1. The Queen's Promise
Indraprastha
Sunlight fell on Devika's closed eyes, nudging her to wake up. With half-opened eyes, she moved her hand beside her, searching for a loving touch that her fingers desired to get. The other side of her bed was empty.
He has not even woken me up before leaving!
Or did he tell her and she only could not listen out of sleep? Devika could not believe this one. She could have sensed her Yudhishthira's voice even from a long physical distance. How could she not sense that in sleep?
Devika pulled herself to the sitting position and peeped through the window. It had been almost mid-morning. She bit her tongue, kicking herself for falling asleep again after sunrise.
"Slept well?"
Devika lifted her gaze. Draupadi stood in front, smiling. Her lotus eyes sparkled in slight mischief.
"Apologies, Jiji." Devika lowered her gaze, hesitating. "I should have shown up earlier." She sprung to her feet quickly. "Everyone must have been waiting."
"Relax, little sister!" Draupadi held Devika's shoulders and made her sit down again on her bed. "No one is going to beat you up for that. Everyone knows that new brides wake up late after their nuptial night."
"But sleeping almost till mid-morning?" Devika felt even more embarrassed. "Why did no one call me once?"
Draupadi smirked. "Because no one has the courage to disobey the king's order. Maharaj has asked everyone not to disturb his new bride before she herself wakes up."
"Maharaj said this?" Devika's mouth wide opened. "But why?"
"How can I know?" Draupadi shrugged. "Maybe Maharaj knows that he is the actual responsible for your lack of sleep in the night and hence he ordered so!" Another wave of suppressed laughter passed through her eyes.
"Jiji!" A blushing Devika glared at Draupadi, making the latter finally let out her giggle. Devika slightly turned away to hide her embarrassment. A part of her felt relaxed to learn that Yudhishthira cared for her to this extent.
"Show your anger to him, not to me." The elder Queen of Indraprastha suggested. "I have just followed his wish."
"Look at his behaviour!" Devika groaned. "He himself woke up in time but did not even call me. And then gave an order to let me sleep! What should I do with this man?"
"Seize him with your love!" Draupadi grinned. "That's the best punishment you can give him!"
"Could you do the same to him?" Devika raised an eyebrow, amused at Draupadi's suggestion.
Draupadi shook her head. "No. I didn't even try to. Maharaj is like this only, Devi. The lover in him always keeps perfect balance with his kingly duties. And that's what so special in him."
Devika smiled, awed with Draupadi's flawless realisation of Yudhishthira's nature. She noticed the change in colour on Draupadi's face as she talked about her eldest husband. Her sheer love for Yudhishthira had made Devika admire her even more.
"I have now learnt how to balance between his love and his duty. You too will." Draupadi said with a smile.
Devika nodded. The share of Yudhishthira's duty was hers too from now. She had to come out of the shell of a love-thirsty coy bride to become a responsible wife and Queen. The younger Queen of Indraprastha.
And that was not going to be as easy as it sounded!
"And if this makes you feel better, let me confess that I myself have slept even longer on my wedding day." She chuckled, hitting Devika's right cheek with her fingers. "Only difference is that my post wedding days passed in my own home in Kampilya. So Dharmaraj didn't have his dear raajsabha there."
"So since when did he make you an early riser? After coming here?" An amused Devika enquired.
"No. In Hastinapura only." Draupadi said. "He is always on time. So I had to become before time." She softly chuckled. "For reducing his work pressure."
"You know what? You look even lovelier when your eyes sparkle in love." Devika beamed, caressing Draupadi's soft cheeks. "I'm sure Swami loves your eyes wearing this beauty even more than kohl, and this crimson hued blue on your cheeks."
"Naughty girl!" Draupadi glared, twisting Devika's ears. "I'm your elder, remember?"
Devika faked a seriousness and nodded, suppressing a chuckle.
"Come with me now. You have to get ready soon." Draupadi pulled her.
"For what?" Devika wondered.
"For your coronation." Draupadi said, brushing Devika's long hair that was a mess after sleeping. "And also to meet someone who has come to see you."
***
Yudhishthira's meeting room
"You don't have to apologise, Rajkumar Shaivya." The King calmly said. "It's not your fault."
Shaivya joined his palms. "I should have protested against this unfairness much earlier, Maharaj. I should have gone against them at least to attend my sister's wedding." He heaved a sigh, looking down. "But I could not!"
"You still did try, Shaivya." Yudhishthira patted his shoulder. "Given Shivi's distance from here, it's not unusual to reach one day late. Don't feel dejected for that."
Shaivya shook his head. "I still cannot forgive myself, Maharaj! I failed to fulfill the duty of a brother. My elder sister who raised me like her child, - had to feel so alone on this special day of her life. No single person from her home stayed with her."
"Who says that, Shaivya?" Yudhishthira smiled. "Your sister considers every single person of Shivi as her own. And Ratnavali is here with her. Noble Jeevaka is also here to bless her. How can she be alone then?"
Shaivya stared at Yudhishthira's calm smile for a while.
How could someone be so alike his sister! For a moment Shaivya felt like he was standing in front of Devika's male version!
"And you have come at the right time." Yudhishthira continued. "Your sister's coronation ceremony is about to begin. I shall ask Aacharya to let you only carry her crown. That will make her happier."
"Me? But this ritual is to be done by heirs of this family, right?" Shaivya expressed doubt. "I mean, isn't it supposed to be done by Yuvaraj Bhima?"
"It is. But Bhima won't object. He will be happy to make his sister-in-law happier." Yudhishthira assured.
Shaivya sighed, lowering his head.
"You all are too good to allow this, Maharaj! Even after all the misbehaviour my family has done to you!"
"First of all, stop calling me Maharaj now." Yudhishthira said, patting Shaivya's shoulders. "And there's nothing to feel so uneasy. It's Devika's happiness that matters to me more than anything, Shaivya." His brown eyes shone in love and gratitude. The Prince of Shivi watched with a mix of surprise and awe.
Shaivya had come to Indraprastha earlier too. But he never got an opportunity to know his Guru's brother so closely. Now it felt so wonderful to know him as his brother-in-law.
"Brother Shaivya, your sister has made every possible sacrifice to be with me. She has gone to every possible extent only to hold my hand. There is nothing that I can't do to make her smile."
Shaivya took a deep breath, and then he smiled.
"Now I know why she has chosen you over everyone else. My Didi is blessed to have you by her side, Bhrata!"
***
Devika's chamber
"I won't ask you how you are, Didi." Shaivya said after touching Devika's feet.
"Better you should not, little one. For the answer isn't clear to myself only." Devika's smile faded. "The part in me which is burning in anguish will keep burning till Pita accepts my husband. And the part that is honoured to become Dharmaraj's wife will forever remain the same." She hid a sigh. "Which one should I express if you ask me how I am?"
"I know, Didi. I have hoped so dearly that Jyeshtha Pita would change." Shaivya looked down. "He loves you so much, Didi. How can he turn so cold out of sudden?"
"He misunderstood me, Shaivya. He thought I betrayed him and Shivi by refusing a marital tie with Sindhu. But he is not ready to realize that Indraprastha's alliance will be much better than that."
"I tried to tell that many times to him and Bhrata Kotikasya but in vain." Shaivya shook his head.
"They have been blindfolded by Jayadratha's false promises, brother. And you can't just show light to someone who chooses to close his eyes." Devika bit her lips and looked away. "I feel bad only for my husband." She muttered. "He has a father-void in his heart and I regret that my father failed to fulfill it!"
"Don't lose hope so soon. Bhrata Yudhishthira has a unique power to win people's heart, Didi. Maybe Shivi family will realise their mistake one day."
"I fear it will be too late, Shaivya." Devika whispered. "And my Shivi will keep suffering till then."
"Won't you come then to rescue your people from suffering, Rajkumari Shaivyaa?"
"I will." She nodded. "I have to. My family might have abandoned me, brother, but I have not abandoned my motherland." Devika's eyes glowed in determination. "But taking small steps won't work anymore. Shivi needs a massive political reconstruction. And I have to work for that only." Devika smiled seeing her brother narrowing his eyes.
"The queen of Indraprastha will fulfill her promise to her birthland. You have a kshatrani's words!"
***
Raajsabha
Flowers were showered on the King and new Queen as Aacharya Dhaumya placed the golden crown on Devika's head. It was Draupadi who played the conch first, followed by the four Pandavas. Devika joined her palms and bowed to Dhaumya first, and then to the court nobles.
"Take your oath, Maharani." Dhaumya said.
Devika nodded and rose from the throne.
"With all Gods as witnesses, I, Devika Gouvasani, vow in the name of my husband and my Guru, that I shall follow RaajDharma to the fullest in all my thoughts and works. People of Indraprastha will be children for me. And I shall look after them like a mother should do. Their hapiness will be my happiness, their sorrow will be mine. If I ever deviate from this vow, may all Gods punish me in hell!"
"Hail Maharani Devika! Hail Maharaj Yudhishthira!" Everyone cried in joy. Devika went back to her throne and stole a glance with Yudhishthira. His proud smile assured her.
Whatever she was doing, was for him and him alone! That smile on his serene face was her only reward of this lifetime!
Much more than any material gain!
***
Yudhishthira's mansion, night
"You look so different in this." His admiring gaze rested on her golden face that glowed more with the golden crown on her head.
"Do I?" Mischief sparkled in her eyes. "Different in which sense, Maharaj? Beautiful or ugly?"
"Neither. You look beyond all worldly beauties." Yudhishthira smiled. "You look like a Goddess, Devi! There is nothing in this earth that can be compared with this divine form!"
"I understand you are in a mood of fluttering me. But I have work to finish." She smiled back, turning to put down her small crown beside his long one. Yudhishthira held her hand.
"You have done so much work all the day, for everyone whoever came to seek help. But what about me, Maharani?" He drew her close and whispered, "Won't I get anything from you?"
Devika chuckled. "I have already given myself to you, Dharmaraj!" She wrapped her arms around him. "What more do you want?"
"You know. Don't you?" His voice turned softer, his eyes radiating more love on her.
Devika blushed, trying to part away. But his strong arms held her tight. She gave in to his wish and rested her head on his broad chest. His rough fingers slowly ran through her braided hair, making the long tresses fall loose on her shoulder. Devika lifted her face to throw a mock glare at him. Amused at her reaction, he brushed the hair dancing on her temple.
"I love this look of yours!" His gaze adored her face, now glowing like a flame around ashes.
"Is this what you wanted, Maharaj?" Amused, Devika shook her head at him.
"How can I want so less from a Queen?" He cupped her face. "I seek an assurance from you."
"Assurance?"
"Promise me that you'll be there always with me! Promise that you won't leave my side no matter what comes to us!"
"Didn't I already make that promise in form of our wedding vows, Natha?" Devika held his hand. "You are Dharma incarnated on earth. All I can do is to stay as your shadow, your better half."
"And what if someday I fall from my Dharma?" Yudhishthira's eyes betrayed self-doubt. Devika stared through his eyes. She had never seen him being so vulnerable.
As if something bothered him greatly! Some unknown fear!
"Promise me, Devi, that you will be there by my side even if I fail to meet your expectations someday! Tell me that you'll be there to lift me again if I fall!"
Devika thought a little, and then she wrapped her arms around him.
"I don't know what makes you doubt yourself, Swami. I do not believe that my Dharmaraj can ever fall from where he is." She beamed in pride and confidance.
"Still I promise you, Devika would never ever leave her Yudhishthira before she leaves her life! You will forever reside in my heart even if we are not together. You'll be the ruler of my soul and no one can ever dethrone you from here."
Relief flickered in his eyes as he smiled, caressing her cheeks.
"Your Yaudheyi's heart is forever yours, Swami." Devika whispered on his chest. "In this birth and in all the births she will take. This is my promise. Maharani Devika's promise to her king!"
_____________________________________
Author's note: Those who have read my Rise of Dharma, know that there Yudhishthira said the same thing to Draupadi too. This is Devika's book so I have shown it for her. I believe both were same for Yudhishthira and he did no discrimination between them. So no Draupadi vs Devika will be entertained here or in anybody's message board.
Absolutely NO bashing! If you don't like, kindly don't read! Thank you!
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