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“You do know she is just a captive enemy, right?” Rani Ratnawati couldn’t help speaking her mind, watching Maharani Trinayani Devi deck up the inner palace to welcome a Neelambargarhi captive.
“She is also Neelambargarh’s princess. Her past and where she comes from should not make you judge her.” Maharani Trinayani Devi appeared calm and composed, checking the arrangements in the chamber as she spoke.
Rajkumari Mandakini Devi entered the chambers, in a brown drape wrapped around her shoulders, looking around. She had a string of beads around her fingers, which contrasted with the gem-studded silver bangles she wore.
“Pray, the Maharani must have forgotten what it is like to be enemies. She doesn’t even welcome guests this way.” There was a hint of rebuke in her voice that made Rani Ratnawati smile in agreement.
“I have not forgotten, Rajkumari.” Trinayani Devi walked up to her with a smile, “But as a mother of a daughter her age, this is the least…” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi’s cold glare made her stop.
“Are you suggesting that being childless makes me less compassionate?” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi spoke in a tone of astonishment. “Pray, if I let my brother know of your audacity…”
“My head will be at your feet. I am aware of it.” Trinayani Devi smiled. “I dare not imply that. Besides, my children are as much yours as…”
“Is that so?” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi took one last glance at the room before leaving the chambers, shaking her head in disbelief and murmuring to herself, “Then I would have thought of my child first, instead of the enemy!”
Rajkumari Priyambada tried to catch a glimpse of the huge gates of the state of Suryapali with the golden sun symbol on it, as the palanquin reached the state capital. The shine seemed to hurt her eyes as she looked away, shutting the curtains close as if to block the victorious cheers of the people of Suryapali who had flocked the streets. Their merriments sounded like a taunt and stabbed like a dagger, and made her Neelambargarhi blood boil. The palanquin, belonging to her mother, was perhaps more familiar than her new surroundings. She had not been able to breathe without alerting the guards ever since she attempted to escape. No matter what Urvi and Devdoot said to her, in her heart, she did not believe the story that her mother chose to leave her to the enemy as his trophy in exchange for her brother’s life. Her parents doted on her. Priyambada’s eyes kept tearing up as she remembered their faces. She looked at the muddy, tattered robe she wore and closed her eyes.
Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev’s jaws tightened as he saw the decked-up inner palace in celebration of a homecoming. He was sure his father had sent a message to his mother about the recent developments, and his mother made sure that the princess was treated justly. He sniggered in loathing as he was prepared to take no chances. Not after what he had seen that night. He didn’t allow her to bathe in the river or even let the guards lose sight of her while she wanted to change her clothes. That left Priyambada with no choice but to remain in her dirty, muddy clothes for the last two days. They travelled through the forest and rugged lands. Her home, her country and her countrymen seemed like a distant dream in this alien land. At least she had Urvi. But her guards were up. What if she had changed sides? Urvi had on more than one occasion shown gratitude to the enemies. She sent thanks to the prince for the food they were offered and for letting her accompany the princess. She was not sure of whom to trust anymore.
Maharani Trinayani Devi looked across at her son and the palanquin behind him. The guards hovered around it like they had caught a tigress ready to escape her cage. She shook her head in disappointment and gestured at Gulabi Bai. Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev moved back as Gulabi Bai approached the palanquin. She stopped while passing by him. “Congratulations, Yuvaraja.” She smiled, “On the win and the prize.” He nodded nonchalantly. The word prize seemed like a curse in his head for the last two days. Rajkumari Priyambada could hear them. Her jaws tightened as Urvi observed her, a little scared.
“May I?” Gulabi Bai asked Ishaan Dev, who nodded as she pushed the door of the palanquin and the curtains apart.
Gulabi Bai let out a gasp. The young maiden was feeble from the looks of it; her clothes were dirty and tattered. She looked devastated. What was Yuvaraja thinking, bringing home the Princess of Neelambargarh like that? Their treatment of the enemy was supposed to set an example in the land as the queen envisioned it. She gulped and looked around the inner courtyard full of onlookers, all kin and noblemen of the royal court. Then she swiftly removed a heavily embroidered shawl from around herself and wrapped it around the girl. Rajkumari Priyambada jolted back in reflex as Gulabi Bai smiled reassuringly at her, “Come with me. I am Gulabi Bai.” She managed a non-judgmental smile as Priyambada seemed to observe her. “I am Maharani's chief lady-in-waiting.” Priyambada nodded, her face still unreadable.
Maharani Trinayani Devi fumed in anger, seeing the condition of the princess who could barely walk straight without limping. “Get the maids, and prepare a bath. Get her medical attention and change to a fresh set of clothes. Make sure to feed her well.” Priyambada looked up at her authoritative voice. It sounded concerned. More human than the rest. “Has she eaten nothing in these two days?” The last question was directed at her son.
“ She fears being poisoned.” Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev spoke rather monotonously. “We could not force-feed her.”
“Why so?” Maharani Trinayani Devi’s words were met with silence. “I apologise for any mistreatment on Suryapali’s part towards you.” Her words made Rajkumari Priyambada stare at her face. She seemed welcoming. Rajkumari Priyambada remembered his grip on her arms, the pain. She felt disgusted remembering his touch. However, she chose to keep quiet and looked up at Urvi instead to speak on her behalf.
“ I beg your pardon, Maharani, the princess demanded to see her mother before she touched any food. But her demands were not met, so...” Urvi spoke on her behalf, bowing, “I am her maid in waiting, Your Majesty.” Rajkumari Priyambada observed the unfamiliar faces of the women staring at her judgmentally, and some of them even gasping at the demand.
“Captives don’t make demands around here.” It was Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev whose words made Urvi stop. Maharani Trinayani Devi gave her son a warning glance.
“It is alright. I understand she is concerned for her mother.”The Maharani spoke as Rajkumari Priyamabada looked up at her again. Something around her gave Priyambada a very warm feeling. She had missed that humane touch.
“ So you are her maid?” Gulabi Bai made Urvi nod in approval. “Very well. You can help around here. Clean her up. I will show you around.” Her words met with a nod from the Maharani.
“ I will see her after she has rested.”
Maharani Trinayani Devi had noticed Priyambada looking up at her face as if she was trying to read her mind.
“Go to your chambers, dear. And don’t worry.” She cupped Rajkumari Priyambada’s face as she took a step back, almost with a jolt. “This is home now. Nobody will poison you. I am reassuring you that. I apologise if you were mistreated. I will see what I can do to help you communicate with your family.” Her words seemed genuine as Rajkumari Priyambada found her voice and blurted out menacingly, looking at Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev, “Can you bring my mother here? He knows where she is. He just won’t tell me.” Priyambada checked her voice as it trembled. This was neither the time nor the place to be weak. Especially with the enemy watching and evaluating her every move. She glanced over at the Yuvaraja, his face undeciphered, his cold light brown eyes looking right at her as if to pierce through her mind and soul. She didn’t look away as the murmurs around her increased. Maharani Trinayani Devi eyed Gulabi Bai, who came forward and held the Rajkumari’s hand to lead her away inside.
“What is this, Yuvaraja?” Maharani Trinayani Devi spoke as soon as she left, “ You were supposed to bring her here like a captive enemy with respect and not a slave. I have taught you to respect rivals, especially women.”
“She escaped. She burnt down a tent. I had no option but to…” Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev stopped at his mother’s glare.
“I’ll see you later, Mother. I have some unfinished business to deal with.” He left, bowing to her, bending halfway.
Kumari Nayantara was made aware of the princess’s arrival as she was nearing the corridors of the queen’s chamber. She was perhaps a few years younger than the Nelambargarhi princess and was already aware of why she was summoned to the queen’s chambers right after they arrived.
“Nayantara…” She didn’t let her mother complete the sentence as she gushed, “Is she here?” Kumari Nayantara’s eyes sparkled as Maharani Trinayani Devi nodded in affirmation, watching her overexcited daughter.
“She is very lonely. Nayan, you know what you have to do, right?”
“Yes, Mother. Be a friend and make her feel at home.” Kumari Nayantara smiled rather gleefully. “When do I see her?”
“Soon.”
Rajkumari Priyambada felt relaxed after the much-needed bath and oil massage from the palace maids. She was not used to living in tents. For a few hours into the pampering, she had forgotten where she was. Then one of the maids dared to ask Urvi if she accepted her enemy as a master; Rajkumari Priyambada’s exhaustion was gone at that thought. Her mind was running. She was trapped. Caged in luxury. Maybe the queen was intelligent enough to think she could tame her with kindness. She needed to be cautious. She needed to think and plan her actions. But first, she needed to eat. She had to be alive to fight this battle and meet her family again. As soon as she ate, her tired body gave up, and although Priyambada tried to stay alert, she fell asleep as soon as her limbs touched the soft bed in her chambers.
Priyambada had just woken up from an afternoon siesta when the maids in the chamber alerted her of a guest. The princess of Suryapali was here. Clueless about who lived in the palace, Rajkumari Priyambada expected someone with eager eyes and an alert mind. The girl who walked in looked younger than her. She sighed in relief.
“I am Kumari Nayantara.” The girl who stood in front of her smiled. “I am the Yuvaraja’s sister. Youngest of the three… My half-brother Kumar Ravi is six years older than me.” She suddenly bowed, making Priyambada look surprised.
“ Welcome to Suryapali.”
“I am Rajkumari Priyambada.” She managed a polite tone with the girl. “Thank you.”
Nayantara surprised her with a hug. The warmest she had received in the recent past. Priyambada’s eyes filled with tears at the gesture. She dragged the reluctant Neelamgarhi princess to the flower garden nearest to the wing where she was kept. They were soon sitting under the boughs of the Champa tree, and Kumari Nayantara chattered away, telling her who lived in the palace and how much her brothers doted on her. She heard her tales and wondered if Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev had a heart. Otherwise, why would he, despite having a sister, treat her in such a harsh manner? Did he forget she, too, was like Kumari Nayantara, a princess, a daughter, a sister? Kumari Nayantara seemed to be in awe of her brother. She spoke of his gallantry, his kindness and his love for animals, especially his horse, Vidyut. Most of it went above Rajkumari Priyambada's racing mind, observing her surroundings. Kumari Nayantara didn’t seem bothered or attentive to the enemy’s absentmindedness. They were, however, interrupted by Gulabi Bai.
Rajkumari Priyambada was led into a chamber bigger than that of her parents back home. But unlike back home, the chamber had internal arches and long curtains, and the walls seemed barren. A vase or two stood around, and the shelves were filled with bottles of perfumes in different colours. Right in the middle of the room on a curtain-drawn bed, Maharani Trinayani Devi sat leaning on cushions with her eyes closed as a pair of maids massaged her feet. Rajkumari Priyambada stood in front of her as Gulabi Bai walked up to the queen, whispering something into her ears. The Maharani opened her eyes and sat up with a smile.
“Now you look beautiful and befitting of a Princess. I hear you have had a meal. Come sit here.” She patted the seat close to her. Rajkumari Priyambada did as she was told.
“Let me have a good look at you.” Maharani Trinayani Devi cupped her face. The sunlight fell on her dusky cheeks and shone like gold. “How old are you, Rajkumari?”
“I will turn fourteen soon.” She spoke softly, unsure. “Can you help me find my mother?”
“I can try, dear. Unfortunately, I also don’t know where she is. Neither would the Yuvaraja nor the King tell me.” Rajkumari Priyambada’s face fell at her words. “But don't worry. I have spies all over the place. The moment I find her, I will write to her myself.” Rajkumari Priyambada looked up at her face with a hint of suspicion in her eyes. Was she playing some sort of game?
“I know the circumstances are not very favourable. But I reassure you, things will be fine if you cooperate.”Rajkumari Priyambada observed her choice of words. She was either too naive or too diplomatic, but either way, admirable. “Tell me, were you mistreated, my child?” She had no heart to tell the queen how he had manhandled her, so Rajkumari Priyambada shook her head slightly.
“Tell me, Rajkumari, what do you want to make you feel better or perhaps more comfortable around here. Anything and I…” Rajkumari Priyambada stared at her face as though she was trying to get into the queen’s thoughts. “My dagger.” She said as though she had thought of the answer even before she was asked. “You say I am a royal being respected here, and I am sure you are aware of how all royal women carry weapons for self-protection. However, mine was snatched in captivity and has not been returned yet. I am a stranger in this place and land, and I feel vulnerable without it.” Rajkumari Priyambada stopped to sigh and observe the queen. Maharani Trinayani Devi frowned a little, lost in thought and then clapped her hands thrice. A man appearing to be a messenger arrived and bowed as she said in a firm voice of authority. “Ask the Yuvaraja to return the Rajkumari of Neelambargarh’s dagger to her immediately. It is my order and concern for her safety.” The man bowed and left. Rajkumari Priyambada appeared pleased. Perhaps it was the gesture she needed to trust the Maharani of Suryapali, and Maharani Trinayani Devi knew that.
Maharani Trinayani Devi offered her some freshly cut fruits and smiled, “Is there anything else you need in your chambers? Are the clothes and jewellery adequate, or should I send for some more?” Rajkumari Priyambada suddenly felt alarmed. She was right. The queen was trying to win her trust and manipulate her with worldly pleasures. Pushing away the plate of fruits, she said firmly, “I don’t want anything, I just want to be free, and I want to see my family.” Rajkumari Priyambada surprised the Maharani as she stood up, teary, and Trinayani looked up at her pale face “I want nothing else to do with any of you. Please let me go.”
“My child. Your mother signed a treaty…” Maharani Trinayani Devi stood up too.
“NO NO NO!”Rajkumari Priyambada shook her head and stepped back. Gulabi Bai was alert enough to grab her hand before she flung the vase, as two maids walked up to hold her back as she resisted them.
“Let her go, Gulabi Bai!” ordered the Maharani, “How dare you touch her like that?”
“We were just trying to make sure she didn’t hurt you.” Gulabi Bai stepped back, apologising.
“I am like her mother; she will not hurt me. Can’t you see, she is in pain!”Maharani Trinayani Devi snapped as Rajkumari Priyambada stared at her, dumbfounded. Gulabi Bai again murmured an apology.
“I don’t believe a word any of you say.” Rajkumari Priyambada shook her head again “I will never give in to your commands. I will find my family someday.” She turned and ran across the corridor back to her chambers.
“I will keep an eye on her.” Gulabi Bai shook her head.
The Maharani dismissed the maids and sat on her bed, lost in thought. She saw in Rajkumari Priyambada not only a royal, with a fit of rage, but a strong and determined woman. Having faced what she had at thirteen was unimaginable to Maharani Trinayani Devi. She was not naive. The way the Rajkumari rebelled or was adamant made her feel intimidated, even though she would never accept it. Her thoughts wandered. It was different, capturing a smaller state and adding some royal ladies as the king’s concubines. Suryapali had done that in the past. It was another game when her son had to autonomously rule the enemy state to prove his worth. Maharani Trinayani Devi, with her years of experience, was anything but a fool. She was aware that ruling Neelambargarh wouldn’t be easy. Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev would be scrutinised at every step by them, as well as Suryapali. One wrong move on his part could cause him to lose his position as heir apparent to Rajputra Ravi Varman. She had waited all her life to see her son on the throne. Would mistreating the Neelambargarhi princess help his cause? A king was, after all, nothing without his people.
