A fortnight had gone by and it was finally the day of the congregation of Kings, Velaine had thought about not going but that would make him a coward.
But she was supposed to come to him, not him grovelling at her feet. She had played the game really well, better than he had thought.
***Vedarah
For the first time in her life, Aveedah anticipated the congregation of Kings. The event lasted for seven days and it was a painfully draining event. Only acknowledged kings were invited and the amount of mess one had to clear for them and had to take in was exhausting. Physical mess didn't matter, the maids would take care of that. The forum had been created for the kings to come together, to solve conflicts, create an alliance and help lift up small underdeveloped kingdoms. The ruler of Vedarah led the council and was the ultimate judge. The amount of unnecessary conflicts, petty requests and worst of all, marriage proposals that would be thrown her way almost made her cancel the event but she had to see the ruler of the strange kingdom and know her fate with the other kingdoms.
She needed to see if they acknowledged her or would challenge her. That was why she intentionally invited her traitorous uncle, she should know if she needed to force them to accept her or embrace and appreciate their loyalty.
"Vee, there is still no sign of him." Keevah reported.
Aveedah only hummed quietly as she watched the moon surrounded by the stars. A year ago, she had felt like that moon, precious and guarded but now as she looked at it, she felt like she had misunderstood it. It may have not felt guarded by the numerous stars, maybe it felt threatened by their number. Maybe it felt alone and though it is way bigger and brighter than them, it felt scared of the day they would unite against it.
One was enough, just one person who would choose to be by her side willingly.
"Let it be Keevah. I want a moment of peace before dawn breaks." She replied quietly.
Keevah nodded and walked out instructing an increase of guards around the garden and banning of entrance or disturbance of any sort.
"Assign one special duty to each Royal. No movement, no meeting, no activity should escape your eyes and ears and no guard will last with a royal for more than a day except you Eric, you will be with Kebarah till the end." Aveedah instructed, she was still in the garden she had slept the night before, the royal would start trooping in anytime soon and she could hear the head maids bark orders all the way from the guests palace. It's high time she also prepared. She wouldn't give them the pleasure of taking her unawares .
*******Ridah
"Your highness." Irina whispered. She had Intended to ask why he was so decked up but had gotten her answer when she saw Leo and the six man troop behind him in their official uniforms.
He is attending the event?
But why was she not Informed?
"I have given Arthur the necessary instructions. You will stay back with him. Anything goes wrong or even about to go wrong I want to hear it immediately." He said walking away from her, his troops few feets behind him.
Velaine had worn a skin made blouse and trousers, the blouse went down to almost his mid thigh and he held it in place with a golden colored slim belt. Over the cloth, he draped a gold colored cape with a lighter shade of gold at the fur adorned collar and shoulder of the cape. On his feets were dark leather boots and behind him was Leo and six knights in their official black uniform.
"Your highness. Are you leaving now?" Irina asked rushing to catch up with him.
He didn't bother answering her and proceeded to the white horse prepared for him.
The horse bellowed immediately Velaine stroke it's large mane. The horse was as majestic as it's owner. It stood tall and huge, taller than the seven horses around it. It's white fur falling gracefully down it's back.
"Majesty." He cooed and the animal lowered his head into his owners chest.
"Your majesty. I apologize for what I am about to say but you are under dressed. You need a crown for indication and most kings use palanquins not bare horses." Irina Informed, agitation in her eyes.
Velaine simply spared her a glance and nodded at the knights.
Quickly, they got on their horses and arranged themselves behind Majesty.
"Your majesty please reconsider, your entourage is too small. I am afraid they will belittle you if you look any less than them." She protested moving closer to him.
"Irina, this is your last chance to keep your lips together. I don't want to make you do so." Leo instructed eyeing her.
She threw him a dirty glance but obeyed him nonetheless.
Velaine said nothing as Leo knelt and interlaced his hands together for him to use as a thrust to get on the horse.
Arthur approached Velaine, the court members running behind him, some almost tripping.
"Your highness, we apologize for our ignorance. We had no knowledge of your departure." They chorused while Arthur went to stand by his side.
Velaine gave him a small smile and the young man bowed in response.
The space was now crowded as the servants stopped to see what the commotion was about.
The king makers walked to him, the three of them holding a cushion with their right hands. A staff and a crown laid majestically on the cushion.
"Your highness." The called and dropped on their knees raising cushion to him.
Veliane smiled a bit then stepped on Leo's palm and thrusted himself on his horse. After getting comfortable on it he bent himself a bit and picked the staff. The royal staff of Ridah.
"You may rise." He ordered.
"All hail his majesty." They greeted and the other chanted.
"May you journey and return in peace in abundance and excellent condition. May whatever you seek be in the palm of you hands." They prayed and all together they chanted.
"All hail your majesty."
Velaine smiled and ordered the crown to be returned, there was no need for so much extravagance.
He waved at them and patted his horse lightly, the horse knowing fully well what his master meant began to move, the crowd making way for him and the gates of the palace opened widely for him.
Irina felt her heart tug at the sight, she really wished she could be by his side or even at the very least, have him glance at her once before he left. The grace he emanated could swallow a crowd and she feared what if the beautiful royals he met there covet him?
What if the graceful Aveedah not only falls for his trap but also his grace?
All her earlier nagging was not because she actually thought he would be belittled but because she was paranoid, she knew just how important his going was but she just couldn't bring herself to let him go and even worse without her by his side.
Velaine turned his horse and waved at the audience.
As he rode majestically out of the palace and the crowd at his back all their heads, he turned around and his eyes met Irina's longing ones.
He gave her a small smile and nodded slightly at her before he turned back and his horse srolled out of the palace, out of Irina's grateful sight.