The chief guard had clearly restrained to emphasize just how anticipated her presence was.
Beyond the palace gates, numerous bowing guards and servants lined up in the grassy lanes on both sides, surrounding the entrance, made elegant with smoothed earth, stone, and clay, that stretched on a long walk all the way to the palace doors.
Tall, fragrant potted plants were scattered throughout, and mid-walk, they were met with a domelike water fountain.
On either side was a man playing some sort of flute while a woman made a gentle wordless tune.
"We welcome your majesty," all the guards and servants said each time they stepped forth.
Servants handed them warm, wet cloths to clean their hands. Others fanned them.
It was only at the entrance of the bronzed doors that they were offered chopped mango and mazhanje.
The sugar plums were also made into a sweet-sour jam that centered a bowl of biscuits. Bazil was about to test it first, yet she didn't wait.
For a while, all that was heard was the eager chewing and swallowing. When a servant poured out two gourd cups of cooled mango juice, she slurped it in one gulp.
The servants couldn't help but stare with wide-eyed yet still tilted their heads slightly away to be polite.
Bazil would usually clear his throat to signal her, but he chuckled softly instead.
Salīa had always been voracious and unable to hide when something was and wasn't to her liking. So, to see her so enthralled with the treats always left him with a satisfied feeling.
After her third drink, the chief guard was the one to clear his throat.
"Welcome," he said as two guards opened the doors.
They walked into what appeared to be a lush forest, full of trees, plants, and shrubs that neatly decorated the opulent inside, which rose to many floors and spread into various rooms.
The first shined floor was redolent of strong incense and had black furniture by the brown walls and brown furniture by the black walls.
Painted wooden tribal masks hung high throughout each wall, and underneath were paintings of Oggl's history, openly tied in with Salazā's.
In perfect timing, a figure appeared above the spiraled staircase, dressed in black robes that were cuffed and lined in a glittery brown, and whose broadened body was adorned with gold from his neck to arms.
Yet his face was kept bare, revealing his deep brown eyes, lowered by the slight folding of his upper lids and his proudly lifted cheeks that blended well in the smoothness of his gold-brown face.
A slim golden circlet lay wrapped around his forehead, and his dark brown curls were covered in shimmer.
Before them was no other than the beloved Prince Naca.
With his eyes set on Salīa, he walked down leisurely, accompanied by two guards, while the musicians from outside had entered singing another joyful wordless tune together, adding light claps and clicks until they were level with each other.
"Your highness," he made an x, then bowed, kissing her hand.
"Prince Naca," she bowed in turn, smiling widely. "It's been long. Although you didn't have to warm such a welcome."
"Of course, I did. You're worth a grander welcome, so I hope you don't find this one too shabby."
Bazil harrumphed. Prince Naca and the rest glanced at him.
"Where is the rest of your retinue?" he asked her.
"Oh, I don't have one. I'm not sure if your father informed you, but my reason for passing by is not for long, nor is it for pleasure."
"I know," he said gently. "I didn't mean to be discourteous in asking. Either way, you wouldn't need one here. If you need anything at all, you can be sure, it'll be provided for you."
"Thank you for your kindness."
"I would like for you to accompany me throughout the day. And I promise to not interfere with your duties while you stay."
She gave a perfunctory nod.
It would be rude to refuse the company of someone letting me into their home. Especially if he really has been anticipating me for all this time.
"I'll first have you shown to your rooms. Commander Guardian Bazilani, yes?"
"Yes, Prince Naca," he bowed.
"Your residences will be slightly apart due to custom."
"And what custom is that?" he asked, displeased. "That a guardian and a royal can't be under the same roof?"
"Of course not. It's that an unmarried woman and an unmarried man cannot be on the same walkway. You could dispute it if you'd like, although it might be tiring to oppose propriety in a royal residence."
His tone was light and sprightly, as it usually was, though his words were slightly prickly to Bazil.
And Bazil, in turn, offered a neutral tone in saying, "I would never dare oppose propriety as it's what guardians strive to protect, especially those in a leading rank, as mine is. There is nothing to dispute about your customs either.
It's only that I am the assigned personal guardian of the Queen Regent of Salazā, with the sole undertaking to protect her without error. Part of that requires me to be the closest in proximity to her over strangers."
"Strangers?" Prince Naca chuckled, still not harshening his tone. "She knows me quite well. I might even dare to say I know her just as well as you."
Bazil cracked his knuckles.
"It's undeniable that my guards may never hold a candle to the esteemed zazi, yet that doesn't mean they don't hold any candle at all."
Bazil opened his mouth, yet Prince Naca continued.
"No need to say anything, I know you meant no offence. We can place you in the residence furthest down her walkway. And on the very end of the other side of the walkway is my residence.
Both Bazil and Salīa had the same thought. Prince Naca's residence was going to be the closest despite customs? To which Prince Naca said, "As King Regent, I should have some liberties. No?"
"King Regent?" Salīa asked. "Oh, no, is King Sobhu…"
"My father is fine. He's been sick for a while, but he's been resting quite well. And mother has been taking good care of him.
He wishes to be temporarily absolved of duty while he restores his health, and so I've agreed to help.
I might not be as good as my uncle. But Prince Jehm is currently travelling with his wife, the distant Princess Talia of Shi, so I've been doing my best."
He paused.
"But I'm sure you already know, being a regent makes the title feel slightly uncomfortable. So, no need to be so formal. You can still call me Prince Naca…or just Naca."
Bazil sighed in annoyance, yet Prince Naca didn't acknowledge it.
"I'd like to honor propriety in your land. So, Prince Naca will do. And I'm fine with what you've always called me."
"Hmm. Now let's get you to your rooms."
"Wait," Salīa realized, and pulled out a letter marked with an address. It was a template with notes speaking on the mission of the elderly couple she had met earlier. "I apologize for disrupting, but would you mind looking at this? No rush to make your own and send, but since you mentioned regency…I thought you…"
Prince Naca didn't delay a moment longer before reading what was written.
Within moments, he was assisted in writing his own version of the letter and stamping it with the owl crest.
He cooed for a messenger bird, who glanced at the address, then set off.
"Prince Naca, you didn't have to do that so quickly. Are you certain you didn't want to think it over?"
He beamed and stepped close, as if he were about to kiss her. Then he said, "It doesn't take long to make a proper decision when resolute in what truly matters."
She was stunned.
"Your steadfastness surpasses my own. I am honored to witness your character and inspired to strive for such lofty heights as well."
"It is your character that inspires mine," he stepped even closer, staring deep. "The heavens cannot reach higher when it is already the epitome of the pinnacle."
Bazil rolled his eyes this time.
"Please see our guests to their residences."
X