MIZPAH

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The four of them travelled to Ananyapuri two days later. They were all delighted to see the king. The old king gave them a hearty welcome. They enjoyed themselves there. Prince Tejas talked about Taeho's love interest. The king promised that he would help him with it. He insisted they talk to each other. Padma had no idea about these. For that, Princess Tejaswini was assigned to take Taeho to show him around the kingdom. 

PRINCESS TEJASWINI (PADMA)

She couldn't disagree with her grandfather. She escorted him on the trip. Only the two of them. She took him to every possible place so that he would be able to enjoy the land's beauty. He was happy to see that they were being greeted by people as they travelled.

So many of them presented food and flowers. They were surprised to see the Korean king speaking their language. He had a sense of belonging. He watched in awe as Princess Tejaswini addressed each of them by their names or respectful titles. She was personally acquainted with each of them. It is not easy to remember every one of them. Once again, she earned his respect. He could not help but admire her. They walked for many hours and reached the farmland.

It was harvest season. The trees were filled with fruits. People working in the field and kids having fun. They sang folk songs while working in the field. The enthralling sight of blooming flowers. He felt that the time was right to bring up the subject. He started the conversation.

"So what should I call you, Padma or Tejaswini?"

"You may call whatever you wish your majesty."

"What if I call you the future queen of the state?"

"Then I would respectfully object."

"Why, why Padma? Can't you see the love I hold for you? I loved you even before I knew that you were a princess. I loved you as a person. I love your soul."

"I know your passionate love for me. But I am afraid. What if I won't be able to love you the way you do? Why add more trouble? You already have gone through a lot, and I do not wish to add more to your agony."

"My beloved, there you go; that's what love is. You care for me; for my well-being. What else could I ask for? I assure you that you haven't added any trouble to my life yet, and I believe you won't ever do that to me. I am confident in you. Your love is unique, and I would treasure that for my whole life. I was afraid that perhaps you didn't find me find better choice-"

"No. never, please, do not say anything like that, you were the best person. It was all because of my overthinking that I thought of distancing myself from you. Back then, I believed that if I spent all of my time with you, I would not be able to find the enemy. But even at that distance, I was suffering. I loved you from afar. I would offer my life to protect you."

"You already did. No love is greater than sacrificing one's own life for the ones you love. You are not inferior to me, my goddess."

"But what about the cultural differences between us? Will the people be able to accept me as their queen?"

"Why not? My lady, love is what ultimately brings people together. It transcends all differences. They would be delighted to have a loyal queen like you. Imagine the consequences if someone like Lim Maya were to be in charge of the province."

"Then the great province will crumble. I don't want that to happen."

"Neither do I. Consider our fathers. Despite having different cultural backgrounds, they supported one another whenever they needed it. In addition, you, my lady, and my dear brother Tejas and Rani Nanda were there for me. Isn't that the greatest love? I am convinced that you will be my queen, and together we could live a life that even the coming generations would wish for."

The bow to my arrow, the moon to my dreams, the shield to my fears, and the love to my life.

"Neither death nor demons could ever separate us. And our story shall be written with a different ink." She replied.

It was already evening. Twilight.

The skies were purple and blue. They marvelled at the art of the evening sky, with the moon slowly rising from the east-the marble gleam.

She said, "Let the purple and blue of the twilight sky remain as the seal of our love—the MIZPAH."

From Dusk to Dawn.

THE END.

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