The Commoner Consort: The Country's Respected Empress

Maya rolls her eyes "We met by coincidence, Bhommi. Wait. Why do I feel like I am cheating on you? Why do you dislike her so much? She is already so pitiful. She is a good friend of ours!".

Bhommi pouts impatiently "Yours, Sister Maya. She is your friend. Not mine".

Maya shakes her head helplessly "I really don't know why you dislike her. But thank you. I am sincerely grateful for your help this time".

Bhommi smiles "I would have taken care of him even without your order. I know you like that man".

"..."

Maya feels restless hearing her last sentence and mumbles "Who wouldn't. ..".

Maya is satisfied that Bhommi is only exhausted and not injured. She tucks her exposed hand inside the quilt and speaks "I will bring some fruits-".

Bhommi grabs Maya in panic even before she could complete the sentence and whispers "No, Sister Maya! Don't…".

Maya frowns seeing her panic and asks "What happened? Why do you look frightened?".

Bhommi gulps looking around and tugs Maya closer.

'I feel that shadow's presence'.

Maya's eyes grow wide hearing Bhommi's mind.

'I was barely able to find its presence. Without my powers, I can't protect myself from that-'.

Maya speaks solemnly "Sleep well. I will be next to you till you get your energy back".

Bhommi's eyes turn bright "Will you?!"

Maya nods sincerely, keeping Bhommi's hands under the quilt "Now sleep. Trust me. I won't take a step from here till you wake up again".

Bhommi purses her lips and soon grins realizing Maya is indeed staying with her.

She giggles "I will use all my energy in a heartbeat next time if you promise that you will always stay by my side like this till I recover".

Maya is surprised by her words and feels overwhelmed by her unconditional affection.

'Why? Why are you doing this for me? Why do you like me so much?'

Maya thought in her mind secretly.

"Can I hug you?"

"..."

Maya is slightly astonished yet agrees awkwardly "That… why not?"

Bhommi grins like a child and tries to sit eagerly.

Maya stops her "Wait".

She repositions herself next to Bhommi and sits leaning on the headboard.

Bhommi  "..." I was just asking for a simple hug… Now I get to hug her for more time?! Ooh boy! I must help her more in the future!

Maya pinches Bhommi's cheek and speaks strictly "Stop ranting in your mind. Now sleep".

But Bhommi knows better. Bhommi asks hugging Maya's waist "Can you tell me a story?"

Maya is taken aback "Story? About what?"

Bhommi shrugs "Anything… Don't you think The Abandoned Goddess is interesting?"

Maya frowns "Do you mean Goddess Sita after abandoned by Lord Rama?"

Bhommi huffs "You are outdated, Sister Maya".

Maya raises her eyebrows surprised "Since when The Epic Ramayanam became outdated?"

She frowns suddenly "Wait. Who is this Abandoned Goddess? Why haven't I heard about this story?"

Bhommi smirks smugly "That's because people never got to  know about her".

------

A few hours later.

The Countryside Pavilion. 

Alex bursts into Kalki's chamber and roars "How dare you give my Ancestral Bow to her?!"

Kalki who is standing near the window answers calmly "Can't I? As far as I remember you lost it to me".

Alex "..." Is that **** garden more important now?!

-_-!

Alex fumes pointing to him "I thought you kept it safe! You know how much that means to me!"

Kalki still didn't look at him once since he entered the chamber and speaks nonchalantly still seeing out of the window "That's why I gave that to her".

Alex is in rage and disbelief "Does that make sense?! How could you!"

Kalki turns his head slowly and speaks finally looking him in the eyes "She helped to repair the dam door".

Alex gasps and stares at Kalki blankly. He asks astonished "And saved the people by preventing the flood?"

Kalki speaks instead of answering his questions "She deserved to be rewarded".

Alex immediately complains "Why My Bow of all Royal badges?! Why is MY BOW and not any expensive properties?!"

Kalki smirks "She is more skilled in Archery than your ancestors. And I did reward her few Royal Badges. After all, how could I not repay the help I received? And for expensive properties… Do you think those would be equal to this Pavillion? She already has more than she could ever get".

"You! Do you think she is better than my grandfather?! He never lost a war! How dare you compare my ancestors with a little girl who is barely 18!"

Kalki raises his eyebrow arrogantly "It's right to let her keep it. Do you think she won't treasure it?"

Alex blurts "Of course she won't-"

He stops to continue as he recalled how she instructed her Head Servant to take the Bow safely. It almost felt like she was giving her child away!

Still!

Kalki smirks broadly and speaks "If you hate her keeping it.."

Alex asks in anticipation "Will you get it back?"

Kalki finally looks at Alex and declares looking at his anticipation filled eyes "No. I will make sure she keeps that bow till she dies. I will bury or burn that bow with her".

"You!"

Alex is so mad at this point 'Why should I get a cousin like him?! I should throw you in a fire pit next time instead of frozen water! Wait! Who burns someone after they die?! That sounds like revenge on a dead perso'

Kalki looks at his left palm which looked horribly burnt and sighs.

He holds his hands behind his back and declares facing Alex "Don't pretend to be mad. You like her keeping it".

Alex is speechless "...." I didn't say so! I don't agree!!

But for some reason, he couldn't voice the words out.

Kalki smiles meaningfully as he looked at Alex again and speaks "You just wanted to know why she got the Bow".

Alex is again speechless "..." I don't deny that too...Wait! Why am I getting convinced by him now? He is so tricky!