Lotus among the Roses

Summons of Saamragyi

As the golden hues of the evening sun began to dim, casting a serene glow over the palace grounds, the grandeur of the celebration gradually subsided. Guests started to disperse, and the regal atmosphere began to settle.

 Amidst the dwindling crowd, a royal guard approached Kumud with a respectful bow.

"Devi Kumud," he announced, his voice firm yet reverent, "the Saamragyi has summoned you."

Kumud's heart skipped a beat, as her mind filled with questions. Her face though betrayed her inner turmoil, maintaining its previous stoic calm.

 The summons from the Empress herself was an unexpected turn of events. 

She turned to her family, who had gathered around her, each wearing expressions of curiosity and concern.

"Why did the Saamragyi summon you now?" asked her elder brother, Vikram, his brow furrowed with worry and a slight tremor in his voice, betraying his concern for his sister.

"Perhaps..... perhaps they wanted to talk to Didi about her life in the gurukul?" suggested Ketki, Kumud's sister, trying to sound hopeful but unable to mask the anxiety in her eyes.

Their mother, Devi Rajni, placed a comforting hand on Kumud's shoulder. Her eyes, though calm, held a depth of worry that only a mother could have. 

"Whatever it may be, do not be scared and answer each question of the Saamragyi without fear. You have no reason to be afraid."

Kumud looked at her mother and felt a wave of gratitude. Her mother's words always had a way of grounding her. 

"I will, Ma," she replied, her voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.

Her father, Keshav Gupta, added with a reassuring smile and a firm grip on her hand, "Always remember I have your back. No matter what happens, I you will always find me and your Bhaiya standing behind you."

Kumud smiled at her father, feeling the warmth of his unwavering support. "Thank you, Baba," she said, her heart swelling with affection for her family. 

" I shall go now. Please return home without any worry." She whispered and turned around to walk.

As she followed the guard through the intricately decorated corridors of the palace, Kumud's mind raced with possibilities. The celebration had been eventful, and the drama with Abeera was still fresh in everyone's minds. 

"Could it be that the Saamragyi had noticed something? Or, was it about her achievements in the Keerti Pariksha, like Ketki said, where she had been chosen by the great saint Brahmadatta? Was it something she had done? Or perhaps something she had not done? " Her mind churned.

Inwardly, she felt a pang of anxiety. How could she not? 

Because the truth was, there was a part of her past she couldn't remember—everything before the time she woke up from the snake bite and when her soul crossed over was a blank slate. 

The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she couldn't voice it out. She had to face whatever lay ahead with a levelheadedness, as she could not afford to loose this battle just as it started. 

The guard led her through grand hallways adorned with arrays and murals that depicted the scenes from Ramayan and Mahabharat. 

Each step echoed her mixed emotions of anticipation and trepidation yet, she kept her head high, maintaining an air of grace and dignity, aware of the significance of this moment.