Indian Queen Of Roman Crown (completed)

Chapter 61

In a reflex, Aquila covered her wrist with alternative palm and stood unblinking. Her heart was thumping and she was sure that even Ritha could hear the rhythm. She started chewing her bottom lip in anxiety seasoned with anticipation while beads of perspiration adored her forehead like pearls. She wanted her demeanor to be composed but times like these, where one is questioned, opposes calmness.

        " No need to hide it Aquila, I know about your wounds. Remember, I was just metres away when intruder pierced your wrist? Poor lady tried to mess up with my defender and I pray to Almighty that she gets hefty punishment. "
( incident happened in Chapter 21 )

Aquila's body seethed with anger at her carelessness. From camouflaging as Aquila, struggling to maintain relationship with Luca, juggling between two identities, listening to Stephano's and Master's crude words, she did it all but one task  which they did on the hoof ruined it all.

  Words weren't enough to describe the amount of abomination she felt for Ritha and the saddest part was that she had to play the role of her protector. If powers were given to her, she wouldn't allow her to breathe in the next gulp of air. The tragic irony!

" so, you don't doubt me? " her voice came out more shaky than she intended to but she wanted to know the truth.

" Doubt? Now why will I doubt you? Have you done something which is worth doubting? " the inquisitiveness
in Ritha's voice was shocked Aquila.

Didn't she just say that her intruder had same marks on her wrist? She was utterly confused and didn't know how to respond to this. Was she playing some sort of game or she genuinely didn't doubt her?

Nonetheless, she shook her head negatively and said , " no, your highness ! You said... Wrist injury? " her face flushed with embarrassment while framing the next sentence.

" we all are fighters. Even I get cuts many a times. I think it was just a coincidence. I told you so because her hands reminded me of yours. That's it. When you haven't done anything wrong , then you shouldn't doubt that I'll doubt you. Isn't it? " though Ritha's words should have released her from clutches of doubt but unfortunately, thespian and mockery which her tone held, grasped her soul.

              Fury, pain, guilt of tarnishing Aelia, all sort of unpleasant emotions were dancing in her eyes while her nose was flaring up with intense emotions. She forgot what Ritha was waiting for a response but something juggling compelled her to raise her eyes and found Justus playing with Ritha's bangles which was source of the trifle sound. The young boy was in his own world ignoring psychological game happening in the room.

She moved her eyes further left only to collide with Ritha's eyes and found concern floating on crest which was sham and she knew it because below the crest, core was filled with mockery. Nodding absent mindedly, she cascaded her eyes.

" Oh poor Aquila! Don't let guilt over take you. See, I'm alive and to enlighten you, even killed one of the eagles. "  Rithambara had turned her head to left side in fake sympathy while emphasizing on killing part.

It wasn't that she wanted to hide her mockery, instead, she wanted to give a hint to Aquila and highten her anger to strain out as much as possible.

Zigzagging her jaws in anger, Aquila refrained herself from saying something crass.

" That's very brave of you, my lady. "
It felt as if thousands thorns had pricked her throat after speaking such words. Suddenly a knock ruptured the suffocating silence and both the ladies turned their heads. A shrill joyous squeal of Justus stabbed the silence for second time. Stepping out of the bed with rippling enthusiasm, he ran into Cato's open arm. Meanwhile, Rithambara spoke to Aquila, " why don't you have some rest and take care of your swollen eyes. Trust me, you don't need to feel guilt. There are many more events which will happen in near future. Brace yourself and pray for strength. It's much needed. "