Page 34 of Scars and Crowns

I tell him to shut up. Naturally, he doesn't. Younger brothers exist for exactly two reasons.

To test your patience . . . and ignore every instruction you ever give them.

Samrat arrived late last night. When I called to tell him I was getting married, I also told him not to make a fuss over it. "It's only a registry," I'd said.

"I'll be there." That had been his entire answer. No hesitation. No questions. Just . . . I'll be there.

Now he stands near the window with his arms folded comfortably across his chest, quietly taking everything in. Sara wanders over to him. Of course she does. She studies the expensive watch on his wrist with complete concentration before looking up at him.

"Are you also a king?"

Samrat doesn't miss a beat. "Yes, sweetheart."

Sara blinks. Then frowns deeply. Confused.

"But . . . " She looks from him to me. " . . . there can't be two kings."

I have to look away before I laugh. Poor Samrat spends the next two minutes trying to explain kingdoms, states, and constitutional monarchies to a five-year-old who's already decided the entire system makes absolutely no sense.

Honestly . . . She's not wrong.

Sara treats the entire ceremony as though someone organised it purely for her entertainment. She wanders from person to person asking deeply important questions.

Why are there so many papers?

Can she sign one too?

Why is everyone dressed nicely?

Can she also get married one day?

Who gets to choose?

Why does everyone keep smiling at her?

Within fifteen minutes she has completely dismantled whatever formal atmosphere the registrar's office had managed to maintain. No one seems to mind.

If anything . . . She reminds all of us what today is supposed to be.

Not a royal obligation.

Not a political announcement.

Just . . . A happy day.

When the registrar finally slides the marriage register across the desk, I stare at it for a moment longer than necessary. One signature. That's all it takes.

Funny.

I've refused this exact act for so many years. Not because I didn't believe in marriage. Because I refused to let it become another administrative decision.

The council never understood that. Every meeting eventually circled back to the same discussion.

A king needs a queen.

The succession must continue.

The people expect stability.