9) Chapter

It was only the first few hours after the his wedding,  some oil lamps flickers, casting faint shadows across the inner chambers walls.

Then he gazed around his chamber, finally settling on the stone sculptures that adorned the walls and corners.

When he heard the footsteps he smiled lightly,  Vishnu steps into the Ereya's private chambers, half-expecting this meeting.

As he turned towards Vishnu he smirked lightly, while placing a scroll with a wax sealed on his hand.

"I don't suppose I need to tell you why you're here, do I Vishnu?" Ereya asked with a dry smile.

"Anna, you do know it's late night? I thought I'd at least have the night off after all that celebrations at your wedding. Is this what marriage does....keeping you up at odd hours and sending your dear brother on adventures?" Vishnu asked.

"You know me too well, Vishnu. The wedding might have worn me out, but the empire waits for no one."he repiled with a light smile.

Ereya was looking far too serious for someone who just got married. Vishnu can't help but stifle a smirk as Ereya finally turns to him, trying to look commanding but looking, to Vishnu's eyes, a bit sleep drived and rather like he was repeating himself.

"I'll deliver it without delay. But anyway how should I proceed, Mahishmati (Capital of Kalachurii kingdom) is enomerous ?"Vishnu asked with a questionable look.

"I knew you'd accept without hesitation, but be careful. You're to head to the old stone shrine just inside the Royal gates of Maahishamti, near the foothills. You will meet a priest  stationed there. He'll will help you to get in to the palace." Ereya spelled with a soft expression as he saw his brothers  loyalty.

"I understand. I'll depart before dawn, moving quietly to avoid notice. But... will the emperor or the council be aware of this?"Vishnu ask nodding while placing the letter inside his pouch safetly.

"No. They're aware of the general threats, and I'm leaving tomorrow to lead the battles near the Narmada Valley. Dananjaya will be at my side."Ereya spelled slowly but with steely determination in his eyes.

"Though, right after your wedding... I thought even you might take a moment to enjoy being married before running off to battle." Vishnu said while try to hide his worry.

"I'll have plenty of time to enjoy married life later. For now, we have a kingdom to protect. The bride knows that....she married the crown prince of the empire , after all, not a simple man." Ereya spelled with faint amused look.

"Are you serious, Anna?"Vishnu asked

"Hmm"Ereya replied shortly.

"Anyway .... this is ....your wedding night, after all. But, if I may say, you don't exactly look worry to be leaving your bride for a moment Anna."Vishnu asked slightly.

"She's... pleasant, respectful, and undoubtedly graceful. But this marriage.." Ereya searches for the words  ".....it's an alliance, more than anything else. She knows that as well as I do. There's no need for pretense."

"Anna, can't you consider her beauty just once? Surely even the most dutiful prince can spare a thought for his bride on their wedding night."Vishnu asked.

"I'm not blind, Vishnu. She is a... charming beauty yes. But beauty alone doesn't fill the weight of a crown." Ereya said.

"Anna, Should I tell Akka (Elder sister) that she has to compete with Kalachuri spies for your attention?"Vishnu said with a playful voice.

"If you do, tell her the spies are winning."Ereya said with a light chuckle but his smile faded lightly his voice was soft.  "In truth, I don't expect this to change, Vishnu. I'll care for her as a husband should, but beyond that..."

"Anyway....Vishnu, I know you're eager to head out, but do me a favor..... get some rest first. A journey like this isn't one to face half-asleep."Ereya said with smile mix of foundness.

"Rest? You're serious? You're sending me across to a enemy empire, and now you're worried I'll be too tired to look intimidating?"Vishnu asked while preding to be considering the matter.

"Ah, I see what's going on here. You're not sending me off to rest because of some grand concern for my well-being, are you? You're just itching to get rid of me so you can spend more time with your bride." Vishnu said grining.

Suddenly a gard who were near them caught off. Ereya gave him a hard look.

"Vishnu, that's not....." Ereya tried to speak.

"Don't worry, I understand. It must be hard for a newlywed prince to steal away with his bride while his pesky little brother keeps hovering around with all these 'important scrolls' and 'secret missions.'"Vishnu said teasing while leaning towards Ereya as sharing a secreat.

"You're relentless, you know that? Here I am, trying to be responsible, and all you can think about is...." Ereya tried to not laugh.

".....is sparing you the terrible inconvenience of explaining to your new bride why your brother is sleeping outside the door 'just in case.' Truly, I'm only looking out for you."Vishnu spelled in a playful tone.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're just jealous, Vishnu." Ereya said finally laughing.

"Jealous? Me? Of course not. I'm thrilled for you....though Anna if you'll excuse me, maybe just a bit jealous of the silk sheets and fancy breakfasts that come with it."Vishu said while pretended to wounded.

"Out, now, before you have her thinking she has married into a family of fools." laughing, playfully showing him  the door.

"As you wish, my lord . But if I hear any complaints from your bride about your habit of midnight roaming, I'll be forced to reveal it was all out of longing for your beloved little brother."Vishnu said giving him a mock salute.

"Go, Vishnu. You should get some sleep really .... and yes, I'll see you off properly in the morning."

They share a final grin, and Vishnu steps out, amused by the rare moment where he managed to break his brother's Serious expression.