Maya was busy getting ready for the dinner tonight. She was happy and excited to attend at the thought of being able to meet the Samrat. But her happiness also has another reason, it was Sambhara. Since she couldn't attend the dinner it increases her happiness double fold.

Dyuti was combing Maya's hair as she looked at her mistress being too happy. She couldn't help but smile and said "Kunwari you look bright today. With such happiness you will look more beautiful tonight. I guess Samrat won't be able to take his eyes off you" she boosted little more.

Maya smiled, "do you think that way?" She likes hearing praising and complements. Now that Dyuti said it her happiness become doubled again.

"Yes, you are the most beautiful lady in the ShtriMahal. Even Samragyi herself is not comparable to you. It's just Samrat barely pays any attention to ShtriMahal all this years which is why you never had the chance to meet him properly" Dyuti felt bad for her mistress. According to her she was the most beautiful lady and deserves to be the Wife of Samrat yet neglected for years.

"Don't speak nonsense, remember that even the walls has ears too. If your words gets out of here then we would definitely be in trouble. Samragyi is smart and knows well who she should choose to side. As long as it benefits me I don't mind using her hand to get what I want" Maya said through looking at her reflection in the mirror.

"Yes, it was my mistake, I shouldn't have been too impulsive" Dyuti immediately nodded.

"Use the pink flowers in my hair today. I need to look elegant and simple" Maya smiled looking in the mirror. "I don't want Samrat to think that I am overdressed or anything"

"Yes, Kunwari" Dyuti nodded and used a simple style for Maya's hair then used the pink flowers to decorate her style and applied make up on her face.  The sun has already set and she was already ready to go to Samragyi Mahal.

"I should leave now, I also need to help Samragyi to prepare the dinner. I don't want to miss anything and Samrat should see me greeting him first" at the thought of meeting Samrat she was excited. Last time she didn't get chance to attend the banquet because of Sambhara but this time God has helped her to gain this opportunity.

"But Kunwari it's still early" Dyuti replied.

"Samragyi is too picky. What if she changes her mind and call Sambhara in my place? What would I do then? I couldn't go against her so I have to take this opportunity and be there to provide some help earlier" Maya said as she looked towards the window. "It's already late" she exhaled.

"Kunwari don't worry, today Samrat won't be able to refuse your beauty" Dyuti boosted again then pulled out a scented bottle from the drawer.

"What's that?" Maya frowned. She could smell the sweet scent.

"It's the new scent that mistress scent from the minister mansion. She even wrote secretly that the scent is alluring and able to make others crazy. She told me to let you use it in the time of need" Dyuti showed the bottle.

Maya's eyes glittered with the news, "what did you say? Maa sent it?"

Dyuti nodded, "yes, and I think today is the perfect day kunwari"

"Why didn't you say it before?" Maya grabbed thd bottle from her hand and looked at it with unknown happiness. If I can make Samrat fall for me tonight then it will be a great beneficial for me. After that I don't have to fear the Samragyi and could always make her out of the line.

"After this successful event,you will go to the minister mansion personally with a good news"

"Yes, yes, I will definitely go"  Dyuti immediately nodded.

Maya used the scent in her body before hiding the bottle again, "let's leave I shouldn't let Samragyi wait for me" she sighed then walked out of the room proudly. In her excitement she didn't saw a figure hiding in the dark.

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Nandini was lazily leaning on the red chaise longue with her eyes closed. She could hear her sevikas talking and laughing in the background. At this moment Lynx jumped up and settled beside Nandini. Nandini's hand moved over the soft fur as Lynx leaned against her rubbing its face.

"This is the life" Nandini sighed playing with Lynx's soft fur.

"Prizzi Kunwari Maya is here" Medha's voice interrupted the peaceful moment making her frown.

Nandini opened her eyes frowning slightly, "what? She is here?"

"Yes, she is waiting outside"

Nandini rolled her eyes, "she is kind of fast. Go let her in. Let's see what she is planning now"

Medha nodded before leaving.  After few seconds Maya walked in with a bright smile on her face and greeted Nandini. Her eyes travelled towards the furball lying in Nandini's arm.  She gulped a little but didn't show it on face.

Nandini was playing with Lynx as she looked up, "looks like Kunwari Maya is kind of excited about tonight, huh?"

Maya couldn't hide her smile as  replied, "I thought Samragyi may need help so I had to come early. Besides I don't want to be late at such event"

"You are considerate" Nandini smiled, "since you came, it's good. Go help my Purna to prepare meal"

Maya's smile froze suddenly. Is she really asking her to go and cook? She thought to lend some help in table setting so that when the Samrat comes he would see her first. But... She couldn't help but feel angry all of a sudden.

Why she have to go and work in the kitchen? She didn't dressed beautifully to work in the kitchen. Maya bite her lips as she felt she has been wronged. But it was her suggestion in the first place. How can she refused it? It was her who asked to help.

"Are you unwilling?" Nandini asked again when Maya didn't move an inch. Lynx beside her raised its head and glared at Maya. He seemed like about to jump on her.

Maya gulped down in fear before nodding, "I don't know the way"

"Oh, Medha show Kunwari the way of pakashala"  Nandini waved her hand.

"This way kunwari" Medha came forward immediately. On the other hand Maya reluctantly forced a smile before leaving.

Nandini glanced at her way then smiled before turning towards Lynx, "do you know one thing Lynx?"

Lynx looked at her like he was listening carefully.

"Torturing these Kunwaries are really fun" Nandini grinned then hugged the Lynx while it gave a growling meow.

Maya walked inside the pakashala and looked around in amazement. She never knew that the Samragyi Mahal also has its own pakashala. But there's no much sevika serving. She could only see A sevika called Purna cooking. She walked towards her.

"I am here to help in cooking. Are you done with the food?" She asked using her arrogance.

Purna turned to get expressionlessly, "oh Kunwari Maya, everything is done except dessert. If you are free please do help me with it"

Maya frowned, "why is that only you are here? Where are other sevikas?"

"Samragyi don't like crowd in here. Besides she is picky when it comes to food. I am incharge of the pakashala matter. She don't eat what others make. Afterall not everyone can find the perfect taste for her. If she is not happy then it's too bad for all of us" Purna replied then continued to work.

"Why is that? Does she do anything?" Maya sounded curious.

"Yes" Purna replied as she picked a pot of spices.

"What does she do?"

Purna turned to look at her again, "she will make everyone cook then have us eat all the food without wasting an ounce"

"What?" Maya was startled at first then frown. "What kind of punishment was that?"

"The kind of which you would never want to do. I must add she would make us cook which people can't eat normally and eating those food is worse than getting beaten by her"

"Is she that strict?" Maya asked again.

"She just want things to be perfect in her way. And if anything goes wrong then she will punish us to please herself" Purna turned around and started to add spices in the food. Whether she was saying truth or false it couldn't be revealed through her expression so it was hard for Maya not to believe. The sweet scent mixed in the air.

"I never smelled such a sweet flavour spices. What kind of spice it is?"

"A mixed one. It's important for her food. She likes it so I have prepared for her"

"Can you tell me the recipe of the spice?" Maya asked. "I would also want to try some"

"Apology Kunwari but this spice is the secret flavour for my Samragyi. It's not like everyone can have it as they please" Purna replied then finished her cooking. "I am done with the cooking. As for the dessert, Samragyi asked to make Rabri. I have prepared everything which will be needed for rabri. Kunwari please start making the dessert. I will just come" after saying this Purna left.

Maya clenched her fist glaring at Purna's back. "What an arrogant sevika!  How come she is serving the Samragyi with such attitude?"

Dyuti hurried to reply, "Kunwari please don't get angry. She is just a sevika. We should better start making rabri. Samrat may come at any moment"

Suddenly Maya panicked, "yes, I shouldn't waste anymore time" she shook her head and pulled Dyuti's hand. Though she don't know how to cook but her sevika knows it.

On the other hand Manik arrived in the Samragyi Mahal. He saw Nandini was lazily lying on the longue. He raised an eyebrow as he walked closer.

"Is this how you welcome your guest?" He asked making her look at him.

Nandini pushed herself in sitting position then smiled at him, "oh Samrat you are here already? I thought you will be late"

"I have cleared my work. So what's the matter about invitation?" He sat down in front of her.

"It's nothing" Nandini replied, "I was bored so I thought to play" she threw him a grin while he just raised an eyebrow at her.

What this woman planning now?

To be continued...

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So finally after a long gap I could finish writing the chapter yet .... It's not the end. Of course there's a second part of this chapter and it will be posted on the blog.

I will post the link when the 2nd chapter is up and brace yourself for some 🔥🙈.

Since Wattpad DM has been removed I am giving a little advantage to those who don't use other social media accounts. The new uploaded chapter will be free for two days on the blog so don't forget to read before it gets locked.

Anyways happy reading my ❤️