A Suitor for the Princess - Chapter 31

        “Come, let’s get out of here before the Master changes his mind!” she said urgently.  Juan was reluctant to proceed.  Stubbornly he said, “Why don’t we stay somewhere far away from Regina, Myara?  I can’t imagine not living with you.  I mistook you for Sara, but now I’ll never be able to free myself from the strong affection and attachment that I feel towards you!” Myara looked at him despondently. Then as a thought struck her, she asked him, “Has my disguise come off? I had made my face up to resemble an old lady’s, your mother’s to be precise!”

          Juan pulled her arm towards the water body. He urged her to look at her reflection. She was taken aback as she saw a radiant girl staring back at her, with a puzzled look on her face. She wondered how she had transformed into such a perfect beauty. Her snub nose had miraculously straightened and her cheekbones had grown higher. Her complexion shone and her eyes had stars in them! Besides what had happened to her gown and why, rather how? As she looked at her golden dress in amazement, speechless with wonder, Juan laughed softly as he said, “The magic of the puddle that you crossed, my dear! Now that you dunked yourself in this pool and tasted its water too, you’ve become immortal! Seeing her disbelieving look, he said, ”You heard me right! All of us here at the shrine are immortal.”

       Now that I have been banished from this shrine, I wonder whether the effect of this holy water will remain on me. Let’s see. First, let’s get going. You can tell me about my mother and the rest of Regina on the way home. This time, with Juan firmly by her side, Myara felt assured. The Alsatian too meekly made way for both of them as they entered the tunnel and walked back to the entrance of the cave on the cliff’s side. Since it was midnight then, they didn’t have to worry about the hungry eagles that would be fast asleep! They descended throughout the night, walking in absolute silence, hand in hand, till they reached Regina, just as dawn broke over the Kingdom.

        She took him to her home and told him to bathe and get dressed. She gave him her departed father’s clothes to wear. She cooked a rice-based gruel for him that he slurped on hungrily. Then wistfully Myara bade him “Good Bye”. She had asked him to go straightaway to the palace and report his return to the King. She had also told him that he would find his mother in the special quarters near the palace.

        “I’ll be back, Myara, for you! Wait for me, won’t you?” Seeing the look of pure love on his face, she sighed, as her heart melted with love and longing. She firmly told him to vow that he’d marry Sara and rule over Regina like an honorable and just King. She would never marry anyone throughout her life. He reluctantly said “Yes” for her sake and started walking towards the palace. He felt as if he had been blinded in his other eye too. The apple of his eye, Myara had turned her back willfully on him. Now he had no choice but to do as she bade him to! He’d do anything for his savior. And beloved one!

                       Juan kept walking without really knowing where he was headed to. He walked as unsteadily as an intoxicated man. He reached the palace’s gates and told the guards that he was Juan, the Princess Sara’s long-lost suitor, who had returned from that forbidden shrine, thanks to the brave Myara’s help. He was led into the Assembly hall where all eyes turned towards him in astonishment. The King and his Minister too, couldn’t believe that they were really seeing Juan. The whole hall was silent in its incredulity. After a long time, it erupted into a standing ovation.

                      At last the King found his speech and said, “Welcome dear lad. So you finally proved that you indeed have the patience which we tested you for! Though you didn’t complete the task that was set out for you, you accomplished a lot more by escaping from that forbidden shrine and coming here unscathed, to claim the Princess’ hand. Bravo!” The entire Assembly applauded and backed the King’s words. They were more relieved that the vexing problem had been resolved so soon.

                     The wise Minister said “Myara is the true hero here. Where is she? Had it not been for her initiative and pluck, we’d all have been still darting arrows in the dark. She truly deserves to be suitably rewarded.” Again the Assembly clapped their hands in unison.

                     The King announced “From this moment, Myara has been elevated to the post of “Royal Advisor”. She will be entitled to all the perks like a lavish house, a separate office and three assistants to carry out her duties. She will get a thousand gold coins and a carriage to ensure comfort while traveling on her official assignments.”

                      “Now I declare that the Assembly has been closed for the day. I can’t wait to inform the Queen and the Princess about this pleasurable development. I’m sure that they will be delirious with joy. Juan, come with me, my lad.”

                        The Queen shed tears of joy on seeing the handsome lad. Sara was sleeping. She looked beautiful in her white night-gown, with her blonde curls cascading around her face. Juan didn’t feel anything. No emotions! Then he was awash with disgust. So this was the girl who would be stealing him from Myara, her best friend! He felt sickened. He felt like turning on his heel and running non-stop till he reached Myara’s arms. Then he remembered his vow and sighed perceptibly. The King felt delighted thinking that the lad had missed her all those days when he had been at that shrine. He said with empathy “I’ll leave you alone with her for some time. Just sit beside her and be the first one whom she’ll set her sight upon, when she wakes up. Just watch her ecstasy!” Juan winced inwardly.

To be continued.... 

The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.