Chapter 26 – Back to Kyrat
It was time for departure. Diego hugged his friend and the lieutenant warmly, and then gave a box and a bag to the latter before looking them get on the jet. When they were in the air, she opened the box. The tyrant marveled.
-It's even more beautiful than the other!
-That's true. Do you want to try it?
-I will when we'll be home. And I will make you a matching cape.
The young woman smiled and opened the bag: it was full of money. She stood up straight quickly, making a little note falling. She read it.
"Dear Miss Aliya,
Although I am more than pleased to know you enjoyed my party, I wanted to offer you this other present. To save my country is priceless, but still I wished to thank you financially. Please spend it the way you would like to. Here is the equivalent of a billion of Kyrati rupees. Convert them and enjoy yourself! I cannot wait for an occasion to see my friend and you again.
Diego Velasquez"
She looked at the tyrant. He smiled to her.
-…Did you know he was planning to give me that money?
-Not at all.
-Pagan…
-No, my dear, I swear I didn't know about it.
-Hm…
She looked at the money, embarrassed. He took the note and read it.
-What a nice amount, even so, I wonder what you will do with it.
-I can use it to…
-No.
-Why?
-You asked ME to do the Kyrat makeover. So I have to finance it.
-But, Pagan, I…
-No, my dove…I want you to do what you want to with that money.
-…I want to help you to renovate the country, Pagan…I want to do it with you. You asked me to support you; I can do it that way too, now.
He observed her and then lowered his head to laugh silently.
-You are so stubborn, my precious…
-I know.
She put the bag on the floor after closing it. Plunging her look again in the tyrant's, she crossed her hands.
-Pagan…did I annoyed you asking you this.
-I knew you would do that request one day or another.
-Really?
-Of course. This is going to be long.
-I know, and for that reason, we can't lose time when we'll be back.
She grabbed a sheet and a pen to make a to-do list.
-So…villages and schools: renovate…roads and rivers: clean…opium factories…
She looks at the tyrant. Conscious that it was his main business, she proposed to dedicate a corner of the country just for this, so that they could give back to the factories the product they were making before. Focused, she planned all the renovation program steps with a great seriousness. The tyrant was looking at her smiling, his head on his fist.
-Okay…as the whole country will be renovated, it would be great to see everybody participate, including your army: it could institute confidence between it and the villagers. You will have to diffuse a message on TV or radio…or else, I will tour the country to inform them…Weapons could be a source of conflict…we could take them during the work, but they may be attacked by animals…no, in fact, the best is a part deals with work while the other monitors the area…yes, that's a great idea! As for vehicles…it would be good to create a place where we can fix them, or disassemble them and use the parts to do something else…
-You are really inspired.
-I confess I thought about this when I had difficulties to sleep.
- I see. Why don't you manage to sleep?
-I don't know; sometimes sleep doesn't come…
-Henceforward, I could help you to fall asleep, if you want to. My arms would be very pleased to help you join Dreamland whenever you want!
-Whenever I want? Really?
-Of course, my dear!
-Hm…let me check this.
She raised the support between them and leaned on him, and then took his hand to cross their fingers. Firstly surprised, the dictator kissed her head.
-I really look forward the renovation…and I hope there no more be tension between you and the people.
-Hm…
-I would do anything for this…'Kay! Hope you went to toilet before because I won't move for a moment from now on!
He laughed. She closed her eyes while he was putting his other hand on the top of her thigh. She slept for four hours. When she woke up, he was still asleep. She stroked his face and took again her sheet to improve and refine her program. Happy to see that she found THE plan, she put the sheet and went to ask the pilot how much time was left. Answering there were three hours and a half flight last, she sat and wondered what she could do during this time, and mainly while Pagan was sleeping…so she began to contemplate him.
His features seemed more relaxed. Aliya smiled reminding some moments spent with him. But then she thought about her request: did he really want to honor it? This is the kind of thing he could have done for a while…It began to titillate her, and she wondered if she didn't ask too much suddenly. A bit stressed, she was moving her leg asking herself some questions.
-…What's happening? Are you okay?
-Ah…did I wake you up? I'm sorry…
He stood up straight yawning.
-So…how are my arms? Are they efficient?
-Yeah, they're magic.
They smiled. After studying her face, he tilted his head.
-Something is making you worried, my dove…Ah, I just remind of the promise you made me some days ago. Express yourself, I am all ears.
-Yeah…well, first of all: are you sure you want to honor my request?
-Yes.
-Really? I was wondering if I didn't ask you too much…
-Well, I'll have to say goodbye to quite a jackpot with this…but I'll do it because you asked me to. You are my precious dove, and your wishes are my command.
She blushed, making him smile. Then he turned his head, fixing the soil.
-I didn't want to say it but…you have the same ideas Ishwari had. The plan you made looks like the one she had prepared, when we were doing projects for Kyrat…Understand that after her leaving, I didn't want to do anything. Actually, I feel happy to be able to re-consider this project with someone...I did not want to do it alone.
-I see. It relieves me to know that you don't force yourself.
-Please don't worry about it anymore. Well. Please talk about your other torments.
-Well…
She began to turn red. The tyrant waited calmly, staring at her.
-I…err…in fact, since that story with the Golden Path, I…feel something new…
-Ahh? What is it?
-You know, when I was over there…I kept thinking about you and…I…
-Hm?
-I thought…I'd lost you, and I couldn't make you smile or do things with you anymore…I couldn't stand those idea…and since I came back, I feel like my feelings are like tenfold…I…
The tyrant turned a little as his curiosity was peaking.
-Pagan…I love you. I love you and I want you. I don't want to become again your "One-day queen", because I want to be your "Everyday queen"…I want to bear your name. I want your arms to hug me every night and I want to wake up between them. I want you to kiss me when I come back home the evening. I want to spend more time with you because I just love those precious moments and I want to wear dresses more often to please you…I want all that…and so much more.
She tried to keep enough strength not to avert her eyes. The dictator was frozen, not daring to say anything. Aliya waited for a reaction. A moment, he seemed to regain consciousness.
-My dove…did I…did I hear well…
She nodded smiling. He slowly displayed a large smile and jumped on his beloved to hug her, sighing of happiness. Separating from him, she noticed the little tears in his eyes. Smiling tenderly, she wiped the one which had shed on his cheek and kissed him.
Later, they landed and took the helicopter to go to the palace. Sati was waiting for them with Jay. When she saw her protégée, she jumped in her arms.
-Aliya! I am so happy to see you!
-Hum…I'm fine, thank you, Sati…
-Ohh, Pagan, don't be so jealous!
She hugged him while the young lieutenant went to see her mentor.
-Hi, Chief! Happy to see you again!
-Me too. So, how did you hold out over there?
-Great! It was a really great adventure! I can't wait to tell you!
He smiled. Pagan walked up to him.
-I would like to congratulate you, Jay! The training you made my dove go through is absolutely awesome! I was so happy to see that you made her so strong!
-Glad to hear that. But all the credits are hers.
-Please bring Eli and join us for dinner tonight. I have something to announce.
-Ohh…right.
He looked at Aliya, who was blushing a little, and then left.
The young woman put her luggage in her room and sat on the sofa, on her balcony. Sati walked up to her a moment later.
-So, how are you, sweetie?
-I'm fine. It was great, over there!
-I think so! Oh, I look forward hearing you! Tell me, what Pagan has to say to us?
-Yeah…but it's a surprise. I hope it will please you.
-I see, I see. Right! It is late; let's prepare you for the dinner!
-Okay, but before I'd like to give you something.
She searched for a box in her bag and brought it to Sati. She discovered fabrics of every color.
-I thought you would know what to do with them…I immediately thought about you when I saw them.
-Ohh, they are beautiful! You didn't have to!
-I just couldn't come back here without a present for you.
She hugged the young woman before re-inviting her to prepare. Later, the tyrant and her told their travel.
-So, how was using a rocket-launcher?
-They were heavy, but that was so cool!
-For the detection of the poison, you really impress me. I'm proud of you!;
-Thanks, Chief Eli!
-And so, Pagan, what have you got to say! I'm impatient!
Pagan smiled and stood up.
-I have two things to tell you. Here is the first one: to my dove's request, I will begin a process of renovation of the country. The war isn't a great problem now, and as a king, I have to ensure that my people recover after that rude time. By that fact, Jay, I wish you to tell it to the army. I want the soldiers to help the labor for the work.
-Right.
-As for you, Eli, I would like you to prepare to manage the hospital centers I plan to build. I keep hearing praises about the greatness you show in your area, and my dove wishes you to take the position.
-Whoa…thank you.
-I will announce the news tomorrow morning and explain the program. You will go to the villages and display the written version.
-Got it.
-This is it for the first news. Now, the second one, the one I personally prefer.
He extended his hand to the young woman. She took it and went by his side.
-I have the great pleasure to tell you that, for my greatest happiness, my precious dove will soon become Aliya Min and the queen of Kyrat!
Aliya had her eyes plunged in the tyrant's, who had taken her hand and was covering her with a tender look. Sati jumped on them, tears in her eyes.
-Ohh my god! It is wonderful! Ohh, I am so happy for you!
The young woman looked at the mercenaries, who smiled to her, showing her that they were happy for her.
-Ahh…I almost forgot.
He pulled out a box from his inside pocket. She turned toward him while he was opening it and saw a gorgeous gold ring with diamonds, the largest of which was pink.
-…When did you…
-I am full of surprises.
-…It is beautiful.
-My precious dove, would you do me the honor of becoming my queen?
She nodded and he put the ring to her finger. She looked at it intensely before jumping in his future husband's arms and then kiss him.
He retired in his room to change. Meanwhile, Aliya accompanied the mercenaries in front of the palace.
-Well…you finally accepted! I no longer believed!
-Chief…
-I'm teasing you. I'm happy for you both.
-Me too…what a great path our little mercenary did!
-Thank you to you both.
She hugged them before seeing them leaving with their jeep and got in. On the road she met Sati, who congratulated her one more time. When she went in Pagan's room, he was rhapsodizing in front of his mirror. She approached him.
-It fits me like a glove! Ahh! My precious! Look!
He turned, showing the mantle Diego offered him. She smiled.
-You're right, I even think it suits you more than the other one.
He turned to lift her and make her twirl before kissing her. She blushed smiling.
-My dear, please stop strutting with this mantle and come to bed. I am cold and tired.
-Please go and install, sweetheart, I'm coming to warm you immediately!
On amused laughs, they went to bed and fell asleep, their head full of stars.
SHE SAID YESSSSSS! HALELUIYA!
Some love in this cruel world! ^w^ Yes, I know, this chapter is a bit like a big cotton candy…but we need this, sometimes!
For the acceptance of the demand, I thought about other things:
-During the fight in Diego's palace - Pagan would have gone there, worried for his dove. Aliya would shout at him and a bunch of circumstances would make her say "yes", but that was too shitting laborious to write…
-Birthday present - according to the chronology of the story, we are at D-30 of our favorite tyrant's birthday, so Aliya would have prepared everything to let him know the answer to his request that day…but I judged our poor little pink darling had waited enough…he could have waited a little more, but I preferred to reward him for all that patience!
So, this is it… :3
Thank you to have arrived until there!