The Battle Of Hearts A Choice Between Power And Love

Chapter 15 Unveiled Truth Or White Lies

Annika 's POV

I woke up the next morning, feeling tired from yesterday's activities - the horse-riding, helping dadi maa and learning how to control my visions with her almost daily. Nowadays, Lakshmi, with another attendee, stood next to my bed, ready to help me out with the day.

"The bath's ready Annika" Lakshmi said, as I stretched my hands and got down from the bed. I went to take a bath. I sank into the tub of water filled with rose petals. Lakshmi grinded some fresh turmeric paste for me while the other maid came in with some towels and placed them on the counter.

"Get some rice flour" Lakshmi asked the maid and she opened one of the cabinets and handed the item over. Then Lakshmi prepared a paste using that.

"Apply this – it's for the face" she instructed and then handed me the paste. I first applied turmeric paste on my hands - the maid helped me apply it – and then I applied the other mixture to my face and let it sit for a while. As I leaned back on the tub and let my hair fall out, Lakshmi washed my hair. Then I got up and rinsed myself clean. The maid dried my hair as I wrapped myself in the towel.

"Have you picked out the dress for today?" I asked Lakshmi. She showed me a magenta colored light-weight lehenga. I wore it - Lakshmi helped me with the blouse. I then drape the dupatta over my head, then sat in front of the mirror. Lakshmi picked out some jewelry for me and I picked them to my liking. She then assisted me in wearing them. After getting ready, I went to the pooja room. Maa was already there, doing the aarthi in front of the statue of the devi (goddess). I bowed with my hands joined and offered my prayers. I then took the petals placed on the tray and threw it on the statue. As maa showed me the aarthi, I took a small pinch of sindoor and placed it in the hollow of my neck and my forehead, right above my bindi. After that, both of us headed to the dining room, where papa and Adhi were already seated, discussing something. When we came in, they paused their conversation and looked up at us with a smile. I sat opposite to Adhi, while maa sat next to papa. Servants walked in with the dishes and the silverware and placed all of it on the table.

"Good morning!" Amaia wished as she walked into the dining room. She sat next to Aditya and gave him a smile. Seeing this, I eyed Adhi up and down, while giving him a teasing look with an arched eyebrow. He simply rolled his eyes.

"Oh, is this how you treat your choti behen? That's so rude bhaiyya!" I teased. Philip and William later walked into the room. Philip sat opposite to Amaia, which was also the seat right next to me. We all started having the food. I finished my food soon, then looked at my dadi maa and mouthed 'garden', telling her that I will be at the gardens waiting for her for our little meditation class. As I stood up from my chair, a messenger walked in.

"Maharaj, the yuvrani has a visitor" he said. My papa looked at me.

"Who is it this early, meri pia?" he asked, slightly confused.

"I don't know who it is papa" I said and turned to the messenger.

"Yuvraj aa gaya (the prince has arrived)" the messenger announced. Aditya looked up instantly.

"The yuvraj?" he asked the messenger with eyebrows furrowed. He cleared his throat.

"Maaf keejiye. Mera matlab hai ki Punjab ke raajkumaar aa gaye hain (Forgive me. I meant that the prince of Punjab has arrived)" he clarified. Aditya nodded and looked up at me, folding his hands with a smug look on his face.

"Tumhaari raajkumaar yahaan hai, meri chotuu (your prince is here, chotu)!" he mocked. I glared at him.

"Bahut ho gaye aapke bakvaas (enough of your antics)!" I said to Aditya as I folded my hands and looked back at the messenger.