Queen of my heart (continued)

The deserving

Ambika gave birth to boy after a week of Durgeshwari's boy's birth. Maharaja Vaishnav was gone for a peace discussion which neighboring kings. Ambika scowled when she didn't get the same treatment from her husband that he gave to Durgeshwari.

Since Durgeshwari's son was born, Maharaja's happiness knew no bounds. He spent most of his non-working hours in her chamber.  "He was there mostly for his child not Durgeshwari otherwise he would have been there for me during the last week of pregnancy," a Ambika thought.

The message of the first born was given to every citizen and a pooja followed by a feast was held. Now in the coming Shivratri both the newborns were going to be named.

It was not a fact to think twice that Durgeshwari's son had a charm, a charisma. In a week of his birth, he lured many people, the maids always surrounded him, Vaishnav's day wouldn't start without looking at his face, the courtiers talked about him. He was the hot topic of the palace and of the kingdom.

No matter how much Ambika tried into loving that golden boy, but she always felt a tinge of jealousy towards him. She looked at her baby, feeding him. He was cute too; he was charismatic too but someone else grabbed the limelight.

At the naming ceremony, all eyes were on Durgeshwari's baby. The old women in the council kept on gossiping about him. And when the priest called for the babies, Maharaja took him first just confirmed the fact that he loved Durgeshwari's son a little bit more than Ambika's son.

Although he tried his hardest not to hurt Ambika's feelings, he gifted her more gold ornaments, clothes and perfumes from foreign land but this time she didn't expect luxury, she expected him to love her son more. Maharaja even installed a golden swing for the Ambika's baby and a normal swing for Durgeshwari's son, in order to prove that he loved both his sons 'equally'. But Ambika wasn't satisfied.

Ambika felt anger bubbling inside her as Maharaja carried that baby, she started resenting.

The priest gave him the name, Ashwini, the powerful. The mob rejoiced and shouted his name.

Next was her son's turn. Vaishnav took him in his arms not before getting a stink eye from his Queen. He was named Surya Rajesh, the ruler of Sun. Only a few people clapped at this. Most were busy discussing about who will be the king.

She felt her child going down.

Ambika vowed that she would never let her son feel alone, she would always stand by his side.

And she stood ...by his side.

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Few years later, the King and Queen were strolling in the garden when they witnessed the majesty of Ashwini. He had a glamour now while Surya Rajesh although a good warrior couldn't get ahead of him. Ashwini began to receive more appreciation and fame; it was like he was handcrafted by the gods to become the King.

They both were displaying the skills of archery to the soldiers. Both had shot at the same red spot on the target banner. But you know who received the earnest and the loudest claps?  It was Ashwini. It was like Surya Rajesh didn't exist when Ashwini stood at the same stage. 

Both the Queen and the King felt that Surya Rajesh was not being treated right. He was not at fault; he was trying his best to prove himself. But the people of the kingdom had not given him the chance. King himself was more inclined towards Ashwini...so how could he blame others.

After many tantrums by the Queen in the evening, Maharaja announced to the kingdom that Surya Rajesh would succeed the throne after him.

The people felt sad and criticized the king. "There is nothing wrong with Prince Surya Rajesh, but Prince Ashwini is better than him. Surya Rajesh may be a good ruler, but Ashwini would be a great ruler." they talked.

But king's order was king's order. 

" I didn't receive what I deserved but my son should not have the same fate." Ambika thought. And in some ways, it was true. As a mother her feelings were justified. 

But they didn't know this decision would backfire in the years to come.

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