INSEPARABLE II

VII

That afternoon, the entire Kurrali courtroom rose to its feet as the Queen was given a grand welcome in. An extravagant gold throne intricately studded with precious jewels and rubies sat on center of the raised surface in one end of the room. It was the Chief's throne. The throne on which Prem had promised to fulfill some of his dirtiest desires for Noor when he would inevitably sneak her into Kurral in the dead of night someday. Noor pressed together her lips in an attempt to stop the smile triggered by the thought.

When she looked up, she found Prem's eyes on her. As always, he knew what she was thinking. Noor whisked her gaze away from his to erase the expression that naughty memory had summoned onto her face. Ignoring it all, he courteously gestured at her to follow him and led her to the throne, asking her to take a seat.

Stepping away, Prem stared as Noor adapted her royal posture in his throne. The entire courtroom stood with bowed heads as the Queen got settled in. He was awestruck. Not just by the majestic elegance with which she conducted herself, but by the sheer power she had earned over the years. To be a woman, and a Sandhu, and then be seated on the Kurrali throne with the amount of respect and honor that was being bestowed on her was something that still felt outside the realm of reality. His personal issues with her aside, it was a moment of deep pride for him. He found it an honor to be able to sit below her on the smaller throne.

Throughout the court session, Noor watched the civilians make their way up to their Chief and bow in deep reverence. The love and respect they had for their Chief was visible in every pair of eyes before them. They presented their cases with passion waited in hopeful eyes for the Chief's decision. Prem's ability to deliver justice had always mesmerized Noor. Stories of his courtroom circled far and wide. The way he questioned the witnesses, the creative punishments he came up with for the trespassers of law and his justice for the victims was famous throughout the kingdom. Noor was fascinated to see it live. His sharp words, his piercing gaze, his intimidating posture, his large sword on which laid one of his skillful hands the entire time he sat in the court left Noor absolutely smitten. A Kingdom with Chiefs like Prem could never perish. The future of Doab was bright with leadership in hands of people like him.

That evening, another musical celebration was organized for Noor. She sat in her throne in the dimly lit entertainment hall as some dancers spun to the beat before her. The ladies of the Dhaliwal family sat on one side of her and the men sat on the other side. Everyone was peacefully engaged in the entertainment being offered to them when a special wine was brought out and served to the men.

Noor recognized it as one from a Kingdom far west of them. It was special seasonal liquor that she had only ever drank with Prem. She did not drink but this particular wine was an exception. There were too many memories of Prem sneaking out the pitchers of this wine and them trying it in secret during their teenage years for her to forgo it.

Women of honorable families did not drink so even offering the liquor to the Queen would be disrespectful. However, their Queen had always been a rebel and drinking something she likes without offering it to her meant offending her much further, which was much greater risk.

Veer eventually cleared his throat, "Your Highness, should we prepare you a glass?" He asked carefully.

Noor ran her eyes over her father, Prem's father, and his uncle all waiting for her response. Like a good daughter, she shook her head in a polite smile at him. "I'm okay. I don't drink." She said, her defiant eyes instantly rushing to Prem's face. Relaxed back into his seat with a glass in his hand, he eyed her over a small smirk.

Noor let her eyes stay in his for moment before looking ahead at the dancers. She could see him gesture at Hakam from the corner of her eye. Hakam bent down to lend the Chief his ear. Prem whispered something and Hakam nodded before straightening up and backing away from Prem. She wondered what Prem could have possibly said to Hakam in that moment.