Chapter 65: chapter 65

S A N M A Y I The days leading up to the wedding were thick with both joy and trepidation. The air in Amaravati was thick with the scent of blooming jasmine, and the palace halls were alive with activity. Even the stone walls of the kingdom seemed to hum with the weight of what was unfolding. Yet beneath the surface, something darker was stirring, something I could not ignore.The ceremony was to be a grand one, a union that would unite not only two hearts, but the divided factions of a kingdom, or so we hoped. The entire palace had transformed into a veritable sea of gold, red, and white, the colors of celebration and tradition. Everywhere I looked, there were servants bustling with preparations, and nobles exchanging whispers, either in support or in opposition. Amidst all of this, I tried to focus on the significance of the rites, on the sacredness of the rituals that were meant to bind me and Ranajay together. But as always, Nandini’s shadow loomed large over every moment of joy.---The first of these rituals, the Mehendi, was a celebration of the bride. My hands trembled as the intricate henna designs were drawn across my palms, but it was not from nervousness about the ceremony. No, my thoughts kept drifting back to the previous night when I overheard a conversation between two court attendants. They had spoken of Nandini’s quiet scheming, her efforts to subvert every celebration, to tear the foundations from beneath our union. Her reach now extended beyond the palace walls, her influence as Queen growing by the hour. But I could not—would not—let her steal the peace I had worked so hard to create.“Your hands are so still,” a voice said softly, and I glanced up to see Ranajay standing nearby, his eyes filled with an affection that made my heart soften despite the storm brewing around us. “It is said that the more intricate the designs, the deeper the bond between a couple.”I forced a smile, though I could not hide the unease in my chest. “I only hope the designs on my hands are a good omen.”He moved closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. “We will make our own fate, Sanmayi. The designs, no matter how intricate, will only last for a short time. What we build together will last forever.”His words, like the henna on my hands, felt permanent in that moment, etched in my heart as I gazed at him. There, in the midst of the palace’s hustle, there was only us. Our love, like the intricate patterns that covered my palms, felt drawn in permanence. But even as we shared this intimate moment, I could not ignore the rumbling tension just beneath the surface.---Later that day, the Haldi ceremony commenced. The ritual involved the application of turmeric paste to the bride and groom, a symbol of purification and blessing. The air was filled with laughter and the joyous chatter of the women in the court as they rubbed the golden paste on my skin. The scent of turmeric mixed with the sweet fragrance of marigolds, creating an almost surreal atmosphere, one that seemed to wash away the worries of the world.But even in the midst of the laughter, my mind wandered. I could feel the eyes of the courtiers watching me, assessing every movement, every word. And though the yellow paste was meant to symbolize joy, I could not shake the feeling that Nandini, now Queen, was somewhere in the background, pulling strings, setting traps. Her gaze, though invisible, felt like a heavy weight upon my shoulders. I had become so adept at ignoring the dark, insidious energy she exuded, but it was harder now, with her power confirmed and her reach limitless.“Sanmayi,” a voice said suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see Ranajay standing near the doorway, his smile a rare light in the heavy atmosphere. “Would you join me for a moment?”I nodded, excusing myself from the crowd. Ranajay’s face softened as he led me into a quieter part of the palace, away from the eyes and gossip of the court.“The Haldi was a success, but I fear this is only the calm before the storm,” I said, the weight of our shared fears settling between us.He placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes unwavering. “Do not let her win, Sanmayi. We have prepared for this. Every step, every word, we have planned together. Nandini will not undo what we’ve worked for.”His confidence, as always, was a steadying force, but I could not silence the voice in the back of my mind. What if she succeeded? What if her scheming, her subtle manipulations, could break us before we even had a chance to begin?---The evening brought the Sangeet, a night of music and dance. The palace was alive with melodies and rhythms, the air thick with the strains of sitars and tabla drums. The dancers moved in unison, their bodies flowing like water, their grace as intoxicating as the wine flowing freely through the halls. The laughter and joy were infectious, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to be caught up in the celebration, dancing with Ranajay beneath the golden glow of the chandeliers.It was during one of these dances that I caught sight of her—Nandini. She was seated on a gilded chair, her eyes narrowed, watching us with a look of both disdain and determination. She wore the crown now, her place at King Jayavikram’s side secured, but there was a bitterness in her gaze that was impossible to ignore. She had been playing a careful game, a game that was not over, and she knew that if she could stir enough unrest, she could still disrupt our lives.Ranajay noticed the direction of my gaze, and I could see the muscles in his jaw tighten. But he did not speak of it. Instead, he drew me closer, his arms around me as we continued to dance. The music swelled, and the world seemed to shrink around us, leaving only the two of us suspended in time.“You see her, don’t you?” I asked softly.He nodded, his voice steady. “Yes. But do not worry about her now. Enjoy this moment, Sanmayi. Let us have this time for ourselves before the real battle begins.”But I could not simply enjoy the moment. Nandini’s presence loomed over us, a reminder that the war for Amaravati’s future was not yet won. The kingdom, my past, and our future—all hung in delicate balance, and I could feel the fragile thread that bound us together beginning to fray.---As the night drew on, I found myself alone in one of the quiet corners of the palace, my mind swirling with the day’s events. The wedding rituals, the celebrations, the tension—it was all too much to bear. I wanted to believe that love could conquer all, that Ranajay and I could stand together against the world, but the specter of Nandini’s plot kept intruding on my thoughts.There, in the dim light of the palace hall, I felt something stir deep within me—a resolve, a determination to protect the love we had fought so hard for.The rituals would continue, the conspiracies would escalate, and the path ahead would be filled with obstacles. But I knew one thing for certain: I would not let anyone take this happiness from me. No matter what came next, I would face it with Ranajay by my side.For our love was a bond far stronger than the turmoil around us, and no amount of sabotage or conspiracy could change that.