Topaz

CHAPTER-II

People of Nacremarine felt so unfortunate for having not seen the face of the eighteen-year-old prince. It was rumoured that he was covered in cloth because he was an Avatar of God, and was sent to be kept in a temple under the supervision of the saints of the Demarion Glacier. Exactly what the Mother had thought years ago their reaction about Topaz would be. The Mother being lived for half- her lifetime among these people knew that Nacremarine was full of stereotypical and superstitious people.

Mother had realised at a very early stage that Topaz looked heavenly. After his birth every being was so carried away by his appearance that she feared people might call and believe him as the reincarnation of Adam-the angel.

So she did what she could to protect her son- Mother hid him. King Mollusk too was in full affirmation with Mother's idea to keep Topaz hidden. They got more concerned with years passing as Topaz looked more and more admirable. They kept people around him very minimal, could be even counted on fingers. Topaz saw nothing more than the castle and what it's windows showed, people trading at the shore of the sacrosanct river. Even though his favourite thing was to look out of the window, he was told by his mother to stay silent and observe life out of from the window for three hours everyday in the morning as she believed it would teach him more than scholar Morris or  books could.

At that time of the day Topaz wished and deep-down somewhere knew that he would see more than he was obliged to. He knew one day he would see the world out of his room. And today, After eighteen years of his life on this Earth Topaz's wish finally came true and he was finally able to see a lot more than he was obligated to even if it was from under a white cloth. Topaz sat inside a special wooden chamber made especially for him along with seven birds in a cage kept intentionally by King Andronicus to show Topaz that he was just like the ones sitting in front, a caged bird. Some hundred Soldiers of Nacremarine carried the heavy chamber while Others carried a whole wardrobe of one hundred and one trunks that was to be kept with Topaz. The number was chosen as the castle in Demarion Range had 101 rooms in it.

Topaz was fascinated with the beauty of different woods and routes during the course of the travel. He saw different wildlife animals, different kingdoms, ate varieties of food and made some temporary friends during the travel. Meanwhile a scroll was sent to the castle of Demarion Range about its victory over Nacremarine and about the gifts king Andronicus was bringing with himself, Topaz being the centre of attention in the letter. There was great bustle and cheer in the town of Demarions with the procurement of the scroll. The castle was decorated with willow leaves and snow sculptures for the king's and his special gift's arrival. The best clothes were laid out for everyone, especially for Prince Armie Andronicus.

The day eventually arrived. Topaz hadn't felt so cold in his whole life, he felt like he could freeze at the moment even though he was wearing the warmest piece of clothing he had. He was very surprised to see how king Andronicus and a few men around him were surviving with a single piece clothing- a long robe. He was also surprised because he remembered how his father used to tell him that King Andronicus was heartless and cruel to people with no status but the scenery around him showed no such thing. People looked happy and cheerful with their king's arrival. The castle doors were opened and the all of the men started getting of their horses and started walking. Topaz got confused as he saw no such thing like a castle nearby as fog clogged the view. One of the soldiers from Demarion Range told Topaz the reason for the walk that was 'the queen doesn't want any war cabins or filthy animals inside her house so you would have to walk for some distance, a short one.'

Topaz walked for a good distance of a thousand meters with the white cloth held from the bottom by people around him to reach the assembly where he was to sit between all the gifts brought from Nacremarine. He was shunned with the loud voice of King Andronicus who said
" We, the Demarions have finally won the whole country with our sweat and blood. I feel immense pride to show you all the valuable gifts that I've brought from Nacremarine, the full description of which would be provided to the generals and coffers. One of the gifts is very special. Just like the blue stone on my head, I've brought the son of King Mollusk, Topaz Nacremarine who will soon marry my eldest, Armie Andronicus and symbolise our relation with the south end of the country."

This initiated a lot of noise in the whole assembly and some angry growls as Nacremarine was not an important city and marriage of eldest son with a boy from a small kingdom was not what they wanted.

"We all are aware that the king or prince who believe in the saints has to marry three times. One marriage of soul, the other of body and the third of mind. Being a compulsion, all three of my sons have married their souls to the almighty power of the saints i.e., the holy Fire. They are bachelors of body and mind until now. But Armie wouldn't be so after tomorrow. His mind would be married to Topaz Nacremarine, tomorrow morning. Topaz is a blessed keeper of brain and would be of help to my son, Armie. And we can all agree a man has a sharper mind than a woman, look around yourself if you don't agree, sharp minded men all around. So why not marry the mind of a potential king of the country to a man"

" I am sure you all would be delighted to see Topaz, my choice. And I must tell you Topaz expects some return gifts from you which I think is his right also.
Even if now you don't agree with me then you must come forward on the exact same moment and kiss death."

The room got silent, just feared mourning sounds of the dying birds brought from Nacremarine echoed in the assembly hall.

The death of the birds was not mourned for a single moment as the sudden cheer of the crowd of men overlapped the silence. No one came forward to oppose the king but everyone did to follow his orders.
People lifted the cloth to see Topaz, gave him the most expensive thing they could at the moment, blessed him and put the cloth back on the way it was. This process went on and on and on. A person came, lifted the cloth, gave a gift, blessed Topaz and put the cloth back on.

Topaz hadn't seen this amount of people giving blessings to him during his whole lifetime. His lap got full with jewels, rings, gold chains, amulets, precious stones, soft fabrics, etc. With time passing by and sun setting people in the assembly hall got lesser and lesser.

Finally it was time for the family of five to meet the gift. One of whom was out on business and the other too busy to be arranging the sudden wedding. First came king Andronicus, he lifted the cloth with a type of smile Topaz couldn't comprehend, he gave him the biggest ring he was wearing , on his index finger of left hand and said " You must wear it right away and never loose it, now you belong to Demarions. May the Almighty bless you. May you be of profit to us. Armie will release you from the cloth when his turn will come."

Next came the youngest prince of Demarions, Prince Desmond. The same age that of Topaz. He lifted the cloth and was spell-bounded for some time. He didn't say anything at all at first. Topaz was relieved to see someone of his age and someone who was in proper woollen clothes.

Prince Desmond touched the cloth over Topaz's head and spoke his thoughts aloud" I hope this was not a rough travel for you, you must be protected. King Andronicus brings a lots of gifts but I regret the most that you were not bought for me but for my brother. You must be admired and Armie is not a good admirer." He took out the fur coat he was wearing and gave it to Topaz " Accept my first gift to you and expect more from my side"
He put the white cloth back on.

It was finally time for the future husband of Topaz to see him. He came forward with some hesitation but eventually lifted the cloth " I apologise on my mother's, uh...the Queens behalf that she couldn't attend you at the moment. My brother, Noah beckam had some important commitments to perform, apologies from his side too."
" The scroll described so less of you than you actually are in person . I look forward for you being an asset to us. You must be hungry, there's a meal ready."

The cloth fell down on the floor but Topaz picked it up and held it in his hands. After the whole day of not speaking a word and just smiling , Topaz finally opened his mouth when they all were going to the meals room.
" King Andronicus, your majesty, where should these gifts from you court-men be kept"

To which king Andronicus replied " These are your gifts. Keep them with you or throw them away if you please. "
" I think the treasure would be a better place for them. Eventually everything mine is yours, majesty. But if i dare request I want to keep the soft fur coat with myself, if you allow"

King Andronicus smiled and nodded. At that moment he realised he had made both a right and a wrong choice.

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