'Why'd we have to go sofa shopping today? Alex is leaving in three hours, I should have been spending all the time I could with her!'
I plonked down at the dining table, leaving Mum and Dad to unpack the groceries (it was the least they could do). They, of course, had decided we needed five more bags of rice as well.
Mum raised an eyebrow at me. 'You just wanted to snoop.'
'I told you. Nothing is going on. Kuru would have told us,' Dad looked to Mum for confirmation. She just shrugged and asked me to help put the cold food in the fridge. Dad frowned.
'Wouldn't he?' he asked louder.
'Look!' I whispered, edging towards the window.
'Zoe, close the fridge- what?'
Mum joined me at the window and gasped.
'I told you!' I said.
'What? Told us what?' Dad asked trying to look over our shoulders.
'Nope, I love him but not happening…'
'Come back! You both better not ruin this moment!' Mum hissed after us.
Dad must have had some self-control because he stopped us by the corner. We could see the two lovebirds.
Kuru was kneeling on the pavers, holding up a small box to Alex who was sitting on the Manjipoorian gazebo. His head was facing the ground it was obvious he was crying.
'This can't be happening,' Alex said into her hands.
Either she was in shock or she was miserable. Which made no sense because those two were inseparable. Why wouldn't they get married? I'd finally get an (official) older brother.
'Kuru what will I ever do without you?'
'Please princess-'
Alex lifted her head out of her hands.
'No Kuru, don't 'princess' me. This isn't about "Queen Liliuokalani Parasha Kaled Persephone Amanirenas" and an elephant boy. This is about me, Alex Wilson and you, Kuru, my friend,' she said firmly.
'Look at me Kuru.' He didn't.
'Look at me!'
'I- I can't. Please, just accept the proposal and then I must leave.'
'So what? I'll never see you again? Is that it? They can't do this to you! It's so cruel and twisted. I- I order you to stay.'
Okay, what on earth was going on?
'Kuru,' Alex said, softly now, 'Omar is getting older, the Council never listens to me. You- you're all I have. You're my advisor, but more importantly, you're my best friend. I don't want to marry some calm and collected lord who's just for show, just so I keep some outdated law. I want to marry you,' she put her hands on his shoulders, but he gently removed them, 'you who looks at me as an equal and can help me make wise decisions.'
Kuru still refused to look at her, was he even listening? I certainly was, and none of it made any sense. What lord? What law? Was this about Manjipoor?
'You know me better than anyone. You've seen me screw up so badly and taught me so much. You've never given up on me, even when I made stupid choices like giving up my crown.'
What crown? Seriously, what was going on? Mum and Dad seemed equally confused but they were just as enthralled with the scene unfolding, otherwise I'm sure Mum would have insisted we went back inside.
'Kuru. Please,' she took his hands and knelt with him, 'please don't leave.'
Kuru finally looked up at Alex but that meant he also saw us eavesdropping. He wiped his face and gestured to us.
Alex turned and saw us, her eyes widened. Kuru stood and helped her up.
We hesitantly moved into the garden, unsure of the situation.
'When were you going to ask Dad's permission to marry Alex?' I asked, not really sure where to start but wanting some answers.
Alex, seemingly despite herself, laughed, however she quickly sobered.
'We're not getting married Zoe,' she said sadly.
'But he was down on one knee, and there was the ri-' Dad trailed off, obviously aware of the increasingly heavy air.
'What is it sweetheart?' Mum asked, taking her hand.
'We're not get married,' Alex repeated, as if she was trying to convince herself, or perhaps she was just realising it?
'Why not? You love each other, that much is clear,' Mum smiled.
'I'm afraid that is not enough,' Kuru finally spoke up.
'I don't get it,' I said.
Alex wiped another tear away, clasped her hands and put on a very fake smile.
'Well, that's just another in the long line of things you don't get,' she said sarcastically.
'Princess-'
'I know, I know, a princess must always control her anger. See? Who's going to tell me that when you're gone?'
She was taking his nicknames for her a bit too seriously.
'Wait, I thought you were going to Manjipoor together. I only agreed to this because you had a friend Alex,' Dad said sternly.
'I'm afraid I'm not welcome in Manjipoor anymore,' Kuru said quietly.
'Did you do something illegal?' I couldn't help asking.
'Zoe!' Mum scolded.
'No!' Alex said, glaring at Kuru.
'Don't you dare say you did. You did nothing wrong! It's the Council's fault. If I could get rid of them I would!'
'Alex!' Mum said, obviously surprised by her dark intentions, 'Calm down. I'm sure we can sort this out. Why don't you tell us what this is all about and we can think of something together?'
'Mum. I've already looked at every angle. All the fine print. The only way they would let me marry Kuru-'
'Wait, he's being banished because he wants to marry you? Why? Are you some prince in disguise and Alex is too poor?' I laughed but inwardly I cringed at my immaturity. I think I was just nervous. This was all very odd.
Kuru cracked a small smile and Alex mumbled something about 'the opposite'.
'Zoe, don't be ridiculous. Come inside, lets sort this out over some milo and coffee,' Mum said.
As she started to lead us inside, the gate creaked and a man in brown robes appeared around the corner.
'Excuse me, is this the Wilson househo- Alex there you are.'
Dad stepped towards him.
'Who are you?'
'I'm-'
'Omar,' Kuru said bowing his head and clasping his hands in front of him.
'I was about to leave. I apologise for taking so long.'
'No, it is quite alright Kuru.'
A smile played on the stranger's lips.
'Are you part of the Manjipoorian Council? How did you find us? Are you the reason my daughter can't marry Kuru?'
I couldn't help but smile. First dad was furious that his eldest daughter was getting married and now he was furious that she couldn't, though I doubt any of us understood why.
'No,' Alex said, wiping her running nose on her sleeve. When Kuru offered her a handkerchief she rolled her eyes but took it anyway.
'Omar's one of the few that support us.'
The smile tugged at the man's lips again.
'Not so few actually.'
'What? I mean, I beg your pardon?' Alex said stepping closer to him.
'Turns out the Council are actually in the minority with their opinion about Kuru's suitability for you.'
'Wait, why would they think Kuru isn't good enough for Alex? He's wonderful!' Kuru shrunk into himself as he often did when he was complimented.
'And why would they care? Shouldn't they be more concerned about Alex being right for Kuru? He's one of your own after all,' Mum said.
Alex and the man ignored her, 'I don't understand. When has that ever mattered?'
'I managed to find an ancient tome buried in your m- in the previous Queen's things.'
Alex's eyes were brightening.
'There is a law: If the Queen or King ever have a disagreement with the Council's overruling, the people may vote and what the majority decide shall happen.'
'It was unanimous. The Queen will have her way.' The man beamed and embraced Alex.
A queen wanted Alex and Kuru to get married. Okay…
The man whispered something into her ear and she turned to Kuru.
'Kuru,' Alex said grinning. She bent a knee. His eyes widened and he hurried to get her up.
'Princess, you mustn't!'
'Oh, be quiet would you? Let me propose!'
Mum let out a small squeal. I was surprised to find that I wanted to do the same.
Kuru blushed, looking exceptionally uncomfortable but he looked he would faint when Alex produced a ring from her pocket.
'Kuru Nayak, would you do me the honour of being my husband and prince consort?'
Okay what? This can't just be more with the nicknames right?
Kuru knelt down with Alex.
'It would be my greatest honour to be by your side all the days of my life, Alex.'
This time joyful tears were running freely down both their faces. They embraced tightly and when they finally let go, they took hold of the other's hands and couldn't stop smiling. They finally looked at Mum and Dad who were tearily smiling with their arms around each other.
'I suppose we owe your family an explanation,' Kuru said quietly.
'I guess it's time,' she looked at the stranger, 'Isn't it, Father?'
My mouth fell open.
'What?!'
