LOVE ME AGAIN PRIM

CHAPTER NINE

The competition ended with the declaration of Prem as the winner of the competition. All six contestants were congratulated and invited to dine with their families to dine with the royals.

Lord Biron was invited by king Ceryes to sit him at the royal table. As Biron arrived, Razan stood up in respect and offered his chair to seat. Biron refused but upon Razans insistence and King Ceryes request he gave in. His grand children called to him, and introduced their new friend who was surprisingly open to the Biron and laughed with him as he teased her alongside his grand daughters.

'Grandpa, can we all go and meet grand ma Vasha?' asks Ulpe and her grand father nods. Vasha and Ulpe hug him and pull Cidara with them saying, 'Let's go Cidara'.

Cidara looks to her up at father with a hopeful expression and asks, 'Papa, will you come with us?'

'Cidara, I ...'

'Of course he's coming with us, he's our friend and we always protect or friends, right grandpa?', Ulpe responds looking at Biron who shakes his head saying, 'yes my little lioness, we protect our friends but we also respect them. If you wish for his majesty to accompany you, you must ask him politely like Cidara did not force it on him. Is that clear?'

'OK sir' Ulpe responds bowing and turns to Vasha. 'Vasha, ask him?'

'Why Me?' Vasha responds

'Mother says I should learn to be polite like you, so you do it.'

'lts alright, there is no need to ask', Razan says to them and looks at his daughter, 'I would love to come with you Cidara', making her smile

'Your highness there is no need to be bothered with them, we have servants to take care of them' says Queen Elona.

'Its quite alright your majesty, I am happy to be in their company if I am not needed here' Razan says looking at his father who responds, 'There's nothing left here for you to do, except listen to old men talk about theirs glory days.'

Razan bows and is led with Cidara by the twins to their grand mothers table where Padario is sitted with his mother, his brothers Goron and Ladiff, who joins their table in their fathers absence with Prim.

The children bow to their elders and Cidara follows suite but Razan says nothing of the matter.

'Please do not trouble yourselves, I do not wish to intrude on your meal', Razan says to them as the rise to bow to him.

'Thank you your highness, what a beautiful child, what is your name princess?' Vasha asks

'Her name is Cidara grandma and she's our sister now.' Ulpe says

'Really'

'Yes, queen Freja says she's our grand mother now so that makes Cidara our sister.'

'Then that makes her my grand daughter too. Please join us your highness.'

'Thank you' he responds and sits with Cidara on his knee, between Padario and Goron, facing Prim.

'I don't believe we have been properly introduced' Razan said looking at Padario.

'I am Padario your highness, a humble servant of Cudan' Padario responds.

'I have heard of you' Razan responds, 'You are recognized as a brilliant strategist.'

Padario smiles and responds, 'You honour me your highness.'

'Razan please, I insist. I was bullied into a life long friendship by a three year old from your house in three minutes, I think I've earned it. ' Razan said

Prem bursts into laughter at his remark looking at her nieces, joined by her mother and brothers.

'Thank you Razan' Padario responded

'Grandma who is he?' asks Vasha sitting on her grandmothers lap with her sister, curiously looking at Goron who smiles back at her.

'That is your uncle Goron, he left home before you were born and has just returned home after many years' Vasha responded.

'I didn't get the chance to say thank you to you both for protecting my family throughout our trip' says Razan looking at Ladiff and Goron

'We were simply doing our jobs Prince Razan.' Ladiff.

'No need for formalities, simply address me by my name' Razan responds.

'Thank you Razan' they both respond.

'I hope you are enjoying the festivities?' asked lady Vasha.

Yes, I can't remember the last time I had this so much fun.' he responded and looked to Prem. 'Your song was thought provoking lady Prem, thank you for reminding us of what truly matters.'

'Your are welcome, Razan' she responds looking at him.

They begin to make small talk as King Dyrai and queen Elona step unto the floor and begin to dance followed by King Ceryes and queen Freja. Several nobles both young and old join them. Padario's countenance changes when Fusha, who is sitted beside Prem, is asked to dance by a Cudanian diplomat. Fusha looks at Prem but lady Vasha says to her, 'Its alright Fusha, go and have some fun yourself.'

'She is taken' Padario growls at him.

'I apologize, I had no idea she was with you.' the diplomat says and returns to his seat.

Padario gets up from his seat and takes Fusha to the dance floor himself, joining Yukon and Kultar with their wives, while Prem and his brothers chuckle at his jealous outburst.

'So thats what it takes' Vasha says looking at them.

'About time he manned up, I was of a good mind to marry her if he didn't do anything about it.' Ladiff said

'You would marry her knowing how Padario feels about her?' Goron asks him

'Why not! He wasn't decisive and I am the right age from a good family. She's a good girl with a pretty face and wonderful manners, why won't marry her? What do you think Razan?'

'I do not wish to interfere in a family matter.'

'No please do, I am curious to hear your thoughts on the matter.' Goron responds

'Marriage is a bond between two people, if it is done without love and understand from both parties, it will fail. Whereas it is good to marry a pretty face and a good back ground with morals but what is most important is the love shared. If love doesn't exist, it cannot work. Your brother obviously cares for the girl and it seems she returns his feelings though they both try to hide it. If you had asked for her hand, she may have agreed to you proposal but it won't be truly her. That, will always belong to him and our both will not be happy.'

Lady Vasha smiles at his reponse and says, 'Well said, Razan.'

'Excuse us' Goron says and takes Prem to dance

'Grandma, I'm tired' says Ulpe rubbing her eyes. Vasha sends for their nurses who arrive with their parents. The nurses pick up the girls and they call Cidara, who is also asleep on her fathers chest, to come with them. Razan tells them that Cidara will be sleeping with him for the night and will join them the next day while handing her to her Cudanian nurse who takes her away. The girls whine as they are taken away and Sharfa goes with them, followed by Ranbe, Ulpe and Kultar who all come to say good night before leaving. Yukon stays behind and asks Lady Vasha to dance with him.

'Excuse me! but you can't steal my date just because yours has left you.' Ladiff says holding unto his step-mother who laughs at his antics.

Yukon responds, 'Yes I can and I will because I have loved her far longer than you.'

It doesn't matter, no one can take her from my side.'

'Is that so?' says a voice behind him

'Father!' he says standing up and sees his father looking at him with an arched brow.

The everyone laughs and Biron takes his wife to the dance floor. Padario returns with Fusha and Ladiff takes her back to the floor, leaving Yukon, Padario and Razan to talk about state affairs.

They are distracted by the sound of shattered glass and look in the direction of the sound to find Arin standing in front of Prem. No one hears what they are saying but whatever Prem says back to Arin causes him to grab Prim by her wrist, but Fusha side steps between them and pulls Prim behind her, causing Arin to raise his hand.

Razan comes between them and says to Fusha, 'There you are! Padario is waiting for you, you should return to him', who replies 'I apologize for taking too long, I will go to him now.' Razan looks at Prem and says, 'I apologize for keeping you waiting lady Prem, I was engrossed in my talk with your brothers and lost track of time, shall we dance now?' taking her hand in his arm and turns to face Arin who is clearly drunk and reeking of alcohol.

'She's mine', Arin growls at Razan

'Is she?' Razan responds trying to walk past him but Arin moves to block his path. Razan is angered but doesn't move and they stand face to face, merely inches apart having a stare down.

'Give her to me' Arin growls at him

'Make me' Razan growls back feeling the demons within him waking up.

'Prince Arin' says King Dyrai. Arin turns to his father with his cold demeanor but his father is unfazed by him.

'You're obviously tired from the activities of the entire day, it is best you retire to your quarters now.'

Arin storms out of the hall while the servants clean the and mess on the floor.

Razan walks to the middle of the room admist the growing murmurs in the room and takes Prem in his arms and begins dancing with her, trying to distract the anger rising in his mind at the thought of what could have happened to her had the prince not been intercepted.

'Razan' he hears her call and he looks down at her, his still anger clearly evident on his face.

'Did you say something?'

'I said please calm down, you're crushing me.' she replied and he apologised, easing his grip on her waist.

'Thank you' she said looking up at him and he nodded continuing to dance with her. Peka who has been forgotten by Razan, watches them as cudanian nobles snicker around her and comment about how well suited Razan and Prem are as a couple. Feeling insulted, she also leaves the hall in anger. After several minutes Razan takes Prem back to her father and bows.

'Prince Razan', Biron calls to him and he turns around

'My entire family will be having dinner three nights from now. We will be honoured to have you join us.'

'Thank you lord Biron' Razan responds and walks away.

Biron leaves with his sons, wife and daughter after concluding talks with the two kings. Everyone retires to their personal quarters and the festivities end.