Where the Lotus blooms Again

Chapter -2 Favourite queen

[A/N- The words wrote in bold and italics are in english. Rajendrapriya use english words while conversing]

Vijaybhanu's Chambers:

Vijaybhanu entered his chambers with his usual stoic expression. He casually threw the cloth draped over his shoulder aside before heading towards the bath. With a mere flick of his hand, he dismissed the maidservants who bowed their heads and quickly exited the room.

He stepped into the bathing pool, a modest seven-by-seven-foot structure made of clay and stone. The water, shallow yet comforting, was filled with floating rose petals and scented oils to calm his nerves. Leaning back against the pool wall, he rested one arm on the edge while pressing the inner corners of his eyes with his other hand. The tension from the earlier confrontation still lingered.

His mind returned to her—Bhagyashree. The lengths she went to catch his attention disgusted him. No matter what he did, she was a problem he couldn't rid himself of. The confrontation was still fresh in his mind, making his blood boil. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to relax, letting the calming essences wash away his frustration.

After finishing his bath, he emerged from the pool, droplets of water still clinging to his bronzed skin, his wet hair cascading down his shoulders. As he stepped out, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Maharaj ke kaksh mein bina anumati ke pravesh karne ka parinaam janti ho?" (Do you know the consequences of entering the King's chambers without permission?) he asked, his tone teasing as he approached a woman dressed in yellow.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close as he buried his face in her neck, planting soft kisses on her skin.

Without turning around, the woman, who was tidying the desk, replied, "Bina anumati kisi stree ko haath lagane ka parinaam jante hain aap?" (Do you know the consequences of touching a woman without permission?)

Vijaybhanu grinned, tightening his grip as he spun her around to face him. Her gasp at his sudden movement made his smile widen, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement.

Meanwhile, in the West Palace, Rajendrapriya paced back and forth, her expression fraught with frustration. The maid standing nearby, dressed in blue, silently observed her, unsure how to respond to the strange behavior of her princess.

Rajendrapriya stopped, placing a hand on her hip. "Hum abhi Delhi mein nahi hai?!" (We're not in Delhi?!)

The maid, Meena, frowned, confused by the unfamiliar word, but shook her head. "Rajkumari, hum Surapuri mein hain." (Princess, we are in Surapuri.)

Rajendrapriya threw her head back in exasperation. "Is this some kind of rehab center?" When the maid remained clueless, Rajendrapriya moved her hands dramatically. "Nasha Mukti Kendra?"

The maid only offered a sheepish smile. "Hum Surapuri mein hain, Rajkumari." (We are in Surapuri, Princess.)

Facepalming, Rajendrapriya let out a groan. "Of course, we are," she mumbled, the absurdity of the situation getting to her. She shook her head, trying to make sense of it all, but nothing added up.

With a deep breath, she asked again, "Toh hum Surapuri mein kyu hain?" (Why are we in Surapuri?)

"You are the second queen of Surapuri," the maid replied matter-of-factly.

Rajendrapriya scoffed, mumbling under her breath, "Even in my dreams, I'm the second woman in my husband's life." She rolled her eyes before continuing, "This isn't a dream, and you're real?"

The maid  looked puzzled. "R...r..eal?"

Rajendrapriya, frustrated, snapped her fingers as if trying to recall something. "Real...yes, asli. Tum asli ho aur yeh koi sapna nahi hai?" (You're real, and this isn't a dream?)