LOVE ME AGAIN PRIM

CHAPTER SEVEN

Yukon's wife stood up in surprise upon sighting her husband but in her moment of distraction, her daughters unaware of the ceremony left her side and ran towards their father, whom they hadn't seen in over a year, screaming in pure glee. Unable to stop himself, he knelt to receive them in his arms. They cried on his shoulders, hugging him tightly as if afraid he would disappear if they let go while Sharfa, who's unable to move looked them with eyes streaming tears. She is supported by Ulpe, Ranbe and the elders who gather around her. Servants moved to take the children from Yukon but the king silently ordered them back.

The entire room watched as the scarred, fierce looking, massive sized general of the ravian desert borders spoke tenderly to his little girls who were either nodding or shaking their heads at his words. He rose, placing them down and walked with them towards the king, holding them on either sides of himself as he walked towards the royals to bow down.

In that moment Razan felt a deep longing within himself at the sight of Yukon with his daughters and looked across the table to his own child who was looking at the father and daughters with a hint of sadness in her eyes. He turned to look at Prem who stood with up covering her mouth in surprise with her jeweled hand which was covered in beautiful henna designs and felt his stone cold heart beat. He closed his eyes trying to control the thoughts in his head, trying to hang on to the pain that he had grown used to, afraid to explore the feelings that the sight of her stirred within him. He opened his eyes and looked too his mother who was staring at a particular location. He followed his mothers line of sight and saw that it was Peka who was unaware of her majesty's gaze upon her, for her entire attention was on Prem in a contorted look of pure jealousy and hatred.

Since Peka was not a member of the royal house, she could not sit with him at the table with his parents without their invitation and had no choice but to sit with her father among the nobles. She looked beautiful in her own right with dark raven hair, deep brown eyes, a long nose, a heart shaped face and an athletic build. She wore a purple peacock themed dress with a complicated hairdo which made her the star of the night with all eyes on her until Prem arrived and stole the show.

Razan felt a pull on his garment and looked down to find Yukon's daughter looking up at him. he looked around him and found Yukon was waiting for him to place the new rank on his uniform with the entire room looking at him. He quickly gathered himself, placing the new rank on Yukon's shoulders. The crowd applauded as Yukon hugged Padario while Razan knelt on one knee to the childrens level asking one of them her name. She shyly hid beside her father and told him she was Vasha.

'You are very beautiful Vasha, how old are you?' he asked again

She held out her hand with three fingers but her sister boldly said, 'No' and held up two hands with one holding up three fingers with the other indicating half making the entire room laugh.

'Really! wow that a huge number and what is your name beautiful flower?' Razan said making both girls smile.

'My name Ulpe, I'm a child of raging lions, but we don't hurt people! we protect them.' she reponds animatedly. Her mother covers her face in embarrassment while room is amazed at her boldness

'Really?' Razan said trying not to laugh

'Grandpa Biron says its our duty to protect our family and friends and to help those who need our help, that's why our papa has go away sometimes' said the shy one, still holding father

'Will you be our friend? If we become friends, our daddy will can protect you too.' says Ulpe

'Hmm' said Razan scratching his head as if to think, ' only if you will be friends my daughter.'

'Of course we will, right Vasha? asked Ulpe looking at her sister who nodded.

'Is she here?' Ulpe asks looking back at Razan

Razan looked at her smiling and nodded, he looked at Yukon who was sighing at the innocence of his daughter.

'If I may commander?' asked Razan addressing Yukon with his new rank who nodded and hand his daughters to Razan bowing slightly.Razan walks with them to the table of royals and Yukon joins his wife and mother at their table while the entire room stands up in a thunderous applause.

The trio bow when they meet the Royals at their table, and Razan sits the little girls together with his daughter, who immediately begin bonding with her unaware of the significance their new found friendship.

Razan returns to his position beside Padario and feels like he's been watched. He turns to the direction ans sees Prem watching him with a beautiful smile on her face. She carries her gaze away and he smiles inwardly, reaching Padario. the servant called the final name, Goron- son commander Biron.

Vasha stands up quickly, almost toppling the contents of their table were it not for the quick reflex of her husband, upon hearing her sons name. Goron walks through the double doors in his full naval captains uniform. His mothers heart is overwhelmed with emotions of both joy and pride at the sight of him and begins to sob. Her husband holds her to himself trying to calm her as they both watched him take of his helmet in respect to his elder brother who is a senior military officer and Prince Razan who is a royal. Razan notices the resemblance between him and Prem who both share their mothers beautiful facial features except that Prems eyes are blue and inviting like the sea while Gorons eyes are piercing green like his father's.

After Goron is decorated he hugs Padario who leads him to their parents. He bows to the royals first at their table looking at Melrib who meets his gaze unwilling to look away. He goes to his father bows to him before hugging him, he then goes to his mother and sister saying ,'Surprise!'

They both laugh at his childishness and hug him, crying into his uniform. Razan feels his heart wrench within him upon seeing Prem in another mans arms, even though it is obvious they were related. He almost walked over to them to snatch her away from Goron. He looked away and walked back to his seat while Padario joins his parents and siblings.

The festivities continued through the night and various performers including acrobats, musicians and dancers came out to entertain. Games were played by the servants at first but King Dyrai suggested that the royals joined in the activities as well and soon nobles and royals from both kingdoms were competing against each other in games like rock- paper-scissors and ravian whispers winning gifts from the monarchs.

Both monarchs were happy to see their people eating and laughing together. Peka got up from her sit, armed with a plan to humiliate Prem whom she now considered an enemy for stealing her spotlight, and walked up to the royals, bowing as she asked, 'Life to you your majesties, my name is Peka, a daughter of Cudan. May I suggest a singing competition between the women in this room?'

'That would be splendid indeed, lady Peka. If your majesty will agree?' says King Dyrai looking at King Ceryes who looks at Peka knowing that with her calculative mind, there will be more than meets the eye to her request.

'Certainly, your majesty.' Ceryes responds to Dyrai and says to Peka

' You may leave lady Peka, the king and I will agree to the conditions of the competition' Ceryes says. Peka bows and walks away confidently thinking that victory was hers because in all of Cudan, no one has a voice as sonorous as hers. After a few minutes King Dyrai claps his hand. A gong is rung to get the attention of the crowd.

The king says in a loud voice, ' my dearest citizens and beloved guests. The final competition tonight with be a singing competition between our nations. King Ceyres and I have agreed that the winner of this competition will take both our weights is gold and precious stones.'

The entire room gasps at the announcement.

'My queen will now pick the three most beautiful women from Ravia', Ceryes says

'And mine will pick the three most beautiful from Cudan' says Dyrai

Both queens bow to their husbands and walk around the entire room picking beautiful girls.

Queen Freja of Cudan walks up to Prem first and picks her smiling, while queen Enora of Ravia picks Peka. Freja picks two more girls as does Enora. The six girls line up before the kings.

'Ladies and gentlemen I present to you, our contestants.' says King Dyra.