The Ruby Empire

Queen Imani the Rakshasa

Female Monster x Male Monster

Your husband seems tense, even the boys getting tangled in the curtains doesn't seem to make a dent in his demeanor. It started a few days ago when Amit received a letter from a Queen in a neighboring kingdom. He didn't say much about it, just that she was coming to visit the court. You asked him the normal question, but he didn't budge on answering. He just said she was an old friend, they had grown up together, and that she was coming to visit.

You went to Kalidas, hoping to find a little more information. If this queen was such a good friend to Amit he shouldn't be acting like the sky was going to fall.

"Queen Imani?" He looks at you with shock. His ears slick back to the sides of his head and his tail twitches as if he's uncomfortable.

His reaction is not comforting. "Yeah," you reply slowly. "Amit said she's coming for a visit later this week."

"Oh man," Kalidas rubs the back of his head.

"She hasn't been back here in ages," Foluke replies. He leans over the fence and watches Kalidas.

"Yeah not since-" Kalidas and Foluke exchange glances then look away from one another.

"What?" You growl, crossing your arms over your chest.

"It's kind of a long story," Kalidas shrugs. "The two of them used to be engaged."

You feel sucker punched. You drop your arms to your side. "Was it...were they..." You feel a little strange.

"It was a betrothal," Kalidas answers. "Their parents arranged it when they were young, but Amit broke it off."

You feel your stomach squeeze with nerves. "Was it-" you hesitate and place your hand on your chest. "Was it me?"

"No, no, no," Foluke scoffs. "This was ages before you came around. In fact, Amit was content to never get married."

You huff, "then, what of Imani?"

"Not sure," Kalidas shrugs. "I don't know why Amit called it off. They had been great friends beforehand but now...I'm pretty sure she hates his guts."

You shoulders slouch and you sigh. "No wonder Amit has been so tense. He must feel guilty."

"He might be afraid for his life. Knowing Imani she might be here to kill him," Foluke laughs and Kalidas shoves him.

You head back upstairs into the palace and you go into the library. The boys are taking a nap with Esha in the library, snuggled up on Prince's Sharif's chest.

"Margo, do you have any books on the neighboring kingdom, Maiban?" You ask the librarian.

She nods, "right over here," she leads you down an aisle and pulls out a book. "I've been trying to get Sharif to read these," she huffs.

"Good luck with that," you chuckle. You take the book and go over near the sleeping pile of children. You sit in the sunlight and pour over the pages, learning about the kingdom. It is mainly a Lion Court. The Kings have all been Lions. Imani though is the first queen. Her reign is barely covered in the book, as she had only just started when it was published. She had many ideas and values similar to Amit, in fact, the two seemed so well suited. You close the book wondering why Amit would break the engagement, why he would lose his old friend. You wanted to put this puzzle together so you could help solve their differences.

The day came that Queen Imani was arriving. You got the boys dressed in their best suits, which they chewed on their collars and sleeves. You then go to Amit and you take hold of his hand.