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What was her father thinking? Gjeelea inwardly tried to calm her immense shock, disgust, and horror at the announcement her father had given. She wondered if King Faroz wanted his children to strangle each other, for surely that was the only thing that could possibly come of the two trying to work together. Gjeelea did not even know how many times she and her brother Siamak had gotten along, but she knew that if she remembered the times, they could be counted with the fingers of one hand.
On the outside, Gjeelea kept her face calm, accepting, and smiling. Her inner turmoil could never reach the outside; the princess would not allow such weakness to be shown to so many people that might manipulate her. By keeping how she really felt on the inside, her enemies saw only what she wanted them to see. Gjeelea knew all to well that her father was making some kind of test out of giving this decision to both of his children. The princess wondered at how her father needed to go to such extremes to help him decide who would be his heir.
When Siamak set up a meeting between the Emissary and the two royal children, Gjeelea wanted so badly to scowl at her younger brother. Whatever decision she made – and she would make it quickly with the grace and ease she felt any ruler should have – Gjeelea felt that she would have little trouble convincing her brother to bend to her opinion. Of course Siamak had his voice in the matter, but Gjeelea also knew how often Siamak actually used his voice to begin with. The princess had often used her brother’s introverted nature against him, much to her own advantage; this occasion would be no different.
Instead, Gjeelea nodded and hastily agreed to the time arranged, and then left the company of her meek little brother. The desert snake that hunts with cunning and craft will be sure to return home with a meal first, she thought as she lost sight of Siamak. Pashtia needed a ruler who did not need to think long to make the right decision; Siamak always seemed to need some modicum of time to mull over any kind of matter, simple or complex. Time was precious, and Gjeelea saw no point in wasting it by comparing and contrasting for the right answer.
The only weight that Gjeelea could feel holding her back when people questioned her ability to rule was the need for her to marry. Her betrothed would become king, and that gave Pashtians – most importantly King Faroz – another person who’s worth and ability needed to be contemplated. Gjeelea had doubt in the general view of Lord Korak; her father was not like the silly girls at court who fawned over his good looks. King Faroz knew deeper than appearance, as did many other important figures that would help decide who became the next ruler of Pashtia. Gjeelea had no doubt in her ability to keep great influence in matters of state if Lord Korak should become king. He was stupid and blind of intelligence. She counted on the dense folly of her future husband, even, for if she did marry someone more admirable and intelligent, she would certainly have less say in how Pashtia was ruled.
All these things pushed to the forefront of Gjeelea’s mind as she weaved through the crowds trying to find the betrothed that counted for so much in her hopes to become the ruler of Pashtia. She needed to portray a happy picture to her parents and to the court, no matter how she really felt about Lord Korak.
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