Karthik Discovers Lavanya's Secret: Chapter 24

"Princess, you looked so mighty while proving that case in the court today," Jyotimani said while her small figure rested on the couch but her gaze was fixed on the princess.

The golden rays of the setting sun were gently touching Jyotimani's face while her brown orbs looked even more beautiful like delicate cinnamon with a deep brown rim around the iris. The sky was changing its hues into light orange mixed with yellow, showing that the sun would soon hide behind the horizon.

"Jyoti, are you ready for another drama?" Lavanya glanced at the other girl while her hands efficiently twisted her long braid in order to make a bun.

"Princess, why are you making a bun? Your braid looks beautiful." Jyotimani whined but her lips formed a cute pout.

"Because we are going to clear another mess." A chuckle escaped from Lavanya's lips as she inserted a simple hairpin into her bun so that it wouldn't unfold any sooner.

"The sun will set soon, princess. What are you going to do now?" Jyotimani stood up from her place while observing Lavanya's movements.

"You are going to meet your best friend," Lavanya replied shorty before putting small hair jewelry on the bun. Checking herself in the mirror, she turned towards the younger. "Let's go, Jyoti."

"I really wonder why both father and daughter want to see me and that too at the same time?" Gayatri Devi smiled while her gaze shifted from King Surendra to Saanvi.

"I came first to meet you, mother. Ask the father why he wanted to meet you." Saanvi said in a complaining tone while shifting closer to her mother.

"Did I disturb your private talk with your mother?" The King said playfully while he was sitting on another couch.

"I wanted to talk about sister-in-law." Saanvi pouted while glancing at her father.

"Why are you sulking like that?" Gayatri Devi chuckled. "I am sure your father too wants to talk about your brother and sister-in-law, isn't it?" She glanced at her husband while the latter smiled.

"You always guess correctly." Surendra Dev asserted.

"Mother, you know, sister-in-law gave a special name to brother," Saanvi said excitedly.

"Hm? What's it?" The King asked amusingly.

"I will tell you but both of you have to promise that you won't let anyone know about it," Saanvi demanded while crossing her hands across her chest.

"We promise." Surendra Dev and Gayatri Devi said in unison.

"Sister-in-law calls brother Virendra spoiled prince." Saanvi chuckled while putting her hand on her mouth.

"Ha?" Gayatri Devi's eyes widened in amusement before she burst into laughter. "Your sister-in-law is really intelligent. She gave a perfect name to your brother." She said while trying to control her laughter. "Your father really spoiled your brother Virendra."

"Me?" Surendra Dev blurted out. "How did I spoil him?!" He asked as if he was being falsely accused. "I taught him war skills and he has all the required skills for being a crown prince. Now you are saying that I spoiled him!?"

"Of course you spoiled him, Your Majesty." The Queen replied in a firm tone, telling him that she was right. "You kept him immersed in training so much that he doesn't even know about normal human feelings."

"I agree, father." Saanvi nodded her head eagerly. "He always keeps a long face with a cold aura around him. He only talks freely with brother Karthik, brother Mahesh and me."

"Is that my fault!?" The King stared dumbfounded at the Queen and his daughter.

"Who's else?" The Queen questioned back while Saanvi chuckled silently. "Because of his cold nature, Lavanya isn't approaching him. They are childhood friends but still, they behave as if they don't know each other. If it were someone else, then by now they would have fallen deeply in love with each other."

Before the King could say anything, a maid entered the room and bowed to the royals. "Your Majesty, princess Lavanya is asking for permission to meet you."

"I really wonder why everyone wants to meet me today." The Queen chuckled and looked at the maid. "Ask her to come in."

The maid bowed to the Queen and left the room.

"I think I should excuse myself." The King sighed in a dramatic way before standing from his seat. "I think I shouldn't disturb you anymore." He smiled and walked away.

As he was about to walk out of the room, Lavanya entered. She bowed to the King showing respect while the latter nodded gently, accepting her greetings.

"Come in Lavanya, why are you standing at the door?" Gayatri Devi said in a gentle voice while Lavanya nodded.

"Greetings mother." Lavanya bowed to the Queen.

"Have a seat, dear." The Queen smiled and Lavanya took her seat on an empty couch.

"Did I disturb you?" Lavanya asked hesitantly, unsure if her arrival didn't disturb them.

"No, dear. We were just talking about my spoiled kid." Gayatri Devi said casually while putting emphasis on the words 'spoiled kid'.

Lavanya's eyes widened a bit when she realized what had just happened. She averted her gaze to Saanvi while glaring at her and the latter innocently shook her head as if she didn't know what happened in Lavanya's absence.

"Why are you looking at Saanvi like that?" Gayatri Devi asked in a composed way while controlling her urge to burst into laughter after watching the girls' expressions.

"A-ahh...its nothing mother." Saanvi smiled innocently while Lavanya scoffed silently.

"Mother, I just want to know about maids," Lavanya said while setting properly in her place. "Like...how they live here, what are their rules, who is leading them etc."

"You are really curious to know everything." The Queen chuckled. "The head of the maids in Meenamma. She takes care of all the maids and trains them well."

"Well...are the rules which the maids should follow made by you?" Lavanya looked at the Queen keenly.

"All of them are set by Meenamma." The Queen smiled while Saanvi nodded at her mother's words. "I trust her very much since she was my personal maid."

"Mother, what if she misuses as her power as head of the maids?" Lavanya questioned back while trying to hide her curiosity as much as she could.

"She won't." The Queen's voice slowly turned into a serious one. "Lavanya, why are you asking me so much about Meenamma? As far as I know, you don't ask too many questions if it's not that important to you. Did something happen?"

"Nothing mother." Lavanya blurted out. I cannot let her know anything without proving Meenamma is wrong. The way she is talking it clearly shows that she trusts Meenamma very much and mere talks won't change her mind. "I-I just wanted to know." She smiled, trying not to create any doubt in the Queen's mind.

"You are really curious about things like Virendra." The Queen laughed and continued. "Meenamma was my personal maid. She used to take care of me as if I am her own sister. By then she also learned about the rules of our palace. Since we needed a person to guide the maids, I selected her as the head of the maids since she was very efficient with every task." The Queen paused as glanced at Lavanya whose facial expressions seemed to hold some questions for the Queen. "I didn't set the rules since Meenamma knew what's the best for the maids. So I wanted her to select all the rules for the well being of the maids."

"Do you check if the maids are doing well?" Lavanya asked in a gentle manner.

"Yes." The Queen nodded. "Whenever I went to check on them, I saw all of them are doing well."

Meenamma is really sly. Even a fox isn't as sly as her. Lavanya clenched her hands into fists while her knuckles turned white, trying to control her outrage. She cleverly made the Queen believe that she is perfect but in the absence of the Queen, she is misusing the power of her position.

"Sister-in-law?" Saanvi called out gently, pulling Lavanya out of her daze. "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing Saanvi." Lavanya smiled. "Mother, can three of us pay a visit to the maids' chambers? I want to see how things work and I personally want to know about their rules."

"Sure." Gayatri Devi nodded and stood up. "Since you are so eager to know about them, let's go to their chambers now."

"Thank you, mother." Lavanya too stood up and the three of them were headed towards the chambers of the maids.

"I don't know why Meenamma is doing this with us." A maid said while applying cold water to the burnt areas of the palm of the other maid.

"Please be gentle, Jaya." The other maid winced since the cold water touched the freshly burnt area of the skin which has turned red by then.

"What mistake did you commit, Deepa? You just mistakenly added a bit more salt in her food and she burnt your hand. Is she even a human?" Jaya spat her words.

"Shhh...don't speak so loudly. If she hears, then both of us will be doomed." Deepa said in a low voice before her eyes quickly checked her surroundings.

"Only if we could tell the Queen about our miseries." Jaya let out a sigh, trying to let go of her sadness.

"What are you doing here? The Queen and both the princesses are coming to pay a visit to us." A maid came running and informed them. "Quickly get up. If Meenamma doesn't see us there, she will give us even more punishments. Hurry!" The maid left the room followed by the two maids.

As the maids reached to a big room, they saw all the maids already assembled there while Meenamma was standing in front of them, waiting for the arrival of the royals. The three maids quickly stood among the maids to avoid Meenamma's gaze on them.

Soon the sound of heavy payal (anklets) echoed which clearly announced the arrival of the mighty Queen and the princesses. All the maids stood straight to welcome the royals. Within a few minutes, the mighty Queen Gayatri Devi's feet touched the floor of the big room. She was walking in an upright position while her dupatta was hanging freely from her beautiful bun which was ornated with gold jewelry. One of her arms was folded at her abdomen level which had the pallu of her saree elegantly wrapped her lower arm while the other arm was hanging freely on her side. Lavanya was walking on the right side of the Queen with a serious expression on her face, giving off the crown princess vibes while Saanvi had a gentle smile on her face, showing how cheerful she was. Jyotimani and Saanvi's maids followed them.

"Greetings Your Majesty." All the maids bowed to the Queen.

The Queen smiled and nodded a bit. "I hope you all are doing well. Is Meenamma taking good care of you?" She asked while eyeing the maids.

"Yes, she is." The maid replied.

"Great." The Queen smiled. "Princess Lavanya wanted to meet all of you. So we came here."

"Greetings, your highness." The maids bowed to Lavanya.

With a gentle smile on her face, Lavanya nodded. Her eyes quickly surveyed the entire room to find a particular person. Her eyes gleamed when she found that person. "I wanted to know about the rules here." She walked a few steps forward. "Can anyone explain to me?" All the maid looked at each other while some of them were trembling with fear. Lavanya glanced at the maids and already sensed the situation. "Well...I will select someone among you and that maid has to explain the rules to me." She walked towards the maid whom she had gifted her ring the previous day. "You..." She raised her index finger towards that maid. "Tell me the rules which you maids have to follow." Her voice sounded cold and stoic which made the maids tremble even more with fear.

On the other hand, the maid whose name was Kavita tried to remain calm since she already knew Lavanya but the latter's cold voice made her fear Lavanya. "Y-your Highness..." Kavita trembled while she looked into Lavanya's eyes.

"You dare to look into my eyes while talking!" Lavanya roared, making Kavita flinch. "Didn't the head of the maid tell you manners?!"

"I-I a-am sorry y-your h-highness." Kavita bowed repeatedly.

"Your highness, I told that maid a lot of times not to look at the royals' face while talking but she doesn't listen," Meenamma uttered with annoyance filled in her voice.

Suddenly Lavanya's eyes traveled to Kavita's empty fingers. "Where is the ring that I gave to you?" She asked while Kavita kept her gaze down. Upon receiving no response, Lavanya held Kavita's face while pressing her fingers tightly against the latter's soft cheeks. "I asked you something!" She roared while her voice echoed in the entire hall.

Why is Lavanya doing this? Why is she hurting the maid? As far as I know, she never hurts others then why is she mishandling that maid? Gayatri Devi's brows got knitted together forming a frown while she controlled herself from doing anything. I should stay quiet for now since Lavanya told me to watch what she will be doing.

"I-I gave i-it to M-Meenaamma." Kavita struggled to speak while her eyes were covered with a glassy layer of tears.

"Didn't I give it to you? Then why did you give it to her?!" Lavanya yelled while pulling Kavita even closer and tightened the grip of her fingers on the latter's face.

"I-Its o-our rule that whatever t-the royal g-give to u-us, we should g-give it t-to Meenamma." The maid sobbed while tears rolled off her eyes.

"Is it true, Meenamma?" Lavanya side-glanced at the head of the maids.

"Yes, your highness," Meenamma replied proudly.

Lavanya looked at Kavita and left her face with a force due to which she stumbled a bit. Jyotimani immediately rushed to Kavita and supported her so that she wouldn't fall down. Kavita looked at Jyotimani while tears rolled freely from her eyes.  Lavanya walked towards the maid Deepa whose hand was burnt. She looked thoroughly at the maid while her eyes fell on the reddish burnt mark on her hand.

"What happened to your hand?" Lavanya asked in a grim voice.

"M-my hand g-got burnt," Deepa replied while looking down all the time.

"How did it get burn?" Lavanya asked again.

"It's me who did it, your highness." Meenamma walked towards Lavanya. "She put more salt than required in my food. So I punished her."

"What?!" Gayatri Devi blurted out while her eyes widened. "Why did you punish her?"

"What if she put more salt in the food of royals? It will even destroy their mood." Meenamma said in a proud voice, showing that what she did was right. "A maid should know her place and she shouldn't date to cross her limits."

Before the Queen could say anything, Lavanya continued. "I think Meenamma is going great." Lavanya's lips curved upwards into a half-moon smile. "What are the other rules, Meenamma?" She looked at the head of the maids and walked towards her.

"There are many rules like the maids aren't allowed to walk close to the royals, they can only enter a specific room, they shouldn't laugh along with royal, etc," Meenamma explained.

"What if they disobey the rules?" Lavanya asked

"They have to face severe punishments like the one that maid has faced," Meenamma said while showed Deepa's hand.

"Enough!" The Queen shouted, making everyone flinch due to her high-pitched voice.

A victorious smile appeared on Lavanya's face as she succeeded in her plan. She immediately looked at the Queen with concerned eyes.

"What happened, Your Majesty?" Meenamma asked in a low voice.

"You dare to ask what happened?!" Gayatri Devi growled. "Are these rules or a way to torture these poor maids!?"

"B-but princess Lavanya seemed to like these rules." Meenamma defended herself.

"Bullshit!" Gayatri Devi snarled while her teeth were pressed against each other, trying to control her anger. "Do you think you know my daughter-in-law more than me!? It's good that today Lavanya brought me here and showed me everything. Otherwise, who knows for how long you will continue this inhumane torture." She turned towards Lavanya. "Lavanya, you already know about this, right? That's why you suddenly came to meet me and asked various questions about Meenamma."

"Yes, your majesty." Lavanya bowed a little while her voice turned into a confident one. "I already knew about this." No sooner had she said than the room was filled with gossiping of the maids. She explained the entire incident which happened the previous day. She explained how afraid Kavita was. "Initially she didn't agree to tell me because Meenamma would punish her severely. But later she told me everything. What made me lose my cool is Meenamma even warned them not to inform the royals about her misdeeds. These poor maids are afraid of these inhumane punishments so they kept quiet." She looked at Kavita and walked towards her. Holding her hand softly, she walked towards the Queen. "Your Majesty, this injury on her hand is due to the punishment. Her crime is that she laughed heartily when princess Saanvi was joking with her maids." She glanced at Kavita with concern in her eyes before averting her gaze to the Queen. "These maids always work for us day and night just to keep us happy. But what are they getting in return? Just abuse and inhumane torture? Just look at their eyes, your majesty. They show the fear in them. Your Majesty, do you think this is how maids are treated in Maheswari?" Her voice sounded vulnerable.

"Your highness, weren't you acting all rude with that maid?" Meenamma questioned back to hide her nervousness.

"Yes, I acted rude with Kavita. But it was because I wanted to prove your true colors in front of everyone." Lavanya snarled as her piercing gaze landed on Meenamma. "If I had acted gentle, then you would have understood that I don't like violence and you wouldn't confess your misdeeds. Since I acted rough and harsh, you thought that I liked all your rules so you blurted out everything. And that's when my plan succeeded. Moreover, I have planned this since yesterday. I purposely gave Kavita my ring because I knew that she would give it to you and expectedly, it's on your index finger now." She said looking at Meenamma's fingers.

"Y-you r-remember m-my name?" Kavita's voice trembled while new tears started to form again in her eyes.

"Of course I do remember your name," Lavanya said in a soft and soothing voice with a gentle smile on her face. She then turned towards the Queen. "Your Majesty, I think you should do justice since I proved Meenamma's misdeeds."

"Thank you, Lavanya. If it weren't you, then perhaps I would never know about this. I blindly trusted this woman and it hurt so many innocent maids." Gayatri Devi said remorsefully. "Well...Meenamma is removed from her position as head of the maids."

"What!?" Meenamma grasped while muttering voice flooded in the big room.

"Moreover, from today you will be working as a cleaner in the dungeon and all the maids at the dungeon will stay here to do other works in this palace." Gayatri Devi said in a firm voice. She glanced at her maid and continued "Geeta, spread this news in the entire palace as well as a dungeon. I don't want any delay in this case."

"Yes, your majesty." Geeta bowed to the Queen before leaving the room.

"Your Majesty, please don't do this." Meenamma fell on her knees while trying to fake crying. "My life would go in vain if you do this. Please your majesty."

"Meenamma your acting skills are really poor," Saanvi said while looking at Meenamma with disgust in her eyes. "Didn't you say a maid should know her place? Then how did you forget about your place?"

"I am sorry, your highness." Meenamma continued begging while the Queen didn't pay any attention.

"Lavanya, Saanvi, I am giving you the duty of selecting a new head of the maids as well as the well being of the maids." The Queen asserted. "I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty." Saanvi and Lavanya bowed to the Queen.

"Take this woman to the dungeon." The Queen ordered and two female guards appeared. They dragged Meenamma out of the room. "I am leaving then." The Queen said and walked out of the room.

As the Queen left the room, Lavanya and Saanvi let out a deep breath and turned towards the maids. The maids were still looking down so that their gaze wouldn't meet the royals'.

"Why are you still looking down?" Saanvi asked. "You can look at royals while speaking."

All the maids slowly raised their heads to have a glimpse of the princesses. A small smiled appeared on their faces.

"I am sorry." Lavanya lowered her head a bit. "I behaved harshly with all of you." She turned towards Kavita and lowered her gaze. "I am sorry Kavita. I didn't mean to hurt you but if I-"

"Your Highness, please don't say sorry," Kavita uttered while holding Lavanya's hands. "I know you did this expose Meenamma. You don't look good while apologizing to a mere maid."

"Why are you considering that you are mere maids?" Saanvi walked towards Kavita and smiled "Without you, royals cannot even do a single work. We really respect all of you."

"Thank you for speaking to us." All the maids asserted while a big smile was plastered to their faces.

"Sister-in-law, I think we should select someone for the head of the maids." Saanvi glimpsed at Lavanya while the latter nodded.

"Since Meenamma isn't your head of the maids anymore, we need to choose someone who is capable of this position." Lavanya proclaimed while holding her head high, showing how powerful she was. "But this time, you will choose who will be the person to take care of that position." Her voice was firm with full of confidence in it. Her eyes quickly examined the entire maids who got startled by Lavanya's words. "You knew each other for a long time, so you will know the best who is capable of the position of head of the maids. Now please select someone among yourselves."

The maids looked at each other with turmoil in their eyes. It was completely new for them. Never ever did a royal ask them about their opinion, especially choosing something. The uncertainty was evident in their eyes while their faces clearly showed how nervous they were.

"Choose someone," Lavanya said in a gentle voice, ascertaining them that they shouldn't feel nervous.

The next moment, muttering voices filled the entire room. After a few minutes, the maids looked at Lavanya, trying to tell her they selected someone for that position.

"Who is it?" Saanvi asked with a smile on her face.

"Kavita." Few maids said in unison.

"Huh?!" Kavita's gasped and looked at the other maids. "H-How can I do it?! I-I don't know about rules or anything. M-moreover I am the one who gets punished the most."

"Only you know how to handle everything, Kavita." A maid said. "Though you got the most punishments, you still know what's better for us. Moreover, you stayed here for the longest time."

"I agree with her," Jaya let out followed by many other maids.

"Well...That's great." Lavanya nodded and glanced at the maids. "Give me some valid reasons why shall we select her as head of the maids?"

"Every night when everyone goes to sleep, she cheers us saying that tomorrow is going to be a better day. She takes care of others'.  She sometimes tries to fight against the rules so that she could change some extreme rules but always got punished instead." Deepa explained.

"Well...princess Saanvi, what's your opinion regarding this?" Lavanya turned her head causing her earrings to jiggle a bit.

"I think we should choose Kavita as the head of the maids." Saanvi agreed with Lavanya.

"Great." Lavanya smiled. "I think you should talk with the maids about the rules. I don't want another mishap to happen." She said while looking at the maids. "I am going to my chambers and will return shortly. Don't leave until I return."

"Yes." Saanvi nodded.

Lavanya nodded a bit and walked out of the room along with Jyotimani.

"Sister, what are you doing?" Jyotimani cluelessly watched Lavanya who was busy taking out some stuff from a huge trunk in her room.

"Jyoti, we aren't enough for this task. Bring some other maids." Lavanya ordered without looking at Jyotimani while taking out something from her trunk. "Order to bring turmeric, cinnamon, and honey as much as possible. I need it immediately." Lavanya paused as if she was trying to remember something. "And yes, bring some aloe vera from royal gardens. I have seen a lot of aloe vera plants there."

"Yes, your highness." Jyotimani rushed out of the room.

When Jyotimani returned, she saw Lavanya holding a big bowl containing a yellow turmeric paste while another bowl containing a brown paste and clear transparent liquid was kept on the table.

"What are these, sister?" Jyotimani asked while her jaws slacked seeing that brown paste.

"It's a paste of cinnamon and honey. It is good for the skin and will help to cure skin infections." Lavanya replied while struggling to take the other bowls. "The transparent one is an extract of aloe vera leaves. They are used to heal burns and reduce inflammation."

"Let's me, sister." Jyotimani immediately held the bowl of brown paste.

"You already bring what I told you?!" Lavanya smiled as she saw few maids holding plates of turmeric, cinnamon, leaves of aloe vera, and a few bottles of honey.

"But sister why you wanted me to bring all these things?" Jyotimani blinked innocently.

"You will see in a few minutes, my little sister." Lavanya playfully said while holding the bowl. "Let's go now."

Lavanya stormed out of the room while Jyotimani ran after her to keep up with the former's pace.

"I think these rules are alright," Saanvi said with her fingers under her chin while she looked at the maids. She was sitting on a bamboo cane stool while the maids sat on the floor. "Kavita, from now you are the head of the maids and I don't want you to disappoint me and princess Lavanya. Every maid can report their problems to either me or princess Lavanya."

Suddenly sounds of anklets combined with heavy steps of a group of people echoed in the room, indicating the arrival of princess Lavanya.

No sooner had Saanvi stood up than Lavanya entered the room. Everyone bowed to Lavanya showing respect while she nodded a bit.

"Sorry for the late," Lavanya said and walked towards Deepa whose hand was burnt. "Show me your hand." She extended her palm so that Deepa could keep her hand on Lavanya's palm.

"Y-your highness, maids aren't allowed to-"

"Rules have changed," Lavanya said in a gracious tone. "Even though most of the rules have changed, but one rule still exists and it is...never disobey the royals." She looked at Deepa who immediately lowered her gaze. "Since I asked you to show me your hand, you should put your injured hand on my palm."

Deepa looked at Lavanya at once. Hesitatingly, she extended her hand and put it on Lavanya's palm.

"Sister-in-law, the burn looks horrible." Saanvi gasped as she saw the clear view of the burnt area which turned to red and looked extremely dry.

Lavanya's brows got knitted together as she examined the injury. "It's not that serious. Only the outer layer of the skin got burnt and it can be cured within a few days." She said and glanced at Jyotimani. "The aloe vera extract." She said and Jyotimani immediately gave the bowl containing aloe vera extract to her. Taking out a good amount of the aloe vera extract, she applied it gently to the burnt area while blowing occasionally to reduce the pain. "It's done." Lavanya smiled as she looked at Deepa who had tears in her eyes. "Why are you crying!?" She asked while a frown formed on her face.

"No one had ever applied medicine to my wounds like you did, your highness." Deepa smiled while a tear escaped from her eye.

"You should apply aloe vera until it cures." Lavanya smiled and turned towards the other maids. "You can grow aloe vera here and use to minor injuries, burns, etc. It's very effective. I have brought turmeric for you. You should apply turmeric paste on injuries like cuts." She took the bowl of turmeric paste and walked towards Kavita. Holding Kavita's injured hand she spoke. "Here. This injury looks simple but it caused pain to her muscles. You can use turmeric to this type of injury." She applied the medicine evenly on the wound, showing the maids how it should be applied. "And yes, I have seen many of you haven't attended to your skin injuries. You should attend to them otherwise it will lead to infection." She took the brown paste. "This is cinnamon and honey paste. Apply this to infections on your skin and they will get cured. I have already brought a lot of turmeric, honey, aloe vera leaves, and honey for you. Please don't neglect your injuries."

"You are so good to us, your highness." The maids said with a quivering voice while tears of happiness and affection appeared in their eyes. This was the first time that a royal was attending to their needs and listening to their expression which they never expressed before.

"It's nothing." Lavanya's lips curved upwards into a genuine smile. "I hope princess Saanvi already listened to your worries and set the rules." She glanced at Saanvi while the latter nodded.

"Yes, your highness." The maids uttered in unison. "Thank you for taking care of us and listening to our requests.

Lavanya and Saanvi smiled as they looked at each other before averting their gaze to the maids.

" I think we should take our leave now," Saanvi uttered. "Take care of yourselves."

Lavanya and Saanvi glanced at the smiling faces of the maids before walking out of the room.

"Jyotimani, can I trust you?" Lavanya suddenly asked out of the blue while lines of deep thoughts were clear on her face. Her thumb was supporting her chin while her index finger was brushing her nose. She was sitting on the couch after having their dinner while Jyotimani was arranging the messy table.

"Why do you suddenly ask that, sister. Don't you trust me?" Jyotimani asked, astonished at Lavanya's sudden question.

"Answer my question, Jyotimani." Lavanya's voice sounded cold.

Jyotimani understood that Lavanya was serious otherwise she wouldn't use her full name to address her. She walked towards Lavanya and stood before her. "Yes, your highness. You can trust me."

"How loyal you are to me?" Lavanya stood up while a grim expression appeared on her face.

"I can even give up my life for you, your highness," Jyotimani said in a low voice.

"Then do it," Lavanya uttered without any expressions as she walked a step closer towards Jyotimani while her eyes stared straight into the latter's eyes.

"As you wish, your highness." Jyotimani's voice didn't tremble a bit. Even her gaze which was fixed on Lavanya didn't move or showed any signs of fear or astonishment.

Lavanya gazed at Jyoti for a while and moved a step back. "I can really trust you." She said while taking off her jewelry.

"Don't I need to kill myself?" Jyotimani asked while her eyes widened at Lavanya's words.

"No," Lavanya said casually while taking off her bangles. "I just wanted to confirm if I can trust you blindly or not. Close the door and the windows. I have to tell something to you."

"Yes." Jyotimani immediately closed the big metallic door and closed the window. When she walked towards Lavanya, the latter already took off her entire jewelry.

"Do you know Sanvika Devi?" Lavanya asked out of the blue while wiping the kumkum bindi.

"Y-yes, your highness," Jyotimani replied.

"Do you hate her?" Lavanya inquired.

"No, your highness." Jyotimani shook her head. "Why will I hate her? In fact, all the women of Maheswari love her.  She is so brave and fearless. I don't know why the royals want to capture her." She said casually. "The women of Maheswari admire her because she escaped a lot of times from being caught by prince Virendra who is known to be very efficient in catching his prey."

"What will you do if she suddenly appears before you?" Lavanya asked amusingly as she didn't know that she was so popular among women of Maheswari.

"Of course I will ask her how she is managing everything. How she escaped from the prince every time." Jyotimani said cheerfully.

"Jyotimani, will you believe me if I say that I am Sanvika Devi?" Lavanya asked while she undid her long braid.

"What!?" Jyotimani looked at Lavanya as if she had seen a ghost.

"Yes, Jyoti." Lavanya walked towards Jyotimani. "I am Sanvika Devi. I know it's hard to believe but you have to believe me. You must be thinking why I am telling you, right?" She chuckled witnessing a total shocked Jyotimani. "I have to go out as Sanvika Devi today. It has been almost a week since I had visited my Devi Sena. I don't know how they are doing now." Her facial expressions turned into a grim one. "I have already told you my biggest secret. What if you will spill this secret in front of prince Virendra or the King?"

"You have my word, my princess. Even if I die, I won't reveal your secret to anyone." Jyotimani said confidently.

"Great." Lavanya smiled. "It already has been late and I think the royals are already asleep. It's the best time for me." She took out a black Kurti, a black loincloth, and a black cloth that seems to be used as a turban from the trunk.

Jyotimani looked away and turned her back towards Lavanya while the latter quickly changed her clothes to the black Kurti and black dhoti with a black cloth used as waistband around her waist.

"You can turn now," Lavanya said while adjusting her long hair into shoulder-length hair and tied the turban around her head.

"Woah!" Jyotimani's eyes widened seeing Lavanya as Sanvika Devi. "You look so powerful, sister." She subconsciously walked towards Lavanya. "Y-you look like a leader, a mighty leader. I dreamt of seeing Sanvika Devi but I never thought that I will meet her in real life." Tears of happiness appeared in her eyes as she looked at Lavanya with eyes full of admiration. "You look like a man, sister. You are truly amazing!"

"My dear Jyoti, don't make me melt by your sweet words." Lavanya chuckled. She walked towards the mirror and put a black star-shaped bindi between her brows. Taking out a mighty sword from the trunk, she put it on the table and covered her face with the hem of the turban, completing her Sanvika Devi look.

"I will be leaving now, Jyoti," Lavanya said by putting the sword securely around her waist. "If someone asks me about my whereabouts, then tell him that I went out to have fresh air." She turned towards Jyoti. "You should stay tonight with your best friend Kavita and spend some time with her."

"I will your highness." Jyotimani smiled. "You look so majestic with the sword. Your eyes look so powerful like a tigress who will easily defeat anyone who will come on her way."

"You are really praising me too much." Lavanya laughed. " I am leaving now. You too should go now."

Lavanya patted Jyotimani before escaping from the room through the window. As she successfully escaped from the palace, she made a sound using her mouth and the next moment a majestic black horse appeared in front of her.

"Snigdha..." Lavanya's eyes beamed with happiness and she immediately jumped on the running horse as it slowed a bit.

Pulling the reins, she rode towards the southern abandoned forests of Maheswari where she used to become Sanvika Devi and lead her troops fearlessly like a tigress.

Karthik was walking in the palace when he noticed the change among the maids. A smile was present on their faces while they were walking and doing their work without any type of fear on their faces.

Strange! Why the maids are so happy today? Did something happen? It's already late and still, the maids are working. Karthik smiled while walking towards the royal gardens to enjoy the breeze. Suddenly his eyes noticed a black figure climbing down from the window of his sister-in-law's room. He immediately hid behind the bushes. Who is he!? And what is he doing in sister-in-law's room? Did he do something bad to her? No no...its impossible! She is was a warrior herself. Then...who is he!? Karthik pressed his lips together. I think I should follow him.

He quietly followed Lavanya without making a single sound which might create any doubt to her. Karthik was an expert in the field of spying at someone. He could successfully dig out all the required information without getting caught. Using this ability, he quietly followed Lavanya. Since Lavanya tied her hair making it look like shoulder-length hair, it made Karthik misunderstand her as a man. Though he rode on a horse, he maintained a safe distance so that he could hide quickly if Lavanya looked back.

Soon they reached the southern abandoned forest. Lavanya entered the middle of the forest while Karthik got down from the horse and followed her quietly. When she felt she reached her spot, she got down from the horse.

What is he doing in the pitch dark forest!? Moreover, it's an abandoned forest. What is this man doing here? Is he a spy? Does he have inferior moves?! Karthik's eyes narrowed while a frown formed on his face.

Her hands moved near her lips and she made a peculiar bird's sound. Karthik carefully hid behind the tree while his sharp eyes focussed on Lavanya. After a few minutes, there was no response. Lavanya's eyes narrowed a bit while her blood boiled as her Devi Sena didn't respond to her signals. She again put her hands near her lips but this time a different yet intense sound got released from her lips. The next moment many people with black clothes covering their entire faces jumped from the trees and stood before Lavanya. All their right hands were held into fists and they rested on their chest while their heads were hung down, showing respect to her. Many of them had mashals (fire torch) in their hands to illuminate the dark area.

She is Sanvika Devi! Karthik's eyes bulged out when he realized that the person whom he was following was none other than Sanvika Devi. What was she doing in sister-in-law's room!? Are they friends!? He was immersed in deep thoughts when Sanvika Devi's voice echoed in the entire forest.

"Did Devi Sena become idle in my absence!?" Sanvika Devi growled like a tigress while her anger-filled eyes glared at each and every person who was present there, sending shivers down their spine.

This voice...Karthik's brows got knitted together as he felt the voice was familiar to him. This voice sounds so familiar to me.

Before he could think anything, the sight before him left him thunderstruck. Sanvika Devi removed the hem of the turban which covered her face, showing that she was none other than Lavanya. Karthik felt as if his body got paralyzed. The amount of shock he received from the sight before he was inexpressible.

So Lavanya sister-in-law is Sanvika Devi!?

6755 words...

I will update next after 12th August. I have an exam on 12th August and I need to prepare for that.

You guys wanted to see Sanvika Devi right? So she is here now.

And about the remedies of aloe vera, cinnamon, and honey, turmeric, you can use them on a daily basis.

The face mask made of cinnamon and honey mixture is very useful for those who have acne and pimples (like me). I have used it a few times so I am telling you about it. It's really useful to reduce the acne and pimples on your face.

And about Aloe Vera, I am completely sold it to. Without aloe vera, I cannot survive. Applying aloe vera to the scalp with decrease dandruff and hair fall. Applying aloe vera face mask will make your skin glowy. And you can apply aloe vera to burns and injures as well and it will give your desired results.

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