Queen of my heart (continued)

The preparation

Surya was banished from the kingdom. Though on the pleadings of Ambika and to redeem his own guilt for not providing a better life for his son, the king gave Surya, a small princely state near Vallabha Forest.

But the evil in Surya kept on rising day by day.

He wanted the end of his misery whose sole reason was Ashwini. His one-week older half -brother.

Consequently, Ashwini became the Maharaja of Northern Seas. Everyone rejoiced at this except of course, Surya and Ambika. Even Vaishnav was secretly delighted about it. His favorite child carrying his legacy was a beautiful thought to him.

Ashwini came out to be a better ruler than Vaishnav. Though, once reluctant, Ambika accepted the fact that her son was wrong, and Ashwini deserved to be the king and people deserved a great ruler. A while later Vaishnav died peacefully in his sleep, giving Ashwini the supreme power.

Ambika, Durgeshwari and other minor queens held a pooja for the peace of their husband's soul.

Ashwini prepared himself for kingly duties while Surya prepared for his half-brotherly duties ; to destroy Ashwini.

And here when no one wanted to conspire against the Great Maharaja, Surya found his hope in Ashwini's cursed wife.

****

" Look at you, Surohi , blushing so much that it has dominated the yellowness of turmeric." Devika commented while she applied the paste on her cheeks.

It's a Hindu ritual in which the bride is covered with turmeric paste.

" Princess please, it's my wedding, why wouldn't I? " She replied innocently.

"Oh, yes, you're wedding with your lover! " Devika teased her.

When Surohi told her that she was getting married to Amrish, she was surprised because she had known Surohi since her childhood. Her mother was the maid of her Oueen mother. And now here she was with her. Surohi's father died in the battle, all she had was her mother. She became precocious and matured. She would suppress her desires. All she wanted to do was work and now she found her love and was ready to marry him.

*****

"Amrish what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to get ready for some rituals?"Ashwini asked when he found him in the sword chamber.

"Um, Maharaja, I am examining the swords." He said taking a sword in hand.

Ashwini eyed him and snatched the sword from him. looked at his fingers.

Ashwini held him by shoulder and said, " You are nervous? "

"Yes Sir, a bit." Amrish whispered.

And then Ashwini broke into a laugh and slapped his hands together. Amrish was surprised by Maharaja's behavior, one moment he was serious and now he was laughing.

"So, the Army chief of the greatest Kingdom is scared of the wedding vows. The one who can beat a thousand men alone bowed before his bride. Is it not so Amrish? " Ashwini teased to which Amrish nodded blushing.

"Listen my young man, no need to fear the inevitable. It is in your fate. Let me tell you one thing even a Maharaja is a husband after all. We have to lower ourselves in front of our 'Queens'. And remember my father had eight queens! I don't know how he managed. But then he had a peaceful end too. Ha. You should get ready now. Your bride won't like it to see her man undressed up on her own wedding. She would think you love the swords more than her."

With that Ashwini climb up the stairs back to his room but stopped when Amrish shouted.

"Maharaja, will she not weep when I go to a battle and never returned?" His eyes were serious, his voice was thick.

"Then she will be not alone. " Maharaja said and went away leaving Amrish to decipher his statement.

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| Powerless without you and powerful with you. I didn't know when you became my source of power. |