Amvasthapuram.

The magnificent land of peace and prosperity. The land of valiant warriors. The land of justice and righteousness. Where righteousness was held above all. The kingdom had prospered and expanded under the rulers of the great Vajravanshi (dynasty of Vajra). 

When the whole kingdom had embraced the darkness of the night and went to rest, the royal Palace of Maharaj (King) Vriddhakshatra still was vibrant with joy and laughter. And why not? This Palace has just witnessed the marriage of Maharaj Vriddhakshatra's son, Jayaditya.

The notorious prince of Amvasthapuram had finally married the princess of Telinga and brought a good political alliance for the kingdom. After all, it was the only beneficial thing he had done for the kingdom. The extras were kept for that only. And he was one of the extras. The extra princes who were kept around in case the heir failed to stand to the elders expectations.

"What are you doing here, jyesth (eldest brother)? Rajkumari (princess) must be waiting for you." Rajkumar (prince) Durdharsh said as he saw his eldest brother, the groom standing in the wide open balcony alone and indulging in alcohol.

"Let her wait a little more. It'll be good practice for her. Ultimately, she'll have to do that only. Waiting in line to be summoned when she is needed." Jayaditya replied with a scornful smile.

"Why are you saying so? Bhabishree (sister-in-law) will be given every respect and right that she deserves as your wife." Durdharsh replied genuinely in a gentle tone. But Jayaditya started to laugh. 

"Yes. Just like me, right?" Jayaditya said, controlling his laughter. "You know what? The princess of Telinga is a fool! Or else why would she choose me of all people?"

No one could have made Jayaditya believe when he started for Telinga that Rajkumari Rudrani would garland him of all people in her Swayamvar sabha (the gathering of groom choosing ceremony). He had gone there just to honor the invitation as he knew no princess in her right mind would want him. But Rajkumari Rudrani proved him wrong.

Durdharsh was at a loss for words. He knew all the words of wisdom would fail Jayaditya who had made himself his biggest enemy. His feelings of loathing were not unknown to him. And he could understand why he was like this to an extent. The only difference was he didn't loathe his second eldest brother, Jagadeesan unlike Jayaditya. But there's nothing that he could say to change Jayaditya's mind. So, he said instead,

"Please go to your chamber before anyone else sees you and words reach Pitashree (father)."

"Maharaj Vriddhakshatra wouldn't care. He wanted an alliance, he got that. Now he would hardly bother with me or my wife." Jayaditya replied, filling his empty chalice.

"What does it matter if he cares or not? It should be Bhabishree whose feelings you should respect." Durdharsh said, trying to reason with him. But Jayaditya didn't give any indication of acknowledging his words.

"She has come here trusting you only. Hoping to start a new family. Don't disappoint her at least." Durdharsh said sternly and left him alone again.

***

Rajkumari Rudrani sat in the bed chamber of Rajkumar Jayaditya. The room was decorated with different types of fresh flowers. Their smell made it seem like she had entered a garden. The bed itself was surrounded with garlands of tuberose and red roses. She had been sitting in this same position for hours waiting for him.

Her husband.

Rudrani, who was also the cousin of Yuvrani (crown princess) Nivedita, the wife of Jayaditya's younger brother, Yuvraj (crown prince) Jagadeesan, had once come to visit her at the kingdom of Amvasthapuram and that was when she first saw Rajkumar Jayaditya. The young naive princess had been smitten with the strong valorous prince who possessed the strength of one hundred thousand elephants, was unbeatable in the battlefield and hid a kind heart behind his infamous character. Might be it was fated, but Rudrani had seen glimpse of that heart and lost hers to him.

But Jayaditya hardly even noticed her presence if at all. She had left Amvasthapuram with a heavy and restless heart. She thought she would have to forget him and bury those feelings at the deepest corner of her heart. But Mahadev had heard her prayers. He had sent him to her Swayamvar. A smile made its way on her lips as she again remembered the annoyed expression of Jayaditya as he attended the ceremony. He had stood up in utter boredom as the Mahamantri of Telinga introduced him to her, the Swayamvara. Until the moment, Rudrani took the few steps ahead and put the flower garland around him. His eyes had gone wide along with a few others.

And now after completing the marriage rituals, he had brought her here, in Amvasthapuram. Rudrani felt worried as he had remained very silent during the journey back from Telinga. Did he not like her? Was that the reason for his silence? Why hadn't he come yet? Rudrani's anxiousness increased with each passing moment.

Rudrani's trance broke as a loud sound reached her ears. She upped her eyes to find a teetering Jayaditya already in the room, frowning at the fallen vase of flowers. Rudrani sat undecided either she should move or not. She was disappointed to see him in this state. Clearly, he was intoxicated. She knew about his alcoholic nature. But she had expected him not to drink at least tonight.

Jayaditya's eyes fell on the girl sitting on his bed who was silently observing him. He went near the balcony and with a motion of his hand, signed her to come over there. Rudrani got down from the bed and moved towards the balcony in slow steps. As she came to stand in front of him, Jayaditya signed her to sit beside him on the swing. She did so silently and kept throwing nervous glances at him.

"Do you know that I am the illegitimate son of Maharaj Vriddhakshatra?" He asked suddenly out of the blue. Rudrani removed her eyes from his in awkwardness. She nodded only confirming that she was aware.

"And you still chose me?" He asked with a laugh. "No one ever chose me before you know? My mother didn't choose me and left me at my father's doorstep. Maharani Mridulata didn't choose me and refused to accept me. Rajmata Vilasvati didn't choose me and refused to do my coronation. I have a very long list of getting rejected by women."

He laughed at his own joke again. After controlling his laughter, he asked her,
"So, why did you choose me, Rudrani?"

Rudrani looked down gathering her thoughts before responding.

"Because inspite of getting rejected by everyone, you never forgot to be kind and respectful towards them. Your frustration, your anger, your pain didn't make you forget your humility."

Jayaditya stared at her in confusion for some long minutes before saying,
"You made a mistake. This palace will never give you the respect that you deserve."

"But you'll be with me, supporting and respecting me. That is enough." She replied with a soft smile playing on her face.

"Who told you that?" Jayaditya asked with a frown. But Rudrani was unbothered by it. She met his eyes with the same smile reaching her eyes.

"No one needs to. I know."

***

Dark clouds had formed in the clear sky of Amvasthapuram. Thunderstorms roared, scaring some souls. A strong wind blew from the north. Nature seemed too restless. Birds and animals were making loud noises and running from here to there. Like sensing some upcoming force that was making them jittery.

Jayaditya got down from his chariot and frowned. Even some time before the sky was clear and shining. What was happening suddenly? He sighed and went inside the palace only to receive the news that his wife, Raani Rudrani had gone into labor hours earlier. Jayaditya rushed to the birthing chamber where she was taken. As he neared the chamber, the loud cry of Rudrani reached his ears. An anxious Yuvrani Nivedita was already there, worried for her sister.

At the time, they waited for any news, on the other side of the palace, Rajmata Vilasvati frowned at the sudden change in nature. She turned her eyes and concentration both at the Maharishi (sage) sitting in front of her. Maharani Mridulata and Maharaj Vriddhakshatra were also present in the room. Rajmata Vilasvati had been worried for a long time regarding the future of the kingdom. The internal conflicts were only increasing day by day. Jagadeesan though was a good leader, Jayaditya had more support on his side. There was a power play going on in between the two brothers. And it was not good for Amvasthapuram.

"What do your foreknowledge say, Rishivar?" Rajmata Vilasvati asked calmly.

Maharishi Atharvan was one of the most knowledgeable and respected sages of Aryavarth. He was the father of the great Rishi Dhumayu, who sacrificed his eyes to Raja Sutradharma.

"You're worried for the future of Vajravansh. That's understandable, Rajmata. But be prepared! In the upcoming time, it's going to increase only." Rishivar replied in his deep voice.

"Is there no way to fix this? I don't want a conflict between my own children." Maharaj Vriddhakshatra asked this time.

Maharani Mridulata clenched her jaw in anger. It was all because of Jayaditya! The son of that Kapalini! He was a headache from the start. But since his marriage to Rudrani, the headache had started to announce his presence too. The support of Telinga and Rudrani's brother had given him the willpower and confidence to challenge Jagadeesan's authority.

"Don't be biased Maharaj. Be fair to all of them. They all are the blood of Vajravansh only. But that's not what is making me worried." Rishivar said looking contemplative. He looked outside, observing the unsettled nature.

"Then what is it?" Rajmata Vilasvati questioned.

"A thunder! A storm! Just like the thunderbolt of Indra! It's influence will not be limited to Amvasthapuram, but will spread into the whole Aryavarth!" Rishivar said absentmindedly.
"This restlessness of nature is giving the sign of his coming only!"

He then turned his eyes to Rajmata and asked,
"Is there going to be any child born in this family?"

Rajmata Vilasvati frowned at the question, but before she could answer, a dasi (maid) came inside bowing to them.

"Prarnipat (Greetings) Maharaj! I've come here with good news. Raani Rudrani has just given birth to a boy."

***

A tired looking Rudrani watched Jayaditya as he cradled their son carefully in his arms. A constant grin was plastered on his face as he stared at the child unblinkingly. Rudrani smiled too seeing him so much happy.

"He looks so much like you already!" She commented.

"Of course, he will. He is my son after all." Jayaditya said as his smile broadened.

"What do you want to name him?" Rudrani asked. A proud look came across his face, as Jayaditya replied,

"Rudraditya!"

*****

Welcome to a new journey!

Please do vote and comment to let me know your thoughts on this one!

Target: 20 Votes, 25 comments!