Page 282 of A King's Oath

Avantika startled at Samarth’s solid, commanding voice.

“Brahmi’s parentage must be…”

“No.”

“Is this Brahmi’s father talking or Nawanagar’s king talking, Rawal? Because I cannot talk to two people,” his father sat back. Their eyes seared into each other and Avantika felt the tension between them that had simmered since Loire come to a boil.

“This is Avantika’s fiancé talking. I do not question her word as her partner, nobody else should.”

Her legs quivered. She wasn’t one to take these to heart. She had lived as a single mother too long to squirm at these. And yet… Samarth’s father questioning her openly about this was disgusting.

“Brahmi is my granddaughter. Even if she did not ride horses like a pro or walk with an attitude like mine, I would know that. Moreover, I would believe that because Ava said it.”

Her impulsive feelings began to subside.

“But I, or even you, Samarth, will not be around in 30, 40, 50 years. Brahmi will still be around. In your reign, nobody might question her out of fear or respect. After we are gone, who is to say what will be thrown at her?”

“It’s an insult to Ava and I will not agree to it.”

“We spoke about this, Samarth, but I am bringing it up in front of both of you together again so that Ava knows thatIput it forth, not you,” Bade Rawal’s eyes came to her. “I am asking this, not Samarth. I am pushing for this because I can see Brahmi’s life a few decades later, her rights, her repute, her persona in Nawanagar. And if I have to be the bad cop for that to be seamless then I will.”

“Your father is right, Samarth…” Avantika nodded, feeling the gumption of his words convince her.

“No.”

“Then you leave me no choice but to introduce an official motion in the council.”

“Papa.”

“No, I cannot sacrifice my granddaughter’s standing in her kingdom to satisfy your sense of temporary righteousness…”

“Sharan Kaka sends a meeeessaaaage!” Brahmi came skipping into the room, bringing the heated exchange to a pause. Avantika gaped in silence as she skipped right to Rajmata, wound her arms around her neck until she had bent sideways to her mouth and pressed a noisy kiss to her cheek.

“Sharan Kaka asked to give you this.”

Rajmata’s face split into a grudging smile and then she burst into a chuckle, pushing her chair back to lift Brahmi up on her lap.

“He is not getting any back but you are getting a hundred,” she squeezed her between her arms and pressed an equally noisy kiss to her cheek, then her temple, then the top of her head.

“Alright, enough,” Bade Rawal held his hand out and Brahmi clapped it.

“What is this? Where are my kisses?”

“Sharan Kaka only asked to give it to Dadi Sarkar.”

“Why?”

“Because he made her mad when our dinner came to his room. He wanted to play PS4 and Dadi Sarkar yelled at him that what will he play with? One hand and one foot?” Brahmi giggled, looking at Rajmata like they had shared a secret. Rajmata dropped another kiss to her forehead. “Then he asked me to become his second hand and Dadi Sarkar yelled again at him to eat quietly and let me eat in peace,” she rolled her eyes and another kiss came atop her brow. She preened. “So now he wanted me to give you this,” Brahmi pushed her pouted mouth up and Rajmata lowered her face until she smacked her mouth on her chin.

“Now I am getting really jealous,” Bade Rawal warned. “If I don’t get my kisses, I will…”

“You will what?” Rajmata’s brows rose.

“I will take Ava and Brahmi to the cricket club with metomorrow.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

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