The king's courtesan wife

C H A P T E R 5

Sandhya stepped inside the pool, with only a cloth wrapped around her. A nice aroma filled the bathroom because of the rose petals and oils mixed in the water.

The maids applied ubtan on her body and washed her hair.

When she was done, she applied rose oil all over her body.

Raj mata entered the room with a platter in her hands.

"This is your clothes and jewelries. Get ready."

Sandhya nodded and looked at the platter that her mother in law handed her.

It had a beautiful bridal red lehenga and matching gold jewelry with precious gems encrusted on them. An uneasy feeling settled inside her looking at the priceless pieces. She would not be comfortable in these. Not referring to physical ease but the value of all this were too much for her.

"What are you thinking Rani sa?" One of the girls asked.

"Do I have to wear all of this? I mean, I am not used to wearing all of this." Sandhya pointed out.

They giggled before answering.

"You are the queen. You only have to wear these." One of the girl said.

She thought for a moment and nodded her head giving them sign to continue what they were doing.

She looked at the girl making her hair. She had a pretty smile on her face.

"What's your name?" Sandhya asked.

The girl looked at Sandhya through the mirror and her smile widened.

"Yes, Akshara."

"It's a very nice name... By the way, who lives here?" Sandhya further asked.

"There is Maharaj, Badi Raj mata, Raj mata, Chief General Rajat, soldiers maids and servants."

"Oh. That's all?"

"Yes. Maharaj sister used to live here however she got married just before he left for war." She added.

"Hmm, what's her name?" Sandhya inquired.

"Rani Bhavna."

~

As she was fixing her dupatta, the guards announced the King's arrival. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and bowed their head in respect.

Sandhya quickly placed the dupatta on her head and also bowed her head slightly.

Abhimaan steps came to a halt as he finally saw his wife. His breath stopped. He knew she was beautiful but in this red lehenga and all dressed up as a newly wedded bride made her beauty escalate to a whole new level.

"Ekaant." He ordered and everyone, except Sandhya hurried out of the room.

He went closer to her and pulled her by her waist.

"This colour on you...will kill me one day." Abhimaan said and Sandhya blushed.

"Meri jaan, you don't need this around me." Abhimaan remarked pulling her dupatta from her head.

"Come with me." He said and guided her to the dressing table. He helped her to sit down and signaling her to wait, he walked to a work table in the other side of the room.

He opened a drawer and removed a box from it and walked back to where Sandhya was seated.

He opened the box and from the mirror, Sandhya saw that it contained the most beautiful mangalsutra.

"I had made this with my own hands for my wife...for you." Abhimaan said smiling at her.

Sandhya smiled back at him. Abhimaan took the mangalsutra out of the box and put it around her neck.

Abhimaan saw that her hair partition was not filled yet, so he took a pinch of sindoor and filled her partition.

He saw her teary eyes and frowned.

"What happened?"

Sandhya shook her head and smiled.

Sandhya got up and placed her hands on his chest.

"Maharaj, you have made me the luckiest woman in this world. I would not even dream of something like this and you have given to me all."

"You deserve the world, this is nothing compared to what you deserve." Abhimaan said, placing a kiss on her head.

A maid entered and excused herself.

"Maharaj, Rani sa. Raaj mata, awsits for you in the mandir."

Abhimaan nodded and Sandhya fixed her dupatta before they walked out, hand in hand to the mandir.

There, Raaj mata arranged a prayer for the new couple for the wellbeing and good future.

As they entered the temple, Raaj mata gasped in surprised. She knew Sandhya is an ethereal beauty but now all decked up, she was looking like a goddess.

"I already knew my son has eyes of a johri, today it has been proved. Such a beauty, even the king had to bow in front of it. Seeing you in this form, It's like you were always meant to be queen." Raaj mata praised seeing Sandhya all dressed up.

Sandhya could not help but blush.

When the prayer ended, both Abhimaan and Sandhya took the blessings from the diety and from Raaj mata.

"Always be happy."

"Sandhya, this is for you. This is a blessed armlet. Throughout all your future pregnancies, you have to keep wearing this. It will keep you and your baby safe." Sandhya accepted the gift with a smile, thinking about her future children.

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C H A P T E R 5

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