Chapter 2 Pre - dinner drama

"Greetings, Your Highness, greetings Princess Shanmala," he said bowing his head.

"I was about to summon you. What's happening to the sun?" King Meldin asked.

"Our hub world is being plunged into chaos. The sun is angry. We need to get serious with the coronation procedures," he replied and paused before turned over to Shanmala. "Princess Shanmala, did you get my letter?" He added and the whole room went silent.

Once again, she was being dragged into an adult conversation, she wished she would just be left alone. "Yes Priest, I got the letter and I was thinking of coming to see you at your shrine," she replied forcing herself to sound confident.

"Good," the priest said then turned back to the King.

"Your Highness, we need to make preparations for the purgation ceremony, it has been years since such an anomaly happened in Santala. What we need is a hub world cleansing."

"Alright then, I will have the messenger birds deliver the message to every household and you will lead us for the ritual. Just fix a date. What do you think about this Princess Shan?"

There he was again, doing the very things she dreaded. Shanmala wished within herself that she had the abilities of Houria – an ancient priestess that had the power to disappear and reappear at will. Now four eyes were on her. She pulled her gown downwards trying to cover her feets. Whenever she had to speak at serious occasions, she got this feeling of being naked and bare.

"Ehm, ah, I-I -I think it's a good move. We have to contain the issue at hand in the best way possible," she said pausing to catch her breath.

"My little sweetheart, you indeed are endowed with wisdom. With the right guidance, I know you will make a great Queen," King Meldin said feeling proud.

"Thank you Father, I will give Santala my all."

"I know," he replied smiling. "What did you want to ask the Priest?" He added.

"I-I wanted to know if it would be appropriate to resume the sessions in the coming month."

"No, Princess Shanmala, you have been given enough time. The sun has refused to set and this could be a factor. You need to brace yourself for your responsibilities," the priest replied.

"She will resume Priest. I believe in you Shanmala. My Fore fathers were blind to the strengths of their daughters but I would not thread the same path. The Princess has the fierceness of her Mother. I know she will make Santala proud. I don't need a Son when I have an able daughter. She will be my successor. And, she will make us all proud." King Meldin added.

"Thank you Father. I will put in my very best! I shall begin in three days," she said getting up. She bowed towards the King and the priest stood up . "I will see you at the shrine," she added. The priest bowed and she took her leave. He was now smiling jaw to jaw stretching his lizard skinned cheeks.

He took his seat and continued briefing the King about the matters that needed attention. Shanmala could still hear him as she walked down the stairs towards the front door. Everything the Priest had to say irked her. As she opened the door, she felt lumps grow in her throat. Her eyes locked with Amsah but she could not say a word, her voice will give her away. She walked quickly moving both legs almost the same time as she headed to her chamber and Amsah followed behind.

Amsah tried to keep up with Shanmala's pace but she was just too fast. "Your Highness, wait, what's wrong?" Amsah asked with burning curiosity still running behind Shanmala. She got to her chamber and closed the door behind her. Amsah tried to open the door but it was locked. "'Princess Shanmala, are you okay?" Amsah asked from outside.

Shanmala had her head buried beneath pillows sniffing and crying. She could have just asked Amsah to retire to her quarters but she could no longer do that. Her maid must be by her at all times as she prepares to become Queen. She knew Amsah would go no where. Locking her outside will only make matters worse. She raised her head up walking to the front of the dressing mirror. Using the ends of her sleeve, she dried her eyes and made for the door. Turning the wheel left, the door unlocked and Amsah came in. She was looking super confused trying to understand Shanmala's funny display.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" she asked again but this time she was not trying to laugh or tease her. She was actually concerned. Reading her verbal cues, it was pretty obvious she had been crying.

"Yes, I'm fine. Nothing is wrong. Why do you ask?" Shanmala retorted and Amsah felt like laughing again but she tried to hold it back. Letting out a loud laugh now will only add fuel to the fire.

"You're not fine. I know something is up," Amsah said sitting beside her. You can tell me. I'm here for you. She added and rested her hands on her shoulders.

Her care did not mean anything to Shanmala. If for anything she would not be asking Amsah for help. She had a deep feeling of hatred towards her. She could not explain why but she tried to contain it.

"I don't need sympathies, Amsah. I told you I'm fine. Can you head to the dining hall and get my meal. I don't feel like dinning with the others tonight," Shanmala replied.

"How do you expect me to do that? I can't! What do I tell Madam Lavoti and Royalty Genjoh. What do I tell the others? They will blame me for leaving you in your chamber and even accuse me of supporting you to break the rules. Look, Princess Shanmala, you are about to a become Queen and all these things matter. You have to follow the traditions and dine with the others."

Shanmala was quiet. She got up, walked to the windows and winded the first bane down. Birds were flying in troops. The first set that passed by had light green feathers with bright pink eyes. They flapped their wings in unison as they made out to reach the top layers of the hub world's sphere. Behind them were chocolate brown birds with cream colored beaks. The beauty was there but they lacked unity. Unlike the first set they could not get to the top. She watched them fly away quietly. Gazing right at her was a confused Amsah. To act or to not act.

"What do I have to wear for dinner?" Shanmala asked sounding like a child deprived of playtime.

"It's dinner time so an evening gown would be appropriate. You can choose from the new collection delivered from Moonshine designs." Amsah replied, hoping she doesn't have to fight with her on what to wear.

"When did the collection arrive? Have you paid for them?"

"Yes I have, by the left in your dressing corner," Amsah replied. I will be returning to my quarters now so that you can get ready for dinner.

"Alright, thank you," Shanmala replied walking to the inner room in her chamber.

Amsah was shocked to hear her say 'thank you'. It felt like having the sun shine at night. There she stood growing a soft spot for Shanmala again, trying to understand the drama Queen. She turned around, walking towards the door. She locked the door behind her inputting the lock code. Then she made out for her quarters stopping to greet the royalties that passed her by.

Amsah spent part of her day at the 'caretakers quarters' and part of her day at her grandmother's hut located at the heart of the hub world. Her parents passed away when she was five. Her grandmother had taken her into her care ever since. But now, the old lady can barely take a few morsels to her mouth herself. So at Seventeen, Amsah has to fend for herself and her grandmother. When she first applied to work as a caretaker at the palace, she was turned away by Madam Lavoti for no reason. Madam Lavoti has this grim face that screams indifference to everyone and everything that crosses her path. Shanmala had objected saying Amsah should be hired. From then on, she became Shanmala's Chief Maid. The work relationship has been a rollercoaster, the crazy thing was how Shanmala felt so comfortable breaking the rules with her.

Amsah was now wearing a brown gown that stopped by her ankle. Cream colored flowers were lined all over the chest and wrist area. She put on a golden pendant given to her by her grandmother when she turned sixteen. The pendant has secured a safe spot in her heart.

"How do I look?" Amsah asked Dalfee turning around.

"Really Amsah, you're the maid. You should not be worried about how you look when you walk with her Highness," Dalfee replied.

Amsah laughed. "You'll never know. I could run into luck with and get a prince charming someday. Then, we will get married and I will be a royalty too. What do you think?"

"Hmmm, really big dreams for a common caretaker. I will advise you to focus on your job here. As for me, I'm saving every buck I can lay my hands on. Once I have enough, I will return to my village."

"Agreed! You're right Dalfee. I do get carried away sometimes."

"It's completely normal sweetheart! We all want good things."

"I will be leaving now. Before 'Drama Queen' cooks up a new scene."

Dalfee smiled. "Get going trouble. I really need some peace and quite right now. I need to sleep. Today's laundry was really exhausting," she said yawning loudly.

"Bye oldie. Sweet dreams in dream land! "Amsah said ending the conversation. She walked briskly swinging her arms till she left the quarters. As she stepped into the royalties chamber, she tried to increase her pace. Going for dinner late would really get the princess in trouble. The giant bell was already ringing loudly. The lounge was full as all the royalties were heading to the dining hall. She prayed within herself to find Shanmala. Lost in thoughts of what might happen if she fails to catch up, she bumps into a strange figure colliding head to head.