“Our advisors have put forth a proposition,” said Bheesmala, ignoring his son’s attitude. “The idea has merit, and I want you to consider it carefully before rejecting it. A lot of people on my council feel this is the best way to secure peace.”
“I am all ears,” said Veer, eyeing a platter of guavas again, his interest obviously lost. He reached for one.
“They want you to marry one of the princesses of Amaravathi.”
The fruit dropped from Veer’s hand as his eyebrows pleated over thunderstruck eyes and his body stiffened with an instinctive rejection of that idea. He seemed to wait for further clarification from his father.
Bheesmala sighed deeply seeing his response. “Please, listen to me, Veer. I am not saying you should marry one of them. But what harm can come from exploring that option? See if one of them might suit your fancy. After all, you don’t have anyone in mind for marriage, do you?”
“No. I don’t have one in mind,” said Veer, struggling to stop himself from snarling. “That’s because I don’t plan on marrying yet. If it’s the war that has you so concerned, then you can rest assured. I am making progress. Kalpeet’s fall is imminent.” Desperation laced his voice.
“It is not just the war, Veer,” said Bheesmala, exasperated. “I am tired of this constant fighting. Tired of being from my family for months. Tired of names they call us, which I have to admit are just. I want Rajgarh to be safe and I need to stop bickering with our neighbors to do that. If marriage is the only way they can see us as someone other than foreigners, then it is something I must consider seriously.”
“So, you throw my freedom to the wolves?”
“Veer, for the last time, I am not asking you to choose your bride among them. I am just bringing a possible option, which was suggested to me before you. You don’t have to do it.”
Veer gave a bitter smile. “You know, I am prepared to do anything for the sake of our kingdom, so the argument that you don’t wish to force me makes no sense. You brought this deliberately to my attention, Father, knowing I’d be compelled to concede to your wishes.”
Bheesmala lowered his head, abashed; Veer’s observation halting his pacifying words. His son was right. About everything. Bheesmala hoped to establish a relationship with Amaravathi through Veer’s marriage. Making the war redundant, assuaging the burning guilt in his heart for the sheer number of lives lost. And if his son lost his freedom of choice, well, wasn’t it a small price to pay?
“I don’t understand, Father,” said Veer, frustrated. “We have won many wars and tithes from kingdoms before, suffered defeat as well. I have been offered marriage many times before as well. Yet at no time, you pressured me to make a decision, so why now? Why Amaravathi?”
Bheesmala tried to put his reasoning forth in a way that didn’t sound completely selfish. “My own marriage to your mother was my choice. I fell in love with her. She was a chieftain’s daughter, and I strove to make myself worthy of her. Building a home, a powerful kingdom, a dynasty. It was all for her. Overtime, she fell in love with me too. Our marriage is a deeply fulfilling relationship for the both of us. Your mother isn’t just my wife, she is a queen, and I couldn’t have asked for a wiser, a more clever or able, person to be by my side.
“I wanted that for you, too, Veer. That’s why I haven’t asked you before. But now… I haven’t seen you get attached to anyone. You fritter away your life in magic and battles and trivial pursuits, taking little interest in anything else. I am beginning to wonder if I am waiting too long. If you will ever find someone worthy of loving.”
“Why this kingdom, though?” asked Veer, still puzzled.
“Why not Amaravathi? It is a prestigious kingdom, one of the oldest ones. People here are steadfast and loyal. I am sure any of Chandraketu’s daughters will make a good wife for you—should you choose to accept her hand. I meant what I said, Veer. The decision is entirely yours. If you say no, I shall accept it with no ill feelings.”
“If you had ordered me as a father, I could have considered not obeying you,” said Veer slowly, as if the words were dragged out of him. “But I am not just your son, I am, too, one of your subjects. You are my king, and the safety of the kingdom is one of my responsibilities. If you feel this is the best way to move forward, then yes, I agree. Loyalty isn’t a merit that belongssolely to Amaravathi. I shall do as you wish.” The whole time, Bheesmala observed his son’s hand clenched into a fist.
“Veer, thank you. I shall instruct our negotiators to initiate the process.”
Making his way to the entrance of the tent, Veer stopped and turned around. “Have you made a choice about which princess you wish me to marry, Father?”
“That is entirely up to you, Veer. I won’t take away that much from you.”
Veer nodded and left without another word.
* * *
A soft hand adorned with many rings fell over Bheesmala’s, pulling him back to the present. The king relaxed at the familiar touch of his queen.
Queen Archana Devi was dressed in a saree made of expensive velvet. Heavy gold bracelets clinked as she adjusted the woolen wrap around her shoulders against the night chill.
“Sorry, Devi, have you been waiting for me long?” He instinctively moved closer, shielding her against the cold wind.
His wife smiled fondly and rested her cheek on his hand. “I missed your presence today. Why didn’t you come find me instead of worrying out here all alone?”
Bheesmala covered his wife’s hand with his own and drew it away, his fingers caressing the rough skin over her knuckles as was his habit. The disfiguring scars were the reason she wore so many rings. The sight of them pained him, so she had taken to wearing jewelry to keep them hidden, but nothing could lighten the heaviness in his heart when he thought of the reason why she had to suffer the injury.
Those scars were the reason for the distance between his only son and himself. The reason he had sent Veer to hishonorary brother-in-law for training when he was still a child. Veer would never say anything, but it ate at Bheesmala at particularly vulnerable moments like now, when they disagreed on something.
His wife saw him watch the pale ribbon of road that led to the south. “Don’t worry, he will be fine,” she said. “He has gone into worse scrapes before.”
As usual, she was able to intuit the reason for his unease.
