I told you the distance between the old King's room and dining hall was huge. Huge enough to start subway services here, for travelling.

We walked slowly and carefully since the stairs were steep and the old king was too weak to walk for a long distance on a stretch. So he stopped mid ways at various spots just to catch his breath.

We finally reached the dining hall, and all the faces waiting in anticipation and hope just changed to shock and surprise and joy.

None of them had touched their plates, even given the fact that all of them were famished after a long day of travel and also confident that I wouldn't be able to convince the old man.

All of them stood up their seats as weak feet entered the dining room, holding on to my arm and Aarini's arm for support.

"Father." Neel sighed as he kneeled before the former king. His head bowed down. Soon Yug followed to bow down as well.

"I hope you're doing well Neel." The former king's low voice filled the room and Neel immediately looked up at him.

I could see tears welling up in his eyes, and I am sure his father must have been the same way now. I couldn't take a better look at his face.

"Look at you all grown up." The father spoke again offering a sad smile to his son.

Neel reciprocated the gesture.

"I missed it. Your upbringing." The old man sounded guilty and sad to say the least.

"you don't have to feel sorry. I have grown up well." Neel rose up from his feet coming close to where we were standing. We walked a couple of steps away, letting him finally hold his dad after months or years.

"And I have learnt from you." He continued.

I should have controlled myself, but I gave out a scoff in response. And before I could process I uttered, "No! you're more rude than your father."

I am done regretting what I speak.

He glared at me but his face immediately softened when he saw his father smile at my comment.

"Neel who is she?" he asked in between his laugher.

"Just some uninvited chaos." He commented as he gave me his 'fed up' look

He should be thankful at the moment. Talk about audacity.

"No! I meant who is she to you?" Both of our faces turned to look at the former emperor and then uncomfortable glances back at each other.

"what – do you mean?" Neel tried speaking .

"I am sure, she entered my room with your permission. And the fact that you have let a random guest of yours, that you also call a chaos for some reason, enter my room without any guards around, she must have been someone special. I figured." The old man was weak just with body, his brain still running like a horse.

"She just has a long tongue, she is harmless otherwise." Neel commented.

What the fuck!

"What do you think I am, a snake?" my offended tone audible.

And I don't know what was so funny about it that all the royal men started laughing at this.

Wow, what a gesture of gratitude.

The former king wasn't uncomfortable or surprised with the ladies eating along with them. On the contrary he was just happy.

Neel and his father had a lot to catch up on, regarding personal lives and professional. Although I was still finding it hard to distinguish them from each other.

The three of us , I, Yug and his crush Aarini just ate in silence. All of us: happy. They were happy at his presence, while I was happy because I wasn't leaving the royal court soon.

---

My biological clock had been fucked ever since I had entered this era. My body was aching at all places, my mind tired, my soul exhausted ,but as usual I was still finding it difficult to sleep.

It was around midnight and no signs of rest foreseen for myself. I was out of my room roaming in the dark to go to nowhere in particular. But I was still looking for Neel's room in the back of my mind. I wanted to know where should I look for him if I wanted to see him.

Trust me I was never this pathetic for a guy. I don't know what is up with me now.

I was walking towards the stair end of a long corridor. It was dimly lit with torches so it wasn't as difficult to walk around here. I could figure out some human figure in the dark trying to get down the stairs. Or up, I couldn't figure out.

I got my senses up alert, I was scared it was a thief. Yet my 'fight or flight' response was over taken with curiosity. I just stood there, quiet, for a moment or two to see what is up. I had almost cursed the royal guards.

It was then I realized it was not a thief, rather the former king walking around.

At this hour of night.

"I rushed to hold him and help him down those pathetic stairs.

He was caught off guard but relaxed when he could make my face out in the poorly lit area.

"What did you say?" he asked.

I nodded my head in a no, biting my lips before I utter something more.

Thankfully he decided to ignore.

"Does nobody in the royal palace sleep?" I asked him again since I was way too uncomfortable with the momentary silence present as I had successfully gotten him down the top floor.

"Anyone else is awake too?" the old man met my question with another of his.

I nodded my head in no. "Not that I have seen him, but I am sure he must be awake somewhere too." I subconsciously just spoke about Neel out of all the royal members. And that intelligent former king seemed to catch up on that.

"Him? you're talking about Neel?"

I decided to just be honest at this point.

"Yes." I nodded my head in approval. "He doesn't seem to sleep at night. I have always caught him awake whenever I am roaming around at night."

I did not realize this had been concerning me up until now. I had passing thoughts about 'what if he is still awake?' 'what if his headache needs another cup of coffee?' 'should I go make him one?' but I always managed to push them behind, overpowering them with my anger, confusion and fatigue.

The King's father looked concerned at this. His eyes were mirroring the guilt and sorry that he was.

"He grew up too early." He spoke sadly. His eyes fixated at a random object. "He grew up too early, because I decided to be a kid again." His voice started cracking up at this. I took him to the nearest chair I could find to make him sit. That was the most I could at this point. I must be the last person to understand well, the duties a king should shoulder, about the emotions a king should display and emotions he should not. Therefore I decided to not say anything that could worsen the situation here.

I could see his eyes tearing up.

Thanks to the torch present right next to the seating arrangements.

"Mourning is human." I decided to carefully utter my words. I knew here, my words were of value. People were affected by them so I had to be careful.

He looked straight at me.

"Mourning has never been childish. It's human. And it proves that even a king that is all ruthless, fierce and brave on the outside, is still human. That he can still love. And that's beautiful" I ended with a faint smile, although I still did not know if it was the right thing to do

The man's expression changed to a milder one. He was appreciating the fact that someone acknowledged his grief.

"I am sorry, your people couldn't understand it better."

"It's not their fault. They are bound to expect from their king. They have all rights to do so." He still defended them. And this only increased my appreciation for him.

"It's not your fault either. If anything, you should be glad that Your Majesty takes well after you."

"Is he a good King?" the father asked. I don't know what he was expecting in response. I don't know what I should be saying to this.

If I were to rely on the my days here, I was still confused as to how is he. But I am sure that is my personal feelings overtaking my rationality.

But if I were to rely on the history that I studied, he was one of the best kings alive.

I nodded in a yes. "He is the most suitable king, any kingdom could wish for." I responded to the old man.

I could see pride in the father's eye. Like you can see on a parent's face when a teacher makes good remarks about the child in a parent- teachers' meeting.

"You should see his ruling." I took a bold step here. He raised his eyebrows at me in question.

"Come with us to the central palace."

I could see indecision written clearly on the creases that appeared on his face.

"You don't have to decide now. We are here for a couple of weeks before we go back." I said again.

"Couple of weeks? I thought you are here just for a few days." I knew this, but I was planning on increasing our time here because of two main reasons.

1: I wanted Neel to have a good time with his father.

2: I wanted to set Yug and Aarini here together. I wanted them to realize their feelings for each other.

"I am new to palace, and I am liking in here." I smiled at him as I responded back.

"It's nice to have people around."

"Then don't lock yourself again. Don't be angry at anyone, neither yourself nor the Heavens." I said softly. He smiled in response as he attempted to get up the chair.

"It's getting late. I should take some rest." He said as he finally managed to stand on his own. I bowed to him controlling my tongue as I was about to say

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