Published on:- 28/1/25 [Tuesday]
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"Kundarastra rajya ke Yuvraj hone ke sath sath main yahan ka senapati bhi hun. Mujhse behtar koi nahi samjh sakta ki kya uchit hai aur kya anuchit. Aur raha sawal, ish bandi ka aur Maharaj ke aadesh ka to ye mat bhulo ki, ish Sheesh Mahal ki chaukhat pe sari adesh ruk jati hai. Yahan se hamari hukumat shuru hoti hai."
Shivaal's stern voice echoed through the Sheesh Mahal, surprising everyone. But Prince Ved didn't back down; he looked ready to fight back.
Just as the tension grew, a royal soldier entered the Sheesh Mahal. In an instant, they captured Prince Ved, holding him firmly.
Everyone was stunned. No one had expected this to happen. Prince Ved, who had seemed so powerful, was now caught by the queen's soldier.
Prince Ved was speechless as he questioned, "Maharani Devi ke sainikon! Ye kya ho raha hai? Akhir mere sath aisa vyavahar kyun?"
The commander of the queen's soldiers bowed his head respectfully to General, the Crown Prince Shivaal.
Then, turning to Prince Ved, he replied firmly, "Maharani Devi ko vish dene ke apradh me Rani Devangana, Rani Vasumati aur Rani Rajmala ko doshi paya gaya hai. Maharani Devi ne teeno raniyon ko aur unke santano ko kaid karne ka adesh diya hai."
Prince Ved's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "Ye asambhav hai! Maa, Rani Vasumati aur Rani Rajmala aisa kadam kabhi nahi utha sakti! Kis aadhaar par unhe doshi thahraya gaya hai?"
The commander said calmly, "Rajkumar Ved, saboot aur gawaahon ke aadhar par ye faisla liya gaya hai".
Shivaal stepped forward and his sharp gaze cut through Prince Ved like a blade.
"Rajkumar Ved! Agar Shivaal ki maa ko kuch hua, to Kundarashtra ka itihas badal dega Shivaal"
With those chilling words, Shivaal turned and walked deeper into the Sheesh Mahal while his footsteps were echoing in the tense silence.
The Queen's soldiers wasted no time, grabbing Prince Ved firmly and dragging him out of the Sheesh Mahal.
Prince Ved shouted, "Mujhe Maharaj se milna hai! Le chalo mujhe Maharaj ke paas!"
But his pleas fell on deaf ears. The commander maintained his grip as his face hardened with duty, and led Prince Ved to the Queen's dungeon.
Once there, they unlocked one of the cells and shoved him inside roughly. As Ved steadied himself, he noticed the other three cells in the dimly lit dungeon. In each one, Rani Devangana, Rani Vasumati, and Rani Rajmala sat, their faces pale with fear and despair.
Ved's heart sank as he clutched the cold iron bars and his voice was filled with both anger and urgency.
"Yeh anyaay hai! Tum sab iss atyachar ke zimmedar ho! Main iske liye zimmedar logon ka jawab lekar rahunga!"
But the commander simply locked the door and walked away, leaving the prince and the king's wives in the suffocating silence of the dungeon.
....
Back at the Sheesh Mahal, the maids quickly locked the grand entrance, ensuring no interference. They followed Shivaal silently, watching as he strode purposefully toward the inner courtyard pond.
Without hesitation, Shivaal discarded his upper robe, his sharp gaze scanning the water's surface. His instincts told him she was there. Taking a deep breath, he leapt into the pond, the cool water enveloping him as he dove deeper.
The depths of the pond were murky, with light filtering faintly from above. Searching frantically, Shivaal spotted a figure lying motionless at the bottom was Samanvitha.
Her delicate form was still, her hair floating like dark silk around her.
Shivaal's heart clenched. Kicking powerfully, he swam to her, his arms reaching out to pull her close. Her body was cold, her lips pale, and she showed no signs of movement.
With urgency, Shivaal brought her to the surface. Breaking through the water, he carried her lifeless form to the edge of the pond.
The maids gasped and their faces were pale with fear, but they hurried to fetch towels and blankets.
Laying Samanvitha gently on the marble steps, Shivaal pressed his ear to her chest. Her heartbeat was faint, she was alive but barely.
Shivaal commanded, "Jaldi alav ka prabandh karo, garam kapde lao aur Vaidhya ko bulao!"
A maid ran to fetch the healer while Shivaal began pressing against Samanvitha's chest to expel the water.
"Rajkumari.. Rajkumari Samanvitha...", He patted her cheeks but she did not respond.
He again began to press her stomach and after a few tense moments, she coughed weakly, water spilling from her lips.
Her eyes fluttered open, dazed and unfocused, but she saw Shivaal leaning over her, his expression was fierce and protective.
"Apka ye jeevan, Shivaal ke naam hai, Samanvitha. Aur jab tak Shivaal ki saansein chalengi tab tak Shivaal apko kuch hone nahi dega", He whispered and Samanvitha heard it but her mind was unable to process his words.
She tried to speak, but her voice failed her. Shivaal wrapped her in his discarded robe and his jaw was tightening as he made a silent vow to protect her at all costs.
The maids watched in awe as Shivaal lifted Samanvitha's fragile, unconscious form as his gaze softened but the tension in his body remained palpable.
He carried her into the Sheesh Mahal, to her bedchamber as his determination was unshaken as he put her carefully on the bed and then, he knelt by her side, gently brushing away the strands of wet hair that clung to her face.
Leaning closer, his nose traced her cold, pale cheeks, and he inhaled deeply.
Her scent... it was subtle yet intoxicating and it hit him like a storm.
Her scent wasn't ordinary; it was natural yet rich, like the finest itra, a fragrance that lingered in the air, teasing his senses.
It was different from real itra extracted of flowers that disturbed his peace and snatched his bresthes.
For a moment, his sharp instincts faltered. The scent wasn't just alluring; it was maddening, stirring something primal within him.
He felt his caged beast thrash inside, clawing for release, the restraint he always prided himself on slipping through his fingers.
Shivaal clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening ever so slightly on her delicate wrist as he fought to regain control.
His mind was clouded with her scent and the wild, unexplainable connection that bound him to her.
He knew one thing for certain - he would let nothing and no one take her from him.
His beast lurked dangerously close to the surface, a reminder that his restraint was slipping, and this woman held the key to unleashing it.
Shivaal told himself, "Yeh kya ho raha hai? Yeh apki sugandh... Meri bechani badha deti hai".
Her fragile state reminded him to focus, but the raw pull he felt toward her couldn't be ignored. He leaned in just a fraction closer, his lips barely brushing her temple as he whispered lowly, almost possessively,
Shivaal spoke, "Ap Shivaal ki hain, Samanvitha. Chahe yeh sansaar iska virodh kyun na kare. Sabse chupa kar rakhunga apko. Kisi ko bhi haq nahi hai apko dekhne ka. Rajkumar Ved ho ya koi aur. Apko dekhne ka, apke kareeb aney aur apki ye itra ki sugandh per haq sirf Shivaal ka hai".
The atmosphere was heavy with tension, and his sharp gaze never left her pale face as she lay unconscious.
"Rajkumari ke vastra badlo," Shivaal commanded in a firm voice, his tone left no room for hesitation.
Without sparing another glance, he turned and strode out of the chamber, his wet clothes clinging to him uncomfortably.
In the adjacent chamber, he quickly changed into a simple, comfortable attire while his mind restless as images of Samanvitha's frail state plagued him. He wasted no time and returned swiftly, his steps firm yet hurried.
As he entered the chamber, he saw the maids carefully drying Samanvitha's hair with soft cloths, their hands moving gently to avoid disturbing her. Her pale face seemed slightly better now, but her stillness unnerved him.
Shivaal's sharp gaze swept over the room, ensuring everything was being done correctly.
Moments later, the imperial physician arrived, bowing deeply before quickly approaching the bedside. He carefully examined Samanvitha, checking her pulse and the pallor of her skin.
After a moment of silence, the physician turned to Shivaal and spoke in a calm but professional tone, "Yuvraj! In ki haalat abhi nazuk hai. Inka sharir kamzor hai, aur unhe kaafi samay tak jal ke andar rahne ke kaaran ghutan hui hai. Maine aushadhi de di hai, ab inhe araam ki sakht zarurat hai."
Shivaal's jaw tightened as he processed the physician's words. His voice was low and laced with authority as he asked, "Kya yeh surakshit hai?"
The physician nodded. "Ji, Yuvraj. Agar inka dhyan rakha jaye aur yeh aushadhi samay par di jaye, toh yeh jaldi theek ho jaengi."
Shivaal gave a curt nod, his expression still cold and unreadable. "Mujhe zarurat ka saara saman yahan laake do. Koi galti bardasht nahi hogi," he ordered.
The physician bowed and left to fulfill his command, while Shivaal returned his gaze to Samanvitha, who stirred faintly in her unconscious state. Her fragile appearance tugged at something deep within him - a mix of protectiveness and something far more primal.
He sat beside her, his fingers brushing her cold hand as he muttered under his breath, "Aj ke bad apko koi aur pareshani nahi hogi yahan, Ye Kundarastra rajya ke Yuvraj Shivaal Samaiyar ka vachan hai apse."
He took the medicine and put it in her mouth. She gulped down slowly, very slowly.
"Sari aushadhi sahi samay pe milni chahiye?", Shivaal said and the maid bowed respectfully.
"Ji, Yuvraj".
Shivaal nodded, his eyes softening momentarily as he looked at Samanvitha. "Dhyan rakho ki ek chhan ke liye bhi koi kami na ho. Agar Rajkumari ki halat me sudhar na dikha, to mujhe turant samachar milni chahiye".
The maids nodded in unison, their movements becoming even more cautious under his watchful eyes.
After staring at her face for a minute, Shivaal grabbed his sword and strode out of the Sheesh Mahal and went directly to meet his mother, Maharani Iravathi.
..
In the Queen's chamber, her loyal maids, guards and servants were rooted to their place.
The security was tight as the emperial soldiers and physicians were checking on the Queen's health.
Shivaal stood at the entrance as he nodded at the commander of Queen's soldiers.
He entered the room and stepped closer to his mother. His heart ached for his mother who always suffered because of internal emperial affairs.
He sat down on beside her and took her palm in his. Suddenly, the queen's hand tightened around his firm hold.
Shivaal's brows furrowed slightly as he glanced back at the servants and the physicians.
"Ekant! Sahi Vaidya aur dasi ko chod kar sabhi bahar jao", Shivaal said and everyone left quietly and locked the door.
"Maa! Apne Aisa kyun kiya?", Shivaal questioned and Iravathi opened her eyes slowly.
....
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ShineeSunshine â¥ï¸