Trishalini ~ The Jewel of Mahabaleshgarh

19 ~ 'Why'

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Abhinandan POV

"There is no future for Mahabaleshgarh," I said, and he coughed even harder.

"Abhinandan Mahabalesh, do not speak like that," my mother's voice caught my attention. I immediately turned to look at her, her face a mix of anger and tears. "This Kingdom is not a silver spoon to be used until you grow up and decide to throw it away. It has its value, its people, who look after a King for their betterment," she said, and I lowered my gaze.

"It is not an option. Through my womb, you are born with an inescapable duty to wear the crown. You cannot overlook it," she declared, her words like a heavy cloak settling on my shoulders. I inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her expectations and the gravity of my decision, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Is that what you are concerned about amid all of this?" I asked, and she looked into my eyes as I stepped closer to her.

"I know you are upset with us, with your father and broken knowing that he is suffering, but all of us are suffering too. Your grandmother, the people and I. We are suffering too. It does not mean we will not look upon our responsibilities and weigh them with our moods," she exclaimed, and my grandmother held her hand. "Calm down, Abhishree; give him a little time to decide," she suggested.

"How can he say that there is no future for Mahabaleshgarh? Maa Saheb?" she asked, and I gulped, lowering my gaze.

"I am sorry, Maasa," I immediately apologised, realising she had done too much for the Kingdom and us.

"Abhinandan, please, my son. I am sorry for whatever happened. But, please fulfil my last wish," my father's breaking voice caught my attention, and I looked away.

"I do not want to marry now," I said, and suddenly, my grandmother looked up at me.

"But, you said you wanted to," she said out loud despite my sight's warning.

"I have changed my mind," I declared in a slow voice.

"What changed your mind?" she asked, and I turned around.

"She lied to me twice, Daadisa. First, about her meeting with Baapusa, she hid his health from me," I could not stop myself from saying, and my father asked.

"Who? Trisha," he asked and added. Why does she matter here? Her wedding went well?" I could not believe he had forgotten about the girl who had risked our friendship for him in a matter of days.

"Unbelievable," I cursed out.

"She is the girl he wishes to marry," My daadisa spoke before I could, and a slight pause of silence followed.

"You will not marry her," he said, his voice now determined.

And, I thinned my brows. He was on his deathbed, but he could not keep his political opinions away.

"And why not?" I asked in anger.

"She is unfit to be married to a Prince. The crown and the people will never accept her as the Queen and the heir's mother," he said, and I chuckled.

"But, the King can beg her to bring his son back," I said, and he coughed harder.

"It was a different matter, Abhi," he said, and I shook my head.

"You are unbelievable. You can accept a slave's son as your son-in-law but cannot let a commoner sit on the throne beside your son. Why? Because Rudra became a King, and she is not a Princess," I pointed, and he inhaled sharply.