Queen of my heart (continued)

The baby

Durgeshwari shrieked when she felt her inside clenching. She crushed the hand of one of her maids under her tight fist in pain. She was sweating. Her hair was a mess, and she didn't look even a bit of the second queen that she was. She was breathing hard.

Another maid patted her forehead while the midwife did her work in between the legs of the queen.

"Bring warm water and a clean cloth." Mid wife ordered to the maids. The maid rushed around in the room. Durgeshwari screeched again at the pain. Her voice echoed around the chamber and reached the ears of the Maharaja Vaishnav and Maharani Ambika who were in another chamber waiting for the first child to be born.

Maharaja Vaishnav ran his hand around the bump of Ambika. She was due in a few weeks. Crease formed on her forehead. She looked away from Maharaja.

Vaishnav brought her face close to his and said." You are my first queen, no matter what, you'll have the privileges." He hugged her and patted her back.

Ambika knew if Durgeshwari gave birth to a boy, then he might become the king, first thing first as the royal laws went. And if Ambika too gave birth to a boy, then there will be clash between both of them.

Ambika's son should become the king as she was the first queen. As she had married Raja first and also because she came from a richer and more powerful dynasty than Durgeshwari's. So, Ambika believed she deserved better along with her son. And what was Durgeshwari, a princess from a small kingdom of the hills. Her treasury wasn't even a quarter of Ambika's. 

But Durgeshwari was a lucky girl, Ambika knew. While Ambika's father had given her hand to Maharaja to form a battle alliance. Durgeshwari was 'chosen' by the Maharaja while he had gone to the hills for hunting.

Ambika prayed to God regularly, " Dev, I have been contenting myself even when Durgeshwari holds Maharaja's heart but let not her child hold the Maharaja's throne."

A maid knocked at the chamber of the king. She was panting.

"Maharaja and Maharani, Queen Durgeshwari gave birth to a son. Both are in good health." She spoke.

Ambika closed her eyes, as anticipated, she thought. The King and Queen made their way to the chamber of Durgeshwari. She carried the little ball of joy in her arms. His head had some scattered black shiny hair strands, and he was fair. His eyes were closed but he kept on wiggling his leg. He looked every bit cute. Durgeshwari caressed his plump cheeks. Maharaja Vaishnav entered her chamber hurriedly while Ambika came at a slow pace smiling at her only with one thought, " God safekeep this child but don't let him hold the Maharaja's throne."

" My child looks just like his father, so handsome." Vaishnav commented and took his first born in his arms. Ambika put her hand on Devika's forehead and ask about her health and her pain.

Other minor queens also came and surrounded the bed to get a glance of the golden boy.

Maharaja acted like a little kid laughing while he played with his son. His eyes filled with happiness and joy over becoming a father. Later, on budging, he handed him to other queens too. The first one to take the first born in her arm was Ambika. She touched his hand and felt fragile. He was indeed very handsome. She kissed his forehead and prayed silently for his wellbeing and prosperous future sans throne.

She felt a kick on her belly. It was her infant in her womb.

| Joy is when you are with me, joy is when you are in my thoughts, joy is when i engage in work in order to secure a future with you|