BEYOND THE CROWN

In Kamaya Kingdom

Arvin's weary eyes took in the familiar sights of Kamaya Kingdom as he rode into the castle grounds. It had been a long and arduous journey, and he was relieved to finally arrive. His mother, Raina, was waiting for him in the courtyard, a warm smile on her face.

"Arvin, it's so good to see you," she said, embracing him tightly. "You look exhausted. When did you last sleep?"

Arvin rubbed his tired eyes. "It's been a long ride, Mother, but we managed to get a few winks," he said, not entirely truthful.

Raina's expression turned sympathetic. "You and Heman go rest for the night. We can talk in the morning."

Arvin nodded gratefully and followed his mother into the castle, Heman trailing behind them. After a refreshing bath, Arvin joined his mother for dinner in the grand dining hall.

Raina asked about his journey, and Arvin filled her in on the details. "I made your favourite meals, Arvin. I even cooked them myself," Raina said proudly.

"Mother's cooking? I must be the chosen one," Arvin joked, causing his mother to burst into laughter.

As they ate, Raina mentioned that General Kian had stepped into the city. Arvin's eyes narrowed slightly, knowing that his brother's presence often struck fear into the hearts of the common people.

"I'm sure Kian is just... maintaining order," Arvin said, trying to keep his tone neutral.

Raina's eyes flicked to his, a hint of understanding in their depths. "Yes, I'm sure he is," she said quietly.

"Anyway, how is Nailah? You'd better be treating her well," Raina added, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Arvin's thoughts ran wild with guilt, but his expression remained neutral. "Of course, Mother, she is the Empress, after all."

Raina narrowed her eyes, knowing her son better than anyone. "She's not here with you, is she? What's going on, Arvin?"

Arvin smiled weakly at his mother, knowing she wouldn't let the matter drop. "Nailah may be with child."

Raina's face lit up with joy. "Oh my god, my baby! I'm so happy for you, Arvin!" she exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"Mother, it's okay to tell me what you truly think," Arvin said, knowing his mother too well.

Raina wiped away her tears, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Very well, then. When can I see my grandchild?"

Arvin's eyes widened in surprise. "You can't be serious, Mother."

Raina chuckled. "Of course not, but when the baby is born, can we raise it here in Kamaya?"

Arvin's expression turned serious. "That will be Nailah's decision to make. She once mentioned she wanted to give birth in Bukid, so where the child will be raised is still unclear."

Raina's face was laced with worry, almost close to pity. "Arvin, are you happy with your marriage?" she asked in a low, serious tone.

Arvin forced a smile, trying to ease the tension in the air. "Of course, I am, Mother. Why ask?"

Raina's eyes seemed to bore into his soul. "It's a crown, my son, not a cage."

With that, Raina kept quiet, fearing that if she spoke more, she might cry. The rest of the dinner passed in silence, Arvin feeling his exhaustion slowly creeping up on him. After finishing his meal, he bid his mother goodnight and retired to his chambers, ready to face whatever challenges the next day would bring.

The next morning, Arvin walked into his study, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep. He found Heman already seated at his desk, surrounded by stacks of papers and messages.

"Heman, did you even sleep?" Arvin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Heman looked up, a hint of a smile on his face. "If I'm not sleeping by my wife's side, I simply can't sleep," he said, his voice deadpan.

Arvin burst out laughing. "You're such a romantic, Heman."

Heman chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Someone has to keep the romance alive around here."

As Arvin sat down behind his desk, Heman began to summarize the requests from the people of Kamaya. "We have several petitions for aid, Your Majesty. The eastern provinces have had a decline in trading with Lamig kingdom. The agents in Bukid have reported a case of bandits, and the traders are struggling to make ends meet."

Arvin's eyes narrowed slightly. "This is something Kian should have looked at."

Just as Heman was about to continue, the door to the study burst open, and Kian strode in. His face was set in a stern expression, and his eyes seemed to bore into Arvin's very soul.

"General," Arvin said, his voice neutral.

Kian's expression didn't change, but Arvin detected a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Brother, I see you're finally taking an interest in the affairs of Kamaya," Kian said, his voice low and even.

Kian's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a mocking tone. "I apologize for disturbing Your Majesty," he said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Arvin chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "No need to apologize, General," he said, his voice warm. "I'm always happy to see my brother."

Kian's expression softened slightly, and he walked further into the room. "I'm sure you are," he said, his voice still laced with humour. "So, what's been keeping you busy, brother?"

"Why haven't you been?" Arvin questioned.

Kian shrugged. "What is there for me to do? Are you asking me to invade the land of the Markans?" he asked excitedly. "If I were emperor, Èvana would have been wider... bigger than ever."

Arvin's expression turned serious. "What Èvana needs is to be safer, not bigger, dear brother."

Kian snorted. "Safer? Ha! Èvana needs to be feared, not coddled."

Arvin's eyes softened. "As a general, you ought to make it possible for Èvana to be as safe as heaven. Now, what have you done about the bandits that are burdening the trade in Kamaya?"

Kian's expression darkened, and his voice took on a menacing tone. "I will never understand you, Vino," he spat, using Arvin's childhood nickname.

"As you say, Your Majesty... I will have my men see to the bandits," Kian said, his voice dripping with anger and sarcasm.

Kian marched out of the study, leaving Arvin and Heman in an uncomfortable silence.

Heman watched Kian go, his mind racing with concern. At this point, if Kian kept going this way, he might forcefully take the throne. The thought sent a shiver down Heman's spine.

He shook his head, trying to clear the dark thoughts. If it came to it, Arvin would have no choice but to kill his own brother. The thought alone felt nauseating.

But Heman vowed to himself that if it came to it, he would do it instead of Arvin. He couldn't bear the thought of Arvin carrying the weight of killing his own brother.

the Next Weeks went by in flash since there was alot to do Arvin could barely tell what time of the day it was it was his mother who always came with his meals and that made him know what time it was, Heman wasn't having it easy either there were nights he wouldn't even make it back to the castle

but all was worth when Kian deployed travel men to escort the trader on every route, and their work in Kamaya was coming to an end sooner than expected

In Arvin's study

The warm sunlight streaming through the windows of Arvin's study cast a comforting glow over the room, but it did little to alleviate the exhaustion etched on the faces of the two men seated within. Arvin, the Emperor, slumped back in his chair, his eyes drooping with fatigue. The weight of his responsibilities, combined with the long days of attending to the needs of Kamaya Kingdom, had taken its toll. He had been back in Kamaya for a full moon cycle now, and the constant demands on his time and energy were starting to wear him down.

Heman, seated across from him, looked just as worn out. His usual calm and collected demeanour was frayed, and his eyes had a tired glint. He rubbed his temples, trying to massage away the fatigue that had been building up over the past few weeks. The stack of papers on his desk, once neatly organized, now lay in disarray, a testament to the long hours they had spent pouring over petitions and requests from the people of Kamaya.

"Is that the end of it?" Arvin asked, his voice laced with exhaustion as he gazed out the window at the lush gardens below.

Heman nodded, his eyes scanning the papers on his desk one last time. "Fortunately, yes," he replied, a hint of relief in his voice. "We've addressed all the urgent petitions, and the rest can wait until tomorrow."

Both men let out a deep sigh, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over them. They had worked tirelessly to ensure the well-being of their people, and it was a relief to have finally finished. The tension in their shoulders began to ease, replaced by a sense of relaxation and calm.

"We definitely should have a feast," Arvin said, a hint of a smile on his face, as he thought about the celebration they would have tomorrow.

Just then, his mother walked in with their lunch, a warm smile on her face. "Yes, indeed you will," Raina said with joy and excitement in her eyes. "I have ordered one for tomorrow's full moon."

Heman's eyes widened in surprise. "Tomorrow is the full moon?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement.

Raina smiled teasingly. "Yes, Hemi," she said, using the nickname Heman's mother used to call him. Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she watched Heman's face flush with embarrassment.

Heman grabbed some food and started eating, his eyes cast downward in mock humility. Arvin chuckled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his friend and advisor.

Arvin then remembered that tomorrow was Tando's wedding and told his mom, who was overjoyed. However, she mentioned that she had told Tando she was too busy taking care of Arvin and that Tando was understanding.

"It's Kiara, isn't it?" Raina asked, a knowing glint in her eye, as she thought about the young couple's upcoming nuptials.

Arvin chuckled. "That boy loves Kiara so much. I remember he would call every flower Kiara," he said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he remembered his little cousin's adorable stories.

Raina laughed, and Arvin joined in, feeling a sense of joy and contentment wash over him. The night went on with Raina telling them stories, filling the room with warmth and laughter, and for a brief moment, the weight of their responsibilities was forgotten.

The next morning, Arvin walked into the garden, where his mother, Raina, was already seated, sipping tea. The warm sunlight and gentle breeze created a peaceful atmosphere, and Arvin felt his exhaustion from the previous day start to fade.

"Good morning, Mother," Arvin said, bending down to kiss her cheek.

Raina smiled, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Good morning, dear. I'm so glad we can finally have a quiet moment together."

Arvin sat down beside her, taking a sip of the steaming hot tea. The flavour was soothing, and he felt his senses start to calm.

"I'm so excited for the child that Nailah is carrying," Raina said, her eyes shining with joy. "I just can't wait to meet my grandchild."

Arvin smiled, happy to see his mother so joyful. "I'm sure you'll be an amazing grandmother, Mother," he said, taking another sip of his tea.

Raina's expression turned thoughtful, and she set her cup down. "Arvin, I've been thinking... now that you're starting a family of your own, I think it's time we started thinking about Kian's future as well."

Arvin raised an eyebrow, sensing where the conversation was headed. "What do you mean, Mother?"

Raina's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I mean, don't you think it's time we helped Kian find a bride? He's not getting any younger, and it would be nice to see him settle down."

Arvin's face remained neutral, but inside, he was cringing. He knew his mother meant well, but Kian's temper and ambition made him a difficult match. Not to mention Kian's own desires for power and conquest.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Mother," Arvin said tactfully. "Kian's... priorities lie elsewhere."

Raina's expression turned knowing, but she didn't push the issue further. For now, she seemed content to simply enjoy the thought of her grandchild and the possibility of Kian finding love.

Just as Arvin and Raina were enjoying their quiet morning together, Kian joined them for breakfast. He walked in with his usual confident stride, his eyes scanning the room before coming to rest on his mother.

"Mother, how are you?" Kian asked, bending down to kiss Raina's cheek.

Raina smiled, her eyes warm with affection. "I'm doing well, dear. Thank you for asking."

As Kian settled into his seat, Raina poured him a cup of tea. "Kian, I've been thinking... you're not getting any younger, and it's time you started thinking about settling down."

Kian's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I will marry, Mother, but only when I find a woman with royal blood equivalent to my own."

Arvin raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Kian's statement. He knew his brother's ambitions and desire for power, but he hadn't realized Kian was so particular about his future bride's lineage.

Raina's expression turned thoughtful, her eyes sparkling with interest. "I see. Well, that certainly narrows down the options."

Kian's face remained serious, his jaw set in determination. "I will not settle for anything less, Mother. I will marry a woman who can stand by my side as an equal, not some commoner who will only hold me back."

Arvin leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Too bad, Kian. There are plenty of noble ladies in all of Èvana who would be willing to marry the head General of Èvana."

Kian's expression turned sceptical, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I doubt any of them would be worthy of me," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Raina shot Kian a warning glance, but Arvin just chuckled and said. "Modesty becomes you, brother," his tone laced with sarcasm.

Kian's face darkened, but he said nothing, his jaw clenched in annoyance. The tension at the table was palpable, but Raina intervened, changing the subject to more pleasant topics.

Raina's expression turned thoughtful, and she set her cup down. "Arvin, when do you plan on returning to Taico Kingdom?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Arvin smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll return after tonight's feast, Mother. I promise."

Raina's face lit up with a warm smile. "I'm so glad you can stay for the feast. It wouldn't be the same without you."

Raina's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at Arvin. She couldn't help but think about the upcoming arrival of her grandchild. If Arvin returned to Taico, he would surely confirm the news with Nailah, and Raina's curiosity was getting the better of her.

She leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Arvin, if you go back to Taico tonight, will you...ah...confirm certain news for me?" she asked, her eyes dancing with anticipation.

Arvin's expression turned knowing, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think I know what you're getting at, Mother," he said, his voice low and teasing. "But it's safe to start by marking 1 down,

Kian's eyes lit up with understanding, and a slow smile spread across his face. "Congratulations, Arvin!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with amusement. "You're more manly than I thought."

Arvin just chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks, Kian."

Kian's gaze turned thoughtful, and he leaned back in his chair. "Nailah is beautiful, Arvin. I wouldn't mind having her as my bride myself."

Heman, who was sitted quietly the whole time, narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with the implications of Kian's words. He heard the underlying tone, the hint of ambition and desire for power. It was a subtle threat, a suggestion that Kian would stop at nothing to claim the throne - and Nailah - for himself.

"General, I advise you to refrain from thinking of Her Majesty in such a manner," Heman said, his voice low and even. only to receive a dagger-like glance from Kian, but he was anything else in the world but bothered by them.

Later that evening, the feast was in full swing, with laughter and music filling the air. Raina watched with a warm smile as her sons, Arvin and Kian, competed in a game of archery, their royal duties momentarily forgotten.

For a brief moment, they were just two brothers, enjoying each other's company, and Raina's heart swelled with happiness. She remembered the countless times they had played together as children, their laughter and shouts filling the palace halls.

As she watched, Arvin and Kian took turns shooting at the target, their competitive spirits on full display. Kian's face was set in a fierce scowl, while Arvin's eyes sparkled with amusement.

The crowd cheered and clapped as they shot, urging them on. Raina's gaze drifted to Heman, who stood nearby, a watchful eye on the proceedings. She knew that he, too, was aware of the fragile peace between her sons, and she was grateful for his presence.

For tonight, at least, all seemed right with the world. The music played on, the laughter continued, and Raina's heart was filled with joy and gratitude.