MG FF: Bound to the King - COMPLETED [ch. 10-13 posted June 2018] - Page 39

poor Geet.. no wonder she understood Rosie.. loved it..

👏maan n geet are opening to each othr, also feelings are developing btwn them. geet's identity too is disclosed. n m jst loving to read more of this story waiting for more

Read all 8 chpters in a go. Loved it so much.

Loved the update !! SO finally the truth is out feels really bad for Geet !! So she was a spy because she wants to save her brother !! Hmm geet's effecting maan very dangerously hehe other wise why would he get breakfast even forgetting he is king :P lets see whats stores for them when cat is out of the bag how will geet forgive him n what will maan going to do now !!Thanks for the update loving the story :)

Hungrily waiting for the update..

Thank you all so very much for your kind comments. :) I am working on the next part. <3

Originally posted by: kumari3

Thank you all so very much for your kind comments. :) I am working on the next part. <3

Many thanks as always my darlings for your wonderful feedback, it really encourages me to write. Next part is below. :)

Chapter Nine

Maan stared up at the ceiling of Geet's bedchamber, muffled sobs escaping from her lips as images of her deceased brother no doubt ran through her mind. The overhead interior of the bedchamber had been carefully set with glittering mosaic tiles, as with many of the other rooms in the palace. Maan reflected on the wealth and glamor that swept through his home like a wave. He carried out his duties as king and the commander of war without looking back, without flinching.

Until now.

Maan dropped his chin and gazed at his trembling trespasser. "Geet," he said gently.

"I miss him," she blurted out, raising her eyes to Maan. "I miss him so much."

"I'm . . . I'm sure you do, Geet." Without thinking, he scooted closer to her.

"Why did you take him from me?" she asked quietly.

Maan stared at her for some time. "I wouldn't have ever allowed this to happen if I knew he was your brother," he said finally. "Never."

"Why me specifically?" Geet swiped her face with the back of her hand. "Many brothers have been lost."

"Because you're . . . you."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"What does that mean?"

Maan paused. Honestly, he didn't know what he had meant. He just knew that there was something about this girl that brought his protective instincts out to the forefront.

"Where are your parents?" Maan asked, in an attempt to divert the conversation.

Geet shrugged silently.

"Geet? You don't know where your parents are?"

"I'm assuming back at home."

Maan set his mouth in a firm line. "Geet. They must be worried sick --"

Geet waved her hand. "I doubt it," she said stoically. "They never wanted me, anyway."

"What?"

"What?"

"Why did you say your parents never wanted you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" A loose tendril of hair dangled by Geet's ear and Maan only barely resisted the urge to brush it away.

"Is *what* obvious?" said Maan.

"Because I was born a girl."

Somewhere in the distance, Maan could hear a grandfather clock chiming the hour. He swallowed, unsure of how to proceed.

"They never wanted me or loved me," Geet continued, rather matter-of-factly. "It was only my brother who cared for me, protected me. Kept me safe. You don't know my community - I know that you have instituted anti-harassment rules during your reign, but many of the men can still be barbaric. My parents only kept me around because I learned midwivery from the other women in our community and was able to bring money into the household. They couldn't care less otherwise, believe me."

No wonder Geet had been so skilled at delivering Pinky's baby. "I'm sure that's not true, Geet," said Maan, finally giving into the temptation to tuck the stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm sure they love you and only want the best for you."

"You don't know them," said Geet, who had jumped slightly at Maan's touch. "They just want me to get married, get me out of their hair. They've lined up several potential grooms for me."

"Do you . . . want to get married to one of them?" For some reason, Maan could barely hear himself speak - was that the loud beating of his own heart drowning out his words?

"No."

A tide of relief unexpectedly washed over Maan and he struggled to maintain to his composure. "Oh," was all he could manage.

"I don't even know who any of them are," said Geet, pulling her knees up to her chest once more. "I'm sure they're all as boorish as your guards." At this, Maan felt chagrined. "My parents never would have given me a choice. Anyway, it doesn't matter."

"Why do you say that?"

Geet shrugged. "Nothing matters."

"A lot of things matter, Geet," Maan pressed.

"Not to me." Geet stared at the intricate paneling opposite the bed, a faraway look in her eye. "Not now that my brother isn't here."

"There's so much life left to live, Geet," said Maan, palming her cheek. "Your life isn't over just because he's gone."

A rare look of vulnerability crossed Geet's delicate face. "I just feel . . . empty. All of the time, every moment of the day. Unless I'm playing with the children in the playroom. Even then, it's only a distraction . . . . My brother would have stopped my parents from having me marry a stranger. If I go back there, they will force me into a wedding I don't want."

With the moonlight bathing the room, Maan could see the dark hopelessness clouding Geet features. The mystery girl had finally divulged her past, but he felt lost as ever to try to help.

---

The palace rose early as always the next morning. Geet slid into her chair at the table and reached for the butter as Maan observed her. She had finally fallen asleep last night, under his watch. He had thought that perhaps after she spilled her secrets, she would be a little happier, a little lighter - but she appeared the same, half-apathetic about her surroundings.

Geet took one bite of her bread and then a sip of milk. "Excuse me, but I will head up to the playroom now," she announced, pushing her chair back.

"What? You barely ate anything. Sit back down and eat," Maan directed.

"I'm not hungry," said Geet, shrugging.

Maan grabbed her wrist. "I don't care. You can't go upstairs to the playroom until you finish your breakfast."

"Who are you, my father?" Geet said, furrowing her brow.

"No," Maan replied, tightening his grip on her wrist. "I am your king."

Out of the corner of Maan's eye, he saw Pinky and Adi exchange a glance. *Why were they doing that so often lately?* he thought.

Geet opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a syllable, a "Miss Geet!" shrilled from across the room. Everyone seated turned to see little Rosie rushing toward the table as fast as her legs could carry her.

Maan released his grip on Geet as she broke into a smile and reached for the little girl. "My dear Rosie!" she exclaimed. "You came all the way down here to the dining hall?"

"I wanted to see if I could find you, and I did!" Rosie exclaimed, hugging Geet's waist.

Geet gave her a squeeze. "You're such a smart girl to have found me all the way from the playroom."

"Good morning, sweetheart," greeted Maan. He usually did not allow visitors at breakfast, especially children, but Rosie certainly had a positive effect on Geet's mood.

Rosie looked up at Maan, smiled widely, and then hid behind Geet's dress, triggering a laugh from around the table.

"Uh, Your Majesty, Pinky and I will check on the baby," said Adi. "You three can have some . . . alone time."

"What?" Why was Adi referring to them as if they were something akin to a family? Before Maan could pose any more questions, Adi and Pinky had already risen and exited the dining hall.

Geet seated Rosie in her lap and began feeding her chunks of fruit. The two giggled and Maan watched as they shared an eskimo kiss. An emotion that he couldn't identify surged in his chest and he quickly reached for his tea to wash it down.

"Well, I'm glad that *someone* in the palace can get Miss Geet to eat," Maan commented as Geet polished off the rest of her toast in between feeding Rosie. Geet all but blushed as she reached for a second slice.

Maan was mid-smirk when one of his staff members tapped him on the shoulder. Maan set his teacup down. "Yes?"

"Your Majesty, a letter."

Maan cocked an eyebrow as he accepted the missive -- the envelope was bright red, the code in his country for high importance and urgency.

"Thank you," said Maan, as he used his forefinger to break the seal of the envelope and draw out the letter. Geet and Rosie's laughs faded to the background.

Maan read the letter once, then twice. He felt himself flush slightly, which was an unusual sensation to be sure. "Uh, Geet? We need to talk."

Geet cocked her head at Maan as she fed the last of the strawberries to Rosie. "What's wrong?"

"Honey, can you please run up to the playroom?" Maan asked, nodding at Rosie.

"I want her to stay with me. Please," said Geet. "She came all the way down."

"I love Miss Geet," Rosie suddenly announced, unprompted.

Geet laughed sweetly, which, of course, caused Maan to relent. "Fine. But Geet . . . this letter? This letter is from the Head Councilman of your community."

"It is?" Geet's face began to turn white. "What? What does it say?"

"The Head Councilman knows that you are here, apparently."

"Who told him?"

"I don't know. There are plenty of people in the palace who could have disclosed your, ah, arrival here."

"What else does it say?" Geet was gripping Rosie tightly now, who, thankfully, was simply playing with Geet's hair and seemed to be unaware of the intense conversation unfolding before her.

Maan skimmed the letter once more. "He has sincerely apologized on behalf of your community that you trespassed into my palace, and that you will be . . . uh . . . you will be 'dealt with,' accordingly."

"What does that mean?" Geet's face had completely paled by now.

"I don't know." Maan cleared his throat, which suddenly felt constricted. "Geet, it also requests that I deliver you back to your parents immediately because they . . . they have selected a groom for you."

Geet swallowed. "They have?"

"What is a groom?" Rosie chirped.

Geet's eyes darted to the floor as Maan responded, "It means husband, sweetheart. A husband takes a bride when he gets married. Like how your parents are married."

"Oh. Are you and Miss Geet married?"

"No, no, we're not," Geet said quickly. She gently moved Rosie from her lap. "I'm sorry, dear, I - I need to go lie down. I'm sorry. Your Majesty, can you please get her back to the playroom?" Without waiting for his response, she scurried away.

"Miss Geet left," said Rosie, pouting.

Maan nodded, then pulled the little girl into her lap. "Sorry, honey. She just needs some rest."

"How come?"

"She is a little upset."

"How come?"

"Because she might have to leave."

"Why? I don't want Miss Geet to go! Please keep her here!"

Maan kissed the little girl's forehead. Although he had trouble admitting it, he was feeling just as distressed as Rosie.

---

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