Consolation

AT WITCHDOM PALACE.

REGNANT QUEEN, HARNEY'S CHAMBER:

SHAWNA'S POV:

I was standing outside the door of granny's chamber. I am scared. She has always been a mother figure to, has given love, and spoiled me. No doubt her soft side was the most heartwarming side I have ever seen. But... She is no longer my granny right now. She has called as the Regnant queen to the former queen. Her dominance side is out now.

To be honest, this is what amazes me about her. Her power to control her emotions. It is the day when she is a soft grandmother who takes care of her grandchild like a mother. Where she gives warmth love and nurture. The one who spoils her only grandchild. The other day she is a graceful valiant queen of WitchDom. The power of her will and her grace as a queen have never failed to amaze me. Her justice to the kingdom and the one who tries to harm them is strong and fierce. Another term that she is the most graceful queen I have ever seen. People respect her, her politeness. her smile gives them the hope they rely on. And the last and most dangerous side is her demon self. The old regnant queen. A dominant. The just. The almighty. She is in this phase now.

I am nervous. I looked at the door while biting my lips. I took a deep breath before holding the knob. I slowly pushed open the door traveling her, sitting on her long chair. I gulped as I entered looking at her cold face, which was busy looking at a book. I entered and stood before her. I cleared my throat and called-" Grandma?"

She peeped from his book to take a look at me. Her expression was still cold. I know I am in trouble. Did she perhaps know about Praim's marriage? No... I don't think so.

I waited like a good kid in front of her. She was reading some documents as she closed the book finally before looking up at me. I don't know why I am suddenly feeling too nervous about this. I asked while stuttering-" Gr-grandma...? is everything all right?"

She gave me a cold glare as I gulped a little. I lower my gaze as she replied in a cold tone-" Do you think everything is alright Shawna? Tell me....?"

I looked at her with a little confusion. I dared to ask-" Did you know about...?"

But she cut me off by saying-" Yes, I know about Praim!!! That he is getting married." I looked at her with a frown. I was shocked. She knew... She sighed as she said again-" I have kept this away from you because I thought this was not the right time to tell you about this."

I looked at her in disbelief. Suddenly confidence came back in me. I asked-" Not a good time?... Grandma.. you know I am getting married in a week!!! At least this could you have done for me!!!"

She looked at me furiously and replied with a little rage in her voice-" And then what? What would have changed? Did he come to marry you?.... NO!!! he will not. Do you think I have not called out for him? But he is the one who denied from this marriage."

I was shocked to hear all this from her. How can he? Did he deny marrying me? Is this a dream again... Please this be a dream!!! I froze at my place. My heart started aching. This cannot be true... Everything has changed... My mind was numb to this thought when grandma said again-" Dear!!! You have to understand you have grown up. You have responsibilities, You can not be insane right now. And going alone to his kingdom is one the most foolish and reckless acts a queen can do!!!"

I pressed my lips to avoid breaking down right there. a drop of tears somehow escaped from my eyes. She came towards me and said-" My dear Shawna, he has moved on... And so you have to okay? And please do not go out like that. I don't know what would have I done if our general didn't find you outside the gate!!! You were drenched in the water due to rain. Anything could have happened... Do you acknowledge that?"

Wait a minute... Outside our gate? how? I remember falling on the way.. how did I reach here then?. I thought.

Grandma was looking at me when she didn't get any answers. She finally let go of my shoulder and said while waking away-" Well, you must be tired. take rest first. And remember... We have to attend John's and Patricia's marriage this afternoon. Do not do anything reckless till then." I looked at her and nodded. She said-" You may leave now"

I bowed a little before leaving the room.

I forgot!!! John and Patricia's wedding!!! I have to be there.

AT WEDDING HALL:

PATRICIA'S PPOV:

Today is my wedding day with John. A few hours more and I will be officially his wife. I am standing before the mirror to look at myself. I am wearing a white gown which perfectly fitted my curves.

I am scared. Scared of losing my emotional control. I am nervous too. How can I be not? Getting into a marriage is a lot of responsibility. Besides, I have promised Jenny, to take care of Jonathan and John. I must fulfill my promise to her.

Every girl had dreamt about a wedding. I had too. But this was something exceptional. I know John will never be able to love me. He had already cleared this before marriage. I don't expect much too. But, How can I control my stupid heart that never stopped pounding at my chest every time I saw John.

I have already fallen for him. A long back, when he saved me.

FLASHBACK 5 YEARS AGO.

I was a mere 16 years of age. Lived in a small happy family. My dad was a merchant and my mother use to take care of me. I was a single child. Spoiled and loved. When dad used to come back home after months, he showed both of us lots of gifts and love. the fact was that we didn't know whom he worked for.

It was a rainy night. My mom was sleeping beside me. The wind was fighting and howling through the night making it dark, restless, and creepy. I was scared. I hold my mom's hand and squeezed a little towards her.

Suddenly we heard a knock on the door. Mom woke up with a frown on her face, thinking who it might be at this hour? Dad was at work. She slowly opened the door. Our eyes widened to see dad covered in blood and bruises.

Mom quickly held his hands preventing him to fall. She asked in a panic tone-" Wh-What happened? "

Dad's condition was critical. He was barely conscious. he said-" Hi-hide Patricia... They are coming...."

Mom frowned in fear as she asked-" Who? Who is coming?"

Dad fell to the ground before answering her. Mom cried trying to wake up.

I was watching this from the corner of my door. Suddenly the sound of the horse can be heard from outside. Mom quickly panicked as she locked the door and came towards me. She asked me-" You heard dad right? Go... save yourself... Know that we love you"

I was not ready to leave her here. But she forcefully made me leave the house from the back gate. As soon as I left the house, the sound of breaking the house can be heard. I stopped. Did they catch mom and dad? I ran back to see what happens? I hide behind the stairs as I saw, there were a few men who caught mom. they were mercilessly beating her asking for me. A faint word came to my ears-" Where is Patricia? She is ours!!!"

My mom never opened her mouth. They tied up my dad, and in front of me they all raped mom. As soon as they finish, they tied her up too. Some of them went up to find me, but they got to know to I escaped from there. I watched how they tortured my family and burnt them alive along with the house.

I was helpless and crying. I was scared. I ran to save my life. I was running for how long I don't know. My body was giving up. My legs were bleeding as I was barefoot. That is when I pushed someone on the way. Stumbling on our feet we both fell. His eyes met mine. Those calm beautiful eyes which were frowned upon due to the sudden act met mine which was scared and tired.

He helped me to stand up when he asked-" Who are you? What happened to you? why are you running?"

I was too scared and shocked to speak after what happened. I said-" I-I... Th-They will kill me, Please save me!!!"

He said-" Who?"

But I kept looking at the back with a scarred face. Then he hold my hands which made me calm down. His touch was soothing to me. He said-" Hey... Hey.. Look at me. I am John. No one will harm you okay? Come with me."

He took me to his house for the night where I get a hospitable environment. They treated me so well that for a few seconds I almost forgot what happened earlier. That night I have spent in his bed while he was sleeping down. I kept staring at his face. I know he is the one I have lost my heart to.

The next morning I left from there early as my mother told me to run. I was lost and a nomad for a year. Then I met Jenny. She was lost from her family too. I feel connected with her. And that is where again I saw him. his picture. But he was now a married man. then everything happened so fast that I barely can accept this is my fate.

FLASHBACK ENDS***

Here I am, getting ready as the bride of my first love John Marshal. Yes, he didn't remember me now. I don't blame him. It was a long past and we just saw each other for once. The day when I met with Jenny and she asked me to take care of Jonathan, I didn't hesitate to take him in my arms and give him all the love I had. How can I not? He is his son!!!... I promised Jenny that I will take care of them and I will do so. No matter how hurt I get.

The day he came to me saying what this marriage means to him. It broke my heart into million pieces. I Never thought that he was marrying me because he loves me... But I didn't even think he will be not even trying. But it doesn't matter to me now.

I gave myself an assurance smile before inhaling a deep breath. It was time. I am nervous. The door opened revealing the smiling face of John's mother and a few women.

She asked-" Are you, ready dear? it is almost time now. "

I nodded as I hold the bouquet in my hands. She put down my veil and I began to walk down the aisle. My heart was pounding in my chest. I was breathing a little heavier than I should. With each walk, I am having an undefined feeling rushing in my veins. Suddenly tow small arms wrapped my leg tightly while giggling. I saw Jonathan. He was happy. His face was lit with a shine. My baby is happy. I smiled.

He said in his little voice-" Mamma!!! dada is waiting... Come."

I looked up where he was pointing and there I saw him. He was waiting at the aisle for me. I got more nervous when his gaze met mine. I controlled my emotions as I slowly walked towards him. I reached there as his hands reached to grab mine. I was hesitating to give my hands but his touch felt so soothing that without my knowledge my hands went on his.

Finally, we faced each other, standing face to face. His face was calm and cold while my heart was racing at its peak. Nervously I bite my lower lips as I keep looking down. The father of the church said the rituals and we took the vows. He didn't seem happy through it, anyway, it was not his first. But it was mine. And I meant every word I said there.

After some time, the father of the church said-" Now I announce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

My eyes got slightly widened hearing him. I was nervous as I saw him leaning towards me. His expression was still cold. I closed my eyes in fear and stood still. Within No time, I felt his soft pair of lips on my forehead. I opened my eyes as I saw he went back to his place as he was waving towards everyone.

Caring as he always was!!!, I thought. The rest of the evening was spent with lots of laughs, stories, and singing. Everyone wished us a happy marriage life. Finally, he is mine. Thank you, Jenny. I looked upon the sky as I said in my mind-" I will always cherish your family as mine. You will always be in his heart. I just want him to be happy."

It was night when we left for our home. John didn't want to go anywhere else as we came back to our place. He dropped me at home and went somewhere. I put Jonathan to sleep in his room as I finally returned to our room. I switched on the lights in the candles as the room lit up revealing the flowers all over.

This must be his mom. I smiled a little as I walked past it. I changed my clothes as I waited for John. It was pretty late now... Where he must be? Is he okay?. I began to think as I walked beside the door waiting for him. It was almost midnight now. I was getting impatient with each second now.

The next moment the door burst open revealing drunken John before me. Is he drunk? he is!!!. I quickly went over to him to help him get in as he was not even in the state to stand properly. He looked at me with his drunken doe eyes, which somehow made my heart flutter. He laughed a little as he said-" Hi, Patricia... How are you doing?"

I know he is drunk, there is no use to answer him as I replied-" let's go upstairs, It already late"

He whined like a baby as he said-" No... I don't want to go... jenny is not there..."

I froze at my place as I don't know what to answer him. Still tried to take him to the room. Which was successful after a long attempt. he was heavy and bigger than me. It was hard for me to bring him upstairs.

I placed him on the bed as I opened his shoes. I opened a few buttons in his shirt too, as he was sweating. I was about to go when he held my hand. He said while closing his eyes-" YOoU kNoW, I lOvE jEnNY A lotT!!!"

I looked at him with a smile as I nodded. I said-" I know John..."

he opened his eyes to look at me as he said-" I loved her since childhood, and she left me. Left me all alone... She is so selfish!!! She didn't even think about me. I am so alone"

His eyes were closing slowly as his voice was blurring too. I just kept looking at him. He was crying. My heart ached to see him like that. I patted his pack slowly as I said-" It's okay John. She is right here... among us... In our heart... In your heart."

He hummed. A drop of tears rolled out from my eyes seeing their true love. How I wished for that same love, which I can never have, unfortunately. But I am not sad. I am happy that I will be at least with him, beside him, taking care...

The next thing shocked me to hell. I was about to stand up as he pulled my hands and I fell beside him. My eyes widened in shock. I said-" Jo-John..."

There was no reply, I tried to get out of his grip but was no use. He snuggled more into me as he mumbled-" They say... you helped her... thank you so much. You are a good woman."

Did he just compliment me? I was too shocked to answer him right now. I sighed knowing there is no use in fighting, I have to be like this till morning. I looked at him for the last time admiring his handsome face, before we both drifted into sleep in each other's embrace.