Translations-

Rajkumari- Princess

Rajkumar- Prince

Maharani- Queen

Maharaja- King

Rajya-Kingdom

Maa-Mom

Pitaashree- Father

Didi-Sister

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I crouch down, washing my hands against the gentle flow of the water of river Jhelum. I bring my hands towards my face, gently splashing the cold water on it and awakening my senses. The water drips down from my face as I open my eyes, slowly wiping the water away.

"Are you ready to leave Rajkumari?" A voice asks out of nowhere, surprising me. Before turning around I realise who it is. A smile instantly forms on my rosy lips as the realisation hits me.

The jewels adorn my dark chocolate brown hair as it waves freely against the wind. A smile forms on my face and I no longer feel the weight of the jewels that are adorning my dress.

"Of course Aditya, no need to address me formally as no one is here." A small laugh escapes my mouth as I turn to face him.

He always knows where I go in my free time. Back then, he understood I was going to be here. Pulling the shawl once again, I cover my face and hide my gaze.

"You say that Aisha but if I make the mistake in front of Maharaja, I wouldn't be spared." He smiles, stroking the mare's mane.

"Then why do you help me? Surely that is a bigger crime, letting a princess escape at night."

"You're like a sister to me." He sighs, breaking eye- contact. He knows the dangers of leaving the castle unguarded.

Although he is just like a brother to me, no one else will agree to be out of the castle unguarded. But I have known Aditya since childhood, the reason why I trust him more than myself sometimes.

I look back at the river, it seems so calm yet dangerous. A small smile forms on my face. Crouching down, my hand brushes against the coldness of the water. A single peacock feather floats across the water avoiding the waves that gently crash on the surface. My sapphire eyes focus on the colours radiating off the surface.

 A visible radiant pink streaks across the sky along with the golden rays from the sun peeking above the horizon. Slowly rising, I stand up with the feather resting on the palm of my hand. The colours green and blue contrast against my honey-coloured skin. I turn back and walk near Aditya, placing the peacock feather in his hair. It stands out from his jet black hair as the blue and green colours differentiate against it, his eyes a more dark brown.

Gently lifting the shawl, I look around once more. The shadow of the palace in the horizon, the music of the waves crashing onto the rock as the water flows down the river all feels too good that I lose my intention to go back.

"Aisha, come quickly. If you wait longer you'll be seen. Cover your face." Aditya says and gestures to me to follow.

"Again, tomorrow?" My gaze turns towards him, asking for confirmation.

A chuckle escapes from his mouth as he gestures towards the horse and says, "only if you're not caught today, ready Rajkumari?"

I smile. Mounting onto his horse, I watch as Aditya climbs on from behind and his arms go around me. His fingers curl around the reins. My eyes keep glancing around for anyone as the sun slowly rises from its slumber. I reluctantly pull the shawl, covering my face once again. The scene around me is more difficult to see as the colours surrounding us turn into an admiral tone of blue. The shawl that covers my face is transparent enough to see through. I turn my head towards Aditya who smiles back and gently pulls on the reins of the horse as it begins to trott before galloping towards the palace.

The flag of the Paurav Rajya with the colours of blue, gold and white reflects the sun rays as it waves in the early morning breeze. The sound of the birds chirping along with the soothing sound of the water flowing down the waterfall as it crashes onto the rocks. I look out towards the beautiful scene outside as my hand leans against the railing in front of me. Father will disapprove to a great extent for leaving the palace unguarded. But the feeling of suffocation overwhelms me too much sometimes, making me do things against my father's will.

To avoid trouble, I always go at dawn, never before or after as it is when the soldiers don't guard the eastern side of the palace, they will only be two or three guards scattered around, easy enough to avoid. Soon I reached the palace.

"Rajkumari Aisha, Maharaja is calling you," a handmaiden says as she bows, my attention turns towards her.

"I will be there in a few minutes Mura." Gently lifting my shawl off, a smile forms on my face, "and no need to address me formally."

"You will never change, Aisha." Mura sighs, shaking her head in disapproval. She turns towards the door and leaves as quick as she came in.

Murmurs from outside grab my attention as I walk towards the balcony. Looking down, I see some soldiers. No... not from our kingdom but from the Mauryan Empire. My hand rests on the handrail as I lean forward listening to their conversation. If Mauryan soldiers are here then it means something is amiss.

The Mauryan Empire consists of many different Rajya's which have been conquered in India. It spreads from the south and nearly conquers every part of India. Compared to them, we are like insects to elephants. Their army is the strongest in India with over one million soldiers and it is undefeatable. Over time, their empire has been spread all over the country posing a threat to all the kingdoms and it isn't as if Rajkumar Mahendra of the Mauryan Empire is a kind-hearted person.

"Aisha?" A more gentle voice says softly, placing their hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see Maa standing there, a gentle smile is spread across her face.

She is wearing a similar saree as me, except that the jewels she wore stand out from the paleness of the baby blue colour of the saree. While my Celtic blue saree blends with the gems together. Her hair is pure black and her blue eyes shine out like stars just like mine.

"Come now, your father is calling you..." She pauses for a second not finishing her sentence as her smile widens and she gestures to my headdress, her actions saying, 'at least put it on properly.'

She reaches out and adjusts my headdress which has slightly fallen towards the left. She brings her hands down smiling after it was placed correctly. I can feel it start to slip again as I see the smile disappearing from her face and a frown appears on her face.

"Leave it Maa." I chuckle.

"Maa, are there meant to be soldiers from the Mauryan empire?" I ask warily as the murmurs quieten down into a barely audible whisper.

"Mauryan soldiers? Are you sure?" Maa questions, worry in her tone and her face drops.