Dusky Moonlight

22(3)

"Father, I want to talk to you," Veera said coming into his father's resting place.

"What is it, Veera?" the king sat briskly.

"Please pardon me for asking this, I want to know who you are going to choose for your place?"

"Why? What's the need for that now?" the king asked.
"I want to know. I have been wondering about this for a long time but I have never asked you this before since we are getting married in two days. I want to know what you have decided for us," he said looking away, "And your health..."

"You are unnecessarily worrying," the king smiled. "Nothing will happen to me."

"Are you going to make Aathiyan the King?" he asked.

His father was silent, "Don't you want your brother to become the King?"

"So you have decided?"

"Yes," the king smiled.

Surprisingly Veera smiled, "That's a wonderful decision. No one is better than my brother," he said to the contrary for what king has thought he would respond.

"Son, come here," he requested. He sat near his father's legs. He never sits equally to his father as he had great respect for him and he always stayed below.

"You are no less than your brother. But he's elder than you and more deserving," he gave his honest answer.

"Veera, I know what you are doing these days and why you have done that. Don't repeat it again, your brother will find out anyway. If you have told me your wish I would have given the easiest way possible. You don't have to behind me, Veera," his father advised.

"I am sorry, Father," he said.

"No, you don't have to apologize," the king patted his hand.
"A man should have an aspiration to win what he desires but the path he chooses decides his value."

"I know you are a good man, and you are a good leader. I don't want you to choose the wrong way. I don't want you to fight with him for something that's never going to last forever," he mentioned the throne.

"Don't let your brother hate you. You both should always stand with each other. Will you do that?"

"Yes, father," he nodded.

"I made things difficult in the past week. I won't do that again," Veera gave an assuring smile and the king smiled wondering what he's going to do to end the family's peace. He knew about his sons. Both are poles apart; they are not bad but they won't stand in the absolute good.

He loves them equally but their ways to get what they desire are always complicating and sometimes stressful in the family. He doesn't what will happen if he dies, who will die in whose hands. He doesn't know their fate and he prays it shouldn't be tragic.

After talking to his father, Veera walked to meet his wife at that evening hour when no one has the eyes to notice them.

The sun is setting at the west end, Kayanangai watched that standing alone in the garden. She starts to miss her home already. Her father hasn't returned yet, she's worried.

And on the other hand, she doesn't want to get married now. She had heard so many bad opinions about Aathiyan from the maid which made her cry in fear.

He has no mercy for the people who does small mistakes, his way of punishing scared Kayanangai more than anything.

And also he has many mistresses and often visits the cathouses outside the town. Though he seemed genuine and nice to her that day, other's opinions about him misleading her. She's been here for just a week but these people are living for years and she doesn't know which one to believe. It greatly differs from what she saw and what others are saying.