● 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐚: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ●

Chapter four ● Those Three Merchants

The sun shone brightly in the post noon sky, the vast stretches of yellow, crimson, and orange painting the creme-hued walls of Rudrakshi's chamber. The soothing aroma of the lavender incense stick shredded all thoughts of stress off Rudrakshi's shoulders. Her shoulders sagged as she dipped herself further into the pool of water, mixed with ayurvedic essentials and rose petals. Her ebony tresses floating on the surface in asymmetrical patterns, a few baby hair sticking to her forehead as beads of perspiration and bathing water drenched her face. 

Even though, Rudrakshi wished to bathe in the calming waters of the river Ganga, to attain that serenity, that peace of mind, she had been failing to capture. But, the late afternoon nap had prevented her from doing so as Rudrakshi stepped out of the pool, dressed in a white cotton saree, dripping water all over. The maids rushed forward, handing her fresh towels as two of them maneuvered her towards the dressing chamber located in the corner of snankaksh, shrouded by four wooden blinds. 

Stepping out from behind the blinders, dressed in beautiful white lehenga, embroidered with silver linens, as shades of vintage grey hued the long skirt and halfway through the blouse. Intricate patterns swirled in the lower half of the skirt as it flared radially with every step she took. Her regality and wisdom shone brightly as she let her helpers dry her hair after she stepped out of the snankaksh and sat in front of her mirror. A few of them, patted her hair dry using fresh towels before bringing forth a vessel covering the burning incense stick as they let the scented fumes of the stick waft towards her hair, tinting it with a lavender-ish scent.

Waving them off, Rudrakshi clad the pieces of jewels put together with stings and wires, to her body. First went her maangtika, embedded with white pearls as she set in between the partition of moist hair, as her curly tresses had themselves pulled up in a loose bun. Next, she picked up the Nath, slipping that small ornament onto her nose as she picked up the earing and budded them on too. 

Her wise grey look contrasted with her dusky golden skin, shades of brown contouring her beauty as she deemed herself ready and walked out of her room. Her silver anklets tinkered as the soldiers bowed their heads to greet her formally. Rudrakshi walked towards the Bhojankaksh, very well knowing that her entire family will be there because it was almost time for lunch. 

Rudrakshi, pushed open the door to the Kaksh, as all the chattering and bantering stopped. Rudrakshi could feel all their gazes turn towards her, as more than six pairs of eyes stared at her intently. Her eyes ventured over all the faces present in the room, eyeing her twin, she gave him a subtle nod as she moved her eyes onto Chitrasena, smiling at him before walking towards the heavily pregnant wife of her father. 'Choti Maa.', She greeted Supriya with a sideways hug, dodging her big baby bump with expertise before petting her bump gently. Vrushali smiled at her firstborn before coming over to her with a platter filled with sweets. 

'Putri, greet these educated merchants, who we have had the fortune to meet. He journeys from the pristine land of Dwarka and has been kind enough to bring us some gifts and these sweets.' And, it was then that she registered the people behind the extra pair of eyes. Standing at one corner of the room, beside her father stood three sturdy men. Two of them were elder than the other one as all of them stood there huddled together. Dressed in rich merchandise to dictate their profession but humble enough to remain down to earth. All three of them bore small smiles on their lips, except maybe the youngest one. His smile seemed strained. His slightly muscular yet lean figure held brittle anger as he seemed to barely hold control over his emotions. 

Rudrakshi studied the young man standing amidst the other two when their eyes met and he glared at her. Gazing back at him with a glare of her own, she joined her palms together, smiling at the elder merchants, 'Welcome to Ang. I sincerely hope that the journey from Dwarka wasn't troublesome.'

'It certainly wasn't, princess. It was one of the most refreshing journeys we have had in a while. The native domain here is quite the lush and green.', a soft smile played on her lips, as Rudrakshi thought of the environment outside the four palace gates. Mother Nature's beauty enthralling every soul to have ever stepped on this land. 'Yes, it is.', She replied absentmindedly. 

'Princess?', one of the merchants broke her out of her reverie as she looked at the three of them expectantly, her eyes zeroing on the merchant standing on the extreme left. His dark skin with attractive features gave out the same warm vibes as that voice earlier. 

Strange. 

'I'm sorry, but, do I know you?', all of them looked at her strangely as her mother gave out an awkward chuckle and replied, 'Rudrakshi...yes, you know him. You just spoke with him.' A light scoff escaped the young merchant's lips as he remarked snarkily, 'Maybe if the princess had been more attentive she wouldn't have asked this.'

The other two jabbed him in his sides with their elbows gently as Karna raised an eyebrow and looked at him. 'Excuse me?', Vrishasena narrowed his eyes, his fingers folding in a fist as Rudrakshi sighed and shook her head. 'Well, the sass ain't getting you anywhere, merchant. Because I clearly remember speaking with the man to your right.', the man narrowed his eyes at her, parting his lips to speak when the merchant on his left, interrupted, 'Very true, princess. Indeed, you were speaking with my brother, Nagesh.', he pointed to the merchant on the extreme right, fair skin, raven hair, rugged face, and body of a warrior.

Typical. 

Glaring at his brother, merchant Nagesh spared Rudrakshi a warm look before resuming his little game called "Let's glare at my brother." Unbothered by his glare, the brother of Nagesh continued, 'I am Gopal, a cowherd by birth but a merchant by profession and passion. I enjoy traveling around and hence, I go wherever my business takes me. And, it has brought me and my companions, here to Ang from the lands of Dwarka, where if I might generously add, the sale was great!', Gopal ended his say on a quirky note as Rudrakshi chuckled joyously, shaking her head as she let go of her presumptions, focusing on the young man standing between the two brothers. 

'And, who are you?', she questioned as Gopal patted the young merchant's head while replying, 'Oh, this angry young man? He goes by the name, Abhimanyu!'

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Glossary:

● Snankaksh: A typical bathroom but more vintage and majestic.

● Bhojankaksh: The dining room in simple words.

● Maangtika: An Indian ornament, worn between on the partition of the two sections of hair. 

● Nath: Ornament for the nose.

● Kaksh: Room.

● Putri: Daughter.

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A/N:

Hey, my lovelies! Greetings to you from me as I wish you all good health, both mentally and physically. Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked the chapter and do tell me, how does Rudrakshi seem to you? Wise and regal or mature yet a teensy weensy bit nosy?

With love, 

hazelwolfx!