After Talking with Ashok , I felt like a heavy weight have been lifted off my shoulders . It calmed me down . I still couldn't process everything but I knew this it. There was no turning back now. What was done is already done . I didn't know what to feel about Ashok . Should I be sad for his sister. Or should I be angry at him for forcing me and my sister to amarriage without our consent ?
My head was spinning with these questions and I was homesick . This was probably the first time I was out of Kalinga . Bhai was very strict . He didn't wanted his sister to wander outside the palace . The outside world would see us only if there was some special occasions . And that was very rare .
I was now walking through the corridor with Ahankara and some of our maids close behind .
I was too lost in thought that I didn't notice that Ahankara and the rest had stopped walking .
" Kaur " Ahankara called out to me and that was when I realised that . I turned around to ask why they had stopped but the side of the wall , a certain painting caught my attention . The other were also looking at it . It was huge . Like really huge . It was a portrait of a beautiful girl .

She wore a Pink dress . She wore ornament and gave out this powerful aura. By her firm stance knew that she was a princess . She held her high in the picture and only a well trained princess could do that .
" Who is this ?" I asked still in awe with her beauty . Ahankara was also lost in that picture or maybe in the girl in the picture .
" What happened ?" I asked you all a question ? Is everything alright ?"
They just shook their heads quickly . their earnings moved with movement of their heads .
" Samragi , T-That is Pri- Princess Maya ." one of them stuttered out with fear in her eyes . My eyes widened and so did my sisters . She looked at me astonished.
" It's her ." I assured my sister . She
was such an exquisite woman . I don't know if the appreciation. Should go the painter who painted this or the person in it . Either way this girl was unique and I didn't understand why my brother would hurt such an innocent looking princess . But I clearly could see why my brother fell for her . Every thing about her screamed innocent and beautiful. Suddenly I had the urge to ask the maids what happened to her. The maids were again silent . They were scared to talk about the subject .
" We - we are not a- allowed to talk about that , Samgari . " One of them again stuttered .
I sighed . It meant that they didn't trust me enough to tell me about her. Or maybe because they were given strict orders from their king not to speak anything about the princess to me and my sister.
One thing was sure anyway. I needed answers and I was not going to give up until I get them but right now I needed to win over their trusts .
" Why is that ?" Ahankara asked them .
" Samrat wouldn't want that ." They again stuttered . Why were they do scared ? Was he that crule ?
I signelled Ahan withy eyes not to press matter . She nodded lightly .
" We'll , leave that . Why don't you show us the rest of palace ?" I asked trying to sound cheerful to be comfortable around us. Then only they will open up.

The smile that vanished before instantly came to their faces . They nodded happily at my request.

Once again our journey was continued . On the way . Ahan whispered so quietly so that no . One heard ." Why were they behaving strange . When we asked them about her ? "
" I don't know . We'll find out but first we need to make them sure that we are trust worthy ." I said whispering at the same volume as her voice .
She nodded and stopped suddenly looked at her confused and she gave me a mischievous smirk . Oh God ! What was this little girl I up to now ? I knew that something was cooking up in her mind .

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So how is it . Hope you all like it .
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