"W-Who was the healer? Let's try one more time. May be the healer wasn't that qualified. Let's try a little more. Can you tell me the procedure of your treatment? We have to tell that to our healer for your treatment. Please Ira, just one more try. If healer says that it will not work or it can affect your health, I will not force you. But at least let's meet him"
Now, she is trapped. There is no way she can refuse him. He will not listen to her doesn't matter how hard she tries.
She sighed feeling helpless "Ok, if you want, let's try one more time. But.....can you ask the healer to not give me high dose medicine, I have taken so many medicines. My previous healer said that my health can deteriorate if I take more medicine so...."
He finally smiled and nod repeatedly "Yes, we will start with light dose of medicines. If after taking those medicines, you felt any pain or uneasiness, we will stop the treatment immediately. I promise."
She smiled at his excitement which is filled with care. "Ok, as you say."
He pecked her forehead and stood up "Now get ready. I am going to prepare the carriage. I will be back."
She nod and he walked out of the chamber. She turned around and looked at herself in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she tried to cheer up herself but the consequences of treatment are making her shiver in fear.
"You can do it. Keep going." She said to herself and grabbed the comb to comb her hair.
After some time, Raksheet came back and asked "Are you ready?"
She slides some bangles in her hands and looked at him with a nervous smile. "Yes. But..."
"But what?" He asked and hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"I am just a little nervous. I have never been out of the palace before."
"Not even in your own kingdom?" He asked with a slight anger.
She nod.
He took a deep breath and tried to smile. "That was the past. Forget about it now. It's a new beginning of our life. Let's change everything and get used to going out in kingdom whenever you want. I will never stop you. Just be safe and take soldiers with you." He looked at her through the mirror and suddenly turned her around to face me.
"Let's choose a knight for you." He said excitedly.
She giggled on his suggestion "What? Knight? But I am not a Queen. I don't need a knight."
"You will be the Queen for sure. And you do need a knight. When I am not around, there should be someone to protect you. When you go out and I am busy in work, you need a knight to protect you."
"Even if I need someone to protect me, don't you think it's too much to choose a knight? You can simply assign a soldier for my protection."
"No, knight is much better than soldier. Only selected soldiers becomes the knight" He tried to pursue her. "They are stronger than soldiers. They have to go through rigorous trials to become knights."
"Really? What kind of trials?" She asked in curiousity.
"They have to stay alert all the time. They have to sacrifice their hunger and sleep. They have to get trained without any break. They have to fight against the commander of the army, which is Ahil. They have to fight against him and at least they must survive till the end."
"And that's why I think you should get a knight for your protection."
She chuckled and leaned forward "Really?"
He nod hesitantly. The closeness between them was making his eyes look at her lips and again in her eyes when suddenly she wrapped her arms around his neck and came even more close.
"Don't do this. Princess, Are you trying to seduce me?"
She looked at his lips and then in his eyes and nod slowly yet seductively.
"You will regret it." He whispered.
"I would love to." She suddenly pressed her lips on his.
He closed his eyes and pulled her closer by holding her waist.
"Brother, where are you?"
But the sudden voice of Ahil made them break the kiss and separate hurriedly. They quickly fixed their posture and Ahil entered in chamber.
"You are here!" He complained. "Let's go! We are getting late!"
"You are coming too?" Ira asked.
He smiled mischievously and asked "Why? You want to go alone with your husband?"
"Shut up Ahil." Raksheet interrupted "You go, we are coming."
Ahil smiled and looked at Ira with narrow eyes teasingly.
She looked away to avoid his gaze and he left the chamber.
Raksheet then turned to Ira "Let's go or else he will come back."
She chuckled and held his hand "Let's go."
"Princess Ira is going to sit in this carriage, be careful. She should not complain about the carriage or the journey. There is no need to drive fast, her journey should be comfortable. Understand?" Leaning on the carriage, Ahil instructed the soldier who is going to drive the carriage.
"Yes sir!" The soldier replied.
"Alright, now go."
"Aren't you more worried than me for my wife's comfort?" Raksheet asked, walking towards Ahil with Ira.
"Of course! She is not only my sister-in-law but my sister too. I have two relationships with her. So I should be more worried than you for her." He simply replied and stood straight. "Now get in. We are already late."
"Acting responsible? huh?" Raksheet asked with a slight smile and Ahil replied confidently.
"Yes! More than you!" He said and quickly ran away before Raksheet can catch him and beat him infront of everyone.
"You!" Raksheet yelled and was about to run after Ahil to catch him but Ira stopped him.
"Stop it. Let's get inside." She said and pulled him towards carriage door.
They stepped inside the carriage and Raksheet closed the door. Ahil hopped on his horse and signalled the soldier to start carriage and remaining soldiers to follow them.
The main gate opened and a bunch of soldiers stepped out from palace gate, Ahil in front and Raksheet and Ira's carriage in the middle, surrounded by soldiers.
Ira hesitantly opened the curtain to look outside just to see people staring at the carriage in curiousity and when their eyes fell on her, they gasped in wonder and surprise. Her silver hair and eyes with fair skin tone was something new to them. In their entire life, they have never seen someone with silver hairs and eyes. All the people in Jwalana have red or brown or black hairs but not the silver. Some were afraid of her appearance where as some were mesmerized by it.
She was unable to understand whether people are happy to see her or angry because the way some were hiding themselves and their kids after seeing her.
"They must be surprised to see such a beautiful girl." Raksheet said, sitting beside her and leaning towards the window with smile.
He waved at people outside and finally the people felt a bit relieved and happy after seeing their beloved king. They waved back at him and started cheering for him.
Ira looked at him with sad expression and complained "They seem to like you, but why not me?"
"Because you are new to them. And your appearance is different from the people of Jwalana. They will get used to it soon. They must be surprised to see you. Once you meet them, they will accept you and like you too." He said to cheer her up.
She nod and smiled weakly. She felt, just like her family, the people of Jwalana will also not accept her.
"Don't think much. They will accept you soon. After all, you are their future Queen." He said, making her chuckle and look at him.
"Fine." She replied and continued looking outside.
The sun was shining brightly and temperature was rising. But except for Ira, no one was bothered by it. She was feeling hot but the people outside were normally doing their work without caring about the hotness. She was wiping the sweat off from her forehead again and again, waving her hand in air to keep herself cool but it was useless.
Seeing her sweating and feeling uncomfortable, Raksheet chuckled and walked towards the small box at the corner. He opened the box and grabbed the glass. Putting some ice and juice in it, he went towards Ira and gave it to her.
"Drink it. You will feel cool."
"Thank you." She took the glass from him and drank the juice hurriedly.
"There is more. But don't drink too much." He said, smiling at her cuteness.