Trishalini ~ The Jewel of Mahabaleshgarh

24 ~ The Chamber

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Trishalini's POV

"Come, let me show you your chamber," Queen Nandani's voice caught my attention, and I could not help but feel slightly uneasy. It was past midnight and, ironically, my first night after the wedding.

Lowering my gaze, I silently walked away from them, and Maasa and Daadisa joined me.

The way my anklet bells pierced the silence of the night and dueted with the noise of night insects made me feel scared. I hated to catch attention, and everything about me was now getting attention.

I could feel the maids' and soldiers' eyes on me as we walked through the galleries. I could not see the wall, but I knew it was strong and heavy enough that it would never let my inaudible cries escape.

Our shadows were huge and moving every time we would pass the hanging light torch.

The gardens filled with roses of different colours were exceptional. It was perfect to make someone feel at best despite the thorns poking beneath them.

It resembled the kingdom's current situation. The roses settled like everything was perfect and delicate, but what I had just seen a few moments ago reminded me that even roses were meant to bite if not held right.

The relationships among people in the Kingdom were tearing apart. And I did not know what sides I meant to take.

"This is your chamber, Trisha." I heard Maasa's voice and lifted my gaze to notice a massive palace before me. It was a thousand times bigger than the cottage I was brought up in. Even its stairs were spread wide like the roots of a tree.

I gulped and looked at Maasa with nervousness.

"Come on," she said and placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Do you know it was my wedding, too, when I first stepped into it? And, like you, I was not really happy," she said, and I lowered my gaze, hiding the beds of the river I had shed through my eyes.

"This is beautiful," I could not help but say. Appreciation was the least I could do for them.

As the three of them supported me, followed by a group of ladies workers, I climbed the stairs, and the enormous doors of the chamber opened wide before the soldiers standing outside.

I wondered if they were allowed to sleep or sit or stand up, which was their only job.

"They do not rest?" I asked, looking at Queen Nandani. She smiled and shook her head.

"The shifts change three times a day. They work at night and sleep in the morning. While the new group attends in the morning," her voice was low, only audible to me, and I nodded.

"It's a hectic job," I could not stop saying they laughed a little.

I lowered my gaze with slight embarrassment and noticed my red-inked feet stepping inside. It felt cold. The temperature was lower here.

The floor was covered with thick, mush carpets. It was way softer than my sleeping arrangement ever felt to me. And it tickled me a little.

"It's soft," I muttered, noticing them smiling and looking at each other.

"I mean, the carpets," I said, inhaling deeply, knowing that I was making it evident that I was awestruck.

"We will get this chamber arranged as per your taste soon. You can decide whatever colour you would like, the curtains," she said, and I looked at the curtains. They were drawn over the vast windows and flowing a little with the wind. "Draw the curtains," Maasa ordered, looking at the maids, and they began to work. I saw them pulling the thick fabric apart and tying them with the iron hooks engrossed in the walls. The moon looked whiter than ever from here. It was huge, and the stars spread like the ocean.