Drafted on :- 26/12/24
Published on:- 1/1/25
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RAJDHARA Kingdom:-

A young woman ran through the marble corridors of the palace, her bare foot slapped against the polished floors.

Her clothes and veil were draped in haste and fluttered behind her, and strands of her hair stuck to her sweat-drenched face.

Fear and urgency reflected in her wide eyes as she clutched a blood-stained scroll tightly in her hands.

The battle outside the fort had ended in tragedy. The King, the General, and the bravest Knight had fallen, leaving the kingdom in grave danger.

It was her duty to reach the Queen and deliver the devastating news without delay.

Her breathing was ragged as she turned corner after corner and passed the startled courtiers and servants who froze at the sight of her panicked state.

The grand doors of the Queen's chamber loomed ahead as it was guarded by soldiers who stepped aside upon seeing her desperation.

Beyond those doors, the Queen waited as she was unaware that the fate of her world, her kingdom and her heart was about to crumble.

"MahaRani Devi! Hum yuddh har gaye. Apko, RajMata aur Yuvraj ko ishi chhan yahan se nikal jana chahiye. Dusre desh ke sainik kabhi bhi mahal per akaraman kar sakte hai".

the maid said, panting heavily, her voice was trembling with urgency.

The Queen stood frozen as her mind was reeling with the weight of the news. Her hands, adorned with intricate bangles, trembled as tears flowed silently down her cheeks.

The world around her seemed to blur as the reality of their loss struck her heart like a dagger.

"Maharaj..."

A loud sob escaped from her lips as her voice broke with anguish.

The Queen's knees buckled, but she caught herself, clutching the edge of the ornate pillar for support. Her tears fell freely now, soaking the delicate fabric of her veil as the weight of the news crushed her spirit.

The maid stepped closer as her own eyes were brimming with sorrow, but she kept her composure.

"MahaRani Devi, ab samay bahut kam hai. Aapko yahan se nikalna hoga".

she urged softly while her voice filled with desperation.

The Queen knew this was not the time to grieve. She wiped her tears hastily and her resolve hardened as she stepped away from the pillar.

Quickly, she gathered the royal papers and the royal stamp, knowing their importance in securing the kingdom's future.

As she prepared to leave, a chilling thought struck her, and her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened in panic as she turned to the maid.

"Yuvraj... Yuvraj kahan hai?" The Queen asked the maid as her voice was trembling with urgency.

Suddenly, another maid rushed into the chamber, her face pale and breathless. She bowed quickly before the Queen, struggling to catch her breath.

"MahaRani Devi," she began as her voice was trembling, "Yuvraj rajmahal mein nahi hain. Lagta hai... lagta hai wo yuddh kshetra mein chale gaye hain."

The Queen's blood ran cold, her heart pounding in her chest. "Kya?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

The scrolls and royal stamp slipped from her trembling hands as her mind raced with fear and disbelief.

Her knees threatened to give way, but she steadied herself, her eyes blazing with determination.

"Ye, anarth ho gaya. Yuvraj ki ayu matra 17 varsh hai. Woh... Woh yuddh.... Mujhe Yuvraj ko wapas lana hoga," Queen said as her voice was firm despite the turmoil inside her.

The Queen straightened her posture, her tears now replaced by a steely resolve. She turned to the first maid and ordered, "Rajmata ko surakshit jagah par le jao aur jaldi se ghode tayar karvao. Mujhe turant yuddh kshetra ke paas pahunchna hai."

The maid hesitated as her eyes were widening in alarm. "MahaRani Devi, yeh bahut khatarnaak hai! Shatru ke sainik pass aa chuke hain aur kabhi bhi mahal ke andar ghus sakte hai. Aapka mahal se bahar nikalna suraksha ke liye theek nahi hai."

The Queen's sharp gaze silenced her protest. "Yuvraj is rajya ke deepak hai. Main unhe akele maut ke muh mein nahi chhod sakti", she said with unyielding determination.

The second maid stepped forward, her hands trembling. "Ye sevika aapke saath chalegi, MahaRani Devi".

The Queen nodded, "Ab samay kam hai. Har ek pal kimati hai. Yuvraj ko kuch nahi hona chahiye"

The maids rushed to carry out her orders, while the Queen grabbed a dagger from the royal chamber- a faint yet fierce reminder of her own warrior lineage.

She whispered a silent prayer to the Lord Shiva - The Mahakaal before stepping out of her chamber.

The Queen stepped out of her chamber and her eyes were widened as the roaring flames consumed the palace.

"MahaRani Devi! Mahal me aag lag gayi hai!" a maid screamed in terror.

The Queen gripped her dagger tightly and turned to the maid. she commanded, "Rajmata aur sabhi logon ko turant surakshit jagah le jao! Rajya ko Khali kardo. Purani gufa se nikalo. Jaldi karo".

"Magar, MahaRani Devi, aap...." the maid hesitated, fear evident in her voice.

The Queen interrupted her sharply. "Main apne Yuvraj ko dhoondhne ja rahi hoon. Mujhe rokne ki koshish mat karna."

The flames roared louder, blocking every corridor. Smoke filled the air, making it harder to breathe, but the Queen wrapped her dupatta tightly around her face and pressed forward.

"Yuvraj! Main aa rahi hoon" the Queen said as her voice got lost in the burning halls.

She took a few steps forward and suddenly, a wooden beam from the ceiling, engulfing in flames, collapsed in front of her. She froze and coughed as the smoke thickened.

Her vision blurred but her mind was fixed on one thought: Yuvraj - The crown Prince

"Yuvraj...!" The Queen whispered weakly as she fell to her knees.

The fire surrounded her as the heat was unbearable, but she stayed unmoving while clutching the dagger close to her chest. Her path was blocked, she was stuck there but her will to protect the yuvraj never wavered.

She struggled and the maids tried to save the queen but the flames were too high for someone to enter and step out easily.

As the flames consumed the Queen, the last image in her mind was of her happy family smiling at her.

With her final breath, she whispered, "Mera rajya... mera Yuvraj..." before the fire claimed her completely.

Outside, the palace crumbled, and a few alive maids, servants, people watched in tears as they realized their brave Queen had sacrificed herself in the flames.

And it was the end of the RAJDHARA Kingdom because enemies entered the kingdom and hosted their Kingdom flag.

It was their victory.

***

A few meters away from the battlefield, Yuvraj stood amidst the chaos while the sword was still clutched tightly in his hand.

Yuvraj's chest heaved with exhaustion, but his eyes were wide with horror, and were fixed on the distant reflection of furious flames lighting up the night sky.

The fire roared louder than the echoes of war and consumed everything in its path.

The once-glorious kingdom now lay engulfed in the fiery inferno, the thick smoke spiraling into the heavens. The sight of the home, the people, those memories turning to ash left Yuvraj frozen in place.

"Maa..." Yuvraj whispered in a trembling voice, the single word laced with desperation and heartbreak.

The memories of Queen's gentle smile, her comforting words, and her unwavering strength flashed before the young eyes.

But suddenly the realization of Queen could still be inside the burning palace hit Yuvraj like a blade to the heart.

"Maa!" Yuvraj screamed.

The young prince dropped his sword and took a step toward the blazing kingdom, but Yuvraj's royal knight around him stood in front of him.

"Yuvraj, wahan jaana aapke liye khatarnaak hai! Sab kuch khatam ho chuka hai. Hum yuddh haar chuke hai. Sahi Mahal pe satruyon ne kabza kar liya hai. Koi nahi bacha apke siva. Chaliye apko surakshit sthan pe le chale", the knight pleaded.

Listening to this, Yuvraj's eyes blazed as it was too late to protect the queen. The kingdom, along with the Queen was lost to the fire.

"Jab tak hamari saasein chal rahi hai. Hum yuddh kaise haar sakte hai? Pita ji, Senapati, aur sare wafadar sainik ab nahi rahe lekin yuvraj abhi jeevit hai", These words escaped from the young mouth of Yuvraj that left them stunned.

Yuvraj hop on the horse and said to the knight, "Chale jao yahan se. Hamare piche aney ki koi jarurat nahi hai. Aur haa Priyam se kehna, Yuvraj ne unhe hamari hone wale vivaah ke bandhan se mukt kiya. Wo azaad hai ab"

Yuvraj's hold tightened on the lease of the horse , "Ye haa" he shouted and a side kicked encouraged the horse who flew directly towards the battlefield where the foxes were waiting for its last prey - The Yuvraj.

***

How's the first chapter readers?
Thank you
ShineeSunshine ♥️