" We must take something into account Maharaj. " Aahana interrupted.

Whispers ran across the court. She interrupted the king's decision?

"What is that Maharani? " Uttar asked, looking at her, although he sounded a bit miffed.

Aahana however soldiered on.

"Maharaj, punishing someone to death, when him being alive gives us a better outcome would not be favourable for us. "

" But Maharani, a killer must be punished, what better outcome to pay for blood with blood? " Asked the farmer leader.

" Sangraam ji, if we all begin to pay for blood with blood, the world would be empty. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. I'm sure you know. So when we can be smart, why be revengeful? Peace needs to be established. By taking him as a prisoner, we achieve a dual purpose. One would be to take Avanti under our shelter, as a kingdom who gave their prince mercy, even if he was disliked by them. Secondly, such a short notice murder plan would have more than one person, involved, meaning there could be more people who work for hire like this. Holding him prisoner would help us weed them all out. Now, won't that be better than his death? "

"True Maharani, but what about justice? " Uttar asked.

" Justice is served, Maharaj. By keeping him prisoner, he needs to spend every day of his miserable life recalling and regretting all his life decisions. "

"Maharani is right Maharaj. We all were swept in the emotions of our king's death. But she became our guiding light. Maharani Aahana ki jai! Maharani Aahana ki jai! "

Her cheers rang around the court, while her king looked at her. Pride was marred with hesitation.

"Alright. As per the vote, Avanti Kumari Langatan, for the crime of attempting and killing Matsya raaj Virat, I Matsya Raj Uttar sentence you to lifelong prison, where you'll hopefully find regret for your actions." He announced and the soldiers took him away.

Aahana looked at her husband with pride, who had seen reason in her statement, but turning her head, she found him looking ahead, not at her.

'Must be tired.... He also has suffered and had to do so much within the span of a day'. She concluded.

As they made their way back, Aahana held out her hand, which was ignored for one on her back, guiding her to their rooms.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Aahana was truly confused. Tiredness doesn't create ignorance. What was wrong?

"Arya? Is something wrong? Why won't you speak to me? " She asked, sitting by him on the bed.

"Nothing Aahana. I'm fine. Come sleep. "

"But Arya, if something is wrong, we should work it out, talk about it. How else will we be able to work together? As a husband and wife and Maharaj and Maharani. "

"You didn't remember this in the sabha? " He muttered.

" Why do you think so? I feel we worked well together-"

"No, what I saw was the court accepting that their king is unable to take decisions from the mind while their queen is more practical and understanding. Tell me how that is 'working together'. " He agitated.

"Arya. We worked together, you proposed a decision, I presented another option. All I did was try and support you. How is that going against you? "

" You were going against me. Purely arguing with me in the court, in front of the public as our first appearance as king and queen  presents the first impression on the people's mind, that a husband can't control his wife. "

Now, she had been patient in trying to understand what he was sad about, but this crossed the lines.

"Do you believe that? That you must control me? Is this your love? Do your promises of happiness mean this? We are a couple. We work together, sometimes arguments may happen, like in the court. If you have a problem with me being queen, you shouldn't have married me. I don't need to be married to you to be a queen, my throne in Vajji waits for me. I married you because I love you. If that is how you feel, we must work out something in this marriage. We are equal, you and I. We work together, so what if I spoke in the sabha, I am their queen, I have the right. We need to work together. "

"That is what I am saying! It's us against the world, not against each other! I don't believe in controlling you ! I could never but -"

"Then mean it. Your actions suggest otherwise. I was worried for you. I asked you how you felt because I felt something was wrong. If you have a problem with that, I'm sorry. I won't ask again. " She said, grabbing a blanket from the bed to go outside.

It had been one day. One day of their marriage. They were fighting on the first. Why couldn't mata and pitashree be there?

" Where are you going? " He asked, hand at his forehead, rubbing it.

" Outside on the balcony to sleep. We are both too angry to talk and will say things we don't mean. I'll talk to you later. " She said, not turning around  for fear of triggering the tears.

"Aahana! What are you doing, you'll catch a cold. Listen to me. Arre. "

"You can talk to me once you are calm too. I am sorry for anything I said that hurt you. " She whispered.

As she lay down on the bed in the balcony, she recalled the time her parents ever disagreed on a royal decision.

Adam and Karunika were pacing around in their rooms when a fifteen year old Aahana peaked through the curtains.

"You should understand Maharani, imprisoning him doesn't curb the others who'll do the same. "

"But Maharaj letting him go also presents the wrong example. Such acts cannot go unpunished. "

"Then we'll find a better way. But imprisoning him suggests that we detest all of his kind. "

"How are the acts of one related to the acts of the community? They are vairagis, they are saints, worshipers of Mahadev. Just because one of them is bad doesn't mean they all are. We must be honest and smart about this."

"Alright Maharani, we'll maybe announce this to the people, presenting his deeds as an example, warning and an indication of our lack of prejudice against them. We will think this through."

"Maharani Karunika ki jai! " "Maharaj Adam ki jai! "

That day, she was proud of both of them. Neither lost their cool, nor did they compromise with their opinions.

This memory brought back her memories of her parents. How they would hold her to sleep when she would cry, even if she wasn't able to provide a reason for the same.

How her bhrata Moksh may fight with her all day but would kill the whole world if one hair on her head was harmed.

Her bhrata Nirmay. Speaking of, " Maharani, Yuvraj Nirmay wants to meet you. " Said the guard.

So Uttar wasn't in the room was he?

Wiping her tears away, she smiled, " Pranipat bhratashree. How come you are here? I hope everything is to your liking in Matsya. If you need anything-"

"Why do you and buashree lie about your pain so much? "

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Well.... They had a tiff.

Tell me in the comments how you felt and do vote for the chapter too.

Much love

Radhekrishn. ❤