Princess of the dawn

Chapter 41

Champavati looked at him in horror!

"You mean ...! But who...? Padmavati!" she exclaimed and clapped her hands over her mouth.

"No, she definitely didn't!" she said incredulously. "She wouldn't go that far!"

"We will ask her, Champavati!" replied Bharmal softly. "We hope our suspicions are unfounded!" He clapped his hands.

"Maid, bring Rani Padmavati here!"

"Raja Sa, why did you have me called?" She saw Champavati who was sitting on a stool with a disgusted look and holding a letter in her hands. Bharmal looked at her angrily. He took the letter from Champavati and held it out to Padmavati.

"Padmavati! Do you have anything to do with that? And no excuses!" he said, dangerously calm.

She read the letter and a sneer flew over her face. She quickly got a grip on herself again.

"How do you get it, that I might have something to do with it?" she asked in mock disbelief.

"We know that you are friends with the wife of Kalyan Sing! You didn't happen to mention the matter in a letter to her? Padmavati! We want to know the truth!" yelled Bharmal angrily.

"Yes, I wrote it to her!" Padmavati burst out full of hatred. "You always prefer Jodha! She can do what she wants, she enjoys your trust, no matter what she does! Jodha here, Jodha there. She only got what she deserved! At first I thought, finally she is gone! But now nobody will want her anymore. That is a much greater punishment for her."

"Padmavati, what have you done!" cried Champavati appalled. "I didn't think you'd go that far in your aversion to Jodha."

"That is egregious Padmavati! Have you just thought once what that means for Amer? What does that mean for Sukanya and Shivani? They too will have to live with her sister's blemish! It will be difficult to find a husband for them" yelled the Raja angrily.

Padmavati looked at him in dismay. In her hatred of Jodha she hadn't thought that far.

"I...! Uh...!" she dropped onto a stool and buried her face in her hands.

"We can't believe what you did to Jodha and the whole family, to Amer, with your hatred! Jodha is not favored in any way. She is the eldest of the girls, shows an interest in politics and the good of Amer. Can you blame her for that? She practices sword fighting and archery like every Rajput girl. Have you forgotten that Sukanya and Shivani also practice it? They too want to be properly married one day. Yes, Jodha is a wild girl, but when it comes down to it, she knows how to behave. Why this hatred of her? We hope that we will find a good husband for Jodha now. It won't be easy thanks to you! Also for Sukanya and Shivani!" he exclaimed angrily.

Padmavati sat in silence with her hands in front of her face and did not answer.

"Go into your chambers now, you will not leave them for the time being!"

Without a word, she left the room. Champavati sat slumped on her stool. Bharmal put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"We will find a solution. Time will make it forget!"

"I hope you are right!" she said toneless.

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"Jodha, come quickly! Your father wants to see you!" Moti ran breathlessly into her room.

"How ..., what is it?"

"I don't know, you should come immediately!"

"Let's go then!"