The Triumph of a Queen

Chapter 5

Bhanumathi's POV:-

I literally rushed through the corridor to my chamber .., Mata's gift was both strange and mysterious but I couldn't think about it now ..I had to complete my packing at the earliest ..

On reaching my room, I got busy excluding , including , choosing and rearranging stuff again and again.. a pahar  must have barely passed before a maid entered with a message..

"The queen asks for the princess"

After giving some instructions to the maids for the remaining work, I went with Malathi. 

We were lead to the hall of the west wing.., Maa and Dadima were there with their maids and  Mata too joined .. 

Mata turned to one of her servants "Call them"..

Soon a man and a maiden entered , followed by a troupe of men carrying huge trunks , boxes and plates.. I identified the man as the same Lankan trader who visits the palace occasionally.. 

"We see that you have someone new here" after the formal greetings , Maa enquired cheerfully..

"Yes Rani, she is my eldest daughter , Saanvi.., I thought it's time she also learn about trading.."

"You are right ..and this beautiful maiden has got a beautiful name too.." my grandmother complimented...

"It's my mother's choice.., she is the eldest child in our family so it's she who her younger siblings should follow and Sree Laksmi is our family deity and all what we have is her blessings" the man revered the goddess.. and smiled his usual hearty smile, showing all his teeth... his daughter , Saanvi was a tall ,dark and beautiful girl with long jet black hair which was oiled and tied into a neat , long braid.. she wore a blue blouse , a pink dhothi which reached just till her knees and a yellow angavasthram which was draped in an unfamiliar fashion, her cloths were of bright coloured silk but her jewellery.. she was older than me and  I found an instant liking towards her.. 

"Sambari , please show us what you have bought" asked my mother..

"Sure Maharani" and with that the trader started showing us the goods that he bought from different places and Sanvi helped her father in exhibiting and describing us about the different merchandises ... they started with the cloth section ..

"What about the cloths and other things I have asked you to bring" Mata enquired..

"How can I forget that , Maharani.." he gestured towards one of his servants and a large trunk was opened in front of us.. he started describing the different fineries in it...they were light and simple ones suitable for my kanyakul days .. all of us got busy with it really quick.. Saanvi and Malathi helped me a lot in choosing.. after cloths we also looked into many other articles like mirrors and ornaments... It was so much fun with the two ..

Mata had asked Saanvi and her father to stay in the city till the puja..

"So , you have travelled to many places.." I , Saanvi and Malathi were taking a walk in the garden... something which I had offered..

"Yes and I like travelling a lot .. especially by water" Her eyes twinkled when she said that..

"My father also likes sea voyages a lot.. it's the reason why one of my brothers is named Sagara, Pita was on a voyage when he was born.." I remembered how we used to tease my brother..

"Are you related to the Hastinapur royal family..?" Saanvi asked suddenly..

Was she asking about my grand aunts...  I could only think about that relation...

"What made you ask that.." I asked.., raising my right eyebrow..

"Nothing much .., your style of choosing and your selection resembled that of the eldest kaurava prince , Duryodhan.." even though she said it as if it's the most obvious thing there was a certain dreamy expression in her eyes when she said the name of the prince..

'Duryodhan' The name somehow felt so good and similar... I liked the vibe that the name had..

"Why is he choosing from female stuff??" I voiced the first thought that came to my mind..

"It was for his sister, princess Dussalla..the princes are very caring and protective of her" after that we drifted into some other topics..