SS: King 2 Hearts Ch8 Pg20 - Page 4

His Majesty could not rest knowing an urgent apology was due to the queen he had so crudely offended. And if the Hammam incidence was any evidence, his wife was far from forgiving him yet. Even with all the positive self-talk before walking into Her Majesty's residence, nothing could have prepared our King for what took place in those chambers.

The queen had not prepared the usual formal attire she wore to welcome the king. Nor did she get up to welcome him for that matter. Madhubala Rishabh Kundra was settled in the heart of the red palace courtyard in a white tissue tee and high rise black denim. Her usually long flowing hair was folded twice and tied neatly above the neck. She wore no accessories expect for patterned socks and a wedding ring.

Her eyes were focused straight on an IBM analyst's notebook lying on the coffee table beside the naked concrete floor she was seated on. Rishabh hushed the staff in advance so as not to bother the busy looking queen. And other than Madhu scratching her head once or twice at the complexity of the work in from of her, she did not notice Rishabh enter.

With the shushing finger still on his lips, Rishabh came up behind his wife and carefully began to scan the computer screen. Eventually, Madhu noticed his reflection on the monitor and stood in attention to greet him.

"Your Majesty", she bowed. "I hope you have been well. What brings you here?"

"My queen I need to address our conversation from the last few meetings. I believe I have been...", he hesitated with the apology, still holding on to his pride. This insincerity did not go unnoticed in front of the meticulous queen. She nodded gently and offered a pleasing smile. She ordered the staffers to retreat, leaving the royal couple alone for a heart to heart.

"What does my lord wish to address? Did you have a change of heart about my father's loyalty? Or is it the way you handled the topic with me?"

Rishabh blinked twice amazed at how accurately Madhu read the situation. She smiled again knowing full well what was coming. "It's the latter my queen. We may have differing opinions now or in the future but I should be careful in how I relay them to you". He hung his head in shame trying to figure out a decent way to articulate an apology.

"Rishabh", Madhu unexpectedly called her husband by his first name. This wasn't planned but the importance of this milestone event wasn't lost upon either of them. It was as if Madhu had broken down a wall between them with this first attempt of closeness. "If I call you by name, you don't have to apologize. It means I have already forgiven you".

She broke out into a wide smile hiding all the pain she felt knowing her husband still despised her father. But Rishabh did not notice that. All he saw was how beautiful that woman looked when she smiled for him.

"I wasn't going to apologize", Rishabh coughed trying to regain his composure.

"I am not finished talking yet". She'd pushed him off the ledge again.

"There is something very important I must discuss with you. No, convey to you. You are not obligated to answer so do not feel burdened by anything I say okay?" Madhu maintained a poker face and Rishabh gulped back the saliva in his throat in anticipation.

"I think I know what's in my heart now", she said.

He looked on clueless like she was speaking in a foreign tongue.

She continued, "from the time I remember living to the day of our wedding, someone or the other always reminded me I was your bride. So, when I dated or fell in love, I always had you in the back of my mind. Aah, I am going to live with this person one day. I should be careful in what I do. For a short while, I tried rebelling against this thought but like moth to the flame, I walked right back into the restraint. So, when we did get married, I accepted my role as an obligation, a responsibility borne out of loyalty. And my thoughts have never wavered. I am a servant of the monarchy till my last breath. However, lately I have had different thoughts as well".

The king felt burdened by the overwhelming amounts of new information. "Madhu", he interrupted and she shushed him quickly.

"Patience, Rishabh", she said and the atmosphere in the room felt different all of a sudden. A new intimacy was brewing the air. "During the last year, I have done many things for you and looking back, they weren't for the king alone. I...", she hesitated and then suddenly got up. "This won't do", she said and pulled him by the wrist until he was dragged behind her involuntarily. "Follow me", she said and darted toward the peach blossom trail outside.

As the king and queen made a run for it in the middle of a serious talk, the palace guards scrambled to maintain protection. Even with a high of being chased by annoyed staffers and being out of breath from the run, the queen had more energy than ever.

She let go of her husband's wrist and used her hands to turn his face toward her. Then she came as close to his eyes as humanly possible and tore open her heart, "I think I am in love with you".

Three dozen overzealous king's soldiers soon surrounded the monarchs awaiting their orders but Rishabh was too flustered to answer.

"What?" he focused on Madhu instead.

"To me, you are different from the monarchy. To me, you are just a man. No, my man. That's more like it. From now on, I am going to openly show my love to you so consider yourself warned. Got it?"

Rishabh was too in shock to hear his thoughts.

"Looks like you don't understand still", she made a cute face and raised her scarf to his lips. Then, she gently pressed a kiss on his lips with only the thin fabric of the scarf stopping their flesh from touching. "This is our first kiss. The next time will be the real deal but only if you're willing".

Rishabh tilted his head slightly as if beginning to snap back to reality. "I think you know what I mean now. So, I will take my leave now. Until next time". She kissed her hand and waved it at him to say goodbye for the night.