I hesitated before climbing in. I couldn’t understand why we sat and waved at our people from afar. We never got off or even stopped to pick up the many gifts and offerings that were thrown into the streets as we passed. There were people to do that. My job was to sit atop my palanquin and be admired.
I put a hand on Aru’s arm. “Perhaps we could go on horseback today? Or at least not ride in the palanquins the whole time? It would give me a chance to speak to your?—I mean, our?—people.”
Aru looked bewildered, and Vishwajeet waved off my suggestion as he said, “I’m sure the rani has good intentions, but it’s best for you both to remain on the palanquins. You are idols in the eyes of your people. And idols do not have dust on their feet.”
“Perhaps, but what do idols know of the prayers of their people?” I asked. “I learned far more about the people of Ullal while talking to them than I did in any meeting. It is easier to hear the truth when people tell you their stories themselves.”
“Here in Banghervari, we receive excellent reports during our council meetings,” Vishwajeet snapped as his eyes narrowed. He caught himself quickly, though, and plastered his overly toothy smile on his face. He continued, clearly happier to listen to the sound of his own voice than anyone else’s. “I have every faith that you will quickly learn the way things are done in Banghervari. It’s not that the way you do things in Ullal is backwards, but since Banghervari is so much bigger and more prosperous, we had no choice but to become more efficient. The raja and rani cannot burden themselves with trivialities?—that’s why you have people to help you. What you can do, that nobody else can, is to be the symbol of the strength and wealth of our nation.”
Parushi bristled like a crested porcupine, but she kept her lips pressed together. I silently thanked her for her self-control despite the insults Vishwajeet had thrown at our beloved Ullal. I looked at Aru, but he was just eyeing the neckline of my blouse. He wasn’t about to jump to my defense.
“You have such a way with words,” I said to Vishwajeet, keeping my tone saccharine. “The raja is lucky to have had you by his side for so long.”
Vishwajeet puffed proudly. “You are too generous, Rani.”
I stepped even closer to my husband’s side and looped my arm through Aru’s elbow. He smiled as he slipped his arm behind my back so it rested on my other side. He tapped me three times as he found the perfect spot for his hand.I love you.
Given the way Aru’s face shone with adoration and nothing else, I doubted he’d listened to much of what Vishwajeet had said. His focus was entirely on me, and I needed to remind Vishwajeet of that fact. I tapped Aru three times on his back, and he smiled like a child who’d been given forbidden sweets on the sly. Vishwajeet faltered for a moment, unsure of what was going on.
“I am forever grateful for your service to Banghervari andmy”?—I let the emphasis hang on the word for a moment before going on?—“raja. Now that I am to rule beside him, I am sure we will continue to seek your input before we make our decisions.”
I silently challenged Vishwajeet to smile through that, but he was too busy looking to Aru for his reaction to care what I was doing. Aru kept his eyes on me, still smiling widely.
“Indeed,” Aru said. “I am lucky to have you as my rani.”
“And I am equally grateful to be your rani,” I said. “Speaking of which, I think it would be wise for us to have a meeting about trade today. Parushi has her figures ready, and I’m sure that Vishwajeet has been equally dutiful.”
“Today?” Aru asked. “I hadn’t planned on gathering the council today.”
“Oh, it doesn’t have to be the whole council.” I waved my hand lightly and tried to sound more casual than insistent. “Just us, Parushi, and Vishwajeet. That way we can get to know our nations better. I am eager to serve our people well.”
Aru still didn’t seem terribly fond of the idea. My uncle had been right?—Aru preferred being the raja more than acting as one. While he was very comfortable with his role as a symbol for his people, he relied heavily on his council?—on Vishwajeet?—when there was a need for difficult conversations and decisions. But I needed him to agree to this. Quickly. Before Vishwajeet could dissuade him.
I turned to face Aru and traced his jawline where I’d decorated it with kisses in the light of the moon. “Please. For me.”
He swallowed?—hard?—and nodded as he took my hand and kissed it. “Of course, anything for you.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want to keep the people waiting.” Parushi gestured to the dreaded palanquins before Vishwajeet had a chance to object.
“Yes, we must get going,” Aru said. Then he turned to Vishwajeet. “Be prepared to discuss the imports and exports when we get back.”
Vishwajeet nodded. My satisfied smile slipped a bit when I realized he looked less deflated and more thoughtful. He was making plans already, and I doubted they aligned with mine. Our games were just beginning.
Aru noticed none of it. He kept a close eye on me and made sure I was settled and comfortable on my palanquin before he took his seat. I couldn’t help but feel like a roasted boar on display as we were hoisted up and carried on our moving?—albeit pillowed?—tables. Guards surrounded us, creating even more of a separation between us and everyone else. The back of my neck tingled as we approached the doors. I turned around in time to see Vishwajeet tapping his lip with his finger as he stared at me so intently that he didn’t even notice Parushi watching him like a hawk. He didn’t falter when our eyes met, and I ended up breaking away my gaze first.
One problem at a time.
Chapter 30
“Do you want to visit the temple?” Aru caught my longing gaze toward the hilltop above us.
I pretended this wasn’t the third temple that I’d affixed with the same look. Even though the man had stared at me all day with loving affection, this was the first time he had seen my thoughts.
“It’s so beautiful up there.” I sighed gently and pointed to the hilltop temple with the peacock feather fan that Aru had gifted me. He’d made our procession stop in the middle of the marketplace so he could send someone to buy it since he thought it matched my necklace. “I don’t want to cause any trouble, though.”
“You are the rani.” Aru furrowed his eyebrows. “Your wishes are never trouble. They’re commands.”
Thank goodness for the fan. I fluttered it and covered my face as I did my best to appear demure. “I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”
