Mira

"You sure you will be okay by yourself while I am away?" He asked me the nth time while getting ready.

"Yes I will be . I have Mishti to accompany me and now even Thakurma and Kakima visits me. I will spend time with them" I assured him.

We were in his chambers, he was getting ready to go to Harikel with his brother Raghavendra. I don't see much of his brother and I am sure he doesn't like me.

He turned and fidgeted with his overcoat, he seemed tensed and worried. "What's the matter?" I approached him.

He looked at me with deep thought and then shook his head. "Nothing" he held my hand and gave me a small forehead kiss.

"If anyone tries to approach you , which I have made sure no one will, but still, then you will inform the guards right. You will inform Anirban , he is the minister" he said and I nodded.

"Okay" he sighed and I could see his frown, something was really bothering him. He looked at me one last time and went out.

Rudraansh POV

I took her leave and left my room, I was feeling extremely restless leaving her here alone, she did tell me his location and I was going to send some men to Gauda. But before that I have to act upon the information I had received from one of my informants.

I entered the court room, where the huge throne was sitting , it had gold and diamonds studded on it. It was where my father used to sit and rule his people. It is this seat now from where I would have to take decisions and rule.

I sat on my throne and I could sense the great power it held.

"Tell me " I asked the mid age man who bowed down to pay me respect

"Maharaja.The new....news is related to your father" he said trembling.

"What?" I asked sternly hearing the mention of my father.

"Your father was heard talking about a woman with King Harikel the day he...he was mudered" he whispered.

I tapped my feet in anger. "What woman? What were they talking about!"

"Maharaja....People said, that night both the kings were fighting, they had been drinking and the argument took a bad turn of events. Your father, the late king was heard shouting at King Harshadip for not able to finish a simple task - to kill a woman"

Why would Baba want any woman to die?

"Who is that woman they were talking about?" I asked.

"They were talking about a dancer , she is been dancing in Raja's court for years. They said her name was Mira" Something within me stirred hearing that name. My chest constricted with sudden pain.

"Any more information on this woman Mira" I asked keeping my voice as strong as possible.

"She is been in the court dancing for 22 years , she is said to be King's close" he said and I sighed in relief, he is not talking about my Mira.

"She also has a daughter whose whereabouts is not known. She was last seen the day you attacked the palace"

"What you know about the daughter?" I asked having my doubts the daughter could be Mira herself. But I wondered why the names would be same, or that Mira didn't tell me her real name.

"She was Princess Sukanya's friend." As soon as he mentioned this I knew something was wrong and knew he was talking about Mira herself.

Why was her mother related to this ? Why did my father wanted her mother to be dead. Did she know about this?

I felt anger and sadness that she either lied to me or did not say the whole truth.

"Name of this friend?" I asked hoping he knew about it.

"As per the staff everyone would also call her Mira which seemed as her Daak Naam(nickname) , we have no information on her real name" he said and bowed down.

I nodded and dismissed him,knowing her mother is also involved in this didn't make me feel any better, I promised her safety to Mira, does she know about her involvement?

"Brother" Raghavendra entered the court, I nodded at him and he instantly sensed the atmosphere of the room. "Is something the matter?" He asked.

"Hmm ...let's first get to our desired location and then we can talk on the way" I said and he nodded but I could sense he was worried for me. Sometimes I feel like I was his younger brother and it made me immensely proud of how far he had come.

Baba would have been so proud of him.

We were visiting Harikel not as royalty but as mere commoner and we disguised ourselves in plain clothes.

The kingdom was right beside a port so there was always humidity and moisture in the air, the streets bustling with market and trade. But now as I enter the area I can see no such thing, the streets were vacant, houses were closed, a light air blew through the once busy street.

This kingdom just had to face an invasion from me, it has obviously disrupted the whole household of the common man. Somewhere I felt immense guilt of causing them such pain for my own personal gain.

"We have to make sure the markets are up" I said to Raghav and he nodded.

"It's better we have a coronation ceremony after two weeks, it's also when the literature and art festival gets conducted. You can address the people then" he said.

"Yes you are correct , that would be great. Announce it and we will also invite other kings " I said when my eyes fell upon a small shop which seemed open. I went closer to it to see an middle aged woman sitting on the pavement, she was selling bangles and earthen pots.

"Nomoshkar Mashi"

"Namaste Maasi" I approached and greeted her. For a split second I saw her getting scared but then she quickly recovered.

"Is the market closed today?" I asked casually while checking the pots.

"Yes it's been like this for days now. Recently there was an invasion , the King fled leaving his people in misery, but the new King created havoc in the kingdom " I felt guilt creeping in me hearing her words but then Raghav said . "I heard the new King is very strong and is from a powerful place"

I shook my head at him in amusement.
"Ohh yes!" The women gleed, "He is the son of our beloved late King Bikramjeet , I have heard he has got great looks and physique " she said in excitement and blushed.

"Someone like him?" Raghav pointed at me and I glared at him.

"No he is much more handsome and taller" hearing her Raghav burst out laughing and I held his shoulder rather tightly.

"Ha ha, done?" I said smiling, while putting more pressure on his arm.

"So the King that fled , do you know where he went?" I asked.

"No one knows , it's better he doesn't come back! He would take. Double taxes from the peasants and he even stopped the exports of silk , spices and indigo" she said disappointedly.

"Why would he stop exports? It benefitted him right?"

"He was selling those to some other Kingdom and keeping all the money with himself" I furrowed my eyes.

"Which kingdom?" Raghav asked and she hesitated.

I eyed her pots" we will take all these" I said and she jumped with joy.

"I knew today was a lucky day" she murmured in excitement. She called someone to help her pack the pots.

"You can also look at the bangles for your wives. These are fresh in the market" she said pointing towards the rows of bangles.

"That would not be necessary " I heard Raghav saying but I found myself walking towards them.

I looked at the beautiful glass bangles and imagined Mira wearing them, she hardly wears any jewellery except her ring and that chain. I imagined her small hands.

"I want of this size" I told her by circling my fingers , touching my thumb. "And this" I pointed at a maroon and gold bangles, it will look beautiful in her hands. I smiled at the thought.

"Your wife is really lucky to have a husband like you" she smiled at me and gave me the bangles.

I smiled at her , her word bringing a little joy into me as I wondered how she would react to these bangles. Will she like it?

"Dada let's go?" Raghav called me and I quickly hid the bangles inside my under pocket. I saw him struggling with the stack of pots, he was eyeing me dangerously.

"Yes so which kingdom? You didn't answer" I asked the lady putting a bag full of coins in front of her. She grabbed it and opened it instantly.

"Rumours has it , he was selling it to the Maharaja of Kingdom Gauda, their king has good relations with foreigners, he must be selling them in double the price. "

I eyed Raghav who shared similar expression as mine.

It seems I have to call the King of Gauda to my coronation.

We took her leave and entered the palace, it was guarded by our guards. They recognised us and immediately bowed down.

"Maharaja ki jai" they shouted.

I nodded at them . I glanced around the huge palace, the realisation dawning upon me that it's mine. That I have much bigger responsibilities to fulfil towards not only my people but here as well.

I glanced at Raghav who was directing a soldier and smiled at him, I think he is ready to become more than just a prince.