There were nights when I couldn't sleep without out you.
Now there are days when I don't even remember you.
But in the end when I look at myself in the mirror at night,
The pendant hanging in neck brings to light the betrayal you gave me that night.
.........................................
5 years later
..........................................
¶ Your majesty pov¶
A large gathering surrounded the palace walls.
Stalls were put and markets were set to celebrate the biggest festival of the decade.
I was standing in my balcony, sipping my morning tea, while looking at the gathering below.
Everyone looked so happy, just like I wished them to be.
A smile automatically came on my lips on seeing them.
"Your Majesty! The administrators are waiting."
I sipped my tea, not bothering to turn around.
"Are they ready with the final draft? Yet?"
"No...they have not completed it, however, they have a rough draft with them"
"Tell them to come when it's done. Dismiss them"
"But your majesty they were persistent"
I didn't say anything.
Not caring to reply.
My secretary knows how much I hate repeating myself but still, he has to ask me.
"Where is dad?"
"Senior Majesty just came back this morning! He was asking for your presence at the dining table"
"No worries I will join him very soon. Are the papers for the treaty ready?"
Placing the empty cup in a waiter's tray, I proceeded towards my room.
My today's clothes were placed on my bed without even asking me.
I really hate it sometimes.
"Yes your majesty. They are with the President for his approval."
I nodded, picking up my today's outfit.
A grey tuxedo with a black shirt.
"Call him and ask him to visit me today."
"Yes your majesty"
Johnathan looked distracted.
He was nodding but his eyes were fixed on someone else.
I followed her stare to see him stare at the maid standing in the corner with eyes cast down.
I haven't seen her before, she must be new.
"Yes?"
I asked a bit impatiently
"Your majesty...your royal highness is asking for your presence at the dining table."
"I will be there shortly"
She bowed ready to leave when I stopped her.
"Excuse me, was it you who selected my outfit?"
She looked scared when my voice was anything but scary than my usual self.
I try being polite but they are always scared.
"Yes your majesty"
"Don't do it again. You may go"
She nodded, rushing out.
"Sir, today's sch-"
"Not now Johnathan. Let me get ready first. Meet me outside in 10 and yes "
He looked up at me again, giving me his full attention.
"Don't get distracted again.
I won't tolerate any kind of nuisance here."
His eyes widened
He didn't think I took notice of him staring at her.
"Your majesty...my apologies..I was just....."
"You like her?"
"Yes...No...I mean No ..your majesty...I...."
"You better not for you know the code of conduct quite well here.
I would hate to fire a competent employee as yourself"
His eyes widened.
His job meant a lot to him, I could see it.
"I know sir...I know...I wouldn't...my apologies"
"You may go"
I nodded watching him rush out of the room.
These stupid people get really messed up when they date, and you know what it effects the most.
Their performance and my work.
And I hate it when anyone messes with my work.
It is either perfection or nothing.
....................................................
"Good morning Dad, good morning Mom"
I greeted them with a kiss on their cheeks and sat down on my seat.
Maids came forward to serve me but I stopped them.
Hell, I have my hands, I can do it myself.
"How was your trip Dad? The northern province hosted you well?"
He laughed at this.
Did I crack a joke?
"You really hate him ... don't you Son?"
I picked up the pie and placed it in my plate.
"Well yaa I hate it when someone bosses me around and your best friend does just that."
"Oh come on Son! He considers you family! After all, he is going to be your future father in law. You will soon get married-"
I hate that word.
"Dad! Don't start again! I said yes to this marriage thing! Isn't that enough?"
Mom held dad's hand. Asking him not to pester me with this topic again.
"Okay fine! But Zeena is coming today. You have to give her time Son! This kind of behaviour will not be accepted !"
It was no use debating.
He is as stubborn as I am.
"Fine! Have you called me today for this?"
I was growing impatient.
Eating my food in a hurry to avoid any such conversations.
"Son she is a nice girl, why are always like this.
Get to know her better, I am sure you will like her"
"Does it matter if I like her? I mean you guys already like her...she is to be my wife in 3 months. You didn't give me a say did you?"
"Son please! Just don't avoid her okay? I think you can promise me at least this?"
"Mom! You know how busy I am...I don't do it intentionally?"
"Anyways the reason I called you here was not this"
I leaned back in my chair, giving him my full attention.
"I heard someone tried to attack you in the function yesterday."
Boring.
He will start it again now
I continued eating my food, deciding to ignore his worries.
"It's been the 4 th attack since last one month Son. We can't take this lightly.
Someone is definitely up to something."
"Dad that's usual"
"No Son! It's not! Someone is plotting something!"
"I'll manage dad. You know that right?"
"I know you are capable enough Son but you cannot do it every time.
Your life is at stake here. We can't take any chances"
What can I say?
I told you how stubborn he is right.
"I have found someone perfect for the job.
I heard the stories and I was impressed.
3 country medals in defence Son! I just hire-"
"Oh come on Dad! I don't need a 24×7 bodyguard now! You already have 10 men in black following me everywhere.
Not another one! Please!"
"But the person is THE BEST!
You know how much trouble I had hired this person! Plus I heard the person barely speaks...so yaa you won't be troubled much!"
"The best? Come on Dad! I came first in the entire country! You think this person is better than me!"
"See son don't get it on your ego, I wanted the best for you and now no more discussion"
I just pushed my plate back in irritation.
"Fine! Do whatever you feel like!!"
I said, picking up my phone and moving out.
"Is it a yes Son?"
He asked from behind.
"Were you asking?"
With this, I banged the door shut in irritation and went towards my car
Screw my life!!
.....................................................
"Duck down! Sh**! Lower!!"
Bullets were being fired as 2 men tried hiding behind the rocks that gave them protection.
Counting the remaining bullets with them, they were counting their blessings.
No way they were going to escape this alive.
"You got some shots remaining?'
One said while leaning against the rocks.
"I got this shot with me. Better die after it. Right?"
A other said taking out a flask of alcohol from his jacket and taking a sip.
"Man! You can't be serious! We are going to die in a few minutes. They are approaching! And you are concerned about this sh**!"
"See man ! It's freezing cold out here and I am going to die of hypothermia if not that bastard bullet...so here take a si-"
"Holy shit! "
A bullet just slides past him missing centimetres.
"Duck lower dammit!!"
Their hearts were in their chests as another wave of bullets were fired on them.
"I got only 2 shots remaining"
"You?"
"One"
"Aren't they going to send any backup? How long will we hold them?"
"Till we die"
The other one snatched the flask from his friend's hand and emptied it.
"Fu** this life man! Let's do it!"
They both nodded knowing what was their last resort.
Covering their face with the helmets, they loaded their guns.
"Ready?"
The other nodded and then it began.
They emptied their guns with a heavy heart.
There was no escape now.
Death was staring at them.
"Surrender yourself! We repeat! Surrender yourself! You have been surrounded! "
They both looked at each other and nodded.
Holding up their hands in surrender and dropping their guns, they moved towards the enemies territory.
Within seconds they were surrounded and pushed down to the ground.
Their hands were tied behind them and a black cloth was immediately placed on their head.
Just any second their lives were going to end.
They were attacked with punches from all sides.
Their screams of pain getting muffled somewhere.
With guns pointed at their heads, they were at their mercy.
"Tell us your location! Where is your base camp! How many of you are there!!"
Both refused to answer, they will die but never betray their country.
Another punch landed on their faces and their body fell on the ground.
"Torture them! Fuc*** force thin to spit their whereabouts! They are the only two remainings!"
It was their commander they thought, for the very next second the torture turned more brutal.
Death was going to be hell lot painful they thought, a bullet would have been easier.
Blood was colouring the twigs in the forest red, their screams not very audible now.
They have turned numb and now nothing remained.
It was their end and they accepted it.
When suddenly everyone stopped, instead the sound of coughs was the only thing they could hear.
Everyone around them has started coughing, their head being covered with the cloth, they couldn't understand the reasons.
But they could still smell it.
It was a smoke bomb.
Their enemies were blinded.
They could hear bodies falling on the ground.
One after the another.
Screams of pain getting muffled by something and only confusion remaining.
"Who the fuck*** hell is it!! Come out !!"
The leader said when the very next second, the leader himself was screaming in pain.
The blindfolds were removed from the two soldiers eyes and before they could see anything, they were pulled up from their hands.
"Move it! Morons!"
They heard the voice and they instantly recognized it.
Following behind, they followed their saviour's trail as bullets were firing behind them.
Soon they reached safe grounds and crashed down.
Their saviour stood above them looking at them in pure anger.
"Oh man! Thank God!! We owe you our lives! If it was-"
They both moved forward to hug their friend when they got two strong punches.
"I will kill you myself if you are that eager to die! Who fuc*** told you to go without backup! You could have died ass****!"
They both smiled knowing how much their friend cared for them.
But sadly their friend was a bit weird and didn't like being touchy.
"I bet that's the longest line Lin has ever spoken in his life! Lin spoke...man it calls for a celebration!"
Lin, their saviour Saviour kept up his emotionless face as both laughed.
He proceeded to leave them when both tried to follow him while holding their bleeding wounds.
Soon the base camp came in their view and they both couldn't help admire their friend who saved their lives today.
"Thanks man ... really"
Lin just stopped, looked back at them and then after a long stare did just one thing in acknowledgement.
He nodded
And that's how our Lin got another name added in his list of followers.
He got nods and bows as he made his way towards the main camp.
His face was emotionless as usual.
The commander saw him enter and asked him to take a seat.
"Good work back there Lin. We really appreciate your help"
Lin just nodded while playing with the globe on the commander's table.
Rotating it while listening to his words of appreciation.
"There is a new assignment for you. You were specifically demanded for it, so I couldn't say yes without asking you first"
The commander placed the paper in front of him.
He picked the paper with his right hand, not much interested.
"I know you don't do these kind of jobs. Being a bodyguard and all but this one is very important."
He was not interested in reading the name, his eyes directly landing on the job description.
"He specifically asked me to convince you. It's a royal affair...I know you don't like doing this but there have been consistent threats."
"Plus you know quite well that he is a member of the council. His kingdom is the strongest...we need his support at all costs"
Lin was not liking this a bit.
He was going to say no when his eyes fell on the name at the top.
"King of Central Kingdoms. Your Royal Highness, King Daniel Knight"
Lin's hand stopped moving the globe, he stilled with eyes still fixed on that name.
Involuntarily the page in his hand was getting crumbled by his strong grip.
"The Royal Highness is getting a lot of threats. He was attacked a few times in the last month but he managed to escape."
The commander was trying to convince Lin.
Convincing him took a lot, especially when he didn't wanted to do something.
But this task was very important.
He can't say no to the king of Central Pronvice.
The Central Pronvice controlled almost 70% of the army and it also funded his missions.
"I'll do it"
Came Lin's reply and the commander couldn't believe his ears.
"Your help is much appreciated Lin. Really it means alot!"
Lin just got up from his seat and proceeded to leave.
But not before saying his last words.
"Let them know. I will be reaching tomorrow"
...............................................
He proceeded towards the washroom after leaving the commanders camp.
Stopping in front of the mirror he stared at his face.
Those brown eyes looked dead, emotionless and cold.
Daring anyone to mess with him.
His body frame may be a bit thin than normal men but you can't change yourself completely.
Can you?
Touching the beard that gave him a manly look,he scratched it in irritation and pulled it out.
The fake beard fell off , showing the smooth skin beneath.
Splashing some water on his face and drying it with a hand towel.
He ran his fingers through his smooth short cut hair.
They were not fake,they were really.
In military you have to cut your hair short but for boys it was even shorted.
So he did cut them , trying to look like one.
The face staring at him in the mirror looked like that of a boy,but if you see closer.
You would realise just how much it resembled to that of a girl.
After all Lin was a she.
And she was none other than our Evalinge,just without an 'Eva' in it.
The hair your majesty liked playing with was not there,the smell he was so fond of not existed now.
With very short hair and soil like fregrance.
She was no longer the shy girl who fell in love with the next king.
She was Lin,a warrior who was disguised as a man.
A strong soldier famous for his abilities and mental strength.
A fighter with a spirit to die for a cause.
.....................................................
Who said girls can't fight?
If only you knew they fight each and every day of their lives.
......................................................