Chapter ,-3
The plan in motion

Council Room of ManyaBhum -Evening

Salya stared for a while, at Kabir Bhadra, in amazement. The king had ordered him and Rudra,the commander-in -chief, to make necessary arrangements,to send a marriage proposal,of his sister to UdayKhetra, in lieu of getting arms and ammunition and a convoy, in future,so that ManyaBhum could wage a war against Gandharvipura ,any day ,if they felt necessary. Soldiers and Weapons, according to the king, would be needed frequently to combat against Gandharvipura. Political and Financial disagreements, had always been there, between Gandharavipura and Manyabhum, still, scope of reconciliation was there.
Salya never felt that it was necessary to take a jibe, with them .The war could had been easily avoided , if Kabirvadra would have handled the matter, more maturedly. An apology, would have been sufficient, but Kabir, was too proud to accept his folly.

The outrgeous behavior of the king's own army, was responsible for it.What they did, was unfathomable. Women of various rural hubs in Gandharvipura, were kidnapped by the drunk soldiers of Manyabhum, as they went for a casual hunting in the forests,located in the foothills of Gandharvipura.

On their way back, they not only massacared the residences of the poor villagers,but also ruptured the dignity of the women folk of the villages,who were having bath in the local pond. Instead of taking an action against them,Kabirbhadra,insulted the crown prince of Gandhrvipura, and hushed up the situation, when the matter came into prominence.
Vidharvadutya , the crown prince of Gandharvipura,was not a meek subordinate. The boy had a unique sense of self respect,and his concern for the dignity of his state's womenfolk, had urged him to take a step. Though a vassal state, Gandharvipura,had high morals and sense of dignity.
It was no more ready, to be under the clutches of ManyaBhum. Salya, cleared his throat,
"Are you sure Maharaj, we should proceed with the plan ,I don't think ....Kabir stopped him in midway , and commanded -"Do as your Maharaj orders you "! I would like to have some serious feedback tomorrow .I am getting late , Mandakini must be waiting for me ".
Salya, nodded in dismay . He should have been apprehended ,where it was coming from! So it was the plan made by that whore, the king had ordered only to execute it.

Salya, felt bad,for the way, things were turning up .
Kabir Bhadra, might be greedy, ambitious and ruthless, but he was not that crooked, who would,sacrifice his sister's life, to win a battle, against his enemy .. It had to be someone else , who had been channelizing, the king. It had to be that Concubine, of him, He had been a putty, in her hands ,since he had brought her from the adjacent village . four years ago .When a king ,Salya noted mentally , rules his kingdom,on the advice of his mistress, the downfall of the kingdom, is imminent.

It should be the council of ministers, who should guide the king , not that lascivious Concubine, But what else he could have said to the king , after all, he too was an employee,of his master at the end of the day . His father had served the kingdom, when Kabir 's father was alive ,now it's the legacy, that he should carry out, the duty of the chief minister ,when KabirBhadra, had become the ruler . Salya, could never agree upon the ways and whims of his king. His principles were different. Since Kabir had become the king , The state had incurred economic loss , lives of people got lost in Flood and Dysentry , Retaliation and displeasure had increased among the citizens, No one was happy with the king and the way they had been ruled .

This actually, was exactly the contrary, of UdayKhetra. Despite being an arid land ,the farmers were happy, as the king had initiated Irrigation projects, and turned the barren lands, to be something resourceful and substantial.The crown prince of Udaykhetra, Vansh, lost his mother, at the age of 15, as she died of a few day 's fever, a disease, undetected. Later, when he was 19, he lost his father,in a battle, and got coronated at the age of 20, Though he was young, he was a benevolent despot. He was aware of his people's sorrows and sufferings. Law and Order, was at per,in Udaykhetra. Trade with other countries, and the territorial expansions,had made the state,financially stable.The name and the fame,of Udaykhetra was, hiking in leaps and bounds, since, he ascended , the throne. Vansh was a young, but a reverred ruler, of India.

Salya,thought mentally,this alliance might be a good sign, and it might change the fortune of ManyaBhum, forever .He sat, near his Study area, to write the message,which is ought to be sent to Udaykhetra, as a marriage proposal.

ManyaBhum-The Next Morning, Ragini 's bed-chamber.

Riddhima, mixed a handful of fuller's earth, in the sandal wood paste, along with honey, and turmeric. She was preparing the Uptan, and it's now, the time, the princess to bathe. She glanced at the window pane, where the princess was lying like a lifeless body, grabbing the pillow, near the adjacent couch in her bed-chamber. Being the most efficient, as well as the chief chaperon of Princess Ragini , Riddhima had an authority in the "Andarmahal," of the Palace . She glanced at the girls, who were, lazily chitchatting, with each other;

"Don't you have work to do"?

Riddhima, gave a stern look,to the girls. Her one cold stare was enough, for them, to be dispersed, and getting back, to their work.

"Ratna! Have you arranged the Princess's clothes?"

"Devpriya! Have you arranged the bathing water of the princess?"

Sudarshana ! "Are the jewellery ready?"

When three of them, nodded in no, Riddhima , raised her voice a little , "What are you waiting for then? Go!! , and the room was finally empty. Ridhima, sighed a breath of relief, that now, she, would be able to, strike,a conversation, with the princess.

Ratna , Devpriya, and Sudarshana, had been working for the princess, since they were in teens , but Brijbasini, was new. Riddhima, though, she was only 19 years old, had to be cautious, and acted maturedly. When it comes to, Ragini's well -being ,she could trust none . Though, she was barely one year older,than the princess , she had always felt, that,it's her duty,to protect her . Since,the king ,had brought Mandakini, to the palace , her senses, had become more alert . The lady ,possibly could have casted an evil spell, on the king , but not on her. She knew, Mandakini ,would have her spies , among these maids, who would feed all the information, to their mistress ,time to time. She, in no way, should know, about Dhruva and Ragini. It doesn't take long, for rumours, to spread. Riddhima, for so long, had been hiding, the relationship,between Dhruv and Ragini, now, if it would got leaked, it would be a scandal!

Riddhima , gently put her hand, on Ragini's shoulder , " What happened Rajkumari?" Why are you so upset? She smeared the face pack, on her gentle arms and neck.
"I had been noticing, for a while now, you're not smiling, not even having your food properly" . "Will you not tell me, what has gone wrong"? , she smeared the remaining portion of the face pack to Ragini's soft cheeks, forehead, and chin and let it,dried for a while.

Ragini, looked at her best friend, though, she belonged to a ordinary background, Riddhima, was extremely pretty. Soft, plush skin, doe shaped eyes, petty frame, and beautiful long hairs, which usually are confined, as a bun or braid, can easily take a man's breath way, if it tumbles down, her shoulder, and touch her waist. Ragini, had always admired her beauty, and her soul. They had been thick and thin, since, they were toddlers. She was her confidant, protector and sometimes, like an elderly sister, to whom,she bare out her heart. It was only her, who knew, about Dhruva.
While Ragini was a cheerful,feisty, and naïve, overtly pampered, being a princess, Riddhima on the other hand,was a headstrong, and brave girl, with whom people dared, to take a jibe. She was a brilliant dancer, and quite famous,as wise and sensual in the Andarmahal. It was only Ragini, who could, bring out her softer side, fully. With a sullen face, as tears, already was flowing down, from her eyes, she confessed
" Dhruva wants to end our relationship". How am I going to live without him'? They had been in an relationship of two years, He was his teacher, who used to give lessons,of making Statues, by lapidating the stones. As days passed, Ragini, fell for him, and confessed it. Dhruva,intially,was apprehensive, but later, had reciprocated,it whole hesrtedly. Riddhima,had seen them,blooming in love, infront of her own eyes.

"What? But why"?
asked Riddhima, as she, sat on the lower stool, and took her princess's foot over her thigh, and start massaging it with the massage -oil.

"I think, he must have become afraid, you know", Ragini paused,
"I am a princess and he is just a common man, to him, we had no social match".

"He should have thought this, before jumping, into this relationship ". Riddhima snapped back in an agitated tone. "Love,was the last thing, she had indulged in her life.She was practical, and knew,one day she would get married,just like any girl, who experiences such things, in the society.

Ragini, was looking at her, with hurtful eyes. This was not the reaction, she was expecting.
Immediately, when realization, stroked Riddhima's senses, she clicked her tongue, and looked up to her mistress's tear-stricken face.

"I beg your pardon, Rajkumari , I didn't meant that way. It's just I cannot see tears in your eyes.

Ragini smiled, and held her hand,

"I know, you love me, too much, but we were, not thinking straight, Riddhima, Dhruva and I, were in love, sense and sensibilities rarely worked, when you are in love".

"One day", Ragini paused, and remarked, you will also understand, this feeling, when you, will be in love.. Riddhima , listened to her princess, carefully ,and her heart was filled with adoration . Ragini's eyes were full of dreams , She is still the imaginative, pure soul ,whose heart had not got ransacked ,by the whips of reality .
"How about we inform, this to Bhratashri"? Ragini beamed in smile, after a long time, when she thought, she, finally, had got the solution. Riddhima was horrified, at what Ragini had proposed!!

"No'! She screamed in exasperation,

"Why "? Ragini,exclaimed innocently, "He loves me the most, he is my brother, and he had never said a "no" in any of my demand.

Riddhima sighed, at the naïveté's of her mistress. How she is supposed to explain her, what grave consequences, could be aroused, if the king found out, about this affair. She stood up , from the stool , and looked at Ragini , and gave an assuring smile ,

" Let me talk to Dhruva first , I promised you Rajkumari , I would make everything alright" . Riddhima, was still unsure, what she could do, but to stop her, she pacified her,for the time being. Ragini got up from her seat, run to her best friend, and hugged her tightly. "I trust you, more than anything, and I know you will bring out a solution".
Udaykhetra, Same morning, The practise ground.

" What kind of a girl ,you would like, to have as your wife ?' asked Vidyutbhadra , when his sword, clinked to that of Vansh.Vansh , raised his brow , in amusement ,

" Why ? Have you decided, to quit the post of Commander-in-chief, and joined the match-making business?
"I so wish , I could do that Yuvraj!" Vidyutbhadra,made a fake pout , earning a laugh from his master. "Life would have been less complicated, you know?'he smiled cheekily.
Vansh And Vidyut , never shared a relation of a king, and an employee , they were more of a blood brothers, much to Trilochani Devi's dismay . Practising sword fight, horse riding , or taking care of Panchanag And Balvadra was fun , especially ,when its accompanied with, Viduyt's humorous comment , casual bantering, and sometimes, discussing, serious staffs, regarding the administration. Vansh ,being , comparatively a young ruler , never exerted much imposition or strictness, but his army ,along with his ministry , respected him,and loved him as if he was their friend and guide, in all circumstances . He never had to force himself , as he used to motivate them ,with his good oratory , listened to their problems , as a good leader ,and tried to solve it , as and when required. "Dadisa , wanted you get married soon, Yuvraj , Udaykhetra , would require an heir soon". said Vidyut,in a serious tone.

" I know ! Vansh sighed, as if, deep sorrow had engulfed him, but I would like enjoy my youth, with my wife first, you know! lots of ... ahem ! Vansh smirked at his friend . Vidyutvadra , blushed ,at the shameless comment made by the crown prince , he is too incorrigible, sometimes. "But for that, you need a woman, Tell me,if you have thought about it", Vidyut asked again.

"I dont know. I have never pondered about it, said Vansh, "All I want, she should be wise and sensual..Thats all."

"What about you"? He asked,
Vidyut,in a cheerful tone,"When will you marry Indra? What about your dreams of having cute little kids" ?
Vansh finally called a day for his practice session , as Vidyut's sword had fallen in the ground , by his final stroke. "I would deal with the matter,by paying a lot of money to his alcoholic father," said Vidyut, as he remembered his last night 's quckie, with Indravati, the chief chaperon, of Nandavadra, who was Vansh 's elder sister.
"But I am afraid , yuvraaj , yours days of dalliance, would be put to an end ,very soon".

"Oh is it"? Vansh raised his eyebrow, in amusement , with the new found development . He wiped off his sweaty body ,that was glistening in the sun , and asked , " How that is going to happen?' Before Vidyut, could answer him , a guard made an appearance.

"Rajamata!had summoned your presence, Yuvraj!' he informed politely .

"Now"?Vansh was surprised a little , as his grandmother , usually is buzy in Pooja, at this hour.

"Yes"! The guard nodded in affirmation.

"What could it be?" murmured Vansh .

"May be you will soon get the answer ". Vidyut chuckled,at his crown prince, earning a playful smack from him.

Uptan - Facepack

Bhratashshree - Elder Brother

AndarMahal - Interriors of Palace.

Pooja - Worship.

Hello my lovely readers, I hope, all you are keeping well.Its a long chapter, Is'nt it? But dont worry, more will come. You must be eagerly waiting for Riansh meet, We are only One chapter away for that. I hope you will enjoy the story. You can ask me any question regarding the chapters
💗💗The above image is usually what Riddhima would be seen wearing, I am not very good in making image edits, So, You can just, imagine Helly and Rahul in the vintage costume. Helly would like stunning,in this costume.
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