Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 17

Nazia sat on her bed and pulled her blanket closer to her. The storm had not stopped since the previous night.

Playing with the mangalsutra in her hands, she caught herself thinking about Ram again, for the second time that day!

A question, out of the ordinary, seemed to have popped in her head, usually a question one would ask after a month of marriage.

Not after a year of a marriage.

Why did I wed King Ramji?

Nazia got up from her bed and began walking around her humongous bedroom, each step made her shiver and the marble tiles were definitely not making the situation better.

The question rung in her head repeatedly, just like the azan that will be sounded for prayer at the mosque.

Nazia began to think about it deeply, she knew that his appearance played a part for sure, but it was the final reason for why she chose to wed Ram.

Apart, from being forced into this Marriage of Alliance, which she could have easily rejected, she accepted it.

Nazia scrunched her face, as she paced the room even more.

Ram loved Binita, Nazia knew that she was not a substitute for Binita. The marriage just took place for monetary reasons due to their greedy parents.

What did this marriage of alliance mean to Nazia?

Suddenly, Nazia heard the sound of thunder clapping behind her chrome curtains.

Jumping slightly, Nazia realised the answer to her question.

Nazia was captivated by the way Ram looked after his people, his land and most importantly, his wife. Nazia liked his generosity, and good heartedness.

Nazia soon realised that she was standing in front of her priceless mirror, lifting her head up, Nazia saw her reflection smiling back at her.

Nazia was taken aback when she saw a perfectly round red sindoor bindi sitting perfectly in between her arched eyebrows.

The reflection showed her that she was not the Princess of Faizabad anymore.

Her title had changed.

She was Queen Nazia Begum of Uttarakhand.