The Uninvited Princess ✔

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Pranee couldn't have imagined she would be at the bottom of a river. She also didn't expect there to be a whole city and a castle to be at the bottom of the river as well.

She sat on the ground of the throne room next to Shashi, Kiet, and Chann. They were quietly talking amongst themselves but they would glance every so often to the door, expecting the nagi queen to enter at a moment's notice.

"What do you think?" Shashi looked at her expectedly.

"Huh? What was the question?" She rubbed her hands against her legs anxiously.

Shashi pointed their chin to the empty throne. "Theories on why the queen wanted to see us."

"I think the queen wanted to thank us for that snake," Kiet piped up.

"I... feel like it's related to Chann." Pranee looked to Chann. They kept quiet and looked uncomfortable.

Shashi shrugged. "I mean it sounds like a royal boring political talk thing to me. Maybe she wanted to make a deal with you."

Pranee glanced to the area in front of her. Tanet was accompanied by Anuman and Bayu but the rest of the calvary hadn't come with him. Pranee frowned as she thought over the situation.

"I should... actually be sitting beside him if we came as royals."

"Are you sure? I mean you should be sitting next to me since we're together." Shashi's comment made Pranee freeze.

She noticed how Tanet was casually speaking to the two wizards beside him but she only grew more anxious.

"I really should be sitting with him. I don't want to make another bad impression on the queen." Her words came out quick and she began to move towards Tanet.

She was instantly blocked by Shashi's staff and she turned to see Shashi's concerned face.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just... nervous. I never had a political meeting like this before."

Shashi's forehead was now against hers and she could feel her body tense up.

"Deep breaths."

"Shashi, other people are looking."

"It's okay, it's just friends and family. We're not in public."

"But..."

"Breathe."

Pranee took a few shaky breaths and shut her eyes. She tried to relax but her body was as stiff as ever.

"Hey, I think the queen will be coming in any moment now. It's best to finish up whatever you're doing there," Kiet called out.

Shashi pulled their head away from Pranee and her gaze was fixated on the ground.

"We'll talk after this, okay?"

She gave a small nod before sitting next to Tanet. He raised an eyebrow at her and she shook her head to indicate it wasn't the time to speak.

"Bayu and Anuman, can you please sit with the other group? I have to sit next to my brother for this meeting."

Anuman furrowed his eyebrows. "But I always sit next to him, I don't–"

Bayu instantly stood up. "Yes, your majesty. Come on, Anuman."

"Why? I don't understand."

"Are you challenging my sister's orders?" Tanet raised his eyebrow at Anuman and the man quickly shut up.

"Yes... your highness."

Anuman and Bayu went to sit with Shashi and the rest and Pranee sat next to Tanet while sighing.

"Everything alright?" Tanet asked.

She slowly nodded her head. "Yeah, just nervous."

"It's fortunate we'll be able to have an audience with the queen of nagas. She'll be a powerful ally to have."

"Yeah... um... what happened to your cavalry by the way?"

"I sent them to Aslo."

"You what."

"Yeah, I sent them ahead to deliver a message to the emperor."

"Why?"

"I couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. Plus, I have a feeling I won't make it in time so I also sent him a birthday and apology gift."

"Are you sure that's alright?"

"Yeah, he'll be alright, I think. He might go on a rampage and fight anyone he sees for a couple days but it won't get too bad. What's he going to do? Start a war with another country?"

"Did you also let your calvary deliver the news that you no longer have any feet?!"

"...you know. That's a really trivial bit of information that will turn out to be a lovely surprise for when we meet the next time."

"You've got to be kidding me."

The doors opened and slammed from behind the group, and a naga stood there with a fist over his chest.

"Please bow for our queen, Rutna the sharp-eyed."

Pranee could feel her heartbeat in her chest loudly. The last time she bowed her head to another royal, she was fearing for her life.

"You may raise your heads."

When Pranee lifted her head, the queen was looking directly at her and she resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably. She was sitting on the throne in her human form yet she was still larger than a normal human. Her stature

"Thank you for having an audience with me. I have a favour to ask of you."

"We would be honoured to perform a favour for your highness if you'll agree to help us as well."

"It's good we're having this conversation then." Then queen closed her eyes in a grimace. "Our favour requires you to put your lives in danger."