To Bewitch a Devil

32 Object of my Affection

The atmosphere in the room became a little stuffy as the only sound that could be heard was the sound of books as she piled them on one another.

Neera wished she had not seen that picture; now she did not know how to act. She decided to pretend that nothing happened, since Zavian was not talking about it.

After she placed the books on the table, she stood by the side as she waited for his command.

He seemed like he had found what he was looking for, as he shifted the books on the table to the side and opened a letter that was sealed. Neera wondered what was in the letter that he was looking for so intently that early morning.

She watched him read through the letter, then he put it back into the envelope and placed it by the side of the table.

”Were you wondering who it was in the drawing?” Zavian asked, and Neera folded her hands, nervously. She wished he did not bring it up; this was a fragile topic and she wasn’t sure how to respond.

”Your wife?” She asked, and Zavian smiled.

”I guess you saw how much you both looked alike;” he said, taking out the drawing from the book, he stared at it.

There was silence, and then Neera spoke; ”You must have loved her a lot. ” she said, and Zavian smiled;

.....

”She was the essence of my being, the object of my affection. ”

Zavian spoke as he stared, gazing at the drawing in his hand. Neera stared at him; he looked lost in thoughts, as though nothing else mattered; just the drawing in his hand.

Neera stood quietly as she watched him, her heart pounding a little fast. She had never been in love; she never entertained the thought of loving someone. Her existence was a mistake, so she didn’t see love and marriage as a possibility for her; but even if it was, she wasn’t sure she wanted to do it.

Looking at him now, she wondered what feeling would make a mighty and fearful king reduce to something so sad and pitiful; and whatever that was, she did not want any part of it.

Neera did not know how long they stayed quiet before Zavian blinked and folded the drawing, placing it back into the book.

”My father, killed her to hurt me. He knew she was the only thing that mattered to me, of all things on earth and he took it away. ” Zavian spoke, a sad smile on his chin.

”He took the only thing that mattered away. ”

Neera’s heart raced as she listened to him; she wished he would stop talking because the more he spoke, the sadder he looked. She didn’t want him to vent his anger on her.

”He is trying to return to Earth; ” Zavian chuckled derisively. ”even in the next world to come, I’ll make sure he rots in the seventh hell. ”

Neera did not know what to say in reply. This topic was becoming a little too overwhelming for her innocent ears. She was not a demon, neither did she want to be involved in serious matters like this. She wished he would just stop talking.

Thankfully, there was a knock on the door and Neera heaved a sigh of relief;

”Your Majesty, I’ll go get the door.” She said, excused herself quickly, and went to the door. A servant was by the door, and she let him in.

”Your majesty, your breakfast is ready. ” Zavian nodded to him, and he left; then he turned to Neera;

”Let’s go have breakfast,” he said.

Neera followed him; thankful for the distraction that changed the topic. She did not want to be involved in demon matters; they were vicious and too complicated. She just wanted to exist and die in peace. She couldn’t even imagine living on earth for so long.

The king, she was sure, was over a thousand years old! No, she did not want to live that long. As a human, there was an end to her suffering and that was death. She knew one day, she was going to die, but him?

There was no end to this torture. He had missed his wife for over five hundred years, and yet it was just the beginning. Neera couldn’t imagine living a life like that. Now, she did not blame him for wanting her back.

Zavian ate breakfast on the balcony, overlooking the beautiful orchard. Birds chirped on the trees as the morning breeze swept beautifully across them.

On the round table were trays covered with a white piece of cloth. She took her seat after him, and the servant who was waiting by the side removed the cloth from the trays.

The sweet smell of toasted bread, black pudding, and fried eggs wafted into Neera’s nostrils as she sat down after Zavian. Her mouth watered and she gulped. Now she thought about it, if this was what she would be doing every day with the king, then she did not mind.

Zavian noticed the excitement on her face and how she was waiting impatiently for him to tell her to eat.

He smiled, and picked up a plate; ”You can eat. ” he said, and she beamed, taking a plate after him.

Her face brightened as she ate; the bruise on her chin was barely visible now. Neera tried to eat with proper etiquette before the king, but after some time she forgot he was in front of her and concentrated on the food.

Zavian stared at her; a feeling of nostalgia overwhelmed him. She ate like Lilah, the way she held the fork, the way she chewed...

Neera coughed suddenly, and Zavian reflexively took a cup of water from the table and stretched it towards her;

”Are you okay?”

Neera eyes raised to him in shock, and she blinked. She did not expect his reaction at all, as her cough was not that serious. Her eyes turned to the cup and she took it from him, nodding her head.

Zavian only realized what he had done after she had taken the cup from him.