As she felt exhausted, she opened her eyes to find Agni sitting beside her on the bed, in the same clothes with which he died.  She looked around to see that the sky is still bright which means she turned back time and reached a few hours before the ultimate disaster happened.  She looked at Agni with happiness and hugged him tightly.  He too hugged her and whispered, "You used your powers, again".  And then she fainted immediately.

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Past

Dakini entered Rajkumari Rashmi's chamber in the palace of Akashpura and sighed looking at the broken woman lying on the bed.  She came near the sleeping figure and called out, "Rajkumari Rashmi.  Please wake up.  Today Samrat and Samragyi will come to officially announce you as the wife of Rajkumar Dakshesh.  And in a week, we should leave for the academy".

Rashmi opened her eyes, which were blood red due to the extensive crying and looked up tiredly at Dakini.  As she sat up on the bed, Dakini brought some water for her.  Later keeping the empty glass away, Dakini touched Rashmi's shoulder and immediately Rashmi laid her head down on her shoulder.

Rashmi said, "Why did she do that Dakini?  I never ever fought with her for any of the things, even if those were mine.  If she had asked for it, I had given it all.  And I know that one day Rajkumar Dakshesh will also take some secondary wife and I was prepared for it.  But my own sister?  That too an affair behind my back?  And a secondary wife along with a primary wife?  What is my worth then?  Why am I even alive now?".

After completing that Rashmi burst into tears and continued while still keeping her head on her best and only friend's shoulder, "I never thought that the people I trusted the most would betray me.  My parents, didn't they think that I'm also their daughter and I would have feelings too?  They infact helped charu in her escapades with Dakshesh.  At times, I doubt even I'm their daughter or not.  The fact that Me and Charu are twins, is the only proof that I am not some stranger".

Rashmi looked at Dakini face to face and said with anger in her voice, "You know what I want to do Dakini?  I just want to rip away this mark which has confined me to this prison of a palace from my childhood.  And never to look back at my so-called parents and sister ever".  Her anger started to intensify her powers and they were slowly going out of control. 

That's when Dakini interfered and said, "Calm down Rajkumari.  If you loose your control then it will be easy for others to blame you, for why Rajkumar Dakshesh chose your sister as his secondary wife.  So please control your emotions.  And even now, you are the one who bears the mark of a soulmate.  You have the reigns to hold.  Don't give up just yet".  

Rashmi replied with a mocking smile, "There is nothing to give up, Dakini.  I never had him in the first place, for me to give up.  And I'm not strong enough to fight against everyone".  Then she went to get ready for the day and came out to meet Samrat and Samragyi with a fake smile on her face.  And she silently accepted the Royal position of being the primary wife of Dakshesh.

Later, both Rashmi and Charu went to the Academy, as it was already decided that they will enter the palace after the training, but Rashmi will enter first and Charu will enter later.  Even while in the Academy, Charu was over enthusiastic as if there was no dispute between them or that she didn't trap her would be brother-in-law behind her sister's back.

At the very first day in the Academy, Charu requested Rashmi, "Didi, shall I take this room please?  You can take the room allotted for me".  Dakini was about to refuse when Rashmi accepted her request without a change of expression.  Later she regretted the decision of giving up that room because the affair of her sister and her own supposed husband reached next level, due to the balcony present in that room.

Rashmi turned a blind eye to their public display of affection in the Academy and just minded her own business.   But the last blow was when she came to know that Charusheela was pregnant and that their entry to the palace has to be done earlier.  She cried a lot that day thinking about her future after entering the palace.  At this point, she doesn't want to live with Dakshesh anymore.  But her parents threatened her with their own life which compelled her to accept her fate.

After entering the Palace, Rashmi was soon announced as Yuvrani as Meghnath had died already, a month back.  Although officially she was given a respectful position, her personal life remained dull and gloomy.  Dakshesh didn't consummate their marriage and infact went to the Academy, the very same day.  A few days later, Charusheela entered the palace as Dakshesh's secondary wife.

It was at this point of time, that Rashmi noticed a subtle change in Charu's behaviour.  Unlike her old self of looking weak and innocent, Charu started to show dominance.  And it was not just because of her child but also something else hidden from them.  A few months later, Charusheela gave birth to a baby boy and the talks of crowning Dakshesh as the next Samrat, was brought up. 

The week following the birth of the child, Rashmi was accused of Killing Meghnath as the incident happened in Akashpura to which she is the crown Princess.  The one who accused her was none other than Charusheela.  But Samrat was not ready to accept the accusation.  Eventually the crown was passed on to Dakshesh after a month, which reopened the case of Meghnath's death.

Samrat Dakshesh announced his verdict, which was based on pure assumption that Rashmi had ulterior motive to become a queen and she utilized her higher powers to kill off Meghnath.  Rashmi was locked up in the basement dungeon as a result of her lifetime imprisonment.  The very same night of her imprisonment, Charusheela visited her.

Charu showed a sympathetic expression and then said, "I'm sorry, Didi.  I had to do this. You see, I don't want to be called as a secondary wife throughout my life.  I wanted to be the Queen, which was the main reason why I pursued Samrat Dakshesh even after knowing that he is your soulmate.  But then there are two obstacles in my path.  One was you, who had the first right to be the Queen and the other is Meghnath, who was next-in-line to the throne, eventually stopping Dakshesh from getting the crown.  That's why I had to kill him".

Rashmi was shocked on hearing her words and asked, "Do your husband know about this?".  Charu grinned and said, "Nope.  He can never go against his Bratashree.  And I can guess your next question would be on, how come a person with just level 1 space powers can kill a person with 4 different elemental powers with higher levels?  Am I right?".

Charu came near Rashmi and said in a whisper, "I will tell you a secret.  Never tell this to anyone.  Oops, you are going to die in a few minutes anyways.  So I don't need to worry about that".  For the first time, Rashmi felt fear by looking at her own sister.  Charu continued, "Well, I am not just a level 1 space power but also an expert in dark powers of the Asuras.  You know, the ones who were locked behind the forbidden gate.  Actually, they had pulled me under their control on the very first night, we reached the Academy.  And then they have slowly trained me.  And now they have become invincible".

Charu continued, "Actually they would have attained their complete powers long back but I couldn't help to grow their powers due to constant presence of Samrat Dakshesh in my chamber".  Rashmi just listened to her words without any interruption and then  charu said, "ok Didi.  I have to go now.  My baby will be awake.  Oh!  I forgot to inform you.  You head maid will be executed tomorrow as she is part of your conspiracy".  Rashmi felt ultimate grief for the loss of her friend, as she was the only person who never betrayed her.

Saying so, Charu laughed maniacaly and continued while laughing, "Don't worry Didi.  I will send you some other companions for your entertainment here".  Then she came near her ear and whispered, "Heard Samrat Dakshesh hasn't consummated the marriage with you.  The companions that I have arranged will help you in that".  Charu went away from the dungeon laughing hard.

The cumulative grief and anger started to burn her body and Rashmi felt an unknown surge of power through her.  When she saw some guards entering her cell, she banged the ground hard with her both hands, which effectively stopped them.  As she channeled her entire energy towards her hands, a wheel formed around her.  This wheel symbol was familiar to her, as she had seen it in the Royal palace of Akashpura.  One of the paintings of her ancestors had this symbol imprinted on his arms. 

Swiftly Rashmi turned the wheel backwards on instinct and then she saw the designs embedded in the wheel getting aligned as she moved it.  But it took lot of her energy but still Rashmi continued it until she couldn't do more.  And then she became unconscious.

Glossary:
Samrat - Emperor
Samragyi - Empress
Rajkumar - Prince
Bratashree - Brother
Bhabhishree - sister-in-law
Acharya - Master/Teacher
Mamashree - Uncle (Mother's Brother)
Mamishree - Aunt (Mother's brother's wife)
Bade - elder or big
Chote - younger or small

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Precap:

Meghnath was waiting for Agneya to pass on his sword as he got the signal from him but instead Agni threw the sword in the opposite direction.

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Hi guys,

Sorry for the late update.  I wanted to complete the entire past life of Rashmi within this chapter.

For clarification,  Rashmi had lived a life previously with Dakshesh, without the presence of Agni.  And she had turned back the time unknowingly.  Then she changed her path.

Word count : 1700

Thanks,
SM.