We entered the royal court and as if this was not all, we had another intriguing site waiting for us.

We entered the royal court to find someone already seated on the throne. On the mighty throne meant just for the king.

It was the king's father.

"Father! What are you doing there?" Neel blurted

"I am sorry Neel. I know this is not my place anymore, but just this once, bear with me."

"No. no.. I didn't mean that. I mean.. I am just... overwhelmed seeing you there after so long. It ...it's beautiful to see you back." Neel tried pulling his senses together.

"No Neel. I am not sitting here as a king. I am sitting over here as a father."

Shit.

I hadn't informed Neel that his dad knows about Yug and Aarini.

I sighed to myself, and timidly looked over at Aarini, who looked equally as scared.

"I am just hoping, that as always, this seat will help me make the right decision." The old man continued speaking.

"What is this about?" Neel sounded confused.

"I'll want all of you all settled down."

Neel started walking ahead to sit next to his father, while stayed back, making myself comfortable sitting next to Aarini.

She was fidgeting with her fingers, showing how immensely anxious she was. I held her hand tight, hoping that it will reassure her somehow.

"I want minister Yug to please present himself before me." the former king announced.

The entire court turned their head in the direction to where Yug was sitting, which was directly opposite to us.

He did not look at our way, and his facial expressions were blank. Neither surprised nor shocked, as if expecting it. I don't know, but I guess he was pissed at us. Well that isn't wrong as well.

Neel eyed at me from far afar in the row of seats. His face searching for answer. I am sure he wasn't much happy either.

Yug stood erect, with hands behind his back, looking confidently towards the temporary man on the throne.

"Yug" the old man addressed him informally. "You know you hold a special place in my heart. You are my best friend's, my best advisor's only son."

Yug politely just nodded in response.

"Your father, till his last breath, has always worked in the best interests of the kingdom. Honestly and diligently."

"I am proud of it, Your Majesty."

"I expect the same out of you. Can you give me that reassurance."

"Certainly"

"Good. Then without thinking what is right or wrong, I want you to answer this one question honestly."

"I have never lied to Your Majesty, and I don't think of doing it."

"Good. Then tell me, what do you think of Aarini, my daughter?"

There was pin drop silence in the court. Even Yug was taken aback with this direct question.

Nobody knew what was going on in that former king's head, and that is what made the everyone even more restless. Especially Aarini. She was waiting for Yug to answer something, anything.

But the more he stayed silent, the more pessimistic my thoughts were getting. I recollected how trashy he behaved when I had asked him the same thing in his room.

"Do you like my daughter, as a man?" the king's father spoke again.

"Yes." Came Yug's faint voice. Enough for me to hear though

"Hmm?" the oldie asked

"Yes Your Majesty. I do like her, your daughter, as a man likes a woman."

"Does that mean you have seen yourself with her in your future"

"I don't know Your Majesty, how much of it is realistic and possible. But I do see her, every time I think of my future. I am sorry but I can't help that."

I looked at Aarini, surprised, since it was the last thing I expected Yug to admit.

Aarini held my hand tighter. Crying again, this time for a different reason. She had attracted attention of the court. Her father took a brief glance at her, and then turned back to Yug.

"you know, something like this has never happened in history of this family."

"I am aware." Yug still sounded serious.

"But again there are many things that should have never happened in this family." the former king spoke almost to himself.

"I am lucky to have children, that have never complained or held me responsible for my absence. But that doesn't make it easier for me to forgive myself. Now that I am facing life again, I want to give my children the world. They deserve the best of all. The best days, the best partner, the riches and all the comfort. But more than anything they deserve happiness.." he continued.

"I agree with you Your Majesty. I know, I am no where close to the proposals that have come for her. And perhaps that is why I have decided to be quiet."

"Ahan! You're getting me wrong." the oldie spoke again. "Yesterday was the first time Aarini has ever asked something from me, and she has asked for you Yug. And I am in support of it. Not because my child wants it, but because she deserves it. I have seen you grow up Yug, and I know what you are capable of. So I am okay with the two of you. "

"Father!" Aarini exclaimed in between her cries getting up from her seat and rushing towards her father, to pull him in a hug.

Okay they do hug!

While Yug was just standing there absorbing all of it, and then looking at me with an expression that made him look priceless.

Oh he is such a lover!

________________________________________________________________________________

I am compensating for the days I went missing.

Well I hope you guys are doing great.

I love you all.