Published on:- 28/1/25 [Tuesday]
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ðDouble Updateð
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A few hours ago, when Prince Ved was searching for Samanvitha while facing the crown Prince Shivaal in the Sheesh Mahal as his frustration was growing as he combed every corner.
Meanwhile, in the royal consorts garden, the Queen sat peacefully, sipping tea made by Rani Devangana.
Rani Vasumati and Rani Rajmala stood before her as their expressions were tense and they were aware of the gravity of the situation.
The Queen of Kundarastra, Iravathi Samaiyar was there, sitting in the Anang Vatika, the love garden made for King's consorts, means something was going to happen but what? No one was able to pin point it.
The atmosphere in the garden was thick with unspoken tension as everywhere were on alert mode. The security was highly tight as well.
The Queen, her eyes closed, seemed to be lost in the tranquility around her, the lively sounds of the garden offering her a rare moment of calm. Despite the tension in the air, she appeared to be enjoying the serenity, untouched by the storm brewing elsewhere in the kingdom.
"Maharani Devi! Achanak se apne hum teeno ko yaad kiya?", Rani Devangana asked cautiously, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.
Queen Iravathi slowly opened her eyes and fixed her piercing gaze on the three consorts of King Abhisaar Samaiyar - Rani Devangana, Rani Vasumati, and Rani Rajmala. They stood before her like nervous students awaiting their teacher's judgment.
"Chai! Bahut acchi hai. Mujhe pasand aayi", the Queen remarked and her voice was calm but carrying a hint of authority.
She waved her hand dismissively. "Baith jao. Khadi kyun ho? Bahut din ho gaye the... socha aaj Maharaj ki khaas up-patniyon se mil liya jaye. Kyun? Mera yahan aana accha nahi laga kya?".
The Queen's sharp eyes moved between the three women, their discomfort growing with each passing second.
"Maharani Devi! Aisa nahi hai", Rani Devangana replied nervously, bowing her head slightly. "Hum teeno ko bula liya hota... apne aane ka kasht kyun uthaya?".
The Queen's demeanor shifted in an instant. Her gaze turned cold and piercing, and her tone carried an icy edge as she snapped, "Ye rajya mera hai, Rani Devangana. Main yahan ki Maharani hoon, bhavi Rajmata, aur tum teeno Maharaj ki sirf up-patniyan. Mujhe kisi ki izazat ki zarurat nahi".
Her words sent shivers down the spines of the three consorts, leaving them frozen in their places.
Suddenly, the Queen's expression changed. Her strong, commanding presence faltered as the tea cup slipped from her hand, shattering on the ground.
Rani Rajmala gasped, and Rani Vasumati screamed in horror as Queen Iravathi's eyes fluttered shut and a thin line of blood trickled from her mouth.
"Maharani Devi!", Rani Vasumati cried, rushing toward her in panic.
The Queen's maids, equally horrified, immediately called for help and their frantic shouts were echoing through the garden. The once tranquil space now buzzed with chaos and fear.
The chaos in the garden escalated as the Queen's body swayed weakly in her seat. Her loyal maid, quick to act, rushed to her side, pulling out a clean cloth to wipe the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
"Maharani Devi! Kya hua apko", the maid whispered in distress, her hands trembling as she tried to steady the Queen.
Within moments, the Queen's soldiers arrived and their heavy footsteps were thundering against the stone pathway. Their commander stepped forward, his face pale with concern.
"Kya hua Maharani Devi ko?", The commander demanded as his eyes were darting between the panicked consorts and the loyal maid.
"Theek se pata nahi", the maid replied, her voice strained. "Maharani Devi ko achanak se chakkar aya aur khoon... unka khoon. Wo chai pee rahi thi aur...", Her voice broke, but she quickly collected herself, dabbing the Queen's lips with care.
The soldiers formed a protective circle around the Queen, ensuring no one else came near.
The commander turned to the maids. "Vaidhya ji ko turant bulane bhejo!", he ordered sharply.
One of the maids nodded and sprinted toward the palace.
Meanwhile, Rani Rajmala and Rani Vasumati stood frozen, their faces pale with fear. Rani Devangana, who had been too shocked to speak earlier, finally stammered, "Maharani Devi... Aise kaise?".
The Queen's maid, still tending to her, glanced up at the commander. "Humein Maharani Devi ko turant sahi kaksha me le jaana hoga" she said firmly.
The commander nodded. "Maharani Devi ko sambhalo. Unhe andar le chaliye".
Two soldiers stepped forward but one of them noticed the spilled tea on the ground. His sharp eyes caught the unusual discoloration of the green grass around it. The grass had turned a sickly shade, unmistakably a reaction to poison.
"Maharani Devi ko vish diya gaya hai!", the soldier exclaimed and his voice was filled with urgency.
Everyone gasped at this revelation.
The Queen who was weak and trembling, fluttered her eyes open. Her lips barely moved as she whispered, "Bandi bana lo... in teeno ko aur... inke santano ko bhi. Mujhe vish dene ke apradh me".
Her words struck like thunder, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation.
The commander wasted no time, his face dark with anger. "Pakdo inhe!", he barked at the soldiers, gesturing toward the three consorts.
The soldiers lunged forward, grabbing Rani Devangana, Rani Vasumati, and Rani Rajmala by their arms. The consorts screamed and struggled, their cries echoing in the tense air.
"Yeh galat hai! Humein chhodo!", Rani Devangana shouted, her voice breaking with desperation.
"Hum doshi nahi hain!. Chai to Rani Devangana ne banaya tha", Rani Vasumati added, tears streaming down her face.
But their pleas fell on deaf ears. The commander's voice boomed as he said coldly, "Maharani Devi ke aadesh ke khilaf koi nahi jaa sakta. Ap teeno aur apke santano ko ab Maharani ke kothriyon mein rakha jayega".
The soldiers dragged the protesting consorts away, their resistance futile against the firm grips of the Queen's loyal men.
Meanwhile, the Queen's loyal maid rushed to her side, steadying her frail form. "Maharani Devi! Humein aapko turant andar le jaana hoga". she said, her voice trembling.
With great care, the soldiers and servants lifted the Queen, carrying her back to the Royal chamber.
The Emperial old physician who was queen's loyal man entered the Royal chamber in a rush, his medical kit clutched tightly in his hands. His eyes scanned the room as he instructed firmly, "Ek dasi aur ek sevika ko yahan rukne do. Baaki sab log turant kaksh se bahar chale jayein. Mujhe shanti aur samay chahiye".
The maids and soldiers exchanged worried glances but quickly obeyed, leaving the room. Only the Queen's loyal maid and an experienced servant stayed behind, their faces pale with fear.
The physician wasted no time, carefully examining the Queen as he prepared the antidote. "Maharani Devi, yeh dawa vish ko shuddh karegi aur aapke sharir ko saaf karegi", he said in a calm yet urgent tone.
As the antidote took effect, the Queen's body reacted violently. She vomited repeatedly, her weak form trembling with every effort. Her pale face grew even paler, her strength clearly waning.
The maid gently supported her, whispering words of encouragement while wiping her face with a damp cloth.
The physician sighed heavily as he inspected the vomit and the Queen's condition. "Maharani ke chai mein vish ki ek chhoti matra mili hai", he informed the maid. "Yeh matra chhoti lagti hai, lekin kisi ka jeevan samapt karne ke liye yeh kaafi thi".
The maid's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her weakened Queen. "Maharani Devi, kripya apne aapko sambhaliye", she said softly.
The Queen's eyes fluttered open briefly, her gaze filled with determination despite her frailty. "Hum yeh yudh haarne nahi wale", she murmured, her voice faint but resolute.
The physician nodded approvingly. "Maharani Devi abhi sankat se baahar hain, lekin unhe poori tarah thik hone mein samay lagega. Vish ki baaki prabhav ko mitaane ke liye unka vishesh dhyan rakhna padega".
The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the sound of the Queen's labored breaths. The faint scent of herbal medicine hung in the air as the battle for her life continued.
"Vaidya 'Kumar'! Tumhara putra accha karya kar raha hai. Ab ye batao ki Rajdhara rajya ki Yuvrani Samanvitha kaisi hai?", The queen asked the physician.
The imperial physician named Kumar startled by her sudden question. He responded, "Ji! Ab wo thik hai. Lekin kamzor hai".
The Queen nodded slightly as something was running in her mind.
"Karya pura hua ya nahi?", the queen asked her maid who nodded her head and replied, "Ho Gaya hai. Rani Devangana, Rani Vasumati aur Rani Rajmala ke sath sath unke santano ko bhi kaid kar liya gaya hai".
"Anandit! Ati uttam! Rajkumar Ved bhul gaye the ki Shivaal ki maa Kundarastra rajya ki Maharani hai. To kya hua agar ushne Maharaj ko apne paksh me kar liya tha aur Shivaal ke khilaaf khelne ki koshish ki. Maharani abhi bhi jeevit hai", the Queen Iravathi murmured softly.
The old emperial physician, and loyal maids were aware of Queen's plan and her steps against the king's consorts.
The Queen spiked her tea with poison and drank it itself while playing along with the king's consorts.
End of Flashback:-
"Maa! Apne Aisa kyun kiya?", Shivaal questioned and Iravathi opened her eyes slowly.
"Kudh ko chotil kar liya?", Shivaal's voice was low and had slight anger in it.
"Main ek maa hun. Jab main apne baccho ke adhikar ko cheenta hua nahi dekh sakti hun to ushke yuddh me jeete hue tohfe pe kisi aur ki nazar pare? Ye Iravathi ko manzoor nahi", The queen said in a low tone as she looked deeply at his handsome features.
Shivaal's eyes softened while looking at his mother.
"Shiv! Tum Kundarastra ke bhavi raja ho. Ye hamara sapna hai ki tumhe Rajgaddi pe, Sahi mukut pehen ke baitha hua dekhe. Ish rajya pe tumhara raj ho. Agar tum nahi to sirf Shivam, lekin koi aur teesra ya chautha nahi", Queen said and Shivaal's heart ached for his mother.
"Apka Shiv! Sab thik kar dega, maa. Apka sapna bhi pura hoga. Kyunki! Kundarastra rajya Shivaal ko ishliye nahi milega kyunki wo Maharaj Abhisaar ka pratham putra hai. Shivaal raja ishliye banega kyunki wo ishke kabil hai. Aur ye bat Kundarastra bhi acche se janta hai. Jo bhi Shivaal ke path me aega, ushka samna Shivaal aur Charit dono se hoga", Shivaal said while clenching his sword- his trusted, loyal friend named Charit.
The Queen's lips curved upward sinisterly as she said, "Kundarastra me yuddh to ab hoga. Kyunki samay aa gaya hai kuch dharti ke bojh ko kam kiya jaye".
Shivaal understood his mother's words.
"Rajkumar Ved ko agla raja banani ki sari chale chali Jaa rahi thi jinme maine purnaviram lagaya hai. Rani Devangana, Rani Vasumati aur Rani Rajmala bhul gayi ki wo kitni bhi shatir kyun naa, Maharani Iravathi Samaiyar ki nazron se kuch bhi nahi chip sakta. Rajkumar Ved ek gehri chal chal rahe hai. Unka pehla nishana Maharaj the aur Maharaj, rajkumar Ved ki baaton ko man chuke hain tabhi to Yuvrani Samanvitha ki khoj ki ja rahi thi aur bad me ushko rajdarbar me hazir hone ke liye vivash kar deta. Tab tum kuch nahi kar pate, Shivaal. Ek sahi aadesh ke samne tum kuch bhi nahi pate", Queen Iravathi murmured softly.
Shivaal's eyes were fuming in rage.
"Ap chinta mat kijiye, Maa. Shivaal sab sambhal lega", Shivaal said as his tone was icy.
"Shivaal! Tum mera gurur ho. Meri Maharani ki taj se bhi jada sundar aur kimati ho. Lekin Rani Devangana, Rani Vasumati aur Rani Rajmala ki dusri chaal tumse Senapati ke pad ko chheena aur tumhe takatheen karna tha. Bahut gehri chaaley chali gayi. Beej bo di gayi hai Maharaj ke hriday me", The Queen said and Shivaal clenched his jaw.
"Ap apna khayal rakhiye, Maa. Shivaal ko sab ki jankari hai aur ye bhi jankari hai ki Maharaj ke aadesh ka galat fayda kaun aur kyun utha raha hai", Shivaal said and Maharani's eyes widened in shock.
"Qamarabad ke Sultan aur Varnanpura ke Samrat Ratanveer Varn dono hi ek sath hai. Aur Samrat Ratanveer Varn ne Rajdhara rajya ke Yuvrani Samanvitha Gayasen ki mang ki hai warna yuddh ki chetavani di hai. Yuddh hua to tumhari yuvraj aur senapati dono pad pe sankat ke badal aa sakte hai. Tumhe turant koi upaye sochna hoga. Amrit Sarovar ya Yuvrani Samanvitha, ab faisla apka hoga", the Queen coughed as she closed her eyes while speaking to Shivaal.
"Halaat kuch bhi ho, main Rajkumari Samanvitha ko hi chunuga", His words were straight as he knew that all he wanted was Samanvitha.
"Akhir kyun! Kundarastra rajya ki bhavi Yuvrani ko Maharaj ne chun liya hai, Shivaal", The queen said as her body was getting weaker and the voice was lower than before.
"Aur wo meri pasand nahi hai. Meri Yuvrani, Rajkumari Samanvitha ke alava aur koi nahi banegi", Shivaal said as there was a fire ignited in his chest. She opened her eyes forcefully.
"Bahut khoob! To fir main milna chahungi, apki Yuvrani se", The queen accepted Samanvitha without even seeing her.
Shivaal's cheeks turned slightly red as he scratched his neck awkwardly as he remembered how manly Samanvitha behaved, acted or even talked.
"Ahhhh! Maa, Rajkumari Samanvitha thodi si alag hai", Shivaal said, causing the Queen to frown slightly while enjoying his reaction.
"Kyun Rajkumari ke do Singh aur ek doom hai?", Queen asked teasingly.
Shivaal chuckled softly while shaking his head, "Rajkumari... Ek stree ke sarir me chupa hua ek purush hai. Issey jada kya bolun, nahi pata, Maa".
The Queen's eyes softened as she could read his eyes. There was an ocean of love and obsession in it.
Shivaal Samaiyar - The crown Prince of Kundarastra was in love... In love with the enemy's daughter. The crown Princess of Rajdhara Kingdom who was also a prison of war.
"Main prarthana karungi ki.... Ish mohabbat ka rang berang na ho... Ish mohabbat ka ant bas dukhad na ho', The Queen thought while looking falling asleep under the antidote.
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How's the chapter readers?
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ShineeSunshine â¥ï¸