The royal wedding was about to commence within an hour. The queen's perpetrate act was still hidden. Albeit this lie everything else in the palace glimmered. It was one of the most magnificent marriage's ever in the history of Amer. The lapms glistened with a reddish-yellow flame. The flabbergasting essence of roses captivated everybody's mind into a deep slumber of thoughts. The shimmering chandeliers hypnotized everyone. The best of craftsmen in india grafted beautiful designs on the walls that made the enviorment more surreal. However, the bizarre yet crooke plot of the king and queen to swindle the kingdom of Mewar was a treacherous yet dishonest act, but to save the pride of their kingdom, it was inevitable. Everyone danced in joy whereas there was tensity in Mridrakshi's room. Khitija was having a conversation with her grandmother, trying to convince her.

"Why did you agree to this." She said in a quiet yet brittle voice.

"Lower your voice ammu. The queen will hear you. I had no choice. I had to obey what the queen says. I had no audacity to deny, maybe because I care for my life." She replied cautiously proving herself. There conversation was interrupted by a subtle, calm and fierce voice.

"What do you think old women, she could deny me?" Mridrakshi smirked.

"No your highnesses. I was just.." She could not complete her words. Mridrakshi clutched her chin tightly with a crooked grin. Khitija hissed seeing her grandmother being ill-treated. She was an old lady and it was no more than a torment to her.

"Forgive her your highness. She is old." Pleaded Khitija. Mridrakshi jerked her hands away making Khitija and her grandmother flinch.

She roared," We royals can order anything and you have to abide by it. No questions asked. I have power and prestige and you own nothing. Ever if you try to question my order, remember I can behead you."

The both lowered their heads and replied," Yes your highness."

Khitija's heart cried acknowledging her fragility. She seemed helpless. She could do nothing but withstand the queen insulting her grandmother. She thought being normal as a curse. They had no opinion. Everyone seemed to crush their spirits even if they were right. But soon this curse would turn to a blessing after she would marry the king and the queen of Mewar. Little did she know a royal's life is not easy either.

Everything became quiet again. The sound of Kshitija's heart pounding against her chest was clearly audible. Lines of stress evaded her forehead. All she could think about was her marriage with a king. She was drenched with nervousness and thoughts of fear with a tinge of excitement. The maids had already ornamented her with jewels of gold. The red ruby's clearly matched her outfit. Her hair was tied in a messy bun encircled with garlands of bright, red roses. Her lips were cherry red and so was her face thinking about the upcoming days and how her dreams turned to an unbelievable reality. 

Time escaped quicker than sand does from a person's fist. The marriage commenced. Everyone's eyes glistened with excitement looking at Siddhant's bold yet ferocious persona. A calm, composing yet deadly ambiance fluttered past his masculine, well built body. He seemed like a true warrior. Sitting beside him was Kshitija in her long veil of translucent red chunni. Her heartbeat raced with the mantras chanted by the Purohit. As time flew, Siddhant filled her hair with vermilion and ornamented her with mangalsutra. Taking seven rounds(saat phere) infront of the holy fire, they pledged to be husband and wife. Mridrakshi's plan succeed and her face glistened with a stress free face. They took blessings from their elders one by one and the vidai ceremony took place. Her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at her grandmother through the partly transparent viel. It was hard for her to leave her grandmother but even in the most dire circumstances, she had to. 

As per the traditions of Mewar's monarchy, the first queen's face should be seen by the mother of the king. However, Siddhant's parents died a long time back, when he was apparently 15 years old. Since then he was brought up by Mokshini Bai, his mother's sister. Siddhant has never been closer to anyone than her guardian who also proclaimed herself to be his mother. She was the raj mata of the kingdom of Mewar. None could dare to go against her, not even Siddhant himself. Everybody feared the old yet intuitive lady. For sheer cleverness, she could run rings around anybody who tried to intervene between their relationship. 
Mewar was enormous. The golden candor of the sun diminished and evening spread it arms. The dim tantalising serenity could ensnare any onlooker in an eternal loop of ecstasy. Out in the front marched Siddhant's black horse with vanity. As the orange dingy lights radiated the entire place. Siddhant's face was filled with glory. The beautiful, tranquility added more to his happiness. He was elated after his marriage with one of the most beautiful women in Hindustan. His long slightly brown hair extended till his nape. His beard stricken face, clearly ascertained his rajvanshi blood. His face gleamed like a ravishing peace of emerald under the sparkly moon light. His eyes twinkled with excitement and nervousness. Though being a king, he was merely 21 years. Even though he excelled at mortal combat, fencing and archery, he still had a heart of a young teenager. This feeling was however ousted a long time ago, when Mokshini told her 'A king does not have feelings neither does he share them. He is painless and brutish.' It was strange that after 5 years, his heart fluttered for the first time. Even he was puzzled seeing himself this impatient. Similar situations prevailed the other side. Khitija's heart started to pound even harder, imagining the condition after the palace finds out about her truth.

'She stands over his heart as well as the ashes of her own debris. He awaits her one gaze and yet is a captive of his own obligation.'

Finally the weary journey ended. They reached the palace of Mewar. Apart from the grand welcome preparations, the twinkling moon light welcomed the frazzled yet jovial crowd. The shimmering stars along with gleaming, vibrant lights of firecrakers smeared all over the wintry palace. Soldiers lined up straight, maiden's hands full of flowers. The path which they would come from was decorated with beautiful flowers of roses that bewtiched the entire crowd with its aromatic smell. As per the customs the bride was taken inside through the palqui wherein, the rajmata welcomed Siddhant with a plate of diya, kumkum and tilak. Drums and sitars were being played loudly acknowledging the arrival of the new queen of Mewar. 

After an hour or so, everything halted. The loud atmosphere turned silent. Night engulfed the joyous crowd and they went back to their houses, tired yet pleased. Meanwhile the mu dhikhai rasam was about to commence. Though tired and weary, Siddhant quickly went to this royal court where all women including nobles were present. The royal elder women and young married ladies were seated at one place. It was seperated by the rest of the court through a transparent viel. The other side had the important personnels and nobles seated. Everyone's eyes twinkled with happiness whereas some had a crooked grin across their faces. In one corner were present all maids and servants. They sat on the floor with their legs crossed and eyes glistening joyously. Everyone awaited the moment for the bride to arrive. Siddhant was getting impatient but moreover waiting for Mokshini's presence. 

A maid stepped infront and muttered," Hail the king of Mewar. Rajmata has asked everyone to proceed with the mu dikhai rasam. She will be here shortly."

Siddhant nodded to a yes and the maid left. He announced," As per rajmata's order, bring in the queen of Mewar. My first wife."

Soon after his words ended, Khsitija came inside with three maidens by her side. She gleamed with nervousness and fear. Nobody could see her facial expressions clearly since it was hidden by her long red veil. She feared the upcoming calamity as it was time for Amer's cover to be blown. It was time she started fearing her life. With tiny steps she advanced towards the place where all women were seated. Engulfed in her thoughts, she clearly forgot about Siddhant, who was staring at her right from the beginning. He scanned her every move. From her curvy waist to her shimmering bangles, her long red lehnga to her partly visible face. He was captivated. Everyone else in the courtroom, witnessed the king's helplessness. Most of the women began smirking and blushing seeing him this way. Everything seemed fine but it was just a calm before the strom.

Something held Kshitija's hand and dragged her to the other side of the courtroom. Everyone stood up. The maiden's along her side froze where they were. Siddhant mustered," Badi mummy wh.." He stayed silent seeing Mokshini's palm, signing him to stay quiet. Everyone in the palace were shocked. Meanwhile Kshitija's face turned pale. Mokshini dragged her to the place where all maids were seated. Throwing her on the floor like a peice of unwanted cloth, she charged towards Siddhant. Unsure of his feelings, he questioned again," Rajmata, why have you made Mewar's queen sit amongst the maids. Its disrespectfull." He brimmed with anguish.

"A maid deserves to be treated like a maid. Amer has traited us for good. Indravati fled from the marriage five days ago." She shrieked.

Siddhant was blank. He had no idea what was going on. He questioned driving out his sword," Who is she then?"

Mokshini flung her viel over making her tear stricken, alluring face visible. She gave her a poisonous stare and turned towards Siddhant who was mesmerized. Her innocent, crying face entralled him for good. He was brought back to consciousness when Mokshini mustered," She is a maid from Amer named Kshitija. A maid deserves to be a maid. I can never let a maid ruin the prestige of this kingdom. I want her ousted of this kingdom tonight. Prepare the armoury and cavalry. Amer is going to get it good."

The commander of the army nodded to a yes and followed what Mokshini commanded. However he was interrupted by a heaving masculine voice," Stop right there everybody. Even though she is a maid, she is my legally wedded wife and deserves the title of queen. I have taken the seven pious oaths(saath vachan) and one of them was to protect her. I cannot let this happen or else it would not just be a disrespect of the holy marriage but also the values you've given me badi mummy."

Everyone stayed still. Nobody dared to speak. Khitija's lashes were dropped and she trembled. Tears flooded her cheeks. Mokshini was bombshelled by his words. He never questioned or argued her any decision until today. 

She clutched her white saree with despondency. Her brown eyes seemed to brim with anger and hatred. She muttered," We cannot accept a maiden as the queen of Mewar. Its impious."

"Raj purohit. Do you think now after Khsitija being my legally married wife, is it right for anyone to oust her without my permission?" He asked. Kshitija looked at Siddhant with a confused gaze. She felt odd seeing him stick up for her. Everything seemed like a riddle.

"No my lord. According to the shastras, after marriage, a women inherits a new identity. She would not just be herself but also her husband's betterhalf. In any case nobody can question her marriage unless and until she has the mangalsutra."

"Then now I announce Khsitija as the first queen of Mewar. My wife. She shall be treated the same as a queen. Any disrespect shown towards her may result in hurtfull and fierce circumstances." He muttered once again injurying Mokshini's pride again. Everyone eyed the king with disbelief. Nobody dared to go against rajmata and yet today things changed. To their surprise Siddhant marched towards Khsitija, held her hand, gave her a comforting smile and quietly walked along her side and left the court. Moskhini fummed with anguish and vengeance. "You will pay for this." She muffled and left.

Author's note:-

The next chapter is up as well. Do vote and comment on this part. It is going to be an epic historical saga. Do stay tuned for further updates. Follow me as well. Thank you.