Kalindi subconsciously nodded her head as if a student understood what the teacher was teaching them. Seeing her nodding her head like an obedient child, Abhyuday sighed and then said, "Eat".  She simply started to eat her food while looking at him time to time.

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After the breakfast, Yuvraj Abhyuday went away, leaving Kalindi to her thoughts.  Kalindi was deep in her thoughts, when the three maids entered the room.  How much ever Kalindi thought about it, she couldn't derive any conclusions from his words and actions. So she left it at that and focused on what Lekha was saying.  "Yuvrani, Was Yuvraj angry with you?", Lekha questioned her.  Although He ordered for their breakfast, they couldn't help the fear, which crept into them through all the rumours and the incident of the courtesan which they saw by themselves.  Kalindi sighed and said, "Yes, Yuvraj is angry with me".  Hearing this, Rekha and Lekha got panicked but Gopi didn't react.  To put a stop to their fear, Kalindi said, "Both of you calm down.  He is angry with me because I kept mum throughout the incident without claiming my rights as the Yuvrani.  That's what he said".  Now both the maids have calmed down and Kalindi noticed that Gopi didn't react to anything.  She already guessed that Gopi was the source of information for Yuvraj, as he got to know about her burn which is known to her maids alone.  It was a miracle that the deep burn got cured within two days.  And now, Kalindi could guess how Yuvraj reached the shastrasala when everyone thought he was not there.  Sensing Kalindi's stare, Gopi looked at her once and once again bowed her head.  Kalindi couldn't say that Gopi had betrayed her as from day one, she knows that Gopi was appointed by Yuvraj himself.  So what is Gopi's mistake in this?  Leaving this aside, Kalindi departed to check her garden before lunch.

Everyone completed their dinner and retired to their rooms.  Kalindi also went to her room and prepared to sleep.  She dismissed Gopi for the day as usual while Lekha and Rekha helped her to do the nightly routine.  Kalindi instructed these two about their duties for tomorrow before they could start their usual work.  And then the maids went away leaving Kalindi to sleep.  On the other hand, Abhyuday completed checking the finance books submitted by his trusted warrior and left his study room when it was nearly midnight.  After changing his clothes for sleep, he went to the bathroom to complete his daily ritual, which is staring at his sleeping wife through the attached door without a lock. And that wife of his, would sleep without a care in the world.  Abhyuday sighed at his thought as he had already seen that she wouldn't wake up even if he touch her.  All these days since their marriage, he had always checked upon her before he goes to sleep, while not coming into her room and standing at the entrance of the bathroom. Although her star shaped mole near her naval made him want to touch it again and feel the softness once again after their wedding night, he didn't make a move.  Abhyuday convinced himself that he is just making sure whether she is alright as she is his responsibility after their marriage.  When Gopi told him abuut the cooking on first day, he was enraged but waited for her to take any step, atleast in her anger.  But he was disappointed when she did nothing and just silently encouraged Oormila to proceed further.

Sighing at her silent and enduring nature, he went away to his room for sleep.  He could have simply spent his night in her room just like their wedding night, but he didn't want to give her any hope about having a normal marriage.  Especially when he has a strong dislike for submissive women.  But what he didn't understand is that his dislike for her visibly submissive character is slowly getting transformed into protectiveness for her. 

The same night, on the other side of the palace, the King had got to know about the incident and scolded Oormila as he could see that she is at fault.  When Oormila's son Kaushal tried to intervene his father, Oormila stopped him and apologized to the King with crocodile tears.  The King simply asked her to apologize to Kalindi and went away to his chamber. The next morning came and today Oormila didn't make any fuss and kept silence.

Kalindi asked Gopi and Rekha to bring some scrolls that are stored in library, to learn about the history of Rakshatra.  At that time, a maid knocked the door and announced that princess Nitara (Abhyuday's stepsister) has arrived and waiting to meet her.  Kalindi went out to receive her and both of them settled in the hall to chit chat.  Nitara said, "Bhabhi (Sister-in-law), I apologise for not meeting you in the previous days but what can I do, you were busy with cooking, prayer and so on.  On the other hand, mother scolded me to not disturb you.  I was really bored and had to attend the Darbar (Royal court) to relieve my boredom".  Kalindi listened to her with a smile and the Last words reminded her that she hadn't gone to the Darbar till now.  So Kalindi asked, "Nitara, can you take me to the Darbar with you?".  Nitara made a face at that but Kalindi convinced her to take her there.

Soon Kalindi and Nitara stood in the inner balcony and looked at the proceedings of the Darbar below.  Nitara said, "Bhabhi, This is the first floor of the Darbar specifically made for women.  From here we could see the Darbar proceedings.  And only the Queen will have a seat in the Darbar near the King.  But Mother was not interested in administration and all that.  So she asked to remove her throne after the crowning ceremony".  After getting filled with the necessary information from Nitara, Kalindi focused on the proceedings of the Darbar, while their maids were standing behind them.  There seems to be a letter from some other king which was brought by their messenger and read out by a minister.  The minister continued to read about all the export import changes requested by the other king and at last read out, "Since Yuvraj is already married and as per our common practice, second marriage happens atleast after a year.  I request the King to accept my proposal of announcing an engagement of our princess with the Yuvraj of Rakshatra, so that our relationship gets stronger".  The minister finished reading the message of the other King.  Nitara was shocked and got nervous as she brought Kalindi here at the wrong time and she would feel hurt.  But when she looked at Kalindi, she didn't have any hurt expression, just a surprised or amused look.  Rather than going away from the place, Kalindi was eagerly watching the Darbar which greatly confused Nitara.  Although Nitara is just a teenage girl, she does know that any wife will feel hurt on hearing that their husband is going to get engaged again and that too within a week of the marriage.

Kalindi didn't react much because, first of all, both of them don't have much feelings for each other and second, she was already prepared for such kind of situations.  It's just the pace at which it happened that she got surprised for a moment.

King Virendra was thinking about the proposal and decided that it will be a good offer for their Kingdom.  And then he said to the entire Darbar, "I am willing to accept this proposal.  Does anybody have objection?".  Everyone was silent when only one voice echoed, "Yes, I have".  Abhyuday looked at the King and continued, "I think the person in question should be consulted before the decision is made".  The king frowned and said, "It is usually the girl's parents who will decide the marriage alliance.  So what is there for us to consult?".   Abhyuday stood up from his position and said, "I was not talking about that girl.  I was talking about myself.  I am not interested in marrying again".   Immediately the Darbar was filled with murmurs about 'how Yuvraj can deny such a great offer', 'How will the ally king would take this rejection', 'How will this decision affect the people of Rakshatra' and so on.  King Virendra lifted his hand in a gesture to make them silent and while trying to keep a calm face, he asked Abhyuday, "Why are you not accepting this marriage, Yuvraj?  Infact, it is just an engagement for now.  Only after a year, your marriage will be fixed.  So if you are worried about not able to spend considerable amount of time to your first wife, then don't worry about it. You have one whole year for that".  Abhyuday looked at his father silently for some time and then said, "I have certain principles and ethics which I'm not ready to compromise for anyone or anything.  As for the relationship of Rakshatra with other Kingdoms is concerned, then we can handle it with proper diplomacy".  The King thought about his words and knew that his son always think before taking decisions but not after.  Seems like the King underestimated the matter of marriage as Yuvraj didn't make any fuss when his first marriage preparations were done.  But he forgot that it was his late wife who chose the girl for him.

After thinking for sometime, the King issued the order, "Send a reply to the King of Khulam that Yuvraj doesn't want to proceed with the marriage for the sake of political reasons.  And invite him for a friendly visit here".  The minister accepted the order and started his work.  Soon everyone dispersed from the Darbar.  And Nitara pulled a shocked Kalindi away from the Darbar.  Kalindi thought, "What is going on in his mind?  Clearly his decision was not because of me or his love for me.  But is it simply his choice and principles?".

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Hi guys,

Do vote and comment if you like the chapter.

Thanks,
SM.