Rincy put away the cover of the pot.
It was heavy and old, made by a proficient craftsman. It's finishing and polishing was one to marvel at.
She held it close to her nose, and sniffed around the metal. It had some unfamiliar scent. A tinge of jasmine, lingered in the air around it.
Looking into the pot, Rincy was taken aback.
"Didn't Portria mention a few papers? How can a few papers leave so much of ash?" she reasoned. She hadn't expected the pot to be three-fourth full.
"Theodon must have burnt an entire book!"
Just as she was going to touch the ash, she was alarmed by footsteps.
Rincy panicked.
"It must be Portria! She mustn't know I'm here, and that I know of the pot! What must I do? Where should I hide?" she thought.
She looked left and right and around the room. Not one place was big enough for her to hide.
Then her eyes fell on Portria's closet. She hurriedly put the pot of ash back in place and got into the closet, shutting herself inside. It was pitch dark in there, with little room for air. Rincy sat on the floor cuddled in a corner, Portria's dresses hanging in front of her.
No sooner, had she shut the door, than, Portria entered the room.
Swearing and throwing her coat on the bed, she sat down.
"I will teach Theodon a lesson. How could he even dare to do this?" she spoke.
Suddenly, there was a sound from the closet that drew her attention.
Rincy clasped her mouth with both hands, frantically looking around for the source of sound. She was terrified to even think about Portria's reaction when she'll find out.
Portria walked up to the closet, suspiciously, and swung open the door.
Her clothes hung on the hanger, just in place. Untouched.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Portria, turned away.
"Purr", came a sound from the closet, again.
Portria turned back to it, and wildly shifted her clothes apart.
There at the bottom, sat Rincy, with Aësop on her lap.
Rincy gave a tense smile and got up, holding Aësop and dusting herself.
"What's going on Rincy Matilda? What are you doing in my closet?"she asked, trying to remain calm.
Rincy couldn't think of any excuse. She stammered with her words and tried to brush the question away,but had no choice. Portria was looking into her eyes, with a strange fierce look.
"Portria, I was actually looking for you, cause... um... we.. we were getting late for the ball! And then... I came here, and saw Aësop running around. So I tried to catch him. He ran into your closet, me following, and the door shut... I couldn't get out."she said, with a sigh, hoping that Portria would believe her story. This was the stupidest tale she could have ever spun.
Portria was confused, but she had better things to worry about.
"Now that you have found me, rather, I have found you, may we leave? It's time."
Rincy put Aésop on the bed,patted him and walked away with Portria.
She turned, just to wink at the cat, which purred in return.
"What was Portria's cat doing in her closet?"she thought, amazed by the coincidence.
"Anyway, I just had good luck today." she grinned.
Portia and Rincy stood before the entrance to the Ballroom. The Teak Door that adorned its entry was huge and magnificent. Standing 10 feet tall, it was studded with pink and blue stones on the top, golden engravings in the middle.
Portria turned to Rincy, noticing for the first time, what she wore.
"Little girl, you had better choices in your wardrobe. A Queen never wears something worn by someone else."she advised, as she set Rincy's bow in place.
"My Mother, Portria, is not someone else."she said authoritatively.
Portria withdrew and faced the Teak Door again.
"Tonight, there will be many people at The Grand Ball. Many will want to take pictures with you. Many will want to speak with you for reasons they know best. Many will ask you for a dance. Be poised, yet alert. Enjoy yourself, but maintain your calm. Do not do anything that will put down your position or family name Rincy Matilda. And stay away, as far away as possible, from Ceasar Flickerman."she warned, distastefully.
Rincy wanted to ask questions, but the Teak Door opened, and the mauve carpet was set ready for her.
She walked into the Huge Ballroom gracefully, curbing her excitement.
The crowd burst into applause, and she was lead to the Diaz. On stage, stood Raymond and Effie. They greeted her with a smile, though Raymond tried to look away.
"Is he still annoyed with me?"she thought.
Rincy stood next to Effie, and scanned through the crowd.
Theodon stood right in the front. Portria juggled places, as if trying to avoid someone.
And in the crowd stood James Hemsworth. His eyes dazzling with the lights from the chandelier.
"Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, to The Grand Ball. "greeted Raymond.
"Today, niece Rincy has been crowned Queen of Isles, ruler to the entire nation of Westerhall. Our pleasure is doubled, when we announce that our son , Theodon Matilda will now handle the internal affairs of the Cabinet, with Rincy at head."
Raymond looked at Portria and grinned wryly from ear to ear.
Rincy looked just as baffled as Portria.
Theodon walked up to the Diaz, and bowed before Rincy.
Rincy acknowledged him and shook hands, congratulating him.
"Now what's going on here? I definitely don't want Theodon to interfere in my official matters."she complained in her head.
The crowd roared with claps, and people cheered.
Raymond giggled to see the crowd's enthusiasm, and returned to his announcement.
"There is more to this, elite citizens of Westerhall. It's with great reg..."
"Great pleasure, we announce, that Portria Jaccob, has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Rhue Fashionista." broke in Effie.
Rincy was in complete shock. Portria dumbfounded, as she watched people turn to her and congratulate her.
"Portria, our very own Portria, who has served the throne with utmost sincerity and loyalty will have to bid us goodbye." she added.
She walked up the Diaz and stood next to Rincy, her face as pale as rose leaves withered in a northern gale.
Raymond glared at Effie in astonishment, as Theodon smiled softly at Portria.
Then Raymond eyed Portria asking her to bow to Rincy.
Portria quickly bobbed a curtsy, and Rincy shook hands with her.
"And with this, we let you to enjoy the evening. Let the Grand Ball begin."
Raymond raised the Royal sword and swung it in small circles above his head. Then he handed it over to Rincy.
"Royal sword. Guard it with your life Rincy Matilda, cause this is your sign of power."
He held Effie, dragging her off the Diaz and head into the crowd.
The crowd split in two, revealing the central circle. Music blared in the background, and couples came forward. They broke into dance, gracefully moving in circles, as though they have been practicing this all long.
Rincy held the sword in her right hand, and sat down on the throne.
She ran her fingers over it. Made of excellent steel, it held the royal symbol, on the handle. Two inches from the handle, was a golden lining, thin as a string.
She looked up to see Portria looking down on her with misty eyes.
"I still remember how elegantly she swung it. Your mother, enhanced the beauty of the sword, Your Grace, and I see you do the same." placing a hand over Rincy's head, Portia wiped off a tear.
Rincy was touched, and held Portria's hand, comforting her.
Portria's hands were cold as ice.
"What's wrong Portria? And what's all with these surprises?" she asked.
"A lot is happening around, Your Grace. Some to trap me, and others to trap you. Theodon will..."
"Your Grace!" exclaimed a gentleman, cutting their conversation midway.
He advanced towards Rincy.
He was tall and fair complexioned. Maybe in his late thirties. A thin mustache sat above his brown lips.
Rincy stood up and smiled tightly, as he kneeled and kissed her hand.
"I am Louis Von, Director of Zarc. " he introduced himself.
"Oh God! Now what's Zarc?"she thought, trying to hide her lack of knowledge.
"Congratulations. You are Queen at such a young age! I am sure you'll prove much better than what we estimate."
"Thank you Sir", she said and smiled.
Louis, blushed a little at the respect he just got, bowed again and left.
Rincy turned to Portia, only to find her missing.
Several things are happening simultaneously. Sometimes, too fast for a normal one to grasp. Other times, too dangerous for one to know, and most times, too complicated to unreel.
And after all, a game isn't interesting unless it gets minacious.
© Srinidhi Iyengar
It was heavy and old, made by a proficient craftsman. It's finishing and polishing was one to marvel at.
She held it close to her nose, and sniffed around the metal. It had some unfamiliar scent. A tinge of jasmine, lingered in the air around it.
Looking into the pot, Rincy was taken aback.
"Didn't Portria mention a few papers? How can a few papers leave so much of ash?" she reasoned. She hadn't expected the pot to be three-fourth full.
"Theodon must have burnt an entire book!"
Just as she was going to touch the ash, she was alarmed by footsteps.
Rincy panicked.
"It must be Portria! She mustn't know I'm here, and that I know of the pot! What must I do? Where should I hide?" she thought.
She looked left and right and around the room. Not one place was big enough for her to hide.
Then her eyes fell on Portria's closet. She hurriedly put the pot of ash back in place and got into the closet, shutting herself inside. It was pitch dark in there, with little room for air. Rincy sat on the floor cuddled in a corner, Portria's dresses hanging in front of her.
No sooner, had she shut the door, than, Portria entered the room.
Swearing and throwing her coat on the bed, she sat down.
"I will teach Theodon a lesson. How could he even dare to do this?" she spoke.
Suddenly, there was a sound from the closet that drew her attention.
Rincy clasped her mouth with both hands, frantically looking around for the source of sound. She was terrified to even think about Portria's reaction when she'll find out.
Portria walked up to the closet, suspiciously, and swung open the door.
Her clothes hung on the hanger, just in place. Untouched.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Portria, turned away.
"Purr", came a sound from the closet, again.
Portria turned back to it, and wildly shifted her clothes apart.
There at the bottom, sat Rincy, with Aësop on her lap.
Rincy gave a tense smile and got up, holding Aësop and dusting herself.
"What's going on Rincy Matilda? What are you doing in my closet?"she asked, trying to remain calm.
Rincy couldn't think of any excuse. She stammered with her words and tried to brush the question away,but had no choice. Portria was looking into her eyes, with a strange fierce look.
"Portria, I was actually looking for you, cause... um... we.. we were getting late for the ball! And then... I came here, and saw Aësop running around. So I tried to catch him. He ran into your closet, me following, and the door shut... I couldn't get out."she said, with a sigh, hoping that Portria would believe her story. This was the stupidest tale she could have ever spun.
Portria was confused, but she had better things to worry about.
"Now that you have found me, rather, I have found you, may we leave? It's time."
Rincy put Aésop on the bed,patted him and walked away with Portria.
She turned, just to wink at the cat, which purred in return.
"What was Portria's cat doing in her closet?"she thought, amazed by the coincidence.
"Anyway, I just had good luck today." she grinned.
Portia and Rincy stood before the entrance to the Ballroom. The Teak Door that adorned its entry was huge and magnificent. Standing 10 feet tall, it was studded with pink and blue stones on the top, golden engravings in the middle.
Portria turned to Rincy, noticing for the first time, what she wore.
"Little girl, you had better choices in your wardrobe. A Queen never wears something worn by someone else."she advised, as she set Rincy's bow in place.
"My Mother, Portria, is not someone else."she said authoritatively.
Portria withdrew and faced the Teak Door again.
"Tonight, there will be many people at The Grand Ball. Many will want to take pictures with you. Many will want to speak with you for reasons they know best. Many will ask you for a dance. Be poised, yet alert. Enjoy yourself, but maintain your calm. Do not do anything that will put down your position or family name Rincy Matilda. And stay away, as far away as possible, from Ceasar Flickerman."she warned, distastefully.
Rincy wanted to ask questions, but the Teak Door opened, and the mauve carpet was set ready for her.
She walked into the Huge Ballroom gracefully, curbing her excitement.
The crowd burst into applause, and she was lead to the Diaz. On stage, stood Raymond and Effie. They greeted her with a smile, though Raymond tried to look away.
"Is he still annoyed with me?"she thought.
Rincy stood next to Effie, and scanned through the crowd.
Theodon stood right in the front. Portria juggled places, as if trying to avoid someone.
And in the crowd stood James Hemsworth. His eyes dazzling with the lights from the chandelier.
"Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, to The Grand Ball. "greeted Raymond.
"Today, niece Rincy has been crowned Queen of Isles, ruler to the entire nation of Westerhall. Our pleasure is doubled, when we announce that our son , Theodon Matilda will now handle the internal affairs of the Cabinet, with Rincy at head."
Raymond looked at Portria and grinned wryly from ear to ear.
Rincy looked just as baffled as Portria.
Theodon walked up to the Diaz, and bowed before Rincy.
Rincy acknowledged him and shook hands, congratulating him.
"Now what's going on here? I definitely don't want Theodon to interfere in my official matters."she complained in her head.
The crowd roared with claps, and people cheered.
Raymond giggled to see the crowd's enthusiasm, and returned to his announcement.
"There is more to this, elite citizens of Westerhall. It's with great reg..."
"Great pleasure, we announce, that Portria Jaccob, has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Rhue Fashionista." broke in Effie.
Rincy was in complete shock. Portria dumbfounded, as she watched people turn to her and congratulate her.
"Portria, our very own Portria, who has served the throne with utmost sincerity and loyalty will have to bid us goodbye." she added.
She walked up the Diaz and stood next to Rincy, her face as pale as rose leaves withered in a northern gale.
Raymond glared at Effie in astonishment, as Theodon smiled softly at Portria.
Then Raymond eyed Portria asking her to bow to Rincy.
Portria quickly bobbed a curtsy, and Rincy shook hands with her.
"And with this, we let you to enjoy the evening. Let the Grand Ball begin."
Raymond raised the Royal sword and swung it in small circles above his head. Then he handed it over to Rincy.
"Royal sword. Guard it with your life Rincy Matilda, cause this is your sign of power."
He held Effie, dragging her off the Diaz and head into the crowd.
The crowd split in two, revealing the central circle. Music blared in the background, and couples came forward. They broke into dance, gracefully moving in circles, as though they have been practicing this all long.
Rincy held the sword in her right hand, and sat down on the throne.
She ran her fingers over it. Made of excellent steel, it held the royal symbol, on the handle. Two inches from the handle, was a golden lining, thin as a string.
She looked up to see Portria looking down on her with misty eyes.
"I still remember how elegantly she swung it. Your mother, enhanced the beauty of the sword, Your Grace, and I see you do the same." placing a hand over Rincy's head, Portia wiped off a tear.
Rincy was touched, and held Portria's hand, comforting her.
Portria's hands were cold as ice.
"What's wrong Portria? And what's all with these surprises?" she asked.
"A lot is happening around, Your Grace. Some to trap me, and others to trap you. Theodon will..."
"Your Grace!" exclaimed a gentleman, cutting their conversation midway.
He advanced towards Rincy.
He was tall and fair complexioned. Maybe in his late thirties. A thin mustache sat above his brown lips.
Rincy stood up and smiled tightly, as he kneeled and kissed her hand.
"I am Louis Von, Director of Zarc. " he introduced himself.
"Oh God! Now what's Zarc?"she thought, trying to hide her lack of knowledge.
"Congratulations. You are Queen at such a young age! I am sure you'll prove much better than what we estimate."
"Thank you Sir", she said and smiled.
Louis, blushed a little at the respect he just got, bowed again and left.
Rincy turned to Portia, only to find her missing.
Several things are happening simultaneously. Sometimes, too fast for a normal one to grasp. Other times, too dangerous for one to know, and most times, too complicated to unreel.
And after all, a game isn't interesting unless it gets minacious.
© Srinidhi Iyengar
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