Ch.2 The Apology

After her incident with Arathus, Shang couldn't sleep a wink last night, and now she felt sorry for what she did. Her mind went to that scene of her day, when even when she insulted and shouted at him so roughly, he still kneeld infront of her and gave her respect.

It was daytime and Shang was lying down in her bed wondering, when her door slowly opened and Grandma Rootoo entered.

"Dear, are you really worthy of being called a Princess?" She asked entering her room and then closed the door.

She got up and looked at her mother with a sad face.

Her grandma came and sat beside her, then running a hand down her cheek asked, "Dear, what is it? Did again something happend?"

"I-I don't know...but I think I shouldn't have acted that way infront if him yesterday.. " she said.

"Who Arathus? Oh, dont mind him. Hes used to all this, but I still think you should atleast apologize to him."

"But I'm a Princess. Are Princess's allowed to apologize?" asked Shang lowly.

Grandma Rootoo started laughing and when she saw Shang's face getting red with anger, she quickly stopped her laugh and said, "Ofcourse dear! Whether it's a Princess or a servant, an apology is something which is applicable to all. And we say it because we mean it and to not repeat our mistakes again."

Shang sprang up from her bed with happiness. "Then can you tell me where can I find him?" she asked grinning.

Grandma at first thought of stopping her, because it was getting time to prepare her for her royal lessons in the court, but realizing that it would stronger the relationship between him and her, she told her his location, and in an instance Shang was gone out her room.

Shang went to the backyard of her gardens where all the courtiers and servants lived. As soon as she reached there, she saw all her servants and staffs over there, some chattering, some sleeping, some working and so on.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?" a servant asked and in an instance all workers and staffs stood and then bowed down to her.

She was amazed to see their reactions but she asked, "Arathus, my personal bodyguard..where can I find him?"

All people looked at one corner and soon he came out of his small hut looking surprised at Shang.

He went to her and kneeling infront of her said, "Your Highness, Royal Bodyguard Arathus is at your service."

"Follow me." She said and as he went, all people continued with their work.

When they had reached the royal gardens Shang stopped and so did he. Then facing him she looked at him nervously and he asked, "Yes Your Highness?"

Shang started speaking, "Umm...I..actually, I-I'm very sorry for what I did and I.. " she grew red and her heart started beating fast as she spoke but she continued, "I dont...know how to say, b-but I didnt mean it really.."

She looked at him and what she saw made her froze at her place. It was like her heart skipped a beat. Arathus stood still, gazing at her without an expression, and then stepped forward towards her. He then looked at her and when he saw she was quite and done, he again moved another stepped forward, then again kneeling down infront of her said, "Your Highness I accept your apology but from next time please dont do such a thing. You are not allowed to do such things with us, even when you insult us."

When he stood up, her eyes grew big in wonder and she wondered if her mom had lied to her, grandma.

Arathus and Shang were close. Close enough to easily make a kiss.

Arathus knew that Shang was very innocent. Even when he would come another step closer to her, she wouldn't have the guts to move back and give him order and that is why he wanted to stay close to her as much as possible.

There was something about her, maybe her innocence or her sweetness or her childlike nature which attracted him towards her. He had never felt like this in ages to any other woman but knowing that he couldn't have her because of reason, he had still started liking her.

Realizing that for how long he had stood close to her he immediately stepped back and saw her opening her eyes slowly which were closed earlier out of fear.

As he went away she kept on looking at him until he was finally gone and then going back to her room, she closed herself inside and felt her heart beating fast, once again.

A sudden knock on her door made her gasped out and she heard a voice, "Your Highness the Queen is asking for your presence at the Royal Court.."

"Yes, I am coming!" said Shang, and trying to calm herself down went to the royal court.

Shang entered the Royal Court and saw her mother sitting on her throne as usual but this time thre was someone else also with her and it was a man, an old man.

As she was walking to her seat, her bodyguard Arathus joined her from behind and when she sat down, he came and stood beside her protectively.

Grandma looked at Shang and said, "Dear, please meet your uncle, an old friend of ours and please wish him."

She stood up to wish him and he said, "Its very pleasing to meet you after so long, you might not even remember and you have grown much beautiful than what I had thought.."