Ujjain, the once serene city, was now a maelstrom of activity, with a tide of royalty surging towards its gates. In just six days, the news had spread like wildfire, igniting a fervor that transcended kingdoms. The roads leading to the city resembled serpentine rivers of gold and crimson, as royal processions snaked their way through the land. Chariots, drawn by majestic steeds, bore the weight of crowns and kingdoms.

Dilip stood on the palace balcony, his gaze sweeping across the endless sea of humanity. A sense of awe and trepidation mingled within him. His daughter, a mere infant, had ignited a conflagration of devotion and ambition. The subordinate kings of Avanti, sworn to Mahishmati, had not just visited; they had surrendered. Their allegiance, once divided, was now unified under the banner of Ujjain.

A mere six days had passed since her arrival, yet Dilip, the fortunate father, was already hailed as the paramount ruler. His court, once a gathering of local nobles and chieftains, was now a constellation of kings, their heads bowed in submission.

The kingdom's coffers swelled like a limitless ocean. Gold poured in like a relentless river, each coin bearing the silent testimony of a king's reverence. Diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, stones of breathtaking beauty and immense value, were heaped like pebbles at the palace gates. The treasury, once a modest chamber, had transformed into a cavernous vault, its walls lined with riches that defied imagination.

A gentle smile graced Dilip's lips as he went back inside their chamber. The room was bathed in the warm glow of lamps, casting an ethereal aura. Aarvi, sat by the window, her silhouette etched against the sky. In her arms, cradled like a precious treasure, was their daughter, a tiny bundle of yellow swaddling.

The sight filled Dilip's heart with a warmth that transcended the grandeur of his kingdom. The power, the ambition, the weight of a nation - all seemed to fade into insignificance in the face of his daughter, who seemed to be the embodiment of eternal bliss.

But she was asleep, oblivious to everything. Her tiny chest rose and fell in a rhythm that mirrored the universe's heartbeat. Her face, a masterpiece sculpted by gods, was serene, almost ethereal.

Aarvi's eyes seemed to have become twin stars, orbiting their universe - her daughter. Her gaze was a silent prayer, a constant benediction. In her eyes, the world outside ceased to exist, replaced by a cosmos where only mother and child coexisted.

Dilip, his voice barely over a whisper, said, "Bharatvarsh ke kayi shaashak padhaare hai, humari Rajkumari ke darshan hetu."

Aarvi, her eyes still fixed on her sleeping daughter, pouted slightly. Her voice, a soft murmur, carried a hint of annoyance, "Keval 6 din huya hai. Aur yeh Raja-Maharaja aate hi jaa rahe hai. Kya meri putri ko vishram ka adhikaar nahi ?"

Dilip chuckled, "Aarvi, sabhi shaashak ko unki Akhand Maharani ki ek chhavi dekhni hai."

Aarvi gave him a look that could melt steel, "Pata nahi kab tak aayenge. Meri putri ko kudrishti na lage kisi ki." She said, and touched the rim of her eye, taking a bit of Kohl. With a delicate touch, she applied a tiny, perfect dot behind her baby's ears.

Dilip's heart warmed at the sight of this intimate motherly ritual. He chuckled softly, a sound filled with adoration.

"Mai chalta hu. Atithiyo ka swagat karna hai." He softly said, and turned to leave.

Before stepping out, Aarvi's voice stopped him. Her tone was firm, yet laced with love, "Keh dena sabhi atithiyo ko ki pratiksha karni padegi. Pehle Rajkumari ki chhatti hogi, fir hi darshan milenge sabko. Yadi pujasthal par koi darshalu aya, toh chaahe woh koi samrat kyu na ho mere krodh se nahi bachega." She said, her voice held a quiet authority.

Dilip nodded, a proud smile curving his lips, "Jaisa aap kahe, Maharani."

A soft chuckle escaped Aarvi's lips as she returned her gaze to her sleeping child.

"Haaye... Kahi meri hi mithi drishti na lag jaaye..." She sighed, a gentle exhale of contentment. Leaning down, she pressed a tender kiss to her daughter's forehead.

Meanwhile as Dilip strode through the labyrinthine corridors of the majestic palace, the guards bowed low in reverence, their eyes shining with respect. Some dutifully fell into step behind him, their presence a silent testament to his power.

When the ministers, their faces etched with a mix of respect and anticipation, caught sight of him, they hastened their steps, their voices a chorus of greetings, "Pranam Maharaj !"

Dilip acknowledged them with a nod, and with bowed heads and folded hands, the dignitaries began to follow their King.

"Kitne log aaye hai, Rajkumari ko dekhne ?" Dilip inquired.

Hemant answered, "Sahastro aaye hai. Adhiktar Rajkul ke hai, kuch praja se hai, aur kuch rishi-muni hai."

"Hmm." Dilip nodded thoughtfully and commanded, "Sabhi ko atithi-grah mei vishram hetu bheja jaaye aur ghoshna ki jaaye ki Rajkumari ke darshan dopahar ke bhoj ke baad honge."

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A/N

Akhand Maharani ko dekhne sab aatur hai ✨✨✨