The Royal Crucible

Tears in Solitude

Anahita was very excited about the family dinner. It had been a long time since she last had the opportunity to spend time with her beloved family. Anahita, usually a homebody, cherished such rare moments. She got ready early, anticipating the gathering, and waited eagerly for a call from her mother. Eventually, a servant came and called her to join everyone in the dining hall. Anahita's heart raced as she made her way there, feeling a blend of excitement and nostalgia.

As she entered the grand dining hall, her eyes widened at the sight of the dining table lavishly set with her favorite and special dishes. The aroma wafting through the air made her mouth water instantly. Maharaja Shivendra, her father, beckoned her to sit next to him with a warm smile. Anahita felt a surge of affection and gratitude towards her family. The golden plates shimmered under the light, and the servants moved gracefully, serving the delicious food.

Maharaja Shivendra himself started to feed Anahita, a gesture of deep love and care. This act wasn't just limited to him; soon, everyone around the table began to feed her, each trying to ensure she tasted a bit of everything. Anahita felt overwhelmed with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes, not just from the love she felt but also from a sense of unity and togetherness that had been missing for so long.

However, amidst the joy and laughter, Anahita couldn't help but notice the absence of Sadhana Devi, a significant member of their family. Sadhana's absence cast a slight shadow over the otherwise joyous occasion. Anahita decided not to ask anyone about it during the dinner, preferring to address the matter privately. She resolved to visit Sadhana the following morning to understand the reason behind her absence.

After the sumptuous dinner, Anahita returned to her chamber, her mind still buzzing with the events of the evening. She felt a sense of contentment but also a nagging curiosity about Sadhana's absence. She slept with a determination to find out more the next day.

The next morning, Anahita woke up early, her mind set on visiting Sadhana Devi. She went through her daily routine with a sense of purpose. After a quick breakfast, she left her chamber and headed towards Sadhana Devi's quarters. The relationship between Anahita and Sadhana had always been somewhat distant. They saw each other infrequently, usually only during the full moon day gatherings at the temple, where the entire family would congregate.

Anahita had always believed that Sadhana preferred solitude and thus refrained from disturbing her. However, the previous night's events had triggered a suspicion that something was being kept from her. She felt a strong urge to uncover the truth.

Lost in her thoughts, Anahita reached the entrance to Sadhana Devi's chamber. Adhering to royal protocol, she called a servant and asked them to check if Sadhana Devi was available to meet her. This was a customary practice in their family, where permission was always sought before entering someone's private quarters.

Within a few minutes, the servant returned with a message. "Sadhana Devi is not free to meet you at the moment," the servant conveyed politely but firmly. Anahita felt a pang of sadness and suspicion. Why would Sadhana, who had always been waiting to see her, refuse to meet her now? The inconsistency in Sadhana's behavior troubled Anahita deeply.

Feeling dejected and puzzled, Anahita left the chamber. She wandered through the palace corridors, trying to make sense of the situation. There was something off, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. She decided to give it some time and try again later. Perhaps Sadhana would be more willing to see her then.

Inside Sadhana Devi's chamber, a different scene was unfolding. Sadhana was sitting alone, tears streaming down her face. Beside her stood a prominent servant of Nirmala Devi, who was apologizing profusely. "I am very sorry about it, Rani," the servant said, "but I had no other option. What I did was on orders."