The corridors of the palace were mostly deserted during the night. With dim torches and lamps lighting the corridors, the darkness shrouded most parts of the alley. The only sound that was heard in the silent corridors was the chimes of my anklets and the winds that whispered little secrets to my ears. The guards standing at regular intervals bowed to me while I moved past them before they went back to the task at hand.

My steps stopped as I stood in front of my destination. The King's chamber. I was again feeling nervous. After making the promise, I straight away came to the place, where I could fulfill it. Numerous questions and possibilities were running through my mind and I again felt my hands go clammy. With a deep breath, I addressed the gatekeeper.

"Please inform the king that Rajkumari Vijetri wishes to meet him right now."

Though my back was awkwardly straight with my shoulders tensed, my voice came out smooth. My father had allowed all of us siblings to enter his chambers without permission but this time Rajkumari Vijetri was standing in front of his chambers.

"Pardon me Rajkumari but his Majesty has given his permission to all his offspring to enter the chamber without permission. Even Rajkumar Aadhirai is inside along with Rajkumar Ashok."

The guard spoke with confusion in his voice and fear in his stance. He was probably confused due to my weird actions but I was least bothered about it. 

"I know, but please do as I say."

Irritation laced my voice. I was having a nervous and ominous feeling throughout my body which resulted in my bad mood. The guard seemed reluctant for a moment before doing as I said.

I was shuffling from one foot to another while waiting for the guard to come back. My fingers toiled with one another and my palms were feeling extra clammy. I could hear my heart beating wildly due to the wait and all I wished was to run away from there.

My wait ended about after a minute when the guard returned and informed me about my father's permission to enter.

With slow and wobbly steps, I entered his room and saw him seated on the settee next to Bhrata Aadhirai. My mother was massaging his head with oil and he was having banter with Bhrata Ashok.

My father's room was the largest chamber and was the most breezy one. With an open balcony and an in-room swing, it was the most peaceful place to relish privacy and solitude its walls facilitated. The jingle of my ankles attracted all of them to look towards me and a smile appeared on their faces.

"Vija, dear! Please sit. Why did you ask for permission to enter and how was your visit to the Prime Minister's mansion?"

My father asked in his usual voice that relayed calmness with bliss underlying in its cadence. This part of him, was only reserved for us, the part where he is in ethereal peace, without the care of all the pressing matters of the world. He looked very carefree with no crown adorning his head; perhaps it is the crown that brought about his sense of responsibility. His smile dimmed as he heard no response from me and my stoic face added to the task.

"Pranipaat Maharaj! Pranipaat Maharani!"

I joined my hands and bowed in front of them. The atmosphere of the room grew thick. There was ominous silence prevailing in the room and I saw the fingers of my mother stop. The room was completely still with only five breathing.

"What happened Vija? Are you okay?"

Confusion marred the face of my father. His voice laded worry and his shoulders suddenly became tense. My brother probably caught the wind of what was happening as I saw mirth in his eyes whereas my mother was completely still.

"I am sorry, Your Majesty, but it is Princess Vijetri standing in front of you. I beg your pardon for disturbing you at this moment but the matter was urgent."

A sigh escaped the lips of my father whereas my mother visibly relaxed. I saw a sense of relief pass through their faces. My well-being was the thing that gave them this relief.  Before I could think further my brother's voice brought our attention to him.

"If that is the case, Rajkumari Vijetri, then I must mention you forgot to greet the Rajkumar of Medinikhand."

His voice held mirth and my mother giggled at his comment He was trying to relax the condition and he was successful in it.

"Why does everyone forget my existence?" Ashok chirped in with a giggle in his note.

 I could feel the side of my lips curl up and was soon replaced by a smile. Before I could give a diplomatic answer, my mouth already replied with a childish sass in it.

"My greetings are reserved for people of honor Rajkumar, not for a baboons like you guys."

My mother's laughter boomed in the room and I could not help but giggle after looking at the cute, childish pout that came on their face after my reply. Both of them were indeed alike, wise but a baboon in human skin. Before he could retort, my father's mirthful voice broke the chances of our upcoming banter.

"Enough children." He then looked towards me, his face growing serious making me nervous all over again. "Rajkumari Vijetri, what is the reason behind your sudden late-night visit which could not be avoided till tomorrow morning?"

My father addressed me with the same formal tone that he uses in court. The voice made a shiver run down my spine and my fingers started fiddling with each other. My voice choked in my throat and all I wanted was to escape from there. I took deep breaths to calm my nerves before looking into his eyes, my posture was straighter and stable.

"Maharaj, I request that you grant me the permission to be present in tomorrow's court to bring forth a pressing matter."

My voice did not tremble but it was squeaky. Curiosity flashed in the eyes of my father and mother and as for my brothers, I ignored their presence. My father glanced toward my mother and gave a slight smile to her. I was confused about his actions but kept a stoic face in front of him.

"What matter is of such importance that Rajkumari herself is getting involved so intrinsically in it?"

My mother's voice broke the silence of the room. Her voice held a regal edge, similar to that of my father. She turned into a true queen within moments. 

"It is regarding the spices, My Lady. I would be present in the court representing the impoverished citizens and their difficulties due to the spices, if and only if I get yours' and his Majesty's permission."

Silence followed after the words left my mouth. The room suddenly lost its mirth and seriousness flowed in each corner of it. My father and mother both were lost in thought for minutes before looking at each other and nodding.

"Permission granted, Rajkumari."

I released a breath that I did not realize I was holding. The room and my body suddenly felt lighter and I could see the pride in the eyes of my father. I just smiled at him in return.

"Now if Rajkumari's work is over, may I request my daughter to get ready for welcoming the most recent Rajkumar who has come to fight for your hand."

My mother's voice was mirthful. Everyone knew how much I hated this. I audibly groaned and heard my brother laughing freely like a mad man.

"May I know who has come to seek my hands this time?"

Sarcasm laced my voice which added fuel to the laughter of my brother. But the next words of my mother made me go still and run cold.

"It is Rajkumar Urjit of Chaitanyagadh."

❁┈┈┈❅ ⋞〈 ✿ 〉⋟ ❅┈┈┈❁

Rajkumari- princess

Rajkumar- Prince

Bhrata- Brother

Pranipat- A greeting made by younger people to the older ones

❁┈┈┈❅ ⋞〈 ✿ 〉⋟ ❅┈┈┈❁

Hello people!

How was the update?

I hope you liked it.

meme by gildedwolves:  Aadhirai: So how was your day?
 Vijetri: We almost got surprise adopted!
 Aadhirai: What?
 Chanchala: We almost got kidnapped.
Aadhirai: Oh, okay.
 Aadhirai: WAIT WHAT?!