Plan

Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev looked puzzled at his childhood friend. He stood in the middle of the court, lamenting how the injury caused by the mere concubine on his son’s hand could cripple him for life. The medicine man said he couldn’t use his full strength in his hand. That meant he was half as good in war. Vamsi Gupta wanted justice. He wanted the concubine tried as a criminal and hanged. He kept lamenting until the king gestured at him to stop. He eyed his heir apparent beside him, looking uneasy. The courtroom was stirred by the incident. Some said that he was right, and others wondered what he was doing on the palace premises.

“I would like to talk to the queen in this regard since the incident took place in the inner palace.” He addressed Vamri, who looked a little pale and reluctant. “And I suggest you address the princess properly.” Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev was aware of the nobles from Neelambargarh who were now present in his court after they had surrendered and pledged to help Ishaan Dev. He didn’t want them to feel insulted, especially when his son needed them. The matter was put on hold. Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev had dismissed the court and asked his queens and sister to have an audience with him. The inner palace courtroom was made ready, and he walked in to be welcomed by the three ladies. It was his habit to scan through the room as he entered any. He glanced at his sister first. It was Rajkumari Mandakini  Devi’s insecurities, perhaps, that she felt she wasn’t respected enough. Being a child widow and having lived all her life in the paternal house, perhaps, added to her shortcomings. He always wanted to make her feel that her opinions were valued in the decisions of the palace, especially in the lives of his children.

“So what happened in the palace yesterday…” He cleared his throat as everyone sat down, and Rani Ratnawati eyed Maharani Trinayani Devi.

“Was Vamri’s fault.” Trinayani Devi made everyone look at her.

“Keeping a girl like that in the palace is unsafe, and handing back the dagger to her was the biggest mistake.” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi snapped at her. “Her dignity can’t be our concern. She is Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev’s property. Why is she being treated differently from others?”

“Because I feel that she is needed.” Maharani Trinayani Devi spoke calmly.

“Needed?” Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev frowned “What do you mean?”

“Think like this, Rajadhiraja.” Maharani Trinayani Devi stood up from her seat and spoke, “When we capture and take over states, it is easier to keep the concubines, as they have lost their states and hence their entities. But you decided to give Ishaan a chance to rule Neelambargarh autonomously. That still makes her the princess of the state, even though her family lost the throne.”

“I still don’t get why Ishaan needs to rule Neelambargarh autonomously.” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi spoke, “All that is here is his. What if the states merged?” Maharani Trinayani Devi noticed  Rani Ratnawati looking uneasy at her words as Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev rubbed his bearded chin, lost in thought.

“It is good for Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev. He will prove his worth, Rajkumari. Then, nobody would doubt his claim to the throne.” Maharani Trinayani Devi spoke. Rani Ratnawati looked away.

“But Vamsi will be disappointed if we take no action, and some people will certainly back him.” Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev pointed out, as Trinayani Devi nodded thoughtfully. 

“A position in the court of Neelambargarh will keep him happy. I think our concern here should be the safety and success of Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev first. Think like this: he is going to rule the enemy state, and the people will find it hard to accept him.” The Maharani looked up at the silent but keen faces and continued, “Holding their princess captive and mistreating her would add to his woes. But… if she is treated with respect, she would become an example across the land, something nobody imagined. We would come off as generous.”

“All that is fine, but what to do with the girl?” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi spoke, “Keep her here? Let her go back with Yuvaraja? Is that even safe? She can raise an army with that rebellious streak of hers.” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi was suddenly perturbed. Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev eyed her and nodded in agreement. He then looked up at his queen, smiling.

“I have a suggestion that can solve everything. The people of Neelambargarh would accept Ishaan easily, and she would be safe, too. My mother was in a similar situation to my father. She went on to become his queen and eventually the queen-mother.”Maharani Trinayani Devi reminded everyone of a similar situation that had taken place years ago in her father’s empire. Rajkumari Mandakini Devi gasped as Rani Ratnawati looked taken aback at the idea the Maharani was hinting at. Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev stared at his queen like she had lost her mind. Marry his heir apparent to a Neelambargarhi Princess? 

“We can make history.” Maharani Trinayani Devi shrugged.

“Or ruin it.” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi snapped. “I see the queen has lost her mind. Then pray, should I remind you that Ishaan’s heart belongs elsewhere?” Rajkumari Mandakini Devi shrugged. “He has already done what a true royal would do to honour another. Let the young prince live, even if under house arrest. That is enough. Be proud of him. But...Don’t expect her to be family.” Trinayani Devi smiled as she eyed the silent and brooding Rajadhiraja. 

“It will be good for Suryapali, Rajkumari, trust me.” Trinayani Devi suggested. “Let the Rajadhiraj make a decision we can all agree upon.”

Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev had walked into his chambers in the evening after being entertained by dancers over some wine and good music. He had just set his robe and crown aside when the guard outside declared that the Queen Consort wanted an audience with him. She had already done enough for the day; what more did she want? He frowned a little. Apart from doing her duties for the inner palace and the children, Maharani Trinayani Devi and he barely exchanged words anymore, especially in his private chambers. He spent most of his days in administration and most of his nights with concubines. That was the lifestyle he and his forefathers were used to. Once the queen had enough children, heirs to be precise, they were meant to raise them to be befitting of Suryapali royals. They were meant to look after the smooth running of the inner palace and the welfare of the people in it. That was it. Rarely did they seek an audience in the evening, and that too in his private chambers. What was the emergency? Did something happen again?  He sat down on the edge of the bed, nodding in approval at the guard and adding that he wanted the concubines to come by late.

Maharani Trinayani Devi walked into his chamber and gestured at the cushions in front of him. She stood there for a while as he ordered his servants to bring in some refreshments, his hookah and fruits, before dispersing them. Then she sat down, letting her drape flow loosely over her shoulder. Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev eyed his first queen. After decades of marriage, even though most of it was spent apart, they could tell, by each other’s body language, what they thought. She was here to seek his approval on something.

“So tell me. What brought you here?” Trikal Dev asked, finally breaking the silence that was otherwise only interrupted by the sound of her bangles. Maharani Trinayani Devi smiled.

“First, congratulations. Suryapali won the battle.” He smiled at his Maharani’s acknowledgement, very well knowing her tactics.

“Yes, Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev proved himself.” He agreed, “He did what his forefathers couldn’t do. We should be proud of him.” Maharani Trinayani Devi nodded in agreement.

“I was talking to the astrologer.” She cleared her throat, making him frown a little.

“The astrologer? Why?”

“I think the sooner Ishaan starts his marital life with the Neelambargarhi Princess, the better.” She stopped as her husband pondered her suggestion while he twirled the ends of his moustache with the tip of his finger.

“I still haven’t decided on it,” he frowned as Maharani Trinayani Devi smiled at him.

“I know you will.” She made him sigh.

“I honestly didn’t approve of the Treaty to let the prince live at first, but you know…”

“This is better than an alliance with insignificant states.” Maharani Trinayani Devi nodded, finishing his words. “They have no benefits for us.” He nodded in agreement, his eyes admiring his queen’s diplomatic skills.

They both knew that although they were aware of Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev choosing to lose his heart to the Princess of Mait, the small kingdom could offer Suryapali nothing for its future. They were giving in to their firstborn's wishes unwillingly. However, the Princess of a kingdom as strong as Neelambargarh was a different kind of message to the enemies. Especially the only remaining competitors, the Chandrameris.

“Are you in a hurry because you want to declare her Yuvarani?” Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev finally asked the question that had run through his mind ever since he heard about the Maharani’s efforts to welcome the princess. She smiled at him silently.

“No. The Queen of Neelambargarh.” Maharani Trinayani Devi made him look a little taken aback. “I have learnt diplomacy from my father, Rajadhiraja.” Maharani Trinayani Devi shrugged. “Trust me. Yuvaraja needs her.”

“Anything good for Suryapali is good for me.” Trikal Dev finally agreed. “But what about Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev? … Will he give in so easily?” He had a hint of doubt in his voice. Maharani Trinayani Devi nodded confidently, knowing half her work was done.

“Even if he marries the other princess now, this girl will always be his first wife. And if she manages to give an heir soon, that would strengthen our hold over Neelambargarh. The only surviving trace of their blood will be a Suryapalian.'' Maharani Trinayani Devi raised her eyebrows as her husband let out a laugh in praise of her intelligence. They were interrupted by servants bringing in hookah pipes and fruits with wine as they stopped the conversation, aware of the gossip mills. Once they were alone again, the Rajadhiraja picked up the hookah, took a puff and spoke again.

“Don’t you think you are dreaming way ahead, Maharani?” He asked. “The girl just arrived here.”

“I once dreamt that my Ishaan would change history.” Maharani Trinayani Devi said while taking a helping of the savouries. “And look, he did it.”

“Now I see where he gets the ambition from.” The king was amused. “But I hope he gets your diplomacy a little more. I bet he thinks you are being nice to her just like that.”

“I know.” Maharani Trinayani Devi agreed. “I will talk to him when the time is right. And if by god’s grace, Mait refuses his proposals, it would be easier to push the girl to his side. There is nothing easier to please than a broken heart.”

“I see your agenda.” Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev smiled faintly. “But causing Yuvaraja a heartbreak?” He had his concerns.

“We will do nothing. Let Fate decide what is in store for him. But if his heartbreak makes his career better, when he is older and wiser and not a fool in love, he will see things more clearly, the way we see them now.” Maharani Trinayani Devi made her husband agree.

Maharani Trinayani Devi walked into her chambers, satisfied with the conversation. She now had a tougher job at hand. Taming the rebellious princess won’t be easy.

“Tell the astrologer I want to see him now.” She addressed Gulabi Bai. The woman looked at her in disbelief. She had thought that the king would reject the queen’s idea.

“Once I make sure she becomes his bride in entirety, she will know better than to rebel without a cause. She is just an immature girl who needs to become a woman.

“What about the wedding sacrifice at the fire altar?” Gulabi Bai asked, a little taken aback. How could they bring the princess to agree to it?

“That needs to be done amidst the crowd of the public; it is too soon to expose her to public view.” Trinayani Devi shook her head in contemplation.