Rehon went outside to wait for her. Yankayi came not so long after. And was immediately asked to go in. She walked into the king's sitting room where he was writing something. She bows down.

"Kayi! Get up fast." The king said.

"The second day of the spring festival is the day of silk. We got some beautiful silk delivered and royal mother instructed to make dresses for the whole royal family using this. If you approve I am here to take measurements and have some colour samples here to show you." Kayi said politely. Kalden walked to stand in front of her. Yankayi cleared her throat a little before starting her work.

"You never take measurements yourself.. did you want to see me?" He asked, tilting his head a little, to look at her face. She looked up it's true that she always avoids direct contact with the king.

"Usri jiji didn't utter a single word about what consort Tamarai said. I was with her from the time she came back from meeting her till late in the evening. While I was returning, I heard the rumour." She said while taking measurements of his chest.

"If you heard it on your way back that means before Usri can talk to anyone except you the rumour was already out. There is no way it was from anyone of shadow mannor." The king said.

"Shadow mannor falls in the way of workers coming in and out of the palace grounds. Some servant quarters are Also around that. Even if the maids and guards heard this around Shadow mannor it may be possible it's from someone who isn't an employee of Usri jiji." She was having trouble reaching his neck so he bent down a little. "Straighten up." She immediately said.

"You are bossy sometimes." He chuckled.

"My apologies. But don't bend down it will mess up the measurements." She said standing tip toe. He laughed a little before holding her stable. She took a step back. "I got it."

"Thank you for the information Kayi. It will help."

"Taking my leave." She said bowing down. He nodded. The moment she came out Rehon asked.

"What happened?"

"Thank you Advisor Rehon. He understood. I think Jiji won't be punished now."

"Aish...! Good. I was so anxious." He said walking her out of the mannor.

"Before I forget. Here." She took out a silk handkerchief.

"It's for me?" He asked delighted.

"The queen wants no silk to be given to staff to limit expense for the spring festival. So naturally as a junior advisor you won't get any. I wanted you to have some new silk for the second day of the festival. I cannot afford a turban or a dress. But we sewing girls make handkerchiefs and coin pouches from leftover silk." She explained.

"Thank you so much for thinking about me miss Yankayi." He said looking at the rich fabric of the handkerchief. Then noticed a pattern on it. "Is this floss flower?"

"Hmm.. I have heard it's very common around your hometown." She said.

"It is. Thank you. No wonder everyone speak so highly of you."

"Stop saying that. You done a lot for jiji. It's my way of thanking you."

               Rehon came back after kayi left. He immediately went in to see the king. The king told him about his discussion with yankayi.

"What do you gather Mahangi?" He asked.

"I don't see what you see, my lord." Rehon replied.

"What's the point of keeping you around then?"

"I'm incompetent."

"No. You are not. I didn't see it coming too. When is Royal mother leaving with the women for Vasant panchami Puja?"

"In two days your majesty."

        Before Vasant panchami yatra, it was proven that whoever started the rumour wasn't from shadow palace. So Usri was allowed to join them as well. Same day around noon a group of people came to the sewing department.

"Yankayi Kalita?" The main metrone that handles the king's inner palace asked.

"Yes! I'm Yankayi, old mistress!" Kayi said standing up. The formedable looking woman scan her up and down. Thinking she wasn't some exceptional beauty for who there would be change in rule. But oh well, if the king wants her.

"Come with me girl. The king wants you in his chambers tonight." The old woman said turning to leave.

"No no.. " Yankayi said running towards her. "There must be some mistake. I'm not king's woman, old mistress! I'm a sewing girl. A maid."

"Are you arguing with me girl? After tonight I may bow down to you and call you mistress. Until then you follow my orders." The old woman said sternly.

"No mistress. Apologies!" Yankayi said softly looking down. She couldn't understand what was happening. There must be something happening with Usri jiji. She thought before following the old woman before she reprement her again.

"Yankayi jiji, it's finally happening for you. Every maid dream of this day. And you are throwing tantrums." A younger girl giggled.

"apona kam nisthar karib!" She said to that girl. "If I don't come back tonight, you all will fall back and get 20 sticks each." She added making them all laugh.
(Do your work diligently!)

      These girls were young. She was the oldest of all of them. Almost at marriage age. She was hoping in a year or two Usri jiji would find a good match for her. A trader, royal guard, royal physician or if she dreams higher, then a royal advisor. And she would leave the palace forever. He would take care of her and her family as well. But what was happening all of a sudden. The forbidden chambers? Why was she summoned there? Maybe the king needs help with something? He could have just asked her to present somewhere else. Didn't he know what crossing the inner chambers meant for a girl? Even if nothing happens between them, she would be known as King's woman. She could never marry. Never leave the palace afterwards. No no no.. this couldn't be her fate. Usri jiji!!. She had to inform Usri jiji. Only she could stop this. The moment she reached the room where she was supposed to get ready she said to the old mistress.

"Old mistress! I still think it's some mistake. Please if you reconsider. I'm a maid. I'm not concubine. And I'm from a lower clan too. The king would never ask for me."

"You are a Kalita woman. The bridge between tribals and higher class. You have the best of two worlds." The old woman said, choosing a dress and jewellery for her.

"The king asked for you by the name, Girl. Think of yourself lucky. Not all maids get this opportunity to change their life. To get into the royal family. And if you can give him an heir. Who knows maybe in future you can be the royal mother. But that's too far in future. First change this whinny attitude of yours. You will irritate his majesty with this kind of tone."

Kayi knew there was no way to change the old woman's mind. So she tried to contact consort Usri.

"There is a lot of time till evening, old mistress. Can I finish a job of mine till then? I'll come back soon." She asked politely.

"Foolish girl! Don't you get it? There is no need for you to work anymore. And who says there is a lot of time. Have you looked at yourself? You think you will go to the king like this? These maids are best in their work of cosmetics and hair.. they will make you... Less hideous." She said showing the women standing behind her.

         Yankayi didn't protect anything they did to her after that. She was given a mirror to look at herself before they left. Her hair was made like the royal women adorned with golden and gem flowers. She was wearing the expensive silk dress yet it feels like nails on her body. The delicate flowers on her hair felt heavy. She wanted to rip them out of her hair. Throw this beautiful dress in fire and get into her maid uniform. And ran back to the sewing room and hid. But she couldn't. So she just paced the room she was in. Looking through the window as if waiting for somebody. Suddenly her eyes fall on someone. Advisor Rehon..

"Advisor Rehon!" She called as high as she could which won't attract unnecessary attention. He couldn't hear her. "Advisor Rehon!!!" She tried again to no avail. He started going in the other direction so in desperation she yelled "Mahangi.... Mahangi Rehon"

That caught his attention. He looked around to see who called him. He saw a royal lady waving frantically from the window. He ran the courtyard to the window. His heart stopped.

"Miss Yankayi?" He asked in a trembling voice. "Is that you?"

"Advisor Rehon... Please help me." She pleaded.

"You look so beautiful. But why are you in a royal dress?" He asked confused and smiling broadly as well.

"The king summoned me to his chambers tonight. Please, Advisor Rehon, call consort Usri for me. Please." She pleaded.

"Consort Usri isn't even in the palace today, Yankayi." He said and Kayi couldn't even ask if he was sure. She just sat sliding down to the floor. "Lady Yankayi? Everything will be alright. The king and you are childhood friends. He won't hurt you."

          Usri jiji wasn't in the palace. She is now inside the king's chamber all dolled up and waiting for him to enter the chamber. 'This is all nonsense.' she thought but there was always a sliver of hope that once the king comes she could talk to him and he might let her go obviously it's a mistake, he may never want her. She was busy fidgeting with her clothes while the king entered. He was in an inner struggle himself. The moment he looked at the girl in his chamber he didn't see his childhood friend, he didn't see the girl who is own lover always be with his lover. For some strange reason he just saw a young lady, beautifully dressed a little scared, yet so alluring. He stepped foot inside and she looked up , scared.

"Your Majesty!" She bowed down.

"Rise Kayi. You don't have to bow down inside the private chamber." He said softly to assure her a little.

"Your Majesty, please call that old metron. And send me back. This is getting..." She was saying quickly but stopped immediately as he took a seat on the bed.

"You used to call me Mahim when we were younger. Why did you stop?" He asked. Confused and bewildered she sat down on the floor near his feet.

"Because I'm a sewing maid. And you are the king. Childhood is lost in memories of your majesty. I'm not worthy of taking your auspicious name. Nor am I worthy of crossing the doorway of this room. Before it's too late please send me back." This maturity. This stability. He always thought how similar Usri and Kayi were in temperament.

"Kayi, Usri needs someone in the palace who will be on her side. You know what has been happening all this time. I can't always meddle in the inner palace's matter. It's the Queen's responsibility. And as long as Zeyo is the queen Usri can't be completely safe there. She needs someone to vouch for them. An ally among the consorts." He said calmly.

"Concubine Rabha and Concubine Tamarai like jiji. They will always take her side." She said.

"But they won't swear on their life for her like you will." She stood up.

"Then we will find another way. You can move her closer to the veteran concubine palace or your own mannor. But right now it's more important that you send me back... Let's call the old metron before she leaves..." She said starting to walk towards the door.

      Kalden stood up and pulled the girl towards him. The terrified look in her eyes would have made him step back immediately but he knew if he does that now she would never understand the gravity of the situation or how serious he was. She was too stunned to struggle while he held her face.

"You are not going anywhere Kayi. You are here, because I want you here." Her eyes said she understood. He leaned in for a kiss. But she stopped him.

"You don't have to do this. I'll still be known as your woman from tomorrow morning." He airy voice was enough to signal she lost everything. He wished he could agree with her.

"Tomorrow morning the medical beurow will check you. They will know." He said kissing her cheek. A tear rolled down on it.

"I'll always hate you."

"A small price to pay to keep someone we both love safe."

       This was the last word exchanged between them before she stopped resisting.

An
The cruelty of the palace.

Let's get playing.

Love
Pragyna