As we stepped out into the village, the villagers greeted us and made way for us to proceed into the house of the priest.

"Greetings pandit ji."

"Greetings Maharani, greetings princesses."

"As we had planned -" Maharani sat herself on a seat.

The priest gulped and his hand hovered over a horoscope.

"As we had planned...." Maharani stressed her voice a bit more which broke the Priest from his trance.

"What's the matter Priest?" Ahankara asked.

"Oh, nothing Rajkumari - I.... let's continue." He quickly picked up a platter which consisted of a quill and a cloth upon which he began studying astrology.

"Please study Ahankara's horoscope carefully and select a suitable groom for her."

"What?" Ahankara turned to Maharani in shock as she said this and looked at the priest who kept glancing at us.

"Yes Princess, Maharani has asked m....."

"Priest, please carry on with your work." Maharani interrupted him, pulling a small red bag in front of her. The priest saw it and gulped.

"Yes yes, don't worry." He replied hesitantly, bending down to continue writing quickly.

Why was the priest so uncomfortable?

Was it just me or wherever I went there was something weird going on? It must be because this can't go on till a different village!

After a few minutes, the priest shuffled a bit and announced his research.

"Ahem ahem.... so -"

"A suitable royal groom for Rajkumari Ahankara must have these qualities: Good fighting skills, loving nature, exceptional horse riding, blind sword fighting, army recruitment....."

And the list went on and on.

"And as per my research, the prince who holds all these qualities is.... Rajkumar Sushim."

I saw Maharani sigh with a smile on her face.

Ahankara stood up fiercely.

Seeing her discomfort, I also stood up. Maharani stayed sitting with her upright back.

"What's the need for my marriage just now Maharani?!"

Bhrata Sushim - loving nature? Yeah right.

"I don't think you'll find a better prince than my son anywhere in the kingdom." She said proudly.

How ironic. He was the only available prince in Magadh's kingdom anyway.

"Ahankara, Maharani is right - Bhrata Sushim has exceptional skills." I said, trying not to sound defensive for Maharani.

Ahankara had a very worried look painted across her face and I could feel her cheeks turning pale. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and she was extremely quiet on the way back to the palace.

"What's the matter?" I asked her as I tried to keep up with her pace as she brisk walked through the corridor.

"What's the matter? You're asking me that?" She had tears pouring down her cheeks as she turned round and faced me.

I was shocked.

She then realized I didn't know the complete story.

"That's right - you never knew what happened."

"What?" I was confused.

"A few years ago, me and Sushim were in a relationship."

I couldn't help but gasp.

"After that, I found out he was using me to fulfill his own tasks and when I confronted him, he harassed me and....."

She broke into tears, sinking down in the middle of the corridor.

"Ahankara!" I felt tears of pity forming in my own eyes.

I helped her up and I locked the door of the bedroom once we reached.

"I won't let you marry him, that's a promise."

She looked up.

"How? When it's Maharani's order, even Samrat is helpless in front of her. There is no justice in the court of Magadh, that's a fact."

"It's not so.... just -"

"It is so, it's very clear."

"Why don't you tell Samrat?"

"The last time I tried Maharani and Sushim threatened me indirectly by hurting my baby brother."

Suddenly, something clicked in my brain.

So Maharani uses threat and cruelty to get someone to do her task, so maybe she threatened the priest to make..... a fake horoscope! That's right! No wonder he was hesitant!

"Ahankara! Maharani is playing some tactics! She threatened the priest - I know it!"

"No one will listen to you in the court Kaurvaki."

"At least we know the truth!"

"But how do you know?"

"It's clear, just like you said! There was something she used to threaten him with and I'm sure she bribed him or used force to make your horoscope fake!"

" I can't imagine her being my mother in law!"

"You don't need to imagine - who said you're getting married? We still have time."

"Time for what? For telling Samrat and spending time in the prison?"

"But we're truthful! He can't be unjust to the honest!" I cried.

"Truth is bitter; so is the consequence that follows after it." She said, firm on her negative thoughts.

The evening drew to a close and the imperative darkness surrounded the palace.

I wondered what the following day would bring along with it...