The evening sky was painted a pale pink with streaks of lemon-yellow fogginess as the silvery moon danced between the swiftly moving clouds.

I had been preparing my hair which just didn't seem to cooperate with me, and didn't seem perfect today, for the Holy Reading.

This was the first time apparently, that a segment of the wedding was to have Reading session for everyone in the household. I was excited to know about tips and rules for a married life.

"Princess Kaurvaki, you have been summoned downstairs."

I nodded to the messenger who bowed and left.

My lungs deflated heavily and I tried to keep my shoulders up as I made my way to the Temple room.

💓

The insides of the temple room were beautifully decorated with flowers and beads. A natural freshness seemed to sweep all the worry out of me and I stood still to awe at the pillars which were untouchably clean.

As I made my way forward, I noticed Ashok and Ahankara sitting next to each other, on a slightly higher platform than the rest.

Two columns of throne seats ran down the sides of the temple room and in the middle was a passageway in which the priest stood and read out stories and inspiring things.

"Ahh, Kaurvaki - we didn't expect you here! Come come, please sit. The priest is just arriving." Maharani walked up to me and towered down like she was a giant wave coming to sweep me up.

I took my seat rather awkwardly, as no none else seemed to be taking theirs.

Rani Dharma entered the room and stroked my head, before even meeting Ashok and Ahankara.

Upon seeing her, they got up and hastily came to the area where we were and they stood a few metres away from Rani Dharma and me, as our discussion was still going on.

Rani Dharma turned slightly to surprisingly see the couple waiting for her blessings.

She smiled at the very least, and avoided Ashok's confused and hurt eyes, making her way past them and over to Rajmaata Helena.

Ashok and Ahankara exchanged glances and Ahankara came up to me to try and speak but before the awkwardness inside me burst out, I went over to overlook the preparations as an excuse.

"May I ask that everyone takes their seats? The Royal Priest has come from afar to educate us, and to inform us about the holy scriptures. Please make way for the priest."

Everyone was summoned back to their seats and Ashok and Ahankara took the highest throne.

"Rani Maa, where is Samrat?" I leaned over to whisper in Rani Dharma's ear.

"He won't be able to attend today, he's feeling a little ill."

"Oh."

The priest entered the temple and we all nodded at his arrival. He seemed to look like an experienced and very holy person indeed.

"Greetings, Prince and Princess." I heard him greet the couple.

"Oh, errr and Princess Kaurvaki." He turned to me hastily.

I nodded.

"Priest, I demand you to begin your talk." Ashok began.

He glanced at Rani Dharma before starting and she approved with a nod.

He took a deep breath and narrated the story of the Great Mahadev and his wife's sacrifices as well as the heart-touching romance of Krishna and Radha.

During that story, I felt like I was Rukmini, interfering between two lovers.

The Reading went on for a long time until he ended it with a blessing for Ashok.

"And finally, the most important part of this reading...."

Rani Dharma was in anticipation.

"As well as stories and happiness that blossom your second marriage, prince Ashok, there are some rules you must obey to."

"What kind of rules, Priest?"

He sighed and began.

"One, your second wife can never have the rights that your first wife has."

Ashok frowned as Ahankara lowered her gaze.

"Two, Princess Ahankara is not permitted to live in the same residence as Rajkumari Kaurvaki."

Ashok got up in surprise and shock, with a clear fury firing up in his eyes.

"What is th...."

"Last but not least, from today, Ahankara and your marriage will be accepted by court, but will still remain intelligimate."

Ahankara looked shocked with sorrow and Rani Dharma seemed to have a neutral face.

"These rules are nonsense!" Ashok blurted out, fuming with anger.

I stood up from my seat slowly, not knowing whether to be happy or sad.

"No they are not. Whatever the Priest is saying is absolutely correct." Rani Dharma stepped down the steps and stood beside the Priest, facing Ashok and Ahankara.

"If you want your intellegimate marriage to not become legitimate, you must obey these rules or else..."

"Mother, how can you be so unjust to us?"

"How can you be so unjust to Kaurvaki?"

"Whatever has happened is not anyone's fault. You have to understand that..."

"Are you obeying the rules or not?"

Ashok sighed and realized that was the only option left.

"Fine, I obey these rules and your conditions in front of all you witnesses. But I also have a condition."

Everyone glanced up at him.

"If Ahankara is not allowed in this house, I shall build another palace, even grander than this one for her to stay in."

Every single individual's eyes widened at this statement and they realized that he was serious.

"But son...." Rani Dharma cringed her face in surprise.

"No, mother. I cannot stand injustice to anyone." Ashok stormed down the stairs, dragging a reluctant Ahankara with him and everyone watched his back as he strutted down the passage way and out of the room.

Suddenly, I felt like the ground was moving to one side, and I was moving along with the force of the movement. My entire body swayed and my eyelids closed gently. Before I knew it, I had landed on the floor with a thud.

"Kaurvaki!!!! Someone get water! Quick!" In my sub-conscious mind, I heard the voices of the family trying to make me gain consciousness again.

"Maharani, please call the doctor."

Maharani walked slowly out of the room and brought a doctor once she returned.

💓

When my eyelids fluttered open, a large blinding ray of light poked through my pupils. My face scrunched up with disturbance.

I found myself lying on a bed, presumably in my own chamber. I tried to sit up but a sharp pain in my diaphragm made me shriek.

My vision was slightly blurred, but I could just about make out two servants standing either side of the bed, fanning me obediently.

I also saw a figure who looked more familiar as she came closer to me and sat beside me.

"R-Rani Dharma?" I whispered.

"Shh. You need to rest." She gave me a warm smile and tried to make me take sips of water from a vessel.

"But, why can't I get up? There's nothing wrong with me?" I sounded impatient.

"Yes, darling. There isn't anything wrong with you. It's just th...."

"Rani Maa, why do I feel like you're hiding something?"

My anticipating face made her laugh. I didn't get what was so funny. Why would she laugh if I had a disease or something?

She pushed my head back down on the pillow.

"If you really want to know then...."

"Yes?" My voice raised.

"You're carrying the next generation's successor of the throne of Magadh. You will see him in nine months." Rani Dharma showed her pair of pearly whites.

When she said this, I almost felt scared. A tinge of anxiety swept across, giving me another cramp.

"B-but.... how's that possible?"

"Now don't you worry about all these things. You need to rest your mind and physical self."

I started smiling with proudness. "Does Ashok kn...." I began with a high pitched, excited voice but then I trailed off, realizing he must be with Ahankara.

Rani Dharma's smile vanished but she stroked my hair.

"He... isn't here. He's overlooking the construction of the new palace." She sighed.

I felt her disappointment but managed to divert my mind.

"Err, anyways - what sweet does your little one want to eat first?"

I chuckled. "Your delicious ladoos!"

We both laughed and I realized that the lack of Ashok's presence was now felicitated by Rani Dharma. She was a real mother, to me and to him.