The feast that day for breakfast in Hastinapur was full of treats, especially Aahana's favourite ones.

" Mamishree that's enough-ohhh" She  tried, as another ladoo was stuffed into her mouth.

Her mamishree Subhadra, who had gotten to know all of this when she came back from Dwarika that morning was so sad and happy, that she had been either crying into Aahana's shoulder ever since she was here, or feeding the child sweets.

Abhimanyu asked his mother, " Mata, I was the one hurt and you're feeding her? "

"She's why you didn't die. You're fine now, but she gets all my love for today. " Subhadra answered laughing.

" So putri Aahana, you're the queen of Matsya now, aren't you. What is your first plan? "  Samrat Yudhishthir  asked her.

" Mamashree, first I need to go back to Matsya and we'll have his Rajyabhishek, after which we will question the Avanti Kumar for any other traps we have. Then we must ask Avanti Kumari Shubhda to come from Vajji to Matsya to see what she says on the topic. This will all be our first order. Arya says, that we are new kings and queens, so there is a chance of incomimg attacks from enemy kingdoms, as they will consider us weak as of now, so we must go and encourage the rajy , that we are strong and we are able. " She said, all the whole running away from Panchali's hands which carried a spoonfull of dal.

" That's very wise of Maharaj Uttar putri and he is right too. A new king and queen are always seen as a weak point, because either they are new to the game or mentally weak at the immediate moment. " Bheem intervened.

" You are right mamashree. But Arya and I promised each other than we'll do it together. I have no doubt we'll succeed. "

"You will definitely succeed putri. And if you'd like any help, Arya and I are always ready, with army or diplomacy. " Devika said, hugging the new queen.

"All that is fine. But does that mean we have to travel to Matsya too? " Sutsom asked.

"You may if you want, but not necessary. " Aahana said.

"Good, then we wish to stay here, recently only pitashree and tajshree gave us an important task.. For Prativindhy's marriage prepararions. So we'll have to travel relentlessly for it. "

"Oh? Who's the unlucky girl? " Aahana asked teasing.

" Venkatgiri's princess, the only daughter among three sons, Mrignayani. She is a beautiful dancer, as per bhratashree's words. So we have to travel to Venkatgiri and invite the princess and her family for the decision of the marriage dates and rituals. " Shrutkarm said.

"But why isn't Bhratashree Prativindhy going himself? As a matter of fact, where is he? " Aahana enquired, looking around.

" He's..... He's in Dwarika. " Arjun supplied.

" For what? "

" Nothing that concerns you putri. It's a simple job. " Subhadra added, worry clear on her face.

" Oh. Alright. Uhm. " She said. Did they make her a stranger so soon? Mata had told her that in many places of Aryavart, woman once married were considered strangers in their own homes. Was it true here as well? She couldn't believe it.

" Putri? Do you want more pooris? " Panchali asked, breaking the awkward tension in the room.

" Nahi mamishree. I wish to lie down for a while, the travel has me tired and I'll have to leave soon enough anyways. So. "

" You'll be leaving so soon? Won't you stay a few days more? " Devika asked.

"Nahi mamishree. I must get back by tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do. " She answered, eyes downcast as she made her way out.

"What did you do. You hurt her heart."

"But you know we can't tell her yet bhratashree. This is why we haven't even told you. We know you won't lie to her. " Nakul said.

"But -"

"Nahi bhratashree, it's for the best that she does not know. " Sahdev interrupted.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Aahana was laying on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

" Maharani, Samrat wishes to enter. "

She got up, drying her tears away and answered, managing to draw out a clear voice, " Let him in. "

"Putri? Your chariots are ready. Have you packed your things? "

"I didn't bring anything mamashree, I ran over here on a horse in the middle of the night. " She answered, hiding her face away.

"I understand their words may have hurt you, but you must understand, they are doing it for your good. "

"Why would their words hurt me mamashree, they are my elders. They know better. " She miffed, wiping a new set of tears away.

"Both you and your mother are very similar. You think you can hide your pain from the world, but those who know you can still see it you know. " He said, standing in front of her.

" Well, if they could see it, they would do something about it. " She answered.

" Putri, sometimes, things may not be as they seem. As of now, you must focus on your throne and your people. I bless you. May you become one of the best queens Matsya ever sees. Aayushmati bhav. " He said, putting a hand on her head as his blessing.

" Pranipat mamashree. I hope you'll invite me on bhratashree Prativindhy's wedding. "

" He will not let me sleep if I don't. " He answered smiling at her.

As she left the palace, she imagined, what would her life had been if she had been the son............

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

" Maharani Aahana ki jai! Maharani Aahana ki jai! " Was what she was woken up by the next evening as she entered the palace grounds in her palki.

There at the gates stood her dear husband, the sight she was searching for all this time.

" Maharani Aahana. We welcome the grih lakshmi once again. First as the Yuvrani and my wife and now as our queen. " He said, as they walked in.

They sat down in the sabha, where they were now recognised as king and queen. The official ceremony would be the next day, but their work demanded their presence and so they would not disappoint it.

" Mahamahim. Bring in the prisoner. " Maharaj Uttar ordered, as a shackled Langatan was brought in.

" Raajkumari Shubhda, please come inside. " Uttar ordered as Aahana turned around in surprise. He had already done that?

The princess walked in, with Nirmay behind her, as she made her way right on the bottom most step of the throne.

" Pranipat Matsyaraj Uttar. Pranipat Maharani Aahana. " They greeted.

"Pranipat. Today, we have called you here for your opinion on the judgement of Avanti Kumar Langatan, who has committed the crime of attacking both, swargiy Maharaj Virat as well as Matsya raj's own son in law, Raajkumar Abhimanyu. He is your brother hence we have called you -"

"He is not my brother. Such a vile man does not deserve my love and I do not associate him with myself."

"Be that as it may Kumari, but in the eyes of the public he is your brother. Hence we must meditate on the punishment we design for him. " Aahana said.

" Death. This man deserves death and nothing else! " The farmers shouted, who watched the proceedings from the balcony of the sabha.

A hand raised to calm their anger.

" Death sentence is something which must be agreed upon by all the courtiers. Hence, we hold a poll. All those in favour of a death sentence raise your hands. " Uttar said and several hands went up.

"Alright. So it is final -"

" Hold on Maharaj. We must take something into account here...... " Aahana interrupted.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

Why! Why did you do that Aahana!

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