Dusky Moonlight

22(2)

Aathiyan got up in bewilderment when his eyes met hers. After giving a small smile, Kayanangai looked down, blushing hard after glancing at his attractive face.

"I am glad that you accept my invite," Aathiyan said with that stern face. He's battling inside not to smile or to let his emotions on his face.

"I am honored to be here, my king," Kayanangai answered still having her eyes on the marble floor.

He shook his head, "I will show you the place," he said after staring at her for a long moment and Kayanangai raised her gaze. She walked with him into the marvelous hall. The huge doors smelled like a mixture of sandalwood, rosewood, and pine. The walls were decorated with paintings and metal relics.

"You painted all of this?" Kayanangai asked.

Aathiyan didn't stop in their way and answered, "Yes, but a few of them, I brought it from the vendor. I heard that you paint, is that true?"

"Yes, but not as great as you," she answered and he smiled seeing her humility.

He paused for a moment when they're at the center of the chamber. A wide circular space with a small pool at the center surrounded by colorful plants. There are three ways opposite to them. Aathiyan walked her in the way at the left end. It's his painting room, his favorite thing to do along with collecting fine metal artworks made up of copper, silver, gold, and embedded with the most valuable stones from across the world. He got this interest from his father who used to collect precious things too. He has a big secret hall to store his treasures.

Kayanangai liked the place and saw everything in amazement. Aathiyan stood at the side and watched her. The way she looks at everything got him to feel proud. Because it's rare for him that someone loves his taste, especially a woman.
Kayanangai stared at the painting of the evening sky which Aathiyan drew it. The depiction of that crimson sky attracted her, she realized that if someone who artistically looks at the sky can never be a bad person.

"You're an excellent painter!" Kayanangai complimented looking at that painting.

"Did you learned to paint?"
"No. It's just happened accidentally. I used to scribble a lot when I am a small kid and then it turned into a painting as I grew up," he said, and the way he talks casually made her feel comfortable around him.

She turned back to look at his face and thought if he smiles, it will be even better. Then her eyes stumbled on his parent's painting and it's so good. Many unfinished paintings were waiting to be finished on the floor.

"Out of everything, I like this one," she said pointing to his parent's painting.

"My parents, they are my everything. This is going to be preserved for the people who are going to come after us. They should be remembered for thousands of years."

"What about you?" Kayanangai asked.
"Well, I will be remembered because I drew this. There is something I have added in this painting and it's only for the people who are wise enough will find it," he said.
Hearing that Kayanangai smiled and realized the high respect he has for his family. If he loves his family, then he must be a good man.
Again and again, her assumption about him is getting false and giving this great respect to him. And he shares a similar interest with her which is quite rare.

To their left side, there are paint boxes, brushes were stacked up in one part of the hall and in the other part, many scripts of literature are lying there. She can't help but get attracted to him after seeing all of this. It's hard to see a talented man with a wise mind. Yet she wondered why everyone was saying the opposite about him.

All she can do was gave her an innocent smile to Aathiyan who's standing close to her.

"Are you getting used to this palace environment?" he asked. That concerned question made Kayanangai look at him differently.