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Two kinds of emotions grow in people with distance. One, when they cannot wait to reunite again and count the days to it, and second, when they are so used to the distance that they are often comfortable without each other. The moment Ishaan Dev’s eyes fell on the entrance of the inner palace, amidst the welcome his queen arranged for him, he knew he was counting days to see them again. Seeing Maharani Priyambada’s figure on the threshold with little Mrityunjoy wiggling in her arms, Maharaja Ishaan Dev not only felt overwhelmed but also realised that he had been away for several months. Mrityunjoy not only looked bigger, but he also appeared different. When he was just a month old, and everyone around them used to say he looked like his mother, Ishaan Dev could never figure it out. That day, when both mother and child stood at the threshold, their wide, eager eyes looking for him, he could sense the familiarity between them. Ishaan Dev walked up to the threshold with a smile as Priyambada appeared teary-eyed. Mrityunjoy looked up at his face, observing keenly, unsure of whether to smile or not.
“Are you well?” He managed to ask as she nodded in silence. The moment Mrityunjoy heard him speak, he extended his arms to his father, almost jumping out of his mother’s grip as the ladies smiled. Ishaan Dev took him in his arms, as the child’s soft hands landed on his nose, face and stubble and then got attracted by his jewellery. Ishaan Dev smiled, observing his boy.
“You have grown quite a lot.” He managed to kiss the child gently, making Priyambada agree. “He can stand upright now.” There was a hint of pride in her voice. As though a mother was proud of her son’s first win at war. As Mrityunjoy was done observing his father and threw his hands back at his mother to take him inside, Priyambada gestured at Ishaan Dev to follow. He nodded slightly with a faint smile, but a part of him felt empty inside. He suddenly remembered his first time coming home from training school when his mother was proud of his smallest of feats and wouldn’t listen when he said some other boys were better. Or after he won his first war, he could see her eyes gleaming with pride. There was something oddly familiar about mothers. He looked up at Priyambada talking to Mrityunjoy as they headed to the chambers, and Mrityunjoy tried to answer his mother back in his own gibberish babbling. Ishaan Dev inhaled. How was his mother doing?
Maharani Trinayani Devi looked up at the maid who arrived at the cell with some sweets.
“It is the Maharani’s order to distribute sweets on the arrival of the prince.” Trinayani Devi eyed the sweets and wondered if the timing was cursed. Just when she was establishing her influence on Sumedha slowly and steadily, she would be focused elsewhere, and politics would be the last of her concerns. Trinayani Devi sat down on the edge of the tattered bedding she slept on. She wondered if Meendeep could somehow get a clue of the attack or if Ishaan could be summoned for help. But how could she, from behind the iron cage, be of any help to him? Trinayani Devi’s eyes were moist. She could never see her grandchild; she never knew him. Would she breathe her last in this very damp, cold, dark room, or could she see the light of day again?
The moment Priyambada placed Mrityunjoy down on the floor of the king’s chamber, and he crawled to his toys lying scattered on the floor, Maharaja Ishaan Dev dismissed the maids and servants around them, putting down his trunks and things. They bowed and left as he walked up to Maharani Priyambada, watching her son at play, and hugged her. Priyambada was pleasantly surprised as she hugged him back tightly, and his hand travelled to explore her back. She suddenly felt overwhelmed with tears as Ishaan Dev let out a sigh, finally feeling like the hollow he felt all the way here in his chest was filled. The feeling of completeness in her arms made him realise how much he had missed her, although in every letter and every message, he had enquired mostly about Mrityunjoy. As his lips manoeuvred to find the nape of her neck, slightly pushing the drape falling over her shoulder aside, Priyambada gasped, almost like she knew what he had in mind and stepped back, holding his face with her palm.
“Mrityunjoy." She reminded him almost gently with a blush warming her cheek, and there was a smile in the corner of his lips. He didn’t need to tell her that he wanted her, for his eyes spoke of a longing his lips couldn’t utter. Priyambada glanced at her husband, blushing slightly, and then ordered the wet nurse to take the prince on his outdoor stroll. Kissing Mrityunjoy’s gentle hands goodbye, Ishaan Dev watched them leave through the corridor as suddenly the empty threshold where Mallal once stood made him feel guilty. He stepped back and shut the door behind him.
The moment the doors were shut, and they were truly alone, Priyambada hugged her husband from behind. He turned around to hold her close, and her face showed concern. He understood that even she was unsure of whether to address the elephant in the room. On one hand, there was an unfulfilled desire in their eyes, the thirst of waiting for the reunion, and on the other hung a strange feeling of past love and loss, which Priyambada was not sure of enquiring into. So, she decided to leave the matter for later as she held his hand, placed it on her bare waist and nodded, as Ishaan Dev crashed into her with a deep kiss, savouring her mouth with his tongue. His other hand reached for the drapes to undress while hers travelled to his clothes. The feelings of fear, uncertainty, pain, longing, thirst, desire, pleasure, love and completeness overwhelmed them, and everything else seemed to fade away momentarily with the setting sun.
Mandakini was pacing her room, rather restlessly. It had been hours since her nephew had been back in the palace, and she had not been summoned. Had Priyambada not told him about her? How could she meet him? She had sent out her maid to ask around whether she could have an audience with him, but she came back with a sly smile as she mouthed, “The king has been in his chambers with the queen ever since he arrived home. They are not to be disturbed.” Mandakini looked a little awkward as the maid went about her work, and she sat down on the edge of her bed, wondering that once again, in her own selfish agenda, she had forgotten that Ishaan Dev’s priorities lay elsewhere. Her finding it hard to accept that a king prioritised his queen had once led to a loop of events she never wanted to repeat. She wouldn’t fall back into her patterns again. She needed Ishaan Dev, Neelambargarh and Priyambada. For herself, Suryapali and the queen are in prison. And to ensure Shivanandan’s safety.
Ishaan Dev drew Priyambada closer to him and sighed, looking up at the gods on the ceiling. Priyambada traced her nails on his chest, drawing close to him as the bangles, rings and neckpieces on her otherwise naked body tinkled, drawing his attention. He inhaled as he kissed her forehead and spoke,
“She came to meet me. Before…” Priyambada’s brows narrowed as her mouth opened. But no words came out of it. Ishaan Dev was unsure of whether Priyambada liked the information he had kept from her after all.
“Some of the generals were suggesting she was the one trying to poison me.” Ishaan Dev shook his head, “But she did nothing suspicious. Even the pendant she offered as a token of peace was examined.”
“Did she really kill herself?” She managed as her hand reached the nape of his neck. He smiled faintly. “Mait isn’t saying much, except that it was unnatural. I sent them a letter of condolence with the pendant she gave… There was no point…”
“I don’t understand why so suddenly… “Priyambada couldn’t help but wonder if her husband said something that could trigger the princess. Although she didn’t say it out loud, she indirectly inquired about their conversation.
“I also don’t understand… but I don’t believe she could try to kill me. What could she gain from it?” Priyambada smiled faintly, nodding at her husband, who left the topic there and was once again busy exploring her body. Her mind ran. Advika was not that stupid to do this on her own if she did want to harm him. Why would someone kill her? Unless she didn’t go ahead with their plan or failed them?
“Umm… Maharani of Neelambargarh, your attention please?” Ishaan Dev drew her attention back to him as he came on top of her, and Priyambada smiled faintly before pushing him away a little playfully.
“I have to go supervise dinner for Mrityunjoy.” Ishaan Dev frowned slightly at her words as she began to collect her drapes. He hadn’t realised it was so late in the evening already.
“Umm… while I do that, maybe you should visit your aunt?” She reminded him as Ishaan Dev sat up. He shook his head. “We are going there together.” He said firmly. “And after that, we are coming back here. It's the king’s command.” He tried to lighten the mood as Priyambada wrapped her drape around her body with a smile, “We will see about that.” She suddenly remembered something. “I have to return your sceptre and seal for court tomorrow.”
Ishaan Dev looked up at her face. She perhaps wouldn’t admit it, but she was getting back to her administrative duty with ease and perhaps wanted to hold on. Perhaps he would gently propose going back to their old duties in the morning. Ishaan Dev got up to prepare to meet Mandakini Devi. Strangely enough, he had no feeling of longing or hurry to see his aunt. He was about to leave the chambers when Devdoot arrived, bowing to him and introducing him to the newly appointed royal guard, Abhranaga. He was young, had a smile, greeted the king, and said that he belonged to the royal dynasty of Lakipul, a small estate in Neelambargarh. Ishaan Dev could at once see his glaring contrast to Mallal. He had gotten used to him. With a sigh, he acknowledged Devdoot’s efforts and told him to brief Abhranaga on the job at hand.
Maharani Priyambada was sitting by the windowsill, looking over the city at a distance with the clouds gently passing over the moon that night, while the wet nurses struggled to feed Mrityunjoy with the oyster shell spoon and wondered to herself. Why was she bothered about handing over the sceptre and seal? She was going to miss the authority and power she held for so long as the last word in the land. She hated to admit it, but she wanted it all. She eyed Mrityunjoy, throwing tantrums over his food. She had been feeling guilty for not giving him enough time and attention, yet when Ishaan Dev was home, she had a feeling that something she held dear would be taken from her. Priyambada admitted to herself that as much as she wanted to be a mother, she also wanted to be the queen regent, attend court and give her input for the welfare of her people. Priyambada couldn’t help but wonder if men ever faced such a dilemma. Did they ever think they were neglecting fatherhood over duties? She barely saw her father growing up. Yes, he did love her and let her train with Kumar Prithvi, but she barely remembered spending idle time with him. She wondered if she spoke her mind, that she wanted to resume her duties, whether Ishaan Dev or the court would judge her for it, or worse, if Mrityunjoy would grow up to resent her absence.
Mandakini stood up with her heart beating in her chest, as she stared at the threshold at the announcement of the arrival of the king and queen of Neelambargarh. She bowed as she saw Priyambada first, hiding her disappointment, but the moment Ishaan Dev appeared at the threshold, she was overwhelmed. Mandakini Devi was always a woman who put protocols over emotions, for as long as Ishaan Dev remembered. He was at first taken aback by the fact that Mandakini Devi had shaved her head, and she looked older and weaker. As she stumbled, teary-eyed, to hold on to him and cry, Ishaan Dev stiffened. Priyambada watched him stand there without moving an inch as Mandakini Devi clung to him, weeping inconsolably while the newly appointed Abhranaga gestured at her maid to separate them. He didn’t know who this lady was, but when the royals were in her chamber, she must be important. With her maid’s tug, Mandakini realised how Ishaan Dev didn’t respond to her hug. She sniffed, composing herself as Ishaan Dev eyed her keenly.
“Do you remember, Rajkumari…” Ishaan Dev spoke abruptly, making her look up at him. “When we were young… Ravi and I were fighting on the lawn with our wooden swords, and he hurt me almost deliberately, and I yelled in pain.” Mandakini Devi frowned cluelessly at his story as a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips. “You were right there, you saw everything. Yet, it felt wrong for your royal protocol to approach me or check if I am hurt.” Mandakini Devi’s throat went dry. “I…”
“You even took a neutral stand when Rajadhiraja summoned you and didn’t tell the truth because your protocol didn’t allow you to.” he stopped as he eyed her tears “Things change so fast, isn’t it?”
“I admit I have been… wrong on several occasions…” Mandakini Devi spoke as she looked up at Priyambada instead. Unlike Ishaan Dev’s cold glances, Priyambada nodded, urging her to go on. “But I left Suryapali because I knew they killed him.” She sobbed. “I knew they would imprison me, too, if I protested. They had already taken the Maharani.” The mention of his mother made Ishaan Dev stiffen his jaw and compose his tone.
“How did you get here?” Ishaan Dev’s question made Priyambada step in and narrate what Mandakini Devi told her.
“How do I trust you now, Aunt?” Ishaan Dev shook his head, his voice sounding almost remorseful. “How do I believe a Suryapalian?” Mandakini Devi gasped involuntarily at his words.
“You are a Suryapalian too, Ishaan. Don’t forget your roots.” Her old firm voice was back, and Ishaan Dev’s eyes shone in the light of the lamp.
“How do I know you are not with them?” He asked again. Mandakini Devi inhaled.
“If you don’t trust me, I understand. And I will reassure you by gaining your trust.” She spoke as she opened her bundle, making both Priyambada and Ishaan Dev stare at each other a little unsurely.
“I stole these on my way out of the palace from the map room.” She handed over some papers, folded into smaller pieces the size of letters. Abhranaga took them at his king’s gesture and opened the folds. In front of their eyes were maps drawn with strategies from old wars with Neelambargarh since the time of her great-grandfather, which were won by Suryapali. Priyambada’s face was a little pale as she traced her hands over the map marked with the date of the last battle. These maps had formations, strategies and several other details used by previous kings to combat Neelambargarh.
“You can use them to form a defence.” Mandakini Devi spoke. Ishaan Dev looked up at her. Here was the princess who hated this land, helping him out. He knew those maps well, and she wasn’t bluffing. Priyambada looked up with a frown.
“Why did you not hand them over to me?” She asked, authoritatively. Mandakini Devi bowed.
“I apologise, Your Highness, I wouldn’t have handed them over without knowing I would be sheltered. I can also offer my advice on your council. I am aware that the king knows about my skills in that matter.” Ishaan Dev nodded at Priyambada. She suddenly observed Mandakini Devi differently. Here was a woman who helped the king of Suryapali with administrative choices. Could she be of use, as a veteran, to Neelambargarh? Ishaan Dev seemed to have the same thoughts.
“To stay here, you have to abide by a set of rules.” He spoke as Mandakini Devi nodded.
“You will be shifted to the royal wing with the condition that you are not allowed near the chambers of the king, queen and prince. You are not allowed to write letters or interact with anyone from the outside. You are not supposed to approach the prince or even touch him if he is on the same premises as you.” His words made Mandakini Devi nod with a faint, melancholic smile. “Can I at least see my grandchild once? I promise not to touch him.” Her voice choked as Ishaan Dev tried to protest. But Maharani Priyambada held his arm, making him stop as she ordered Vrinda to bring the prince to her. Ishaan Dev was quiet as Mandakini Devi seemed grateful. The moment Priyambada took the prince from Vrinda and turned him towards Mandakini Devi, she could tell that the boy took after his mother. He was a bubbly child, and it reminded Mandakini Devi of how Ishaan Dev would barely sit in a place at his age.
“You were like him. Always wiggly.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Ishaan Dev stiffened, Mrityunjoy’s eyes fell on her, and he started pouting.
“Maybe he doesn’t like me.” Mandakini Devi sighed.
“He is just sleepy. I will bring him by later.” Maharani Priyambada’s words made Ishaan Dev frown.
“He is not coming back here. You wanted to see him; you saw him. Now we shall take your leave,” he said rather promptly as Mandakini Devi stopped him.
“There is another thing I wanted to talk to you about.” She cleared her throat as Priyambada eyed her keenly. “It is Shivanandan.”
“Shivanandan?” Ishaan Dev looked clueless as she continued. “The one who helped me get here.”
“Oh, the Suryapalian general? I would have him and his troops imprisoned.” Ishaan Dev shook his head. What he and Priyambada both didn’t anticipate was Mandakini Devi’s reaction. She kept begging and was even ready to fall at his feet to spare the general.
“I owe him my life.” She convinced Ishaan Dev that the general could do well as a guard for her personally, and Maharani Priyambada chipped in.
“That will be good, let him have the chambers adjacent to hers and also limit his interactions outside. We can think of integrating his troops into the city jobs that don’t involve contact with the palace. Make sure they don’t have weapons. Give them odd jobs in Masonry for public buildings? We can summon them into troops when we need them.” She sounded convincing. “That way we won’t be bothered about her safety, as well as give a message on how we treat people like him who are willing to join us from the other side.” Ishaan Dev seemed convinced by her last suggestion and agreed. Mandakini Devi heaved a sigh of relief. With dawn, she would shift into the inner palace and see Shivanandan again.
While the evening turned to night, it was one of Rani Sumedha’s messengers who handed over a letter discreetly to Vrinda, who rushed to the Maharani with tidings from Suryapali. The scared Maharani Sumedha had informed Priyambada that she was alone and insecure during childbirth. Why? Where was her husband? Was he planning a surprise attack on Neelambargarh? Where was Trishaan Dev? Or was her insecurity about his second marriage? Maharani Priyambada’s attention was momentarily distracted by the drums of celebration outside, with people cheering. They were happy that Ishaan Dev was back and that the Rajputra’s lunar birth celebration was to be held for the month, as declared by the king’s testaments. Her throat went dry as she remembered the day Suryapali had sprung a surprise attack on Neelambargarh on one such night of drum beats and celebration. Almost in a reflex, she ran out to Rajputra Mrityunjoy’s chambers, where he played, surrounded by his wet nurses and Vrinda and picked him up. In the light of the torches that flickered in the gentle breeze, the woman could see small drops of perspiration on her forehead as she hugged the prince. She needed to let Ishaan Dev know of her fears. She headed back to her chamber.
“Sumedha’s letter indicated that her husband was not home. The messenger fell sick on the way here, and the message was delayed since our spies already told us about the heir…” She frowned slightly as Ishaan Dev observed her pale face. “Where are they? Are they coming for a surprise attack on us?” Her voice trembled, and Ishaan Dev knew she was getting triggered. He was unsure of her chain of thought and didn’t want to bring up the fateful day. He cleared his throat and looked away a little uneasily.
“Sashi informed me Ravi Varman is in Gandak with his new queen. There’s nothing to fear for Neelambargarh… yet…” He reassured her as Maharani Priyambada frowned. “He is taking a pleasure trip? Now?” She shook her head in disbelief.
“What I believe is that he is in Gandak awaiting a meeting with Chandramer and unaware that they have promised us help.” Ishaan Dev reassured Priyambada, gently pulling her closer in the darkness of the bed chambers. “I am tired, Priya. Let’s not talk of this just for the night?” Ishaan Dev’s voice trailed as Priyambada nodded understandingly. The thought of an impending attack didn’t leave her, however, even when she tried to distract herself with her husband’s love. If not Neelambargarh, then where was Trishaan Dev going? She feared his actions more than Ravi’s. She needed to send her spies to find out. As they lay naked in the bed, Ishaan Dev sighed, feeling calm after so many days. The events of the day ran through his mind, and a question emerged from his lips.
“Why did you do that? Trust the general with her security?” He swept away Priyambada’s hair, guarding his view of her, as she looked up at him.
“I don’t know, there is something there I can’t place my fingers on. Something more than just… I don’t know, and I wish to find out…” She shook her head. “You are meeting the man in the morning, you will see.”
“I know him, I think.” Ishaan Dev nodded. “He was a palace guard once upon a time.”
“Guard?” Priyambada asked, surprised. “Whose guard?”
“The Princess.” He shrugged. Maharani Priyambada’s thoughts wandered. Could it be possible… She had to be careful with her ideas not to upset the princess or the Maharaja.
“It will be good to have her around if she is truly loyal to us.” Priyambada smiled. “Mrityunjoy could do with some company and…”
“Yes, especially since his mother will be busy.” Maharani Priyambada frowned at her husband’s words.
“But you are back and…” Ishaan Dev made her stop, putting his finger on her lips gently.
“I want my queen by my side now. Neelambargarh needs her.” His words made her eyes sparkle. She didn’t know how he knew her deepest thoughts and desires, but he did, and as Maharani Priyambada watched him sleep, she thanked the gods for him.
