Chapter 10

The day had finally come and the palace was bustling with people running around to prepare for the arrivals of royalties tonight. Preparing a banquet so grand to honor their guests to the land of Ashen was not an easy task. Kaali had made it loud and clear that everything had to be perfect. Master chefs were already prepping for the feast, palace designers were busy decorating the venue, musicians were rehearsing out in the courtyard while the beautiful dancers were prancing and twirling about. Meanwhile Gauri was relaxing in her courtyard away from all the commotion. She had stayed up all night creating her new look. With her hand Gauri softly touches the clay on the right side of her face "Seems like this will hold up. Even after a night's sleep it is still intact." Gauri then grabbed her teapot that was lying in the middle of her small table to pour herself a cup of tea and from the corner of her eyes she could see Bhavya run towards her.

Bhavya: Princess...the Queen is here to see you.

Gauri smiled under her pink veil "So she couldn't help but come." Bringing the cup of hot honey tea to her lips while inhaling the sweet aroma "Tell the Queen to join me here as I stay to prepare her some morning tea."

Bhavya quickly turns around to do as she was told and it didn't take long to see Svetlana with her one and only high rank maid Tia by her side.

Gauri stands up and curtsied "Greetings Queen. Is there something important for you to come by so early this morning? Pouring another cup of tea "Here have some honey tea you must be thirsty having to come to this faraway courtyard of mine."

Svetlana slowly sits down across from Gauri who was wearing a light pink dress with simple white flowers at the hem of her skirt. Even with a veil covering her face Svetlana knew exactly what kind of beauty was behind it. "Thank you." And with a smile Gauri glances towards Bhavya who was standing behind her "Bhavya go see if our kitchen can prepare some breakfast."

As Bhavya disappeared from their sights Svetlana's eyes never left the small girl who was sipping tea. Just with a slight lift of the veil Svetlana managed to see a smile that made her clench her fist underneath her sleeve.

Gauri puts down her cup "I have sent her away. Say what you need to say."

Svetlana knew Gauri was a very sharp girl. "How did you know I wanted her to leave?"

Gauri: You usually come with more than 4 maids by your side but today you only have one. It's obvious you don't want others to hear what you have to say.

Svetlana: You know that the Princes of Gopar and Uthon as well as the King of Mordis is coming tonight. I want you to keep your promise to me.

Gauri: Promise?

Svetlana: To not reveal your face. Because if you do...Sahil...I can no longer guarantee....if you know what I mean.

Gauri lets out a soft chuckle "What are you afraid of your Highness?"

Svetlana angrily snarls "Don't test me little girl. Now tell me you understand."

Gauri leans slightly back on her chair and stares at Tia "You...turn around." Looking at her master to see if she should listen Tia quickly turns around after seeing Svetlana slightly nod her head.

When she was sure that there was no one around Gauri slowly takes off her veil to show a hideous burnt scare on the right side of her cheek. Hearing Svetlana suddenly gasp in disgust "Is this proof enough that I have taken measures to hide myself? Even if I have to reveal myself your daughters do not have to worry. They can focus on trapping their future husbands because I have no interest at all."

Svetlana: Watch your words!

Gauri puts her veil back on "Is there anything else?"

Svetlana tries to compose herself "Per the King's request we are moving you closer to the inner palace."

Gauri raised her eyebrow "Why so?"

Svetlana: After Riddhima's incident your Father feels it's best if everyone was not so far away from each other.

Gauri: Everyone? You mean just me.

Svetlana: You are to move before our guests arrives tonight. Your Father does not want rumors of him being a ruthless father to any of his daughters.

Gauri snickers under her veil "In the end this is all for show. Fine. I will move before they come."

Svetlana: I will send people to help you move since we need to hurry.

Gauri did not like having Svetlana's people anywhere near her things but she knew this was the King's order and she couldn't raise up trouble when Kaali was already expecting everything to be perfect.

Gauri stands up and curtsied "Well I will leave it to you then."

As Svetlana slowly makes her way out of Gauri's courtyard Tia whispers to her master "My Queen...The King did not ask for Princess Gauri to move courtyards."

Svetlana's lips curves up "Hmph! This is just part of my plan. Do you still have what I gave you?"

Tia gave a little tap on a pouch she had latched on her waist "Yes. The vial is right here."

Svetlana: Good. When the feast begins you know what to do.

Tia bows her head down "Yes My Queen. I will put it in Princess Gauri's tea."

Svetlana glares at her high rank maid "Shutup! You know there are eyes and ears here! Next time just nod!"

Tia bows her head even lower "Sorry My Queen."

Thinking that no one was ever watching both Gauri and Svetlana would have never guessed that just above the palace roof behind a big branch was Dandi who saw everything. "I must say...it was a good thing my King sent me here. Wait till he finds out." Dandi jumps from the roof out to the streets of Ashen. Not so far away Omkara was looking out the window of a 2 story parlor awaiting news from his guard. "Ashen sure is a beautiful place."

Ranveer: It is nothing compared to Mordis your Majesty.

Omkara smiles as he looks on "Of course. But the scenery here is still breath-taking. Just look at the blue water that surrounds Ashen. Omkara then takes in a breath "The air here is far more refreshing because of it."

Ranveer: Your Majesty if you want this could be yours.

Omkara laughs "Mordis is enough for me. If the King of Ashen is wise he should not try to cross me. Did you find out anything?"

Ranveer: I'm sorry your Majesty. I've checked every high ranking officer and every General's household....there is no trace of her.

Omkara's eyes darken "How could that be?"

Dandi jumps in from the roof "That is because....she is a Princess of Ashen."

Omkara started to laugh evilly "A Princess?"

Dandi proceeded to tell his King everything that he knew.

Omkara "You are saying this Princess is extremely hideous with a burnt scar?"

Dandi: Yes your Majesty. And it seems The Queen of Ashen does not like her either. I have a bad feeling that something is going to happen. The Queen seems suspicious to me. She was saying something to a maid but I couldn't really hear it.

Omkara stares out the window and looks at the big body of water surrounding the Palace of Ashen "A Princess...To take a Princess..things has just gotten more interesting."

Ranveer and Dandi looked at each other "Take a Princess?!!"

Omkara curves up his lips "Why not? If I want I will take Ashen let alone their Princess."

Dandi: You can't possibly want her to be our Queen?!

Omkara swiftly turns towards his men "You have objections?!"

Dandi did not dare to face his King's wrath but still couldn't help but say "She is not worthy your Majesty."

Omkara: Why? Because she is not beautiful?

Dandi nods.

Omkara :"What I have seen is a beautiful woman. My eyes does not deceive me."

Dandi: But...I saw..

Omkara turns back around to look through the window but this time he stares at the Palace "You clearly have been deceived."

Dandi was confused but he didn't want to anger his King any further.

Omkara started to look at the herb he has kept by the window ledge "Ranveer water it."

For the rest of the day Omkara sat and listened as Dandi reported to him about how the King of Ashen was wanting to marry off his daughters to the Princes of Gopar and Uthon and that they had no intentions of offering anyone to the King of Mordis.

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The night view in Ashen was by far magical. With a full moon and many bright stars lighting up the sky the Palace was the most enchanting place to be. When you look on either side you could see many lighted lamps floating in the ocean water that was surrounding the entire Palace. The venue was decorated with many fairy lights wrapped around each large pillar and in the middle of it all was a large table that was filled with delicious foods as well as many bottles of wine. When Ajay saw the many bottles of wine his eyes lit up "Great! Your Highness sure knows how to throw a banquet!"

Kaali who was sitting at the head of the table with Svetlana sitting beside him "Drink and eat as much as you like."

Veer who was staring down at his little brother "Forgive my brother your Highness. He was very excited to visit Ashen."

Kaali: No need for apologies. Tonight should only be filled with laughter.

Omkara who was sitting at the other end of the table started to laugh "Laughter? Are you planning on some sort of entertainment to make me laugh tonight?"

Everyone's eyes started to shift towards Omkara and with his aura it gave an illusion that Kaali was not sitting at the head of the large table but instead the Mighty King of Mordis was.

Kaali raises his glass of wine "I hope the King of Mordis will enjoy Ashen tonight."

Seeing Omkara smile back at him while raising his glass Kaali had a bad feeling and to break the awkward silence Kaali gestured his servant to bring the Princess of Ashen.

Ajay: How come I don't see any of the Princesses?

Svetlana smiles back "The King is summoning them now."

Everyone turned towards the entrance as the servant announced that the Princesses has arrived. Riddhima had on a red chiffon dress with red ruby jewels that made her look out of this world. Veer as well as Ajay could not believe that such beauty exist. Even Samarjeet the Prince of Gopar stared for a few seconds before coming back to drinking his cup of wine. And walking behind her was Ishana who was wearing a yellow dress that showed her bare back that had yellow diamonds decorating her smooth skin. Ajay's eyes lit up at the sight while imagining himself touching that soft skin. And last but not least not so far behind was a small woman dress in a light purple chiffon dress with only a dark purple sash around her waist. But what was so alluring to everyone was the honey brown eyes.

Ajay: Why does the Princess wear a veil?

Veer elbows his brother to quiet down.

Svetlana "The Princess had suffered an accident years ago."

No longer interested in the ugly Princess Ajay continued to gawk at Riddhima and Ishana who was enjoying all the gazes as they came in front of their guests to curtsy they noticed that there was one pair of eyes that did not even bother looking at them. Ishana could not believe how handsome the King of Mordis was but when she saw that he was only staring at Gauri who was staring right back at the handsome King Ishana purposely stood in front to block Omkara's view.

Ishana: Welcome to Ashen your highnesses. And your Majesty.

Riddhima: Greetings your highnesses and your Majesty.

Gauri who was only looking at Omkara " Greetings your Majesty. Your Highnesses."

As the Princes of Gopar and Uthon returned the greetings Riddhima and Ishana was still waiting for the King of Mordis to do the same. Their hearts started to rapidly beat when the handsome King stood of from his seat and started to walk towards them. Everyone could see Riddhima and Ishana starting to blush. Omkara was wearing a long Black robe with black diamonds adorned around his collar and the cuffs of his sleeve but what was mesmerizing was the black diamond crown only the King of Mordis could wear. Both Riddhima and Ishana could not help but look at the dark mysterious eyes that was looking their way as he slowly made his way closer. Thinking that Omkara was coming towards her Ishana was about to say something when Omkara suddenly leaned in to look straight into Gauri's honey brown eyes that did not even flinch "Good evening....Princess."

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