Agneya - The Unknown King

Chapter 20 - Dinner

Then Rashmi asked him to leave as she had to get ready and so Agni decided to go back to his chamber.  Just then Rashmi said, "When you come back again, remember that your punishment is waiting for you".  He looked incredulously at her.

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Finally the grand Royal dinner was arranged in the common hall of the Academy itself.  And all 5 Royal families along with Samrat and Samragyi were present.  And their respective successors, who will inherit the throne after them, were also present along with their spouses if they have one.  The seating arrangement was in such a way that  two rows of Tables and sitting stools were placed facing each other, where one side the Kings and Queens were seated and the opposite side were seated their successors. 

Samrat and Samragyi sat in the middle, connecting both the rows one side while Yuvraj Agneya sat exactly opposite to Samrat, connecting all the tables in an elongated 'O' shape.  Samrat greeted the King of Akashpura, who was seated at the farthest end from him but right next to Agneya on his left.  Samrat said, "Congratulations on the birth of your son".  The King of Akashpura thanked him with a smile while his Queen's smile dimmed a little.

Rashmi noted her mother's reaction and kept quiet as She had nothing to interfere in their lives.  Her father although remained a 'one woman man' for more than a decade, his eyes caught the beauty of a young woman who is only 10 years older than Rashmi and Charu.  And now they are having a child.  May be that's why her mother thought it was better for sisters to be co-wives as they may not fight. 

Rashmi turned her gaze away from her parents and thought, "I'm glad that they don't have their destined soulmates which is exclusive for the Royal family of Pranyakta.  Otherwise the probability of the child inheriting the powers of their father is completely zero.  Now this child has a fair chance to the throne if he inherits level 2 powers of space".  As she looked to her left, she saw Agni was staring at her in surprise as he came to know that she had a brother.

Rashmi rolled her eyes and turned towards Samrat.  Soon the dinner was served and everyone started eating.  Agneya noticed that she started with sweets and then the main course only after finishing sweets.  While everyone was focused on their food, Rashmi suddenly noticed a bowl of sweet landing on her table, floating through air.  Some more bowls followed and she saw the person sitting on her left.

Agneya motioned his eyes towards the sweets, indicating her to eat.  Rashmi frowned at him and looked around to see if anyone else noticed but they were all immersed in their conversations and food.  So she took the sweets which were offered and relished them.  After a few minutes, she choked on her food and coughed a bit and drank the entire glass.  Still her coughing didn't stop, so immediately Agni stood up and poured water in her glass while her parents and Samrat instructed the maids to serve her water.

Agni kept pouring water in the glass, after she finished it each time but the coughing didn't stop and Rashmi got tears in her eyes.   So he kept his hand on her back to pat her lightly and slowly her coughing stopped and she was back to normal.  Rashmi whispered a 'Thank you' to him and he went back to his place.  While everyone took his actions to be based on humanity, Samrat didn't misjudge it to be humanity and thought to talk with him later.

At the same time, the dinner conference was happening here in the academy, there stood a woman in front of the forbidden gate and proclaimed, "Today I completely submit to the power of Asuras and work towards establishing their domination".  It was followed by a great noise from inside the gate, as if rejoicing their first victory.  The woman was none other than Charusheela, who smiled viciously and left the place in an insane speed and reached her chamber.  Charu couldn't believe that she has got huge powers as a result of submission to the Asuras.

As she was enjoying her new leap in her life, her maid Damini came to serve her dinner.  Charusheela refused dinner and told, "Today I'm very happy Damini.  The thing I was worried and scared about, has now become my indestructible strength.  Now I shall become the Queen of Pranyakta with the help of my allies".  Damini kept quiet although she felt scared to see her Rajkumari like this.

The dinner conference has ended and some topics were discussed among the Royals to strengthen the relationships among the kingdoms.  That's when the King of Akashpura intervened and said, "Samrat, I have decided to keep my newborn son's naming ceremony in another two weeks.  I humbly invite you to grace us with your presence.  And soon I will send the invite to all the Royals families".  Other Kings nodded at this and Samrat said, "I may not be able to attend the ceremony because I have to inspect the army training in a week.  So I will send Meghnath along with his wife".

Agneya didn't show any interest in their talks but his attention was grabbed by the woman sitting beside him, who had shouted, "No".  As all eyes trained on her, Rashmi composed her panicked face and said, "What I meant is that Rajkumar Meghnath already have so many responsibilities as Yuvraj is also in the Academy, so why to disturb him for such a small ceremony". 

Rashmi's father became angry hearing her words and said with finalty, "This is not an insignificant ceremony, Rajkumari.  As the present King of Akashpura, I cannot have a simple ceremony for my son".  Rashmi understood his inner words, subtly reminding her that he is still the King and she is not yet crowned.  Rashmi didn't say anything after that and kept her stoic face infront of everyone.

Samrat thought about her words for a moment and then suggested, "I think Rajkumari Rashmi is right.  Meghnath is already overloaded with his responsibilities".  Before Rashmi could breath a sigh of relief, he continued, "Instead I will send Dakshesh in his place".  Rashmi's parents were happy with this decision but Rashmi was shocked.  She looked at Agni to gauge his reaction but he was surprisingly quiet and didn't even look at her direction. 

Rashmi's mother asked, "Will Rajkumar Dakshesh come alone Samrat?".  Her question was based on her expectation that both Rashmi and Charu will be ordered by Samrat to accompany him and soon Rashmi will agree to enter the palace as Dakshesh's Primary Wife.  But before Samrat could reply anything, another voice was heard saying, "I will accompany him".  Everyone turned to Yuvraj Agneya who uttered the statement.

Glossary:
Samrat - Emperor
Samragyi - Empress
Rajkumar - Prince
Bratashree - Brother
Bhabhishree - sister-in-law
Acharya - Master/Teacher
Mamashree - Uncle (Mother's Brother)
Mamishree - Aunt (Mother's brother's wife)
Bade - elder or big
Chote - younger or small

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Precap:

Rashmi was worried that he will misunderstand her intentions and proceeded to clarify her actions while still maintaining her composed look, "Yuvraj, My intention was not to invite Rajkumar Dakshesh".  He replied, "I know.  Your intention were not about who should come.  Rather it was whom to prevent".

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Hi guys,

Hope you like this chapter.  Do vote and comment if you like the chapter.

Word count: 1250

Thanks,
SM.