So before we start, this is the first story I've published on Wattpad, so there are bound to mistakes in the writing. I wouldn't mind if you can point out any mistakes if you spot them. All the characters in this story are mine but are based on certain real-life people. I have used some Hindi words, but have included the translation just below and it will be there in every chapter so you don't have to keep on coming back here! Thanks a lot for reading this book and hope you enjoy it!

*Cover made by -Tura- , go check out her profile.

~Nia

Translations-

Rajkumari- Princess

Rajkumar- Prince

Maharani- Queen

Maharaja- King

Rajya- Kingdom

Maa- Mom

Pitaashree- Father

Didi- Sister

These are the only Hindi words I'm using

Above is a collage of Rajkumari Aisha

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Situated near the Jhelum River, in the north of India is Paurav Rajya. Its tricolour flag of white, blue and gold stripes, waves in the gentle breeze sitting on top of the castle's magnificent walls which surround the palace as it sits on the hill overlooking the kingdom.

The town of the kingdom connects to the palace by a wooden drawbridge coming down from a twenty feets gate in the southern side of the wall. Soldiers stand on every pillar surrounding the walls and the rest of them patrol around the borders of the kingdom. Maharaja Kanishk along with his wife Maharani Kadika, rule the land with their only daughter Rajkumari Aisha, a twenty-year-old princess.

Towards the south of Paurav Rajya, stands the mighty Mauryan Empire with its heart Magadha situated in the north-east of the divided India. Every kingdom fears them and they are right to do so.

Along with time, the Mauryan Empire slowly expanded its kingdom from Magadha to other states of India by conquering different kingdoms. Only a few stand alone without the influence of it. But as the rulers of the Mauryan Empire, they yearn for more power to unite India.

Maharaja Chandra was an honourable and a compassionate king who ruled Magadha justly but as he got old his health deteriorated. Losing his wife, Maharani Nandini years back, he shared responsibilities of the kingdom between the two twins, a prince and a princess.

Rajkumar Mahendra being eldest by a minute is the crown prince and Rajkumari Aishwarya is his little sister. Both at this time were seventeen.

Skipping forward in time by five years, the Mauryan Empire grew, stretching across nearly the entire India. However, it was by force and by conquering other Kingdoms. Maharaja Chandra took his last breath two years ago leaving his two children alone tending to the cares of the kingdom. As Rajkumar Mahendra was in line to be crowned, he took up all the responsibilities from Rajkumari Aishwarya.

Unfortunately, neither does he inherit the honesty from his father nor the compassion from his mother. He is more like the opposite of the two great leaders as he tears his way through India, declaring war on any kingdom that refuses to surrender to the Mauryan Empire.

Heading back towards the North, Paurav Rajya still stands peacefully, unaware of the struggles that they will have to face soon.

Rajkumari Aisha POV

"Rajkumari Aisha? You shouldn't be in town unguarded, especially at dawn!" A voice exclaims and stops me by gently grabbing my arm as I try to pull away with a look of dismay on my face.

I take in gasps of breath, my cheeks are violently red from running. I had just managed to bypass the palace guards and got to the market with success only to run into a patrol! To my dismay, Chief Commander Aditya caught a glimpse of me as I tried to hide from him. I tried to run but to no avail. Trying to outrun him is close to impossible especially since he is on horse-back meaning he will catch up to me in no time.

"Give me three reasons Rajkumari, why should I not take you straight to the palace?" he says, not at all amused as he unmounts his horse, still holding onto my arm.

"Because you're just like my brother to me and I know you won't do that." I smile back, gently lifting off the shawl that covers my face.

"You are twenty years old yet you act like a ten-year-old." He replies unamused.

Aditya is always stern about me not leaving the palace for safety reasons but I really can't be stuck inside all day.

He lets go of his grip on my arm, pinching the bridge between his nose and closing his eyes in frustration.

"Rajkumari, you understand..." Aditya begins a whole new lecture without opening his eyes, still frustrated, I block out his voice by glancing around the market.

The market looks magical with the light reflecting off from different objects. I slowly reach out for the reins of his horse, my fingertips curling around the reins as I pull it back to me.

"You would have been in so much trouble." He begins again, abruptly listing a whole lot of things. Believe it or not, I have heard it more than a few times.

Slowly mounting on the horse, I hold onto the saddle and climb up, he suddenly snaps back into reality due to my lack of response to his lecture. His eyes widen as I pull on the reins. A smile spreads across my face as Raja (the horse's name) starts walking into a trot away from him.

"Faster Raja, let's beat Aditya," I whisper near Raja's ear, stroking his mane as I glance back seeing Aditya catching up after me.

"Rajkumari Aisha!" he exclaims, reaching out for the reins as he runs towards me. Fortunately, he misses the reins by a few inches and soon Raja starts galloping, catching me by surprise as I hold on him trying not to fall off. Raja is galloping too fast for Aditya to follow.

I see him as he abruptly stops to catch his breath. A smile forms on my face as he shakes his head in annoyance. I feel my hair flowing freely against the cold morning breeze, the sun rays slowly start to light up Paurav Rajya. My eyes glance around as the river Jhelum comes into view. The soothing music of the water flowing is irresistible to my ears.