**** Chapter Forty Two: A HISTORY LESSON

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Chapter Forty Two: A HISTORY LESSON

“Princess,” he said, “I am so sorry for being so inadequately prepared –”

“Oh, please Kabir!” I stopped him. “This is more than perfect, this is – awesome!”

“Yes Kabir, don’t worry.” Azure smiled at him as he put an arm around me. “The

Princess isn’t just beautiful to look at. She has a heart to match it all.”

“Yes, Minister.” Kabir bowed his head in agreement and then invited us to sit at the food-laden dinner table.

Not that I cared anymore but I still looked at Demon. He hadn’t said a word since my arrival nor was he particularly looking at me. He had cast a fleeting glance at me when I’d first come into the room but had just as quickly looked away too.

Moody jerk!

The delicious aroma of a simple home cooked meal of lentils soup, beans and cheese casserole and freshly baked bread stimulated my appetite to new heights. I hadn’t eaten a morsel for over twenty four hours – when I’d fled from Sikri after a few mouthfuls of soup from Ogaz’s kitchen. I was starving.

However, I suppose the new mantle of royalty everyone was trying to fit me into was finally making its mark. I was suddenly conscious of decorum and didn’t want people to think of me as – uncouth.

I took a delicate spoonful when my stomach screamed for me to bury my entire face in that divine casserole. I nibbled a tiny piece off that smooth buttery, flaky bread when what I wanted was to stuff the whole loaf in my mouth. And I took small sips of the tasty lentils when I should’ve simply slurped the entire bowl down my throat.

I sighed. And took a sip of freshly squeezed orange juice. Sigh!

“Is everything alright, Princess?” Ina asked. “Is the food okay?” “Oh, it’s delicious!” I wish I could hog it all down!

“Then, why aren’t you eating more of it?”

“She’s just being polite,” spoke the mighty Krâl for the first time. “Don’t worry, it’ll wear off in a day or two.”

I shot him a mean look but he was already busy with the lentils and the juice, talking to Kabir. Jerk!

“I have to say,” Kabir was saying, “I still can’t believe how lucky we are to – we thought Prince Alistair had died when –”

“He didn’t.” Demon said. “And now the Princess is here.”

“So honored and fortunate we are, Princess!” Kabir looked at me with earnest eyes. Then he turned to Demon with the same sort of reverence. “And so good of you, Krâl, to bring her here. I have no words to express how grateful we are!”

Demon shook his head. “No need,” he said. “I had no choice. The curse is upon us.”

“So it’s true!” Kabir’s soft brown eyes widened a bit. “The hair – you did pull the strand then.”

“I didn’t know.” I winced at my defensive tone. “I did what Azure told me to.”

“No, no! Of course, of course! That’s not what I meant.” Kabir spoke quickly lest he sounded insolent to the bratty royal. “I’m just a little shocked at finally confirming the truth of it.”

“Who told you first?” Azure asked him.

“Cy did. He came here after he met with Krâl at the tavern in Sikri, looking for Salaar and Baruk. Stayed two days, then left.”

“So, he didn’t find them either.” Demon sighed.

“Why do you need them, Krâl? You hate war.”

“It’s the Ducimus, Kabir.” Azure nodded. “They’re pairing up with the Richesse.

Leon was still in Castle Ducimus when we left.”

There was a momentary silence. The clanking cutlery played a very pleasant symphony to my ears at least. I didn’t understand why Demon still wanted Salaar. The reason he was looking for that man was so he could take me and train me. That phase was over. So, what now? I wanted to ask him but was afraid it would end in yet another useless row. Hence, I refrained and continued gobbling up the good food – politely.

“How many days will you stay here, Krâl?” Ina asked this time.

“The days are numbered, Ina. I’m simply here enroute to Khuzdoh with the

Princess.”

“Then why the search for Salaar?”

That was my cue. “Yeah – why?” I looked up quickly.

“He is the Enthonian General. We need the man.” Demon said. “Besides, I have my reasons.”

“But,” Kabir said thoughtfully, “you don’t want war. That’s what Cy told me.”

“I just need a safe passage to Khuzdoh,” Demon said and both Kabir and Ina seemed to have understood what I was still processing.

“That makes perfect sense!” Ina exclaimed joyously. “We create a diversion while you escape to break the Scepter!”

“Bingo!” Azure smiled. “Easier said than done, though.”

“Anything for Enth. And everything for Krâl,” Kabir spoke passionately. “Which brings me to my next question – if –” he looked at Demon as if asking for permission to continue.

“What?” Demon said, his brow ruffling a bit.

“We don’t want a new Krâl in Volttus.”

“That’s not your business, Kabir!” Azure spoke up harshly. I was a little stunned at his reaction, had never heard that tone from him.

Kabir turned sharply to Azure. “If it’s not Krâl Antinoos, we don’t want another

Demon King in Volttus!”

“That’s not your decision!” Azure frowned.

“Kabir.” Demon’s deep voice resounded in the vast space, shutting all other voices up. “You have a Queen of your own. Enth will not be part of Volttus any longer hence you need not worry about who rules there. Let the Queen worry about that.”

What? I mean – what? Did he mean me? I should worry about Volttus too? I stared at Demon.

“Search the Realmics!” Kabir ignored the remark. “There must be a way to counter the curse and keep the ruling Demon for all time.”

“We don’t want to!” Azure stood up. “If you really care for him then you must set him free!”

“Azure, please sit down,” Demon spoke calmly and then looked Kabir in the eye – soft glow, pure warmth. “This is how it is, Kabir. No other way. Enth has her Queen now.

Volttus shouldn’t matter to you anymore.”

Silence fell upon us all. Kabir bowed his head without further argument but I hadn’t failed to notice where his heart belonged. He may be an Enthonian but he had sworn allegiance to a Demon King. Is that how all of Enth felt? I wondered.

“Where will you go – Krâl?” Ina’s tear-choked voice broke the thick silence.

Demon smiled. “Right now – to the lounger. And I’d like some tea, please.”