Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 3

Two weeks had gone by, since Princess Nazia visited Uttarakhand. Since, that day nothing had changed significantly in her life. Sultan Azman, was still trying to find a prospective groom for Princess Nazia. Without fail, each groom was turned down by the Princess.

Princess Nazia, did not love King Ramji, romantically. However, she wanted a husband who was a carbon-copy of King Ram. Princess Nazia wanted her ideal husband to be someone who was: respectful, charming, kind, helpful. Importantly, Princess Nazia wanted her husband to love her. With every unsuccessful try at finding a groom, Princess Nazia was starting to give up on marriage. To distract her thoughts on marriage, Princess Nazia, improved on her sword-fighting skills everyday without fail.

"Princess Nazia! A prince is looking for you!" Hadija, yelled running towards Princess Nazia. The princess, on the other hand, was tackling her instructor while firmly placing her sword on his neck. Princess Nazia's instructor had fear written on his face as he trembled beneath her. "I think this is enough for today." Princess Nazia got up and smoothed her white salwar kameez.

"Hadija, my veil." Princess Nazia ordered as she released her brown locks from an extremely messy bun. Hadija placed the veil on Princess Nazia's head, covering the beauty of her cascading brown locks. "Hadijia, has my father arranged another prospective groom to meet me?" Princess Nazia asked adjusting her veil. Hadija, walked beside the Princess with her head looking down, not uttering a single word.

"Hadija!" Princess Nazia asked again, firmly gripping Hadija's forearm. "Princess! No, Sultan Azman did not arrange anything. Prince Arnav, of Uttarakhand has asked to see you." Hadija said rather too quickly. "Thank Allah, that my father is at Babri Masjid now." Princess Nazia heaved a sigh of relief.

Upon reaching the entrance, Prince Arnav stood there with his head facing downwards as well. "Prince Arnav?" Princess Nazia's voice broke through Prince Arnav's thoughts. "Princess Nazia. Greetings to you." Prince Arnav smiled while placing his palms together. "What brings you to Faizabad?" Princess Nazia asked smiling back.

"Y-you are needed at Uttarakhand immediately, Princess." Prince Arnav asked looking up at Princess Nazia. "Immediately?" Princess Nazia quirked an eyebrow. Prince Arnav nodded vigorously. "I will follow you, I'm assuming that Queen Binita's child has been born?" Princess Nazia laughed while getting on to the Pauravas' carriage.

Once, Princess Nazia and Prince Arnav walked into the UttarakhandPalace, Princess Nazia noticed an oddity in the atmosphere. The usual, positive aura and happiness was absent.

The servants were not chattering instead they had their heads hung low. Mirrors were covered with black cloths, blocking out the light that beckoned to enter. Gentle sobs were heard in every nook and cranny of the palace.

Princess Nazia's anklets overpowered the silence in the Uttarakhand Palace. Upon nearing a room, Princess Nazia felt her stomach churn while noticing the door that was left ajar. Noticing a man, covered in only a white uttariya with his head in his hands. Princess Nazia stopped in her tracks. Her stomach churned. Upon advancing further, the stench of blood filled the air.

Princess Nazia's eyes were closed, she expected for the worst. After mustering the courage to step into the room, Princess Nazia could feel something amiss. Kneeling beside the man in the white uttariya, Princess Nazia noticed. She noticed Queen Binita laying on the bed, with blood around her. Queen Binita's torso still bulging, a metallic smell filled the air as Princess Nazia placed her head down moving closer to the body.

Princess Nazia wondered how one could look immensely beautiful even in the afterlife. Without uttering a word, a tear fell down Princess Nazia's cheek. Princess Nazia, placed a hand on the man's shoulder-knowing very well that it was King Ramji.