A Lifetime Ago

Chapter 9

After a rough day at trailing, Ragnar went back to his chamber only to find Timandra sitting in front of the large mirror and Avira standing behind her, braiding her long hair. Avira always loved and it was her regular hobby to style others hair. Whenever she found a maid or a concubine in the palace with long and thick hair, she would beg them to let her play with their hair until she got bored.

The girls were so busy, with whatever they were doing that they had missed to notice his arrival. He observed Timandra, her long red braid was decorated with silver pearls and light pink flowers in an alternative fashion. Through the mirror, he could see her naturally juicy lips curved into a crescent moon that made him feel things that he had never felt for any other woman. It was the first time he was seeing her smile and he thought she looked so distinct from all others. For a moment, everything was in slow motion, he noticed how the corner of her eyes cringed when her smile deepened, highlighting her rosy cheeks with a perfect dimple on it. He could drown in them forever, he thought.

He regained from his stunned silence as he walked in, clearing his throat to gain their attention and they turned their head together.

“I didn’t know that you would come so soon.” Avira said casually, fixing a small stem bearing pink flowers on Timandra’s hair.

“And I didn’t know you will be stuck in my room forever.” He retorted back at his annoying cousin.

Everyone knew that the prince loved to spend his time on the training grounds till late afternoon but here he was unusually early from the training. Avira’s lips turned up with a crooked smile. She saw how he was regularly glancing at Timandra from the corner of his eyes.

He turned to Timandra, “Have you had your lunch, Timandra?” He asked in a soft tone that Avira had never seen him use with anybody else. Avira couldn’t help but smirk at him, without him noticing her.

 “Yes..” She replied, with her head hanging low.

It annoyed him to see that she had grown comfortable with Arvira but not with him. She wasn’t even looking at him while speaking. Was she shy? Or scared? He kept thinking. He wanted her to look into his eyes like the way he looked into hers.

“I will come back later.” Avira announced, finally deciding to leave them alone much to Ragnar’s relief.

Timandra rose up from the small cushioned stood and walked in front of him. The purple gown that she wore was enhancing all her beauty curves and brought out her skin tone admirably. He wished to run his hands over those long, bare creamy arms of hers. When she saw that he was eyeing her deeply, she lowered her eyes shyly. She didn’t know why but this man in front of her, always made her nervous.

She didn’t know for how long he stood staring at her, before they heard a steady knock on the door. It definitely couldn’t be Avira, he knew.

“Do not come out Timandra.” He ordered before answering the door.

“My lord, the king needs your presence in the court room immediately.” Informed his guard.

“I will be there right away.” He dismissed him and walked in.

“Timandra, I’ll be back soon. The king needs me..” He informed her.

“King?” She asked, it all sounded strange to her. There were so many thoughts running on her mind, all at once. If the king wanted him, then who was he? Was he a general? May be his minister? She kept thinking.

“Yes.. I’ll have to leave now.” He said getting into his long cloak that he always wore to the court room and she watched him get ready. He couldn’t be a mere nobleman by the way he was dressed, she believed. 

Ragnar ordered the soldier to stay behind and guard the room yet again.

“Your Highness!” Ragnar bowed in front of his father who was mounted on his throne over a raised platform before taking a seat next to the line of ministers. The emperor’s youngest brother, Robi and his sons, Nodin and Oren were also present. They looked like they were waiting for the prince’s arrival to discuss something crucial and which needed their immediate attention.

“Ragnar..” the emperor called out to his son. “My whisperers have gathered information that Rocco has invaded the tribal areas on the far east of the mountains which, according to Robi are a rich source for diamonds. Rocco has promised to trade it with the merchants in return for golds and riches.” The king signed.  To execute his plan he has captured the tribes who were against his evil plans. He is on a killing rampage and I want you to stop him.” The emperor briefed him with his fingers rubbing away the ache developing on his temple. His wicked brother had been causing him a lot of headaches lately.

“I do not want him to disturb the tribes’ peace and integrity. You have to go there and chase away his army from the eastern mountains.” He glimpsed at his son for an answer. He wished to retire soon, handing over the empire to his son as soon as he gets married to the daughter of Elkan, the king of Triyad. He had to fix a date for the wedding once Ragnar was back from the entourage.

“As you will, your grace.” He stood up and dropped a deep curtsy.

The emperor assigned a team of his trusted ministers, which included his brother Robi and his sons to accompany his young son to the east of the mountains where he would be fighting Rocco’s army until they retreated back.  

After an hour of scheming the attack plan, all of them dispersed from the courtroom. Ragnar escorted his father back to his apartments, both their knights following them.

“Ragnar.. The tribe’s future is in your hands. You should start as soon as possible. I do not want too many casualties.” He spoke before turning to his chambers.

“Yes Father. I will start as the first rays of the sun lights up tomorrow’s sky.” The king nodded in approval.

“Is there any other service that I may provide, father?” He asked politely

“You may leave now, Ragnar.” Ragnar wished his father a good night’s sleep and left him alone with the knights guarding outside his apartments.

Timandra was left all alone for the whole evening until Meeda brought her dinner. As she plated the food on the plate, Timandra asked her to sit beside her and share a meal.

“My lady, I am a servant here and I am not allowed to do that.” Meeda became nervous and refused instantly.

“Please.. I don’t like being left alone here.” She pleaded.

“But I will be punished if someone saw me eating with the crown prince’s concubine.” She shivered visibly.

“Is Ragnar the crown prince?” Her eyes widened with realisation. She remembered how he abruptly stopped Avira from finishing her sentence about him earlier.

“Yes, my lady.. and you shouldn’t be calling the prince by his name in front of anyone.” She advised her politely.

Timandra felt so stupid for calling the crown prince with just his name but what shocked her was his down to earth nature. No one would have guessed his real identity by the way he mingled with everyone.

“Meeda.. How am I supposed to call the prince?” She asked embarrassed at her foolish question.

“You should call him as my prince or my lord,” She seemed slightly amused with her question. She assumed that since she was an outsider, she was unaware of these little things.

She didn’t force Meeda to have dinner with her after their conversation since she had no rights to take advantage of the prince’s kindness. She didn’t even know if she was supposed to eat along with the royal members anymore. She was still recovering from shock when she realised that Meeda was the prince’s servant and not hers, so she dismissed her calmly, saying she could help herself out. She ate her meal immersed in deep thoughts, thinking why would the crown prince save her life and keep her so close to him, in his own chambers.

When Ragnar was back into his room, he saw Timandra sleeping down on the floor. She seemed in a deep slumber but he couldn’t let her sleep on the floor. Ragnar got closer to her and lifted her body which was as light as a feather.

Timandra stirred awake and opened her eyes. She noticed that she was being carried back to the prince’s bed. “My lord…” She reminded herself to address him only with his title. “I’m not supposed to sleep on your bed.” She protested.

“And who told you that?” He was sure that she must have figured out about him being a prince by now.

“Doesn’t matter my lord… but I shouldn’t be sleeping beside you.” She told him, getting out of the bed. She was stopped when he pulled at her wrist roughly which made her bounce back on the bed.

“I command you to sleep on my bed.” He used his authoritative tone when he realised that it was the only way to make her sleep next to him. He didn’t understand why he wanted her on his bed when he had no other intentions other than to just sleep next to her.  

She quietly climbed on the bed and laid next to him. He covered them with the quilt and snaked his arms over her slender waist which made her yelp with surprise. He closed his eyes with a smirk on his lips. Sleep took over him soon and they fell into a deep slumber.