The court hall was lavishly decorated with flowers and candles. Silk and brocade curtains separated the hall for men and women, a tradition Meera was yet to be familiarised with.
She was lead by Noor and introduced to the wives of every single minister. It was different here, the royal family was humble, they did not walk two feet above the ground or consider themselves superior and their people loved them and respected them.
"Meera meet her, she is Avantika Bilal she is the youngest wife of our treasurer Mohammad Bilal Ahmed."
Noor introduced her to a beautiful young girl around the age of 18-19, she was frail and Meera feared that the slightest touch would break the delicate porcelain beauty.
"I'm Meera." She said and smiled.
"Av..Avantika." The young lady stuttered.
"I don't think that is a very Mughal name." Meera asked her.
"I'm a Hindu by birth, then I married my husband." Avantika replied.
"Sorry to interrupt but I have to go, Ammi be is throwing daggers at me I better check what have I messed up this time." Noor said and left without a reply leaving Meera and Avantika alone.
"How old are you Avantika?" Meera asked.
"I..I am 24." Avantika replied.
"Jhoot." (A lie) Meera stated and a panic was written all over Avantika's face.
"Malika-e-Hindustan, ijazat cahti hu, Sara appi bula rahi hai mujhe." (Please excuse me Sara is calling me) Avantika said fled from there like a murdered from a crime scene.
Meera stood alone thinking about Avantika, why did she marry a Mughal minister ? Why did she marry so young ? Why did she lie ?
Her chain of thoughts were broken when someone placed a hand on her shoulder, she turned around to find her best friend.
"Meera umm do you mind if I go back to the Harem to my room ? I'm having a terrible headache, th..the travel must have taken a toll." Kanika said in a low voice, her face had paled.
"Are you okay Kanika ?" Meera asked placing her palm on Kanika's forehead. "Do you want me to come with you ? Give me a second I'll inform Ammi be or Noor and come with you." Meera craned her neck to look for either of them.
"No no no please. You stay here, talk to everyone you don't want to come off as a brat on your first day here." Kanika reasoned.
"Alright, you take care okay, send a message if you want me there or if you need anything else." Meera hugged her friend.
Kanika left the court hall and walked towards the courtyard, she hated lying to her best friend, but Meera wouldn't understand, hell even she couldn't fully comprehend her own actions.
Kanika stood near the lake and looked up to the full moon deep in thoughts when she felt a strong presence behind her, she turned around quickly and her wildly beating heart calmed a little.
"Took you long." A gruff yet charming voice said.
"I hate lying to her." She replied.
"Do you see a way out ?" He said, reaching out to push her hair out of her face, he tucked the strands behind her ear and traced his finger along her cheek making her shudder.
"Let us leave before someone sees us." He said and held her hand and pulled her along. His hands were twice hers, his rough hand somehow made her feel safe.
The two figures were lost in the shadow, as the rest of the palace celebrated return of the King and the new Queen.
AN: short filler chapter, who do you think the man is ?
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The Two Kingdoms (Completed)
Romance•Completed• *Read only if you can accept the grey shade of life* The Kazi was called in, a few prayers were read in a tongue unknown to her and then she agreed to being his wife with just two words, three time for a life time. Two people, A Rajput...
