Maharaj Ratnakar Sagar and Samriddhi devi were lying down on their bed, staring into oblivion, thoughts were clouding their minds.

They looked at their son Mrunmaye, who was massaging their feet alternatively. Feeling their stare on him, the prince looked at them both.

"Kisi vastu ki awashyakta ?" Mrunmaye asked, he had been diligently serving his parents since past few days, after he returned.

"Ek khed hai hridaye mei." Ratnakar Sagar said.

"Kya ?" Mrunmaye asked.

"Hum apni putravadhu ko nahi dekh payenge." The king said.

"Yadi humare paas aur samaye shesh hota toh hum apni putravadhu ko aashirwad aur upahar de paate." Samriddhi devi said.

Both Ratnakar Sagar and Samriddhi devi had been grieving over the fact that they weren't able to see their daughter-in-law, for they were aware their time of departure was very near.

"Yadi mai kahu ki aapne apne putravadhu ko dekha bhi hai, aashirvad bhi diya hai aur upahaar bhi ?" Mrunmaye said with a small smile.

"Kaun hai woh ?" Ratnakar Sagar asked, a sense of hope blooming in both their hearts.

"Rajkumari Rameshwari." Mrunmaye said.

Smiles appeared on the faces of the king and queen, that their daughter-in-law was going to be Rameshwari, the daughter of Shri Ram himself, the conqueror of earth, the symbol of success and fame in Bharatvarsh.

"Satya ?" Samriddhi Devi asked.

"Ha Mata. Rameshwari hi meri Yudh-kaushala hai, meri Harihareshwari hai." Mrunmaye said with a smile.

"Mujhe lagta hai ki tumhare Rajyabhishek mei ab der nahi karni chahiye." Ratnakar Sagar said.

At that the smile on the lips of Mrunmaye faded a little, as he gazed down.

"Shripuram ka Raja banna meri niyati nahi hai, Pitashree." He said.

"Arthat ?" A frown appeared on the face of Ratnakar Sagar.

"Putra, tum nahi banoge toh kaun banega ?" Samriddhi devi asked.

"Raja kaun banega yeh toh Mantrimandal aur Mantriparishad taye kar hi lenge. Aap uski chinta na kare." Mrunmaye said.

The face of Ratnakar Sagar fell into disappointment, whereas Samriddhi devi sighed keeping her hand over his. The king looked at the queen, who had small smile on her face.

"Maharaj, lagta hai aap bhul gaye hai ki humara putra sadharan nahi hai. Woh Yuddheswar ka avatar hai, jo Shripuram ka Maharaj nahi apetu hume punah santaan sukh dene aya hai." She said.

"Satyavachan." Ratnakar Sagar sighed, "Mai iss baat ko bhul gaya tha. Kintu aap nahi bhuli." He said.

"Pratidin pratah yeh natkhat do-do Rath uthata hai. Isne bhulne kaha diya hai ?" Samriddhi devi shook her head, while Mrunmaye looked down smilingly, having no regrets regarding the matter.

-----

"Maine mana kiya tha fir bhi tum dono ne nahi suna." Laksman said firmly to Luv Kush, who were standing with downcast face.

"Vasant utsav se yeh teesri baar hai." The son of Sumitra said as the sons of Shri Ram looked at each other, biting their lips.

"Kya teesri baar hai ?" The voice of Rameshwari fell on their ears as she came towards them.

"Inn dono ne teesri baar mere rath uthane ka prayatna kiya hai." Lakshman said annoyedly.

"Safal huye kya ?" Rameshwari asked eagerly.

"Iss baar-" "Protsahan na do Rama." Lakshman interrupted Luv, who pouted slightly.

"Kya chachashree ? Itne niras na baniye." Rameshwari said.

"Niras ? Arrey inn dono ko chot lag sakti thi. Balak hai yeh dono, komal ang hai, haddiya tut jaati toh ?!" Lakshman asked.

"Ha yeh toh hai. Luv Kush, tumne kisse sikha yeh sab ?" Rameshwari asked.

"Jijashree se." Luv said innocently.

"Jijashree !? Kaun Jijashree ?!" Lakshman asked frowning.

"Rajkumar Mrunmaye." Kush said.

A chuckle escaped the lips of Rameshwari whereas Lakshman groaned.

"Yeh Shripuram ka Rajkumar, mujhe shaanti se jeene nahi dega." Lakshman said.

"Haw ! Chachashree ! Apne damad ke prati aisi baate nahi karte." Luv said.

"Ha. Na jaane kitne pidhiyo ke baad Ayodhya ko Damad mila hai." Kush said.

"Damad nahi hai woh abhi tak !" Lakshman said and then walked out causing the chuckle of Rameshwari to turn into a laugh, whereas the twins looked at him confused.

"Chachashree ko kya huya ?" Kush asked.

"Pata nahi." Luv muttered.

"Unhe chhodo. Ab chalo, Raj-niti padhne ka samaye hogaya hai." Rameshwari said.

"Jiji, aaj rehne dete hai na." Luv said.

"Ha jiji. Aaj nahi." Kush said.

Rameshwari smiled at the twins and they felt that she was in jovial mood so she'll allow them a day off. But their expectations were shattered when she grabbed unto their ears.

"Nahi." Rameshwari said dragging them both to the room, by their ears.

"Jiji ! Aah !" The twins winced.

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A/N

Poor Lakshman ji 🤣🤣🤣