Published on:- 4/1/25 [Saturday]
...

"जब से तेरे नैना मेरे नैनों से लागे रे
जब से तेरे नैना मेरे नैनों से लागे रे
तब से दीवाना हुआ
सब से बेगाना हुआ
रब भी दीवाना लागे रे
रब भी दीवाना लागे रे"

...

In the grand royal court of Kundarastra, the atmosphere was heavy with tension as the royal minister stepped forward to speak.

"Maharaj! Ye satya hai ki jis bandi ko Rajdhara ka Yuvraj samjha ja raha tha, wo asal mein Yuvrani hai", the minister declared and his words echoed in the vast hall.

The court erupted in whispers and shocked murmurs. All eyes turned to King Abhisaar Samaiyar, who sat on his majestic throne while his expression darkened with each passing second.

"Ek stree ko jeet kar laya hai, mera Shivaal?", The king's voice carried a mixture of disbelief and growing concern.

"Ji Maharaj, wo Rajdhara ke Maharaj Aryaman aur Maharani Sumti ki eklauti santan hai, Yuvrani Samanvitha Gayasen", the minister explained.

While King Abhisaar Samaiyar's sharp eyes narrowed as he absorbed the shocking news. His imposing presence commanded immediate silence in the court.

Abhisaar leaned back on his ornate throne while his fingers were drumming thoughtfully on its armrest. "Shivaal ko is baat ki jaankari thi?"

"Sayad nahi, maharaj. Kyunki yuddh shetra me Yuvrani, Yuvraj ban kar ek yoddha ki tarah ladi thi", the minister said in an admired tone but suddenly his voice fell as he continued to say, "Prantu ab jaankari hai".

The king's jaw tightened as he thought, 'Ek vijayi stree ko apne sheesh mahal me rakhna... yeh samanya nahi hai. Wo bhi jab sheesh mahal khash ho'.

King Abhisaar sat on his throne while his mind was heavy with doubt. He dismissed the courtiers with a wave of his hand, signaling his desire for solitude.

Alone, he stared into the distance, a deep frown creasing his forehead.

...

In the grand chamber adorned with intricate carvings and a warm golden glow, Rajkumar Ved Samaiyar sat on a plush chair, a scholarly book resting in his lap.

His sharp and intelligent eyes scanned the pages and was soaking in the wisdom of the ancient text.

The tranquility of the moment was interrupted as his loyal servant entered and bowed respectfully.

"Rajkumar, ek samachar pramukh hai," the servant began cautiously.

Ved looked up and curiosity was flickering in his eyes. "Kya baat hai?"

"Darbar mein pata chala hai ki Rajdhara ka Yuvraj, jisko bandi bana kar laya gaya tha, asal mein ek stree hai. Rajdhara rajya ki Yuvrani hai," the servant revealed while his head bowed low.

Ved raised an eyebrow as his tone was laced with surprise. "Ek stree?"

"Ji, Rajkumar," the servant affirmed.

Ved leaned back in his chair and his mind was racing with thoughts. After a brief pause, he asked, "Kaisi dikhti hai ye Rajdhara ki Yuvrani?"

The servant hesitated before replying, "Kisi ne unhe dekha nahi hai, Rajkumar. Yuvraj ne unhe Sheesh Mahal mein rakha hai, aur unki ijazat ke bina wahan koi pravesh nahi kar sakta."

A faint smirk formed on Ved's lips as he closed his book with a decisive snap. "Bhaiya Shivaal ne itne etihad ke sath jo chhupa rakha hai, uska deedar to karna hi padega," he mused aloud and had an intriguing gleam in his eyes.

The servant observed silently as Ved rose from his chair and his stance was exuding determination.

The mystery of the veiled Yuvrani had ignited his curiosity, and he knew he couldn't resist uncovering the secret his elder brother guarded so fiercely.

...

On the other hand, in the Sheesh Mahal, Samanvitha took a round of sheesh mahal and found that it was a huge glass and gem stone palace with a small pond full of golden and orange fishes.

The forest was surrounding the walls of the Sheesh Mahal and had a garden full of small white scented flowers.

The enchanting scent of white flowers caught her attention. She wanted to look at the flowers which had a sweet smell coming from it.

"Ish phulon ki gandh ne hume hamare ghar ki yaad dila di".

Samanvitha had tears in her eyes. Remembering the burning palace scene stabbed her heart.

Suddenly she stood frozen on her spot as the soft creak of the door echoed through the Sheesh Mahal.

Her teary eyes darted toward the entrance while her body tensing with uncertainty.

She quickly wiped her tears, not wanting anyone to witness her vulnerability. She backed away from the garden.

The door opened fully, and three women entered, dressed in the modest yet elegant attire of royal servants. They carried trays filled with food, a set of fresh clothes, and various items of comfort.

Their presence was calm, but their eyes held curiosity and a hint of unease as they gazed at the woman who was once the proud crown Prince of Rajdhara.

One of the servants, an older woman with kind eyes, stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Rajkumari ji, humein Yuvraj ne aapki seva ke liye bheja hai," she said softly.

Samanvitha's posture stiffened at the mention of Shivaal's name. Her amber eyes, still glistening with unshed tears, narrowed slightly.

"Seva karne se pehle, jaake apne Yuvraj se keh dena ki hum kisi bhi keemat par unke adheen nahi rahenge," she replied coldly while her voice was steady despite the storm raging in her heart.

The older servant hesitated, exchanging glances with the others. "Rajkumari ji, yeh aadesh humare liye nahi, aapke liye hai. Aap chaahein ya naa chaahein, ye daashiyon ka kartavya hai ki wo aapki dekhbhaal karein."

Samanvitha turned her gaze away, her heart heavy with a mixture of anger and despair.

The golden and orange fish in the pond swam lazily, oblivious to the turmoil brewing around them. The sight was oddly calming, but it did little to soothe the ache of loss within her.

The servants quietly arranged the items they had brought- placing the food on a low table, laying out fresh clothes, and lighting a small diya to brighten the room.

Their movements were deliberate and respectful, but Samanvitha's mind was elsewhere.

She clenched her fists as she gazed out at the bela garden as her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yahaan jitna bhi sukh-sansar de do, par hamara dil wahi rahega jahan hamare maa-pita ji hain... aur hamara ghar."

The older servant paused, her face softening with sympathy. She placed a gentle hand on Samanvitha's shoulder. "Jaisi apki iksha Rajkumari ji, pehle snaan kar lijiye."

Samanvitha didn't respond. Her jaw tightened as a flicker of determination sparked in her eyes.

She would grieve, yes, but she would not break. She silently vowed that one day, she would reclaim everything that had been taken from her.

"Chaliye", the maid said.

Samanvitha reluctantly allowed the maids to guide her toward the grand bathing chamber of the Sheesh Mahal.

The room was adorned with shimmering mosaics, intricately carved glass walls, and a large marble bathtub filled with warm water infused with rose petals and fragrant oils.

The maids were experienced and gentle in their demeanor as they helped her remove the remnants of her war-torn attire.

One maid carefully poured warm water over her, while another began to wash her long, dark hair with a mixture of herbal pastes. The soothing scent of jasmine and sandalwood filled the air, momentarily distracting her from the whirlwind of emotions within her.

Her body bore the scars and bruises of the battlefield was a silent reminder of the life she had led as a warrior, not a captive.

The maids exchanged glances of quiet respect as they gently cleansed her wounds as their touch was delicate yet purposeful.

Samanvitha's mind wandered to the past and the weight of her losses pressed heavily on her heart. She closed her eyes and let the warm water wash over her, hoping it could also cleanse the anguish that seemed to cling to her very soul.

As one maid massaged fragrant oil into her hair, another was cleaning the wounds.

Samanvitha opened her eyes, her gaze sharp yet distant as she said, "Koi aa raha hai. Koi aas pas hai".

"Lekin yahan hamare alawa aur koi bhi nahi hai, Rajkumari", the first maid said.

Samanvitha's brows furrowed deeply as her heart was not at peace . She wondered, 'Agar humey aisa prateet hua hai ki koi hai to matlab koi hai'.

The maids fell silent as they looked at her and understood the depth of her pain and the fire of her resolve.

They continued their task with utmost care and silently admiring the strength of the woman before them.

A true warrior.

Rajdhara rajya ki Yuvraj.

As the bath concluded, Samanvitha stepped out and draped in a soft cloth the maids had provided. Her hair was now clean and shining as it fell down her back in waves.

Despite her circumstances, her regal aura remained intact - a testament to the warrior spirit that refused to be extinguished.

"Aahhhh", one maid sighed in shock.

"Ap kitni Sundar hai, Rajkumari. Bilkul apsara jaisi. Bhagvan Vishnu Narayan ka roop Mohini jitni sundar", another maid said.

Samanvitha blinked her eyes calmly as she did not acknowledge their compliments.

"Sach me. Aj tak ish dashi ne itni sundar rajkumari nahi dekhi", the older maid also stated but Samanvitha had no desire to listen the compliment as her heart was burning.

"Ye jheel jaise do nayan apke, bahut gehre hai, Rajkumari. Ye dasi inme dukh aur dard dekh sakti hai, parantu kuch kar nahi sakti", the older maid said and Samanvitha's heart trembled.

"Hamara naam Samanvitha hai. Humey Rajkumari na bulaye. Hum Rajdhara rajya ke Yuvraj hai," Samanvitha said firmly but her voice was echoing with pride.

"Lekin ye Kundarastra rajya ke Yuvraj ka adesh hai ki aapko Rajkumari bulaya jaye," one of the maids replied in her respectful tone.

Samanvitha's jaw tightened, her teeth gritting as she glared at the maid, frustration evident in her fiery eyes.

"Chaliye, ab aapka shringar kar dete hain," the maid said as she was trying to change the subject.

"Nahi," Samanvitha snapped while stepping back defensively. "Hume shringar pasand nahi."

The maids exchanged nervous glances. One of them tried to reason, "Lekin Kundarastra rajya ke Yuvraj ka adesh hai ki aapko sajaya jaye."

"Hume koi majboor nahi kar sakta. Hum yahan bandi hai, unki gudiya nahi" she retorted coldly as her tone was laced with defiance.

The room fell silent and tension was hanging in the air as Samanvitha's defiance clashed with the looming authority of the absent Yuvraj.

"Thik hai. Lekin vastra to badal lijiye," the maid said softly, her eyes glancing at the damp cloth sticking to Samanvitha's wet body.

Samanvitha stayed quiet for a moment before replying in a cold tone, "Jo vastra laayi ho, wahi de do."

The maid placed a simple yet elegant outfit near her and stepped back.

"Yeh vastra Yuvraj ke adesh se tayar kiya gaya hai," she added, bowing slightly.

"Unke adesh se to lagta hai poora bramhand chalta hai," Samanvitha muttered sarcastically, removing her damp cloth and picking up the new attire.

The maids stayed silent and a hint of unease on their faces.

Samanvitha dressed herself without any help, without any ornaments as she pushed her wet hair back, and took a deep breath.

She got ready and she did not look like a princess but her strong aura and the fury in her amber eyes gave another answer.

She was a true Rajput warrior. The crown Prince of Rajdhara Kingdom.

"Ab jao. Hume bar bar Kundarastra rajya ke Yuvraj ka naam sunna pasand nahi." she said, while looking at the maids with a sharp gaze.

"Bhojan to kar lijiye", The older maid said.

"Nahi chahiye", Samanvitha declined it as she laid down on the floor

"Aushadhi leni thi apko", Another maid said but she snapped, "Jarurat nahi hai".

"Ap niche kyun so rahi hai, Rajkumari. Apke sone ka pura prabandh kiya ja chuka hai", the older maid said in panic tone.

But Samanvitha waved her hand, "Bandi ki jagah niche, bhoomi pe hoti hai. Sahi bistar par nahi".

The maids exchanged nervous glances before quietly walking towards the doors of the Sheesh Mahal.

....

Back to the Royal court, it was late at night and the king and Queen of Kundarastra were looking at their crown Prince Shivaal Samaiyar - The Yuvraj, the General of Kundarastra.

"Shivaal! Ap ek stree ko jeet kar laye. Chalo mante hai ki ap nahi janti the unki sacchai. Parantu ab? Ab sach jankar bhi ek parayi stree ko sheesh mahal me rakhna samanya baat nahi hai. Ye sonch vichar ka vishay hai", The Queen of Kundarastra, Iravathi Samaiyar said but she knew how her first child was.

Too dictator, too direct, had too much anger issue.

"Maa! Wo stree bad me, ussey pehle Shivaal ka tohfa hai", Shivaal said in a straight tone.

Iravathi glanced at her husband Abhisaar whose sharp gaze landed on Shivaal.

"Yuvraj! Apne kya soncha hai ish bandi ko lekar?", the king asked in a straight tone.

"Rajkumari hai wo, Pita ji. Ek yoddha jiski talwar ne hame Zakhmi kar diya", Shivaal said in a proud tone.

"Shivaal! Tatparya kya hai apka?", the queen questioned him.

"Wo hamari hai, Maa. Shivaal Samaiyar ki. Aur unki jagah Sheesh Mahal me hai", Shivaal said without thinking about anything.

But his words caused an uproar in the hearts of the royal couple and his younger brother- Shivam who was sitting on the opposite side of the royal throne.

"Purey Rajya me unki stree hone ki khabar phail jaegi to hum kya jawab denge apne logon ko. Ek bandi ki jagah karagrah me hoti hai aur Yuvraj apki Yuvrani ki jagah Sheesh Mahal me hai. Wo Yuvrani jisko humne chuna hai apke liye", The King coldly.

There was a strategy running in his brain and his intentions were clear. To clean the Sheesh Mahal, and throw Samanvitha in the prison.

"Rajya ko bachane wala. Kabhi uttar nahi deta hai, Pita ji. Shivaal Samaiyar Kundarashtra Rajya ke sena ka senapati hai. Kis ki itni dussahas ki humse prasn kare?", Shivaal said in an icy tone.

"Aur jis rajya ke Yuvrani ko apne chuna hai. Ush rajya ke Yuvraj se pucha ki kya wo hamari behen se vivah karne ko taiyyar hai? Jab tak Shivaal ki behen ka vivah nahi hota tab tak Shivaal kisi bhi stree ko apni Yuvrani ko nahi manega", Shivaal said while looking straight at the king and Queen of Kundarastra Kingdom.

Without waiting for the king's and queen's response, Shivaal turned and issued his next order to his royal knight and his trusted man.

"Rajkumari Samanvitha ki suraksha ki zimmedari tumhari hai, Nandan", Shivaal instructed his first royal knight of the Kundarastra and his voice was cold and authoritative.

"Ji, Senapati ji," Nandan replied while bowing slightly.

King Abhisaar sat motionless as his sharp eyes lingered in the direction of the Shivaal left.

A deep unease settled in his heart. It was a feeling he couldn't shake.

'Hume, aisa kyun lag raha hai ki yeh Yuvrani, Kundarastra ke liye vinash ka kaaran banegi?", he thought grimly.

Shivam, the youngest prince, was nervously swallowing the lump in his throat. He knew all too well that only his eldest brother, Shivaal, had the audacity to speak to the King with such boldness. Not even their mother- Iravathi Samaiyar, the Queen of Kundarastra, nor their second brother- Ved Samaiyar would dare to challenge the ruthless King Abhisaar Samaiyar.

In that moment, Shivam realized the true extent of Shivaal's power - and the dangerous path his brother had chosen.

King Abhisaar turned towards Iravathi as his expression was unreadable and had a mixture of intrigue and restrained anger.

"Maharani dekh rahi hai ap, unka tareeka... unke shabdon ka chayan...", the king - Abhisaar said in a low and commanding tone.

The King paused as his gaze was piercing when it landed on Shivam. The king said in a low and commanding tone. "Shivam! Yaad rakhiyega, aniyantrit aur Asanyamit shakti hi patan ka beej hoti hai."

Shivam lowered his head respectfully, though his thoughts were racing.

'Aniyantrit aur Asanyamit shakti?"

That was Shivaal's very essence, the force that made Shivam both feared and admired.

Yet the King's warning lingered like a shadow over Shivam's young mind.

But he also knew all too well that once his brother had set his sights on something or someone, there was no turning back. And now, with the Princess of Rajdhara in question, it was certain that Shivaal would not back off.

She was not a prison of war. Instead, she was Shivaal's possession.

His prize.

His unclaimed claimed Princess.

....

A/N:- I will give slow update. Not sure when or which book. My father-in-law got a heart attack and currently in the hospital. So I am not in the state to think or write the next chapter of ongoing books. Hope you guys will pray for his speedy recovery.

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ShineeSunshine ❤️