Page 324 of A King's Oath

He owned it solemnly. Avantika’s heart somersaulted.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because me being king isn’t special.”

“Then what is special?”

“Me being your Papa,” he bent and blew a raspberry on her cheek, making her laugh out loud and wind her arms around his neck. Samarth laid down beside her, taking her on his chest — “Remember I told you I was working with my Papa?”

“Mm hmm.”

“I was working with my Papa for our kingdom. Our people here.”

“Like who?”

“Like Harsh Kaka, like Hira ben, their families, and so many others. You saw them when we came to the palace from the airport? So many of them came out to see you.”

“They came to see Sharan Kaka.”

“And you.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“So I will also grow up and work for them?”

“Would you like to?”

“I want to grow up and play polo.”

Samarth laughed.

“You can do both. Do you want to know how I work for our people?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“I help them make their lives easier, I help them find work to do, I make them smile on festivals…”

“Like I make my friends smile by dancing and making faces?”

“Not exactly like that but close.”

“And?”

“And? And the cricket stadium. You saw that?”

“Dada Sarkar looooves cricket.”

“He does.”

“And Mama too.”

“She is the best at it.”

“They showed me the trophies in the stadium.”

“And you know who made that stadium?”