The Maharaja And I : Inspired by Bridgerton

Free At Last

The heady scent of jasmine mingled with the rhythmic beat of the mridangam as Devika glided into the royal court. Suryadev's dark eyes followed her every move, a playful smile touching his lips.

"You're late, my lady," he said, leaning in close. "The festivities have already begun without you."

Devika tilted her chin up defiantly, though her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Better late than never, Your Highness. I couldn't possibly miss the chance to bask in your radiance."

Suryadev laughed, a rich sound that sent a thrill through her. "You wound me, Devika. I live only to be graced by your presence."

He took her hand and led her into the swirling mass of nobles, the torchlight catching on the gems embroidered into their silken finery. As they danced, Suryadev's fingers lingered on the inside of Devika's wrist, tracing delicate patterns that made her pulse quicken.

From the edge of the revelry, Raja Vikram watched them, his handsome face twisted into a scowl. His piercing gaze followed Devika's every movement, simmering with bitterness and envy. She was meant to be his, yet now she cavorted so freely with another man. Vikram's hands curled into fists, nails biting into his palms. He would find a way to remind everyone that she still belonged to him.

Devika felt Vikram's eyes burning into her as she danced. She tensed, leaning in closer to Suryadev.

"Don't look now, but it seems we have an audience," she murmured.

Suryadev glanced over casually, his jaw tightening when he spotted Vikram. "Pay him no mind. He has no power over you anymore."

Devika nodded, squaring her shoulders. As the music swelled, she turned to face Vikram directly, meeting his glare with cool defiance. Vikram's lip curled in a sneer, but Devika merely raised an eyebrow before spinning back into Suryadev's arms.

When the dance finally ended, Devika feigned a laugh, gently touching Suryadev's arm as if he had said something amusing.

"Walk with me, Your Highness," she said lightly. "I could use some air after such exertion."

Suryadev nodded, offering his arm. As they strolled from the hall, Devika resisted the urge to look back at Vikram. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he could still rattle her.

Outside, the sounds of the bustling marketplace enveloped them. Vendors called out their wares in a melodic chorus while shoppers haggled loudly. The tangy scents of spices and roasting meat mingled with fragrant garlands of jasmine and champak. Crimson and gold silk canopies fluttered in the breeze as buyers examined the fine textiles.

"Quite a change of scenery," Suryadev remarked, glancing around.

Devika smiled up at him gratefully. "Yes, much better out here. All that stuffy formality was suffocating."

For now, she was free. Lost in the crowd, Vikram couldn't touch her. Out here, she didn't have to play the perfect courtier. She was simply Devika.

**

Devika let out a small sigh of relief as she and Suryadev strolled through the marketplace, away from Vikram's prying eyes. For a moment, she could forget about courtly intrigues and simply enjoy the sights and sounds around her.

As they walked, a flash of vermillion silk caught Devika's eye. She turned to see Vikram's attendant, Sheela, whispering to a nobleman Devika recognized from court. Though she couldn't hear the words, Devika saw the man's eyebrows raise in surprise as he glanced her way.

Devika's stomach twisted. Vikram was up to his old tricks, trying to spread rumors to ruin her reputation. She shouldn't have let her guard down, even for a moment.

"Is something wrong?" Suryadev asked, noticing the change in her demeanor.

"It's nothing," Devika said lightly, not wanting to worry him. This was her battle to fight.

As Sheela disappeared into the crowd, Devika caught a glimpse of an older woman watching closely from a spice merchant's stall. Her keen eyes followed Sheela's every move, and she wore an expression of shrewd assessment.

Devika recognized her as Janaki Devi, a formidable Raja Mata renowned for her sharp wit and talent for intrigue. Though Janaki kept a low profile these days, it was said she still held immense influence in the royal court.

What interest could she have in Vikram's schemes? Devika wondered. Perhaps she was merely intrigued by palace gossip. Or maybe, just maybe, she saw an opportunity to intervene on Devika's behalf.

Either way, Devika felt a glimmer of hope. With Janaki's cunning on her side, perhaps she could outmaneuver Vikram at his own game. She just had to win the Raja Mata over first.