Anika paced in her room, exasperated. Heck, she was beyond frustrated. Her husband was leaving in an hour's time and she was requested in his chamber. A part of her was dying to meet him as she didn't know when he would be back and another part of her did not want to go and let him know that she was mad at him, but would he care? He would just go without meeting her. It wasn't that he wanted to see her, it was just another ritual - where she had to put his armour and royal tilak on him as he was going to another state and a war might take place.
She was dying to accompany. It was not that she didn't trust him. She wanted to prove that she was not a warrior only in words but also in the battlefield. Anika felt like pulling all her hair out. She wanted to cry, but she was not a weak queen who would cry due to her husband. But why was proving herself to him so important? Why was the thought of him not finding her attractive, beautiful and worthy enough to be his queen so tormenting? What would have Avanti done in her situation?
Anika was shocked by her own thoughts. Why was she comparing herself to her sister? She did not want to be her, she was Anika not Avanti and nor did she ever want to be somebody else. Anika stared at herself in the mirror wide eyed. Her royal blue veil sticking to her forehead due to her sweat. She felt like crying on her fate. She had always known being Rajput queen was not easy, but this was more than tough. She did not even know if her own husband wanted her or not. After all she was just a replacement. A bitter smile made its way to her face as a few tears escaped her eyes.
"Baisa, aapko Samrat bula raahe hai. Jaldi chaliye, unke jaane ka samay ho raha hai!" (Queen, king is calling you, Come quickly, he will be leaving soon) A maid exclaimed. Anika wiped the tears away with the back of her palm before following the servant.
***
"Bohot jald aagayi aap, Raani sa?" (you came so quickly, queen) His voice welcomed her as she entered his chamber.
Anika couldn't say if he was again pulling her leg or if he was angry due to her late arrival. She surely was not early, instead was late.
"Hume kuch kaam tha," (I had some work)
"Kya aap ye bhool gayi hai ki aap hamari Raani hai, iss mahal ki naukar nehi? Itna kya kaam ho sakta hain aapko?" (have you forgotten that you are the queen not a maid? What work could you have?)
Anika's blood boiled. She was now sure that her husband was a blind man, or completely blind to her. "Rehne dijiye maharaj, aap nehi samjhenge," (leave it, king, you won't understand) she fixed the vambrace.
"Maharaj? Aapne toh kaha tha aap hume naam se pukarengi aur aap baki raanio jaisi nehi hai?" (king? But you had said you will be addressing me by my name and you were not like the other queens)
Anika glanced at him before taking the pauldron. "Gusse mein aapki aankhein aur bhi barri lagti hai," (your eyes look even bigger when you are angry ) Anika didn't bother to reply. "Bohot sundar aankhein hai aapki," (your eyes are very pretty) Shivaay commented with a sly smirk. "Kajal lagaya kijiye roz," (do apply kohl daily) Anika ignored the way her face flushed and her heart swelled.
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The Last Princess (18+)
RomanceIn the alternate universe, set in the medieval period, where power rules and superstition lingers in the thin air, the tale of The Last Princess unfolds. For the hazel eyed king has secrets, desires and motives. The champagne eyed queen has fears...