HIS FIRST QUEEN

Chapter 2 [Anshuman]

As I approached the palace gates, anticipation and anxiety intertwined within me, knowing that my return would be met with both celebration and confrontation. The weight of guilt bore heavily on my shoulders, each step forward a reminder of the betrayal hidden within the palanquin's confines.

Upon seeing Tara, resplendent in her regal attire, my heart swelled with pride and shame. How could I face her after what I had done? The warmth in her eyes as she greeted me only intensified the turmoil within me, the knowledge of my deceit gnawing at my conscience.

I saw her in front of me. She looked so beautiful.

My Queen.

I could see the happiness in her eyes upon my return after winning the conquest. Her smile resplendant. I walked up to her. She was holding a plate with all the items for the welcome veneration.

"Welcome back to our kingdom, your Highness," she beamed as she put a vermillion tilak on my forehead. Her hand touched my skin softly, reminding me how much I missed her.

"Maharani," I said to my queen.

"Maharaj," was her whisper.

I took her into my embrace. I missed her. I had to tell her now.

"Tara," I called out her name in her ear.

She looked up at me. I could see she was trying to analyze what I was going to say. I tried to pull her into the palace, but she spotted the palanquin. Despite trying to stop her, she saw what was in the palanquin. I could see so many questions in her tears. I could see her breaking down.

As Tara walked away from me, her words echoing in my ears like a dagger to the heart, I felt my world unravelling before me. How had it come to this? How had I let my actions lead to such betrayal and pain?

Watching her retreating figure, I felt a wave of despair wash over me, drowning me in the realization of the irreparable damage I had caused. Tara, the woman I loved more than life itself, now stood before me, her trust shattered, her heart broken by my betrayal.

I thought I was doing what was best for the kingdom and our people. But in my pursuit of power and ambition, I had lost sight of the most precious thing of all - Tara's love and trust.

Her words echoed in my mind, each syllable a painful reminder of the magnitude of my failure. "I hate you." The words cut deeper than any sword, piercing through the facade of strength I had tried to maintain. Deep down, I knew that Tara's love was not lost forever, that there was still a chance for redemption, for forgiveness. That is who my Tara was.

With a heavy heart, I turned to face the woman in the palanquin, her presence a stark reminder of the consequences of my actions. She looked at me with eyes filled with expectation, but all I could feel was a profound sense of emptiness. She was nothing but a promise to a dying man. I must regain Tara's trust to prove myself worthy of her love again.

With determination coursing through my veins, I followed Tara into the palace, ready to face the consequences of my actions and fight for the love that had once defined my very existence. No matter how dark the path ahead may be, I knew that as long as Tara was by my side, there was still hope for redemption.

My mother stopped me at the entrance. My brother had a hand ready on his sword. I could see the anger in his eyes. My mother looked at me with disappointment.

Was she expecting this? Why?

"Call the Maharani from inside. She needs to welcome the new queen," my mother said, looking at me and then moving aside, pointing to the direction of mine and Tara's chambers.