Chapter 39 – Royal Tourism

The day after, after a nice lie-in, the newlyweds want to the turtle plateau as planned. The tyrant appreciated his aquatic walk with his dove, at the greatest pleasure of the latter. The turtles seemed to really like him! But he was more ill-at-ease with the giant ray…

After the lunch, Aliya did what Pagan wanted, resting with him. Unlike she thought, this laziness pleased her and she took advantage recovering some strength from their morning activity.

-You know, Pagan, that ray wasn't dangerous.

-I couldn't stand when it touched me! The contact was just very unpleasant!

-Coward…

She laughed facing his sulking face but he cut her putting his face in her chest – a habit he took without asking his wife.

As planned, they decided each in turn of what they were going to do. Pagan liked monument visiting like calm moments whereas Aliya preferred activities which required more investments like local dances lessons. She was proud to making him go in a cooking class…she had difficulties to take correct photos as she kept laughing about his clumsiness, and enjoyed praising his cuteness. To take his revenge, the tyrant insisted that she use her pretty underwear she bought…but they had great fun.

A few days later, they were reminding of what they did before sleeping. This day it was morning sea bath, a helicopter ride around the island, spa session and, exceptionally, a chic party on a yacht. As Aliya was teasing her husband because he was a little drunk, he took refuge in her chest again. She stroked his hair.

-Ah, seems like they grew.

-So I'll have to dye them again.

-Don't you want to come back to your natural color?

-No! I don't want to see a single white hair on me!

-I fancy seeing what you look like to with black hair…

-To a man with dark good looks who makes women fall like rose petals…

-Ah, is that so?

-Of course. You should have seen this bunch of pretenders that followed meat Hong Kong…

She raised eyebrows facing his proud face.

-They were all madly in love with me and did everything to please me…like soulless dolls…

-I see…

-That was really uninteresting…they were all alike…

Aliya listened to his story, which made her remind a bit of the Pagan Yuma described some time ago. But he softened when he began to talk about his arrival to Kyrat, and seemed a bit bothered as he was talking.

-…Ishwari made you discover a whole new world when she came in your life, didn't she?

-Hm…

He lowered his eye for a moment. Aliya was about to say something but he stopped her.

-Ishwari was a really important person in my life…but you are so much more, my dove, be sure of it. Even if you knew who I was and what I did, you stayed with me…but you mainly helped me to find happiness again. You did so many things for me and the country…I really admire you…I love you…please don't think about what I've just said…

-Pagan…

-Don't think about it…I'm sorry, I wish I hadn't gone too far in my story; If I hurt you, I'm really sorry…

The young woman was troubled facing the tyrant in such a state and the violence with what he was insulting himself…it was true that she felt uncomfortable – and even inferior – when he talked about Ishwari…but it was no more the case. She stroked his face, making him stop in his apologizes and smiled.

-Stop saying such things and hurt yourself…it hurts me as well. I love you and I'll be forever there for you. I won't leave you…ever…please never forget that.

He looked at her intensely and gave her a more and more powerful kiss. At this moment, he swore to himself not to evoke his disturbing first love again. Today, he had another woman in his life. A woman he considered like his goddess, with whom he was passionately in love and for whom he could do anything.

Aliya was aroused by the dictator's particularly fiery caresses, curving under them. She felt like she lose her mind that night, and didn't know when she fell asleep, but she was sure of one thing: she was happy and was smiling…

The day after, she slowly opened her eyes, and blushed reminding what happened last night. She got up, dressed and went to search for her husband. She heard him talking in the outdoor terrace. When she arrived behind him, he hung up. She saluted him crossing her arms around his neck. He closed his eyes smiling and responded her taking her hand.

-Who were you speaking to?

-To Sati.

-Oh, is everything okay?

-Yes, don't worry. She kisses us and told me she was really bored without us.

-I miss her too. We'll see her in two days. By the way, I would like to bring something to her.

-Have you got an idea of it?

She sat next to him and told him her ideas, but once again she wanted to bring her some fabrics, as the old lady confessed she loved Tahitian patterns. He nodded and lowered his head.

-Are you okay, Pagan?

-Hm? Ah, yes…

Aliya put her hand on his face and made him look at her in the eyes. After a few seconds, he smiled.

-I was just thinking about last night, my dove, I'm…

-Just say one more word and I swear I'll throw you in the sea. I already talked to you about this, so don't think about it…Just think about what happened after that…

-It's sure that it's more pleasant…

He threw a malicious gaze on her and she sighed putting her head in her hand.

-If I'd known a few drinks too many would put you in such a state…I would've made you drink more often…although I like what you do when you're sober…

He stayed speechless facing that replica and her wink. She laughed and stood up taking off her bathrobe, letting the tyrant see she had her swimsuit. She stole a kiss before running toward the sea.

-Ahh…I love my little naughty girl…

An hour later, Aliya got out of the water and proposed the tyrant to go inside as she felt it was about to rain. Later, the sky got darker. The young woman, who put clothes on her, wondered what they could do. Looking at the tyrant, she knew he wanted to stroll with her. For once, they settled on the huge sofa and began to chat.

-I can't wait to see the works resuming!

-Hoping you won't get sick for it again.

-Yes, yes…

-Aliya…

-Okay, I got it, I'll be careful…jeez, every time you say my name, I jump…

-Oh yes?

-We can't say you call me with it every day…at least, when I hear it, I know you're serious.

-That's good this way.. You're a queen, now; you'll have to limit yourself.

-Don't forget my "mercenary with a big heart" side…

-Of course, my sweet, but don't do too much.

-Yes, my little diva.

-Don't call me like that! "Diva" doesn't suit me, that's obvious!

Aliya chuckled. Hearing her husband sighing, she strengthened her hug.

-Ohh, don't sulk, "my little chocolate bunny"!

-Here, this is cuter!

-But it's too long! Do you still dislike "Min-Min"?

-No way you call me like that either!

-Hahaha!

-And I'm the one who's blamed for my "sucking" nicknames, as you said it!

-You contaminated me…

The tyrant let his head fall, defeated.

-Besides…why do you call me "my dove"?

-This bird represents love and peace, and I really like its white feathers. I instantly wanted to surname you like that. You're simple, terribly beautiful, pure and free. But you also bring peace and love to people's heart, first in mine. Seeing all what happened so far, this nickname suits you perfectly.

-Wow…thank you, it really touches me.

-You're welcome, my dove.

-Now, I must find a pretty nickname for you…as you make me think of a peacock, I wanted to call you like that but I find it weird…

-A peacock?

-Yes, as you like flashy things…and as you jump on every opportunity to show off…

-I see…

-Yes, it lames, I know…sorry…I'll find a great nickname for you!

-Don't force yourself. I love when your sweet voice says my name. Maybe you'll call me "my love" or "sweetheart" one day, but anyways, I won't complain.

-Okay. He smiled and stroked his beloved's hair.

-Tonight, I'm taking you to dinner in a restaurant Taonui highly recommended me.

-What?! But I've nothing to wear!

-I asked him to come and take us after lunch.

-Ahh…right.

-I see you still don't realize…what day are we?

The young woman thought a bit, but confessed she didn't know. The tyrant showed her his phone.

-Ahh! We're already the 31st?! Time flies! Where are we going?

-It's a secret.

At this moment, Avera served them lunch and then they dressed to go out. One more time, the young queen didn't want her husband to see what she was going to buy. She was surprised when he told her to take something blue. She nodded and found a pretty long backless dress. She also took white accessories. Finally, they discovered one another the evening.

-Pagan…you're so handsome! This blue is great on you!

-Oh, thank you, my dove! I agree with you!

He approached her and stoked her face.

-As always, I think you're beautiful.

-Haha…

He kissed her and invited her to enter the car. They arrived in a superb restaurant.

-Ah, sovereigns of Kyrat, welcome to our establishment! Please follow me to your seats.

The waiter brought them on the roof terrace. They settled and admired the view.

-We can see an entire Recife from here!

-I knew you would like it. And that's just the beginning.

He asked her to look at the beach. Some trainers came and began a show with dolphins. The young woman was amazed and displayed a huge smile. The tyrant relished it more than the show. They ate peacefully, spending a wonderful moment. When they finished, Aliya took her husband's hands and thanked him, but he said she couldn't thank him now. His smile intrigued her, and then she heard flare noises. When she turned her head, her eyes sparkled facing the firework. He told her to go to guard-rail to appreciate more. She slowly went there, dazzled by the burst of colors. A few seconds later, he joined her, put his vest on her shoulders and gave her a champagne flute.

-I wish you a beautiful year, my precious.

-Happy new year to you too…my little chocolate bunny.

They smiled, toasted and contemplated the show.

-So, what are your resolutions? Do you finally plan to be less stubborn?

-Only when you'll decide to be less boastful.

-That's fair enough…but seriously, I want to be a good husband for you…I don't want your uncle to come and carve me up…

-Hahaha!

-To become a good king also seems reasonable. Thanks to you, there are less tensions…I really hope this harmony will continue.

-I hope so. As for me…I want to be a good wife, a good queen and…more than a resolution, I wish I'll tell you that I'm able to give you what you didn't had enough time to enjoy for years ago.

He turned and plunged in her eyes, and then smiled and hugged her.

The firework lasted twenty minutes. When it finished, they came back home and went to bed.

They made full use of their last day to buy some souvenirs, and then Aliya wanted to swim a last time. The tyrant watched her from his deckchair again. At the end of the afternoon, as his wife was doing her last tour, Sati called him.

-So, what are you doing in this last day?

-Great. My precious plays the mermaids a last time while I'm watching her from my deckchair. Is everything ready?

-There are a few last things to arrange, but it will be finished by the end of the day! I cannot wait for your arrival; it's superb!

-I hope so, I fork out a lot for it!

-I just would like to ask you this again, sweety…

-…You can remove it, Sati; I'm sure of it. I don't want any links with the past. Even if somewhere it hurts me, I have to do it…For her.

-Right…it is so relieving to hear strength in your voice again. After all this time, you finally feel happy. It was really important for me.

-Thank you, Sati.

-See you tomorrow, sweety. Please took great advantage of your last day, I am eager to hugging you again!

-We too. See you tomorrow.

He hung up smiling and hoping his present will please her wife. The latter came back but didn't swim to him.

-Pagan! Come, quick!

Intrigued, he walked up to her and saw she came back with a dolphin. They played with it for a moment and then it left hopping as if it was saying goodbye.

-You must have a link with sea animals.

-Everybody say that. I must have been a mermaid in a former life…

-A wonderful mermaid who kept singing with her finned friends…so cute…

-Yeah…

Smiling, she began to hum. Then she turned around the tyrant. She took his hand to lead him back to his deckchair singing a part of a song.

-Oh, that was so cute!

-Thanks. I confess I…I trained to song when I was alone. I wanted to have a not-so-horrible voice for the day I would sing lullabies.

Pagan tenderized hearing that little secret, and leaned his head.

-And…do you think you can sing something in Creole? I really appreciated hearing you with your cousins.

The young woman thought a bit, and then sang an extract.

-I find it really nice.

-Happy to see you like it.

He began to ask her to translate some sentences, which became a little Creole class that pleased him.

-Hoping I won't be as lost as last time when you'll sing with Clarisse and Jonathan.

-Hahaha!

-Thank you to bring some exoticism in my life, my sweet. It gives me some colors!

Aliya smiled by hearing those words. She kissed him and proposed him to go inside. They spent a simple evening, but they made so it was great, among others with the young queen's last attire…