“Should I address them, Your Highness?” He asked. Priyambada shook her head and stepped out to face the crowd.
“It is my pleasure to announce today that anyone who has been a victim of the unfortunate constant wars inflicted upon commoners or incurred losses in the process, in any kind of manner, will be compensated for the same with monetary benefits from the state.” The crowd stared at her in disbelief and silence. “I know the loss of lives or dignity is not enough to be compensated with money, but I hope to help in any way possible. Such a scheme is unique in nature, and I am happy that both your Adhiraja and I can take care of your losses in this way. The details will be available at the administrative quarters of the respective districts and with Vamsi Gupta soon.” The crowd erupted in cheer.
“Long live Maharani Priyambada.”
The sound of joy echoed in the air. People clapped. They bowed to her, folding their hands in gratitude. Some were teary-eyed. Priyambada observed the crowd’s reaction. She felt empowered by their cheers. Just when she was looking for her worth once again, it was like the Lord himself reminded her of the right path to follow. Her subjects were happy. Niranjan Verma stepped forward.
She was handed the inscribed seal that read, “In the name of the Lord Almighty, the Goddesses of Strength and the Creation, and the Sun and Wind which gave us life, this inscription celebrates the glory of Maharani Priyambada Devi, the queen regent of Adhiraja Ishaan Dev Verma the son of the Sun and winner of this land and beloved daughter of Neelambargarh’s late Raja Brahma Gupta, who for the welfare of her subjects introduced the scheme for the betterment of victims of unfortunate wars and calamities that are often beyond their control. She, whose presence prospers the lands of Neelambargarh and Suryapali like the Goddess of Prosperity herself, is present on our holy soils and is blessed in this shrine by the only one she bows to, The Lord Himself. May the world bow to our brave, beloved Maharani.” Queen Regent? That means equal to the King? Maharani Priyambada ran her fingers over the words ‘queen’ and ‘daughter’ and blinked away her tears with a sigh. She looked up at Niranjan, who nodded as she pushed the seal into the cut-out area. “The words are…” Priyambada stopped as the crowd erupted in cheers.
“His Majesty’s.” Niranjan’s words made her look up at him as he nodded. Maharani Priyambada’s smile faded. She looked a little pale.
“Did you send out the first beneficiary of the scheme their compensation?” She cleared her throat as Niranjan Verma nodded. “They must have received it by now, Your Highness.”
“I'd better go get ready for court.” She stepped back and looked at Devdoot, who nodded and proceeded to make the guards clear the way for her departure.
Kumar Viraj eagerly opened the scroll with the Queen’s seal and read the letter addressed to him. He sat down to read it and smiled faintly at the formal tone of the letter. Priyambada had learnt diplomacy well. Smriti was called into his meeting room before she began her shift for the day, and she feared something was terribly wrong. After all, the queen’s sealed letter and the talk of the wedding of Ishaan Dev were gossip that ran through the length and breadth of the empire. Could Priyambada be in trouble? Smriti was genuinely concerned when she entered the chambers, making Kumar Viraj look up with a smile. His smile was reassuring enough that it was not bad news as he handed her a letter and a pouch of jingling coins. She looked up, confused and opened the letter. It was an informal, unsealed letter from “Priyambada” that described how moved she was by what Smriti went through, and that prompted her to think of something. In the pouch was the first-ever compensation for the war victim scheme. Smriti inhaled and looked up at Kumar Viraj. He opened his letter and cleared his throat.
“She writes to me that you are entitled to a pension under the scheme every month, and you no longer have to work here or anywhere undignified and lower than your royal status.” Kumar Viraj smiled faintly “She ordered me to release you from your duties with immediate effect and …” Smriti’s smile faded as she looked up at his face. “She wrote that you can return to the capital if you want.” Kumar Viraj looked away. Smriti’s throat dried up. Her work was her excuse to stay away from the bitter memories of the capital and, most importantly, closer to Kumar Viraj to look after him. What excuses could she make now? Smriti nodded in silence and stepped back. Did he want her to leave? His face looked unreadable.
“Can I take some time to think about where to go and what to do next?” Her words made him look up.
“You can stay here as long as you want, Smriti. You don’t have to go back if the place haunts you.” Kumar Viraj nodded reassuringly. Smriti smiled faintly “I don’t want to overstay my welcome.” Silence filled the room as they both seemed engrossed in the letters, and Bulbul’s song broke the silence as Smriti observed Kumar Viraj.
“Do you want me to stay?” Heaven knew how much strength she gathered to ask it out loud. Kumar Viraj looked up at her words.
“If you want to.” His voice was monotonous. The answer was short and unexpected. It had nothing to do with him. It was all about her. Smriti nodded and turned to walk away, murmuring, “Let me think.” Kumar Viraj sighed as he sat down on the chair after she left, his hand reaching his chin. Who was he to stop her from a promising or better life? Just because he needed a friend? He couldn’t be that selfish, could he? What power did he have over her? He couldn’t promise her the heart he had already lost once.
Sumedha couldn’t decide who was more decked up, Suryapali or her. The burden of the tons of heavy jewellery on her was perhaps still less than the burden she carried in her heart as she went through each and every ceremony with Ishaan Dev. She hadn’t looked up at him even once, but if she did, she would know that he didn’t look at her either. Trinayani Devi sat in her highchair, observing her son’s face with a slight frown. He didn’t seem pleased, but he knew what needed to be done. Ever since he arrived in Suryapali, he had been mostly in his allotted wedding chambers and didn’t entertain conversations. She had never seen her son that quiet. What bothered Trinayani was that she couldn’t tell what was going on with her son. What was he thinking?
Sumedha was reminded time and again how she was expected to provide the dynasty with an heir. If she failed to do so, she was going to be lost in oblivion with no place greater than a concubine. Rani Ratnawati made sure to warn her about that.
“The elder queen is cunning. Don’t trust her sweet words.” Rani Ratnawati reminded her. “On your wedding night, unlike her, submit to him and please him.” Sumedha’s throat felt dry. All of a sudden, she felt like she had forgotten to breathe. An unknown fear gripped her. Her eyes were moist under the veil. She wished, somehow magically, Ravi could help her. She knew both of them were helpless. He possibly could do nothing now once they reached the other kingdom.
Rajputra Ravi Varman pushed a glass of wine towards his older brother, who refused to take a sip. He frowned. It was unlike him to refuse. Ravi Varman had made a plan to keep him occupied enough with wine and women for him to forget his new bride was waiting for him. That way, he could make sure Sumedha was safe. But for how long?
“Is everything alright?” Rajputra Ravi Varman found speech amidst his own intoxication. Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev stared at him with cold eyes. He knew better. They never shared with each other, so why bother asking?
“How are your alliance attempts coming along?” He was quick to change the topic.
“Don't you think you will ask my mother that?” Rajputra Ravi Varman had a hint of amusement in his voice.
“You need to appear more mature and responsible for that, maybe?” Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev’s words were met with a cold stare.
“You are too perfect a standard to match, I guess, dear brother.” Though Ravi Varman smiled, Ishaan Dev knew it was anything but flattery.
“Your mother wants to see you, Your Highness.” It was Gulabi Bai outside the threshold who prompted Ishaan Dev to get up as Ravi Varman frowned.
“You are coming back, right? I will be waiting.” He said in a slurred speech.
“Pardon me, Rajputra, but it is his wedding night.” Gulabi Bai spoke, making him sigh.
“Besides, you need some sleep, brother.” Ishaan Dev patted his back gently “You are drunk.”
He left, followed by Gulabi Bai, as Ravi Varman picked up the Vessel of wine. Tonight, he needed it to soothe some pain. Tonight, he wouldn’t get a wink of sleep.
“I am sure I don’t need to make you aware of your duties as a husband.” Trinayani Devi looked up at her firstborn as he looked away “I know your first marriage isn’t entirely what one expects and…”
“We are fine. She is fine.” Ishaan Dev interrupted abruptly. “The state is in good hands.”
Trinayani Devi sighed. “Marriages aren’t entirely about states.”
“Some are.” Ishaan Dev looked up at her firmly, “Like that of yours and father’s.”
“Ishaan!” Trinayani Devi cut him short with a gasp. “You may be king of some state, but I am still your mother. I think there is a clear line of…”
“I apologise, Mother. I am not thinking straight.” He shook his head remorsefully.
“Then, do start trying! I am not going to tell you how to run your life. All I want is to know your priorities. And from tonight onwards, you have to be a responsible husband to Sumedha also.”
“I don’t think I was responsible enough the first time.” Ishaan Dev shook his head, making his mother look up at his words.
“Here.” She took out a Churamani from her box. “My mother got this from my father, and she gave it to me. I would like your wife to take it. Whoever you choose to be your wife, that is.” Ishaan Dev eyed the piece of stone-studded jewellery as she continued, “This is a sign of a married woman after all.”
“I think you should keep it for Nayantara, she will make a good wife.” Ishaan Dev stepped back “If you want me to give a Churamani…” He sighed, “I will order two of those. Now, if you excuse me?” Trinayani watched him walk away. She had hoped for an answer, but Ishaan successfully left her with more questions.
Trishan was perplexed. It’s been days since Ishaan arrived in Suryapali and had constantly refused the wine and the dancing girls. It was quite unlikely of him, especially when it was a happy occasion. Every time he went to talk to Ishaan Dev, he was met with short replies and reluctant stares. Trishaan Dev waited a week and finally met Vamsi Gupta.
“Tell me. Does he seem like this all through his stay at Neelambargarh? Has the princess done some black magic on him?” Trishaan’s frown was met with Vamsi’s shake of a head.
“I told you in my letters, the changes are alarming.” The man agreed.
“Who is keeping an eye on the princess now?” Trishaan Dev paced his room as Vamsi Gupta sat down.
“Well… you said Tarabai…” He stopped as Trishaan’s jaws clenched “I don’t know what is going on with her, she is beyond our reach. Either the princess suspects her, hence she is keeping low, or she simply changed sides.” Trishaan shook his head and pumped his fist “Why would she change sides? What would she get from it?”
“Pardon me, but what we have on her can force her to be on our side…” Vamsi Gupta smiled faintly, and Trishaan looked up at his words. “After all, she wanted to trick the heir apparent and have his child.”
“We have no proof of it, and she knows that.” Trishaan shook his head “Dealing with Tarabai is like treading with fire.”
“ Who else can help us? Most of the nobles seem mesmerised by her.” Vamsi Gupta didn’t bother to check his tone of rebuke.
“Let me think.”Trishaan sat down, staring at the flickering lamp. “All we need is to create a rift between Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev and her. I think this marriage is the beginning of it.” His eyes shone as Vamsi Gupta smiled at him.
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