'Human beings as whole cannot be good for long before the bad creeps back in and poisons us again.'

Satyadev returned to his country and looked at his newly married wife, Iniyal. She welcomed him happily.

Satyadev: I'm sorry I had to leave you as soon as we got married.

Iniyal: You were out for the country's affair. It's your duty and that comes before family, your highness.

Satyadev embraced her. They loved each other dearly. Iniyal was their first minister's daughter. She practically grew up with him. Their wedding was decided the moment she was born.

She was devoted to him, and to the Country of Z. People of the country always treated her as royalty as they were aware about her impending wedding to the prince which happened very recently.

She did her duties diligently and earned his respect. Her husband always had a soft spot for her. He never looked at any woman other than her in his entire life.

Iniyal: So tell me, your highness. How was your trip?

Satyadev: Everything went well, Iniya. I met a strange girl at the convention.

Iniyal: Interesting. Was she beautiful?

Satyadev: I didn't notice. She was innocent.

Iniyal: You're mentioning her to me. Something should have happened.

Satyadev: You see through me easily, Iniya. She seemed innocent but something about her made me feel odd. She was from L. That could also be a reason.

Iniyal: See, you have stated the reason, your highness.

-----

His father, the King, passed away in a few days. He ascended the throne. Iniyal was by his side as his queen.

News of his ascension reached L country and startled Sena.

Sena: Brother, have you read the news???

Dikshan: what happened, Sena? Why are you panicking?

Her face was pale and her body was shaking.

Sena: Dev is married. He was supposed to marry me.

Dikshan: It was all due to the fighting between our countries, Sena.

He lied through his teeth. He wanted to save his sister but his father was a king and he was the next one to the throne. His sister could help his way to the throne.

Sena: What do you mean?

Dikshan: L and Z always followed different ideologies. As you stayed indoors, you were never made aware of this fact.

Our father wanted to mend the relationship. Hence, he extended his hand towards Z to get you married to the prince.

Satyadev acknowledged and was ready to fight for you. However, his father stayed adamant. He was never ready to accept the wedding.

It seems that he made your Prince give his word to marry a Z woman on his death bed. As a son, he promised and married her.

Sena cried inconsolably. His heart pierced to see her tears. He knew this was the beginning of her tragedy. She was the sacrifice their country was willing to make.

Sena: I love him, brother. I would never marry anyone except him. I'll die without him.

Dikshan: He is married, Sena.

Sena: That doesn't matter. I'm a concubine daughter. You're a queen's son. Aren't we surviving???

Dikshan: They don't follow concubinism. They don't even follow monarchy anymore. Z is a democratic country.

Sena: I want him. Do something. I will do anything to get him. Help me.

Dikshan: let me think...

In the following days, she became dull and started losing weight. She kept mumbling Satyadev's name in her sleep.

Dikshan: This is so cruel, father.

Ambrose: If she doesn't go through this, she will never have the strength to overthrow the current queen.

Dikshan: She is innocent.

Ambrose: Nobody can stay innocent forever. She is my daughter and she needs to help our country.

There is only one use for women and she is just fulfilling her duty. Once she gives birth to an heir, we can overthrow the queen, kill the king and rule the country with my puppet grandson.

Dikshan sighed inwardly.

------

Sena always kept her doors locked. Her sister-in-law and maids started worrying about her.

Sister-in-law: Your highness, she is not a toy to play with.

Dikshan: You don't know any better. Shut up.

Sister-in-law: If she stays this way, she will die soon. She is a motherless child. Your father's cruelty killed your mother and her mother. She trusts you without understanding all these things. Why don't you help her?

Dikshan: You ungrateful woman!!!

He slapped her across the face and left the room. Poor woman looked at the entrance of their room and thought inwardly.

'I tried my best, Sena'

Dikshan entered his sister's room and looked at her ghastly pale face.

Dikshan: Sena

She looked at him wordlessly. Her room was disorderly. Things were thrown all around the room.

Dikshan: I have a way for you to meet Satyadev.

Her eyes brightened.

Dikshan: But it won't be an honorable one.

Sena: No problem.

Dikshan: You will then need to leave our country.

Something jolted in her and she looked at him.

Dikshan: But don't worry. I'll stay in touch with you. Our father should not learn about this plan. Otherwise, he will not allow you to enter Z. He is already angry with Satyadev.

Sena: Veandom... Veandom...

Dikshan looked at her. She learnt Z's language.

Dikshan: There is going to be an interview conducted for palace maid in Z. If you get selected, you will get a chance to meet your Prince. However, you will be serving the current Queen.

Sena: She took my place and I'll get everything back from her. I'm ready.

Dikshan: Nobody know about your identity other than Satyadev. So you won't have trouble in entering for the interview. I have created a false identity for you in Z.

Everything lies in your hand, sister.

Sena: I'll take care of things, brother.

Dikshan: Please don't show your face to anyone until you get selected. Even to Satyadev.

Sena: Why?

Dikshan: He might hate the idea of you becoming his palace maid. After all, he liked you. So stay away from his sight until I tell you.

Sena nodded her head as her brother's words made sense.

She soon left L for Z. Dikshan stood in front of his father in his chamber.

Dikshan: She left the country as our plan, your highness. I'm so worried for her.

Ambrose: She will survive. She might get her heart broken. But we need to make sure that she attains our goals.

-----

Sena attended the interview and it was not easy as many women were fighting for the position.

In the end, fifteen women were chosen and she was the last of them.

She was initially assigned to palatial duties. She served the kitchen. The princess who lived all her life in luxury found it hard to survive in that hot kitchen.

She persevered with everything for her love towards their King, her king, Satyadev.

She soon had a chance to meet Iniyal. One year into the wedding, Iniyal still had her marital bliss. She was lively and smiling all the time.

One day, Sena was serving them in the gazebo. One glance at her face made Iniyal stop her.

Iniyal: Who are you? A new maid?

Sena nodded her head.

Her headmistress yelled at her 'introduce yourself. Her highness is asking.'

Sena: I'm Sena, your highness.

Iniyal: Are you not from Z?

Sena: My father is a foreigner and mother is from Z. I moved with her a few years ago.

I always wanted to serve the country and your highness.

Iniyal smiled at her.

Iniyal: She looks so young. Don't throw her in the kitchen. Let her go and work at my inner palace.

Iniyal didn't know that would turn grave for her then.

#Author's note: Thanks for reading.