The King's Shield

Chapter 20 - The Point of no Return

"Are you not going to eat, my king," the server asked.

" I will, if a certain someone, quits being conceited and listens." He said glaring at Shiva, who was standing at the tent's entrance.

" I don't understand, my king." The server gave a confused look at Shiva.

" It's alright Medhav, you may leave." He said.

The server bowed and left.

" My king, we did exactly as you had told. You didn't want to go to the capital, so we are here. Even if your wounds won't heal as fast as they would have healed if you had agreed to go to the palace, where the physicians are much better equipped." Shiva said.

He gave a loud sigh," I cannot hear you from there, you will have to come closer to speak." He said almost shouting.

" Gods help me, sometimes you are unbearable." She said under her breath, walked to him and stood near his bed.

" I still cannot hear you," he said again loudly.

" Please, don't shout," she said bending down and covering his mouth with her palm.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her in closer making her fall on him. He winced with pain and held his stomach but didn't let her move away.

" Why do you have to be this way?" she said sitting up straight beside him.

" I am not going to run away." He said cocking his head to the side. She looked quizzically at him.

" I know very well that you have my best interests, but there are things that you don't understand. The people around me look up to me. I am their king." His face was grave.

" Whatever I do is a reflection of their trust in me. You know me for who I am, but the people I serve know me for what I do. My work is the only testament, my actions are the only evidence. If I falter even once, they lose their trust, they lose their belief in me. These are the two faces that I have to adapt to keep my kingdom happy and prospering. My kingdom is only as strong as long as I am resilient and unwavering. I am for my people, and if you are with me I am unstoppable. Will you be with me?"
He smiled and asked. She nodded in agreement.

She had seen him as a good king, but now she knew him as a great leader as well.

Rajveer had called to meet Shiva that evening.

Yesterday I saw why my brother depends on you and trusts you. You saved his life. And for that, I am grateful to you. Yet I don't think I can trust you enough, but I am at least willing to try." He said.

" I will protect the king at any cost, that's the oath I have taken. Even if I have to lay my life, I won't hesitate... And I won't hesitate to take a life as well if the time necessitates." She said standing unabashed in front of him.

He alone was the reason she was alive. He was her beacon that had her trust restored in humanity. She had grown to be fiercely protective of him and had sworn to protect him at any cost.

" Hmm... We should hope that time never comes." He said. A soldier requested the prince's audience.
He allowed. The soldier informed that a messenger had arrived from the palace announcing the arrival of Queen Avani. She was going to reach the capital in a few days.

Prince Rajveer's face lit with happiness. He dismissed Shiva and went immediately to meet the king.
Rajveer had decided to leave for the city ahead of them, stating that it would be easier for him to receive his mother and also receive them when they reached the palace and the king agreed.

They had stayed for two more days, then decided to set out for the capital again. That night after dinner, Shiva and Uncle Bhairava sat in the king's tent for some time at the king's insistence.