Maze of Lies- Lost Around Secrets

Prologue

~Author~

 

The palace of Ambikapuram was bustling with royals, rich merchants, artisans, and other important guests and servants who were attending to them. The 21th anniversary of the king and queen was a significant occasion for celebration. Talented royal musicians played a melodious tune, to which the court dancers gracefully moved in the centre of the grand hall.

Meanwhile, guests presented gifts to the royal couple in honour of their marriage anniversary.

“Pardon me, Your Highness, I couldn't bring an expensive gift. However, I poured my whole heart into creating it. I hope you like it."

She began unwrapping her large present in front of the royal couple, revealing an exquisitely beautiful painting.

"Happy marriage anniversary to both of you. May you remain healthy and happy and always remain together like this for years to come." Amrita said, bowing her head respectfully.

The painting depicted the King and Queen in their mid-twenties, dressed in traditional Indian royal attire and jewellery. The Queen held an infant, while two teenage boys stood beside them in similar regal clothing. The taller boy had a bright smile, and the slightly shorter boy had a small smile. The couple wore golden crowns embedded with jewels. They, like the boys, looked ahead with small smiles. Only the side profile of the child was shown, a red cloth covering his body below the neck, with his free arms lifted upward in a playful stance. A throne stood behind the figures, and the background depicted a royal court with a huge window showing a beautiful kingdom and a rising sun, symbolising a new beginning.

The King and Queen were in awe of the painting, especially the Queen.

“God! Amrita! It's so... so... beautiful!” The Queen looked up from the painting toward Amrita. “Thank you so much, darling.”

Amrita smiled and nodded in response.

“It’s truly fantastic. It looks so vivid. Thank you, Amrita,” the King added.

“I’m honoured that you like it, Your Majesty,” she replied, bowing again. A servant took the painting from her.

“Since it is your wedding anniversary, I initially intended to draw only both of you, but then I thought to include the princes too.”

“Thank you, my child,” the Queen said, holding the painting. “You are the sweetest child. May God bless you with all the happiness in the world.”

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The King, smiling at his wife, said, “Now, let her go enjoy the banquet, will you?”

The Queen, slightly embarrassed by her husband's teasing, nodded. “Amrita, go on, or else you’ll be stuck with us for the rest of the party.”

Amrita smiled, bowed politely, and left.

“She is such a sweet girl,” the Queen said, sighing. “I wish I had a daughter like her.”

“You should have told me that earlier. We could have tried for one,” the King teased, causing the Queen to blush and smile shyly.