Royal Union: Bound by Fate

Chapter 7

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Elsa's POV

As my feet touched the cool tile floor, I couldn't help but smile. Despite everything, I felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted from my chest. Today, however, was a new day. A fresh start.

Alice was already awake, sitting cross-legged at the small table by the window, sipping tea and scrolling through her phone. She looked up as I stretched again, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," she teased. "Finally! I thought you were going to sleep the whole day away."

I yawned and stretched. "I needed it after yesterday. So, what's the plan for-" She continued her blabbering.

"I was beginning to think I'd have to eat breakfast without you."

I rolled my eyes, heading towards the bathroom. "Give me five minutes. I'll be ready. Don't you dare touch that food. But what are we having today?"

"I was thinking we should have a real, authentic Udaipur breakfast," Alice said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "And then maybe check out one of the palaces nearby. What do you think?"

My stomach growled in response. "Authentic breakfast sounds perfect," I said while entering the bathroom.

We dressed quickly and headed down to the small café attached to our hotel. The smell of freshly prepared food made my mouth water as soon as we stepped in. I glanced around at the colourful display of local dishes.

As the server placed the food in front of us, my mouth watered. For breakfast, we ordered poha - a light and savoury flattened rice dish mixed with spices, onions, and crunchy peanuts. It was topped with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime, the kind of dish that made your taste buds sing. We also tried dal baati churma, a traditional Rajasthani dish with round wheat flour balls baked until crispy and served with lentils and a side of sweet, crumbly churma. Alongside it was a tall glass of lassi, thick and creamy, with a hint of saffron.

"Wow, this looks amazing," Alice said, eyeing the food.

"Dig in!" I grinned, already reaching for a piece of kachori.

As we ate, savouring every bite, I felt a sense of contentment. There was something about the simplicity of the moment - the food, the warmth of the sun, and the gentle clatter of cutlery around us - that made me feel grounded and present.

"What's the plan for today?" Alice asked between bites of poha.

"I was thinking we could visit that old palace near here. I read about it last night; apparently, it's over 400 years old. The architecture is supposed to be stunning, and it's got a lot of history."

Alice nodded enthusiastically. "I'm in! Let's explore it."

By mid-morning, we found ourselves standing in front of the palace, one that was tucked away amidst the ancient streets, its grandeur taking my breath away. The stone structure rose high above us, its intricate carvings and archways showcasing a blend of Mughal and Rajput styles. Our guide, an elderly man with a soft, weathered voice, led us through narrow alleys lined with old, crumbling stone houses until we reached the palace entrance and began to share the palace's story.

"This palace," he began, gesturing to the ornate columns, "was built in the late 16th century by Maharana Udai Singh II. It was meant to be a fortress, but over time, it became a residence for the royal family. The architecture reflects the fusion of two great dynasties - the Mughals and the Rajputs. You can see the fine details in the marble work here..."

As the guide continued his explanation, I found myself drawn into the history, imagining what life might have been like within these walls centuries ago. The courtyards, once filled with the laughter of royal children and the murmur of political conversations, now stood quiet, echoing only with the footsteps of tourists like us.