Chapter 6: The Newcomer

On the day he discovered she was with child, the King ordered that several of the rooms adjacent to his suite be converted into an apartment for the Queen. On the same day he commissioned a temple to be built in the palace gardens.

After obeying the King's command and coming to him along the Queen's Path with her news, the Queen did not return formally to her own apartments until after her confinement. Although she frequently used her own rooms, passing through the green gate, in the eyes of the court the Queen remained with the King. Nothing like it had ever been seen in the palace. It was the custom for the King's wives to remain in the harem during their pregnancies, from where they would not be summoned to the King until at least three months after the birth.

The announcement to the people of the expected child was greeted with great celebration in the land. In the palace, the courtiers were shocked. Why was the Queen not in her proper place? Why did the King not take other wives to lie with him while this one carried his child? But the King would not discuss it. He wanted his pregnant wife beside him so that he could spend all his free time with her. They walked and swam together, and together supervised the building of the lingam temple. While the King attended to state business, the Queen attended to the preparations for the arrival of their child.

In the sixth month of the Queen's pregnancy, the old King of a neighbouring state made a formal visit. Excluded from the ceremonial because of her condition, the Queen met the visitors privately with her husband. After she had left them and the two Kings were alone together late in the evening, the old King told his young neighbour that he had been charmed by the beautiful young Queen. Her husband was proud to hear the compliment.

"You know, Majesty, that your father and I were close friends from childhood?"

"Indeed, Sire. He spoke of you often, with great respect and affection."

"Did he ever discuss with you a pledge between us that I would give you my daughter in marriage when she was of age?"

Shocked, the young King replied that his father had never mentioned this.

"His death was so sudden. I imagine he meant to tell you when the time came closer. Now my daughter is of age to marry, and you are in need of a second wife. I have come to make arrangements with you for your marriage."

The King hardly knew how to answer the venerable old man without giving offence.

"I am deeply honoured by your proposal, Majesty. But I had not planned to take another wife - for a while yet."

The old man was confused. He had thought the matter already settled. They spent a long time in discussion, the young King trying hard not to offend his father's friend. By the time the party left the palace, he had agreed to reconsider and give his answer before the New Year celebrations.

As his wife lay in his arms that night, he told her of the old King's proposal. She held him close to her and told him, as she had many times before, that if he must take other wives she would understand.

"If it is what must be, I shall welcome her as a sister and teach her the ways of your court."

"But, my little wife, how could I bring another woman to this bed. I know only you. I want only your body beside me."

"My husband, even Kings must sometimes do things they do not wish to do."

He drew her to him. His hands moved over her naked skin, caressing the swell of her round abdomen and her enlarged breasts. She wrapped her legs around his and drew him closer to her, reaching down to hold his growing penis.

"Let me pleasure you, my love. Come take comfort inside me."

She rolled over and slid back to him, reaching back to caress him, all the while whispering tenderness to him. He slid between her legs and along her warm, damp lips. He squeezed himself gently into her. As he caressed the wonderful new shape of her, they rocked backwards and forwards against each other. As if in a dream, they both felt their tension release gently, then they slipped into peaceful sleep, still joined.

Two weeks later, the King received a letter from the Crown Prince of the neighbouring state. He wrote that his father had died soon after his return home and that his last words were of the marriage he had arranged for his daughter. He explained that now this contract was known to all in his court and beyond, and that there would be great shame to the family if the marriage did not take place.

For days the King was distracted. He barely ate a morsel and he paced his apartments for hours on end. One morning a week later the Queen entered quietly from her adjoining room.

"Majesty, may I speak to you?"

The King was happy for his thoughts to be interrupted. He led her onto the terrace and ordered cool drinks.

"You wanted to speak to me, precious one?"

They talked together for an hour, after which those around the King noticed that he was a good deal happier.

Late one afternoon, the Queen was in her harem apartment when her time came. A doctor and midwife were called and her ladies fussed around her rooms attending to her needs - real and imagined.

The Queen had telephoned the King before she allowed even the doctor to be called. To the astonishment of all in attendance, His Majesty appeared at the French window and came directly across the room to hold his wife's hand.

"You need pay no attention to me," he told them. "I only want to be with my beloved wife."

Two hours later, he wept as he held his daughter in his arms. Again and again he told the Queen how good and beautiful and brave she was. Oblivious to all those around them, they exchanged kisses and many words of love.

When all was calm, he left to let the Queen rest and returned by the green gate to his own apartments. A messenger was sent along the Queen's Path to announce to the King the birth of a Princess. Fanfares and fireworks and public feasts were ordered and offerings made in temples throughout the land in thanks for the Queen's safe delivery.

The following day, the King met the Queen at the green gate and they walked together in the garden. They crossed to the new temple and burned incense together at the lingam shrine before resuming their intimate walk.

After they had lunch together in the garden, the King ordered the Queen's escort. It was time for her to return to the own quarters so that she could take care of the child - and so that she could in due course demonstrate her obedience by answering his command. With great dignity, she made her formal return to the harem. An hour later, a new procession formed. Amilla handed the baby Princess to the Queen and the throne was hoisted up high. The Queen returned through the harem, past the open doors of the empty rooms, to formally present the King's daughter to him in the presence of the court.

The celebrations continued late into the night, although the Queen withdrew early in the evening as she was expected to do. What no-one expected was to see the Queen and her escort walk back once more along the Queen's Path and into the King's chamber. It would be three months, as tradition demanded, before the King formally commanded her to come, but not one night passed when the Queen did not walk, unsummoned, into the King's presence.