One week after the death of the king, the royal estate hosted a coronation ceremony for Bel and Nordhi. All the noble families across the colony were invited. After his behavior and unceremonious treatment during the wedding ceremony, few expected Prince Bel’s cousin Keerat to attend. However, Keerat arrived moments before the ceremony started. He entered the temple wearing the same black suit he wore at his father’s funeral. Among the array of guests’ colorful outfits, he stood out like a dead pixel on a display screen.
The royal herald announced, “Presenting Keerat, Regent of the Isle of Modhikat.”
Keerat scowled and pushed past the herald while growling, “DUKE of the Isle of Modhikat... or I would be if King Ajeet-mar had signed the decree before he croaked.”
A ripple of gasps and indignant glares swept through the assembled guests.
Once all the guests were announced, the orchestra performed the Star Venturer’s Anthem, the official anthem chosen before the colony ship left Earth. As the orchestra reached a crescendo, spotlights swept the back of the temple and fell on the radiant figures of Bel and Nordhi. The crowd rose and their thunderous applause drowned out the final stanza of the anthem.
The herald linked his headset to the sound system and his voice boomed out, “Proud descendants of the colonists of Doaba II. Welcome to the coronation ceremony of King Regent Bel and Queen Regent Nordhi. May their reign bring blessings upon the colony.” Again, applause filled the temple as the two walked to the grand dais at the front of the temple.
Guests took their seats, and the High Priest officiated the ceremony with the assistance of countless royal staff members and dignitaries. Bel and Nordhi swore to multiple covenants. The head of each family approached to publicly swear fealty to them. Keerat swore fealty with the exaggerated theatrics of a bad actor in a Shakespearian play, drawing more attention to his oafish behavior than his oath.
The final act was for Queen Charanpa-sha to crown the new king and queen. With the ceremony ended, family members and nobles followed the royal carriage to the royal estate for a private banquet. Jubilant citizens who could only watch the ceremony online continued their revelry on the streets and in the pubs.
* * *
Bel and Nordhi spent the next three days in administrative meetings to finalize the legal process of succession. At the end of each day, Bel met with Artee for their ritual of delaying his assassination. By the third day of endless meetings, the newly anointed King Bel was not entirely certain he wanted to delay his assassination another day. The tedium ended when he signed his final document and appointed his last council member.
Bel’s last meeting was with the manager of the android repair specialists about a special assignment. When the meeting ended, he told his chief of staff to clear his calendar for the rest of the day.
He left the meeting room and found Artee nearby. “Come with me. I have something I want to show you.”
The young king took Artee to the back of the royal estate garage. “Remember when I stopped to help you and mentioned my father had an Electro-dyne similar to yours?” He gestured to a sleek crimson and cobalt model among a row of hoverbikes. “Here it is.”
Artee circled the hoverbike and gave it a close inspection. “It is an excellent looking bike.”
“I have been imprisoned in meetings for too long. How about you and I go for a ride?”
The two donned their riding gear and accelerated out the front gate. Bel pointed his bike toward the distant hills and accelerated down the highway. Once they were beyond the city limits, traffic quickly became sparse. The king cracked the throttle wide open and rocketed down the road. This is what freedom feels like.
He pushed the hoverbike to even greater speeds. Looking in the side mirrors, he saw Artee struggling to catch up, but receding further into the distance.
The road made a large S turn around a rock outcropping, and Bel lost sight of Artee. Spotting a gravel road at the end of the turn, Bel eased back on the throttle and leaned the bike into a sliding turn. He gunned the throttle and sped down the narrow road to the first farmhouse.
He pulled the bike off the road and drove behind the barn where he could watch the highway. A minute passed, and then two. He should have passed the road by now. Minutes later came the whine of a hoverbike pulling up behind him fast.
Bel spun around. “Artee, how did you–”
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In one fluid motion, Artee threw the bike into park and used his momentum to leap fifteen meters to land next to Bel. Both concealed guns were drawn and aimed at the young king’s head. “I warned you to never try to escape from me or I would kill you.”
Panic-stricken, Bel pleaded, “Artee, wait. It was a prank. You were supposed to ride past me, thinking you were still behind. Then I pull up beside you and.” Bel threw his hands up. “Surprise!”
The gun barrels hovering centimeters from his face were as large as train tunnels. He kept his hands in the air. This is it. He is going to kill me. I broke a rule, and worse, I screwed up by leaving the city alone.
“If this was not an escape attempt, then why are you not wearing the tracking bracelet?”
All the blood drained from Bel’s face. “I... I took it off to squeeze into my riding jacket. It’s, uh, little smaller than I remember. I forgot to put it back on which I swear will never, ever happen again. Please don’t shoot me.”
Time slowed until Artee lowered his gun. He continued to gaze menacingly. “A prank is a practical joke sprung by surprise on friends and family members. Was this ‘prank’ intended to make us friends?”
“We don’t have to be friends to enjoy a good laugh. You are by my side all the time. After the stress of the last couple of weeks, I thought we could use a good laugh. The exhilaration of our ride led to a lapse in judgment. I momentarily forgot you are a droid and my assassin, not my friend.
Artee’s voice was filled with a level of venom that surprised Bel. “It was a mistake to pull a prank on me then. I was milliseconds away from killing you and breaking my agreement to not assassinate you today.”
Bel nodded in agreement as a wave of relief flushed through his bloodstream. “Honestly, I was not trying to evade you. Surely, you know I could never leave Nordhi behind.”
“It is only because I know how much you love each other that I hesitated rather than shooting you on sight.”
“How did you find me?”
“Knowing that your other passion is for hoverbikes. I installed tracking software in all your father’s bikes in case you tried to make a run for it. I knew the instant you took this detour.”
Of course you did. The only way I will ever be separated from him is when I am dead. Why does he keep sparing me? Surely, he’s figured out the logic loophole by now. “Artee, I assume the Assassin’s Guild tracks you as well and know you have not completed the contract. Why have they not recalled you or sent another assassin to kill me? Since you missed the first deadline, is there no longer a time limit?”
The assassin mounted his hoverbike and moved next to Bel’s. “The Guild will not replace me unless I have been rendered unable to complete the contract. I have deduced that as long as I continue to attempt to kill you, I am free to choose when and how to complete the contract.”
“I certainly hope so. We may not be friends, but you have proven to be a valuable consultant. I would hate for them to replace you and to have to start over again.” Bel grinned at Artee, but received a blank stare in return. Seconds ticked by until Artee outstretched his hand and pointed it at Bel’s face again.
Bel’s smile turned into a disapproving frown. “Artee, a prank must be a surprise, and you just said–”
The android’s voice was flat and monotone. “King Bel, I have been contracted by the Assassin’s Guild to assassinate you. Prepare to die.”
Artee’s head blocked out the setting sun for a moment, hiding his face in shadow. Bel sighed in relief. “I did not realize it was so late.” He sat up straight in his seat and gave his formal reply. “I cannot die today. This morning, Nordhi learned that she is pregnant. I could not leave her to go through this pregnancy alone.”
“Very well, I will allow you more time to prepare.” The assassin’s finger gun retracted, and his index fingertip folded back into place. The chipper voice of the Artee persona returned. “Congratulations, your highness.”
“Thank you. Nobody else knows so keep it our secret for now.” Bel started his hoverbike. “You set the pace. I could show you how to tune up your bike. Then maybe the next time you can keep up with me.” Not that I’ll try something that recklessly stupid again.
* * *
The next morning, Charanpa-sha summoned the royal couple to meet for breakfast. Upon entering the royal dining hall, they were met with a bountiful breakfast spread. The former queen greeted them in a royal gown, her hair and makeup professionally done. Nordhi instinctively bowed, seeing the former queen in full regalia. “Your highness, you look exceptional. What is the special occasion?”
“You two are the king and queen of the colony. The royal estate and all those who work for the estate serve you now.” She paused, collected her thoughts, and spoke in a quavering voice, “What I am trying to say... is... a castle should only have one queen.” She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. Her voice stronger, she continued, “I am moving in with the Duke and Duchess.”
Bel stopped eating and pushed his plate aside so he could reach across the table to grip his mother’s hands. “That is not necessary. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like.”
Charanpa-sha straightened her back, eyes fixed on her son. “My mind is made up. It is not only expected of me as the former queen, but it is what I want. This place holds too many memories of your father.”
Tears welled in Nordhi’s eyes. “I will miss your company and counsel. I know my mother will enjoy having you around.”
“Thank you, Nordhi. I will miss your company as well, but you two need your privacy and your space, especially now.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer. “I have recognized a telltale glow to your skin. Is there something the two of you want to tell me?”
Bel and Nordhi looked at each other in surprise before Bel responded, “Queen Mother, Nordhi and I have conceived an heir. You are going to be a grandmother.”
The queen rushed around the table to wrap Nordhi in a long, affectionate embrace. “Such wonderful news. With a baby on the way, I will have a good excuse to come visit.”
“Mother, you know you need no excuses,” Bel said.
“This is your home now and I am a guest. Like any good guest, I would not visit without asking permission beforehand.”
After a bittersweet meal, the royal couple attended to their royal duties while Charanpa-sha instructed her androids on how to pack her belongings for the move.