The morning sun looked breath-taking. It's scintillating demeanor spread far and wide seizing every strand of darkness within its blazing light. The flock of stratlings wafted through the sky. Their morning song was in consonance with the grand preparations that commenced in Mewar. The Fort was embellished with beautiful flowers, leaves and sheaths. As maids, soldiers moved up and down checking every minute detail, the palace bustled. The floor was covered with fresh lavender, roses and sunflower. Chairs were being assembled for the Kings of different kingdoms that were invited to attend the flamboyant function. Much to their dismay, the royalty was now contaminated since a maid was being crowned as the Queen. The sisodiya rajputs held a powerful and revered position amongst the other rulers. Siddhant's erratic behavior left the entire Bharatvansh nonplussed. 

It was beginning of the second pahar and almost all the courtiers had assembled. The royal priest stood at the altar were preparations for a yajna had been done. The altar was in the centre of the hall on a pavilion. It had an iron havan kund-the center place in a Havan in which the fire is lit and all the oblations/offerings are made. It was brightly decorated with reds and golden. There were three golden bowls that had vermillion, turmeric and cinnabar. On the opposite were large baskets containing fruits, sweets and coins as an offering to the God. The pleasant smell of fresh lavender filled the entire place. On either side of the hall were the nobles, army commander and royal guests. Next to the throne towards the right was a small yet mighty platform reserved for the rajmata. Mokshini sat there with eerie expressions. The court had fallen silent. 

"Sati help me with the necklace."

Damn this Udaipuri jewellery! It's so much heavy and difficult to wear.

Sati hastened and moved towards Kshitija. Adjusting her necklace and giving a final touch to her makeup, she turned towards her hair. Her long brown locks were braided loosely. Gingerly embellished with jasmine flowers, they looked beauteous. The white flowers complemented her chocolate tress. The Front section of her hair were puffed carefully and secured with a beautiful golden hair piece. 

"Are you done Sati?" Asked Kshitija in exasperation. Sati smiled and replied," Kshitija, you're a queen and for that you need to look like one! Don't be so impatient, you have to present yourself gracefully infront of the entire bharatvansh!"

"Entire bharatvarsh? Are You kidding me?"

"No." She mumbled softly adjusting her red dupatta.

"You mean all the kings of all the rajput kingdoms are there?" She asked nervously.

"Except Amber. Mokshini defenestrated Amber from the function for its trivial betrayal."

"Kshitija hummed silently."

I wish ammu was were. I wish I could know how she was. Its been days....only if she would be here, I could feel a little protected. Except Sati, I have no friends. Its quiet and frightening that I have to spend all my time alone, here in Mewar. But... I guess I'm judging things too quickly. Probably just like Sati, I'll have good friends. Perhaps being a queen and doing the duties will keep me busy. Once all these things are done.. I'm literally gonna escape to Amber and meet Ammu!

A major part of the hour went into her dressing. To her surprise, a tutor, precisely in her middle forties came to teach her the royal code of conduct. From walking gracefully to even a smile.

'Not too much, not too less. Just the right one. Perfect!'

Her nervousness had sky rocketed hearing that the entire bharatvansh had assembled to greet her.

A huge trumpet bellowed and the guard outside Kshitija's chamber announced Siddhant's arrival. His black curly hair complemented his red sherwani. He wore a deep blue angvastram, the colour scheme complementing perfectly his masculine, tanned physique. His eyes were brown and his face was covered with a stubble which was in consonance with his rajvanshi demeanor. Like other rajputs he did not have a moustache but a medium stubble. He looked amazing!

Kshitija gulped and passed a genuine smile.

'Perfect!'

 It was the first time he saw her properly. Her red lehnga complemented her brown skin. It had intricate golden embroidery portraying the excellent Mewari textile industry. Her lips were beetroot red. She wore a soft makeup and her dupatta swiveled on the floor. A smile escaped his lips. Kshitija folded her hands and greeted him with a formal namaste.

"So, are you ready Queen Kshitija?" He asked emphasising on the word queen.

Kshitija glared at him nervously. She Mustered formidablly," Yes.. raja sa."

"Why do you seem so nervous?"

He is so gentle! I wonder why Sati's opinion about him was vehemently opposite.

Because....I...was...actually... not..prepp.."

He understood her plight. He quietly ventured maintaining a  safe distance to try not to alarm her. He softly held her shaking palms and tried to calm her down. With soothing eyes, he intervened and said," You will do great. Just trust yourself."

Kshitija nodded. Silence prevailed after that. Siddhant gestured her to walk along with him to the festive hall. They were halfway down the aisle, walking beside each other yet engrossed in their own thoughts; surprisingly about each other.

'Why am I so gentle towards her. Possibly because I know she is just a normal naive village girl. She does need a friend and some guidance since she is unaware of the royal life of Mewar. Something different about her makes me feel enormously happy. She has a flamboyant personality which is captivating. It has hardly been quite a moment since we have talked yet I feel already close to her. Damn! We haven't even had a proper conversation let alone spending time with her. I have so many responsibilities towards this kingdom. But I also need to make time for her, she is now my married wife- she deserves all my attention.. my lov..' he stopped in between. 

Unseasonal rain poured down as strong breezes howled past the scintillating palace of Mewar. The third pahar had already commenced and the sun began setting. As sunset engulfed the oozing light, the palace glimmered with diyas and mashals. No sooner did Kshitija and Siddhant entered the ceremonial Hall, than the trumpets began roaring. Eyes darted upon them, the people in the royal Court reverted to a formal namaste. Kshitija's eyes scanned the place through her viel. She was gobsmacked witnessing the royal ambience jostling through every inch of the palace. Towards one side stood the Rajput rulers of Bharatvansh whilst the other side was alloted for the queens, young princesses and their conduits. Maneuvering past the beautifully prepared altar, Siddhant sat at his royal throne. Beside him sat Kshitija, her eyes filled with trepidation. Siddhant gingerly got up and removed Kshitija's viel. His eyes looked at her nervous orbs, with a genuine smile he whispered," Its time queen Kshitija."

Damn he is so supportive!

Everybody looked at Kshitija. Some with a smile whilst some with jealousy. Some seemed perplexed while the others openly contemplated their hostility.

A bold feminine voice echoed," Begin with the function. Let this be the most magnanimous festives that has ever taken place in the history of bharatvansh. "

No sooner did raj mata finish her announcement than the dance and music commenced. The beautiful illustrations of Mewari traditions and folklore radiated from the exciting Gair Nachna- a Mewari folk dance. Kshitija and Siddhant exchanged glances in between the ceremony.

The trained dancers circled gracefully around the acrobats. Women were dressed in traditional blue chania choli while men wore a long white kurta and yellow dhoti. Their hair were tied in a half bun secured with hair-pieces that had illustrations of the legendary animals such as unicorn, centaurs and the kalia naag- a giant serpent who recked havoc in the ancient city of braj by poisoning the holy yamuna river. It was believed that lord krishna slayed the snake by crushing its head thereby protecting the people of Braj.

Everything was profusely serene. The musicians took the event to infinity and beyond. The melodious rythms of
sitar, dholak, mouth organs and harmonioum instilled a thousand glories to the  grandeur of the event. Everyone seemed lost in its eternal radiance.

Thumppp! A loud clamor thundered. Everything stopped. The dancers halted and moved to a side. The musicians dropped their instruments at the eerie sight. The nobles and the ladies belonging to the royal palace of Mewar turned stoic. Their eyes fixed at the sight of a seven feet tall figure. The man wore blood-red dhoti that was secured with a waistband of golden colour. He wore a janeu across his upper body which was tanned and bare. It had battle scars delineating that the man was toughened in the fire of voracious wars. He held unto a small boy of twelve years. His dainty body had bruises as if somebody had beaten him badly. Tears oozed out continuously from his eyes as he screamed unable to bear the agony.

A middle aged women ran behind the man pleading him to let her son go. Her eyes filled with pain and despair.

With a calm voice, Rajmata got up from her throne and questioned," Aaditya why have you disturbed this ceremony? Is there something more important than the crowing of Mewar's royal queen?" She threw a barb on Kshitija by emphasising on the word royal.

The woman intervened and folded her palms formidablly. She fell on her knees and broke into heavy, sobre sobs.

"Your majesty, my immature small son of barely twelve years had committed a mistake. He stole a packet of food from mukhyamantri Aaditya's caravan. We are poor. His father died years ago and I work as a maid. Whatever I get is insufficient to quench my little one's hunger. To quench his increasing hunger he stole some food. My son was wrong.." she sobbed," But he had been already beaten by Mewari soldiers. He is young.. Don't punish him this gruesomely my lord. Show some mercy to this immaculate kid. Have mercy..."

Aaditya threw the young boy on the floor carelessly. He added," Shut up! You wretched piece of useless shit. I am to decide what punishment you need to be given."

Siddhant raised his palm," Not you Aaditya. I am the king of Mewar and its under my jurisdiction what punishment to be given to whom. Stay out of it."

Rajmata looked into Siddhant's eyes as if reminding something.

Siddhant regrouped his voice and thundered," The punishment for stealing is chopping off his limbs. Adhere to the law."

Kshitija noticed his shaking legs. Something was unnatural. The old woman broke into loud cries as the soldiers gripped unto the little boy. Kshitija could not hold herself further. She raised from her throne and cried," Stop!" The entire crowd looked at her befuddled and amazed. She gazed at Siddhant and continued," With all due respect raja sa, I sense the decision to be unfair since children are the future of not just this but any kingdom. If his limbs are incapacitated then Mewar may lose a skilled warrior, merchant or craftsman. If this number increased then the productivity and longevity of the kingdom may decline and lead to its downfall. The child has already been beaten down mercilessly. It is enough of a punishment for him."

"But rules are rules, Rani sa!" Raj mata intervened.

Kshitija grew nervous but replied," Yes but rules are not applicable to everyone and in every situation. The way of dealing with an adolescent is different from dealing with an adult since a child is more delicate and soft at heart. They need to be handled gently. People will not follow the laws out of fear. They will follow it only when they understand the real meaning and consequences of not following the rules."

Everyone was gobsmacked. Aaditya gritted his teeth in anger and was about to say something when Siddhant declared," You heard what the queen said. Leave the child."

As soon as his announcement finished he got up from his throne and marched out. The people were amazed at the intellectuality and audacity of the young princess. Recalling what the tutor taught her, she folded her hands respectfully and gracefully walked out. As soon as she was  at a safe distance outside the court she chased Siddhant's almost dissipating figure.

Siddhant banged his hand on the nearby wall in the royal garden. Tears welled up his eyes," Why... am I king? Why do I have to make such decisions.. Why did father crown me the prince... Raj mata told me about being heartless.. being strict.. being cruel.. That. If I am not strong then the people will never respect me... Why is everything associated to the crown so pretentious... Why...!!!!" He screamed.

An arm rested on his shoulder. He turned around. It was Kshitija.

Update! Please like, comment and share the book to give it a push. I was discouraged at the earlier response therefore failed to update.