It took almost half an hour to cross the walls of the palace. Two guards with the royal flags were in the front followed by Arnik and the remaining were behind them.

Brantley's arms were around Bianca's waist as he held the reins. And by now Bianca knew about his pun. He had snuggled her close to his body.

​​

Just outside the palace was the most beautiful countryside she had ever seen. If the palace lawns smelled of fresh earth and grass that had sprouted here and there, then the countryside was a vast expanse of green painted with numerous hues than she even knew existed. The land rolled beyond them over the hills and valleys and a small stream that was flowing towards Azelia. Even though it was sunny, there was coolness in the air. She had expected to see swathes of rutted mud and puddles of water, but on the contrary, she saw small grass that had sprinkled all over being ruffled by the light breeze.

Bianca was sitting straight trying her best not to collide with Brantley, but her back was now aching, so her body sagged. Slowly, she found herself inching closer to Brantley until her body pressed against his rock hard chest and her buttocks were between his thighs. It was too comfortable and she didn't even try to move to a different position.

He pointed to the trees alongside the dirt road they were on and said, "You should have seen these trees three days back."

"Why?" she frowned as she looked at the bent and gnarled trees, which had scanty leaves to cover them. Their branches were soaked with water and they smelled so good—like spices—cinnamon, pepper, carob, annato and caper.

"They had all dried up, barely hanging on their roots," he said in a hoarse voice as if feeling the pain of the desert his land had become over so many years. "It is so satisfying to see even small green patches of leaves sprouting on them. The air has so much coolness and fragrance. I hope— I hope we soon get our first migratory birds now. It's been ages since we've seen them." There was a longing in his voice. He looked down and as his breath fell on her neck, he said, "And this is all because you Bia."

She smiled. "I am glad to be of any help."

He chuckled. "Help? You have given life to this place, so 'help' is the understatement of eons."

Bianca should have felt proud, but at that moment all she wanted was to sit back on the throne and give more life to this place. The whole deed was gratifying to her soul. She felt she had deep connections to this land.

As they moved, they passed through knolls, the grass over which rolled like a casually draped eiderdown quilt that rose and fell in soft waves. Her eyes became wide when she noticed blood red flowers growing wildly amidst the grass. Each dip and sway of the land brought about new flora. The stream that had meandered all the way their horses had trotted, had shifted its direction. Bianca looked at it already missing its gurgling sound.

Understanding her mood, he said, "This stream collects in a pool in the hills below." He stopped his horse and pointed to the south. "And drops as a waterfall on the entry of the capital some two hundred meters away. It is beautiful and I would love to take you beneath that waterfall one day." He sounded sexy and Bianca pursed her lips feeling a dull ache between her thighs. The man was sinful to the core.

Their horses walked across the farms, which dotted the hills. They looked like little white and grey boxes nestled amongst the green and brown fields. As they neared, Bianca noticed that every farmhouse looked the same. They were two-storied, with yards and stables and diners. There wasn't much vegetation, but she saw freshly dug earth, which meant that people were now tilling the land.

Brantley pulled his horse to a standstill. He looked at the farmhouses and his face became filled with every emotion that he had suppressed for so long. Finally his land would see growth of crops. Vines had clambered up the wooden poles and fences. He tightened his hands around her waist—his treasure, his wife. His skin tingled. He had waited for so long to see this change in his land and now that it was here, he had a tough time stopping his tears. A lump formed in his throat and he became absolutely quiet in order to suppress his tears. How could he let anyone other than Bianca see them? A soft hand caressed his forearm and his heart filled with more love and devotion and affection for her. He bent down and pressed a kiss on her hair. A moment later when he had committed the scenery to his memory, he pressed his leg to the horse and it started trotting again.

"How long will it take to reach the capital?" she asked, missing her Bentley.

"Are you tired?" he asked as he closed his arms around her.

"Not really," she said. She truly enjoyed the scenery.

"Don't be," he said. "Save your energy for the city. It is worth every minute of the wait we had endured."

---

Brantley wasn't boasting. He meant it.

As they entered Azelia, her mouth dropped. She looked at the waterfall on the right. It was falling in a small stream and the water was accumulating in a pool. "With more rains, this becomes a heavy waterfall. If you see it from the other side, you won't see anything. The water forms a thick curtain."

Bianca didn't know what he was trying to say but nodded.

"It runs as River Namda through the city and divides it into two main parts," he said.

Bianca's eyes went over the various bridges that connected the two banks of the river. There wasn't much water but she knew that within a few days, the river would resume its old glory.

Azelia was in one word… cheery. There were wide cobbled streets, which were lined with various shops. Aroma of tea and coffee and pastry and cakes wafted through the cool air. People were laughing and chattering and passing jokes over wine or tea.

Brantley's troupe stopped and he helped her dismount Orion. "Would you like to walk with me through the city?"

"I would love it," she replied.

Brantley held her hand possessively and walked with her to the market square. Arnik and the guards also walked behind them maintaining a respectable distance. Suddenly, a group of women came and when they saw Bianca, they bowed to her. One of them had a basket filled with leaves. She showered it on Bianca and said, "You have saved us. Please don't leave us ever!"

Overwhelmed by this behavior, Bianca's face flushed red. She shook her head. "I won't…"

The women giggled and then walked away.

As they walked through the market, Bianca noticed that every shop looked similar. Whether they sold jewelry or food or clothes, their exterior was remarkably the same. She would have loved to stop and shop but she didn't know if she could. She didn't know the decorums of being the queen.