The garden of Udaykhetra. 

You are such a beauty!   Bhabisa!  Satakshi traces her fingers on Riddhima 's soft cheek. It was a mellow warm afternoon, when Riddhima and Satakshi were strolling   lazily in the garden. Sataskshi was of same age of Riddhima  and was highly mesmerized by the beauty of her sister in law. 

Your finger is so beautiful as if you are a painter.

"You are exaggerating now!  
 Riddhima blushed heavily on hearing such praising words openly. 

" No, I am serious. I really liked you the moment I saw you. You looked like a fairy ".

Riddhima blushed again. 

She had heard from others that she has beautiful features but Satakshi seems to be too mesmerized by her beauty.

She  was a cheerful,chubby girl,who befriended Riddhima  easily  as they had similar tastes in nature and gardening.

  "You are beautiful too."

  Riddhima pulled her fluffy cheeks and smiled.

" I so wished we could stay here for longer, I would have then been lucky to spend more time with you, Sataskhi 's head hung low. Tears trickled down from her eyes.

"Why?Are you going back to Chunargarh?

Riddhima 's heart ached in pain to see tears in her eyes.

"Maybe. replied Satakshi.

"When?" 

"Maybe within two or three days. Bhaisa  does n't like us. He will not allow us to stay here.

"No No Satakshi! Riddhima holds  her hands. 

"Rajasaye is not like that.  Why would he not allow his own cousins to stay in Udaykhetra. You must have mistook his intentions. He loves his family 's company.

"Will you ask his permission for us to stay for a longer time? There is no one in Chunargarh with whom I can play and talk. I have no friends there. It's always Meenakshi and me. I don't like Meenakshi. 
 
"I will talk to your Brother for sure".Riddhima patted her hair and smiled reassuringly.

"I don't want to disappoint you. But I know my brother very well. He will not. He hates me.  But still I would want you to try to convince him for once.

Sataskhi immediately left Riddhima alone in the garden quite confused.

"Why is she so scared of him? Riddhima recalled how harshly Vansh dismissed her when she first came to meet her. She was an intelligent girl who understood that there is something cold and unwelcoming between Vansh and his cousins. The person who is so warm and loving towards his subordinates,maids and subjects, was ruthlessly cold towards his little sisters. This seemed off to her. 

"Maybe they have stayed farther than the palace, that's why they didn't bond much"..If she could mend the holes of this relationship, nothing would be better than it, thought Riddhima mindfully.

Vansh and Riddhima 's bedchamber.

When Riddhima entered her room, she found her husband resting on the bed already, keeping his one hand over his eyes,  and the other was kept on the mattress lazily. 

Summer was approaching. Vansh was making arrangements to dig more wells, canals and ponds for the subjects. He also took some initiative of tree plantation in the corners of the  state.  Bathing grounds for the animals in the palace were getting reconstructed. 

She had noticed that her husband was quite active in taking part in those projects. He used to supervise those schemes by going different places by himself on horseback, 
 rather than sitting lazily in the four walls of the bedrooms.

"Rajasaye? Didn't you go for your tour? You came early today?" 

Vansh instantly got vexed, when he found her absent in their room. He knew where she could be and this angered him more.

Riddhima  smiled and sat on the other corner of the bed and took out the copper box to make Paan. 

"Where were you? And why were you roaming here and there unchaperoned? asked Vansh,ignoring her question.

His tone was harsh and cold. His eyes were devoid of emotions. 

"I was in the garden with Satakshi…

She  snuggled up to him and tried to feed him the Paan. Vansh immediately held her hand. 

"Oh! So he was right.

"By whose order did you meet that girl and befriend her? I repeatedly said that you will not entertain them ". He looked directly into her eyes. Looking at them for a longer period of time is a difficult task. He feared his heart would melt down. 

Vansh immediately jerked her hands off, and the Paan she was about to feed him so lovingly,fell in the ground.

Riddhima felt bad,but she decided to let go of her emotions.

" She is your sister. Why can't I befriend her?" She again tried to snuggle.

"She is nobody. And dare you question me Ranisaye…He growled. When your king,your husband ordered you not to do a specific thing ''You will follow that ".Is that clear? "

Riddhima 's eyes welled up in tears, but she hid her face on the other side and  wiped it with her palm.

"Why is he being so rude to her suddenly?  What harm has she done in befriending her sister? 

She didn't understand. 

"Why do you hate her so much? I have heard that You ordered them to return back to Chunargarh? Is this true?" She asked.

"Yes it is. And they will be going very soon." replied Vansh.

"Sataskhi was crying. She was very sad. " 

Riddhima snaked her arms around his neck and traced his beard with her fingers.

"They are your own blood….They are extremely afraid of you. Why can't you be a little affectionate to them. She purred. She wanted manofy her grumpy husband.

"Why didn't you let Meenakshi and Sataskshi stay here? Why are you so annoyed with them.?" 
Riddhima ruffled his hair. 
 Had it been any other time, he would have pulled her in his lap and kissed her passionately and cuddled with her. 

"I want them to stay please!" She nuzzled her cheeks to his beard. 

Vansh  was on the verge of getting melted, this was the first time she made an advance. 

But the moment Riddhima expressed her desire. Vansh 'was out of the mood.He pushed her body a little and got rid of her embrace. 

"Don't talk about what you don't know! and don't make such  demands that I can't fulfill. Pinning  her towards the nearby wall, He  cupped her face.

"You are my wife. But that does not mean I will fulfill  all your undue demands. And you….always have time for others  but when it comes to me,  You only come close to me when you have an agenda to fulfill. Sometimes it is Ragini and some of the time it is someone else " I came home early just for you…but you perhaps were busy and in future,you might be busy as well. Isn't it?" His eyes were full of anger and despair.

Riddhima 's eyes widened in shock. This was the last thing she was expecting from him. 

"You are quite scheming I see, but why does your face always seem otherwise?" 

Vansh was losing his patience. A rare thing, but it was happening to him.

 Tears started trickling down Riddhima 's  eyes that she kept unshed.

"You think so low of me?" She held his shoulders. I was  just trying to…. Riddhima 's words choked her tears.

"I was never scheming.

Vansh shushed her by putting his finger on his lips. Indignation was overpowering him,her  tears were unheeded by him.

 " Listen to me carefully and this I am not  telling you,but commanding you.
 

Don't cross the territory that is beyond your limit. Take it as my last warning. "

He shrugged her hands off and dashed out from the room.

"What did I do? "Why did he become so angry with me?" Why…..Hey Mahakal! She burst into tears and slouched to the ground.

'He is right….She sobbed and recalled how he dismissed her affection. Perhaps,I will never be able to take any place in his heart. He mistrusts me for what I have done. Then how can I expect he will love me "? She covered her face and cried inconsolably.

"Riddhima! A voice ladened with warmth and affection called her. She immediately wiped her tears and fixed her dress. 

"Kakisa! Please come in…She came forward and took her blessings. Sulochani Devi patted her hair, and took out a box and kept it on the mattress.

"I saw Vansh leaving the room very angry!
Has something happened between you two?" She asked with her eyes full of  sadness.

"I think  I have disturbed the couple again.

"No no kakisaye..He was not angry. Its just he is tense with the matters of administration." Ridhima tried to divert the conversation.

"You are a nice girl Riddhima ". Sulochoni smiled affectionately. 

She clicked her tongue. 

"Please accept my apology…I shouldn't call you by your name. You should be addressed as Ranisaye. She folded her hands and said,

"Please accept my apology Raniysaye…I shouldn't have come here to disturb you. But I thought you must be missing company…I apologize…
Riddhima flushed in embarrassment. She hold Sulochani "s hands and said 

"No no Kakisaye!  Dont say like this. 

You are older than me, don't apologize like this... you are my husband's aunt.. you have every right to call me by my name.

"Vansh will surely not appreciate that. Dont tell him about this please "she pleaded.

"No no Kakisaye…I think there is a gross misunderstanding here.Rajasaye must be angry on something else… he must have some serious work pressure.He will never want me to disrespect you…I think I should arrange some refreshment for you…" 

Riddhima was about to call Jagruki.

"You are too naive". Sulochani smiled sadly. 

"He hates me. This is the truth of my life. He hates my daughters."

Riddhima went numb for seconds. She was unable to match the person she had been witnessing. Rajasaye never had shown any disrespect to any elders,even if he is an employee. Why would he dislike his aunt then?

"I don't want him to hurt you for us ". said Sulochoni Devi.

"You must have told him to extend the stay of us in Udaykhetra and he reacted?" 

Riddhima hung her head low. She felt bad. 

"I beg your apology Kakisaye..I tried my level best….But i think today was not the right time to approach. I will surely talk to him later ". She holds her hands.

"He will react in the same way,no matter how good his mood will be in future . I know you must have conveyed Satakshi's request to him and he must have jerked you off". said Sulochoni devi.

"Yes he did ". Riddhima counted in her mind.

"He must have shown displeasure that you befriended Satakshi…

Riddhima was shocked at how exactly Sulochoni was pointing it out.

"He must have told you to be in your limits?" 

That was it for Riddhima.

Tears trickle down from her eyes,moistening her cheeks.

Sulochani Devi wiped her tears. 

"You should not feel bad. This is not your fault.

 it is my misfortune that  he considers me an enemy since childhood... as much as he loves Nanda, he hates my daughters. He is not a person who will easily trust or love any outsiders other than his family.  

'Kakisa is right…He still mistrusts me and considers me an outsider..thought Riddhima in her mind.

Sulochoni tapped her arm and continued 

"I know how you swapped your place with Rajkumari Ragini ". But I will not ask you the reason. You must have your own considerations."But Vansh couldn't fathom this.  Try and understand! Sulochani lovingly stroke her hair. 

"His ego is bruised. He must have dropped the idea of waging war against your motherland, but he is  yet to accept you as a wife. He considers you as a betrayer and he considers me an outsider. He will always to try keep us bay from his own family."

Riddhima sat there like a statue. All what Sulochani was saying was truth. He saw how angry Rajasaye was on their wedding night. She thought She would have made him understand him by revealing the fact why she was unable to keep her mouth shut. Why she cannot break her promise. But Kakisaye is true. There is no reason for him to trust her. She closed her eyes in immense pain.

"He must have sent people to gain information about you and Ragini. He is a king.And I have been watching him since he was growing. I know how he works. Sulochani devi concluded.

" Then why did he confer me the duty of taking care of his pregnant sister ". She murmured 

"Out of pity My dear! Sulochani smiled sadly. 

You were the one who discovered the good news. So he must have sympathized. I know him so well. You are a newcomer in his life, You are naive and young. But sadly, He will treat you good in an apparent manner but will never trust you. 

He had been doing this to me and my children for years. Sulochani devi wiped her tears and hugged Riddhima.

"Don't feel sorry Riddhima…and yes! She indicated the box.

 " Mix this special saffron that I have brought from Purandhisthan and let Nanda drink it regularly. This is good for the health of the baby.

The night 

Hours passed Sulochani Devi left her room. But Riddhima sat on the ground like a lifeless doll. His anger, his threats,his harsh words kept resurfacing her mind.Vansh was quite surprised, as Riddhima  was absent in the dining place. It was a mandate that she would be there to supervise what he was having. She even preferred to serve him on her own. Vansh glanced at his plate. She had prepared Mustard 
 Hilsa curry for him. 
Why she is not here then,he thought.
 The fish  was send to him as a token of gift from Avantipura , a small province of Bengal.He  had sent financial help to the flood stricken province last monsoon. The king of Avantipura was an old fellow and quite a foodie,he was known for sending food items to Udaykhtra as gifts ,knowing well that the young king loves nonvegetarians.
Riddhima was the one  who took the pleasure to remove the fishbones and made him relish the item.
"Why is your Ranisaye not present here?" He asked, as he took a morsel of rice and put it in his mouth. 
"Ranisaye had regretted her inconvenience  Rajasaye.

She has been unwell since evening and hence she had asked me to take special care of your necessities.
said Jagruki politely.
"If you allow me My king, I shall remove the fishbone. Ranisaye had told me while cooking it in the afternoon, that the fishbones might be intricate and small to.swallow. Jagruki was about to demonstrate more,But Vansh stopped her midway. 
"Distribute this to the roadside beggers and the needy ones in the hospital. He left the dish and started eating the other items.

He understood everything. If she can not  come and feed him. He will not have the special dish. 

Riddhima 's mood got more sour, when she was informed that Vansh had refused to have the food.

"As per the protocol Rajasaye...I tasted the fish preparation,before it was served to you,I didn't mix poison in it. Riddhima blabbered,the moment he entered their bedroom. 
"Oh! Really! He smirked. I thought you were planning to make new plans to murder me. "He taunted.

"Why were you not present there.when dinner was served. He asked,as he climbed on the bed.
"I was unwell". she replied curtly.
"Why will you care? afterall I am an outsider, isn't that so?
Vansh arched his brow.
"Who the hell is feeding this trash in her brain?" 

"Riddhima! Watch your tongue! No one talks to me in this tone. 
Riddhima hung her face low and wiped her lone tears. 
"They had been meeting for such a long time, and now he would have to scold her like this. Why does he sometimes become so heartless or is it her who expects much from him?
Vansh felt bad for a moment. 
"Isn't he being too harsh to her since morning. She is too little to understand the dark realities and the filthy politics of a vast kingdom like Udaykhetra. Riddhima,indeed, is an intelligent girl and knows how to deal with small problems. But Manyabhum was her known territory. She had been born and brought up there,But here,things are more complicated and shady. She is still a child. Vansh closed his eyes and composed his temper.
"Have you taken medicine? If you need something,that can be arranged.

"Thank you Rajasaye..But there is no need to press your mind for a petty outsider like me. She kept a distance,in the mattress and was about to lay.

 Vansh immediately sat up on the mattress  and growled

"Riddhima enough!  I will not tolerate such insolence . How dare you talk to me like this! Do I have to tell you,in front of whom you are standing and being so audacious....Wait a second, Who had tell you these things.Don't tell me, despite my warnings,
"You entertained that woman in your room?

"She is your Aunt..How may I suppose to stop her if she insists on meeting me. And..I have seen no wrong in her behavior…She was…

"Riddhima! Just keep shut! I don't want a word in her favour. Daring you have become  I could see!  He came down from the bed and strode faster to her. Holding her shoulder in a rough grip, he cupped her face with a tight grip. His eyes shot daggers to her, 

"Use your rights, and stop her…I don't want Sulochoni devi or her daughters in your vicinity. Is that clear?" 
Riddhima shuddered in fear. He was looking like a crazy howling wolf who was ready to pounce on him.
You…you are hurting me…She winced in pain.

Her eyes pooled with tears. Her lips quivered in pain. 
Vansh immediately relaxed his grip. 

"And you have been hurting me in innumerable ways since we got wedded ". His anger was replaced with pain. 
He dashed out from the room leaving her alone crying uncontrollably  in the wee hours in the night.

The next morning -

"I think You should tell her everything" 
Vansh looked up to his Brother -in -law.

" She is your wife Vansh". Somdev reasoned. And this,I am telling you as husband, 
"Do you know why my relationship with your sister is so profound even after the difference of our status?" 
"Jija sri….Vansh cut off his word. 
"You know well We the brother and sister don't believe in such things. And it has been an honour to  have a scholarlyBrahmin like   you in your family". 

Somdev smiled. 

"That still would have an issue, Vansh!  It never had because I chose to share everything with Nanda , be it good or bad. She did the same to me. This had only been the key to our successful marriage.

Vansh smiled sadly at his brother -in-law. Not all marriages are as blissful as his sister's.  His own marriage started with a deception. Despite having so much desire and all consuming feeling, Riddhima is a puzzle  to him. He sighed deeply.

"It's not that simple. We did have an edgy start Jjasri. We both are still trying to figure it out.  And…me being the crown  prince, I have some restrictions to reveal all my secrets to her." 

Somdev and Vansh were walking through the garden,discussing some welfare schemes for the next year. But Vansh,occasionally was being unmindful, which didn't go unnoticed by Somdev.

Every newlywed had their own sets of anomalies. Somdev knew Vansh was no exception. But what he didn't know that Vansh had some darker shades of secrecy in his life, the revelation of which might shake the base of his marriage. 

"I think you should take Ranisaye to the tour of the construction of Rudra Bhavan. She will feel nice and refreshed, when she will spend some quality time with the animals. " said Somdev to Vansh who was deeply engrossed in his own thoughts.  

"I think this is a good idea." Vansh appreciated it. It would surely amend the glitch between the two.

"Rajasaye has summoned your presence Ranisaye. The guard informed when Riddhima was sitting near the window and was reading something.

"Now?" She asked.

The guard nodded in yes. 

Riddhima tied her hair in a bun,  and fixed her clothes, as the guard awaits for her outside. 

"He asked you to meet him unchaperoned in Rudra Bhavan. 

Rudra Bhavan.

Riddhima was in awe when she reached Rudra Bhawan. It was a huge spacious area. It was dissected into two sections. The left wing was for the horses. People were running here and there for different errands.  Oil and incensed water were kept in tubs for their cleaning. Some of the people were carrying food for them.  Riddhima could notice two young men along with Vidyut Vadra who were training the horses. And the right wing was for the elephants. She was thrilled to hear the neigh of the horses and the trumpets of the elephants. 

"Rudra Bhavan mein swagat hai tumhari " 

(Welcome to Rudra Bhavan).Riddhima looked up and find the same warmth and smile in his eyes.He was simply cladded in a Silk  White dhoti. There was no ornaments in his body except his onyx ring and a jovial smile. 

Vansh stretched his hand and took her palm into his.

"Let's make our day happy and sunshine ". Come! He urged her to walk along with him. As they walked side by side. Riddhima was feeling secure and happy.  She was in love with his jovial and casual side. Vansh pulled her waist gently and led her to a place which was explicitly green and beautiful. 

Ridhima belongs to a state where water is quite easily available. But Udaykhetra was semi arid. She was in awe to see so much green. 
"This is the source from where the water is delivered to the palace. " he said. 
"There was a canal that he showed him that had a double duct system. The main duct was connected to the palace,while the auxiliary was for cleaning the meadows of rudra bhavan and bathing for the elephants and horses. The end of both the duct was connected to the underground interface that would segregate the muddy excreting water to the outer area of Rudra Bhavan through a sewer. The dirty water, Vansh explained to Riddhima, was used to wash the roads and the paths of the palace through a piped system. Riddhima could hear the tweeting of the birds, cackles of the chickens and ducklings.

 Little rabbits and squirrels were crawling under his feet. She giggled in ecstacy. Vansh 's heart ached in pain. 

'She is still a green horn too new to accept the harsh reality of the palace. He,anyhow, would engage her into these happy things and by any means will protect her from the dark. It was relatively a secluded area than the bustling area of the Bhavan. Riddhima run behind the rabbits and squirrels to catch and fondle them. She was hopping and playing, smiling like a budding flower,giggling like a kid.

"This is so beautiful Rajasaye!" She exclaimed. Can I come here everyday please?" 

She had been in the garden in Manyabhum, but it was not as big as this. Her teenage years were spent in the interiors of the palace mostly, in serving her crown princess.

Vansh laughed and pulled her small lithe body in his embrace.

"You are welcomed here any time any day. I would rather prefer you to be here conducting the tour of the construction with me" . 

She smiled and snaked her arms around his neck and kissed his nose playfully.

"I would love to come here for sure,'' she said. 

Realizing what she has just done, she blushed heavily and tried to get away from his grip. 

"And…you are going nowhere"

Vansh  laughed and caught her hands tightly. 

"You have been a very naughty girl since I have unguarded my strictness. He said nuzzling his beard to her face and gripped her waist from behind.

"Now You will get all the due punishments. Did you get that my little hummingbird?" 

He said liftingb her in his arms and twirls her  as if she weighs nothing.

"Yeaahiee…Rajasaye! Ieee! She giggled and hid her face in his torso. 

"Please put me down.She urges. 

"What will people think of us "? 

"No"! He twirled her again. 

Areeh!  
She pleaded.

"They are watching us pleaeese!"
" Only these rabbits are watching us and they are quite ok with it.". 

Pleasee! She clutched her shoulder. 

"If I put you down. You will regret it. said he.

"Nooo! She squealed. He twirled her again. 

"Put me down pleash! Her words went incoherent, when he twirl her for the last time.

Riddhima 's playful nature comes out at its best when it is amidst nature. She felt unguarded in the vicinity of the green. 

Vansh twirls her for the final time and throws her gently on the flower bed. 

"Ammuuu ussh! Her body dipped beneath the plush fluffy bed of roses. 

And now….you are going to regret it.

He jumped over her before she could stop him.and started tickling her.

no…no…areh! I….hee hee..Mmm! aiee …She was making cute giggling sounds. Pleae…see. She laughed so much that her eyes turned teary out of joy. Her nose turned pink and he kept tormenting her, tickling her waist and abdomen. 

"I told you you will regret it if I put you down."He laughed. 

Her face was gleaming with joy like a child. She never imagined to have so much fun ever.

"I didn't want to offend you yesterday. I apologise if I have hurt you. She said, when he kept her head on her abdomen, and sighed a relief of joy. This feels so calm to rest his head on her soft body. 
"I was harsh to you as well. Don't do things that rile me up. 

"Come let me show you something beautiful ". 

They got up and went near the altar by keeping hand in hand.

Vansh clapped and the guard appeared. He signalled him to bring something to him.

The guards immediately bring him the trumpet. 
"Now let's do  a  magic,'' he said.

He blew the trumpet and signalled Riddhima to watch at the pointed direction. 

Riddhima 's eyes widened as she could see  a herd of elephants  coming one by one including the little ones. 

Now what he did beguiled her more. He took a big metal bucket full of water and  started bathing the elephants. There were other attendants who were also sprlinkling water.

The elephants, typical - lover of water, started enjoying their bath. They were wagging their tiny tails and enormous ears and drenching in the water. Riddhima instantly became happy to see them like this.

Champak, the little one  moved from the herd and came nearer to the couple to get more water. 

"He is so cute ". Riddhima laughed.
"Yes he is. "  Riddhima touched his trunk and fondled him. She took a small pitcher and start pouring water on his body

(Note the image please ).

"See, he instantly fell in love with your beauty. He said fondling him as well.

. The baby elephant trumpeted in happiness and wagged his ears as if he was welcoming the newly wed.

"Now go to your mother. Vansh bend and kissed his trunk.

The animals were comfortable and fearless in front of him.  Champak bowed down and followed his king's order.

Now let's go. He said. 

Riddhima turned around and hugged her husband tightly. 
"I cannot see you angry. Pls don't be disappointed with me ever ". 

He smiled and stroked her hair.

"Promise me you will be a good girl?"

"Yes I promise'' .She mumbled.

"I am going to Guruji 's Ashram. I will come back tomorrow morning. Don't go anywhere with anyone out of this palace . Promise me you will not. " He said.

"I promise. She smiled.

Vansh kissed her temple and forehead.

"That's like my queen". 

The guards took Riddhima to the palace, as he left for Mallyaswami 's ashram.

Glossary - Purnahindsthan - Kashmir. Saffron is good for health for pregnant ladies which were brought from Kashmir.

Mustard Hilsa - Hilsa is prepared with white mustard and poppy - a delicacy famous in Bengal.

Pls note - 

Riddhima is an orphan. Vidyut has no connection with him. 

In previous chapters, Riddhima had been very dynamic and upfront but currently she is vulnerable because she is in love. She will again be strong and then again may go weak. Expected the multilayered Riddhima and Vulnerable Vansh in next chapters. The next two chapters are going to be extremely crucial for the readers for King 's wife.

Precap -Riddhima goes missing. Who will save her in this crisis. Vansh and Riddhima 's growing tiff hit its peak. Some shocking revelation shook her to the core. 

** Chapters may come late. But they will be longer. Chapters will be published only after the completion of votes  

Deadline- 285 -295 Votes. 

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