Wicked Fate

CHAPTER 1

Loud cries echoed through the walls of the palace of Kannauj.
"just one more push Maharani (Chief Queen) just one more," said the midwife while wiping the sweat off of Maharani Uma's forehead. Maharani Uma is the first wife of maharaja Digvijay of Kannauj. She mustered all the strength she had in her to give one last push, while the newlywed Rani Tara (queen) held on to the chief Queen's hand for comfort. After the last push, they finally heard the much-awaited soft cries of a child. "It is a beautiful baby boy Maharani!" exclaimed the delighted midwife. The queen started to slip into an unconscious state, The midwife started to panic and sprinkled water on the queen's face. "What are u doing ? " asked the Rani Tara, "Let the queen rest."
The midwife bowed her head and said"forgive me Rani Tara but the Queen has to still deliver the second child and if she loses her consciousness now it will result in complications. Rani Tara nodded her head slightly and gave the midwife her approval. Soon the chief queen resumed pushing. Soon the room was filled with sweet cries as the midwife lifted up the second child. The delighted midwife took the child to the queen and said " U have been blessed with a princess with a face mirroring the moon.
Tears filled Rani Umadevi's eyes as she held both her children in her arms and looked up to Rani Tara's face and saw her also crying as she kissed the prince and princesses' foreheads. "I can't wait for Maharaj to see them, I hope he returns as soon as possible.
Suddenly there was a loud noise of shehnaiya (musical instrument) playing announcing the arrival of the king. Queen Tara quickly got up and ran to welcome the king, She stood at the main gate with an aarti thal. She raised her hand and put vermillion on the king's forehead. "Is the Maharani displeased with me, Rani Tara?" asked the king. Queen Tara smiled and replied, " No, Maharaj the maharani has been waiting for your arrival for months, she couldn't welcome you today as she has just given birth to your children and is waiting for you in her chambers."
The king's face lit up with happiness as he rushed to his wife's chamber.
As he reached the chamber he saw his wife sitting up looking exhausted.
He walked close to her and cupped her cheek with one hand and said: "I am sorry Maharani Uma, for not being beside you at this moment but today you have made me the luckiest man in the world, today you have made me a father." "A father of two children Maharaj, Maharani has given birth to twins" chimed in Rani Tara with a smile. "Twins?" Maharaj asked while expectedly looking towards Maharani Uma, who responded with a slight nod and a smile. Before the king could react a midwife brought in the prince and gave him to the king. The king looked at his son and a smile broke on his lips. The second midwife brought in the princess and stood near the king while he handed his son to his second queen and went to hold his daughter. His face suddenly turned serious and his brows furrowed as he was deep in his thoughts. "Is something wrong Maharaj?" asked Maharani Uma. "The king opened his mouth to reply but couldn't find the right words. "I am scared Maharani," said the king while still looking at his daughter. "This statement shocked both the queens as they exchanged worried and confused glances.
Maharaj Digvijay Singh was a great warrior who fought many battles. His name was enough to instill fear in the hearts of his enemies, how could he ever feel fear? Before the queen could ask anything, the king started speaking again " I didn't think I could love anything this much, but as I look at her face all I can think is that I want to keep her safe and happy, I look into her eyes and I know that I will kill anyone just to see a smile on her face, Maharani Umadevi, You have given birth to my greatest weakness and made me the happiest man on the face of the earth.