Faces in the sand…
A.N.: This is an alternate universe fiction. I have merely shifted Hotohori's age by three years. So…he was twenty two when he died as opposed to the original nineteen.
Magadha was indeed a real place in ancient India where the people were really advanced in everything they did and they did have a good connection with the Orient, since there was a lot of migration between the Buddhist/Hindu Magadha and China. The great king, Ashoka who spread Buddhism all over India, was a king of this country. Lively accounts of Pāṭaliputra (the famous capital city of the kingdom of Magadha) and Magadha are available in the Indica of Megasthenes (c. 300 BC) and in the travel diaries of the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims Fa-hsien and Hsüan-tsang (4th–5th and 7th centuries AD).
Disclaimer: Okay people...I don't own Fushigi Yuugi. If I did, i wouldn't be writing fan-fiction about it, now would I? I'd probably be writng plain 'fiction'. Glad that's settled. Now on with the story.
Chapter IV:
I walked slowly as though half reluctant to go…but then again…the note was probably for the princess and I was called for only to deliver it. The letter had not been for me and the emperor would not been waiting for me. I felt strangely sad at the thought of things in that light. As we neared the gazebo, we found him sitting there, just like I had found him a few days earlier. He was dressed as simply as he had been in the library. I saw Shwetha stop for a while…nervous.
"I do not think I have the courage to do this." Neither did I but I was here, wasn't I? I sighed as I smiled and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry. Things will turn out just fine." She smiled as she nodded and turned back to face the gazebo. The emperor was staring at the distant pond with a contemplative expression. When we had neared him considerably, he turned to look at us. When his eyes landed on Shwetha, dressed like a goddess from the heavens, his eyes went wide…it was understandable. But then he stared at me, his eyes looking bemused. It confused me as well. But I lowered my eyes when Shwetha spoke, her voice soft and gentle.
"Your majesty is early." She said, careful not to look at him.
"Yes. This is unexpected." I looked up to find him staring at me. I lowered my eyes immediately, trying to hide my own confused thoughts. Why was he looking at me like that? As though he did not understand what went on? Wasn't he the one who had called her here? And yet…now he stood like this was a surprise.
"Your majesty called for me?" and what was with Shwetha? She was being so docile it seemed quite queer. She was the one who had addressed him with his name two nights before and yet now she wasn't being that liberal!
"Indeed." He said, his voice was smooth as he walked away…towards the other side of the gazebo,
"I had called you to ask you if you find everything here to your wishes." He said in a voice that seemed so like that of the emperor. Shwetha was taken aback a little I was sure. She smiled as she lowered her head,
"When the host is so kind and considerate, I don't think I shall need anything else." I didn't see his face as he was facing the other side. When he did turn around though, his face was smiling and happy. So he did call her then.
"Then, about the negotiations…I daresay we shall be exchanging scholars soon. I would greatly like to see the art forms of Magadha flourish here in Khonan and your ministers inform me that it is the same wish with your king."
"Yes! My father is indeed a great fan of the music from your land. It would be a wise thing to exchange scholars. I am indeed a little knowledgeable in the art forms of your lands." She was blushing.
"Is that so? Then we would love to see you perform! To know that our art forms have a follower so pretty! We are indeed blessed!" he said as he bowed his head a little. Shwetha let out a giggle.
"You are just too much, your majesty." He smiled as he shook his head.
"You deserve it." He said as he took her hand and placed a kiss on it. I could almost sense the heat rising from my friend's cheeks. She was blushing like mad and here I was…like an intruder in some private rendezvous.
"Then…" Shwetha dragged her sentence as she took a step closer to him. He was smiling at her.
"Then…I think I have intruded on your precious time more than I should have." He said as he moved back a little. Shwetha smiled as she shook her head.
"Indeed not! You are too humble, my lord." He laughed as he turned to face the pond again.
"Though there are others here who are humbler than me!" I felt startled as he said this for I knew he meant me. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks this time. I warily raised my eyes to find his staring at me, his eyes on my neck…I pulled the shawl closer to my neck as I took a step backwards. For some reason, I wanted to leave the place. But time seemed to drag on…
It would have been half an hour since we had arrived and now, when we stood ready to depart, I felt like an idiot.
"Then I shall take my leave, my lady." He bowed to her and with a gaze whose meaning I could not understand, thrown in my direction, he left.
"I cannot believe this!" I could hear Shwetha whisper and I smiled as I accompanied my friend through the door into her room.
"This was wonderful, Adithi. Did you see the way he looked at me? Those eyes! Oh dear God!" she sighed as she fell onto her bed with me standing there like a block of stone. I wanted nothing more than to go back to my room.
"It has been only half an hour and yet…it feels like we have known each other for ages! I don't think I shall be able to sleep tonight." She turned to look at me. I was staring at the gazebo.
"Adithi? What is it?" I started as I turned to face my friend.
"It is nothing. I am a bit tired, that's all." She smiled as she turned to gaze back at the ceiling.
"You can retire, Adithi. I can change on my own." I smiled as I bowed before the princess and walked through the doors into my room.
But when I had entered my room, I had to use all my self-restrain not to scream! For on my bed sat,
"Your majesty!"
He wasn't smiling or did not even acknowledge that I had called his name.
"Close the door." He said, his voice carrying an air of such authority that I obeyed at once. When the door had been closed with a thud, I could feel his hand grab my wrist and twist me around gently. I yelped softly as I fell against him. He put his arms around me and drew me into an embrace…something I had not expected him to do.
"Why didn't you come alone?" he asked, his voice husky and deep. I pushed against him and moved back, to lean against the shut door.
"Your majesty! What are you doing here?" I asked as I bowed down before him. I could hear him growl as I did so. I did not know why he disliked my docility but I was a servant and in my land, we were even prohibited to speak to the royal ones! The relationship I shared with Shwetha was both secret and dangerous. If any of the ministers ever got wind of the way we spoke when alone, I would surely be imprisoned!
"Why do you have to be so obstinate?" he whispered as he lifted my face a little harshly this time, to meet his eye. He was angry. I closed my eyes as I shook my head and remained as I was. He sighed as he let go of me and turned to face the bed.
"Why did you bring your princess along with you?" he asked as he turned to face me, his golden brown orbs shining in the light of the lamp.
"We believed the note was for the princess-"
"What?" he asked, stopping me mid-sentence. I looked up at him surprised…
"Wasn't the note for the princess?" I breathed as he walked to me. He seemed to find the question impertinent for he frowned at me as he said,
"And if it was, wouldn't I give it directly to her?" he turned his face away,
"Or do you think I am too cowardly for that?" I shook my head as I back away a little. This was not the way I expected things to go!
"No…it was not that…I did not think you were…" I fell silent as I lowered my head.
There was a noise from the corridor…as though someone had opened their door. I gasped as I turned to look at the door. It was probably Sātviki and it seemed like she was fast approaching my room, since my room was the only one lighted now. I had probably caused enough noise to wake her up. I turned to look at the emperor. He was glaring at the window, oblivious to the fact that we were about to be discovered.
"You have to leave, your majesty!" I whispered. He turned to look at me with a frown.
"What do you mean?" I turned towards the door. The footsteps were getting closer.
"You have to leave…please!" I was close to crying. His stare seemed to be calculative.
"Why do you fear so many people? They cannot do anything to you." He said, his voice deep as he moved towards me. I backed away.
"Please, your majesty. I beg of you." I said as he kept walking towards me. I took another step and hit solid wall. I looked at the door beyond which Sātviki was probably standing, waiting to open the door any moment.
"Hmm." I turned to look at him now. He was in front of me, his face merely inches away from mine. He was actually smiling though it did nothing to absolve my fears.
"Adithi…" I felt tears gather in my eyes as he gently brushed his lips against mine.
"I shall see you again." I felt his breath on my lips. There was a knock at the door. Sātviki was about to come into my room. It was all going to end. I would be branded a traitor. But when I turned to look at the emperor, I was surprised to find the room empty. The window was open and the curtains danced in the night's breeze.
The door opened gently and in came Sātviki.
"What is the matter? You seem as though you have seen a ghost." I smiled weakly as I shook my head. I never remembered another time when I had been so thankful to the gods. I was safe…for now.
The next morning, I was back to being beside the princess who now seemed to desire being near the emperor all the time.
We were all standing in the library where the princess seemed to have found some scroll she desired to read and since she was going, it was my duty to tag along. I thought of feigning illness, but I knew I would fool nobody. The emperor on the other hand seemed oblivious to the way my friend pined for his attention, it hurt me. The least he could do was tell her he did not fancy her! But then, the reason for the note to be in the scroll in the first place would come up…and I would be pulled into questions I preferred not to answer.
"Your majesty seems to be such an avid reader! I am impressed." I heard my friend exclaim as she traced imaginary lines on the table…across which sat the man I wished never to see and yet could not do without meeting, for my princess fancied him so!
"Thank you, Shwetha." His eyes flickered towards my direction for an instant before returning to rest on Shwetha. Ever since the incident with the note in the scroll, my friend seemed to find it extremely necessary to dress up in fineries quite overstated for situations we faced everyday!
The emperor got up from where he sat and bowed a little before Shwetha,
"You must excuse me, but I have an important meeting I must attend. If you shall excuse me." Shwetha smiled as she nodded her head and moved away from the table and traipsed towards the door. I walked behind her. Then, I felt his hand rest lightly on the small of my back, sending shivers down my spine. He couldn't do this in front of the princess! What was he thinking?
"Meet me here tonight. Come alone." I gasped as I heard him place a kiss on my shoulder…as discreet as he could…as only he could.
"I would like to invite you to a dance recital, your majesty. To take a glimpse into our culture." Shwetha turned around. He took his hand away and smiled at her as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"I would be delighted to join you, lady Shwetha." She beamed as she turned to me.
"Go to the ministers and inform them that we shall have a dance today. And that I order the dancers to be ready." I bowed before her as I walked away to execute the orders the princess had given me.
On my way out, I seemed to reflect on what the emperor had asked of me…to come back to the library and to come alone…I felt apprehensive about this for some reason. I knew this liaison would end in nothing good and that I had to do something about this…but when I was with the emperor, I did not dare speak and we had but met only a couple of times…maybe I could tell him my decision when I met him alone the next time…and about tonight…I decided I would not go.
"Adithi! Watch where you're going!" I started to find Vishaka stand before me with his hands full with saddle gear. I smiled apologetically as I moved to the side to let my friend pass. Just as he passed me by, he muttered,
"Mother was looking for you." I turned to stare at his retreating form. He merely smiled at me and turned around and vanished round the corner.
After the given task was completed, I walked to Sātviki's room and knocked. The door opened to reveal Sātviki who seemed to be ecstatic to see me.
"Ah Adithi! Come in, dear." I walked in not knowing what the matter was.
"Last night…" I felt grey clouds gathering in my heart as she mentioned the events of the said night. But she seemed oblivious to this however.
"Last night…did the princess meet the emperor? What did he say?" she smiled expectantly. I sighed as I spoke, my tone of voice quite monotonous, as though I had been troubled by these questions countless times before.
"They were talking about diplomatic talks and like." I said. She seemed astonished.
"Diplomatic talks? What ever do you mean?" she asked me surprised none the less! I smiled as I nodded my head.
"Yes." She sighed as she shook her head.
"Hmm…maybe he's shy." I wanted to laugh out loud when she said that! But all I did was smile.
"Well…maybe he'll be freer when he meets her the next time." She mused. I nodded my head for knew not what else to do. Here was the woman who I had looked up to ever since I was a child…and yet, could I tell her everything? I sighed as I got up from the chair where I was seated as holding Sātviki's hand in mine, smiled.
"I think I shall head back towards the princess. She might miss me." She nodded her head as she gently kissed my hand and let go. It hurt me when I thought I was hiding things from the person I wanted to be free with. It hurt me.
"Welcome, your majesty. We are so happy to welcome you." Shwetha bowed as she ushered him in. I had hidden myself behind a curtain that hung all over the hall where the dance recital was to take place. And sure enough, I could see him searching discreetly for someone as his head turned around…was he searching for me?
"Adithi. What are you doing? Won't you go and see if the dancers are ready?" I nodded absently as I walked to the place where the dancers were stationed…hidden from the view of their audience…till the time came. Having seen that they were ready and that the show could commence, I moved stealthily away from there and sat in a distant and dark corner of the hall, where none shall see me.
"This is strange!" I yelped as I bolted from my chair. I turned around to find Vishaka stand there with his arms folded over his chest. I smiled as I shook my head,
"The princess would rather be left alone." He merely grunted as he sat down beside me, his hands around me in a protective gesture.
"I don't care what the princess does or thinks." He said matter-of-factly.
"You're her servant." He rolled his eyes as I said this. I smiled. I must sound like Sātviki, his mother.
"The recital is about to start." He commented, clearly trying to steer away from the topic and I smiled again. My friend was one whom I understood completely.
The dancers seemed to twitter and twirl around the main dancer who was decked with jewels and gauzy gossamers, resembled a butterfly. A beautiful creature amidst the insignificant…like the princess amidst the servants. I sighed as I turned a little to gaze at the audience…. I nearly gasped to find the emperor seated there, his eyes not on the dance but rather on me! Even as I sat here, in a dark and dingy corner, he had managed to locate me. I turned to look at Vishaka who was blissfully gazing at the main dancer and on nobody else. I smiled amused at the way his mouth sagged open with every twirl of the beautiful butterfly. I cautiously turned to find the emperor now staring at Vishaka…a frown subtly visible for those who could discern with care…he was frowning at Vishaka and then his eyes fell on me…the look he gave me was quite a calculative one. I flushed under this scrutiny and lowered my eyes to the floor. There were sounds of thunderous applause. The first dance was over. I looked up to find the emperor clapping politely but he was still staring in my direction.
There was a commotion to my right and out came Sātviki, smiling at me and Vishaka.
"There you are! Are you ready, Adithi?" I nodded my head as I got up from where I sat.
Vishaka seemed jubilant as he stood up with me and walked to seat himself with the main audience from where he would get a better view. I felt scared. It was true that I was good at the lute but to call on me to perform thus…before him, was a bit frightening. I walked to the podium from where I could see the few selected people of the two kingdoms seated, awaiting my performance. I first saluted the idol of the goddess of learning in the podium and then the royal ones seated in the front in the midst of cushions and then finally the lute I was to play. I seated myself in front of the instrument, whose mellifluous strains I had created many times before…to the pleasure of all those who listened to me. If there was one thing I was better at than Shwetha, it was music. I could play the lute better than her and far from being jealous, she had encouraged me. I smiled at my princess who seemed proud and happy on seeing me there.
I placed the lute onto my lap, my arms embracing the instrument in a way and slowly my left hand moved over the various strings as my right kept rhythm. The music that sprouted forth seemed to calm me and I played.
I looked at the lute and nowhere else for I knew he was staring at me…his eyes taking in the various movements of my hands as I played on. I smiled as I felt the familiar tones ring around me. These notes and songs, they were my friends and back when I was in Magadha, they had yielded me peace.
I struck the final chord. There was applause all around me as the play stopped. I smiled at my princess who was applauding with a sincere smile on her face. Then with a final bow to the applauding audience I moved away from the podium and back towards the dark corner where I had been seated. I looked up to find the emperor smiling at me, a mysterious smile but a smile nonetheless. I blushed a little as I smiled back. He had liked it. I was happy.
Just when he was about to leave, he stalled at the entrance of the rooms that belonged to us. As we stood facing each other, his head inclined into a slight bow as Shwetha stood there, me behind her as usual.
"It was a wonderful evening." He said smoothly as he straightened up, his eyes now resting on me. I lowered my eyes at this. This simply had to stop.
"I will be seeing you again." I looked up alarmed; he was still staring at me, though Shwetha who was busy blushing, looking at the floor did not notice. He did not break away from the stare and it scared me!
"I will be seeing you soon…" with a final smile, he turned around and walked away. I hid my confusion well when Shwetha turned around to smile at me. The emperor was an enigma.
The tale shall grow…
Author's Note:
End of another chapter! Time to review, my dear readers! Please hit the 'Go' button and review away!
- Anarya of Lorien.