Betrothed To The Prince...

Improved

"Mae!!! Mae!!!" Pete was calling for his mother like a small kid who was all excited to flaunt his new toy to his mother. "Yes my love." The mother replied while rushing towards him. "What happened early morning that you are calling me so loudly?" the mother asked when Pete came into view.

"Mae!! Do you remember that I told you that my mother in law had appointed someone to teach me swimming, horse riding and all?? He is the one... Zee..." Pete said while introducing Zee to his mother.

"Your majesty." Zee said while bowing and greeting the queen. "Sir Zee, please excuse my son. He sometimes get too excited while speaking when he is happy." The queen said. "Well... I know that." Zee replied.

"Mae!! You should stop saying it. It's just that I saw Zee after long time." Pete tried to explain. "I know you better son. Sir Zee, please feel free to tour around the palace. We will have a chamber prepared for you as soon as possible." The queen said. "Thank you your majesty." Zee said in a polite tone.

"Mae, I am taking Zee for a detour. I'll catch up with you later." Pete said while smiling. "Alright... Sir Zee, my son is insistent on taking you around and there is no way that anyone could deny it. We would meet later." The mother said and soon, Pete was pulling Zee with him.

"I never saw this side of you but I am glad that I came here to witness this prince who is totally different from the one I met." Zee said as they both sat in the courtyard. "Aww Zee... It's just that I feel more at ease when I am here. Like the familiar feeling and also, there is no one here to judge me. I don't have to be cautious all the time while moving around. Everyone here has known me and they are used to me." Pete explained.

"Hmm... That can be understood. Back at the palace, things were different and people were always watching on you. Moreover people over here are completely different." Zee agreed. "Oh!! I forgot to ask. What brings you here?" Pete questioned.

"I have something for you." Zee said while pulling out the scroll he had been hiding in the tunic. "This is given by her majesty and I was assigned to deliver this personally." Zee informed. Pete's hands began to shake as he took the scroll in his hand. What will it contain? A good news or something bad and heart breaking?

Bracing himself for whatever was coming, Pete opened the scroll with great courage. It read –

Dear Pete,

I hope you are fine and being happy as you are now back to your parents. Things over here are fine and as expected, Ae is showing signs of improving. He not only shut down the whole concubine system but also ordered to send them back. Khem tried to trick Ae but Ae managed to send her to prison.

Also, Ae is missing you a lot. After you left, there haven't been a single day that Ae didn't go to your chamber. He always climbs the wall to your chamber and leaves in morning. He is missing you. And that is changing him.

He had been taking right decisions and being wise with his choices. I can see him growing and becoming better and it's all because of you.

Now, it's up to you to decide what you want to do. Send your answer with Sir Zee. I'll be waiting.

Your mae

Those last words had Pete in tears but he was happy because Ae was actually changing and more over missing him. Everything that he had ever asked was now happening.

"Why are you crying?" Zee asked in concerned when he saw the tears rolling down the cheeks of Pete. "I am happy...." Pete said. "Then shouldn't you be smiling if you are happy? Why are you crying?" Zee inquired.