Chapter 4.

After a long journey of 4 days, we reached Magadha, his kingdom or 'OUR' kingdom as he states. We entered the boundaries of Magadha and the people of the kingdom came out of their houses to greet us. I was totally overwhelmed by this love.

People call me selfish. But I can happily be called a selfish person if I could get this love of my people. The royalties are to serve these not to exploit them and I would make sure that at least this place can have a great ruler, even if it meant making my husband go through a hell of a lot of changes.

"Stop!!" I demanded him to stop the horse and he did. I climbed down and he interjected, "but the palace is still-" to which I cut him off, "I would walk till the palace. These people have come to meet their crown Princess and they deserve the respect. I want to meet them." I said going soft at the end and looking in his eyes.

"So be it." And he too jumped down from the horse. We started to walk to the palace. All the while he held my hand in his, showing his authority and people seem to admire it, so I didn't object, not that he was going to listen.

People blessed us and praised our pair. I could feel happiness bubbling through the prince's chest. Interesting, the merciless knows how to feel??

Walking to the palace with him felt like I found my way and peace in life. Although I still suspect this weird feeling of mine I let it slide.

At the palace doors, our arrival was announced and we entered. 

In my vision line, I could see an elderly couple, a young man, and a few sophisticatedly dressed ladies and men.

We moved nearer to them and The elderly lady smiled at me. I smiled a little in return and looked at my husband for an introduction.

He was still busy in his own world when I pinched him to gain his attention.

He yelped and sent a glare my way. As if it is going to affect me. I glared at him and he seem to understand the point of my behavior.

He looked sheepish and said, "These are the king and queen of Magadha. My parents. And now your in-laws." 

I bend down to touch their feet and they blessed me, "God bless you, and may you always stay happy and content."

I smiled and the queen said, "forget whatever this boy had said. You are not our daughter-in-law but rather our own daughter. Feel free to do whatever you wish for my child. This is your own home."

"There is no limit to human contentment. The more they could see, the more they wish for. One could only content when they make their way to the supreme lord Ranimaa." I replied.

"Don't... Call me maa... I am now your mother too. I birthed this stupid fellow to get such a beautiful and intelligent daughter for my whole life. It is us who are blessed to have you. With such maturity and intelligence, I am assured that our kingdom is going to be in good hands." Ra... Arr... Maa said.

They welcomed us in after a few more rituals to perform on the doorstep itself. Next, we went to the temple. And now I was being introduced to all the people in the palace.

"This is your pitaji...(father) king of Magadha. You are free to inform any of us if he becomes a handful. We'll twist his ears for you. Don't worry."  She directed her words to me and to inform her if my husband becomes a handful and tries to annoy me. Looks like his ears are going to be permanently red color because he is always a handful and annoying.

Then she introduced me to other ministers and their wives and at last, we stood in front of a young man. Same one whom I saw at the doorstep.

"This is our Vidyut. Best friend of Vikram and chief commander of our army." I joined my hands and greeted him with a namaste (a form of greeting in India out of respect).

"Bhabhi (sister-in-law) don't worry. I too am on your team. You can always come to me to get help when you want to annoy this husband of yours." And he laughed.

"This is not fair. You all are changing sides just by looking at her. This is wrong. What kind of king and queen are you to serve such an unfair and biased justice to your own son." He whined.

"Stop being a baby Vikram. No need to be jealous of your own wife." Vidyut Bhai (brother) said.

We were at last headed to our chamber. He leads us. I came to know his name is Vikram. 

We entered and I discarded my veil and heavy jewelry instantly.

He chuckled and said, "seems like you are not fond of jewelry much." 

"A queen should consider her justice and insight her biggest jewelry and serve her kingdom well, her foremost duty. These gold and rubies are just another piece of stone to me. My real possession lies in the love of my people." I replied.

I wasn't able to see him properly but what I could feel was a small smile gracing his lips.

He helped me remove flowers from my bun and freed my tresses. My hair was long, up to knees, midnight Black and was always untamed. He forced them to be tamed.

As soon as my hair flowed down, I felt relief pass through me.

He combed his fingers through my hair and it felt exceptionally good. Like a positive good.

I leaned back in his embrace and unknowingly closed my eyes, drifting to lands of dreams.

From what I could see these were the same corridors I came through to our chamber.

I could hear giggles and some meaningless voices, like someone babbling.

I entered the chamber that we entered a few moments ago, which is ours.

"Aditya... What are you doing?? Are you trying to teach her something??" A lady sitting beside one of the two cribs said. I looked closely and she was me. The man to whom she said it was none other than my husband.

"I would teach her everything she desires. Our daughter is meant to become a queen. Just like her mother." He smiled at what I would say was my clone. But how is it possible?? Am I seeing things, or is it my subconsciousness??? 

"And our son, he would become like you, Aditya. A fearless and brave king. Loves his family dearly and is a heartthrob." Said my clone.

The babies?? Aditya??? What is happening??

And with that, I woke up with a jerk. What was it?? What does it mean?? What is his name?? Vikram or Aditya??? Why did I see those visions?