. He broke the seal and rolled it out. When he read it, his face lit with a bright smile. They all had demanded that he marry Lady Kinshra. It was as if the goddess was working on their behalf. The forces of nature wanted him to be with Kinshra. And his surprise was over the roof. His people also wanted him to marry his mate. He got up and stepped down from the dais. After closing the gap between him and the Elders, he stood in front of them. "I am so honored to have you in the audience today," he said and then clasped the shoulders of the leader. "But the decision is not mine alone."
"Then please show this scroll to Lady Kinshra as well."
Biham, the king of Pegasii, blushed a little and gave the scroll to Kinshra who was looking puzzled. "What's it about?" she asked, giving him a surprised look.
"Read it for yourself," he said coyly.
Kinshra cocked her head and narrowed her eyes to give him a suspicious glance. She opened the scroll and when she read it, she blushed deep. A gasp left her mouth even before she knew it. "This is--" she bit her bottom lip. It was a proposal to her from the citizens of Pegasii to marry their king.
She took a rough breath in and gave it back to General Balfour.
"Lady Kinshra," said the Elder. "Please don't deny us your love. Please be kind and accept it."
Kinshra never felt so pushed in her life. It was like millions of men and women forcing her to marry their king. "I--I--" she spluttered. She looked at Biham who was loving it all because he had this widest grin on his face. "I need time to think about it," she finally said.
"Of course," the Elder replied. "Please take your time and let us know, but don't break the hearts of the people of Pegasii."
Kinshra lowered her eyes, biting her lips. The Elders knew that it was all they could do and so they bowed to the king and left.
She couldn't stay in the throne hall after that and so she also went away to her bedchamber. After she left, Biham couldn't focus on his court. He too closed it and went after her. When he opened the doors of her bedchamber, he found her at her desk, writing something furiously down on the paper. He ambled to her and went to stand behind her. Kinshra turned her head over her shoulders and said, "I know what the citizens want from me but I have a few conditions."
"I will accept all of them unconditionally," Biham said in a deep throaty voice.
She picked up the papers on which she had scribbled her conditions. "This is a three month contract. If my conditions are fulfilled in these three months, I will marry you. If you fail, I will return to Krail forever."
Biham's breath lodged in his throat. This was too severe. He gulped and took the papers from her. Turning back, he went to sit on the bed.
"Once you have read these conditions," said Kinshra, "You will get them written on the official papers and I want your kingdom's seal over there."
Biham nodded. At this point of time, he didn't have much of a choice. A knock on the door disturbed them. He kept the papers on the table and said, "I will fulfill every one of your conditions, even if that means going to the Fade and coming back."
She giggled. "Stop talking about Fade. These conditions need you to live and fulfill."
Biham cupped her cheeks. She was just too lovely. He rested his forehead on hers. "I will do anything, my queen."
He had to leave her to attend a meeting with his General and messengers from other kingdoms but when he returned, it was very late in the night. Kinshra was already sleeping. He took the papers from the table, settled on the couch, his new sleeping area from the past few weeks and started reading the conditions.
The most striking were three conditions that caught his attention:
1. You have to make me fall in love with you during this time.
2. If I become pregnant with the heir of Pegasii and for some issue we can't agree about the marriage, I will take the child with me to Vilinski forever.
3. I would like to start with my own ventures and projects in the kingdom of Pegasii. You will have to allow me to do them.
Biham scratched his brow as his lips curled up. Heir. And what do you do to produce an heir?
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