𝑰𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 (previously Vaidehi) ✎

[4]

Looks of amusement and wariness are thrown my way as I sit beside my father's throne in his court session. As it turns out, twice a week, The King of Saanchi asks his children to join the court and take part in the matters of the court procession and since this time I was here too, he decided to invite me as well.

I was going to decline the "generous" invitation but then I thought why not. It'll be a delight to sit there and pose as an insult to my father in his sacred court. It's as if a tattoo of "Illegitimate and Unholy." has been engraved on my forehead these days, anywhere I step out in this palace I am only met with scorn. It's no surprise, this is how illegitimate children are meant to be treated right? They are low lives that don't deserve respect, because ofcourse it's the poor kid's fault that his or her parents decided to make a mistake when they weren't married.

Yesterday evening, Radhika had forced me to tag along on her trip to the market and while we shopped for jewellery and clothes, every single person who passed us threw looks of malice my way. I had never felt this out of place in my village. They were all so kind to me despite having known my truth. Infact two middle aged women at the market were gossiping about me at a distance which I managed to hear.
"She is Saanchi's worst candidate to be wed off to the Prince of Mewar. " The woman wearing extravagant jewellery and a grand saree said,
"And the king of Mewar must have gone crazy to even accept her proposal. I hear the Mewar Prince even had proposals from Rajput and Maratha Princesses. What a shame, his wife will be a bastard child."

"The King's mistake, that's all she is and that's all she'll ever be. " The other woman had agreed.

The King's mistake. That's all I am.

Radhika had ordered the guards to give those women a warning and they had obliged but I could tell the warning did nothing to change what the women thought of me.

"My King, please help me!" A sudden loud cry comes from the entrance of the court bringing my attention back to the present. A young teenage boy who appears to be chased by the royal guards runs inside and stops in front of the stairs that lead up to the throne.

"We are sorry, Maharaj, we tried to stop him but he is too quick." One of the royal guards apologises. Pitaji dismissed him with a nod and focuses his attention on the boy.
"What is it I can help you with?" He asks him.

The boy straightens, "My sister has been missing for half a week. She was supposed to come to visit us from her marital home a couple of days ago but she never reached here but her husband says that she had left early morning on the day she was supposed to just as planned. But she never reached and I don't understand-"

"Boy this is not a matter of the royal court, you should go to your local panchyat, they'll help you out." A minister chimes in, interrupting the boy.

"Let him finish speaking atleast." Another minister snaps. The first minister throws the other one a dirty look before shrugging.
The boy takes that as a sign to continue, "As I was saying before being interrupted" he shoots his interrupter a look, "My sister has been missing for a long time and yeah, we had gone to the Panchayat. Infact my parents are still expecting some help from them, but as of yet they have been of no help to us. Not even a single search party has been sent out to find her nor any questioning has been done with anyone. I am afraid, Maharaj, we have no clue where she is, how she is....if she is even alive. We need your help. Please."

"Don't worry. Everything will be alright." Pitaji comforts, "Give us your introduction first."

The boy takes a deep breath, "My name is Krishna Kumar. I am your royal goldsmith, Vishnu Vardhan Kumar's son."

The minute he finishes, murmurs break out in the court. But one stern look from my father and everyone quiets down. "You should have come sooner. Half a week has passed and the more time we loose in missing person cases the worse it is." One of the senior ministers old comments.