The journey back to the palace was smooth. Since the major work has been done, the royal couple can relax their shoulders and feel peace in their heart. The matter of Patchal suddenly raised causing a havoc in the court. It was a serious since Patchal is a great source of transport and information. In the carriage Nandini and Manik sitting talking about the matter.
"What does your majesty plan to deal with Himat?" Nandini asked.
Manik's eyes were closed as he leaned on the seat but hearing Nandini asked it he opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Vaibhav will be taking care of him until he is called in the court for the case. The ministers has been dissatisfied with him greatly. Before we visit many of them requested fir Himat to be executed already"
Nandini frowned "he is that hateful in the eyes of court?"
Manik shook his head "actuall, the ministers only look fir their own interest. Before the Patchal rebel, Patchal used to the great source of information. Since the state is outside Samrat and many of my enemies took the chance to discover the secrets of Samrat. It was for the tight security and privacy that they could not achieve their goal but still the state is popular because of its location and being stand alone"
"So the court minister find it unacceptable because Patchal was being controlled by Himat?"
"Exactly so. They blame Himat fir this. Only after Himat become deputy minister, all the trouble started to rise one by one. Those court minister likes to trevel in there but Himat rebelled suddenly vand prevented them to step in. So of course it will give birth to anger"
"No wonder all of them agreed for you to personally take over this matter" Nandini shook her head.
Manik smiled and was about to say when the carriage started to shake slightly before stopping. The couple frowned looking at eachother with confusion.
"Brother" Vaibhav's voice could be heard from outside.
"What happened suddenly?" Manik inquired.
"The roads are not good. Because of landsliding few days ago the main road is blocked. It would take 3 days of time to clear it" Vaibhav replied.
"We can't stay and wait for whole 3 days in the carriages" Nandini commented.
Manik nodded agreeing with her then asked again "is there any other way?"
"Yes, if we continue then we can go by the village road from north. It will be little longer then usual but the roads are good" Vaibhav said.
"Fine then let's go through that way. Can't wait for long" Manik ordered.
"Yes"
Nandini lifted the curtain and peeked outside. She could see that the direction turned from main road towards the nearby forest. She can feel her body being relaxed. After so long she can finally relax herself in the palace. It has been quite long since she left the palace and she kind of miss her leisurely days spent in there.
Seeing her so engrossed in thoughts Manik knocked on her forehead, snapped her out of the thoughts. Nandini glared at him with her burning green eyes while he just smiled back.
"Your majesty you really needed to do that?"
"Why were you so engrossed in thoughts when I am sitting here? Should not you entertain me a little?"
"How does your majesty want to entertained?" Nandini gritted her teeth. This man really loves to tease her and don't want to give her little peace. After going back she really need to talk about it with Chityakanta.
Manik didn't reply but suddenly reached out his hand and pulled her on his lap. Nandini squealed with the sudden force and when she realised the situation her butt already landed on the hard thighs of her husband.
"Your majesty-"
"Shhhh...." Manik paused her placing his finger on her lips. "Don't talk, these beautiful lips really needed a good teaching so that they can get used to it"
"What are-" before her voice land it was sealed by another pair of lips.
When they reached the village area it was already evening. The village was spread widely and deeply. Since the sun was set, various lanterns are hanging in each house. The houses looked simple but beautiful and all of them are made of mud. The carriages stopped and Vaibhav get down before looking around.
Few elders who were warming their hands before the fire looked at him. The royal carriages are too luxurious and this was something they never seen before. Vaibhav spotted them and slowly strode towards their direction.
"Village elders, we are returning to the capital but because of the blockage on main road we have to go through this path. But it's already evening, can we get a place to stay the night?" Vaibhav asked.
The elders looked at eachother before one of them stand up. Behind Vaibhav he can clearly see the expensive carriages and a troop wearing armours.
"This gentleman, you are..." The long beard old man started.
Vaibhav smiled seeing his hesitation "we are the royals of Samrat. I am the second prince and my brother and sister in law is also here in the other carriage"
Once the words fell the expression of the elders suddenly changed. They never thought they will ever be able to encounter the royals in the chilly night. They have heard and living in Samrat for such a long time yet they never able to see how the royal people looks like.
"Your highness please forgive us for not knowing" the elders bowed.
Vaibhav took a step back "please don't do such thing. There's not need for such courtesy. We just want a place to spent the night"
One of the elders nodded "your highness I am called Usmar and I am the head of this village. Please allow me to entertain your highness for tonight. I this village only my house is bigger than compared to others and I hope your highness won't mind living in my small house"
"It's fine as long as we get some place to hide from the coldness" Vaibhav agreed.
"Please your highness let me show you the place. But the road is narrow and I fear the carriages won't be able to go through that" Usmar said.
"Let me inform my royal brother first" Vaibhav replied before walking back towards the carriages.
The elders show him stopping before the second carriage and talking with the people inside. After few seconds the curtains of the carriage parted and a extremely handsome looking man get down. Once he stood he turned and forwarded his hand and another person followed his lead. The elders eyes widened when they saw the couple. Both of them looks the perfect pair matched in heavens. They have heard about the emperor got married not a long ago but there's not such a chance to meet them. But now seeing the emperor and empress personally they couldn't help but feel lucky. For such a low status people like them, it's not like they can have the opportunity to see the emperor and empress frequently in their lives.
When the royal walk towards them. The elders suddenly kneeled down and yelled loudly "long live the emperor, long live the empress"
"Elders please rise, tonight we are not here as royal beings but as a guest who is seeking for shelter. I hope elders won't mind us staying the night here" Manik said.
"Your majesty, it's our fortune to be able to see your majesty in this life. Please allow us to entertain you" the elders replied.
"Please get up first. It's cold already and with such old age it's not good to kneel on ground. Treat us as a normal guest, it would be more better" Manik gestured as he spoke.
The elders felt delighted. Mostly the royals are always arrogant and proud. They look down on the commoners. They have seen many royals who passed they village but none of them gave a slight respect but they never thought the emperor of their land will be this kind and warm hearted. He treated them as a human and showed utmost respect. With such thinking they get up with smile.
Usmar walked forward and bowed "your majesty please allow me to lead the way. The weather will be colder after sometimes so it will be better to stay inside the house"
Manik agreed and let him lead the way. It was not far but just a few minutes walk. The mud houses are really beautiful and the lantern hanging gives an another aura of rural life. The house of Usmar is bigger than other houses. It was made from bamboo and designed beautifully. There was a bamboo gate in the front and there was two lantern hanging on each side.
"Your majesty please" Usmar said and opened the gate.
The door of the house opened by a old woman. A black shawl wrapped over her shoulder. She looked at her husband then her eyes fell on the people behind Usmar.
"Rebti, welcome his majesty and her majesty and the second prince of Samrat" Usmar hurriedly said.
Rebti's eyes widened as she gasped "your majesty please come inside" she hurriedly moved away and let them inside.
"Mother is father arrived?" Another voice sounded inside the room.
Everyone's gaze fell on the new person who just spoke. It was a beautiful lady wearing pink outfit. When she saw there was guests she stood rooted on her place.
Note:-
Oh, another character 😏😏
What do you think about it?