With every passing minute, the burden and pressure on Ahankara's mind and heart seemed to get heavier. She had delayed the decision as much as possible, but it was now the last day, the third day after Yashvir had left her Palace. This was the day she had to make her choice, whether she would destroy the lives of thousands of her soldiers, or just her own.
She stood in the balcony, watching the sky, as the clear blue gradually morphed into shades of orange and pink, making her heart feel heavier and heavier with every passing second.
"Ahankara?" Maharaja Karan Singh walked up to her, his eyes sullen.
She quickly wiped away her tear, turning her face away from him.
"Yes, Bhai Sa?" She forced a smile.
"It's time. If we don't send a messenger by nightfall, he won't reach the Palace in time, and that Yuvraj will return with an army. So unless you chose war, you need to let me know what it will
Ahankara took in a deep breath, as she stepped out of her litter. Her heart was hammering in her chest, as she felt intimidated by the huge castle walls and its extravagant beauty. She had lived in a Palace too, but it was no match to the Palace of Kalang. She looked down and frowned when she realized her pathway was covered with rose petals, to welcome her inside. She stepped off of it, not wanting to trample the flowers beneath her feet."This Palace is so beautiful, Rajkumari," Neharika commented, ogling at her surroundings with her mouth parted in awe."Indeed," Ahankara muttered, looking around, when she caught the eye of the man waiting for her at the door. She froze as her eyes met with Yashvir's, and she gulped, before looking away from him."Let's go, Ahankara," Karan Singh told her, and she nodded.They began walking towards the main entrance, and Ahankara made sure she did not step on any of the
"I'm not crazy like you," she spat without realizing, and his expression hardened."What did you say?" He asked in a low voice, narrowing his eyes into slits. She gulped, staring at him with wide eyes. He now began to lean in towards her, and she backed her head away as much she could, feeling goosebumps cover her entire body.Aye Lord Shiva, please save me from this monster, she thought to herself before she clenched her eyes shut. A second later she felt his breath on her lips, and her struggles to get her wrists free became more violent. She sucked in a breath, feeling her pound in her chest. His warm breath travelled from her lips to her jaw, and down to her neck, before returning back to her lips. Her body was tingling in fear, and nervousness."Open your eyes, my beautiful rose," Yashvir whispered huskily.Ahankara took in a few deep breaths, before daring to oblige. Her eyes fluttered open,
Ahankara stared at herself in the mirror, as Neharika and the other maids finished dressing her up. She was dressed in a beautiful teal lehenga, almost completely covered with silver embroidery. The short blouse that exposed her slim waist, had a deep V-neckline, almost hinting at her cleavage. The sleeves were three quartered, leaving the rest of her forearms to show off her henna design, and to provide space for her heavy bangles."You look so beautiful, Rajkumari," Neharika smiled, and a tear escaped her eye as she stared at Ahankara. Ahankara offered her a small smile, as one of the maids placed her net dupatta (a scarf like cloth used by women in the Eastern countries to cover the head, or to place on the shoulder) on her head. She stood up, her jewellery chiming in the process, as she stepped away from the mirror to get a proper look at herself. The skirt of her lehenga beautiful too, decorated with beautiful embroidered net.
"So are you going to tell me then, what exactly did I come for?" He asked, mischief evident in his eyes.Ahankara blinked, looking away from him, as she felt heat rise up her cheeks."Hmm?" He pushed, leaning in towards her. She froze, closing her eyes tightly. "Can you tell me what I came for, Princess?" He whispered huskily in her ear, while Ahankara gulped, trying hard to get her wrist free from him."Or even better, why don't you just give it to me?" Yashvir smirked, lightly touching his nose against hers."Yashvir," Ahankara whispered and turned her face to the side. "Stop it. Get away from me.""Or what?" He raised an eyebrow, pulling her even closer to himself, his grip on her wrist tightening slightly. Ahankara tried to push him away with her free hand, but he caught hold of that wrist too, also twisting it behind her back. "Now, what will you do if I do not stop this?"
"Aye Bhagwan (Oh God)! You look so stunning, Rajkumari, I can't take my eyes off you!" Neharika squealed, staring at Ahankara. "Yuvraj really got a beautiful dress for you. Is the embroidery actually of gold?""Yeah," Ahankara nodded, looking in the mirror. This time, even she was shocked to see herself. She did look beautiful. The deep red color of the dress looked beautiful against her brown skin, and the real gold embroidery was truly out of this world. Although she was bothered by the weight of her jewellery, the heavy necklaces, heavy jhumkay (traditional Indian earrings), rings, anklets, and the teeka (a hair accessory), she could not deny that these enhanced her beauty and really made her look like a Queen. Like the soon to be Queen of Kalang. The bride of the Yuvraj.Her heart pounded in her chest at the thought, as her doom seemed to be nearing. Yashvir had maintained the distance he had been asked to for the previous night, and h
As soon as Shivanya left her alone in Yashvir's room, Ahankara stood up from the bed, feeling her heart hammer in her chest. The room was only lit with oil lamps, and the whole room smelled of roses. She kept staring at the door of the room with fear in her eyes and shivers through her body. She was his wife now. The moment he had been waiting for to touch her had arrived. Any moment now he would enter through that door, and claim her body. And she would not be able to do anything to stop him.Feeling herself hyperventilate, Ahankara took deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. She tried to distract herself, walking around his room, exploring it. She noticed how there was a dressing table in the room, probably kept for her. A shiver swept through her body as she realized what it meant. She would have to stay in his room, spend the night with him quite often. Usually Kings would keep their rooms and their wives' rooms seperate, so they would only go to the
"We're sleeping in the same bed, and that's final. You don't have another option.""I can't sleep in the same bed as you," Ahankara retorted.Yashvir narrowed his eyes at her, and pulled her close to himself by her wrist. "Why not?"She gasped, trying to get her wrist free as she stared at him with wide eyes."I don't trust you," she muttered softly."You don't what?" His lips cracked into an amused smile."I-I don't trust you," Ahankara repeated, still struggling to get her wrist free.Yashvir pursed his lips, still smiling. He caught hold of her other wrist as well, and pushed her back, making her lie down on the bed."What are you doing?" She asked with wide eyes, her heart instantly beating faster.He climbed on top of her, straddling her body."You think... I'd take advantage of a sleeping woman?" He
"Rajkumari?" Someone said softly, lightly shaking Ahankara by her arm. "Rajkumari?""Who is it?" Ahankara's eyes shot open and she sat up, looking around. It was a maid, who quickly stepped away from her, her eyes downcast."Khamma Ghanni Rajkumari," she joined her hands. "I am your personal maid. My name is Heer.""Ghanni Khamma," Ahankara replied, heaving a sigh of relief. She had been startled when Heer was waking her up."Rajkumari, should I draw a bath for you? Rani Aaradhya was asking about you," she said softly, her eyes fixed on the ground."Yes, please do that Heer," Ahankara yawned, covering her mouth. "And, Rani Aaradhya, as in the King's second wife?""Yes, Rajkumari," she nodded."Tell me something, um, Rajkumari Shivanya, and Rajkumari Phool. They're both Maharani Hansa Bai's daughters, right?" Ahankara inquired."Yes, Rajkum
Few Months Later"You okay?" Yashvir asked softly, pulling Ahankara to his chest."Yeah," she whispered, her gaze downcast."Look at me," he demanded, brushing her hair away from her face. Ahankara hesitated, but obliged, her glassy eyes meeting with his concerned ones. "Hey, my Love," Yashvir frowned, pulling her into a hug. She held onto his shirt, and sniffed, as tears left her eyes. "Ahankara... Stop crying my Beautiful Rose. I don't like your tears, you know that.""Hmm," she mumbled, but continued to shake with silent cries."Ahankara, you know this had to happen one day, right?" He asked. "She had to go some day.""I know, but it still hurts. I miss her so much already," Ahankara muttered, burying her face into his chest.He caressed her back, and the back of her head, hoping to calm her down. "If I had known this would happen, I wo
"I knew it was of no use! I knew it! Why would you listen to me, after all? I've never truly believed in you before this," he said, scowling. He wiped away his tears, and turned around, storming to the door of his bedroom. He opened it and was about to walk out, when a small, soft voice fell upon his ears, making him freeze."Y-Yashvir?"His eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat, as he slowly turned around. His gaze fell directly upon Ahankara, whose eyes were open now, and staring back at him. A tear of happiness left his eye, and he instantly rushed to her, taking her hands into his."Are you okay? God I missed you so much," he whispered, leaning in and kissing her forehead."Wh-what happened?" Ahankara whispered, frowning. "I don't... I..." She trailed off."Wait, let me get the doctor," Yashvir said in alarm, running to the door. He ordered a guard outside to fetch the docto
A Week Later Yashvir entered the room, his jaw clenched as tears pricked his vision. His lower lip quivered and he pursed his lips, looking away from Ahankara's sleeping self and taking in a deep breath. He slowly made his way to her, and sat down beside her, unsure of what to do. The only thing he knew was, his wife was in a coma, and there was nothing he could do to help her. All his wealth as a King, his power, his physical strength, nothing would prove helpful. He was completely helpless as he stared at her closed eyes, her unmoving body.A sob escaped his lips and tears fell from his eyes, as he leaned down and placed his head on her shoulder. Hearing the sound of her breathing, and feeling her heart beat calmed him down slightly, reminding him that he had not lost her completely. She could still wake up, still come back to him."Ahankara," he said softly, sniffing, as he took her ha
"I don't understand, Kunwar Sa. Why would you choose me?" Neharika whispered, a tear escaping her eye. "You could choose any beautiful Princess, anyone at all... Why me?""Why is it so hard for you to admire yourself?" Ranvijay frowned. He walked up to her, and gently took her arms, turning her around so she would face him. "I like you. I like everything about you. Your simplicity, your wit, your grace. You, Neharika. I don't care about any fancy Princess out there, about anyone who isn't you. Because you're the one I want in my life.""Your family would never acce-""It's a good thing I don't have any family then, right?" Ranvijay cut her off. "I only have an Uncle, and his family. And they don't have anything to say to me, they don't care. They mind their own business, I mind mine.""But what if-""Shh," Ranvijay placed his index finger on her lips, making her silent again. "Trust me."
"I'm not playing with her feelings," Ranvijay frowned, crossing his arms over his chest."Bullshit," Yashvir narrowed his eyes at him. "Why else would you be messing around with her? You know she's not a Princess.""So what?" Ranvijay scoffed. "Since when do you care about titles? Even if Ahankara had not been a Princess, I'm sure you would still have married her."Yashvir raised am eyebrow at him. "I would, but are you serious? You wanna marry Neharika?""Look, I haven't decided yet. I need a few days around her, obviously. You tell me, is she nice a girl?" Ranvijay asked."Of course, why else would I be concerned about her? But she cannot handle a Kingdom, that's for sure. She's intelligent, no doubt, but you know Princesses receive certain training since a young age," Yashvir explained."She must have been on Ahankara's side when she received hers," Ranvijay shrugged.
Neharika stood beside Ahankara, throwing flowers at Kabir and Ananya, who walked around the sacred fire, fulfilling their last wedding ritual. Her eyes accidentally met with those of the man standing beside Yashvir, and he smirked, causing her to blush and immediately look away. Realizing that Yashvir was calmly conversing with him, Neharika lightly nudged Ahankara's arm."Yeah?" Ahankara asked softly, turning her head to look at her."Who's he? The man beside Maharaj," Neharika questioned, her voice lowered to a whisper."Who?" Ahankara frowned, looking in his direction. "Oh he. That's Rajkumar Ranvijay Samrat. He's a childhood friend of Yashvir, Ananya and Kabir. He was too busy at the time of our wedding so he couldn't show up. Why are you asking?""He's a Rajkumar?" Neharika asked softly, meeting his gaze again as she felt her heart sink."Yeah... Is everything okay?" Ahankara frowned,
Yashvir walked inside the room, his gaze meeting Ahankara's as she offered him a small, tired smile. He walked up to the bed and sat down beside her, after which everyone else left the room, except the doctor."Is she okay?" Yashvir asked, looking up at the doctor as he took Ahankara's hand in his. "Thank you for showing up on such short notice. The Palace doctor is out of town.""It's an honour, Maharaj. And your wife will be perfectly fine very soon. I would, however, suggest you take special care of her from now on. Such an accident could potentially harm your baby. You're lucky she-""What?" Ahankara and Yashvir said in unison, their expressions mirroring each other's."Did you say baby?" Yashvir asked in disbelief, frowning."Um, yeah," the doctor nodded, smiling. "You two weren't aware? She looks eight weeks to me.""I told you!" Ahankara breathed, her eyes turning g
Ahankara carried the tray of colors to the bed, her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to suppress her smile. She placed it on the side table, watching to make sure Yashvir was fast asleep. She sat down beside him, careful not to move the bed too much, and took some of the pink color into her hand. Grinning, she slowly brought her hand towards his face, but before she could touch him, Yashvir woke up with a jolt and caught hold of her wrist. Ahankara gasped as he pulled her closer, his eyes narrowed dangerously."What do you think you're doing?" He asked."I... Uh..." She muttered, biting her lip as her gaze flickered from him to her hand, and back to his face. She realize her closed fist was vertically above his cheek, and she grinned before unclenching it, causing the color to fall onto his face."Ahankara!" Yashvir snapped, closing his eyes and scrunching up his nose."Happy Holi," Ahankara smil
Yashvir held onto Ahankara's hand from behind, his other hand resting on her waist. His warm breath tickled her ear as he leaned in to her, placing his chin on her shoulder."Keep your eyes on your target," Yashvir whispered, before he made her swing the sword around. "And then attack.""Hmm," Ahankara replied, her breath hitching and her heart beat pacing. His close proximity was making it difficult for her to focus, and a small, bashful smile stretched across her lips."Keep your grip firm, or the sword will be knocked out of your hands," he said, tightening his fingers around hers. "And don't just use the blade. You can use every part of the sword to your advantage.""How?" Ahankara asked, turning her head to look up at him. He leaned in and touched his nose against hers, gently nudging, before he pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back, closing her eyes, as she let go of the sword, letting it fal