CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER SEVEN - A NEW ERA "Your Majesty ! I crave your indulgence.  You see..." Selim started. "Brother cut it off, please!" Bitaqir cut him off with a bit of a attitude. " Somebody's in a mood" Selim spoke under his breath. "I heard that "  Bitaqir snapped. Then suddenly she regretted her action. "It's okay everyone's been busy with the coronation and have been aggrieved by father's death, so it's normal for people to forget" Bitaqir thought " Anyways suit yourself Queen" Selim spoke sarcastically and Bitaqir rolled her eyes. Selim walked towards the door and as if he remembered something turned back and stared at his sister with a playful smirk on his face. "What ?!" Bitaqir asked as soon as she recognised the look on her brother's face.  She hoped he wasn't up to something. He walked towards Bitaqir and embraced her "Are you trying to kill me? I can bearly breathe" She exclaimed " Happy Birthday Baby Sis" Selim said and pecked her. " You remembered?" She asked with eyes glistening with tears. " Of course I did and don't you dare shed another tear" Selim spoke as he wiped off the single tear that had rolled down her cheeks. "Today is truly a wonderful day for you" He spoke as his face shone with happiness. " Why do you say so?" Bitaqir asked curiously " Gosh have you been always so so dumb?" Selim asked jokingly. "Becareful what you say Prince I am now your Queen Regent and such words can bring you catastrophic results" Bitaqir spoke in the same manner while fanning herself with an invisible fan. "Apologies Majesty, please spare me" Selim said before they both burst into laughter. "Anyways why did you say so?" Bitaqir asked after she caught her breath". " Goodness!! Well today is both your coronation and your 17th birthday " Selim spoke in a matter of factly tone. "You know I've always wondered why father refused to get me married at age 15 or 16, or why he always took me with him to campaigns, made you train me both hand to hand combat and weapon fighting, or why he always made me secretly listen to his meetings with his viziers. I always thought it was because I was favourite so he wanted me everywhere or maybe he was planning to make me active in politics, but it turns out he was training me, preparing me even, to rule!" Bitaqir said in a serious manner and Selim sighed the playful part of him completely disappearing and his serious face took charge. "Brother I wish to ask you something" Bitaqir looked at her brother with an expectant gaze. " Okay, go on. I'm all ears " he replied his playful side resurfacing once again. "When Ibrahim Pasha named me the hier, you were not surprised but rather it seemed like you were awaiting it. I noticed you sworn Knights standing close to me eversince I entered the courtroom instead of being around you, their master. Brother were you aware that I was the hier father named?" Bitaqir finally asked as it has been bothering her. "I was aware. Father invited Aroald and I to play a game with him as he was aware of how close we were with you. He then playfully asked if you were to be Crowned if Aroald and I will bow to you and protect you." Selim sighed as he started recalling that day. It was the only time that he had sat with his father in a room in absence of his mother and they had got along just fine. Although he felt a pang when he later realised the King's true purpose. "Aroald laughed out and then said that no woman should ever rule not even if that woman is his beloved sister. But I encouraged the idea, so later that night father sent me a parchment telling me of his plans and asking me to support and protect you always"  Selim finished with a straight face. " And let me guess, you agreed immediately " Bitaqir asked in a sarcastic tone whilst rolling her eyes. " Actually I did not! I was angry at first but later calmed down and accepted this fate. From that day onwards I promised myself that I will always protect you , no matter the cost " He spoke in the most serious manner he had ever used on Bitaqir. "That was why you were indifferent towards me some time back ?" She asked finally fitting the last peice into the puzzle. " Yes it was " Selim replied almost immediately "Anyways you fit perfectly into this office just like you did on the  throne.  It was almost as if it was all custom made for you"  Selim said changing the topic as a smile reappeared on his face " Wow!!! what was that? Did you just, compliment me? Or was it me imagining things?" Bitaqir asked erupting into a fit of laughter "Geez!! Just accept the compliment" Selim replied seemingly annoyed "You know you'll never get another compliment from me" Selim informed her. "Of course I will" Bitaqir replied confidence clear in her voice. "Salam Majesty" Anyways Agha called from the door and interrupted Selim's come back. " Salam, enter" Bitaqir ordered all trace of playfulness disappearing replaced by a serious  expression. "The viziers are awaiting your presence at the throneroom"  The Agha reported respectfully. "I'll be there soon" Bitaqir replied curtly "Your Majesty you noblemen awaits you" Selim said teasingly and Bitaqir spared him a glare. ********************************************** "Her Majesty Queen Bitaqir" The Aghas announced once they saw her. "Majesty" The viziers greeted as Bitaqir made her way towards her throne, striding gracefully exuding the powerful aura and confidence she lacked a few days back when she was just a mere Princess. "Let us begin" She said looking at her Viziers and wondering which one amongst them might or already is plotting against her. " News from the borders. Our Neighbour, Shanara has infiltrated the Northern borders and heading here, they have taken over the border town and seized the produces ." Mahmoud Pasha reported "Majesty, the towns at the Northern borders provides us with wheat and barley, if the supplies are cut off then we will experience a rise in commodities and with time hunger and starvation will plunge it claws into Azbedran" a Pasha commented. " Wheat and Barley are the highest in demand in Azbedran, also the North is the only area in Azbedran that has soil and favourable weather for farming" Another Pasha commented. "First things first Viziers" Bitaqir spoke for the second time since she entered the room. " Are you saying that the safety and security of the North, the starvation of our people is not important to you" Azim Pasha asked mockingly . " You should be ashamed to question  me.  Azim Pasha as the minister of defence, you are responsible for the safety and security of our people, yet you spend all your time with your harem and here in the capital when you should be frequenting the borders"  Bitaqir spoke in a cold and emotionless voice whilst staring into the Vizier's eye like a crouching lion targeting it's prey. The viziers felt a shiver down their back .Azim Pasha stood emotionless not believing that the young queen has just used his own words to bite him. "Back to what I was saying " Bitaqir spoke again after a few seconds of complete silence.