Kshitija raced towards the Queen's room. Queen Mridrakshi had urgently called her. She was the first queen of Amber and the closest to the king, Ratan Singh. Kshtija's face gleamed with nervousness and apprehension. She was walking briskly, thinking about the reason for this sudden invitation. She had never met a royal in real life, just seen their diminutive glances from the palace's balcony. Her heart fluttered with excitement and a tinge of fear. It was seven in the morning, everybody was busy in the preparations for the grand wedding. It was quite breezy in the morning as the golden candor of the sun started striking the hot land. Birds were chirping melodiously adding a little peacefulness to the vibrant palace. She reached the Queen's palace door. It was huge and classic. Her eyes fluttered up and down compressing the luxury around her. Before she could walk inside a maid stopped her.

"What is it that you want?" Asked one of the maid .

"The queen had called me urgently. She asked for my presence."

"Your pressence? What rubbish? We are the gatekeepers since past three years and the queen does not know our names. And you claim that she called you?" They replied mockingly.

"But.. she did." Khsitija protested.

"And she asked me to marry the prince." Spat the maid and burst into laughter. Kshitija's face turned red, she was swimming with embarrassment. She turned around clutching her skirt as tears wailed up her eyes. She was walking slowly from their until a voice caught her flight.

"Yes, I did call Kshitija." Roared a sweet yet fierce voice. Everyone froze. It was the queen herself. She walked towards Kshitija, holding her hand and taking her inside. It was surprisingly odd, both for Kshitija and the two conceited maids. Their jaws dropped and were almost touching the floor. The queen stopped near them, turned her head and spoke," You need not be my gatekeeper anymore."

Kshitija scanned her every move, she had this royal aura that attracted everyone or announced her presence. She could see the maids plead yet the queen left them without a glance. A chill ran past her spine as she matched the pace of the queen.

KSHITIJA'S POINT OF VIEW

The queen' eyes were hyponsitizing yet fierce. There is this firmness in her personality that could make any lame man tremble. I wish I could be like her but I think this is the difference between a royal and a maid. She looks so ravishing. It seems fishy that she called upon me and she knows my name? Is it to punish me for something? My eyes filled with extreme horror but the next second my expression changed. The sight was wondrous. The room, I was walking in, was marvelous. The silk curtains pinned to a side. A huge king side bed with a handstitched besheets. Beautiful pairs of lehnga were lined at a stretch. They must be atleast 20 to 30 pairs. My eyes did not deviate from the sight. I was so engrossed that I lost my attention towards my surroundings. I got back to reality when I heard the queen scoff. I mumbled an apology and looked down.

"Kshitija is this your name?"she asked me. I nodded my head to a yes. I saw her venture close to me and look around me. She grabbed my chin and had a closer look at me. It hurt a bit but i remained quiet. She quietly handed me a beautiful red lehnga. I took it with confusion. It was indeed beautiful but now my thoughts were diverted towards the unexpected and suspicious situation. Something smelled fishy.

She commanded," Wear it." I had no audacity to question further. I quietly complied and walked towards the changing room. The lehnga was beautiful. Red, my favourite. I was confused to be happy with what I got of fear this dire situation. Everything was fast.

POV ends.

She quietly came outside wearing the beautiful red outfit. The lehnga fits her perfectly, every inch of her curve. She looked radiant with her hair messed up. Her emerald eyes shimmered with the red and green lehnga and chunni. The queen gazed at her without a blink. She looked captivating, far more than her own daughter. Her attire changed her look, from a commoner to a royal. The silence broke as Kshitija dared to mutter," I am sorry for this inappropriate behaviour but can I ask you something queen?"

"Why have I called you? Isn't this the question you wanted to ask?" She spoke with a smirk. Kshitija nodded to a yes. The queen circled her and spoke," This is quite obvious that I have a business. For me to reminisce a maid is like, a priest reminiscing a sweeper." It was quite hurtfull to hear but truth is truth. This was preety obvious. The words from her mouth irked Kshtija but she remained quiet.

Mridrakshi continued," Princess Indravati has fled from the marriage. You have to take her place during the wedding."

The words made Kshitija's eyes pop out. She sighed in disbelief. Finally words escaped her mouth," Why me?"

"Because a maid like you has no life. You can easily replace the princess in the wedding to save Amer. Till the time they would find out about this, you would already be the first Queen Of Malwa and they would have no choice but to accept it. This way they will not attack Amer again. Don't try to act oversmart, if this lie is spilled, you will lose your life. Until this marriage is completed, you need to keep your mouth shut." She thundered with a deadly glare.

Kshitija was numb. Not because of the fact that they were using her but the fact that she was going to be a Queen. The first queen of Mewar, the wife of Siddhant. Her life was going to take an unexpected turn. A turn she always wished for. Her heart was beating fast, trying to understand what was happening. Two maids gripped her arm, bringing her back to reality.

"Take her to the changing room and make her look like a princess." Mridrakshi ordered the maids. They nodded and took Kshitija inside. The whole while, as the maids dressed her lusciously, Kshitija's mind was entangled. She was constantly trying to differentiate weather it was a dream or not.

Two hours of dressing and Kshitija glimmered like a royale princess. The bewitching smile, her emerald eyes, her every curve fitting exactly her attire. She looked even more preetier than Indravati herself, the maids acknowledged.

To be continued...

The first chapter is finally up. Question- Shoud I add hindi dialogues to give it a historical vibe? Do comment, vote and read further. Spread this book as well. Thank you.