✓ Fearless - Book 1 of The Rajkumari Trilogy

Chapter 2

Chapter 2
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Revati strolled amid the gardens, her skirts brushing the flower-laden bushes. Her eyes fluttered close as the wind whistled across her face. Her lungs expanded with a sensation of bliss, refreshed. It was indeed a joy to be amidst nature, comforting. 

She was about to pick a flower when she stilled in her actions. A large, sapphire-colored butterfly hovered around her. She stood as still as a statue, ignoring the slight ache in her bent form. The butterfly danced and twirled in the air before landing on her nose. 

The ache in her spine grew and Revati, unable to stay in the slumped, unhealthy pose, straightened. She let out a laugh as the startled butterfly fluttered its wings and flew away.

"I wasn't the flower, little one. These are." She lightly gestured to the flowers scattered over the bushes with a wave of her hand.

Revati sobered up as she saw a maid in the distance, walking towards her. 

"Pranam Rajkumari!" the maid quipped, folding her hands as she approached her. The princess sincerely reciprocated the gesture, unlike what most princesses would've done.

"Your parents and your brother and his wife are waiting for you at the garden house, Your Highness," she dutifully informed. Her hairs had grayed at the tips, and her face bore a few aged wrinkles. Her hands were placed one on top of each other, resting in front of her. She did not meet the gaze of the princess directly, as it was considered bold to do so by lower ranks. She knew that her mistress would only scoff, calling the custom ridiculous. But she did so anyway.

"I'll be there." The princess nodded. "You can take the rest of the day off. I know you have been working hard, Maya Devi."

The elder woman blushed. "Thank you, Your Highness. May god's blessings always be upon you," the maid blessed her and went away.

Revati approached the gazebo, walking across the white marbled floors. Her gaze flew briefly to the pillars that connected the intricately carved dome to the seats. Her brother was seated and his wife stood beside him with an impatient expression. The King and Queen sat in decorated armchairs.

Revati took her seat beside Dipankar as their mother and Roopvalli held on to the aarati plate. They moved the gold plate in a circular motion in front of them, the flame of the deepas blurring in front of Revati. Their mother pressed her thumb into a cup with the crimson-colored kumkuma and applied tilaka onto their foreheads. Throughout the whole afternoon, her mother didn't utter anything more than the usual short replies. She was always like that. Never was one to talk much, not even spare a loving glance at her children.

Revati suspected that she never had any love for her children or her husband, ever. Maybe a short-term one at some point in her life, but it would be only sympathy at the most. Her daughter didn't mind it and neither did her son. It was how they had grown up. The woman only obeyed her husband, her Maharaja whom she only saw as her obligation and duty. It was almost as if she never wanted anyone in her life. Maybe she was one of those people who abhorred being near more of their kind. Like an anti-social human being.

Revati tied the red jeweled rakhi onto her brother's wrist. "Happy Raksha-Bandhana, brother. May this bond of siblings stay strong," she said, smiling. Dipankar presented her with a simple white box which she accepted. As her fingers pried it open, her eyes spotted the beautiful studded necklace that sat in place.

Her whole face lit up with joy as she gasped. "Is this the remake of the ancient Necklace of Stars!? From the book...?"

This earned her a nod from him. "Yes. I remember you mentioning it a few months ago. And I decided to get it made for you, seeing how much you would love to have it."

Her excitement was now replaced with gratefulness. "You don't have to get me such extravagant gifts, Bhratah. Your affection is more than enough," she assured.

"Why can't I pamper my sister with presents?" he said, mirroring her expression, his smile genuine.

After they had sweets and chatted for a while, Revati smiled and told her brother, "It feels great to have you back after so long. It's as if I had lent you a piece of me for a while and it has returned"-she chuckled-"I have to go now, see you later!" she sang before going back to the palace. 

Roopvalli's eyebrows pinched together, which went completely unnoticed by the occupied royals.

Once Revati went inside the palace and her parents went away after a while, she yanked Dipankar by the arm to her side.

"How come you have never gifted me something like that but you do so for your cunning sister? She is unworthy of it!" she hissed at him.

Dipankar's eyes widened. "I have gifted you with a lot, Roopvalli. Isn't it enough?" Roopvalli noted with satisfaction how he made no move to deny her last words.

"No, it isn't. It was before you gave your pathetic excuse of a sister that necklace! She is just your sister, and I am your wife! In no time she will get married and start her own family and not even spare you a glance. They will forget about us, you.

"Have you not seen other siblings grow out of understanding? That is the same thing that will happen to you two and all other siblings in the world. It is the way of life. While wives remain ever so faithful,  honest, and supportive towards their husbands," she said, tweaking her voice in the right places. To make sure to pull on the right strings of the puppet in her hands.

Dipankar remained silent, staring at the bushes far in front of him. His wife huffed. "It seems like you have no care for me at all." Roopvalli got up abruptly and walked away towards the palace. He hesitated but decided to go after her anyway.

"Roopvalli! I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything of that sort. I'll get you something much better than my sister," he called after her.

She turned and said, "I'm sure you will, my dear husband. And what of your sister? Will she get more expensive gifts than me?"

"No, Roopvalli. You will get the best ones," Dipankar said, mechanically, as if he was made to recite those words his entire life.

"Good," she said as her lips curved into a dark smile. The man has no idea what he is getting himself into. And that's for the best.

* * *

Revati sat by the window, humming to herself while sewing - trying would be a better word - a tapestry of a rose. She tilted her head to the side after some time to overview her work. 

She swallowed. Did I get too carried away by the process make a tomato instead?

She heard some talking, ever so slightly, and turned her head to look out of the window. She could see Roopvalli's angry strides - or rather stomps - towards the castle. Then she saw her brother catch up to her and by the looks of it, probably apologized to her about something.

When Revati saw Roopvalli smile and say something in response, she knew that her sister-in-law's once restless mind, was without a doubt, replaced with a scheme. Her eyes followed them as they walked into the palace and she could see no more. The woman who had charmed her way into her brother's heart in a matter of weeks, that too with little to no background information, couldn't be trusted.

She sighed. "Dear, naïve brother, however beautiful a rose is to look at, its thorns are sharp and can prick you. And leeches will grab the opportunity to worsen the wound, if left unguarded. Whatever Roopvalli is up to, it's not going to be good. I'll have to remain alert."

She got to her feet, kept away the tapestry, unlocked the door, walked out, locked it again, and took the stairs down to the family dining hall.

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Glossary:
Devi - A respectful title added after a woman's name.
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