Sikva, the capital city of Kavish

Nakshathra made her way back to the palace with her guards following her in a distant. The visit to Rishi Bhadra's vacant ashram ended swiftly, Sikva's new guests instantly liked the house and confirmed to move in by sunset.

Her encounter with them was like a breath of fresh air. While they were touring the house, Nakshathra took the opportunity to observe them. Dhruva emitted a warmness in his approach, charming and observant too. Arasu and Dhandapani were a pair of light-hearted men and Viswa, a joyful man whose appearance takes the opposite of his nature.

When she asked "What's being in Haridra be like?"

"A beautiful country with cold weather and filled with warm people. We have huge snowcapped mountains, we get to see beautiful northern light in the sky, pansies flowers everywhere and Haridra makes the best lotus root soup especially when my grandmother makes it, secretly," answered Dhruva. His eyes twinkled with his love for Haridra under the afternoon sun, captivating her interest.

The minimal detail of Haridra compelled her to make a wish list to visit Haridra someday. The only thing she didn't know was when will the someday come for her and her people to be able to travel outside the country freely without fear.

The heavy marching footsteps of the changing guards brought her back to present. Her four guards closed their distance as soon as they neared the palace gate. Something about the palace ambience looked different, she took note.

In the usually quiet and calm courtyard, now bustled with workers festooning all nooks and corners. They were not only in the courtyard but in every section of the palace. The regular yellow drapes hung between pillars were replaced with blue ones with strings of mirror ornaments hung with it. Oil lamps dangling from the ceiling were taken out for a clean-up while a few servants dusted the corners and cervices of the ceilings.

"What's going on?" she asked to the guards.

"I'll go find out," replied one of them and asked a worker nearby.

"I wonder what?" she muttered when the guard came back with no solid answer for the makeover. "Are we expecting some festival in these coming days?" She asked overwhelmed by the curiosity of the sudden activity in the palace.

"There is still about few months for Chitirai and Pongal had just got over. I don't see any festival coming soon unless the palace decided to decorate for the new year ahead of its time, Your Highness," answered another guard mentioning of the coming new year and the celebrated harvest festival a month back.

"Maybe it's your birthday celebration?" guessed another guard.

Nakshathra denied the latter's guess with a shake of her head. "No, the palace never celebrated anyone's birthday lavishly in here. It has always been for the public, a fete. The arrangement definitely did not sound birthday but something else." Nakshathra watched quizzically unable to put a finger on it as she marched her way to her room.

She stumbled at what greeted in her section of the palace. The change of appearance wasn't limited to the main palace, she derived. More blue drapes replaced the white drapes, new lamps and ornaments hung in the place of the old ones. Was this arrangement made for me? But why? What's going on?

At her next stop, Nakshathra halted by the door frame of her chamber, her cold grim gaze followed the figure inside her room moving about setting things right or perhaps changing it to fit the new look for the room. A fresh swell of anger rose in her, first her order was ignored and second her room had a changeover without her knowledge. Under whose order was all this being done?

"What's going on?" Nakshathra's voice boomed, startling the lady working in the silent room. Clatter of the silver tray strike the uncovered floor, the lady turned horrifically towards the door.

"Your Highness! Her hands on her chest, "you scared me." She got down to retrieved the tray and settled it on the table before reaching to the dour Nakshathra.

"What are you doing here, Arunya? Weren't you given the day off?"

More than the change of her room interior, it was Arunya's presence in the palace disappointed Nakshathra. The day had to be Arunya's day for herself and not for her to be in the palace and decorating her room. "What are you doing here?" Nakshathra pressed on her question again.

Arunya shifted her weight to the other leg, her gaze dropped to the floor. Arunya knew she had upset her friend by for not listening to her but she had no choice. She couldn't say no when she was called for work. "The Maharani summoned me to get somethings done."

Nakshathra exasperated loudly. She pressed her lips thin. "To fix my room?"

Arunya nodded.

"You could have done it tomorrow. What's the need to rush things in my absences? And you. Why can't you say you were on off? If someone has a problem, I would have taken care of it. My words do hold values, Arunya." Nakshathra heaved, shook her head and sat on the edge of her bed.

"Sometimes I don't wish to be all nice and friendly. You don't listen to me. When I ask you to take the day off, take the day off. Don't entertain any summons unless it's from me." Nakshathra rose on her feet and paced back and forth. "Just because you work here that doesn't mean anyone can summon you anytime to get their work done."

"But it's the Maharani. We can't ignore her call or ..." Arunya intervened.

"No! I can't let this issue slide anymore." Nakshathra stormed to out of the room to the opposite wing, frustrated with everyone in the palace. Especially when the queen does something she had repeatedly said not to do. She needs to put this to an end.

Hot on her heels, Nakshathra ignored the call of her friend tailing her as she marched away.

**--**--**--**

The overgrown shrubs had claimed the neglected path they often use. It was only five months ago they had walked on the track and now it seemed too foreign with the tall plants and long branches crossing their way. Most of the time, he would have simply pushed the branches sticking out to make way for them but this time he did not care much of it. He swung his sword left and right chopping the leaves and thin branches making way for him and those following him behind at a distance.

Parthiban kicked the wooden door of their hideout cottage and stormed in with much intensity, the door shut with a loud thud. The door swung open minutes later to reveal both of his brothers sharing the same emotional state as him; heavy breathing, tighten jaw, raging eyes and clenched fist.

"What made them think this is fine?" Parthiban pulled out a chair and dropped himself angrily at the table, his brows heavy with displeasure over his dark eyes.

"Something is absolutely wrong here. Despite our advice he had gone to do against it." Nakul shook his head, searching for nothing in particular.

"But we can't let it happen. We have to stop this absurdity." The youngest of the three stood by the door switching glances between his brothers as he tried to think of a way to stop the nonsense planning going on.

A bloody nonsensical arrangement.

When the brothers were called for a discussion with the king right after their training that morning, Nathan made several guesses over the sudden call early in the day but the news had been something neither of them anticipated.

"The matter is about Nakshathra." Bavaneswaran started without averting his eyes from the parchment on his table. "She is now at the right age for marriage and I believe I have found a suitor for her. I have fixed Nakshathra's marriage to the crown prince of Pareen, Prince Abhimanyu." As he shifted his gaze from the parchment to his sons, a hint of anger lingered in their eyes.

"Appa, Nakshathra have indeed reached the age of marriage but have you asked her if she is interested?" Nakul asked politely.

"What is there to ask her? I have decided for all my children how is she an exception in that? You all had no objection in my choice and I believe she too will not have any." Bavaneswaran said firmly lacing authority, a sign to not go against him.

"Yes, we never said a word against your choice but that's an old story. Today, I request you to speak to Nakshathra before finalising the marriage." There in the crown prince's voice was a plead, fear to witness the withdrawn Nakshathra once again. Back then it was yet a mere talk what would she go through when she learns about Abhimanyu? Nakul's mind swirled with endless possibilities.

"I am her father and I know what's best—"

"But Abhimanyu is not the best choice for her." Parthiban interrupted receiving an infuriated glance from Bavaneswaran. Had Parthiban held his eye contact with his father a little longer he would have had a glimpse of guilt.

"I have made my decision and words have been given to King Ayod. The Pareen prince must be on his way to Kavish. Find your mother and help her if she needs any. Also make the preparation to welcome prince Abhimanyu, the future son-in-law of Kavish." Bavaneswaran affirmed and maintained a stern gaze on Nakul, he returned to the parchment he was reading.

The king's order had left them helpless as they darted out of his office, the first to leave was Parthiban as anger pirouetted him like a snake.

"Abhimanyu is not the right guy for Nakshathra. Hell, he isn't the right guy for anyone!" Parthiban growled. Rage flowed through him like lava.

"Hush, Parthi. He is your brother-in-law," reminded Nakul.

"Only if I had a choice, he wouldn't have been my brother-in-law today. I don't complain about his existence but the way he is gliding into the family getting closer to Nakshathra is something I don't like." Parthiban openly displayed his dislike for his wife's brother.

"I don't either. A man who goes after different woman every night isn't the one, I would want to see Nakshathra with. Her life will be miserable watching him pathetically going after women he fancies while being under the influence of intoxication." Nathan shook his head at the thought of it.

They strongly disagree the alliance for they had seen Abhimanyu's notorious act during Madhuvahini's wedding as well as Parthiban's. He did not miss a single pretty lady in the vicinity he stayed during both the events.

"So, what so we do? Write to the king of Pareen?" Nathan suggested.

Rejecting his younger brother's suggestion with a wriggle of his finger, "That is risky. We don't know what is the deal between the two kings," stated Nakul.

**---***--**--**

"Is the other fabric merchant here yet?" Nakshathra's mother, Umayal asked the maids standing in line before her. Various shades of blue and green heavy silk sarees laid before Umayal as she flipped each saree inspecting its intricate work.

"We have sent the message to him, maharani. He will be here anytime soon." One of the maids answered.

Umayal's sharp nose scrunched as she nodded getting back to what she had been doing.

"What's the preparation for, ma?" Nakshathra marched into the room, hands on her hips with a questioning eye.

Her mother's heavily ornated hair tied in a bun tinkled as she turned sharply towards Nakshathra.

"Nakshathra, good you are here. I was about to call you once I have everything ready." Umayal chirped; her face glowed in merry. She tapped the empty spot next to her for Nakshathra to join.

Ignoring the invitation, Nakshathra crossed her arms across her chest and stay rooted to her spot. "What's happening, ma? Why did you call a girl on leave to get your work done?" she pressed on while her eyes scanned around, expensive sarees and jewels piled before Umayal.

"It is a secret. I'll let you know when the time comes." Her mother giggled and tapped once again for her to sit.

"A secret?" she raised her voice and then kept her anger in check. "Give us the room," Nakshathra waved her hand to the maids and waited till they left them for some privacy.

"You need to tell me now! Why is there blue everywhere? Is there any significant reason? I get it if you want to change your room or the main courtyard but why did the blue travel all the way to my room?" Nakshathra asked.

"Easy child. Why the haste? Come sit." The smile on Umayal's lips remained intact warmly beckoning her daughter to her side.

"No, you tell me this instant."

"Consider it a celebration," Umayal replied.

"A celebration?" She raised an eyebrow. "Are you celebrating my birthday? Or am I being coronated as the crown princess instead?" Nakshathra minced across her mother and leaned against the wall next to a window.

"Crown princess? We already have Nakul as the crown prince, my dear," she laughed with a shake of her head.

"Why? Do you think I don't have the capability to rule the land? Try me, ma. Try me. I'll prove to be better than the king," she teased, wriggling her eyebrows.

The smile on Umayal's plump face faded, she got back to look through the six-yard fabrics unenthusiastically. Her daughter had blown out every little excitement she had with unrealistic and teasing remarks regarding her husband's reigning. Although Nakshathra had been the reason many rules have changed that doesn't mean she should go on reminding on the inefficiency of the king.

Nakshathra read through her mother's mind by merely studying Umayal's face innocently unveiling her thoughts. On any other times, she would have caught her mother in an embrace and cheered her sulking mother but it wasn't the case today. Something seemed brewing without giving the slightest hint and the secrecy was limited to her. Nakshathra stared at her mother wondering what they are hiding from her.

When she didn't get the respond she wanted, Nakshathra exited the queen's chamber without a word, watching her mother select sarees won't make her feel any better. On her way out, she bumped onto a fabric merchant with two palace guards carrying a huge trunk behind him. She enquired the reason he was summoned.

"Greeting rajakumari. These are exclusive silk sarees made specially for weddings," he replied.

It rang the bell. "Are they trying to..." she didn't let herself finish speaking her thought out loud. Nakshathra concealed the emotion bubbling in her. "Definitely not what I like to hear."

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Hello! Happy Tuesday! 

Here's an early update for this week ;) I'll also post another one on Friday as usual. 

So, how are you'll enjoying the story so far?