Royals

This is part two of The Throne series. If you have not read part one, "The Sun of Suryapali", read it first.

Maharani Priyambada parted the curtains of her palanquin slightly to catch a glimpse of the bustling streets; the people of Suryapali flocking on either side of the road to catch a glimpse of the entourage of Neelambargarh and, of course, their prince. The entourage was slowly approaching the fortified walls of the palace. The paths were narrower than those back home, and the houses lacked colour and paint. They were just bricks; most of them. Some of the streets smelled of burnt meat, flowers and vegetables. Perhaps the market was nearby, Priyambada inferred as she winced her nose a little at the smell. She suddenly realised how the first time she had entered the city, she was in a trance to miss these scenes. There was the familiar view of the temple of the Lord as she folded her hands to pray softly. The gates of Suryapali were decorated with colourful flags and welcoming troops who escorted the entourage of guests through the busy streets of the capital. Adhiraja Ishaan Dev Varman of Neelambargarh looked up at the golden sun shining in the rays of the one above, atop the gates and the flags of Suryapali flying high. He smelled the air. He was home. No matter how much he was used to Neelambargarh and its people, his roots had made him homesick. On the left, after a turn, away from the bustle of the city, the palace was now visible. Maharani Priyambada inhaled.

It is interesting to note how people and their entire frame of mind change once someone has a title in front of their name. The last time Rajkumari Priyambada of Neelambargarh entered the walled city of Suryapali, the people were curious about the captive. They rejoiced in a win and showered their Yuvaraja with flower petals and cheers while her small, insignificant entourage, guarded heavily by the soldiers of Suryapali, was ignored or simply winced at. Many moons later, when the entourage with Neelambargarh’s flag flying high in the Suryapalian land entered the city walls, Maharani Priyambada saw the people cheering, not their prince but the Adhiraja of Neelambargarh. Suddenly, Priyambada’s heart swelled in pride. Sometimes, even defeats could make you win in unimaginable ways. All she saw was the Neelambargarhi flag flying in Suryapalian land, and all she heard was the Suryapalians embracing and cheering the king of Neelambargarh. Somehow, Priyambada could feel her ancestors looking down upon the scene, cracking jokes between them about how naively the Suryapalians didn’t see through it as she did. 

She inhaled, lost in a chain of thoughts as Vrinda, who had accompanied her as her handmaid, parted the curtains of the palanquin in the inner courtyard of the Suryapali Palace and gave her a hand. Maharani Priyambada put up the happiest smile she could show and stepped out, as her eyes immediately fell on the porch leading up to the inner palaces. Memories of the past made her shiver slightly. Gulabi Bai stood there, ready to escort her inside. She suddenly remembered how crowded the palace courtyard was, with eager eyes hovering over her the day she came here. She watched Adhiraja Ishaan Dev dismount from his horse and approach Gulabi Bai, who bowed to him. 
“The soldier will escort you to the Rajadhiraja’s chamber, Your Majesty, while I take Her Royal Highness to the Queen’s chamber as I have been told to.” Gulabi Bai bowed to Maharani Priyambada as she walked up to the porch behind him and nodded in acknowledgement. Ishaan Dev half turned as eyes met. He did look concerned as Priyambada managed to keep her smile intact and nodded at him, reassuringly. What was she even reassuring him about? She didn’t even know. 
“I will see you soon.” He murmured almost under his breath as he gestured at the soldier to lead him to the men’s quarters. Gulabi Bai led the way as Priyambada followed alongside Vrinda.
“Don’t worry, right after you meet the Maharani, you will be directed to your chambers for refreshment. We are aware that you made a long journey and you can rest your tired body till lunch, Your Highness.” Gulabi Bai smiled as Priyambada nodded.
“Frankly, I am not as tired, Gulabi Bai. My limbs could do with some walking. I have been sitting in the palanquin for hours, so it is alright.” Gulabi Bai looked up at her informal tone with a silent nod as they reached the chambers. 

Gulabi Bai stopped at the threshold, pushed open the door and bowed to seek her leave. Priyambada entered the chambers she was familiar with. Yet, somewhere it looked new. Perhaps the furniture was shifted or the curtains were new. She eyed Maharani Trinayani Devi sitting on a highchair supervising the large amounts of gifts that were being wrapped by maids, as Rajkumari Mandakini sat on a bench near her, and Rani Ratnawati stood beside the high chair. As she entered the room, all eyes were immediately drawn to her. The maids bowed as the women stood up. Something she didn’t quite expect. She bowed to the queen, who smiled and hugged her while she turned to Rajkumari Mandakini and Rani Ratnawati to greet them. It was when the lesser queen and Rajkumari of Suryapali bowed to her that Priyambada realised the wheels had turned. She held the power and title over them as the queen of Neelambargarh. The protocol was everything in royal life, and by protocol, these women were, in fact, her subordinates.

“I hope the journey was pleasant.” Maharani Trinayani Devi asked as she nodded. 
“If the Maharani permits, I would like to offer you some gifts on Neelambargarh’s behalf on the happy occasion.” Maharani Trinayani Devi nodded affirmatively as Priyambada clapped her hands for Vrinda, who was waiting at the threshold. In a matter of a few moments, the room was filled with gifts. From fruits and nuts exclusively found in Neelambargarh to artwork her family patronised and hand-picked robes designed by her royal tailor for each family member, Maharani Priyambada offered the Suryapalians the best of Neelambargarh. 
Rajkumari Mandakini eyed the gifts keenly. Not a thing in the gift reflected their Suryapalian traditions. She looked up at the now-smiling queen of Neelambargarh. If she had read the girl right, she had chosen the gifts purposefully to give a message. Her jaws tightened. Rani Ratnawati could read her thoughts.
“Pray, the Maharani must be overwhelmed that Suryapali’s daughter-in-law has chosen to bring everything her state offers, for us.” The hint of taunt in her voice was not to be missed. Maharani Trinayani Devi eyed her as she said, “Oh well, what do you expect from Neelambargarh’s Rajkumari?”
“Pardon me, Rani Ratnawati.” Priyambada smiled her politest smile. “The Queen of Suryapali taught me many things I happily learnt. One of them was that the MAHARANI of Neelambargarh should proudly uphold the heritage and traditions she represents for the people of her state, isn’t it so?” She turned to Maharani Trinayani Devi, who nodded with a faint smile.
“We appreciate your gifts, Maharani.” Rajkumari Mandakini spoke as Rani Ratnawati appeared embarrassed. It was then that the awkward conversation was interrupted by Kumari Nayantara’s excited voice.
“You are here!” 

Adhiraja Ishaan Dev bowed before his father, who stood up and hugged him. It had been equinoxes ago that he had last seen his firstborn.
“I heard of your successful treaty with Aswar and Mait…” He spoke with pride as Ishaan Dev smiled.
“Most of that was done by the Maharani, though.” His words made his father frown a little. Rajputra Ravi Varman, who stood behind his father’s highchair, a little intimidated, looked up at his words, a little amused. Sumedha was right. She did have a huge impact on him.
“Don’t say that!” Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev Varman scolded, “I also heard how bravely you fought off the Raiders. The people of Neelambargarh have accepted you.” Ishaan Dev nodded in silence and looked past his father at his half-brother. Truth be said, he had in his mind run this moment a thousand times over, hoping to make the meeting less awkward by controlling his rage at his brother’s past audacities. 
“How are you, brother?” He managed in a rather cold tone that made Ravi Varman gulp. He bowed half-heartedly to the Adhiraja of Neelambargarh and nodded.
“Where is Trishaan?” He frowned as he approached Ravi “He didn’t come to greet me at the threshold as usual.”
“Oh, he must not have known you had arrived. I will go find him.” Ravi Varman was about to leave when Trikal Dev stopped him. “Wait, let him visit his mother first; she has been waiting since dawn.” Ishaan Dev nodded and bowed to take their leave.

Priyambada received the warmest hug from Nayantara, and she smiled genuinely at Nayantara’s glowing face. 
“Bow to her first!” Rajkumari Mandakini scolded, “When will you learn to remember protocols, young lady? For lord’s sake, you are getting married!” Nayantara bit her tongue and was about to bow when Priyambada stopped her by holding her hands and shaking her head slightly.
“I am glad to meet you, too.”
“I have so many things to share.” Nayantara smiled, “Letters aren’t enough.” Priyambada nodded in agreement. Rajkumari Mandakini looked taken aback.
“You write to her?” She gasped. “You know it is against protocol for anyone but a queen to write to another?” Nayantara suddenly looked scared.
“But they aren’t sealed.” She made her aunt and stepmother gasp again.
“Did you know about this?” Rajkumari Mandakini turned to Maharani Trinayanidevi. “How she breaks protocol and…”
“If the queen of Neelambargarh doesn’t mind who I am to…” Maharani Trinayani Devi shrugged as Priyambada quickly added, “Oh, I look forward to your letters.” It was right at this moment that Adhiraja Ishaan Dev arrived in the chambers.

The first thing he noticed was how closely Priyambada stood by Nayantara with her hands entwined in hers, and the array of gifts that lay on the floor, screaming Neelambargarhi culture. He admired Priyambada’s bravery and intelligence to even dare to choose those for his family, especially his aunt and stepmother. Eyes met as though she could read his mind. He looked away as he walked to his mother, and the others bowed to him. Ishaan Dev acknowledged it was much easier than the awkward Priyambada. Perhaps he had gotten more used to protocol than she did.
“I hope you liked the gifts.” He spoke to his mother, who nodded.
“They were very thoughtful.” She agreed.
“Priya…” Priyambada shot him a rather shocked glance as he corrected himself, “Err… the Maharani did all that.” He noticed his aunt and stepmother staring at him. He eyed his mother's smile, amused as she was evidently by his slip of the tongue.
“Where is my gift?” He thanked the heavens as Kumari Nayantara spoke.
“Oh, I got you something else. After all, you needed a wedding present.” Maharani Priyambada eyed Vrinda, who left promptly and came back with a wrapped tray. She eyed Ishaan Dev as he nodded, and she unwrapped the gift and presented the armband. Priyambada took the armband made of precious jewels and gestured at Nayantara to extend her left arm. 
“Why, such a beautiful armband!” Trinayani Devi complimented.
“ It is a tradition of Neelambargarh that the Maharani talked of.” Ishaan Dev spoke suddenly, making Priyambada conscious of his words.
“Oh, of course, another Neelambargarhi tradition.” Rajkumari Mandakini tried to sound sweet and failed at it miserably. 
“Please tell us about it.” Nayantara insisted. “I would love to know the significance of your gift.”
“Oh, it's just a tradition.” Priyambada murmured, unsurely, “It’s not like…”
“Do please tell us its significance.” Maharani Trinayani Devi insisted. Ishaan Dev narrowed his eyes a little at Priyambada’s reluctance as he looked away, seeing his aunt’s eyes on him.
Priyambada inhaled. “Well, as my mother said often, the Rajkumari is blessed with an armband from a sister-in-law as a symbolic wish for a blissful married life.” Ishaan Dev suddenly missed a heartbeat as he looked up at her words. The ladies smiled. Priyambada ignored his presence as she tied the armband on Nayantara’s upper arm. Maharani Trinayani Devi then gestured at Gulabi Bai to lead them to their chambers.
“We will see you at lunch.” She said as they nodded. 
“Maharani.” Ishaan Dev was about to follow Gulabi Bai out, but he stopped at Priyambada’s words. “I want to see Rajkumari Sumedha also.” As soon as Priyambada said that, Ishaan Dev left, as Gulabi Bai followed him at a quick pace, while Rani Ratnawati looked at her rather disapprovingly. Maharani Trinayani Devi looked at Nayantara with questioning eyes.

“I will bring her to your room once you have rested.” It was Nayantara who spoke as Priyambada smiled, satisfied, and followed Vrinda out.

“Your room, Your Highness.” Ishaan Dev frowned slightly as Gulabi Bai led him to the guest wing and into a room. 
“But Gulabi Bai, I already have a chamber.” He shook his head. Gulabi Bai smiled. 
“I am afraid that room belongs to the heir of Suryapali, while you are now Adhiraja of Neelambargarh and an esteemed guest in the palace.” Ishaan Dev frowned at her words. “I am not a guest, Gulabi Bai, this is my home!” He shook his head and turned to leave “I will speak to mother.” He was at the threshold when he almost bumped into Priyambada, and both looked taken aback as she eyed the guest room.
“Where is my room, Gulabi Bai?” Priyambada asked, with a slight frown.
“I am afraid the Maharani has instructed me to put both of you up in this guest chamber herself, Your Highness.” Gulabi Bai bowed and left a rather shocked Adhiraja and Maharani of Neelambargarh speechless as they eyed the chambers they were meant to share.