KING'S QUEEN

Chapter 21 :The stranger within

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The first rays of dawn filtered through the ornate windows of the Malik Palace, casting long shadows across the room where Meera sat, her heart heavy with the weight of her new life. The palace was silent in the early hours, a stillness that contrasted with the turmoil in her mind.

Meera knew that in this palace, she was an outsider-an interloper in a world that was as foreign to her as she was to it. The marriage had thrust her into a role she neither sought nor desired, and yet, here she was, bound by duty to a man who treated her with nothing but cold indifference.

As she prepared for the day, Meera's thoughts drifted to her life before all this. She had been a princess, raised in a world of traditions and rituals that celebrated her faith. Now, she was the third wife of a man who didn't believe in love, who saw her only as a means to an end. The contrast between her past and present was stark, and the adjustment was proving to be more difficult than she had anticipated.

The morning routine began as usual with prayers, though in this palace, Meera's prayers were private, a quiet solace that she clung to in the midst of uncertainty. She had created a small shrine in her chambers, a space where she could light a lamp and offer her devotion to the gods of her ancestors. It was a small comfort, a reminder of the life she had left behind.

When she emerged from her chambers, she was greeted by the cool gaze of Rani Shabnam, Arad's second wife. Shabnam was beautiful, with sharp features and eyes that seemed to pierce through Meera's defenses. She had made it clear from the start that she did not approve of Meera's presence in the palace.

"Good morning, Meera Begum," Shabnam said, her voice laced with a hint of disdain. "I see you're up early."

Meera inclined her head, refusing to rise to the bait. "Good morning, Rani Sa. I find the morning to be the best time for reflection."

Shabnam's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "How noble of you. Though I wonder how much reflection is needed when one's presence here is purely for political gain."

The words stung, but Meera remained composed. "We all have our roles to play, Rani Sa. Mine is to support Maharaj and his kingdom, as is yours."

Shabnam's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly unimpressed with Meera's calm demeanor. "Indeed," she said, her tone icy. "Just remember your place, Meera. This is not your world, and it never will be."

With that, Shabnam swept past her, leaving Meera standing alone in the corridor. The encounter had left her shaken, though she had expected no less. Shabnam was fiercely protective of her position, and Meera's arrival had disrupted the delicate balance of power among the wives.

Meera made her way to the gardens, seeking the peace and solitude that nature often provided. The gardens were lush and vibrant, a stark contrast to the tension within the palace walls. As she walked among the flowers, she allowed herself to breathe deeply, trying to calm the unease that had settled in her chest.

She found a secluded bench and sat down, letting the sounds of the garden wash over her. It was here that she could think, away from the prying eyes and whispered judgments. But even in the quiet, her thoughts kept returning to Arad. She couldn't understand him, couldn't fathom what had turned him into the cold, unfeeling man he had become. There were moments, brief and fleeting, when she thought she saw a glimmer of something more in his eyes, but they were always quickly extinguished.

Lost in her thoughts, Meera didn't notice the small figure approaching until she felt a gentle tug on her dupatta. She looked down to see Ayan, his big eyes filled with curiosity.

"Amma, why are you sitting here alone?" he asked, his voice soft and innocent.

Meera smiled at the sight of him, her heart warming despite her troubled mind. "I was just thinking, Ayan," she said gently, reaching out to smooth his unruly hair. "What are you doing out here so early?"

"I wanted to find you," Ayan said, climbing onto the bench beside her. "Abba said you might be here."

Meera's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Arad. "Did he?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ayan nodded, swinging his legs as he looked around the garden. "Abba said you like the flowers. I like them too. Can we pick some?"

Meera's smile widened, and she nodded. "Of course, we can."

As they walked through the garden, picking flowers, Meera found herself relaxing in Ayan's company. The little boy's innocence was a balm to her soul, a reminder that not everything in her new life was fraught with tension and deceit. He chatted happily, telling her about his day and the things he liked to do, his small hand warm in hers.

When they returned to the palace, Ayan handed her a small bouquet of flowers he had picked himself. "These are for you, Amma," he said proudly.

Meera took the flowers, her heart swelling with affection. "Thank you, Ayan. They're beautiful."

Ayan beamed, clearly pleased with himself. "Abba will be happy that you like them."

Meera's smile faltered slightly at the mention of Arad. She still didn't understand her husband, and the thought of trying to bridge the gap between them seemed impossible. But as she looked at Ayan's bright, hopeful face, she knew she had to try-not just for herself, but for the children who had already found a place in her heart.

That evening, as Meera prepared for bed, she found herself thinking of Arad once more. She knew he was a man driven by power, a man who had been shaped by loss and duty. But she also knew that there was more to him than what he showed the world. Somewhere beneath the cold exterior, there was a man who loved his children, who had once loved deeply, even if that love had been buried under layers of grief and ambition.

As she lay down, Meera made a silent promise to herself. She would not give up, no matter how difficult things became. She would find a way to reach Arad, to understand him, and perhaps, in time, to help him find the love he had lost. For now, though, she would take things one day at a time, finding strength in the small moments of connection that had begun to form between them.

And so, as the palace settled into the quiet of the night, Meera closed her eyes, her heart filled with a newfound determination. The road ahead was uncertain, but she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way.

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DB