THE BRIDE FROM THE WEST

3 - VAZRAKSH's BACKSTORY

Astrarankshetra , The beautiful Empire that has vast boundaries , diversity of people. The Lands of this empire have witnessed wars and deaths , sorrows and sufferings and yet , Astrarankshetra has remained known as the most prosperous Nation . The folks of Virtuous    and wise ancestors who ruled this vast land were inspiration to us .

Cold breeze blew across my face as I stood gazing at the peaceful evening of my country under the pink sky . The sight of peace across my land eased my heart . I patted Adhira - my horse , on his neck and signaled him to move . Adhira has been with me since I was 6 years old . Adhira was the one who saved me and Naina the day we lost our Badi Maa sa . That night was the most horrific night of our lives , That night we all lost a piece of our souls .

My heart filled with satisfaction as saw people giggling and chattering in the market place , Some people were trying to bargain with the shopkeeper , some were enjoying the stall food and talking cheerfully . This all showed the satisfaction of people under my Bhai sa's reign . He indeed was a great ruler , He understood people and thought of people as someone he had to serve and not rule . He has been against the thought ascending the throne at first and wanted me to be crowned as the Emperor instead but i had not intention of being a Emperor and he was the legitimate heir of the throne as he was 4 years older than me .

Adhira let out a small neigh pulling me out of my thoughts and i realised we were about the reach the palace's main entrance . The guard blew the horn signalling my arrival and the other guards opened the door for me to pass . "Kuwar sa ki jai ho" 'All hail the prince' the guards spoke in a loud and clear tone as I passed across them .

I left Adhira to the stable keeper and headed towards my chambers . My chambers were situated towards western region of the palace which was near the training grounds . I entered my chambers and placed my sword and other weapons I was carrying along with me in my private weaponry . I entered in my bathing chamber , I threw my cotton tunic on the the carved floor and stepped inside the hammam until my shoulder lengthed hair were drenched in water and seated myself on the fourth stair. I placed my arms on the steps and leaned my head backwards .

My assistant Akhil had informed me the Maa sa had summoned me to the Raniwaas Empress's palace . I didn't had to go there to know the subject of the summon . Marriage , Maa sa had been nagging me about this topic for a while now . She would summon me and show portraits of different princesses from various Nation's . The reason she did this was because she was concerned about me not showing any interest in women or marriage . She even consider the possibilities of me being into men and consulted the Royal astrologer Acharaya Devudhaya over it . According to my stars are yet to meet my other one's stars , which I don't understand the meaning of . But in spite of this , Maa sa still insists on matchmaking me with these princesses .