The Royal Crucible

A New Era for Suryavarta

Sadhana looked away, her expression troubled. "I'm sorry, Anahita. I didn't mean to worry you. It's just... there are things from my past that have been weighing heavily on me."
Anahita took a step closer, her voice filled with concern. "You can talk to me, maa. Whatever it is, we can face it together."
Sadhana sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as if carrying an invisible burden. "It's not that simple, Anahita. The mistakes I've made... they have consequences. And those consequences have hurt people I care about."
Anahita gently took Sadhana's hand. "We all make mistakes, maa. But you don't have to carry this burden alone. Let me help you."For a moment, Sadhana's eyes softened, and she looked at Anahita with a glimmer of hope. "Maybe... maybe you're right. But it's hard to forgive myself."
Anahita nodded understandingly. "Forgiveness is a journey, maa. It starts with accepting that we are human and that we can learn and grow from our mistakes."
After listening to these words of Anahita, Sadhana nodded her head and left her alone. Anahita felt good about this but thought it was not right to dwell on it too much. She should participate in the preparations to welcome her brothers.

Anahita had eight brothers: Yuvaraja Aditya, Rajakumara Ashwin, Rajakumara Shankar, Rajakumara Parth (Maharani Hemlata Devi's son), Rajakumara Dinesha (Sadhana Devi's son), Rajakumara Prakasha (Sadhana Devi's son), Rajakumara Vikrama (Sadhana Devi's son), and Rajakumara Ananda (uncle's son). (Sadhana Devi is Anahita's stepmother.)
She is younger than all of them.

Each had a unique bond with her, but Aditya, the eldest, held a special place in her heart. He had always been her protector, just like their father, Maharaja Shivendra.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she approached the grand hall. She took blessings from her brothers, one by one. Aditya, her favorite, placed a protective hand on her shoulder. "You look worried, Anahita. Is everything alright?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.Anahita smiled, feeling a sense of warmth. "I'm fine, Aditya. Just overwhelmed by everything that's happening," she replied.
Aditya nodded understandingly. "Remember, we are all here for you. You are never alone."
After the blessings, Maharaja Shivendra gathered the family for the rituals.

Nirmala Devi, the ever-curious and concerned elder, asked, "Why so soon, Shivendra? What announcement do you have to make?"Shivendra, with a mysterious smile, replied, "A major announcement, Maa. Please be present in the great hall in three hours."

Once the rituals were completed, the royal family made their way to the great hall. The hall was filled with the people of Suryavarta, their excitement palpable. Maharani Hemlata Devi sat next to Maharaja Shivendra, with Rani Sadhana Devi beside her.
Anahita noticed that despite the grandeur of the moment, there was a certain distance between the two queens. They exchanged no greetings, each lost in their own thoughts.The crowd cheered, "Maharaja Shivendra ki jay!"

Raja Bhaskara, Shivendra's younger brother, stood up to quiet the crowd. "Let Maharaja Shivendra make his announcement," he said, casting a reassuring glance at his wife, Rani Ratna Devi, who looked on curiously.