Sapphire tears on my face
Sadness became my whole sky
But some guy said my aura's moonstone
Just 'cause he was high
And we're dancin' all night
And you can try to change my mind
But you might have to wait in line
What's a girl gonna do?
A diamond's gotta shine

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room
I can still make the whole place shimmer (shimmer)

Thank you for giving this book a chance.
This is the first book in Royalty series.
The second book Baisa is already published.

Tanirika smiled ruffling prince Divith's hair as the caravan proceeded towards the Palace of Rakshatra. They were traveling since last three days to reach Rakshatra. Little Divith threw a large tantrum when he was informed that his favorite aunty and favorite meglos were leaving.

Being the naughtiest and most pampered kid in the royal household he persuaded his Aunty to take him with her. Well, that's what he was told. His mother wanted to visit the auspiscious  devi temple which lied in the outskirts of Rakshatra to fulfill her oath. When Asaka was battling with chaos she had prayed to the goddess for everything to be normal and happy.

When Little prince started crying she thought it was proper time to visit the Temple. Prince divith was turning 3 year old in next 16 days and she wanted to take the blessings of the goddess on that prosperous occasion.  They would stay in the palace for few days then after visiting the temple they will return back to Asaka. Till then it was Tanirika's responsibility to make her little prince ready to go back home. After all she was his favorite Aunt.

"You told me there are apples and lots of apples in Raktara" Divith stated in his babyish voice. He couldn't even pronounce Rakshatra properly.

"Yes there are and they belong to the king. And he is a very arrogant man he won't allow you to eat them"  She faked a sad expression.

"But you love apples and Divith loves it too. And for you my star I will bring those apples. Do not worry aunty, I have the strongest Meglos with me" Tanirika laughed squeezing Divith In her embrace hearing his blabbering.

"Who told you that  meglos is the strongest?"

"I saw it with my own eyes when he was training with the soldiers. He is sooooo strong with those arms " The little prince gushed showing his arms in air. Tanirika shook her head pinching his cheek as they both engaged themselves in further conversation.

She smiled knowing Divith is going to love it there. The feeling of joy was lurking inside her waiting for it to burst open. She wanted to run and reach her destination. How tables have turned.

A year ago she was traveling to the same place with anger and anxiety. And today she was happy and content to go back to the same place. How quickly her home was changed. Today she did not have her parents with her but she did have people who cared for her , stood by her and fought for her.

In the last ten months, she had grown closer with meglos the most. He was a companion she maybe always wanted. Thinking back to her journey from Rakshatra to the kuldevi temple, from getting abducted by her own grandfather and getting the news that her father had died. To invade her own childhood kingdom and claim her throne. These ten months were terrific. But she handled it all and one of the major reasons she did was she had meglos. He stood by her everytime when someone questioned her , everytime when she lost hope, everytime when she was tired to continue the internal politics solving problems , everytime when she felt she needed a breather.

It was hell to work in the same place where you have numerous memories of your father, the place was still the same but her father was no more. It haunted her the silent walls haunted her.

She smiled lightly staring at the passing trees and houses as the journey moved forward. The faces of the people she missed kept flashing. Loki had left her in Asaka after spending one month in the palace. His presence was required in the battlefield. Before he left he made sure she was safe and protected inside those palace walls. Sometimes she pondered why these men cared for her so much. Because she was their family.

Loki was right family is built by people who care for each other. No blood relation could make a family. Because even blood was thirsty for blood.

She closed her eyes in content patting the little prince's head slowly both of them going in a soft slumber before they reached the palace.

The Rakshatra palace was high on the happiness after ten months the queen was returning. The dead walls of the palace felt alive with the cheerfulness blooming from every corner.

The day had finally arrived. The queen, after a long and arduous journey, was returning to the palace. The entire palace was bustling with excitement and anticipation, as everyone eagerly awaited her arrival.

Lekha stood near the big mahogany wooden doors staring at the entrance, her ears waiting for the announcement that the Queen has arrived. She eagerly waited for her sister's arrival.

A very excited Neera  was dragging Kaya and anamika  along with her to witness the arrival of the queen from the front doors. Despite Kaya's many protests she was not ready to listen to her any reasons. Few days ago she had done the same thing when the king had arrived with his commander. Kaya won't lie but the beautiful scene of two strong men twirling their mother around in their arms made her insides churn in happiness.

Her mother was very busy today in the kitchen as numerous dishes were expected to be ready till the queen arrived. Tonight there was a grand feast, well every night in the palace there was a feast since Rakshatra won a war.

Kaya always thanked her stars that her  mother and she was living a beautiful and peaceful life in the royal palace. A life they didn't have in the village.

As the Queen's entourage grew closer, The gates of the palace were threw open and loud trumpet rang in the palace walls. It was the indication that her majesty had arrived. Palasha stood near the entrance of the palace veranda the carriage stopped infront of it. Unlike the other entrance, tanirika was entering from the northern entrance which was made just for the Women of the house to enter.

Her palanquin stopped at the center of the "Queen's Staircase." This was a grand entrance hall where the Queen and other ladies of the royal court would disembark from their carriages and proceed to the palace's reception rooms or other areas. The Queen's Staircase was typically an ornate and elaborate space, designed to impress visitors and showcase the wealth and power of the monarchy.  The Rakshatra Staircase was mo less it had golden intricates which were embedded into the walls with pure gold and various jewels were embeded in the walls making the hall glow In its royal glory. There was a large decorated grand staircases, luxurious furnishings, and intricate works of art surrounding the Staircase. There was a courtyard in the middle of the staircase area which was open from obove and had a balcony surrounding it in its rectangular pattern were various Royal ladies and maids stood to look at the queen.

Tanirika stepped out of her palanquin adjusting her veil on her forehead. Her face held a small smile as nostalgia kicked in. This was the same area she had stepped in when she had arrived in the palace for the very first time. That time she was the Princess of Asaka today she was the Queen of Rakshatra.

Palasha had the biggest smile on her face as Tanirika greeted her with the same expression. She skipped the distance between them, engulfing her daughter in a tight embrace. Palasha caressed her head as Tanrika sighed in her embrace.

"My daughter, I am so proud of you" Palasha whispered caressing her head. Tanirika knelt down touching her mother-in-laws feet who held in between hugging her again.

"I am so happy to see all my kids back home. " Palasha sweetly stated as they moved away. One of the maids passed along the copper container to her. she moved the burning herb censer in a circular motion around Tanirika's frame. Repeating the procedure 3 times she handed the censer, A censer was a bowl-shaped container with a perforated lid or cover, which allowed the smoke from the burning herbs to escape. As the herbs burned, the smoke would rise through the perforations in the lid, creating a fragrant and cleansing Aroma around her.

"May the goddess keep every evil eye away from you," She prayed as Tanirika smiled moving her eyes around. Her eyes fell on her friend who stood few feet away, smiling at her with eyes glistening with tears. Tanirika held her tears in as her eyes made contact with lekha's. Lekha moved towards Tanirika not caring about anyone around her only focusing on her emotions.

She engulfed her sister In a tight grip who hugged her back. Both of them chuckled together as memories of happiness kicked in. Lekha allowed her tears to flow freely as Tanirika rubbed her back.

"I missed you" She whispered breaking the hug. Tanirika nodded her head, wiping the tears falling from lekha's eyes. Lekha chuckled hiding her tears as she felt embarrassed crying infront of everyone.

"I missed you too. But I knew you would handle yourself and this place in my absence. Asaka felt lonely without you. "

Lekha nodded squeezing Tanirika's palms tighter as both the sisters conveyed thousands of emotions just through their eyes. They both knew what they had lost and what they had now. Both of them had each other and that was enough for them.

"Maasi sa is crying" A sad voice broke their trance which echoed from behind Tanirika. Tanirika chuckled brushing her tears away, turning back to look at her little prince she signaled him to come forward. Prince Divith ran towards his aunt who stood at a little distance away from him.

Princess Divya smiled staring at the interaction of her son and her sister. Lekha who followed the little prince movement gazed at Princess Divya who smiled staring back at her. She took the appearance of the other Princess who was draped in a plain light cream lehenga with her hair open and no Chuda mani adorning her head. The absence of Chuda mani hinted the sad reality that she had lost her husband too.

"Jiji sa, " Lekha called bowing down infront of Divya.

"Lekha it's nice to meet you again. We had missed you in Asaka" Divya asserted pulling lekha into a hug.

"I had missed you and Princess Timaya."
A  sad expression appeared on princess Divya's face as her sister's name rang in her ears.

"Princess Timaya is no more lekha along with my husband. They both lost their lives with babasa. The only person who is left is Me, my little prince, Tanirika and you in our family. " Lekha gasped as tears fell silently from her eyes hearing the truth from her sister's mouth.

Princess Divya and Princess Timaya were both married to the Prince of the neighboring kingdom. They both were the daughters King Tanya who was conceived from one of the Royal concubines. Both the twin sisters were 2 years older in age compared to Tanirika. The saddest truth in the whole situation was that Prince Divith was not Princess Divya's son he was birthed by Princess Timaya.

"Where's the little prince?"

"Is she talking about me?"Prince divith slurred in his baby voice looking at his aunt who nodded her head.

Lekha smiled at the prince who waved  at her. She chuckled crouching infront of his little frame caressing his cheek in adoration.

"You are so grown man now. I remember when you were just a little baby. "

"I like you.  You are the only woman who calls me a man. Otherwise everyone says that I am still a baby. I don't know you though"

"She is your another Bua sa, Divith" His mother informed him with a smile on her face. Divith bowed his head in respect at lekha. She smiled kissing his forehead in love.

"Its nice to please you maasi sa, but Tanirika Maasi sa is My star. " Tanirika laughed squeezing Divith little body in her embrace as everyone joined the laugh. Her cheeky little prince.

"I am hurt prince" Lekha fiddled sadly. Divith shrugged in response hugging his star tightly who had picked him up in her arms.

"She has spoilt him in these 8 months Lekha" Divya complained staring at the two who rolled their eyes at her.

Tanirika turned towards Palasha who had a small smile on her face.

"Maa sa please meet my little prince and my star Prince Divith of Desha. And that is Princess Divya my half sister and this little boy's mother"

Princess Divya bowed her head in respect with her hands joint infront of her chest greeting Palasha who followed the same expression greeting her back. Palasha patted divith's head who also had his head bowed down in respect.

"This is Queen mother Palasha"

"Let's make our way inside the palace. You all must be tired. " Palasha mentioned taking the ladies inside the palace.

Zravasaya was wearing one of the finest robes of silk with his royal crown sitting in its whole glory on his head. His presence oozed confidence and a strong persona could be sensed which could clearly state that he was one of the strongest individuals standing inside the palace gates. He stood like the king he was with his honey brown eyes shining in pride. His broad shoulders which had the robe fixed on them gave the impression of strength and power. His firm arms and strong stance portraying his strong sense of stability and groundedness. Unlike other kings he didn't have a whole army showcasing his power and strength. His four companions were enough.

King Zravasaya and Commander loki stood infront of the palace grounds with advisor Achyut and Master junious standing behind them as the royal caravan from Asaka arrived. General Dorian was also present standing just at some distance.

Zravasaya looked at Meglos who dismounted from his horse and waved dramatically at him. He smirked nodding back as he waited for The king of vidharbha to announce his presence. Another horse followed by two more stood beside meglos's horse. King of vidharbha, King vallak a man who appeared stronger and firmer compared to his old age dismounted from his horse in his all glory.

The old king whole aura was amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge. He commanded respect and admiration from those around him, and his influence was felt throughout the kingdom and beyond. Loki threw a glance at Zravasaya who looked unfazed from the entry of the sharp and witty man who had just entered his territory.

"King Zravasaya it's my pleasure to meet you in this life time. I have heard all the stories or your glory and strength. And I won't lie I am impressed. " the old king stated.

Zravasaya smiled with a nod and joint hands as he showed respect to the old man.

"Its my pleasure too to meet you King vallak, after all we have a strong root of history and relation. I hope you had no discomfort in your journey. "

"No, Your majesty it was nothing that I can't handle. "

"OH I was talking thinking about your detoriating age. It would be difficult to travel in this age. "

"It is but I am stubborn when it comes to things I want "

"And what is this thing you want " Zravasaya asked. He knew that the old king of Vidharbha was a man of virtue and ethics. He was a very cunning man who only thought about his Kingdom and was firm on his philosophies. He was a fox and his cunning trait was surrounding his aura as he walked.

"I would have passed you the answer. But I had promised my grand daughter that I won't be disclosing the news to you. It will be her. " He smirked nodding at loki who nodded back. Zravasaya masked his surprise expression with a small smile ordering General Dorian to escort the old king to his chambers.

Meglos waited until the old king disappeared inside the palace galleries. He was about to hug his friend when a hard fist made contact with his jaw. He groaned in pain, clutching his jaw as blood spilt out of his mouth.

A grin spread over his handsome face as he threw a glance at loki and then at the man who had punched him. Zravasaya stood at a few feet distance smirking at him. Loki too had a smirk edged on his face.

"You both are ganging up on me" He laughed pointing his finger like a child at his best friends.

"I did nothing. Don't blame me " Loki faked a  gasp throwing a hurt expression at meglos who chuckled pinching his nose.

"Look Vasaya, I was little distracted nothing else. This loki is the root of this little feud we are having. " He tried to pacify his friend.

"As far as I remember meglos it was me who taught you to be alert and you Fucked up in the same lesson by putting my beloved in danger. What were you doing when she entered that damn trap?" Zravasaya gritted his teeth.

"I was with her it was just a slip of moment. The master manipulator loki did this. "

"Stop blaming everything on loki. It was loki that's why you are unharmed and Tanirika is unharmed. If it was someone else then you both had been in danger. Do you know they had all plans to execute you and Tanirika on spot when you both were intoxicated with that smoke. Thank the stars that loki saved you both from the clutches of that Jagnya warriors who had abducted both of you from the temple. "

"I am sorry. I had a slip of moment. It won't be happening again. "

" it should not. "

"Now if you are being a father, give me a hug. I have missed you" A Cheshire grin adored his face as he stared at Zravasaya and loki who both threw a bored glance glance him.

Meglos being meglos leapt towards Zravsaya throwing his arms around his friend. Zravasaya sighed with a smile hugging his friend back.

"You are precious to me. We had promised each other that we will always be there for each other. "

"I know. "

" Now let's give loki a hug" Zravasaya patted meglos pointed towards loki.  Loki threw a glare at both of them before turning around and moving out of the place. Meglos chuckled looking at Zravsaya who chuckled back.

"Let's go I need to meet mother and you need to meet your wife. It's my duty to deliver you as soon as possible to my dearest friend " Meglos chatted happily walking inside the palace.

Hey guys!!!!

Eid Mubarak 🌙 to everyone who is celebrating.

Next chapter is gonna be FIRE.

If you got the hint then there's something king vallak knows but Zravasaya doesn't. What has Tanirika promised?

Tell me your favorite person from this book!

Tanirika and Zravasaya are gonna be reunited soon.

Tanirika is soon going to found our about Meglos and Lekha lmao. It's gonna be funny.

And I missed Kaya. Let's bring her in the next chapter okay.

If you still haven't checked the latest chapter of baisa do check it. I will try to update baisa too in few days. I need to line up the events before we start the spice lmao.

What always amazes me while reading comments is There is so much hype for loki and jigansa despite there's not being a single scene and conversation of them being together. It's just I can't express how happy I feel when yall hype it up. Lmao.

Hope you liked the chapter. You will only receive the next update if the votes cross 100.

I am going to have a little questionnaire session before this book end. So pls drop your questions if you have any.

Also I post certain things on my Instagram about the stories. Do follow me there if you haven't.  My ID is same as here.

Love Aditi ❤