Next day Chityakanta invited Sakshi for morning tea. Getting the invitation Sakshi was thrilled. She was worried about their proposal as the other side did not responded for a while. But now she knew that this invitation is just an excuse for the main talk. She was happy and hoping for them to afree on this proposal. These days she has been lecturing her daughter about it but felt sad when her daughter refused to listen anything. She don't know whst she could do to make Rashmi understand the situation. But that is another matter. Since the other party is ready to talk then she have to know the decision first before taking step.

"Go pack fruits that has been sent from Virat. The sweet flavour will definitely win empress dowager's heart" she smiled and ordered the maid behind her. The maid nodded before leaving.

"Mother?" A sweet voice called her from behind.

"Rashmi, finally the Samrat sent invitation" Sakshi replied joyfully.

Rashmi's heart sank down hearing it. She don't know what should she do now? Last time she visited the empress to help her but she told her to wait and keep patience she she agreed. But still she felt restless inside.

"Invitation?" She couldn't help but frown and kinds of thoughts started to form in her mind.

On the other side Sakshi nodded smilingly "I just got the invitation from empress dowager for tea. I think they want to talk about our proposal"

"Mother I told you I don't want to marry" Rashmi said as her face become pale.

"I don't want to argue with you now. Your father and I decided already so as our daughter you should do what we tell you. Besides we are your parents and always want you to be happy. You don't understand the matters of life too much since you are still young but we have seen so much that we can't let you ruin your own life with some unnecessary thoughts. You better stay in your room and reflect on your thoughts" Sakshi said sternly before leaving the room.

Rashmi fell on her knees and cried. The maid beside her squatted down holding Rashmi's shoulder.

"Princess"

"Sina, what should I do now? Mother is not willing to listen to me. How can I marry the person whom in don't love nor I have any affection? Is not it wronging that person knowingly? How can I marry the prince when I already love someone else?" Rashmi couldn't help but cry with pain.

°°°°°°°°

Sakshi entered Chityakanta's courtyard and smiled brightly. Behind her was two maids and one of them carrying a wooden basket. The courtyard was peaceful and sweet smell of incense filled the whole yard that could make anyone relax.

"Empress Dowager" Sakshi called as soon as she saw Chityakanta sitting on chair in the open yard.

"Oh you are here" Chityakanta smiled "please take a seat queen Sakshi"

Sakshi nodded "I was quite surprised when I saw your invitation. I was praying in hall so I came late, please forgive my delay"

"It's not a problem" Chityakanta waved her hand "I was also here few moments ago"

Sakshi nodded before gesturing her maid who immediately placed the basket on table and opened the lid.

"Oh, this is .." Chityakanta was surprised when she saw the glittery, fresh dried prunes.

"This is the top quality prunes of Virat. As Empress Dowager also know that our Virat is known for varity kinds of fruits so it is one of them. This prunes has been grown under extreme care of the farmers and this is the best and tip quality type" Sakshi explained.

Chityakanta nodded "I have heard about it. Though Samrat also has it own local fruit varieties but Prunes are kind of rare. It's cultivation is too small and we can say it's almost not available in the country"

"This are sent yesterday by my elder daughter saying since we are in temple so the approval of the quality will delay, for some checking she sent some to us to get his majesty's approval in marketing them" Sakshi smiled.

"This definitely looks top quality indeed, from its colour to its size all are extremely good" Chityakanta couldn't help but agree. 

Originally Samrat is a mountain country, there is no other place like Samrat. The beauty of high hills and top mountains covered with green forests makes it aloof and cold but it's also a great source of powers and safety. Because of the mountain location the enemies couldn't attack directly, before approaching to Samrat others needs a great amount of time and great amount of force but it's still futile if they don't know the correct direction of places. Samrat also known for producing good amount of foods. Since it has large variety of forests, it also has rare types of herbs and veg foods. That's why the doctors of the country are highly skilled in medicine as there are the production of great amount of rare herbs usefull for rare diseases. But still there's also many lack just a the prunes of Virat. Though there is good climate and soil to grow this types of plum fruits but the farmers couldn't produce good amount of it. The tree couldn't stand to survive in Samrat. So there are se fruits which is rare in Samrat.

"I thought Empress Dowager will like this so I brought it with me. Please have a taste" Sakshi said politely.

Chityakanta couldn't help but nodded. She grabbed a piece before eating it. The sweetness melted in her mouth as she savoured the taste.

"Just as I expected, this is sweet" Chityakanta complemented.

Sakshi smiled " I am glad to hear that"

Chityakanta smiled back as she ordered her maids to serve tea and snacks. After that the maids retreated from there leaving only two of them.

"How's your days going Queen Sakshi?" Chityakanta asked.

"It's good here, empress dowager. Besides praying in the hall the temple's scenary is reall eye catching. After taking a walk by the lotus pond, it makes me relax free from all problems"

"I also feels the same. I have been wanting to visit here for long time ago, but never got the good chance to take but this time I think my luck is also helped me that I finally able to come here"

Hearing her Sakshi smiled "of course, your highness has so much duty to look for. Who don't have problems in life. It's just some has more and some less but everyone do has problems"

Chityakanta nodded agreeing "totally" then she cleared her throat "today I also wanted to talk about the proposal you have suggested before. So I thought it would be good to have some tea and relax as we proceed the talk?"

"Of course, there's no rush empress dowager" Sakshi smiled and picked her cup before taking a sip.

"Ummm...this tea really feel fresh, I have never tasted like this before. Empress Dowager, where did you get the tea leaves from?" Sakshi asked in surprise.

Chityakanta smiled "I don't know either. Actually it's from my daughter in law, she sent this tea for me to taste saying it's good for health and since then I am having this and never felt bored with it. Everytime I drink it feels fresh and the taste gets better"

"Empress is really caring. Your highness really found a gem in disguise of a daughter in law" Sakshi praised. She has tasted many high quality teas in Virat but this tea looks ordinary but it taste too good, like living a fresh life the moment you take a sip. If there's a chance she would really like to ask empress about it.

"Yes, I am lucky though. But this credit couldn't get me in it but to my lat Emperor who decided this marriage before he died"

"I really appreciate late emperor's sharp eyes to find such rare beauty with talents" Sakshi said as she nearly finished her tea. She couldn't help but helping herself to pour another cup again. Chityakanta chuckled seeing her reaction.

"Queen Sakshi, your proposal is really good. It not only has good points from every side but it's also proving a good alliance for the two country. I really appreciate for suggesting such thought. But even though I really want to consider it, I couldn't" Chityakanta explained with a apologetic smile on her face.

Sakshi stopped drinking and looked at her "your highness is there anything wrong in this arrangement?" She frowned.

Chityakanta shook her head "of course not, as I said it was a good suggestion to consider but what real fact is that, were are only audience to judge the situation in reality but the who really going to join in this arrangement is the younger ones. We can only watch them being happy or sad after tying the knot but the one who suffer or enjoy is them. So from this point I wanted to get my son's approval in this matter. I have also given them choice to choose their own bride and after talking to my son, I found there's another girl in his heart and he refused to agree on this arrangement. From his point, it will wrong Princess Rashmi if he marries her without any love or affection. He don't want to ruin her life"

Sakshi looked upset. She thought if her daughter could marry into the Samrat then she will have a great protection and also her status will be high. But she is not god to decide everything to go as per her wish. She is really disappointed to hear this but she also knew she couldn't force anyone to marry her daughter. She don't want her daughter to suffer or live her life while shading tears. So hide the sadness and smiled at Chityakanta.

"It's fine empress dowager, I just wanted a good alliance with marriage but since second prince already had someone else then I won't insist on this matter. Besides this arrangement also involves lives and marriage couldn't be happen with force"

Chityakanta nodded at her understanding "thank you, I hope you still can forgive for delaying the reply"

"It's fine, I will report this to his majesty once I get back" Sakshi nodded.

"Since this matter is settled let us shift the topic and enjoy this tea?"

Sakshi let out a small chuckle "of course, I don't want to miss such good tea to enjoy the weather"

On the other side of the courtyard two person standing there. They could see the two lady smiling and chatting. They seems like enjoying the time while drinking tea.

"The situation improved fast" one of them said smiling.

"Hm... They seems like enjoying the scenary and drinking tea. I must say the people of Virat is really royal"

"What do you mean by that your majesty?" Nandini looked at Manik "if people don't harbour ill thoughts then there's nothing to make big fuss over small thing. Besides I guess Queen Sakshi also knows about her daughter's affair with another person. And since Vaibhav personally refused then it's natural she won't make any fuss"

Manik smiled "that brat is lucky to be able to get a princess afterall. If not princess Rashmi then it's princess Heena. No matter what he really did have sharp eye"

Nandini almost roll her eyes. Whom he is kidding here? The male generation of Samrat is really someone who couldn't be afford to offend with. Besides she must agree on one thing, they really have sharp eyes while choosing their wife.

"Stop referring him as brat. If others hears they would think you are referring to some naughty kids" she retorted.

"He deserves the title anyway" that was all his reply.

"Forget it" Nandini shook her head "since it's cleared Vaibhav must be happy"

"Happy?" Manik chuckled "he is over the moon. He couldn't control and directly run out to find Atropa after hearing the truth"

Nandini chuckled "I  can't blame him anyway" then she looked towards the other courtyard again "mother did not rejected?"

"She couldn't not, not after hearing how tragic the story was. She even admired Atropa"

Hearing this Nandini smiled more. Finally this problem is settled after all.