Mar

ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence1
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Itwasint hedeepestpar tsofthemount ai
nsthat
Ujanikingdom wascr eatedmanyyear sagoandt he
thronereignedfrom f athertoson.Ineverfamily
thatthethronelandedon.Bi tkingShakerwas
viewedt obethef ir
stki ngthatrul
edforyearswi t
h
hiswife,Meerahanddoesnothaveasonyet .The
chiefsandpr i
estsofUj anicameandgoand
roamedi nthepal acef ormanyyear s,
looki
ngf ora
soluti
ont othi
spr oblem butt heycamet oonlyone
conclusion.
Isf
orthekingt
ofoll
owt hecustomsandt r
adi
ti
onto
marryasecondwif
e.Itwasallowedinthei
rri
ghts
andcustomstogetmarriedasmanyt i
mesast hey
wantedandofcamet opassthattheki
nggot
marri
edagain.ToDor ah.Andshewaswel comedi n
r
oyaltyi
ntother oyalpal ace.From theeastt othe
westandsout htonor th,itwast heUjanikingdom
t
hathadt helargestgol dl andsandmi neralresor
ts,
makingtheneighbour ingki ngdomswant i
ngt oget
t
heirownpr i
ncesandpr incessesmar ri
edt her
e.
Andt heki ngdom ofUj anineverdepor t
edf rom thei
r
customsandt radi
ti
oni nanyat .Onecust om wer e
onemustbowandt oucht heelderlyfeetwhent hey
mett hem, whenawoman' shai
rwast obeshaved
whethert heirhusbanddi edandwer etakendeep
i
ntot hemount ainstoser vethepr i
estfort herestif
thei
rlives.Whenawomangotmar r
iedandent ers
herIn-lawshouset obeundert heircontrolforever.
Andi twentonandf orthast hekinggotmar r
iedto
hissecondwi fe,Dorah....
thebeautifuldamsel .She
wasi ndeedbeaut i
ful,butnoone' sbeaut ywas
compar edtoqueenMeer ah.Shewast hemor ning
sunt hatbr i
ghtenedupt hedayofUj ani,
andt he
moonl ightwhoshowedt hem t
hewayatni ght.
(
KingShaker
'sChamber
)
Thatwast
heKi
ng'
sroom,
andt
hatmeans,
thebest
room ofal l
.Thewallswer epai ntedinbrownand
fi
ll
edwi thweaponsl i
kear rowsandbows, ti
eand
stones,swordsandot herstuf f
.Thebi ggestcurtai
n
coveredever ywindowandt hel argestbedinthe
enti
reki ngdom,craf
tedbyt hehandsofhi sgr eat
grandfather.Chandaderah, thegr eat
estwarri
or
Ujanieverhad.
Hesatincomfor
t,ashecomf
ort
edhi
sfi
rstwi
fe,
and
t
heloveofhisl
if
e.
'
'Isitgoingt
obeeasyyourhighness?Because
QueenDor ahispr
egnantnow.Andpeoplehave
star
tedscorni
ngme,thatmeansthat.
..
youwil
lsoon
bescor ni
ngmeas...
..'
'
.QueenMeerahsaysin
anguish.
'
'No!Don'tsaythi
sQueenMeer ah.I,
king
Shaker
derah,wil
lneverscor
nyoumyqueen.I tis
j
ustamat teroft
imewhenyouwi thalsobecomea
mother
.Butyoual r
eadyknowthat,Ihadnoother
choi
ce,
thant omarrysomeoneelse''
.
'
'Makeonepr
omisetomeyourhi ghness'
'
.Queen
Meer
ahaskedinanxi
ety.'
'Pl
ease,makeapromise
t
ome'
'
.
'
'YouknowIwil
ldoanyt
hingt
omakesur
eyouar
e
happymydearqueen'
'
.
'
'Nomat t
erwhathappened, thatonl
yifIal
so
becomepr egnantoneday,t
hatyouwillmakemy
sonthecrownedPr i
nce,andthesuccessorofUj
ani
.
Theonlyone' '
.
'
'I
..
.'
'
Oneoft
heser
vant
sar
ri
vedqui
ckl
yanddi
str
act
ed
t
hem.
Shebowsdownandput
sherhandst
oget
herasa
si
gnofrespect
.
'
'Howdareyou?!Howdareyounotsummonyour
ar
ri
valmai
d?!'
'.Theki
ngshouted.
'
'PardonmeyourMajest
y.Buti
tisfullmoon.Andi
t
i
stimeforQueenMeerahtoper
form her
pur
ifi
cati
onr
it
ualsnow''
.
'
'YesyourHighness,
Iam al
readylat
e.Ialmost
for
got''
.Shesai
dandputsherhandst oget
her.'
'I
shal
ltakemyleavenowtourMajesty'
'.
'
'Ofcour
seQueenMeer
ah.Weshal
ltal
klat
er'
'
.
QueenMeer
ahl
eftwi
thSavi
tr
ithemai
d.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Theweat herwasverycold.Herwi dowswer e
openedandshewasl ookingoutsi
det hepalace,
andintothesky.Sheplacedhereyesont heclouds
andthunderblastedonce,twi
ce,andst opped.Andi
t
star
tedraini
ng.Shedidn'tli
kethesoundofr ain
becausetoher,i
tonlyrai
nedwhensomet hi
nggood
wasaboutt ohappened.
Shestoodatherwi ndowandt heent i
rekingdom
wasdar k,
si
nceitwasdeepi ntheni ght.Sheheld
herstomachwhi chwasnowbi gandshi ny.Her
barestomach.Shewor eatraditi
onalroyalclot
hon
herbreastandal onggoldenski r
t.
..andher
stomachwasshowi ngbeauti
full
y.Shehadonl yfew
monthsaheadbef oreshegavebi rt
ht otheheirof
Ujani
.
Atl
east,
that
'swhatshethought.Sheopenedapot
cl
osetoherandplacedherhandinsi
de, herhand
cameoutandatinygreencobrahadwr appeditsel
f
onherhand.Shebroughtthecobr
acl
oset oher
faceandl
ookedstr
aightintot
hecobr
a'seyes.
'
'Comewhatmay. .
.i
tismyson,onlymysi n.
..
wil
l
becomethekingofUjaniaf
terhi
sfather,
andIdon'
t
carewhatIhavet
odot omaket hathappened!He
wil
lbecomethecrownedPrince''
.
Aguar
denter
edandbowedwi
thhi
shandsput
t
oget
her.
'
'Yourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Whati
sit
?!'
'
.
'
'Themai
d'
sleaderr
equesther
sel
fatyourpr
esence
'
'
.
'
'Letheri
n''
.
Theguar dleavesandqui
ckly,Savit
rient
erst
he
chamber sandclosethegranddoorbehindher.She
getsclosertothequeenandbowsherheadand
greet
s.QueenDor ahputsbackt hecobraint
hepot
andclosedi t
.
'
'Ihopet
her
eisnopr
obl
em t
oni
ghtSavi
tr
i''
.
'
'NoyourHi
ghness.Idi
dexact
lyasyouhad
or
der
edandspi
edont
heki
ngandQueenMeer
ah'
'
'
'Andwhatwer
etheyt
alki
ngabout
?''
.
'
'IstoodbehindtheKing'schamberwhent herewas
noguardstandingthere.AndIhear dqueenMeer ah,
tr
yingtofor
cet heKingtopromi seherthat
...
no
mat t
erwhathappened, i
tisheront hatwould
becomethecr ownedPr i
nce.Ifonlyshegivesbir
th''
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Andyoualr
eadyknowt
hatt
heKing,
nevergoes
backonhi
swordswhenhemakesapromise''
.
'
' Nooo!'
'.Sheshoutedandpushedacouplesof
jewelr
ydownt hefloorf
rom atabl
e.'
'So,
didthe
king.
..'
'.
'
'Nomyqueen.Iwasl uckyenoughtoi
nterr
uptthei
r
conversat
ion,
bef
orethekingmakeanypromise.It
wasalreadyti
meforQueenMeerah'
spurif
icat
ion
ri
tual
s,soIwenttocallher'
'
.
'
'Haaa.
.good''
.QueenDorahbreat
hseasil
y.She
wal
kstoherlargej
ewelr
yboxandr emovedsome
gol
dencoinsandthrowsthenatSavi
tr
i.'
'Youhave
doneagr eatj
ob.Now,Ineedyout oar r
angea
meet i
ngbet weenmeandt hepalacepr iest.
Becausei fwemakeasi mplemist ake,Queen
Meer ahmaygetpr egnantthen,t
heKi ng' satt
ention
maydr i
ftfr
om me,andifthathappens. ..Iwil
lloose
everythi
ng!Andwon' tbeabletof ulfi
llmyf at
her's
dreams!' '
.
'
'Yourf
ather
'sdr
eams?
!''
.Savi
tr
iaskedi
n
conf
usi
on.
'
' Justgoandal
sofornow.Iwil
lcal
lyouher
e
tomor r
owtoarr
angeameet i
ngbetweent
hepri
est
andI' '
'
'YesyourHi
ghness'
'.Shesaidandt
ookt
hegol
den
coi
nsonthefl
oorandleaves.
'
'QueenMeer
ahisfastenoughtodot hi
s.But
I
..
havesomet
hingt
hatwi l
lshat
terherdreams
f
orever'
'
.
(
Pur
if
icat
ionr
oom f
orQueens)
.
Behindt
hepalace,t
herewasani cebui
lthouse
whichcont
aineddif
fer
entkindsoffl
owersandabig
poolofl
imewater.Wherethequeenshadt oent
er
tohelpcl
eaneveryevi
lawayfrom thepalace.Iwas
thr
eediff
erentki
ndsofpool
sforallthethree
queensthekingwassupposedtomar ry.Onewould
behisbrai
n,t
heotherhi
sheart
,andtheot herhi
s
soul.
QueenMeer ahenter
edherpoolandr el
axedi n
i
t,whilehert wopersonalmai denspouredbi t
termil
k
andbi tterl
eavesonherbody, whil
essheprayer s
sil
entlyt otheUjanigod.Ki ngShaker '
smot her
arri
vedwi t
hami ntoilwhi chwasal waysusedt o
compl etethepur i
fi
cationr i
tualsbyusingitto
cleanset heQueen'sbody.Themai dskeptpour i
ng
thebittermi l
kandbi t
terleaveswat eronQueen
Meer ah'sbodyasshepr ayedsi l
entl
y.
'
' Mai
ds!Exi
tnow!'
'
.Thequeenmot heror
derand
theyboweddownandquicklyl
eftasQueenMeerah
openedhereyesonshock.
'
'Butmother!Ther
it
ual
shavenoended.Howwi
ll
myprayersbecomplet
edt
hen?''
.
'
'Yes.
..
ithasnoendedmydear.Meerah,t
her
emust
besomethingwrongsomewhere.Maybeyou
haven'
tnoticedyet.ButIhave.Ast hesecondeldest
ofthepalace,Ihavecomet or eal
isethat
,f
rom t
he
daythisri
tualswasor gani
sedbyourf or
efat
hers,
everyQueent hatbathedintheirpuri
fi
cati
on
pool,
hadtheirprayer
sanswer edbyt heUjanigod.
Exceptforyou''.
'
'Mot
herI
..
..'
'
.
'
' Don'tbescar ed,itisI,
whochoseyouf ormy
son,theking.Iam notbl amingyouatall
.There
mustbesomet hingwr ongsomewher e.Iti
seit
her
thereisanevi lspiritbehindyou,
oryourpuri
fi
cati
on
poolhasbei ngmi xedwi thsomethi
ng''
.
'
'Mother,
butwhowi
llwantt
omixsomethi
nginy
poolanddomeharm?WhathaveIdone?'
'.
'
'Tomorrowisthestr
eamingwi shi
ngday''
.The
queenmothersaidandwentclosertoQueen
Meerah.'
'Meerahmychild,
Idon'twantanyoneto
hearthi
s.Wal
lsgaveears.Iwantyoutogot othe
str
eam ofwi
nesandwi shforthegodofUjanito
gi
veyouachi l
d.Andtourprayersshal
lbeanswered
'
'.
'
'Butmother!'
'
.QueenMeer
ahi
sastonished.'
'
Queensareforbi
ddent
ogotot
hatst
ream from
anci
entdays''
.
'
' Iknow.Thequeeni ssai dtobeagoddess, andthe
l
ightt othekingdom, andt hewayt ot
hest ream isfi
lt
anddi r
t,sowear eforbidden.ButIpromiseyou
that,youwi l
lbecomeamot her
,aft
erj
ustonevi sitto
thest ream.Ifyoudon' tgothereMeer ah,Dorahwi l
l
givebi rt
htoason, andIpr omiseyout hatshewi ll
convi ncethekingtomakehi mt hecrownedPr i
nce!
Isthatwhatyouwant ?''
.
'
'Nono'
'
.
'
'Sot
hen?Wi
llyougoornot
?''
.
'
'Howwil
lIgomot
her
,i
fanyoner
ecogni
sesme,
Iam
doomed'
'
.
'
'Comewi
thme'
'
.
Shegetsoutofthepur
if
icat
ionpoolandgoeswi
th
thequeenmother.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shesi
tsonherbedandqui
ckl
ylooksunderher
pi
ll
owandr
emovedalit
tl
ebottl
efrom undert
he
pi
ll
owandl
ooksati
tandthunderstr
ikes.
'
' Asl ongas, Ipourthisintoyourpuri
fi
cat i
onwat er
asf atheror dersme, yourprayersshal
lneverbe
answer ed..
.andyoushal lnevergetpregnant.And
thatwi llonlymean, onlyIwi l
lgi
veanhei rtoUjani,
to
getr evengef orwhatUj anididtomyfami l
y!'
'.She
l
aughsasmor ethunderstrike.
..
.
.
Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence2
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(NextDay=Royal
Pal
ace=Queenmot
her
's
chambers).
:
Af
tert
hei
rconver
sat
ion,
thequeenmot
herand
queenMeer ahhadt heperfectplanjusttoget
queenMeer ahtothewi shingstream.Queenmot her
quicklymai den'sclothesinqueenMeer ah.Andall
themai dser vantshadal ightcloththatwasusedto
coverhal foftheirfaces.Theycoul donlyremove
thatwhent heywer eoutoft hepalace.Theyallwore
reduni f
ormshadacl oththatcoveredtheirhai
rand
entir
ebodywi t
huni f
orm.
Andt helightredclothwhichcover edhalfofthei
r
faces,f
rom theirnosestotheirmout hs.Andthat
waswhathappenedwhent hequeenmot her
coveredqueenMeer ahandescor t
edheroutofher
chamber s.Itwasbr oaddaylightandal lt
he
servantshadqui cklygoneoutont heirduti
es.
Queenmot herheldqueenMeer ah'
shandt ightl
yas
theywal keddownt hest ai
rsandst eppedintothe
walkwaywhi chleadertotheenormouscompound
ofthepal ace.
AndSavit
rist
oodtherewithal
lthemai ds,
super
visi
ngthem asshewastheirleader.Theysaw
queenmotherwalkingt
owardsthem andt heyall
boweddownwi t
ht hei
rhandsputtogether.Queen
motherl
eftQueenMeerah'
shandi
mmedi
atel
yto
avoi
drai
singansuspi
cions.
'
'Goodmorni
ngmaids!'
'.Queenmot
hergr
eet
ed
wit
hqui
teashaki
ngvoice.
'
'Goodmor
ningqueen!'
'
.Theyr
epl
ied.
Savi
tr
isawthegirlst
andi
ngbesidesthequeen
motherandherbossycharact
erari
ses.
'
'Heymad,
comeoverher
e..
.wher
ewer
eyouwhenI
summonedal
lthemai
dshuh?''
.
'
'Shewaswit
hmeSavi
tr
i.Di
dyounotseeme
walki
ngwi
thher
?''
.
'
'Sorryqueenmot her'
'
.Shesaidandbowedher
head.''
Itisal
readybri
ghtinthemorni
ngand, t
oday
i
sthest ream wi
shingday.Andso,t
hekingsaidI
shouldsummont hemaidsandaskthem...
ifanyone
wouldliketogoandwi shtoday'
'
.
'
'Hm!Don'
twore.YoucanGIaheadanddoyourji
b.
Butthi
smai
disdoingsomet
hingforme.
..
solether
be''
.
'
'Sor
ryQueen'
'
.
'
'Letusgomai
d''
.Queenmot
hersai
dandl
eftwi
th
queenMeer
ah.
(
TheKi
ng'
schamber
).
TheLordoftheki
ngdom wasonhisfeet
,anda
guar
denteredwit
htwomaidsandtheyallbowed
down.Themaidsheldabowlofwaterafanoil
.
'
'Iwon'twashmyf eettoday.Don'tworr
y.Todayisa
fr
eedayf orallofyou,Ihavegivenyouthedayto
enjoyyoursel
vessi ncetodayisahappyday.It'
sa
happydayf oreveryonebecausei ti
sawi shi
ngday.
Goaheadandl ayyourwi shestothegodofUjani'
'.
Hesaidwi thasmi l
e.
'
'Thankyou,
yourMaj
est
y''
.Theyboweddownand
l
eft
.
Anot
herguar
dent
eredandbowedbef
oret
heki
ng.
'
'YourMajest
y..QueenDor
ahr
equesther
sel
fin
yourpr
esence''
.
'
'Wher
eisshe?'
'
.
'
'Shei
sst
andi
ngout
sideyourMaj
est
y''
.
'
'Tel
lhert
owai
tformei
nthecour
troom.
..
Iwi
llbe
t
her
e''
.
'
'YesyourMaj
est
y''
.Sheboweddownandl
eft
.
(
Out
sidet
heki
ng'
schamber
).
Theguar
dar
ri
vedandboweddown.
'
'DidhesayIshouldcomeinsi
de?''
.Shesai
das
shetr
iedwal
kinginsi
debuttheguardst
oppedher
.
'
'NoyourHi
ghness!Themi
ngwant
syout
owai
tfor
hi
minthecour
troom ''
.
'
'What?Why?QueenMeer
ahIt
her
eri
ght
?''
.She
askedangr
il
y.
'
'Noyourhi
ghness.I
tisonl
ytheki
ngi
nhi
s
chamber'
'
.
QueenDor ahangr i
lyt
urnedawayandwal kedtothe
fr
ontoft hecourtroom.Shelookeddownhert oe
andreachedf ortheti
pofherskirt
.Sheunf ol
deda
bl
ackst onefrom herskir
tandlookedaroundher .
Shethrewi ti
ntohermout handswal l
owedof .She
order
edt heguardt ot
ellsomemai dstoserveher
withmangoj uiceandsheenteredt hecourtr
oom.
(
Inf
rontofQueenMeer
ah'
scha!
Ber
).
Hert
womai densst
oodinfrontofhergranddoor
t
oget
herli
keguardsandthequeenmot hercameto
t
hem andgavethem f
ivegol
dcoinseach.
'
'Hasanyonecomeher
etoaskoft
hequeen?'
'
.
'
'Noqueenmot
her'
'Sheenar
epl
ied.
'
'Good,thi
sisat okenforyourendlessloyalt
ytothe
kingdom ofUjaniandqueenMeer ah.Iwil
lreward
youhandsomel ywhenshebecomespr egnant.You
twohassacr i
ficedyourselvesver
ywel lt
oday,you
hadt heri
ghtt
i goforwishingtoday,butyou
decidedtosacr i
fi
cethatforyourqueen''
.
'
'Whenthequeenbecomespr egnant
,we'
llal
lbe
happyqueenmother
.Pleasedon'twor
ry,
we'l
lst
and
hereunt
ilt
hequeenret
urns''
.
'
'Good.Iwillgoandtalktomysonnow.Di str
acti
ng
him now,
willbethebestopti
on.Sothathedoesn't
askforMeer ahanyt
imesoon...
.makesure,
you
standher
e,noonemustl eavethi
splace,
okay?''
.
'
'Yesqueen'
'
.Pr
eet
arepl
ied.
'
'Becausei
fanyoneel
secomest
oknowt
hat
Meerahisnother
e,t
henwear
eal
linbi
gtr
oubl
e.
Okay?'
'.Shesai
dndl ef
t.
(
Out
sidet
hepal
ace)
.
Theki ngdom wasver ybusyaspeopl ewererunning
withonegol dcointothewi shingstr
eam.Some
otherswer ebusil
ygoingt otheirf
arms.Queen
Meer ahsatonadonkeywhi chrodeheramongt he
peopleashal fofherfacewascover ed.Someoft he
palacemai densquicklybypassedherandshe
start
edbecomi nganxi ous.
Andherl egs,sheforgottoremovet hequeen's
anklet
.Allthequeenshadsi l
verankletontheirlegs
whichsignifyherowner shiptothekingandher
mindwasn' toni tatal
l.Sheheldhercoi nt
ightlyin
herhandaherheadwasf aci
ngt hefl
oor.Others
whosatont heirowndonkeysbypassedher .
(
Int
hepal
ace=Cour
troom)
.
Savitr
ithel
eaderofthemai densboweddownand
servedQueenDor ahwiththemangoj ui
ceshe
requestedandtheylookedaroundtheroom t
o
ensuretherewasnoonewat chi
ngthem.
'
'Ireal
lyappreci
ateyourendl
essl oyalt
ytome
Savit
ri
.Igiveyoumyundyi ngpromi se,t
hatam
goingtorewardyouhandsomely' '
.QueenDor ah
saidasshesippedthemangoj uice.''Haveyou
seenQueenMeer ahtoday?''
.
'
'Iti
sstr
angetomealsoyourhi
ghness.I
tisget
ti
ng
totheaf
ter
noonnow.AndIhaven'
tlai
dmyeyeson
queenMeerahsi
ncemorning'
'.
'
'What?Thati
sstrange.
..shealwayswokeup
bef
oreever
yoneandgot ot hegar
dentowaterher
j
asminefl
owers.
..wherecanshebe?''.
'
' Idon'
tknowyourhi ghness.
..Ihavebeingaround
thepalaceallday.Ihavebeingeverywheretoday,
i
n
thelaundryhouse,thegarden,theki
tchen..
.
everywhere.
..buthavenotyetlayedmyeyesonher
'
'.
'
'Ismel
lar
at'
'.QueenDor
ahsai
dandgotupwi
th
t
hemangojui
ce.'
'AndQueenmother
?''
.
'
'Sheiswalkingaroundthepal
ace.Isawher
standi
ngattheentranceoft
hepalace,andt
alki
ng
toaguard.Thatthelastt
imeIsawherbefor
egoi ng
t
ogetbr
eakf
astr
eady'
'
.
Thekingenteredthecour t
room wit
hfourguards
behindhim andhesmi ledwhenhesawQueen
Dorah.Savi
triboweddownandshequi ckl
ylef
twit
h
thefourguards.Thekingwentclosertoqueen
Dorahwhensheal sosmiledli
ghtl
y,hetouchedher
stomachandhesmi lebecamewi der.
'
'Myson.
.myenti
reworl
d.Iam soongoi
ngt
o
becomeafat
hert
oo''
.Hesaid.
'
'Yesyourhighness.Andourson. ..
willbecomet he
pri
deoftheent i
rekingdom. .
.'
'.Shesai dthatand
usedherhandt ocar essedtheking'sface,suddenly,
andsuddenl
y, aninvisibl
esmokecameoutofher
mouthandconsumedt heking'sface.''
Andout
sob,
isgoi
ngt obet hehei randUjani'
ssuccessor ..
.
ri
ght?'
'
.
'
'Wellexact
lyQueenDor
ah.
..hei
smyf
ir
stsonaf
ter
al
l.
..'
'
Thequeenmot herinaglor
iouswhi
tegownent
ers
thecourtroom i
mmediatel
yandtheki
ngsepar
ated
from QueenDorah.Heshakeshi
sheadashefelta
l
it
tl
edi
zzy.
'
'Myson, ar
eyouokay?'
'.Sheaskedandwal
ked
cl
osertohim andl
ookedatQueenDorah
suspi
ciousl
y.
'
'Yemot
her
..
.Ij
ustf
eltdi
zzy'
'
.
'
'Ishal
ltakemyl
eaveyourmaj
est
y''
.QueenDor
ah
sai
dandl ef
t.
'
' Whathashappenedtoyoumyson?Yourf ace
l
ooksver yr
ed..
.wai
tamoment' '.Shewentoutand
camebackwi thfr
eshdriedpepperonat r
ay.She
tookitandshoveditar
oundtheking'shead''
.
'
'Iti
sokaymother.
..
Iam f
inenow.Pl
ease,
dosi
t
down..
.'
'.Hesai
dandsatdown.
'
'Myson...
youandImusthaveaveryimpor
tant
conver
sati
onaboutt
hefut
ureofUjani'
'
.Shesai
d
andsatdown.
'
'Whatdoyouwantt
otal
kabout
?''
QueenDorahwaswalki
ngaroundthewal kwaytoal
l
t
hechambersasshewasf eel
inghel
pless.Andshe
metSavi
tr
iontheway,t
heybothwalkedquickl
yto
QueenMeerah'
schamber
.Itwasonl
yoneoft
he
maidsl
eft
.ShesawQueenDorahandboweddown.
'
'LetqueenMeer
ahbeawarethatIwantt
oseeher'
'
.
QueenDorahsai
dwit
hafrown.
'
' Di
dyounothearwhatthequeensaid?Hur
ry,
go
andcallQueenMeerah,adbesi
des.
..whyareyou
standi
nghereli
keaguard?Areyounotsupposedto
tendtoyourqueen?'
'.
'
'Yes,butsheaskedmetostandher
e,she'shavi
nga
si
lentmeditat
ionli
kesheal
waysdoes''.Sheena
saidi
nf ear
.
'
'Andwhere'
sPreet
ayourcol
league?'
'
.Savi
tr
i
askedi
nsuspici
on.
'
'She.
.she.
.wel
l.
..
shewental
ongwi
tht
heot
her
maidstothewishi
ngst
ream '
'
.
'
'Real
ly?BecauseIdi
dn'
tseeher'
'
.
'
'LookSavi
tr
i,pl
easej
ustl
eave,
pleaseQueen
Dorah'
'
.
'
'Youeit
herletmeinthechamberor,
am goi
ngto
r
eportyoutotheki
ng.Andyoualreadyknowthe
severepuni
shmentaser
vantget
swhent
hey
disobeyaqueen'
'
.
'
'OhqueenDor
ah.
..Isweart
hat
..
..
Shetri
edbri
ngi
nganIfeupbutQueenDor
ah
pushedherasi
deandopenedQueenMeer
ah'
sdoor
andenter
edwithSavi
tr
i.
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
43] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence3
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
QueenDor ahandSavitr
ienteredQueenMeer ah'
s
chamberandsawhersi tti
ngtherewithherred
SareeandaVai lonherface.Sit
ti
ngquiet
lywithher
backfacingthem.Sheenaquicklyent
eredinsweat
andstil
linshock.
'
'Iam sor
rymyqueen.Itri
edt
ell
ingt
hem thatyou
weremediat
ingbi
ttheyfor
cedthemsel
vesin
ent
eri
ng''
.Sheenasaid.
(Wi
thherbackfaci
ngthem,sherai
sedherhand
up,
si
gnif
yingt
hatitwasokay).
Qui
cklyandlucki
ly,Queenmotherar
ri
vedther
eand
ent
eredtheroom andstoodi
nf r
ontofQueenDor
ah
andSavit
ri
.
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.
'
'Wel
l!mot
herI
..
..'
'
.QueenDor
aht
ri
edt
oexpl
ain.
'
'Itol
dherQueenMeerahwashavingaquiett
ime
queenmother
,butt
heywouldn'
tunder
stand''
'
'Youmayt akeyourleavenowDorah,asyoucan
see.
..
.MeerahcannotKkt oyour
ightnow.Sokeep
whateveryouwant edtosayherf
orlater'
'
.Queen
mothersaid.
'
'Okaymot her
.Iam sor
ry.
..f
oll
owmeSavi t
ri'
'
.
QueenDor ahsai
dandlookedoverthequeen
mother'
sshoulder
,wonderi
ngwhyqueenMeer ah
di
dn'teventur
ntolookatthem,andshel
eftSavi
tr
i.
'
'Ohmygoodness..
.thi
swassoclose'
'
.Sheena
wentt
othedoorandshuti
tcl
osed.
Thequeenmot hertur
nedtithebedandwas
surpr
isedathowqueenMeer aharr
ivedthereso
earl
y.Thegirlsit
ti
ngonthebedt ur
nedand
removedtheval efr
om herheadandf aceand
surpr
isi
ngly,i
twasPr eet
a,oneofQueenMeer ah'
s
!ai
dinqueenMeer ah'
sclothes,act
ingl i
keshewas
queenMeer ah.
'
'What
?!Pr
eet
a,you?Howi
sthi
spossi
ble?'
'
.
'
'Itwasapl anwebothmademyqueen.Ihada
feel
ingthatsomeonewouldcomeher etoseethe
queen.SoPr eet
aandIdecidedthat,
Preet
awi l
l
wearoneofqueenMeer ah'ssareesandactl
ikethe
queentor ai
senosuspi
cions''
.Sheenasaid.
'
'Hahaha...goodgirl
s.NowIcanf eelthegodof
Ujaniistr
ulybehindusandsuppor t
ingus.Ishall
makeapr omisetoyoutoday,t
hatwhenqueen
Meer ahbecomesamot her
,andIprayi t
'sababy
boy,Ishal
lfi
ghtforhimtobecomet hecr owned
pri
nceofUj ani,
andnoneofyoursacr i
ficesshal
l
becomeawast
e''
'
'Butqueenmother
,please.
..mayweknowwhyit
seesli
keyouar
eprotecti
ngqueenMeerahf
rom
queenDorah?'
'
.
'
' Youwoul
dn'tunderst
and.ButIwillmakesur eto
explai
never
ythingtoyoubothwhent hetimeis
ri
ght''
.Shesaidandwal kedt
ot hedoor .'
'Keepup
thegoodwor kgir
ls,
whenMeer ahreturns,thenyou
cangoandr est''
.
Theybot hboweddownandt heQueenmot herl
eft
.
Shewal keddownt hewal kwayandwenti ntothe
palacetemple.Shewentcl osertothegoddess( l
ord
Kri
shna'sstatue)wer etheyhadputt housandsof
fl
ower sandli
twhi tecandl esandlampsar oundit.
Andt herewasar ed,yell
owandbr ownpowderona
tr
ayundert hestatue.Shewentcl oserandcover ed
herhairwithpartofhersar eeandtookonel ant
ern
andl i
tfi
reonitandst retchedittothest at
ue.
'
'OhLord,
pleasel
etthemissi
onofMeer
ahbe
accompl
ished.Ohlord,
l
ett
hemissi
onofMeer
ahbe
accompl
ished.Ohlord,
l
ett
hemissi
onofMeer
ahbe
accompl
ished.
..
..
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
scha!
Ber
).
Sheent
eredwit
hSavit
riandshewentt
osi
tonher
bedi
nanguishandhel
plessness.
'
'Relaxyourhi
ghness.Webot
hsawqueenMeer
ah
si
tt
ingonherbedinherchamber
.Sot
here'
s
not
hingtoworryabout'
'.
'
'Youar enotsmartenoughSavit
ri
.Therei
s
somethingwrongsomewher e.Whydidn'
tqueen
Meeraht ur
nherfacetolookatu?Ist
hatnot
suspi
cious?''
.
'
'Wel
l,
Ithi
nkitwasbecauseofhermedit
ati
onthat'
s
whyyourHighness.It
hinkSheenamadeusaware
t
hatqueenMeer ahwantedtohavesomequi
etti
me
'
'
.
'
'Youcanl
eavenow.
..
Iwantt
obeal
one'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Sheboweddownandl
eft
.
'
'Thi
scan'tbepossi
ble.
..queenMeer ahcan'tbe
!medit
ati
ngfort
hewhol eday,no!AndSavitr
isaid
shesawqueenmot herattheentrancespeakingto
aguar
d?'
'
.
Shewast ryi
ngtogetherselft
ounderstandand
knowwhatwasgoi ngon.Shequickl
ylooked
aroundthepalaceandenteredasecretdoorway
behindabigcurtai
ninherroom ansheopenedt he
doorandenteredthedarkroom andshutthedoor
cl
ose.
Andi twasshocki ngt oseeredbanner sallaround
theroom.Andcobwebswi thbi gspi dersandcr eepy
animal.Ther ewer eblackpotsal laroundandbl ack
candleslightsinthem.Shef acedaver ydar kcorner
andknel tdown.Shet ookonepotofcandl elight
andshowedi tatthecornerandt her estandingwas
asmal lstatueofanol dman.Ther ewasar eallif
e
snakeont heneckoft hestatueandqueenDor ah
slowlyknel tinfr
ontoft hestatueandt ookabl ack
powderbesi desthestatueandsmeari tonher
forehead,closedhereyesandst artedchant i
ng
quietl
y.
Suddenl
y,at
all
oldmani
nabl
ackr
obeappear
ed.
'
'Dor
ah!'
'
.
'
'Fat
her
..
.f
atherIneedyou'
'
.
'
'Youidiot
!Igiveyouonesimpleinstr
ucti
onand
youspoilever
ythi
ng.Ihavetol
dyout oassigna
maidyoumayt r
ust.
..
sothatshecanspyont hat
Meerah!Butyouhavespoileveryt
hing!'
'
.
'
'Butf
ather
,ever
ythi
ngi
sinpl
aceIswear
!''
.
'
' Shutup!''
.Hescreamedi nrage.''Iam nolongera
l
ivingbeingokay?Iam dead, andnol ongeralive,t
o
holdyourhandar oundt oshowyouwhatandwhat
nott odo..
.onl
ythankstothebl ackmagi cIhave
thoughtyouwhenIwasal ive,thankstothatbl ack
magi c,
that
'stheonlyreasonwhyyoucanst i
llsee
me!ButIhavegi venyout hepowert odestr
oyt he
kingdom ofUjaniandeveryonei nit.
..
thati
swhyI
havesentyouher e..
.butyouar esti
llmakingthi ngs
diffi
cul
t''
.
'
'ButwhathaveIdomef
ather
?''
.
'
'Doyouhaveanyi
deaofwher
eMeer
ahi
s?'
'
.
'
'I
nherchamber
?''
.
'
'Shei
sonherwayt
otheanci
entwi
shi
ngst
ream.
Towi
shf
orason!'
'
.
'
'Noooo!
!'
'.QueenDorahwasshockedt oherfeet
andshestar
tedshaki
nglikeasickbi
rd.'
'Thiscan'
t
befat
her
!WhatdoIdo, whatshoul
dIdo?''.
HerfatherBi nduzahgaveherasnakef rom hishand
andaskedhert ochar mthesnaketogoandf i
nish
queenMeer ahforgood,sothatshepostsherway
andget sbittenbyitandmakesherdi e.Shetookit
andhedi sappear edint
othestatue.QueenDor ah'
s
eyeshadbecomer edwithragenowandshest ood
uponherf eetwithherbigtummy, eventhoughshe
wasinpai n,herwickednesshadbl i
ndedher.She
tookalitt
lelanternfr
om atablenearherandhel d
thesnaket ightl
ybytheneck.
'
'Iam notgoi
ngtomi ssmytargettoday.
..
no''.She
saidandthesnake'
seyesturnedredli
ght.'
'Devour
her,
ther
eisnowaysheshoul dreachthestream on
ti
met omakeherwish.Justkil
lher.
..
go!'
'
.
Shesai
dandt
hesnakedi
sappear
edf
rom herhand.
(
Pal
aceTempl
e).
Thequeenmot
herkeptonpr
ayi
ngver
yhadi
nfr
ont
oflordKrishna,shekeptwi ningandwi ningthe
l
ant er
noff i
reinf rontofthestatuewhent heeldest
ofthepalace, herlatehusband,thelateking'
s
mot herar
r i
vedt here.Shewast heeldestofthe
palace.Shewast hemot herofthelateking,t
he
presentking'sfather.
Shehadl ivedalongli
fe,butshewant edtoli
vea
l
itt
lelongertoseehappi nessi nherdescendant slif
e
beforejoi
ningherson,thel atekingandt heother
ghosts.Shearri
vedwi t
hherwal kingancientcraf
ted
sti
ckofgol dandhervisi onwasal i
tt
lebl
urbitshe
couldwalkonherown.Sheent eredt het
empl eand
al
ertedherdaught eri
nl aw,thequeenmot her.
'
'Whati
sitGayat
ri
?WhathashappenedtoMeer
ah
t
hatyouarepr
ayi
ngforhert
hisaf
ter
noon?'
'.
'
' Mother.
..ohmother
,Iwi
shIcouldhidethisf
rom
oh,butIcan't
.Thi
ngsareabouttohappened,
Meer ahmustbet heonet
ogivebirt
htotheheirof
thiskingdom,andnotDor
ah''.
'
'It
otal
lyagr
eewithyouGayatri
.Buti
tisDorahthat
hasbecomepregnantaf
teral
l.AndShakerwil
lnot
beabl
etocheathersohear
tl
essl
yli
ket
hat'
'
.
'
'Wel
lmother.
..t
hatiswhyIhavesentMeeraht
o
t
hestr
eam towishforason'
'.Shewhisper
edwhol
e
l
ooki
ngar
ound.
'
'What?
!Ohlord,
butt
hati
sfor
biddenGayat
ri
..
.iti
s
anabominat
ion'
'
.
'
'YesIknow.
..
buti
tiswort
htheri
sk.BecauseIwi
ll
notal
lowaMagaddescendantt
oclai
mt hethr
one!'
'
.
'
'Magad?WhoisaMagadhereGayatr
i?Theywer
e
bani
shedf
rom t
heki
ngdom manyyearsago''
.
'
'IsawaMagadsymbolofasnakeatthebackof
queenDor
ahsomeweeksagomot her
!''
.Shesai
din
anger
.
'
'Thenwhy?Whyhaveyounott
oldever
yone?'
'
.
'
' Thosepeopl
eusedt odobl ackmagi cmother
.I
don'tknowwhy,butof eel
likeDorahisherefora
parti
cularr
eason.Theyusedt odoblackmagi cand
youknowt heUjanigodsdoesnotmat chwithblack
magi c,
itonl
ybringstr
agedyt othekingdom,and
thatiswhytheywer ebanishedforgood..
..
whatifI
revealDor
ah'ssecrettoeveryone,shecant ri
ck
everyonewithblackmagic.IneedMeer aht oget
pregnantf
irstsothatIcanhavet heperfectplan.
BecauseDor ahisalsopregnant,andwhet herwe
l
ikeitornot,
thatchil
disalsoanUj ani'
'
.
'
'Iwil
ljoi
nyout opraydear.Iknowalotabout
spi
ri
tualthi
ngs.Alwaysconsultmefi
rstwhenyou
wanttotakeanyfurtherst
ep''.
'
'Yesmot
her'
'
.
Shealsolital
anter
nfort
heoldwomanandthey
bot
hst ar
tedprayi
ngforMeer
ahinf
rontofl
ord
Kri
shna.
(
Out
sidet
hePal
ace)
.
Backintownitself
,ofwasgetti
nglateandqueen
Meerah'sdonkeywasal r
eadythi
rstyandstopped
onhalfwaytothestream.Shetir
edhitt
ingtheback
ofthedonkeybutthedonkeybegant oshakei t
sel
f
togetheroffit
sbackbutshehel dontightl
y.She
l
ookedar oundaspeopleweregoingtot hei
rvari
ous
homeaf terwi
shingonthestream.
Shesl
owl
ygotof
fthedonkeyandhel
dthedonkey'
s
neckropeandst art
edwalki
ngwi thit.Sheneededt o
getarivernearbytomaket hedonkeydr inkwat er
soshel eftt
heroadandpassedl efti
ntothef orest
.
Shetookt hedonkeydeeperanddeeperunt i
lshe
sawar iverl
yingcl
osetoat al
loldtree.Shewent
cl
oserandmadet hedonkeydrinkwat er,
andt he
snakesentbyqueenDor ahappear edbehi ndher..
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
43] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence4
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Thesnakeappear edbehi
ndheradr aiseditheadup.
QueenMeer ahtookawat erbot
tl
efrom asmal l
sacksaddledonthedonkeyanddr ankf r
om it.She
l
ookedattheweat herandbecamef ri
ghtenedoft he
for
estandsawhowdar kitwasbecomi ng.Herf ave
wasstil
lcoversexcepthereyeswhichwasst ill
rol
li
ngaroundthescarytreesandbirdsflyi
ng
ar
ound.Andhereyebal
lswer
eshaki
ngwi
thf
ear
.
Thedonkeyst oppeddr i
nki
ngwaterandQueen
Meerahj umpedoni t
sbackandt ur
nedittoleave
whent heysawt hesnake.Thesnakejumpedont o
them andQueenMeer ahtur
nedtheropeont he
donkey'snecktotherightsi
deoftheforestandthe
donkeyr acedoffbei
ngchasedbyt hesnake.
Butunf ortunately,spir
it
ualwasf ast
erthanphysi
cal
somucht hatthesnakel impedandbi tt
hedonkey's
butt
,maki ngi tjumpandt hrowi
ngoffQueenMeer ah
onthegr oundwer eshehur therfor
ehead.The
donkeyqui cklyfelldowndead.Thesnakel ayedon
theground, alitt
lefarfr
om QueenMeer ahand
tar
getingher .QueenMeer ahwasshockedandgot
toherf eet.
Backatt hepal ace,Queenmot herandt heoldqueen
keptprayingt olordKrishna,l
ordKr i
shna'
seyes
l
ightedupbl ueandt hunderstr
oke,andan
enormouswi ndbl ewandt ookoffallthel
ighted
from t
hel ant
er n.Butthequeensdi dnotst opand
stil
lpr
ayedt ot hestatue.Thesnakecr awledfaster
thannormal ,
get t
ingclosetoQueenMeer ahwho
hadfall
enagain.Andayoungqui ckl
ygottothe
for
estontimeandst oodinfr
ontofQueenMeer ah.
Theyoungladyheldabi gsti
cki
nherhandandshe
woreanecklacewhichhadanel ephant'
sfaceoni t
.
Thesnakesawt henecklaceandthenecklace
bri
ghtenedwit
hl i
ghtandthesnakedisappeared.
AndQueenMeer ahst
art
edbecomingcal
m.The
youngladyt
hrewthesti
ckawayandtur
nedtot
he
queen.
'
'Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Yes.
.ye.
..
ohthankyousomuch.Iwonderwhat
hadhappened''
.
'
' I
t'
sokay,you'r
esaf enow.Probl
em i
s,
itl
ookslike
evilspi
ri
tsarear oundyou''
.Shesai
dandhel ped
thequeenup.' 'Oh,bythewayyouaredressed,you
mustbeapal acemai d''
.
'
'Well
..
.y.
.yesplease.AndIneedtogettothe
wishi
ngstream assoonaspossible,el
seIwil
lbe
sever
elypunishedifIgett
othepalacelat
e''
'
'Buthowcomeyouar
elat
e?Ever
yonehasl
eftt
he
st
ream now'
'
.
'
'Mydonkeywassl
ow.
..
whati
syourna!
e?'
'
.
'
'Bhavna.Mynamei sBhavna.Andyour s?'
'
.
Bhavnalookedatherf
rom headtotoeandsawt
he
queen'
sankletonherl
egandi sshocked.
'
'Wel
lmynamei
s..
.ur
rrmmmm '
'
.
'
'Youf
orgotyourname?Yourhi
ghness?'
'
.Bhavna
sai
dandboweddown.
'
'What
?!'
'
.QueenMeer
ahi
sshocked.
Bhavnaquickl
yremovedt
hevalef
rom Queen
Meerah'
sfaveandherver
mil
ionwasonher
for
ehead.
'
'QueenMeer
ah?Butiti
sfor
biddenf
ort
hequeent
o
gotit
hewi
shingst
ream,
andyou?''
.
'
'IneedyourhelpBhavna,desti
nymusthavemade
usmeet.Youdon'tknowhowi tfeel
stobemar r
ied
andnothaveachild.Evenmycoi ni
smissing
becauseofthatst
upidsnake.Andyourneckl
ace
j
ustworkedwonder '
sforme...
wheredi
dyougeti t
?''
.
'
'I
tisanancientneckl
acefr
om mymot
heryour
hi
ghness.I
tprotect
sanyonewhowear
sitf
rom evi
l
spi
rit
s.Myf at
hermadei tf
ormymot her
.HeWSt he
for
merpr iestofUjani,
unti
lhedi
edandthe
pri
esthoodshi f
tedfrom myfamil
y.Hemadeitf
or
mymot her,
andmymum al sogi
veitt
omebefore
shedied.Shel efti
tforme''.
'
'Iti
sverybeaut
if
ul.Youar
elucky.Doyouhaveany
chil
dren?'
'
.
'
'Noyourhighness.Iam j
ust20.Iwoul
dbemar
ri
ed
nextmont
h' '
.
'
'Iwishyouwelli
nyourmarr
iageBhavna,andI
hopedesti
nywouldmakememeetyouagai n,you
haveabegoodheart,
topi
tyourl
if
eatrisktosave
melikethi
s''
.
'
'Youshoul
dn'thavecomeher eyourHi
ghness.The
for
esti
sful
lofevilspi
ri
ts.Pl
easecome,
oshalltake
youtot
hestreak''
.
'
'Real
ly?'
'
.QueenMeer
ahi
ssur
pri
sed.
'
'Yesofcourse,
weshallr
ideonmyhorse''
.Shesi
t
andwhist
ledandshout
ed.''
Lakshmi
!!
!'
'.
'
'Youar
ewal
kingwi
thsomeoneel
se?'
'
.
'
'Don'
twor
ryqueen.Thati
sthenameofmyhor
se'
'
.
Theybot hl
aughed.Thegorsearri
vedandthequeen
coveredherfacewitht
hevaleagainandBhavna
helpedhersitonit
.Shejumpedinf r
ontofherand
theyrodethehorsetothewishi
ngst r
eam.Theygot
downf rom t
hehorseandBhavnar emovedthelat
coinshehadandgavei ttoQueenMeer ah.
'
'Hereyougo..
.usei
ttowithyourhi
ghness.You
sai
dyourcoinwasmi ssi
ng''
.
'
'Buthowwoul
dyoual
sowi
shBhavna?'
'
.
'
'Toursi
smoreimpor
tantqueen.Thi
sisaboutt
he
f
utureofUj
ani'
'
.
'
'Butwhatwer
eyougoi
ngt
owi
shf
or?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..'
'
.Shesai
dandgi
ggl
ed.
'
'Comeon..
.youcant
ellme.Wearefr
iendsnow
Bhavna'
'
.QueenMeerahsaidandsmiled.
'
'Iwasgoingtowishthat
,Igetpregnantafter
marri
ageandgavebirt
htoagi rl
.Sot hatIcanname
heraf
termylatemother'
'
.
'
'Thati
sbeaut
if
ul,
whatwasyourmot
her
'sname?'
'
.
'
'Ri
shi
.Mymot
her
'snamewasRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Thati
sabeauti
fulname.Iallwantaheyst
rong
andhandsomeboy.AndIwillnamehim Maj
id.
Pri
nceMajid'
'
.Shesaidwit
hasmi l
e.
'
'Wel
l,
whydon'
twewi
sht
oget
herwi
thonecoi
n?'
'
.
'
'Well
,Idon'
tknowi
fthat'
spossi
ble,
butwecan
sur
elytry.
..
yougof
ir
st''
.
'
' Okay..
..
Iwishtogetmar r
iedtoamanwhol i
ves
me, andhaveababygi rl,
whoshal lbenamedafter
myl at
emother.
..Rishi.
..soholdmyf ai
thandlet
thiscomet opass''.Bhavnasai dassheandthe
QueenMeer ahheldthecoi ntoget
her.'
'Yourt
urn
nowQueen' '
.
'
' Ial
sowi shtogetpregnantandal sohaveababy
boy...
Iwanttohaveason, whowoul dbehandsome
andst rongwithagoodhear t
.Iwanthi mt obecome
thecrownPr inceofUjaniandthef utureking,
andI
wantt hekingtolovehim moret hanhi sother
sons,andIwi l
lnamehi m Maji
d,afterthegodof
strengthandknowl edge,
soholdmyf ait
handl et
thiscomet opass''.
Whenshesai dthat ,
theybothletgooffthecoinand
i
tfellint
othestr
eam andt herewasaqui ckl
ybri
ght
l
ightinthestr
eam.Theyl ookedateachot herwi
tha
smileandBhavnal ookedi ntoherski
rtpocketand
removedoneofherneckl ace,whichbelongedtoher
fat
herandgavei ttot hequeen.Itwasthesame
necklaceshewor ked.
'
'Takethisyourhighness,
thisbelongedtomy
f
ather.I
twillpr
otectyoufrom everyevi
leye'
'
.
'
'Reall
y?ThankyouBhavna,Ihopeoneday,
our
f
riendshi
pwouldbeest
abli
shedonasolid
f
oundat i
on'
'
.
'
'Ishal
lhel
pyout
othepal
aceyourHi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Thankyou''
.Shehel
pedQueenMeerahonthe
hor
sewhileshecli
mbedinf
rontofi
tandrodeof
f.
(
Int
hePal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewasbusilywal
kingt
oandf r
of orgoodr esult
.
Theweatherwascol
dandcloudy.Itwasal ready
eveni
ngandthesnakeappear
edi nfrontofherdead.
Sheboweddown,shewasthemostdi sappoint
ed
l
adyintheworldbyt
hatmoment .Shescr eamed
l
oudlyi
nangerandshehardknockingsonherdoor
.
Shequickl
ytookatr
ayofblackpowderfr
om her
bedandsprinkl
edi
tonthesnakeandmadeit
di
sappear.
Shecleanedherhandandt het
earsinhereyesand
pushedthet r
ayofblackpowderunderherbed.
Peoplekeptknockingont hedoorviolent
ly,
calli
ng
hernameandaski ngwhataswr ongwithher.She
sl
owlygott oherfeetandwal kedtoherdoorand
openedit.Thekingenteredwi t
heveryoneandhe
hel
dherwai standslowl ytookhertoherbed.He
satbesi
desherandcar essedherhair.
'
'Whati
swrongwit
hyouQueenDor
ah?Wehear
d
youscr
eam.
..
whati
sgoingon?'
'
.
'
'Ij
ustfel
tsomepai
nsi
nmyabdomen.Iam okay
now''
.
'
'No!Wearecal
li
ngthepal
acemidwi
feand
her
bal
istt
ocheckonyouri
ghtnow''
.
'
'Notourhi
ghness.
..Iam f
eel
ingver
ysl
eepy,
please
l
ett
hisbe.Iwanttobealone'
'
.
'
'Youar
eexpect
ingmyf
ir
stchi
ld,
Iwon'
tjokewi
th
somet
hingl
iket
his'
'
.
Si
nceQueenDor ahwantedt
ogett heattent
ion
awayfr
om herself
,shehadagreatplantoget
QueenMeerahintroubl
ewit
htheki ng.
'
'Icanseetheroyalf
amil
yisher
e..
.exceptQueen
Meerah,doesshenotcar
eaboutme?' '
.
'
'OohyesQueenDorah,youhaver
emindedme
t
hat,
IhavenotsetmyeyesonqueenMeerah
t
oday..
oh,
howcouldIforget
?''
.
'
'Shei
smedi
tat
ingmyson'
'
.Queenmot
hersai
d.
'
'Butmother ,
QueenMeer ahhasbeingmedi
tat
ing
si
ncemor ning,whatkindofmedi
tati
oni
sthi
s?''.
QueenDor ahsaidwithanevil
smile.
'
'Wel l
,
theki
ndofmedit
ati
onwedowhenwearenot
abletohavechi
ldr
en!'
'
.Queenmot
herr
udel
y
repl
ied.
'
'Mother,whatisit
?!Whyar eyoutal
kingli
ket hat?
QueenDor ahisri
ght!Whatkindofmeditati
oni s
t
hat?''
.Thekingangr i
lysai
dandgottohi sfeet.'
'
Guards!'
'
.
(
Twoguar
dsassembl
edt
hemsel
vest
her
e).
'
'GotoqueenMeer
ah'
schamberandl
etherknowI
wantherher
e''
.
(
QueenDor
ahsmi
rkedevi
ll
y).
'
'Don'
tbotheryour
selves,Iwi
llgoandcal
lher
mysel
f''
.Queenmot hersaidi
nf r
ight
.
Andl ucki
ly,theokQueenent eredthecha!Berwith
queenwhohadapl asteronherforeheadduet othe
fal
lfrom thedonkey,andwaswear i
ngacl eanpink
saree,Queenmot herwasnowcal m andshesmi led
assher eceivedQueenMeer ah.QueenMeer ahhad
thenecklaceBhavnagaveheronherneckandas
soonasQueenDor ahsawi t
,t
heneckl aceli
ght
ed
andshockedhereyesandshescr eamed.
'
'Whati
sitQueenDorah?Guar
ds,
cal
lthemi
dwi
fe
andher
bali
stnow!
!!'
'
.
(
Theguar
dsl
eft
).
'
'Myst omachishurt
ing''
.Shesi
adandf or
cedto
ooenhereyesandlookedatQueenMeerah,the
neckl
aceshockedhereyesagain.'
'Pl
easeyour
hi
ghness,maket
hem al
lleavenow,
Iwantt
obe
al
onehere''
.
'
'Pl
easemot
her
,youshockexcuseusf
orabi
t''
.
'
'Asyouwi
shson.Getwel
lsoonQueenDor
ah'
'
.
(
ThekinglookedatQueenDorahandgavehera
l
ovi
ngsmi l
eandQueenDor ahscr
eamedthemor e
i
nanger,
QueenMeer ahandtheQueenMeerahand
t
hequeensleftt
heroom wit
hthemaidsandclosed
t
hedoor).
'
'Ar
eyouokaynow?'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.
..youdi
dn'
thavet
ocal
lthe
midwi
fe''
.
Themi dwi
feandt heherbalistent
eredwi tht
he
guardandtheycheckedonQueenDor ahand
declar
edherfine.Thekinggaveheraki ssonher
for
eheadandl efthertorest.Whenever yonewas
outofherchamber ,shegott oherfeetandstood
tal
landlookedintothewi ndow.
'
'Shemusthavemadeherwishalr
eady,andshe'
s
happy.
..butt
hegamei
snotyetover.
.no!Andt
hat
necklace,Iwonderwer eshegoti t
.Ican'
tlookather
wheni t'
sonherneck, Ihavet ofindawayt ogetit
offherneck.Youar enotgoi ngtowinoverme
QueenMeer ah,Iwentf orenought oswallowt hat
magi cstonesot hatthekingdoesever ythingI
say,butassoonasyouent ered,ever
ythi
nggot
destroyedandt hekingi sinter
estedinyouagai n.I
willbeonest epaheadofyounomat terwhat !You
willneverbecomet hemot herofthecrownedpr i
nce,
byhookorcr ook,
Iwillgetyou!''.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
44] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence5
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay=Royal
Pal
ace=3mont
hsl
ater
).
:
I
twasbr
oaddayl
ightandi
twast
hedewal
ifest
ival
ofcolour s.Manyki ngdomshadcomet ojointhe
Ujaniki ngdom tocelebrat
eandt hekingmet .Queen
DorahandSavi triwerediscussingt oassignat r
ust
worthymai dtobeahandmai denf orQueenDor ah
sothatshecoul dbesendi ngherar ound.Queen
Meer ahwi thhermai dens,SheenaandPr eetaand
thequeenmot heri ntheotherhand, cel
ebr at
ed
dewal iinhappinessandt hrewcol oursallaround,
asthatwaswhatt hedewal ifest
ivalwasal labout.
Colour s.
QueenDor ahcoul
dnotstandQueenMeerah'
s
happinessandshekeptstar
ri
ngatherwit
hevil
eyes.Sheangri
lyst
oodupandwenti nt
othegarden
withSavit
ri
,shewasgett
ingweakbecauseshehad
j
ustamont ht
odeli
ver
,butherangerwasint
ense.
'
'Yourhighness,
relaxplease.
..atleastf
oryour
baby.QueenMeer ahisnotpregnantyet,i
tisei
ther
shecouldn'
twishatallorherwi shdidn'
tcomet r
ue
'
'.
'
'At
eyoulist
eni
ngtoyoursel
f?Whateveri
tis,
shei
s
sohappy,
andIsuspectsomethi
nggoingonhere'
'
.
'
'Letusj ustexerci
sepatienceyourhighness.We
sti
llhaveal otofti
me,because.
..whenyougi ve
bi
rth,t
henf i
nall
y...
.Ourdreamswoul dcomet rue
andyoursi m wouldbeannouncedt hecr owned
pri
nce' '
.
'
'Idon'tthi
nkitwouldbethateasy.Ineedyouyo
getmeamai dassoonaspossi bl
e,whoi swi
ll
ingt
o
servemewi thloyal
tyandIam goingtorewar
dher
everyday''
.
'
'Iam goi
ngtol
ookt
hrought
hemai
dsyour
hi
ghness''
.
'
'Ineedamai dwhoi sgoingtibeasl oyalasQueen
Meer ah'
smaids.
..
isthatclear?'
'.Shesaidandwent
closertoQueenMeerah'sJasmi neflowers,st
arri
ng
atthem inr
age.'
'Thosedemnmai dshadt hegust
tomakeaf ooloutofme,Iwi l
lpunishthesever el
y''
.
'
'YesyourHi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Goandgetmeamangoj
uice,
makeoff
ast
!''
.
'
'YesyourHi
ghness'
'
.
Savi
tr
iwal
kedoutoft
hegar
denandwhenshegot
tot
hecelebrat
ion,shereali
sedthatt
hequeen
motherandQueenMeer ahwithhermaidswer enot
att
hecelebrat
ion.Shelookedaroundandwonder ed
wheretheyhadgone.Shesawoneoft hemai dsshe
wasveryclosetoandtrusted.Shecall
edthemai d
asi
dethecelebrat
ionandt ookhernearthegarden.
'
'HaveyouseenQueenMeer
ah?'
'
.
'
'Howcomeyouofallpeopl
eisaski
ngforQueen
Meer
ah,ar
eyounotclosetoQueenDor
ah?''
.
'
'Areyougoi
ngtot
ellmeornot
,Iam goi
ngt
ogi
ve
yougoldcoi
ns'
'
.
'
'Well
,Idon'tknowwher eQueenMeerahi
s.But
whent hecelebrat
ionwasgoingon,shef
ir
st
ent
eredt hepalacewit
hhermaids,t
henQueen
motherlaterfol
lowed'
'.
'
'Hmmmm, okaygood.HeyAvni
,howwoul
dyoul
ike
tobeQueenDorah'
shandmaidandear
nlot
sof
gol
dcoins'
'.
'
'WowSavi
tr
i,ar
eyour
sser
ious?'
'
.
'
'Yesofcour
se.
..yougot
othepar
ty,
when
everyt
hingi
sover
,Ishal
lcal
lyout
omeetQueen
Dorah''
.
'
'Andt
hegol
dcoi
nsyoupr
omi
sed?'
'
.
'
'Yougreedywitch,Hahaha''
.Sheremovedfi
ve
gol
dcoinsfrom herli
tt
lesackpurseandgavethem
toher
,shesmil
edandl eft
.
Savi
tr
iquickl
yenter
edthegar
den,andwi
th
sweat,
sherushedtoQueenDorah.
'
'Youi
diot
!Youst
unnedme.Anddi
dn'
tevenbr
ing
t
hejui
ce''
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
don'
tbeangr
ypl
ease'
'
.
'
'Whati
schasi
ngyou?'
'
.
'
'Well
,Iwentt
othecompoundanddeci dedtoget
t
hejuiceasyourequest
ed,butIdidn'
tseeQueen
MeerahortheQueenmot hert
here''
.
'
'Andhowdoest
hataf
fectme?'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,Ij
ustwantedtol
etyouknow.
Maybewiththei
rabsence,
youcangive!
eanorder
t
odosomet hingaboutwhati
sgoingon''
.
'
'No.Ihavenothinginmindfornow.ButIam even
bor
edofthiscelebrat
ionasitis.Comeon,
fol
lowme
tomychamber sandsend! ethejuicet
her
e''
.
Savi
tr
iwal
kedoutoft
hegar
denwi
thher
.
(
Int
het
allbui
ldi
ng=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
TheQueenmot
her,
QueenMeerahandhert
wo
maidsar
ri
vedi
nfr
ontofQueenDor
ah'
schamber
.
'
'Mother,Iam reall
ywor r
iedaboutthisplanof
your
s,evenwithourownposi ti
onsasqueens, we
don'
thavet herightt
obat chintot
heot herqueen'
s
chamberlikethatwithoutthei
rpermission''
.
'
'Meerah.
..st
opbei ngnaiveandbeast r
ongas
her
..
.Ij
ustwantt iconfi
rmift
rul
y,QueenDorahisa
Magadandpr acticeblackmagi
c,thatwi
llbeour
onl
ykeytoget t
ingr i
dofher'
'.
'
'Mot
her
,pl
easeunder
stand.
..
.'
'.
'
'Meer
ah.
..
underst
andmetoo.Bot
hyouandShaker
wer
esocloseandinl
oveunt
ilDor
ahshowedup''
.
'
'Duet
otheUj
anicust
om,theki
ngi
stomar r
ythree
t
imest
oensur
ethestabi
li
tyoft
het
hrone.Soevenif
QueenDor
ahaway,
theki
ngwi
llmar
ryagai
n''
.
'
' Yesl ethi
m marryagain,
Iwi
llmakesurebyt
hen
that,thequeenhemar ri
esisnotasecondDor
ah''
.
Shesai dandwentclosertot
hedoorandopenedi
t''
.
Gi r
ls,befast
!Noonemustcat chus,
search
ever ywhere.
..hur
ry!'
'
.
Preet
aandSheenaqui ckl
yenteredt heverylarge
decorat
edroom andst art
edsearchingever ywhere.
Theylookedint
ot hedrawersandot herplacest oo.
Theykeptonsear chi
ngbesidest hecur t
ainwhi ch
hadadoorbehi nditbuttheyhadnoi deatherewas
asecretdoorbehindthecurtai
n.QueenMeer ahand
theQueenmot herstoodoutwatchi ngifsomeone
wascomi ng.
Suddenl
y,QueenMeer
ahf
eltdi
zzyandmoaned
si
lent
ly.
'
'Meer
ah,
whati
sit
?Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Nonomot her'
'.Shesai dandgavealoudcough
andvomitedsomemi lkysubstancesonthef
loor
andthequeenmot herlookedforbehi
ndQueen
MeerahandsawSavi triandQueenDorahwalki
ng
ont
hewal
kwayandcomi
ngf
rom af
ardi
stance.
'
'Gi
rl
s,gi
rl
s!St
opshe'
scomi
ng!'
'
.
(
ThenQueenMeer
ahf
aint
edal
lofasudden)
.
'
'Gir
ls,
hurr
yup!''
.Shequickl
ybentdowninangui
sh.
'
'Meerah,
pleaseopenyoureyes!El
seourpl
answil
l
al
lbedestr
oyed.Meerah!
!!'
'.
She'sstoppedsear chingandqui
cklyst
arted
walkingoutbutPr eetabentdownandlookedunder
QueenDor ah'sverylargebed.Andtohershock,she
sawat r
aycontainingblackpowderunderthebed.
Shet ri
edreachi
ngoutf ori
t.
'
'Pr
eeta!QueenDorahiscomi
ng,
let
'sgo,
Queen
Meerahhasfai
nted!'
'
.
(Shequicklyr
unoutoft heroom andtheyboth
closedtheheavydoortogetherand,
theycouldn'
t
gettocarryQueenMeer ahalone.Sotheyshouted
i
nagonyandal ert
edmanypeopl einthepalace
i
ncludingthekingandhiselderswiththeother
kings.Theyal
lgatheredandQueenDor ahwas
shockedtoseet hem i
nf r
ontofherchamber .
Theguardscarri
edqueenMeer ahi
ntoherchamber
fol
lowedbyeveryoneandt heycall
edt heherbal
ist
.
Theherbali
staskedthem allt
ostayoutunt i
lshe
wasdonechecki ngonQueenMeer ah,butt
he
queenmot heri
nsist
edthatshewi l
lstandinthe
chamber,soonlyshewasal lowedin).
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shest oodinherchamberi nanguishanddoubt.
Shel ookedar
oundherr oom andsawt hat
everythi
ngwasnor mal
.Savitr
ithenknockedand
enteredwithAvni,sheclosedthedoorbehindher
.
Avnilookedpreparedsinceshehadgotever y
i
nformat i
onfrom Savit
ri
.
'
'Yourhighness''
.Shesai
dandbowed.''Igotwhat
youaskedfor.Thisi
sAvni,at
rustwort
hymai d,
who
canserveandkeepyouupdatedatallt
imes''
.
'
'WhydidQueenMeer ahf
ainti
nfr
ontofmy
chamber.Iam begi
nni
ngt
osuspectever
yonei
nthe
pal
ace''
.
'
'OhmyQueen..
.Pl
easesubt
ractAvniandIf
rom i
t
because,
wear
eonlyl
oyalt
oyou''.
'
'Avni
,areyouwi
ll
ingt
ogi
veyourl
if
eformyor
der
s
andwishes''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.Ial
sosupportthatyouarethe
onegoi
ngtogivebir
thtoUj
ani'
sf i
rstpri
nce,
soitis
onl
yri
ghtthat
,hebecomesthecrownedpr i
nce''
.
'
'Good,goodAvni,Il
ovethewayyourbr aini
s
worki
ngnow. .
.butIbel
ieveQueenMeer ahandthe
Queenmot herenter
edmychamber .Imustfi
ndout
why..
.sothatIcanalsofightbackwhenevert
hey
st
ri
ke' '
.
(Theyal
lsuddenl
yhear
dshout
ingandl
aught
er
outsi
de)
.
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
'Wedon'
tknowyourhi
ghnesses.
..It
hinkwe
shoul
dgoandcheck'
'
.
QueenDor ahandt hemai dsgotoutofherchamber
andwal kedupthehal l
wayt oQueenMeer ah'
s
chamber .Wereeveryonewashavi ngsmilesontheir
faces.Themidwifeandher bal
istwerestandi
ngi n
frontoftheki
ngandhet hrewthousandsand
thousandsofgoldcoinsont hem bothinhappiness.
ThenQueenDorahandthemaidsqui
ckl
ywalked
cl
osert
otheunknowncelebr
ati
onandwhenthe
ongsawher,
hethrewsomeofthecoi
nsonthem
andshegaveafakesmil
e.
'
'Butwhatisgoi
ngonher
etourhi
ghness?Whyt
he
suddenhappi
ness?'
'
.
'
'Yesofcour seQueenDorah!Happi
nesshasfil
led
allourheart
s.Andtheenti
reki
ngdom wouldbein
celebrat
ionaswellwhenImyselfwi
llspr
eadthi
s
news.Iam notevengoingtoall
owtheannouncer
dot heannouncement''
.
'
'Whatannouncementyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'OhDorahyouwer en'
tevenstandi
nghere?AndI
remembersomemont hsago,youwereaboutto
accuseMeerahofnotcari
ngaboutyoubecause
shewasn'
tinyourchamberwhenyouwer ei
npain'
'
.
'
' Ohcomeonmot her,t
hisi
snott hetimet odwellon
thepast.QueenMeerahispregnant!
!!'
'.Theking
shoutedinexci
tement.
'
'What?
!''
.QueenDorahshoutedinshockandf el
ta
shar
ppaininyourabdomen.Thickwaterf
ellpur
fr
om herski
rtoutofherpr
ivat
epartandshe
squeakedi
npain.''
Mybabykicked!Hel
p..Aaah!'
'
.
Everyonerushedt
oherandheldher.Themidwif
e
touchedherstomachandopenedhereyeswidel
y.
'
'Ohno!'
'
.
'
'Whatist
hemat
termi
dwi
fe?'
'
.Theki
ngaskedi
n
f
ri
ght.
'
'Thequeenisinlabouryourhighness.
..
.letusrush
hertothel
abourhouse,hur
ry!Orelseshemi ght
l
ooseherli
feandt hebabyaswel l
,hert
imei snot
due!'
'.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
44] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence6
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
QueenDor
ahwasquickl
ycar
riedbytwopal
ace
guar
dsandtakent
othel
abourhousewere
ever
yonewascomplet
elyworr
iedandt
heyal
lfi
ll
ed
thef
rontdooroft
hel
abourhouse.
'
'Shaker,youandthi
skingsguestsshouldgotothe
courtroom andcont
inueyourconversati
on,
we
shal
lletyouknowwhat everhappens''
.Theold
queensaid.
'
'Nonograndmother
.Imustst
andher
e,t
hati
smy
f
ir
stsonplease'
'
.
'
'Yesyes..
.bi
ttheki
ngsarenotal
lowedi
nt hel
abour
house.I
tiscustom '
'
.Theol
dqueeninsi
sted.
'
'Pl
easegr
andmot
her
.Won'
tletanyt
hinghappened
t
omysonandQueenDor
ah''
.
'
'Justgo!'
'
Thekingleftthelabourhousewiththeotherkings
andhewentst rai
ghttoQueenMeer ah'
schamber .
Wherehermai dsandthequeenmot heratt
endedt o
herandservedherwi thhealt
hyfrui
ts.Theking
wentbesideherandsatdown.Al ltheotherkings
withsmili
ngfaceswentcl osert
oherandr emoved
thei
rjewelr
iesandshower edherwithiti
n
happiness.
'
'Congratul
ati
onsQueenMeerah.
..youhavemade
usproud.Final
lyyouar
ealsogoi
ngt obecomea
mother''
.KingGangahsai
d.
'
'Thankyouyourmajest
y''
.QueenMeer
ahcoul
d
notcont
rolhersmi
le.
'
'Well,
ki
ngShaker,weshallt
akeourleavetoour
var
iouskingdoms.
.wearegoingtoannouncethi
s
goodnewst oever
yone''
.KingSi
amaksai d.
'
'Ohokay.Thankyouf orcomingt
ocelebr
atethe
dewal
ifest
ivalwi
thus.Ihopeyoucomeher eand
cel
ebr
atethePujahfesti
valaswel
l''
.
'
' Ofcourse.Thati
stenmonthsaheadofus.But
thattime,
thequeenwouldhavegivenbi
rt
h
already,
andcelebr
ati
onswil
lbemuchhappier''
.
KingGangahsai d.
'
'Saf
ejour
neybackt
oyourki
ngdomsmyf
ri
ends'
'
.
Thekingslef
t,
accompani
edbythei
rguards.They
sati
nt hei
rpal
anqui
nsandlef
ttheUjaniki
ngdom.
'
'Doyouneedanyt
hingQueenMeer
ah?'
'
.Theki
ng
asked.
'
'Noyourhighness.Pleasedon'
twor
ryaboutme,
I
am absol
utel
yfi
ne''.
'
'Youhavemademeproudmylove.Iam f
inal
ly
goi
ngtogetasonf
rom myf
ir
stqueen''
.
'
'Ihavetogoandpr epar
etheannouncerShaker,
youwon'tdoanyannouncementt otheki
ngdom,
youhavetostayherewithMeerah.AndIshallal
so
prepar
ethetumeri
ct oni
cforpr
egnantwoment o
massageMeer ah'
sbodyascustom demands' '
.
'
'Yesmot her,
please...makei tf
ast
.Andletthe
guardspreparefr
uits,thousandsofsomeot her
foodstuff
stosharet oever yhouseinthekingdom.
Todayi sahappyday, tel
lthem QueenMeer ahis
pregnantandgivethem t hef oodst
uff'
'
.
'
'Okay,
Ishal
ltakemyl
eave'
'
.
TheQueenmot herlef
tQueenMeerah'schamber
l
eavingherwit
ht heki
ng.Theki
ng'sfavechanged
toafrownsuddenlywitht
hethoughtofQueen
Dorah'
scondi
tion.
'
'Whati
sitt
ourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'I
tQueenDor
ah.Shei
sinl
abour'
'
.
'
' Ohno.Butit
'snotyetherti
me,comeon..
let
'sgoto
thelabourhouse''
.Shetri
edgetti
ngus.'
'Whydidn'
t
queenmot hertel
lmeallthi
s?''
.
'
'Youar enotgoi
nganywhere'
'.Theki
ngsai
dand
madeherl i
edownagain.'
'I
ftherei
sanynews,
they
wil
lletusknow''
.
'
'Butyourhi
ghnesspl
ease.
..'
'
.
'
'Mydear ,
no.Stayhere.Youareal
readypregnant
andIdon'twantanycompl i
cati
onsandt r
oubles.
..
Please,
justunderst
andandliedown''.
Hemadeherf
allasl
eepandt
henhel
eftt
he
chamber
.
(
Int
hepal
aceki
tchen)
.
Thiswast hegoldenheartofthepalaceandi t
suit
edt heri
chesofthekingdom.Pr eetaand
Sheenawer ebusilyli
ghti
ngfireonat hr
eemeet ing
hardclaywithfi
rewoodi nthem topreparethe
tumerictoni
cforQueenMeer ah.AndPr eet
a
couldn'
tkeepthisdiscoveryshemadet oher sel
f.
Shethoughtmaybe,
sheandSheenacoul
dwork
toget
hertoknowwhatwasreal
lygoi
ngon.Shewas
choppingsomefr
eshcarr
otsi
ntoagri
nder.
'
'Sheena.
..
doyouknowwhatIsawunderQueen
Dorah'
sbed?'
'.
'
'OhmyGod,
yousawsomet
hing?'
'
.
'
'Yes,
asi
lvert
raywi
thbl
ackpowderoni
t''
.
'
'Bl
ack?
!Onno,
thent
hatmeans.
..'
'
.
'
'ThatmeansQueenDor
ahi
str
ulypr
act
ici
ngbl
ack
magici
nthepal
ace''
.
Avnishowassentbyt hemidwifei
nthelabour
housetobri
ngmor ewaterforQueenDorah'slabour
gottotheki
tchendoorandstoodther
etolisten
whenshehear dQueenDorah'snameinthe
conver
sati
on.Shestoodbehindthedoorasshe
openedhereatstol
ist
en.
'
'Sowhatar
ewegoi ngt
odonowPr
eet
a..
.It
hink
weshoul
dtel
lqueenmother'
'
.
'
'No,notyetSheena.
..wejusthear
dagoodnewsof
QueenMeer ah'
spregnancy''
.
'
'Andthati
sthemor
ereasonwhyweshoul
dtel
l
Queenmother'
'
.
'
'Noyoudon' tunderst
and.RememberthatQueen
Dorahenter
edherchamberwhenwel ef
tther
e.
Whatifshetookt hebl
ackpowderaway?Thenwe
wil
lhavenoevi denceagai
nsther
.Andwhenwe
havenoevidenceagainsther,
weshal
lbepunished
merci
lessl
yforaccusingtheQueenwrongly'
'
.
'
'Youar eright.Sohowar ewegoingtoprovethis?I
can'tbeli
eveQueenDor ahisboldenought obe
practi
cingthis..
.IheardtheMagadf amil
ywer e
banishedfrom theki ngdom becauseofblackmagic.
Thatwasal lqueenmot hert
oldme' '
.
'
'Sowhatiftheywerebanished?Nowweknowt hat
QueenDorahpracti
ceblackmagic,andwemust
worktoget
hertoexposeher..
.weshallst
artt
oni
ght'
'.
'
'Okay.
..
.Ihaveapl
an'
'
.
Avniwasoshocked.Shecoul dn'
tbelievether
ewas
blackmagi ci
nthepal aceandshewasnowscar ed
thatshewasgoi ngtobeQueenDor ah'shand
mai den.Shel
aterenteredtheki
tchenandt ook
awayt
hewat
ershewassentf
or.
(
Outsi
det
hepal
ace=Ki
ngdom t
own=MrRaul
'
s
mansi
on)
.
MrRaulwasa60year soldmanwhowasver y
moder ninthekingdom.Theonlymanwhohadever
l
eftthekingdom tolearnmoreaboutli
fefrom
outsi
de.Theonl yri
chmanapar tfr
om theroyal
famil
y.Hewast heonlymanwhohadgonesof arin
l
earningotherlanguagesandwasf i
lt
hyrich.The
onlymanwhohadt el
evisi
oninhi
smansi onandt he
enti
rekingdom, hehadmoder nst
uffsli
ketelephone,
chandeli
er,for
eignwine,ai
rcondi
ti
on,t
elevisi
on,
moder nkit
chenandaccessor i
esandotherneedf ul
thi
ngs.
Andhisheartwasbl ackbutheonlydi
dbusiness
whichbenefit
edhi m alone.Heusedwhathehadt o
getwhatheandt hatwashowpeopl esawhimt o
be,t
hewickedmonst erintown.Hehadhisown
l
argefarm besideshi smansionwereever
ykindof
foodst
uffwaspl antedt her
e.Andmostofthe
ti
me,hehadpoorpeopl ecomingtobegforfood.
Thepoorpeopl e,especi
all
yMrMeho.Thedr unkar
d.
Theaddicttoalcohol.Andhehadnopr oblem
l
eavinghisnewl yweddedwi f
eathomet odr i
nkand
spendmor edaysathome.Hef el
latt
hef eetofMr
Raulinhisdrunkenness.
'
'Youcomeher eeverydaytobegfor
food.
..r
emembert hatifyoudonotstar
tworki
ng
withyourhands...
youaregoingtost
aythi
sway''.
Hesaidandt hrewhiscigarinhi
smouth.'
'Whatdo
Igetinret
urnf r
om helpi
ngyouthismuch?Youare
j
ustadr unkard!'
'
'
'Iwil
ldoanyt
hingyouwantsi
r.Please,
justgi
veme
ali
tt
lemoneytobuyadri
nkplease.Justtwogold
coi
ns''
.
'
' IwonderwhyBhavnamar r
iedyouinst
eadofme.I
havebeenpur sui
ngherf
orlifebutsherej
ect
ed
me. .
.andchoseyou,
youarethedrunkar
dofthe
town' '
.
'
'Iwil
ldowhateveryouwantsi r
.Look,Iknowmy
wif
eandIjustgotmar r
ied.ButIbel
ievewewi l
l
havesomanychi l
dreninfutur
e.Ipromisethat
..
if
youlookaft
ermef or
ever,
Ipromisetogivemy
daughtert
oyouasawi fe,
ift
hat'
swhatyouwant .
Andifheisaboy,hewil
lbecomeal abourert
o
you,
andwor ki
ntourfar
mf ortherestofhisl
if
e''
.
'
'Huh?!'
'.MrRaulwasastonished.Andhelooked
backathisf
avouri
tebodyguardwhosmi l
edand
noddedhishead.'
'Meho,areyousureofwhatyou
aresayi
ng?''
.
'
'Yesyes..
.whatusewi
llIhavef
orchi
ldr
entol
ook
af
terme,whenyouaretheonedoingt
heneedf
ul?'
'
.
'
'Si
nceBhavnareject
edmebecauseofmyage,t
his
wil
lbetheper
fectpaybackt
olaughatherf
ace'
'
.Mr
Rault
hought.
'
'Iwi
lldoanyt
hing.
..Ij
ustneedadr
inkandal
if
e
i
nsur
ance''
MrRaulgaveadevil
ishsmi
leandgaveMeho50
goldcoi
nsandaskedhimtoleaveandcomeback
l
atersotheycoul
dfi
nali
zet
heiragr
eementonpaper
.
(
RoyalPal
ace)
.
Ever
yonehadgat
her
edont
hepal
acegol
den
compoundandwer eallf
eeli
ngrestl
essduet ot
he
manyhour sspentinthelabourhouse.Suddenl
y,
theyheardthecruofababy.Theol dqueenand
mi dwi
fecameoutoft helabourhousewi t
hababy
i
nsackcl ot
h.Theoldqueenar ri
vedinfrontoft
he
kingwithasmile.
'
'I
twasababyboy'
'
.
Everyonecheeredi
nexci
tementandthekingtook
theababyinhisarmsandsmiled.Herai
sedthe
babyintothesky.
'
'Godbl
esst
hischi
ld!'
'
.
'
'Becaref
ulShaker
,he'
sst
il
lpr
emat
ured'
'
.Theol
d
Queensai
d.
'
'Don'tworrygrandmother
.Heisst
rong.Hei sa
warri
or,andhisna!ewil
lbe,
Far
uk!Myfirstson,
the
f
irstPri
nceofUj ani
.Pr
inceFar
ukSamr at!'
'
.
'
'Gl
orytoPri
nceFar
uk!
!!'
'
.Theguar
dsshout
ed
t
ogetheri
naheavyt
one.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.Themai
densr
espondedt
oget
her
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceFar
uk!
!!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.
Theol
dQueenmot
hert
ookt
hebabyback.
'
'Ishoul
dbet
aki
nghi
mtohi
smot
hernowson'
'
.
'
'Howi
sQueenDor
ah,
grandmot
her
?''
.
'
'W.
.wel
l.
..'
'
.
'
'Wel
l?'
'
.
'
'She'
sfi
nebut
..
..'
'
.
'
'Butwhat
?!'
'
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
44] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence7
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Whyareyounotsayi
nganyt
hing?
!''
.Queenmot
her
shout
ed.
'
'Ser
vant
s..
.Exi
tnow!
!!'
'
.Theol
dQueenor
der
ed.
Al
ltheser
vant
slef
ttot
hei
rvar
iousdut
ies.
'
'Nowt
ellusgr
andmot
her
.Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
'Thethingsi s,
QueenDor ahiswell
.Iam even
surpr
isedabouthowst r
ongherbodyi s.She
successful
lygavebirthtomygr eatgrandson...but
wehadsomecompl icat
ionsinherdelivery.
Reasonsbei ngthat,
shewasnotyetdi et ogive
bir
th,
butthebabycameoutwi t
hforce.Andaver y
unfor
tunatesi t
uat
ionoccurred''
.
'
'Whatsit
uation,whatisal
lthi
sspeaki
nginri
ddl
es
grandmother
...j
ustt
ellusandlet
'sl
ookfora
solut
ion'
'
.
'
'Ther
eisnosolut
iont
othis.Becausewhent
he
babycameout
,QueenDorah'swombalsofol
lowed'
'
.
'
'Aaaaaaaah!
!!'
'
.TheQueenmot
herscr
eamed.
'
'Gr
..
.gr
andmot
her
,ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayt
hat
..
..'
'
.
'
'Thisbabyboy,
Farukisgoingtobetheonl
ychil
d
Dorahwouldeverhaveinherli
fe.Shewon'
teverbe
abl
et ogetpr
egnanteveragai
n''.
'
'Ohgodwhy?Whyi sthi
scomingaft
ersuchagreat
news?Haaa''
.Theki
nglamentedandtur
nedhi
s
facet
othechambersandlef
t.
'
'Mother,
thi
sisreal
l
ygoingtoaff
ectShaker
,have
youalr
eadytol
dDorahaboutthi
s?''
.
'
'No...
shehersel
fsawherwombfallout.Andshe
col
lapsed.Thati
swhyocamewi ththebaby.I
shouldgoandcheckonhernow,whetherthe
herbal
isthasbei
ngabl
etorevi
veher''
.
'
'Okaymot her
,Ishoul
dbegoingtopreparethe
foodstuf
fsandsendt heser
vantsof
ftot he
kingdom toannouncethenewsofMeer ah'
s
pregnancy''.
Theypartedwaysandtheoldqueenwenti nt
othe
l
abourhouse.QueenDor ahwasalreadyawakeand
shewasputonanot herbedtorest
.Hereyeskept
star
ri
ngattheroofandtheywerered.Soredone
mayt hi
nkshewaspossessed.Theol dqueen
motherputthebabybesidesherandtri
edto
comforther.
'
'Don'
tpr
etendt
oli
kemeol
dwoman.
..Iknowyou
t
oowel
leversi
nceIgoti
ntot
hepal
ace'
'
.
'
'Andwhenyoul
ookedar
ound,whatdoyout
hink
youdi
dtomakemenotli
keyou?'
'.
'
'Idon'
tcar
ehowyouf
eel
aboutme'
'
.
'
'Eveninyoursorrows,youst i
llshowyour
heart
lessnesstowar
dsever ybody''.Shesai
dand
stoodup.''Whathaseveryonedonet oyou?'
'
.
'
'Justl
etmebe!'
'
.
'
'It
hinkweshoul
dinf
orm yourf
ami
lyt
hatyouhave
del
iver
ed'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Sheexcl
aimed.'
'Fami
ly?'
'
.
'
'Ohyesdear
.Why,
don'
tyouwantt
ourf
ami
lyas
wel
l?'
'
.
'
'I
..
I.
..
.'
'.
'
'Weonlymetthem ontheweddingdaybet
ween
youandtheki
ng.Buttheyhavenevercome
her
e,andyouhaveneverasked'
'
.
'
'Don'
tworr
yaboutanythi
ng.It
hinkt
heywi l
lar
ri
ve
whenthet
imeisri
ght'
'.Shefor
ceshersel
ftosi
tup.
'
'Pl
easel
eavemeal
one'
'
.
Theol dqueenl ef
tthelabourroom andeveryone
el
sel efttheroom, l
eavingQueenDor ahalone.Her
breathofangerbecameheavi erandheavierand
shetriedt ogetonherf eet.Sheheldthebedsheets
andpul leditfrom thebedandt hrewitawaythen
screamedi nrage.
Shetookt hecupsofwat erandt hrewt hem
away,scatteringeveryt
hingi nthel abourr oom unt i
l
hertwomostt r
ustwort
hymai densi nt hepalace
enter
edt her oom andsawherbl eedi ngwhi leshe
pushedsomebedsdownaswel l.Theyhel dherand
Avnitookabasi nofwat erandt heycl eanedherup
andputherbackonherbed.Savi tritookaher bal
medicineinapotandhandedi ttoQueenDor ahto
sei
zet hebl eedingbutshehi titswayf rom hersight
.
'
'Idon'
tneedt
hisusel
esst
hing!'
'
.
'
'Yourhighness.
..pl
easej
ustcal
m down,
andt
ellus
whatreall
yhappened''
.
'
'Everyt
hingisrui
ned!QueenMeerahhascrossed
al
lli
mi t
s!!
!'
'.Shesai
dwhileweepi
ng.'
'Becauseof
her
,Ihavegivenbir
thpr
emat
urel
y,andnotonl
ydi
d
shemakemybabycomeoutunwel l
,sheal
somade
mywombf allout'
'
.
'
'Ey!'
'
.Savi
tr
isqueakedi
nhor
ror
.
'
' Thatisthelaststraw!Andshei stheonehappy
now, notme. .
.Iwil
lkil
lher.IfIwon'tbeabletohave
childrenagain,thensheher self
,shewillneversee
herbaby' sface..
.never!Iwillmakesureshel ooses
thatpr egnancy,andtheki ngisgoingtohateherso
much' '
.
(Thebabybegant
ocryloudl
yandQueenDorah
slowl
ytookhimfr
om t
hebedandputhim onher
l
aps).
'
'HeissohandsomeQueenDorah,
wet
hankt
he
godsforbr
ingi
nghi
m saf
ely'
'
.
'
' Hewon' thaveanysibl
ings.Allthef
aultofQueen
Meer ah!'
'.Shesaidandbr oughtthebabycloserto
herface.''Butdon'twor
rybaby, youareinthi
s
worldnow, andyourmummywi llt
akesomuchcar e
ofyou,thatyouwi l
lli
vesuchal ongli
fe,
alonglif
eon
thethroneofUj ani'
'.
'
'Tourhi
ghness.
..Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatwoul
dbeeasy'
'
.
Avnisai
d.
'
'What
?!Howdar
eyou,
youi
gnor
antcommon.
..
.'
'.
'
'Iam sorrymyqueen.IknowIam acommon
maid,yes.ButIam al
sot
ourhandmaidennow.
..
am
Inot?''
.
'
'Avni
..Shutup!Haveyour
eal
isedt
hatyouar
e
t
alki
ngtotheQueen?''
.
'
' Iam sor
rymyqueen''
.Avnisai
dandboweddown
onherknees.'
'Thesi
tuati
onathand,
isnowbigger
thanyouranger'
'
.
'
'WhatnowAvni
?''
.Savi
tr
iasked.
'
'Ineverknewthat
..
.QueenDor
ahwasi
nvol
vedi
n
bl
ackmagi c'
'.
'
'What
?!'
'
.QueenDor
ahwashi
tbyat
imebomb.
'
'What
?!!
!'
'.Savi
tr
iisal
soshocked.
'
'Yes'
'
.Avnigott
oherf
eet
.
'
'QueenDor
ahyou?Buthowcoul
dyou.
..
.'
'.
'
'Heyshutupandkeepyourvoi
cedown'
'
.Shesai
d
andqui
ckl
y,hereyessparkl
edwi
thf
ir
eandt
wo
maidswer
ef r
ightened.
'
'Butyourhi
ghness.
..whati
sreal
lygoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
' Nowthatthet
rut
hhasbei
ngheardbyyoutwo..
.si
t
downandl etmetel
lyouabeaut
if
ulhor
rorst
ory
then''
.
Themaidswitht
heirshaki
ngbodyslowlysatont
he
nextbedcl
osert
oQueenDor ah'
sbedandsheheld
herbabyti
ght
lyandfacedthem cal
mly.
'
' Thirt
yyear sago, t
heMagadf ami l
yusedt ol i
vein
Uj ani
.Andever yt
hingwaspeacef ul.Actually,the
Magadf ami lywer eforeignersandwhent hey
movedher e,t
heyst ayedwi theveryoneel sei npeace
adt ranqui l
it
y.Thet hroneoft hiskingdom usedt o
roam ar ound, andwhent hegodsofMagadchooses
acer tainfami ly,t
heel destofthatfami l
y,themani s
crownedki ng.Andt hatwaswhathappened, t
hat
theki ngshipr eachedt heMagadf ami l
y.Andi twas
suchahappymoment .Andi twassuchahappy
moment .Everyonewasshockedt hatthet hr onehad
reachedf orei
gner s,anddoyouknowwhat
happened?Theel destoftheMagadf ami l
yhada
fri
end.Thatf r
iendhemadewasal readyi ntheUjani
kingdom, andhehadt oldhim everything.His
secrets,hiswant sanddi sl
ikes,het r
ust edthatfri
end
sobadl y.Butoneday, t
hewor sthappened, when
thatfriendofhi sbetrayedhi m sopai nfull
y.The
Magadswer ealwayspr acticingblackmagi c
becauset hatwashowt heywer ebroughtup.They
neededgr eenerpasturesandt hatwaswhyt heylef
t
theirownhomet ownandcomet oUjani .Butthat
fri
endhemether einUj anirevealedhi ssecret,of
practisingblackmagi c,andt heMagadel derwas
punishedsever el
yandt hrownawayf rom the
kingdom i ntotheforesttodi e''
.
'
'Ohmygoodness!'
'
.
'
' YesSavit
ri.Andguesswhowasmadeki ngaf ter
theMagadswer ebanished?I
twasthatf
riendthat
betrayedhim.Yes,hi
m.Andt hatmanwhowas
madeki ng,t
hatmanwhobet r
ayedhi
sfri
end..
.Was
thefatheroftheki
ng!''.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Andthatmanwhowasbani shedwi
thhi
swife,
wasmyf at
her'
'.QueenDor
ahsaidandherf
ace
wasful
lofvei
ns.
'
'OhmyGodyourhi ghness,sothatmeans...
tour
fat
herwasbet r
ayedbyt heking'
sfat
her,andhewas
banishedbecauseofblackmagic..
.thenitsi
mply
meansyouar ehereto.
...'
'
.
'
' Yes!'
'
.QueenDor ahroar
edlikeal i
on.Iam hereto
takerevengeandmyr ight
fulplace!Theonlyperson
whodeser vestobekingismyson!I fmyf ather
couldn'tbeki
ng..
.thenmysonwi l
l.AndIwi l
lmake
sure,t
omaket athappened,i
tiswhat '
sfair
!''
.
'
'Hm,youareabsolutel
yrighttourhi
ghness,butif
yourfamil
ywasbani shedtotheforest
,thenwho
werethosepeopl
et hatgaveyourhandin! marr
iage
totheki
ng?''
.Savi
triasked.
'
'Icharmedthem.Theywereonlydoingwhatt hey
werecontrol
ledt
odo.Becausemymot hergot
pregnant,
andgavebirt
htomeinthef orest
,andshe
di
edassoonasshegavebi rtht
omebecauseshe
wasbi t
tenbyasnake.Andmyfatherbroughtme
upint heforestbecausehel oosedhiswaybackt o
hiskinsmen.Andhedi edwhenIt urned14.He
thoughtmebl ackmagicdal lIneededtoknow,
and
thatwaswhyIchar medoneoft hewisemenoft he
kingandheconvi ncedtheongt hatheknewme, and
Iwasagoodgi rl
,soIcharmedt wopeopleandthey
camet ot hepalacetoactlikemypar ent
s..
.Andt he
kingmar riedme' '
.Shelaughedwi t
chy.'
'Haaa,
that
wassof an''.
'
'Yyou..
yourhi
ghness,
Ithi
nki
tist
imethatweget
al
lthi
soverwit
h.Andmakeyoursont
hecr owned
Pr
ince''
.
'
'Avni
,wher
edi
dyouheart
hatIpr
act
icebl
ack
magic'
'.
'
'SheenaandPr
eet
a.QueenMeer
ah'
smai
ds'
'
.
'
'Isai
dit!
!!'
'
.QueenDor
ahscr
eamedandmoaned
pai
n.'
'Iknewthosedi
rt
ygi
rl
senter
edmyroom '
'
.
'
'Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odonowyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Meerahiswearingacert
ainnecklace.Idon'
tknow
whereshegotit
,butwhenevershehasi tonher
neck,
am notabl
et ol
ookather..
.Ineedtogetthe
neckl
aceof
fherneck.
..
andki
llher'
'
.
'
'AndIal soneedt ofindalockformychamber
door,
topr eventanyonefrom enteri
ng.Goandt ake
careofthatSavi t
ri
.Infact,
Iprefertogomy
chamberr ightnow.Idon'twantost ayhere,
that
waywhenIgett omychamber ,thekingcancome
andspendt i
mewi thme.Come, helpmeupandl et
's
go''
.
'
'Okayyourhi
ghness'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
'
'Iti
salreadyget t
ingt
oni
ghtti
meSheena,ever
yone
i
sbusilyattendingtot
hequeens.Thi
smightbeour
onlychancei nexposi
ngQueenDorahandsavi
ng
QueenMeer ah'
'.
'
'Goaheadthen.Iknowam theonewhor
eveal
ed
t
hist
rut
h,butam al
readyscared'
'
.
'
' Andyouthi
nkam notscared?'
'.Shet
ri
espushing
theheavygoldendooropen.'
'HeldmeherePreeta,
hurry!'
'
.
Theybot
hpushedt
hedoorwi
tht
hei
rst
rengt
hand
l
ookedar
ound.
'
'Idon'tt
hinkit
'sagoodideat
hatwedidn'tt
ell
anyoneaboutthis'
'
.Sheenasaidandtheyboth
enter
ed.'
'Searchovert
here,
Iwil
lsear
ch
here.
..
makei tf
ast'
.
'
'No!Letusfi
rstl
ookundert
hebed''
.Pr
eet
asaid
andbenttol
ookunderthebedandshesawthet
ray
wit
hblackpowder.'
'I
tisher
e!'
'
.
'
'Whatonearthareyoutwofi
lt
hymaidsdoingi
nmy
chamber
?!'
'.QueenDorahaskedasshestoodt
her
e
wit
hSavi
tri
,holdi
ngthebabyandAvnibesi
desher
.
Thetwomai dsweresweatingsomuchast hey
l
ookedbehindthem withfr
ightandsawQueen
Dorahandhermai ds.Thetwomaidsstoppedwhat
theyweredoingandgottothedoor.
'
'Yourhighness,
wellwe.
..
.''
.Sheenat
ri
edtoexpl
ain
andreceivedadir
tysl
apfrom QueenDor
ah.
'
'Isai
dwhatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmychamber
?!'
'
.
Thataboutcal
ledf
ortheatt
entionofpeopl
e,
i
ncludi
ngthekingandtheyallassembl
edther
e.The
mai
dswer
equest
ionedandt
heywer
espeechl
ess.
'
' WhatareyoutwodoinginQueenDor ah'
schamber?
'
'.Thekingaskedinagloomystate.'
'Youanswerto
defendyoursel
ves,oryougetadeathsentenceas
thelawsofUjanidemands''
.
'
'Nonopleaseyourhi
ghness!Pl
easeweare
i
nnocent,
wehavenotdoneanythingwr
ong''
.
Sheenaknel
tandbeggedintear
s.
'
'NoSheena..
.wehavet otellthetr
uth!'
'
.Pr
eet
a
sai
dbol
dly.'
'Tourhighness,thereasonwhywear
e
i
nQueenDor ah'schamberisthat.
.wecameheret
o
sear
chforevidence''
.
'
'ThatQueenDor
ahi
str
ulypr
act
ici
ngbl
ackmagi
c
i
nthepalace'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Theyal
lexcl
aimedi
nhor
ror
..
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
44] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence8
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
:
Whatdi
dyout
woj
ustsay?'
'
.Theki
ngasked.
'
'Whatnonsenseisthi
s?Howdar eanyofyou
accusemeofsuchat hi
ng.Areyoumad?Me,usi
ng
blackmagi
c?#'.QueenDorahtr
iestodef
end
hersel
f.
'
'Wai tforamomentnow. .
.l
ett
hem speakupand
explainthemsel
ves''
.Theoldqueensaidasshe
walkedi nfr
ontoft
hegirl
s.
'
'What
?!QueenShubha,
youtoo?Howcanyou
def
endthi
sgir
landnotme?!'
'
.
'
'QueenDorahpleasecal
m down'
'.Theki
ngsaid.'
'
Now,yout
wo...
areyousureoft
husaccusat
ions?'
'.
'
'Ohno,i
fIt
hereputSheenai
nthispr
oblem t
oo,
she
mightf
acesomepunishmentwit
hme,Ihaveto
excl
udeheroutofit
,sot
hatevenifIam notaround,
shecanconti
nuethesearchofQueenDor ah'
sreal
i
denti
ty'
'
.Preetat
hought.
'
'Whyareyout
woqui
et?!Di
dyouhearmeatal l
..
.I
sai
d,ar
eyousur
eoft
hisdanger
ousaccusat
ions?''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.Iam ver
ysure.I
tisI
,
whosaw
atraywi
thblackpowderunderQueenDorah'
sbed
r
ightnow''
Whenshesai dthat,
everyonet ur
nedt ol ookat
QueenDor ah'
sface.Shewasst il
lfr
owni ngand
sweati
ngasshewassuf feri
ngfrom abdomi nalpai
n.
Sheintent
ional
lyactedlikeshewasf aintingandthe
guardsheldherti
ghtandbr oughtoneoft hegolden
chai
rsinthekingdom forhert ositon.Queen
motherandQueenMeer ahwhohadbei ng
massagedont hebodywi thtumerictoni carri
ved
ther
eandt heywereallast oni
shedatt hesi tuat
ion
buyhadnoi deaofwhatt odo.
'
'So,
yousawabl
ackpowderi
sn'
tit
?''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.I
tisr
ightunderherbedj
ust
now''
.
'
'Goandbr
ingi
ther
e''
.
Preetaenteredt hechamberandwal kedst r
aightto
QueenDor ah'sbed.Shebentdownandt oher
amazement , therewasnothi
ngthere.Thebl ack
powderonat raywasnowher etobeseenandshe
wasconf used.Shet houghthereyeswer edecei vi
ng
herandshel ookedoverandoveragai n.Shet hen
gottiherfeeti nsweatandstart
edchecki ngar ound.
'
'Wher
eisi
tmai
d?!'
'
.Theki
ngaskedi
nfur
y.
'
'Y-yourhi
ghnessIswearthatitwast
her
eIswear
,
nowithasjustdi
sappear
ed!''
.
'
'Guards!
!!'
'QueenDorahscreamedandgott
oher
f
eet.'
'Arr
estthatl
iarnow!'
'
.
'
'No!'
'
.QueenMeerahshoutedandgottothef
ront
ofbot
hhermaids.'
'Whyshouldtheybearr
est
ed,I
knowPreet
averywell
..
.shecanneverl
ie'
'
.
'
'QueenMeer
ah,
you?'
'
.Theki
ngwassur
pri
sed.
'
'Soyouprefert
obeli
evethuscommonmaid
i
nsteadofyourf
ell
owqueen?Howcouldyoudo
t
hisQueenMeerah?''
.QueenDorahsai
dandshar
ed
acr
ocodi
let
ear
s.
'
'Iam notsayingIdon'
tbel i
eveyouQueenDor ah.
Butjustl
ikeIbeli
eveyou,eventhatisthesameway
Ibeli
evePreetaandSheena.Whywoul dthey
accuseawhol eQueenlikeyoui ft
heyknowt hey
standtheri
skofgetti
ngadeat hsent ence?''
.
'
'QueenMeer ah..
.getoutofthewayandl egthe
guardarr
estyourmai d!Shehascommi t
tedan
off
ence.ShehasaccusedQueenDor ahwi t
hno
evi
dence..
.leavethewaynow!''.Theki
ngsai di
n
angryheavytone.
'
'Nonoyourhi
ghness.Pl
easedon'
tdot
his,
please!'
'
.
QueenMeer
ahcri
ed.
'
'Obeytheking,Meer ah'
'.Queenmot herwentt
o
Meerahandt ookherawayf r
om themaidsandthe
guar
dsarrestedPr eet
a.Sheweptandt riedt
oresi
st,
st
il
lshout
ingt hesamewor dsthatQueenDorah
wasinvol
vedi nblackmagi c.
Asusual,
noonebel i
evedacommonmai dandthey
hadlar
geanddar kdungeonwer etheyt
hrewall
off
endersi
nto.I
nt hatpr
ison,
therewerecagesi
n
thepr i
sonwerehungr
ylionswer ekeptin.Aboutt
en
tofif
teenli
onswerekeptindi
fferentcagesinthe
l
argedungeon.Theguar dsar
rivedthereand
unlockedtherust
edpadlockandt heythrewPreet
a
i
ntot hedungeonandlockedherup.
Thel i
onsbegunt oroarandPreetawi shedshehad
j
ustdi ed.Shewishshewasneverbor natt hat
moment ,shegottothedungeon'smet albargat e
andst artedcal
li
ngoutthatshewasi nnocentand
thattheyshouldletherout
.Shet henlefther sel
fto
falli
nt hegroundandweptwhi l
eshel ookedi nt
othe
facesoft hosehungryli
onsintheircagesal so
starr
ingbackather .
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shesatonherandshehel dherbabyi nherarms
andwasbr east
feedi
nghim.Shecouldn'tstop
smil
ingevi
llyandthemaidswer esur
pr i
sedabout
herr
elaxi
ngmood.Theyj ustkeptqui
etandkept
massagingherfeetandsheorderedthem tostop.
Sheputthebabydownandwal kedtoherwar drobe
andbroughtoutoneofhermostexpensi vesarees.
Shethrewitonherbed.
'
'Tomorr
owwillbeagoodday.
..
someonewi
lldi
e,
so
Ineedt
olookbeaut
if
ul'
'.
'
'Buttourhighness.
..Ihavebeenwant
ingt
oask
youthat.
..
.
'
'YesSavi
tr
i,Iknowwhatyouwantt
oask.Youmay
l
ookundermybedSavitr
i''
.
'
'Okay''
.Shebentdownandlookedundert
hebed
andsheisshockedtofi
ndthesi
lvert
raywi
thblack
powderonit
.Shestret
chedherhandandbroughti
t
outandAvnii
salsostunned.
'
'Bu.
.bu.
.Butt
hisi
simpossi
ble!'
'
.
'
'Nothi
ngisimpossiblef
orme.Andj ustl
ikeIhave
decei
vedeveryoneelsei
nt hepalacetoday,i
t'
sthe
samewayIam goi ngtoeli
mi nateQueenMeer ah,
Queenmother..
.andeveryonet hatst
andsinthe
wayofmygoal' '
'
'Butyourhighness,
howdidthishappened,when
Preet
asearchedunderyourbed,shedi
dn'tsee
i
t.
..t
henIcheckedandsawi t'
'
.
'
'Justkeeponet
hingi
nyourheadsyout
wo,
thatI
am notgoi
ngt ost
op,
unti
lIgetwhatIwant,
soyou
areei
therwithme,
oryouareagainstme.
..
and
anyoneagainstmemustdie.
..
becauseIwil
lwi
n..
.I
wil
lbethelastwomanstandi
ng''
.
'
'Wearewit
hyouyourhi
ghness.
..Justgi
vet
he
or
der
ed''
.Avnisai
d.
'
' Goodforyou,
nowt
hemostimpor
tanti
s
that,
QueenMeerahmustl
ooset
hatbabyshei
s
expecti
ng''
.
'
'Howwi l
lwedot
hatourhi
ghness?'
'
.Savi
tr
i
asked.
..
.
(Out
sidethePal
ace=I
ntheki
ngdom=MrMeho'
s
house).
Bhavnast oodinfrontoft
hehouseont hesmall
dustycompoundandf eedi
ngherwhi l
ehorsewith
plant
ainpeels.Andshesawguar dsi
nunif
ormsof
theroyalpalacecomingonhor sesandcarr
ying
someot herthingsonashelvetowardsherhome.
Shequickpani ckedndstoppedfeedi
ngthehorse.
'
'Ohmygoodness..
.ar
etheynotguardsf
rom the
pal
ace?Buthowcometheyarecominghere?
But,
whataret
heycomi
ngher
eto..
..
didanyonef
ind
outIhel
pedQueenMeer
ahgett
othewi shi
ng
st
ream?''
.
Theguar
dsarr
ivedi
nfrontofherandputthei
r
handst
oget
herandgreet
edher.Shealsopither
handst
oget
herandgreet
edtheguards.
'
'WhatmayIof
feryou?'
'
.
'
'Nothing,Lady.Wehavebeingsentbytheroyal
famil
yt ogotoeveryhousetosharefr
uit
sand
foodst
uf f
stoeveryhouseintheki
ngdom, andyour
houseist hel
asthouse''
.
'
'Wow,
real
ly.
..t
hisi
sunl
iket
hem.
.anygoodnews?'
'
.
'
'Herhi
ghnessQueenMeer ahispr
egnant'
'
.They
sai
dandlef
tmanyf oodst
uffsandfr
uit
sonthe
compoundandlef
t''
.
'
'OhGod,thankyouf orgr
anti
ngthequeen'
swi shes
'
'.Shesaidandputherhandonherst omach.'
' Iwil
l
alsohaveachildoneday..
.andful
fi
llmydreams.I f
Mehoar r
ives,
hewi l
lbesohappythatwehavef ood
now,andhewon' tgoandbegfrom MrRaul''
.
Shethentouchesherel
ephantneckl
ace.Shecl
osed
hereyesandstart
edprayi
ngforQueenMeerah.
(
RoyalPal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewasnowcl eanandfresh.Shetookafresh
appl
efrom abasketandtookitandtookabite.Her
twotr
ustwort
hymai dst
oodbehi ndherandthey
coul
dn'tpr
edi
ctwhatshewoul dsayordo.
'
'I
tisdarki
ntheeveni
ngnow.
..
thi
sist
het
imeI
st
ri
ke''
.
'
'Wear
econf
usedyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Iwant,
QueenMeer
ah'
spr
egnancyt
ermi
nat
ed.
..
.
t
onight'
'
.
'
'WhatdowedoyourHi
ghness?'
'
.
'
' QueenMeer ahandt hepeoplearoundhermust
havealreadystartedweepingf ort
hemai d,Pr
eet
a.
Andi ti
sPreetaandSheenawhohavebeencooki ng
allofQueenMeer ah'smeals...
soifPreetahasbeing
thrownintothedungeon, t
henhatsi mplymeans
that,
Sheenawoul dn'tbeabletocookf orher
queen,andevenifshecooks, shewilll
oose
concent
rat
ional
lthet
ime'
'
.
'
'So,
whatdowedoyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Taket hi
s''
.Shet ookal i
tt
leredbottl
ef r
om under
herpil
lowandhandedi ttoAvni.''
Got othekitchen,
andifyouseeSheenacooki ng,makesur eyoudo
somethingtogetherat tenti
onfrom thefood,and
pourthistonicint
ot hefood.Pourallofit,
becauseif
sheloosest hebabyanddi esinthepr ocess..
.Iwil
l
enj
oyi talot''
.
Avnitookthebott
lefr
om heri
nfullbol
dnessand
st
eppedoutoft hechamberwhil
eSavitr
iandQueen
Dorahlaughedtoget
her.
(
RoyalKi
tchen)
.
Sheenakeptonst arr
ingtheveget
ablesonf ir
e.She
wascooki ngsomer i
ceandvegetablesf orQueen
Meer ah,butherfacewassor edfrom tear,shewas
missingPr eet
a.Hermi nwasnotont hecooki ng
andshewasweek.Queenmot herenteredt he
kit
chen,thinki
ngSheenawasdonecooki ngandshe
wassur pri
sedt oseeherstil
lonthefood.She
touchedhershoul derfr
om behindandshe
pani
cked.
'
'YourHi
ghness!'
'
.
'
'Sheena.
..QueenMeerahishungry!Howcomeyou
havenotf
inishedt
hiseasyfoodsherequest
ed?'
'
.
'
' OhyourHi
ghness(sobs)IwonderhowPreeta
mustbedoingri
ghtnow.I sshefi
ne?Iti
seveni
ng
now,andyouknowhowt hedungeonbecomesdark
andscaryatni
ght.
..
withthosehungr
yangryli
onsin
there'
'
.
'
'Mydear .
..
Preet
awi
llbef
ine.Iwi
llt
alkt
otheki
ng.
Justr
elax.
..
.
'
' NoyourHi
ghness!Preetahasneverli
ed,
Ihave
knownhermyent i
reli
fe..
.eventhoughIdi
dn'
tsee
thatt
raywit
hblackpowder ,Ibel
ievei
twasther
e''
.
'
'MetooSheena.Butyout woshoul
dhavei
nfor
m
mebeforetaki
ngthatdanger
ousmove!Nowsee
whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Iam sor
ry,
but
..
..
'
'I
t'
sokay.Justf
ini
shcooki
ng,
andcomet o
Meerah'
schambertoser
veher
...
.thent
hethr
eeof
uscanpl
ansomet
hingt
osavePr
eet
a..
.hur
ryup!'
'
.
Thequeenmot herleftt
hekit
chenandSheena
conti
nuedhercooki ngintear
sandAvnienteredthe
ki
tchenlikeanor malpersoncomingtogetwater
.
ShenoticedShenna' stear
sandsmileevi
ll
ythen
shepouredwat erf
rom awaterpoti
ntoaclaycup
anddranki tal
l.Shewentclosert
oSheenaandshe
i
ntenti
onallydroppedonespicesinabowlont he
fl
oor.
'
'Areyoubl
indorwhat
?Don'
tcomeher
eand
di
stur
bme''.
'
'I
'm sorrySheena.
..mymindistotal
lysomewher
e
el
se.Ijustcan'
tgetovert
hefactthatPreet
awas
ar
rested''
.
'
'Howi
sthatyourbusi
ness?Youar
enotourf
ri
end'
'
.
'
'Imaynotbeyourfri
end.
..butIknowhowi tfeel
s
t
obeaccused.Itmustbeveryterr
ibl
eforPreeta
r
ightnow,
becauseofhowshewascr yi
ng''
.
'
'What?
!Preetawascr
ying?Onno.
..
.shemustbe
l
onel
yrightnow''
'
'Asagoodf
ri
end,
youshoul
dhavegonet
oseeher
bynow'
'.
'
'Butam cooki
ngand.
..
'
'Don'
tbot
heryour
sel
f.Iwi
llt
akecar
eofi
t''
.
'
'Butiti
snotri
ght.
..Iam QueenMeer
ah'
shand
maiden,
am supposedto.
..
.
'
' Thi
smaybet helastti
meyou'llseePreeta,
you
knowt hatri
ght?Af t
erall
,
youareal mostdonewith
thefood..
.Iwil
ljustwrapitupsot hatyougoand
serveQueenMeer ah,j
ust!akeyourvisi
ttoPreet
a
short'
'.
'
'ThankyousomuchAvni .Iwi
llbeback'
'
.Shesai
d
andsteppedoutoft
heki
tchen.
'
'Whatafool''
.Avniai
dandremovedt heredbott
le
cont
aini
ngthepoisonoust
onic'
'.Iwi
llgetalotof
coi
nsfrom QueenDorahaf
ertonight
..
..
Hahahahaha''
.
Shesaidandpour
edabsol
utel
yever
ythi
ngi
ntot
he
veget
ablesonf
ir
e..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
46] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence9
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
hedungeon)
.
:
Sheenaar r
ivedinthedungeonandsawt wobody
guardsst andinginf r
ontoft hedungeon.The
dungeonwasqui t
ef arfrom t hepalace,butitwasi n
thepalace.Theguar dsst oodt her
e, hol
dingtheir
swordsandf rowningt heirfaceslikesomeonewas
owningt hem.Theywer ebr eathi
ngheavi l
y,andt hey
hadscor piontatt
oosont heirchests,whi
chpr oved
thattheywer eguar ds,
andt heylookedscar y,
which
madeSheenat hi
nkwhet hersheshoul dsti
llgoor
not.Shehadherr edmai denval eonherf aceand
shegoti nfrontofthedungeon.
'
'Whatdoyouwanther
emai
d?'
'
.
'
'Howi
sPr
eet
a?'
'
.Sheenasai
d.
'
'Wegaveherwat
ersomeminut
esagoandshef
ell
asl
eep'
'
.Oneguar
drepli
ed.
'
'What
?!Sheissl
eepi
ng.
..butt
hen,
Avnit
oldmeshe
wascr
ying'
'
.
'
'Sheonlycri
edwhenwebroughtherhere.
Li
sten,
youhavetol
eavenow.
..
becauseitislat
eand
wecan'tal
lowyouher
e''
.
'
'Pl
ease.
..
.Ij
ustwantt
otal
ktoherf
oral
it
tl
ewhi
le'
'
.
'
'Doyouwanttojoi
nherhereorwhat?Leavenow..
.
Shehasnotbei
nggrant
edthepermissi
ontorecei
ve
vi
sit
ors'
'
.
'
'Buti
sshef
ine?'
'
.
'
'Yesshei
sfi
ne.
..
.nowgo!'
'
.
Sheenaleftt
hedungeonandwal kedint
othetall
bui
ldi
ngandent eredtheki
tchen.Whenshear ri
ved,
shesawt hatAvnihadsetthefoodonat rayand
shecarr
ieditandwentstraightt
ot hechambers.
QueenMeer
ah'
schamber
).
QueenMeer ahhadf i
nishedtaki ngherbat handjust
l
ikeSheenaandt hequeenmot her ,shewasal so
veryworri
edaboutthej udgementt heki ngandhis
wisemenwer egoingtomaket henextday.She
l
ayedonherbedandt ookt heel ephantnecklace
giventoherbyBhavnaandsheputi tonherneck.
Queenmot hersatbesidesherandt ookatumeric
tonici
nabowlf rom atableclosebyandst ar
ted
massagingQueenMeer ah'sfeetwi thit
.
Andshest
arr
edatt
heneckl
aceonherneckand
smil
ed.
'
'Eversi
nceyouarr
ivedfrom t
hewi shi
ngst
ream,
you'
vebeenweari
ngt hi
snecklace.
..di
dyoubuyi
t
atacheappri
ce?'
'
.
'
' No.Thisneckl
aceismuchmor eexpensi
vethan
thefoodweeat ,t
hemoneywespend, thecl
otheswe
wearmot her.Thi
snecklacehasthepowerto
protectanyonefrom anevi
lspi
ri
t''
.
'
'Ohi
sthatso?Andwher
edi
dyougeti
t?'
'
.
'
'Ayoungl
ady.AsIwagoi
ngt
othest
ream,
the
donkeybecamet hi
rsty,
andIgaveofwat ernearthe
for
est..
.t
henasnakecamet ousandt r
iedtoattack
meandal lofasudden,agi rlarr
ivedi ntheforest.
..
shewasal soonherwayt ot hest r
eam t owishand
shesavedmef rom thesnake, shewaswear i
ngone
ofthi
snecklaceandIsawt heneckl acel i
ghtup
whenitfacedthesnake,itdisappear ed''.
'
'Hmmm, asnake?Youdon'
tsay'
'
.Queenmot
her
sai
dsuspici
ousl
y.
'
' Yesmother.Evenmygoldencoingotmi ssingand
sosheandIbot hwi
shedonhercoi n.Andwhenwe
wer edone,
shegavemeoneofherneckl ace.She
toldmeherf at
hermadeitforhermot her,
shealso
saidherfat
herwast hef
ormerpriest''
.
'
' OhIsee.Well
,Iknewthef ormerpriest
,butInever
knewhi sfamil
y.Buthewasver ypowerful
.Ifi
twer e
tobehimt hatasourpriesttoday,
am surehewoul d
haveexposedDor ahtoever yone.
..Iwonderwhy
thispr
iestofoursisal
waysr unni
ngawayf rom the
truth'
'
.
Out
sidet
hechamber
,theyhear
daknockandt
he
Queenmot
herst
oodupt
oopent
hedoor
.
'
'QueenMeer
ah'
smaidisher
ewi
thherf
oodyour
hi
ghness'
'
.Aguardsai
d.
'
'Okay,
l
etheri
n''
.Shesai
dandent
eredbacki
nto
t
hechamber.
(Sheenaenteredt
hechamberwit
hthefoodand
closedthedoorbehi
ndher,
sheser
vedeveryt
hingi
n
frontofqueenMeerah'
sbed).
'
'Mmmm. ..smel
lsdel
ici
ous'
'
.QueenMeer
ahsai
d
andwashedherhandsinasmal
lpot.
'
'Si
tdownSheena'
'
.Queenmot
hersai
d.
'
'Iknowhowyoumustbef eel
ingnowmydear .
..but
wedon'thaveanyt
hingtodofornow.Theki ngwill
cal
lthewisemenandt hepri
esttomorrow.
.andsee
whatpunishmentt
heywillgi
vePr eet
a''
.
'
'Theywil
lkil
lheryourhi
ghness!Speaki
ngagainst
aqueenequalsadeathsentence!HowwillIwath
t
hishappened,Preet
aisi
nnocent''
.
'
'Sheena,di
dyoureal
lyal
soseethebl
ackpowder
underQueenDorah'
sbed?''
.QueenMeer
ahasked.
'
'Noyourhi
ghness.
..butIknowt
hatPr
eet
asawi
t
and.
..
.
AssoonasQueenMeer ahputherhandinthe
food,t
heneckl
aceburntherchestandshe
screamedinpainandherleghitt
hetabl
e,making
thefoodfal
lfr
om thetabl
e.
'
'Areyouokay?''
.Queenmot
heraskerasshe
checkedonher.
'
'Thenecklace,i
tur
nmychest
..
.butwhy?I
thas
neverdonethist
ome''
.
'
'Ihavetocleanupthefoodfrom t
heflooryour
hi
ghness..
.pleaseIwi
llbebackwithsoapand
water'
'
.Sheenasaidandleft
.
'
'Youhaven'
tevent
ast
edanyt
hingsi
ncet
his
af
ter
noon''
.
'
'For
getitmother
.Il
oosedmyappet
it
e..
.Iwi
lleat
somethi
ngtomorrow'
'.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shecoul
dn'
tst
oplaughi
ngwit
hbothhermai
ds.
Theyl
aughedt
hei
rheadoffasshet
houghtt
hat
fi
nall
y, somethi
nghadhappenedt
oQueenMeerah
andt hatFarukwasgoi
ngtobetheoneandonl
y
heirofUj ani
.
(
NextDay=I
ntheki
ngdom=Meho'
shouse)
.
Bhavnawokeupear l
yinthemor ningtogetready
andgot othetemple.Shewor ehersareeandputa
Vailonherhairasamar riedwomanandsheput
hervermili
onherforehead.Shesteppedoutside
andstartedsaddl
ingherhor set
or i
deitt
othe
temple.Andshesuddenl ysawthreemencomi ng
towardsthehouse.
Shetriedmaki ngthem outbutshehadnoi deawho
theywer ebecauset heylookedl i
keforeigner sand
theywer ealsoinsuitandt iewhichwer ef oreign
clot
hes.Theyar ri
vedatt hecompoundandoneof
them stret
chedtheirhandt ogr eetherbutshehad
noideahowi twasdone, becausei ntheircust om,
theybenddownt ogr eettheirel
dersorputt heir
handst ogethert
ogr eettheircoll
eague, sothat '
s
whatshedi d.Sheputherhandst ogetherand
l
ookeddown.
'
'Pl
ease,
howmayIhel
pyou?'
'
.
'
'Wear
elooki
ngf
orMrMeho'
'
.
'
'Yes,
thati
smyhusband.
..pl
easei
sther
ea
probl
em?''
.
'
'Wewer
esenther
ebyMrRaul'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
MrMehoqui ckl
ysteppedoutofthehouseand
j
oinedthem ont hecompound.Hewasal i
tt
le
uncomfortableasBhavnawasal sostandi
ng.He
thent
ookt hemenasi dewhileBhavnawentto
saddl
eherhor se,butshekeptonstar
r i
ngatthem
suspi
ciously.
'
'Whati
sitboys?'
'
.
'
'MrRaulhasaskedust obri
ngyoui sgoldcoins''
.
Oneofthem saidandhandedasmal lr
edsack, f
ull
ofcoi
nst oMeho.''Hesaidthat
,youshould
remembert heagreementyoutwomade
yest
erday..
.andcomet ohi
smansi ontoinfor
m him
assoonasyourwi f
ebecomespr egnant'
'.
'
'Okayokay.
..
youcangonow'
'
.
Themenl ef
tandMehot iedt
hesackonhisshort
s.
Heturnedandt r
iedent
eri
ngthehousewi
thout
sayi
nganything.
'
'Whatbusinessdoyouhavewit
hMrRaul
?Don'
t
actl
ikenot
hinghappenedher
e''
.
'
'Wel
l,MrRaulhir
edmeamonghi
swor
kerBhavna,
i
sn'
tthatagreatnews?'
'
.
'
'Ohr
eal
ly?Idon'
tbel
ieveyou'
'
.
'
'Don'
tyouthinkyouar
ealr
eadygett
ingl
atefort
he
t
emple?You'vebeencl
eani
ngther
eright
?''
.
Thent heyheardtheveryloudringi
ngbellfrom t
he
templewhi chri
ngseverysinglemor ni
ngforthe
kingdom togoandof fert
heiroffer
ingstothegod
Ujani.Bhavnaquickl
yjumpedonherhor seand
pulleditt
ot heoutdi
recti
on.
'
'Wear enotdonet
alki
ngMeho,
youaregoi
ngto
expl
ainwhyMrRaulhassenthi
sboystogi
veyou
money''.
'
'Howdoyouevenknowi
tismoney?'
'
(
Bhavnar
idest
hehor
seaway)
.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace=Cour
troom)
.
Theki ng,hiswisemenandmi nist
ers,some
mai denswer eallpresenti nthecourtroom except
QueenMeer ah.Andt hatmadeQueenDor ahsmile
widely.Maybesomet hinghadhappenedt oQueen
Meer ah.Butthensheal sothought,i
fsomet hi
ng
hadhappened, thenQueenmot herwouldn'tbein
thecour troom.Al lthewi semenandmi nister
swere
servedwi thtradit
ionalwi neinagoldencupwhi l
e
theywai tedfortheki ngt ospeak.
QueenMeer ah,inherbeaut ifulglory,steppedinto
thecour tr
oom andever yonegott otheirfeetand
hailedher .QueenDor ahwasabsol utel
yshocked.
ButQueenMeer ahwasnotwear ingt henecklace
thi
st imeandt hatmadehersmi l
ever yevill
y.She
thenhadagr eatidea.Byal lmeans, QueenMeer ah
hadl eftt
heneckl aceinherchamber .QueenMeer ah
satonherqueenl yseatbesi desQueenmot her.The
arrangementwas, t
heking'st hronewashi ghabove
ever yoneelseint hecour troom, onehadt oclimb
tenst ai
rsbeforereachinghi m.Butt hequeensseat
wer ebeneat h.Theysatont hei rseatsdownt he
stair
swi thal
lthewisemenandpr i
ests.Even
thought hei
rswereseparatedfrom t
hewi semen
andel dersandthei
rchai
rswer ealsomadeofgol d.
Andt heservantsst
oodatt hegate.Thecourtroom
wast helargestr
oom apartfrom t
hechamberi nthe
palace.
'
'Now!Itisti
met ofi
nal
lyst
artthecourt
.Wisemen
andminister
s,hasanyonegotanythi
ngtosay
bef
orewest artt
his?'
'
.
(Onewisemanst
oodupandf acedtheki
ng,andt
he
pri
estoft
heki
ngdom al
sogottohisfeet
).
'
'YourHighness,Idon'tthinkweshouldmaket hi
s
meeti
nganyl ong..
.pr
oclaimj udgement,
because
wit
hwhathehear dyest erday,themaidhadno
evi
dencetoshow' '
.
'
'YourMaj est
y,Iagreewi t
hMeer .
..Itwil
lthebest
opti
on.Dot hi
stoshowt heservants,t
hatthey
shouldknowt heirl
imit
.Ifyouareaser vant,
you
don'thaveanyrightsatall
..
.t
ocompar ethemselves
toroyalt
y.
'
'Guar
ds.
..
bri
ngt
heof
fender'
'
.
(Twoguar
dswal
kedoutandl
atercamebackwi
th
Preet
awhowaschai
nedonherhands)
.
'
'Maid!
!!Doyouhaveanyt
hingmor
e,t
osayt
o
def
endyoursel
f?'
'
.
'
'Ist
il
lstandonmygroundsyourHighness.Iknow
whatIsaw.Andam notl
yingIswear''
.
'
' Bythel awsofUj ani..
.whichhast houghtuswhat '
s
ri
ghtf rom thedaysofourf orefathers...anyonewho
accusessomeonewi thoutevidence, anddi sgraces
theiri
nt egri
ty.
..shallbehangedonar opei nthe
forest.Andi fiti
samemberoft heroyalf amil
y,that
personwhoaccusedshal lbeheaded.Byt hepower
i
nvest edi nme, t
hemai di
nquest i
onshal lpass
throught hesamef ait
h.Execut ors,takeherwayand
doyourj ob!''
.
QueenMeer ahcoul dn'tcontr
olhertear
s.Queen
mot hercomfort
edherandl ookedatQueenDorah
onherseatwi t
hr esentment.Sheenawouldn'tl
et
them takeheraway. .
.shetri
edherbeattogettoher
fri
endwhent heexecut orsgothertotheentr
anceof
thepalace.
'
'Pr
eeta!Thi
sisnotf
air
,l
et'
sgobacktothecourt
r
oom andpleadyoui
nnocentPr
eetaplease!'
'
.
'
'Sheena''
.Preetawhispered.'
'Sheenali
sten,
Ia!
Notsadforsayingthetrut
h.Iam sadeveryoneelse
i
sblind.Makemeapr omiseSheena' '
.
'
'Nonono.
.t
hisi
snothappeni
ng,
Ihopeam
dr
eami
ng''
.
'
'PromisemeSheena,
thatyouwon'trestunt
ilyou
exposeQueenDor
ahtoeveryone..
.promiseme.
Don'tl
et!
ydeat
hbeinvainplease!'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
ohGodsaveus'
'
.
'
'Pr
omi
seSheena,
promi
se!
!!'
'
.
'
'YesIpr
omi
se'
'
.
'
'Enought
alk'
'.Oneoft
heexecut
orsai
dand
pushedPr
eetaoutoft
hepal
aceandtookheraway.
Mostwi semenandmi nist
erswereleavingthe
palacetothei
rvari
oushomesandSheenacoul dn'
t
stepoutbecauseaservantcan'
tleavethepalace
unlesstheyaregi
venpermissi
on.Sheknel tatt
he
entranceandcri
edherheartout
.QueenMeer ahand
thequeenmotherqui
ckl
ygott
oherandgotherup.
Shedidn'
twanttonest
oppedf
rom cr
ying.Butt
hey
tookhert
othegarden.
QueenDorahwal kedoutoft
hecourtr
oom wi
thher
maidsinallsmil
esandshesawthekingdom'
s
pri
estdownont hecompound,whi
leshewasonthe
bal
cony.Thepr i
estl
ookedupandQueenDorah
gavehim asign.
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
46] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence10
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
QueenDorahwassoupsetandwaswonder i
ngwhy
QueenMeerahdidn'
tdi
e.Savit
rist
oodatthedoor
andwhenthepri
estarr
ivedatthedoor
,shel
ethim
i
nandclosedthedoor.
'
'Pri
est,Ihopeyouar eheretot
ellmesomethi
ng
sensi
bleabouthowt oatt
ackQueenMeerahat
whereshel eastexpect
s''
.
'
'Youcan'
tki
llheryourhi
ghness'
'
.Thepr
iestsai
d.
'
'What ?
!Howcanyousayt hat
?Whenshegi bes
bir
th.
..thekingi
sgoingtohaveadif
fi
cult
ti
me,choosingbetweenhersonandFaruk!'
'
.
'
'Justrelaxfornowhighness.WhenQueenMeer
ah
enteredthecourtroom.
..
Isawaverystr
ongbl
ue
shieldsurr
oundedherbody...
shei
sgett
ing
protect
ionfrom somewhere''
.
'
'I.
..
Iknow.Shewenttothewishingri
verto
wish,
andwhenshecameback, shewaswear i
nga
neckl
ace.Andfr
om thatday,
shehadbeenso
confi
dent,
andIontheotherhand,Iam notablet
o
l
ookather''.
'
'Thati
sityourhighness.Ifyoumakeanyatt
empt
onherl
ifenow,t
heneckl acewil
lexposeyouf
ast
!''
.
'
'Sowhatdoyousuggestnow?Well
,makeyoursel
f
usef
ult
omepr i
est.
..t
hati
swhatIpayyourfor
.
WhatdoIdo?Allt
hepouri
ngift
hatbl
ackporti
onin
herpur
if
icat
ionpooldi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingusef
ul'
'
.
'
' Well,
itwaswor ki
ngunt i
lshegott
othewi
shing
stream tourhighness..
.youcan'
tbl
amemef or
that..
.butIhaveani dea''
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'Mydearqueen,
youknowourdeal'
'
.
'
'Lookint
omywar dr
obeandr
emoveasmal
lred
sackformeSavi
tr
i''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness''
.Savi
tr
isaidandopenedthe
wardr
obe.Sheremovedaredsackf ul
lofheavy
coi
nsandgibesitt
oQueenDor ah.
'
'Now,t
ellmeyouri
deapr
iest
,andi
fit
'susef
ul.
..
you
gett
hisgoldcoi
ns'
'
.
'
'WhenhaveIevergi
venyouf
alsei
deasyour
hi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Hey,
Idon'tcareokay?ButIcan'tt
akeanyr i
sksfor
now.Thekingtrustsyoualot.Heevenlist
ensto
whatyousay...
moret hanheli
stenstohisown
mother
.Soyoubet terthi
nkfastbecauseti
mei s
goi
ngpriest!'
'
.
'
'Okayf
ine.Thi
sismypl an.
..
waitt
il
l7monthsof
QueenMeerah'
spregnancytoendandlethergi
ve
bi
rt
h''
.
'
'Andwhathappensbyt
henyouf
ool'
'
.
'
'Heeey!!
!QueenDorah,wat
chhowyour
efert
ome
f
rom today!'
'
.Heshoutsangri
ly.
'
'Okayokayf
ine!Iam j
ustdesper
ateokay?
!''
.
'
'Becauseofallt
hemoneyIhavebeenget t
ingfrom
you,Ial
sowantyoursontobecomet heking.Now
l
istentomeverycaref
ull
y..
.youwillhavetowaitti
ll
QueenMeerahgivesbirt
h,andthatday,wewil
l
str
ike''
'
'How?Idon'
tgetyourpoi
ntwel
l'
'
'
'WhenQueenMeer
ah'
sti
mei
sdue.
..
..
..
.
(
Outsi
dethepal
ace=Att
het
empl
eont
he
mount
ains)
.
Thetemplewasfi
ll
edwi thsomanypeopl e,al
most
hal
foftheki
ngdom, especi
all
ywomenwhower e
gi
vingoff
eri
ngstolordHanuman, t
heUj anigod.
Womenputf l
owersonat raywit
hal i
tt
lelight
ed
l
ant
ernandwhentheygottotheentr
anceoft he
t
emple,
theyuset
heirhandtohitt
hebellhangingat
t
hetopasasignofthei
rent
ry.
Andtheyt akeaqueuet ogivetheiroff
eri
ngstothe
l
ordandt akesweet sf
rom thepriestbefor
egoing
backtotheirwor ksorhomes.Bhavnawasdone
cl
eaningt hetempl ewit
ht hehelpofsomef ri
ends
andaftershewasdone, shegaveherof fer
ingand
wenttothepr iestwhosati nthemi ddl
eoftheroom
wit
hhi slegscr ossedandsur r
oundedwi thfl
owers
andli
ghtedcandl esal
laroundhim.
Hewast hesupporti
ngpr i
estaf
terthetown'spr
iest
hi
mself.ThiswaspriestChanakher.Bhavnabentin
fr
ontofhim andstr
etchedherrighthandtothe
pri
estt
ot akehersweets.
'
'Woman!Ohwoman.
..
youar
efavour
ed'
'
.
'
'Huh?'
'.Bhavnacoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
hepr
iestwas
r
efer
ri
ngt oher.
'
'Yes..
.youBhavna.Youhavefoundfavorinthe
eyesofthelor
d.Anditwon'tbelong.
..
thatyouare
goingtobecomeamot her'
'.
(
Bhavnasmi
leswi
del
y).
'
'Showmeyourr i
ghtpal
m Bhavna'
'
.Pr
iest
Chanakhersai
d.
(Bhavnast
ret
chesherhandt
othepr
iestand
openedherpal
mstohim).
'
'Youhaveabri
ghtfut
ureBhavna,butIal
sosee
deat
hbesidest
heli
ghtofyourf
utureaswell'
'
.
'
'What
?Deat
h?!'
'
.Shescr
eamedi
nhor
ror
.
'
'Shhhh...Besil
ent
,letmefinish.
..
Iseeyou
pregnantwi t
habeautif
ulgi
rl.Andshewi llbethe
sourceofyourbreakthr
oughf rom povert
y,sheis
j
ustasdar ingasyou.What?!''
.Thepr i
estis
suddenlyamazedwi ththenewr evelat
ionhejust
saw.
'
'Whati
sitpr
iest
?Pl
easet
ellme'
'
Thewomenwhower estil
lonthequeuestart
ed
complai
ningonthedelayofBhavnawiththepri
est
andthei
rnoisewasbecomi ngunbear
able.The
pri
estgaveBhavnaasweetandaskedhert ogo.
ButBhavnawasstil
linsuspense.Andshewas
havi
ngsecondt
hought
swhet
hersheshoul
dleave
ornot.
'
'GoinpeaceBhavna,andmayGodlethi
swil
lbe
done.
..
butt
akeverygoodcar
eofthechil
dwhenshe
comes''
.
'
'Okaypr
iest'
'
.
(
Bhavnal
eftt
hepal
ace)
.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace=QueenMeer
ah'
schamber
).
Shesatonherbed, st
arri
ngattheneckl
aceand
remember edBhavna.Andshesmi l
ed,Il
ookedl
ike
therewassomet hi
ngconnectingt
hem.Queen
mot herknockedatherdoorandenter
edwitha
gloom fave,
andshesatbesidesBhavna.
'
'Theexecut
orsj
ustr
etur
ned.Wi
thbl
oodont
hei
r
swordsMeerah'
'
.
'
'Theykil
ledPr
eeta'
'
.QueenMeer ahsaidand
sobbed.'
'Howarewegoingtostayidl
ewhenan
i
nnocentsoull
ikePr
eet
a'sgoinvainli
kethat
mother''
'
'Ihavebei
ngt
ell
ingyouf
oral
lthemont
hst
hat
passedthat
,Dor
ahwasusingbl ackmagi
cMeer
ah,
bi
tyouwouldneverbel
ieve.
..nowseewhat
happened?'
'.
'
'Ican'
tstoptoi
maginemother
..
.Hm,poorSheena,
shewouldbeallal
onenow.Whatar
ewegoi ngto
dotohelphermother
?''
.
'
'Ihavemadeadeci
sionMeer
ah.Youremember
t
hekinghaonemorewomantomar r
yright
?''
.
'
'Yes.
..
.
'
'Iam goi
ngt
ospeakt
ohi
mtoni
ght
.Iwanthi
mto
marr
ySheena''
.
'
'What?!Mot
her,Sheenaisj
ustani
nnocentl
it
tl
e
gi
rl
..
.shewantnotroubl
e''
.
'
'Butwhoisgoingt
oputherint
roubl
e?Shei
sjust
marryi
ngtheki
ng.Ori
sityouwhodoesn'
twanther
t
omar ryhi
m?''
.
'
'Nonomot her.Iti
snotthat.Iknowt
hat,
theki
ng
wil
lmarryathir
dwi f
e,whetherIli
kei
tornow.And
i
t'
sokaymot her.Iwoul
dloveSheenatobecomemy
j
uniorr
ival
.Shei sagoodgirl''
.
'
'That'
smygi r
l,
that
'sthespi
ri
tMeerah.
..nowonder
i
tistourbabythatwil
lbecomethecrownedpri
nce.
AndIwi l
lmakesureofthat'
'.
'
'Ital
llandsonSheenanowmot her.Wouldshe
accept?Sheissoscaredofroyalt
ymor ethanever
am sureofit
..
.af
terwhathappenedt oPreet
a''
.
'
' Don'tworrymydear.Iwillt
alktoher .Butcomet o
thinkofit
,Iwonderhowt hatit
em Pr eetaseunder
QueenDor ah'
sbeddisappeared.Wear eallinver
y
gravedangeri nt
hiskingdom Meer ah, beextra
car ef
ularoundQueenDor ah..
.isthatcl ear
?''
.
'
'Yesmot
her
..
.Iwi
ll'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
QueenDor ahhadhandsomeFar uki
nherar msand
wasi nawi ldstat
e,aftertheideasheandt hepriest
had,shewashavi ngmi xedfeel
ingaboutit
.Shehad
call
edf orhermairSavi tr
itocomeandseeher ,
and
soshehear daknockatt hedoorandsheaskedt he
guardst andingoutsi
deherchambert ol
etherin.
Savitr
ienteredthechamberwi thQueenDor ah'
s
eveningmealandser vedi tonabedtablebesides
herbed.
'
'Yourhighness,j
ustli
keyouor
dered.Your
favour
it
emeal ,
beetr
oothal
wa.Andit'
sveryhotas
youalwaysprefer'
'.
'
'Ihavenotcall
edyouheret
odescr
ibethefoodyou
i
diot!HaveyouseenQueenMeer
ahaftert
he
executi
onofhermaid?'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.
..Shehasgonet
othegar
den'
'
.
'
'Al
one?'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'I
sshewear
ingt
hatneckl
ace?'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhighness.
..
areyougoi
ngt
odowhatt
he
pri
estaskedyoutodof ornow?'
'
.
'
' Wel
lIhavenoot herchoice,
doI?Whenam done
withmymeal,Ihavet ogot ot
hegardenandactl
ike
theangel
icri
val.Thatstupidwoman!NowIhavet o
actli
keIli
kehersoshet rustme.Ican'
tevenst
and
hershadow''
.
'
'I
twi
llbemucheasiertof
aceherwhenyousmear
t
heoi
lthepr
iestgaveyouonyourf
ace,
thent
hat
neckl
acewon'
tshockyoureyesanymor
e''
.
'
' Ohno!!WhydoIhavet ogot hr
oughthi
snow. .
.I
thoughtI'
djustkil
lhereasi
lyandendeveryt
hing,
onceandf orall'
'
.
'
'Pat
ienceyourhi
ghness.
..Pati
ence.Justwaitfor7
monthsonlymyqueen.7mont hswillbetheendof
al
lourprobl
emswhenQueenMeer ahf al
lsi
nto
l
abourandthatni
ght,
herlif
e,wouldbeover''.
(
Out
sidet
hePal
ace=Meho'
shouse)
.
Bhavnaar r
ivedhomeandt iedherhorseagai nstan
oldmangot reeonthecompound.Andsher emoved
thesweetfrom hersmallsackandent er
edt hehell.
Shewassur pr
isedt
oseesomemor efoodstuffsin
thehallandwaswonder ingwereitcamef rom.And
shelookedmor eint
oitasMehocameoutoft hei
r
smallkit
chen.
'
'Wher
ear
ethi
sthi
ngsf
rom Meho?'
'
.
'
'Iam goingouttot
hedr
inki
ngspot
,ar
ranget
hem
i
nthekitchen'
'.
'
'Dr
inki
ngspotagai
n?Youar
enotgoi
nganywher
e
Meho.
..whyar
eyout
hist
ome?'
'
.
'
'Youmarri
edmeknowi
ng,Iwasadr
unk.And
so,
whati
syourpr
obl
em '
'
.
'
'Ihopedmyloveandaff
ect
ioncoul
dmakeyou
changeMeho.Anyway,
wheredoesthi
sfoodcome
fr
om ''
.
'
'IaskedMrRaulf
orhel
pandhegavemeal
lthese'
'
.
'
'Ah.
.MrRaul
,
agai
n?'
'
.
'
'Don'
tst
artagai
nBhavna,Iswearthathehir
edme
t
obehisfarm wor
ker
,sodon'tbot
heryoursel
f''
.
'
'Thepr
iestt
oldmesomet
hing'
'
.
'
'Somet
hingaboutme?'
'
.
'
'Hesai
d..
.Iwi
llhaveagi
rlchi
ldsoon'
'
.
'
'Agir
l?Ohyes!!NowIwil
lhavenothi
ngt
owor r
y
about
,ever
ythi
ngwouldbeeasiert
hanIt
hought!'
'
.
'
'Whatwoul
dbeeasy?'
'
.
'
'Iam. .
.wel
l.
.Iam j
ustsohappydearBhavna,we'
ll
becomepar entsofabeaut
ifulgi
rl
,j
ustl
ikeyou.I
n
fact
,Iam notgoingtot
hespotanymore.
..come,l
et
mepamperyout
odayf
ort
hisgoodmews'
'
.
(
Theybot
hent
eredt
heki
tcheni
nhappi
ness)
.
(
Thepal
ace=I
nthegar
den)
.
QueenMeer ahheldawat erpot ,
wat eri
ngher
favouri
t ej
asminef l
owersinal lsmi l
es.Thegar den
i
st hemostbeaut if
ulinallthepal aceandt hefloor
wasf il
ledwithgreengrassandt hewhol e
surroundingweref i
ll
edwi t
htreesandf lowersand
otherflowersinpots.QueenDor ahent eredthe
gardenandt ookadeepbr eathwhenshesaw
QueenMeer ah.Shealsoclearedhert hroatandgot
closertoher.
'
'Well
,
hello,
goodeveni
ngQueenMeer
ah'
'
.Shesai
d
wit
haf akesmil
e.
'
'Goodeveni
ngQueenDor ah,
howareyou?''
.She
al
soaskedwithoutl
ooki
ngatQueenDorah'
sfave
andst
il
lwater
ingherfl
owers.
'
'Wel
l,
asyoucanseemesmi
l
ing,
ofcour
seam f
ine
'
'
.
'
'AndFar
uk?'
'
.
'
'Farukisokayt
oo.MyhandsomePr i
nce,thank
goodnessheisdoi
ngbett
erthanever.Ofcoursehe
shouldbeokay,
si
ncehe'
sthefir
stsonoftheking
andthatmakeshimthef
utur
eki ngofUjani
,ri
ght?'
'
.
'
'Mmmm. .
.It
hinkthatdeci
sioni
sfortheki
ngt
o
maker
ight
?Soi t
'sgoodhe'sokay'
'.
'
'Let'
sforgetaboutthatQueenMeer
ah.Iam her
eto
proper
lycongratul
ateyouonyourpr
egnancy.How
areyoudoing?''
.
'
'Wow,t
hati
sunl i
keyouQueenDor
ah,
aski
ngofme?
Anywayam okay,
thankyou'
'
.
'
' Keeponbei nghappythiswayQueenMeerah,i
tis
onlyamat t
erofti
me...
andthatf
ait
hfulni
ghtwhen
yougi vebir
th..
.youandyourbaby.
..shal
ldi
e
together'
'.Shethought.
..
.
(
7Mont
hsLat
er)
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
47] :Mar
ri
edt
othePr
ince
.
Sequence11
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
7mont
hsLat
er)
:
QueenMeer ah'
sstomachwasbi ggerthanever.
Thiswasherl astmont handshewasver y
exhaustedandal wayst i
red.Thekingincr
easeshis
pamper i
ngonherandwasal wayswi t
hher,whichof
course,tookQueenDor ah'ssouloutofherbodyat
thesighofthem together.Butshecouldn'
taffordt
o
l
ooseal lthi
slongwaitingforQueenMeer ahto
dist
racthernowt hatshei ssocloseingett
ingwhat
shewant ed.
(
QueenMeer
ah'
schamber
).
TheQueenmotherhadspokentothekingseven
monthsagoaboutt
hemar ri
ageproposalbet
ween
heandthemaid,
Sheena.TheQueendideverythi
ng
toconvi
ncehi
m andheacceptedtomar r
ySheena.
TheQueenmotherandtheki
ngthenagreedthat
,no
onewasgoingt
ohearaboutthi
sall
ianceunti
l
Sheenaal
soagreest
othismarr
iageproposal
.
Queenmot herhadspoket oSheenaaboutitseven
mont hsago,Sheenawasshockedbutdidn'tsay
anythingf
or7mont hs.TheQueenmot herand
QueenMeer ahwasr est
lessandcall
edSheenai nt
o
thechambert oaskherofherfi
naldeci
sion.
'
'Yes?Soi
sitayesorno?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Isitt
heLordonmysi de?IfIacceptt
hisproposal
,
i
twi l
lbetheeasi
estwaytoexposeQueenDor ah
andgivejust
icet
oPreeta''
.Sheenathoughtto
hersel
f.
'
'Saysomet
hingSheena!Ti
mei
sgoi
ng'
'
.
'
'Ur
rrrr
nnmn,yesyourhi
ghness.I
..
Iacceptt
he
mar
riagebet
weenmeandt heking''
.
'
'Woooow..ohthankmystarefornotlett
ingme
downSheena.Youwi l
lbeagoodwi f
et oShaker'
'
.
Queenmotherrej
oiced.
'
'So,
whatar
ewewai
ti
ngf
ormot
her
?Let
'sgi
vet
he
goodnewst
otheki
ng'
'
.
'
'NoMeerah,notyet
.Ibeli
eveyoushoul
dgi vebirt
h
f
ir
st,
andever
ythingwouldbesett
led.Al
so,Ibel
ieve
t
hatQueenDorahmi ghtbeuptosomethingbyal l
means'
'.
'
'Ohmother
,QueenDorahwil
lnotdoanyt
hing,
she
i
snotasbadasyouthought'
'
'
'Meer
ah!
!!'
'
.
'
'Nomot her.
..l
ist
en,QueenDor
ah,i
snotthat
har
mf ul
,Ihavegottentoknowhert
hispastf
ew
months,andshehasneverdoneanythi
ngtoharm
me''
.
'
' Meerahli
sten!
!!Becaref
ul,Inol ongerl
ikehow
yourbrainiswor ki
nganymor e.Youhaveseeni n
thepastmont hsonhowPr eetaloosedherli
fe
becauseofQueenDor ah,nowshei sact
ingnicel
y
towardsyouandyout hi
nkshe' stheangelri
ght?''
.
'
'Iti
snotthatmot
her
.Ihavenotseenanyevi
lon
her.
..
butdon'
twor
ry,
Iwil
lbecaref
ul''
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
PrinceFar ukhadal readystart
edcrawli
ngaround
thelargechamberandhi smot herwasbusil
y
foldi
ngconspi racies.Bothsheandhermai dshad
preparedapor tiontogetherinherchamber.And
theygott hemsel vesreadyandsentamessaget o
thepriestthroughoneguar dtocomet othepal
ace.
Timespassednet heweat herchanged.
'
'Iti
snowt ime.Savi
tr
i,Iwantyoutokeepavery
cl
oseeyeonQueenMeer ah,shewasbeinghavi
ng
abdominalcrampsforthewholeday.Most
i
mpor t
antl
y,wehavet omakeaper f
ectpl
antoget
Queenmot her,
outofthatdel
iver
yroom '
'
.
'
'Queenmotherwil
lneveragr
eeyourhighness.
..Ia!
Sureshewil
lst
andinthedeli
ver
yroom li
kea
bodyguar
dtowatchQueenMeer ahgi
vebirth'
'.
'
' Iam givi
ngt hatjobtoyouAvni
.Makesuret
odo
everyt
hi ngtopr eventQueenmot
herf
rom get
ti
ngt
o
thedeliveryroom ''.
'
'Butyourhi
ghness,
howdoIdot
hat
?Imean.
..
..
'
'Don'
tworry'
'
.QueenDorahsaidandlookedi
nto
herwar
drobeandtookasmallpi
llf
rom apaper
.''
Thi
spi
ll
,
wasmadebymyl atefat
her
,t
heancient
bl
ackmagici
an.Andi
tmakespeopl
esleep.Alot
.
AndImean,al
ot''
'
'Wow..
.t
hankyouyourhi
ghness.Thanksforl
ett
ing
myjobbecomemucheasier
..
.Iwillt
akecareofthe
r
estmyself'
'
.
'
'Iprayt
othedevi
l.
..t
hatever
ythi
ng,absol
utel
y
ever
ythi
nggoesonwell'
'shesaidandthunder
cl
appedviol
ent
ly.
(
Theki
ng'
schamber
).
Assoonast hethundercl
apped,QueenMeer ah
screamedi npai
nandhel dherstomach.Shewasin
theking'schambertospendsomel ovelyt
imeand
shescr eamedinpain.Theki
ng'swasr est
lessmor
e
thaneverandhej umpedtohisfeet.
'
'Your
..
yourhi
ghness,
thebaby!Aaaaaaaah.
..cal
l
f
orhelppl
ease!'
'
.
'
' Guards!Guardscomeher
e!'
'
.Hescr eamedand
theguar dsenter
edinf
ewnumbers.''
Assemble
everybody!QueenMeerahi
sinlabour..
.hur
ryup
hurryup! !
!'
'.
(Twoguar dshel
pedMeerahupandt ookheraway,
fol
lowedbyt heki
ng.Andwhent heystepped
out,
Savi
trisawthem.Itwasalr
eadydar k.Andt
he
guardsheadedQueenMeer ahtothelabourhouse)
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Avnient
eredwithasmil
eohherf
aceandbowed
downinfrontofQueenDor
ah.
'
'Wi
tht
hatsmi
le,
Ihopei
tcomeswi
thagoodnews
'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.IsneakedintoQueenmother
's
chamberandputthesleepi
ngpilli
nherwaterj
ar.
AndIwasluckyenought ogetoutbef
oreshe
enter
edherchamber''
.
'
'Ihopeshedr
inkswaterf
rom t
hej
ar.El
se,
allout
pl
answouldbefuti
le'
'
.
'
'Yest
ourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Wher
e'sSavi
tr
i?Wedon'
thavemucht
ime'
'
.
(
Savit
riknockedont
hedoorandAvniopenedand
l
etherin)
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..yourhi
ghness,
Irushedt
oget
her
e..
.IsawQueenMeer
ah!Shei
sinl
abour'
'
.
'
'Real
ly?Savi
tr
i,di
dyoudowhatwepl
anned?'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhighness!Iputsomeofthepil
linalmost
al
loftheservant
sfoodandt heyf
ellasl
eep..
.
probl
em i
s..
..
'
'Whatpr
obl
em now?
!''
.
'
'Ididn'
tseeSheena.Sheenai
snowher etobe
found.It
hinktheQueenmothersentherooft
he
palacebefor
esundown' '
.
'
'Idon'
tcar
e.Thenwemustactf abefor
esheor
anyoneel
sewho'snoti
nepal acear
ri
ves..
.ohno!
Where'
sthi
suselesspr
iest'
'
.
'
' HereIam '
'
.Thepr
iestanswer
edasheappear
ed
behindQueenDorahandshequickl
ypani
ckedand
turnedwit
hhermaids''
'
'Howcomeyou.
..
.
'
'IcanappearanywhereIwantyourhighness'
'.He
saidasheheldaverysmallr
edpotwi thankl
etbel
ls
ti
edaroundit.Andhehandeditovert
oQueen
Dorah.'
'QueenMeerahisinl
abournow' '
.
'
'Thi
sist
het
ime'
'
.
(Thepriestsatonthef
loorandcrossedhisl
egsand
star
tedchant i
ngandimmediatel
y,i
tstar
tedrai
ning
heavil
y).
'
'Let
'sgol
adi
es'
'
.
(
LabourHouse)
.
QueenMeer ahwasi nal otofpainandwas
shoutingfortheQueenmot her.Theki ngwasdr i
ven
outoft hedeli
veryroom andhewasr estless.The
guardsputanumbr ell
aonhi m outsideasi twas
raini
nghar d.Themi dwif
eent er
edt hel abourroom.
QueenDor ahandhert womai dsar r
ived.Avnihad
hiddent heredpotgivenbyt hepriestbehi ndher.
Suddenl y,al
lthel
ightsinthepalacewentof f
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
goint
oyourchamberpl
ease,
iti
s
r
aini
ng''
.QueenDor
ahsaid.
'
'Iam notl
eavi
ngthi
spl
aceunt
ilever
ythi
ng
becomesalr
ight'
'
.
'
'Whetheryoust
andher
eornot
,whatt
her
esul
tis
supposedtobewil
lbe'
'
'
'Guards!
!!Whyar
ethel
ight
sof
f?Whati
sgoi
ng
on.
..
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
ther
emi
ghtbeaf
aul
t''
.Oneguar
d
r
epli
ed.
'
'Gof
ixi
tidi
ots!
!!'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,pl
easejustgotothechamber
,
ever
ythi
ngwouldbefine''
.Queensaidandwent
i
ntothelabourr
oom wit
hhermai ds'
'.
Themi dwif
eandhercowor kerusedcleanwat ert
o
wipebloodoffQueenMeer ah'st
ight
s.Avni
cunningl
yplacedtheredpotunderthebedQueen
Meerahlayedon.Themi dwifeshout
edf orQueen
Meeraht opush.QueenMeer ah'
sneckneckandi t
shockedhereyesasshehadnotappl i
edt hatoi
lthe
pri
estgaveherthelastmonths.Shemoanedi npain
andturnedherbackatherandsl owl
yt urnedto
Savit
riandwhispered.
'
'Hey,
Iam goi
ngt
odist
ractt
hemidwif
enow,
yougo
cl
osetoQueenMeer
ahandgetthatst
upi
dneckl
ace
of
fherneck''
'
'Yest
ourhi
ghness'
'
.Shewhi
sper
edback.
'
'Howi sshedoi
ngmi
dwif
e?''
.QueenDorahasked
t
hemi dwif
ewhowasext
raconcentr
atedonher
work.
'
'Thebaby'
sheadi
scomingoutyour
hi
ghness.
..
QueenMeer
ahpush,
yourbabyi
scomi
ng
'
'.
(Themi dwife'
scowor kerkeptoncl eaningQueen
Meer ah'
stights.Savit
riwentupwar dthebed, cl
ose
toQueenMeer ah'sheadandcaughthol dofthe
necklaceonherneckandf orcefull
ygoti toffQueen
Meer ah'
sneck, QueenMeer ahr eal
isedt hi
sevenin
herdiscomf ortandshout ed.Themi dwifethoughti
t
wasbecauseoft hepain.Ther oom wasqui t
e
dark,
event hought hemi dwi feforcefull
yt r
iedher
bedtohel pQueenMeer ahdel iversafely.The
necklacegothotandbur ntSavi tr
i'
spalm, andshe
threwitont hefloorwithapai nfulgroan.She
l
ookedi ntoherhandsandsawt hebur ntsymbolof
anelephantheadi nherpal m) .
'
'PushQueenMeer
ah,
push!
!!'
'
.
Andf
ort
unat
ely,
thel
oudcr
yofababywashear
d
aroundthewholepalace.QueenMeer
ahwas
l
oosingherbreat
handwassweat i
ngi
mmensely.
Themi dwi
fetookthebabyinherarmsandQueen
Meerahsmiledli
ghtl
y.
'
'I
t'
sahandsomebabyboyyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'GI.
.gi
veme(coughs)
giveme..
givememybaby'
'
.
QueenMeer
ahsaid,st
ruggl
ingt
obr eat
h.
(Asthemi dwif
et ookthebabycl osertoQueen
Meer ah,theyalltooktheirattent
iontoher.Queen
Doraht ookther edpotf r
om undert hebedandt ook
offtheredbandf rom themout handpoi nt
editat
QueenMeer ah'sdirect
ion.AssoonasQueen
Meer ahtookherbabyi ntoherarms, shebegant o
shakeandcoughedoutbl ood.Shegaspedf or
breathasi fhersoulwasst ruggl
ingoutofherbody).
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
.Ohno!
!!'
'
.Themidwi
feexcl
aimed
andgavethebabyt
ohercoworker
.
QueenMeer ahopenedhermouthwidel
ytogaspfor
breath,
hersoult
urnedi
ntowhitesmokeandrushed
outofherbodyandenteredt
hepotQueenDorah
held.Assoonasthepotfel
theavy,
QueenDorah
quickl
yclosedthepotwit
ht heredbandandhanded
i
tovertoAvni.Sheenaquicklyenter
edthelabour
room wit
hwat eri
nabasinandsawt hemidwifeand
therestweepingbi
tt
erl
y.
'
'Whati
sit
?!QueenMeer
ah?'
'
.
'
'Shei
sdead.
..
ooohmyGod'
'
.
Avniqui
ckl
yrunoutofthelabourroom wi
ththepot
i
nhrhand.Shereachedtheking'
ssideandreali
sed
Queenmotherwasrunningtowardsthem f
rom afar
andhist
hepotbehindherandwept .
'
'Wher
e'st
hebaby?'
'
.Theki
ngasker
.
'
'Hewasaboyyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Oooh!Mygoodness!Happi
ness,
ever
ybody,
r
ejoi
ce!'
'
.
'
'Butt
heQueeni
sdeadyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
' Noooo!!
!'
'.Queenmotherscreamedi
nhorrorand
telonthefloorbesi
dethekingwhowasstunned
andst oodtherel
ikeastat
ue.
'
'Whatdi
dyousay?'
'
.
'
'Shewashavi
ngal
it
tl
edi
ff
icul
tygi
vingbi
rt
hand.
..
.
'
'Noooo!
!!QueenMeer
ah!'
'
.
Theenti
rer
oyalf
amilyent
eredthel
abourr
oom and
Avnit
ooktoherheel
stothechambers.
Theygottothelabourroom andthekingsethis
eyesonQueenMeer ah'
sli
fel
essbody.Queen
mother'
sheartwasbr okenandSheenawas
carr
yingthebabywhi l
esit
ti
ngont hefloorand
weeping.ThekingheldQueenMeer ah'shandtight
ly
andscreamedoutl oudandthunderclappedheavily
andtherainworsened.Theli
ghtcamebackon.
QueenDor ahwipedhercrocodi
letearsandleftthe
room wit
hSavitri
.
'
'OhmyGodMeerah..why?!For
givemef
ornotever
bei
ngher
etopr
otectyou.
.ohno!'
'.
(Theki
ngpushedthebedsar
oundawayi nanger
andtheguar
dstri
edtocal
m him down)
.
'
'Shakerst
op!Thi
sisnotgoingt
obr
ingMeerah
backtousokay?Guar
ds,takehi
mtohischamber'
'
.
(
Theguar
dst
ookt
heki
ngaway,
hel
eftwi
thout
touchinghisson,andtheQueenmothertookthe
babyf rom Sheenawithshaki
nghands.Sheenasaw
theelephantnecklaceonthefl
oorandtookit
).
'
'Yourhi
ghnesslook!QueenMeerah'
sneckl
ace,
howdiditendupont hefl
oor
?''
.
'
'Someonedi dthi
s!Mi
dwi
fe,
whot
ookt
heneckl
ace
offherneck?'
'.
'
'Itwasn'
tmeyourhi
ghness.Itwasdarkover
here,
andIwasonl
yconcentr
atingonthedeli
ver
y..i
t
wasonlyIandmyhelper
,withQueenDorahandher
maids''
.
'
'Yout
wocanleave.Andcal
lthebur
ialt
eam t
o
comeandpr
eparethebody'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Themi
dwi
fel
eftwi
thher
hel
per.
'
'Ican'
tbel
ievethi
sdayhascomeyourhighness.
.
OhQueenMeer ah,Ishoul
dhaveneverl
eftt
he
pal
ace''
.
'
'Thi
sisallmyf
aul
tSheena,don'
tblameyoursel
f.I
wastheonewhosentyoutoyourparent
'shouseto
tel
lthem t
opr
epar
ethemsel
vesf
ort
hemar
ri
age
betweenyouandt
heking'
'
.
'
'Butwherewereyou,
yourhi
ghness?'
'
.Sheena
askedandusedawhitebedsheett
ocoverQueen
Meerah'
sface.
'
'Idon'
tknowhowi thappenedSheena.ButIj
ust
f
elldi
zzy,andslept.Butital
ldoesn'
tmatt
ernow.
Meerahisgone( weeps).Andyouarethebaby'
s
mothernow''.
'
'Me?'
'
.
'
' Afteryourmar riaget
otheking,
youshal lt
akeover
Meer ah'spl
ace''.Sheputt
hebabyonabedand
wi pedhi swholebodywi t
hcleanwat erand
towel ,shecoveredhim wi
thbedsheetsandputt he
elephantneckl aceonhisneckandt ookhim back
i
nt oherar ms.
'
'Whati
shi
sname?'
'
.
'
'Maj i
d.Hi
snamei sMajidSamrat...andforwhatI
couldn'
tdoforyourmotherbaby,Iwi l
lful
fi
llher
dreamsofmaki ngsur
e,youaremadet hecr owned
pri
nce,nomatterwhat
.Evenifit
'sthelastthingI
everdo.
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
47] :

.
Sequence12
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
:
Shewaswal kingmaj esti
call
yi nherchamberwi t
h
herbabyi nherarmsi nhappiness.Shet ook500
goldcoinseachi nasmal lsackandhandedi tover
toAvni ,
Savitr
iandt hepr i
est.Thepriestredwhen
hesawt hegoldcoinsandhewassuperhappy.He
thankedQueenDor ahandt i
edt hesackinhis
shorts.QueenDor aht hentookt heli
ttl
eredpotfr
om
Avniandl ookedatitwi thanevi lsmil
e.Andshe
st
ret
chedi
ttot
hepr
iest
.
'
'Her
eyouar
epr
iest'
'
.
'
'Wel
lyourhi
ghness,
whatshoul
dIdowi
tht
his?'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean, whatshoul
dyoudowi t
hit
?
Takeit
..
..
ithasQueenMeerah'
ssoulini
tand
al
readyandnow,Ineedyoutodiscar
dthi
spot'
'.
'
'Oh,
wellyourhi
ghness..
.thi
spotcannotbe
di
scar
ded,becauseithadQueenMeerah'
ssouli
nit
'
'.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Hm...
youcl
aim youknowalotaboutblackmagic.
..
butyouar
enotreall
ymatur
edinspiri
tualaspect
s''
.
'
'Wher
ear
eyoudr
ivi
ngat
?''
.
'
'ThispothasQueenMeer ah'ssoulini
tanditwi
ll
beinitforeter
nit
y,unl
esstheredbandthathad
beingusedtocoverthemouthoft hepoti
s
removed''.
'
'What
?!Whatwoul
dhappenedi
fther
edbandi
s
r
emoved?'
'
.
'
'Thenthatday,yourli
fewouldbeover
.Became
QueenMeer ah'ssoulwil
lcomeoutandhaunt
you,
andgetr evengeonusall''
.
'
'Thi
sisimpossi
ble!Ohno,
whydi
dyounott
ellme
t
hisbef
ore?!'
'
.
'
'Yourhighness,.
..whenaper sondi esontheirown
t
ime,t
heirsoulsrestinpeace.Butwhent heyare
murderedort hei
rli
vesar ef
orcefull
ytakenaway
f
rom them,thentheirsoulsneverrestinpeaceunti
l
t
heytaket hei
rkil
lersalongwiththem totheghost
worl
d''.
'
'So,
whatdoIdowi
tht
hispot
?''
.
'
'Hideitsomewheresaf
e.Hideitver
ywel l.
..and
makesur enooneeverseesortouchit.Thet emple
i
sapubl icpl
aceandIwon'tbeabletohidei tther
e
becausesomeofthewomenwal karoundthewhol e
pl
aceont hedayoffast
ing''
.
'
'Urr
rggghh!So,
evenwhenQueenMeer
ahi
sdead
now,
Isti
lldon'
thavepeace?'
'
.
'
'Youwil
lonl
ygetpeacei
fyouhi
det
hispotver
y
well'
'
.
'
'Iwi
ll
.Andhersoulwi
llneveroneout
!''
.
'
'Okay...Ihavet
ogonow. .
.theent
irekingdom wi
ll
gatherinthepalacet
omorrowandImustgoand
prepareforQueenMeerah'
sf uner
alri
tes''
.Hesaid
anddisappeared.
'
'Mai
ds.
..
exi
tnow!
!!'
'
.
(
Hermaidsl
eftt
hechamberandhewasal lal
one
wit
hPi
nceFarukwhoasinhiscot.Thensher ai
sed
t
hepott
oherfaceandl
ookedatitclosel
y).
'
'Wel lMeer ah,stayi nyourpi tofhellforet ernit
y..
.
becausewher eam goi ngt okeepyou, nooneeven
knowst hati texistsi nthepal ace''
.Shesai dand
ent er
edt hesecr etroom behi ndt hecur tainandsaw
herf at
her 'sstatuest andingt here,wit
hal lt
he
snakesandcobwebsar ound.I twast ooscar yto
wat ch,
butsheher selfhadgot tenusedt oi t.Andshe
placedt hepotbesi dest hest atueandst arted
chant i
ng.Ther ai nhadsubsi dedandsheknel tin
fr
ontoft hest atueandst artedspeaki ng
mi sunder standingl anguageswi thhereyescl osed
andchant eddeeper .At allmani nabl ackr obe
appearedoutoft
hest
atue,
andt
hist
ime,
hewas
smil
ing.
'
'Father
...wearesoclosetomaki ngourdr eams
comet r
ue.Finall
y,wegottheobst acl
eoutofour
waynow.Andwear esocloseinmaki ngour
dreamscomet r
ue..
.bl
essmef ather.Andletther
est
ofourplansbesuccessful''
.
'
'Goodm daught er
,good.Mygr andsonmustbet he
kingofUjaninomatterwhat.Andyoumustactf ast
because,remember..
.theki
ng'smot herdoesnot
l
ikeyou,soyoumustr eachthekingtomakehi s
decisi
on.Makehi mthinkt
hat,
itwast hatbaby'
s
faul
tthatcausedQueenMeer ah'sdeath''
.
'
'HowdoIconvi
ncehi
mtohat
ethatbabyf
ather
?''
.
'
' I
twon'ttakephysicalmeans.Itwillonlyt
ake
decepti
on.Because, wit
hQueenMeer ah'
sdeath,
the
kingmightwantt obeoverpr otect
iveonherson.So
takethi
s...
..'
'.Hesaidandraisedhisl ef
thand
strai
ght
, wher easmallbrownsackappear edandhe
handedi tovertoQueenDor ah.
'
'Whati
sthi
s?'
'
.
'
'Powder
.Whenyougettotheki
ng'
schamber,bl
ow
i
tint
otheai
r.Andwhat
everyouam ofhi
m,hewil
l
do''
.
'
'Wowf at
her,
youaresopowerf
ul.
..t
hankyouf
ather
.
Iwi
lldoexact
lywhatyouhaveasked''
.
(
Theol
dmandi
sappear
edbacki
ntot
hest
atue)
.
(
NextDay)
.
Thewhol ekingdom wer et
hrowni ntomour ning.
Andeveryonewascover edinwhite.Allthepr i
ests
hadsurroundedt heplaceandQueenMeer ah's
bodywasl ayedonat r
adit
ionalwoodenmatwhi ch
WSusedf orburi
al.Shewasal socoveredi nwhi t
e
fr
om headt otoeandherl i
felessbodylayedi nthe
middleofthelargecompound.Somenei ghbour i
ng
ki
ngdomst oget
herwi t
hUjani,bothroyaland
ordi
naryhadgat heredtopayt hei
rlastrespect.
Bhavnaarri
vedinthepalacewithMehoandshe
coul
dn'thol
dhertears.Shewishedshecouldgo
cl
osertothatbody,butguardshassurr
oundedi
t
andtheroyalf
amilysatahead.Queenmotherhel
d
Pri
nceMaj i
dwhowasf astasl
eepinherar
msand
satbesi
destheki
ngonawideroyalt
hronewi
th
QueenDorahwhoalsohel
dPri
nceFaruk.
Thekingneversmil
ed,andnotasi nglet
earfel
l
fr
om hiseyes.Hehadchanged.Thel oveofhisl
ife
l
ayedinf r
ontofhi
m,andshewoul dnevershowt hat
beaut
ifulsmil
etohi
m again.Itpi
ecedhissoulli
ke
anarr
ows.Likehewasexpl odedwi t
habomb.
Ifheonl ycouldwi shf ordeat h,
thenhewoul dbe
withheri ntheot herwoul dbyt hatexactmoment .
Buthehadt ostatal iveforhissonsandsubj ect
s.
Theki ngdom pr iestar ri
vedwi t
hhi sflowerandt hey
allheldflowers.Theyl ightedf i
ref r
om awoodand
hedi dallthenecessar yr i
test omakeQueen
Meer ah'ssoulr esti npeace.Af tertheser i
tes,
everyonewi t
haf lowerhadt omakeal ongqueuet o
puttheirf l
owersonQueenMeer ah'sbodyoneaf ter
theother .QueenMeer ah'sbodyhadt urnedwhi t
er
thanever .Andherbeaut ywaspur eevent hough
thatwashercar cass.Hercr ownwasi nherhead
andshewassi mpl ybeaut i
fultol ookat .Mostoft he
subjectshadf i
ll
edt helargecompound, of
containedmor et han500peopl e.Theymadeal ong
queueandst art
edthr
owingt
heirf
lowersonher.
Mostoft hem whohadseenherbeforecoul
dn'
t
bel
ievetheirki
ndheart
edandbeautif
ulqueenwas
nomor e.
Bhavnawasal soint hequeue, andwheni tgott o
hert urn,
shebreakdowni nt ouncont rollabletears.
Shebentdownandweptherhear toutandpl aced
herf l
oweronQueenMeer ah' schest .Andassoon
asshegott oherfeet,Queenmot hersawt he
el
ephantneckl aceonherneck.Shel ookedbackat
PrinceMaj idandsawQueenMeer ah'selephant
neckl acetooandremember edQueenMeer ahtold
her,someonegavei ttoher .Shewassur pri
sedand
smi l
ed.Itgottother oyalfami l
y, andaf tert hefi
nal
ri
tes,fourguardswer esupposedt ocar rythe
woodenmatQueenMeer ahl ayedon.Butt heking
decidedt obet hefourthper son.Theki ngandt hree
otherguar dscarri
edt hewoodenmatont heir
shoul dersandeveryonegavet hem way. ..
they
sl
owl ywalkedoutoft hepal ace, takingQueen
Meer aht othefarroyalbur iallandt obur nthebody.
Whent heysteppedout si
de, Queenmot hergave
Pr
inceMaj
idt
oSheenandgott
oBhavna.
'
'Hel
lo'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness'
'.Shesaidandbentdown,
then
t
ouchedtheQueenmot her'
sfeet
.
'
'Blessyoumychi
ld.Mayweal
oneconsol
edbyt
he
gods''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Wher
ear
eyouf
rom?'
'
.
'
'BhavnaKhuranayourhi
ghness.AndIl
ivei
nthe
ki
ngdom.Withmyhusband''.
'
'Okay.
..
Icanimagi
neithur
tyoumor
ethansomeof
us,
aboutQueenMeerah'
sdeat
h''
.
'
'Shehassuchaki
ndhear
t.
..
QueenMeer
ah,
she.
..
.
'
'Yougavehert
heelephantneckl
ace''
.Queen
mothersai
dandtookPri
nceMaj i
dfrom Sheenaand
showedhimtoBhavna.'
'Thi
sisPr i
nceMajid,
QueenMeerah'
sson.Andthenecklace'
'.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.Igavehert
heneckl
ace.Heis
suchabeaut
ifulbaby.
..t
hati
sal
lsheeverwant
ed.
Ason'
'
.
'
'Yesyouar
eri
ghtmydear
,but
..
..
(Pri
nceMaj i
dopenedhiseyesandgaveawide
smile.Hishandsl
ippedfr
om thecl
othhewas
coveredinanddroppedonBhavna'
sstomachand
thethreewomenwer eshocked)
.
'
'Wow. ..
heissuchast rongboyalr
eady...mayGod
protectyouf r
om everyevileyemyPrince.Your
highness,please.
..neverremovethatnecklacef
rom
hisneck,andhewi llneverbeindanger'
'.Bhavna
saidandr ushedintothepeoplewithspeed.
'
'Wait!
!!'
'
.Queenmotherl
ookedi
ntot
henumerous
peopl
ebutneversawBhavnaagai
n.'
'But
,whydi
d
sherunaway?''
.
'
'Idon'
tknowyourhighness,
butIt
hinkt
hatwoman
seemstohaveconnectedPri
nceMajidt
o
somethi
ng''
.
'
'Ihope.
..Iwi
llmeetheragai
noneday'
'
.
Eveni
ngcameandt hebur
ialwasover.Theent
ir
e
ki
ngdom wassi
lenceandtheroyalf
amilyhad
arri
vedint hepal ace.Ever yonewasexhausted.The
kingwant edt orestbecauset herewasgoingtobea
meet i
ngbet weenheandt hekingdom thewhol
eday.
Heent eredhi schamberandl ookedaroundand
remember edthet i
mehesetQueenMeer ah'
sbody
onf i
re.Hewashol dingthepotwhi chcontai
nedher
ashes.Itwasacol ourfulpot.Helayeditonthe
majesticpi l
lowonhi sbed.
Tear
srundownhischeeksandhest
art
edremovi
ng
hi
sgoldenchai
nsandstuf
fwhenaguardent
ered
andbowed.
'
'It
oldyou,
Iwant
edt
obel
eftal
one!
!!'
'
.
'
'Iam sor
ryyourhi
ghness.
..
..
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?!'
'
.Heaskedi
nrage.
'
'QueenDorahr
equest
sher
sel
fatyourpr
esentyour
hi
ghness'
'.
'
'Hm.
..
..
letheri
n''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Heboweddownandl
eft
.
(
QueenDorahenter
edthechambersomemi
nut
es
l
aterwi
thPri
nceFaruki
nherarmsandbowsal
it
tl
e).
'
'Yourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.
(Shewalkedcl
osert
othebedandputFar
ukont
he
king'
sbed).
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyout
hink?'
'
.
'
'Please,
don'
texhaustyour
selfl
ikethat
.It
'snotfai
r
toyou.Anyway,
it'
snotli
keIwant edtor
usht hi
ngs
butasyoucansee...
weshouldmoveonwi thour
l
ives''
.
'
'Justsaywhatyouwantandl
eave.
..Ipr
efer
l
oneli
nessnow''
.
'
'Okay.Err
rmmmm. .
.so,
nowthat,
urrr
mmm,
well
..
.whenareyougoingtoannounceFar
ukast
he
cr
ownedPr ince?'
'
.
'
'Huh?Didyouhearyour sel
f?QueenMeer
ah'
s
bur
ialhasnotevenr eachedadayyet.
..
andyouar
e
her
e,f
ight
ingforroyalty?
!.
(
Shei
ntent
ional
lycoughsunbear
abl
y).
'
'Pl
ease,
canIgetacupofwat
er?'
'
.
(Thekingt urnedawayf r
om herangoescl oserto
hiscoolerandt akesacupt ofetchwaterforher
.
Shequi cklylookedint
otheclothsheusedt ocover
PrinceFar ukandremovedt hesackpowderher
fathergaveherandsheopenedt hesacktodoas
shewast old.Queenmot herenteredwit
hPr i
nce
Maj i
dinherar msandQueenDor ahquickl
yhisthe
powdersacki nherskir
tandt ookFarukintoher
armsandst oodup.Theki ngturnedwiththewater)
.
'
'Mot
her
,youar
eher
e?'
'
.
'
'Yes,
weneedt
otal
k''
.
'
'Taket
hewat
erQueenDor
ah'
'
.
'
'Nonoyourhi
ghness.I
'
m okaynow.Ishal
ltakemy
l
eavenow''
.
'
'But.
..
.wel
l,
okay'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ahl
efti
mmedi
atel
ywi
thherson)
.
'
'Whatdi
dshewant
?''
.
'
'Royaldut
ies.Shewant
smet oannounceFar
ukas
t
hecrownedPr incei
mmedi
atel
y''
.
'
'Butyouar
enotgoi
ngt
odot
hat
,wi
llyou?'
'
.
'
'Well
,Idon'
tknowmot
her
.Hei
smyf
ir
stsonaf
ter
al
l'
'.
'
'AndMeer ahwasyourfirstwifeShaker!''
.Queen
mothergotextr
emelyupsetandpl acedPr i
nce
Majidonthebed.''
Theunf ai
rthingwil
lbet hat
,you
betr
ayalMeerah'
ssoul.Allsheeverwant edwast o
haveyoursonandwat chhim bet hecrowned
Pri
nce.Majid,
istheri
ghtf
ulheirtoheirtothethrone,
notFaruk!'
'
.
'
'Mother
,don'
tyout
hinkt
hatwoul
dbeunf
airt
o
QueenDorah?'
'
.
'
'NoShaker ,whatisgoi ngt obeunf ai
r,willbewhen
youbet rayMeerahlikethat.Meer ahlovedyouwi th
allherheart,
sheobeyedal lyourcommands!You
madeapr omisetoher ,t
omakehernamebe
ment i
onedbyever yone'smout hingoodf aith,
from
generationtogeneration(weeps) .Youhavenever
evenhel dyoursonf rom thedayhewasbor n
(pointsatMajid)l
ookathi m, helooksjustlikehis
mot her,howishetobebl amedf orhismot her'
s
death?
!Iswearonthehai
ronmyheadShaker
,Iwi
ll
neverfor
giveyoui
fyoumakeFar
ukthecr
owned
Pri
nce!''
.
'
'Butmot
her
..
..
.
'
'PoorMeerah,shemustbever
ysadwher
evershe
i
srightnow.Shemustbeweeping'
'
.
'
'No!
!(Heactsli
kesomeonepossessed).Idon'
t
wantMeerahtocrymother
.Iloveher
..
.Meerah!
!!
(
Wailshi
sheartout)
.Ohmot her,
whydidshehave
t
ogomot her?'
'.
'
'Idon'
thaveananswertothatquest
ionmyson.
Butiti
snowupt oyoutohonourhersoul
,
justl
ike
shehonouredyouwit
hthi
shandsomeboy' '
.
(Thekingsl
owlycarri
edhi
ssoni
nhi
sar
msand
kissedhi
sforehead)
.
'
'Youarerightmother.Imadeapr omisetoQueen
Meerah.
.Ilovedhermor ethananythi
ngmot her.My
son,
Iwon'tletyou,
noryourmotherdown.( Sobs).
Youshallbetheheirtothethr
oneofUj ani'
'.
(
Queenmot
hersmi
l
ed)
.
'
'Tomorr
owatt
hemeet
ing,
Iwi
llf
inal
lyannouncei
t
mother'
'
..
..
.
'
'Now,QueenDor
ah,Ij
ustcan'
twaitt
oseeyourf
ace
t
omorrowwhent hi
sbombblasti
nyourugl
yface'
'.
Queenmothert
hought.
..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
47] :

.
Sequence13
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay)
.
:
Thedaywasbr i
ghtandt hesunwasput .The
weatherwasabsolutel
yclearandbeauti
ful
.Mostof
thesubject
softhekingdom hadgather
edoutsi
de
thepalace,
wait
ingfortheking'
sannouncement
.
Themi ni
ster
s,wi semenandpr iestshadarrived
al
soandt heroyalf amilyaswel l
.Asusual ,
the
Queenmot herhel dMaj i
dinherar msandQueen
DorahhadFar uk, si
tti
ngonherl aps.Shewasal l
smilesandi nawhi tesaree.Somemai densarri
ved
andser vedalltheguest swi t
hwi ne.Someoft he
guest swerekingsf rom theneighbouringkingdom.
Thespeakeroft hecour tstoodupf rom hi
sseatand
cl
ear edhisthroat.
'
' Youar eal
lwelcomemember soft hecourt.As
usualweal lmeether easonebi gfamilytomake
decisionsfort
hef uture,
concerningUjani.Andhis
Maj estytheki
nghasanannouncementt omake
today.AndsoIhopeweal lcl
earourear stodayto
l
istent owhatthekinghast osay' '
'
'Ohmygoodness, Iwasn'
tablet
odowhatf ather
order
edmet odoyester
day,Iwonderwhattheking
hastosay..
..
thest
upidQueenmotherspoi
ltal
lmy
pl
answhensheent er
edthechamber''
.Queen
Dorahthought.
'
'Goodmorni
ngmembersoft
hecour
t''
.Theki
ng
gr
eetedi
naheavyt
one.
'
'Goodmor
ning'
'
.
'
'Ihavesomet hingt hat'
snecessar yformetot ot el
l
youall.(Si
gns).QueenMeer ahwasbur i
ed
yest
erday.Ihadmar riedtwowi ves.QueenMeer ah,
andQueenDor ah.Ihadonewi felefttomarry,and
soIwaswai t
ingf ortheri
ghttime,whenQueen
Meerahgavebi rth.Butshedi edthroughdelivery,as
youallheard.Now, Ihavef or
medanal li
ancewi t
ha
youngl adywhohasagr eedtobemyt hi
rdwife''.
'
'Huh? !'
'
.Everyoneexcl
aimedi
nast
onishment,
especial
lyQueenDorahwhowasshakinginshock.
Shehaddeal twithQueenMeer
ahenoughtoget
anothercompetit
ion.
'
'Si
lence!
!!'
'
.Thespeakershout
edandt
heyal
lkept
qui
et.
'
'Iknowyouar eallBershockedbecauseQueen
Meerahwasbur i
edyester
day..
.butsheisdeadand
nevercomi ngback.SoIbeli
eveitwi
llbesafetoget
anewmot herforPri
nceMajid.AndthatiswhyI
havedecidedtomar ryagai
n,soearl
y''.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
ofi
sagooddeci
siont
hatyouhave
made''
.Onemini
stergott
ohi
sfeetandsaid.'
'But
whoisthi
syoungl
adyyouaretal
kingabout?'
'
.
(
Thekingtur
nstohi
sleftandstarr
edatt heQueen
mother
.AndtheQueenmot hergottoherfeetand
l
ookedaheadofher
,wheretwomai dsstood).
'
'Mai
ds!Br
ingt
henewQueent
obei
nforever
yone
t
oseeher'
'.
(Themai
dsboweddownandl
eft
,andt
henever
yone
begunt
omurmur)
.
'
' Ohno!!
!SoQueenmot herknewaboutisallalong?
Shemusthavebei ngt
heonewhoconvi ncedthe
mi ngt
omar ryathirdwifesoquick.Iwonderwho
thatwif
esoqui ck.Iwonderwhot hatnewwifei s'
'.
QueenDor ahthought.
Somef ewmi nut esl
ater,
thetwomai dswalkedhand
i
nhandwi t
ht heQueent obewhowascompl etel
y
dressedi nroyalty.Wit
haval eonherf acewhich
snatchedherf aceawayf rom t
heirview.She
walkingint hemi ddleofthecourtroom andstood
there.TheQueent obe,wor eadeepbl uesar
eewi t
h
shinylitt
lediamondsont hemat er
ial
.Shehada
heavybl
ueval
e.
TheQueenmot hersteppeddownfrom herthr
one
withMaji
dinherarmsandwentt ostandbesides
thetwomaidsandt heQueentobe.Everyone,
especi
all
yQueenDor ahwhowascl ear
inghereyes
wellt
oseewhowasundert heval
e.
'
' Mydearminister
s,priest
s,wisemenandever yone
gatheredheretowitnessthisday.Ipresentt
o
you,ourQueentobe.Pl ease,unvei
lyoursel
f,l
et
them seeyou''
.
(Slowly,Sheenarai
sedherhandundertheveil
,
and
slowlyraisedthevei
lawayfrom herf
ace,whi
chhad
compl etel
ychanged,beaut
if
ul.Noonecould
recogniseher).
'
'Sheena!
!!'
'
.TheQueenmot
hershout
ed.
'
'What?!'
'.QueenDorahjumpedoutoft
hechai
r.'
'
Sheena,QueenMeerah'smaid?
!''
.
'
'Yesofcour
seQueenDor ah.
..pl
ease,st
art
r
ehearsi
ngtocalherQueenSheena,becauset
he
marr
iageist
omorrow''
.Queenmot hersai
dwit
ha
mockingsmil
eather.
'
'But
..
.buttourhi
ghnessyou?Haveyouaccept
ed
t
hisproposal?'
'
.
'
'YesofcourseQueenDor ah.I
twasnotmymot her
al
onethatspoket omeaboutthis.ItwasQueen
Meerahaswel l,
andImadeapr omi set
oherthatI
wouldmarrytheyounglady.Andt hati
sexactl
y
whatIwil
ldo''.Theki
ngsaid.
Ever yoneinthecour troom wereastoni shed.The
entireroom wasqui et.QueenDor ahf ellbackint
o
herchai randwasbr eat hi
ngheavilywi thanger.Her
mai dsstoodt hedoorwi thshockedf aceaswel l
.All
theel dersgottotheirfeetascustom demanded
andSheenawentt otouchal loft
heirf eet'
sandt hey
blessedher .
Buttherewasanot hernewsnooneknewwas
comi ng.Especi
all
yQueenDor ah.Thekinglookedat
Queenmot her
'sfaceshenoddedherheadf orhim
togivethesecondannouncement .Thesubjects
outsidethepalacewer eshout
ingfortheki
ngto
comeoutandgi vetheannouncementhehadcal l
ed
them therefor
.Theel der
ssatdowni nthei
rchairs
andQueenmot herleadedSheenat oaseatbesides
herandmadeSheenasi tonit
.Ittor
eQueenDor ah'
s
heartint
opi eces.Herbit
ter
nesshadr ai
sedto
anotherlevel.ShelookedatQueenmot herwit
hthe
devi
l'seye.Andshewasbegi nningtosweatalr
eady.
'
'Ther
eisanot
herannouncement'
'
.Theki
ngsai
d.
'
'Wear
est
il
lal
lear
syourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Thisisabouttheannouncementoft
hefutur
eof
Ujani
.Idon'twantt
owast eti
meatall
.Iwantto
choosemyhei rnow''
.
(Everyone'seyeswaswi denedandtheywere
confusedaboutwhyt hekingwassuchinahurry.
QueenDor ahcalmeddownf orawhilewhenshe
heardt hatbecausesheknewi twasalsohert
imeto
smile).
'
' Idon'
twantt owait
.Andt hatisthereasonwhyI
calledallthesubj
ectstobepr esentherebef or
eI
madet heannouncement.Sopl ease,shallweallget
tot hebalconytoendallt
hiswi ththem?''
.Theki ng
saidandgott ohisfeet
,hesteppeddownf r
om his
throneandQueenmot herfoll
owedwi thSheena,
thenQueenDor ahandeveryoneel sefol
lowed.
(
Ont
hebal
cony)
.
Theyarrivedatthetopoft hebuil
dingandlooked
down,outsidet
hepl acewher enumeroussubjects
standi
ngandwai t
ingfortheking.Theyal
sol ooked
up,andassoonast heysawt hekingandther estof
theroyalfamil
y..
.theyallchantedwithj
oy.
'
'Glor
ytoEmper
orShaker
der
ah!
!!'
'
.Oneman
shout
ed.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.Theyal
lrepl
ied.
'
'Gl
oryt
oEmper
orShaker
der
ah!
!!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!!
!'
'.
(Theki
nggaveasadsmileandr
aisedhi
sri
ghthand
upasasignofgr
ati
tude)
.
'
' It
hankallofyou, myloyalsubj
ects!!
!''
.Herai
sed
hisvoice.'
'Iam hopi ngwithyourenchantment
that,
youareal lfi
ne.Today,mustnotbeaver y
happydayf orallofussinceourfir
stQueenwas
buriedyesterday.Butyouar eal
linvit
edtothethi
rd
royalweddingf oryourthir
dQueent omor r
ow!'
'.
(
Theyal
lchant
edwi
thj
oyandQueenDor
ahwho
st
oodbesi
deshi
m whi
mper
edi
nangui
sh)
.
'
'Today.
..
isal
sothedayyouknow..
.whot
he
cr
ownedPr i
nceandyourfut
ureki
ngwoul
dbe'
'
.
(
Thepeopl
echant
edl
ouderi
njoy)
.
'
' Forthepastmont hs,Ihadbeingst r
aggl
ingf ora
child.ButthegodofUj anihasgr ant
edmet wosons
(het ookPrinceFarukfrom QueenDor ah,andt ook
Pr i
nceMaj i
df r
om Queenmot heraswellandput
them bot hinhisarms).Pri
nceFar uk,myfirstson..
.
andPr i
nceMaj i
d,mysecondson.Pr i
nceFar uk,the
sonofQueenDor ah,
andPr inceMaj i
dtheson
of .
..
..
(sobs).
'
'Shaker
,thisi
snottheti
metobr
eakdownplease,
nooneissupposedtoseeyoucr
y,r
elax'
'
.Queen
motherwhisper
edintohi
sear
s.
'
' Anyway. .
.youal
lknow,PrinceMaji
d..
.thesonof
thelateQueenMeer ah.Asmor ni
ngandevening
comesandgoes, weallstaybutgrow.Anditwil
lbe
bettertomaket hedecisi
onnow.Pr i
nceFaruk,i
s
myf irstson''
.
(
QueenDor
ahnodsherheadwi
thasmi
le)
.
'
' ButPr i
nceMaj i
disthesonofmyf i
rstwife.His
mot hermayhavedel ayedinbringinghimt othe
wor l
d, butheissti
llherethough.Andt omake
decisionsf ort
hiskindofthings,t
heQueenmot her
andt hekingmustt alkaboutitfir
st,andlastnight,
theQueenmot herandIcamet oet otoewiththis
decision''.
(
Suddenl
y,al
lthesubj
ect
sbegant
oshoutt
oget
her
).
'
'Pr
inceMaj
id!
!!Pr
inceMaj
id!Pr
inceMaj
id!
!.
..
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!
!!'
'
.Onemanscr
eamed.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!!
!'
'.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!
!!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!!
!'
'.
'
'That'sr
ightUjani
!'
'.Thekingshoutedandhanded
PrinceFaruktoQueenDor ah,andherfacechanged
l
ikesomeonewhohadswal lowedabitt
ermedici
ne.
Andt hekingrai
sedPrinceMaj i
dupwi t
hbothhis
hands.''
Hail,
Ujani
..
.yourcrownedPr i
nceandfutur
e
king,Maji
d..
.Samrat!'
'.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!
!!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m..
..
QueenDor ahwasoutofherbody.Shehel dherson
i
nherar msl ikeast atue.Shewasspeechl essand
herlegsstartedcar ryingherbacki nweakness.Her
l
egscoul dn'
tcar ryt hesuddenwei ghtonherbody
andf or
tunately,oneoft heguardssnatchedPr i
nce
Farukfrom herbef or eshef el
lbackwardandf aint
ed.
Theent i
recelebr ationwassuddenl ymood.Si l
ence
boughtthecel ebr ationatonce.Theguar dsqui ckl
y
carri
edQueenDor aht owardsherchamber ,fol
lowed
byhermai dsandt heki ng,withtheother
s.Andal l
theQueenmot hercoul ddowashol dMaj i
di nher
armsandl aughpr ofusel ywit
hSheena.
'
'Ohmygoodness,
yourhi
ghness,
your
eal
lygother
t
hist
ime'
'
.
'
'Callmemot
herf
rom t
odaySheena.Youwi
ll
becomemydaught
erinlawt
omorrow''
.
'
'Yesmot
her(
smil
esandt
heybothhugeachot
her
andshet
ookMaj
idawayf
rom t
heQueenmother
andki
ssedMaj
id)
.Myson'
'
.
'
'Thati
sit
.Nowwher everMeer
ahi
s,shemustbe
cont
entri
ghtnowIbeli
eve''
.
(Al
lthesubject
sdepar
tedoneaf
tert
heot
heri
n
happiness)
.
'
'ButIbel
ieveDorahhassomethingtodowiththe
deat
hofMeer ah,andIwon'
trestunt
il
..
.Ipayher
backwit
ht hesamecoin'
'.
'
'Mother
,Ial
sothi
nkt
hat
,nowmoret
hanever
..
.
Pr
inceMajidmaybei
ndanger'
'
.
'
'How?'
'
.
'
' Li
stenmot her,
QueenDorahwasonl
yfi
ght
ingal
l
thiswhil
ej ustsohersonwoul
dbethecr
owned
Pr i
nce,r
ight?''
.
'
'Yes.
..
.
'
' Andnow,theki
nghaschosenMaj
idinst
ead,
doyou
thinkQueenDorahwoul
dbesocalm ndsharethi
s
happiness?''
.
'
'Hm,you'
vemadeapointSheena.Youar
eri
ght
.I
t
hinkMaji
d'spr
esenceher
ewouldnotbesaf
e,
si
ncehei
ssol
it
tl
enowandcannotdef
endhi
msel
f
'
'.
'
'Then,
whatdowedonow?'
'
.
'
'Weshal lwaitf
oral i
tt
lewhil
e.Whenhet urned5
yearsoldandgett oknowusal lashisfami
ly.
You,hismother,mehisgrandmot her,
theki
ng..
.hi
s
father
.Andwet eachhim somanyt hi
ngsabout
royalt
y,weshallsendhim away''.
'
'Sendhi
m wher
emot
her
?''
.
'
' Cal
m downSheena.Theki nghasaf r
iendinthe
kingdom,oneofthemostver yprest
igiouspeoplein
thekingdom.MrRaulPupadhea.Theki ngtrust
him,weshallt
alkforhi
mt otakeMajidwi thhimto
thecountryhe'
sbeingtravel
ingt
oof tenwhenhei s
'
'.
'
'Wi
llt
heki
ngagr
eet
othi
smot
her
?''
.
'
'Mysondoesever ythi
ngIsay.Ij
ustprayt
he
cunni
ngpriestwon'
tbet her
eonthatday.
..
just
rel
ax,
ever
ythingwil
lsoonbeokay''
.
(
Int
heeveni
ng=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shehadbei ngattendedto.Earlierwhenshewas
broughtintoherroom,shewasr evivedf rom her
fai
ntwithcoldwat er
.Andwhenshesawt heking,
shekickedhim outtogetherwitht hemi nist
ersand
wisemenandot herkings.Shewasenr aged.Her
maidscal medherdownandshef ellasleep.She
hadnowopenedhereyesaf teral ongsl eep.Shesat
uponherbedandsawhermai densst andi ng
beneathherbed.Shebr eakintot ear stheyhadever
seenbefore.
Sheweptsobadlyandgotupinherfeetandstar
ted
dest
royi
ngallt
hevaluabl
esi
nherroom unti
lher
maidssai
dthousandsofcomingwordsforherto
cal
m down.
'
'Iki
ll
edher !
!!AndIt
houghtaft
erher
deat
h,ever
ythingwouldbeokay.Butno.
..
iti
saf
ter
herdeaththattheworset
hingsarehappeni
ngt
o
me!''
.
'
'Relaxyourhi
ghness.
..r
ememberthatwall
shave
ears.I
fanyoneshoul
dhearyousaythi
s,weareal
l
doomed''.
'
'Iam al
readydoomedyouf ool!AllIwantedwasf or
mysont obet hecr
ownedPr i
nce!Now, i
tisthat
st
upidbabyMaj idwhowil
lbecr ownedPr i
nce,and
notmyFar uk!AndIknow,
allt
hisisQueenmot her
's
doi
ng!Shemusthavedeceivedt heking''
.
'
'Exact
lyyourhighness.
..
.Queenmot
heri
sthe
causeofallt
his''
.
(QueenDorahslowlywentcl
osertoasmal lpotnear
herwindowandopenedandsher emovedherpet
snakeandcaughtitbytheneckanditopenedits
mouth,thensheputoneofherfi
ngersinthe
snake'
smout h)
.
'
'Ishouldhavel
eftQueenMeer ahandkill
edherson
i
nstead.Butal
lisnotyetlost
...
..(
sheremovedher
f
ingeranditwaswetwi thpoison,thensheli
cked
t
hepoi soni
ntohrmout hseduct i
velyandher
maidensweremor ethanshocked) .
'
'Mayweknowwhatyoumeanyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
' I
t'
ssimpleandshort
.Majid.
..ohbabyMaj i
d..
.wi
ll
slowlyandslowly,
meethismot hersoonenough,
if
thereisnoMajid,t
henther
eisnocr ownedPri
nce.
..
andift
hereisnocrownedPr
ince,
thereisno
choi
ce.
..buttocr
ownFaruki
nstead,hahahahaaa.
..
.
(
Thet
hreeoft
hem cont
inuedl
aughi
ngevi
ll
y).
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
47] :

.
Sequence14
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
5Year
sLat
er=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
:
Theol dmanwaapr epar
inghimselfsincei twas
brightsayandhewaspr epari
nghimsel ftotravelt
o
London.Hehadhi sguar
dspackhi sthingsi nhis
carbecausehewasi nahur r
ytogett othepal aceto
pickupMaj i
dsincehewast aki
nghi m along.He
wasi nangeral
thoughhecouldn'tcompl ai
n,
becauseofthematter
swi t
hMeho.Hel efthi
s
proper
ti
eswithhi
ssonRi shab.Andwhenhewas
accompaniedout
sidewithhisemployees,Mehogot
tothehouseimmediatel
yandf el
lathi
sfeet.
'
'Si
r,
please.
..don'
tleaveyet'
'
.
'
'Meho,
youagai
n?'
'
.
'
'Pl
ease,f
orgi
veBhavnafort
hewayshet
reat
edyou
t
helastt
imeyoucamet oourhouse'
'
.
'
'Youshouldhavespoket
ohercalmly,f
orhert
o
under
standouragr
eementyouuselessman.Now
whatdoyouwantfrom me?'
'.
'
'Bhavnaisi
nlaboursi
r.Ical
ledthemidwife,
they
areal
lwit
hherinourhouserightnow..
.pl
ease,
comeandseeyourfuturewif
ebef or
eleavi
ng''.
'
'DoBhavnaisaboutt
ogivebi
rtht
omywife(l
aughs
andcel
ebrat
es)
.Okay.
..youal
l,
l
et'
sgot
ogether'
'
.
(
Theyl
eavet
oget
her
).
(
Meho'
shouse)
.
Ther
ewasaloudcryofababyonthecompound
andpeopl
ecl
appedinsi
det
heroom.Inthe
room,fourwomenwer ewi t
hBhavna.Threewere
herfr
iendsandt heotheronewasthemi dwif
e.She
heldthebabyi nherarmsandslowlygotto
Bhavna'sside.Bhavnawassoweakandwas
sweating,butherjoywasproof
,thatherwishhad
fi
nall
ycomet r
ue.
'
'Congrat
ulat
ionsBhavna.I
tisagi
rl
.Anangeli
n
fact'
'
.Themidwifesai
dandhandedthebabyto
Bhavna.
'
'Ohmybaby,
wel
comet
othewor
ld.Thankyou
Lor
d''
.
'
'Everyoneisgoingtobesohappyaboutthi
snews
Bhavna..
.congratul
ati
onsagai
nmyfriend''
.
'
'Thankyou'
'
.
'
'Gi
vehertome,l
etmewashherbodyandbr
ingher
f
oryoutobreast
fed'
'
.
(Themidwi
fetookthebabyandt
ookherasi
de,
closert
oabasinofwatert
owashher
).
'
'IwonderwhereMehohasgone.Hewil
lnever
change,
eventhoughhi
swif
ehasgivenbir
th''
.
'
'Bhavna,
whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowwher
ehehasgonet
o.Al
lIwanti
sto
hol
dmybabyinmyarms''
.
(Suddenl
y,MehoandMrRaular
ri
vedinthehouse
andenter
edtheroom wi
tht
woguards)
.
'
'Youvil
ecreat
ure,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?'
'
.
Bhavnasai
dinpainandanger
.
'
'Wher
e'smydaught
er?'
'
.Mehol
ookedar
ound.
'
'Midwif
e!!
!Gi
vememybaby!Pl
ease!Don'
tgivet
he
babytoMeho.Br
ingmybabyt
ome,fast
!!
!'
'.
(Themi
dwif
ehandedthebabubackt
oBhavnaand
shehel
dherti
ght
ly)
.
'
'Whati
swr ongwi
thyouBhavna?
!Ar
eyounot
goi
ngtoal
lowmecarrymyowndaughter
?''
.
'
'Notunti
lthatmonstergetoutoft
heplace.Ican'
t
bel
ievet
hisMeho..youareasheart
lessasMr
Raul,
howcanyousel lyourownchil
dtohim even
whenshewasnotbor nyet?'
'
.
'
'Shutup.
.shutupBhavna,
Idi
ditf
orourf
utur
e!!
!'
'.
'
'GetoutMrRaul
...l
eave.Andforgetaboutt
hedeal
youhadwithMeho,becausemydaught erwil
lnever
beyours.
..
yougr
eedybastard!
!!'
'
.
'
'Anagr eementisanagreementBhavna.Meho
al
readysignedthedealonpaper.Wit
hhisfi
nger
pri
nts.Ihavefedtourfamil
yfort
hepastfi
veyear
s
becauseofthatdeal''
.
'
'Iam goingtopayyouuntilt
helastpenny.ButI
wil
lnevergivemydaughtertoyou.Readmyl ips'
'
.
'
' WeshallseeaboutthatBhavna.Thankyourstar
s
nowt hatIam t
ravel
ingtoLondon.Butthisi
snot
theend,youhavesteppedonal i
on'stai
landitwil
l
defi
nitel
ydevouryou''.
'
'Well
,
wewil
lseeaboutt
hatMrRaul,Ihopeyou
l
eavethi
spl
aceandnevercomeback!''
.
'
'Oh,Iwi l
lsurelycomebackBhavna, Iwil
lbecoming
andgoi ng,butat i
mewi llcome,whenIfinal
lycome
hereandst ayforgood,andt akeyourdaughterway
fr
om youf orever!'
'.HelookedatMeho' sfacewit
h
detestandl eftther oom withhi
sguar d.
'
'Ar
eyousat
isf
iednowBhavna.
..youcankeepyour
bel
oveddaught
ert
oyoursel
f.Neverbr
inghereven
ali
tt
lecl
osert
ome''.Mehowarned.
(
Bhavnawasi
ndi
sbel
ieve)
.
'
'El
se,
youwi
llr
egr
eti
t!'
'
.Headdedandl
eftt
he
r
oom.
'
'Don'
tlist
ent
othatdrunkar
dBhavna.Hedoesn't
knowwhathe'ssayi
ng.Ithi
nkhehasbeingdri
nki
ng
andli
steni
ngt
oMrRaulj usttoomuch'
'.Dhar
ma
sai
d.
'
'Mybaby.
..'
'
.Bhavnacaressedherbabywit
ha
smil
e.'
'Ri
shi
..
.Ihavef
ulfi
ll
edmydr eams.Her
namewouldbecall
edRishi'
'.
..
(
Att
heRoyalPal
ace)
.
Theroyalfamilyhadgat her
edout si
dethepal
ace.
Queenmot herhel dPri
nceMaj id'
shandandabig
cararr
ivedinfrontofthepalace.QueenSheena
bentdownandgaveMaj idabigkissonhis
for
ehead.MrRaulgotoutoft hecarinhissui
tand
ti
eandspect acles.QueenSheenaweptwhenshe
sawtwoguar dscar ryi
ngPrinceMaj i
dint
othecar
.
Shehaddel i
veredababygi rlfortheki
ng.
Pr
inceLakshmi
.Theki
ngt
ookMrRaulasi
de.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..t
hisi
stheendoftheroadnow.I
shoul
dbegetti
ngtoDelhiai
rpor
tnow,
el
seImi ght
missmyfli
ght'
'.
'
'Okaygood.Ihavegi venyouthisr
esponsibil
it
y
Raul.Donotdi sappointme.Youknow,thatisthe
crownedPr i
nceofUjani.Makesurehealways
rememberwher ehecomesf rom,sohedoesnot
forgetforvalues.Pl
ease,heisthefut
urekingandI
woul dpreferhimtolearnmoreaboutlif
e..
..
okay?''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.
..t
rustme.Ever
ythi
ngwoul
dbe
okay'
'
'
'Hei sspending20yearst
herewit
hyou.Take
care,
assoonast he20yearsends,
heshouldcome
backtohisfather
landandtaker
esponsi
bil
it
yforhi
s
royaldut
ies.
..maythegodsbewithyou''
.
(Queenmotherembracedhergr
andsonti
ghtlyand
askedMrRaulnevertoremovetheel
ephant
neckl
acef
rom hisneck,andt
hedepart
edfinall
y).
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewasst andingatherwindowandlookingdown
atthel
argecompoundandsawt heroyalsentering
thepal
ace.Hermai dswerebusil
ydressi
ngPr ince
Farukupafterbathi
nghim.Shelookedthrought he
windowwi t
hal otofhat
redandanger.Shedropped
thecurt
ainandt ur
nedtothemaidens.
'
' Forf
iveyears.Forfi
vegoodyear swehavebei ng
tryi
ngtokillMaji
d,butno..
.t
hatnecklaceandthe
Queenmot herandSheenahasal waysprotect
ed
him.Now, t
heyhavef i
nall
yconvincedthekingto
takehim away''.
'
' Yourhi
ghness,It
hinki
twouldbebet
tert
oleave
thisworktoPri
nceFarukwhenhegrowsupandi s
oldenoughtofightf
orhisr
ight
s''
.
'
'I
nwhatway?'
'
.
'
' Imean, youhavefoughtagoodf ight.Youhave
doneal lyoucouldt ogetFar
ukhi srightf
ulplacei
n
thiskingdom, buttheQueenmot herandSheena
stoodi nyourwayf orsolong.SoIt hinkweshould
j
usti nstallt
hir
sttobekinginPri
nceFar uk'
'.Savi
tr
i
said.
'
' Mmmm. ..
Ithi
nkyouar eright.Givehimt ome.
(Shecar r
iedFarukandhel ookedatherandgave
herani nnocentsmi l
e).Myson, youmaynotbet he
crownedPr incetoday,butyouwi llbekingtomor
row.
IfIdon'tgetmyr evengeonwhatt heydidtomy
family,t
henwhatdoIgai nf r
om thi sst
upid
mar r
iage?''
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..dowehavet
owai
tunt
ilPr
ince
Maji
dret
urns?''
.
'
' RelaxAvni .Rightnow,Idon'thaveacompet i
ti
on
yet,sinceSheenagavebi rt
htoagi rl
.But,
Ihave
hear dsomuchaboutt hatforei
gncountrytheyare
takingMaj i
dto.Thatcount r
yhasl otsofspoil
tbrat
s.
Nowcomet othinkofit,
whatifMaj i
dcomesback
year slaterandhei snotinter
estedinthethrone?''
.
'
' Yourhi
ghness..howisthatpossibl
e?Hehad
beingmadet hecrownedPr i
nce,andhewil
lhavet
o
takeoverhi
sr oyaldut
ies'
'.
'
'Ihaveaperf
ecti
dea.TomakeMaji
dstayinthat
countr
yfor
everwi
thoutcomi
ngbackhereagain.
Andwhenthathappens,t
heki
ngwil
lhaveonlyone
sonl
eft
..
Far
uk.Andhewil
lhavenootherchoi
ce,
butt
ohandthethr
onet
omyson! !
!'
'.
'
'Howwi
llyoudot
hatt
ourhi
ghness,
canwehel
p?'
'
.
'
'Youdon'thavetoknowever
ythi
ngIpl
an.
..
yout
wo
mayleavenow' '
.
(
Themai
densl
eft
).
(
Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
Theoldqueenmot herwasolderthanever ,
shewas
bli
ndandcoul dn'
tseeanymor e.ShesatonQueen
mother'
sbedwi thhergoldenstickandherf ace
upward.QueenSheenacoul dn'tstophertearsas
shewasal r
eadymi ssingPri
nceMaj id.Queen
motherandt heoldqueencouldn'tstopmaki ngfan
ofher.Shehadpr i
ncessLakshmionherl apswho
wasfastasleepandwasver ypr oudshecoul dbe
anexcell
entmot hertobothsheandPr i
nceMaj i
d.
'
'Weknewt hi
swasthebestdeci
siont
omakef or
hi
m Sheena.Nowt
hatheisgone,heislef
toutof
danger'
'
.
'
'Don'
tbea100%sur
eabouti
tGayat
ri
.Don'
tbeso
softonspi
ri
tualthingsokay.Spiri
tualmattersdoes
notcarewhetheryouar ehereorthere.Ifanevil
spi
ritwant
stohauntyou, itdoesn'tcarewhether
youhanginthesky.I twil
lsti
llf
oll
owyout here'
'
.
Theoldqueensai d.
'
'OhmyGod,mother,
youareal
r eadyscar
ingme.
Whati
sal
lthis?So,
areyout
ell
ingmet hatitwasa
badi
deat
ot akeMaji
daway?''
.
'
' Iam notexactlycompl ai
ningabouthisdepartur e.
Itisactuall
ygood.Myson, Shaker'
sfatheral
sol eft
thekingdom toaf orei
gncountrytolearnmor e
aboutlife.Andt hatiswhatalsoencouragedmany
peoplet obetraveling.Iam onl
ysayingthat,
Iwoul d
bever yhappyi fMaj i
dwashavi ngsomepr otection
'
'.
'
'Oh,
ifit
'sf
orprotecti
on,t
henrel
axmother.Myboy
hasallt
heprotecti
onhemayneed.Andt henext
ti
mehecomesher e,
hewouldalr
eadybeaman.
And,
hewi l
lsoontakehisfat
her'
spl
aceasking''
.
(
20Year
sLat
er=Att
heTempl
e).
I
twasver
year
lyatmor
ningwhent
hebr
ightsun
wast aki
ngi tst
imetoshineandmostoft hewomen
i
nt hekingdom hadgatheredatt hetempleasusual
togivetheiroff
eri
ngs.Thestairstothewasmany
andshewal kedsl
owly,cl
imbingt hestai
rsoneaft
er
theother.Herlongwhiteshortsandvei l
was
coveredonherneck.Shehat edcover i
ngherface
withaveilbecauseshesai di
tbl i
ndedherview.
Shesl owlygott otheentr anceoft hetempl eandher
l
ipswaswi denedi nasmi le.Hersmal lbeaut if
ul
whiteteethshowedandshegott owher e'rethe
templebellwas.Shel ovedt het emplebel lsomuch.
Shelovedr ingingthebel lforsol ongevent hough
thepriest
shadal wayswar nedhert hatitwas
supposedt ober angonl yoncebyever yonewhen
enteri
ng.Shel ookedatherl eftandherr ight ,
and
whenshesawnoonel ooki ng, shehitthechur ch
belll
ikeat housandt ime, andt heyt urnedt heir
facest ol
ookather ,
theyf rownedather .Because
theyknewi twasthatt r
oubl esomegi rl,
shequi ckly
ranintothet emplewi thlaught er .
Andshel
ightedherlant
ernoft
rayandfl
ower
sand
wentt
oofferthankstol
ordHanuman.Whenshe
gottot
hepri
esttotakehersweets,
shesawthatthe
queuewastoolongforher,
andshedidn'
thaveti
me
towait
.Sheneededtotakeanoffer
ingtoher
mother.
Shegott oonewomanwhoasf or
thinli
neand
scroll
edhereyesaroundtoseewhet hersomeone
waswat chingt
hem.Andshei ntenti
onall
yfai
nted
ont hewoman.Therewasconf usionandthepriest
Chanakhercouldn'
tdoanythingbecauseoncehe
wasseat edontheground,hecoul dn'
tstandupuntil
everythi
ngwasover.Peoplebr oughtwaterand
sprinkl
edonherface.
'
'Ri
shi
?Ri
shi
..
.getup!'
'
.
(
Shesl
owl
yopenedhereyesandcoughed)
.
'
'Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.Oneoft
hewomenasked.
.
'
'W.
.wel
l.
..
.
'
'It
hinkweshouldl
ethertakehersweet
sandgo
hometorest
,shel
ooksick''
.Anot
herwomansai
d.
'
'Yesyes,
youareri
ght.Sheshoul
dtakehersweet
.
Comechil
d,getup'
'.
(Twowomenhel dherhandandshegotupandgot
tothepri
estandknel
tdownandstr
etchedher
hand).
'
'Rishi
,di
dyouhavet
opretendandf
aint'
'
.Pr
iest
Chanakhersai
dandl
aughed.
(
Shesmi
ledl
ight
ly)
.
'
'Makethesweet
stwopr
iest
,onef
orme,
andone
f
ormother'
'.
'
'Butever
yonei
ssupposedt
otakeonedear'
'
.
'
'Yes,
butIcameinplaceofmymot heraswell
.
Pl
easemakeitfast
.DoitforyourRishi
..
.pl
ease?'
'
.
'
'Hmmm. .
.okay'
'.Thepri
estgavehertwosweet
s
andshegottoherfeetandgotout
side.
Sherai
sedherheadandsawthebel
lagai
nand
l
aughed.Sherai
sedherhandt
ori
ngitagai
nand
hear
dal oudcal
li
ng.
'
'Ri
shi
!!
!'
'.
(Sheturned,
anditwasherbestfr
iend,herpar
tner
i
ncr i
meandhersi st
er.Abeatf
ri
endi smorethana
sist
er,andshet
urnedherback.Thepassingwind
blewherhairupandbackandRi shi'
sangel i
cface
showed.Hercol ourwasabi tdarkandherhai rwas
thelongest,amongallt
heyoungl adies.Herlong
pointednoseandeyest hatpiercedthrought hesoul
.
Shehat edwear i
ngearri
ngsandshesmi led.Her
bestf r
iendwalkedupthestairs.Andhel dherhands
down) .
'
'Wehavet ogonowRi
shi
..
.rememberourpl
an
yest
erday?'
'.
'
' Yesyesyes.Butcomeon..
let
'sr
unfastel
se,i
fone
ofthepriestseesme,
theywi
llf
orcemetocleanup
thetemple''.
'
' Okay,
onyourmar ks,
getset
..
andrun!
!!'
'
.Kushi
shoutedandtheyrundownt hest
airst
ogethert
hen
tooktothei
rheel
s.
(
Oneoft
hepr
iest
sseest
hem r
unni
ngaway)
.
'
'Rishi!
!!Ri
shicomebackherenow...
Urrr
ggghh!
Thi
snaught ygirl
,
thatwasnothowhermot herwas.
Nowl ook.Bhavnaalwaysusedtocl
eanthet emple,
butthisone?No!Iwi l
lwr
it
ehernamedownand
gi
vehersuchapuni shment
,shewil
lneverforget'
'.
Thepr
iestsai
d.
(
Ther
oyalPal
ace)
.
Thepal acehadcompl etel ychanged.MrRaulhad
broughtbeaut if
ulcol our sofpai ntsf rom Londonas
orderedbyt heki ng.Andot herf oreigngoodsl ike
chandel i
er,televisionandot herst uf ftodecor atethe
palace.Theyhadpai ntedt hepal ace.Theyhad
paintedthepal aceandevencr eatedaswi mmi ng
pool.Theyhadneverseenanyt hingl i
ket hat
,bitit
wasr equest edbyPr i
nceMaj i
dwhowasst il
lin
Londonandhadt hreatenednott ocomet othe
kingdom unt ilallthisf oreignthi ngswer enot
providedi nthepal ace.Hehadgot tenusedt ot he
forei
gnai r,
foreignf r
iendsandl adi es.For
years,20thepal acewasnowget tingar enovation.
Everyonewasbusyher eandt her e.MrRaulsentt he
forei
gnst uffbymessenger sbuthehi mselfwasi n
London, prepar inghi msel ftof inallycomebackt o
hiskingdom.Ast hepr epar ati
onwasgoi ngon, t
he
Queenshadal soi nvitedj eweller ysel ler
sandsar ee
maker stosel ectabeaut ifulneckl aceandmat er
ials
forthewel comi ngpar ty.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
sChamber
).
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
47] :

.
Sequence15

.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
:
Thechamberwascr eatedspeci
allybecausehewas
thefir
stson.Hehadever yt
hinginthatroom.His
bedwasi nthemiddleoflargeroom andt her
ewas
ar edandblackpai
nt i
ngont hewallsandweapons
hangingont hewallandtheroofs.Andf r
om
mor ni
ngtothatti
me, hehadcoveredhiswhol ebody
from headtotoewithhisexpensivegolden
bedsheet
suntilheheardavi
olentknocki
nhisdoor
.
Thepersontri
edopeningbuthehadlockedhi
mself
fr
om theinsi
de.
Hetookof fthebedsheetandquicklysatuponthe
bedwithahor r
ibl
efrown.Hiseyeswerer edf
rom
sl
eep,
throughhi shandsome.Hel ookedupsetasto
whysomeoneknockedt hedoorvi
olentl
y.Hewasn't
goi
ngtof orgivethepersonifheopenedthedoor.
Hegott ohisfeetandhisnakednessshowed.He
l
ivedsleepingnaked.Onlyr
easonsduet ohimsel
f,
buthelivednakedness.Hejustlovedi
t.Andwore
hisbedsl i
ppersandti
edhiswaistwithabedsheet
andwal kedtothedoor.Theknockcameagai nand
openedt hedoor.
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.
'
'WhatdoIwant ?Far
uk,whatdoIwant?'
'
.Queen
Dorahshoutedandenter
edinhergl
orywit
habig
heavycard'
'.Doyouevenknowwhatisgoingon
aroundyou?''
.
'
'Youcan'tj
ustentermyroom li
kethatmot
her
.I
havenotpermit
tedyoutoenter'
'.
(QueenDor
aht
urnsandisaboutt
oslaphim,
butshe
stopsi
nmidai
randrat
herthr
owsthecardathi
m).
'
'Lookatt
hat
!Takeal
ookati
t''
.
(
Pri
nceFar
ukbentdownandpi
ckedupt
hecar
dand
r
eadit
).
'
'Haveyounowr eal
isedwhatisgoi
ngon?Youdon' t
haveanyattent
ionatall,
ever
yoneisratherwait
ing
pati
ent
lyforthecrownedPr i
nceofUjani.
..
yourli
ttl
e
brot
her,
howdoest hatsoundyousenselessfool!'
'
.
'
'Whyar eyoutal
kingt oomuchmot her ?Whatdo
youwant ?(Sl
owlytearstheheavycar dwithallof
hisst
rengthandthrowsi tatQueenDor ah).DoI
havetoletyouknowaboutal lmyplans,befor
eyou
knowthatIam planningabi gsurpr
iseforMajid?''
.
'
'Iam yourmotherFar
uk!AndIhaveeveryr
ightt
o
knowaboutallyourpl
ans.Sot
hatifIhavet
o
corr
ectinsomeway,Iwil
ldoso''
.
'
'WhencanIevergowr ongmot her?(Heturnshis
backather)
.Ihavel
earntever
ythingIam from you.
So..
.j
ustr
elax,
andwatchhow..yourson,tur
ns
ever
ythi
ngaroundinourfavor
,justinthebli
nkofan
eye'
'
.
'
'Youbet t
erkeepyourpromise.Because,west
il
l
havelotsofti
metot urnthoGSaround.Ican'
tst
and
howpeopl el
ookdownonyoubecauseyourl i
tt
le
brot
herwasmadet hecrownedPrinceinst
eadof
you!Ican'
tstanditanymore!'
'
.
(Sheshoutsandleavest hechamber ,andsomef ew
minuteslat
er,
someoneknocked.Het urnedtothe
doorandopenedit.Itwasoneoft hemai dens,
holdi
ngabowlofcl eanwat erandat oweli nthe
otherhand.Shehadherf acedownwar dandas
usualshehadaveil whichcoveredhal fherface.
HernamewasChar u.AndFar ukwhi mper edand
wentbackt ohi
sbedwhi l
eChar ustil
lstoodatt he
doorbecauseshehadt obei nvit
edi nbef or
e
enteri
ng.Hesatonhi sbedinr el
axingmood) .
'
'Comei
n''
.
(Charuenter
edthechamberandpl
acedthebowlof
wat ercl
osetoPri
nceFar
uk'
slegsandkeptt
he
cleantowelonhershoul
der
s).
'
'I
tist
imef
ort
ourmor
ningf
eetwashmyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Goahead,
andcar
rymyl
egsi
ntot
hewat
er'
'
.
(
Shecarr
ieshi
slegsi
ntot
hewat
erandst
art
s
washi
ngit)
.
'
'Youmustbet
henewmai
d''
.
'
'YesmyPri
nce.Iam Pr
incessLakshmi
'
shand
maiden'
'
.
'
'Mm..(
star
ri
ngatherwi
thaseduct
ivel
ook)
.And
wher
eisLakshmi?'
'.
'
'Shei
sselecti
ngjewel
rywiththeQueensmyPrince.
(
Shefi
nishwashinghisfeetandusesthecl
ean
t
owelt
odr ythem).
'
'Comeandseemet
oni
ght'
'
.
(
Sheisshockedbutdi
dn'
tlethi
m seeit
.Shet
ook
t
hebowlofwaterandgott
oherf eet
).
'
'Di
dyouhearwhatIsaid..
.oryouwantmet
orepeat
mysel
f''
.Heaskedangr
ily.
'
'Y.
.yesPr
ince.I
'
m sor
ry'
'
.Shesai
dandt
urnedt
o
l
eave.
'
'Andnoonemustknowyouar
ecomi
ngher
e.No
one!
!!'
'
.
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.Shesai
dandl
eft
.
(
Pri
nceFar
ukgotupandent
eredhi
sbat
hroom)
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom)
.
RishiandKushigott othemar ket
.Theywere
starvingtodeat h.Theybothknewt hedealof
stealingfoodfrom t hemarket ,
andtheydi
ditso
wel l
,nooneeversawt hem steal
.Theygottothe
mi ddleofthemar ketwherepeoplewer ebusil
y
buyingandsel ling.Istime,
Rishidecidedtodothe
fi
rstt ri
ck.Kushist oodbehindherwi t
halit
tl
esack
andt heygotcl oset othefr
uitvendorandgavehi m
asmi l
e.Hesmi l
ebackandt ookpapertowr apthei
r
goods.
'
'Hell
obeauti
fulRi
shi.Al
lyourfavour
it
efr
uit
sar
e
her
e.Apple,
banana.
.grapes.
..
'
'Urr
rmmm. .
.appl
eplease?(
Fakesasmi
le)
.I
want.
.t
enapples'
'.
'
'Ten.
..
theni
tisf
if
teengol
dcoi
ns'
'
'
'Thatmuch?'
'
.
'
'Youal
readyknowt
hepr
icegi
rl
..
.so,
doyouwanti
t
ornow?'
'.
'
'Urr
rrrnnmn..t
hisapplesdon'
treal
lyl
ookf r
esh,can
youpleaselookbehindyouinyourbasketandget
mether edapples,
Iprefert
hem tot
hegr eenones''
.
'
'Wel
l,
okay.Butt
her
edonesar
emuchexpensi
ve'
'
.
'
'Justgi
vemet
hoseones.Iwi
llpay'
'
.
(Themant urnedt olookintohisbasketofred
applesandRi shistart
edpi cki
ngupt hegr
eenones
i
nf rontandthrowst hem intothesackKushiwas
holdingandwhenshegott opicki
ngnumber
nine,themanturnedhi sbackandi sshockedand
startedscr
eami ngforpeopl etocome).
'
'Thi
ef!
!!Ri
shiandKushiar
est
eal
ingmyappl
es.
..
hel
p!!
!'
'.
(Thegir
lst hentooktot heirheelsinlaughter
.Kushi
wasnotagoodr unner.Andwhenevershet r
ied,
she
gotverytiredandcoul dn'tbreathbecauseshewas
asthmatic.Shehel dtheappl eandr unatthesame
ti
mewi thfourmenr unningaf tert
hem.Ri shi
stoppedont hewayandt ooktheappl esfrom
Kushi
).
'
'Lakshmi!!
!'
'.Rishishout
edandhermot her
'shorse
qui
cklyrushedoutofnowher eandshehelped
Kushiontoit
.''Rideitt
ooursecretpl
aceKushi,I
wil
lbetheresoon' '
.
'
'Ar
eyousur
eyouwi
llbeokay?'
'
.
'
'Yesyes,
j
ustgo!'
'
.
(Kushiquicklyrodet hehorseawayandRi shi
continuedherr untowar dsthetown'sri
ver.Assoon
asshegott otheriver,sheturnedherbackandsaw
themenr unni ngtowar dsherandshequi ckly
stri
ppedher selfnakedandj umpedi nt
other i
ver
andwhent hemengott her
e,t
heyquickl
yturned
thei
rbacksandcl osedt hei
reyesbecausei twasa
taboointheki ngdom f oramant olookata
woman' snakednessi fshewasn'tyourwife).
'
' Hahahaaaa..I
fyoulookatme,youareal
ldoomed,
nowal lyoufourshouldgetbacktothemarketand
forgetmebecauseam notcomi ngoutofthisri
ver
untilyoudoso''.Shesai
di nl
aughterwhi
lesheheld
thesackofappl esint
heriver
.
'
'Thendon'tcomeoutofthatr
iverRi
shi
,because
wewillt
eachyoual essoni
fwemeetyouint own''
.
Theysai
dandl ef
t.
(Rishigotoutofther
iverandqui
ckl
ywor eher
clothes,wi
thherwholebodyandhairwet.Shetook
anappl efr
om thesackandtookabite,
shewent
awayt olookforKushi)
.
(
Uni
tedKi
ngdoms=London)
.
Thecount r
ywasver ybusy.Everyonehadnotime
forboredom becauseeveryonewasbusilygoi
ngto
worktomakemoney.Andot her
swer ebusi
ly
havingfanatthebeaches,thespaandclubs.
Atthebeach, thr
eegi rl
slayedont heirbeachbeds
closetotheseai nt hei
rbikinis.Andt hesunwasout
andscot ching.Asoneoft hel adi
es, expensive
l
ady..Ci
ndy,thedaught eroft her i
chestgover norof
thestate,satinthemi ddleofherf r
iends,applyi
ng
sunloti
ononherwhi tebodyandl ooki ngtowards
theseawi thasmi le.
Shewastheonlydaught
erofthegover
nor
,they
werej
usttwo.Herel
derbrot
her,
Maxandher .She
hatedtaki
ngbodyguardswithherar
oundbecause,
thatwouldmakeherfeeluncomfort
abl
eandnotdo
allt
henastyt
hingsshewant edtodowit
hher
boyfri
end.
'
'Babygi
rl.
..
whenar
ewegoi
ngf
orshoppi
ng?'
'
.
Natal
yaasked.
'
'Wecangot
othemal
lanyt
imeNat.
.l
et'
sjustwait
f
ort
heboyst
ocomeandpickusup'
'.Ci
ndyr epl
ied.
'
'Well.
.andIal soheardyoutal
kingaboutafanf
il
led
tr
iptoIndiatheothertimewewer eatCaptai
n
Hooksr est
aur ant
?''
.Bell
asaidassheremovedher
darksungl asses.
'
'Yeahyeah...
Ireall
ydi
dn'thearallabouti
t.But
wheneveryt
hingi sset
tl
ed,Iwil
lletyougir
lsknow.
Areyouwill
ingtogowi t
hme?' '.
'
'Wellofcour
seCi
ndybaby.
..wher
everyougo,
we
wil
lgo''
.
(Thethreel
aughed.Cindywassexy,beauti
ful
,tal
l
andslim.Shehadbeaut i
fulbl
ueeyesandever yguy
thatsawherwasliter
all
yinlove.Justl
ikesomet wo
guyswhosawheratt hebeachandgott othem and
start
edacti
ngnaught ywithher
.Oneofthem
touchedherti
ghtsandshegavehim abigslap.The
threegi
rl
sgottot hei
rfeeti
nanger.Oneoft
heboys
wasabodybui lderandhadscarymuscles)
.
'
'Don'
tyour
espectal
adyyouf
ool
?''
.Ci
ndyshout
ed
angr
il
y.
'
'Yousl
appedme?Youhavenoi deawhoyouare
messi
ngwithbaby.I
fyoudon'twantanyguyto
t
ouchyou,
thencoveryourwholebodybi
tch!'
'
.
'
'Youaresensel
ess..youhavenoideawhoIam.
Justati
pofmyf ingernai
lscanf
eedyourent
ir
e
gener
ati
onforli
feyoudirt
yboy!!
!'
'.
(Themuscul arboypushedCi ndybacki ntothechair
andhe'dhrhai r,
andf orceful
lykissedherandshe
tri
edresist
ing.Shel i
ftedherr i
ghtkneeupandhi t
hisball
sandabdomenandhegr oanedi npain.She
gottoherf eetinanxi etyandhel i
ftedhishandt o
giveheradi rt
ysl apwhenanot herar m gr abbedhold
ofhisstrongar mt ightly.Hetri
edt akinghi sarm
awaybutt heot herhandwasst ronger .Hest r
etched
himselfupandt urnedt olookatt heper son.And
therecamet hatsmoot hface.Thatpi nkli
ps.That
beautif
ullyshapednoseandt hebr owneye, t
heair
blewhiswavyt hickblackhai randt hef ai
rface
whichshowedl ikethesuni ngol denr ays.The
muscul arguywai nfury,whot hehel lwast hatguy
thatheldhishands?Yes, itwasPr i
nceMaj id.The
muscul arguyl i
ftedhisot herhandt ohi tMajidand
Majidjustheadedhi mt othegr ound.Maj idbent
downandscoopedoutsomebeachsandand
openedt heguy' smout handt hrewt hesandi nhis
mout handgavehi m ahotbl owwi thhi sstrongleft
arm.Theguycoughedoutbl oodwi t
ht hesandand
start
edpl eading.Maj i
d'stwobestf riendshel dthe
muscul arguy'sfriendandheal sopl eaded.Maj i
d
madet hemuscul arguygetonhi skneesi nfrontof
Cindy.Cindysmi l
ed.
'
'Apol
ogi
ze'
'
.Maj
idsi
mpl
ysai
d.
'
'OhIam sor
rymadam,
Ireal
lydi
dn'
tknowwhatI
wasdoi
ng,pl
ease'
'.
(
Cindygavehi
m adi
rt
ysl
apont
op)
.
'
'Getoutofmysi
ghtasshol
e!'
'
.
(Maji
dpushedtheguyasideandhet ookt
ohis
heel
swithhisf
riend.Ci
ndystarr
edatMaji
dandhe
gaveherasexywi nkwi
thhislef
teyeandshe
embracedhi
mt i
ght l
ywit
hasob.Andhehuggedher
back)
.
'
'Iwassoscar
edbaby'
'
.
'
' Areyouokay?' '
.Hesai dwi t
hhi sheavyvoi ce.
Indeed, Maji
dwast hecut est.Hehadababyf ace
andaheavenl ysmile.Evenwhenhewasangr y,he
stil
llookedhandsome.Hewast herealdefinit
ionof
beaut i
ful.Hewasevenmor ebeautifulthanmost
girl
s.Buthewasaman, andal ltheladiesdiedt o
havehi m.ButCi ndywast hel uckygirlwhocaught
hishear t
.Theywer emadl yinl ovewi t
heachot her.
Andt heyneverwant edt obeapar tfrom eachot her
.
'
'Iam okaynow.Shallwegotothemal
lnow?'
'
.
Cindyaskedandtookhercl
othes.
'
'Suresur
e..
.anyt
hingf
oryoubaby'
'
.Maj
idsai
d
wit
hasmi l
e.
(
Maji
dhadear
ri
ngonhislef
tear
.Hei
saPrince.
Andhi
sear
swerepi
ercedwhenhewas5yearsold.
Hewor easilverear
ri
ngandit!
adehisfacel
ook
sexy.Cut
e,andsexyanddemnhot.Hewasaf it
ness
maniac.Helovedgoingtot
hegym too.Hewast he
l
adieschoice).
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=Hor
sest
abl
es)
.
Pri
nceFar ukhadhishorsebeingsaddledbyhis
personalbodyguar
dandf ri
endShiv.Hehelda
smallpotinhishandsandheneverst oppedthat
evi
llookinhiseyes.Heopenedt hepotandacobr a
hoppedoutt henhecaughtholdofthecobraquickl
y.
Hishorsemumbl edatthesightofthesnake.Pri
nce
Farukturnedthesnakeclosetohisface.
'
'HurryupShiv.Thi
spl anofminemustbeprepar
ed
sowellthat
,mymot herwil
lnotcomenaggi
ngme
forf
ail
ingagain'
'.
'
'ButPri
nceFar uk,
areyounotafr
aidofgoi
ngtothe
for
est?Because,anci
entsayst
hat,
ther
eareevi
l
spi
rit
sthere'
'.
'
' Imysel
fam evi
l.
(l
aughsmadl
y).Evi
lspi
ri
tsf
ear
andbowdownt ome,soasmyfri
end,
youdon'
thave
theri
ghttobeacowar d'
'.
'
'Iam sor
ryPrince,
justadvi
sing.
.(f
ini
shsaddl
ing
Faruk'
shorse)
.
'
'Iam suchagoodbr other.Howmanybr ot
hersdo
whatamanoutt odonow?Myl itt
lebrotherisabout
t
or etur
nhome, andhehasnoi deawhati sinstall
ed
f
orhi m(giggl
es).Hewillneverforgetthi
ssur pr
ise,
f
ort herest,
ofhisli
fe.
..
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
48] :

.
Sequence16
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(Pr
inceFar
ukjumpedonhishor
seandShevealso
j
umpedont oanot
herhor
seandtheyr
odespeedil
y
away).
.
(
Meho'
sHouse)
.
Thetwobestfr
iendsarri
vedinfr
ontofthe
compoundonthehor seandtheybothgotdown.
Kushihadeat
ent hr
eeapplesandRishiat
etwo.She
deci
dedtobri
ngandt heothert
hreetohermother
.
Shequickl
yhuggedKushiandbi
dhergoodbye
si
nceitwasgett
ingl
ateandKushi
'shousewasj
ust
amil
eaway.
'
'Don'
tforgettobri
ngtwocoi
nst
omor
rowKushi
,i
n
caseIdon'tgetacoin'
'
.
'
'Iam sohappyt
omorr
owist hestream wi
shingday.
I
tonlycomesonceayearRishi,
sowr i
teallyour
wisheddownsoyoudon'
tforget,
okay?'
'.
'
'Okaymoprobl
em Kushi
.Youshoul
dal
sowr
it
eal
l
yourwi
shesdown'
'.
(Theybothlaughedanddepar t
ed.Rishienter
edthe
compoundwi ththehor seandt i
edther opeofft
he
neckofthehorset otheoldmangot reeandwhen
sheturnedherback,hermot herstoodinf r
ontofher
withasmile.Rishibentdownandt ouchedherfeet)
.
'
'Godblessyoumygi
rl'
'
.Bhavnasai
dandki
ssed
herf
orehead.
'
'Ibr
oughtappl
esmother'
'
.Shesai
dandhanded
t
hesacktoBhavna.
'
'Thr
eeappl
es?Wheredisyougetthese?Appl
es
ar
ethemostexpensi
vef
ruit
s,wheredidyouget
moneyRi
shi
?''
.Bhavnaaskedsuspici
ousl
y.
'
'Urr
rmmm..wel
l,
mother,
you.
.why.
.goshwhyam I
t
rembli
ng?
!''
.Ri
shigroanedandBhavnalaughed.
'
'Becauseanytimeyouwanttosayali
e,
youalways
tr
embleRishi,
nowdon'tyoudar
eli
etome..
.where
didyougetthi
sappl
es?''
.
'
'Pri
estChanakher
!Hegavethem t
ome.BecauseI
cl
eanedthetemplever
ynicel
ymother'
'
.
'
'Ohr
eal
ly?Okay.So,
wher
ear
ethesweet
sfr
om t
he
t
empl
e?'
'.
'
'Oops.
..
Iat
eital
lmot
her'
'
.
'
'Ri
shi
!'
'.Bhavnasai
dinsur
pri
se.
'
'Ohsorr
ymot her
.Thesweet
sissosweet
!!
!'
'.They
bot
hlaughed.
(Mehoasusual ,
arr
ivedhomewi thaleatherof
alcohol.Hewasfeelingal
ldi
zzyanddi dn'tknow
wher ehewasheadi ng.HesawbothBhavnaand
Rishistandi
ngbesidesthehorse,
Rishiquickly
rushedt ohol
dhim upwhenhewasf all
ingback
downandcover edhernosebecauseoft healcohol
stench,
butMehopushedheraway) .
'
' Howmanytimes.
..
haveIwar
nedyounotto
touchedme.Don'
tevencomeabitcl
osert
ome
okay?''
.
'
'Wel
l,
okaysi
r.But
,Ir
eal
lyneedonegol
dcoi
nfat
her
'
'
.
'
'Gol
dcoi
n?Forwhat
?''
.
'
'Tomor
rowi
sthest
ream wi
shi
ngday'
'
.
'
'Allyourwi
sheswi
llnevercomet r
ueyouinsol
ent
gi
rl''
.Hesai
dandwalkeddr unkenl
yint
othehouse.
'
'Don'
tli
stent
ohim Ri
shi
,don'
tbesur
pri
sedsi
nce
hehasalwaysbei
ngthi
sway''
.
'
'Yes,
hehasal
waysbei
ngt
hiswaybecauseyou
r
efusedt
otel
lmewhyhehatesmesomuch' '
.
'
'He..hedoesn'
thateyou!Idon'twanttotellyou
somet hi
ngthatwil
lhurtyousomuchsweet hear
t.
(Bhavnaremovedt heelephantneckl
acefrom her
neckandput sitar
oundRi shi
'sneck)
.Iti
st i
meI
giveyouis''
.
'
'Wowmot her
,youf
inal
lygavei
ttome!I
t'
sso
beaut
if
ul'
'
.
'
'Come.
..
(t
heybot
hent
eredt
hehouse)
.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace)
.
QueenSheenawal kedonthewalkwaywi t
hher
daughter
,PrincessLakshmi.Theywalkedtowards
theking'
schamberwher etwoguardsst ood
becausethekinghadcal l
edtheQueenst ohis
chamber.Theygott othechamberdoorwher etwo
guardsstood.Andt heybothbowedtheirhead.
'
'Lett
heki
ngknowt
hatIam her
e''
.QueenSheena
sai
d.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Oneguar
dsai
dandent
ered
t
hechamber.
(
Theot
herguar
dst
upi
dther
ebutusedt
hecor
nerof
hiseyestostar
eatpri
ncessLakshmi,sheal
so
rol
ledhereyessecr
etl
ytolookathim andsmil
ed.
Theotherguardcameoutoftheking'
schamber).
'
'Hesai
dyoucancomei
nyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Iwil
lcomebacksoonLakshmi
,got
oyour
chamberandwaitf
ormeokay?'
'.
'
'Yesmother.ButIpr
efert
ogoonahor
ser
ideon
t
hefiel
ds'
'.
'
'Lakshmi
,don'tdar
egooutoft
hepal
ace,
ist
hat
cl
ear?Andtakeoneguar
dwithyou'
'
.
'
'Yesmot
her'
'
.
(QueenSheenaent
eredtheki
ng'
schamber
.
Pri
ncessLakshmil
ookedattheguar
dshesmi
led
at,
andaskedhimtofol
lowhim).
(
TheKi
ng'
schamber
).
Al
lthequeenssatonagol denstoolinfr
ontofthe
ki
ngwhoal sosatonhisbed,faci
ngthem.Hehel da
br
ownpaper ,
contai
nsaletteronitandhestoodup.
Queenmother,QueenDorahandQueenSheena
al
ert
edthei
rearsandwasr eadytoli
stento
whatevert
heKinghadcal
ledt
hem t
her
efor
.He
openedthelet
ter
.
'
'Wher
edi
dthatcomef
rom myson?'
'
.
'
' Thi
si salett
erf
rom hishighnesski
ngSiamak
from thekingdom ofJhansi.Hesentt
hislett
eri
n
theafternoonandIcouldn'twaitt
oreadittoyou
all,
becauseit'
ssuchagoodnews' '
.
'
'Ohwow,
please,
readi
toutl
oudson'
'
.
'
'Yesmot her.(
St art
sr eading) .Gr eetingsf rom the
westsi deyourHi ghnessKi ngShaker der ah.Itisa
l
ightedhonourt owr i
tethisl ettert oyoumyf r
iend.
Withthepastyear s,
wet hankt hegodofUj anifor
keepingyourki ngdom saf ef rom al levil.Myl etteri
s
simply,foranal l
iance.Bot hourki ngdom have
beingf r
iendsforaver ysoliduni onbet weent het wo
ki
ngdomsandt ightenourr elationshi p.Ihopewe
cangetar espondf rom yousoonyourhi ghness.
Andweal sogott hei nvit
ationcar df ort hepar tyof
PrinceMaj id'
sreturn.Wewi l
lsur elycomeand
celebrateyourhappi nesswi thyou.Gr eetingsagai n
'
'.
(
QueenDor
ahf
rownsandwhi
mper
s).
'
'Wow...
isn'
tthatagreatnews?Butofcour
semy
son.Assoonast hesunrisest
omorrow,pl
ease,
sendagoodr esponsetotheki
ngofJhansi,
whatdo
youthi
nkQueenSheena?' '.
'
'Well
,yesmother
.Ofcour
se,
Maj
iddeser
ves
ever
ythinggood'
'
.
'
'ButFarukistheel
destyourhi
ghness!I
sitnot
enoughthatyoumadehislit
tl
ebrot
herthecrowned
Pri
nce,nowyouwantt omakehisli
tt
lebrot
herget
marri
edbeforehim?!'
'
.
'
'WellmydearQueenDorah,
ifki
ngSi
amakwant
ed
Far
ukf orhi
sdaught
er.
.noonewoul
dhave
di
sagreed,wil
lwe?'
'
.
'
'OhshutupSheena!Shutupyoutr
ait
or!
!!Whendid
youbecomeQueentotalkt
omel i
kethatusel
ess
ser
vant!'
'
.
'
'QueenDorah!'
'
.Theki
ngshoutedi
nanger.'
'Show
QueenSheenasomerespect
,doyouhearme?''
.
(
QueenDor
ahi
satt
hebr
im ofcr
ying,
bshesobbed
andf
orcedt
ear
snott
ocomeout
).
'
'IthinkIdeservedbett
ertreatmentthatyouhave
givenmeal lt
hisyearsyourhighness.ButIwas
al
wayssecondbest .Nevergoodenoughf or
anything.Andnow, mysoni salsobeingtr
eat
edthe
sameway.Thi si ssounfai
r!''
.
'
'QueenDor
ah,
please.
..
.
'
' Noyourhighness,
no!Ihavehadenoughofal
l
this.
..
(QueenDorahqui
cklywalkedoutoft
he
chamber )
.
'
'Butmot
her
,whatdi
dIdowr
ong?'
'
.
(TheQueenmot
herst
oodupandt
ouchedt
heki
ng'
s
shoul
der)
.
'
'Youhaven'
tdoneanythi
ngwr ongmyson.You
alwaysmakether
ightdeci
sionsforyourent
ir
e
famil
y''
.
'
'Iwanttobealonemot
her
,canyout
wopl
ease
excuseme?''
.
'
'Okayson.Goodni
ght'
'
.
(
Queenmot
herandQueenSheenal
eft
).
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hewasi nhisshor tsandwasi mpat i
ent l
ywai t
ing
forCharu, t
hemai d.Hewasget t
ingr estl
essashe
hadal ongday, pr
epar i
ngevildeedsint hef or
est.He
suddenlyhear daknockonhi sdoorandhequi ckl
y
wentt oopent hedoorandi twast hemai dwhohad
herveilonherf aceandherl ongmai dendr essl i
ke
AngelGabr i
el.Shehadherheaddownwar dandwas
shakinglikeaChr i
stmaschi cken.PrinceFar uk
smi l
edatt hecor nerofhismout handl etherin.He
quicklyclosedandl ockedthedoor .Char uheardthe
cli
ckoft helockandqui ckl
yt ur
nedt ohi m
'
'My.
.mypr
ince.Y.
.youl
ockedt
hedoor
?''
.
'
'Yeah,
sowhat
?''
.Hewhi
sper
ed.
'
'P.
.pl
easemyPr
ince.
.I
..
.
'
'Shhhh'
'
.Heputhi
sfi
ngeronhi
sli
ps.'
'Shutup'
'
.
(Heslowl ygoesclosertoherandr i
ppedofftheveil
from herfaceandpushedheront ohisbed.Charu
mumbl edi nfeart
hePr i
nceFarukt ookaknif
efrom
hisbedt ableandlayedonChar u.Sheshookand
wassweat i
nginfear.Shesobbedandpl eaded
t
hroughhernose)
.
'
'I
fyoudar
emakeasound,
Iwi
llki
llyou.Gott
hat
?''
.
'
'Pl
easemyPr
ince,
please.
..
.
'
'I
sthatcl
ear
?''
.
(Shenods.Heslowlygottheknif
eunderherdress
andcutthedressthr
oughi nsi
detooutsi
deand
ri
ppedof ft
hemaidenclot
hesandChar uwantedto
shout.Shewantedtoshout.Sheclosedhereyes
ti
ghtl
yandwept .
PrinceFar ukgottohi sfeetandt ookoffhisshorts
andcover edt hem bothwi thbedsheetandhewent
i
ntoher .Shegaveoutal oudmoanwi thpainall
overherf ace.Shegaspedf orbr
eath.Butthat
wasn'thispr oblem aft
eral l
.Hepushedi nwi t
hall
hisstrengthwi thastupidf ace.Hesweat edonher.
Shemoanedpai nfull
yandhesmi l
edaboutit.He
l
ovedt hewayshemoaned.Andbl ooddrizzl
edoo
thewhi t
ebedsheet sallhighlong).
(
NextDay=Att
het
empl
e).
Asusual
,ever
yonei
sbusyi
ntheki
ngdom,
rushi
ng
hereandt her
e.Otherswer ebusil
ygoi
ngtotheir
wor ki
ngsight
, whi
leothersrushedtothewi
shing
str
eam tobet hefi
rstinli
ne.Peoplehadgot
tenthei
r
coinsready.
Butunf ortunatel
yforRishi,
Bhavnadecidedtogoto
thetempl ewi t
hher.Ifitwereuptoher,
Bhavna
woul dstayhomesot hatshecouldskipthetemple
wor kbutthen,shewasnotl uckyenoughtoday.
Bhavnadr essedupandt het wor
odeinthehor set
o
thetempl e.Whent heygotthere,
Bhavnacoveredher
hairwithavei lbutRishiref
usedtodoso.
Bhavnahadl oosedcont r
olofherdaughterand
couldn'tcontrolit
.Shewashappyt hewayshewas.
Theybot hwal kedupt hestai
rsandRishirangthe
templebel loncebecausehermot herwaswi thher
atthatmoment .Oneoft hepri
estcameoutwi tha
tryful
lofflower sandwhenhesawBhavnaand
Rishientering,hestoppedthem.Hewasn' tsmili
ng
atall.
'
'Ohpriest
..goodmorni
ng'
'
.Bhavnasai
dandput
herhandstogether
.
'
'Goodmor
ningBhavna,
howar
eyout
oday?'
'
.
'
'Iam okaypr
iest
..Whataboutyou?'
'
.
'
'Wel l
...
whydon'tyouasktourdaughter,
Bhavna?
Howshel ef
tthetempleyester
daywithoutcl
eaning?
So,all
theguestandt hepri
estworshi
ppedindirt
yesterday''
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Bhavnat
urnedt
olookatRi
shi
.
'
'Weareverydi
sappoi
ntedBhavna,
yourdaught
eri
s
not
hingl
ikeyou'
'.
(
Rishikeptherf
acedownwar
d).
'
'Iam ver
ysor r
ypriest
..
.Idon'
tknowwhat'
swrong
wit
hthisgir
l.Iwil
lmakesurethat,
shecl
eanst
he
wholetempletoday''
.
'
'What?!Butmot
her,
todayisthewi
shi
ngday.IfI
spendallt
hedayher
e,cl
eani
ng,Iwon'
tbeabl
eto
wish!'
'
.
'
'Youshoul
dhavet houghtaboutt
hatbef
orel
eavi
ng
t
hetempleyest
erday''
.
(
Thepr
iestl
eft
).
'
'Mot
herpl
ease.
..
.
'
'I
fyoudon'
tcl
ean,
Iwil
ldot
hecleani
ngmysel
f
Ri
shi
!Ist
hatwhatyouwant
?''
.
'
'No,
no.
..Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat'
'
.
'
'Comewithme,
sot
hatIgi
veyoubr
oomsand
r
ugs..
come!'
'
.
(
Shet
ookRi
shi
'
shandandpushedheral
ong)
.
(
Uni
tedKi
ngdoms=Maj
id'
sBui
ldi
ng)
.
PrinceMajidwasol denoughandneededhi sown
pri
vacyt odothingsofhisown.Herelaxedinhis
bedroom ondai l
ybasiswithCi
ndy.Hehadt aken
hi
sbat handgotoutf rom t
hebathr
oom intothe
bedroom withhiswetbody.Hecleanedhimsel fup
andappl i
edpomadeonhi sbodyam start
ed
dressingup.Hisphonerangandheanswer ed.That
wasCi ndycall
ing.Henevermissedhercall.
'
'Baby.
..
..
'
'Maj
id.
.guesswhat
?''
.
'
'OhIsee,
yourguessi
nggamesagai
nhuh?'
'
.
'
'Ohcomeon.
..Guesswhat
?!'
'
.
'
'Okay,
youguesswhat
?''
.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.Sheaskedandl
aughed.
'
'I
'm nakedr
ightnowbaby'
'
.
(
Thebot
hlaughed)
.
'
'Ohgosh,
Iwi
shi
ngwast
her
esowecoul
dmake
l
ove'
'.
'
'Demnyouabsence.Jeezzz.
..don'
tgetmei
ntot
he
mood'
'.
'
'Haha.
..baby,
Ispoket
omyf at
heryest
erdayabout
t
hetri
p,yester
daywhenIgothome''
.
'
'Ci
ndy,
youknowhewillneverall
owyougowith
metomycountr
y.Hehatedme, t
hefi
rstmomenthe
sawme.WhenhesawIwasI ndi
an''
.
'
'Wel
l,
goodnewsi
s,
myf
atherhasnowagr
eed'
'
.
(
Maj
idi
snotsur
pri
sed,
hei
sact
ual
lyshocked)
.
'
'Yousai
d,yourf
atheragr
eed?'
'
.
'
'Yesbaby.
..
Iswear
.Hesai
d,wecangot
oget
her'
'
.
'
'And,
whatwer
ehi
scondi
ti
ons?'
'
.
'
'OhcomeonMaj i
d!Myfat
heri
snotasgr umpyas
youthought
.Therear
enocondi
tions.Hej
ustsai
d,I
shoul
dtakecareandcomehomesoon' '
.
(
Ther
eisaknockdownst
air
satMaj
id'
sdoor
).
'
'Okaybaby,Iam behappyaboutt
hat
,Iwi
llcal
lyou
l
ater,
okay?Kisses'
'
.Hehangedupandqui ckl
y
dressedup.Hewentdownstair
sandopenedthe
door.'
'Uncl
e''.
(
MrRaulenter
edwi
tht
woluggageandpl
acedt
hem
i
nfr
ontofongoft
hehal
lchai
rs)
.
'
'Maji
d,haveyoupackedever
ythi
ngyoumayneed
t
otakebackhome?''.
'
'Mmmm, somefewthi
ngs,
yes.Iam notgoi
ngst
ay
t
her
efor
everyouknow''
.
'
'Maji
d,st
opthi
smadness,
ifyouwon'
tst
ayt
her
e
f
orever
,wher
eelsewoul
dyougo?''
.
'
'Londoni
smyhomedude'
'
.
'
'Remember,thatyouarethecrownedPri
nceof
Uj
ani.Youdon'thaveachoice,
buttotake
r
esponsi
bil
it
y''
.
'
'Weshal
lseeaboutt
hatUncl
e''
.
(MeRaulreal
isesMaj
idi
snotwear
ingt
heel
ephant
neckl
ace)
..
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
48] :

.
Sequence17
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Maj
id'
sBui
ldi
ng)
.
'
'Ohlordhavemercy.
..Maj
id,
wher
e'syourel
ephant
neckl
ace,Ihavet
oldyousomanyti
mes...
.
'
'Hey,
uncl
e..Rel
ax.Okay?'
'
.
'
'Ipr
omi
sedyourgr
andmot
her
,nevert
oleti
tof
f
yourneck,
soam beggingyouMaji
d,j
ustgoandtake
i
tfrom whereveryouarekeepi
ngi
t,
andwearit'
'
.
'
'What'stherel
evance?It'
stoooldf
ashi
onman.
Look,
wear esti
llher
e,okay?Letmesomeai
r
(l
aughs).
'
'Youar estubbor
naren'
tyou?Itisonl
yyour
grandmotherwhoknowst hereasonwhy,she
warnedmet omakesure,
thatneckl
acedoesnotget
offyourneck.SoMajidpl
ease,goandwearit.She
saysitprot
ectsyou'
'.
'
'Alr
ight
,al
ri
ght.
..Iwi
lll
ookfori
tandweari
t.Don'
t
evenrememberwheret hef
uckIkepti
t,
Iwi
ll
sear
ch..
.okay?'
'
.
'
'Well
,t
hankyou.Butpl ease,
packyourthi
ngs
f
ast,
wear eleavi
ngjustnextweek.Andwemustbe
t
otal
lyreadybeforethatti
mecomes' '
.
'
'Yeah,
okay.I
sthatal
l?Becauseam goi
ngoutt
o
meetCindy.
..
'
'Sur
e..
that
'sal
l.Iwi
llseeyoul
ater
..
.
(
MrRaull
eftt
hehouseandMaj
idwal
kedupst
air
s).
(Uj
aniKi
ngdom=Royalpal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
s
chamber
).
Shehadweptsi ncelastni
ghttothemor ni
ng.She
wasf ail
inginherpl ansnow.Everythi
ngwas
absolutelyruined.Hersonasmovi ngbackwar dsin
thekingdom andshedi dn'
tknowwhatt odo.She
thoughtt hedeat hofQueenMeer ahwast heendof
everythi
ng, butno.TheQueenmot herconvincedthe
kingtomar r
ySheenaandnow, shewasi ndeeda
realcompet it
ionnow.Sheneededt odosomet hing
beforeitwast oolat
e.
Shesatonherbed,hol
di ngtheredpotsheusedto
snat
chQueenMeer ah'ssoul t
wentyyearsago.She
wasfeel
ingangr
yandr egret
tedforki
ll
ingQueen
Meerahinst
eadofMaj i
d.Butshehadsomepl ansi
n
mind.Maji
dwascomi nghomesoonandshedi dn'
t
wanttomakeanythingwor sethanitwas.
I
fshewantedtomakePri
nceFarukthehei
rtothe
t
hrone,
thenMaji
dhadtodie.Anshewasgoingto
makesureoft
hat.
'
'MydearMeer
ah,
howar
eyoudoi
ngi
nthatpot
?
(Laughsl ikeawi t
ch) .Youknow, Icani maginehow
hotyoumustbef eelingi nther e.Fort hepast25
years.Youneverevengott ol ookatyourson' sface.
Andhe, het hinksSheenai shisbi ol
ogicalmot her .
Hecal l
sher' ' mother' '.Hedoesn' tevenknowyou
everexi st
ed, becauset hekingannounced
that,
Sheenawashi smot her,andsoyou. ..
your
namehasdi sappear edf r
om t hepal aceandt he
kingdom asawhol e.Andam sohappyaboutt hat
.
But ,
Iam nothappyatt hesituat i
onathand, because
ofyou. ..
mysonFar uk,nevergott herespecthe
deser ved...Becauseyouwentaheadandgavebi r
th
toMaj i
d.Butdoyouknowsomet hi
ngel se,Majid
won' tbeont hi sear t
hf orlong.Youknow
why, becauseIam goi ngt okillhim!''.Assoonas
shesai dt hat ,
thepotshooki nherhandsand
panicked.' 'What ?!Soyouar el isteningt ome?The
priestwasr ightaf teral l
,
ifIdon' ttakecar eoft his
potver ywel l
,thatwi l
lbet heendofme.I ft
her ed
bandont hemout hi sr emoved, QueenMeer ah's
shoul dmaycomeoutandhauntmedown.
Wel l
,Meer ah. .
.f or
getaboutcomi ngout .Becauseno
onewi l
leversaveyouf r
om me.Iwi llhidethispot ,
somewherethat
,noonewi l
leverfi
ndit.Hi
dingiti
n
mychambermi ghtnotbethebestidea.SoIwill
hidei
tsomewhere,noonewilleverthi
nkofgoingto
evenl
ookforsomething'
'.
(
QueenSheena'
schamber
).
Shewaswal ki
ngt oandf roinherr oom,wait
ingfor
theQueenmot her.Shehadaskedhermai dento
callher,
butshehadnotar ri
vedyet .Andsome
minuteslater,
therewasaknockatt hedoorandshe
herselfopened.Itwasoneoft hemai ds,shelef
tthe
wayandQueenmot herentered.Sheclosedthe
door.Queenmot herwentcl osertoQueenSheena' s
bedandsatdowni nrelaxi
ngmood.
'
'Iwaswit
ht heki
ngj ustnow.Wehavesentt
he
r
esponsetothekingdom ofJhansi
,
wehaveagreed
t
othemarriagebetweenMaj i
dandPri
ncessRagah
'
'
.
'
'Okay,
that
'sagoodnewsmot
her
,but
..
..
'
'OhmyGod, Ican'
twai
ttoseemygr andson.
Pri
ncessRagahissuchabeauti
fulgi
rl,
andshei
s
al
soacalm mindedperson.Maj
idwouldbevery
happyt
omeether'
'
.
'
' Yesmother,l
ist
enf i
rst!YouandIar ebothhappy
thatMajidiscomingback.Butwehaveal so
forgott
enthat,
QueenDor ahi
sst i
llaround.Didyou
seet hewaysher eact
edyest erdayatt hementionof
mar ri
agebetweenMaj idandt heprincessofJhansi?
'
'.
'
'Idon'
treall
yknowwhatt odor i
ghtnowSheena.
BecauseQueenDor ahwouldhavetostri
kebefor
e
wecanal sofi
ghtback.Buti
tlooksli
keshehas
beencalm al
lthi
syears''
.
'
'ThatIwhatwethinkmother.Buycometothi
nkof
i
t,
whatifsheisplanni
ngsomet hi
ngonMaji
d's
r
eturns?Iam soscaredr
ightnowmother
.Whatdo
wedonow?' '
.
'
'Don'
tworrySheena.SolongasMaji
diswit
hthat
neckl
ace,
nothi
ngwoul dhappenedt
ohim''
.
'
'Mother
,areyousure?BecauseQueenMeerah
usedtowearthatsamenecklaceandwhatdi
dwe
see?Shedi
eddi dn'
tshe?'
'
.
'
'Shedi
edbecausesomeoner
emovedt
hat
necklacefr
om herneck!AndonlyGodwillexpose
thatpersononeday.Butforthet
imemean, l
et's
concentrat
eonwhat '
smor ei
mportant
.Li
ke
prepari
ngsomethingbigonthatdayofMaj i
d's
retur
n.Becausethatwil
lbethesameday,Princess
Ragahandt heJhansiroyalf
amil
yarri
vesher e.It
'l
l
beadoubl ecel
ebrati
on''
.
'
'Ihaveanideamother
.Whydon'
twefoandmeet
pri
estChanakher
,si
ncewedon'
ttr
ustt
heki
ngdom'
s
pri
est'
'
'
'Ont hel
astcourtmeet ing,af
tert
hemeeti
ngwas
over
,Isawhimloomi ngoutofQueenDorah's
chamber.Wemusti nvestigat
ethi
smatt
erSheena.
Butyouarealsoright ,
weshoul dbot
hgopr i
est
Chanakher.Thi
seveni ng,assoonaspossible'
'
.
(
Att
het
empl
e).
Rishihadworkedherheadoffandwhi
leshewa
working,shewascryi
ng.Shewascomplet
ely
exhaustedbecausesheheworkedal
lday.
Kushihadsearchedforherfrownaroundthe
ki
ngdom andtheirsecr
etplacebutdidn'
tfi
ndher
.It
wasgetti
ngtoeveni
ngt i
meandpeopl ewer e
comingandgoingfr
om thewishingstream.She
wentaroundt
hemar ketandthenwhenshedi dn'
t
seeher,
sheheadedtothetemple.ShemetBhavna
i
nthewayandbumpedi ntoherwithoutseei
ngher .
'
'OhmyGodKushi
,l
ookonyourwaywhenwal
king
'
'
.
'
'Iam ver
ysor
ryaunt
.Idi
dn'
tseeyou.Iwasl
ooki
ng
f
orRishi'
'.
'
'Sheiscleaningthechurch.Iam sureyouaret
he
reasonwhyshel eftt
hetempleyesterdaywit
hout
cleani
ng,
isn'tit
?''
.Bhavnaaskedwi t
haf r
own.
(
Kushif
all
sherf
acedown)
.
'
'I'
m Siraunt
.Wehadpl
annedt
ost
eakappl
es
and..
..
.
'
'What?!''
.BhavnaheldKushi'
shandti
ghtl
y.'
'So
pr
iestChanakherdidn'tgi
vehert
hoseappl
esafter
al
l?Ohno, andRishidaredtol
iei
nmyface.
Di
sgracingmeal laroundtheent
ir
eki
ngdom?''.
(
Oneoft
hemar
ketwor
ker
swer
epassi
ngbyt
othe
templ
eandst oppedwhenhesawKushi.I
twasthe
appl
esell
er,hewassuperangr
y.HegottoBhavna
andKushi
,thenVoughthol
dofKushi
'shand).
'
'Youinsol
entgi
rl
!It
oldyouandyourpeskyf
ri
end
t
hatI'
dgetmyhandsonyouoneday' '
.
'
'OhpleaseMrMalhotra,pl
easehavemer
cyon
us.
..
iti
snoti
ntent
ional''
.
'
'Youst
eal
ingmyf
rui
tswasn'
tint
ent
ional
?''
.
'
'Nott
hatsi
r.
..
wewer
ejusthungr
y,pl
ease'
'
.
(Theappl
esell
errai
sedhi
sheadandl
ookedat
Bhavnawithscor
n).
'
'Oh,l
ookatwhowehavehere..
.Bhavna!I
tis
Bhavna,
thedrunkar
d'swi
fe'
'
.
(
Somepeopl
egat
her
edar
ound)
.
'
'Fir
st,
shemarri
edadr unkar
d,whocan'
tst
aya
si
nglewit
houtatleast
,onebott
leofwi
ne''
.The
appl
esell
ersai
d.
(
Peopl
elaughed)
.
'
'Andnow,
shehasgi
venbi
rt
htoat
hief
..
.whatel
se
canweexpectf
rom her'
'
.
(Bhavnai
sshaki
ngi
nshameandt
ear
sdr
opsoutof
hereyes)
.
'
'Don'
tyoudar ei
nsultheryoubrut
e!Whydon'
tyou
bl
ameRi shiandIforthesi
tuat
ionandst
op
i
nsult
ingauntBhavna!''
.
'
'Don'
tyoudaresayawordKushi
!Thisisbothyou
andRi
shi'
sfaul
t!Andt
hist
ime,
Iwon'tfor
giveyou
bot
h!'
'.
(BhavnaheldKushi'
shandandpul ledheral ongto
thetemplewhilesomeoft hepeopl emockedherf or
beingamot herofathi
ef.SheandKushigotbehi nd
thetemplewhereRishiwascl eaningthef l
oor,i
twas
herlastworkoftheday.Shehadgoneagr eat
j
ob,cleani
ngthewholetempl e.Bhavnagotbehi nd
herandheldhershouldersandt urnedRi shitoface
her.Shegaveheraloudheavysl ap.Rishiheldher
cheeksandKushiwasshocked, coveringhermout h
withherhands).
'
'Youstolet
hoseappl
esyoubroughtt
ome
yest
erdayRishi
?HowmanytimeshaveIaskedand
advi
sedyout hat
,Iwoul dratherstar
vet o
death,
rathert
haninf
licti
ngpai nonot herstosat
isfy
myself.Doyouknowt heembar rassmentyouhave
causedme?YWouhavecr ossedalll
imitsRishi
..
.
youdon'tevendeservemymot her'
snecklace!'
'
.
(
Bhavnasaidandf
orcef
ull
ytor
etheneckl
aceof
f
Ri
shi
'sneck).
'
'Mymot herwasnotl ikeyou,andI..Ibr
oughtyouup
i
nthebestwayIcoul d, butIdon'tknowwher eyou
gotthisbehaviourfr
om. .youevenl i
edt omeont op.
Nexttimewhenyouwantt ol
ie,
don'tthinkof
bri
ngingthepr i
est'
snamei ntoit
...
isthatcl
ear?
!''
.
Bhavnashout edandl eft.
'
'Mother
!''
.Ri
shit
ri
edfol
lowingherbutKushi
st
oppedherandthetwofri
endsbreakdownintear
s.
'
'Rishi
,wedon'
thavemuchtime...
Ibroughtt
wo
coi
ns.Wehavejustsomefewmi nutesto6pm,you
knowthatthel
uckyti
meforwishingendsat6,l
et'
s
gonow' '
.
'
'Wewer
ejusthungry(
sobs)
.Andwestolesome
f
ewappl
es,butmotherhasgot
tenangr
ytothe
ext
entoft
aki
ngt
heneckl
aceshegavemeaway'
'
.
(Kushit
ookt
wogol dcoi
nsf
rom hersackpur
seand
gaveonetoRishi
).
'
'Whyaresomepeoplebornpoor
,ndot
hersareso
r
ichandcomfor
tabl
e.Lor
dHanumani ssocruel
!'
'.
'
'Ri
shi
,i
tisat
aboot
osayt
his,
i
t'
sokay.
..
please'
'
.
'
'Mymum i
sangr
ywit
hmenow,becausepover
ty
l
edmetost
eal
.Shet
ookt
heneckl
aceawayf r
om
me!'
'
.
(Ri
shigott oherfeetandst artedr unni
ng.Kushi
couldn'trunsosher atherputmor espeedi nher
walking.Ri shi
'
st earskeptbeingwi peoffbyt he
wind.I twasdar know.Andi twasf i
vemi nutesto
6pm f orwishingt imetobeover .Shegott othe
str
eam i ntearsandhel dthebr idgeoverthest r
eam.
Hert earsfelli
ntot hestream andshewasonl ysad
buyangr yaswel l.Shewasangr yathersel
f,atthe
godsandever yonear oundher .Herfatherhatedher
andnowhermot hertoo.Wher eel secouldshe
go,shel ookedupi nangerwitht rembli
nghandsand
witht hecoi ni
nit).
'
' Youar esocr uel ,formaki nggoodpeopl epoor .We
don' teveneatt hreet i
mesaday.Justone.
Somet imes,wedon' teatatal l
.Whydi dIcomei nto
thewor ldthen? (put sherhandst ogether ).Please,
takemeoutoft hi swor l
d,willyou?Because, Iam a
subj ect,soitmakesmel essi mpor tant .Theonl y
ti
meweeatgoodf oodi swhent hereisapar t
yat
ther oyalpalace.( Shebecomesweak) .Theyeat
goodmeal sever yday.HowIwi shIwaspar tof
them.Iwi shIwasr espectedt oo. .
.IwishIwas
treatedl i
keaqueen. .maybe,mar ri
edt oaPr ince.
AndwhenIbecomeQueen, Iwoul dgivemot herall
thel uxuriesint hewor l
d.Butno, wishesar enot
hor ses.Ifitwer eupt ome, i
fIwasGod, Icoul d
commandever yt hingIwant ,
andi twoul dcomet o
me. ..andIwoul dwi sht omar ryacr ownedPr ince.A
Pr i
ncewhowi lldoever yt
hingIwantf orme' '.Rishi
saidi nanger ,
sheputt hecoinonherl ipsandwas
aboutt omakeherwi shwhenKushiar rivedbehi nd
herandshout edhername.Ri shipani ckedatt he
suddenshoutofhernameandhercoi nsl i
ppedof f
herhandsandf ellint othest ream.' 'Nooo! !!''
.
Rishiscreamedandwi t
hhershockedface,
she
starr
edatt hest
ream.Kushigott
oherandshewas
breathi
ngheavil
y.Itwas6pm andwishingt
imewas
over.
'
'Whati
sitRi
shi
?''
.
(
Rishiwasspeechl
ess)
.
'
'Rishi
?!Whati
sit
..
.tel
lme.Icouldn'tr
unbecause
ofmyasthma.AndIevenl oosedmycoi n,
Ithi
nkI
wil
lhavetowai
tti
llnextyeartowish..
.di
dyouwish?
'
'.
'
'Ku.
.Ku.
..
Ku.
.Kushi
!!
!'
'.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Mycoinsl
ipped!(Ri
shisai
dinangui
sh)
.Iwas
aboutt
odomywi shi
ng,andwhenyoucal
led,
my
coi
nsli
ppedandf el
lint
othest
ream '
'
.
'
'Sodoest
hatmean,
youcoul
dn'
twi
sh?'
'
.
'
'Iwassoangry.
..
thatwhenIgother
e,Iwastal
king
tomyselfi
nanger
.AndhowIwi shedtomarrya
crownedPri
nceandbecomeaf ut
ureQueen!''
.
'
'Noooo.
..
..
.
'
'IswearthatIwasnotseri
ousaboutitKushi
!My
coinf
ell
(shecri
ed).Youalr
eadyknow,Iwasgoingt
o
wishformymot herandfat
hertogetalongwi
th
eachotherandloveme.Butinst
ead.
..
.
'
'OhmyGodRi shi,
youhavewishedtomarryt
he
crownedPri
ncebymist
ake,andtourcoi
nhasfall
en
i
ntothestr
eam..
.Ri
shi
,whatift
hatwishcometrue?
'
'.
(
Rishiopenshermout
hinast
oni
shment
).
..
..
.
Tobecont
inuedaf
ter63comment
s..

.
Sequence16
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(Pr
inceFar
ukjumpedonhishor
seandShevealso
j
umpedont oanot
herhor
seandtheyr
odespeedil
y
away).
.
(
Meho'
sHouse)
.
Thetwobestfr
iendsarri
vedinfr
ontofthe
compoundonthehor seandtheybothgotdown.
Kushihadeat
ent hr
eeapplesandRishiat
etwo.She
deci
dedtobri
ngandt heothert
hreetohermother
.
Shequickl
yhuggedKushiandbi
dhergoodbye
si
nceitwasgett
ingl
ateandKushi
'shousewasj
ust
amil
eaway.
'
'Don'
tforgettobri
ngtwocoi
nst
omor
rowKushi
,i
n
caseIdon'tgetacoin'
'
.
'
'Iam sohappyt
omorr
owist hestream wi
shingday.
I
tonlycomesonceayearRishi,
sowr i
teallyour
wisheddownsoyoudon'
tforget,
okay?'
'.
'
'Okaymoprobl
em Kushi
.Youshoul
dal
sowr
it
eal
l
yourwi
shesdown'
'.
(Theybothl
aughedanddepar t
ed.Rishienter
edthe
compoundwi t
hthehorseandt i
edtheropeof ft
he
neckofthehorsetotheol
dmangot r
eeandwhen
sheturnedherback,
hermotherstoodinfrontofher
wi
thasmi
le.Ri
shibentdownandt
ouchedherf
eet
).
'
'Godblessyoumygi
rl'
'
.Bhavnasai
dandki
ssed
herf
orehead.
'
'Ibr
oughtappl
esmother'
'
.Shesai
dandhanded
t
hesacktoBhavna.
'
'Thr
eeappl
es?Wheredisyougetthese?Appl
es
ar
ethemostexpensi
vef
ruit
s,wheredidyouget
moneyRi
shi
?''
.Bhavnaaskedsuspici
ousl
y.
'
'Urr
rmmm..wel
l,
mother,
you.
.why.
.goshwhyam I
t
rembli
ng?
!''
.Ri
shigroanedandBhavnalaughed.
'
'Becauseanytimeyouwanttosayali
e,
youalways
tr
embleRishi,
nowdon'tyoudar
eli
etome..
.where
didyougetthi
sappl
es?''
.
'
'Pri
estChanakher
!Hegavethem t
ome.BecauseI
cl
eanedthetemplever
ynicel
ymother'
'
.
'
'Ohr
eal
ly?Okay.So,
wher
ear
ethesweet
sfr
om t
he
t
empl
e?'
'.
'
'Oops.
..
Iat
eital
lmot
her'
'
.
'
'Ri
shi
!'
'.Bhavnasai
dinsur
pri
se.
'
'Ohsorr
ymot her
.Thesweet
sissosweet
!!
!'
'.They
bot
hlaughed.
(Mehoasusual ,
arr
ivedhomewi thaleatherof
alcohol.Hewasfeelingal
ldi
zzyanddi dn'tknow
wher ehewasheadi ng.HesawbothBhavnaand
Rishistandi
ngbesidesthehorse,
Rishiquickly
rushedt ohol
dhim upwhenhewasf all
ingback
downandcover edhernosebecauseoft healcohol
stench,
butMehopushedheraway) .
'
' Howmanytimes.
..
haveIwar
nedyounotto
touchedme.Don'
tevencomeabitcl
osert
ome
okay?''
.
'
'Wel
l,
okaysi
r.But
,Ir
eal
lyneedonegol
dcoi
nfat
her
'
'
.
'
'Gol
dcoi
n?Forwhat
?''
.
'
'Tomor
rowi
sthest
ream wi
shi
ngday'
'
.
'
'Allyourwi
sheswi
llnevercomet r
ueyouinsol
ent
gi
rl''
.Hesai
dandwalkeddr unkenl
yint
othehouse.
'
'Don'
tli
stent
ohim Ri
shi
,don'
tbesur
pri
sedsi
nce
hehasalwaysbei
ngthi
sway''
.
'
'Yes,
hehasal
waysbei
ngt
hiswaybecauseyou
r
efusedt
otel
lmewhyhehatesmesomuch' '
.
'
'He..hedoesn'
thateyou!Idon'twanttotellyou
somet hi
ngthatwil
lhurtyousomuchsweet hear
t.
(Bhavnaremovedt heelephantneckl
acefrom her
neckandput sitar
oundRi shi
'sneck)
.Iti
st i
meI
giveyouis''
.
'
'Wowmot her
,youf
inal
lygavei
ttome!I
t'
sso
beaut
if
ul'
'
.
'
'Come.
..
(t
heybot
hent
eredt
hehouse)
.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace)
.
QueenSheenawal kedonthewalkwaywi t
hher
daughter
,PrincessLakshmi.Theywalkedtowards
theking'
schamberwher etwoguardsst ood
becausethekinghadcal l
edtheQueenst ohis
chamber.Theygott othechamberdoorwher etwo
guardsstood.Andt heybothbowedtheirhead.
'
'Lett
heki
ngknowt
hatIam her
e''
.QueenSheena
sai
d.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Oneguar
dsai
dandent
ered
t
hechamber
.
(Theotherguar
dstupi
dtherebutusedt hecor
nerof
hiseyestostar
eatpri
ncessLakshmi,shealso
rol
ledhereyessecr
etl
ytolookathim andsmiled.
Theotherguardcameoutoftheking'
schamber ).
'
'Hesai
dyoucancomei
nyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Iwil
lcomebacksoonLakshmi
,got
oyour
chamberandwaitf
ormeokay?'
'.
'
'Yesmother.ButIpr
efert
ogoonahor
ser
ideon
t
hefiel
ds'
'.
'
'Lakshmi
,don'tdar
egooutoft
hepal
ace,
ist
hat
cl
ear?Andtakeoneguar
dwithyou'
'
.
'
'Yesmot
her'
'
.
(QueenSheenaent
eredtheki
ng'
schamber
.
Pri
ncessLakshmil
ookedattheguar
dshesmi
led
at,
andaskedhimtofol
lowhim).
(
TheKi
ng'
schamber
).
Al
lthequeenssatonagoldenstoolinf
rontofthe
ki
ngwhoal sosatonhi
sbed,faci
ngthem.Hehel da
br
ownpaper ,
contai
nsal
etteronitandhestoodup.
Queenmot her,QueenDorahandQueenSheena
al
ertedtheirearsandwasr eadyt
olist
ent
o
whatevertheKinghadcalledthem t
heref
or.He
openedthel et
ter.
'
'Wher
edi
dthatcomef
rom myson?'
'
.
'
' Thi
si salett
erf
rom hishighnesski
ngSiamak
from thekingdom ofJhansi.Hesentt
hislett
eri
n
theafternoonandIcouldn'twaitt
oreadittoyou
all,
becauseit'
ssuchagoodnews' '
.
'
'Ohwow,
please,
readi
toutl
oudson'
'
.
'
'Yesmot her.(
St art
sr eading) .Gr eetingsfrom t
he
westsideyourHi ghnessKi ngShaker derah.I
tisa
l
ightedhonourt owr i
tethisl ettert oyoumyf ri
end.
Withthepastyear s,
wet hankt hegodofUj anifor
keepingyourkingdom saf ef rom al levil
.Myletteri
s
simply,f
oranal l
iance.Bot hourki ngdom have
beingfri
endsforaver ysoliduni onbet weent hetwo
ki
ngdomsandt ightenourr elationshi p.Ihopewe
cangetar espondf rom yousoonyourhi ghness.
Andweal sogott hei nvit
ationcar df orthepartyof
PrinceMajid'
sreturn.Wewi l
lsur elycomeand
cel
ebr
ateyourhappi
nesswi
thyou.Gr
eet
ingsagai
n
'
'.
(
QueenDor
ahf
rownsandwhi
mper
s).
'
'Wow...
isn'
tthatagreatnews?Butofcour
semy
son.Assoonast hesunrisest
omorrow,pl
ease,
sendagoodr esponsetotheki
ngofJhansi,
whatdo
youthi
nkQueenSheena?' '.
'
'Well
,yesmother
.Ofcour
se,
Maj
iddeser
ves
ever
ythinggood'
'
.
'
'ButFarukistheel
destyourhi
ghness!I
sitnot
enoughthatyoumadehislit
tl
ebrot
herthecrowned
Pri
nce,nowyouwantt omakehisli
tt
lebrot
herget
marri
edbeforehim?!'
'
.
'
'WellmydearQueenDorah,
ifki
ngSi
amakwant
ed
Far
ukf orhi
sdaught
er.
.noonewoul
dhave
di
sagreed,wil
lwe?'
'
.
'
'OhshutupSheena!Shutupyoutr
ait
or!
!!Whendid
youbecomeQueentotalkt
omel i
kethatusel
ess
ser
vant!'
'
.
'
'QueenDor
ah!'
'
.Theki
ngshout
edi
nanger
.''
Show
QueenSheenasomer
espect
,doyouhearme?'
'
.
(QueenDorahisatt
hebrim ofcr
ying,
bshesobbed
andforcedtear
snottocomeout).
'
'IthinkIdeservedbett
ertreatmentthatyouhave
givenmeal lt
hisyearsyourhighness.ButIwas
al
wayssecondbest .Nevergoodenoughf or
anything.Andnow, mysoni salsobeingtr
eat
edthe
sameway.Thi si ssounfai
r!''
.
'
'QueenDor
ah,
please.
..
.
'
' Noyourhighness,
no!Ihavehadenoughofal
l
this.
..
(QueenDorahqui
cklywalkedoutoft
he
chamber )
.
'
'Butmot
her
,whatdi
dIdowr
ong?'
'
.
(TheQueenmot
herst
oodupandt
ouchedt
heki
ng'
s
shoul
der)
.
'
'Youhaven'
tdoneanythi
ngwr ongmyson.You
alwaysmakether
ightdeci
sionsforyourent
ir
e
famil
y''
.
'
'Iwanttobealonemot
her
,canyout
wopl
ease
excuseme?''
.
'
'Okayson.Goodni
ght'
'
.
(
Queenmot
herandQueenSheenal
eft
).
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hewasi nhisshor tsandwasi mpat i
ent l
ywai t
ing
forCharu, t
hemai d.Hewasget t
ingr estl
essashe
hadal ongday, pr
epar i
ngevildeedsint hef or
est.He
suddenlyhear daknockonhi sdoorandhequi ckl
y
wentt oopent hedoorandi twast hemai dwhohad
herveilonherf aceandherl ongmai dendr essl i
ke
AngelGabr i
el.Shehadherheaddownwar dandwas
shakinglikeaChr i
stmaschi cken.PrinceFar uk
smi l
edatt hecor nerofhismout handl etherin.He
quicklyclosedandl ockedthedoor .Char uheardthe
cli
ckoft helockandqui ckl
yt ur
nedt ohi m
'
'My.
.mypr
ince.Y.
.youl
ockedt
hedoor
?''
.
'
'Yeah,
sowhat
?''
.Hewhi
sper
ed.
'
'P.
.pl
easemyPr
ince.
.I
..
.
'
'Shhhh'
'
.Heputhi
sfi
ngeronhi
sli
ps.'
'Shutup'
'
.
(
Heslowlygoescl
osert
oherandrippedof
fthevei
l
f
rom herf
aceandpushedheront
ohisbed.Char
u
mumbl edinfeart
hePr i
nceFaruktookaknif
efrom
hisbedtableandlayedonCharu.Sheshookand
wassweat i
nginfear.Shesobbedandpleaded
throughhernose)
.
'
'I
fyoudar
emakeasound,
Iwi
llki
llyou.Gott
hat
?''
.
'
'Pl
easemyPr
ince,
please.
..
.
'
'I
sthatcl
ear
?''
.
(Shenods.Heslowlygottheknif
eunderherdress
andcutthedressthr
oughi nsi
detooutsi
deand
ri
ppedof ft
hemaidenclot
hesandChar uwantedto
shout.Shewantedtoshout.Sheclosedhereyes
ti
ghtl
yandwept .
PrinceFar ukgottohi sfeetandt ookoffhisshorts
andcover edt hem bothwi thbedsheetandhewent
i
ntoher .Shegaveoutal oudmoanwi thpainall
overherf ace.Shegaspedf orbr
eath.Butthat
wasn'thispr oblem aft
eral l
.Hepushedi nwi t
hall
hisstrengthwi thastupidf ace.Hesweat edonher.
Shemoanedpai nfull
yandhesmi l
edaboutit.He
l
ovedt hewayshemoaned.Andbl ooddrizzl
edoo
thewhi t
ebedsheet sallhighlong).
(
NextDay=Att
het
empl
e).
Asusual ,
everyoneisbusyi nthekingdom,r
ushing
hereandt her
e.Otherswer ebusil
ygoingtotheir
wor ki
ngsight
, whi
leothersrushedtothewishing
str
eam tobet hefi
rstinli
ne.Peoplehadgottenthei
r
coinsready.
Butunf ortunatel
yforRishi,
Bhavnadecidedtogoto
thetempl ewi t
hher.Ifitwereuptoher,
Bhavna
woul dstayhomesot hatshecouldskipthetemple
wor kbutthen,shewasnotl uckyenoughtoday.
Bhavnadr essedupandt het wor
odeinthehor set
o
thetempl e.Whent heygotthere,
Bhavnacoveredher
hairwithavei lbutRishiref
usedtodoso.
Bhavnahadl oosedcont r
olofherdaughterand
couldn'tcontrolit
.Shewashappyt hewayshewas.
Theybot hwal kedupt hestai
rsandRishirangthe
templebel loncebecausehermot herwaswi thher
atthatmoment .Oneoft hepri
estcameoutwi tha
tryful
lofflower sandwhenhesawBhavnaand
Rishientering,hestoppedthem.Hewasn' tsmili
ng
atall.
'
'Ohpriest
..goodmorni
ng'
'
.Bhavnasai
dandput
herhandstogether
.
'
'Goodmor
ningBhavna,
howar
eyout
oday?'
'
.
'
'Iam okaypr
iest
..Whataboutyou?'
'
.
'
'Wel l
...
whydon'tyouasktourdaughter,
Bhavna?
Howshel ef
tthetempleyester
daywithoutcl
eaning?
So,all
theguestandt hepri
estworshi
ppedindirt
yesterday''
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Bhavnat
urnedt
olookatRi
shi
.
'
'Weareverydi
sappoi
ntedBhavna,
yourdaught
eri
s
not
hingl
ikeyou'
'.
(
Rishikeptherf
acedownwar
d).
'
'Iam ver
ysor r
ypriest
..
.Idon'
tknowwhat'
swrong
wit
hthisgir
l.Iwil
lmakesurethat,
shecl
eanst
he
wholetempletoday''
.
'
'What?!Butmot
her,
todayisthewi
shi
ngday.IfI
spendallt
hedayher
e,cl
eani
ng,Iwon'
tbeabl
eto
wish!'
'
.
'
'Youshoul
dhavet houghtaboutt
hatbef
orel
eavi
ng
t
hetempleyest
erday''
.
(
Thepr
iestl
eft
).
'
'Mot
herpl
ease.
..
.
'
'I
fyoudon'
tcl
ean,
Iwil
ldot
hecleani
ngmysel
f
Ri
shi
!Ist
hatwhatyouwant
?''
.
'
'No,
no.
..Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat'
'
.
'
'Comewithme,
sot
hatIgi
veyoubr
oomsand
r
ugs..
come!'
'
.
(
Shet
ookRi
shi
'
shandandpushedheral
ong)
.
(
Uni
tedKi
ngdoms=Maj
id'
sBui
ldi
ng)
.
PrinceMajidwasol denoughandneededhi sown
pri
vacyt odothingsofhisown.Herelaxedinhis
bedroom ondai l
ybasiswithCi
ndy.Hehadt aken
hi
sbat handgotoutf rom t
hebathr
oom intothe
bedroom withhiswetbody.Hecleanedhimsel fup
andappl i
edpomadeonhi sbodyam start
ed
dressingup.Hisphonerangandheanswer ed.That
wasCi ndycall
ing.Henevermissedhercall.
'
'Baby.
..
..
'
'Maj
id.
.guesswhat
?''
.
'
'OhIsee,
yourguessi
nggamesagai
nhuh?'
'
.
'
'Ohcomeon.
..Guesswhat
?!'
'
.
'
'Okay,
youguesswhat
?''
.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.Sheaskedandl
aughed.
'
'I
'm nakedr
ightnowbaby'
'
.
(
Thebot
hlaughed)
.
'
'Ohgosh,
Iwi
shi
ngwast
her
esowecoul
dmake
l
ove'
'.
'
'Demnyouabsence.Jeezzz.
..don'
tgetmei
ntot
he
mood'
'.
'
'Haha.
..baby,
Ispoket
omyf at
heryest
erdayabout
t
hetri
p,yester
daywhenIgothome''
.
'
'Ci
ndy,
youknowhewillneverall
owyougowith
metomycountr
y.Hehatedme, t
hefi
rstmomenthe
sawme.WhenhesawIwasI ndi
an''
.
'
'Wel
l,
goodnewsi
s,
myf
atherhasnowagr
eed'
'
.
(
Maj
idi
snotsur
pri
sed,
hei
sact
ual
lyshocked)
.
'
'Yousai
d,yourf
atheragr
eed?'
'
.
'
'Yesbaby.
..
Iswear
.Hesai
d,wecangot
oget
her'
'
.
'
'And,
whatwer
ehi
scondi
ti
ons?'
'
.
'
'OhcomeonMaj i
d!Myfat
heri
snotasgr umpyas
youthought
.Therear
enocondi
tions.Hej
ustsai
d,I
shoul
dtakecareandcomehomesoon' '
.
(
Ther
eisaknockdownst
air
satMaj
id'
sdoor
).
'
'Okaybaby,Iam behappyaboutt
hat
,Iwi
llcal
lyou
l
ater,
okay?Kisses'
'
.Hehangedupandqui ckl
y
dressedup.Hewentdownstair
sandopenedthe
door.'
'Uncl
e''.
(
MrRaulenter
edwi
tht
woluggageandpl
acedt
hem
i
nfr
ontofongoft
hehal
lchai
rs)
.
'
'Maji
d,haveyoupackedever
ythi
ngyoumayneed
t
otakebackhome?''.
'
'Mmmm, somefewthi
ngs,
yes.Iam notgoi
ngst
ay
t
her
efor
everyouknow''
.
'
'Maji
d,st
opthi
smadness,
ifyouwon'
tst
ayt
her
e
f
orever
,wher
eelsewoul
dyougo?''
.
'
'Londoni
smyhomedude'
'
.
'
'Remember ,t
hatyouarethecrownedPri
nceof
Ujani.Youdon'thaveachoice,
buttotake
responsibi
li
ty'
'.
'
'Weshal
lseeaboutt
hatUncl
e''
.
(MeRaulreal
isesMaj
idi
snotwear
ingt
heel
ephant
neckl
ace)
..
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
48] :

.
Sequence18
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Li
tt
leAdul
tLanguage(
18+)
.
(
Int
het
empl
e=Eveni
ngt
ime)
.
:
TheQueenmot herandQueenSheenaar ri
vedinthe
templeontwodonkeyswi thoneguar dandamai d
aswel l
.Theytoldnoonet hattheywer eleavi
ngt he
palaceandnooneal soknewabouti t
.Theygott i
thetempledoor sandarri
vedatt heentrance.They
askedforpriestChanakherandt heywer edir
ected
behindthetempl ewereRishihadcleaned.
Thepr i
estwaschecki ngthewor kofRishiandwas
smi l
ingwithhappiness.Hrthoughtofgivinghera
gif
tthenextday.Hehel dhi
spriesthoodrodand
turnedtoleavethetempl ewhent heQueenmot her
andQueenSheenaar r
ivedther
eandputt heirhands
togetheri
nallsmiles.
'
'Hel
lopr
iest'
'
.Queenmot
hergr
eet
ed.
'
'Ohmygoodness.
..yourhi
ghness,
youar
eher
e,by
t
hist
imeoft
henight?''
.
'
'Yespri
est.Pl
ease,
shal
lwetal
k?Wewon'
ttake
l
ong.Anditisver
yimpor
tant'
'
.
'
'Ohofcour
set
ourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Butpri
est
,ist
hemai
npr
iesther
e?'
'
.Queen
Sheenaasked.
'
'No,t
hekingdom'
spr
iesti
snother
e.Hewenthome
ear
lytoday''
.
'
'Thatisgood.Pl
ease,doyouhavesomewher
e
qui
etforustotal
k?''
.
'
'Fol
lowmeyourhi
ghnesses'
'
.
(Theywalkedi ntothetempl eandt heli
ghtswereon.
Theywentst raightbehindlordHanuman' sstat
ue
werea!atlayed.Andt het hreesatoni t.Pri
est
Chanakherclosedhi seyesandouthi shands
toget
herandt ookadeepbr eathwi ththe
queens,
andt heyopenedt heireyes).
'
'Youarewelcomeagai
nmyqueens.Pl
ease,
let
'
s
t
alk.Iwantt
oknowwhyyouar
eher e'
'.
'
'Pr
iest
,Maj
idi
sar
ri
vinghomebynextweek'
'
.
'
'Yes,
Ihear
dabouti
t,
ever
yonei
ntheki
ngdom
knows''
.
'
'Pri
est
,t
hishasaconnecti
onwi
thQueenDor
ah'
'
.
TheQueenmot hersai
d.
'
'I
sitt
hesameol
dissueyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Igotyoui
nthi
ssi
tuat
ionaboutt
hepal
ace
probl
emst enyearsago,andQueenDor
ahst
opped
acti
ngstrangeandevilassoonasMaji
dwassent
outofthekingdom '
'
.
'
'Yesyourhighness.Yousee,thati
stheprobl
em,
unti
lQueenDorahshoul dactormakeamove, we
can'
texposeher.She'sverysmar t
.Unl
esswecan
bri
ngupani deawhichwon' tf
ail'
'.
'
'Whatki ndofideapriest
?Imean,wehavedoneall
wesouli nthepast,
butwer enotabl
etobri
ngup
anything.Andnowt hat,
Maji
discomingback..
.am
afr
aidshemi ghtbeplanningsomethi
ngagainstmy
son''.QueenSheenasobbed.
'
' Ohsurel
y,shewi l
lplansomet
hingyourhi
ghness.
Itisunf
ortunate,t
hatthemainpri
estwhoholdsthe
powerofUj aniandstandinpl
aceofthegods,i
sa
suspectinthismatter''
.
'
'Idon'
treall
yknowhi srol
einthi
smat terwith
QueenDorah, butassoonasheisexposed, Iwill
makesurehei sremovedast hepri
estofUjani,and
youwil
lbemadet heheadofallt
hepriests'
'.Queen
mothersaid.
'
'Thatwon' tbever ynecessar yyourhi ghness.My
mai nai mi st oserviceUj aniwi tht ruthandsi ncer i
ty
'
'.Thepr iestsaidandgott ohisf eet.Heent ereda
cer t
ainr oom andcamebackmi nutesl aterwi tha
redsacki nhihands.Asmal lredsack, hesatdown
agai nandhandedt hesackt ot heQueenmot her.'
'I
prepar edt hisgar l
icmysel ftourhi ghness.Ihave
mi xedi twi t
hsomanyi ngr edient s.Makesur e, t
hat
sineoft hisgar l
icmi xturei smi xedi ntoQueen
Dor ah'smor ningmeal .Itwi lll
essenever ypower
shehaever yday.Unt i
lPr inceMaj i
dar rives,itwi l
l
preventherf rom act ingevi lagai nsthimf orthe
meant ime, butitwon' thol dherdownf orl ong.And
also,spr i
nklesomeatt hef ourcor nersoft her oom
youhavepr epar edf orPr inceMaj i
d, i
twi l
lpr event
evilfrom goi ngnearhi m' '
.
'
' Pr
iest
,Maji
dhasprotect
iveneckl
aceonhi
sneck.
Ithasalwaysprot
ect
edhim sincehewasbor
n,what
dowedowi t
hthat?'
'
.
AssoonasQueenmot hersai
dthat,
thepri
estacted
l
ikesomeonepossessed,
li
keanothersoulhad
enter
edhi
sbody.Heputhishandstogetherwit
hhis
eyesclosed.I
twasl i
kehewasbei ngcontr
oll
edto
tal
k.Andt hewindstar
tedcarryinghim up,
he
openedhiseyesadi twaslightedindeepblue
colour
.Hegott otheheadoft hestatueandthe
Queenswer escares,
buttheydidn'tmakeasound.
'
'Hail
,
Iam l
ordHanuman'
'
.Thepr
iestsai
dina
st
rangevoi
ce.
(
Assoonashesaidthat
,t
heQueensboweddown
wit
hthei
rfor
eheadt
ouchi
ngthefl
oor
).
'
' Youar egoingfacetragedyi nyourl ives.Bot hthe
royalandt hekingdom aawhol e.Remember
this,
thatthepersonwhosi t
sont het hrone, i
sto
mar rythreewives.Thef i
rsttobehi ssoul ,
the
secondt obehi shead,andt het hir
dt obehi shear t.
Andbehol d,
thereshallbesomet entacles,Iapplaud
youf orsendingmychosenonef rom al levil
unt i
l
today,ashei soldenought ot akeoverhi sfather'
s
aski ng.Theyoungwoman, chosent obet helightin
placeoft helat
eQueenMeer ah, i
nherson' slif
e,wil
l
bet heonet osavelordKr i
shna' shugest atuef r
om
fall
ingandcr ashingtotakeal i
fe.Makesur eyou
areal er
t,
shewi l
lbethesouloft hef utureking.And
i
fyousucceedinget
ti
nghrint
otheroyalfami
ly,
t
hingsmaybreakdowninchosen,
andthingwi
llsti
ll
f
alli
ntopl
ace''
.
(Thunderst
rokehardandtheQueen'sscreamed.
Thewi ndbr
oughtthepri
estbacktohissitt
ingpl
ace
andt het
hunderst
opped.Theguarandmai dqui
ckl
y
arri
vedther
eimmediatel
yduetithescreamsofthe
Queens).
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
pleasei
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?''
.
'
'Yesguard.Youcangonow.QueenSheenaandI
wil
lbeoutinaminute'
'
.
(Theguardandmai dst
eppedoutofthet
empl
e.The
pri
estopenedhiseyesandhadonwhathad
happened.HelookedattheQueensandt
hey
smiled)
.
'
'Pr
iestChanakher
,thel
ordHanumani
sreal
lyusi
ng
wel
l''
.
'
'Whathappenedyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Iti
sgett
ingveryl
atepri
est.Ican'texpl
ain
ever
ythi
ngthathappened,butallyouneedtoknow
i
sthat,
Iwillmakesuret hatoneday,youbecomethe
headofallthepri
ests'
'.Shest andsonherfeetwi
th
QueenSheena.''LetusgoQueenSheena, weshall
comeandgi veoffer
ingt ogetherwit
hallt
he
subj
ectspriest
.Weshal ltalkbythen''
.
'
'Okayyourhi
ghness,
mayt
hel
ordbewi
thyou'
'
.
(
NextDay=Meho'
sHouse)
.
Thecockont hecompoundcoul dn'tst
opcr owing.It
wasmor ningagai nandt hesunwasver yhot .I
twas
aSundaymor ningandpeopl ewer erushi ngont op
oft hemount ainespeciall
ythewomen, withtheir
trayst ogogetf lowersandlanterntogi veof fer
ings
tolordHanuman.Thati showBhavnagotr eady
earlyinthemor ningandsteppedout sidef orher
compoundwi that r
aytor i
seherhor set othe
templ e.
Shesaddl edthehorseandhear dtot
heout si
de.
Rishiquickl
yrunoutofthehouseandwi t
h
speed,sherushedtohermot herandhuggedher
ti
ghtlyfr
om thebackintears.Bhavnabecameweak.
Rishiwasherweaknessf orsure.Herfacebecame
sadasRishicr
iedbehindher.Butsheneededtobe
str
ongenoughtopunishthisgir
lforhermist
akes,
becausei
ssheal waysfor
gavehersoeasily,
she
knewRishiwouldgobacktoherol dwaysagain.
'
'Pleasemother
,pl
ease.
..
don'
tbeangr
ywi
thme
anymore.Ican'
tst
andyouranger'
'
'
'Getyoursel
fawayfrom meRishi
..
.leave,
leaveme
al
one!'
'.BhavnashoutedandpushedRishiaway
fr
om her.
(Ri
shiwasastoni
shedthathermot
herwasver
y
ser
iousaboutheranger
).
'
'Mother
,youknowt
hatIwasver
yhungr
ysi
nce
morni
ng''
.
'
'So,thatgi
vesyoutheri
ghtt
ostealpeopl
e'
shar
d
earnedfarming?Don'
tdaret
ryt
ocoveryour
mistakes''
.
'
'NoIam notcover i
nganythi
ngmot her.Iusedto
workandear nsomemoneyf ormysel
f.Iusedto
workwiththeladdoosell
er,
andIearnedsomef ew
gol
dcoinst ofeedus.Butnow,nobodywant stogive
mewor k,
allbecauseoffat
her!Whenfatherseesme
workingforsomeone,hecomestheret
ocr
eat
ea
scene,whatwasIsupposedtodo?''
.
'
'Iam goi ngtothetemple.Youbettert
akeyourbat
h
andal sogetthere,
toaskforfor
giveness.I
twil
lhel
p
youcl earyourconsci
ence,becauseme. .
..
Idon'
t
feell
ikeyoudeser vemyf or
giveRishi'
'.
(
Bhavnasai
d,shesatonherhor
seandr
odei
taway)
.
'
' Iwishshehadhuggedme.Andt ellmeever ythi
ng
wasgoi ngt obeal ri
ght.Nowam nol ongerabl eto
tellmypr obl
emst oanyone.Imadet hemostf ooli
sh
wi shofmyl ifelastnight
.(Whimpers) .Iwasj ust
talki
ngt omysel f,i
twasn'tli
keIwasser i
ousabouti t.
Idon' tt
hinkitwillcomet r
uesinceIdi dn'
twi shf r
om
myhear t
.Ohl ord,pl
easehelpme...t
hatwi shwasn' t
from myhear tplease''
.Shesaidandent eredback
i
nt othehouse.
(
Uni
tedKi
ngdom=Maj
id'
sBui
ldi
ng)
.
Theangelwastaki
ngashowerinhisbathroom.He
stoodt
alkonhisnakedbodyandthefr
eshcold
waterwashedofft
hesoapfrom hi
sbody.Hissi
x
packswasdrownedinthewaterandbarechest
wasfullofbubbl
eswhichasbeingwashedaway.
Hishai
rwaswetandhi sf
reshspotl
essfacewas
l
ift
edupf orthewatert
ofal
lonit.Heopenedhis
beaut
if
ulbr owneyesandclosedtheshower.
Het ookhi st
owelf r
om thehungerandhear d
someoneent erhisbedroom from outsidethe
bathroom.Hewasn' texpecti
nganyonebuthe
continueddryinghimselfup.Hst eppedoutofthe
showerandsuddenl y,Cindyenteredthebat hr
oom
i
nabi ki
ni.SheheardMaj i
dbathingwhenshe
enteredthebedr oom anddecidedt ojointhefan.
Hewassur pr
ised,buthesmi ledatt hecornerofhi s
l
ipsandst arr
edatCi ndyseduct i
velyfrom headt o
toe.Cindypushedhi m againstthewal landmoved
bothherhandst ohi
sbackwi t
hherl ongnai l
sl i
kea
possessedper son.Sheswam herhandsf rom his
backt ohisbackhead, i
ntohissof tbackhai rand
pull
edhi sheaddownt oherf acel evelandpl ant
eda
deepki ssonhissoftpinklips.Oneoft hemai n
reasonswhyCi ndyl
oveMaj i
dwast hat,
hewasa
mani acinbed.Andshewi shed,lovemaki ngwi th
him neverended.
Shekissedhim deepl
yandhewentwi ththefl
owby
ki
ssingherback.Hegothi shandsbehi ndherback
anddestroyedherbra.Heswam hi shandtoher
waistandtoreherpantyint
opi ecesandshe
l
aughedi nasexyway.Hemovedheri ntothe
showerwhi l
ekissi
ngherstil
landt urnedonthe
shower.Hecarriedherandshewr appedherlegs
aroundhiswaistandthewat errainedinthei
r
nakedness.
Hel i
ckedhrear sdownt oherneckandshemoaned
sil
ently.Heki ssedherchest ,i
nbet weenherbf easts
andt hef eeli
ngwasdeep, herbodywasr espondi ng
tothef eeling,andshecoul dn'
tcont r
olheremot ions
event houghMaj i
dhadnotent eredheryet .His
strongar msmadeherf eel comfortableandshe
becamesowet ,
Maj i
dl i
ftedhi sfacetol ooki ntohis
eyesandshesmi l
ed, hesl owlypenet ratedi nt
oher
withgent lenessandshemoanedl oudl y.Ithadbeen
alongt imesi ncet heymadel oveandshewast ight
.
Hepushedwi t
hhisst rengthandt hewat ercovered
theninpassi on.Hislipsdr oppedonherbr eastan
playedwi t
hherni ppleswi thhi stongueanshewent
cr
azy,
whenhehear
dherl
augh,
hegi
ggl
edt
oo.
'
'Jeezzz.
.Maji
d!OhmyGod,
yougonnadr
iveme
cr
azy,wuuu!
!!'
'
.
'
'Ki
ssme'
'
.
(Cindykissedhim,shekissedhim deeply.Shewas
crazyinlove,
shewasn' tgoingtoloosehim,notf
or
allthegoldintheworld.Shehadcum al lover
him,butshewant edmor e.Shewant edtopenetr
ate
i
nt ohissoul,
hethrustedintoherathousand
ti
mes, andshescreamedsol oudthateventhe
neighboursheardofhervoi ce).
'
'Jeez.
.Ci
ndy,
rel
ax!'
'
.
'
'Ohmywor
d!Ouch,
baby!Onemor
epl
easebaby!'
'
.
'
'Igot
tapr
epar
efort
het
ri
p''
.
(Maji
ddroppedherdownandshewasaboutt o
fai
nt,
heheldherandt heybothlaughedand
showeredtoget
her.Theywenti ntothebedr
oom
andtheybothfel
lint
ot hebed.Maj i
dwasweak.He
wassoweakt hathisbr eat
hcouldn'
tmovest i
ll
.He
breat
hheavil
yandCi ndysleptoverhim).
'
'Ial
sopackedmythi
ngs.Lastt
wodays.Ican'
twai
t
t
omeetyourfami
lyMaji
d''.
'
'IhopeyoudidwhatIaskedyouCi ndy.Nooneelse,
apartf
rom youandourfr
iends.
..nooneelseshould
everfi
ndoutthatam aPr
ince''
.
'
'Well
..
.ur
rrmmm..surebaby,
I
...
Itol
dnoone'
'
.She
sai
dandfakedl
aughter.
'
'Good''
.Hecaressedherhai
randkissedher
for
ehead.Het
ookadeepsmel loft
hescentfrom
herhai
randsmiled.
'
'Iam sorr
ysweethear
t..butifIhadnottoldmy
f
atheraboutyourt
rueidenti
ty,Idon'
tthi
nkshe
wouldhaveall
owedmegowi thyou''
.Cindyt
hought
t
oher sel
f.
'
'Wearegoingtoseemyr oots.It
'ssomehow
compul
sorytogo,
sinceIhaven'tseenthem i
n20
year
s''
.
'
'Wi
llwecomebacksoon?'
'
.
'
'Hel
lyeah.WhywouldIst
ayther
efor
ever
?Youfeel
comf
orthere,
sodoI
,wewil
lcomebackokay?Once
Iint
roducemybeaut
if
ulgi
rl
fr
iendt
other
oyalf
ami
ly,
then.
..
..
'
'Wemi
ghtevengetmar
ri
edt
her
esweet
hear
t''
.
'
' Mar
ri
age?!(
Laughsprofusel
y).Ci
ndy,Ihavet ol
d
youathousandtimes,
thatambotreadyforthatshit
okay?Andbesides,
whywoul dwegetmar riedin
Indi
awhenyourparentswon'tbepresentthere''
.
'
'ButIcancal
lthem t
ocome'
'
.
'
'Don'
tcallanyonegirl
,whenIwanttoget
marr
ied,
youwon' tbetheonetotel
lme..okay?Let
's
f
reeourselvesfi
rst
,okay?'
'.
'
'Hmmm...
okay.ButIwi
llst
il
lbeyouroneandonl
y
l
ove,
ri
ght
?''
.
'
'Ri
ght'
'
.(Theybot
hlaugh)
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=Att
het
empl
e).
Thetemplewasfill
ed.Thewomencover edthei
r
hairwit
hvei
lsandwasr eceivi
ngblessi
ngsfrom
l
ordHanuman.Ri shihaddr essedsimpl
eandwas
onherwaytothet emple.From thehousetothe
templewasquit
ef ar
.Shewaswal kingonaquite
roadandshefel
tli
kesomeonewasf
oll
owingher
.
Butanyt
imesheturned,
ther
ewasnoonebehi
nd
her.
Shest art
edt oputmor espeedi nherwalking.She
andKushihadagr eedtomeetatt heendoft heroad,
andwhenshesawKushist andi
ngatthefarend,she
stoppedwal kingfast.Theywavedateachot heras
shewasst il
lwalkingbutsuddenly,asmallcar
arri
vedbehi ndRishiandt womencameoutand
coveredRi shi'
smout handdr oppedherintothecar
anddr oveaway.Kushiscr eamedinhorrorast he
cardroveaway. ...
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
48] :

.
Sequence19
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Kushilookedar oundherinhelplessness.Shewas
soscar ednow.Sher unbacktowar dst het emple.
Therewer ethousandsofpeopl einthet empl e,
i
ncludingther oyalf
amil
y.Thet own'spr iestwasthe
oneshar i
ngt hesweetsthi
stimebecausedi dn'
t
meditateinthemount ai
nsthatday.
Mostpeopl edidn'tknowt hatther oyalfamilywoul d
arri
veandal sogiveof feri
ngsi npublic.Theywer e
sohappy.I twasjustt heQueensandki ngthatwent
there.Theki ngwashel di napal anqui nandcar ri
ed
ont heshoul dersofsixst rongguar ds.Whi l
ethe
queenswer eridonhor ses.Theyar ri
vedatt he
templeandpeopl ecoul dn'tstopst arringatthem.
Peopl ewer ealr
eadyi nt het emple.AndKushi
arri
vedt herewithspeed.Shel ookedi ntothe
numer ouspeopl eandcoul dn'tfi
ndBhavna.Sher an
throught hepeopleandgoti ntot hetempl ewithout
evenr ingingthebel l
.Ther oyalfami l
yenteredt he
temple.Thequeensputt heirhandst ogether.
QueenDor aheyedthepr
iestwhosat,
givi
ngsweets
t
opeopleandheal soeyedherback.Bhavnagotto
t
hepriestandtookhersweet.Shet
urnedtoleave
andsawt heQueens.TheQueenmot herhadputher
handstogether
,andclosedhereyesi
nprayer
s,in
fr
ontofthebigstat
ueofl or
dHanuman.Kushi
arr
ivedther
einsweatandwor ry.
'
'Kushi
..
.you,
youcameher
eal
one?'
'
.
'
'TwomencaughtRi
shiaunt
!''
.
'
'Twomen?'
'
.Bhavna'
shear
tski
ppedabeat
.''
Wher
e?!'
'
.
'
'Theylookedl
ikef
orei
gner
saunt
.Theycaught
Rishi
,andputheri
nacar!'
'
.
'
'MrRaul
!'
'.Bhavnasai
dasherchestmovedup
anddowninanger.
(SheandKushiquickl
ylef
tthepalace,
andthe
Queensarr
ivedtherei
mmedi at
ely,t
heytookt
hei
r
sweetsf
rom thepri
estandateit
).
(
RoyalPal
ace=Pr
incessLakshmi
'
schamber
).
PrincessLakshmiwas21.Shewasbeaut ifuland
graced,shetookaf
terhermother'
sgoodhear t
.Even
thoughshehadneverseenherbr otherMajidbefor
e,
shecoul dn'
twaitf
orhisar
ri
val.Sheonlysawhi s
pi
ctur
esf
rom MrRaul
,whoof
tencameandgo.
Shewasact ual
lyli
vedbyever yone, butofcourse,
excepthermot her'
senemi es.Shewasofageand
couldbecalledbyt hekinganyt imet oarrangea
marriagebetweensheandaPr ince.Butthatday
hadnotcomeyet .Sher eal
lydidn'tl
ooklikeshewas
i
nahur r
ytogetmar r
iedbecause, sheknewdeepi n
herheartthat,
theguyshewasi nl ovewith,wasvery
l
owbehi ndt heroyalstandards.
Themanshewasi nlivewi t
h,wasnotofar oyalt
y,
butaservant.Theylivedeachot herwithallt
heir
heart
sandhi dtheirrelati
onshipf r
om thepubliceye.
Theyonlysaweachot herinsecret,andnoone
knewaboutt hi
s.Itwast i
mef orPrincessLakshmi '
s
preci
ousbreakfast.Hermai den,
Char uknockedon
herdoorandshel etheri n.Charuent er
edandshe
waslookingsick.Herbodywasmar kedwithfinger
nail
s,
li
keshewasbeat enup.Pr i
ncessLakshmi was
worri
ed,becausenotonl ywasChar uherhand
!maiden,
butshewasal soherf r
iend.
Theonlyf
ri
endshetr
ustedinthepal
ace.Andeven
Char
u'swalki
nghadchanged.
'
'Thi
sisyourbr
eakfastt
ourhi
ghness''
.Charusai
d
andset
tl
edthetabl
eandbreakf
ast.'
'Ishal
ltakemy
l
eavenow''
'
'No!Wai
tChar
u''
.
(
Char
ust
oodatt
hedoor
).
'
'Doyouneedanyt
hingel
semypr
incess?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Comeandsi
tbesi
desme'
'
.Pr
incessLakshmi
satonherbed.
(Char
uwenttosi
tbesi
desherandshr
uggedher
shoul
der
s).
'
'Whati
swrongwit
hyouChar u?Ihavenotbeen
seei
ngyouwe'
l
llat
ely.Whati
sgoingonwithyou?'
'
.
'
'No.
..
nopr
incess.But
,whatmakesyout
hinkt
hat
way?'
'.
'
' BecauseIknowyouverywellCharu.Thisi
snot
howyouar e.Whenyouent
ered,Iwaslostin
thoughts,i
fitwastobeatf
irst
,youwoul daskme
whatIwast hi
nki
ngabout
.Andevensmi l
ed.Butfor
thepasttwoday,youhavechanged,
Ihavebeing
meani ngtoaskyouwhyyouar eact
ingthatway,but
Ihaven'
tgotthet
ime.
..
so,
now,
yout
ellme,
whati
s
wrongwithyou?'
'.
'
'Ohmypri
ncess,
Isweart
hatnot
hingi
swr
ong'
'
.
(
Char
uthenremember
s).
(
Thr
eeDaysAgo=Pr
inceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Her ol
ledoverf rom Charuandgott ohisfeet.He
start
eddr essingupandChar ulayedonhisbedwi th
bloodalloverandi ntears.Charusatupont hebed
andcoul dn'tgetinherfeet.Pri
nceFarukstar r
edat
herwithscor nandhel dherhands, t
henpushedher
tothefloorneart hedoorandt hrewthestained
bedsheet sather .
'
'Now,getoutofmyr oom.I tIeveni
ngtime,
sono
onewouldseeyou.Buti fyoudar eopentourbig
mouthtotellanyoneatallaboutthi
s,t
henIwillki
ll
yourent
irefamily'
'.
'
'No.
.no.(
Weepshard)
.Pl
easemyPr
ince,
IswearI
won'
ttal
kaboutt
his'
'.
'
'Good.Becauseeveni
fyourepor
t,noonei
sgoi
ng
t
obelieveyou,
ist
hatcl
ear
?''
.
'
'Y.
.yesmyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Nowgetup,
am domewi
thyou.
..
youar
enot
hing
butaf
il
thymai
d!''
.
(
Char
ugotuppai
nful
lyandgotoutoft
hechamber
).
(
PresentDay=Pr
incessLakshmi
'
schamber
).
'
'Char
u,ar
eyousur
ethatever
ythi
ngIokaywi
thyou?
'
'
'
'Yesmyprincess''
.Char
uget
sup.'
'It
hinki
t'
s
becauseam exhaust
ed''
.
'
'Hm,okay.Pl
easeChari
ty,
whenyougoout
t
here,
callt
heguard,
Ranveerf
orme''
.
'
'Yesmypr
incess'
'
.
(
Char
uleavesandPr
incessLakshmist
art
seat
ing)
.
(
Int
her
oyalKi
tchen)
.
Themaidenswer ebusilycookingafternoonmeals
fort
heRoyalfamily.Everymai dhadsepar at
ed
themsel
vesfrom eachot heraccordi
ngt othei
rroyal
masterormistr
ess.Savitriwaslookingveryold
now,andshehadadaught er.Becauseofher
supposedl
oyal
ty,QueenDorahconvincedt
heki
ng
toal
lowherdaughterwor
kinthepalacewit
hher
.
Savit
riwasverygreat fulf
orthisgest ureofQueen
Dorahdidforher.Butshewant edsomet hingmor e
thatthat
.Herdaught erwasyoungandbeaut iful.
AndSavi t
ri
'sdr
eam wast ogetherdaught erRoshni
mar r
iedtoPri
nceFar uk.Savitrithoughtt hat ,
after
manyyear sofservingQueenDor ah,thel east
QueenDor ahcoulddowast ogi vehersi n,Prince
Farukmar r
iedtoherdaught erRoshni .Event hough
Savit
rihadnottooQueenDor ahanyt hingabouther
planstogetRoshnicl osertoPr inceFar uk, she
wantedherdaught ertoenjoyt hef r
uitofherl abour.
Savit
riandAvniwer ebusi l
ycooki ngQueenDor ah's
foodandRoshnient eredinhermai dencl othest o
helpthem.
'
'Youarenotaki
tchenmaidenRoshni
,youar
ea
cl
eaner
,goanddot hat'
'
.
'
'Ohaunt.Iam al
readydonewi
thmywor
kfort
he
day,
soIdecidedt
ocomeher et
ohel
pyou'
'.
'
'Roshnii
sri
ghtAvni'
'
.Savi
tr
isai
dandser
ved
Pri
nceFaruk'
sbreakfastonatabl
eser
verand
handedi
ttiRoshni.'
'Takethi
s''
.
'
'Forwho?'
'
.
'
'Forwhoelse,
yourPr
ince.Goandser
vePr
ince
Faruk,
hur
ryup!''
.
'
'Okaymot
her'
'
.Roshnisai
dandl
eft
.
'
'WowSavi
tr
i.Youar
ereal
lydoi
ngal
lyoucanar
en'
t
you?'
'
.
'
'WellyeaAvni
.Ican'
tletsmal
loppor
tuni
ti
essl
ip
away''
.
'
'Whatmakesyouthi
nk,QueenDorahwi l
lwelcome
acommonmai d'
sdaughterasherdaughteri
n-l
aw?
'
'
.
'
'QueenDorahhadalwaysapplaudedmeforso
manyyears,
abouthowloyalIam..
.whywon'
tshedo
suchafavorf
ormeAvni ?'
'.
'
'Becausewear
emai
ds.Commonser
vantSavi
tr
i!'
'
.
'
'Well
,
Sheenawasonceamaid,
unti
lnow.
..
she'
sa
Queenandcanor
derusar
ound''
.
'
'ShebecameaQueenbecauseofQueenmot her
andQueenMeer ah..
.butwear etal
kingabout
QueenDor ah,Savit
ri
.Shemi ghtbeapplaudingand
prai
singusallthisyear
s,butonlybecausewef ol
low
herordersanddoherdi rt
ywor kforheroverallt
he
year
s,that
'swhy' '
.
'
'Ohshewil
lacceptmycondi
ti
onsnowAvni,
Iwil
l
makesur
ethatsheget
smydaughtermar
riedtoher
son'
'
.
'
'Howwoul
dyoudot
hat
?''
.
'
'Weshal lseeAvni.Justwai t
,watchhowIput
QueenDor ahintoat i
ghtcornerunt ilsheaccept st o
gi
vemydaught ertoPr i
nceFar ukasawi fe.Iwon' t
st
op,untilRoshnibecomesapr incess.Thatwi llalso
gi
vemeanhonour ablepositi
oni nther oyalfamily,I
won'tstop,andthatiswhy, IhaveaskedRoshnit o
doallshecant oseducePr inceFar ukandmake
hi
mf allinlovewi t
hher' '
.
'
'Okayt
hen.Letusseewhathappens'
'
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
sMansi
on)
.
MrMehost
opi
nfr
ontoft
hemansi
onandt
his
day,
hewasnotdrunk.Hewasabsol ut
elycl
earand
waspati
ent
lywait
ingforhi
sreward.Onemancame
outoft
hemansionandhandedahundr edgol d
coi
nsinasacktohim.Hiseyeweresor edatthe
si
ghtofmoney.Helaughedandturnedtoleave.
'
'Heyol
dman!'
'
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Nooneshoul
dknowt
hatshei
sher
e,i
sthatcl
ear
?
'
'
.
'
'Yesboss.
..
.
'
'Youcango'
'
.
(MrMehoqui cklyl
eavesandt hemanent er
edthe
mansi on.I
nthemansi on, Rishiwasunconscious,
l
yingi noneofthemoder nsof asandMrRaul '
s
son,Rishabst
arredatherwi thasmi l
e.Hewas
holdingaphoneashi sfatherwast hemodernman.
Hesatonawoodenchai rinfrontofan
unconsciousRishi.Heswi tchedhi sphoneto
camer amodeandst art
edt akingpict
uresofRishi
).
'
'Boss,
wil
lyourf
atherbehappyaboutt
hissl
eepi
ng
pict
ures,
don'
tyouthi
nksheshoul
dwakeupbef
ore
taki
ngthosepi
ctur
e?'
'.
'
'Di
dyounothearwhatherf athersaidabouther
?
Hesaidhe'
scrazy!Howwi l
lsheal l
owmet ake
pi
ctur
esofher,
justshutupandl etmedomyj ob!'
'.
Ri
shabsaidinannoyance.
(Ri
shimumbl edandopenedhereyes,
shequi
ckl
y
gottoherfeeti
nshockwithal
mosttenmen
surr
oundingher)
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
49] :

.
Sequence20
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
MrRaul
'
sMansi
on)
.
Ri
shist
oodt
allst
arr
ingatt
hismen.Andshewas
confused,herheadwasser iouslyachingandshe
didn'
tknowwher eshewas.Shewascompl etel
y
confusedaboutal lt
his.Shel ookedt hrougha
windowcl oset othem andt hepl acewasempt yand
quiet.Sheaidneverseenal lthemoder nstuff
aroundbef or
e.Shewasmesmer izedandshe
couldn'tst
opr oll
inghereyesar oundt hehall.She
thoughtshehadar r
ivedinheavenbecauseshehad
neverseengl assesandot hermoder nstuffbefore.
'
'Whoar
eyoupeopl
e?'
'
.
'
'H.
.ohhel
lot
her
eRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Youknowmyname?Wher
eam Inow?'
'
.
'
'Urr
rmmm mynameisRishab.Iam urr
rmmm, I
sawhowagoodgir
lyouareinkingdom,andI
..
Ijust
wantedt
ogi
veyousomemoney?' '.
(Rishistart
edwalkingaround,st
il
linsurpr
ise.She
didn'tbeli
eveRishab,shesuspectedsomethingand
shest oodbesidethehandofonechai r)
.
'
'Idon'
tbeli
eveyou,
whywouldyougi
vememoney?
Youdon'tevenknowwhoIam.Idon'
treal
ly
rememberwhathappened,
buthowdidIgether
e?'
'
.
'
'We.
.we.
..
..
.
Rishiquicklytookasmal lwoodenstat
uebesides
herandr aiseditattheei
ghtmenst andi
nginfront
ofher.Shest artedwalki
ngslowlyt
owar dst
hem
whiletheywal kedbackwardsinconfusi
on.
'
'Don'
tcomecloset
ome,Idon'
tevenr
emember
,
t
alki
ngtoanyofyouher
e..
.l
etmegonow!'
'
.
'
'Rishi,pl
easecalm down...
wemeannohar m.We
j
ustwantt ohelpyou!''
.Rishabshoutedandtooka
smallsackof50gol dcoinsfrom oneofthemen.''
Look,Iwil
lgivethi
stoyounow.Andyouwon' tfeel
hungryanymor e,j
ustcomeoverher eanyti
meyou
arehungryandyouwi l
lbeimmedi at
elysor
tedout''
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Ri
shii
sunbel
ieved.'
'Youwi
llf
eedme,
for
f
ree?'
'
.
'
'Forf
ree!Comeon,
j
ustpurt
hest
atuedown,
and
t
akethemoney''
.
(Rishiwashavingsomedoubt sbutsheslowly
droppedthestatueont hefl
oor,si
xoft hemen
quicklywentcl
osert oherandgr abbedherar
ms
andshet ri
edresist
ing,shethenhear dhermother
shout
ingherna!
efr
om out
side)
.
'
'Ohshit!Hol
dhersti
llboys'
'.Rishabsai
dandas
hequickl
ytooksnapsofRishi'
spictur
esinher
angr
ymode.Sheshout edforhermot her
'sname.
(
Out
sidet
heMansi
on)
.
'
'Ohmygoodness!Kushi,
didyouheart
hat?That
wasRishi
'
svoi
ce.Rishi
!!
!(Beginst
ocr
y).Pl
ease
answermemychil
d.Right!'
'.
'
'Aunt
,l
etusGerti
nsi
det
hehousenow!Ri
shimi
ght
beint
roubl
e!'
'
.
'
' Waitami nutes.(Shelookedaroundthelarge
compoundandshel ookedoverthefi
eldswer e
fl
ocksandhor seswereandt her
eweresomest i
cks
i
nt hefields.Bhavnaj umpedoverthefenceand
tooktwooft hesticksfrom t
hefiel
dsandj umped
overtot hecompoundandgaveoneoft hesticksto
Kushi).Letusgonow, andf i
ghtashardasyoucan
i
ft heneedar ises.Kushi,don'
tbackdown' '.
'
'Okay'
'
.
(
Int
hemansi
on)
.
'
'Whoar eyou,
whyareyoudoi
ngthis,
whathaveI
done?!I
fyoudonotletmegonow,Iwon'tspar
eyou
atal
lRishaborwhat
everyoucal
lyoursel
f!'
'
.
(Rishabj ustkeptont akingpi ctures, whi l
ehol ding
thegol dcoi nsinthesack.BhavnaandKushi
quicklyent ered,andwi thoutaski nganyquest i
ons,
theyst artedusi ngthei rwomanpower .Whataman
cando, awomancandoevenbet terandt heypr oved
i
t.Bhavnagott oRishabandwi thal lherst rength,
shehi thi m behindt heneckandhef ellwithhi s
head,hittingver yhar dont heirwoodenhal ltable.
Kushigott othemenhol dingRi shiandst arted
beatingt hem upmer cilessly.Rishif r eedher selfand
asal mostal ltheendwer edown, Bhavnawhowas
scaredal readyshout edt ot hegi rlsf orthem t or un
away.Ri shigott oRi shabandst eppedver yhar don
hisballsandqui ckl
yt ookt hegol dcoi nsfrom hi s
handandhi sofinherdr esspockett henr unaf ter
hermot herandKushi ,awayf rom t hemansi onon
thehor se) .
(
Att
het
empl
e).
Thewor
shi
pwasoverandpeopl
ewer
egoi
ngback
totheirvari
oushomes.Queenmot herandQueen
Sheenaaskedt heki
ngtotaketheleadtothepal
ace
becauset heywant
edtoprayfurt
her.QueenDorah
decidedtogot ot
hepalacewit
htheki ngonherown
mot i
ve.
Whenthekingandhisguardsgotout
sidet
he
t
emple,QueenDorahlookedar
oundherandnoone
wasstar
ri
ngatthem.
'
'Yourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'YesQueenDor
ah,
ist
her
eanyt
hingyoumayneed?
'
'
.
'
'Yes.Please,canyoutaketheleadtothepal
ace
please?Ijustrememberedthat,
Ihadtoprayfur
ther
fortheentir
eroyalf
amily.Especi
all
ypurdearMajid
whoi scomi nghomesoon,soIhavet opr
ayforhis
safearri
valsoon''
.
'
'Wow, QueenDorah,
youreal
lyt
akecareofthe
famil
yverymuch.Okaymydear ,
youcango
ahead..
.weshal
lmeetint
hepalacesoon''
.
'
'Ofcour
seyourhi
ghness'
'
.
(Thekingenter
edhispal
anqui
nandsi
xguards
carr
ieditont
othei
rshoul
dersandt
ookhi
m away)
.
'
'Haveasaf ejourneyhometourhighness...Youwil
l
nolongerbesafeandhappyt hi
sway, becausevery
soon..
.yoursourceofhappi
ness,wil
ljoi
nt heloveof
yourli
feintheghostworld'
'
.
QueenDorahlookedaroundandpassedbehindthe
templ
ewherethehighpriestwaswait
ingforher
secr
etl
y.Shequickl
ygotclosert
ohim,ther
ewasno
onearoundtonoti
cethem.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..howar
eyoudoi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llonlybehappywhenFar
ukbecomestheking
ofUj
ani.Thati
swhatIhavepr
omisedmyfather'
'.
'
'Anditwil
lcometopassmyQueen.Butwecan't
doanythi
ngyetwhenPri
nceMaj
idhasnotarr
ived''
.
'
'Wehavefourdaysmor etihi
sarr
ival
.Ican'
twait
toseehi
sdeadbody,butfornow,
howdoIt akecar
e
ofQueenmotherandQueenSheena?''.
'
'Yourhighness,
youknowthatt
hearmyofUjanii
s
ver
yloyaltothewhol
eroyalf
amil
y.Butyoumust
getmor
eoft
hesol
dier
stobeonyoursi
de'
'
.
'
'How?
...
..
..
(
Insi
det
het
empl
e=Behi
ndl
ordHanuman'
sst
atue)
.
'
'So,
thati
swhatl
ordHanumansai
dthr
oughme?'
'
.
'
'Yespr iest''
.Queenmot hersai d.'
'Iam wonder i
ng
howandwhi cht i
mewi l
llordKr i
shna'
sstatuef al
l.
Thatstat ueisananci entst atue,cr
eatedbyour
greatgrandf athers,i
tisahugeandheavyst atue,so
howwi llawomanbeabl et ostopitfrom f
all
ing?I
don'tunder standt herevelati
onatall''
.
'
'Thelordworksinmysteriouswaysyourhighness.
Justbealer
t.Andbewat chingthatst
atue,i
fthati
s
whatissupposedtohappenedf oryoutoknowwho
wil
lbethePrince'
swif
e,t
heni twil
lhappened''
.
'
'Sothen,howdoIt ellShakeraboutthi
s?Heal r
eady
sentareplytoKingSi amakofhisacceptanceofa
marri
agebet weenhisdaught erRagahandMaj i
d.
Theyhadagr eedforRagaht obecomet hefir
stwif
e.
HowdoIt el
lhi
mt hisnow?' '
.
'
'Letever
ythi
nghappenedi
nit
sduecauseyour
highness.Pr
incessRagahmightbet
heking'
sfi
rst
choice,butl
ordHanumanalsohaveanot
herchoice.
Wedowhatt helor
dsaysbefor
eobeyi
ngany
humanbei ng''
.
'
' Wehavepreparedever
ythi
ngforthecel
ebrat
ion,
andwehavedr oppedthegarl
icint
oMaj i
d's
room,i
t'
sti
met odropiti
ntoQueenDorah's
food,
whatissheusesherblackmagictofindout
that
,t
herei
sgar l
ici
nherfood?''
.QueenSheena
asked.
(
Behi
ndt
het
empl
e).
'
'Thi
stwosenselessQueens,havenoi
dea..
thatmy
Far
ukisalsoadevilhi
mself
.Faruksai
dthat
,hewas
goi
ngtotakecar
eofhi sbr
other'
sdemisehi
mself'
'
.
'
'Andshoul
dwet r
usthi
m withsuchabi
g
r
esponsi
bil
it
y,yourHi
ghness?''
.
'
'Don'
tyoudar
eunder
est
imat
emysi
npr
iest
!Don'
t
ever'
'
.
'
'Sor
ryyourHi
ghness,
Iwasj
ustaski
ng'
'
.
'
'Hmmm.
..
anyways.
.mysonhapr
epar
ed
ever
ythi
ngalready.Andme,am goi
ngtodowhatI
cantopreventthosequeensf
rom savi
ngMaj
id.I
won'tal
lowthem ''
.
'
'But,
whataboutt
heneckl
acet
hat
'spr
otect
ing
Pri
nceMaji
d?''
.
'
' Yes,
aboutthatnecklace.I
tisverypowerful,and
thatiswhymyf atherhasgonedeepi nt
othe
mount ai
ntosear chforthesourceofpower
surroundi
ngi t
,andwecandest royit
.Theneckl ace
wasmadebyanol dpri
est,
manyyearago. .andmy
fatheri
sablackmagi ci
an..
.hehast hesoluti
onto
that,
Iwil
lhaveaconver sati
onwi t
hhi mtonight''
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=Pr
inceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hewassocont entwithspecialtr
aphehad
preparedforhislitt
lebrot
herandcoul dn'twaitti
l
l
thetimeher eturned.Hehear daknockont hedoor
whilehewaschecki ngint
ohi sroyalatti
reonwhat
towearatt hewel comingpar t
y.Hest oppedand
wentt oopenthedoorandi twasRoshni ,holding
hisbreakfastonat ableserver.Shedroppedher
facedown, ashewassocut ef orhertolookat.
Hesmi ledatthecor
nerofhi
sli
psandletheri
n.He
l
eftthedooropenedandsheservedhi
sbreakfast
besideshisbedandturnedt
ohim whi
lehesti
ll
stoodattheopeneddoor.
'
'MyPr
ince,
please.
..doyouneedanyt
hingel
se?'
'
.
'
'Mmmm..It
hinkIneedamassage,
canyoudot
hat
f
orme?'
'
.
'
'YesyesyesmyPri
nce.
..Sor
ry.YesmyPr
ince,
I
wil
lgl
adl
ydotatf
oryou'
'.
(Pri
nceFarukcl osedthedoorandtookoffhi
s
garment,
leavinghi sshortsanhesatonhisbedand
tookhi
sbr eakfastbesideshim.Roshnist
oodther
e
wonderi
ngwer eshecoul dstandt
omassagehi m)
.
'
'Youar
efreet
ocl
imbmybed.Whatwasyour
nameagai
n?''
.
'
'RoshnimyPrince'
'
.Shesai
dandcli
mbedthebed
andstar
tedmassagi
nghisshoul
der
sseduct
ivel
y
whil
esheate.
..
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Meho'
shouse)
.
BhavnaandRi
shigott
othecompoundont
hehor
se,
theyhaddr oppedKushiatherpar
ent
shome.Ri shi
gotdownandBhavnaf oll
owed.Ri
shihadherface
somewher eelseasBhavnawhohadgot tenso
emotional,
huggedherdaughterti
ght
lyandasked
hertoforgi
veherforbeingmadather.
Rishiwassurpri
sedbutver
yhappythathermother
hadf or
givenher
.Shehuggedherbackti
ghtl
y).
'
'IthoughtIwasgoingt olooseyou!'
'
.Bhavnasai d
andt ookofft
henecklaceandputitbackonRi shi'
'.
Iwillnevert
akeitawayfrom youagain.I
tisgoing
topr ot
ectyoufr
om anyevi l'
'
.
'
'Mot
her
,howdi
dyouknowIwast
her
e?'
'
.
'
'I
..
Iurr
rmmm..Iwasjustwal
kingaround.Iwas
r
estl
essRi
shi
,allt
hatmatt
ersi
st hat
,youareokay'
'
.
'
'Yesmot
her(shehugshermot
hert
ight
ly)
.Il
ove
youmot
her'
'.
(Whentheyhugged,
Bhavna'
sti
ght
shi
tRi
shi
'
s
pocketandt
hegoldcoi
nsmadeasound)
.
'
'
Whati
sthat
?''
.
'
'Mot
her
..I
tis.
..
.
'
'Let!
eseet
hatRi
shi'
'
.
(Ri
shir
emovedthesackandgavei
ttoBhavna,
and
shewasast
onished)
.
'
'Ri
shi
?!'
'
.
'
'It
ooki
tfrom t
heguyswhocaughtmemot
her
,it
wasonl
yfair
..
ri
ght
?''
.
(Bhavnalookedatherdaughtersi
lent
ly,
andt
hey
bothbreakintoi
ntolaught
er)
.
'
'Yesmylove,
itwasonl
yfai
r,
let
'sgeti
nsi
det
he
r
oom '
'.
(Theybot hgoti
ntot
heroom,andMeho' sbackwas
facingthem.Hewassitt
ingonthebar e
fl
oor ,
seri
ousl
ycount
ingthegoldcoinsheearned
afterhelpi
ngMrRaul'
sment okidnapRishi)
.
'
'Wow,Rishii
ssoexpensi
ve.
.Hahaha..
.Iwil
lsel
lher
athousandti
mesifonl
yitwil
lgetmesuchgol d
coi
ns''
.Hesaidwhil
elaughi
ngandkissinghisgol
d
coi
ns.
(
BhavnaandRi
shiwer
eoutoft
hewor
ld)
.
'
'Fat
her
?!'
'
.Ri
shishout
edi
nhur
t.
(Mehoqui
ckl
ygottohi
sfeetandwi
thwideropened
eyes,
hel
ookedathi
swif
eanddaughter
).
'
'Youweretheonewhohel
pedt
hosepeopl
eki
dnap
ourdaught
er?
!''
.
(BhavnaraisedherhandandgaveMehoadi
rt
ysl
ap
hewi l
lneverfor
get)
..
..
(
RoyalPal
ace=Att
hedungeon)
.
Theprisonguar dshadgonet otaketheirbreakf
ast
andquicklyr et
urnedtothedungeont ocontinue
thei
rdut i
es.Twooft hem real
isedt hedungeonwas
openedwi dely.Theyquicklyenteredthedungeon
withshock, oneoftheli
on'scageswer eopenedand
oneoft hedevour i
ngli
onswasmi ssi
ngf r
om its
cage..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
49] :

.
Sequence21
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Ther estoft heli
onswer eroari
ngatt hesoundof
humanpr esence.Theguar dswer et hrownaback
anddi dn'
tknowwhatt odo.Theywal kedoutofthe
dungeont ogether
.Ther oarofthelionswer eso
l
oudt hatitsoundedal loverthepalace, itwasli
ke
theyhadbei ngstarveforages,andlookingformeat
todevour .Theguar dstookswor dsand
arrows,l
ooki ngaroundt heli
tt
lehousesbesi desthe
dungeont ocheckwhet hertheywi l
lf undthel
ion,
but
didn'
t.
'
'Ohgoodness.Whatdowedonow?Whomust
havedonet
his?'
'.
'
'Wel
l,
whyareyouaski
ngme?Wehaet
orepor
tthi
s
t
othekingassoonaspossi
ble'
'
.
'
'Yesyes.
..
let
'sgonow'
'
.
(
Theybot
hqui
ckl
ylef
t).
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Roshniwasbusi l
ymassagingPrinceFaruk's
shouldersandhewasenj oyingeverybitofit
.She
sl
owl yloweredherheadtohisshoulderssideand
het ur
nedt olookint
ohereyes.Hishorsescouldn't
waitanyl onger.Shewastoobeautif
ul.Hefelther
breathonhi sskinandheli
vedit.Hisfeel
ingswere
heightened.Hewassohi ghnowandqui ckl
yturned
andhel dherneck.
Hisinnerbeasthadar ise.Hewant edtodevourher.
Hepushedheri ntothebedandshel aughed
seductivel
y.Shel i
ckedherli
psl i
keahungr yhyena.
Justthen,allhi
splanstrembledintochaoswhen
QueenDor ahbatchedintohi
sr oom without
knocking.
'
'Far
uk!!
!'
'.Shewasshockedherownsonwasi
n
bedwit
hacommonser vant.
'
'Whatmot
her
?!'
'
.
(
Roshniquickl
yjumpedoutoft
hebedandshi ver
ed
l
ikeachi
ckenwhowasbei ngslaught
ered.Queen
Dorahr
aisedherhanduphighandwi pedRoshni'
s
facewi
thapainfulsl
apwhichl
eftherpalm pr
ints
onherf
ace)
.
'
'Iam sosorr
yyourhi
ghness.
..Pl
easef
orgi
veme'
'
.
Roshnicr
ied.
'
'Iam goingt
ospareyoubecauseyouar eSavi
tr
i'
s
daughter
.ButIswear,
thati
fIeverseeyouwit
hmy
eyes,
Iwil
lfor
getaboutmyposition'
'.
'
'Y.
..
yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Now.
..
getout
!Yout
ramp,
getout
!''
.
(
RoshnirushedoutofthechamberandFarukwho
washalfnakedgottohisf
eetandstr
etchedhi
msel
f
i
nanger,hewalkedcl
osertohi
smotherwi t
ha
t
hreat
eninglook).
'
'DoIhavetobreakyourheadandopenyourbr
ain
foryout
oknowhowt oknockbefor
eenter
ingmy
chambermother?'
'
.
(QueenDorahdidn'
thesitat
eforasecondand
rai
sedherhandandsl appedFaruksohardthat
,hi
s
eyetur
nedredatonce.Hewasal ar
medandhe
gavehismotherathreateni
nglook)
.
'
'Mot
her
!''
.Sheshout
edi
nanger
.
'
'Shutup!Doyouevenhaveanyi deawhatisgoing
onint hepalace?Iam busilyt
hingofyourfut
ure,
butwhatar eyoubusi lydoi
ng?Youfool,
youtoldme
torelax,
andt hatyouwer egoi
ngtakecareof
everythi
ng,andi sthatwhatyouaretaki
ngcareof?
'
'.
'
'Mot
her
..
..
'
'Whynotl
earnhowtocontrolt
hatthi
nghangingi
n
bet
weenyourl
egs?!'
'
.QueenDor ahangr
ilyt
hrewa
bl
owtoPri
nceFaruk'
sball
sandheshout edinpai
n.
'
'Lear
ntocont
rolt
hat!'
'
.
'
'Whatt
hehel
liswr
ongwi
thyou?'
'
.
'
'Youhavenoi deawhatisevengoi ngon...You
don'
tknowwhatyourf atherisevenplanningi nhis
head,
inst
eadofyout ogetclosertohim sohewon' t
l
iveyouless.
..
youarebusilyhavingsexal laround,
andyouat el
eavingever
ythingtome...don'tyou
wanttibecomethekinganymor e?''
'
'Wher
ear
eyoudr
ivi
ngat
?!WhathaveIdonenow?
'
'
'
'Theki
ngofJhansi
,
kingSi
amakhasonl
yone
daughter.Pri
ncessRagah,
meaning,
ifKi
ngSiamak
di
es,onlyhisdaught
er'
shusbandmayhavethe
opportunit
ytobecomeking''
.
'
'Howi
sthatmybusi
ness?
!''
.
'
'Yourf
ather
,hassetanall
iancebet
weenPri
ncess
RagahandMaj i
d.Sotel
lme,doyouevenknowwhat
t
hatmeans?''.
(Pri
nceFarukiscompl et
elyshocked,butsuddenl
y,
theyhearnoisesfr
om outsideandtheyareallver
y
confused.Pri
nceFarukput sonhisgarmentsand
quickl
ygotoutwithhismot her
.Oneoft hemaids
wererunningtowardsthecourtroom andQueen
Dorahcalksherfast)
.
'
'Hey,
whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,oneoftheli
onsi
nthedungeonis
missi
ng,andthekinghassummonedeveryonet
o
t
hecourtroom '
'
.
'
'Hmmm,
okay.Youmayl
eave'
'
.
(Themai
dwentawayandQueenDorahrai
sedher
headtol
ookatFar
ukwhowasalr
eadylooki
ng
r
est
less)
.
'
'Far
uk?'
'
.Shehel
dherwai
st.'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
' I
fIdaret ellhereverythi
ngnow,she'sgoi ngt o
overreact.Itisnottheact i
onthatmat ter
s, butthe
resultoftheact iondomat ter
smost ,andIwi llhave
towai tuntilsheseest heresul
tsofmyboom pl an.
ButShi vissost upid.Howcanhel eavesuchahuge
evidencef orthem sosoon, Iwil
ldealwi t
hhi m' '
.He
thought.
'
'Far
uk!
!!'
'
.
'
'Mot
her'
'
.Hecamebackt
ohi
ssenses.
'
'Letusgot
othecour
thousenow!'
'
.
(
Uni
tedKi
ngdom=MrRaul
'
sMansi
on)
.
MrRaulopenedhi sfr
idgeandt ookoutaboxof
milkandplaceditonat ablebesideshisfr
idge.His
doctorhadwarnedhimt otakeVeegoodcar eofhis
healt
hbecausehewassuf f
eri
ngf rom l
ungcancer
becauseofhisexcessivesmoki ng.Soonor derfor
hi
m nottoganyheal t
hat t
ack,
hisdoctoradvised
hi
mt otakemi l
ktokeephi m calm.
Hewentcl osertohisf avour it
esofaandsl owl ysat
i
nwi t
hhi smilkandhi sphone.Suddenl y,thephone
bell
ed, asasi gnalofamessage.Andhehear da
knockont hedoor .Heputhi sphoneawayandwent
toopenedt hedoor ,
thenPr inceMaj i
d,Ci
ndyand
theirfriendsent er
edwi t
ht heirbagsandaf ew
provisions.Theyhadonl yf ourdaystogo, andt hey
arri
vedatMrRaul 'smansi ont ohavetheirlastdays
ofenj oymenti nLondonbef or el
eavi
ng.MrRaul
closedt hedoorandaskedt hem t
ogoandkeep
theirbagsupst air
sandt heymovedt here.Itwasl eft
withMaj i
dandMrRaul ,
theybot hsatdown, andt hi
s
ti
me, Maj i
dhadaneckl aceon.
MrRaul '
sphonebel l
edagainandhet ookitand
checkedthroughit
.Hi ssonRishabhadsenthi m
thepict
uresofRishithatherequested.Hewasn' t
happywi t
hthepicturesbecauseRishi'sfacewas
coveredbyherlongdar khair
.Hefrownedand
whimpered.
'
'Whati
situncl
e?'
'
.
'
'MysonissouselessMaj
id!Hecan'tdoasi
mpl
e
j
obforme.Iaskedhimtot
akeapictureofmy
wi
fe,
andhescr
ewedup'
'
.
(
Maj
idl
aughedpr
ofusel
y).
'
'What,
yourwif
e?!Areyouki
ddi
ngme,ar
eyou
mar
riedalr
eady,uncl
e..
.whowi
llmar
ryyou?'
'
.
'
'Hey,
don'
tbesi
ll
yokay?'
'
.
'
'Okay.
.okaysorr
y.CanIseet
hewomanwhohas
becomeblindandagreedt
oyou'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
Ipr
omi seyou,
thatshei
smuchmor
epr
ett
ier
t
hanyourCindy''
.
'
'Heyuncl
e,don'
tevengot
her
e''
.
(Maj
idtookthephoneandst
arr
edatt
hepi
ctur
eand
cont
inuedlaughi
ng)
.
'
'Butuncl
e,Ican'
tevenseeherf
ace.Thehairi
s
savi
ngherdigni
tybycover
ingherugl
iness'
'
.
'
'IassureyouMaji
d,thatthedayyouarri
vei
nyour
fat
herl
and,youwi
llforgetallt
hisf
orei
gnwomenfor
good.Thewomeni nIndia,ar
eoutofthi
sworl
d,ni
ne
tocomparewith'
'
.
'
'Youmustbej
oki
ng.Wel
l
,i
nmyownopi
nion,
am
goi
ngtheretotel
lmyfat
hert
hat
,Iam noti
nter
est
ed
i
nthethrone.AndIwantt
oli
vemylif
easanor mal
per
son''
.
'
'IntourdreamsMaj i
d,iti
sonl
yr i
ght,t
hatyoust
art
acti
nglikeaking.Becausenot
hing..
wil
lchange
yourdestiny'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llchangemydest
iny.
..
..
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=I
nepal
ace)
.
Thecourtwasadj our
nedandtheinvestigati
ons
weresti
llon.Theguardsseparat
edt hemselvesin
thepal
aceandki ngdom t
olookfortheani mal.And
i
twasannouncedi nt
hekingdom foreveryonetobe
i
ndoorsforthemeant ime.
(
QueenMot
her
'schamber
).
Queenmot herwasmor ethantensed.She
wonderedhowt obeal ertonthedayt hestat
ue
wouldfal
l.Butshealsowonder edhowast atue
whichwasbui l
tandf i
xedi nt
othegroundwoul dfal
l.
Shesatdownandt houghtonhowt oconvincet he
ki
ngonhowt oacceptt herevel
ati
onoft hegods
whichwil
lalsosoilhisfri
endshipwithKingSi amak
oft
hekingdom ofJhansi
.Oneguar
dent
eredand
boweddowntot heQueen.
'
'Whati
sit
,Ineedsomepeacer
ightnow'
'
.
'
'Iam sor
ryyourhi
ghness.QueenSheenawant
sto
seeyou''
.
'
'Whatmi
ghtbet
hemat
ter
?Letheri
n''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
(Theguar dleftthechamberandQueenSheena
arri
vedand! adeherselfcomfort
ablebesidest he
Queenmot heronherbed.TheQueenmot her
offeredherwat erandshedi dn'
trefuse.Theyt ook
wat ertoget
herandt hequeenmot hersawt hatther
e
wasabr oadsmi leonQueenSheena' sf ace.The
queenmot herwaswonder i
ngwhyherdaught erin
l
awwassmi l
ing,becausethatmomentwasn' tthe
ti
met osmile.QueenSheenal ookedi nt
oher
garmentandt ookoutt hesmallsackofgar l
ic
mixt ur
e).
'
'Iwonderhowwear egoi
ngtomixthati
nher
food,
wemustdoitfast
ert
haneverbecausewe
haveonl
yfourdaystoMaji
d'sar
ri
val'
'
.Queen
mot
herl
ament
ed.
'
'Ial
readymixediti
nherf
oodmot
her(
laughs)
.She
i
sgoingtoeatri
ghtnow''
.
'
'Ohmygoodness,
howdi
dyoudot
his?'
'
.
'
'Whent hekingsummonedever yonetothecourt,
I
sneakedintothekit
chenandlookedforSavit
ri
's
cooking.Andjustdroppedt
hegarli
cmi xt
ureinall
herfoods''
.
(
Theybot
hlaughed)
.
'
'OhSheena.
..youremi
ndmesomuchofMeer
ah.
Mayhersoulrest'
'
.
'
'Mot
her
,Ihaveanot
herpl
an'
'
.
'
'Tel
lmeabouti
t''
.
'
'Your emembert hat,
pri
estChanakhersai
d,t
heonce
QueenDor aheatsherf oodmixedwiththegarl
ic
mixture,t
heblackmagi cpowershepossesswoul d
reduce,ndshewon' tbeabletodosomechar ms
sheusedt o'
'.
'
'Yesmydear
,.
..
soshewon'
tbeabl
etohar
m Maj
id
'
'
.
'
'Ihaveaplan.Af
tert
hewelcomingpart
yofMaj
id,
I
wantyoutoactli
keyourj
ewelr
yismissing'
'
.
'
'Whatf
or?'
'
.
'
'Mot her
,cal
m down.Youknow,25yearsago,I
promisedPreetathat,
Iwasgoi
ngtoredeem herand
getrevengefortheinj
ust
icet
heydi
dt oher'
'.
'
'Sohow'
sthi
sgott
odowi
thPr
eet
a?'
'
.
'
'Whenyoul ietothekingthat,
yourpr eciousj ewelry
i
smi ssing,hewi l
lannounceasear chi nthewhol e
palaceforit.Andwhent hathappens, evenQueen
Dorah'sroom woul dbesearched.Sowhent hat
happens, t
heguar dswouldsear cht here,and...
there
andt hem,cantheyf i
ndthi
ngst hatwoul dproveshe
actuall
yusesbl ackmagic.Becausebyt hen,the
garli
cmusthaveweakenedheral ready, andshe
won'tbeabl etomakeanyt hingdisappearanymor e
'
'.
'
'OhwowSheena, youareaqueeni
ndeed.My
dear
,t
hati
ssmar tofyou.Now,
wecanfi
nall
ygi
ve
j
usti
cetoPreet
aandMeer ah''
.
'
'Yesmot
her
.Wej
usthavet
owai
tfornow.Let
's
hopet
hat
,Maj
idar
ri
vessaf
ely'
'
.
'
'Yes'
'
.Put
sherhandst
oget
heri
npr
ayer
.
(
Att
hehor
sesst
abl
es)
.
PrinceFarukGabehisf
ri
endandper
sonal
bodyguardadirt
yslapandhewasangr
yand
restl
ess.
'
'Iam sor
ryPri
nce,
justl
etmeexpl
ainf
ir
st,
not
hing
hasspoil
t''
.
'
'Becauseofyourstupidi
ty,
wewerenearl
ycaught.I
gaveyouacoolplan,andyoumadeeveryt
hingfal
l
apart
.Youshouldhaveclosedt
hedungeon!''
.
'
'Weputweakeni ngpi ll
sint
ot hemeatf orthel
ion
,aftert
heli
onate,i
twasweakandf el
lintoadeep
sleep.Andwhent woofmyt rustedguardscarri
edit
awyasyouor dered,Iwasl eftal
onetol ockthe
dungeonandIhear df ootst
epsofsomeguar ds
comi ngcl
oser
,soIj ustrunaway' '
.
'
'Whathappenedaf
ter
?''
.
'
'Theyhavet
iedt
heli
onswit
htheropesli
keyou
order
ed.Wej
usthavetowai
tunt
ilyourbr
other
ar
ri
ves'
'
.
'
'Good' '
.Hesmi l
esevi
ll
y.'
'Getready,
wearenot
goingtofeedthatani
malforthr
eedays,unti
lthe
for
thdaywhenMaj i
darri
ved.Andwear esti
llgoi
ng
tofurt
herwaitforonemoreweek,then,
Iwil
ltake
himtoabeaut i
fulpi
cni
c''.
(
Theybot
hlaughedevi
ll
y).
(
Int
heser
vant
shal
l)
.
Roshniar r
ivedint
heservantsroom intearand
quicklygottoherbedsideandt ookoutanointment
fr
om herbagandst ar
tedapplyi
ngitonhercheek.
Shet ookami rr
orandcheckedherbeaut i
fulface
whichwasnowamessbecauseoft heslapQueen
Dorahgaveher .
Savit
rient
eredtheroom withAvniandshewas
shockedtoseeherdaught eri
nthatstat
e.Shegot
tohersidegotherup,hereyeswereredoutof
astoni
shment.
'
'Whati
sthi
sRoshni
?''
.
'
'QueenDor
ah'
'
.
'
'QueenDor
ahdi
dthi
stoyou?
!''
.
'
'Iwasdoingwantyouhadaskedmemother
..
.but
shecaughtmemassagingPri
nceFar
uk,
andshe
sl
appedme' '
.
'
'OhmyGodSavi t
ri.It
oldyouQueenDor ah
wouldn'
tli
ket
hesightoraservant
'sdaughter
besi
desherson'
'
.
'
'Oh,isthatso.QueenDor ahthinksshe'
sasnake,
buthedoesn' tknowam thedevi l
.Okay.Thi
sisnot
goingtost ayli
kthis,
howdar eshelayahanonmy
daughter?Avni,justwai
tal i
tt
le,f
ewmont hbythi
s
ti
me,Iwi l
lmakeherr egr
etdoingt hi
s,
andshehersel
f
wil
lrunt othekingandtellhi
mt oar r
angea
mar r
iage
[
01/
23,
11:
49] :

.
Sequence22
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Theki ngdom wasbl ushing.Menandwomen
rushing.Rushi ngt owher e?Rushingt ogetfor
themsel vessomever ynicecl ot
hest oatt
endthe
welcomi ngpar tyofPr i
nceMaj i
d.Everyonewas
movingar oundandabouti nhappinessbecause
thei
rf ut
ur ekingwasr etur ni
nghomeaf t
er20years
away.Kushi '
smot herwasaseamst ressandher
l
itt
leshopwasf il
ledwi thpeopl ewhower ewait
ing
totaket heirclot
hes.
Shepar celedt hei
rvariouscl othesandt ookthe
money.Ri shiandKushigott ot heshopi nchippy
happinessandKushi '
smot herhadsowni denti
cal
clot
hesf ort hem l
iketheywer et wins.Ever
yonei n
thekingdom knewt hatt hosetwogi rl
sweret hebest
offri
ends, insepar
ablecr iminals.Theyt ooktheir
clot
hesandKushiwentt of i
rsttryher sonand
cameout .Theywer eal lsurpri
sed.Hermot herwas
happyt hatshehaddoneagoodj ob.
'
'OkayRi
shi,
it'
syourt
urnnow.Goandt
ryyour
dr
esson''
.
'
'Okay,Iwil
lbeback''
.Shesai
dandwentbehi
nda
doortochangeherselfwhi
lemor
ecust
omerscame
totakethei
rclot
hedaway.
(Bhavnaar ri
vedint hest orebecauseshehadnot
givenRi shitheper mi ssiontogoanywher ewith
Kushi .Bhavnaknewdeepl yinherhear tt
hat
somet hingwasaboutt ogodown.Andshewasn' t
goingt oinvolveherdaught erint
osuchbi gthi
ngs.
ShesawKushwear inghernewdr essandshe
smi l
edandcheckedherwel l.Kushiwaslooking
beautiful.Butthen,Ri shicameoutoft hechanging
room andever yoneexcl ai
med.Shewasf i
tt
edin
thatlongwhi t
edr ess.I tfi
tt
edherper fect
lyandshe
wasl ooki ngextremel ygor geous).
'
'Wow,Ri
shii
slooki
ngl
ikeaqueen'
'
.Onewoman
shout
ed.
'
'Yesyouarer
ight.I
tlooksl
ikeshe'
sgoi
ngt
obe
marr
iedof
ftoroyalt
y''
.Anot
herwomanshouted.
'
'Yes.She'
slooki
ngl
ikeshe'
sfr
om t
hepal
ace'
'
..
..
.
'
'Shutup!Al
lofyoushoul
dshutup!
''
.Bhavna
shout
edinanger.'
'Shei
sjustRi
shi
,mydaughter'
'
.
'
'Mot
her
,whati
swr
ongwi
thyou?'
'
.
Everyoneatt hestoretooktheirdressesandl ef
t
i
mmedi atel
y.Kushi'
smot her,Radawasqui t
e
surprisedaboutBhavna'sbehavi orsinceshehad
noideaofwhatwasonhermi nd.Rishiconti
nued
whiningherselfaroundther oom withjogbecause
herdr esswassoni ce.BhavnaknewMrRaulwas
arr
ivinginthekingdom andwant edt okeepRishii
n
thehouse.
Buthercr azydaught erwant edtowant edtobea
fr
eebird.Ri shihadnoi deawhatwaaaboutt ogo
down,butBhavnadi d.AndBhavnadi dn'twanttotel
l
herthetruth, t
hatherfathersol dherevenwhenshe
wasnoti nherwomb.Becausei fshedid,sheknew
Rishiwoul dcarrythebur denofhat r
edi nherheart
.
Bhavnasmi ledinherhear tandshehowhappy
Rishiwas.ShesawhowRi shiwasblushing.Kushi
wenttost andbesideherandt heybothlaughed.
'
'Okaygirl
s,goandremoveyourdressesnowbefor
e
youstai
nit.Youcanwearitint
heeveningwhen
youareleavingf
ort
heparty.Hurr
y,goandremoveit
'
'.
'
'Yesmot
her'
'
.
(Theybot
henter
edthechangi
ngr
oom whi
le
Bhavnasatbesi
desRada)
.
'
'Wi
llyougot
ithepar
ty?'
'
.
'
'NoRada.AndiwishIcouldst
opRi
shif
rom goi
ng
t
oo,
butshewon'tunder
stand'
'
'
' Butwhy?Bhavna, whydon' tyoujustletdesti
ny
takeitcourse?Rishii
saver ycouscous.AndIdon't
thinkyoushouldbeaf raid,MrRaulisgoi ngtothe
par t
ytoo,
yes..
.butIdon'tthi
nkthelordissowi cked
tohandherovert oMrRaul .Heisadyingol dman' '
.
'
'Ihope,
whatyouar
esayi
ngi
sri
ght'
'
.
'
'YesIam r i
ght.Justrelaxandl etherenj
oyher
youth.Soonerorlater
,thetruthofherbeingsoldt
o
MrRaulwi l
lcomeoutt oher .
..
andsheher sel
fwil
l
knowhowt ohandlethesi t
uation,gi
veherachance
togrowBhavna, andIknow. .
.t
hathewon' t
disappoi
ntyou' '
.
(
Bhavnasi
gns)
.
(
Thewest
=JhansiKi
ngdom)
.
AfterthebeautyofUj ani,
Jhansiwast hesecond.I t
hadever yoneithabit
antsneededt olive
comf ort
ablyandasusual ,
theroyalpal acewast o
diefor.Theroyalfami l
yandt heirel
der sandwi se
menhadpr eparedthemsel vesspeci all
yf ort
he
occasions.Theguar ds,mai densandpal anquins
wer ewaiti
ngont hecompoundf ort heirdeparture.
(
Pri
ncessRagah'
schamber
).
Theoneandonl ychi
ldift
hemi nghaddr essedup
i
nhergl orywi ththehel
pofhermot her,
Queen
Salma.Shewasbeaut i
ful
lyandpr oper
lymadet o
befi
takingi ndeed.Hermot hertookhertolookinto
herhugemi rrortoseehowshel ooked.Theyboth
smiledwhi l
el ooki
ngintothemirror.QueenSalma
tookapr eci
ousanci entemeraldnecklaceofher
familyandpl aceditonpri
ncessRagah' sneck.
'
'I
tisbeaut
if
ulmot
her'
'
.
'
' Yesdear
.Itbel
ongedtoyourgreatgrandmother
s.
WhenIwasyourage, mymot hergaveittome
becauseIwasoft heagetogetmar r
ied.Andshe
toldme,t
ogiveitt
omydaught erwhenshei si
nher
mar
it
alseason'
'
.
'
'Mother,
Iam veryhappyt
hat,
fatheri
sgi
vingmet
o
t
hecrownedPr inceofUj
anii
nstead.Whi
ch
means..
..
..
'
'Whi chmeans,youwi l
lbecomet hefi
rstwi fe,
and
fi
rstfutureQueenifUjani
.Congratul
ationsmy
pri
ncess.Iam happy, nowthatIknow,tourf ut
ure
wouldbesecur edinthehandsoft heUj anis.
Now, hurtup.
.l
et'
sgetgoing.Thejourneyi squite
far,
andwemustar ri
vetherebeforet
hePr i
nce.
Comeon, l
et'
sgo''
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=Compound)
.
Thehugef atstat
ueofl ordKr ishnast oodthereand
anyonewhopassedbyi t,
hadt obowdownand
touchitsfeetbeforeent er
ingt hebui l
ding.Prince
FarukandShi vstoodbesi desi tandShi vhada
met alr
odinhi shands.Heboweddownt oitand
madeal ar
gecr ackatthef eetoft hestatueand
PrinceFarukwasbei ngont hel ookout.
Shi
vlatergott
ohisfeeti
nsweatandwipedt
he
sweataway.Pri
nceFarukgaveacunni
ngsmileand
br
ushedhiseyebrowsandsmi
leatthecornerof
hi
sli
ps.Helookedupatlor
dKr
ishna'
sfaceand
smil
edwider
.
'
'I
fplanonedoesnotwork,
ther
ealwayshavet
obe
aplantwo.Andt
his,
wil
lbemyf i
rstt
arget'
'
.
'
'OkayPr
ince,
arewedoneher
e?'
'
.
'
' Ohyeswearedone''
.Pr
inceFaruklookedintohis
pocketandremoved10goldcoinsandgavet hem
toShiv'
'.Youcangonow,
andmakesur etothrow
thatr
odaway,don'
tmakeanothermistake'
'.
(Shivl
eft
,RoshnipassedbyandPri
nceFar
uk
stoppedher.Shegotclosert
ohi
m andowedher
headdown) .
'
'Mypr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Heyyou..
.Iwantyoutocomet
omychamber
t
onight
.Isthatcl
ear?'
'
.
'
'Pl
easemyPr
ince,
forwhat
?!'
'
.
(
Pri
nceFar
ukwasenr
aged)
.
'
'Howdar
eyouquest
ion!
yor
der
s?!'
'
.
'
'So.sor
rymyPr
ince.ButQueenDor
ah.
..
..
'
'Hey!For
getaboutmymot her.Justcometomy
chamber,
andifyoudon't
,youalreadyknowt
he
puni
shmentfordisobedi
ence'
'.Hesaidandlef
t.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Herent i
rebodywasweak.Sheher selfwasver y
shocked.Shedi dn'tunder
standwhatwas
happeningtoherheal th,
butsheswor etoher sel
f
that,nomatterwhathappened, hewasgoi ngt o
attendthepartyandst udysomet hing.Also,f
ort he
passedmont hs,shehadnotf inall
ydecidedt he
perfectpl
acetohi detheredpotwhi chhadQueen
Meer ah'
ssoulinit.Shehadeci dedt oputitin
QueenMeer ah'schamber .Thatwasabr ill
iantidea.
QueenMeer ah'
schamberhadbei ngclosedfor25
years.Afterherfuner
al,
thekingdidn'twanttohurt
himselfanymor ebyremember inghermemor i
es,so
helockedherchamberandwar nedeveryoneinthe
palace,nevertogoneart hechamber .Soforthe
passed25year s,noonehadevergoneevenal i
tt
le
closetothechamber .SoQueenDor ahthrough,t
hat
shewasgoi ngtolookforthekeyst oQueen
Meerah'schamberdoorandhi det hepotin
ther
e,t
hatway,i
twillf
oreverbether e.Shetookt
he
potfr
om underherbedandsmi ledati t
.Shehearta
knockont hedoorandshequi cklyputthepotaway
onherbedandaguar denteredandbowedt oher.
'
'Yourhighness,
pleaseSavi
tr
iasksher
sel
finyour
presence'
'.
'
'Letheri
n''
.
(Theguardlef
tandSavit
ril
aterenter
ed,shewasn'
t
smili
ng,butshet
ookadeepbr eathbecauseshe
wasaboutt odosomethi
ngthatshehaneverdone
befor
e).
'
'Savi
tr
i,Iwasevenaboutt
ocal
lforyou'
'
.
'
'I
sanyt
hingt
hemat
ter
?''
.
'
'Yes.Sameol
dpr
obl
em.Ineedaf
avourf
rom you'
'
.
'
'Hm '
'
.Savi
tr
iwhi
mper
ed.
'
'Hey.
..
whati
syourpr
obl
em?Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Whyareyouaski
ng,
doyouseet
hroughme?'
'
.
Sheaskedr
udel
y.
'
'Hey,
youshutupther
e!Whodoyouthi
nkyouare
Savi
tr
i.
..Oh,
soyouarenowgr
owingwingsr
ight
?''
.
'
'Iam notgr
owingwingsyourhighness.Ianonl
y
growi
ngprotect
iveovermydaughterwhom you
sl
appedfourdaysago.Sheisevenhavingahard
ti
metalki
ng''
.
'
'Areyouchall
engingmeorwhat?!Doyouknow
whatshedid,
didyouaskher?Letmetel
lyou,
I
caughtheri
nmyson' sbed!'
'
.
'
'Sowhat
?!Isshenotahumanbei
ng?Maybeyour
sonwasi
nterest
edi
nherand.
..
.
'
'Hahaha...
mysoncanneverbei
nter
est
edinameer
servant
,acommon!ai
d.No!Doyouknowthe
dreamsam havi
ngformyson?!'
'
.
'
'Youdon' tal
sohaveanyi deaofmydreamsf or
Roshni ,l
etmet el
lyout hismydearQueenDor ah,I
didn'tserveyouallthisyears,j
ustsoIcanr emaina
servantokay?Sof oreveryhelpIhavelendedt o
you,youmustpayme, notwithgol
dcoins,butby
l
ettingyourson. .
.marrymydaught er'
'.
(
QueenDor
ahcoul
dn'
tbel
ieveherear
s.Sheopened
hereyesandmouthwi del
yandslowlygetupf
rom
herbedandwentclosertoSavi
tr
i,shesl
apsSavi
tr
i
andstart
edcal
li
ngsomeguar d)
.
'
' Youcanslapmeal lyouwantQueenDor ah.Iam
givingthr
eedaystot hi
nkaboutt hi
s.Remember ,
thatIknowallyoursecret
s.Ever yt
hingaboutyou.
AndIal sohaveevidence.
..lookatthis!(
Savitr
i
raisedherri
ghthandandopenedherpal m and
therewasadesi gnofanel ephantheadinherpal m.
Abur ntdesi
gn).Remembert hi
s?''
.
(
QueenDor
ahwassuddenl
ylooki
ngconf
used)
.
'
'Thisi
sadesi gnofanel ephant'shead.Ithasbeing
i
nmypal mf or25year s.Thatni ghtwhenyout ol
d
met oremovet hepr otectiveelephantnecklacefrom
QueenMeer ah'
sneck, Ifollowedyouror der
sanddi d
asyout oldme,andassoonasIgothol dofi t
,it
burntmyhand, andt hatishowIgott hisscar.AndI
canusei tagainstyouQueenDor ah,remembert hat
'
'.
'
'You,
Savi
tr
i?Youdar
est
andi
nfr
ontofmeand
t
hreat
enme?''.
'
'Youaresuchagr eedyperson.LookatSheena.
Sheonceusedt obeamai d,butbecauseoft he
goodmi st
ressshehad,QueenMeer ah.Because
sheHDQueenMeer ah,sheshower edherwi t
hthe
goodnessofroyal
tytoo,whathaveyoudonef orme
sofar?'
'.
'
'I
sthatso?'
'
.
'
' Iam notgoingt odoanythingforyouuntilyoudo
asIsay.Andi fyoutryinanyway,toeverhurtmy
daught erorme,Iwillexposeyou.Ipromise''
.She
threat
enedandl eft
.
'
'Savi
tri
?It houghtyouwereloyal.Notknowing,
you
hadthisevili
ntenti
onforms.Iwon'tspareyouatal
l.
Youhavef orgotsosoon,t
hatIam ahi ghwit
ch
myself,andIwi l
lshowyou,t
hatifyouarea
devi
l,
thenam t hedevi
l'
smother''
.
(
MumbaiAi
rpor
t).
Thei
rairpl
anehadl andedinIndi
acit
y,Mumbai.The
fr
eshairwasintense.Cindywasplastedonhi
s
bodyli
keat at
tooanddi dn'
tevenwanttobeawy
fr
om himforevenasecond.Theywer efi
vef
ri
ends
i
nal l.Allhadt hei
rloversbythei
rside.Maji
dand
Cindy, Mar kandNat aoya,
thenJi
mmy.Theyar r
ived
i
nI ndi awithhim becauseapartfrom Maji
d,noone
wast herichestantheyneededt oexperi
enceanew
surroundingapar tfrom London.
Theygott oacarshopandboughtt woofsomeof
themostexpensi vecarst
ocont inuethei
rjourney.
CindysawsomeI ndiawomenandhel dMaj i
d's
handssot ightl
y, Maji
dont heotherhand,wast aking
adeepbr eathtogoandseet heroyalt
yhecame
from,andhedi dn'thavehismi ndonanyonebutt he
momenthear r
ivedinthekingdom.Theyal lgoti nt
o
thecars.MrRaulandJi mmyi nthefir
stcarwith
someoft heirthingsandMaj idandt heresti
nt he
othercarandt her estoft
heirthings,
MrRaul'scar
l
eadedt hem away.Theyhadal ongwayt ogo.
Majiddrovet hesecondcarandMrRauldr ovet he
fi
rstcar.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=Ther
oyalPal
ace)
.
Theroyalf
amilyJhansiandothernei
ghbouri
ng
ki
ngdomshadar ri
vedinthepalaceaheadofti
me.
Andtheservant
swelcomedt hem,t
akingsomeof
thegiftst heybr oughtal ongwi t
ht hem t owel come
PrinceMaj id.Ki ngSi amakar ri
vedi nhispalanqui n,
foll
owedbyhi swi f
eanddaught er'
spal anqui nand
otherr oyalf ami lymember s.Theygotoutouti n
theirgloryandwel comedwi t
habowf rom al lthe
servant s,andf lowerbei ngshower edont hem.Ki ng
Shakergotoutf rom t hepal acebui ldi
ngi ntot he
compoundwi thther estofhi sr oyalfami l
yandput
theirhandst oget herwi thsmi l
es.Theywel comed
theot hernei ghbour ingr oyalsintot hebuilding.And
themensepar atedt hemsel vesf r
om t hewoment o
haveal it
tlef anunt i
lt heimpor t
antr easonf ort heir
gather i
ngar rived. .
..
...
..
[
01/
23,
11:
49] :

.
Sequence23
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Afterreceivingtheneighbour i
ngkingdomswi t
hthe
restofther oyalfami l
y,shewasr est
less,even
thoughal ltheQueenshadgat her
edinthegr and
hall,
shecoul dn'tstaycalm butenter
edbacki ntothe
chamber .Sheneededsomeoneshecoul dt r
ust.But
shewassuspect ingwhet herAvniwasint hi
sact
withSavitri.Sheneededt oknowwhet herAvniwas
betrayi
ngher .
Shecal l
edf orAvniandshewaswai t
ingforherto
arr
ivetoknowwhatt heycoul
ddoagai nstSavi
tr
i.A
l
oudbangwasmadeonherdoorandshegott oher
doorandl etAvniin.Shecl
osedthedoorandwent
tositonherbed.Ther ewasasmal lsackonherbed.
Sheknewt hatsincedayone,
Avnihadalwaysbeing
i
nterestedinnothingbutmoney.Andshewas
wil
lingtostrikeadealwit
hherandgett hatar
rogant
Savitr
ioffherneck.Avniboweddownandgavea
smile.
'
'Yourhi
ghnessyou.
..
.
'
'YesIcal
ledf
oryou'
'
.
'
'Yes.Pl
ease,
doyouneedanythi
ng,becauseQueen
motherhasor
deredust
ofi
nishthecookingbef
ore
t
heclockti
cks6pm '
'
.
'
'Don'
tworr
y,Iwon'
ttakeali
tofyourt
ime.Ij
ust
havesomet
hingtogiveyou,
thati
swhyIcall
ed'
'.
(
Shetookt
hesmal
lsackfrom hersi
deandhanded
i
tovert
oAvni
,
andAvnicouldn'
tbeli
evehereyes)
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
.you.
.you.
..
..
'
'Iheardyourhusbandwassi
ck.Takeitandget
hi
mt reat
edbythekingdom'
sherbal
ist'
'
'
' Thatistr
ueyourhi
ghness.Ican'
tbel
ieve
this.
..
thankyousomuchmyQueen.Ir eall
y
appreciatethi
ski
ndgestur
e''
.
'
'Youarewelcomemydear.Ial
soneedaf
avor
f
rom you,
canyoudoi
t?'
'.
'
'Iwil
ldoanyt
hingforyou,
yourhighness.Youknow
am goi
ngtobeloyalt
oyouf oryourli
fe''
.
'
'Good.WhatIwantyout
odoi
s..
..
..
..
(
Uni
tedKi
ngdom=London=Bl
ake'
sEst
ate)
.
Theest at
ewasananci entest atebui
ltbyCindy' s
greatgr andpar ents.Theyl eftittohergrandpar ent s
andheal sol ef
ti ttoherf atherwhoi snowa
gover norinLondonandser vingt hegovernment , he
i
sf il
thyr i
chandhadt wochi l
dr enbyhislatewif e.
Hisf ir
stson, Maxandhi sbabygi r
lCi
ndy.MrBl ake
l
ovedhi sdaught erwithal lhishear tbecauseshe
remi ndedhi m ofhi slatewi f
e.Theyhadt hesame
face,hadt hesameper sonal ityandevenvoi ce.So
hedi dn'tj
okewi thCindyatal l
.Andhedi dn'
tjoke
wi t
hCi ndyatal l.Andhedi dn'twanthi sdaughter
awayf r
om hi m.Butwhathehat edmosti nt
his
wor l
dhadhappenedt ohi m.Hi sdaughterwasaway
from him,andwast akenawaybynoonebut
someonef rom oneoft het ri
beshehat edmosti n
thewor l
d.Indians.Hehat edI ndianswi t
hpassion.
Hisdr eam, growingupwasn' ttobecomeagover nor
butt odeali ngol dbusiness.
Unti
lwhenhewasaboutt orisehi
gherandoneof
hi
sbusinesspar tnerfr
om Indiaheusedtodo
busi
nesswith,betrayedhim ansti
ckhiminthemud
unti
lhewasr aiseduphi ghagainbyoneifhi
sbest
fri
ends.Butwhatt heI ndiandi dt ohi m, henever
forgot .Andheneversuppor tedCi ndy' sr elati
onshi p
withMaj idunt i
lCi ndyt ol
dhi mt hat,Maj idwasno
commonper sonbutacr ownedPr i
ncei nI ndia,the
kingdom ofUj ani .Hiseyesl ight edr ed.Ci ndyt old
MrBl aket hat ,
Maj idwasbor nwi t
hsi lverspooni n
hismout h.Hehadhear dt hatki ngdom' sname
befor e.Uj ani.Her emember edt hat,t
hemanwho
betrayedhi m somuch, andl eadedt ot hedeat hof
hispar entsal socamef rom Uj ani .Bitwasn' t
i
mpor tantanymor e..
.hewasgoi ngt ogethi sgol d
back.Hewascoi nt ogetal lwhathel oosedt hrough
Maj id.Hej ustneededt oendor seCi ndy' smar riage
toMaj id,
andoncehi sdaught erhi saccept edint o
ther oyalf ami ly,hecant akeawayal lthegol dhe
want ed.Becauseonceher et urnedf rom
gover nmentwor k,theonlypr oper t
yhehadl eftwas
theest ate,andhewant edsomet hingmor e.He
didn'twantt ol eavehi schi ldr enwi tht hatl if
e
childrenwi tht hatlitt
leproper ty, hewasgr eedy
bast ard.Andhewasn' tgoi ngst op.
(
TheBl
ake'
sMansi
on)
.
MrBlakehadoneofhi smostexpensivewinesin
handandcrossedhislegsinthehallwi
thhis
seri
ousson,
Max,whodoesbusi nesswithhim.And
hehadnoideathathisfatherhadal
lowedCindyto
gowithMaji
d.
'
' Iam ver
ydisappoi
nteddad.Al
lofthi
sfourdays
thatIhaven'
tseenCindy,
notknowi
ngyouhad
allowedhertogotoIndiawit
hastranger'
'
.
'
'Thatguyi
syourmeal
ticket
,sokeepf
ool
ing
your
selfMax'
'
.
'
'Mealti
cket
?Arewenotsecur
edwi
thyourposi
ti
on
asgover
noroft
hecit
y?'
'.
'
'Theonl ypr oper t
yyouar egoingt ogetwhenI
die,
ist
hisest at eandt herubbercompany.Iwas
busil
yspendi ngallthemoneyIear nedonyouand
yoursistersinceyoubot hwant edtoliveexpensi
ve.
Keepitint oyourhead, ifIshoul
ddi etoday,you
wouldn'tgetasi nglecentinmyaccount .Sobett
er
l
istentot hepl ankhavef oryou''.
'
'HowcomeCi ndy'
sboyf
ri
endi
sourmealt
icketdad?
Idon'
tunder
stand'
'.
'
'Thenli
sten.Iwantyoutoprepareyoursel
f.
.
becauseyouateabouttoleaveforI
ndia''
.
'
'What
?!Thi
sisawholenewconti
nentdad.
..
who
t
hehel
lam Ievengoi
ngtospeakt
heirl
anguage?'
'
.
'
'Becauseyouwon' tbegoingalone.Fi
ndanyf r
iend.
Anyonewhounder standsthei
rlanguage.Youare
goi
ngt ospyonyoursi st
erandgivemeupdat eson
whatevert
hathappenst her
e''
.
'
'Butdad,
thi
sausel
esswor
k.WhatdoIgetf
rom al
l
t
his?'
'.
'
'Ci
ndy'
sboyf
ri
endi
sacr
ownedPr
incei
nIndi
afool
!
'
'
.
'
'P.
.Pr
ince?Youmean,
areal
Pri
nce?Aki
ng'
sson?'
'
.
'
'Yesexactl
y.AndnotjustanyPri
nce.Buta
crownedPri
nce,whowoul dbecomekingaf
terhi
s
fathert
heki
ngdies'
'.
'
'Wow!OhmyGod!Updat
emedad.Tel
lmewhatt
o
do'
'
..
..
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=7pm)
.
Thepal
acewasf
il
ledupandbeaut
if
ulsceneswer
e
creat
ed.Somer oyaldancer skeptdanci ngtot he
tunesoft hedrumsbei ngbeat enbyther oyal
drummer s.Othermai denst hrewf l
owersont he
Kings,Queens, Pri
ncesandPr i
ncesseswhomade
wayoutoft hebuildi
ngt ogett othei
rseat samong
thepeople.Foodswer ebei ngshar edamongt he
people,andwi neaswel l.Pr inceFarukkepton
frowningbecausesomepeopl ekeptwal ki
ng
aroundbecausesomepeopl ekeptwalkingar ound
LordKr i
shna'sstatueandpr ayedinhisheadt hat,
no
onemi stakenlytouchesi tbecausebyt hen,al
lhis
planswoul dbedest royed.
QueenmotherandQueenSheenaalsokeptst
arr
ing
att
hestat
ueandwaiti
ngfort
hefinalmomentsof
i
tsfal
l.
Sevenst r
ongguar dsstoodatt heentranceofthe
palace, andthreeofthem heldabi ghornwhi ch
theywoul dblowoutwhenPr inceMajidarri
ved.
RishiandKushiar ri
vedatthepal acei
nt hei
r
beautifuldresses.Theywer esuperexci t
ed.They
gottitheent ranceandtheirsmi l
edisappeared
whent heysawt heguardsst andingattheentrance
wi
tht
hei
rfr
owni
ngf
aces.
'
'Showyouri
nvi
tat
ion!'
'
.Oneoft
hem sai
dina
heavyt
one.
(
Trul
y,RishiandKushihadnoinvi
tat
ion.Ant
hey
r
eall
yneededt ogotothepart
ytoconsumeallt
he
r
ichfoodsthatsoulbeshar
ed).
'
'Didyounotherhi
m?Wher
eisyouri
nvi
tat
ion?'
'
.
Anotherguar
dasked.
'
'Dowehavetohaveani nvi
tat
ionbef
oreent
eri
ng
t
hepal
ace?'
'.Ri
shiasked.
'
'Yes.Ever
yonet
hatent
eredshowedt
hei
rinvi
tat
ion
'
'
.
'
'OhnoRishi
,whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odonow?'
'
.Kushi
whi
sper
edtoher.
'
'Idon'tknowKushi
..
.wehavet ogot
ot hepar
tyno
matterwhat,
am sur
et her
ewil
lbedel
ici
ousfoods
t
here''.Ri
shiwhi
speredback.
'
'Thendosomet
hing'
'
.
(Ri
shicl
ear
edherthr
oatandlookedint
ohersmall
pur
seandtookoutfi
vegoldcoinsandstr
etchedi
t
t
otheguar
ds)
.
'
'Ur
rrmmm.
..
please,
taket
hiscoi
nsandl
etusent
er
'
'
.
'
'Ar
eyoumad?!Whodoyout
hinkyouar
e?!Ar
eyou
t
ryi
ngt
obri
beus?!'
'
.
'
'Mono.
..
.
'
' Youar eunderar
rest
!''
.Oneoftheguardsheld
Ri shiandKushiandtheytr
iedlet
ti
nggobuthewas
toost rongfort
hem.''
Iam taki
ngyoutot heki
ngfor
yourpuni shment,
youdirt
ycommoner' '
.
'
'Pl
easedon'
tdot
his,
wej
ustwant
edt
ogot
othe
par
ty'
'.
Suddenl y,t
wocar swer edr ivi
ngf rom afartowards
thepalace.Ast hecarwer edr awingnear er,
therest
oftheguar dswer ealertandt hef i
r stcarstopped
thenMrRaulpokedhi sheadoutoft hewindow,
thenthet hreeguardshol dingRi shiandKushi
l
oosedconcent rat
ionandt urnedt ot hecar,
Rishi
steppedonhi sf
eetwi t
hal lherst rengthandhel et
goof ft
hem.Thet wogi rl
sdashedi ntothepalace
i
mmedi atel
y.
Thedr umsbecamel ouderast heyhadr eal
ised
PrinceMaj idhadar r
ived.Ther oyaldancers,danced
slowlyout si
dewi t
hthef l
owermai dens.Thepal ace
hugegat eswer eopenedandMrRaulsl owlydrove
i
nt othecompoundt ogetherwi ththesecondcar .
Ther oyalti
esal lgottotheirfretsi
nal lsmil
es.The
guardal soent eredthepal aceandst artedl
ooking
forRishiandKushi .Thet housandsofpeopl e
dashedneart hecar .
Tenguardsqui ckl
ypavedwayt othecarandpul l
ed
peopleawayf rom thecarandpulledpeopl eaway
fr
om thecar .MrRaulandJi mmygotoutoft hef i
rst
carandflower swerebeingrainedont hem.The
ki
nggotcl osertoMrRaulwi thawi desmi leand
huggedhimt i
ghtl
y.Theyputtheirhandst ogether
astradi
ti
ondemandedi nafor
m ofgr eeti
ng.Mr
RaulgaveJi mmyasi gnandhequi ckl
ybentdown
andtouchedt heking'sfeet
.
Thenf i
nally,Maji
dgotoutofthesecondcarwit
h
therestoft hem andawil
dwi ndbl
ewoverthem,hi
s
wavyhai rdashedbackbyt hewindandhegavea
widesmi le.Hisfamil
yweremor et
hansurpri
sed.
Hisf athertheking,wasf i
ll
edwi tht ea,asMaj id
l
ookedexact l
yl i
kehi slat
emot her .Ci ndyqui ckly
dashedt oMajid'ssidewi t
hasmi le.Al lthegirls
wer eaboutt ofaintbyhi shandsomeness.Event he
oldladi es.Maji
dboweddownandt ouchedhi s
father'
sf eett
heputhi shandst oget her .Hisfather
brashedhi sf
ingersthroughhi sson' ssof thairwith
asmi l
eandembr acedhi mt i
ghtly.Queenmot her
andQueenSheenagotcl oserwi thPr i
ncess
Lakshmiandt heot hers.
'
'Maj
id'
'
.Queenmot
hersai
dinashaki
ngvoi
ceand
t
ear
s.
'
'Grandmother?'
'
.Maji
daskedi
nconf
usi
onsince
hewasmeet ingt
hem f
ort
hefir
stt
imeaf
ter20
yearsaway.
'
'OhmyGod, herecogni
sedme''
.Queenmot her
sai
dinjoyandheboweddownandt ouchedherf eet
.
Recei
vingali
ghtkissonhi
sfor
eheadfrom her.
(QueenSheenawhowassmi l
ingandcryingatt
he
samet imegotinf
rontofhi
m withhereyesfi
ll
ed
withloveforhi
m.ShecaressedhisfaceandQueen
Dorahwhimpered.Maj
idboweddownandt
ouched
herfeetaswel
landsmiled)
.
'
'Mot
her
?''
.
'
'Myson,
youhavebeenmissed,
youar
efi
nal
lyback
homemyson.Welcome'
'.
(PrincessLakshmidi dn'
tletMaj i
dgett oher naide
befor eshej umpedal loverhim withat ighthug,and
Maj idwhohadf or
eignbloodi nhim nowgavehera
kissonhercheeksasher eali
sedi twashi slit
tle
sister.Hel ookedonhi sleftsi
deandboweddown
andt ouchedQueenDor ah'sfeet.Shegaveouta
fakesmi l
ewhenMaj i
dcalledheraunt .Thenf inal
ly,
thet wobr othersfaceup.Maj idwassur pri
sed, he
actual l
ysawhi selderbrot
herf orhefi
r stti
me.
PrinceFar ukgaveabewi deinnocentsmi l
eand
quicklyembr acedhisbrothertightl
y.Maj id
i
nnocent l
yhuggedhi m backandl ayedhi she'son
hisshoul ders.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.Oneguar
dshout
ed.
'
'Glor
ytohi
m!'
'
.Al
lthesubj
ect
spr
esentshout
ed
back.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.
(Anditwentonandonandonast heyallwalkedto
theroyalchair.Pr
inceFar uk,
whowal kedbesides
hisbrotherhadhisf aci
alexpressi
onchanged.He
wasn'tsmi l
ing.Hest ar
tedthi
nkingofawayt oget
Majidclosertothest at
ue.Thepartythenoff
icial
ly
star
ted).
RishiandKushiwer ebusi lychewi ngabi groasted
chickenatt hef oodsi de.Themai denswer estil
l
dancingwi delyandt hedr umswer el oud.Theyat e
somucht hattheyf el
tlikevomi ti
ng.AndRi shi
start
eddanci ng, foll
owedbyKushi , whiletheboth
ofthem heldr oast edchi ckentightsi ntheirhands
anddancedamongt hepeopl e.Somef ewhour s
l
ater,af
terinstructionswer emade, theki ngdecided
togivetheannouncementoft hemar ri
ageal li
ance
betweenPr inceMaj idandPr incessRagah.
Thespokesper
sonf
ort
heki
nggaveasi
gnt
ooneof
thehornguar ds,
andhebl ewhishornsoloudand
goteveryone'sattent
ion.Thekinggott
ohi sfeet.
RishiandKushisawt heguardwhocaughtt hem at
theentrancewasget tingnear
erandtheybot h
quickl
yr ashesbehindl or
dKri
shna'sst
atue.The
kingwasonhi sfeetwithther
oyalfamil
y.Maj i
dand
hisfri
endshadnoi deaonwhatwasaboutt ogo
down.
'
' Thankyoual l,
mysuppor t
ivesubj ectsforgatheri
ng
heret ohonouryourcr ownedPr incewi t
ht hi
swar m
wel come.Andt hereisanothergoodnews( t
heking
stretchedhishandatt hedirecti
onofPr incess
Ragahandnoddedhi shead.Sl eslowlyclimbedup
tohi m withasmi l
e).MeetPr i
ncessRagah, sheis
thePr incessofJhansi.Pr
incessRagahandPr i
nce
Maj idarealli
edtogethert
ogetmar r
ied'
'.
(Majidisshocked.Ci
ndyisblownawayandt hei
r
fr
iendsar eamazed.Butthesubj
ectsshout
edwi t
h
j
oy.Ci ndytur
nedherfacetolookatMaji
dwhowas
shockinglyst
arri
ngathisfamil
ywhowasbusi ly
j
ubilati
ngaboutthenews) .
'
'St
op!
!!'
'
.Heshout
edandgotadi
stanceawayf
rom
t
hem.'
'Whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngonher
e?'
'
.
(TheQueenmot herandQueenSheenaqui
ckl
ygot
closerandhel
dhim sti
ll
).
'
'Maj
id,
cal
m down'
'
.QueenSheenawhi
sper
ed.
'
' No!Whatdoyoupeopl
ethi
nkyouaredoing?How
thehellhaveyouf
oundabri
deformewithoutmy
consent?''
.
(
Cindywasshaki
nginfr
ight
,ther
oyalf
ami
li
eswer
e
t
hrownint
oconfusi
on)
.
'
' Ohmyohmi ne..Ithinkthegodsar ewor kingi nmy
favouralready, j
usti magineMaj i
d,nowr efusingto
accepttheal li
ancebet weenheandPr i
ncessRagah,
andt hatwillalsomeans, di
sobeyinghisf ather'
s
ordersandembar rassinghiminf rontofhisf ell
ow
kings.WowDor ah,thi
si syourchancet oaddf uelt
o
thefireandputyourl ongawaitedplanint oact i
on''
.
QueenDor ahthought .
(Pri
nceFarukhypocri
ti
cal
lygottoPri
nceMaj i
d's
sideandpleadedwit
hallt
hekingsandr oyal
famil
iest
of or
givehi
sbrother
'sbehavi
our.Hethen
askedtotakeMajidasi
detospeaktohim.They
weregi
ventheper
missionandhet ookMajidri
ghto
l
ordKri
shna'
sstat
ue.Theystoodinfrontofthe
st
atue,
farawayfr
om thecrowd.Thepartywasstil
l
goi
ngonhigh).
'
'Maj
id,
whatdoyout
hinkyouar
edoi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumeanbyt hat
?Yousaweveryt
hing
yoursel
f,comeon!Doyouknowthet
hingsIgot
packedinmyhead?''
.
'
'Well
...
infact
,youareabsol
utel
yrightbr
other.I
fI
wereyou,Iwouldhavedonethesamet hing.
..I
mean,howcanf athersetamarr
iageforyouwi t
hout
yourpermissi
on?''.
'
'Thankgoodnesssomeonef
inal
lyunder
standsme.
Thanksbr
o''.
(
Far
ukgaveaf
akesmi
le)
.
'
'Justrel
axMaj i
d.Thisthi
ngisnotforceokay?Iti
s
eveningti
meandnei ghbouri
ngkingshavegathered
withus.Letmorningcome,andeverythi
ngwill
sett
leddown..
.doyouneedadr i
nk?' '
.
'
'Sur
esur
e''
.
'
'St
andri
ghther
ebrother
.Don'
tmoveani
nch,
Iwi
ll
bebackwi
thdri
nksforbot
hofus'
'.
(PrinceFar ukturnedt ol eaveandsawhi sfriend
Shi v,standingfrom af ar.HegaveShi vasi gnand
l
ef t.Shi vcunninglysneakedbehi ndl ordKr ishna' s
stat uewi thoneofhi strust edguar dswhoser ved
PrinceFar uk.Pr i
nceMaj idstoodi nf r
ontoft he
stat uei nanger.Het ookouthi sphoneandswi tched
i
ton.Shi vandt heot herguar dpushedt hest atue.
Cindysawt hest atuef i
rstandscr eamedMaj i
d's
name, t
hePr i
ncesssawt hestatuet ooandshout ed
forMaj idtowat chout ,
Ri shistoodi nt hecr owdand
theel ephantneckl aceshewor ebur nshewor e
bur ntherchestandshemoanedi npai n,asshe
raisedherhead, shesawt hestatuecomi ngdownon
PrinceMaj i
d.Sheshout edandst artedr unni ng
towar dsPr i
nceMaj i
d.Theent i
repar tywasqui et
now.Peopl ewer escr eami ng,t
hatwaswhenPr ince
Maj idr eali
sedt hest atuewascomi ngdownt o
crushhi m,hewassoshockedandwaswat chi ngt he
stat uewhi chwascomi ngdownt oki l
lhim.Ri shigot
tohi ssi deandpushedhi m downandcaughtt he
hugest atue, herf oreheadhitthest oneandshegot
acut .Theel ephantneckl acelightedandMaj idalso
fel
tabur nbyhi sneckl acetoo.Ri shiscreamedi n
painasherhandssl i
ppedof fthest at
ueandt en
guar dsquickl yarrivedandhel dthest at
uewi thall
theirstr
engt h.Ri shislippedonherl egsanf ellover
PrinceMaj id.Thei rnecklaceli
ght edtogetherand
theywer ebot hshocked.Thel ightbr i
ghtont heir
facesandt hel ookedi ntoeachot her '
seyes.Queen
mot herandQueenSheenaar eshocked.Thewi l
d
windbl owsonbot hMaj i
dandRi shi..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
49] :

.
Sequence24
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Ever
yonewasamazed.Somewer
efl
abber
gast
ed
aboutthisscene.Theyal lstart
edrunningtowards
thesceneandt hetenguar dsslowl
ypushedt he
brokenst atuetotheotherside.WhenRi shisawthe
peoplerunni ngtowardsthem,shequicklygotoff
PrinceMaj id,
everyonesurroundedthem andsome
guardshel pedhim onhisf eet
.Thepeopl ewere
numer ous,thousandsoft hem wonderedandwer e
mur muring.
Ther oyalf
amilygotther
eandRi shislowl
ypassed
throughsomeoft hepeople.Kushithrewhermeat
awayandasRi shiwaslookingforheramongthe
crowd,Kushiheldherhandsf r
om nowhereand
pulledhertoanothersi
de.
'
'Let
'sl
eaveKushi
..
.Fast
!''
.
'
'Yesl
et'
sgo!'
'
.
(Thetwogi r
lsfl
ashedoutoft hepalace.Theroyal
familygottothesceneandt heQueensqui ckl
ygot
toMaj i
d.QueenSheenat urnedandcheckedhi m
overandoveragai nli
kealitt
leboy,
someoft he
peopletri
edgetti
ngclosertohim buttheywere
stoppedbyt heguards.TheQueenmot herl
ooked
ar
oundi
nangui
sh)
.
'
'Mot
herIam okay,
don'
twor
ry'
'
.
'
'Ateyousuremyson?Ar
eyousur
e,whatabout
yourhead?'
'
.
'
'Isai
dam f
ine.
.comeon!'
'
.
'
'Wherei
sthegirlt
hathel
dthest
atue?
!Isaid,
wher
e
i
sthegir
lwhocaughtthestat
uef
rom fal
li
ng?''
.
Queenmotherasked.
'
'Shewasr i
ghther
eyourhi
ghness.
..
.'
'
.Oneguar
d
sai
d,l
ooki
ngaround.
'
'Isawherrunningouti
tthepal
aceyourhi
ghness'
'
.
Oneofthesubject
sshoutedfr
om i
nsidet
hecrowd.
'
'Guards!
!!''
.TheQueenmot hershoutedand
poi
ntedatt hefarawayent
rance.''
Goaf t
ert
hat
gi
rl,
andbringherback.Go,
anddon' tcomewithout
her'
'.
(Fourguar
dstookt
othei
rheel
sandwentaft
erRi
shi
andKushi.Andatt
hesametime,
thepart
y
conti
nuedforasmall
whil
eanditended)
.
(
Int
heWoods)
.
RishiandKushikeptrunni
ngwi thal lthei
rstr
ength.
Kushi'
sasthmastartedandshef el
ldownont he
road.Shecoul
dn'tbreat
hpr operl
ynowandshe
fai
ntedonthedarkroad.Rishiwast erri
fi
edandshe
cri
ed.Herfor
eheadwasal sobl eedingduet othehit
onthestat
ue.Theonl ythi
ngt hatcoul dstabi
li
ze
Kushiwaswhenshewasputi nther iver.
Anyt hi
ngherast hmaar ose,onlyt
hewat ercoul d
stabili
zeher.Kushiwasgaspi ngforbreathandwas
sweat i
ng.Rishicarri
edKushionherf eetandused
al
lthest rengt
hshehadl efttocarryherunt oher
back.Theguar dsar r
iverinthewoodswi thlanterns,
l
ooki ngforthegirl
s.Rishiwaswal kingint hewoods
withherbar efeetaswhent heywer erunning,their
sl
ipper ssli
ppedoff.Theguar dssawt heirslippers
ont heroadandt ookittosear chforthem.
Rishicarri
edKushiatherbackandwal kedupt othe
town'sriver
.Rishistart
edfeeli
ngdizzybecauseof
thebloodshewasl oosingfrom herhead.The
guardsgott it
hewoodsandsawt heirfeetpri
nts
andf ol
lowedt hepri
nts.Rishigottotheriverand
coll
apsedwi thKushi,makingbothoft hem fal
lint
o
ther
ivertogether.Theguardssear
chedinthe
woodsf ormanyhour sanddidn'tf
indt
hegirl
s.They
gott
ot heriverandeverywherewasquiet
.
'
'Ohmygoodness,wehavesear
chedeverywher
e,
wher
emusttheyhavedi
sappear
edto?'
'.
'
'TheQueenmot
herhaswarnedusnott
oret
urnt
o
t
hepalacei
fwedon'
tfi
ndt
hem ''
.
'
'Ohno!!!Ican'
tbeli
eveis,
i
tlooksli
keweloosed
tr
ackofthem,andtheirf
eet'
sont hemuddyground.
Butwemustgobackandt ellt
heQueenmot hert
hat
wecouldn'tfi
ndthem '
'
'
'Youmustbej
oking.
..t
heywil
lbeheadus.Iam not
r
eadytodi
e?Iwil
lconti
nuesear
ching'
'.
'
'Wher
eel
secanwesear
ch?'
'
.
'
'Wai
t''
.Oneguar
dsai
d.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Ithi
nkIknowthegirlt
hatcaughtt
hest atue.My
eyeswereinher
,andIwantedtocatchherbecause
sheenteredt
hepalacewit
houtinvi
tati
onwi thher
fr
iend.Sowhenshecaughtthestatue,Isawi t
.It
wasst r
angethatagirll
ikehercouldholdthestat
ue
whichtakestenguardst ocar
ry.
..
ifIseeherface,
I
wi
llrecogni
zeher''
.
'
'Okayboys,
let
'sgoandcont
inueoursear
ch'
'
.They
sai
dandleft
.
(
RoyalPal
ace)
.
Thepar t
ywasover .Theki ngwasdi stur
bedashe
didn'
tknowwhatel set otellKingSi amak.Itwas
suchanembar rassingmomentf orhim.Hesai d
somet hi
ngcalmt oKi ngSiamakandsot heJhansi
royalfamil
ydecidedt ospendt henighti
nUj ani
palace.Theyweregi venspeci altr
eatmentsand
grantedoneofthebeaut if
ulr oyalrooms.
(
Int
hecour
troom)
.
Theki ngwasmor ethanfur
iousbecauseoft he
embar rassmenthehadt ofacebackatt hepar t
yin
frontofhisfell
owkings.Hehadcal ledthethree
Queensbecauseheneededsol ut
ionsforthe
problem.Ujanikingdom andJhansikingdom wer e
thebestoff r
iendssinceagesnowandt heybot h
helpedeachot herinthedevelopmentsoftheir
ki
ngdoms.Andt het
woki ngswer ethebestof
fr
iends,
KingShakerdidn'
twantt oloosethislong
ti
mef ri
endshi
p.TheQueenssati nt hei
rvarious
seatsandsawt heangeroft heki
ng.QueenDor ah
couldn'
tbemuchhappi er.ButbothQueenmot her
andQueenSheenawer ethinki
ngofhowt ogethold
ofthegirlwhocaughtthestatue.
'
'WhatdoyousayaboutMaj
id'
sat
ti
tudemot
her
,
whyareyoubot
hquiet
?!'
'
.
'
'Hewi
llcomebackt
ohi
ssensesson'
'
.
'
'Hissenses?!Whatsense,now...
Icanseehedoes
nottakeourtr
adi
ti
onseriously,
hedoesn'tevencare!
AndIblamenoonebutyouandQueenSheena! !
!''
.
Thekingscreamed.
'
'Us?'
'
.QueenSheenaaskedi
nnocent
ly.
'
'Iti
sthebot hofyout hatforcedmetosendhi m
away!Al lbecauseofsomet hingyoubothwere
prot
ectinghimf rom,butyounevereventoldme
anyt
hingabouti tagain.Nowmysonhaschanged
completely.Mother,Ihopeyouknowt hat.
..
ther
ewil
l
bear i
ftbetweenKi ngSiamaki fhi
sdaughterand
Maji
ddi esnotgetmarri
ed.Thenewshasbei ng
announcedi nallt
henei
ghbouringkingdoms, andi
f
Maji
dref usestogetmarri
edPrincessRagah, no
onewillagreetomarryherbecauset heywouldn'
t
knowther easonwhyMaj i
drefusedtomar ryher''
.
'
' Shaker
,Ineedt
ospeakwithyou.Alone'
'
.She
turnedtothetwoQueens.'
'Bothofyoushoul
d
excuseus' '
.
(Theybothgotupandleft
,t
heQueenmot
hergott
o
herfeetandfacedt
heking).
'
'Ihopeyouaregoi
ngtogivemeabett
er
suggest
iontomakeMaji
dgetmarr
iedt
othe
Pri
ncess''
.
'
'No.Thi
sist
hepr obl
em Shaker
.Pr
incessRagah
cannotbeMaji
d'sfi
rstwi
fe''
.
'
'Mot
her
!Yout
oo?'
'
.
'
' Youdon'
tunder
standShaker
!Iwentt othetemple
somedaysago.Anddoyouknowwhathappened?
LordHanum spokethroughpr
iestChanakher,about
thewomant obemar r
iedtoMajidasthefir
stwife''
.
'
'What?!Sowhatar
eyoutryi
ngtosay?Ar
eyou
sayi
ngthatl
ordHanumanwantstoembarr
assme
i
nf r
ontofmyfel
lowki
ngs?''
.
'
'Notthat,
butPr
incessRagahcannotbemar
ri
edt
o
Maji
d!''
.
'
'Thenwhoshoul
dbemar
ri
edt
ohi
m?'
'
.
'
'Thegi
rlwhocaughtl
ordKr
ishna'
sst
atue.Shei
s
t
heonetobemar r
iedt
oMajid''
.
'
'Hahahaaaa. .
.youmustbecr azymother,
ifsuch
f
air
yt al
esexisted.IhavepromisedKingSiamakt o
marryhisdaught ertot
hecrownedPrinceasaf ir
st
wif
e,andyouwantmet omakeanor dinar
ysubject
myson'sf i
rstwife??Wil
llor
dHanumanembar rass
melikethat?''
.
'
'Shakerl
ist
en.
..
..
'
'Nomot her!No.ImadeMaj i
dthecrownedPrince
tohonourQueenMeer ah'
smemor y,goandtal
kt o
him.Ifhedoesn'
tthi
nkthisoverandgivemeagood
answertomorrow,Iwil
lhavenootherchoi
ce,butto
getthecrownoffhim,
andgiveittoFaruk'
'
.
'
'What?!Youwouldn'tdare!Li
stent oyourmother
,I
knowwhati sbest
.Iam notsayi ngthatPri
ncess
Ragahwillnotbemar r
iedtoMaj id.Shewil
lbe
marri
edtohim,butnotashi sf
irstwife''
.
'
'Leavemychambermot
her'
'
.
(
Queenmot
herwasshocked)
.
'
'Justl
eavemother,
Ihavemademyf inaldeci
sion,
I
won'tr
uinmyrel
ati
onshipwitht
heJhansisbecause
ofacommonhal l
ucinat
ionyouhad'
'
.
'
'Itwasn'
tahall
ucinat
ionShaker
,i
twasreal
..
.l
ist
en
youyourmother''
.Queenmothercri
ed.
'
'Mother!'
'.Thekingshout
edangr
il
y.'
'Leave,
my
deci
sionisfinal'
'
.
(
TheQueenmot
herl
eft
).
(
GuestRoyalr
oom)
.
Pri
ncessRagahwasgi venar oom andshewepther
heartoutwit
ht hewayPr i
nceMaj i
dactedwi t
hthe
announcementoft hei
rmar r
iage.Shebeli
evethat
peoplehadalreadystart
edtalki
ngaboutit.Shewas
al
readyinlovewi t
hhim.Shewasal r
eadyinlove
wit
hhim.Af terseeinghimf orthefi
rstt
ime.Itwas
l
oveatfirstsi ght.Shelookedthroughthewindow
whil
etearsf ellouthereyes.Hermot her,Queen
Sal
maent eredi nhergloryandsawhoherdaught er
wasfadingaway, whenRagahsawher ,
shebreak
downintot ear sinherexpensivesaree.
'
'Mot
her
, Isweart
hatifMaj
idr
efusest
omar
ryme
t
hen,
Iwi
llkil
lmysel
f''
.
'
' Don'
tbesil
ly!Ofcoursehewi llmarryyou.It
hink
hewasj ustshockedbecausehedi dn'
tknowabout
theplansofhisfather
, butIt
hinkaboutitandgive
usabef i
tt
inganswert omor r
ow' '
.
'
'Ar
eyousur
emot
her
?''
.
'
'Noonecanr ej
ectabeauti
fulgi
rlli
keyou.Yout wo
havebeenputtoget
hertobemar ri
ed,whetherhe
l
ikesi
tornot,
hemustmar ryyou,
else..
.noonewill
wanttomarryyou..
.hecan'
tbethatheartl
ess''
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Theroom wastodi
ef or
.Hischamberwasmanly
andgracef
ull
ymade.Hewast hecrownedPri
nce
aft
erall
,
andhedeservedsucharoom.Itwas
paint
edinwhiteandli
ghtblue.Hisbedwascover ed
i
nheavywhi t
ebedsheetsandal most,t
enpillows.
Hisroofwasmadeofgl adandt herewasat all
heavypotful
lofcoolwaterandar r
angedglassesof
goldcupsbesi
desthepotonagol dentabl
e.
Thef l
oorwasmadeofgol dandhi swar drobewas
alsomadeofgol d.Ther oom wast hel argestapart
from theki
ng'schamber .Theremai densst anding
therewithheavyfans.Mai denshadsur r
ounded
hisnedanddr oppedthei rfacesdownwar d,withbig
fansshocklookedl i
ket hatofthefeat hersofan
ostri
ch.Majidwasl eadedi ntohisroom byQueen
Sheenawhowassmi linglikenoother ,
event hough
Maj i
dwasn'tsmi l
ingwi t
ht henewshegotear li
er.
Heneededt oannouncehi sr el
ati
onshi pwi t
hCi ndy
assoonasmor ningcame.Themai dsboweddown
tohim andheaskedt hem t ogetout.
'
'Noson.Youneedtosleepri
ghtnow.Youmustbe
veryti
redwi
tht
hestressofyourtr
avel
.Iknowyou
wanttosaysomethi
ng.Wecant al
kabout
everyt
hingt
omorr
ow' '
.
'
'Iam ser
iousaboutt
heanswerIgavet
her
oyal
ti
es
mother.Iwi
llnotmar
ryanyoneunl
esst
heper
soni
s
chosenbyme' '.
'
'Thisi
syourkingdom Majid,andhei syourfat
her.
Heknowswhati sbestforyou,j
ustsleep,andyou
wil
lseeever
ythingi
nadi ff
erentli
ghttomor r
ow''.
'
'Iwi
llnotseeanyt
hing.Iam ser
iousaboutt
his'
'
.
'
'Iam happyyoubroughtyourf
ri
endsal
ongwi
th
youtoseeyourcustoms''
.
'
'Suchfuckedupcust
oms.Iam ver
ydi
sappoi
nted
t
hat,
thi
sishowyoudoyourthi
ngs''
.
(SomeguardsdroppedMaji
d'sl
uggagesinfr
ontof
ofhisl
argewardrobeandt
heybowedt hei
rhead
andlef
t.QueenSheenasatbesi
desPri
nceMaj i
din
acalm mood).
'
'Didyouseet
hegir
lthatcaughtt
hest
atue?Can
yourememberherf
ace?''
.
'
'No.Idon'
tknow.( Heremovedhisshir
tandhis
spot
lessbeauti
fulbodywasblushing)
.Butther
e
wassomet hi
ngverystrange,
Ihaveneverseen
somethi
ngl i
kethatbef
ore''
.
'
'Somet
hingl
ikewhat
?''
.
'
'Canyouimagine,shehadt
hesamenecklaceas
mine.Andshesli
ppedandfel
loverme,
Isawboth
neckl
aceli
ghtup''
.
'
'Thesameneckl ace?'
'.QueenSheenai
s
fl
abber
gasted.'
'Youmean, shewasweari
ngoneof
yourel
ephantchain?''
.
'
'Yeahyeah.Thatone''
.Maji
dsaidandlethi
msel
f
fal
lint
ohi
ssoftflamboyantwat
erbed.Queen
Sheenagottoherfeet
.
'
'Goodni
ghtson'
'
.Shesai
dandgotoutofthe
chamber
.''
Ohmygoodness,
thi
scan'
tbe''
.
(Queenmothersawherst
andi
ngt
her
eandwal
ked
closert
oher)
.
'
'I
tisal
readyl
ate.Ar
eyounotgoi
ngt
obed?'
'
.
'
'Mot
her,It
hinkImighthaveacl
ueaboutt
hegi
rl
whocaughtthest
atue''
.
'
'Real
ly?!Tel
lme,
wemustf
indherassoonas
possi
ble''
.
'
'Doyour
emembert
heel
ephantneckl
ace?Queen
Meer
aht
oldusawomanwhohel pedhergett
othe
wi
shi
ngst
ream gavei
ttoher'
'
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Maj
idtol
dmethat
,t
hegi
rlt
hatcaughtt
hest
atue
wasweari
ngt
hesameneckl
aceashis''
.
(
Queenmot
her
'sf
acei
ssuddenl
yghost
).
'
'Thesame?Areyout
ryi
ngt
osayi
tist
hewoman
whocaughti
t?'
'
.
'
' Remembert his.Thatnecklaceisonei nami l
li
on.
Noonehadone.QueenMeer ahsaid,t
hewoman
whogavei ttoher ,
madei tknownt ohert hat
,i
twas
herfatherwhomadei t.I
twasonl yt wo.Shehad
one,andgavet heothertoQueenMeer ah,meani
ng..
.
IfQueenMeer ah'snecklaceiswi t
hhersonnow. .
..
.
'
'Thenthewoman'sneckl
aceiswithherdaught
er.
Weevensawher25year sagoatthefuner
alof
Meerah.AndMaj
id'
shandf el
lonherstomach''
.
'
'Desti
nywaswor ki
ngri
ghtinfr
ontofoureyesand
wedidn'tevenseei
tmother'
'
.
'
'Ohygoodness.
..Okay.Let
'sgot
obednow
Sheena.Tomorrowisanewday,
wear egoingt o
fi
ndthatgirl
.Andwhethert
hewholeworl
dt urns
agai
nstus,shewil
lhavetobeMaj
id'sf
ir
stwi f
e..
...
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
50] :

.
Sequence25
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=GuestRooms)
.
Cindyandhergi r
lf
riendNat alyawer
egi venoneof
thebedr oomst ofeetathomeandshedi dn'
tli
keit
onebi t.Eventhought heroom wastohert asteand
l
ookedbeaut i
fulandcl assy,
shewouldhave
preferredtobeinoner oom wi t
hMaji
d,butitwas
forbidden.Sheneverknewshewoul dbesepar at
ed
from Maj i
dinthekingdom, shewouldn'
thave
al
lowedt
hem t
ocomet
her
e.
Sheandherf riendNat al
yast art
edplacingthei
r
thi
ngsi nt othepr ovi
dedwar drobeandshewas
exhaust ed.Af terthepartywasoverandever yone
separ ated,shegott ot al
kt oMaj i
dandhehad
assur edhert hathewasgoi ngtoannouncet hei
r
rel
ationshi pthenextday.Thatgaveheral i
ttl
ehope.
Shel ookedar oundt hewal l
sandsawt hatt
heywer e
buil
tofgol d.Af t
erarrangingthet hi
ng,
Natalyasat
upont hebedandswi tchedonherphone.whi l
e
Cindywast ouchingsomel it
tl
estatuesand
sculptur esaround.
'
'Demn,
nonet
wor
k''
.
'
'Wow,t
hispeopl
ereal
lyhaveat
hingf
orst
atues
andgol
d''
.
'
'Theyareroyal
s.Whatdi
dyouexpect
,t
heonly
per
sonlookingoddamongthem i
sMaji
d,andus.
Maji
ddidn'
tgrowuphere''
.
'
'Yes,
andthati
swhyheissosmartandshar
p.Thi
s
peopl
earesodumb!Howcanyoulookforawif
efor
someonewhodoesnotevenhaveanyi
deaofit
?''
.
'
'Iwassoshockedgir
l.Gosh,
thi
sis21stcent
ury.
Whodoesthat
?!''
.Nat
alyasai
dwhi l
elaughi
ng.
'
'Tomorrow,theywil
lallhavetoacceptthat,
Maji
d
andIaretogether
.Andnot hingi
sgoingt osepar
ate
us.Maji
dismi ne,
dotheyhaveanyi deahowI
suff
eredforustogettothispointofour
rel
ati
onship,
andhiscrazyf amil
ywant stosepar
ate
usandgethim mar r
iedtosomePr incess?'
'.
'
'Rel
ax'
'
.
'
'Dot heyknowwhoIam?Am af ucki
ngpr i
ncessof
England.I
naway, Ial
somat chtothei
rclass
becauseam alsofrom ari
chhome.It hi
nkt heywi
ll
changetheirmindstomorrow,whenMaj i
dhi msel
f
myhandt omeett hem '
'.
'
'Yeah,
Iguesst
heywoul
d.Buti
ftheydon'
t.
..
..
'
'Maj i
disthecr
ownedPri
nceNat.Theycan'tgo
againsthi
m.Andasforme,i
fanyonetr
iestoget
betweenmymanandI ,
Iwil
lburnthem al
ive''
.
'
'Wow!Thi
ngswedof
orl
ove.
..
.
'
'Canbever
ydeadl
y''
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shedi dn'tknowhowt ocontrolherl aught er.Faruk
satonherbedi nangui sh.Hispl ansf ail
edt err
ibl
y
andinst eadofhismot hertotellhi m somet hing
sensible,shewasbusi lylaughingl ikenobody
business.Itannoyedhi m.Hest artedt hinki
ngof
howt oexecut eplanBandmaket hatwor kperfect
ly.
Thet hingis,
hismot herhadani deai nher
head,whi chshedidn'twanttot ellhim atal l
.She
knewhewasn' tgoingt oagreet oherpl ans.Butit
wasgoi ngtotakehiml ikearapt ure.Hegott ohis
feetwithangerandf et
chedwat erf r
om herpotand
guzzledup.
'
'Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odonowmot
her
?''
.
'
'Ever
ythi
ngissort
edoutmyson.Got
obed,
you
mustbeveryti
redfr
om t
hepar
ty''
.
'
'Iam notti
redi
nanyway!Besi
des,
youshouldn'
t
belaughi
ngbythist
ime.Maj
idi
ssti
llal
ive'
'
.
'
'Youdon'tevenknowhowyourf at
heri
sangr
ywith
himri
ghtnowFar uk,whyareyouevenwor
ryi
ng
your
selves.Ever
ythi
ngthati
shappeni
ngnow,i
sa
blessi
ngindisgui
sef
orusmysin.Pl
ease,
just
relax.
..
andseehowIchanget
hingst
oourfavor
tomorrow''
.
'
'Myf at
heri
sangrywit
hMaj i
d?Wow,Iguessi
t'
s
becauseofthewayhereact
edaboutthenewsof
hi
smar ri
agetoRagah'
'.
'
'Exact
ly'
'
.
'
'Buthowi
sthatabl
essi
ngi
ndi
sgui
sef
orus?'
'
.
'
'Justgot
obednow.Go.
..
.
(
PrinceFaruklef
tandAvnient
eredwi
thasmall
l
ightbackclot
heinherhands,
andsheboweddown)
.
'
'Avni
!Ial
mostf
orgotyou,
whatt
ookyousol
ong?'
'
.
'
'I
twasn'
teasyyourhi
ghness'
'
.Shesai
dand
r
emembers.
(
5hour
sago)
Thewelcomingpar
tywasgoi ngonandAvniwal ked
upthetal
lst
air
sinthewalkingyardtot
heking's
chamberandsawtwoguar dsstandi
nginfrontof
thechamber
.Asusual,
shehadavei lonherface
andshegottothei
rfr
ont.
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.Oneoft
heguar
dasked.
'
'Queenmot
herhassentmeher
etot
akesomet
hing
f
orher''
.
'
'Ar
eyousur
e?Ever
yonei
satt
hepar
ty'
'
.
'
'Don'
twor
ry,
bel
ieveme'
'
.
(Theyletherint heki
ng'schamberandshequi ckl
y
wentt owheret hethousandsofkeyoft hepalace
hadbei nghanged.Shemi stakenlyhitherhandsat
thekeyboardandt heboar dfellonthefloor
.She
panickedandt heguar dsenteredandsuspi ci
on).
'
'Whatar
eyoudoi
ngbesi
dest
hekeys?'
'
.
'
'TheQueenmothersai
dIshoul
dbr
ingt
hest
ore
housekeyspl
ease'
'.
(Oneoft heguardsbentdownandst artedar
ranging
thekeysont heboard.Heraisedi
tupandhangedi t
onagol denladder.Oneofthekeysfelldownand
theguardpickeditupandhangedi tseparat
ely
from al
ltheotherkeys.Andthatwawhenshe
real
iseditwasQueenMeer ah'schamberkeys.The
keyswer etwo.Theguar dt
henaskedhert osearch
fort
hekeysineasesot hatt heydon'tf
all
.Helef
t
thechamberandAvniqui cklytookthekeysand
removedoneofthem andf ixedaf akekeytoi
t.She
hisi
tinhersar
eeandl eftthechamber ).
(
Backt
othepr
esent
=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
'
'Wow,
sowher
eist
hekeynow?'
'
.
(
Sheopenedt
hecl
othandhandedt
hekeyovert
o
QueenDor
ah)
.
'
'But
,ar
eyousur
ethi
sist
hekey?'
'
.
'
'It
hinkweshoul
dtryfi
rstyourhi
ghness,
butIam
sur
ethisi
stheri
ghtkey''
.
'
'Good,
Iwillr
ewar
dyouheavi
lyi
fitt
urnsoutt
obe
t
hekey..
.youmayleavenow'
'
.
(Avnil
eftt
hechamberandQueenDorahdropped
theykeyonherbed.Shethenl
ookedunderherbed
andtookthepotcont
aini
ngQueenMeerah'ssoul
).
'
'From t
omorr
ow,youaregoi
ngtobeathingort
he
pastQueenMeer
ah..
.Goodbye!
!!'
'
.Shesaid
l
aughing.
(
NextDay=I
ntheki
ngdom=Meho'
shouse)
.
Inthewi dehall,
sheopenedhereyesandf eltavery
sharppai ninherhead.Shemumbl edandr eali
sed
shewal yi
ngdownonamatwi thabl anketcovered
herbody.Shescr eechinpainandt urnedhereye
balltoherleftsideandsawhermot hersmilingat
her.SheWSsur pri
sed,buthermot hersmiled.There
wasasmal ltowelf ol
dedandpl acedonher
forehead.Andsheal soreal
isedthattherewasa
plasteronherf oreheadwithaher balmedicine.The
towelonherheadwaswar m andsher eali
sedshe
wasbei ngmassaged.
'
'Mot
her
,ist
hatr
eal
lyyou,
oryouar
ebot
hdead?'
'
.
(
Bhavnal
aughedherheadof
f)
'
'Don'
tbesi
ll
y!'
'
.
'
'Howdi
dIgether
emot
her
?''
.
'
'Kushibr
oughtyouher
e''
.
'
'Kushi
?!'
'
.Shewasur
pri
sedandbegant
osob.'
'
Kushi
,where.
..
.
'
'Kushiisf
inedear.Andshet
oldmeever
ythi
ngt
hat
happenedlastni
ght''
.
'
'Mot
her
,am sor
ry.Icanexpl
ain'
'
.
'
'Don'
texpl
ainanythi
ngmydear
.Youar
eokaynow.
I
t'
sallt
hatmatter
sokay?'
'
.
'
' Okaymot her
.( Remember swhathappenedl ast
night).Mot her
, youalwaystoldmethat .
..
the
elephantneckl acewasonei namill
ion,and
that..
.youwer et heonlyonewhohadi ti
nt he
kingdom, thenhowcomeIsawt hesameneckl ace
ont hecr ownedPr i
nce'
sneck?Ididn'tseehisface
clearl
y, butIsawt henecklace''
.
(
Bhavnawasabsol
utel
yshocked)
.
'
'ThePri
nce?'
'
.(Sheal
soquickl
yremember
ed26
year
sago,t
hedayshehandedoneofitt
oQueen
Meerah)
.
'
'Mot
her
?!'
'
.
(
Out
sidet
heHouse=Ont
hecompound)
.
Mehohadar ri
vedonthecompoundwithseven
royalguards,whohadgivenhi
mf i
vegoldcoins.
Theywer eintown,
searchi
ngforRi
shiandKushi ,
theydescribedbot
hthegirl
sandusedthei
rslippers
aswel ltoaskf ormor einformati
on.Mehoi s
passingbyandassoonashesawt hesli
ppersand
thekindofdescr i
pt i
on, hewassoexi tedthatt
he
royalfami l
ywasl ookingf ornootherthan?Rishi.
Shef i
ttedt hedescr i
ptionper f
ect
ly.Andhewent
closertooneoft hem andr att
edoutthatheknew
thegirltheywer el ookingf or
.Theygavehi mfive
goldcoi nsandt hatwaswhyhebr oughtt
hem i n
frontoft hecompound.
'
'Thi
sismyhouse.Andmywi feandthatRi
sh.
..
.I
mean,
mywi f
eanddaughterar
einsi
de.Letmego
andcheckt
hingsoutf
ormyself'
'
.
(
Mehowal
kedtothedoorandopenedandent
ered.
HesawRi
shil
yingdown)
.
'
'Youhaveavi
sit
orRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Whowoul
dthatbe?'
'
.Bhavnaasked.
'
'Guar
dsf
rom t
hepal
ace'
'
.
'
'What?'
'.Bhavnaj
umpedup.'
'Whatdot
heywant
f
rom her
?''.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Buti
tlooksl
iket
heyhavebei
ngsent
t
ofet
chher'
'
.
'
'Ri
shii
snotgoi
nganywher
e''
.
'
'Don'
tlett
hem comeher
eandt
akeherawaywi
th
f
orceBhavna'
'.
'
'Youwoul
dn'
tdar
edot
hatMeho!'
'
.
(Mehopokerhi sheadout si
deandshout edfort
he
guards,Bhavnaqui ckl
ypushedMehopokedout si
de
andshoutedf ortheguards,Bhavnaquickl
ypushed
Mehooutoft her oom andlockedthegate.The
guardsrushedt othefrontandstar
tedknocking
vi
olentl
yforhert oopenbutt onoavail
).
(
RoyalPal
ace=Maj
id'
schamber
).
Thecocksinthepalacewer enotplanni
ngt ostop
crowi
ng.Maj i
dhadneverhear dthi
sinal lhi
sli
fe
anditwasquitedi
sturbi
ng.Heopenedt hose
angel
iceyesandsatup.Heyawnednscr at
chedhis
eyesali
ttl
e.Helookedaroundt heroom andsmi l
ed.
Hewasf eel
ingtheroyal
ty.Suddenly,t
her ewasa
knockonhisdoor.Aguar denteredandbowed
downtohim) .
'
'Mypri
nce,
i
tist
imef
oryourmor
ningf
eetwash
r
it
ual'
'
.
'
'Feetwhat
?''
.
(QueenSheenaent
eredt
hechamberwi
tht
wo
mai dens,
whohel
dabasinofwar
m wat
eranda
cleanwater)
.
'
'Yourf
eetwashmyson.Goodmor
ning'
'
.
'
'Goodmor
ningmot
her
,whati
sal
lthi
s?'
'
.
'
'Everymor ni
ng,t
hefeetofever
yroyali
swashed
astradit
iondemands,sothatt
hewholedaygoes
wellforthem '
'
.
'
'Wow.
..
(helaughsanddr
oppedhi
sfeetdownf
or
t
hewash).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Meho'
sHouse)
.
Theguardswer esti
llknocki
ngvi ol
ent
lyonthedoor
.
Suddenl
y,theystart
edusi ngforce,
thefor
ced
themsel
vesandbr eakdownt hedoorandenter
ed
withswords.Theylookedar oundanditwasonly
Bhavnawhowasst andingthere.
'
'Wher
eist
hegi
rl
?''
.
'
'Ther
eisnogi
rlher
e!'
'
.Bhavnasai
d,pant
ing.
'
'Shei
slyi
ng.Shewasl
yingr
ightt
her
eboys!'
'
.
Mehoshout
ed.
(Theyrai
sedupthei
rheadsandsawawi deopened
windowshockindi
catedt
hatRishihadjumpedout
ofther
e,t
hesuddenl
ygrabbedBhavna'shandwith
anger)
.
'
'Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Letgoof
fme!Don'
ttouchme!
'
'
.
'
'Wearegoingtotakeyoutothepalace,andthr
ow
youi
ntothedungeon,unt
ilyourdaughterher
sel
f
comesfetchyou!
..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
50] :

.
Sequence26
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Meho'
sHouse)
.
Theguar dsheldBhavna' shandandshekeptt rying
tor esist
.Sher egrett
edbyt hatmomentf orgetting
mar r
iedtoMeho.Shecoul dn'tseparat
eher sel
f
from t heguardsandhert earscoul dn'
tstopfal
ling
out .Thiswasn' twhatMenihadpl anned.Hewant ed
them t otakeRi shiandnotBhavna.Het r
ied
separ ati
ngBhavnaf rom t
heguar dsbutoneoft hem
raisedhi shandandgavehi m adirtymemor yl
ost
slap.Thatwast hemostpainfulslapslapMehohad
receivedal lhi
sl if
e.Hesli
ppedandf el
lonthefloor.
'
' Howcouldyouthistoyourowndaught
erMeho,i
s
thisthel
oveyouclaimedtohaveforme?Theonl
y
mi st
akemylatemot hermadewastobetr
othmeto
you''.
'
'ButBhavna,
Icanexpl
aint
his.
..
.
'
'WhenIcomebackf r
om thepal
ace,youanduat e
over.
..
yougotthat
?!Iwil
lpackbot
hmyt ingsand
Rishi
'
st hi
ngsaswell.
..
andyouwillneverseeus
agai
n!'
'
.
(Theguardstookherawaywi t
hforce.Andwhen
theygotint
otown,peopl
ej ustkeptwonderi
ngwhat
hadhappened.Manyeyessawt hi
sembar r
assi
ng
moment .Someoft hem scornedandlaughedat
her)
.
'
'Itmi
ghtbet
hat,
herdaught
erhasi
nfect
edherwi
th
herst
eal
ing'
'
.Onemam said.
'
'Yes.Ormaybe,herdr
unkardhusbandhascaused
sometroubl
e''
.Anothersai
d.
'
'Thiswomani
ssounf
ort
unat
einl
if
e''
.Anot
her
shouted.
(
Butt
heguar
dswentaheadandt
ookheraway)
.
(
Int
heRoyalpal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hegotoutoft heshowerwi t
hawhi tet
owelonhis
waist.Aft
erhismorningfeetwashearl
ier
,themaids
arr
angedhi sthi
ngsinhiswardrobeandsohewent
str
aighttothewardrobeandremovedoneofhi s
verycuteshir
tsandjeans.Hisexpensi
vesneakers
werear r
angedonahugeshoer ack.Hewatchedit
f
ormoret
hanfivemi
nut
esanddi
dn'
tknowwhi
chof
t
hem t
ochoose.
Suddenly,hehear dhischamberdooropenedand
heturnedhisback.Hedi dn'
tknowwhoi twaasince
ther
ewer eal otofcurtai
nsintheroom andthedoor
wasver yfarawayf rom hisbedsi
de.Hebentdown
andstartedlookingthroughhisshoescoll
ecti
onto
knowwhatt owear .
'
'Taket
hewhi
teonebaby'
'
.Ci
ndysai
dfr
om behi
nd.
(Heturnedandgott ihisf
eetandgaveoutahear t
warmingsmi l
e,
Ci ndywalkedfasttihim andti
ghtl
y
embracedhim.Sher ai
sedherfaceunderhi sli
ps
andkissedhislowerl i
pwithpassi
on.Shesl owly
bentdownandpi ckeduphisorigi
nalGucciwhi t
e
sneakersandhel dhishandtohisbed.Hesatdown
andshesatbesi deshim.Hewasal readydryandhe
star
tedapplyi
ngpomadeonhi sbody) .
'
'Maji
d,i
tismorni
ngnow,whenarewegoingt
osee
yourf
amilyandannounceever
ythi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Hey,r
elax.Okay..
.wear
einI
ndi
aCindy,
nolongeri
n
London.Wedon' tdowhatwewanther
e,mymother
sai
dthat..
.wecanonlyseetheki
ngwhenhehas
cal
ledforus,
andmyf at
heronlycall
speoplewhen
hegetsintot
hecourthouse.Soletuswaitawhil
e''
.
(
Suddenl
y,aguar
dopenedt
hecur
tai
nandent
ered
t
heroom).
'
'What?
!Don'tyouhavemanners?Whoaskedyou
t
hat,
youcanenterthePri
nce'
sroom atanygi
ven
t
ime,
andwithoutknocki
ng?''
.
'
'Iam sor
rymadam '
'
.
'
'Hey,
Cindy.
..r
elaxokay!'
'
.Maj
idr
aisedhi
sheadat
hi
m.''
Whatdoyouwant ?''
.
'
'Themaidensar
eher
ewi
thyourbr
eakf
astmy
pri
nce'
'
.
'
'Cool
..
.l
ett
hem i
n,am st
arvi
ng'
'
.
(
Theguar
dlef
t).
'
'Cindy,becaref
ulokay?Thi
si snotLondon,
you
can'tt
alktoanyoneanyhowher e.Thati
smy
personalguar
d..
.showsomer espect''
.
'
'Ican'
tbel
ievet
hisMajid.Youshoul
dbe
suppor
ti
ngme. .
am yourwoman!''
.Shest
art
ed
weepi
ngsomecr
ocodi
let
ear
s.
'
'Heyhey.
.am sor
ry.Rel
ax..Shhhh'
'
.Hesai
dcal
mly
andcuddl
edhertohisside.
(Twomai densenteredthechamberandar e
shockedt oseet hecrownedPr ince,t
opl
essand
smoochi ngCindyr omanticall
y,astheyboth
embr acedeachot herti
ghtly.Theybothlookedat
thei
rf aces,
andevenMaj i
dnorCi ndyhadnot
real
isedt hei
rpresence).
'
' Myprince.Yourbr eakfastpl
ease''
.Oneofthe
mai dssaid.Theot heronesetagoldenbreakfast
tablebesidesthel ar
gebedandt heotheronealso
arrangedthebr eakfastonitandtheybothbowed
down.Ci ndysmi led.
'
'Youmayleavegi
rl
s''
.Ci
ndysai
dbutt
heywer
est
il
l
st
andi
ngthere.
'
'Whatar
eyoustandi
ngther
efor
?''
.Ci
ndyasked.'
'I
sai
dyoushoul
dleave'
'.
'
'Weonl
yrecei
veor
der
sfr
om t
hePr
incemadam '
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Youcanl
eave'
'
.Maj
idsai
dandt
heybot
hlef
t.
'
'InfactMajid,yourpeoplearesodisr
espectf
uland
mean.Theyshoul djustwaitandsee,
thedayI
becomet heircrownedPr i
nce'swif
e,t
hentheywil
l
regr
ettreat
ingmel i
kethis'
'.
(Pri
nceMaj
idi
stot
all
ysur
pri
sedaboutCi
ndy'
s
stat
ement
).
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Ohbabycomeon...
Iwasj
ustki
ddi
ng.YouknowI
am notl
iket
hat'
'
..
.
(
Maj
idbegunt
odi
shoutwi
thCi
ndy)
.
(
ThePal
acecompound)
.
Theguardsar ri
vedwi t
hBhavnaanshewas
weepingandr esist
ing.Theyqui
ckl
ytookhertothe
frontoft
hedungeonandt heli
onsembarkedon
theirr
oari
ng.Theyopenedt hedungeonandpushed
Bhavnaintoitandshescr eamedbecauseofthe
l
ions.Theylockedherandl ef
t.
(
Queenmot
her
'schamber
)
QueenSheenaent
eredt
hechamberi
nsmi
lesand
t
heybot
hhel
dthei
rhandst
oget
her
.
'
'Mother,
iti
sti
metoexecut
eourpl
annow.
Today,
QueenDorahneedst
obeexposednomat
ter
what''
.
'
'YesIknowSheena.Letusdothatlat
erokay.I
n
t
heeveningmaybe,
butfornow.
..Ihavenothear
d
f
rom Shakerandam wai
ti
ngfor
....
(Therewasaver yloudbagoft hecourtbellwas
heard.Suddenly,
thequietsurr
oundingt ur
nednoisy
aseveryonewasr unningtothecourtroom.The
queenmot herandQueenSheenaal sol eft
).
(
Int
hecour
troom)
.
Everyonewaspr esent .Excepttheking.TheQueens
quickl
yentered,t
hewi semenandt hepriests.Some
guardshadf i
ll
edt hereandt hemai dswithgol den
cupsofwat erwereser vingthevi
sit
ors,i
ncluding
theJhansiroyalfami l
y.Ther eweretwor oyalfamily.
Thereweret woseat sf orthepri
nceswhi chwas
bothanopposi t
edi rections.
Maji
denter
edwi t
hhisfr
iends.Theywerevi
sit
ors
andtheyweresepar
atedfrom t
heroyalf
amil
y.
Cindywasf rowningbecauseoft heactalltheway.
Ever yone'
seyeswasonMaj i
dashewasi nforeign
cl
othesandl ookedcompl etelyforeign.Butthey
didn'tdarewat chhimt oomuchbecausehewast he
crownedPr i
nce.Finall
y,therewasal oudentrance
noticeannouncementoft heki ngbyt he
spokesper sonoft heking.Everyonegott otheirfeet
astheki ngent er
ed.Hewentst raighttohisthrone
andcl imbedt hestair
st ohisthrone.Hesatdown
andl ift
edhishandf orthem alltosi taswell
.
ThekingofJhansiwasf rowni
ngt er
ri
bly.King
Shakercl
earedhisthroatandCindywasf inal
ly
smil
ingbecauseheknewshewasgoi ngtobe
adoredaf
terthecourtmeetingwhenMaj i
d
announcewhoshewast oeveryone.
'
'Thankyoual lf
orheedingt omycal landar r
iving
hereassoonaspossi bl
e, Iwanttomakei tknown
toyouallthat,
lastnight,
thecr ownedPr incear r
ived
i
nthekingdom.Sot hoseofyouwhower en'
tatt he
welcomepar ty,thatisPrinceMaj i
df oryou(hesai d
andpointedatPr i
nceMaj idwhogaveoutal ight
smileanddr ophi sfacetot hefl
oor).Thecr owned
Pr
inceofUj
ani'
'
.
(Al
lthepeoplewhocoul
dn'
tat
tendthepar
tyallgot
toheirf
eetandboweddowntohim.Thentheysat
back).
'
'So,
Maj
id,
dotoyhaveanyt
hingt
otel
lyour
f
oll
ower
s?''
.
'
' Ur
rrmmm..
.Idon'
tthi
nksof at
her.Iguessam
quit
ehonour
edabouttheirwarm welcome.And
thankyoual
l'
'.Maj
idsaid.
'
'Okay.Honourablemember softhecourt.Last
ni
ghtwasalsot hesameni ghtIannouncedabout
Maji
d'smarri
ageal l
iancewit
hPr i
ncessRagah''.
Thekingsai
d,point
ingattheprincess,
andshe
smil
ed.
'
' Thati
sgoodyourHi
ghness.Pl
ease,shal
lwestar
t
theproceedi
ngs?'
'
.QueenDorahaskedwithanevi
l
smi l
e.
'
'Icannotmar
ryt
hepr
incess!'
'
.Maj
idshout
edi
n
anger
.
'
'Maj
id!'
'
.Theki
ngshout
edback.
'
'ButIthoughtyouwentt
othi
nki
toverl
astni
ght
af
terthepart
y''.Ki
ngSi
amaksai
d.
'
'Iam sor
ryeveryone.ButIcan'
tmarr
ysomeoneI
haveneverseen,
spokento..
orhaveanyf
eel
ingsf
or
'
'.
'
'Wearenott al
kingaboutlove.Wearetal
kingabout
r
esponsibi
li
ti
es.Youcanf alli
nlovewit
hherafter
marr
iage''
.Theki ngr
oared.
'
'Areyougoi ngtoforceme?Becauseam alr
eadyin
arelati
onshipfat
her''
.Maji
dstoodupandturnedto
Cindy'ssi
tti
ngplaceandstret
chedhishandtoher
.
Shegotupandcatwal kedtoMaji
d'ssi
deandput
herhandsi nhi
s.''Thi
sisCindyBl
ake,andshe'
smy
gi
rlfr
iend,andmyl ove'
'.
(
Ever
yonewasi
nahotseatandst
art
edmur
mur
ing)
.
'
'Theforei
gner
?!Overmydeadbodywi
llIseet
his
happenedMaji
d!'
'.Theki
ngroar
ed.
(Queenmot
hergotupast
hecour
twasbecomi
ng
chaos).
'
'I
tisenough!Letever
yonebesi
lent
!''
.
(
Ever
ywher
etur
nedsi
lent
).
'
'Nomot her!Myownsoncannotgrowupt ot hi
s
stageandi sobeymeli
ket
his!Maj
id,youeit
her
changet ourmindnow,
orst
epdownast hecrowned
Prince!'
'
.
'
'No!Noneoft hatwillhappened!Majidi
sthe
crownedPr i
nce, andhewi l
lst
aythecrownedPrince.
Helovesthef oreignerright
?Fine,
thenhewillmarry
her(
Queenmot hersaidandl ookedatMajid)
.But
shewillnotbeyourf i
rstwifeMaji
d''.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Asaki
nginfutur
e,youar
esupposedt
omarry
t
hreewi
ves.Andthosear
ethel
awsoftheki
ngdom
'
'
.
'
'Maji
dwil
lnotmar
ryaf
orei
gnermot
her
!''
.Theki
ng
shout
ed.
'
' Nei
therwi
llImarr
ythepri
ncess.Ift
hatiswhati
t
takestobethecrownedPri
ncefather,
thenIwi
ll
gladl
ystepdownandr et
urntoLondon!''.
'
'No!'
'
.QueenSheenacr
ied.'
'Maj
id,
youar
enot
goi
nganywhere.Youbel
onghere.
..
thi
sisyour
ki
ngdom..Andyouwil
lstayher
e''
.
'
'Ican'
tbelievethi
sdisgr
acehasfall
enonmy
famil
y.Ithoughtthi
ngswouldberesolved
peaceful
lytoday''
.Ki
ngSiamaksaid.
(QueenDorahgaveanevi lsmileandtur
nedher
facetoafardistanceatwher eQueenSalma,the
motherofPr i
ncessRagahsat ,andthetwoQueens
noddedtheirheadst oget
her.ThenQueenDorahgot
toherfeetandbr eakthesil
ence).
'
'Iwantt
osaysomet
hing'
'
.
'
'What
?''
.Theki
ngasked.
'
'Toavoidadisgr
aceandar i
ffbetweent
hetwo
kingdom,t
henIsuggest,Pr
incessRagah,begiven
tosomeonewhol ovesher,
i
nst eadofMaj
id'
'.
(
Cindyhel
dMaj
id'
sar
m sot
ight
lyi
nfr
ight
).
'
'Andwhowi llt
hatbeQueenDor
ah?'
'
.Queen
motheraskedinannoyance.
'
'Far
uk!'
'.QueenDor
ahshout
edwi
thherf
inger
s,
poi
ntedatPri
nceFar
ukwhohadhi
smouthopened
wi
del
yinshock.Hedi
dn'
tseet
hatonecomi
ng.
'
'Mot
her,
whatdoyou.
..
.'
'.Far
ukt
ri
edt
odef
end
hi
msel
f.
'
' Ohmyson, youdon'thavetofeelhurtanymor e.
Tourbr ot
herisi
nl ovewithaforei
gner.Don'tyou
think,
youshouldkeepyourf ather
'sdignit
ytothe
highestbymar r
yinghispref
erredwifemat eri
al?'
'.
(Pr
incessRagaht r
iedt
ostandupandsayhermind
buthermot herhel
dherhandti
ght
lyt
ositasshe
wasint ear
s).
'
'Wow..
.Ican'
tbel
ievethi
s.Thi
sissuchahear
t
warmi
ngnews.MysonFar ukhasmademeproud'
'
.
Theki
ngsaidinhappiness.
'
'Hai
lPr
inceFar
uk!'
'
.Oneoft
hewi
semenshout
ed.
'
'Hailhi
m!'
'
.Maj
ori
tyoft
hecour
tmember
sshout
ed
back.
'
'Hai
lPr
inceFar
uk!'
'
.
'
'Hai
lhi
m!'
'
.
(TheQueenmotherandQueenSheenawere
astoni
shedashowQueenDorahhadquickl
ytur
ned
thi
ngar oundi nt
oherf avor,eventhought hings
wer enotintheirrightplace,butKingSi amakwas
nothappy.Hepr eferredthecr ownedPr i
nceto
PrinceFaruk.Buthest il
lsmi l
e.PrinceMaj idwas
furi
ouswi t
ht hisembar r
assmentandpushed
Cindy'shandawayf r
om hi m andqui cklywalkedout
ofthecour tr
oom.Hi sf r
iendsr unafterhim buthi s
wal kwasfaster.Hewal keddownmanyst ai
rsas
thecourtwasatt hever ypeakoft hepal acebuilding.
Hegott othecompoundandent eredhisexpensi ve
andspar kl
ingcar .Hegoti nanddr ovespeedi l
y
away) .
'
'Maj
id!
!!'
'
.Ci
ndyscr
eamedast
hecardr
oveaway.
'
'Wher
ethehel
lishegoi
ng?'
'
.Ji
mmyasked.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Hedoesn'
tknowthi
spl
ace.Wher
e
wouldhego?''
.Theywonder
ed.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Att
her
iversi
de)
.
Rishisatneart
her
iverandkeptt
hrowingstones
i
ntoit.Wonderi
ngwhatmighthavehappenedtot he
guardsandherpar
ents.Shescoopedsomeoft he
waterandwashedherfacrast
earfel
lint
otheriver.
Kushiarr
ivedther
eandsatbesi
desherbecause
shefi
rstpassedatherpl
acebef
oregett
ingtothe
ri
ver
.
'
'
Youwi
llhavet
ogohomesoonerorl
aterRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Idon'
twantt
oheari
t''
.
'
'Whydon'tyoufi
rstgowi
ththem,
andf
indoutwhy
t
heroyalf
ami l
ywantsyou'
'.
'
'Theonlyreasonswhyguardsf
rom t
hepalace
goesoutinsearchf
oraperson,
iswhentheperson
hascommi tt
edacri
me''
.
'
'Butyoudidnotcommi
tacr
ime,
i
nfact
..
.yousaved
t
heirf
utur
eking''
.
'
'Kushi
,am soscar
ed'
'
.
'
'Ri
shi
..
.whati
f,
yourwi
shi
scomi
ngt
rue?'
'
.
(
Rishipani
cked)
.
(Onthedust yroad,
PrinceMaji
dri
di nfullspeed
wit
hhi shear theavywi t
hangerabouthowhi s
famil
yt r
eat edpeople.Heparkedthecari nthe
middleoft heroadandsawsomef armerswor ki
ng
ontheirlands.Heshout edf
oroneoft hem andhe
qui
cklyst
oppedhisworkandrushedtothecar
.He
hadnoideathatwasthecr
ownedPr i
nce,andMaj
id
di
dn'twanthi
mt oknowneit
her)
.
'
'Ur
rrmmm,
goodmor
ningsi
r''
.
'
'Goodmor
ningson'
'
.
'
'Iwannaknow.Doyoupeoplehaveanywatersi
te
i
nthekingdom?Maybe,
alake.
..
orari
ver?'
'
.
'
'Yesson.( Themansai dandgavehimthe
di
recti
on).Iti
sri
ghtbehindthemarket
.Whenyou
getther
e,youwillseeoneofthemostbeaut
if
uland
cl
eanestriversi
nt heworl
d''
.
'
'Thankyousi
r''
.Maji
dsai
danddr
oveaway
t
owardstheri
ver.
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
commentqui
ckl
y..
[
01/
23,
11:
50] :

.
Sequence27
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Att
her
oyalpal
ace=Ont
hecompound)
.
Thecour tmeet i
ngwasoverandt heJhansir oyal
familyaskedt otaket heirleavebackt otheir
kingdom.Ki ngShakerandKi ngSi amakgott ithe
compoundaheadoft heot hers.KingShakerwas
veryexcitedthat,thi
schangeofmar r
iageplansdid
notaffecthisfri
endshi pwi thKingSi amak.They
wentclosert oKingSi amak' spalanqui nandsmi l
es
ateachot her.KingSi amakhadacl earconscience
though.Atleast,nomat terwhat ,
hisdaughterwas
goingtobemar riedtot her oyalpalaceofUjani.
'
'Theendoft
her
oadl
andsher
emyf
ri
end'
'
.Ki
ng
Si
amaksaid.
'
'Pr
epar
ati
onswi
llsoonst
artf
ort
hemar
ri
age'
'
.
'
'Don'
tbotheryourheadabouti
tfr
iend.Wehave
somelongmont hsaheadofusforthemarr
iage
cer
emony'
'
.
'
'Youareri
ght.Sopreparepri
ncessRagah,
just
l
ike,
Iwil
lpr
eparepri
nceFaruk,t
heywil
lgetmarr
ied
onLordKri
shna'sbi
rthday'
'.
'
'Thati
sam auspiciousti
me.Suchawonder f
ul
momentf ort
hemar ri
agetotakepl
ace.Okay,
Iwi
ll
seetoitt
hatever
ythingwil
lbereadybythen,
sothat
wemovebackher eandt i
etheknotbetweenour
chi
ldr
en''
.
'
'Okaymyfr
iend'
'.Theybot
hembr
acedeachot
her
.
'
'Haveasaf
etri
pbackhomemyf r
iend'
'
.
TheJhansir oyalfamilyleftUjaniandt hekingwas
proudwi thhisshoulderslift
eruphi gh.Queen
motherandQueenSheenawal kedaroundt he
compoundi nrest
lessnessast heking's
appreciati
onwasnowonQueenDor ah'saide.They
neededt oexecutetheirplannowandQueenmot her
wasr eady,t
odaywast heendofQueenDor ah'
s
deception.Oneoft heguar dgott otheirsideand
boweddown.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Yourhighness,
Iwaspartoftheguar
dswhoyou
senttogoandcaptur
ethegirlwhocaughtt
he
stat
ue''
.
'
'Ididn'
taskyout
ogoand'captur
e',
don'
tuset
hat
wordbecauseshe'
snotacr
iminal
.But
,di
dyoufi
nd
her?''
.
'
'Noyourhi
ghness,
butwef
oundhermot
her'
'
.
'
'Hermother
?!'
'
.QueenSheenaaskedsur
pri
sed.'
'
Buthowcome?''
.
'
'Yourhighness,wesear chedforherthewhole
nightandthi
smor ningtoo.Someonedi rect
edusto
herhouse.Butthepr obl
em wast hat
,hermother
refusedt
oletusbringherandmadeherdaught er
escapedwithoutourknowl edge.Andso...
.
'
'Andsowhat
?!'
'
.Queenmot
hershout
ed.
'
'Wehadnoot herchoi
cebutt
oarr
estherandput
heri
nthedungeonyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'What
?!But
,howdar
eyou.
..
..
.
'
'NoSheena.Theydi
dther
ightt
hing'
'
.Queen
mothercuti
n.
'
'Howi
sthatr
ight
,mot
her
?''
.
'
' I
ftheydothi
s,
thenherdaughterwoul
dn'
tst
ayin
hidingforal
ongtime.Come,l
et'
sgoandseeheri
n
thedungeon.Leadustoherguard''
.
(
Int
hedungeon)
.
Bhavnawasshakingi nthedungeon.Theheatand
thescaryimagesofthelionsweretoomuchf orher
tobear.Shesweatedandwept ,
butatthesame
ti
me,sheprayedRishiwouldn'
tfal
lforthei
rtr
icksof
thesoldi
ersandgettothepalace.Bhavnaquickly
caughtafeverandhertemperaturewenthigh.
Thel ionsneversl ept,
theyjustlookedathergave
andl ickedthei
rlips.Andwaswai ti
ngforatast
eof
her.Thedungeon' sgat eswer eopened.ButBhavna
wasdeepi nthecel ls.TheQueenmot herandQueen
Sheenagoti nfrontoft hecellwiththeguardbehi
nd
them andt heguar dmovedf orwar dandhitt
he
met albarswi t
har odhehel d.Bhavnaslowlygotup
i
nf right.
Sheonlyhadt
wot hi
ngsi
nmind.I
twasei
thert
hey
hadcaughtRi
shiort
heywer
ether
etosetherf
ree.
Shestoodandturnedtotheopenedt
ot heopened
gateweredayl
ighthadflewint
othecellandshe
wasshakenwithsightofbot
hQueenDor ahand
QueenSheena.Thetwoqueensquicklyrecogni
sed
herfr
om 25yearsagoatQueenMeer ah'sfuner
al.
Bhavnaalsor
ememberedthatday.Onlydi
ffer
ence
wasthat
,shewasn'
twear
ingthenecklace.
'
'Idon'tquit
erememberyourname,
butIr
emember
youaret hesamewomanImetatQueenMeerah'
s
funer
al''
.
'
'Yes.Ar
eyouher
etol
etmeout
?''
'
'Wher
eisyourdaught
er?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowwher eshei
sbesi
des.
..She'
sjustan
ordi
nar
ygirl
..
.whatdoyouwantf
rom heryour
hi
ghness?''
.
'
'Thingswouldhavebeingsi
mpleri
fyouhadj
ust
del
iveredyourdaught
ertot
heguards'
'.
'
'Butwhatdoyouwantfrom her
.Soyouweret
he
oneaskingf
orher?Forwhat
?Iam hermot
her,
andI
haveeveryr
ightt
oknowwhatyouwanttodowith
Ri
shi
!'
'.
'
'Rishi
.Sot
hati
shername.
..
beaut
if
ul'
'
.Queen
Sheenasai
d.
'
'Idon'twanttogetRishii
nvol
ved,Idon'
twantt
o
evergetherinvol
vedinany!matt
ersli
kethi
s
Queens.Idon'twanthertobeinthi
ngswhichwil
l
makehersuf feri
nfut
ure''
.
'
'Howareyoualr
eadyconcl
udi
ngthi
ngs?Whatis
t
hatsomet
hingwhichwil
lmakehersuf
feri
nfut
ure?
'
'
.QueenSheenaasked.
'
'Idon'tknow.Butthi
sistheroyalpal
ace,
andt
he
homeoft heroyalfami
ly.Andthi
ngsareheavy
here,
especial
lyt
hings,
whichdealswit
hthespi
ri
tual
world'
'.
'
'Guard!Exitnow!'
'.TheQueenmot
hercommanded
andtheyalllef
t.'
'Whatdoyouknowaboutt
heroyal
pal
ace?''
.
'
' Idon'tknowanythi
ng.Butwi
ththeli
tt
leIsawfr
om
thef or
est25yearsago,whenasnaketri
edtoat
tack
QueenMeer ah.
..
andmynecklacesavedher,
I
per cei
vedatthatmomentthat
,t
hingswerenot
goingwellher
e,andt
hatwaswhyIgavehermu
otherneckl
ace''
.
'
'Younglady,f
oryouri
nfor
mati
on..
.Whatyousaw,
is
whatyouAlinesaw.Butdon'
tsnat
chRishi
'
sdesti
ny
f
rom her'
'.
'
'Whatmi
ndofdest
iny?
!''
.Bhavnaaskedconf
used.
'
'Herdest
iny,
tobemarri
edt
othecr
ownedPr
inceof
Uj
aniasthefi
rstwi
fe'
'
.
(Bhavnacouldn'
ttakethi
sshockandjustcoll
apsed.
TheQueensshout edfortheguar
dsandt hey
quickl
yenter
edthecellsandcarr
iedBhavnaaway
totheRoyalbuil
dingandcall
edtheroyalher
bali
st)
.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hehadneverbei ngthi
sangr yi
nhiswholelife.Even
thatdaywhenhi smot herhadtoldhimthat,
theyhad
snatchedhisbirthr
ight
sast hecrownedPrincef r
om
him,hewasn' tt
hatangry.Hewasn'texpecti
nghi s
ownmot hertoputhiminsuchat ightcor
ner.He
scatter
edhiswhol echamberi nangerandhisf r
iend
Shivcouldn'tdoanythi
ngabouti t
.
Hej uststoodthereandwat chedhi m.QueenDor ah
enteredthechamberandwasangr yabouthow
i
mmat urehersonwasact i
ng.Shi vqui cklybowed
downandl ef
tthechamber .Shest oodt hereand
fol
dedherar m andsaidnot hingbutjustwat ched
Farukt hr
owt hi
ngsaroundi nanger .Shecl osed
chamberdoorandwentcl osert ohisbedandsat
down.Far ukreali
sedshewassi tt
ingandst opped
whathewasdoi ng.Withhiseyesr ed,het urnedto
herlikehewasdr unkandbr eathheavi lyli
kea
hungr yhyenawhowant edt opouncei nher .
Hecaughthol
dofherhandsandshegotupand
gavehi
m ahotsl
ap.
'
'Cont
rolyour
sel
f!'
'
.QueenDor
ahscr
eamed.
'
'No!No,Iwil
lnot.Howcouldyoudothistome
mother
?Whendi dIevert
ellyout
hatIwasinlove
wit
hPrincessRagah?Idon'twanther
,Iam noteven
r
eadyformar r
iage''
.
'
'Sothatyoukeepsleepi
ngwithallt
hemaidsi
nthe
pal
aceFaruk?Learnhowt oappr
eciat
eyour
mother,
yougoodfornothi
ngboy!Didyouseehow
happyyourfatherwasatthecourtbecauseofmy
announcement?Nowyouar ehisfavouri
teson.And
youwillal
sohavethechancetoconquert wo
thr
ones.JhansiandUjani
.Ifwekeeponwi t
hthi
s
act,
i
twon'tbetoolongbeforeyourfat
herannounce
youast hecr
ownedPr i
nce.Sowakeup!' '
.
'
'ButIdon'tl
ovet
hatpr
incess.Shel
ookst
oo
chubbyforme''
.
'
'ItisokayFar
uk.IknowwhatIam doi ngokay?
Justtrustmeandputyourselft
ogether.Just
concentrat
eonhowt oeli
minateyourbr ot
her
,andI
willt
akecaroftherest
..
.okay?'
'.
'
'Okaymot
her'
'
.
'
'Good.Ifyoudon'tl
ikePrincessRagah, i
tisokay.I
am notafterl
ove,
butfort
het hrone,al
lforyou!And
niceourdreamsonet r
ue,youcant hentreatheras
youplease.Orbett
ersti
ll
,
makeheryoursl ave''
.
(
Mot
herandsonl
aughedaccor
dingt
othei
revi
l
).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Att
her
iver
).
Ri
shif
eltt
hewat
erwi
thherhandsandKushigotup.
Ri
shial
sogotupandr
emovedt
hedi
rt
ycl
othesshe
wasweari
ng.
'
'Ican'
tgobackhomenowKushi ,pl
easegetme
someofyourcl
othesf
rom yourhouse''
.
'
'Okay,
nopr
obl
em Ri
shi
..
.Iwi
llbeback'
'
.
'
'Okay,
hur r
yup.Iam goi
ngtowashmyselfi
nthe
ri
vernowso, pl
easehur
ryupokay.Mydr
essisnot
cl
ean,justgetmesomeclothes'
'.
'
'Iwil
lbebackt
hen.Iwi
lltakeyourdr
essf
ormy
mothert
owashitwit
hmi neokay?Iwon'
ttakel
ong
'
'
.
'
'Okay'
'
.
Kushil ef
tthenRi shijumpedintother i
verwit
hher
nakedbody.Shewascompl etel
ynakedandt he
wat erwetherhai randbodycompl etel
y.Sheswam
beaut i
ful
lyintothewat erandreachedt hemiddl
eof
theenor mousr iver.Thesurr
oundingwasver yquiet
andsomel eafspl uckedofft
hesur roundi
ng
trees,
fall
ingintother i
ver.
Pr
inceMaj
id'
scarar
ri
vedont
her
oad,
neart
he
ri
ver ,
therewasal oudforeignmusi cplayedf r
om his
car.Hel oweredhi swindowgl assandt urnedhis
facet otheleftside.Therel i
edt hemostbeaut i
ful
bluer i
verhehaeverseen.Her emovedhi sdark
glassesandgotoutoft hecarwi t
houtputti
ngof f
themusi c.Hewal keddownt hehillandgotcloserto
ri
verinanger .Butt hebeaut i
fulsweetandcl eanair
whi chpassedonhi sfacemadehi m cal
m, i
twas
sweetandsoot hing.Hesawpebbl esbesidesthe
ri
verbankandt ooksomei ntohishandsandst ar
ted
throwi ngthem intotheriver.
'
'Iam gonnagot oLondonassoonaspossi ble.As
soonbr ot
herFaruk'sweddi ngwi ththeprincessis
over.Ican'
tstayher eanymor ewi thal
lthistrouble
andt oomuchnaggi ng.Andgr andmasai d
somet hi
ngaboutCi ndynotbei ngmyf i
rstwife,so
howmanywi veswer et heyexpectingmet omar ry?
Thispeopleareaj oke'
'.Helookedathowt he
breezewaspassi ngont heri
verandhef elti
t.He
sl
owl yunbutt
onedhi sshi r
tandr emovedi tandhi s
shortsandsneaker sandi twasl eftwi
thhi sboxer s.
Thatspot
lesssi
xpacksandheavyshoul
der
swer
e
tempt i
ng.Hedivedi
ntother i
verandseam up.The
wat erhadwethisbodyandhai r.Thesuncame
up,scotchi
ng.Heswam deepi ntotheriver
.Rishi
wasst il
lswimmingunderthewat erwithhereyes
closedandshewasenj oyingit.Shereachedthe
bankoft heri
verandreal
isedthatKushihadnot
returnedandshewasget ti
ngannoyed.
Itwasnowt hatsomepeopl ef
rom townwer e
get t
ingtotheriversi
de.Howcoul dshebei nt
he
rivernaked,wi
tht hepeopl
egetti
ngthereoneaf t
er
theot her
.Shequi ckl
ygotoutoftheriverand
cover edherbreastandunderwithherhandst hen
rushedbehi ndat al
lcoconutt
ree.
Shewasshaki ngsi ncet hepeopl eweregett
ing
closer.Shedidn'tknowwher eelsetopass,
she
l
ookedbehi ndheront her odandsawaver y
expensi vecar,
parkedont heroad.Themusi cwas
changi ng,t
hensher ushedt oitfast
.Shetri
ed
openi ngthedoort oent erbutitwaslocked.She
startedhitt
ingthecarwi thherlegsothatthedoor
couldopen.Shehadnoi deahowt odealwit
ht hi
s
thing.Shegott othebackoft hecarandangr i
lyhi
t
thebout ,andtheboutopenedup.Assoonast he
boutopened, thecaral ar
m st
ar t
edbeepingloudly.I
t
caughtt heat t
ent i
onofsomeoft hepeoplewho
turnedt hemsel vestolookatthatdir
ecti
on.Rishi
wasf r
ightenedsi nceshehadneverseensomet hing
l
iket hatbef or
e,shet ur
nedtohidebehindanother
butshel oosedbal anceandfelli
ntothebouttheni t
closedherup.
Shecommencedi nhi t
ti
ngtheboutfr
om insi
deand
shouti
ngf orhelpbutt hemusicinthecarwastoo
l
oud.Somepeopl egotcl osert
othecarandwas
checkinghowspar kl i
ngitwas.Pri
nceMajidswam
upandhi sheadgotoutoft hewaterandsaw
peoplesurroundinghi scarwit
hthealar
m soloud.
Heswam qui cklytot hebankandgotoutoftheriver
.
Allt
hel adi
eswer elike''Woooow''
.Andotherswere
fai
nti
ng.Het ookhi sclothesandshoesthengotto
hiscar.
'
'Whatar
eyoual
ldoi
ngnearmycar
?''
.Maj
idasked.
'
'Ohmygoodness.I
tisthecrownedPri
nce''
.Oneof
t
hem sai
dandtheyal
lfellandbowedathi
sfeet
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.
'
'I
t'
sokay,
i
t'
sokay.Thegl
oryi
sokay.Howar
eyou
al
l?'
'
.
'
'Wear
eal
lfi
neyourhi
ghness'
'
.
(
Maj
idhat
edi
twhent
heycal
ledhi
mthat
).
'
'Youcanal
lleavenow'
'
.
(Theyleftwhi
leMaj idwenti
ntohiscarandentered.
Hedr oppedhisclothesontheotherf
rontseatand
Parkethecar.Rishiwhowasi ntheboutbecame
fri
ghtenedandkeptqui et
.Hedrovespeedil
yaway) .
(
MrRaul
'
sMansi
on)
.
Hesati nfrontofhismansi onwi t
hhi sguardswho
hadgonet ocatchMehoandt hrewhi m downathis
feet.MrRaulhadaf atcigarindeeply.Heslapped
Mehoandhef ell
.Hewassoangr yasMehoknew
thatMrRaulhadr eturnedfrom Londonandhaven't
comet oseehi m yetwi t
hhi swi
fe.Mehowasonhi s
kneeswi t
hbr uisesonhi sfacebecauseoft he
beatinggiventohi m byMrRaul '
sguar ds.
'
'Wher
eisRi
shi
?''
.
'
'Isweart
hatohavenoi
deaMrRaul
,bel
ieveme'
'
.
'
'So,youhavenoi dea.Andyout hi
nkIcare?Ihave
beinglett
ingmyguar dsgiveyoumoneyf ort
hepast
20year swhenIlefttheki
ngdom forLondon..
.I
askedyout ousehalfofeverythi
ngtotakecareof
Rishi,
anduset heotherhalff
oryouandBhavna,
butguesst henewsIgotMeho' '
.
'
'Si
r?'
'
.
'
'Younevertookcar
eofRishiandbuythe
expensi
veclot
hesIaskedyoutobuyforher
,but
i
nstead,youusedal
lthemoneyforal
cohol'
'
.
'
'That
'snott
ruesi
r''
.
'
'Myguar
dsar
elyi
ngt
hen'
'
.
(Theguardspouncedonhim andbeathi m black
andblue.Heapologi
zedandt ol
d! rRault
hatt he
royalguar
dscamet ohishouseint hemorningto
searchforRi
shi.Hetol
dthem allheknew).
'
'ButIhopeyourememberwehadanagr
eement26
year
sago.Igiveyouonl
yonemont
hMeho.Iam
toogood.SoIgiveyouonemont hstopr esentRi
shi
tomei nt
hishouse,
soIcanst ar
tourweddi ng
prepar
ati
ons..
.OrIwil
lsendyout othenextwor l
dto
conti
nuetourdri
nki
ngthere.
Isthatclear
? !'
'
.
'
'No.
.Imeanyessi
r.Iwi
llsi
r''
.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace)
.
PrinceMajidar r
ivedont hecompoundi nhi
scar
andhegotoutofi tinhisboxer s,
everyonethatsaw
him,tur
nedi ntoastatue,hegothisclothesoutofthe
carandent eredthebuilding.Themai dens,t
he
guards,everyotherwor kerjustmurmur edamong
themselves.
Everyonejustleftthesceneandwentt ocont
inue
thei
rwor k.Rishipokedherheadupf r
om theback
seatchairandsawt hatnoonewasi nthecarnow.
Shelookedt hroughthewi ndowandr eali
sedshewa
i
nepal ace.Shewasmor ethanscarednowandshe
gottothebackseatoft hecarandpr essedallthe
pressabl
et hi
ngsIt hecartomaket hedooropen,
butitcouldn'
topen.Shewasnaked, andshewasi n
thecrownedPr i
ncecar.Whatwasgoi ngon?This
wasannoyi
ngandshewasl
oosi
ngherbr
eat
h.
Luckil
y,shepull
edt helockfr
om thedoorandt her
e
wassoundf rom thedoor ,
acli
ck.Shepani ckedand
thedooropened.Herhear tski
ppedwi thjoyandshe
slowlypokedherheadoutoft hedoorandr eali
sed
noonewasar ound.Shegotouti nnernakedness
andclosedthedoor .Thenshet i
ptoedint
ot he
palacebuil
ding.
..
...
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
51] :

.
Sequence28
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace=Royalcheckupr
oom)
.
Thisroom wasdesi
gnedf
ormi nori
njur
iesonl
y.The
royalcheckupr
oom wasclosetoQueenMeerah's
chamber .AndBhavnawaspl acedt here.Ithada
hugedoorandi twasal arger oom justadt heother
chamber s.Bhavnawasl yingononeoft hebedsi n
theroom andshewasst il
lunconsci ousfrom her
fai
nti
ng.Ther oyalherbalistcheckedher
temperatureandshookherhead.Shel ookedbeside
herandt ookoutanoi ntmentf rom herpanand
mixeditwi t
hsomegr eenher bsandsmear edi
ton
Bhavna'sforehead.Shegr i
ndedsomegar li
cwith
waterandpl aceditbesidesat abl
eneart hebed
Bhavnalayedon.Queenmot herandQueenSheena
weresuperwor r
iedaboutt hisandst oodt oget
her
withtwoguar ds,st
arr
ingatanunconsci ousBhavna.
Theher
bal
istwasdoneandshegoti
nherf
eetand
car
ri
edherpaninherhandsadwel
l.
'
'WhatnowSar
oj?'
'
.
'
' Herf
everwil
lsoongodownwhensheopensher
eyesyourHighness.Pl
ease,makesur
etogiveher
thegarl
icjui
ceIhaveprepar
edforher
,assoonas
shegetsup''.
'
'Butwi
llshebeal
ri
ght
,Ihopei
tisnot
hingser
ious'
'
.
Queenmot
herasked.
'
'No.Iti
sn'
tseri
ousatal
l.It
hisi
twasbecauseof
st
ressandfri
ght''
.
'
'Youmayl
eavenow'
'
.
(
Ther
oyalher
bal
istl
eftwi
thoneguar
d).
'
'Isai
ditmother
,t
heguar
dsshouldn'
thaveputher
i
nthedungeon''
.QueenSheenasai
dinawor r
ied
mood.
'
'I
tisokay.Sheisherenow.Let
'sgoSheena.Iti
s
t
ime,t
omakeourpl anscometoreal
isat
ion.I
tis
t
imeyoexposet hatwit
chforwhoshereall
yis''
.
Queenmot herwhi
speredt
oher.
'
'Yesmot her
.Youareabsolut
elyri
ght.
..
youar
ethe
f
irstper
sontotakeact
ion.
..Soplease,
taket
helead
'
'
.
'
'Yesyes.
..
youshoul
dal
sogoi
ntoyourchamber
now''
.
(
Theybot
ht ur
nedtot
hel
astguar
dst
andi
ngi
nthe
r
oom wi
ththem).
'
'St
ayher
e,andwhensheopenshereyes.
..
giveher
t
hegarl
icj
uice.Anddon'
t.
..
letheroutofher
e''
.The
Queenmotherorder
ed.
'
'Okayyourhi
ghness'
'
.
(
Thet
woQueensbot
hlef
t).
(
Ont
hechamber
swal
kway)
.
Rishiti
ptoed,l
ookingaroundherli
keanar med
robberwhowasbei ngchased.Shesti
llcover
edher
breastandunderwi thbothherhandsandhadno
i
deawher eshewas.Shel ookedbackandf r
ontand
movedf orward.Shewasf eeli
ngsocoldand
sadnesst ookover.
Andshecl imbedsomest ai
rs,shesawsomemai ds
comingt owardswhereshest ood,
theywer ehappily
chatti
ngamongt hemselveshappily,sodidn'tl
ook
for
war d.Shequickl
yhisbehindat al
lpill
ar.The
maidensgott it
heplaceandpassedt henleft
.She
gotawayf rom t
hepill
arandrushedint oadar k
cornertheopenedahugegat ewhi chwascl osed.
Sheenter
edandt herewerelant
ernsofli
ghtwhi
ch
wasli
ghtedinarowonal ongdist
ancewalkway
wit
hfl
ower shangingaround.Andther
ewasahuge
doorwhi
chwascl
osedatt
hel
astend.
Noonest oodatwher eshewasandshequi ckly
rushedwi thspeedandopenedt hedoor .Sheused
force,
shehadneverdeal twi t
hsuchaheavydoor .
Sheent er
edther oom andt hegatecl osedby
balanceandpushedherf rom thebackandf ellint
o
theroom.Thatwast hemi stbeautifulroom shehad
everseen.Ever ythi
ngwasofgol d.Andt hel argest
bedshehadeverseen.Shequi cklyt ookthe
bedsheet, coveri
ngt hebedandqui cklycover ed
herself.Shelookedar oundandsawawar drobe.
Sheopenedt hewar drobeandt ohersur prise,it
containedf orei
gnclothes.Foreigncl othesshehad
neverseenbef ore.
Shel ookedthroughitandithadthemostbeaut i
ful
fragranceinthewor l
d.Shekeptonl ookingt
hrough
i
tandshehear dsomeoneopent heshoweri n
anotherroom.Shel ookedonherr i
ghtsideandsaw
abi gcurtai
n.Thecurtai
nwascover ingthepassage
wayt oahugebat hr
oom.Shepani cked.Whose
room wasshei n?Shekeptonwonder i
ng.Butshe
l
ookedbacki ntothewardr
obeandt ookoutabl ue
shi
rt.I
twasadesi gnedshirtandi twasal
ong
sl
eeved.Shequicklydroppedthebedsheetsonthe
bedandwor etheshirt,
andsher eali
sedi
twasa
man'sclot
h.Sheturnedt oherleftandsawanot
her
doorwhichwasbar elyopened.
Sheent eredt her
oom andsawi twasadr essing
room,shel ookedatherselfi
nthehugemi rrorint
he
room andt ookabr ush,
shecombeddownherhai r
andr ushedoutoft heroom.Theshi r
tlookedmor e
l
ikeasweat eranditwasonlyl ongtohert i
ghts.
Rishiwalkedont hewal kwayandsawsomeguar ds
standingatt heendpoint.Unfortunat
ely,t
het wo
guardsalsosawher .
'
'Hey!
!!Whoar
eyou?
!''
.Oneoft
hem shout
ed.
(Butal
readyscar edRishir unback,
beingchasedby
thetwoguar ds.Shequi cklytur
nedtot hel
eftside
andsawanot herwalkwayandsher ushedpassed
manypi l
lars.Sherunasf astasshecouldandgot
i
nf r
ontofQueenMeer ah'schamber.Shecaught
holdofthehandl eofthedoorandt riedopening,but
i
twasst ronglylocked.Shegr oanedinangerand
runpasst hechamber ,
thenshegott ot her
oyal
checkupr oom door.Shequi ckl
yopeneditand
enter
edthenclosedi tbehindherwithaloudbang.
Andtherestandingbehi ndthedoorwasahuge
guardwithafrowningf ace,st
andingi
nfrontofher
.
Shelookedont hebedandshewasshocked) .
'
'Mother?!'
'
.ShescreamedandrushedtoBhavna'
s
si
dethenheldher.'
'Whatiswr
ongwi t
hher,
and
whatisshedoinghere?
!''
.
'
'Shei
stourmot
her
?''
.
'
'Yes!'
'
.
'
'ThenyoumustbeRi
shi'
'
.
'
'YesIam Rishi
,sowhati
smymot
herdoi
ngher
e?!
'
'
.Rishisnappedangr
il
y.
'
'Guards!
!!'
'.Theguardopenedthedoorand
al
lowedthreeguardsint
otheroom andtheyal
l
gr
abbedhol dofRishiwhostar
tedresi
sti
ng.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hegotoutfr
om showerandsawhiswardrobe
opened.Hescrat
chedhi
sheadinconf
usion.He
di
dn'topeni
t,
sowhowasi t
?Hehadhistowelonhi
s
wai
standhewentcl osertohi
swardrobeand
r
eal
isedhisclot
heswer emessedupandhis
f
avourit
esweatshi
rtwasnotatit
'sr
ightf
ulpl
ace.I
n
f
act,
itwasn'
tther
eatall.
Hestartedsearchingt hr
oughhi sthingsanddi dn't
fi
ndit.Heent er
edt hedressingroom andchecked
hisshelvesofclot
hesandhi sli
ttl
ecl osetbutdidn'
t
fi
ndit.Thatsweatshirtwasoneoft hemost
expensiveinLondon, andi twasgivent ohim onhis
24thbirthdayasagi ftfr
om Cindy.Hel ovedt hat
sweatshirtandnow, i
twasnowher etonef ound.He
heardhisnamebei ngcalledoutsi
det hedr essi
ng
room inahost i
lemanner .
Hegotoutofthedr essi
ngr oom andgottothe
bedroom anditwasangr yCindy.Shehadherhands
wrappedaroundherwai standshewasn' tsmi
li
ng.
Shewassweat ingandshewant edtobeoutofthat
suff
ocati
ngkingdom assoonaspossi ble.
'
'Howcoul dyouleavemeandt heguysinthat
horr
iblecour
t?Andevenwhenyougotback, you
shouldhavecomet oseemefirst
!Butno,Iam no
l
ongeri mpor
tantt
oyou..
.i
sn'
titMaji
d?''
.
'
'Doyouhavet oshoutaboutit?Doyouevenhave
anyideawhatIwasplanningwhenIl ef
t.Ineeded
tothi
nkofasecuredstateforourrel
ati
onship.
Whethert
ochoosebet weenyou,ormyf amil
y.And
guesswhat,
Ichoseyou..
.andyouar ehereshouti
ng?
'
'.
(
Cindysuddenl
ybecamer
egr
etf
ulandsoberal
it
tl
e).
'
' I
'
m sor r
ybaby.I t
sj ustthat
..
.am feeli
ngsuf f
ocated
herethat'sal
l.Iwilltryandcontrolmyt emper.But
therewassomet hingyourgr andmot hersaidearl
ier
Maj i
d,howmanywi vesareyout omar ry?''
.
'
'Look,Iwil
lmarryonlyyou..
okay?Iam notgoi
ngto
fal
lforthi
ssicktradi
ti
on.Iam suff
ocat
ed,even
mor ethanyou.BecauseIam theonewhoi sbei
ng
pressuredhere'
'.
'
'Theycall
edmeaforeigner
.Theydon'tevenaccept
ourrel
ati
onshi
pMaj
id,whatarewegoingt odonow?
'
'.
'
'Don'
tthi
nkaboutt hattoomuch.Wewi l
lfi
ndaway
tosol
veallt
his.ButIpromiseyouonething,wewi
ll
gobacktoLondonassoonasmybr ot
her's
weddi
ngi
sover'
'
.
(
Cindyhuggedhi
mti
ght
lyandcal
meddown)
.
'
'Buthel
pmel
ookf
ormyf
avour
it
esweat
shi
rt'
'
..
..
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Itwasnowt heper fectt
imetotakethepotinto
QueenMeer ah'
schamber .Shehadnotgott i
meall
thosewhi l
eandsheneededt odoitfastsi
nceshe
hadnoi deawhyshewasweakal lofthedays.She
tookQueenMeer ah'schamberkeyandt hepot.As
shestartedwal kingtothedoor,t
herewasaver y
l
oudshoutout side.Theshoutingwasoutofmany
mouthsandshewonder edwhatwasgoi ngon,
suddenly,fourguar dsbatchedint
oherchamber
witharr
owswi thQueenmot herandKingShaker.
QueenDorahpani ckedandherhandswereshaking
wit
hthepotint hem.Sheplacedthepotonherbed
andhidthekeyi nherski
rtcunni
ngl
y.Theki
ngand
Queenweren'tsmili
ng.Shewonderedwhat
happened.
'
'Yourhi
ghness..Queenmother
,whatar
eyout wo
doi
nghere?'
'.QueenDorahaskedwit
haf akesmi
le.
'
'Youhavet
ogetoutofyourchamberQueenDor
ah
'
'
.
'
'What
?!Whatf
or?'
'
.
'
'Ever
yonehasbeingcall
edoutoft
hei
rchambers
andarebei
ngwatchedoberbyguar
ds,
sothatno
onegetsi
nsidet
heirchamber'
'
.TheKi
ngsaid.
'
'But
,whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
'Ourfami
ly'
sdiamondri
ngwhi chhai
ledfr
om fi
rst
Queensoftheroyalf
ami
lyhasbeingstol
enfr
om
mychamber''.Queenmothersai
d.
'
'What
?!Mot
her
,ar
eyoui
mpl
yingt
hat
..
.Ist
olet
he
r
ing?'
'
.
'
'Youarenott
heonlyonewhoi
sbei
ngsear
chedi
n
t
hepalaceQueenDorah'
'.
'
'But
,yourhi
ghness.
..
'
'Iam sor
ryQueenDor
ah.Butt
hishast
obedone'
'
.
QueenDorahpani
ckedandshewasescortedoutby
twoguar
ds.Herheartst
art
edjumpingupanddown
asshewasconfusedanddidn'
tknowwhattodo.
Shewasshakingal
landquickl
y,t
woguards
enteredthechamberanstartedsearchi
ng.Queen
Dorah'sfat
her'
sspiri
tappearedther
e,i
nvi
sibl
eto
everyoneexcepther.Henoddedatherandshe
noddedback,helaterdi
sappeared.
Shewassurpr
ised,
butthenherconfi
dencelevel
wasnowhigh.SomeguardsandQueenSheena
ar
ri
vedatt
hespotwhileQueenmot herent
eredint
o
QueenDor
ah'schamber.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.Wedi
dn'tfi
ndtheri
nganywher
e.
Wesearchedever
ywher
e''.Oneguar
dsaid.
'
'Wel
l.
.i
tist
imet
osearchQueenDor
ah'
schamber
now'
'
.Queenmothersai
dwit
haboldsmil
e.
(Theguar dssear chedeverywher einthelarge
chamberandcoul dn'
tfi
ndanyt hing.Theygott o
wher eoneofQueenDor ah'scurtai
ncover eda
secretdoorint hechamber .Shest artedsweat i
ng
andt heguar dsandt heguar dspulledthecurtains
awayf rom thewal l,
butshockinglytoher,ther
ewas
nodoorbehi ndt hecur t
ain.Shesmi l
edevill
y.Queen
mothergotcl osert oQueenDor ah'sbedandcar ri
ed
thepoti nherhands.QueenDor ah'
shear tskippeda
beat
.Queenmotherwasast
oni
shedast
hepotwas
soheavybutempty)
.
'
'Mot
her
,pl
ease.
..becar
eful
wit
hthat'
'
.
'
'Whati
sthi
sQueenDor
ah?'
'
.
'
'Huh?Butapotofcour
seQueenmot
her'
'
.
'
'Ohyes.Iknowit'
sapot.Butthedesignsont
he
pot
,andt
heankletbel
lsaroundit
..
.wheredi
dyouget
i
tfr
om?''.
'
'Imadei
tmysel
f''
.
'
'Ineverknewyoumadepot
s''
.
'
'Wel
lnowuknow.
.
Sorr
ywedon'
thavel
ight
..Iwi
llcont
inuewhenl
ight
comes.
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
'
'Ineverknewyoumadepot
s''
.
'
'Wellnowyouknow.Pl
ease,
canyouputi
tback?
Thatpoti
sverypr
eci
oustome''
.QueenDorahsai
d.
'
'Putitdownmother.Ar
eyouevensur eyou
sear
chedyourchamberwel lf
ortheri
ng?Becausei
t
i
snowher et
obef ound'
'.Thekingsai
d.
(TheQueenmot herandQueenSheena' sf acef ell
i
ntototalshameandawkwar dnessast heir
Almightyplanhadf allintotheash.Queenmot her
andtheguar dshotoutofQueenDor ah'schamber
andshegaveal ightvictori
oussmi l
e.Qui ckly,
two
guardsarri
vedther efrom thesecondwal kway,and
ther
ewer esomescr eeningscomi ngfrom t he
secondwal kway).
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..wefoundt
hegi
rl
.Shei
sher
e,she
i
sinthepal
acerightnow''
.
'
'Whatgi
rl
?''
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Thegi
rlyouaskedustogoandsearchf
or.Thegi
rl
whocaughtthestat
ue.
..
shei
shere'
'.
(Queenmothert
urnedtoQueenSheenai
n
exci
tementandtheyal
ltookt
othei
rheel
sleadedby
theguar
ds).
(
Ther
oyalcheckupr
oom)
.
Rishikeptonweepingonhermot her '
sunconsci ous
bodyast woguardswer elooki
ngovert hem.She
keptonshout i
ngandtell
ingtheguar dst il
ethergo
awaywi thhermother,
buttheywoul dn'tdarehave
pit
yinhert ear
satall
,
lesttheygettheirheads
choppedof fbyQueenmot her'
sorder s.
Theykeptt heireyesawayf rom Rishi
'stears.
Bhavnafinallyopenedhereyesandaver yhor
ri
ble
painpassert hroughherheadandsher eali
sedRi
shi
wasweepi ngoverher .Shequicklygottoherbutts
onthebedandRi shiembracedhert i
ght l
y.She
remember edper fect
lywhathappenedbef orebut
shedidn'
tunder st
andhowRi shigotthere.
Herhear tstart
spoundingwhensher emember ed
whatt heQueenmot hertoldheraboutRi shigett
ing
mar r
iedtothecr ownedPr inceandherheadpai ned
herthemor e.Shesawt het al
lstr
ongguar ds
standingatt hedoorandr eali
sedtherewasnoway
outnow.Sheandherdaught erwerestuckinthe
palace.Thedoorwasshutandt herewasal oud
knocki nit
.Theguar dsopenedandt heent i
reroyal
fami
lyentered.Pr
inceMaj
idwasshockedt
oseehi
s
sweatshi
rtonRishi.
'
'Whatt
hef
uck?'
'
.
(Ever
yonewasconfused,exceptQueenmotherand
QueenSheenaofcourse.Theyallstoodt
here
watchingRi
shiandBhavna.Rishigotonherfeet
andputherhandstoget
herintears)
.
'
'Pl
easeyourhighnesses.
.Am beggi
ngyou,
letmy
motherandIgo,wehaven'
tdoneanythi
ng'
'.
'
'Youar enotbeingheldcapt
ivehereforacri
me
Rishi.Youarehereforaspecial
reason''
.Queen
mot hersai
d.
'
'Mot
her
,canyouexpl
ainal
lthi
s?'
'
.Theki
ngsai
d.
'
' Shaker,t
hisisthegir
lItol
dyouaboutt hel
asttime
'
'.Queenmot hersaidandsmiled,shewentclosert
o
Ri shiandbroughtherclosert
oher .Ri
shiwasmor e
thanconf used.''Shei
sthegirlwhocaughtthe
statuef r
om fall
ingonMaj i
d''
.
(
Everyonewasamazedandt
heyallr
eal
isedt
hat
Ri
shiwasweari
ngthesameneckl
aceasMaji
d.She
l
ookedbeaut
if
uli
nMaj
id'
ssweat
shi
rt
).
'
'Whatt
hehelli
sgoi
ngon,
ndwhyi
sshewear
ing
mysweatshi
rt
?''
.
'
'Forgetthatmygrandson.
..
Rishi
,i
sgoi
ngt
obe
yourfi
rstwife'
'
..
..
..
Tobecont
inued
.
Commentqui
ckl
ypl
s..
[
01/
23,
11:
51] :

.
Sequence29
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Thenewscamecrushi
ngont hem l
ikeabomb.
Pri
nceMaj
idwasspeechlessandturnshi
sf acet
o
l
ookatRi
shi.Hi
sdeepbrowneyespi er
cedintohers
andshehadt earsf
all
ingf
rom them.Shewasmost
astonishedt
hananyofthepeopleintheroom but
sheremember edsomeweeksago, whenshe
unfort
unatel
ywishedfort
his.Hermotherwas
surpri
sedthatshewasquiet.Maji
dkeptstar
ri
ngat
Rishi.
Cindywasf r
owningt err
ibl
yandshaki
ngherhead.
Majidlookedather,
standingbesi
deshi
m and
l
ookedbackatRi shi.Hewasdamnangr y.Hehated
hersomuch.Sosheusedhersavi ngski
ll
stosave
him,j
ustsoshecouldcunni ngl
ydecei
vehisf
amily
tomaket hem getmar r
iedtohi
m.Butheasgoingto
endthisnonsenseatt hatmoment.
'
' Thi
sisenough!'
'.Maj
idyel
led.'
'Ihavehad
enoughofallthi
s,
Ihaven'
tbeensayinganyt
hingbut
thishasgonetotheli
mit'
'.
'
'Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutMaj
id.
..
thi
sist
radi
ti
on
'
'
.
'
'Whatsi
cktradi
tionisthi
s?Ican'tt
akethi
sshit
anymor
e.Myf ri
endsandIat el
eavingthi
skingdom.
Wearegoingbackt oLondon,r
ightnow!''
.
(
Maj idandhispeopl ewer eaboutwal ki
ngoutand
t
heQueenmot herfr
owned.Peopl ewer enowabout
t
oseeherhi ddenbehavi or.Andsheneededt odo
t
hist oherbelovedgrandsononor dertosavethe
wholeofUjani .Hereyeswer eredwi thfur
yby
Majid'sr
eacti
onandj ustasMaj i
dwasabout
walkingoutthedoor ,
Queenmot hertookastep).
'
'Guar
ds!
!!'
'
.Queenmot
hershout
ed.
(Theguardsquicklyrushedinf r
ontofMaji
dandhi s
fri
endsatthedoor.Maj i
dfrowned, het
urnedhis
backandlookedathi sfamilywithanangrylook.
Thedoorwaswi deopened.Queenmot herwalked
slowlycl
osert
ihi m wit
hat hreateni
ngl
ook).
'
'Wher
edoyout
hinkyouat
egoi
ng?'
'
.
'
' Awayf
rom al
lofyou.Now,askyourguardstoget
outofmywaygr andmother'
'.Maj
idsaid,
point
ingat
thedoor
.
'
'Howdareyoudisobeyyourgr
andmot
herMaj
id?
!''
.
Queenmotheraskedangr
il
y.
'
'Motherpl
ease'
'
.QueenSheenatri
edtosooth
t
hingsdownbutQueenmotherr
aisedherhand
angr
il
yandst
oppedher
.
'
'Maj
id.
..
youar
enotgoi
nganywher
e!'
'
.
'
'Whatt
hef
uck.
..
.
'
'Shutupyouf
orei
gner!'
'
.QueenmothershutCindy
upandshepani
cked.QueenDorahandPri
nce
Far
ukwerenotabl
etohidethei
rdevi
li
shsmile.
'
'Don'
ttal
ktohert
hatwaygr
andmot
her
!''
.
(Queenmot herloosedhert emperandr ai
sedher
handt otheai r
,l
andingitonMaj id'
slef
tcheek.The
kingwaswi thhiseyes,widelyopened, apartfr
om
that,
everyoneelsecover edt heirmouthswi ththei
r
handsi ntotalshock.Maj i
d'sf acehadf al
len,
he
wasn'texpect i
ngt hatsl
ap).
'
'Youaregoingt omarr
yRishi.
..
whetheryoulikei
t
ornotMaji
d,Isweartoyou!Iam ti
redofstayi
ng
cal
m wit
hyou. .
.Isai
dyouwillmarryher!'
'
.
'
'Andwhowi
llmakeme?
!''
.Maj
idshout
edback.
'
'Iwi
ll
!Guar
ds,
hol
dthem!'
'
.
(Queenmotheror
der edandsevenguardscaught
holdofCi
ndy,Nat
alya,MaxwellandJi
mmy.Maj id
wasthrownint
oconfusi
onashehadnoideawhat
wasgoingon.CindyandNat
alyat
ri
edr
esist
ingi
n
anger
).
'
'Maj
id..
dosomethi
ng,
letthi
ssmellygoons,
get
t
hei
rclawsoffme!'
'
.Cindyutt
ered.
'
' Maj
id,
iti
stourchoicenow.Iknowyoubr ought
yourfri
endsheretoseewher eyoucamef rom and
taket
hem onat ouronyourcul t
ur e.Butt
hingshad
changednow.Itisupt oyou..
.ei
thergetmar ri
edto
Rishi
,
orseeyourf or
eignfri
endst hrownintothe
dungeonforli
fe''
.
'
'What
?!Fat
her
,saysomet
hing!'
'
.
'
'Iam hi
smot
herandhehasnot
hingt
osayabout
t
his!'
'
.
'
'Thi
sisagai
nstt
hefuckingl
awMaj i
d,whatbul
lshi
t
i
sthi
s?''
.Maxwel
lsnort
edangri
ly.
'
'Ohwellf
oreigner
..
.thisi
smykingdom andIdo
whatIwant!Iam t
helawhereandIgivethe
or
der.
.doyougetthat?!'
'.
'
'Iam goi
ngt
ocal
lmyf
ather
..
.andal
lofyouwi
ll
r
egr
ett
his!'
'
.Ci
ndyt
hreat
ened.
'
'Ohlookoverhere.
..
theli
tt
lebut
ter
fl
yisshowing
hert
ruecol
ours..
.Isthi
sthewomanwant edto
marr
yMaj i
d?''
.
'
'Shei sthiswaybecauseofyou.Youdon' thave
anyrightstocontr
olmet hisway!Iwil
lforever
regr
etf orcominghere.
..
Iregr
etit
!''
.Majidsaidand
angri
lyst or
medofftowardshischamberwi t
hout
l
ookingback.
Event houghhehear dthecriedofhi sfriends,he
didn'tlookbackatall
.Thekingwassur prisedathis
mot her'sbehavi
orandwasangr yt hatshedi dn't
mi ndtoi nvol
vehiminallt
hat .QueenDor ah
remember edshehadnotputt hepoti nQueen
Meer ah'schamberandqui cklystormedof ffoll
owed
byPr inceFaruk.Thekingwassur pr i
sedandhe
turnedt olookatal
lthewomen, especi allyhis
mot her.Heshookhisheadandwal kedawayas
wel l
.
QueenSheenacalmedherselfdownwithherhand
t
ouchingherchest
.SheturnedtoRishiandBhavna
t
hensmi
led,
Rishiwasshaki
ng.
Shedi dn'
tbargainf
orthi
s,shewasscar edoutofher
body.Shel ookeddownandt earsfel
louthereyes.
Sheguessedshewasnotaboutt ogooutofthe
palaceanyt i
mesoon.Hermot herhadhel dher
ti
ghtlyandpr ayi
ngsil
ent
ly.Aguar dar
rivedatt
he
scenewi t
hsevenselfphonesi nhishandsand
bowedt otheQueen.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
Igotwhatyouaskedf
or'
'
.
(
Cindyandt
heot
her
scoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
hei
reyes)
.
'
'Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?'
'
.Nat
alyaaskedr
udel
y.
'
'Whatoneart
hareyoudoi
ngwi
thourphones?'
'
.
Ci
ndyalsoyel
led.
'
'Wel lf
oreigner.
.youthreatenedbysayi ngt hat,
you
wer egoingtocallyourfatherandwewer egoingto
regrett
his...
sothenIimagi nedt hat.
..
youwer egoing
togetint ouchwithyourfat herthroughthisthi
ngs.
Yourphonesar egoingtobei nmychamberwhi l
e
youspendsomegr eatvacat i
oni nthedungeon.
UntilMajidagreestomar ryRi shi,t
henitwillbe
givenbackt oyou''.
'
' Haveyoual
lgonecr
azyorwhat
?Whati
fMaji
d
takesyear
sbefor
eagreei
ngt
othi
sabsur
dpr
essur
e
youhaveputonhim?''
.
'
'I
fhetakesyears,t
henyouwi l
lal
sospendyearsi
n
t
heli
on'sden''
.TheQueenmot hersai
d,st
rai
ght
f
orward.'
'Takethem away!
!!'
'
.
'
'Youwon' tgetawaywi t
hthisyoucr azygirl
!You
evenhavet heaudacit
ytoweart hesweat shir
tI
gavetoMaj idonhisbir
thday..
.Youar enothingt o
him andyouwi l
lneverbe!!
!Iwil
lnevershar emy
manwi thanywoman. ..
gotthat,
bit
ch?Maj idwi l
l
neveraccepttomar r
yyou,hedoesn'tevenknow
youexistandyouar enotourclassyoupoorl oser!'
'
.
Cindykeptonshout i
nginsult
swhi l
esevenst rong
guardpull
edherandt heothersawayl ikedogs.
'
'Taket
hosephonest
omychamber'
'
.
(Theguardboweddownandt ookthephonesaway
towardsQueenmother
'schamber.SheandQueen
Sheenaturnedt
oBhavnaandRi shi
).
'
'Thi
sisnotthelifeIwantf
ormydaughterQueens.
Pl
ease,
letusleave.Wearepoor
,butwearel
ivi
ngin
peace.
..Thati
sthemostpr
icel
essgi
fti
nthewor
ld'
'
.
'
'Bhavna.
..howcanyoubesobl
ind?'
'
.Queen
Sheenaasked.
'
'Me,
bli
nd?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Youar ebei ngblind.Becauseyour ef
uset o
seedest i
nywor king.Haveyoust udi edyourpoor
daughter?LookRi shi'
'
.Queenmot hersaidandgot
cl
osert oRishiwhowasshaki nglikeaChr i
stmas
chi
ckenandQueenmot hergentlymadehersi ton
oneoft hebedst hensatbesi desher .Queenmot her
caressedherhai randRi shicouldn'tl ookatherface.
'
'Noonehast ot ellyout hat,
sheisaQueen.She
wasbor naQueen.Haveyouevenr eali
sedthe
cl
othesshe' swear ingri
ghtnow?' '
.
(Theyalltur
nedtol
ookatthesweatshi
rtshewas
wearing,andsheher
sel
flookeddownonherand
sawt heclot
h).
'
'Doyouknowwhoseclot
heisthat?Idon'tknow
howRishigott
oweart
hatshi
rt
,butitbel
ongst o
Pri
nceMajid'
'.
'
'Ohmygoodness,
ohmygoodness.
..Am sosor
ry.
I
'
m sost
upid!'
'
.Ri
shisai
d,t
ryi
ngt
oremovet
heshi
rt
i
nangui
sh.
'
'Hahaha...don'
tdothatRishi
.Youdon'twantt
oget
nakedinfrontoftheQueensdoyou?''
.Queen
motherlaughed.'
'Wewi l
ldressyouup.Andthen
youcanr emovetheshirt
..
.maids!'
'
.
'
'Ican'
tdot
hisyourhi
ghness.
..Pl
easel
etmego'
'
.
'
'YesyoucanRi shi.Youcandothi
s..
iti
syour
dest
iny.Youdon'tknowthetr
uthyetbut.
..
.
'
'Whatt
rut
h?'
'
.Sheasked,
conf
used.
'
'Ishal
ltal
ktoyoul
ater
.Okay?Mai
ds.
..
cal
lsome
maidsSheena''
.
(Fourmai
dsimmediat
elyenter
edt
hecheckupr
oom
andbowedtotheQueens).
'
'Al lyoufourshouldmaket henecessary
arrangement stousherRishihere,i
ntonewr oyal
clothes.Shei sthesoontobef ir
stwifeofthe
crownedPr i
nceofUj ani
.Sheisnowpar toft he
royalf ami
ly,eventhoughshei snotoffi
cial
ly
wel comed, t
reatherwithrespectandmakesur e
t
hat
,sheget
sal
lshewant
s..
.i
sthatcl
ear
?''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Theyal
lresponded.
'
'Now, justl
ikeyouwer eallt
aughtatt heroyal
schoolofmai dens.
..goandtransfor
m her
compl etel
y..
.makemesur pri
sewhenIseeher
again..
makeherupi nthereadinessifaQueen, f
eed
her.
..t
henbr ingherbacktome.I sthatclear?'
'.
'
'Yest
ourhi
ghness'
'
.
(Rishil
ookedathermotherforthel
astti
meina
grumpyl ookandthemaidenstookheraway)
.
'
'Don'tworr
yBhavna.
..LeaveRi
shii
nourcare.She
i
ssafehereweswear..Becausewearegoi
ngt o
pr
otectherwit
hourli
ves.Wepromiseyout
hat''.
'
'Shei
smyonl
ychi
ld'
'
.Bhavnasobbed.
'
'Weknow.Butyoucanal
sost
ayher
ewi
thheri
f
youwantBhavna'
'
.
'
'No.Iam amar ri
edwoman.Besi des,
deepi nmy
hear
t..
.Iknewadayl ikethi
swouldcome.ButI
di
dn'texpectittobethissoon.Sheisjust20.But
anyway...IguessIcangonow' '.
'
' Youaref reenowBhavna.Tomor rowi san
i
nt r
oductionday.Imean, Ihopeyoual readyknow
ourtraditi
on...oncewef indthefirstwi fetobefor
thecrownedPr i
nce.Weannouncei tforthewhole
kingdom t oseeher .Sot herewi l
lbeaf esti
valher
e
tomor r
owmor ning.Everyonei si
nvi ted,especi
all
y
youandt ourhusband.Iwi llsendt heannouncert o
givethenewst oeveryonei nthekingdom assoon
aspossi ble''
.
'
'Okay'
'
.Bhavnasai
dsi
lent
ly.
'
'ButBhavna..
.Wouldn'tyouli
keyost
ay?At
l
east,
unt
ilyourdaughterist
ransf
ormed?'
'
.Queen
Sheenaasked.
'
'Ofcour
seIwi
llst
ayyourhi
ghness.Iwi
llnever
l
eavemybaby'
'.
'
'Okayt
hen,
shal
lwel
eave?'
'
.
'
'Weshal
lmot
her'
'
.
(Thet
hreeoft
hem l
ef tt
heroom,wit
houtBhavna
dri
nki
ngthegarl
icj
uice.Theyal
lforgoti
t)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hest oodinthemi ddleofhisroom.Het ur
nedtoa
hugedr awerclosetohisbedwi tharr
angedgolden
statuesonitbuthescat ter
edthem al
laroundhis
room.Hi swavyhai rfel
lonhisbeauti
fulspotl
ess
faceandhebr eathheavilythr
oughhishair.He
pull
edt hebedsheetsonhi sbedandt hr
ewt hem out
ofhissightandhef i
nal
lygaveoutaloudangr y
scream.
Heneededt otakeallhisahngeronallt
hebeauti
ful
decorati
onsinhischamber .Hest
art
ed
remember i
ngallthepromi seshemadetoCindyof
neverleavi
ngherwhent heywereinLondon.Hi
s
personalguar
dqui ckl
yent eredwhenheheardt
he
scream andheboweddown.
'
'MyPr
ince,
pleasei
sther
eanyt
hingyoumayneed?
'
'
.
(Majidst
artedl
ookingar oundhisroom forhis
phoneandhedr oppedallthedroppabl
et hi
ngsand
rai
sedandshi f
tedallthethingsinhischamberbut
couldn'
tfi
ndhisphone) .
'
'Ci
ndywasr
ight
!Yougyar
dsar
eal
lusel
ess!Who
t
hehel
ltookmyphonesf
rom her
e?'
'
.
'
'TheQueenmot
her
,myPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Whatt
he.
..
.
'
'Shesentaguar
dtocomeandt
akeyourphone
f
rom her
e''
.
'
'Forwhat
?''
.
'
'Idon'
tknowyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Hmmm.( Maj
idsatsl
owl
yonhisbed.Hi
sheavy
chest
,movi
ngupanddowninanger
).
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
Idi
dn'
tendthisepi
sodebecauseourel
ect
ri
cit
yjust
wentof
fagain.
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
sChamber
).
Sheenter
edherchamberwi t
hawidesmi
le.Her
missi
onwasaccompl i
shed.Now,
noonewasever
goi
ngtoseethatpotagai
nsincei
twasnowi n
QueenMeerah'schamber
.Shewasnowrelaxed
morethanever.Nowsheneededawayt
ot akethe
keybackbefor
eanysuspici
onswer
erai
sed.
Shewentsl owlytowher ethecur t
ainshisthesecret
door,sheraisedthecurtai
nsandt oher
ast
oni shment,thedoorwast here.Shelaughedout
l
oudandwentbackt oherbed.Shest artedthi
nking
ofhowt ousethecurrentsit
uationtoherand
Faruk'
sadvant age.Aguardent eredandbowed
down.
'
'Yourhighness.Savi
tr
iaskedher
sel
finyour
presence'
'.
'
'Sa.
.Savi
tr
i?Letheri
n''
.
(Theguar
dlef
tandSavi
tr
iqui
cklyent
ered.She
didn'
tbowdowntoher
.Herwingswashigherthan
ever)
.
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.
'
'YouknowwhatIwantQueenDor
ah'
'
.
'
'Wat
chyoumout
h!'
'
.
'
'No,
youwat
chyourback!Ican'
twai
tanyl
onger
.
Givemeyouranswernow.BecauseIdi
dn'
tli
kethe
newsofPri
nceFarukandthepri
ncessofJhansi
'
s
marri
ageatal
l.Haveyoual
readyfor
got
tenourdeal
?
'
'.
'
'Wehadnodealyoufool
.It
oldyouthatyour
daught
erandmyson,
canneverbe!'
'
.
'
'Thenyouseriouslyleavemewi t
hnoot herchoi
ce
QueenDorah.Iwillexposeyou.
..r
ighthere,
ri
ghtnow
'
'.Shesai
dandt urnedtoleave.
'
'Nowait!Don'tdit
hisSavi
tr
i.Ihavedoneal
otf
or
you,
youcan'tbetr
aymel i
kethis'
'.
'
'Ohr
eal
lynow.So,
i
sthatayesorano?'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ahent
eredi
ntoadeept
houghtf
ora
whi
le)
.
'
'Okayfi
ne!Fine,
Iacceptt
hedeal
.Getoutofher
e,I
wil
lcal
lyoutomorrowsowecanf ur
therdi
scuss'
'.
'
'GoodgirlQueenDorah.Goodgi r
l.Enjoytherestof
yourday.AndIknowyouver ywel l
..
.don'
ttry
anythi
ngfishywit
hme,don'tevendar etr
yanything
agai
nstme. .
.el
se,
youwouldn'tl
iketheresult
satall'
'.
Savi
trisaidandwalkedt
ot hechamberdoor
.She
openedt hedoor,
QueenDorahandSavit
riar
e
shockedt oseewhoisstandi
ngatthe
door,
frowning.
..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
51] :

.
Sequence30
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Farukseemedt erri
bl yannoyedandwasl ooking
downatSavi tr
iwhogaveoutaf akesmil
eand
walkedpasshi m andaway.Pr inceFarukentered
thechamberandcl osedt hedoorshutbehindhi m.
Hewal kedclosertot ohismot her.QueenDor ah
whowasspeechl essdi dn'tknowwhatt osay.She
washopi ngthatFar ukhadnothear danyt
hingbut
shewaswr ong.PrinceFar ukfoldedbothhishands
onhischest
,l
ooki
ngsuspi
ciousbutQueenDor
ah
tur
nedawayandignoredhi
sgaze.
Hewasshockedt ot
earsinhismother'
seyes.Who
daredtomaket heQueenofwi t
chescry.The
mot herofSat
an.Hehatedtoseehi smothertor
n
apart.Shewashisconfi
dant.Hisever
ything.
'
'Whati
sitmot
her
?''
.
'
'Not
hing'
'
.
'
'Whywasthef
ool
ishmai
dSavi
tr
ithr
eat
eni
ngyou
mot
her?'
'
.
'
'Far
uk.
..
don'
tget
..
..
'
'Anddon'ttel
lmenottogeti
nvol
vedint
his.And
don'
tdareli
eto!e.Nowtel
lmethetr
uthmother.
Why,
justtel
lmenow!''
.
'
'Okayf
ine!Justkeepyourvoi
cedown,
doyouhave
t
oshout?''
.
'
'Sot
ellme'
'
.
'
'Thecheapgoodfornot
hingwoman,
havet
hegust
t
othreat
enme''.
'
'YesIheardthatpar
t,
andam aski
ng,
whyi
sshe
doi
ngthat?'
'.
'
'Shewantsmet ofor
m anall
iance.Bet
weenyou
andherdaught
erformarr
iage''
.
'
'Huh?'
'
.
(Pri
nceFaruklookeddownathi smot herforawhi
le
andbr eakouti
ntoal oudl aughter.Hecouldn't
controlhi
slaughter.Thi
ssoundedl ikeacomedyto
him andhelethimsel ff
allonhi smot her'
sbed.
QueenDor ahcoul dn'
tbeli
evePr inceFaruk.She
shruggedandhi thim onhi shead.Hesatupand
starr
edatherqui etl
y.Thent hatevilglowinhis
eyes).
'
'Howdareshe?Thatmaidt
hinks,
shecanputmy
motheri
nahardspot?'
'
.
'
'Ihadnochoi
cebutt
oagreeFar
uk..
.pl
easef
orgi
ve
me.Orel
seshemayexposeme!''
.
'
'Noneofthatwi
llhappenedmother
.Leavet
his
i
ssuetome.Iwil
ltakecareoft
hisbefor
etomorr
ow
comes''
.
'
'Real
ly?'
'
.
(Hegott
ohisfeetandturnedhisbackathis
mother
,l
ooki
ngthroughthebiggestwindowint
he
chamber)
.
'
'Wehavesomanyotherimport
antthi
ngstowor
ry
about
,t
hant
olett
hatt
hing,
standinourway''
.
'
'Butwhatar
ewegoi
ngt
odot
hen?'
'
.
'
'Isaidleaveever
ythi
ngtome.Haveyouhi
sthat
potinthefir
stQueen'
schamber?'
'
.
'
'YesIhave.Ij
usthavet
ofindawayt
ogett
hekey
backi
ntotheking'
schamber'
'.
'
'Gi
vemet
hekey'
'
.
'
'Forwhat
?''
.
'
'Justgivei
ttomeandst opaski
ngsomany
quest
ionsokay.Wedon'thaveal
ldayandIal
so
haveameet i
ngwit
hfather''
.
'
'Yourfatherwant
stoseeyou?Ohmygoodness
Far
uk,Itol
dyoumypl answer
egoingt
ogetyou
cl
osertohim' '
.
'
'Yeahyeahwhat ever
.Heisonl ycal
li
ngmet oteach
methevaluesofmar ri
age.Gosh,Idon'tknowwhat
t
odowi ththi
sanxietyam feel
ing.Pr
incessRagah
i
sjustnotmyt ype''
.
'
'Iwantal lpowert
obelongtoyouwhenam no
mor eFar uk.YouhavenoideathebigplansIhave
foryou''.Shesaidandhandedt hekeysoverto
Faruk.'
'Wecant akethi
sasanadvant agetomake
yourfatherchangehismi ndaboutthe
announcementhemade25year sago.Andalso,t
his
maybeouradvant ageinmakingyout heki
ngof
Jhansiaswel lmyson''
.
'
'Howaboutwet al
kaboutt hisl
atermot her
?Just
staycal
m,andant i
cipat
eforthefallofthatstupid
maidofyours.Youshoul dalsodot heli
ttl
ethings
youknowhowt odobest ,
andmakesur eeverythi
ng
i
si npl
acewhileIexecutemypl ans' '
.
(
Hesai
dandl
eftt
hechamber
).
(
Ref
ini
ngChamber
).
Thischamberwasspecial
lydesignf
ori
mport
ant
neededref
ormat
ion.Especial
lywhenwomenwer
e
aboutt obemar ri
edintotheroyalfami ly,theywer e
takeni ntheretobedr essedup.Theywer et aken
theretobebat hed,
fed,cl
othedandt ransf ormedi n
thelikenessofr oyalt
y.Thiswasnoor dinary
coronat i
onforRi shi
,thiswast hetransfor mationof
thesoont obewi feofnoot herthant hecr owned
Pr i
nceofUj ani.AndtheQueenmot herwas
precisedwhenshesai dshewant edt obesur pri
sed
whenshel ayedeyesonRi shiafterthe
transformation.
Sot hemaidshadt odot heirabsolut
ebestorel se
theywouldhaveahar dtimedeal i
ngwi t
hanangr y
Queenmot her.Theyt ookRishiint
other oom.Her
eyescouldn'tstopbli
nkingonal lt
hebeaut i
ful
decorati
onthelargeroom.Ful lofwomen' sstuff.
Makeupsandever ythingwer ei
ntact.Bi
ggol den
war dr
obeallaroundther oom andadoorwhi chwas
closedontheirleft
.
Thatwasthebathroom.Twomai dsheldherhands
andmadehersitslowlyonthebednearthebig
mirr
or.Shewasfeeli
nguncomfortabl
ewithallt
he
att
enti
onbei
nggi ventoher
.Threeothermaids
enter
ed.Oneholdingapanofwhi temil
k.Theot her
holdi
ngapanofol iveoi
landthel astone,hol
dinga
tr
ayofexpensiveperfumes.Rishiwasf eeli
ng
uneasy.Butt
hent womaidsent eredwiththree
vari
eti
esofdif
ferentmeals.Thenhersmi le
appeared.
Sherubbedherpal
mstogetherandli
ckedherlips.
Shewasst ar
vingt
odeath.Justt
hen,
theyserved
hert
hethreemealsonalargetabl
einfrontofher
andboweddownt oher.
'
'Oh!
ygoodness!DoIgett
oeatal
loft
hisr
ignow?'
'
.
'
'Noempr
ess'
'
.
'
'Empress?Pl
easecal
lmeRishi
.Thatist
hena!e
mothergaveme.I
fnot
,t
hendon'
tcallmeatal
l'
'.
'
'NoRishi
.Youarenotsupposedtoeatall
.Youare
t
ochoosetheoneyouwi l
lli
ketoeat
,sothatwetake
t
herestaway'
'.
'
'Awww.
..
butam st
arvi
ng'
'
.
'
'Wearegoingt
oteachyouthecour
tesyofeati
ng
t
heri
ghtfoodatt
herightt
ime,howt
oeat,whatto
dri
nk,tabl
emanners,howtocomportyour
sel
fin
publi
candeveryt
hing.Sopl
ease,
fini
shyourmeal
andlet'
sbegi
n''
.Oneofthemaidssaid.
'
'Okay.IguessIwantt
hef
ir
stpl
ate.Il
ovepast
a''
.
'
'Asyouwi sh''
.OneofthehandmaidenofQueen
Sheenasaidandclappedherhandstwice.Thent
wo
maidenscarri
edtherestoft
hefoodaway.
Rishistarteddi shingout .Shehadeat ensomany
pastast hathermot herhadcooked.Butshecoul d
sweart hatt hi
sf oodwasbet ter.I
twasmor er ich
andhadal ltheheal thyingr edientsandspi ces.Thi s
onewasal sohotandsmel ledgood.Shechewedon
hermout hwi t
hhereyescl osedandwi ni
ngherhead
endlessly.Sheopenedhereyest oscoopf ullwhen
sher eal
isedt hemai denswer estarri
ngatherwi th
smile.Shel ookedatt hem andcl earedhert hroat
i
mmedi ately.Itwasf unny.Shebur stedoutl aughing
andt heylaughedwi thher .
Suddenl
y, t
heyquickl
ystoppedlaughi
ng.Shedidn'
t
under
standwhy.Sheal socouldn'
tmakeouttheir
i
denti
tysincetheyhadveil
scoveredonhalfthei
r
faces.Shequickl
yfini
shedhermealandfour
mai densent
eredthechamberimmediat
ely.Wi
th
goldencupsonat ray,
eachmaid,
hol
dingeachtr
ay.
Theyboweddownt oher.
'
'Sweetaf
termeal
''
.Theysai
d.
'
'So,
whatdowehaveher
e?'
'
.Ri
shiasked.
'
'Ihavemangoj
uice'
'
.Thesecondmai
dsai
d.
'
'Ihavepi
neappl
ejui
ce'
'
.Thesecondmai
dsai
d.
'
'Ihaveanappl
esmoot
hie,
mixedwi
thcoconutoi
l'
'.
Thethi
rdmaidsai
d.
'
'Wow!'
'
.Ri
shiexcl
aimed.
'
'AndIhavebananasmoot
hiemi
xedwi
thgi
nger'
'
.
Thefor
thonesaid.
'
'Ohmygoodness.
..somuchpamperi
ng,
justfora
commonerli
keme''
.Rishidi
dast
ear
sappearedin
hereyes.
'
'YouarenolongeracommonerRi shi'
'
.Queen
Sheena'
shandmaidensai
d.''
Youar enowthesoon
tobewifeofPr
inceMaji
d..
thefut
urekingofUjani
.
Andthatmakesyouourfut
ureQueen.Itisourdut
y
t
oser
veyoumyempr
ess'
'
.
'
'Ofcourse.Amar ri
agewhichIdon'
tevenknow
whetherwillcometopass.Idi
dn'
treal
lyl
ookint
o
t
hePr i
nce'sface,
buthemustsurel
yhatemebynow
'
'
.Rishithought.
'
'So,
whi
choft
hisdeser
tdoyouwantmi
str
ess?'
'
.
'
'Er
rrmmmm.
..
Ithi
nkpi
neappl
ejui
cewi
llbeokay'
'
.
(Themai dwit
ht hepineapplej
uiceboweddownand
servedher.Ri
shiguzzledupt hepineapplej
uiceto
thesurpri
sedofallthemai dsandshel i
ckedherlips.
Themai densclearedtheplacefoodanddr i
nksand
l
eft.Li
vingfi
vemai dsinthechamberwi thRishi)
.
'
'So,
whati
snextnow?'
'
.
'
'I
tist
imef
oryourr
oyalbat
h''
.
'
'Royalbat
h,asi
n..
youar
egoi
ngt
obat
hme?'
'
.She
askedinamazement.
'
'Yesempr
ess'
'
.
'
'Hey!I
'
m anadul
tokay!Ican.
..
.
'
'I
tisourdut
y.Ordoyouwantust
oandt
ellt
he
Queenaboutt
his?'
'
.
'
'But
..
.okayfi
ne.Butcanyoucl
oseyoureyeswhi
leI
r
emovet hecl
oth?'
'.
(
Themai
dsbur
stouti
ntol
aught
er)
.
'
'Ofcour
senot.Comeonempr ess,
let'
sgetyouout
oft
hatcl
othi
mmedi at
ely.Let
'sgo!''
.
Theyhel pedRishiupherf eetandwal kedt otheleft
side.Thedoorwascl osed.Thehandmai denof
QueenSheenaopenedt hedoorandi nsi dewas
paintedallwhi
tewi t
habat ht
ubi nthemi ddle.Two
mai dsstoodbesidesthebat htubandpour edmi l
k
andol i
veoili
nt hebathtubcont ai
ningwar m water.
Theyboweddownt oherandshewal kedt owards
thebathtub.I
twasf ullofwonder fulf
r agrance.Rishi
smel ti
tandremovet hesweat shirtsl
owl y.
Themai dsturnedtheirfacesaway.ExceptQueen
Sheena'shandmai den,Priya.Ri
shiheldthe
sweatshir
ttight
lyandsl owlysteppedint
ot he
bat
htub.Priyathentookt hesweat shi
rtf
rom her
wit
houtherknowl edgeanddr oppeditonthefloor
.
'
'No!Don'
t!Pi
cki
tupqui
ckl
y!Hur
ryup.
..pi
cki
tup.
I
tbel
ongst
othecr
ownedPr
ince!'
'
.
'
'Ohmygoodness!''
.Sheshout
edandquickl
y
pi
ckedi
tup.'
'For
givememyempr ess'
'.
'
'Pl
easegi
vet
hatt
ome'
'
.
'
'Buti
tist
imef
oryourRoyalbat
h''
.Pr
iyasai
d.
'
'Isai
dgi
vei
ttome.Now!'
'
.
(Shet ookt hesweat shirtfrom Pr i
yaanddr ownedit
i
nt hewat er.Sheremember ed,takingitf
rom the
war drobeandsobbed.Whati fthiswasgoi ngt obe
oneoft hever yr
easonswhyMaj i
dwoul devenhate
hermor e.Oneoft he! mai denspour edaheavenly
fragrancel i
quidsoapi ntothewat eranditbubbled
up.Andi nsteadforRi shitobat h,shestart
ed
washi ngt hesweat shirtinthebat htub).
'
'Oneofthemai
dscanwashi
tforyoui
fthat
'swhat
youwant''
.
'
'No.Iwi
llwashi
tmysel
f.Iwor
eit
.SoIwi
llwashi
t
'
'
.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hewashol
dingt
hekeyofQueenMeer
ah'
schamber
.
Heheardaknockathi sdoorandsmiledevil
ly.The
showwasaboutt ogodown.Hehadpr omisedhis
motherthathewasgoingtotakecareofthe
si
tuat
ionandt hatwasexact
lywhathewasgoi ngt
o
do.
Hegott ohisdoorandopenedi t
.Het ookadeep
breat
handt hemai dRoshnismiled.Hesmil
edback
andletherintheroom.Heclosedt hedoorand
wentclosertoherwithaninnocentlook.
'
'MyPr
ince.Pl
easeyoucal
ledf
orme?'
'
.
'
'I
ndeed.Ihopeyouar
enotbusy'
'
.
'
'Mywor kfort
hedayhascompl
etedandam not
busyatall'
'
.
'
'Ohreal
ly?So,
doest
hatmean,
Icanhaveyoual
lto
mysel
f?'
'.
(Shest
upi
dlysmil
edandstart
edblushi
ng.She
bowedherheadandanswered).
'
' Youhavemeal lt
oyoursel
fmyPr i
nce.Except
that,If
earQueenDorahmightgetupseti
fshesees
ust ogether'
'
.
'
' Mymot her
?Forgetabouther
.Look,sheiseven
start
ingtoli
keyou.Ispoketoher.Didyouknow
thatyourmotheri
smymot her
'shandmai den,
and
mymot herr
eal
lyappreci
ateSavi
trialot
.Justli
keI
appreciat
eyouRoshni''.
(Roshniwasnotabl
etobeli
evewhatsheheard.
Pri
nceFarukhadalwaysbei
ngaggressi
ve.And
now,hewasacti
ngallni
celi
kePet
erPan).
'
'You..
.youappr
eci
ateme?OhmyPr
ince.
..Iam
honoured''
.
'
'Ihaveasur
pri
sef
oryou,
okay?'
'
.
'
'Youneedtof
ir
stcloseyoureyes.ThenIcangi
ve
i
ttoyoubabygi
rl'
'
.
'
'OhIcan'
twai
t!'
'
.Shebl
ushedandcl
osedhereyes
t
ight
ly.
'
'Okay,
areyour
eady?'
'
.
'
'YesmyPr
ince,
everr
eadyf
oryou'
'
.
(Pri
nceFar
ukcunni ngl
ywentcl
osert
oRoshniwit
h
thekeyandcaressedherf
acesoft
ly,
whichmade
hersmil
e.Helookeddownathermaid'suni
for
m
pocketanddr
oppedthekeyi
ntoherpocket.He
huggedherti
ght
lyandshehuggedhim back).
'
'Youar
esobeaut
if
ulRoshni'
'
.Hewhi
sper
ed.
(
Shegi
ggl
edi
nhappi
ness)
.
'
'Youar
eal
sohandsomemyPr ince.Youar
eagod'
'
.
Shesai
dwi
thhereyescl
osed.
'
'Ipromi
seyout hat
,whenmymar
ri
agetoPri
ncess
Ragahisover
,Ishal
lmakeyoumysecondwi
fe''
.
(Roshniquickl
yopenedhereyes.Shej
umpedupnd
downi nhappinessandembracedPri
nceFar
uk
ti
ghtl
ywhi l
ehewhi mper
edbehindher)
.
'
'OhmyGod!Real
ly?'
'
.
'
'Thatismysur pr
isef
oryoubeauti
ful
,butmake
sure,
thatyoukeepthi
sbetweenusbothfornow
okay?''
.
'
'OkaymyPr
ince.Thi
sdef
ini
tel
yisourl
it
tl
esecr
et'
'
.
'
'Youmayleavenow.Andplease.
..Ineedyout
o
meetmeheretoni
ght
.Okay?''
.
'
'Okay.ExcusememyPr
ince'
'
.Roshnisai
dandl
eft
.
(
Justt
hen,
Pri
nceFarukrai
sedhi
shandandcl
apped
t
hem t
oget
herinl
aughter)
.
'
'Now, Savit
ri
..
.yourdaughterwi l
lpayf ort he
mistakeyoumadebyt hreateningmymot her.No
one,evermesseswi t
hmymot her.
..nextst op,
that
gir
lwhoi sbeinggiventoMaj idformar r
iagemi ght
beapr oblem t
ome.Ishoul dst ar
tt hinki
ngofaway
togetridofheraswel l
.Butbef oret hat,
letmet r
y
myl uckwi ththemissi
ngl i
onandmyl i
ttl
ebrother'
'
.
(Hesaidandf
ellonhi
sbed,
hiseyesl
ight
edr
edwi
th
evi
l)
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
51] :

.
Sequence31
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Ref
ini
ngRoom)
.
Rishi'
sroyalbathwasoverandshewast akeninto
thedressingroom.Shewashol di
ngt hewet
sweatshir
tofMaj idandshelayedi tonthebed.
Priyaaskedthemai dstotakethesweat shi
rttothe
dryertodryitoff
.Mor emaidenswal kedint
ot he
room.Rishiwasl ooki
ngf r
esherthaneverandher
skinwasl ooki
ngamazi ng.Shecoul dn'
tbel
ieveher
owneyes.Shel ift
edthesweatshirtandgavei tt
o
twomai ds.
'
'Pl
ease,
makesuretotakecareofit
.Bringitt
ome
assoonasi
tdr
ies.Pl
ease..
bri
ngitstr
aightover
her
e''
.
'
'YesRi
shi'
'
.Theysai
dandl
eft
.
'
'Good,
fi
nal
lysomeonecal
ledmebymyname.That
f
eelssogood''
.
'
'Okay,
now,i
t'
stimeforyourmakeupanddressi
ng.
Pl
easesiti
nfrontofthebi
gmirror'
'
.Pr
iyasai
d.
(Wit
hatowelonher,
shewentt
ositonagolden
chai
rwhichwasfaci
ngthebi
gmi r
ror
.Herhairwas
ti
edupinaponyt
ailandshel
ookedatherf
acei n
mirror.Shetookadeepbr eathandthemai ds
surroundedher .Fi
rst
,oneofthem wentbehindher
andunt iedherhairandstart
edcombingi t
,t
henthe
otheronest ar
tedonest ar
teddeali
ngwi t
hhernail
s
andf eet.Theotherstar
tedapplyi
ngmakeupsand
applyingpomadeonherbody.Shef eltso
pamper ed).
(
Int
heQueenschamber
).
Thiswasanot herchamberwher eonlytheQueens
couldentertogetthemindsofst r
essfulki
ngdom
stuffandgettobondasoneman' swives.Ithas
beingdesignssinceages.TheQueenmot herand
QueenMeer ahusedt oentertai
nthemselvesther
e
withdancersanddr ummer s.Butwhenshedi ed,
of
wasnowQueenmot herandQueenSheenawho
enteredther
e.
Andt histi
me,theyenter
edwithBhavnawhowas
sti
llwaiti
nginthepalacetoseehowherdaught er
woul dlookli
ke.QueenDorahal sooft
enent ered
there,
butsheonl ywentwhenshewassur et hat
Queenmot herandQueenSheenawoul dn'tbegoing
there.Guardssurroundedthefourcomer soft he
chamberandsomemai densservedtheQueensand
Bhavnawi t
hgrapewineinagol denglassandsome
foodtoear.Bhavnadi
dn'thesi
tateandatethefood.
Andtheycheeredforfut
urepeaceandhappi nessi
n
thepalace.
'
'Mot her
...
nowthatthi
ngsaregoingonwellas
planned,ournextai
m...
isal
so,f
indi
ngoneofour
veryrefi
nedchamberforRishi'
'.
'
'Thati
snothard.Ihadalr
eadymadeupmy
mind,
evenbef
orewef oundher'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
'No,t
hechamberRi shiwoul
dsleepin,shoul
dn'tbe
ofaprobl
em atal
l.Whatournextaim shouldbe,i
s
tomakeMaji
df al
linlovewit
hRishi'
'.
'
'Youareri
ghtmyQueen.Pl easedoanyt
hingyou
cantomakethathappened.Nothi
ngismor epai
nful
i
nlif
ethanahusbandwhodoesnotl ovehiswife'
'.
(
TheQueenmot
hernoddedandt
ookasi
pofher
wine)
.
'
'Don'
twor
ryBhavna,
leaveever
ythi
ngt
ome,
okay?'
'
.
'
'Ican'
twai
ttoseeRi
shi'
'
.
Justbyt hatmoment ,t
herewasahuget r
umpet
blowni nthepal ace.Itwassol oudthat,
everyonein
thei
rchamber sclosedt heirear
s.Peoplestarted
gettingoutofthei rchamber stocheckwhatwas
goingon.Queenmot herandtheothersgottot hei
r
feetwi t
hsmi l
es.TheQueenmot hertoldtheguar d
holdingthehor nt hat,
assoonasheseest he
mai densbringingRi shifr
om therefi
ningchamber .
Everyonewasout si
deandmai dshadsur r
ounded
Rishiandhadcover edherf acewi thaveil
.
Somet hingshehadhat edal
lherl i
fe.Avei
l.Butt
his
ti
me, shehadnochoi ce.Thesur roundedherand
othermai dswhower ei nfr
ont,sprinkl
edri
sesin
frontofherwhi l
eshewal kedont hecompound.The
kingwal kedtothecompound, fol
lowedbysome
guardsandhewasst i
llfr
owning.Maj i
dstoodon
thebal cony,
looki
ngdownatt hem.
Rishigotinfr
ontoft heQueens,sheboweddown
andt ouchedthei
rfeet.Queenmot herchuckledand
smiled.Sheblessedher.Hermot herstoodbesides
them andshet ouchedhermot her'
sfeet.Theyall
sawt hekingst andingthere.Ri
shileftthemaids
andQueensai deandwenti nfr
ontoft hekingboldl
y.
Hewhi mper ed,lookingelsewherebutRi shibowed
downandt ouchedhi sfeet.Hesaidnot hi
nganshe
str
aightenedher selfup.Theyallwalkedcloserto
her.
Majidlookedatt
hisfrom t
hebal cony,st
il
lfr
owning.
Rishi
'sbackwasf aci
nghim.TheQueent henrai
sed
herhandsandstoppedt hehor nwhichwasbeing
bl
own.Theki ngturnedtoleave.
'
'Yourhi
ghnesswait!'
'
.TheQueenmot hersai
dand
t
hekingstoodther
e.''
Don'tyouwanttoseethe
f
aceoftourfut
uredaughterinl
aw?''
.
(
Theki
ngsi
gned)
.
'
'Yestourhi
ghness.
..pl
easewai
tforj
ustawhi
le'
'
.
QueenSheenasaid.
'
'Maids!Please,
rai
set
hevei
lup'
'
.TheQueen
motherordered.
(Pr
iyawenti
nfr
ontofRishiandboweddowntoher.
Sheslowl
yandcaref
ull
ytouchedthevei
landr
aised
i
tup.Queenmother,
QueenSheenaandBhavna's
eyesopenedwidely.Queenmother
'seyesstart
ed
wetti
ngwitht
earswhenshel ayedeyesinRishi
.
Rishiwassoconfused.Butt
hekingexclai
medi n
shock).
'
'Meer
ah?'
'
.
'
'YesShaker
,seehowRishihasresembledherso
much?''
.TheQueenmotherwhisperedi
ntothe
ki
ng'
searsandhesmil
edandshout ed.
'
'Allhai
lfutur
eQueenRi
shi
!!
!Gl
oryt
oRi
shi
!'
'.The
ki
ngshout ed.
'
'Gl
oryt
oher
!''
.Theser
vant
sshout
edback.
Maj i
dwhowasont hebalconycouldn'thol
dhis
angerandl eftthebal
conysi de.Bhavnawas
pleasedandherhear twasatpeacenowasi t
l
ookedl i
ket hekinghadnowaccept edRishii
ntothe
royalfamil
y.Butsheal soneededt oleavethe
palace.Theki ngwantedtospendsomemor eti
me
withRishiandt heQueens,evenBhavna.ButBhavna
want edtotakeherleave.
Ri
shi
'
seyesbeguntopourwit
htears.Shewal
ked
sl
owl
ybyhermother,
fol
lowedbytwoguards,
and
theygottothepal
aceentr
ance,
holdi
ngeach
other
'shandsandlooki
ngint
othei
reyes.
'
'Ipromi
setobeheret
omorrowtooRishi
.Iwon'
t
missyourcor
onat
ionf
oranythi
ngint
hewor l
d''
.
'
'Okaymot
her'
'
.
'
'Andst
opt
hatt
ear
s,youar
einsaf
ehandsnow'
'
.
'
'Okaymot
her'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llmi
ssyout
her
estoft
heday'
'
.
(
Theybot
hlaughed)
.
'
'Ican'
tbel
ieveal
lthi
sishappeni
ngmot
her'
'
.
'
'Webothknewt hat
,onedayyouwouldgetmar ri
ed
onedayandgoandl ivewi
thtouri
nlawsRi shi
.And
i
thashappened.Let
'shopeforthebestdear''
.
'
'Can'
tyouspendt
heni
ghther
emot
her
..
.pl
ease?'
'
.
'
'Nodear.Thisi
syourin-lawsplace.I
tis
i
nappropr
iat
e.Andbesi des,Iwanttohaveaword
wit
hyourfather
..
..Iwi
llseeyout omorr
ow.Iti
s
get
ti
nglate'
'.
'
'Okaymot
her'
'
.
(Shesti
llhel
dherhandt i
ghtlyandBhavnaforced
herhandsoutofher sandleft.Theguar
dsthen
stoodbyhersidesandwal kedherintot
hepalace,
Rishimettheroyalfami
lyont hecompoundand
boweddownt othem).
'
'Youcanstopbowi
ngt
ousnowdear
.Letusget
i
nsidepl
ease'
'.
Theyallwalkedawayi ntothebuil
dingandtheking
walkedthem tohischamber .QueenDorah,Pri
nce
FarukandPr i
nceMaj i
dwer einvit
edtogot ot
he
ki
ng'schamber .Theyallheededtotheking'
s
i
nvitat
ionexceptMajid.Thekingunderstoodthe
si
tuati
onandRi shiwast henshymor ethanever.
Shekeptquietandsatonachai rbesi
destheQueen
motherandQueenSheena.
'
'Iwanttooff
ici
all
ywelcomeRishi
,tot
heroyal
f
amilybefor
ehercoronati
ont
omor r
ow''
.
'
'Sheisnowpar toft
heroyalf
ami l
y.Andtomor
row,
wewillsetthedat
efort
hemar ri
ageceremony'
'.
Queenmot hersai
d.
'
'Butmot
her
,howcant
hathappened?'
'
.Queen
Dor
ahi
ntent
ional
lyj
umpedi
n.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'YesQueenDor
ah,
whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
' Idon'
tmeananyt hi
ngbad, buttourhi
ghness.
..I
s
thismar r
iageplansnotinvolvedwithMaji
dtoo?
Thenwhyi shenothere?Maj i
ddoesnotaccept
anythingfrom us.Hedidn'taccepttomarr
yPr i
nce
Ragah, andnowhehasr efusedtomar r
ythisone
too..
.
'
'ShehasanameQueenDor
ah!'
'
.Queenmot
her
shout
edinanger
.
'
'I
'm sorrymother
.Maji
dhasrefusedtomarryRi
shi
aswel l
..
.howwil
lthi
sevenwork?Whatwillwedo,
i
f
herefusestoshowupatthemar r
iagecer
emony?''
.
'
' Hmmm.Mot her,
QueenDor ahhasapoint
.The
weddingdateisal
waysfixedandannouncedatt
he
coronat
ionday,
sothatpeoplecanpr
epare
themsel
vesforit'
'
.
'
'Ohmygoodness!QueenDorahwantstor
uint
his
speci
almomentf
orRishi
,butIwon'
tal
lowher'
'
.
QueenSheenat
hought
.
'
'WellQueenDorah,whydon'
tyouleavet
hat
probl
em formetotakecar
eof?Theimportantt
hing
herei
s,t
hekinghasnowacceptedthi
sall
ianceand
gi
venhisconsent,
rightmyson?'
'.
'
'Yesmother
.Absol
utely'
'.Thekingsaidand
openedhi
sarmsforRishi''
.Comemydear ,you
havemademesmi l
egenui nel
y..
.af
ter25year''
.
(Rishislowlywal kedt owar dsthekingand
embr acedhim.QueenDor ahbecamei nfuriat
edbut
couldn'tshowi t.Pr i
nceFar ukwasr estless.Allhe
andhi smot herwant edwast omaket heki ngkeep
somehat r
edi nhi shear tforMajidsothatt hey
coulduset hattomani pul
at ehimtogett heposi t
ion
ofthecr ownedPr incef r
om hi m,
butitlookedl i
ke
theirpl
answer enowt rembl ingi
ntochaos) .
'
'Therei
salsoonet
hingyourhi
ghness'
'
.Queen
Sheenasai
d.
'
'Askandi
tshal
lbegi
venQueenSheena'
'
.Theki
ng
sai
d.
'
'Iwoul
dreal
lyl
ovei
t,i
fQueenMeer
ah'
schamber
woul
dbegi
vent
oRi
shi'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.QueenDor
ahshout
ed.
(Ri
shilookedconfused.Allsheknewwast hree
Queens.QueenSheena, QueenmotherandQueen
Dorah.Sowhowast hisQueenMeer ahshejust
heard.Pri
nceFaruk'sfaceturnedpal
eandQueen
Dorahstartedt
rembling).
'
'Maids!'
'
.Queenmothershout
edandt
wooft
hem
ent
eredandbowed.
'
'TakeRi
shionat
ourar
oundt
hepal
ace'
'
.
(
Themai
dst
ookRi
shiaway)
.
'
'ButQueenSheena...thatchamberhasnotbei ng
openedfor25years.Also,t
herearesomany
memor i
esofQueenMeer ahthere,
allhercl
othes
andjewelr
yarealsothere.Ipromisedmyselfnotto
l
etanyonegointhere,exceptmemysel f
,whenI
wanttoremindmyselfofher''.
'
'Far
ukdear
.Canyougi veussometimetotal
k?''.
TheQueenmothersai
dandFar ukwal
kedout.Allhe
andhismot
her
'splanswereabouttofal
lapar
t.The
potwasi nQueenMeer ah'
schamberi fRi
shiis
giventhatchamber
,theirl
iveswouldbeover.He
quickl
ywentaround,looki
ngf orRoshnit
otakethe
key.
'
'YesQueenSheena.
..Ri
shicanneverbegi
ven
QueenMeerah'
schamber.Doyouwanttoeraseher
memori
esorwhat?!'
'
.QueenDorahshoutedasshe
l
ookedexhaust
ed.
'
'Hmmm. .
whyisQueenDorahsoupsetaboutmy
suggesti
on.Theremustbesomethingwr
ong
somewher ewrongsomewhere,whenhassheever
caredaboutQueenMeerah,andtotal
kofher
memor i
es?''
.QueenSheenathought.
'
'Shaker
.Ithi
nkSheenai
sri
ght'
'
.Queenmot
her
sai
dcalmly.
'
'What
?!Motheryoucan'
tdothat
!It
houghtyou
car
edaboutQueenMeerah'
smemories!'
'
.
'
'Rishiwil
lbeMaj i
d'sfi
rstwifeQueenDor ah.And
QueenMeer ahisMaj i
d'srealmother
,event hough
hedoesn'tknow,becauset hetr
uthmi ghtaffecthi
m
badly.I
tisonlyr
ight,
ifRishii
sgiventhatchamber ,
t
ocoveral
lthewoundsQueenMeer
ahl
eft'
'
.
'
'Somother
, ar
ewegoi ngtoremoveever
ythi
ngof
QueenMeerahfrom herchamber
?''
.
'
'NoShaker .Rishiwillbeusi
ngt hem.Herj ewelr
y,
hersarees.Rishiwil
luseeverything.Meer ahhad
manyunusedi t
ems, sareesandj ewelr
iesshenever
wore,weshallrefi
nethem sothatal lofitbel
ongsto
Rishinow''.
(
Theki
ngt
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
gned)
.
'
'Pl
easesayno.Saynosaynosaynosay.
.nooo'
'
.
QueenDorahpl
eadedi
nherhead.
'
'Okaymot her.Fi
ne.Itist
imet oputallt
hepainin
t
hepast .Eventhoughthewoundst il
lfeel
sfresh
l
ikeithappenedyesterday''
.Thekingsaidand
walkedtothekeyscol l
ect
ion.
'
'Thisisbad.
.badbadbad'
'
.QueenDor
ahkept
t
hinkingi
nhor r
or.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Theki
ngexcl
aimed.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'Thekeyst
oQueenMeer
ah'
schamber
.Someone
hast
emper
edwi
thi
t.Guar
ds!Guar
ds!
!!'
'
.
(
Thr
eeguar
dsqui
ckl
yent
eredandboweddown)
.
'
'Hurry!Assembleeveryonetocomeout si
denow!!
!
Whetherservantorr
oyalty.Anddon'
tletanyone
ent
erorgoanywher e,keepam eyeont hem al
l.
Hurr
y!''.
(Theguar
dsboweddownandl
eftt
heki
ng'
s
chamber)
.
'
'Ohmygoodness.Howisthi
sevenpossi
ble.Who
canbebol
denoughtoent
ertheki
ng'
schamberand
dothi
s?'
'.
'
'Arealthi
efwoul
d,mot
her.Thatpersonwil
lbe
beheadedassoonaspossi
ble.Let
'sgo!'
'
.
(
Thekinghel
dthefakekeysi
ninf
uri
ati
on.He
f
oll
owedtheQueensout).
(
Int
hedungeon)
.
Cindyandtheotherswerefeel
ingrealhellandheat
now.Feeli
nguncomf ort
ableandterr
if
ied.Thishad
neverhappenedtothem.Theot her
skepthi t
ti
ngthe
dungeon'
smet algat
e,shout
ingtobereleased,more
becauseoft hecagesl
ionsroar
ingatthem.They
keptthei
rfacesawayfrom t
heanimal stor
educe
tensi
on.Cindydidn'
tsi
tdownonemoment .She
keptonwal kingt
oandf r
oli
keacr azywoman.
'
'Nomatterhowlongyoustandorwalk,
wear esti
ll
st
uckhere''
.Nat
alyacr
ied.'
'Idi
dn'
tbargainfort
his.
It
houghtwewerecomingher et
ohavef an,
ohGod. .
I
wannagobacktoLondonr i
ghtnow''
.
'
'Ican'
tbel
ieveMaj
idi
swatchi
ngthem dot
hist
ous.
He'ssuchadickman'
'
.Maxwellsai
d.
'
'Heydon'ttalkabouthi
mt hatway!'
'
.Cindy
shouted.'
'I
tisnothisfaul
tthat
,hi
sstupi
dfami
lyar
e
for
cinghimt odothis'
'.
'
'AreyoucrazyCindy?
!Allam wi
shingnow,i
sfor
Majidtogethi
sbutthere.
..
soIcantel
lhi
mt o
acceptthemarr
iageal
li
anceandfreeus''
.
'
'Youwouldn'tdar
eMaxwel l!Youwoul
dn'tdar
e!I
wil
lrat
herspendat housandyearsher
ethansee
mymanwi thanotherwoman' '
.
'
'Well
,maybeyouwanttost
ayher
eat housand
year
s..
.butme,
Idon'
twantt
oevenspendthenight
here.Soshutthef
uckupbecauseforme,
Iwi
ll
convinceMaji
dtomarr
ythatgir
l''
.
'
'Youar
eri
ghtMaxwel
l.Iagr
ee'
'
.Nat
alyasai
d.
'
'Nat
alya.
..yout
oo?It
houghtyouwer
emyf
ri
end!'
'
.
'
'Oht hat'
snonsense.Ihaveali
fei
nLondonokay.I
can'tspendmylifei
nast upi
ddungeonbecauseof
stupidcase'
'.
'
'Guyspl
ease.Let
'sal
lcalm down.
..
ever
ythi
ngwi
ll
beokaybytomorr
ow''.Ji
mmysi l
entl
ysaid.
'
'Thi
sisnotgoi
ngtoendwell
.IfIl
ooseMaji
d,t
hen
someonewil
lhavet
odie.Someonewil
lsur
elydi
e..
..
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
52] :

.
Sequence32
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
sChamber
).
Itwasget ti
ngl ate,
andhewasl yinginbed.Hehad
noteatenanyt hingsinceaf t
ernoon.Hekeptst arri
ng
athisglassr oofingandkeptbl inki
nghiseyes.He
couldcarel essaboutt henoisewhi chwasgoi ngon
outsidethepal ace.Het houghttohimselfandt her
e
wasonl yoneper sonwhocoul dhel phim getoutof
Ujani.Andt hatpersonwasMrRaul .Buthowcoul d
hegeti ntouchwi t
hhim whenhi sphonewast aken
from him andhehadnoi deawher etheQueen
mot herhadhi ddeni t
.
Therewasaknockonhi schamberdoorandhe
chuckled.Twoguardshadear l
iercamet ot el
lhi
m
thatthekinhadassembledever yoneoutsidethe
palaceforsomeunknownr eason.Buthedi dn'
t
bothertofoll
owthem outsi
de,r
at her
,hekickedthem
outandst ayedal
oneinhischamber .Hehear dthe
knockandsomeoneopenedt hedoorofhi s
chamber .
Hesti
lll
ayeddownanddi
dn'
tdoanythi
ng.Hi
s
per
sonalbodyguar
dar
ri
vedt
hereandboweddown.
'
'MyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Pl
easemyPr
inceI
..
.I
..
.
'
'Justspeakupman'
'
.
'
' MyPr i
nce.Iknowam notinar
ightf
ullposi
ti
onto
tellanyt
hingbut.
..
please,
mayIhaveawor dwit
h
you?' '
(Majidrai
sedhisheadfrom hissoftandfuzzy
pil
low,st
arri
ngatthehugeguar dwhowasst anding
andlookingdown.Maj i
dwasqui teconfusedbuthe
satupont hebed.Hislegs,st
rai
ghtenedonthe
whitecoveredbedsheets.Helayedhisbackonthe
headoft hebedandkeptsi l
ent,
juststar
ri
ngatthe
guard).
'
'Saywhat
?''
.
'
'Iti
sabouttheal
li
ancether
oyalf
amil
yhasfor
med
betweenyouandthetowngi
rlmyPri
nce'
'.
'
'And.
..
whataboutt
hat
?Ar
eyoui
nvol
ved?'
'
.
'
'MyPr i
nce.
..Iknowthat,
whatam abouttosaymay
betheendofmyl if
etodaysince,
am aservant,
Ido
nothaveanyright
swhatsoevertoeventalktoyou'
'
.
'
'Justgost
rai
ghttothepoint.Icar
elessaboutyour
posi
ti
oninthepal
ace.Justtalktome.Mant oman.
Whatdoyouwannasay?' '
.
'
'MrPr
ince.Pl
ease,
ifi
twer
eupt
ome,
youshoul
d
mar
ryt
hegi r
l''
.
'
'Whatdi
dyoujustsay?'
'
.Maji
dwasflabbergast
ed
andt
hewordshesaidsouredl
ikeawhisper
.
'
'YesmyPr ince.Pleaserelaxyoursel
fandlistent
o
me.Thi skingdom isyour sandresponsibi
li
tynow.
Youar ethef ut
ureking.Andi nthi
skingdom, andi
n
ourtradit
ion,
wedobel i
evei ndest
iny.Weallhavea
purposetoser veinlif
e,andifwedon'tfulf
il
lour
purpose,thenmyPr i
nce, whatist
heessenceofour
l
ives''
.
'
' So.
..
youaresayingthat
,mypur posei nl
if
ei s
to..
.marr
ysomeone, Idon'tknow,don'tl
ove,never
spokento,neverspokento,nevertouched''
.
'
'Butyoutouchedherwhenshesavedyouf
rom t
he
st
atue.Whenshefellonyou'
'
.
(Thatst
atementwasf unnyt
hatbot
hPr
inceMaj
id
andtheguardlaughed).
'
'Idon'
tknowaboutt
hisSushi
m.IfIknewthi
swas
howmyl i
fewoul
dturnout
,Iwoul
dhavejustdi
ed'
'
.
'
'Youneverknowunt i
lyoutryi tmyPr i
nce.Please,
tr
yyourbestandacceptthis,allt
hegirl
sherehave
beingtrai
nedverywel
landt heyar everycal
m and
submi ssi
ve.Tr
ustme.Youwon' tr
egretit
.Pleasedo
al
lyoucanandaccepti t
..
.sot hattheplansofyour
bro..
.sorr
y''
.
'
'Whatwer
eyouaboutt
osaySushi
m?Pl
ansofwho?
'
'
.
'
'NomyPr i
nce.Imean,don'tl
ett
hebondbet ween
youandyourfamil
ybebr okenbecauseof
...
sorr
yto
sayt
hisbut.
..
becauseofsomef orei
gner'
'
.
'
'Sushi
m..
..
'
'MrPr i
nceplease.Iknowam j ustyourpersonal
bodyguard.Butforme,Iseeyouasal i
tt
lebrother
.I
haveli
vedlongont hiseart
htor eal
isethat
,famil
yis
ever
ythi
ng.PleasemyPr i
nce.Ishallt
akemyl eave''
.
Heboweddownandl eft
.
(Majidenteredintoadeept
houghtwhi
chst
art
ed
crackinghisbrains)
.
(
Out
side=Ont
hel
argef
rontcompound)
.
Ever yonehadgat hered.Allwher econfusedbut
maj orit
ywer eterr
ifi
ed.Tobesummonedbyt heking
i
nsuchahotaf ternoon,andnoteveni nt hecourt
housebutt hecompound.Theyst oodthere
mur mur i
ngt oeachot heri
nwonder .PrinceFaruk
startedlookingintotheser vant
st ofi
ndRoshni .He
wasr est
lessmor ethanever .Hehadt osavet he
dayf orhismot her.Heknewt hatSavit
riwas
threateningQueenDor ah,butheknewt hatQueen
Dor ahwoul dhavechosenbei ngt hr
eatenedbya
commonmai dthantobehaunt edbyaghost .
Hesawheraf arinthecr owd, standi ngbesidesher
mot herinheruniform.Hest artedwal kingtowards
herwhent her
oyalfami l
yar r
ived.Thehor nwas
bl
ownandever ywher ewassi lenced.TheQueen
mot her,QueenSheena, QueenDor ahandRi shi
stoodatt hesi
deoft heki ng.Pr inceFar ukpanicked
andwentbackawayf rom t heser vant
sandwentt o
standbyt heroyalfamilyt oavoi danysuspi ci
ons.
Theki ngwasst i
llfr
owningandt herewasnoounce
ofsmi leonhisli
ps.Theguar dswhower esentto
assembl
edthem al
sost
oodinthemi
dstofthe
peopl
esothatnoonetr
iedanyt
imef
ishy.
Thespokespersonforthekingstoodforward.They
werehighawayf rom t
heservantsastheywer e
st
andingonagol denst ai
rsattheent
ranceofthe
bui
ldi
ng,whil
et heservantsstoodontheground.
Thekingstret
chedhishandsandhandedtheykeys
tohisspokesper
son.Hetookthekeysandraised
hishandsupt ot
hepeopleandrai
sedhisvoice.
'
'Peopleofthepalace.Todayisnotagooddayfor
anyone.I
fthekingdoesnotf i
ndanswerstohis
questi
ons.Eventheroyalfamil
yhasbeingsear
ched.
Nowi ti
syourturn''
.
(
Allt
heser
vant
slookedconf
used)
.
'
'Thekeyst
ot hel
ateQueenMeer ah'
schamberhas
bei
ngtemperedwit
h!'
'.Thespokespersonshout
ed.
(
Ever
yonest
art
edmur
mur
ingi
nhor
ror
).
'
'Theyweretwokeys,j
oinedt
ogether
.Theperson
removedoneweekfrom theot
herandplacedaf ake
keytoit
.Now,t
hatchambercontainl
otsval
uables.
Likegol denj ewelry,diamondr i
ngs,
expensive
sarees...sli
ppers,evengol dencoi ns.Asyouwer eal
l
outher e,weor deredt heguar dstogot oyour
vari
ousr oomst osear chf orkey.Butt heyfound
nothing.Andsi ncewedon' tknow, t
heexactmoment
thatper soncamet ost ealthekeysf rom theking'
s
chamber ..wear eaboutt osear chonyoual l.Maybe
thethiefcamet ot heki ng'schambert odaywithout
anyoneseei ngt hem.Andt heyst ol
eit.Guards!!
!
Makesur ethatyoust andf i
rm besidesanyoneand
makesur etheyallstandst raightwithoutmoving,
theper sonmi ghthidet hekeyagai n''.
(Everyone'sheartbegunt opound.Ot herswere
confident.Avnistoodbesi desSavitr
iandshe
start
edsweat ing.Shel ookedupandsawQueen
Dorahbr eathi
ngf astandwonder edwhatshedi d
withthekeys.Savi tr
ilookedathersi l
entl
yand
begant osuspect .Shet ur
nedandl ookedatRoshni
whohadcl osedhereyesandsmi l
ing,daydreaming
ofthedayPr i
nceFar ukwasgoi ngt omarryherinto
theroyalfamily.ButSavi t
rihadideawhatwas
aboutt ogodown.Shet ur
nedandl ookedbackat
Avniwhokeptscr
atchi
ngherhead,
l
ooki
ngagi
tat
ed)
.
'
'Avni
?''
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Whati
sthemat
terwi
thyou?Whyar
eyoushaki
ng?
'
'
.
'
'Not
hingyoushoul
dwor
ryabout'
'
.
'
'Bettertel
lmeandletmehelpyounow''
.Savi
tr
i
whispered.'
'Ar
eyouinvol
vedwithi
t?Doyouhave
anythingtodowit
h..
..
'
'Heyshutup!'
'
.Oneguar
dst
andi
ngbesi
dest
hem
shout
ed.
'
' Ohmygoodness.IhopeQueenDorahdoesnot
betrayme.ThenIwil
lneverf
orgi
veher'
'
.Avni
thought
.
(
Theki
ngr
aisedhi
sri
ghthandupandf
li
ppedi
t)
.
'
'Guar
ds!Sear
cht
hem now!'
'
.
Theguardsstar
tedsearchingallt
hemaids.The
guar
dstandingbesides,sear
chedonAvni,then
sear
chedonSavi t
ri
.Hedi dn'
tfi
ndanyt
hingandgot
toRoshni'
sside.Roshniraisedherhandsupand
theguardsearchedonher .Het ol
dhertoopenup
herunif
orm pocket
.Shehappi lyplacedherhandI
toherpocketthenherfacialexpressi
onsuddenl
y
changed.
Shestartedtrembli
ng.Sheremovedherhandand
openedherpal ms,j
usttofi
ndakeyi nherhand.
Savit
riandAvni '
seyeswerewi del
yopened,the
facesturnedred.Roshni'
ssweatstarteddri
bbli
ng
downherchi nliker
ainwater.Justthen,
theguard
shoutedont ophisvoice.
'
'If
oundt
hekey!
!!'
'
.
(Al
lattenti
onwasdrawntohispl
ace.Theguard
aggressivel
yhel
dRoshni'
shandsandstar
ted
pul
li
nghert othefr
ont)
.
'
'No!Leavemeal
one.IswearIdi
dn'
ttaket
hekey
pl
ease''
.
'
'Leavemydaughteral
one.Shehasnotdone
anyt
hingpl
eas!'
'
.Savit
riwept
.
(QueenDorah'
smouthwasopenedinshockand
sheslowl
yturnedherf
acet
olookatPri
nceFaruk
whowasst andi ngbesi dest heki ng.Pr inceFar uk
alsoroll
edhi seyest ot helef t,
starri
ngathi smot her
andQueenDor ahsmi ledatt hecor nerofherl i
ps..
PrinceFarukadj ustedhi srobeandt hrewhi shair
backwar dandsmi led, lookingi ntot hecr owd.The
guardgottot hef rontandpushedRoshnit othe
ground,infrontoft her oyalf ami l
iesf eet.Theguar d
snatchedthekeyf rom Roshniandshowedi ttothe
king.Thekingt ookt hekeyandf r
owned.Savi t
ri
camer unningandf el lattheki ng'sf eet.She
touchedtheki ng' sf eetwi thherf oreheadi nt ea).
'
'Yourhi
ghnessplease.Icanbetmyli
feoni
t.That
Roshnii
sinnocent
..
.pleasedon'
tdon'
tmakeany
j
udgementyet''
.
'
'Oh.
..
shei
sinnocenti
sshe,
sowhywasthekey
f
oundonher?'
'.QueenDor
ahsai
dcunni
ngly.
(Savit
riheardhervoi ceandreal
isedherbiggest
mistake.Sher aisedherheadandl ookedint
oQueen
Dorah'sface,whowassmi li
ngbyonecor nerofher
l
ipsather .Savitribentdownherfaceagain.She
becameawar et hatallwasQueenDor ah'
splans.
Mor etearsfellourofhereyesandst art
ed
regret
tingwhat evershedid.Shehel
dtheking'
sl egs
ti
ghtlyintea.Rishistar
tedfeeli
ngbadandhelpless.
Shequi cklyhadpi t
yont hem andwant
edtosay
somet hing.ButQueenSheenahel dherhandtightly,
stoppingherf r
om talki
ng).
'
'Thisisqcri!
einthehighestdegr
eeSavitri
.Itl
ooks
l
ikeyourdaughterhersel
fhasnothingtosayt o
defendher
self.Whichmakeshergui l
ty!'
'
.The
Queenmot hersai
d.
'
'No!Saysomet
hingRoshni.Def
endyour
sel
f.
..I
bel
ievei
nyoumychil
d..
.saysomethi
ng!'
'
.
'
'Ididn'
tdoanythi
ngyourhi
ghness.Icannever
ent
erintoyourchamber
.Never
!Notwi t
hout
permissi
on''
.
'
'Shutup!
!!'
'
.Thekingshoutedangril
y.'
'Youwere
planni
ngt
odonot hi
ngbuttosteal.Thatchamber
hasnumerouslyval
uabl
es.Andthatwast he
chamberofthewomanIjadeverlovedinmy...
.
(Queenmothert
ouchedt
heki
ng'
sshoul
dert
ight
ly
andshookherhead)
.
'
'Don'
tgett
oemot
ionalShaker
..
.j
ustpassyour
j
udgementandlet
'sl
eavef
rom her
e''
.Queen
motherwhi
sper
ed.
'
' Yesmother.Guards!Thr
owthist
hiefi
nthe
dungeonandexact lyby7Am tomorrowmorning,
takehertotheancientmount
ains.
..andbehead
her..
.i
sthatclear
?!'
'.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness!'
'
.Theyr
epl
ied.
(Thekingandther oyalf
amilyt
urnedandstar
ted
enter
ingthebuil
ding,exceptQueenDorahwho
stoodthere,
l
ooki
ngatSavi tr
iandRoshnionthe
fl
oor).
'
'No!Havemer cyonusyourhi
ghness.Pl
ease.You
Majest
y!Roshni!'
'
.
(Twoguar dsgrabbedRoshniawayf rom Savitr
iand
pushedherawayont otheground.Pul l
ingRoshni
whowasshout i
ngaway, Savit
rifel
l,
hit
ti
ngherwai st
onthefloor.Shetri
edget t
ingupbutshecoul dn'
t,al
l
shecoulddowasscr eam.Whi leQueenDor ah
walkeddownt hegoldenst ai
rsandgott owhere
Savit
ril
ayed.Alltheservantsdepartedtogobackt o
thei
rvari
ouswor ks.QueenDor ahcoul dn'thel
pbut
l
augh)
.
'
'Ohwellohwellooohweeell
l!Mydearmont
hsago
l
oyalSavi
tr
i.Lookatyourendnow.
..
stupi
dwit
ch!'
'
.
'
'QueenDorah.Iknewit.Iknewthatyouwoulddo
ever
ythi
ngtostopme.Pl easeIbegyou.Don'
tlet
mydaughterdie.Youknowshe'sinnocent
.Pl
ease''
.
'
'Ohyesshe' sindeedinnocent
.Asi fIcar eabout
.
Nowyouwi l
lknow...
thatnoone,absolutelyno
one,
everstandsupagai nstmeandwi n.Nowl ookat
you,
youarenotevenabl etostandup. ..
Hahaha.It'
s
ti
mefordinner.Byebye' '
.Shesaidandl eft
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom)
.
Thenewshasr ushedthroughtheki ngdom l i
ke
harmatt
anbushf i
re.Everymouthwast alkingabout
thenewsofRi shiwhowast obemar r
iedt othe
crownedPr incesoon.Theyal lcouldn'tget
themselvest oacceptthissuddent urninRi shi'
sli
fe.
Bhavnar eachedt hetownaf t
erleavingthepal ace
andasshewal kedintown,noonecoul dgett heir
eyesoffher.
Asshewal
kedamongt
hepeopl
eever
yonequi
ckl
y
madewayf orhertopass.Theyal lmadet heir
possi
blebestnott obet ouchbyherf l
owingsar ee.
Onepalatasell
er( t
oastedflourandcheesewi t
h
meal)
,quickl
ycar r
iedtenpalatasfrom herbakery
andpackagedi twelli
nabi gpaperandmetBhavna
wit
hitthensmi ledwidely.Bhavnawasconf used.
Thepalatasell
erbowedt oher.
'
'Hey!Whatar
edoi
ng?'
'
.
'
'WellBhavna.Thispal
atai
sf oryou.Eatt
hem al
l
andbecomef atandbeauti
ful''
.
'
'What
?''
.Bhavnal
aughed.
(Justthen,
thefrui
tsel
lerwhoembarr
assedherthe
otherdayquicklygott
ohersidewi
thlot
sofapples
andwat ermelonsinabrownsackandstret
chedit
toher,
bowi ngdown).
'
'Hey,
whatareyoualldoing.MrMalhot
ra.
..Ican'
t
car
ryal
lthose.Pl
easetakeitba.
..
.
'
'Heyboys!''
.MrMalhotracal
ledhistwoemployees
andgavethem t
hesackt ohold.'
'Taket
hist
oour
dearBhavna'
shouserightnow!Okay?''
.
'
'Yesboss!'
'
.Theysai
dandt
ookt
hesack.
(Suddenl
y,al
mostallt
hevendor
sinthemarkett
ook
apieceoftheywer
eselli
ngtoBhavna'
ssi
deand
shegotannoyed)
.
'
' I
tisenough!Whatdoal lofyouthinkyouaredoing?
Idon'tneedanythi
ngf rom anyofyou!OhIgetit
,you
allhaveheardthatRishii
sgoingt obemarri
edto
thecrownedPrinceisn'ti
t?Mayt helor
dhavemer cy
onyoual l'
'
.
'
'Pl
easeBhavna.Pl
easef
orgi
veus.We.
..
.
'
'Idon'tneedt
ourapologies!Iamnotgoi
ngto
changebecauseofallthi
s.Please.
.gobacktoyour
works.Am goi
nghome' '
.Bhavnasaidandl
eft.
(
NextDay=Meho'
sHouse)
..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
52] :

.
Sequence33
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay=Meho'
sHouse)
.
Theent i
rekingdom wasnoi syandever yonewas
headingtothepal acehappi ly.Bhavnahadl ooked
i
nt oherwardr obeandsel ectedherbestdr ess.
Therewasaver yl oudknockonherdoor .She
stoppedwhatshewasdoi ngandwentf ort hedoor.
Sheopenedi tandi twasMeho.Sur pr
isi
ngl y,he
wasn'tdrank,hel ookedal itt
lebi tgent
le.Hewal ked
passedheri ntot her oom andsheal sowentbackt o
whatshewasdoi ngwi t
houtcl osingthedoor .He
satdown,wat chingherandshesai dnot hingbut
keptcheckingherdr essandsl ippersout .
'
'At
eyougoi
ngsomewher
e?'
'
.
'
'Don'tactl
ikeyouhaven'
theardthenews.Youcan
seeeveryoneintheki
ngdom rushi
ngontopofthe
hil
ltowardsthepal
ace''
.
(
Mehoopenedhi
smout
hwi
del
y).
'
'Soi
twastrue?Mydaught
eri
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
o
t
hecrownedPri
ncesoon?'
'
.
'
'OhIsee.Soshe'
syourdaught
ernow.Whata
coi
nci
dence''
.
'
'Whydidn'
tyout
ellmet
his?
!Ihavet
her
ightt
o
know!'
'
.
'
'WhenIcamehomeyest erday.
..youweren'
ther
e.
Anditallhappenedsof ast.ButMeho,donoteven
t
hinkthat..
.Ihaveforgottenwhatyoudi d.You
wickedsoul .Iam l
eavingt hishousesoon..Andwe
wil
lbothgoandseet hepr i
estandendourmar ri
age!
'
'.
'
'What?Bhavna,t
hisi
stheti
mewear esupposedto
becl
ose,morethanever
.SeehowluckyIam,my
owndaughteri
sabouttomarryt
hecrownedPrince
ofUj
ani!Thi
sissohugeBhavna!'
'.
'
' Shutup!Youmonst er.Youareluckyyouare
Ri shi'
sfat
her.
..
Iwil
lneverhaveallowedyoutogo.
Becauset heroyalfamil
ymi ghtaskofyou.
.buti
f
youdar et
akeadvantageofmydaught erMeho,Iwi
ll
tellthewholeworldabouttourconspir
acywithMr
Raul
!'
'.
'
'Soyouaregoi
ngt obl
amemef orever
ythi
ngthat
happenedi
nourli
vesnow!Itwasyouwhor ef
used
tol
etmeholdRishiwhenshewasborn!'
'.
'
' Becauseyouwer egoi
ngt ogivehertoMrRaul!
Di dyouthinkIwasst upid?Andwhyam Ieven
talki
ngtoyou.YouandIwi l
lsoonbeoverbyt he
endoft hismont h.Butthesweetthingsi
s..Iwil
lbe
l
eavi ngtonight
!''
.
'
'Thati
sagai
nstourt
radi
ti
on'
'
.
'
'Asi
fyouevercar
edf
oranyt
radi
ti
on!'
'
.
(Andtherewasanotherknockonthedoor.Bhavna
str
etchedherneckandfoundpalaceguardsand
maidensstandi
ngtallwi
thfourt
raysinthei
rhands.
Sheaskedthem tocomei nandtheyent
eredand
boweddown) .
'
'Ohgoodness!If
eel
li
keagodr
ightnow!'
'
.Meho
shout
ed.
'
'Pl
ease,
ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ong?'
'
.
'
'Herhi
ghnesst
heQueenmot
herhassentt
hisgi
ft
s
foryouandRishi
'
sf at
her.Iti
saRoyalat
ti
reand
shesaidyoushouldputiton''
.Oneguar
dsaidand
Mehosnatchedthetraysfrom,l
ooki
nghungr
il
yati
t.
'
'Andweal sobroughtapalanqui
ntocar
ryyout
wo
tot
hepalace''
.Anotherguardsai
dandtheywal
ked
awayi
ntothecompound.
(Kushiandhermotherenter
edtheroom.Kushihad
putherbestdresson.
..
looki
ngallhappyandchippy
atthesamet i
me.Shekeptonjumpi ngupanddown.
Mehoqui ckl
yenter
edthebathr
oom t oqui
ckl
ytake
hisbath)
.
'
'Ohmygoodnessohmygoodness!I sRishir
eal
ly
marryi
ngthecrownedPr
ince?Ican'
twai
ttoseeher
naughtyf
ace''
.
'
'Bhavna.
..howar
eyouf
eel
ing?'
'Radahasked.
'
'Accept
ingdest
inyRadah.Whatel
secanIdo?'
'
.
'
'I
twil
lbefi
ne.Hm,thi
snewshasnowbr
ought
Mehobacktohissenses'
'
.
'
'Don'
tbedeceivedbyhi
sappearanceher
eRadah.
Heisst
il
lthesameoldgreedybastar
dyouknew
befor
e.Iwi
shIwasnotintr
oducedtot
heroyal
famil
yashi
swife.Iwi
llbesoashamed''
.
'
'Bhavna.
..haveyouevenr
eal
isedsomet
hing?'
'
.
'
'Somet
hingl
ikewhat
?''
.
'
'MrRaulmi
ghtal
sobet
her
e''
.
'
'Iam mor econfidentt
hanevert hat
...
MrRaulwi l
l
notbeablet oharm mygi r
l.Notever.ButIam
feel
ingscared.Ifthetr
uthcomesoutt hatRishiwas
soldtohim...
thenitwil
ltar
nishRishi'
simage...
'
'Whatwi
llyoudoaboutt
hatnow?'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llf
indaway'
'
.
(
Int
her
oyalPal
ace=Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
Shewasal
readydressedupinabeaut
if
ulsareeand
wasnowwearingherjewel
ri
eswhenherpersonal
guar
dent
eredthechamberandboweddown.
'
'Yes,
tel
lme?'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.Pr
inceMaj
idwant
stoseeyou'
'
.
'
'What?!'
'.Queenmotherexclai
medandjumpedout
ofherseat.'
'Andyoudarelethim st
andout
side
wai
ti
ng.Go!Hur
ry,
l
ethi
min'
'
.
(Theguardleft
,andPr i
nceMaj identer
edt he
chamber.Wear ingabl uejeansandat ightwhit
e
j
eansandi nabl ackslippers.Hewasl ooking
handsomet hanever .Buthewasn' tsmili
ngstil
l.
Queenmot her'
shear trejoi
cedwhenshesawhi m.
Shequicklyopenedherar mstoembr acedhi m but
Majidrej
ectedher .Herfaceturnedredi nsadness
asMajidturnedhi sbackather )
.
'
'Goodmor
ninggr
andson'
'
.
'
'Goodmor
ningt
ourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness?Maj
idyouar
ecal
li
ngmeyour
hi
ghness?But.
..
'
'Idon'
tseeyouasmygr
andmot
heranymor
e.
QueenGayatr
i''
.
(Queenmotherwasshocked.Tearsappearedinher
eyes.Shet
ri
edt ouchingMaj
id'
sshoulderbuther
handsweretremblingandMajidmovedawayf rom
ther
eandstoodsomewher eelseint
hechamber ).
'
'Maj
id.
..
howcanyousayt
hatt
ome.I
fther
eis
anyonewhohaseverl
ovedyousi
nceyouwer
e
born.
..
that
'sme'
'
.
'
'Okay.What ever
.ButIwantyoumyf
ri
endsoutof
t
ourprison.
..now''.
'
'Maj
id.
..
thecondi
ti
on.
..
.
'
'Fine!!
!Youstillst
andonyourgr oundsr ight
?
Okay,cool
.Iacceptokay?Iwi l
lmar rythatgir
l.
Whoevershei s,Iwil
lmarryher.Butpleasegetmy
fr
iendsoutoft hatdemnhellhole..
.Ican'tbar
eto
seeCindyinsuchadi sgust
ingstate''
.
'
'Ci
ndyi
sal
lyoucar
eabout
?!'
'
.
'
'Yes!Shei
sallIcareabout..
.sheist hel
oveofmy
l
if
e!Shemakesmewhol e.Soletheroutoft here
now!Isai
dIacceptyourdecision,didn'
tI?Am
gonnacomplywiththemar r
iagething.AndIwi l
ldo
whatyouwant.Callyourguardnow!Lett hem out'
'
.
'
'Guar
ds!'
'
.Queenmot
hershout
ed.
(Twoguar
dsent
eredt
hechamberandbowed
down).
'
'Hur
ryt
othedungeonandsett
hef
orei
gner
sfr
ee.
Hur
ryup!'
'
.
(
Theguar
dsboweddownandl
eft
).
'
'Nowgivememyphonesback!'
'
.Maj
idsai
dand
st
ret
chedhi
shandst
oher.
(Shequickl
yopenedadr awerunderherwar
drobe
andremovedsevenexpensivephonesandhanded
them t
oMaj i
d,hetur
nedt ol
eaveandQueenmot her
huggedhimt i
ghtl
yfr
om behindintear
s.Sherested
herheadbehindhisbroadbackashewaasot al
l).
'
'Pleasedon'
tbeangryatyourgrandmot herMaji
d.I
l
oveyousomuch.Ican' tst
ayali
vef orevenadayi f
youareangryli
ket
his.Iam j
ustdoingwhati sbest
foryou.Andwhatwil
lsaveUjani''
.
'
' Butofcour se!''.Majidscreamedoutangr il
yand
turnedt oher .'
'Italwayshast obebecauseofUj ani
ri
ght ?Whyt hehel lshouldIcareaboutUjanibef ore
myownf eelings? !Idon'
tknowhowIendedupl ike
this.Butlistentomever ywel l
..
.Iwi
llneverforgive
you...ortheent i
rer oyalf
ami l
yfortr
eatingmet his
way!Don' tcomecl osetome. .
anddon'tyellme
whatt odoaf terthisstupidwedding!''
.Hesaidand
stor
medoutofthechamber
,leavi
ngQueenmot
her
heartbr
oken.
'
' Ohmyl ord.Thi
sissomeoft heti
mesImi ss
Meer ahsomuch.Meer ah,
whereveryouar
e..
ifonl
y
youcanhearme. .
pleasebri
ngyoursonhisbrai
ns
back.Don'tall
owar iftt
orai
seit
selfbet
weenheand
hisfather
..
.please'
'.Queenmotherputherhands
togetheri
nsi l
entpr
ayers.
(
Int
hedungeon)
.
Fourguardsarrivedatthedungeonandunlocked
themetalgates.Thelionsstar
tedr
oari
ngandt wo
oftheguardsgrabbedhol dofRoshniwhostart
ed
screami
ngandt ookheraway.Theothert
wogott o
themetalgateandunl ockedit
.
'
'TheQueenmot
hersai
dyouar
efr
eet
ogonow'
'
.
Theguar
dsai
d.
'
'Wuuuhuuuu!Hel
lyeah!'
'
.Maxwel
lshout
ed
exci
tedl
y.
'
'Butwhy?!Whyi
sshef
reei
ngus?'
'
.Ci
ndyasked
wit
hredface.
'
'Whatsortofnonsensequesti
onist
hatCindy?
Theyaref
reeingus!'
'.Nat
alyasai
dandstart
ed
walki
ngout.
'
'Then..
.t
hatonlymeansonet hi
ng'
'
.Cindysai
d,and
herbodylanguagechanged.Shest
art
edshaki
ng.
'
' YesCindy.Itonl
ymeans,Maj i
dcoul dn'tseeusin
thisdemnhol eanylongerandagr eedt omar r
ythe
vill
agegirlhewasoffer
ed''
.Maxwel lsaidin
l
aught er
.''IswearJi
mmy, Itakebackever y
nonsenseIsai daboutMaji
dyest erdayman' '.
'
'What
ever'
'
.
(
Cindycoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
hisandt
ookt
oherheel
s).
(
Ref
ini
ngRoom)
.
Rishihadbei ngdr essedupbeaut if
ulandnow, some
excellentkingdom arti
ststart
edappl yinghernai n
herpal ms.QueenSheena. .
.waswat chingthi
sand
smi l
ing.Inthetraditi
on,t
hear t
istwast oappl
yt he
hernaf rom thebri
de'selbowt othebackofher
handsandt henherpal ms.Soaf terflowerswer e
drawnar oundherpal ms,
themi ddlewast obel eft
blankt odrawt henameoft hegroom i nit
.Andas
tr
adit
ion,
thewomanwasaskedofthenameofher
groom.QueenSheenagotupandwentcl
osert
o
Rishi
.
'
'Pl
ease.
..whati
sthenameoft
ourgr
oom?'
'
.
(
Rishiwassoembar
rassedandQueenSheenawas
r
eadytolaugh)
.
'
'Butyoual
readyknowwhohei
s''
.Ri
shisai
dshyl
y.
(
QueenSheenaandt
hemai
dsar
oundbur
stedout
l
aughi
ng)
.
'
'Whati
sfunnyher
e?'
'
.
'
'Youhavetoment i
onthegroom'snameRishi
.ItI
tr
adi
ti
on.Ancientsays,
whenthegroom'
sname
comesoutofthebride'
sli
ps,
thei
rsoul
salways
bondfast
er'
'.
'
'Whatari
dicul
ousandstupi
danci
entt
alk.Asi
f
t
hatwil
lwork''
.Ri
shit
hought
.
'
'Socomeon!Ment
ionhi
sname.Askheragai
n
Beej
i'
'.
'
'Whati
sthenameoft
hegr
oom?'
'
.Thear
ti
stasked.
'
'Wel
l.
..
.
(Twomai dsent eredwithMajid'
ssweatshir
twhich
wasl ookingfr
eshert hanever.Theashcolourwas
sti
lll
ookingbrightandt hefr
agrancefr
om itfi
ll
ed
thewhol eroom.Theyl ayeditslowl
yont hebedand
l
eft.Rishikeptstarr
ingatthesweatshir
tandQueen
Sheenawasal sostarri
ngatherandatt he
sweat shi
rt,
andsmi l
ed).
'
'Maji
d.Hisnamei
sMaj
id'
'
.Ri
shisai
dandt
ooka
deepbreat
h.
(
Thear
ti
stdr
ewMaj
id'
snamei
nbot
hherpal
ms)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewasi nt
hedr essingr oom andasusual,hewore
aforeignclothe.Awhi t
eshi r
tsleevedshi
rtanda
whitejeanswi t
hwhi teexpensivesneaker
s.Hehas
orderedmor efor eignclothesfrom Mumbaiandit
wassoont oar ri
ve.Hecombedhi shai
randhis
cutenesswasn' tr educi
ngatal l
.
Hi
sguardhadbroughthim atr
aditi
onalcl
otheshe
wassupposedt
owear .Butheplacedthatasi
deand
wor
eforei
gn.Si
ncethatwashowhesawhi msel
f.A
for
eigner.Hehear dsomeonebatchedi nt
ohis
chamberandhegotoutoft hedr
essingroom tothe
bedroom.Ci ndyquicklyar
ri
vedandinahur ry,
she
embr acedhimt i
ghtl
y,smelli
nghishairandskin.
Shesmel ledhisclotheandbodysodeepl yand
huggedhi m agai
n.
Shest artedki ssi
nghi swholefaceintensely,i
swas
gett
ingoddf orMaj id.HehadneverseenCi ndyso
aggressi ve.Hergr i
ponhisbodywassot ightthat
hecoul dn'ttearherf r
om him.Shewasbr eathingso
heavil
yandst art
edunbuttoninghisshirt,
stil
lki
ssi
ng
hi
sf ace.Maj i
dwasoutofwor ds,
hebecameupset
andpul ledCi ndyawaybyhershoul ders.
'
'EnoughCi
ndy!Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
!''
.
'
'Makel
ovet
omeMaj
id.Pl
ease.
..makel
ovet
ome'
'
.
'
'Now?'
'
.
'
'Whynot
?''
.
'
'Haveyouevenreali
sewhattodayis,
didn'
tyousee
peopl
efrom t
hekingdom ent
eri
ngthepalace?'
'.
'
'Whogi
vesademn?Youar
emyman!'
'
.Shesai
d
andwentcl
osert
ohi
m butpul
ledaway.
'
'Stop!Enough!Iknowyouar eawarethat
,t
he
reasonwhyyouandt heothersareoutofthe
dungeonisbecauseIacceptedtomarrythe
family'
sfi
rstchoi
ce''
.
'
'No!Thi
scan'
tbe.Youcan'tmarryanyoneel
se
Maji
d.Youar
emi ne.Iwi
llki
llmysel
f!'
'
.
(
Maj
idwasf
labber
gast
ed)
.
'
'Yes!Iam capabl
eofthatandevenmor
eMaj
id.
Thati
showmuchIl oveyou!'
'
.
'
'Ort
hatIshowmuchyouar
eobsessedwi
thme
Ci
ndy!'
'
.
'
'Obsessi on?Howcanyout el
lmethatMajid?We
havebei ngtoget
herfort
hepassedsevenyears
Majid, sevensoli
dyearsofl
oveandpassion,you
andIwer emadlyinl
ovewit
heachother.
..orshoul
d
Isay,youwer emadlyinl
ovewithme''
.Shestart
ed
weepi ng.
'
'Baby,
baby.
.am st
il
lmadlyinlovewit
hyou''.Maj
id
sai
dandwentcloserthentouchedherfaceand
backtender
lybutCi
ndyi
ntent
ional
lymovedaway
fr
om him.
'
' I
tdoesn'
tlookli
keit
!Nowyouar ecal
li
ngmylove
anobsessionMaj i
d!Tellme,
tel
lmenow!Lookat
whatyourfamilyisdoingtousMaji
d,t
heyare
takingyouawayf r
om me!Wher edi
dIgowrongto
l
ooseyout hisway?!'
'.
(Maji
dsai
dnothi
ngbutembracedherti
ghtl
yand
shehuggedhi
m back.Maj
id'
sfavewasdryand
ther
ewasnotearsi
nhiseyes.Justanounceof
anger)
.
'
'No.Noonewi
llt
akemeawayf
rom you'
'
.
'
'Buti
sgoi
ngt
ohappenednow!'
'
.
'
'Leti
thappenedCindy.Buttel
lme,ar
eyouwill
ing
l
iveher
ewithmeandf or
getyourli
fei
nLondon?Ar e
youwil
li
ngtosacri
ficeyourl
ifei
nLondon,
justt
obe
wit
hmeher e.
..
tel
lmenow' '.
'
'Iwil
ldi
sownmyf amil
y..
.Ifi
tmeans,bei
ngwith
you.Iwi
llbeher
eifyouwant.Idon'
tcareabout
London'
'.
'
'Good.Todayi sjustt
heannouncementofthe
weddingday.Andsomeot herst
uffIdon'
tknow
about.Buttoni
ght,wil
lbeaboutonlyyouandI.
Okay..
.goon,fr
eshenupandcomeher esowehave
breakfastt
ogether'
'.
'
'Hmmm.
.okay.Loveyou'
'
.
(
Theyki
ssandshel
eft
).
'
'Now.Let
'sseehowt
hisshi
tgoes.
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
pl
easeendeavort
ocommenturvi
ewsaboutt
his
st
ory.
.
.
Tobecont
inued
[
01/
23,
11:
52] :

.
Sequence34
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
hepal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
QueenDor ahhashadonebur denoffherhead.And
nowshewast hinkingofhowt ogett hesecondof f
herheadaswel l.Shekeptscr atchi
ngherhands
andthinki
ngdeep.Herchamberdoorwaswi del
y
openedandshel ookedthroughi twaiti
ngforher
guest.Shehaddr essedandmadeupi nthe
readi
nessf ort
heoccasi onbuthermi ndwasn'ti
n
theoccasion.Shehadst artedregret
tingtaki
ngthe
pottoQueenMeer ah'schamber .
Shewal kedtoandf roinherchamber .Herguard
enteredandboweddownandshegavehi m asign
toletherguestin.Theguar dl
eftandt heki
ngdom's
pri
esthimsel fent
ered.Hewasdr essedupt osuit
theoccasion.Heent eredandclosedthedoor
behindhim.QueenDor ahsatsl
owl yonherbed.
Sheseemedmor erelaxednowandshepour ed
herselfaglassofgrapewi nef
rom agol denjar
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.YourmessagegottomeandI
r
ushedhereassoonasIcan' '
.Thepri
estsai
d.
'
'Good'
'
.
'
'Please,
let
'smakethi
sf astbef
oremoreandmore
peoplegether
e.El
sethisplacewil
lbecrowdedand
i
fanyoneshouldseethatam comingoutofyour
chamber.YouandIwillbeinahotsoup''.
'
'Pr
iest
.Idi
dexactl
ywhatweplanned.Ihi
dthepot
i
nQueenMeerah'schamber'
'
.
'
'Wel
l,
butt
hat
'sgood.Ri
ght
?Imean.
..
it
'ssaf
enow'
'
.
'
'QueenSheenahasconvi
ncedt
hekingtogi
ve
QueenMeerah'
schambertoMaj
id'
sbri
de!'
'.
'
'Ohno.Thati
sbadyourhi
ghness.Notonl
yfor
us,
butt
heenti
reki
ngdom '
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
' Li
sten,
ghostsar erut
hlessokay?I tdoesn'tmatter
howgoodt heywer ewhent heywer ealive.Butwhen
thehumandi es,
thebrainandt heheartdieswi t
hit.
Sor esur
facingmakesi tverydiffi
culttorecognise
theirl
ovesones.Theygetver ydangerousandwi ll
hur
tanyone'
'
.
'
'Thati
swhywecannotal
lowt
hest
upi
dgi
rlown
t
hechamber'
'
.
'
'Howdowestopt
hati
ftheki
ng'
sal
readymadehi
s
deci
sion?'
'
.
'
'Shehasnotent
eredt
hechamberyet.Theywil
l
off
ici
all
ygi
vehert
hekeystodayaf
tert
heoccasion.
SoIneedyoutodosomethi
ngfor!
e.Beforei
tistoo
l
ateforus'
'
.
'
'Tel
lmewhatt
odo'
'
.
(
Kingdom ofJhansi
=RoyalPal
ace=Ki
ng'
schamber
).
TheJhansiki ngdom hadnot i
met owast e.The
palacewer ecomi nginwi thgiftssincethewedding
fateoftheironlypr incesswasdr awi ngcloser
.
Therewer enoi sesar oundt hrough, andtheking
wasmadepar toft hethear rangement s.Queen
Salmaent eredt hechamber ,withaf rownonher
face.Hetur nedt oherandsmi l
ed.Heopenedhi s
armst oherf orahug.Butshepushedhi shand
away.Shesatonhi sbed,breathingheavily.
'
'I
ssomet
hingwr
ongwi
thRagah?'
'
.
'
'Mydaughterwil
lneverbeokayaft
erbeing
rej
ect
edbyMaj i
d!Andyou,youseem coolabouti
t.
Gotoherchamberandseehowshei si npainby
bei
nggiventoFaruki
nstead''
.
'
'ButI
..
.It
hought
..
..
.
'
'What?!Doyouknowtheembarr
assmentthat
r
eject
ionhascausedourf
amil
yandJhansithr
one?
!
'
'
.
'
'QueenSal
ma,
Ithoughtwehasdi
scussed.
..
.
'
'Di
dyouevenknowthePri
nceMaj
idi
stoday,
bei
ng
al
li
edwi
thanot
hergi
rl?'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhighness!Ki
ngShakeronl
yacceptedour
al
li
ancebefore,j
usttoshameandembarrassus!'
'
.
(
KingSi
amakshookhi
sheadi
ndi
sbel
ief
).
'
'No.
..
Shakerismybosom andchi
ldhoodf
ri
end,
he
cannever
..
..
'
'Ohst
opt
rust
ingt
hatever
yonei
sgoodl
ikeyou
Si
amak.Theyexchangedourbeauti
fuldaught
er
wit
halowclassvi
ll
agegir
l.Andthatisabebig
i
nsultt
oisyourhi
ghness'
'.
'
'Howdidyouevengett
oknowal
lthi
s?!Ar
eyou
spyi
ngonUjani
?''
.
'
' Doesi tmat teratal l
?Yoursocal ledblossom
friendishol dingacor onationforthenewbr ideand
youwer en' teveni nvi
ted!Howdoest hatspeakwel l
ofhi m?Yourhi ghness, andyout hinkhe' ssti
llyour
friend?Youhavet omakesur ethathepaysf ort his.
Thi sisnotf airtoourdaught eryourhi ghness!
Ragahi shur t
,she' swoundedi nt hehear t.Shef ellin
l
ovewi thMaj idt hef i
rstdayshesawhi m,andhe
justr ej
ect edherl ikeshewasnot hing.Shakerdi dn't
saynot hingabouti t.
..
butnow, heisgi vi
ngMaj ida
villagegi r
l.Whoi snotevenr oyalty!Iam ver y
disappoi nt ed.Ifi twasn'tthat,
Pri
nceFar ukwasour
l
astopt ionnow, Iwouldhavespi ttedinShaker '
s
faceandnevergi veRagaht ohim asadaught erin-
l
aw!' '
.Shest or medoutoft heking'schamberand
wentst raighti ntoherchamber .
(
Shewi
pedawayt
het
ear
sshef
eignedi
nfr
ontof
theking.Thenshet ookapaperandafeat
heredpen.
Shedi ppedthepeni naninkandwrot
ealett
er.She
call
edherper sonalguar
d).
'
'Yourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Taket
his.Andgi
veitt
otheUjanisol
dier
.Make
sur
ethatnooneseesyougi
vingthist
ohim''
.
'
'YesQueen'
'
.Hesai
dandl
eft
..
.
(QueenSalma'
sfacialexpr
essionchangedandshe
adjust
edtohermiddlebedandt ookoutamatches
andkush.Sheli
ghteditandstart
edsmoking.She
blewsomesmokeoutandl aughed).
'
'Thisi
snotgoi
ngtoendwel latal
l.Notforyou
Shaker
,notf
oryourson..
.andIwil
lenjoywatchi
ng
yousuff
erwheneveryt
hingisover
...
foral
lthe
embarr
assmentyouhavecausedmyf amil
y''
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=Royalpal
ace=Ref
ini
ngr
oom)
.
Everythi
ngwasready,
andthehernadriedoffon
Rishi'
shandsandshewasj ustwait
ingforsomeone
tocomeandt akehertost
arttheceremony.She
turnedherbackandsatonthebed.Shet ur
nedher
backandst arredatMajid'
ssweat shi
rtf
orawhi l
e
andt ookitslowly.Tenderlyli
keitwasalit
tlebaby.
Shepl aceditonherl apsandst art
edbrushingher
handsoni t
.Shesmi ledandt ookthesweatshir
t
closetoherf ace.Shesmel ledthesweetscentfrom
thesweat shirtsodeeplyintoher.Sheputitbackon
herlegsandbr usheditagain.Shedidn'
teven
reali
sedsomeonehadent eredthechamber .
'
' OhGodRi shi!Youar est upidnow!' '.Shesaidand
hitherheadt hr eet i
mes.' '
Oh,whenhaveIevernot
best upid?Now, am holdingthecl othoft hecrowned
Pr i
nceofUj ani.Whohat esme.Whoi saboutt o
mar ryme.Mot heral wayssai dthat ,
lovewasbe
strongf eel
ing.And. ..
.whenyouf eltit,
youdid
unimagi nablethi ngs.Crazythingsandwhenever
youseet heper sonyoul oved,yourhear tjumpedup
anddownandbeatsof astli
keyou' vebei ngrunning
foral ongtime.Andyouwoul dthinkoft hatper son
alldayl ongandgi veyourl i
fefort hem.And
whenevert heyhur tyou,thenyouf eelli
kedying.And
mot heralwayssai dthat,Iwasn'treadyf orthatam
tooyoungt olove.Butam aboutt ogetmar ri
ed,
probabl
ysoon.AndIdon' tevenknowhowIf eel.
AboutthePrince.Iam goingcrazyjustbecauseof
thescentofhiscloth.
..I
sthis.
..
isthi
slove?''
.
'
'Yes.I
tisl
ove'
'
.
(
Shequi cklyturnedanditwasKushiandher
mother,thethreequickl
yembracedeachother
t
ight
ly.Kushiwentcr azywit
hRishi
's
t
ransfor
mat ion).
'
'OhgoodnessKushi!Youwor et
hatdr
essyousai
d
youwil
lneverwearunti
lther
eisanimpor
tant
occasi
on''
.
'
'I
tcamei
nhandy.
..
Itol
dyou!'
'
.
'
'Youar
elooki
ngsodashi
ng!'
'
.
'
' Me?Dashi
ng?Lookatyou.Ohmygoodness. .
.I
hopethi
sisnotoneofourmansi l
lyi
maginat
ions.
Ismybestfri
endreall
yaboutt
obemar r
ied?And
thatt
oowiththecrownedPri
nce?'
'.
'
'EnoughKushi
.Youwi
llhavel
otsoft
imet
oenj
oy
l
ater'
'
.
(
Bhavnasai
dandsatt
het
wogi
rl
sdownont
he
bed,wi
thRi
shisi
tti
ngclosert
oher.Shebrushedher
handonRishi
'scheeks.Tear
sfel
loutofBhavna'
s
eyes).
'
'OhcomeonauntBhavna.
..youaresuchapar
ty
pooper
!Ist
hist
het
imefort
ear s?Real
ly?'
'
.
'
'Shutupalit
tl
eKushi.
..yourmot
herwi
llcrywhen
yourtur
ncomes.Ineverknewthi
sdaywillcome
Rishi
.Now,
iti
shere''
.
'
'I
tisnotevent
heweddi
ngdayyetmot
her'
'
.
'
'Yes.ButIwanttofi
lm youupwi t
hthequali
tyofa
goodwifenow.Beforetheweddingeventakes
pl
ace.Thedatehasnotbeingannouncedyet .I
t!at
betomorrow.
..nextweek,
we'l
lneverknow.Okay?''
.
'
'Okaymot
her'
'
.
'
'Rishi..
.ver ysoon, youwillbecomeawi fe.Andi ti
s
notaneasyt askatal l
.AndIam nott ryi
ngtoscar e
youdear .Buti tisnoteasy. .
.prot
ecti
nghim,loving
him,keepinghi m stable,keepinghim happy,and
mosti mpor tantly.
..gett
inghimt oloveyouever yday
andneverl eavingtourside.Asawi f
e,nomat terthe
si
tuation,loveyourhusband.Nevermakehi m ask
youf orf ood.Butwel l
,
ofcoursehewi l
lneveraskf or
foodbecauseonceyouar emar ri
ed,youwi llnever
evenbeal l
owedt oent erthekit
chen.Thatwi l
lbe
themai densj obt odo.Whenhei sangr y,
neverl eave
him allal one.Becauseyoumayneverknowwhat
hewi lldot ohi msel finthestateofanger .Andwhen
hemakesyouangr yandnotr eadytocomf ort
you...
.justl eavehi mt ohaveaconver sati
on.A
positi
veconver sati
onwi t
hanyone.Yourhusband
mustbeyourgod.Becauset hatiswhatt heyst and
for.Theyar eourl ords.Nomat terwhat .
..
don' tlet
yoursel fbet her easonwhyhi ssmi l
ef adesaway.
Andwhenhei stalkingtoyou,justbesi l
entand
l
isten.Whenhei sdoneandyoual sohave
somet hi ngt osay,thenyoucanal sotalk.Car efor
him mor ethanyoucar eforyourownl if
e.And
wheneverheneedsyouRi shi,
neverhesi tate...
.
(
QueenSheenaandamai
dent
ered)
.
'
'Themar
it
alpr
iesthasar
ri
ved.I
tist
imet
ogo'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Bhavnasai
dandt
heyhel
ped
Rishiup.
(Theycover
edherfacewit
har edveilandtheheavy
pinkshi
nysareesheworewaswei ghingher,
Queen
Sheenatookherl
efthand,
whileBhavnaheldher
secondhand.Adthemaidsstart
edthrowing
fl
owersonthem astheywalkedout)
.
Inthepal acet empl e, Majident er edandever yone
wassur prisedabouthi sdr essingcode.Hebowed
downandt ouchedt heki ng'sfeetandt hefour
pri
est swai tingt omaket hecer emonysuccessf ul
.
Ther ewer et wogol dencomf ortabl echai rsint he
middl eoft hecr owd.Pr i
nceMaj idwentt oonechai r
andsatcomf or t
ablydown.Het ossedonel egon
theot herandst artedscr oll
ingt hr oughhi siPhone.
Thechai r
swer ef acingt her oyalf ami lyandt he
pri
est ,whilel or dGenasht emi'sst at uewasst anding
hugebehi ndt hem wi thchai nsoff lower sand
l
anter nsal lar oundi t.Andt hest at uewashol dinga
met alrodi nbot hhands.Ther ewasl i
ghtedf ireina
panwi t
hlant ernsar oundi t
.Thepr iestkeptchant ing
andt hrowi ngt hingsi nt hef i
re.Maj iddidn'tgivea
demnbecausehedi dn'tunder st andanyoft he
thi
ngsgoi ngon.Hi sf acewasshi ning.Hi sfriends
andCindyweresi
tt
ingamongt
hecr
owdonamat
onthefl
oor.
Thatwast r adi
ti
on, apar tfr
om thebr i
deand
groom,noonewasal l
owedt ositonachai r.Except
them,andt heroyalf ami l
y.Thesubj ectswer eall
everreadyt oseet hef aceoft heirRi shi.Maj i
dwore
apur egoldenearr ingsi nbot hear s.Andt oavoi d
anymor econtroversy, hewasqui etlywear ingthe
elephantnecklace.Thepr i
estkeptst ar
ringathim
ashewasn' tconcent r
at ingonther i
tualbuthi s
phonei nstead.Queenmot herstoodupqui etl
yfrom
herseatandwentcl osert ohisseatandbentdown.
'
'Maji
d,pl
easest
opt
his'
'
.Shewhi
sper
edi
ntohi
s
ear
s.
'
'St
opwhat
?''
.Hewhi
sper
edback.
'
'That!Imean,
payat
tent
iont
otheri
tualplease.I
t
concernsyouaswel
l,
andyouareembarrassingus'
'
.
'
'Oham I?Whataboutt heembarr
assmentIhadt
o
endurebecauseofthi
sf or
cedmarri
ageQueen
Gayatr
i?Youslappedmei nthef
ace,i
nfr
ontof
ever
yone''
.
'
'Maji
d.YouarethecrownedPri
nce,soactasone!'
'
.
Queenmotherst
artedloosi
nghercool
.
'
'Oh,
Icanseehowexactl
ywellyour
espectt
he
cr
ownedPrinceQueenGayat
ri'
'
.Maji
dalsostar
ted
l
oosi
nghiscool.
(Queenmother
'swai
stst
art
edachingbecauseshe
hadbentdownforl
ong,
whisper
ingint
oMajid'
s
ears)
.
'
'List
ent omeMaj i
d.Iwishyouhadeyest osee
whatisgoingonar oundyou.Andear st oheart he
tr
uth.Butisonlyyouknewhowt hisar rangementi s
togoingtosaveyouyour self
.Yout hinkever yone
herelovesyou?No.Notever yone,andyouknow
nothi
ngaboutt hepast!Andwhatwewentt hrough
befor
eyourmot herandIf oughttomakeyout he
crownedPr i
nce,youwoul dn'tbejokingar ound.
Nowgi vemet hatphoneandconcent rateont his!'
'
.
(
Queenmot hersaidthisandMaj i
dwasstunned.He
wastotal
lyconfusednow.Queenmot hersnatched
t
hephoneawayf rom hishandsandheshrugged
t
henclearedhisthroat.Justt
hen,
ther
ewasa
beautif
ulsingbei ngsangl oudl
yfrom theout sideby
abeaut i
fulvoiceofamai den.QueenSheenaand
Bhavna, holdi
ngRi shi
'
shandsent eredt het
empl e.
Everyonegotup.Andt heywal kedslowl yandsl owly
towardst hechairbesidesMaj i
d.Theysatherdown
onitandt heywentt ositbesidesther oyalfami l
y.
Thepr i
estsstartedchantingandt hent ookar ed
band).
'
'MyPrince,
youshoul dbr
ingtourlef
thandnow''
.
Onepri
estsaid.'
'QueenSheenashoulddot hi
s
now,
youtietheredbandonhislefthand''
.
(
QueenSheenast
oodupanddidt
hat
,t
henBhavna
t
iedanot
heronRi
shi
'
swrist
).
'
'Okay.
..
now,
wher
eisPr
inceMaj
id'
shor
oscope?'
'
.
'
'Iti
sherepr
iest'
'
.QueenSheenasaidandst
oodup
andhandedaheavybooktothepri
es,whi
chhadhe
si
gnsofanAr i
esonit
.
'
'AndRi
shi
'
shor
oscope?'
'
.Anot
herpr
iestsai
d.
'
'Bhavna,pl
easehandoverRishi
'
shor
oscopet
othe
pr
iestnow''
.Queenmothersaid.
'
'Yes''
.Bhavnat
ookthehoroscopef
rom Kushiand
handeditt
othesecondpr
iest'
'.
'
'Now,asIreadPr i
nceMajid'
shor
oscope.
..I
t
says,
theprobabi
lit
yofgett
ingmarr
iedatt
heageof
i
svery25ver yhigh.Andwithawomanwhowi l
l
sti
cktoyourheart.Andthesunandmoonsmi l
es
onthi
sunion''.
'
' Rishi'
shor oscopeisreadingthat,
Rishi'
ssoulis
connect edtoherfuturehusbandandasetof
circumst anceboundthem.Al lthereadi
ngsar e
per fect.Sonow,horoscopesr esult
sclearl
ygivesus
thegoaheadt osetadat e.
..
thedate.Whatdoyou
thinkf ell
owpr i
ests?''
.
'
'Yes.Let
'ssett
hedat
e''
.
Inthecrowd,si
tt
ingamongthepeople,
Cindywas
shakingandgnashinghert
eet
hwithhatredand
sorrow.Nat
alyakeptpat
ti
ngherhandsthroughher
hai
ri nawayofcomf or
t.
'
'Thi
speopl
ear
esost
range'
'
.Nat
alyawhi
sper
ed.
'
'Stupi
distheri
ghtwordNatt
y..
.stupi
d.Theyare
st
upidfort
hinki
ngthatMaj
idwilleverbeint
erest
ed
i
nthatvil
lage,lowclassbit
ch!Majidisminealone.I
gi
vehim mor eskin,
mor esex,
morekisses.
..Iar
ouse
hi
m.Hebr eat
hsmeandhei strappedinmysoul ''
.
Ci
ndystartedbecomi nguneasyandangr yasshe
whisper
edt hosewor ds.
'
'Cindycalm down.I
tispoint
lessbythi
sti
metobe
angry.Thi
sishappening,
thisisreal
lyr
eal
ly
happening'
'.
'
'LetithappenedNatalya.Thispeopl ewillneverget
awaywi ththi
s.Becausenotonl ywillthefami l
y
suff
er,butthei
rmarri
agewi llneverlast.Let'
sseeif
anyweddi ngwil
leventakepl ace''
.
Rishi
'
sfacewasstillcoveredandallt
heri
tual
swas
fi
nall
ydone.Af
terthef i
nalri
tual
,thel
eadi
ngmari
tal
pri
estgott
ohisfeetinallsmile.
'
' Themostexcell
entauspici
oustimeforthe
!mar ri
ageceremonyisonemont hfrom now.Onthe
l
astdayofnextmont h...
the!
mar r
iageceremonywill
takeplaceandtheywillfi
nal
lybemar r
ied.Butnow
thatRishihasbei
ngcor onat
edintothefamil
y..
.her
veilcannowber ai
sedup.Andshemaynol onger
coverherfaceanymor
e..
.pl
ease,
shal
lweal
lbeon
ourfeet'
'
.
(
Ever
yoneincludingMajidandRishigott
othei
rfeet
.
Maj
idcoul
dn'twai tt
oleavethepl
aceandgoback
t
ohischamber )
.
'
'Now,
astradit
iondemandsandhasbei
ngdone
si
nceagespast,t
hegroom,
cannowrai
sethevei
lup
fr
om t
hebride'
sface'
'.
'
'Fuckt
his.
..
goshdoIhavet
odothi
stoo?'
'
.Maj
id
t
houghtashewasfaci
ngRishi
.
'
'Maji
d..
.wear
ewai
ti
ng'
'
.QueenSheenasai
dand
l
aughed.
'
'Okaycool
..
.her
egoesnot hi
ng''
.Hewhisper
edand
wit
houtwast
ingtime,
heraisedupthevei
lwit
hhis
t
wohandsandwassur pr
ised.
..
.
Tobecont
inued
[
01/
23,
11:
52] :

.
Sequence35
.
Maj i
dst ar
redatRi shi'sfaceforthef i
rstt i
me.And
sheal solookedi ntohiseyesf orthefirsttime...
so
close.Itnowt urnedoutt hatPrinceMaj i
dandRi shi
woul devengetmar riedbeforePr i
nceFar ukand
PrincessRagah.Thepr i
esttookal i
ttl
ebowlofpi nk
wineandhehi mselfgaveMaj idasi pofi t.He
turnedtoRi shiandgaveherasi pfrom t hesame
bowlandsamewi ne.Maj i
d'sheartwasboi li
ngwi th
annoyance.Thepr i
estnowof fici
all
yannouncedt he
ri
tualsover.Maj idandRi shitookblessi ngsfrom t he
priest
sandr oyalfami l
y.Majidleftt
her itualground
andwentcl osertohi sgrandmot herandsnat ched
hisphoneawayf rom her.
'
'Ihopeyouar
ehappynow,
QueenGayat
ri'
'
.
'
'Maj
id..
.pl
ease,
thi
sisnott
heti
mef
oral
lthi
sokay?
Ther
ituali
sovernowand..
..
'
'I
tisonl
yyourwisheswhi
char
emeti
nthe
ki
ngdom i
sn'
tit
?''
.
'
'Maj
id,
whydon'
tyouj
ustt
ryand.
..
.
'
'Irememberyout el
li
ngmet hatyouwer
etheonly
onewhoeverlivedme.Well,
doyouknowhowIf eel
aboutyou?Icursetheday,
Ibecameyourgrandson
'
'.
'
'Maj
id.
..
.
(Maj iddi dn'tsayanot herwor dbutj ustleft.Queen
mot her 'seyebal l
swer eshaki ng, astearsf elloutof
them.Shequi cklydr i
edhert ear swi thherpal ms
andgaveaf akesmi let otheoccasi on.Al lthe
priest sandguest sst ar t
edl eavi ngoneaf tert he
other .Theki ngbi dedt hem al lgoodbyeast hey
recei vedf oodst uff
sandgi ftsatt heent r
ancewhen
theyl ef t
.Theguar dsgavet hem, onebyoneast hey
l
efthappi ly.Itwasnowt i
met ot akeRi shitoher
grandchamber .I
twasnol ongergoi ngt obeQueen
Meer ah'schamber ...butRi shi '
schamber .
Rishi ,aftertaki ngever yone' sbl essings,wast akento
thewal kwaysoft hechamberwi ththeent ireroyal
fami ly.Theki ngwashol dingt hekeys.Queen
Dor ah' smout hwasshaki ngandherhandaswel l.
Sher olledhereyest ol ookatt hepr iestwhost ood
besi dest heki ngandt hepr iestnoddedt oher .Two
mai dsar ri
vedt herewi thapanofol iveoilanda
l
ant ernandspl i
tflower s.QueenSheenat urnedt o
Rishiandwi nedt hel anterninf rontofher .She
dippedhermi ddl efingeri nar edver mili
onbesi des
thel anternandt ouchedRi shi'sforeheadwi thit.The
kingt urnedtot hechamberdoorandopenedi t.He
openedi twidelyandmemor iescamef lashingf ast
l
iker ainwat er.Therewasaver yhugepai ntingof
QueenMeer ahhangi ngont hewal l
.Gosh!They
forgott oremovet hatfrom t hewal l.Butthatwas
thef ir
stthingRi shisawanyway.Oneoft hemai ds
placedapanofol i
veoi linfrontoft hedoorand
boweddown, thenshest eppedasi de.Bhavna, Kushi
andMehost oodt her e.Meho' seyeswer eredwi t
h
allthegol denaccessor ieshangi ngont hewal l
handi ngont hewal l
.Event hought her oom had
beingl ockedf ortwent yf i
veyear s,
itsti
lllookedas
goodasnew.Buti nanyway, ithadt ober enovat ed).
'
'OkayRi shi
,
thisisyourchambernowokay?Soyou
aregoingtostepi nt
othepanofol i
veoil
..
..
ithas
beingconsecrated.Soitwi
llgeteveryevi
leyefrom
you''
.Queenmot hersai
d.
'
'Urrr
mmm, yourhi
ghnesswai
tpl
ease!'
'
.Thepr
iest
shouted.
'
'Anypr
obl
em pr
iest
?''
.
'
'YesQueenmot
her
.Thi
sisnotr
ight'
'
.
'
'Pri
est,whatar
eyoutal
kingabout
,i
sther
e
somethingweshouldworryabout
?''
.Theki
ng
asked,
lookingwor
ri
ed.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.Wecan'
tjustl
ethergoi
ntot
he
chamberl
iket
hat''
.
'
'Andwhynot
?''
.
'
'Well,
QueenMeer ah'
schamberhasnotbeing
openedforthepassednumberofyears,
your
hi
ghness.Andwhoknows, t
heremightbeevilspi
ri
ts
hoveri
ngaround''
.
'
' Wai
t,
what?!Therecanneverbeanyevilspi
ri
tin
QueenMeer ah'schamber.Shewasagoodper son,
andbesides..
.Pri
estChanakheral
wayssaid
that
..
.evi
lcannevergoclosetogoodness''
.Queen
Sheenasaid.
(
Justt
hen,
theki
ngdom'
spr
iestt
urnedhi
sfacet
o
kookatpr
iestChanakherwi
thanangr
ylook)
.
'
' Iam thekingdom' spri
estyourhi
ghness.AndI
knowwhatam sayi ng.Thi
sisaninnocentgi r
l
her e,
youwi l
lreall
ynotwantt omakehersuf ferin
thehandsofevi lspir
it
s.Ihavetoperform some
smal lri
tualstopetit
ionQueenMeer ah'sspiri
t,
bef or
eRi shii
sal l
owedi n'
'.
(Pr
iestChanakher
,Queenmother,QueenSheena
andevenBhavnabegant osuspecttheki
ngdom'
s
pri
est'
sacti
on).
'
'Nopri
est
s,t
her
eisnoneedtomakeanyofsuch
r
it
ual
s''
.Queenmot
herbol
dlysai
d.
'
'Tourhi
ghness,
youdon'
tunder
standwhat
..
..
'
'Idounderstandyourconcernpri
est.Butmy
Meerah,whenshewasal ive,wasthemostbeaut
if
ul
andkindpersonIhadevermet .Andifshewas
goodwhenshewasal i
ve,therei
snowayherspiri
t
wil
lbeanydi f
fer
ent'
'.
'
'IagreewithQueenmot her''
.Bhavnasai
dandput
herhandst oget
her.'
'Iam sor
ryforcut
ti
ngint
othi
s
conversat
ion.ButIgottoknowQueenMeer ahonl
y
once.Andthatfai
thfulmomentwespentt oget
her
,
mademebel ieve.
..
therewi
llneverbeanyoneli
ke
herinthi
swor l
d''
.
(QueenDorahpr
essedhersar
eesohar
dinangeras
Bhavnaspokeup).
'
'Shewasat ruegoddess.I
rr
eplaceabl
e.Shei
sa
realwoman,
good..
insi
deandout .QueenMeerah
hadnoevili
nherheart.
..
ther
eisnowayt her
ewill
beanyevili
nhernow' '
.
(Theki
ngnoddedhisheadi
nasil
enttear
sthenhe
facedQueenMeer
ah'spai
nti
ngwhichhangedi
nthe
chamber).
'
' Youareright.MyMeer ahwasneverl ikethat.
Thankyouf oryourconcernpri
est.ButRishimust
bever yti
rednowaf teralongday.Letherr estnow.
Andr enovationwil
lstar
tinthechambert osuither
taste.Mother,pl
easelet'
sstar
tther i
tual''
.
(Theki
ngsaidandQueenmot hermadeRi shiface
theoi
lpaninfrontoft
hechamber .QueenDor ah's
soulwasout.Shewassufferi
ngoutoff r
ight.She
l
ookedatthekingdom'spr
iestandhelookedback
atherwi thhopel essness.Ri shislowlysteppedinto
theol i
veoilandQueenSheenahel pedherstepped
out.Sheent eredQueenMeer ah'
schambert oget
her
withever yoneel se.Rishilookedar oundthe
beaut i
fulchamberandshesmi l
ed.Theki ngwas
overwhel med, hecoul dn'
tt akesomuchmemor i
es
andj ustleftthechamber .QueenDor ahlookedat
QueenMeer ah'sportr
aitwi thsomuchf ury.But
therewasal soal it
tl
ebitoff ri
ghtbehi nd)
.
'
'IjustneedtomakeFar uktheking,Meerah.Ij
ust
needt omakehimt hekingandgetyourmemor ies
outofUjaniforgood.Whyar eyoudeadandst i
ll
workingtoruinal
lmydr eams?!Ihavetodomybest
togetthatpotouthere''
.QueenDor aht
houghtand
l
ookedatt hebigwardrobe.Exactl
ywereshehisthe
pot.
'
'Wearegoingtol
eaveyoutor
estRishi
.Tel
lthe
maidst
oserveyouonceyouneedanythi
ng.Okay?'
'
.
Queenmothersai
dandlef
t.
(QueenDor ahandthepriestl
eft
.Everyonestarted
l
eaving.Bhavnaembr acedRishit
ightl
y.Mehost ood
aside,
feel
ingashamedt olookathisdaughter.But
hewentcl osert
ohi
m andt
ouchedhisf
eet,
Kushi
start
edsobbingassheembracedRi
shi
,notwant
ing
tolethergo).
'
'Iguessthi
sisitRi
shi.Outf
ool
ingendsher
e''
.
Kushisobbed.'
'Iam goi
ngtomissyoumyfri
end'
'
.
'
'Kushi.
..youcan'
tleaveme!'
'.Ri
shiembracedher
astheybothwept.'
' Howam Isupposedt
ol i
ve
wit
houtyouKushi?''.
'
' Youdon'
thavet oleaveKushi.Icanunder stand
thepainyoubothf eel.I
tisnoteasytoli
vewi thout
yourbestfr
iend''
.QueenSheenasai dasshe
rememberedPr eetaimmedi at
ely.Shequicklywiped
hertearsi
nothernott ocreateascene.''
Kushi ..
.
howwoul dyoul i
keit.
..t
obeRi shi'
shandmai den?''
.
'
'Oh?Like.
..
reall
yreall
ysur
eyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
Kushiwasflabbergast
ed.
'
'Yesdear.Thebot
hofyouar
enotwil
li
ngto
separ
ate.Youcanli
vewi
thRi
shi
,asherbestf
ri
end,
andhandmaiden''
.
(Thetwogirl
sjumpedupt oget
her,l
aughi
ngli
ke
crazy.TheyembracedeachotherandRadahgave
herdaught
erherf
ullsuppor
t).
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
Kushiisast
hmati
candshehas
al
waysbeingwit
hme..soam wor
ri
ed.
..
.
'
'Don'
tworry.Ever
ythi
ngisprovi
dedhereinthe
pal
ace.Kushiwil
lbewe'l
ltakencar
eof.Ipromise'
'
.
'
'Rishi
,wehavetofonow.
..
.butIwi
llcomeandvi
sit
soon.Okay?'
'
.Bhavnasai
d.
'
'Okaymot
her'
'
.
'
'Ihopeyouwon'
tcr
ynowt hatKushiwil
lbehere
wit
hyou.Youtwomosqui
toesbetternotbi
teokay?
'
'
.
'
'Yesaunt'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shelookedaroundherroom andsawasmal lbowl
andtookit
.Shewentclosertoherfavour
it
eblack
potnearherwindow.Sheopenedthepotandt ook
outherpettheevi
lcobra.Thepr
iestl
ookedint
ohis
thi
ngsandgaveherar edband.
'
'Areyousuret
hist
hingi
sgoi
ngt
owor
kyour
hi
ghness'
'.
'
'Youcouldn'
tdoanybet
tert
hingf
ormesoj
ust
shutupandgetout!'
'
.
'
'Youcan'
ttal
ktomethatwayQueenDor
ah...you
st
il
lneedmeinthegame.Besi
des,
Idi
dallIcould.
Howisthi
smyf aul
t?'
'
.
'
'Di
dyouhearme?Isai
dgetoutnow!'
'
.
'
'Hm.Okay.
..butr
emembert
osendmethegol
d
coi
nsyoupromised'
'
.Hesai
dandlef
t.
(QueenDor
ah'
sguar
dent
eredt
hechamberand
boweddown).
'
'Whatdoyoual
sowant
?!'
'
.Sheshout
edangr
il
y.
'
'Themessagef
rom Jhansihasar
ri
vedpl
ease'
'
.
'
'Br
ingi
tfast
!''
.
(Theguardl
ookedint
ohissackbagandhandedthe
papertoQueenDorahandlef
t.
..
shecl
osedthedoor
andwenttoherbed.Sheunwrappedt
hepaper)
.
f
rom t
hequeenofj
hansi
.
IhavedoneallIcouldtoconvi
nceki
ngsiamakto
rebelagai
nstuj
ani.andIthi
nkIgott
hroughhi
mt hi
s
ti
me.nowi tisupt oust ost artthepl an.assoonas
farukandr agahar emar r
ied, wewi llexecuteour
plans.Ijustcan' twaitfort hatday, dorah.nowI
fi
nallyunder st andingwhyyout hir
stt omakef ar uk
thecrownedpr i
nce.inf act,Isuppor tyoucompl etel
y,
iwoul dn'twantmydaught ertobet hewifeofj ust
anypr ince.justasf arukhast hepossi bi
li
tyof
becomi ngaki ngi njhansi ,
thati sthesamewayI
woul dwantr agaht obecomeaqueeni nujani.and
afterweel imi natealltheobst acles, wecanbot h
ruleasgodsandgoddessesi nbot hkingdoms.Iwi ll
soonsendmygamepl an,beal ert.
'
' Mmmm. ..
shefinall
yagr eed.Wel l,
letthegames
begi nthen.Sost upidofyout hatyout hinkIwil
lrule
withyou. ..mysoni snoteveni nterestedi nyour
dumbdaught er,wewi l
lgetr i
dofyouassoonast he
planssucceedSal ma' '.Shelaughedpr ofusel
yand
threwt hel et
terasideherbed.' ' Now,itistimefor
mor ei mpor t
antthingst odo.Li kemaki ngsurethat
i
di ot,don'tli
stasinglesecondi nQueenMeer ah's
chamber .Sheher selfwillr
unf rom ther e..
Iwil
lmake
sur eofit''
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hehador deredfi
vej agsofst rongwi nei ntohis
chamber .Themai dsqui cklyar r
angedt hej agin
frontofhi sbedandhi sfriendsandbr otherjoined
him.Pr inceFar uklovedt hesi t
uat i
onMaj idwasi n.
Thiscoul dbehi sonl yoppor tunit
yt ogetMaj idt ogo
toherst resfreewal kwi t
hhi m.Theyal lpouredwi ne
agol dengl assandswal l
owedi tfull
,andcont i
nued
repeat i
ng.Theyal ltookal it
tl
ebutMaj idt ookmor e
offit
.Theykeptst arringathimi nwonder ,hi
s
fri
endsknewhi m,mor ethanFar ukknewhi m.And
theyknewMaj i
dneverdr unkt hatmuch.Meani ng,
theesi t
uat i
onhadhur thim deepl y.Theyt ookthe
drinkf r
om him andhel ayeddownonhi sbed
quietly.
'
'Maji
d..
.Ihaveanideat
oforgetallthi
sokay?
Dri
nki
ngwon'tbethesol
uti
on''.Faruksai
dashe
st
oodup.
'
'Pleasedosomethi
ngman,
her
eall
yneedst
o
r
elax,whatdoyouhavei
nmi
nd?'
'.
'
'Ni
ghtcampi
ng'
'
.
'
'Jeezzz.
..what
?Thatsoundscr
azy'
'
.Maxwel
lsai
d.
'
'Yes.
..
andcrazyi
swhatmybr ot
herneedstof
orget
t
hismadness!Maji
d,whatdoyouthi
nk?''
.
'
'Iwanttogetoutofher
eforawhi l
eFar
uk.
Whateveryouthi
nkisri
ght
,l
et'
sjustdoi
t''
.
'
'That
'smylitt
lebr
other!Tr
ustmeMajid,uwilll
ove
i
t.I
nfact,
aft
erwear eback,
youwon'
tthinkabout
t
hisnonsenseagain.
..
okay?''
.
'
'So.
..
wher
ear
ewegoi
ngf
ort
hisni
ghtcampi
ng?'
'
.
Ji
mmyasked.
'
'We?
!''
.Far
ukexcl
aimed.
'
'Yeahsure.Ain'
tyout
aki
ngusal
ongt
oo?Maj
idi
s
ourfr
iendaft
erall'
'
.
'
'But.
..
.Ij
ustwant
edi
ttobeabr
other
sni
ghtout
.
Not.
..
.
'
'OhcomeonPr i
nce.Maj
idwouldloveust
ocome
al
ong.Whatdoyouthi
nkbuddy?''
.Maxwel
lhi
t
Maji
d'sl
egstoanswer
.
'
'Yeahsur
e.Thef
ourofuswi
llgo.Nopr
obl
em '
'
.
(Farukdi
dn'
tli
kewhathehear
d.Hefrownedand
wasnotgoingtoal
lowanyint
ruderi
nhispl
ansat
all
).
'
'Okayfi
ne.Iwi
llmakearr
angementsforf
our.
Excuseme''
.Hesaidandlef
tthechamber.
'
'Yourbrot
heriski
ndast
rangeMaji
d.Ser
iousl
y,I
don'
tli
kethatguy'
'
.Jimmysaid.
'
'Why?'
'.Maj
idsai
dashesatupt
opouranot
her
dr
inkf
orhimsel
f.
'
' Thereissomethi
ngabouthim.Somet hingfi
shy
thatisjustnotr
ight
..
.butanyway,Ibet
tershutupso
Idon'tgetbeheadedlikeever
yoneelse''
.
(
Rishi
'
sChamber
).
Shelookedaroundthechamberwit
hKushiandt hey
bothopenedthenumerousjewel
ryboxesint he
chamber,checki
ngthejewel
ri
esout.Kushiturned
herfaceandstarr
edatQueenMeerah'spainting.
'
'Di
danyonet
ellyouabouther
?''
.
'
'Itl
ooksli
ke,
evenmymotherknewher.ButIhave
neverhear
dofher.
..
Iwonderwhy.Iwonderwho
shemi
ghthavebei
ng'
'
.
'
'Shewassobeauti
fulr
ight?Imean,
byt hehear
ing
oft
hingst
oday,
shewast heking'
sfi
rstwif
e''
.
'
'Yes.Well
,weshoul
dn'tbegossi
pingabouther
okay?Let
'srestal
it
tl
e''
.
'
'Wearenotgossipi
ng.Justadmi
ri
ngherbeauty.
Butsheact
ual
lyresemblesPri
nceMaj
idali
ttl
e''.
'
'Reall
y?''
.Ri
shistar
redclosel
yatthepai
nti
ng.And
sheasveryshocked.Shealsoreal
isedQueen
Meerahhadtheelephantneckl
aceonhertoo.'
'
What?!'
'.
'
'Why?'
'
.
(Ri
shiremovedherneckl
aceandst
arr
edclosel
yat
i
t.ThenshelookedbackatQueenMeerah'
s
pai
nti
ng).
'
'But,
howcomeshei swear
ingt
hesameneckl
ace?
Idon'
tunder
stand'
'
.
'
'Rishi,t
hereissomet hi
ngstrangegoingoni nthe
palace.Iam begi
nningtofeelscare.I
...I
..
I,Idon't
knowbutam begi nningtofeelbutt
erf
liesinmy
st
omach.Scar
ybut
ter
fl
ies'
'
.
'
'I
..
.Iam t
hir
styKushi'
'
.Rishist
art
edcoughi
ng,
she
wentcl
osertoajuganditwasempt y.
'
'Don'twor
ry.
..Iwill
getyouwaternow.
..
wai
ther
e''
.
Kushisai
dandst eppedoutoft
hechamber.
Asshewalkedonthewalkway,shecamecl oserto
adoor.Shewasnewi nt
hepalaceandhadnoi dea
whereshewasgoing.Sosheslowlyopenedthe
doorandhear
dvoicesfr
om theroom.Strange
voi
ces.Voi
cesofmen.
'
'Hi
sst
upi
dfr
iendshavedeci
dedt
ocomeal
ong'
'
.
'
'Sot
hen,
whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoaboutt
hat
?''
.
'
'I
diot
..
.whyareyoumyf r
iend?I
stogi
vemeideas
whenIrunoutofsome.Whatshoul
dIdo?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowmyPr i
nce.It
hink,
iftheywantt
o
comealong.Weshouldl
etthem t
hem ''
.
'
'Thenallmypl
answil
lfai
lShi
v.IwantMaj
idt
odi
e
al
one,notsomefi
lt
hyf
orei
gners!'
'
.
(Kushigaspedoutoffr
ightwhenshehear
dthat
.
Pri
nceFar ukandShivheardhervoi
ce)
.
'
'Whoi
sther
e?!'
'
.Heshout
ed.
(Kushilookedar oundherandspott
edapil
larnear
by.Shequi cklytooktoherheel
sandhisbehindthe
pil
larnearthedoor .Shi
vandPrinceFar
ukgot
outsideandl ookedaround.Andthepl
acewasqui et
asacemet ery).
'
'Ther
eisnooneher
emyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'IknowIhear
dsomeone'
svoi
ce.Lookar
oundnow!
'
'
.
(Shi
vremovedoneofhi
sshortkni
vesfrom hi
ssack
clot
heandstar
tedwal
kingneart
hepil
lar)
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
52] :

.
Sequence36
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Shivstart
edwal ki
ngtowardsthepil
lari
nslowwit
h
hisshortknif
e,whil
eFar ukl
ookedaroundtoo.He
thenspottedQueenmot herandQueenSheena
walki
ngt owardstheplace.Pr
inceFaruksawthem
comingf rom hi
ssideandwhisperedloudl
ytoShi
v.
'
'Hey!Comeoverher
e!'
'
.
(Shi
vsawt hisandhi shi
sshortkni
f ei
nhissack
clot
himmedi atel
y,QueenSheenaar ri
ved
ther
e,star
ri
ngatPr i
nceFarukwhowassmi l
ingat
them li
kesomei di
ot.Theydidn'
tunderst
and
anything,
butt heyhadnoi deawhathehadi nmind.
Queenmot hersmi l
edbackandcar essedhi
sface)
.
'
'Far
uk,
i
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?''
.
'
'Yesgrandmother.Absol
utel
y.Ijustcamef
rom
Maji
d'schamber,andam headingtomychamber'
'
.
'
'Howi
shedoi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Hei
sokay.
..
.j
ustangr
y''
.
(
Shivturnedandl
ookedbackatthepil
larsecr
etl
y,
whethersomeonewil
lappearf
rom t
here).
'
'Ihavet
ogoandt
alkt
ohi
mri
ghtnow.
..
Ihavet
o
makehi
m under
standhowi
mpor
tantt
hisi
s''
.
'
'Ihaveal
readydonethatgr
andmother
.Andhesaid
hewantstobealonenow.Andthat
'swhyIlef
tthe
chamber'
'
.
'
'Heissostubborn.Okay,
Iwil
ltal
ktohimlat
er.Iwi
ll
t
alktoyoutoolat
er.Let'
sgoSheena''
.Queen
mothersai
dandleftwithQueenSheena.
(PrinceFarukandShivtookadeepbreat
hand
turnedtothepil
lar
.Shivquickl
ywentcl
osertothe
pill
arandcheckedaroundandsawnoonet her
e.He
frowned,hethensmell
edper f
umeofawomani nthe
air)
.
'
'Noone?'
'
.
'
'NoonemyPr i
nce.ButIam al
sosur
ether
ewas
someoneher
e.Andthatsomeonewasawoman''
.
'
'Howsur
ear
eyou?'
'
.
'
'BecauseIscentedtheperf
ume.MyPr i
nce,i
f
someonehasr eal
lyhear
dourconversat
ion,
Ithi
nk
weshouldforgetaboutl
eavi
ngtoni
ght''
.
'
'Don'
tbeacowar
dShi
v.Wear
esur
elyl
eavi
ng
toni
ght
.Thel
ionmustnotdi
ewi
thoutki
ll
ingMaji
d
aswell
,
Ihopeyouhavemadepr
eparat
ionforat
tack
'
'.
'
'Yes.I
thasbeingst
arvedf
orthepassedt
wo
weeks.I
tmightbewait
ingf
orsomeonetodevour
r
ightnow''
.
'
'Hahaha..
.Andt
hatperson,i
sMaj i
d.Tonight
,he
wil
ldi
e..
..
andbytomorr
ow. .
.f
atherwil
lmakemet he
cr
ownedPr i
nce'
'
.Hesaid,patt
inghischeeks.
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Rishicouldn'tstopcoughi ng.Suddenly,Kushi
entered,breathingheavilywithagoldenj agoffr
esh
wat er
.Rishiwasconf usedatherreactionbutsaid
not hi
ng.Kushipour edaglassofwat erandshet ook
i
tf ast.Af
terdr i
nking,shetookadeepbr eathand
stayedcalm awhi le.
'
'Idon'
tknowwhatwasgoingtohappenedt
ome
Kushi
.Iwassuddenl
ycoughi
ng''
.
(
Rishir
eal
isedt
hatKushiwasn'
tli
steni
ngt
oherbut
j
usthel
dherchest
,br
eathi
ngheavil
y).
'
'Kushi
?Tal
ktome!'
'
.
'
'Ri
shi..
.pr
omisemeyouar egoi
ngt
obel
ievewhat
am abouttot
ellyoupl
ease''
.
'
'Kushi,youknowItrustyou.
..
eversi
ncewe
becamef ri
endsatf
iveyearsold.Whati
sthe
matter
..
..Iknowyouneverlie'
'.
'
'Ri
shi
..
.hi
sli
fei
sindanger'
'
.
'
'Li
fe?Who.
..
whoar
eyou.
..
'
'Theyarepl
anni
ngtoki
llhi
m Ri
shi
!'
'.Kushisai
din
horr
orasshewasshaki
ngandherasthmawas
aboutt
ostar
t.
'
'Kushi.
.Cal
m down.Pleaserel
ax''
.Rishisai
dand
pour
edheraglassofwat er
.Kushitookthewater
andstart
edrel
axi
ng,t
henshegotf edupandst ood
up.
'
'Ri
sh.
..
Rishi
...
wehavet odosomet
hing!Wehavet
o
goandtel
leveryoner
ightnow!'
'
.
'
'Kushiwhati
sit
?Justspeakupbecauseyouar
e
scar
ingmenow!''
.
'
'Theywantt
oki
llPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.
(Theglassfrom Rishi
'
shandfel
landshat
ter
edat
herfeet.Kushiwasshockedasshesawthebroken
goldenglassont hefl
oor
).
'
'Pri
..
.Pr
inceMaj
id?Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
Kushi
?!'
'
.
'
' Iheardt hem mysel fRishi,pleasebel ieveme.I
swear ..
.IknowwhatIhear d.Pr i
nceFar ukis
planningt okillPrinceMaj i
d!''.Kushishout edthen
shest artedact i
ngr estl
ess.Loosi ngherbr eath.
Ri shiquicklysprinkledsomewat eronherandshe
!adeKushil iedownwi t
ht rembl i
ngar ms.Kushi
thenst artedcalmi ng.Justt hen,Rishistarredather
forawhi l
eandbr eakouti ntolaught er.Kushisat
backdown, lookingconf usedast owhyRi shiwas
l
aughi ng.
'
'OhmygoodnessKushi.Youaresof unny.Imean,
I
knowyouverywell
..
.wehavebeingfooli
ngallour
l
ivesbutyour
eal
lymadeahorri
blejoketoday''
.
(Kushigott
oherfeetandhadanangr
ylook.Ri
shi
hadnotseenthatlookonherf
acebef
ore)
.
'
'Ohr
eal
ly?Soam nowacomedi
ant
oyour
ight
?
Youareabouttogetmar r
iedtoPri
nceMaji
d..
.and
am t
ell
ingyouhisli
feisindangerandyouarehere
l
aughingaboutit
.Rishi
,areyougoingmad?IsaidI
hear
di tmysel
f!'
'
.
'
'Youmighthaveimagi
neditKushi.Thisdoesnot
makeanysense!Theyarebrot
hers..
..andIhaven'
t
seenanyenmitybet
weenthem.Sowhatar eyou.
..
..
'
'Theyaretaki
ngPri
nceMaj
idsomewher
etoni
ght
Rishi
..
.Iswear
!''
'
'They?'
'
.
'
'Pri
nceFar
ukandanot
herman.Ihear
dthem.Hi
s
nameisShi
v!'
'
.
'
'Thi
sismadnessKushi
!Whywoul
dPr
inceFar
uk
wantt
okil
lPr
inceMaji
d?!'
'
.
'
'Sot
hathebecomest
hecr
ownedPr
ince'
'
.
(BothRi shiandKushipani
ckedi
mmedi atel
yasthe
strangevoi ceanswer
edherquest
ion.Theytur
ned
theirfacesatthedoorandwereshocked).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Meho'
shouse)
.
Bhavnast
art
edpacki
ngal
lhercl
othesf
rom t
he
room intohersackbag.Theguar dsthatdr opped
them, l
eftalotoff oodstuffsandgi ft
sforthem i nthe
house.Butt hatdidn'tmat t
ertoBhavna.Shepacked
herbel ongingsandgotr eadyt oleaveandMeho
didn'tknowwhatt odoorsay.Hej uststoodt here
helplessly.Bhavnaopenedt hedoorandl ooked
backi ntother oom.Sher emember edever ythi
ng
thathadhappenedi nherl i
feandwept .Meho
turnedhi sfacei nt
oahel plessbi t
ch.WhenBhavna
tookast epawayf r
om thedoor ,hequicklywent
downonhi skneesi ntears.Hehel dtwelveski nsof
alcoholandt hrewthem awayatonce.
'
'Pl
easeBhavna.
..
please.Whoi
sgoi
ngt
otakecar
e
ofmenow?''
.
'
'Ihopeyoukeepi nmindthat
..
.al
lthati
shappening
now,i
sallyourfaul
t.Youcankeepthefoodst
uff
s
wegotfrom thepalace'
'.
'
'Bhavnaplease.Pl
ease,am begi
nni
ngtocome
backtomysenses.PleaseBhavna,t
akeme
back.
..
.Ri
shihasforgi
venmesowhycan' tyou.
..
'
'Poi
ntofcor
rect
ionMeho.Ri
shif
orgaveyou.
..
onl
y
becauseshedoesn' tknowt herealtruth.Nowlist
en
careful
ly..
.am goingt olivewit
hRadah.Nevercome
tolookf orme.
..Iwillgot othepriesttomorrowand
doall t
henecessar yritualst
oendour! marri
age.
GoodbyeMeho' '
.
'
'Pl
easeBhavna.
..Ihavechangedpl
ease'
'
.
'
'OhyouchangedtoolateMeho.Youonlychanged
whenRishist
art
edli
vingint
hepalace.Youaresuch
ahypocri
te'
'.
'
' Whydon'tyoutryandunder
standthat
,weare
supposedt obeunit
edmor et
haneverbecauseMr
Raulmi ghtbepl
anningsomethingagai
nstusor
Rishiatanymoment ?!'
'
.Heshoutedinangui
sh,
thengottohisfeet.
'
'What
?!Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?'
'
.
'
'Bhavna.
..Idi
dn'twantt
otellyouthis.MrRaul,
he
hasthr
eatenedtokil
lmeifIdon'tprovideRi
shii
na
month'
sti
me' '
.
'
'Anddoyout hinkIwillst
ayj ustbecauseofthis
nonsense?Lethim ki
llyou.Youal onespenthis
money,youalonedie.Don'tinvolvemeorRi shii
n
thi
sanymor
e.GoodbyeMeho'
'
.Bhavnacar
ri
edher
heavyl
oadaway.
'
' So,
thi
sisthedisgr
aceBhavnawant stogiveme.I
am themanoft hehouse,anditi
sbymyst rengt
h,
thatyougotpregnant.
..Soifyouhavedeci
dedto
getmeoutofyourl i
fe,
thenweshallsee''
.Hesaid
andcarriedhi
sskinsofalcohol.
(
MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
Hewasf eel
ingweak.Hesatonhi sfavouri
tesofain
fr
ontoft hemansi on.Hewashol dingtheinvi
tat
ion
ofRishiandMaj id'scoronation.Thecor onati
onhe
di
dn'tattend.Helightedast ickofci garandstart
ed
smoking.Her ai
sedt hei nvi
tationcar dupand
pl
acedt heburningci garcloset oit.Hetouched
boththemat eri
alsandt hecar dst artedburni
ng.His
guardsandsonwer eallworriedabouthi ssit
uati
on
anddidn'tknowwhathehadi nmi nd.
'
'Whatdowedonowf
ather
?''
.Ri
shabaskedhi
m.
'
'Iam soongoi
ngbackt
oLondon'
'
.Heanswer
ed
sl
owly.
'
'Fat
her
,whenar
eyoul
eavi
ng,
youcan'
tleaveme
hereallal
one.Youj ustarr
ivedhereandnowyou
aredecidingt
ol eave?Ift
hatisthecase,
thenl
et'
s
sellt
hismansionandl et'
ssellt
hismansionand
l
et'
sal ll
eavetogether'
'.
'
'Mehowantstoplaywi
thfi
re.AndIwi
llmakesure
hegetsbur
ntbyi
t.Iwanthi
m deadint
hreedays
boys.
..
gott
hat
?''
.
'
'Yesboss!'
'
.
'
'Iam goi
ngtot akecareofthi
ssit
uationmysel f
.He
deci
dedtogiveoutmyownwi feforfree.No.Heisa
deadman.Maj i
dhasbei ngli
keasont omef ort
he
passedtwentyyears.
..
.butIwon'
tlethimt akemy
wif
ef r
om me''.
'
'Ican'
twai
ttogett
oLondonsoonf
ather
..
.Itwi
l
lbe
somuch..
..
'
'OhshutupRishab!Youar enotgoi
nganywhere.
Therear
emoregoldher ethatIwantt
oown,so
watchovermybusinesseshereforme''
.
'
'Butf
atherpl
ease.I
twi
llbemyf
ir
stt
ime.
..
.
'
'Di
dyouhearmesayshutup?Youwer
ebor
n
here,andyouwi l
ldi
eher e.Iam nottakingyou
anywher eclosetoLondonboy!Butt her eisone
personwhowi l
lsurel
ygowi thme.Andam goi ngto
takeher ,
byhookorcrook.Ri shii
smi ne,andam
goingt otakeherfr
om thepal aceatallcost.Orel
se
therewi l
lbewar.Andshe' sgoingtolivewi t
hmein
London' '
.Hesaidandbl ewoutadar ksmokef rom
thecigar.
(
RoyalPal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Itwasget ti
ngl ateandhegotoutf rom t hebat hroom.
Hest arteddryinghi mselftogetdressedf orthe
nightcampi ng.Hewasn' twearingtheneckl acenow.
Hedr iedhimsel foffthesweetsmel l
of fthesweet
smel l oftheexpensi veri
chsoap.Hesatonhi sbed
i
nsi lence, andf l
ashesofRi shi'
sfacepassed
throughhi sbrain.Hekeptr emember i
ngherf ace
andhehi mselfwasconf usedabouti t
.Hest oodup
andopenedhi sgr andwar drobetosel ecta
clothe. .
.ashisdr essingroom onlycont ained
expensi vecl ot
hes, mostlywhite.Thiswasani ght
campi ngandhet houghtitwasnothingspeci al.He
startedkeepi nghi mselfbusywi ththesel ectionsin
ordernott ogetthereflecti
onofRi shi'
sface
anymor e.Hischamberdoorwasopenedbuthe
i
gnor edit.Somemi nutesl ater
,Ci
ndyar ri
ved,al
l
dressedupi naver yshor tjeanknickersanda
barebackedt op.Shewor eablacksocksanda
brownsneaker s,hol
dingawat erbottlei
nallsmiles
asshest arredseductivelyatMaj i
d.Maj i
dsawher
andsmi led,t
henhegnashedhi st
eet h.
No#'Ohshi
t.
..
awbabyIpromi
sedt
hattoni
ghtwas
goi
ngtobeyouandIr
ight
?Demnit
!It
otall
yfor
got'
'
.
'
'Hey,i
t'
sokay.Don'
tbetoohar
donyoursel
f
cupcake.Iknowyouaregoi
ngonni
ghtcamping
wit
htheboys' '
.
'
'Yeah.
..aboutt
hat
..
..
'
'IandNat
alyaar
ecomi
ngal
ong'
'
.
'
'What?!No..
butt
hisi
sani
ghtf
orboys.I
tisaboys
ni
ghtout''
.
(
Cindysuddenl
yfrowned,
maki
ngher
sel
fnot
iced
wit
hacrocodil
etear
).
'
'It
houghtyouneverwant
edt
obeawayf
rom me'
'
.
'
'Ofcoursenot
!It
'sj
ustt
hat
..
..
alr
ight
.Fi
ne,
areyou
r
eady?''
.
'
'Mor
ethanr
eady.
..
.
'
'Okay,
Iwannajustgetablackorblueshi
rtfort
his.
Wewon'tbelongoutther
e...
it
'sj
ustabigtour,
you
knowwhatImean?' '
.
'
'Yeahbaby.
..
haveyouf
oundone?'
'
.
'
'St
il
lsear
chi
ng'
'
.
'
'Howabout .
..Igiveyoual i
tt
lebedexerci
sehuh?
Thenyoucanf inall
ydeci
deont heperfectcl
oth?'
'
.
Shesaidcunninglyandplacedthewaterbottl
e
asi
de.Sheblushedherhai rupondown, l
ooki
ngall
hotandsexy,
dr awingcl
osertoMaj i
d.
'
'Ci
mdyu,
thi
sisnott
her
ight
..
..
.
(Shemadehim gosi l
entwhenshest ar
ted
swimmingherhandsdownhi swai standdropped
herri
ghthandint
ot hetoweltyinghiswaist.Hetook
adeepbreathandhi sveinswer eappeari
nginhis
bodyasbloodstar
tedr ushingthroughthem.He
l
ookeddownather .Lipsshakingandhel ockedhis
l
ipswit
hhersandki ssedherl
ikecrazy.Shest art
ed
get
ti
ngridofherclotheswhil
ekissi
nghi m deepily
andheloosenedhistowelastheybothslowl ylayed
onthebed.Caressi
ngandmoani ng).
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
RishindKushist
oodther
e,speechl
essasSavi
tr
i
heldherwalki
ngsti
ckandwentnearthem.
'
'Whatyourf
ri
endj
ustt
oldyou,
i
sthet
rut
hRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Whoar
eyou?'
'
.
'
'Iam someonewhohaslivedi
nthepalacef
or
manyyears.AndIknowwhatam sayi
ng.Pri
nce
Faruk,
trul
ywantst
okil
lyourwi
llbehusband'
'.
'
'No..
..
nonono.Thi
sisi
mpossi
ble.Isai
dwhoar
e
you?'
'.
'
'Savi
tr
i.Theheadofal
lthemai
densi
nthepal
ace'
'
.
'
'Ohgod.It
hinkIr
ememberyou.Yest
erdayyou.
..
.
'
' Yes.Iam theonewhosedaught erwassentenced
todeat hyester
day.Li
stengirl
,
Ihavebeingli
vingin
thispalaceforthepassedfort
yyears.Iknow
everythingaboutthi
splace.Beli
evemewhenI
say,apartf
rom Queenmot her
,QueenSheena, the
king..
.andnowme, nobodylovesPr i
nceMaj i
d.
PrinceFaruk,hashat edhisbrotherformanyyears
because...
hewast heel der
lyson,buthesnotmade
thecrownedPr ince.Thereisnol oveinthepal
ace..
.
andIcanpr ovei tt
oyouRi shi''
.
'
'Theywanttokil
lhim?''
.Ri
shiwipedat earf
rom
hereyesandsatslowl
ydown.''
No. .
.butwhy?''
.
'
' Iwouldhavel ovedtotel
lyouthewhol est
ory,butI
mi ghtbecr uci
fyi
ngmyownsel fontop.Soallyou
needt oknowi s..
.Pri
nceFaruk,andhismother
QueenDor ah..
.wantstoeli
minatePrinceMajid,so
theycant akeoverthethrone''
.
'
'Andwhyshoul
dIbel
ieveyou?'
'
.
'
'BecauseIusedt obeQueenDorah'shandmai den.
Untilshebet
rayedmeyester
day.
..andIwantmy
revengeonher.Rishi
,ar
eyouwil
ling..
.tostandfir
m
andsavePr i
nceMaj i
dfr
om t
heenemy? .
..
..
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
53] :
.
Sequence37
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Clar
a'smotherdi
dn'
tlethersayanyt
hingt
ome
yest
erday.Pl
easeenj
oy.
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
'
'What
?!Howam Isupposedt
otr
ustyou?'
'
.
'
'BecauseIam youronlyhopei
nsavingPri
nce
Maji
d.Letmeremi ndyounow..
.t
hatIalr
eadytol
d
youthat
,IwasQueenDor ah'
shandmaiden'
'.
'
'Youarenotmyonl yhopeSavi
tri
.Iam goingto
Queenmotherrightnow.Andam goingtotel
lher
ever
ythi
ng''
.Rishisai
dasshestart
edwal ki
ngout
butSavi
tr
iquickl
ypushedherback.
'
'Ar
eyoumad?Whatar eyougoingt
otel
lQueen
mot
herhuh?ThatPr
inceFarukwant
stokil
lhi
s
br
other
?''
.
'
'Butwhatdoyouexpectmet odo?!Iam so
confusedrightnow..
.ohgod!'
'.Ri
shistart
ed
becomi ngweakandt ear
sappearedi nhereyes.'
'
No...
Ithoughtmyl i
fewouldbebetterandcalm now.
Ithoughtthepalacewasperfectandpeaceful.I
neverthoughttheri
chhadanypr oblems''.
'
' Thenkeepthatthoughtf
rom yourheadgi
rl
.Even
therichhasmor eprobl
emsthant hepoor
.Sonever
envyanyr i
chman' '.
(Ri
shitookadeepbr
eat
handst
oodst
il
l,
looki
ngat
Savi
trit
ensel
y).
'
'Idon'
ttr
ustyou.Whatdoyouwant
?''
.
'
'It
oldt
oy.
..
Ionl
ywantj
ust
ice'
'
.
'
'Just
iceonwhat?
!Howam Isupposedt
obel
ieve
youarenotpl
anni
ng.
..
.
'
'Ialr
eadytoldyou.
..
.t
hatIwasonceQueenDor ah'
s
handmaiden.Ihaveli
vedint
hispal
aceforthe
passedfort
yyearsokay?AndIknowallthe
tr
uth,
thesecret
sandtheluesint
hispal
ace.Sodo
notunder
est
imateme.Ifwhatyourfr
iendr
eall
y
sai
d,i
swhatshereal
lyhear
dfrom Pri
nceFaruk,
then
Pri
nceMaid'
sli
feisi
nrealdanger'
'.
(Ri
shibreakdown.Sheweakl yfellonher
bed,
sobbing.Tearsr undownhercheeksandher
worl
dcamecr ushinginonher .Sheweptbit
ter
lyas
KushiandSavi t
ristoodther
est ar
r i
ngather
).
'
'Nonono.Nothi
ngcanhappenedt
oMaji
d.No!
Thi
scan'
tbehappeni
ngpleaseno'
'
.Shewept
.
'
'Hmmm. .
ohIseenow.Wi thyourr
eacti
onr
ight
now,i
tonlytel
lsonethi
ng.Youarealr
eadyi
nlobe
wit
hPr i
nceMaj i
d,ar
en'
tyou?''
.
'
'Savi
tr
i,
youhaven'tt
oldmethewholetr
uth.
.have
you?I
fQueenDor ahwasyourmist
ress.
..t
henhow
comeyouarebetrayi
ngher
?''.
'
'Becauseshefirstbetr
ayedme!''
.Savi
tr
isnapped
angri
ly.'
'AndIregretever
ythi
ngIhaveeverdone
forher.What
everIdid..
.
'
'Butwhywoul
dPr
inceFar
ukwantt
oki
llhi
sown
br
other
?!'
'
.
'
'Becausehewast
heeldestson.Andtheki
ngwent
aheadandmadePri
nceMaj i
dthecrownedPri
nce
i
nsteadofhi
m''
.
'
'Andwhydi
dtheki
ngmakePri
nceMaj i
dthe
cr
ownedPri
ncei
nst
ead?'
'
.Kushiasked.
'
'BecauseQueenMeer
ahwast
heQueenhel
oved
most,
morethan.
..
.
'
'Wait
..
.what
?!WhathasQueenMeerahgott
odo
wit
hthi
s?Savit
ri
,whatar
eyouhidi
ng?Whowas
QueenMeerah?'
'.
'
'Urr
rmmm. .I
..
.I
.Youdon'
tknowwhatyouhear
d.
Don'
tgetconf
usedokay?Idi
dn'
tmean..
..
'
'Howam IsupposedtosavePr
inceMaj
idi
fyouar
e
hi
dingpar
tofthetr
uthfr
om me?''
.
'
' Becausebyt hen,Iwouldbei ncr
iminat
ingmyown
self.Andbetweenar oyalandaser vant
,theroyali
s
alwaysr i
ght.AndIdon' twantt odi
ewi t
houtseeing
QueenDor ahsufferordiewithme.Hei st oursoon
tonehusbandRi shi,
letthepowerofawi fe
wor k.
..
savehimf r
om theclutchesofdeathnowor ..
..
'
'What?
!Whatdoyouwantmet odo?Iam j
ust
t
wentyyear
sold.Howam Igoi
ngtodothi
salone?'
'
.
(
Savit
ril
ookedaroundthechamberwit
hgui l
t
wri
tt
enalloverherf
ace.Shehel
dherwalkingst
ick
t
ight
lyandturnedherbackt
obothRishiandKushi
).
'
'Ifyourfriendreall
yheardr i
ght,
andPr inceFarukis
real
lytaki
ngPr i
nceMaj i
doutt hisevening,thenget
readytolivewi t
houthi
spr esencef orever.Because
youwi l
lneverseehi m again.Awi fehast he
power,onl
yawi fe,
hasthepowert osaveher
husband'sl i
fe.Savehi
m Ri shi
, i
t'
snowornever' '
.
Shesai dandl eftt
hechamber .
(Rishigott
oherf eet.Heartbeatingsof ast.Andtea
rushingouthereyes.Shehel dherneckl aceso
ti
ghtlyinherpalmsandi tburntherpainfull
yand
shemoanedi npai nandqui cklymadei tfallfr
om
herhands.Kushipi ckedupt henecklaceand
starredatQueenMeer ah'
spai nt
ingclosely.She
slowlysatbesidesRi shiandcaressedher ).
'
'Rishi
..
.canIsaysomethi
ng?Look,
Iam her
efor
youokay?Nothingwil
lhappenedt
oPri
nceMaj i
d.I
hopeyouknow,thatwhatmoneycando,pr
ayercan
doevenbett
er.Allweneedtodoistohavefai
thin
l
ordHanuman.Butt el
lmethis,
doyoureal
lyl
ove
Pri
nceMaji
d?''.
(Ri
shiwipedherteaaway,
butt
hesadnesswassti
ll
showingonherfaceandsheslowl
ynoddedher
head)
.
'
'YesKushi .Ilovehim Kushi .Iknowwear ebot
h
stupi
dandweknownot hingaboutl i
feorl
ove,
our
parentsjusttoousf ai
rytales.Butyoudon't
understandhowIf eelKushi .Itfeel
sli
ke,
Ihave
knownhi mforever
.Hehasneverspokent ome
before..
.butit'
sli
ke,whenIwor ehisshi
rtt
heother
ti
me...Ifel
tconnectedtohi m' '
.
'
'Thati
smadnessRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Itisl
ove.Mot hersaiditi
slove'
'.Ri
shigott oher
feelwi
thal i
tt
lestrengthanddetermi
nation.''Ican'
t
l
etanythinghappenedt oPr i
nceMaji
d.Itwilltotal
ly
kil
lQueenmot herandQueenSheena' '
.
'
'Andyou?'
'
.
'
'Especi
all
yme'
'
.
'
' Ri
shi,whatifthemai dwasr ight?Imean, shehas
l
ivedher eal
lherl if
eandsheknowt hingswedon' t
know.Yourneckl acejustburntyou.Your emember
thatdayyousavedhi mfrom thefall
ingstatue?You
toldmet heneckl aceburntyou.Andnow, ithas
burntyoutoday. ..
thatmeans,PrinceFar ukisreall
y
plott
ingagainstPr inceMaji
d.Howar eweeven
goingtopreventt his?Savit
rialr
eadysai ditwillbe
dangeroustot ellQueenmot herabouti t''
.
(Rishiwentcl osert ot hewar drobeandopenedi t
.
Sher emovedherengagementsar eeandqui ckly
startedscr oll
ingthrought hewar drobe.Herhandhi t
ahar dsur f
aceandsomet hingr oll
edf r
om the
war drobe.Fal l
ingtot heground, shequi ckl
ycaught
i
tf ast.Itwasapot .Shest arredcl oselyatthepot
woar edbandoni t
.Shel ookedcl oselyatthepot
whi chwassosmal l
,yetsoheavy.I twasabeaut i
ful
desi gnedpot ,
andshehadl ovedpot sallherli
fe.But
thiswasnott imet of ancypot s.Shel ookedatt he
topoft hewar drobebuti twassot al
l.Shesawabi g
goldendr awerneart hebedandshegavet hepott o
Kushit oputint hedr awer.Kushiwasi nahur ryand
placedthepotunderRi shi
'spill
ow.Shealso
removedhercl othes.Rishilookedthroughallt
he
beautif
ulsar
eesandt ooanddownt r
aditi
onal
dresses.Shetookt radit
ionaltopanddownwhi ch
wasr oyal
tyandr ichlymade.Andsheputi ton.She
gaveKushianot herofi twhichwasf i
lledint
he
war dr
obe.Andt heybot hquicklyst
eppedoutoft he
chamberandcl osedt hedoor).
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Theybitdressedupaf t
erasecondshower.Majid
woreasi mplebluetopanddownandasl ipper
s.
WhilealmightyCindywantedtol
ookhotandsexy.
Shewor ehershor twhi
teandti
ghtski
rtandatight
barebackedwi t
hsneakersandacaponherhead.
Theyheldeachot herti
ghtl
yandwalkedoutofthe
chamber .Sushim cl
ear
edhisthr
oatandparadedin
fr
ontofhi smaster.
'
'MyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Yes?Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'Shoul
dIgowi
thyou?'
'
.
'
'No.
..
Idon'
tneedaguar
dont
his.Andbesi
des,
it'
s
j
ustnotme,
myfr
iendsandFar
ukwi
llcome
soon.
..
sonowor
ri
es''
.
'
'Pri
nceFar ukisgoi
ngaswell
?MyPr i
nce,please
don'
ttaket hi
sthewrongway,
butdon'
tyouthinki
t
i
sgettinglate,
adgoi
nginthemorni
ngismuch
bet
ter?''
.
'
'Idon'
tknowSushim.Far uksuggestedtoni
ghtand
Ican'
ttur
nhim down.Thisisthefir
stti
meIeverget
tospendsomebr ot
herlyti
mewi t
hhim..andgetto
knowmor e.Nevermind,wewon'ttakelong'
'.
'
'Don'
texpl
ainyour
sel
ftot
heservantmylove.They
ar
enotworthit'
'
.Ci
ndysai
darr
ogantly.
'
'Watcht
hewayyout
alkt
ohi
m Ci
ndy'
'
.Maj
idsai
d
angr
il
y.
'
'Ohbaby.
..
don'
tgetmad.Oneon,
thet
rut
hhur
ts'
'
.
'
'MyPr
ince.
..youar
enotwear
ingt
ourneckl
ace?'
'
.
'
'Ohjeezzz..
.Sushi m,t
hisi
sjustani
ghtcamping.
Notsomewar .Please,
canItakeabr
eakfrom al
l
t
hisroyalt
ies?''.
'
'ButmyPr
ince.
..
'
' Sushi
m!Thatisenough.DoIhavetowearthat
thingforther
estofmylif
e?Ihavetoremoveit
somet i
mes.Stayher
eandguardthechamber .Iwi
ll
beback. .
.
Hesai dandwal kedawaywi thCindywhi l
eSushi m
start
edf eeli
nguneasy, hequicklyleftt
hedoorand
headedt oQueenmot her
'schamber .Pri
nceMaj id
andCi ndykeptchat ti
ngandl aughingtogetherwhile
walkingdownt hewal kway.RishiandKushial so
walkeddownt hewal kwayandt hencamef aceto
facewi t
ht hem.Kushiopenedhereyeswi del
y,
l
ookingdownPr inceMaj idtohisheadandst art
ed
blushingbehindRi shi.
Cindy'sevileyesf el
lonRi shiandherheartbecame
hotlikeat oastedbread.Maj id'seyefel
lonRi shi
andhecoul dn'tlookaway.Ri shi'
sshyness
i
ncr easedandasshel ookedatPr inceMajid,
she
quicklylookedaway.Thef ourofthem st
ood
the,
st arr
ingateachot herf oraboutsomemi nutes.
Somehour sago,MajidsawRi shi
,madeupup, wit
h
herhai rti
edup, butnow,herheavyl onghairwas
downandt hewi ndkeptblowi ngpassedthem.
Ci
ndyhel
dMajid'shandti
ghtl
yandwhimperedat
Ri
shiwi
thanevilsmil
e.Sheroseherheadt
olookat
Maji
dandst
art
edpul l
inghi
m away.
'
'Let
'sgobaby'
'
.
(
Theywerewal
kingpassedRi
shiandKushiwhen
Ri
shiqui
ckl
yputherhandst
ogether
).
'
'MyPr
ince!'
'
.
(Maj
idandCi ndysuddenlyst oppedbesidesRishi
andKushi .Majidwasnowbesi desRi
shi.Soclose.
Maji
ddi dn'tt
urnhisfacetol ookather ,
buthewas
ast
onishedt hatshehadt hegustt ocallhi
m.Ci ndy
wasshocked, wonder
ingwhatt hevil
lagegir
l
wanted.Rishiwasshi veri
ngandshedi dn'
tturnto
l
ookatPr inceMaj i
deither)
.
'
'MyPr i
nce,pl
ease,
Ipr
ayt
hat
..
.yougoandwear
yourneckl
ace''
.
(Maji
dnowhadconf usiononhisfaceandt hatwas
whenhest eppedtwost epsbackandf acedRishi,
facetoface.Hiseyebrowswerehollowandhi s
heartwaspumpi ng.Hest oodi
nfrontofher,l
ooking
downatherf acewhileherhandswer eputtogether
cl
osetohermout hwi
theyesclosed.Shethen
openedhereyesandreal
isedPri
nceMajidwas
st
andingjustascl
osetoherli
keapimple).
'
'Andwhyshoul
dMaji
dgobackt
ogetthatold
f
ashi
onedthi
ngonhi
m?''
.Ci
ndyasked,
annoyed.
'
'I
tmaybeoldfashi
oned,
orcalli
thoweveryou
want
.Buti
thasthepowertosavehundr
ed
t
housandsoul
s''
.
'
'Howdaretoytal
ktome?''
.Maji
daskedina
whi
sperandRishi
'shear
tski
ppedabeat
.
'
'Pl
easemyPr
ince.
..Ican'
tli
vei
fanyt
hinghappens
t
oyou''
.
(Cindywasthr
ownaback.Herangerreached
thekimi
tandshef
eltuncomfor
tablestandi
ngther
e.
ButMajidwassur
prisedRi
shisaidthat)
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'I
fnotforanyt
hingatal
l,
pleasewearyourneckl
ace
f
orprot
ecti
on.Towhereveryouaregoing''
.
(Maj
idrol
ledhi
seyesdownndr eal
isedRi
shiwas
notweari
ngherownneckl
ace.Andhet ur
nedhis
br
owneyest
oherf
aceagai
n).
'
'Whyar eweevenstandi
ngherel
ist
eni
ngt
othi
s
gir
lbaby?Let
'sgonow...
theot
her
smustbewai
ti
ng
forus!'
'
.
'
'Areyouweari
ngyourownneckl
ace?'
'
.Maj
id
askedRi
shii
nat onewhi
chseemedcal
m.
(Rishireali
sedshewasnotwear i
nghersandshe
quicklytookitfr
om Kushiandwor ei
t.Butshe
couldn'tlookint
oMaj i
d'seyes.WhenMajidsaw
thi
s,hesuddenl ylef
tCindy'
shand.Cindywasmore
thanshockednow) .
'
'Fi
ne..
.wai
thereCindy'
'.Majidturnedand
l
eft
,wal
kingtowardshi
schamber .Cindylookedat
hi
sbehindwithopenedmout h.Shet urnedand
l
ookedatRishiandKushi.
..withwr i
ttenbatt
le.She
wasreadyfori
t.
'
'Howdareyouevent
alkt
ohi
m.Whodoyout
hink
youar
e?!'
'
.
(
Kushist
eppedf
orwar
dwi
thadar
ingat
ti
tude)
.
'
'Shei
shi
ssoont
obewi
fe.Fi
rstwi
fef
ort
hat
mat
ter
.Andyou?Whoar
eyou?'
'
.
'
'Iam Maj
id'
slove.Hel
ovesme.
..
'
'I
st hatso?Ithoughtyouwerejustaskinnybones
missy.Cindyorwhateveryoucallyour
self
..
..
'
'Youwatchthewayyoutal
ktomeelseyouwill
r
egret
!Shutupandgetoutofmysi
ght,youar
enot
myclass'
'.
'
'Ohidi
ot.Wedon'
tneedtoreachanyclasswit
h
youbecauseweal
readycompletel
yschooli
nthe
vi
ll
ageokay?'
'.
'
'Nowonderyouactl
ikeanani
mal'
'
.Ci
ndysai
dand
chuckl
ed.
(
Rishihel
dKushi
'
shandandmovedherasi
deand
f
acedCindy)
.
'
'Weactl
ikeani
mals?Doyouwantustoshowyou
howani
maticwecanme..
.f
orei
gner
?''
.
'
'Yuck!Di
sgust
ing!'
'
.
'
'Youaremuchmoredisgust
ingf
ordr
essi
ngl
ikea
whorearoundt
hepal
ace''
.
'
'What
?!Di
dyouj
ustcal
lmeawhor
e?'
'
.
'
'Ifyouhaveapr obl
em, goandfi
ghtwit
hQueen
mot her
, notme.Butifyouevercr
ossmypathwith
suchdi srespect,
Iwil
ltechyouwhatyoumother
refusedt oteachyou''
.
(Ri
shisaidt hensheandKushibypassedherand
l
eft.Cindygr oaned.Shehadneverbei ngso
humi l
iat
edinherl if
e.Shel ookedaroundher,t
hen
behindherandsawMaj idcomi ngwiththenecklace
onhi sneck.Shekepthercooli nordernottolet
Majidknowshewasangr y.Shemadeaf akesmile
andhel dhiswai stastheywal keddownt he
hal
lway) .
(
Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
'
'Iam sor
ryt
ourhi
ghness.It
ri
edt
ost
ophi
m,but
..
..
'
'Li
stencareful
lySushim,Ineedyouandtwomore
t
rustedguardstofoll
owthem.Aretheywalki
ng,
t
akingahor se,
apalanqui
norhiscar?'
'.
'
'Iam nowyett
ofi
ndout'
'
.
'
'Ohgoodness.
..andyouar
est
il
lst
andi
ngher
e,i
f
anythinghappenst oMajid,Iwon'tf
or gi
veyou
Sushi m!Gonow. ..go!QueenDor ahhasnoI fethatI
alreadyknowFar ukisevil
.Sodot hisinsecret.I
f
youseesomet hingf i
shy,
don'thesit
atetokill
anyonewhot ri
est ohurtMaj i
d.Don'thesit
atetokil
l
theper son.Eveni ft
hatpersonisFar uk.I
sthat
clear?''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Br
ingMaj
idbackhome,
saf
eandsound.Go!'
'
.
(
Pri
ncessLakshmi
'
schamber
).
Herhandmaidenser
vedherwit
hdinnerandshe
star
teddi
shi
ngout.Charul
ookedweakand
exhaust
edbutshekepther
sel
fint
act.
'
'Myfathersaidhewantstotal
ktomet omorr
ow
morning.
..Iwonderwhathewantstosay.Hedidn'
t
usetocallmeburnow,am af
rai
d''
.
'
'MyPri
ncess.
..gat
herthecour
agetotel
lyour
mot
heraboutyoursecr
etrel
ati
onshi
pwithJay'
'.
'
'It
hinkyouhavef
inal
lygonecr
ayChar
u''
.
'
'NoIhaven'
t.I
fPr
inceMaj
idwasgi
vent
oa
commoner
,whycan'
tyoubegi
vent
otheguar
d?'
'
.
'
'It
'snotthesamet hi
ng.Atleast
,thatcommoneri s
goingtoli
vei nthepalace.Butme,ifam mar r
iedt
o
Jay..
.Iwil
lleavethepalaceinst
eadt oli
vewi t
hhim
i
nhi sdumphati nthekingdom.Andmyf atherwi
ll
neverall
owt hat.HesaidIam hislitt
lepri
ncessand
doesn'twantmet osuff
er''
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
.
'
'Buthey,
whatdoyout
hinkaboutMaj
id'
sbr
ide?'
'
.
(Char
ucoughedandlookedaroundher
.Shewas
abouttovomit
.Pr
incessLakshmij
umpedtoher
feeti
nfri
ght
).
'
'Hur
ry!Geti
ntomybat
hroom anddoi
t''
.
(Char
uquickl
yenteredPrincessLakshmi '
s
bathr
oom.ThenQueenSheenaent ered.Shesmi l
es
atLakshmiwhowasl ookingver ywor r
ied.Charu
spentmorethanf
ivemi nutesi nthebathroom,
vomiti
ngandsheopenedt heshowert owashi toff
.
Shetooksomeoft hesanitizerandcleansedthe
bathr
oom).
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
'Iti
sCharu.Shehasnotbei
ngl
ooki
nggoodt
his
daysmother''
.
(Charucameoutholdi
ngherstomachandshe
panickedassoonasshesawQueenSheena.Queen
Sheenastarr
edatherclosel
ywentnearher,
then
shetookherhandandcheckedhertemperature)
.
'
'Whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowyourhi
ghness.It
hinkIwi
llneedaday
off
..
.pl
ease'
'
.
(QueenSheenatouchedherchestandopenedher
eyeswidel
y,
thentookafarinbreat
h).
'
'WhathaveyoudoneChar
u?'
'
.
'
'What
'swr
ongmot
her
?''
.
'
'Ican'
tbel
ievet
hisChar
u!Youar
epr
egnant
!.
..
.
Tobecont
inued
[
01/
23,
11:
53] :

.
Sequence38
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Pri
ncessLakshmi
'
schamber
).
'
'Me?
!''
.
'
'Yes..
you!Ican'
tbel
ievet
his.Howdi
dthi
s
happenedCharu?Youofallpeopl
e?'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghnesspl
ease.
..
'
'It
rust
edyousai
dyouwer
eavi
rgi
n!'
'
.
'
'YesI
..
..
.
'
'Shutup!Howcoul
dyoudot
his.
..
.i
tisf
orbi
ddeni
n
Ujanit
oevenseeamanwhoi
snotyetyour
husband!'
'
.
(
Gui
ltdr
ewonPrincessLakshmi
'
sfacewhenher
mot
hersai
dthat
).
'
'Pl
easeyourhi
ghness.
..pl
ease.Havemer
cyonme
pl
ease!'
'
.
'
'Whoisr
esponsi
ble?Whohasdonet
hiswi
thyou
Char
u?Answermenow!''
.
'
'Nopl
ease.
..No.
..
..
'
'Char
u..
tel
lus.Youar
epr
egnantChar
u.Tel
lus
whati
sgoingon''.
(Charubentdownherheadtot
hefloor
,sobbi
ngand
shewasnotcaughtbetweenarockandahard
place)
.
'
'IFYOUDARELETANYONEKNOW WHAT
HAPPENEDTODAY, IWILLLOOKFORYOUR
ENTIREFAMI LYANDKILLTHEM ALL''.Thatvoi
ce
keptechoi
nginherheadathousandt
imesatonce
andshescreamed.
'
'Charuam sosorr
y,ar
eyouscaredofmymother?
Motherpl
ease,canyouexcuseusforamoment
?''
.
'
'ButLakshmi
..
..
'
'Motherplease!Doyouwanthertosayt
hetruthor
not?It
hinkyourpresencei
sdist
urbi
ngher.
..
justgo!
'
'.
'
'Fi
ne!Butr
emember
,ifshe'
sreal
lypr
egnant
,then
shecan'
tbeint
hepal
aceanymor
e''
.QueenSheena
sai
dandlef
t.
'
'NowCharu..
.she'
sgone.Iam l
ikeasi
stert
oyou,
am Inot
?''
.
(
Char
unoddedwhi
lesobbi
ng)
.
'
'Andyouar
egoi
ngt
otel
lmet
het
rut
hri
ght
?''
.
(
Char
ugottoherfeet.Pr
incessLakshmisl
owl
y
t
ookhert
oherbedside.ThenCharunoddedagai
n).
'
'Sot
ellme.Whoi
sthegat
herofyourbaby?'
'
..
..
(
Int
hepal
acet
empl
e).
Itwasnowdar kandwor ksi nt hepal aceandar ound
thekingdom wascomi ngt oanend.Queenmot her
hadaskedsomemai dstopr epar ether oyalt
empl e
forapr ayer.Shestoodther ewhi lesomeguar ds
preparedt hehotcoalofpr otectionpr ayer.Thecoal
wasst raightuptolordKrishna' sstatuei nthe
temple.Thecoalwasbur ningandRi shistood
there,
touchinghernecklaceandpr ayingi nsi
lence.
KushiandQueenmotherst
oodbesi
desher.Queen
Sheenaarr
ivedandj
oinedt
hem.Shedi
dn't
under
standwhatwasgoi
ngonbutQueenmother
expl
ainedt
oherandshewasshockedt
hatRi
shi
wasgoingtodothat
.
'
'Mother,
theyarenotevenmar
riedyet.AndRi
shi
hastopasst hr
oughthi
spainf
orMaj i
d?''
.She
whisper
edt oher.
'
'Ihavet
ri
edtoconvi
ncehert
ostop.I
twasIwho
deci
dedtodothi
sbutshecamehereandt
oldme
shewil
ldoit'
'
.
'
' I
fBhavnashouldcomeher eandseeherdaught
er
hurt,
shewil
lneverfor
giveus.Shemightevenst
op
thewedding''
.
'
' Heykeepquiet .I
tisnotmyf ault
.Andbesi des,
Rishiisdoingthisforherfuturehusband. ..whatis
sowr ongwi t
ht hat?Inthetraditi
on,t
hewi feis
supposedt oprayf orherhusbandi nf i
reforhis
protecti
on.Shei stowal konthehol yburningcoal
tollt
heendi nfrontofthelord.Andt hatcangether
husbandf rom anydanger .Iknowt hatMaj idhas
theelephantnecklacetopr otecthim,butremember ,
thatinthisworld,weknowt hatthelordprotectsus
fr
om harm,
butweal
waysaddguardst
othe
prot
ect
ioni
nordert
obescar
ed''
.
(Theser vantsweredonewi t
hthepr eparati
ons.
Rishiwasdr essedupi nasi mpletopanddown
traditi
onalcl ot
heandhereyespi ercedpainfull
yto
thebur ningcoalandshet ookadeepbr eath.
Kushi 'seyeswer etearyandshewant edt ostopher
friendf rom doingthi
sbutt hedecisionwasf inal
ised.
IfRi shichangedhermi nd,theneitherQueenmot her
orQueenSheenawoul ddot heri
tual.Queenmot her
andQueenSheenagott oherside) .
'
'Ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
odot
hisRi
shi
?''
.
'
'Yesmother
.Iam cert
ain.Iwi
lldot
hisat
housand
t
imesforPri
nceMajid'
'.
(Queenmot herandQueenSheenawer
esur
pri
sed
atthatst
atement).
'
'ButwhyRi
shi
?''
.
(Rishi
'
sli
psst ar
tedshaki
ngwhileshestar
redather
fri
endandt heQueens.Butshedidn'
twantto
answerthatquesti
on.Shewastooshy.Thepal ace
pri
estarr
ivedinhiswhil
erobeandsatinfrontof
l
ordKr i
shna'sstatueandtheburningmatofcoal .
Heputhi shandst oget
herandnoddedhi sheadf or
theritualtobegin.Apartf
rom Kushiandt heQueens,
nooneknewt hereasonwhyRi shiwantedtodot hi
s.
Shet ookadeepbr eathwit
hherhandsst il
ltouchi
ng
theneckl aceandsher emovedhersl i
ppers.With
herbar efeet,shesteppedint
otheblazingcoaland
screamedi noutmostpainandangui sh)
..
..
(
Aroundt
het
hickKi
ngdom'
sfor
est
).
Theyar rivedasi twasdar k.Theyhel dtorchesand
someofFar uk'
sbodyguar dsl eadedt hem i nfront
ast heysatonhor ses.Farukwassur prisedeven
Maj idagoodr ider.Her odethehor seper fectl
y.He
frowned.I fanydangershoul doccur ,thenMaj i
d
mi ghtbeabl etodef endhimsel f.Cindysatbehi nd
Maj idinthehor se,
cuddlinghimt i
ght l
yandt he
otherswer ef eelingweirdaboutt hequi etnessoft he
sur r
oundi ng.Far ukclearedhist hroatlikehewant ed
tosaysomet hi
ngbuthewasi ndirectlysignali
ng
Shi vtostar tplan.Shi vandhi scol leaguesandhe
turnedt ot hem.
'
'Whyhaveyoust
oppedShi
v?'
'
.Pr
inceFar
ukasked.
'
'MyPrince.Ir
eal
lyneedt
ogoandr
eleaset
heur
ine
bor
der
ingme' '
.
'
'Youwannapee?Whydidn'
tyouj
ustsayt
hat
bef
ore?'
'
.Pri
nceMaj
idsaid.
'
'Iam sor
rymyPr
ince.Pl
ease.
..
.
'
'YoucangoShi
v,
butbef
astaboutt
hat'
'
.Pr
ince
Far
uksaid.
(Shivleftt
hem withoneoft heguar dsandi twasl ef
t
withonemor eguardwhol edthem i ntotheforest.
PrinceMaj i
dandhi sfri
endshadani deawheret hey
wer egoingbutPrinceFar ukandt heguar dssurely
knew.Sushi m andtwot rustedguar dsofQueen
mot hersecretl
yfoll
owedt heirtracksi nthedark
withar r
owsandswor ds.Pr i
nceFar ukkeptr ol
ling
hiseyesar oundthestranget reesint heforest
, and
sowasPr i
nceMaj idandt heot hers).
'
'Thi
spl
acei
sfr
eaki
ngwei
rdFar
uk'
'
.Pr
inceMaj
id
sai
d.
'
'Iknow.I
tisal
wayst
hisway.
..
.
.
Iknow.I
tisal
wayst
hiswayi
ntheni
ght'
'
.
'
'Ithinkweshouldhavecomei nthemorni
ng
Majid..
.am soscar
ed.Pleasel
et'
sgobacktot
he
pal
ace' '
.Cindysai
d,hol
dingMaji
dti
ghtf
rom t
he
back.
'
'Ohcomeon. ..
thi
sisanadventur
eyoumightnever
experi
enceinyourl
if
eagain'
'.Pri
nceFar
uksaid
andlaughed.
'
'Ifeelthesameway.Thispl
acelooksscary.
..
I
wannagoback' '
.Natal
yasai
d,si
tt
ingbehindher
boyfri
endMaxwell.
'
'Maj i
d,comeon.
...
tel
lyourf
ri
endsyouar enot
scaredofsomecommondar kness.Thati
st he
reasonwhyIwant edMajidandItocomeal one.I
knewt hegir
lswi
llsurel
ybeahindrancetoourfan''
.
'
'It
'sokayguys.I
t'
sf i
ne.Okay?Wewillj
ustget
downonsomebr oadground,wewil
lmakeabonf ir
e
wit
hsomewoods, andwe'l
lchi
llf
orawhile.Thengo
back''
.Maji
dsaid.
(
Theyrodedeeperanddeeperi
ntot
heforest,
whi
ch
wasbecomingmorestr
ange.Thist
ime,
Maj i
d
hi
mselfstart
edf eeli
ngbadandhisinsti
nctswasn'
t
cl
ear.Helookedar oundthet
reesandtheysawbats
fl
yingqui
cklyawayandmaki ngnoisesatthesound
ofhumanpr esence.Heclear
edhisthroat)
.
'
'Faruk,
whereisyourper
sonalguar
d?Isi
tnot
st
rangethat
..
.t
hebothofthem ar
enother
eyet
?''
.
'
'Youar
eright
.Thatf
ooli
ssoi
ncompet
ent
.Iwi
ll
puni
shhi
m sever
ely'
'
.
'
'Iwonderi
fhereal
lyevenwentt
opeeatal
l'
'.
Ji
mmysai dsuspi
ciousl
y.
(Far
uk'
sfacetur
nedfri
ghtenedwhenhehear
dthat
andhequickl
ychangedthesubject
).
'
'Ineverknewyoucoul
dri
deahor
seMaj
id.When
di
dyoul ear
nthat
?''
.
'
'Therear
emanythingsinLondonFar
uk.Ilearn
hor
sebackri
dingateight
een.Andmarshalart
sas
well'
'
.
'
'Ohr
eal
ly.Soyoucanf
ightwi
thswor
dsaswel
l
?''
.
'
'Sur
e''
.
(
Thensuddenl
y,t
heyhear
dasi
lentr
oar
.Itdi
dn'
t
soundhuman.I
tsoundedheavi
eranddeeperand
str
onger
).
'
'Whatt
hef
uckwast
hat
?''
.Maxwel
lpani
cked.
'
'Ohgoodness.Maji
dlet
'sgobacknow!Iam
scar
ed.Pl
easelet
'sgo!'
'
.Cindycr
ied.
'
'Rel
axbaby,
am sur
eit
'snot
hing'
'
.
'
'Majid,
areyoucr azy?Wej ustheardtheroarof
somethingstrangeandyouar esayingi
t'
snothi
ng?
Hel
l,
am goi ngbackt othepalace''
.Maxwell
sai
d,obviousl
yupset .
'
'Maji
d..
.yourf
ri
endisri
ght
,It
hinkweshoul
dgo
backt
othepalace'
'.Far
uksai
dcunningl
y.
'
'Oht
hankyou!'
'
.Maxwel
lshout
ed.
Justastheywer eabouttoturntheirhorses,afi
erce
l
ion,
lookingalmostbonyndst arvedtodeat h
j
umpedf rom nowhereandlandedinf r
ontoft hem.
Itl
ookedangr yandhungry.Thel i
on'sroarbecame
heavier
.Pr i
nceMaj i
dwasflabbergasted.Cindyand
Natalyastart
edscreamingloudly.Majid'
sneckl ace
l
ightedupandbr i
ghtl
yandhewasshocked.I t
elect
rifi
edthelion'
seyesandi tr
oaredoutpai nful
ly.
Hisfriendssawt hattheli
onwasdi stractedand
theyrodet hei
rhorsesspeedilyaway.Pr i
nceFar uk
groanedi nangerandr odehishor sespeedi lyaway
i
nt otheleftsi
deofthef or
est.Maj i
dt urnedhi s
horseandst art
edr i
dingfastawaywi thCi ndy
behindhi m.Thelionchasedt hem from behi nd
them.
Sushim andt heotherguar dswi t
hhi m wer e
astoundedwi ththistotalturnar ound.Qui cklythey
runthrought hewoodswi thar r
owsandbowsbei ng
stret
chedbegi nthel i
on.Maj idmadeacr ossont he
forestroadwi t
hthehor seandt hehor selifteditsel
f
up,makingMaj idfalloffthehor se.Cindyscr eamed
hisnamebutdi dn'
tgetdown, i
nst ead,shel ooked
backandsawt heli
onr ushingt owar dsthem.She
shift
edi nfrontoft hehor seandr odeitspeedi ly
away.Maj i
dl ayedont hedust yf loorofstones.He
groanedi npai nandopenedhi seyes.Hi svi sion
wasbl urry.
..hisbrainstartedcrashi ngt othef act
thatCindylef thimt heretodie.Hef orcedhi msel f
upt ohisbut t.Hesatont hefloor ,
holdinghi shead
andgr
oani
ngi
npain.Hi
sblurryvi
sionvi
ewedthe
l
ionst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofhim andglari
ngathi
m.
Hishear tski ppedabeatandhesl owl ygott ohi s
feet.Theani malsnor edangr il
yathi m wi thi t
's
yelloweyesandr oared.Hesawanol dbr okenwood
besi dehi sl egandsl owlypi ckedi tup.Thunder
blast ed.Li ght eningst rokeandt heweat herbecame
cold.Thi ckeranddar ker.Maj i
d'svi sionwasst il
l
blurandhehel dt hewoodt ight lyatt heani mal .
Bloodpour edf rom hi shead, dr i
ppi ngdownhi s
forehead, downhi snoseandl ips.Theani malwas
thirstingf orbl oodandi nneedofmeat .Itleapedup
highandMaj idhi tithadwi tht hewood, i
tlandedon
thegr oundandgotbackup, jumpi nguphi ghagai nst
Maj id, hegr abbedhol doft hel ion'sheadandt hey
bothf ellont hegr oundhar d,bot hhisham wer e
grabbi ngi t'
smout hfrom closingi n, heusedal lhis
strengt ht okeept hemout hopenedwi thoutcl osing
i
nonabi t
eofhi m.Thel ion'sst rengt hwasf adi ng
awayanst ragglingt obr eathduet ot hef actMaj i
d
waspi nningi t
.Ther oarbecamel ouderandi tused
thel astst r engtht or aiseitpawsupandscr atched
Maj i
d'sstomacht hroughhi sshirtwithit'
sclaws.
Maj i
dscr eamedi ndispleasureandpushedt he
animalaway, hewasf adingaway.Thel i
ongotup
andj umpedt ot owar dshi mtotearhi m apartbut
therecameal oudr oarf rom i
tsmout hwher ean
arrowhadbei ngt hr
ownandent ereditsheadand
appear edini t
'smout h.Itdroppeddowndeadwi th
bloodoozi ngf rom itshead.Sushi m andt heother
guardsqui cklygotoutf r
om thewoodswi thbows
andar rowsi nt heirhands.Sushi m shott hearrows
atthelionf rom t hewoods.Hequi ckl
ybentdown
besidesPr inceMaj i
d.
'
'MyPr
ince!MyPr
ince.
..speakt
ome!'
'
.
(Majidhadf ewbreathl
eft.Hecoughedandbl ood
wasal loverhim.Hewasbl eedingprofuselyfrom
theheadandst omach,Sushim qui
cklyremoved
Majid'sshirtandthemarksofthescr at
chf rom the
l
ion'sclawswer eopenedandvi si
ble.Bloodkept
oozingout .Sushi
m qui
cklytoretheshirtandtiedit
aroundMaj i
d'sst
omacht opreventmor ebleeding)
.
'
'MyPr i
nce.
..MyPri
ncecalm down..
.not
hingwil
l
happentoyouIswear!'
'
.Sushim sai
dwhileshaki
ng.
'
'YesmyPri
nce!I
tisme.
.staycal
m,Iwi
llgetyouout
ofher
eassoonaspossi
ble''
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
idt
urnedsi
lenceatonce)
.
'
'MyPr
ince?MyPr
inceopenyoureyes!'
'
.
(
Sil
ence)
.
'
'Boys.
..
gett
hehor
sewebr
oughtnow.Hur
ryup!
'
'
..
..
..
.
(
Int
heRoyalPal
ace=Royalt
empl
e).
Rishihadj ustaf ewmor estepstoreachl or d
Krishna'sstatueandst epoutf rom t
hebur ni
ngcool.
Tearr undownhereyes.EvenKushiandt heQueens.
Kushihadcover edhrmout hwi t
hbot hher
hands, weepingsilentl
yandwat chi
ngt hepai nher
fri
endwaspassi ngt hrough.Thepr i
estkeptpr ayi
ng
i
nf rontofapanoff i
re.Rishigottothef rontofLord
Krishna'sstatueandherf eetwasallsor eandbur nt.
Shewassweat i
ngpr ofuselyandherbr eathwas
turninguneasy.
Thefor
eigner
sar r
ivedqui
cklyi
nthetempl
eandfell
har
dont hegroundinsweat.Theki
ngwalkedi
nto
thetempleandwaaconf used.Kushiquicklywentto
holeRishiwhoselegswereshaking.Herhai rand
facewerecoveredinsweat.QueenDor ahar ri
ved
thereaswelli
nahast e.Someoft heservants
arri
vedandwer eallconf
used.
'
'Whatisgoingonher
e?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked,
her
hear
tbeati
ngfast
.
'
'We..
.we.
..
ohmyGod!Iam get
ti
ngthehel
loutof
t
hispl
acefir
stt
hingt
omor
rowmor ni
ng''
.
'
'Iregr
etwhatIhavedone.Ishoul
dhavestayed
backtohel
pMaj i
d!'
'.Ji
mmysai dwhi
lebr
eathing
fast
.
'
'Maj
id?Wher
eMaj
id?
!''
.
'
'Wewereatt
acked!Thatiswhathappened.Idon'
t
knowwherethehellMaj
id'
sbrot
hertookus.Butit
surel
ywasdangerous!'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Awhat
?''
.
'
'Wher
earemysons?Isai
dwher
ear
emysons?'
'
.
Theki
ngshout
edangr
il
y.
'
'Wherei
sFar
uk?!'
'
.QueenDor ahscr
eamedand
gr
abbedMaxwel
l'
sclot
hes.'
'Isaidwher
e'smy.
..
..
..
'
'Iam her
e''
.
(Far
ukenter
edt hetemple.Hisclotheswer
et or
n
andther
ewer emar ksofscratchesonhisfaceneck
asifhewasattacked).
..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
53] :

.
Sequence39
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=RoyalTempl
e).
(Far
ukstoodthereandhehadacl ar
if
iedfeigned
sadnessonhisface.Hethenbreakdowni ntotars
andputhishandstoget
her.Queenmot herfeltdi
zzy
andwasheldtightl
ybyQueenSheena.Theki ng
wentcloserandtouchedFar uk'
sshoulderandhe
groanedli
kehewasi npai n.Tearsr
undownhi s
cheeksandhef el
lonhi skneesinfrontofhi
sf ather
.
QueenDor ahsmiledbyt heothersi
deofherlips
si
nceshet houghtthejobwasf inal
lydone.Queen
mot her
'shear
twashotandherangerr eachedt he
peak).
'
'SpeakupFar
uk!Wher
eisMaj
id?'
'
.Queenmot
her
shout
ed.
'
'Iam ver
ysor
rygr
andmot
her
.It
ri
edal
lIcoul
d
t
o...
..
.
'
'No!'
'.QueenSheenascr
eamed.'
'Mysoncan'
tbe
deadno!''
.
(Rishihadashockandcol l
apsedi nKushi '
sar ms.
Queenmot hershoutedf ortheguar dsandt hey
quicklycarri
edRishist r
aighttother oyalcheckup
room.Queenmot hert urnedtolordKr ishna'
sst atue
withangeri nhereyes.Suddenl y,t
heyhear dnoi ses
outsidethecompoundandt heyal lrushedout .
CindyarrivedinthecompoundonMaj i
d'shorseand
shewasweepi ngbitterl
y.Shest eppeddownf rom
thehorseandNat alyaembr acedhertightl
y.When
Faruksawt hi
s,
her eali
sedthatthisplanofhi swas
asuccess.Cindywassi tt
ingont hehor sewith
Majid.SoifCi
ndyhasar r
ivedalone,
thent hatmeans
thejobisdone).
'
'Ci
ndy.
..
ohgi
rlam sohappyyouar
eher
eandokay
'
'
.
'
'Iwassoscar
ed'
'
.Shewept
.
'
'Ci
ndy,
wher
eisMaj
id?Wher
eishe?
!''
.
'
'OhmyGodNat
alya.Maj
id.
..
..
'
'Far
uk?'
'
.TheQueenmot
hercal
ledf
rom behi
nd.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Yousaidyoudi
dal lyoucoul
dt ohel
pMaj i
d?So
howcomeyouarrivedi nt
hepalacebefor
ethe
for
eigner
?''
.
(Far
ukthenreali
sedhehadmadeaver ystupi
d
move.HisheartbeatchangedandQueenDorah'
s
appreci
ati
ontowardsturnedi
ntoanger
).
'
'Gr
andmot
herI
..
..
(Theki ng'shear tloosedbal anceandhef elltothe
ground.Hi shear tattackstartedandt heguar ds
gather edar oundhi m.QueenDor ahpr ayedt hathe
diedt hatinstantbecauset hatwillmakeFar ukthe
kingsi nceMaj i
dwasdead.TheQueenmot her'
s
attentionwasshi ft
edtot heking.Thef or
eigners
weptf orthedemi seofMaj id.Andsuddenl y, t
here
wasal oudernoi seget t
ingnearert hecompound
andent ered,wasSushi m wi t
hMaj idonahor sein
frontofhi m.Theki ngsawt hisandj umpedonhi s
feet.Ci ndy'sfacel i
ghtedupwi t
habr i
ghtsmi l
e.
Pr i
nceFar uk'
sf acialexpressionchangedi nstantl
y
andsoWSQueenDor ah.Mor eguar dsarr
ivedand
carriedt hebleedi ngandunconsci ousMaj i
di ntot
he
palace) .
'
'Ohl
ord.
..
thankyou.Mygr
andson.
..
.
'
'WhathappenedSushi
m?!'
'
.Theki
ngcr
ied.
'
'Hei sbadlyhurtyourhighness.Ifoll
owedt hem
secretl
yandsuddenl y,
al i
onappear edfrom
nowher eandattackedPrinceMajid.Please,he
needsmedi calatt
endantnow!''.
(Everyoneofthem rusheduntothebuil
ding,l
eaving
FarukandQueenDor ahoutside.Pr
inceFaruk'
s
personalbodyguardandot hertwoguardsentered
thepalacewithdisappoint
mentont hei
rfaces).
'
'HowcanyoubesoincompetentFar
uk?'
'
.Queen
Dor
ahslappedhi
mindisgust
.
'
'Mot
her
!''
.Far
ukshout
edl
ikehewaspossessed.'
'
Howdar
eyouslapmehuh?''
.
'
' Youfool!'
'.QueenDor ahslappedhi
m harderthe
secondt imeandhesnappedoutofi t
.''
Shutup,
whenyourmot heri
stalki
ng,youshutupandl i
sten.
Seewhatyou' vecaused?NowQueenmot herand
tourfather.
..eventhoseforeigner
swil
lsuspectyou!
'
'.
'
'ButIdi
dal
lIcoul
dmot
her
!''
.
'
' Youshoul
dhavet oldmeyouwer egoi ngt o
executeyourplanst oday,andmaybe. .
.Icouldhave
givenyouani dea,butyourst upi
darrogancegotin
thewaydidn'tit!
.Yourbr otherisst
il
lalive,andst
il
l
yourcrownedPr ince..
.Idon'tknowwhyIgavebi rt
h
tosuchadi sgracefuluselesshumanbei ng!''
.
'
'Soyouar
ebl
ami
ngmenow?'
'
.
'
'Whoel
se?'
'
.
'
'Whatwer eyoubusil
ydoi ngt
henmot her
?WhenI
wasplanningal
lthi
s.Allyoudoisleaveeveryt
hing
tome.WhenIdosomet hinggood,
Igetpr ai
sedjust
ali
ttl
e.Butwhenit'
sbad...
youcanuset hewhole
yeartoinsul
tme''
.
'
'DidyouseeMaj i
d'sconditi
onwhenhewas
broughthere?Heisal
mostl i
fel
ess.Atleastt
hat
shouldgiveyouaclueofhowdanger ousmy
plans,
itwasabouttobeaccompl i
sh.ButIdon't
knowwhathappened. .
..Thathegotsaved.Ij
ust
don'tknow''
.
'
'Italll
andsononet hing.Heisstil
lal
ive.Andti
me
i
sgoi ngFar uk.Yourfatherisnotgett
ingany
younger ,
hei ssooldnow, ifhedi
eswi thout
pronouncingyout hecr ownedPrincewhi l
eMajidi
s
sti
llali
ve,thengetreadyt obowdownt otourl
it
tl
e
brother''
.QueenDor ahst ormedoffangril
y.
(
Royalcheckupr
oom)
.
Oneoft
her
oyaldoct
orshadcheckedonRi
shiand
theyhadcl ear
edherbodywi thwarm wat erand
cleant owel
.KushiandQueenSheenasatbesi de
herwhi leshewasunconsci ous.Theroyaldoct or
smear edsomegr indedwether bsunderherget ,on
thebur nsshegotf rom walkingonthebur ningcoal .
Herf eetwereallr
ed.Somepar t
swer eblot t
edoand
i
tl ookedpainf
ulandt er
ri
ble.QueenSheenaand
Kushiweptatt hesi ghtofRishiandMaj id'sdemi se.
Ther oyaldoct
orst oodupandpr eparedher
medi cati
ononapanandgotr eadytoleave.
'
'Howi
sshenow?'
'
.
'
' Shefai
nt edoutofshock.Butherl
egsarelooki
ng
verybadt ourhighness.Theburnswere
severe..
.sheistooyoungandshouldn'thavedone
that.Sheshoul drestf
orthiswhol
enightandIwil
l
comeandt r
eathertomorrow''
.
'
'Thankyou.
..
youmayl
eavenow'
'
.
(Ther oyaldoct
orlef
tandQueenSheenawi
pedher
tears.Kushisatbesi
desRishiont
hebedand
caressedher )
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'I
sPr
inceMaj
idr
eal
lydead?'
'
.
'
'.
..
..
..
.'
'.
'
'DidRishireal
lywalkonf i
refornothi
ng.Ihave
l
oosedallhopei nthelord?Howcanhebr eakhis
owncommandment stohischil
dren.Hesaidthe
onl
ysecur i
tywayt oahusband'slif
eisforhiswife
tosacr
ifi
ceherownl i
fe.HowcanRi shibesuffer
ing
l
ikethi
s?It'
snotf ai
r!'
'
.
'
'Mysoncan'
tbedead.
..
no'
'
.
'
'Butheis!YouheardPri
nceFarukyourself
!Now
myfri
endisawi dow!Andherhairwil
lbecutand
shewil
lgoandliveinthemountainsofwidows!'
'
.
(Queenmot
herenter
edt heroom wi
thawidesmil
e.
Butther
ewasbloodalloverhersar
eeandhands)
.
'
'Maji
disali
ve!Sushim broughthi
m...
andt
her
oyal
headdoct
oristreat
inghiswounds''.
(Theyallputthei
rhandstoget
herandclosedthei
r
eyesinhappiness.QueenSheenaandQueen
mot herembracedeachotherhappi
ly.Queen
mothercheckedonRi shi
.Rishiopenedhereyesat
once.Shegotupandsatdownf ast,
breathi
ng
heavi
ly.Thenmemor i
esofPri
nceMaj i
d'sdeath
newsf l
ashedt hr
oughherheadandshescr eamed
whil
ehol dingherheaddownandsweat ing.Kushi
hel
dhert ightl
yandshepushedheraway) .
'
'Majid.Maj
id.
..
..'
'
.Sheact
edl
ikesomeone
possessed.
'
'Maji
disf
ineRi
shi
.Ri
shil
ist
en.
..
..'
'
.Queenmot
her
cal
medherdown.
'
'Maj
id?Wher
e'sMaj
id,
mot
her
?''
.Ri
shicr
ied.
'
'HeisI'
m hi
schamberrightnowRishi
..
.hei
sali
ve
cal
m down.Yoursuff
eri
ngdidn'
tcomeinvai
n''
.
QueenSheenasaidcal
mly.
(Rishiqui
ckl
yforgother
selfandgotdownf r
om the
bed.Shef el
tasharppai
nunderherf eetmakingher
fal
l.TheQueensandKushiwer esurpri
sedather
reacti
on.QueenSheenatri
edgetti
ngherbackon
thebedbutsher ef
used).
'
'Iwantt
oseehi
m pl
ease.Pl
ease!'
'
.
'
'Royaldoct
orsai
d..
..
'
'Theroyaldoct
ori
snotwhoIcar
eaboutmot
her
.
Pl
easeletmeseeMaji
d''
.
'
'Okay.
..
let
'sgo'
'
.Queenmot
hersai
d.
(KushiandQueenSheenaheldRishi
'
shands,
si
de
bysideassheleapedandtookherout)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hel ayeddowni nthecomf ortofhisgrandbed, hal
f
naked.Hi sheadwasbandagedwi t
hagr eenf l
uffy
l
inenandt herewer el i
ttl
escr atchesonhi scheek.
Hel ayedt hestilli
nanunconsci ousstat
e.Theki ng
andSushi m stoodt here,st
ar r
ingathim whi let
he
royaldoct orclearedal lthebloodf r
om hisbodyand
tummy.Shewr appedaheavybandagear oundhi s
tummyandpl acedsomemi xturesofmedi cati
onon
thedr awerf i
xedt ohisbed.Hewasi nhist ight
boxers, andaftert r
eatment , t
hewhi t
ebedsheet son
hisbedwasusedt ocoverhi sbody,l
eavinghi s
chestt ohistummywer ehewaswoundedbadl y.
TheQueensent er
edwi t
hRi shiandKushi .Theking
wasmor ethanast onishedt oseeRi shii
nt hatstate.
Theycl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndt
hem.
'
'Whathappenedt
oher
?''
.
(
TheQueenshesi
tat
edt
oanswerbuthebecame
mor
eseri
ous).
'
'Isai
dwhathappenedt
oher
?!'
'
.
'
'Urr
rmmm, i
tis.
..
wel
l,
sheper
for
medt
heLoha
Chast
rar
it
ual''
.
'
'What?!Mother
,howcouldyouletherwalkon
bur
ningcoalofprot
ect
ion.
..andforwhat
?!''
.
'
'Toprot
ectMaji
dofcour
se!Meer
ahusedtodot
he
samethi
ngforyouwhenwarusedtoemer
geher
e
remember?'
'
.
'
'I
t'
snott
hesamet
hing!Theyar
enotmar
ri
edyet
..
..
'
'Itdoesn'tmat t
eryourhighness''
.Rishiputher
handst ogether.'
'Iam wil
li
ngtobat hinfi
retosave
myPr ince.Iam justful
fi
ll
ingawi f
e'sduti
es,that'
s
al
l.Andevent houghtheweddi ngisnotyethere,but
Iwantt ober eadytosacrif
icemylifeforhim''.
'
'Whatabri
ll
iantyoungl
ady.Thankyouver
ymuch
dear
.Yourpr
ayersareansweredbythel
ord'
'.
'
'Howi
smyson?'
'
.QueenSheenaasked.
'
'Hei sinabadshapet ourhighness.Hei snot
l
ookinggoodatal l
.Hemayhaveani nfect
ionand
somef evert
hroughtheni ght
.Sosomeonewi llhave
tostayherewithhimthrought henight,i
nordert o
servehim wi
thwaterant hemedi ci
neIhavel eft
.I
wil
lcheckonhi mtomor r
ow.Thescr at
chisnotj ust
anyscratch,
ithaturnedintoacutandgonedeep.
Butthankthelordi
tdidn'tgointhatdeept okil
lhim
'
'.
(
Theyal
ltookadeepbr
eat
handcool
eddown)
.
'
'So,
whatdowedonow?'
'
.
'
' Iwi
llcomebackt omorrowt ocheckonhim.He
maydevel opsomef everthi
snightduet othe
severepainofthecut.Someheadachesandot her
discomfort.SoIsuggestsomeonest ayheretoni
ght
andwat choverhim.Andl etsomeser vant
sarri
ve
herewi t
habasinofcol dwaterandacl ean
towel..
..
sothati
tisusedt omassagehi sheadifthat
headacheandbodypai narri
ves''
.
'
'Sheena,
goandcal
loneoft
hemai
dst
ost
aywi
th
Maj
id.
..
..
'
'Noyourhi
ghness!Iwi
llst
ayher
e''
.
'
'Ri
shi
?''
.
'
'Pleasemother,
Iknowamnotwor t
hit
.ButIwon'
t
l
istentoyoutoni
ght.Iam sor
ry.Youwoul
dn't
preventmeifIwashiswife''
.
'
'Thi
sisaj
obf
ort
heser
vant
s.Youhavet
orest'
'
.
'
'Lett
hatservantalsor
estmother
.PleaseIbegyou,
Iwanttot
akecar eofhi
m.Atleast
,untilhef
eel
s
bet
ter
..
.Please?''
.
'
'Okaydear .WelldoneRishi.Pl
ease,r
estint he
couchwhenyouar eti
redokay?Orbet t
erstill
,sl
eep
besidehim whenyouf eelsl
eepy,t
hebedi slarge
enoughtocar r
yf i
vepeople.Weshalll
eavenow, the
servant
sshallbringyouthebasinofwat ersoon' '
'
'YesQueenmot
her'
'
.
(Ri
shit
ouchedt
heirf eet
'seveni
nherpain.Theki
ng
wasamazed.Ther oyalfamil
ygotoutofthe
chamberandRishiembr acedKushiast
heyboth
l
aughed).
'
'YoucangotomychamberandsleepKushi
.You
aremysi
ster
,youhavet
her
ightt
osl eeponmybed
'
'.
'
'Jeezzzyesofcourse!Wher
eelsedi
dyouthi
nkI
wil
lsleep?Iwil
lseeyoutomorr
owRishi
.Andyou
knowwhat ?'
'.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Takecar
eofyourPr
ince.
..
realgood'
'
.Kushi
mockedather
.
(TheybothlaughedandKushil eftt
hechamber .
Twomai dsbroughtapanofcol dwaterandacl ean
towel.Whil
etheot herbroughtfruit
sandol i
veoils
andtheyboweddownandar r
angedt hei t
emson
anothert
ablebeneat hthebedandt heyleft.Rishi
satdownont hecouchandst arredatMaj idont he
bed.Herlegswer eachingbadlyandt hegr een
herbshaddr i
edof fonthesore.Shel eapedcl oser
tobedandwasaf rai
dtositonitsinceshe
consider
edher selfnotworthi
t.Butshest anding
washur t
ingherf eetandshewasi nal otofpain).
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Kushir emovedhercl othesandent eredt he
dressingr oom t olookf orani ghtgown.Shest art
ed
l
ookingt hrought heclosett oselectfrom the
numer oust hi
ngsandj ustt hen,
shehear dsomeone
openedt hechamberdoor .Herheartstoppedabeat
andqui cklyst oppedwhatshewasdoi ng.She
ti
ptoedt ot hedr essingr oom doorandsl owly
openedt hedoorandsawsomeonei nmai den
cl
othes, sear chingovert hewholeroom.Shewas
shockedbutdi dn'tmakeasound.Avniopenedt he
wardrobeandl ookedexact lywhereshewas
orderedt osear chf orthepotbutdi dn'tseeanyt hi
ng.
Shelookedar oundt hebedandopenedal lt
he
drawer sandst il
lcouldn'tf i
ndthepot.
'
' I
fIgobackandt el
lherIcouldn'
tfi
ndit,
thenshe
willpunishmef orsure'
'.Avnisaidhol
dingher
wai st
.''AndifIstayhereanyl ongerandsomeone
catchesme, Iwillsurel
ybebeheaded.Wher eam I
goingt ofindthatpotnow?IguessIwi l
lcomeback
tomor r
ow' '.
(Avnisai
dasshewalkedoutandsl
owlyclosedt
he
heavydoorbehi
nd.Kushist
eppedi
ntothechamber
,
l
ooki
ngal
lconf
used)
.
'
'Pot?Andwhowast hat?Ohgoodness, t
hisplace
hasbecomeal otscari
er''
.Shesaidandqui ckl
y
wentclosert
othedoorandl ockedhersel
finside.'
'
Butwhosenther?Whatdoesshewanti nthis
chamber?''
.
(Shesaidandlethersel
ffallonthebedandher
headhitsomethinghardundert hepil
low.Sheheld
herheadinpainandr ol
ledovert hepi
llowandtook
thesmallpotwit
hshocki ngface).
'
'Wai
t.I
sthi
sthepot
?..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
53] :

Sequence40
.

©Adel
aideCl
ara

(
Rishi
'
schamber
).

Kushihel
dthepoti
nherhands,wonder
ing.She
shookthepotandf
eltnot
hing,
buti
twasheavy.

'
'Iwonderwhatt hi
sis.Andi talsohasar edband
onit.Iam havingabadf eeli
ng, somet hingiswrong
somewher e.Iam absolutel
ysur et hat,
themaidwho
cameher ewasl ookingforthis.ButIwonderwho
sentherbecauseshesoundedl ikeshewassent .
Somanyt hingshashappenedt oday,butshould
openit?It
'sheavybuti tl
ooksempt y'
'.Shesaidand
shookitagain.''
Ihavet okeepi tsomewher esaf
e
wherenoonewi
llfi
ndi
tunt
ilRi
shii
slessbusyf
or
ustoknowwhattodo'
'
.

(Shestoodupandwentintot
hedressi
ngroom.
Thunderblast
edout
sideanditst
art
edrai
ning
heavi
ly).

(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).

Rishi'slegswer eswol l
enbecauseshest oodoni t.
Coul dn'tsitatonepl ace.Shet ookt helarge
featheredf anandst art
edf anni ngMaj i
d.The
curtainshangi nginf rontoft hel argestwi ndowbl ew
violentl
yduet othewi nd.Ther ainbecameheavi er
andheavi erandRi shikeptf anni nghim.She
refusedt osi tonthebedbecauseshehadi tbacki n
herheadt hatshewasnot hingcompar edt othat
l
evel .Andshewasmor escar edt hatMaj idmi ght
openhi seyesandf undheront hebed.Sheputt he
fanasi deanddr oppedt het hecl eant owelintot he
coldwat er.Shesqueezedi tandpl acedi tonhi s
f
orehead.

'
'PrinceFaruk..
.Ipr
omise, t
hisisgoi
ngt obethel
ast
ti
me, t
heverylastti
meyouwi l
leverhurtMaji
d.
Neveragain..
andyou,willneverbethecrowned
Pri
nceofUj ani.
..Nei
thertheking.Iwil
lmakesure
ofthat!'
'
.

Shesai dandkeptonmassagi nghisheadgent l

e.
Secondst urnedtiminut
esandmi nut
est ur
nedto
hoursandshest art
edyawning.Sheyawnedonher
feet,
feelingdi zzyandshefellinachairbehindher
.
Shest arredatMaj idwit
hbarelyopenedeyesand
hewasst illt
hesame.Henevermovedhi sbody.He
wast enderandst i
ll
,t
heonl
yhopewas, hewas
breathing.

Shestart
eddozingof f
.Thunderstormsst
roke
heavi
erandsheopenedhereyesandgott oMajid'
s
si
de.Shestartedfanninghim againandt
his
ti
me,shefel
ltothefloorbesi
dest hebedi
nsleep
mode.Shewentf astasl eep.Somemi nutes
l
ater,Maj i
dsl owl yopenedhi seyesandhewasi na
l
otofpai n.Hisvi sionwasbur ryandhi seyes
touchedt heroof .Hehadnoi deahewasal ive.He
couldn'tgethi msel ftorememberwhatexact ly
happened.Thel astt hingher ememberwas
he,sit
tingont hehor sewi t
hhi sf r
iendsandFar uk.
Hegr oanedsi lent lyandhi sheadachedal ot.He
tri
edr aisinghi shandst ohi sheadbuthi sshoul der
twistedandhemoanedheavi lyandi tqui
cklywoke
Rishiup.Shequi ckl ygott oherf eetandsadness
wasal loverher .Shedi dn'tknowt henextstept o
take.Shest arredathi m andshewassuf feringin
herlegs.Shest ar tedf anninghi m gainandMaj id
roll
edhi seyesandr eali
sedsomeonewasst anding
there.Hi svisionwascl oudyandsohehadnoi dea
whoi twasbuther eal
isedt heper sonwaaf anning
him.Andhef or cedhi smout ht oopen.

'
'Wa.
.wat
er.
..
wat
er.
..
..
'
'Wat er
?''
.Rishiqui
ckl
ysetasi
det hefanand
pouredhim aglassofwater
.Shewentcl oserand
bentdown,putti
ngthecuponhislips.Hedrankthe
wholewaterandcoughedal i
tt
le.Thenhebecame
stabl
e.

'
'Wh.
..wher
eam I
?''.Maj
idaskedashi
svi
sionwas
cl
ear
ingli
tt
lebyl
it
tl
e.

'
'I
nthepal
ace.
..
.?'
'
.

'
' WHAT?HOW DI
DIENDUPHERE?IWASI
NTHE
FORESTNOTLONGAGO..
..
THI
SISSTRANGE'
'
.He
thoughtt
ohi
msel
f.

'
'Calm downmyPri
nce.Youshoul
drelaxtourhead
r
ightnowokay?Tomorr
owwi l
lbebet
ter''
.

'
'Howdi
dIgether
e?'
'
.
'
'Idon'tknowmyPrince.Butyouar
esaf
e
now..
.pleasesl
eep'
'
.

(Thepai nbecamesever eandMaj i

dstarted
sweat i
ng.Hi stemperaturewenthi ghandhe
developedahi ghfever
.Ri shit
henr eal
isedthatthe
bloodf r
om hi stummyst ar t
edcomi ngoutagai n
throught hebandage.Maj i
d'sbreathbecame
uneasy.Ri shistar
tedherweepi ng.Shewent
fast,
closertoMaj i
d'swar drobeandopenedi t
.She
sawast ret
chshi r
tandr emovedi t.Sheforgot
herselfandsatont hebedbesi deshim) .

'
'Staywit
hmePr i
nceMaj i
d.Pleasedon'tdot
his'
'.
Shesaid,
weepingmor ewhiletherai
nbecame
heavi
erandheavier.'
'Iwon'tl
etanythi
nghappened
toyouIpromise.Iwon't'
'
.

(
Shesai
dandwi
thherhandsshaki
ng,
sher
emoved
thebandagef r
om hi st ummyanpl acedagent le
handont hewound.Shesqueezedwat erfrom t he
towelandst artedcl eaningt hebloodwi ththet owel .
Pr i
nceMaj idgr oanedl ouderinpainandRi shi
l
ower edherheadt ohist ummyandst artedbl owi ng
airfrom hermout htot hewound.Thenast hebl ood
reduced, shet iedt hest r
etchshirtonhi stummy
i
nst ead.Thepanofwat erWSnowf ullofbl oodand
Rishipl acedi tasi de.Shemassagehi sbodywi t
h
theol iveoilandt ookt het heherbalmedi cinet he
royaldoct orhadl ef t
,shesl owlyr
aisedMaj i
d'shead
from t hepill
owsandsatbehi ndandpl acedMaj id's
headi nherl apsi nstead.Shemadehi smout hopen
andshepour edt hebi t
termedi ci
neinhi smout h.
Maj idspittedi touti ndi sgustbuthiseyeswer est i
ll
closed.Ri shil aughedsi lentl
y.Hequicklywenti nto
thewor l
dofsl eeponherl aps.Rishi
'seyeswer e
heavi erandshel ether selfgoaswel l
).

(
NextDay=Royal
GuestRoom)
.
CindyandNat al
yaweredressi
ngupaf t
ert
akinga
freshbath.Theybot hl
ookedexhaustedbecause
theydidn'thaveagoodnightsleep.Cindyworea
shortskir
twi t
hal ongsl
eevedshirtandshelefther
hairdown.Shewasi nahurryt
ogoandseeMaj id.

'
'Youarenotgoi
ngt oleavemei
nthi
sdumphol
eal
l
al
one,r
ightNat
alya?''
.

'
'Idon'
tknowgirl
.Thi
splacei
stoomuch.Comeon,I
haveseenenoughofIndi
a.Fi
rst
,Iwasthrowni
na
dungeonandthenali
ontri
edtokil
lus?'
'.

'
'ButNatal
ya,IalsowanttogobacktoLondon
badl
y.ButIcan'tleavewi
thoutMaj
idwi
thme''.

'
'Youmean,
theMaj
idyoul
eftt
odi
elastni
ght
?''
.

'
'Hey.
..
don'
tevengot
her
e.I
twasn'
tmyi
ntent
ion.
Theanimalwasrightbehi
ndus.Youcan' tbl
ame
me.Besides,
Icouldn'
thavegottendownf r
om t
he
horseandhelpMajidout.
..
.t
hingshappenedsofast
.
Iseri
ousl
ydidn'
tmeant o''
.

'
'So, whatexpl anati
onareyougoi ngtogiveMaj i
d
ont hat ?Thatyoudi dn'
tmeant oleavehimt odie?I
am ver ydi sappoi
ntedinyouCi ndy.Rememberf our
yearsago, whenwewer egraduat i
ng?Theschool
organi sedabul lfi
ghtpart
y..
.andyoui nsi
stedi n
i
nvol vingyour sel
feventhoughyouhadnoi deahow
tobul lfight.Abullnear
lyki
ll
edyouont hepar k,
but
whatdi dMaj iddo?Hejumpedf r
om thecrowdand
enteredt heparkandsavedyourl i
fe..
.butyou...
..
.

'
'Hey...
that'senough!Am ISamsonorwhat ?Why
areyouj udgingme?Iam agi rl,
howstr
ongam Ito
saveMaj id.Andbesides,Majidissost
ronghecan
defendhi mselffr
om anyoneandanything.Howisit
myf aul
ti fIbecamesoscar ed?Ihaveneverbei
ng
i
nt hi
skindofsi tuat
ionbefore''
.
'
'Anyway,IspoketoMaxwellt
ocal
m downandwait
unti
lwemakeapl ansothatweal
lincludi
ng
Maji
d,wi
llr
unawayf r
om thi
sdemnpl aceandgo
backhomesoon' '
.

'
'GoodNatal
ya.Ipr
omi seyouwon'tregr
etit
.We
wil
lal
lgobacksoon.Mypoorbaby, hemustbever y
madatmer i
ghtnow.ButIneedtoseehi m and
convi
ncehimtofor
giveme...Iwi
llseeyoulater'
'
.

'
'Sur
e..
..
..
.

(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).

Theywerebothfastasleeplikenobody'sbusi
ness.
Majidopenedhiseyes.Hef eltthepai
nbuthis
str
engthwasmuchbet t
ernow.Het ri
edtotur
nbut
histummyhurt.Hishaircover edhi
sfaceandthis
ti
me,hewasabletor ai
sehishandal i
ttl
etopush
hi
sfronthairaside.Her eal
isedhi
sheadwasn' ton
apil
low.Hel ookedupandr oll
edhiseyestothetop
andhebecameawar ethatsomeonesl eptt
hereand
hi
sheadwasonherl aps.Hest ar
redatherclosely
andreal
iseditwast hegi r
lhedespisedmostint he
worl
d.

Hisheadwasonherl aps?Thatwasver yunusual.

Hewasabsol ut
elybaff
led.Hiseyest ouchedher
faceandhecoul dn'
tlookaway.Unt ilacockoutside
crowver yl
oudlyandwokehersl eepyheadup.She
openedhereyesandyawned.Shet urnedherhead
downandhereyesmetMaj id'
s.Sher eali
sedhehad
wokeupal readyandwasst arri
ngather .Hereyes
widenedandshequi cklybutgentlygotupand
placedhisheadgentlyonhispill
ow.Hest ar
redat
her,st
il
lpuzzl
edandsheputherhandst ogether
.

'
'I
'm sosor
ry.Sososor
ry.Pl
ease,
I..
.I.
..
Iwasj
ust
..
..

'
'Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyr
oom?'
'
.
'
'I
..
Iwasj
ust
..
.Iwi
lll
eavei
mmedi
atel
y!'
'
.

'
'That
'snotwhatImeant
.Imean.
..
..
whatar
eyou
doi
nghere?'
'.

'
'Youwer
e..
..
..

'
'Iam hungr
y''
.

'
'Iwillgetyousomet hi
ngassoonaspossi ble''
.She
steppedf or war dtopickupt hepanofbl oodwat er
andshest eppedononeopenedbur nunderher
feet,
shel oosedbal ance,makinghert ofal
lst rai
ght
overMaj idandendedup, l
ockingthei
rli
pst ogether.
Maj i
dwasshocked, Rishiwasshocker .Thet wo
l
ookedi nt ot heireyeswhi l
etheirl
ipstouchedeach
other.Rishiqui ckl
ygotaway.' 'Ohmygoodness.
I'
m sosor ry.Pleasepl easeplease..
.am sor r
y,sorr
y
sorrysorr y!I..
.Ididn'
tmeant o,Iswear..
I.
..
thatwasa
mi
stake!'
'
.

(Shequi
cklydr
oppedthebloodybandageint
othe
panandpickeditupwi
ththetowelandlef
tthe
chamber.Maji
dlayedt
here,
withabigquesti
on
markonhisface).

'
'Iwonderi fshe'sevengonnar emembermesayi ng
Iwashungr y' '
.Hesai dandf orcedhimselftosit
up,r
elaxi
nghi sbackonhi spi ll
ow.Hel ookeddown
histummyandr eal
isedcol ourgr eenofoneofhi s
favouri
testretchshirtwast iedonhi stummy, andit
wasst ai
nedwi t
hdr i
edbl ood.''Ohshi t
!Shitshitshi
t!
Whot hehel lhasdonet hist ome?Oh! an,t
hat'
smy
favouri
testretchshirt.Haaa....Impossibl
e.The
personwhodi dthiswi l
lbuyanot heroneforme.
Howcant hey...
Sushim!Su. ..ouch!''
.

(Hegroanedandtouchedhist
ummyinpain,
Sushi
m
ent
eredinahasteandsmiledashel
ookedmuch
bet
terthanl
astni
ght).
'
'MyPri
nce,
youcal
led.Iwasst
andi
ngr
ighti
nfr
ont
oft
hechamber'
'
.

'
'YeahIseethat
.Sushim,lookatthi
s..
.whodi
dthi
s?
'
'
.Hepointedathisst
retchshir
t.

'
'Ur
rrmmm.
..Idon'
tknowmyPr
ince'
'
.

'
'I
sthatso?Whathappenedlastni
ght?
You.
..
broughtmebackhere,
didn'
tyou?'
'.

'
'YesmyPr i
nce.Iam verysor
ryf
orf
oll
owingyou
secret
ly.ButIhadto.Ihaveswor
ntoprot
ectyou
withmyl i
fe''
.

'
'Nevermi
nd.But
,Idon'
tunderst
and.Sushi
m,di
d
youknowIwasgonnabeat t
acked?''
.
(
Sushi
m cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandscr
atchedhi
shead)
.

'
'MyPr
ince.
..
.

'
' Don'tyoudar elietome!Sushim, whatisgoingon?
Allofyouar ehidingthi
ngs,whatt hehellman? !One
thingam mostconf usedabouti s,
whyIdi dn'tsee
Far ukagain.Het ookmet here,butwhent r
ouble
came, heWSnowher et
obef ound.I twasstrange.
Theyal ll
eftme.Includi
ngCindy. .
..Sushim,shouldI
suspectsomet hing?Whowant smedead?' '
.

'
'MyPr
ince,
youar
ethi
nki
ngt
oomuch'
'
.

'
'Shoul
dn'tI?Givemeonereason.Gr
andmot
her
t
oldmet hat,
thepeopl
ewholovedmei nt
hepal
ace
werever
yf ew''
.
'
'That
'st
rue'
'
.

'
'Sotellme.Givemeonename.Whoar
eoneofthe
hater
s?..
.I
s..
is.
..
no,
i
siscr
azy.I
sFar
ukoneoft
hem
huh?''
.

(Queenmother
,QueenSheenaandsomemai
ds
enter
edwit
hRoyalbreakf
ast)
..
.

(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).

Her ef
usedtoeatandki ckedallthemaidensoutof
hischamberinanger,leavingonlyhim andShi
vin
thechamber.Hepul l
edhi shairdownandgotallhi
s
royalappar
eldown.Hepour edal assofwinef
or
himselfandShivandhekeptbi ti
nghi sl
ips.

'
'Fi
ndmeoneoft
hemostf
inestmai
densShi
v.Got
t
hat?'
'
.
'
'Okay.Buti
sthatt
heonl
ythi
ngt
ocal
m ohdown?'
'
.

'
'Whatel
sedoyouhavei
nmi
nd?'
'
.

'
'Di
scussthesi
tuat
ion.I
tmightfi
nall
ygiveusa
mast
erideawhichwil
lgetyourbr
otheroutoft
he
wayonceandforal
l''
.

'
' Haveyougotsense?Ihavemast erplannedtwoof
themostdangerousmassacre.Itkil
lsalarge
numberofpeople.Fir
sthesurvi
vedf rom thest
atue,
whatshockedmei showhesur vivedfrom thel
ion''
.

'
'MaybeSushi m secret
lyfol
lowedusmyPr ince.
Yousaidhewast heonewhobr oughtPr
inceMaj i
d
backhere.ButPrinceFaruk,
howarewegoi ngto
workonournextpl an?''
.
(Pr
incessLakshmibadgedint
othechamber .And
uponseeingFaruk'
sface,
herangerwasreki
ndled
andshegavehi m al
oudslapofalif
eti
me) .

'
'Getoutofher
eShi
v!'
'
.

'
'Howdar eyouentermychamberwi
thout
permissi
onandslapme!Don'
tyouhaveany
respect
?!'
'.

'
'I
fyouhadanyr espectf
oryour
selfFaruk,
you
woul
dn'thavedonewhatyoudid!Andme, Ionl
y
r
espectthosewhorespectt
hemselves!'
'.

(Pr
inceFar
ukwasconfused.Butheknewthei
rwas
somethi
ngwrong.HemadeShi vtol
eaveandhe
eadnowalonewit
hLakshmi).

'
'Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?''
.
'
' Youaresuchahopel esscrook!Shewasmy
handmai den,andyouhadnor ightstodothatt
oher
.
Af t
erhere,Iam goi
ngstrai
ghttofathert
otel
lhi
m
thatyour apedCharu!'
'
.

(
Pri
nceFar
ukwentbackf
rom her
,unbl
inki
ng)
.

'
'Ihavenoi
deaofwhatyouar
etal
kingabout'
'
.

'
'Heissuchal i
artoo!IknowyouFar uk.Igrewup
herewit
hyou.Iam goi ngtorepor
tyoutof at
her.No
wonderyouwer enevermadet hecrownedPr i
nce.
Andyouwi l
lneverbe..
youknowwhy?Becauseyou
havenorespectforhumani t
y.Youdon'tl
ove
anyonebutyoursel
f.ButthankgoodnessMaj idwill
becomeourfutureking,andhewillputyourplace!'
'.

(Pri
nceFaruklaughedprof
usel
y.Hecoul
dn'
tcont
rol
hislaught
er.Heclappedhi
shandsupanddown
andsatcomf
ort
abl
yonhi
sbed)
.

'
'Ohr eal
lyLakshmi.Keepdr
eamingaboutt
hat.
..I
t
wil
ltakeyoubyr aptur
ewhensoonenough,It
urnto
beyourkinginstead''
.

'
'Andhowwi l
lthathappened?Youar egoingt obe
ki
ng?Remembert r
aditi
on,whenamani ssettobe
married,andhei agoi ngtohaveachi l
dwith
anotherwoman, thenhei sexpect
edt oputhisfi
rst
marriageonhol d...
tomar r
ythemot herofhis
unbornchi l
d..
..
byf orce?''
.Pri
ncessLakshmi gavea
cunningsmi l
e.

'
'Wherear
eyougoi
ngwi
tht
hat
?''
.Hesl
owl
ygoton
hi
sfeet
.

'
'Char
uispregnant
!AndIam goingri
ghtnow, Iam
goi
ngtotel
lfat
hert
hatyouareresponsi
ble.Too
badyourmarri
agetoPr
incessRagahwillbe
cancell
edandyouwi l
lbemar ryi
ngCharuinst
ead''.
Shesaid.Assheturnedtoleave,Pr
inceFaruk
grabbedholdofherhandsandpushedheri ntohi
s
bed.Heleanedoverherandwi thal
lhisst
rength,
he
coveredhermouthwithhisri
ghthand.

'
' Youthinkyouaret heonl yonewithabigmout h
ri
ght?Bemyguestsi st
er.Goandt ellf
atherabout
thisanddisgracemei nfrontofhi
m andt heenti
re
kingdom.I twi
llbemypl easur et
oannouncet o
them alsoaboutyoursecr etr
omanticaffai
rwith
thatfi
lt
hymanser vant.Whatwashi snameagai n?
RajorJay?' '
.

(Pri
ncessLakshmipushedhim asi
deandgott
oher
feet.Hedidsameandstarr
edathim wi
th
disbeli
eve)
.

'
'How.
..
howdi
dyouknowaboutt
his?'
'
.
'
'Iknowever
ythi
ng.Socomeon' '
.Heheldherhand.
'
'Let'
sgoandtel
lfat
heraboutoursecr
ets'
'
.

'
'No!Let
'
sgooffme!'
'.Shesai
dandr
ushedoutof
t
hechamberi
nfri
ght.

'
' Fool
ishgi
rl
.Thatmaidwillbeaprobl
em.Ifmot
her
hearsaboutis,
shewi
llki
llme.Ihavetogetri
dof
thatmaidfi
rst.
..
.

Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
53] :

.
Sequence41
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Herchamberwasl ockedandshehadl ayedabl ack
matwi tht hesymbolofasnakei nthemi ddle.There
wer eli
ghtedcandl esal laroundherandshesati n
themi ddleoft hematandcandl es.Therewasapan
ofbubbl edwat erini tandshehadaf emaledol lon
herhandswi t
hhereyescl osed.Hermout hwas
shakingi nast at
eofchant ing.Shespokeunknown
l
anguagesandsuddenl y,herfat her
'sspiri
t
appear edinf r
ontofher .Assoonas, sheopenedher
eyesandt hewhi t
esi deofhereyeshad
disappear ed,andbl ackhadt akenover .Shewas
possessed.Herf athersati nfrontofherandwi th
thebot hoft hem facingeachot her,
theychant ed
togetherforaf ewmi nut esandsnappedoutofi t
.
'
'Wearerunni
ngoutoft
imef
ather
.Thi
ngsar
e
get
ti
ngoutofhand'
'.
'
'TreatFarukbetterf
rom now.Idon'
tli
ketheway
youtalktohim atall
.Heisthenextki
ng,make
peoplerespecthi
mf ir
st'
'.
'
'Iam sor
ryf
ather
.Buthei
ssor
eckl
ess.Her
uined
everyt
hingyester
day!Whatam Isupposedtodo
nowt hatever
yoneinthepalace,i
ncl
udi
ngthe
servantsaresuspect
inghi
m?' '
.
'
'Hedidt
ryhisbestl
astni
ght
.Het
ri
edt
oki
llMaj
id.
Butt
hatneckl
acesavedhi
m''
.
'
'Exact
lyfat
her
.Whatwoul
dwedowi
tht
hat
neckl
ace?''
.
'
'Now.
..Wehavet
ost
artt
hecont
rol
li
ngsessi
on'
'
.
'
'Whati
sthecont
rol
li
ngsessi
onf
ather
?''
.
'
' Myspi r
itwonder edaroundthemountai
nsandt he
forests.Ipossessedal otofpowernowDor ah.You
havecomef arenough.Butyouneedtolearnmor e.
Andyouneedt oteachFarukmor easwell
.Our
family'sblackmagi cmustnotlooseit
sbalancein
thiskingdom.TheonemadeMaj idthecr
owned
Prince,canundoi t,onl
yifheorMajidi
scont r
oll
ed''
.
'
'Youmean,youhavepossessedt
hepowert
oei
ther
cont
rolMaj
idortheki
ng?''
.
'
'Exact
ly!Andthevul
ner
ableoneri
ghtnowi
sMaj
id.
Withal
lhisref
usalt
omarryPri
ncessof
Jhansi,Shakerisstil
lpr
oudofhim.Letusmake
Maj i
dcr azyabovewhathei snow.Hei saspoil
t
brat.Hehadbei ngpamper edbyRaulf orsomany
yearsnow.Andsohet akesnoordersfrom noone
doeswhathewant s.Wecannotal l
owShakerto
thi
nkt hatMaj i
disgoingtomaket hefutureoft
his
perfect.Leti
scr eat
echaosinthepalacelikewedid
i
nt hepast' '
.
'
'Butdad,i
st hatallwecando?Imean, maki ng
everyoneinthepal acetur
nagainstMaji
d,wi l
lnot
actuall
ychangeanyt hi
ng,
wil
lit
?Hewillst
illbet he
crownedPr i
nce''.
'
'Yeshewi
ll
.ButDor
ah,
Ihaveanot
hert
ri
ck.
..
haha'
'
.
'
'Whatfat
her?BecauseIwasonlythi
nki
ngofaway
t
ogetthatpotf
ornow.Elseam doomed''
.
'
'Don'
twor
rydear
.Youwi
llgett
hatpotsoon'
'
.
'
'Ihopeso.IsentAvnil
astnightt
osearchf
orit
fr
om thechamber.
..
.Shewillbri
ngitt
hismorni
ng
hopeful
ly'
'
.
'
'Buti
fshedoesn'
t,
onl
yonepersoncangoand
br
ingt
hepottous''
.Hesai
d,smi
li
ngevi
ll
y.
'
'Andwhomayt
hatbef
ather
?''
.
'
'Maj
id'
'
.
'
'Maj
id.Howi
sthatpossi
blenow?'
'
.
'
'Wat chwhatIdo.Andl earn.Ver ysoon,Maj i
d
hi
msel f.
..Wi l
lputdownal lhi
sr ightsasthecrowned
Pri
nceofUj ani.
..t
henhewi l
leithergobackt o
London, ordieforourFar ukt obecomeki ng.Give
mej ustfewdays.Toel i
mi natet hatneckl
ace,that
pot.
..andanyt hi
ngt hatstandsi nourway.I nthe
meant ime,doal lyoucant obet hefavourit
eQueen
oftheking.Whi leIdestroyal louropponent sto
pavewayf orFar uk.
..
areyour eady?''
.
'
'Everr
eadyf
ather'
'
.
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Theroyaldoctorhadprovi
dedsomeher bsforRishi
aft
ershecheckedonher .Sheleftt
heherbsto
KushitoapplyunderRishi
'sfeet
.Astheywereleft
al
one,Kushistartedappl
yingtheherbwhil
eRishi
satonthebedwi thhermindoutoftheworld.Kushi
askedherthesamequest i
onsat housandti
mes
abouthowherni ghtwit
hMaj i
dwasbutshehadher
eyesupt otheroofandsmilingintheair
,andnot
evenl i
steningtowhatKushiwasaski ng.Kushi
raisedupherheadandr eal
isedthisandpinchher
feet.Rishiscreamedoutofpai nandfrownedather
.
'
'Iwastal
kingtot
oymadam daydr
eamer
!Howwas
yourni
ght
?' '
.
'
'Normal.I
twasjustl
ikeanyot
herni
ght
syouandI
havespenttoget
her'
'
.
'
'Right.Di
dyoupill
owfightwi
thMaj
id?Di
dyoubite
hisears?Didyoustr
ipnakedwit
hhi
m anddanced
fool
ishlyl
ikeweusedto?''
.
'
'We.
.no!Nott
hat
!Whywoul
dweevendot
hat
?''
.
'
'Thendon'
tcompar
eourni
ght
s''
.
'
'Okayf
ine'
'.Shesai
dandbl
ushed.'
'Kushi
,doyou
knowwhathappened?'
'
.
'
'Iwasn'
tther
ewi
thyou'
'
.
'
'Hey!Beal
it
tl
eni
ce.Whati
sthemat
terwi
thyou?'
'
.
'
'Not
hing.Justt
ellmewhathappened'
'
.
'
'Kushi
.Thi
smor
ning,
whenhewokeup.
..I
..
.I
t
ri
ppedonmyl
egsandf
elloverhi
m and.
..
..
.
'
'Ohmygoodness!Doesthatmeanthatyoufel
lon
hi
swound?Thatmusthavebeingsopainful
!'
'.
'
'Eeew, noKushi
!That'ssocr eepy.Idi
dn'
tfallon
hi
swound.Hewoul dhavej ustdiedthati
nstant!
Anotherthi
nghappened' '
.Shesai dandshowedher
whit
et eet
hinagleefulsmile.
'
'Oh.
..
whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Myl
ipst
ouchedhi
sli
ps'
'
.
(
Theybot
hlaughedoutl
oudhi
lar
iousl
y).
'
'Ohmygoodness,ohmygodohmygodooomyy
gooodd!Ri
shi
,youki
ssedPr
inceMaj
id?
!''
.
'
'NotkissKushi
.Thatwasami stake.Atleastthat
's
whathemustbet hi
nking''
.Shesaidandsl owlygot
up.'
'ButKushi,
hefeelsabsol
utel
ynothingf orme
youknow.Heonl yl
ovestheforei
gner''
.
'
'Ohareyousur
e?Di
dhegetangr
yaboutt
heki
ss
mist
ake?'
'.
'
'No.Hej
ustst
arr
edatmei
naconf
usedmanner'
'
.
'
'Heisconf
usedi
nyourl
iveRi
shi
,st
opbei
ngan
i
diot
!''
.
'
'No,
youstopbei
ngani di
otKushi.Pri
nceMaj id
hat
esme.Hehasbeingf or
cedtomar ryme,soIam
bur
dentohim.Nothi
ngmor e!Buthey,
yousai dyou
wantedt
osaysomethingtomeaboutl astnight?'
'
.
'
'YesRishi
.Lastni
ght
,somet
hingst
range
happened.
..
..
(Therewasal oudknockont hedoor
.Kushiwal
ked
tothedoorandopenedi t
,t
henQueenSheena
enter
edholdingahugebr ownbox.Sheclosedt
he
door.QueenSheenagotcl osert
othebedand
gentl
yplacedtheboxont hebed).
'
'Howar
eyouRi
shi
?''
.
'
'Fi
nemot
her
.Whati
sthi
smot
her
?''
.
'
'Iam verymuchinahur ryRishi
.Ihavetoqui
ckly
goandseeQueenmot her,webothareexpect
ing
somej ewel
ryandsar
eemaker sandflower
s.You
know,yourweddi
ngtoMaj idi
sdr awi
ngcloser
.We
allhavetogetpr
epar
ed' '
.
'
'Okay.
..
?Andt
hebox?'
'
.
'
' Thisboxj ustarrivedf rom Mumbai .Majidhad
or der
edsomecl othesf rom theirexpensi ve
bout i
quesandi tarrivedt oday..
.sot heypackagedit
i
nher e.Inthebox.Iwoul dhavet akenit
,butyou
know, Iam inahur ry,andsinceyouhavedeci dedt
o
takecar eofMaj i
dyour self
,well,please,canyou
taket histohim?Ial readybat hedhi m andgavehim
somet hi
ngt oeat ,
nowi t
'syourt urn.Taket hi
stohi
m
'
'.
'
'Butmot
her
..
..
(QueenSheenai gnor
edwhatshewasaboutt osay
andqui ckl
yturnedherbackandsmi l
edandqui ckly
walkedoutoft hechamber .Ri
shistar
tedscratching
herhandsandhead.Shewasf eel
ingrest
less.This
couldn'
tbehappeni ngtoher.Notwhenshe
mistakenlykissedMajid,
makinghershyofhi mt he
moreandnowt hatshewantedtoavoidhim,she
hadt odot hi
s?).
'
'WellRi
shi
..
.hur
ryup.Comebacksoont
ohear
whatIhadt
osay''.
'
' No!NowayKushi''
.Rishicarri
edtheboxand
handedittoKushiwhosehear tski
ppedabeat.
Theymadet hesameface.Fr i
ghtened.'
'Yout
ake
this.Goandgi
veoftoMaj id'
'.
'
'What?
!Noway.Ican'
tRi
shi
.No!Ohpl
easedon'
t
dot
his.
..
.
'
'Mylegshur talot
..
..
Kushipl
ease.Justt
his
once.
..
please,dothi
sforme.Ican'tf
acehim af
ter
whathappenedt hi
smorning.Go!'
'
.
(Kushiqui
cklyt
urnedandsaidasi
lentpr
ayert
hen
quickl
ywalkedoutofthechamber
).
(
RoyalGuestr
ooms)
.
'
'Yes,
I
ndi
aiscoolmot
her
..
.Howi
sLondon?'
'
.
'
'REALLY,
ANDHOW ARETHEYTREATI
NGYOU
THEREMYBABY?'
'
.
'
'Ohcomeon!St optr
eat
ingmel i
kesomekidokay?
Iam okayhere,
andwewillbecominghomesoon.
Probl
em is,
aliont
ri
edtoeatuslastni
ghtand.
..
.
'
'WHAT?OHMYSON,
YOUOKAY?CI
MEBACKTO
LONDONRI
GHTNOW!'
'.
'
'Thati
senoughmother
.Look,
l
et'
stal
klat
eral
ri
ght
?
'
'
.Maxwellsai
dandhangedup.
(
Jimmywor
eashi
rtandyawned)
.
'
'Feel
ingsl
eepy?'
'
.
'
'Noman.Justwonder
inghowMaj
idi
sdoi
ng.If
eel
demnashamedtogoandseehi
m''
.
'
'Yeah.Metoo.Butheyman,i
tInotourf
aul
tthatwe
werepuzzl
ed.Whowi l
lst
andther
etobeeatenbya
r
ealli
fel
ion?'
'.
'
'Buthei sourbestfr
iend.Hehaspr ovi
ded
everythi
ngweeverneededf orus,
allourli
ves.Your
l
awschool ,mymedi calschool.
..Everyt
hingwason
himl i
kehewasourf ather.Weshoul dhaveatleast
ri
skedourlivesforhi
m' '
.
'
'Hey,it
'senough.What'
sdoneisdone.Nowwej ust
havetogoandcheckonhi m al
ri
ght
?Buthey,am
star
ving..
.Ithoughtwesentoneoft
heseservants
togogetuspast a''
.
(
AknockbangedonthedoorandMaxwellopened
t
hedoor
.Maxwellwal
kedtothedoorandopenedit
thenChar uent
eredwi t
htrayoffreshfrui
tsand
pasta.Jimmy'seyescouldn'tst
opl ooki
ngather.
Shewasbeaut if
ulthoughherpr egnancywas
hidden.Heevensawherbeaut ythroughthevei
l
coveredonherf ace.Sheservedthem andbowed
down) .
'
'Willyouneedanyt
hingel
segent
lemen?'
'
.She
asked.
'
'Yespl
ease.Whati
syourname?'
'
.
'
'Char
umhet
ra.Butever
yonecal
lsmeChar
u''
.
'
'Char
uisokay.It
'smuchmoreshortandeasyto
menti
on.Charu,
pleasewhenyougooutther
e,get
ussomewat ert
ogowi t
hourbreakf
ast'
'
.
'
'Yessi
r''
.Sheanswer
edandqui
ckl
ylef
tand
Maxwel
lchuckl
ed.
'
'Wher
eyouf
li
rt
ingwi
tht
hemai
dorwhat
?''
.
'
'Wasi
tobvi
ous?'
'
.
'
'Tot
all
y..
..
(
Theybot
hlaughedandst
art
eddi
shi
ngout
).
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Kushiarr
ivedinfr
ontoft
hechamberwiththebox.
Shelookedupattheverytal
lSushi
m whosmi l
edat
her
.Shef orcedasmil
eoutswellandstr
etchedthe
boxathim.
'
'Thi
sisf
orPr
inceMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Okay'
'
.Hesaidandopenedthechamberdoor
.''
It
mustbethecl
othesheor
deredfr
om Mumbai''
.
'
'YesIt
hink'
'
.
'
'Youcangoi
n.Don'
twor
ry'
'
.
(Kushienteredthechamber .Shewentpassed
manycur t
ainsandarri
vedint hebedr oom.Pr i
nce
Majidlayeddownwi thhislaptoponhi slaps.He
kepttyping,somethi
ngwhi chKushihadnoi deaof.
Kushi'
shandskeptshaki ngandst arri
ngathi m.He
hadnotr eali
sedsomeonewasst andingthere.He
wasshi r
tlessbutthebedsheet scoveredhi swaist
.
Kushilookedasideandcl earedhert hroat)
.
'
'MyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.Her
aisedhi
sheadt
oherbutcoul
dn'
tmake
herout
.''
Whoar
eyou?'
'
.
'
'Ku.
.Kushi
.Ku.
..
Imeanam.
..
.
(
Justthen,
Pr i
nceMajidi
mmediatel
yremember ed
Ri
shi.Thatwast hesamewayshewasst ammeri
ng
t
hatmor ni
ngaf t
erthemist
akeofakiss.Thenhe
l
aughedsilentl
y).
'
'Cal
m down.Takeadeepbr
eat
h''
.
(
Kushiqui
ckl
ytookadeepbr
eat
h).
'
'Mynamei sKushimyPr i
nce.Yourclothesarri
ved
fr
om Mumbai .AndsoQueenSheenasai dshewas
i
nahur ryandcamet ogiveitt
oRi shit
obr i
ngitbut
shegotscaredandsaidIshoul dbri
ngitinst
ead''.
Kushithenreal
isedshehamadeast upidmistake.
Herbigmout hj
ustspil
ledeverythi
ng.Shequickly
hitherheadthr
ice.
'
'Mmmm, ist
hatso?Mymot
hergavei
tto.
..
what
washernameagain?'
'
.
'
'Ri
..
.Ri
shi
?''
.
'
'Taket
heboxback'
'
.
'
'What
?Pl
easewhy?'
'
.
'
'Tel
lRi
shit
obr
ingi
ther
sel
f''
.
'
'My.
..
myPr
ince?
!''
.
'
'Ar
eyoudi
sobeyi
ngmyor
der
s?'
'
.
'
'Ohno!NevermyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Good.Nowgo'
'
.
'
'Okay'
'
.Shesai
dandl
eft
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom)
.
Anexcl usivecararri
vedintothekingdom.I twas
fl
ashyanddashi ng.Thevil
lagerscouldn'tstop
star
ri
ng.Thecarar ri
vedbehindthemar ketthen
MaxandanI ndi
anf r
iendforoutfrom thecari n
spectacles.Heremovedhi sdarkshadesand
star
redar oundandnodded.
'
'So,
thi
sist
heki
ngdom ofUj
ani'
'
.
'
'Yesman.TheAl
might
yUj
ani'
'
.
'
'I
tisver
ylar
ge.Idi
dn'
tvi
ewi
tli
ket
his'
'
.
'
'Oh,
butyouhaven'
tseenanyt
hingyet'
'
.
'
'Oh,
youdon'
tsay'
'
.
'
'Thisi
sjustal
it
tl
eoftheplace.Theki
ngdom is
l
argeenoughtocont
ainthewholepopulat
ionof
London''
.
'
'Ihavebeingwatchi
ngIndianmovies.Andthei
r
dressesandwomenar ejustasdashingl
ikeIsaw
onTV' '
.Hesai
d,ashefanciedthel
adies.
'
'So,
Ishal
ltakeyoutomyboss'
shouse.Sincet
pu
di
dn'
tmakeanypr epar
ati
onst
ostayor.
..
.
'
'Ialreadytoldyout hereasonwhyam her eAkshay.
Relax,okay?Iam t hefuturebrot
herin-
lawofyour
crownedPr ince.Iknowwhyam her e,
sojustf
oll
ow
myf low,am starvi
ng,don'tyouguyshaveany
restaurant
sher e?''
.
'
'Nope.Weonl yeathomemadef oodshere'
'
.
Akshaysaidandbreakintolaughterwhi
leMax
frowned.'
'Youhavetostartlear
ninghowtoeatour
foods''
.
'
'Demn!
..
..
'
'Hey..
.hey,
justki
ddi
ngokay?Wehaveforei
gn
f
oodsher etoo.Andyes,
ther
eisat
radi
ti
onal
r
estauranthere''
.
'
'Youl
et'
sgot oyourboss'
shousef
ir
st.Areyou
sur
ehewillal
lowmet oli
veinhi
shousefornow?'
'
.
'
'Don'
twor
ry.Ihavewor
kedforhi
m ashissal
es
manformanyyear.Het
rust
smesol et
'sgo''
.
'
'So,
whatdoyousel
lforhi
m?'
'
.
'
' Don'
tasktoomuchMax.Thati snoneofyour
business.
..Let'
sgo'
'.Theybot
henteredbacki
nto
thecaranddr oveof
f.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace=Ont
hewal
kway)
.
Rishiwasl eapingonhert oes,walki
ngar oundand
waiti
ngf orKushi .Someser vant spassedbyand
boweddown, thenleft.ShesawPr incessLakshmi
runningf r
om thechamberl ines.Theybumpedi nto
eachot herandsher ealisedPr incessLakshmiwas
weepi ng.Shet r
iedtalkingt oherbutshej ustl
eft.
Whenshet urnedt oherf r
ont ,
shesawKushi
comingwi t
hthebox. ...
..
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
11:
54] :
.
Sequence42
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace)
.
AsshesawKushicomi ngbackandhol dingthe
box,
herfacialexpressi
onchangedandshet ooka
deepbreath.Kushigotcloserandforcefull
yhanded
theboxtoRi shi
,thensheherselfgavetimet ocal
m
down.
'
'Kushi
,whati
sthi
s?!'
'
.
'
'Wel
l..
.whati
sit
?Iti
st heclot
hesofcourse.Iwent
t
oPrinceMaji
dandunf ort
unatel
y..Hedi
dn'ttakei
t.
Hesaidyoushoul
dbringityourself'
'
.
'
'OhmygoodnessKushi
!Di
dyoumenti
onmyname?
Howcoul
dyoubesodumbKushi?
!''
.
'
'I
twasamistakeRi
shi,
Iswear.Idi
dn'tmeanto.But
t
hen,
what
'sdoneisdoneri
ght?Justtakei
t''
.
'
'Hmmmm.
..
..
(Ri
shiwit
hshakyhands,
tookt
heboxandst
epped
passedher,
wal
kingsl
owlytot
hechamberl
ines)
.
'
'Gogi
rl
!That'
sthespi
ri
t!Iwi
llbewai
ti
ngf
oryoui
n
t
hechamber!'
'
.
(Rishiturnedt ol ookatheri nannoyancewhi l
eshe
mockedher .Rishidisappear edbehindthepi l
lars
andwi t
hl aughter ,
Kushit urnedtoleavewhenshe
bumpedi ntoShi v.Kushi '
seyeswi denedwi thf ear.
Shivl ookeddownatherandher ecognisedthat
fragrance.Thatscentofawoman.Heknewhehad
heardi tsomewher ebuthej ustcouldn'
tremember .
Hesmi ledatherbutKushiwoul dn'tsmile.Feart ook
overherandshequi cklyrushedpassedShi vand
bouncedawayt owar dsthewomen' schamberl i
ne.
Shivwasconf used, butwhenhet urnedtolook
behindKushi ,hequi cklyrecognisedthescent .That
wast hesamescenthesmel l
edwhenhehear d
someonewaseavesdr oppingonheandPr i
nce
Faruk.Hi seyeswi denedopandhequi cklyrushed
andf ollowedKushi ).
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Cindyar r
ivedi nfrontoft hechamberandt hanked
Godt hattherewasnoonei nfront
.Shelooked
aroundherandopenedt hedoorandent ered.Majid
wasst il
ltypingonhi slapt op.Heraisedhishead
andsawCi ndycomi ng.Hecl osedthelaptopand
adjustedtohi sbed.Ci ndyhadherheadbowedand
herfacedi dn'tlookhappy.Shesni ffedwipedher
eyesofnot ears.Sher aisedherheadt olookathim.
Hest arr
edatherqui etlyandshewental it
tl
ecloser
tohisbedandsatatt heedge.
'
'Hey.
..
.
'
'Hi
..
..
'
'Youokay?'
'
.
'
'Asyoucansee'
'
.
'
'Howi
syourwound?'
'
.
'
'Adoct
orcamet
odr
essi
tthi
smor
ning'
'
.
'
'Yeah''
.Shesmi
ledandstart
edact
ingnormal
.''
Youlookmuchbett
erthanyoudi
dlastni
ght'
'.
'
'Real
ly?Oht
hankyouCi
ndy.Thankyousomuch
forstandi
ngbymysi detofi
ghttheani
mal.Youare
suchat odieforl
over
!''
.Maji
dsaidthi
sinahosti
le
toneandwi t
houtasmileandCindy'
ssmili
ngface
disappear
ed.
'
'Wel
l.
..
that
'swhyam her
e.Baby,
I..
..
'
'Baby?!Cindy,
real
ly?Baby?Whatwouldyouhave
cal
ledmydeadbodyhuh?Cor psy?Andyouwould
havebeingfargonetoLondon.Bytwoweeks,
you
havehadanewboyf r
iend,
isn'
tit
?''
.
'
'Howcanyousayt hatMaji
d?YouknowIwi llnever
dothat
.Maji
d,youknowdeepathear t
,t
hatthere
wasnothi
ngIcouldhavedonef oryoulastni
ght.
Yousaidyouwouldalwaysprotectmefrom harm,
sowhyareyout al
kingl
iket
his?''
.
'
'Youalsot
oldmeyouwil
lst
andbymet hroughthe
goodandbadti
mes.Sowhathappenedl
astnight?'
'
.
'
' Babyam sor r
y!Okay?Please.Youcan' ti
magine
howhur tIwasinlastni
ghttogether efastandget
helpf oryou.Butitwastoodark.Thingshappened
sof ast.Imean,Ihaveneverseenareall i
feli
on,and
thisonewasaboutt oki
llus.AndI..
..'
'.Shebreak
downi
ntouncont
rol
labl
etear
s.
(Maji
dstarr
edatherwhi
leshewept .Hebreat
hi n
andout,
thensni
ff
ed.Helookedbesideshisbedand
removedoneapplefr
om thefr
uitbasketandtooka
bit
e).
'
'Iam sorry.Pl
ease.Ican'
tdoanyt
hingtochange
whathappened.Onl yapol
ogi
ze.YouknowIcan't
l
ivewithoutyou!'
'.
'
'I
t'
shar
dtobel
ievet
hat'
'
.
(Ci
ndyshif
tedcl
osertohi
m andpl
acedahanonhi
s
shoul
derandhegroanedsinpai
n).
'
'Oh!Sor
ry.It
hought
..
..
'
'YouthoughtIwasMri
ncr
edi
ble?I
'
m st
il
linpai
n
okay.Car
eful
..
..
'
'Okay.ButIcandosomet
hingel
se'
'
.
'
'Dowhat
?''
.
(Shepul
ledhrheadclosertohi
sf aceandlocked
herli
pswit
hhi s.Maji
dsuddenl
yf el
tuncomfortabl
e
whenCindykissedhim.Inthepast,
hewouldhave
fel
tsodengood, andf
eell
ikehavi
ngsexi nnot i
me.
Manywomenhat urnedhi m onbef or e.ButCi ndy
turnedhi m ont hemost .Hewasast oni shedt of eel
l
ikehewant edsomeoneel se'slips.Whosel i
pswas
that?Hehadl ostt hevi behehadf orCi ndy.Ci ndy
starteddeepeni ngt heki ss,butshedi dn' treal i
se
Maj idwasn' tkissi ngherback.Shewasenj oying
this.Shedi dn'tr ealiseMaj idwashur tandshe
startedpul lingcl oser .Shet ookMaj id' shandand
whi l
ekissi nghi m, shepl acedi tbehi ndherwai st.
Sheswam herhandst hroughhi ssof tsi lkyhai r.
Rishient eredt hechamberwi t
ht hebox.Andwhat
shesaw, hitherl ikear ock.Theboxf elloutofher
handsandCi ndyqui cklyst opped.Maj idr ealise
Rishiwasal readyt her eandhewasupset .Hi seyes
couldn'tl eaveherandhereyescoul dn' tleavehi m
eit
her .Buthereyeswer ef ill
edwi t
ht ear s.Even
thought heyhadn' tfal lout.Herhandswer eshaki ng,
anar rowhadhi therhear t.Coul dn'tMaj i
d
under standt hatshewasdyi ngf orhi m?Whywoul d
heevenbeki ssi ngt hatf or eigner?Ci ndyangr ilygot
upandf acedRi shi )
.
'
'Don'
tyouhaveanymanner
shuh?Di
dyourmot
her
nott
eachyouhowt
oknockonpeopl
e'
sdoor
?!'
'
.
'
'I
..
.Ineverknew.
..
.
'
'Nextti
me, whenyouareent
eri
nghere,
makesur
e
toknockfi
rstbecauseMaj
idandImightbe
probabl
ybusy''.
'
' Iam sor
ry.I.
..
.'
'.Shebentdownandtookt
hebox
ofclothesandplaceditinacouchbesi
desher
.She
turnedtoleave.
'
' Wai
t!'
'
.Maj i
dsai di
nashakyvoi ceandRishidi
dn'
t
takeanotherstep.Butherbackwasf aci
ngthem.
CindywasshockedatMaj i
d'sreact
ion.
'
'What
?Maj
id.
..
.
'
'Ci
ndy,
canyoupl
easeexcuseus?'
'
.
'
'Impossibl
e!That'
scrazyandinsaneMaji
d!Hel
l
no,am notmovinganinch!'
'
.Shesaidand
arr
ogantlyfol
dedherhandstoherchest.
'
' Ci
ndy!'
'
.Maji
dscr
eamedandasharppai
npassed
throughhi
stummy.Hegr
oanedandpai
nful
lyhel
d
histummy.
(
Wit
hherbackf
aci
ngt
hem,
tear
sfel
loutofRi
shi
'
s
eyes.Shesqueezedherclothandrumourofthe
chamber.Maji
d'sfacef
elloutofdisappoi
ntment
andCindysmiledcomfortabl
y,taki
ngherposi
ti
on
onthebed).
'
'Goodgirl
.JustwhatIexpect
edhert
odo.Baby,
are
youokay?''
.
'
'Getout'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Cindy.Iam amanofmywor ds.Youhaveknown
mef orsevenyears,
youknowIhatedisrespect
ing
l
adies.Butonet hi
ngyouneverknewwas, Icar
e
aboutnof ucki
ngbodywhenam angr y.Nowget
out,
orshouldIcalltheguar
dstoshowyout ot
he
door?''
.
(Ci
ndy'
seyebal
lst
art
edshaki
ngandt
ear
sfel
l
out
,shegott
oherf
eet)
.
'
'Youaretreat
ingmet hi
swaybecauseoft
hat
vi
ll
agegir
l?Maj i
d..
..
'
'Areyoul
eavi
ng.
..
.Ornot
?''
.Maj
idsai
dthi
s
t
hroughhi
snosewhil
eholdi
nghi
stummyand
sweat
ing.Ci
ndyqui
ckl
ylef
tthechamber
.
(
Pri
ncessLakshmi
'
schamber
).
Shewal kedupanddownherchamberi nworry.She
thoughtshehadmadeaver ybi
gmi st
akeby
confronti
ngPri
nceFar uk.Andi fsheast ot
ell
QueenSheenaabouti t,t
henhersecr etwouldalso
comeout .Rajenter
edt hechamberwi thChar uand
closedthedoor.Shequi cklyembracedRajtightl
yin
tearsandCharusmi l
edl ightl
y.
'
'Whati
swr
ongPr
incess?Ihopenoone'
shur
tyou'
'
.
'
'EvenifsomeonehurtmeRaj,
ther
e'snothi
ngyou
cando.Youcan'tdoanyt
hingagai
nstroyal
ty'
'
.
'
'Iknowthat.ButIhavethegusttodef
endyou.
Pleaset
ellme''
.Rajaskedhelpl
essl
y.
(Pr
incessLakshmiwentcl
osert
oChar
uandhel
d
herhands).
'
'For
givemeChar
u''
.
'
'Whati
sitPr
incess?Youar
escar
ingme'
'
.
'
'Iconf
ront
edFar
uk'
'
.
'
'What?!
!!Ohmygoodness,
am doomed.ButIt
old
you.
..
'
'Iknow!Iknowokay?
!ButIwassoangrythat
's
why.Andnow,hewasthr
eatenedt
otel
lfat
herabout
meandRaj !'
'
.
'
'Ohno.Howdi
dheevenknowaboutyouandI
?''
.
'
'Becauseheisadevi lRaj
!ButRaj
,
wehavetohelp
Charuescapefrom thepal
aceassoonaspossi
ble,
el
seFarukwillkil
lher!'
'
.
'
'Thatbastar
dofabr
otheri
ssocunni
ng!Whatcan
wedo?''.
'
'Char u,
IknowFar uk.Histhir
stforpowerand
superiori
tyi
sont hepeak.Andhewi l
ldoanyt hing
togetwhathewant s.Mot herhast ol
dme
everythi
ngthereistoknow.Justt hat,
wehaveno
evidenceagainsthim.ButChar u,
yourpr egnancy
willonedayhaunthi m down.That 'swhyweneedt o
protectyouatallcost.Oneday,youcanusei t
againsthim,andhewi l
lneverbeki ng.Raj,
pleasedo
somet hi
ng!Charui smyf r
iend,Iloveher.Ican'tri
sk
anythinghappeningtoherbecauseofmyst upidity!
'
'
.
'
'OkayChar u,
Ineedyoutogobacki ntot he
mai den'schamberandsecr etl
ypackal lyourthings.
Noonemustknowyouar eplanningtol eave.Ihave
asmal lhatintown.Iti
sr eal
lyfarfr
om ot herhats.I
tr
ustt hat,
noonewi l
leverknowwher eyouar eonce
Ihideyout here'
'.
'
'Okay..
.Ishal
lleavenow'
'
.Shesai
dandl
eft
.
Pri
ncessLakshmit ur
nedt
ofaceRaj
.
'
'Whenallt
hisi
sover.Ipromi
set
hatIwi
llt
ellf
ather
ever
ythi
ngaboutusand..
..
'
'Youdon'thavetopromi semeanythingLakshmi.I
knowwhyyouar escaredtotel
lyourfat
herabout
us.Butkeepmind,nowthattourbrot
herknows
aboutus,
thenit
'smor edangerousforus.Iam
wil
li
ngtoendureanypai nforyou,
Iswear.Trustme
'
'.
..
..
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Eversi
ncethepainstart
ed,i
thadnotended.He
keptgr
oani
ngandt ouchinghistummy.Helooked
besi
deshim andsawt wodif
ferenther
bmixtur
es.
Yel
lowherbandgreenherb.Hehadnoideawhich
toapplyt
othewound.Heslowlyremovedthe
bandagbandagef
rom hi
stummyandst arr
edatthe
scrat
ch.I
twasclosi
ngli
ttl
ebyli
tt
le.
'
'Fuckt his.WhatIhatemostinthewor l
dhas
happened.Ihat escars,
nowam gonnahavet hi
s
forever.Iguessam gonnagof orsurger
yt omakei
t
disappear''.Hesaidandgroanedlouder.Sushi
m
quicklyenteredthechamber.
(Maji
d'
smoodwasnotgood.Hewasangr yat
himsel
f,andhedidn'
tknowwhy.Sushiml ooked
sil
ent
lyathim.Buthedidn'
tlookbackathim.His
eyeshadbecomer edandhekeptr umbl
ingonhis
bedinpain)
.
'
'MyPr
ince,
shoul
dIcal
lther
oyaldoc.
..
.
'
'Idon'
tneednof
ucki
ngdoct
orokay?
!''
.
'
'O.
..
okay.ThenwhataboutQueenmot
her
?''
.
'
'No!'
'
.
'
'Yourmot
her
?''
.
'
'Sushi
m!'
'
.
'
'Sorr
y.Sor
ry,
am sorry.Butyouar
einpain.
..
what
shoul
dIdo?Or,shoul
dI..
..
urr
rmmm, shoul
dIcal
l
Rishi
?''
.
(
Nor
esponse)
.
'
'MyPr
ince?'
'
.
(Maj i
dwassi lence.Helift
edhi seyesandl ookedat
Sushi m.Hebi thistongueandt ookadeepbr eat
h
anddr unkhisownbl ood.Hesl owlylayedhi sback
ont heheadoft hebed.Hi shear twasbl eedingfast
.
Hisl i
pswer eshaking.Her aisedbothhandsand
coveredhi sface,br
eathingthroughhi sfingers.Why
washef eeli
ngt hi
sway?Whywashef eeli
ngsuch
edget oseeRi shiagain.Whatt hehell?!Whatt he
fuck?!.Thisfeltstr
ange.Heuncover edhi sfaceand
l
ookedatSushi m whowasexpect i
ngananswer
from him).
'
'Iwannabeal
oneSushi
m''
.
'
'Okayt
hen.Iwil
ljustcal
lRi
shi'
'
.Hesai
dand
t
urnedt
oleave.
'
'No!Don'
tcallher
.Areyoudeaforwhat
?Isai
dI
wantsomealonetime.Al
one!'
'.
'
'Hmmm.
..
okay'
'
.Hesai
dandl
eft
.
'
' Whati shappeni ngtome?Demn, whyAmif eel
ing
sost rangenow.Thi sfeeli
ngsodeep, why?''
.He
l
ayeddownst raightont hebed, starr
ingatther oof.
Thenher emember edRishif alli
ngoverhi m and
theirl i
pscol l
iding.''Whydoest hismakemybody
gohi gh?I twasn' tevenapr operki ssbutIwant
mor e.That 'scr azy,l
ikesomef ir
efrom herbody
ent eredmi ne.WhydoIf eel herskin?WhydoIf eel
l
ikeIwanther ,andIneedher .Imean, Ihavenever
feltthi swaywi t hCindy, Iswear !HowcanIhat ea
girlyest erdayandsuddenl yf eel.
..
Ican'tli
vewi t
hout
her .Or ..
.no,thiscan' tbei t.Ican'tbei nlovewi t
h
her ..
..
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Shivhadf ol
lowedKushisecr
etlyandfoundoutthat
sheenteredintot
hechamber.Hest oodclosetothe
chamberdoorwi thhi
searsont hedoor.Kushi
crumbledont hebed,
shaki
nglikeawetchicken.
'
'I
TWASHIM.IAM ABSOLUTELYSURE,
HEWAS
THEONEWHOPLOTTEDTOKI LLPRI
NCE
MAJI
D..
..
WHEREARETOURI SHI?'
'.Kushit
hought
t
oher
selfandhear
dal
oudknock.
(Shehadl ockedt hedoorwhensheent eredt he
chamber .Shegott oherfeetandwentcloset othe
door.Shest oppedandr efusedt
oopeni t.Sheput
herear sont hedoortoli
stentowhat '
shappeni ng
outside.RishiwalkedtothedoorandsawShi v
standingcloset othedoor.Shewipedhert earsoff
andt appedonhi sshoulder.Hepanickedand
turnedtoher ).
'
'Whatar
eyoudoinginf
rontofmychamber
?''
.She
askedwi
thaf
ier
celook.
'
'Oh,
am ver
ysor
ryempr
ess.Iwas,
wel
l
...
.
'
'Wel
l?Whoar
eyou?
!Andwhatdoyouwant
?!'
'
.
'
'I'
m ver
ysorr
y.Iwasjustpassi
ngby.Iwi
lll
eave
r
ightnow''
.Hesaidandleftwi
thoutawor
d.
(Rishitur
nedtothedoorandtri
edopeni ngi
tbutit
wasl ockedinsi
de.Sheknockedwhi l
ementioning
Kushi'sname.Kushiquickl
yopenedt hedoorand
Rishirushedint
ot hechamberi
nt ear
s.Shefellon
t
hebedwi thherfaceburi
edinthebedsheetsand
weepi
ng.Kushicl
osedthedoorinconfusi
onand
t
urnedtoher.Ri
shiwepti
ntothebedsheet
.Kushi
wentcl
oserandsat,
thent
ouchedRishi'
sback)
.
'
'Nowwhat
?''
.
(Ri
shicar
ednotherspeech.Herhear
twasaching.
Shesatup,st
arr
ingatKushi
.Butsai
dnothi
ng,only
hreyeswerered).
'
'What
,youar
enotgoi
ngt
otel
lme?'
'
.
'
'Whatf
or?I
t'
snotwor
thi
t.Iam notwor
thi
t''
.
'
'Areyoucr azy?Ri shi
,wearetryi
ngtosurvivei
nthe
palacetogether.Wear esupposedtohaveeach
other'
sback.Andonceyouar emar r
iedtothe
pri
nce,t
hingswi llst
artgoi
ngdownf orreal
.Whatdid
hedot oyou?' '
.
'
'Kushi
.Hejustwantedtohur
tme.Hejustwanted
metotaket
heboxt ohischamberj
ustsoIam abl
e
t
oseehim wit
htheforei
gner'
'.
'
'What?
!That
'snott
rue.
..
Iwentt
her
eandt
he
f
orei
gnerwasnotwi
thhim''
.
'
'For
geti
t!Thebot
tom l
inei
s..
.Isawt
hem.
..
toget
her
.
Ver
ycl
ose,
toget
her
.Socl
ose,
kissi
ng'
'
.
'
'OhmygoodnessRishi.WhatcanIsay?Gosh,
j
ust
whenIt
houghtal
lourdreamsoffindi
ngmenwho
l
ovesuswouldcometrue''
.
'
'Ineverknew...
thi
scouldfeell
ikeaheartat
tack
Kushi.ButIhavetostayinmyownl anef
rom now
on.Ishouldnevereventr
yt ogoclosetohim''
.
'
'Rishi
,youknowwhat
?Ithinkyoushouldfor
get
aboutl
ovefornowandlet
'sgetfocussed'
'
.
'
'Yes,
Imi
ssmot
her
.Ishoul
dtr
yandvi
sit
..
..
'
'ThatisnotwhatImeant
!Imean,
thepotwef
ound
yest
erday?'
'.
'
'Whi
chpot
?''
.
'
'Thatpot
?Fr
om t
hewar
drobe?'
'
.
'
'Ohyes.Thebeaut
if
ulone!Wher
eisi
t?Pl
ease
don'
ttel
lmeyoubreaki
t!'
'.
'
'NoIhaven'
t!Butsomeonewant
sit
!''
.
'
'Someone?Who?Idon'
tunder
stand'
'
.
'
'Oneoft
hemai
dsent
eredher
elastni
ght
,and.
..
she
openedthewar drobewhileIwasinthedressing
room.Andshesai d,
thati
fshedoesn'
tfi
ndt hat
pot,
thenthatpersonwhosentherwi l
lver
ymuch
punishherforsure''
.
'
'Real
ly?Butwhat
'si
nthepi
t?What
'ssospeci
al?'
'
.
'
'Whydon'
twef
indout
?''
.
'
'Wher
eisi
t?.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
54] :

.
Sequence43
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Kushigotinherfeeandwal kedi
ntothedr
essing
room.Rishigotupandf oldedherarmswaiti
ngfor
herarmswai t
ingforherbutt hei
mageofMaj i
dand
Cindy,
ki
ssingcouldn'
tleaveherhead.Shebreathon
i
tandKushicameoutf r
om thedr essi
ngr oom with
thepot.Theywerebothfeeli
nguneasyabouti tbut
Rishisl
owlytookthepotfrom herandt heybothsat
onthebed.Ther edbandwast ightl
yti
edt oitandit
washeavy.Kushiplacedherhandont hemout hof
thepotthenwasaboutt oremovet heredbandbut
Rishihel
dherhandi nfr
ight.
'
'Kushi
,doyout
hinki
t'
sreal
lynecessar
ytoopen
t
hepot?''
.
'
'Wel
l,
whatdoyousuggest
?Rishi
,somanythings
ar
ehappeni
ngsofast
..
.whatdowedothen?''
.
'
'It
hinkweshouldtel
lQueenmot
heraboutt
his.
Or.
.QueenSheena?'
'.
'
'Ri
shi
,i
t'
sjustapot
..
.whatcani
tpossi
blydot
ous?
'
'
.
'
'ButIam scared!Okay?Maybeweshouldfir
st
knowthereasonwhyt hatmaidcameheretolook
fori
t.I
tmightbever ydanger
ous.Andwedon't
knowwhatitis.Thatiswhatweshoulddo.Didyou
seethemaid'
sf ace?''
.
'
'Er
rr.
..
.yesIdi
d''
.
'
'Wi
llyour
ecogni
seher
?''
.
'
'Absol
utel
y''
.
'
'Okay.Weshal
lst
arti
nvest
igat
ingt
omor
rowKushi
'
'
.
'
'Ar
eweguar
dsandpol
icenow?'
'
.
'
' Morethant hat''
.Theybot hlaughed.'
'Wear e
defendersoft hegalaxy.Butf ornow,l
et'
skeepthe
potinapl acewher enoonewoul deversee.
Becausei fweopeni twithouthavinganyideaof
whatitis,
itmi ghtbeadi sturbancetothepeaceof
thepalace''.
'
'Ther
eisnopeacei
nthepal
aceRi
shi
!AndIfeel
unsaf
e.Iwi
shIcoul
dgobacktomynormall
if
e''
.
'
'Kushi
?Youwantt oleavemehereal
lal
onei
nthe
pal
ace?'
'.Ri
shist
artedshaki
ng.
'
'Iwon'
tleaveyouRishi
.Wemadeaf ri
endshipvow
nevert
oleaveeachother.ButIfeelscared.
Someonef ol
lowedmeher etothechamber .Isaw
Pri
nceFaruk'
saccomplice.ThatShiv!'
'.
(
Rishiqui
ckl
yremember
edt
heguywhowas
st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontoft
hechamberwhenshear
ri
ved)
.
'
'Ohyes!Isawamanst
andi
ngt
her
e!'
'
.
'
'Thatwashim Rishi.Ithi
nkherecognisedme,
and
t
hatwaswhyhef oll
owedmeher e.Idon'
tknowhow
t
hathappened,butIt hi
nkherecognisedmeRishi'
'
.
(
Rishij
ustpul
ledKushii
ntoat
ightt
ear
fulhug)
.
'
'Calm yourselfnowKushi
.Look,Ipr
omiseyou,
that
aslongaswear eher
etogether
,nothi
ngwi l
l
happenedtoi sandwewi l
lprot
ecteachotherf
rom
harm.Igiveyoumywor d'
'.
'
'Real
lysur
e?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Iam sur
e.Ever
ythi
ngwi
llbeokay'
'
.
'
' Okayfi
ne.Nomorescar
edycats.Weshoul
dbe
braveandbehaveassuch.Justl
ikeoutmot
her
s
thoughtus''
.
'
'Yes'
'
.
'
'Whatdowedowi
tht
hepotnow?'
'
.
'
'Well
,si
ncet
heyareabsol
utel
ysuretheywi
llf
indit
her
e,wehavetot
akethepotoutofthi
schamber.So
t
hatnoonewoul
deverf
indi
t''
.
'
'Wher
eint
hepal
acecant
hispotbesaf
e?'
'
..
..
Li
ght
sjustwentof
fokay.Am sor
ry.
Conti
nuat
ionwi
llcomet
oyourscr
eensoonaf
ter
l
ightcomes.
Real
lysor
ryi
t'
sshor
t,
it
'snotmyf
aul
tandt
hephone
t
ooisaboutt
odie
.
Wher
eint
hepal
acecant
hispotbesaf
e?'
'
.
'
'Let
'sgotot
hegarden.Ihear
dthatpl
aceispr
ett
y
cr
owdywithfl
owersandgrasses.Wewil
lbyal
l
meansfi
ndaplace''
.
(
Rishit
ookasmallcl
othfr
om thebedandcovered
t
hepotwithi
tandshesteppedoutwit
hKushi)
.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hehadshar penedasmal lknifeandplacedi ti
na
smallboxonhi sbed.Hetookamedi um sizedtowel
andsmear editwit
halcohol.Hepr epar
edt hetwo
i
temsont opofhisbedandst art
edwal ki
ngoutbut
Shi
vbumpedi
ntohi
minsi
de.
'
'Shi
v..
.j
ustt
hekanIneeded.Iwascomi
ngt
ocal
l
you'
'
.
'
'MyPri
nce.If
oundourspy.Thatgi
rlwhol
ist
ened
t
o..
..
.
'
'Look,Idon'
thaveti
mef oranyt
hingr
ightnow
okay?!AllIwantr
ightnowistoseeCharudead!'
'
.
'
'What
?!Char
u..
.t
hemai
d?'
'
.
'
'Idi
ot,
whoelsei
scall
edChar
uher
ehuh?Haveyou
seenherar
ound?'
'.
'
'Well
,shewenti
ntothemaiden'
schamberfr
om
Pri
ncessLakshmi'
schamber.Andshel
ookedli
ke
shewasi nahur
ry.WhathasshedonePri
nce?'
'.
'
'Pr
egnant
!''
.
'
'OhGod.Foryou?'
'
.
'
'Whoelse?Didyout
hinkIwil
lcar
eift
hepr
egnancy
bel
ongedtosomeoneelse?'
'
.
'
'Whatdowedot
hen?'
'
.
'
'I
fmymot
hershoul
dhearaboutt
hus,
thent
hat
'si
t!
Iam rui
ned.Andifanyoneel
sehear
saboutt
his
then,
Iwil
lloosemychanceofbecomingt
heki
ngof
Ujani'
'
'
'So.
..
.
(Pri
nceFar
ukwal
kedtot
heheadofhi
sbedand
pickedupt
hekni
feandt
owelt
henhandedt
heover
toShiv)
.
'
'Watchher.Makesuresheisalonef
oramoment ,
anwhenthecoastisclear
,t
henyoukil
lherwi
thout
anyevi
dence..
areweclear?'
'.
'
'Yesokay.Butyoudidn'
tli
stent
owhatIwantedt
o
say.If
oundthepersonwhowaseavesdroppi
ngon
ourconver
sati
on''
.
'
'Huh?'
'
.
'
'Moretroubl
eforusmyPr
ince.I
tisahandmai
den
ofyourbrot
her'
sbri
de'
'
.
'
'Ohno!Doyouthinkso.I
fnott
hen,t
heywouldhave
comeandconfr
onteduslongago.ButIam sur
eour
secr
eti
snolongersafe'
'.
'
'Letusputheront
hel
istofourki
ll
ingbei
ngs.I
don'
tevenknowwhatt
odoanymore.Don'
t
worr
y..
..
Iwil
lseet
oherdemi
semyself'
'
.
(
Ont
hewal
kway)
.
Cindykeptwalkingfasttonowhere.Tear shad
bli
ndedhereyesandshef el
thel
pl essandsadf or
howMaj idtr
eatedher.Asshewal kedi nangerand
sheanxiety,
shebumpedi nt
oNat alyaandwi t
hout
sayingawor d,
sheembr acedher.Nat al
yadidn'
t
knowwhatwentwr ongbutshewassur ethi
ngshad
start
edcomi ngtoanend.
'
'Hey,
i
t'
sokay.Ci
ndyl
ookatme'
'
.
'
' Youcan'timagi
newhathappenedNatalya.Maj
id,
hekicked! eourofhi
sroom.Becauseofthatdi
rt
y
thing'
'.Shegroanedinanger
.Notknowingwhat
elsetodo.
'
'Rel
ax.
..Now,
tel
lmeexact
lywhathappened'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tcarewhathappenedNatalya!Ij
ustwantto
ki
llt
hatgi
rlri
ghtnow!Iwattoki
llherandtakeback
myman.Wher eehelli
sshe?''
.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Butyouhavet
ocal
m down'
'
.
'
'Ihatethispeoplesomuch.I fIdon'
tseeany
i
mpr ovement sthen,Iwil
lburnthi
swholepalace
downNat alya.Iwillkil
lever
yonehereifMaji
d
doesn'tt
reatmebet ter'
'
.
(Shesaidthishelplesslyandshetur
nedtoleave
andbumpedi ntoQueenDor ahwhohadAvni
standingbesidesher .QueenDorahhadhernormal
faceon,shewast al
lerandwatchedCindywit
ha
smirk.Cindyblinkedhereyesandwi pedhert
eats
awayt henclearedhert hr
oat)
.
'
'Ur
rrmmm.
..Hi
?''
.
'
'OhmygoodnessAvni ,t
hegirlwhojustthr
eat
ened
toki
llusal
lbecauseofMaji
d'sjustt
alki
ngtome
now.Ooosham soscaredri
ghtnow' '
.
(
Avnil
aughedout
).
'
'Whati
sfunnymadam?'
'
.
'
'QueenDorah!Don'
tcal
lmeanyot
hername,
fr
om
t
hat.
..
.i
sthatcl
ear?'
'
.
'
'Iam notoneoft
ourservant
sokay?Soyoucan'
t
ordermearound.
..I
sthatcl
ear?'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ahangr
il
ygr
abbedherhands)
.
'
'Showmerespectgi
rl
!Youarei
nmycount
ry,
my
ki
ngdom.
..
andmypalace..
..
'
'Hahaha.
..
.yourki
ngdom andpalace?Ohgosh,
but
l
astti
meIchecked,youarenotevenMaji
d'smother
!
Andhe'st
hecrownedPrince.
..
.
Anot
herl
ightoutguys
Iwi
llcont
inuewhent
hel
ightcomes..
.
Showrespectgi
rl
!Youareinmycount
ry,
my
ki
ngdom..
.andmypal ace.
..
.
'
'Hahaha. .
.Yourki
ngdom andpal ace?Ohgosh,but
l
astti
meIchecked, youar enotevenMaji
d's
mother.
..andMajidisthefutureki
ng.Youarejusta
t
empor alQueenfornow.Onceyouar eol
d,you
wouldbeusedf ornothing!'
'.
'
'Ci
ndyst
op!'
'
.Nat
alyascr
eamedi
nfr
ight
.
'
'Ohreall
ynowf or
eigner.Youwanttochal
lengemy
power?Iwil
lshowyou' '
.QueenDorahti
ghtenedher
gri
ponherhands.''Guards!!
!'
'.
'
'OhpleaseQueen,
Ibegofyou.Don'tt
akei
touton
herokay,
shei
sdevastat
edasitis.Pl
ease'
'
.
(Twoguardsr
ushedt
hereinahasteandgr
abbed
holdofCi
ndy'
swhostar
tedresi
sti
ngandshout
ing
Majid'
sname)
.
'
'Taket hi
swormtomychambernow!' '
.Queen
Dorahsaidandfoll
owedt
heguar dswhojust
draggedCindyal
ong.Nat
alyai
nahel pl
ess
st
ate,dashedoft
owardsMaji
d'schamber.
(
Int
hegar
den)
.
Thekingstoodbesi desthewhi t
ej asmi neflowersof
QueenMeer ah.Thosewer ethef lower ssheusedt o
watereverymor ningwhenshewokeup.Hehel da
waterpotandst artedwat eri
ngi t.Thisbr oughthim
somuchmemor i
es.Heusedt oent erintothe
gardentogetherwi t
hQueenMeer ahj ustbecause
shecouldn'twaittoseeherj asmi nef lowers.And
QueenMeer ahwoul dn'teatunt i
lherf lowerswer e
watered.Hepl acedt hepotasi deandt ouchedt he
fl
ower swhichgavehi m apeacef ulsensat ion.Rishi
andKushiar ri
vedi nt hegardenandi mmedi atel
y
andgaspedwhentheysawt heki
ng.Theysl
owly
turnedt
otakeont
heirheel
sbutthekingsawthem
fi
rst.
'
'Ri
shidear!Ther
eyouar
e,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Comecloser''
.
(Rishipani
ckedandsl owlyhandedthepottoKushi
andt heybothwalkedclosertotheki
ng.Kushi
stoodbehindRishiwhi l
eRishiboweddownand
touchedtheking'
sf eet
).
'
'Godbl
essyouchi
ld'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..Youar
eher
e?'
'
.
'
'No.
..
Iam t
her
e''
.
(
Theybot
hlaughed)
.
'
'Ial
wayscomehereRi
shi.Mostt
imes'
'
.Hesai
d
andsadl
ytouchedt
hef
lowers.
'
'Theyarebeauti
ful.Mymotherusedtogr
owt hem
i
nourhouseunt i
ltherai
ndestr
oyedthem al
l.Di
d
yougrowthese?''
.
'
'Mmmm. .
.Idi
dn'
t.Thisfl
ower
sbel
onged
t
o..
wel
l.
..
.myfi
rstwife''
.
'
'QueenMeer
ah?'
'
.
'
'Wow,
youhavehear
dofher
?''
.
'
'Queenmot
hersai
dal
it
tl
e''
.
'
'Andwhatdi
dQueenmot
hersayabouther
?''
.
'
'Well
..
.t
hatshewasagoodperson.And,shewas
ver
yquietandhadasmil
ingf
aceonal lt
hetime'
'.
'
'Thati
strue''
.Theki
ngsmi l
ed.'
'Shewas
bl
ameless.Butdeat
h..
.deat
hdidn'
tspar
eherei
ther
ways''
.
'
'Y..
.yourhi
ghness.Idon'
tmeantointr
udei
nthe
famil
ymat t
ersorgri
evancesoft
hepast
but.
..
what,r
eal
lyki
ll
edQueenMeer ah?'
'.
(Theki
ngsni
ff
edandclear
edhisthroatandlooked
down.Wonder
ingwhet
hertot
ellRishit
hetruthor
not)
.
'
'Buti
fyoudon'
twantt
otel
lmet
hen.
..
.
'
'Nodear.Thetr
uthi
snotadeathpenal
tyso..
.you
havetheri
ghtt
oknow.QueenMeerahandIgot
marri
edwhenIwasstil
laPri
nce.Myfat
her,went
onawarandwhenhecameback, Iwasalr
eady
mar ri
edt oQueenMeer ah, bymymot her '
sorders
because, thePr incehadt omar rybefor esitt
ingon
thethrone.So, whenmyf athertookal ongt i
me
beforereturningf rom thewarwi theitherofhi s
soldier
s, weal lthoughtt heyhaddi edint hewar .So
mymot herbr oughtMeer ah,thedaught erofoneof
thekingdom' sweat herher bali
st.Wewer ebothver y
youngbyt hen,itwascompl i
cated.QueenMeer ah's
fatherdiessowewer eonl yfamilyshehadl eft.Ifel
l
i
nl ovewi thheronourweddi ngni ght.Shewasso
i
nnocentandhadmer unningaf terhert hatwhol e
nightbefor eshegaveher selft
ome' '.
(Ri
shiandKushibur
iedt
heirfacesi
nt hei
rhands
andchuckl
edshyly,
makingthekinglaughout).
'
' Wemar ri
edformanyyear s,myf at
hercameback
from thewaranddi edthreeweeksaf t
erandIwas
madet hekingofUj ani
.Hemar r
iedthreewivesof
cour se,buttheyal
lgavebi rt
htogi r
ls,
exceptmy
mot her.AndIwast helastborn.Mysi st
erswer e
l
at ermar ri
edofftootherkingsandwer etakenaway.
Myst epmothersdied.Iwasmadeki ngandf ormor e
thanf if
teenyears,
QueenMeer ahandIcoul dn'thave
chi
ldren.Unt i
loneoftheel dersofthecour t
i
ntroducedQueenDor aht ome, andImar ri
edher.
Shegotpr egnantf i
rst
,withFar uk,
andQueen
Meerahl atergotpregnantwi t
hMa. ..
...
Imean,Queen
Meerahgotpr egnanttoo''
.Theki ngadjustedhi
s
garmentandgotr eadytoleave.''QueenDor ah
successfullygavebirt
ht oPrinceFar uk,
butQueen
Meerah...shedi edwhengi vi
ngbi rt
h''.
'
'OhGod.Iam sosor
ryyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
shewi
llneverbef
orgot
ten'
'
.
'
'Butitseemsshehasr eall
ybei
ngf orgotten.No
oneevertal
ksofher.Ineverhear
dofher .And
al
so,i
fshediedgivi
ngbirth,
endwher eisher
chi
ld,
isn'
theorsupposedt obehere?''.
'
'HaaaRi
shi
,tourear
sreal
lyi
sdel
ici
oust
oyou'
'
.
(
Rishismi
ledi
nnocent
ly)
.
'
'ButIshouldleavenow.Ihaveameet ingwit
h
someel der
sinthecour tabouttheJhansiki
ngdom.
Therehasbeingal i
tt
lecompl aintcomingi
n.Allyou
shouldknowis,Iam reall
ygratefulf
oryour
presenceinourli
ves,
t hankyou.Youhavebeing
thereforMaji
d,i
nthi
sshor
ttime,andIdon' tknowi
f
anyonewi l
lbeablet
odowhatyoudi dforhim.
ThankyouRi shi
..
.Meer
ahdidthatformet oo,t
hank
you,forbei
ngasecondMeerahtoMaj i
d''.Theking
saidandleft
.
(
Rishiwassuddenlyt
hrownint
oconfusion.Kushi
wentinf
rontofherwit
hthepotinherhands).
'
'Het
hankedmef
orbei
ng,
asecondMeer
ah?'
'
.
'
'Yes.
.why?Hemeans,youar edoi
nggood,j
ustl
ike
QueenMeer ahdi
d''
.Kushisaidandst
art
edleaving
butRi
shistoppedher
.
'
'WaitKushi
.Ohmygoodness!Inowunder
stand
ever
ythi
ngtheki
ngsai
d''
.
'
'Whatexact
lydoyoumean?'
'
.
'
' Kushilook!Putallthepiecest ogetherandsolve
thepuzzl ewithme.QueenMeer ahcoul dn'
tgive
birt
hr i
ght?Andt henl at
ershegotpr egnantand
gavebi r
th.Shedi ed,
butherbaby, wher e'
sherbaby?
Nowher ement ionedi nthepicture.Andwesaw
QueenMeer ahwaswear i
ngthesameel ephant
necklace,whichonl yIandPr inceMaj idhave,
and
thatwasstr
ange.Nowthekingthankedmefor
beingasecondMeerah,nott
oTueent i
ref
amil
ybut
hementionedMaji
dalone!Doyouknowwhatthat
means?''
.
'
'OhmygoodnessRi
shi
..
.doest
hatmeant
hat
..
.
'
'Maj i
di sQueenMeerah'
ssonKushi!!!Queen
Sheenaonl ygavebir
thtoPr
incessLakshmi ,
but
Maj i
disQueenMeer ah'
sson!EventhatSavitr
i
mistakenlysaid,
Maji
dwasmadet hecr owned
Prince,becauseQueenMeerahwast heking'
s
favourit
eQueen!Thatmeans,Maji
d,i
sQueen
Meer ah'
sson!''.
(Thepoti
nKushi'
shandsshookandfel
lonthe
groundwi
thaloudcrush,
andthetwogi
rlsst
ood
ther
eshocked)
..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
54] :

.
Sequence44
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
hegar
den)
.
Rishishout
edinhorrorasthepotfellonthegr ound
andshequicklyt
ooki tback.Ther
ewasacr ackoni t
.
Shesignedinrel
iefandhelditwit
hal lherstr
ength
andcovereditwi
ththecl ot
htheybrought .
'
'I
tal
mostbur
sted'
'
.
'
'OhmyGodRi shi!Ther
ei ssomethingi
nthatpot
Ri
shi.Iam scar
ednow. .
.thatpotshooki
nmyhands
byi
tselfIswear!'
'
.
'
'YesIknowKushi,Isawit
.Nowl et'
skeepthi
spit
awayfr
om thehumaneye.I nmyownsuggest ion,
weshouldrat
hertakeitt
opriestChanakher
,It
rust
hi
m morethanthetown'spri
est''
.
'
'Met
oo'
'
.
'
'Yes.Weshallt
akeitt
her
eint
henextf
ast
.When
weseehim al
one,t
henwego''
.
'
'Idon' tt
hinkthefastingdayi st hebestopt i
on.
Manymar riedcoupleswi l
lbet her e.Wi veswoul dbe
fastingandpr ayi
ngf ortheirhusbands, and
husbandswi l
lbewai ti
ngt obreakt heirwi vesfast
onf ullmoon.Weshoul dgot herei nt hepr etenceof
goingt oprayforther oyalfamily, t
henweshal lsee
priestChanakherwhennoonecandest ructusand
givehi mthepottof i
ndoutwhat 'sinit''.
'
'Goodi
dea.Kushi
,Iwonderwhynoonewant
sto
t
ellMaj
idt
hathismotheri
sdead''
.
'
' Maybe,toprot
ectt hethrone.Hewasj ustachildby
then.Andt heysenthi m awayt oaf oreigncount r
y.
Andt heycouldn'tgetintouchwi thhi m.SoIt hink
theyar eafr
aidnow, totel
lhimf orthet hrone,
he
mi ghtneverfor
givet hem forkeepinghi mi nthe
dar kfr
om suchpai nfultr
uth.Andyouhaveal ready
studiedPrinceMaj i
d'satti
tude.Hehasan
unbear abl
etemperanddoesnotl i
st en.Hemi ght
abandont hethroneandgoawayf r om her e'
'
.
'
'It
hinkso.Let
'sgof
rom her
e''
.Theyl
eft
.
(
Int
hecour
t).
Thekingent
eredthecourtt
henalltheelder
sand
wisemenwi t
hsomef ewpalacepriest
sgottot hei
r
feet
.Unti
lhesatdownandper mi
ttedthem allt
osit
down.Theygottothei
rseat
sandQueenmot her
wasseatedinherposi
ti
onaswel l
.
'
'Lett
hecour
tbegi
npl
ease.Whati
sthenews?'
'
.
(Oneguar dent eredt hecour t,
foll
owedbyf i
vemor e
guardswhocar r
iedal adderbedont heirshoulders
withthingsont hem, coveredi nwhi tecloths.The
guardsar r
ivedi nf r
ontoft heki ngandpl acedt he
thr
eel adderbedsont hegr andf l
oorandr emoved
thecloths.Itcont ainedt hreedi ff
erentpalace
warriorswhower edeadwi t hwhitefoam ont heir
mout hs.Theki ngpusherhi sfacet otheot herside
i
ndi sgustandt hei rbodi eswer ecoveredagai n).
'
'Whathappenedt
othem?
!''
.Heasked.
'
' Yourhighness.Wewer efivehundredin
number ,
guardingtheentranceofTueki ngdom.This
threeseparat edthemselvesf r
om ist
ogetusf eed
from theout sidefor
estast hatiswhatwet hewar
soldierseat.Butittookverylongandt heyhadnot
arri
ved.Soast hecommanderoft hearmy,Isent
fi
vesoldierstogoinsearchforthem.Theyarrived
hourslaterwit
htheirdeadbodies,sayi
ngthatthey
drunkfrom thehugerunninglakewhichseparate
Ujanifr
om Jhansi''
.
'
'Whatisthatsupposedt
omean?'
'
.Queenmot
her
asked,
fr
owning.
'
'Wedidn'
tknowwhatel
set
osayyourhighness.So
webroughtsomeoft
hewat
ert
othepalaceforq
checkup''
.
'
'Commander,what
..
..
doyouyoususpect
somet
hing?'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,t
heywer eabsol
utel
yfi
nethi
s
morni
ng.Theycan'tj
ustdri
nkthewateranddi
e.
Thi
slooksl
ikepoison''
.
'
'What
?!'
'.Ever
yonei
nthecour
tst
art
edmur
mur
ing
t
othemselves.
'
'Andwhowoul
dpoisonrunni
nglake?Thati
sjust
i
mpossi
ble'
'
.Queenmothersai
d.
'
'I
tispossi
blemyQueen.Thet
hingi
s,
ther
iverl
ake
i
snol
ongerr
unni
ng'
'
.
'
'What
'st
hat
?''
.
'
'Wewentt oinvest
igatethelake'shead.Andwe
metast r
angehuger i
verrockandal ogwhichwas
chokingthethewat erfrom goinganyfurtherinto
fl
owingwat er
s.Someonei ntenti
onall
yplottedthe
stonetoblockthewat erfrom goingtotheir
desti
nati
ons.Andnotonl ythat,
thewaterhas
changedf r
om colourlesstodar kgr
een''.
'
'What?!Al
lthisi
ssoconfusi
ng.Callt
her oyal
doct
orherenow!Shecandetermineifthewateri
s
poi
sonedornot''
.Theki
ngsaidandaguar dbowed
downandwal kedout
.
(Queenmot
herst
oodupandwentcl
osert
othe
king)
.
'
' Shaker
,taketheti
met odeci
dewi sel
ymyson.I
thinkthi
sisallst
range,consi
deri
ng,Tueri
veris
whatsepar at
esourkingdom fr
om TueJhansis,who
couldhavedonet his?'
'
.Queenmot herwhi
speredto
theking.
'
'Don'
twor
rymot
her
.Ihavet
hingsundercont
rol
.
Let
'sj
ustseewhet
heri
tispoi
sonornot'
'
.
'
'Thenwhat'
'
.
'
'ThenIwi
llhaveawor
dwi
thSi
amak'
'
.
'
'Ki
ngSi
amak?
!WhywouldtheJhansiki
ngdom
poi
sont
hewat
er?Whatf
or?Theyareourfr
iends!'
'
.
'
' SomotherisitUjanit
hatpoisonedthewat er?!
Comeonmot her.Thepeopleher ehar
dlyleavethe
kingdom.Thisisallconfusi
ng,justgi
vemet i
me' '
.
Hewhi sper
edbackandt heQueenmot herwentt o
takeherseat.
(Ther oyaldoctorent
eredt
hecourtwit
htheguard
andt heybothboweddown.Edoct ortooktheski
n
ofwat erfrom t
hecommanderandst art
edher
magi c.Shemi xedsomeherbstoget
herina
transparentcupandopenedtheheadoft heski
nof
wat er
).
'
'Iam doneyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'So.
..
nowwhat
?''
.
'
'Iam aboutt
opourthewateri
ntot
heherbthatI
havemixed.I
fthecol
ourt
urnswhit
e,t
heniti
snot
poi
soned.Buti
fitt
urnsbl
ackt
hen.
..
ther
eispoi
son
i
nit'
'.
(Sheraisedbot hthewat erandt heher buphighf or
everyoneint hecour tt
oseei t.Sheslowl ypoured
thelakewat erint
ot heherbandshooki tali
tt
le.The
herbstartedsepar ati
ngthemsel vesint hewater.
Thewhol ecour twasqui et.Thenast heher bsdied
down,thewat erturnedcompl etelyblack,making
everyone'sfacesturnedcompl etel
yblank).
'
'What?!Andwear
est
ayi
ngqui
et?'
'
.Oneel
der
shout
ed.
'
' Tourhi
ghness,thatr
iverflows,andattheendof
theday,i
tpoursintoUjaniri
ver.Thatmeans,
someonei str
yingtokillus!''
.Anotherscr
eamed.
'
'Ican'
tbel
ievet
his.Whowi
llpossi
blydot
his,
when
wehavenotdoneanythi
ngwrong''
.
'
' Whoel
sebutJhansipeopl
e!Imean,
theyar
ejust
opposi
teus!Whil
etheotherki
ngdomsarebehi
nd
them.Thati
sit
!''
.
(
Theki
nggotup)
.
'
'Wecannotjumpi nt
oconcl
usionel
ders!Ki
ng
Si
amakwillneverdothat
.It
rusthi
m!''
.
'
'Yourhi ghness.Thishastobetakencareofwith
i
mmedi ateattent
ion.I
fwateri
sdestroyed,
itcan
neverber eplaced.Andweusewat ertosurvi
ve,
nowt heyhavepoi sonedourwaterbodies'
'.
'
' Thecourtisadjournedfort
oday.Let'
smeet
tomor r
ow' '
.Thekingsaidandtheyallgotupin
angerandconf usi
on.Theyboweddown.They
boweddown.Thedeadbodi esweretakenawayand
thekingleftthecourtwit
hQueenmot her,f
oll
owed
byt heothers).
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Nat
alyaent
eredandwi
thf
ri
ght
,shewentcl
osert
o
Maj
id.
'
'Nat
ty?'
'
.
'
'Maj
id,
dosomet
hingnow!'
'
.
'
'Whathappened?'
'
.
'
'TheQueen.SomeQueen,Idon'
tevenknowher
name.It
hinkshe'
syourbr
other'
smother'
'.
'
'Whatabouther
?''
.
'
' Thet
hingi
s,Cindywassoupsetandwell
..
.Ci
ndy
spokerudel
ytoher.Soshecal
ledherguar
dsto
takeCi
ndyintoherroom '
'
.
'
'OhgoshNat
ty,
whyar
eyout
ell
ingme?'
'
.
'
'PleasedosomethingMaji
d!Please.
..Look,
Iknow
youareupsetatheraboutl
astnight.
..
'
'I
t'
smor
ethant
hat'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
'Nevermi
nd'
'
.
'
'Youarethecr
ownedPr
inceaf
teral
lMaj
id.Pl
ease,
gogetyourwomanfr
om t
heQueen''
.
'
'Idon'
tthi
nkauntwi
lldoheranyhar
m.Iguess.
..
.
'
'Maji
dcomeon!Youusedt osaveCi
ndyi
nahear
t
beat
!Please.
..What
'swr
ong?'
'.
'
'Not
hing.
..
.?'
'
.
'
'ThencomeandsaveherMaj id.Youcanletany
harm befal
lheraf
terleavi
nghercount
rybehindand
fol
lowingyouhere!'
'.
'
'Mmmm. .
.Youknowam st
il
lhur
tri
ght
?Iam not
al
lowedt
ogetup''
.
'
'Ohshi
t!If
orgott
hat'
'
.
(Maji
dgroanedpainf
ullyasheforcedt
obeonhi s
feet
.Hewasmor emuscul arnowthaneverafter
fi
ghti
ngalion.Heshoulderswereshar
p,andhe
openedhiswardr
obet hentookoutashirtandwore
i
t).
'
'Let
'sgo.
..
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
CindysatonQueenDor ah'sbed,nowcomf ortabl
e
afterhearingtherealreasonwhyshewasbr ought
i
ntot hechamber .Shecar ri
edherl ef
tlegont othe
ri
ghtone, smili
ngevil
lyndQueenDor ahf oldedher
handscl oset oher,
alsosmi l
ing.Whil
eAvnist ood
behindQueenDor ah.QueenDor ahpour edagl ass
ofgr apewi neandhandedi tovertoCi ndywhi leshe
al
sopour edonef orhersel
f.
'
'Wow.
..
Iam begi
nni
ngt
oli
keyounowQueen.
..
?''
.
'
'Dor
ah.QueenDor
ahi
tis.Andl
ikeIsai
dbef
ore,
if
youwant
..
..
Icanhel
pyouwit
hMaj
id'
sissuesokay?
Youj
usthavetot
rustme'
'
.
'
'Well.
.suresure..
.Idon'ttr
ustyounow' '
.Shesaid
andsippedherwi ne.''
Nowt hatyousayit.
.i
tis
tr
ue,t
her estoftheroyalfamilyhatesme...
andwhy
wouldInott r
ustyouwhenyouar ethefi
rstmember
oftheroyalfamilywhohasappr oachedmeand
off
eredmehel p''
.
'
'Yesri
ght
?Myheartissuchagol ddear .Wecannot
all
owMaji
dtohaveanyf eel
ingforthatgir
l.Andyou
know,
wecanbothhel
peachot her
.Tupossi bl
edo
notwantt
oli
vei
nthiskingdom doyou?' '.
'
'Hel lno!Ij ustwantt ogobackt ogobackt o
Londonwi thMaj i
dsowecanf orgett hisplacef or
good.Thi sisnotmyt hi
ng...myl if
ei st here.
..
.you
know, goingt othebeach, clubbing, shoppi ng.
..I
haveaf anl if
einLondon.Sowhywoul dIwantt obe
stuckher e. .
.becauseofonest upidt hrone?Maj id'
s
bankaccounthasgotmoneyt hant hewhol eof
UnitedKi ngdom andAmer ica.Hisbankaccount
everywher e,canfeedever ycount ry'spr esi
dentand
allt
hei rfamouscel ebri
ti
es!''
.
'
'Thati
sthespir
it
.Sonow,wehaveapl
an.Youwant
Maji
d,andIwantthet
hronef
ormyson.Wework
handinhand,
noonegetshur
t?'
'.
'
'Exactl
yma'am. .
.Sorr
y,QueenDorah.Ir
eall
ycan't
af
fordtolooseMaj i
d.Iwil
ljustdi
e.Butwhatisyour
pl
anf ort
hisidea?''
.
'
' Justmakesur etostaycl osert oMaj idal
lthetime,
eveni fhetriestoavoidyou.I nor dertopreventthat
girlfr
om get ti
nganycl osert ohim.Because
remembert hat,i
fhefallsinlovewi ththatgir
l
then,hewillnevergobackt oLondon.Uset our
br ai
nsgirl
..
.andIwi l
ldomypar talri
ght.Wheni t
's
ti
mef orustoal sowor ktoget her,thenIwilltel
lyou
'
'.
'
'Coolcool
.Igeti
tnow.Iwi
lldoexact
lyt
hat'
'
.
'
'Soyouknowt herul
esthen.BothyouandImust
notbeseentoget
her,
andt hi
splanmustneasecr
et,
j
ustbetweenushere''
.
'
'Okaygr
eat
,what
everwayyouwanti
t''
.
'
'Good.Youmayl
eavenow.Showhert
othedoor
Avni'
'
.
(Ci
ndystoodupandwalkedtothedoorwi t
hAvni.
Sheopenedthedoorandgotoutthenclosedit
.She
tur
nedri
ghtandsawMaj i
dwalkingtowardsthe
chamberwithNat
alyaandshequicklyopenedthe
doorandenter
edbackint
othechamber ).
'
'Whati
sit
?!'
'
.QueenDor
ahaskedst
unned.
'
'Wat
er!Ineedwat
er.Gi
vemewat
ernow!
!!'
'
.
(Avniqui cklypour edheragl assofwat erandCi ndy
sprinkledsomeofi tunderhereyesandsni f
fed.Her
facef elli
ntot otalsadnessandshepl acedt hewat er
aside.Thewat err ununderhercheeksl iket earsand
theyhear daknocki nt hedoor .Cindyqui ckly
rushedt othedoorandt ookadeepbr eat h,she
openedt hedoori nar ushasi fshewasr unning
awayf rom thechamberandbumpedi ntoMaj i
dand
Natalya.WhenMaj i
dsawher ,
hisfacet urnedpal e
andshebr eaki ntocr ocodi l
etears.QueenDor ah
andAvniwal kedoutandwhenQueenDor ahsaw
thi
sact ,
shesmi ledevi llybutsecret l
y.Ci ndyqui ckly
embr acedMaj i
d, sobbi ng.Maj idtruedr esistingbut
hef el
tt heneedt ocomf orthersincehehadnoi dea
whathappened.Heembr acedherandpl acedhi s
handst
oget
heratQueenDor
ah)
.
'
'Iam ver
ysorr
yaunt.What
evert
hathappened,
pl
easeforgi
veher
.Youknowshe'
snotfrom her
e''
.
'
'Don'tworr
yaboutthatMaj
id.Ithi
nkshehasl ear
nt
herl
esson.Butkeephercl
osertoyoualways.And
keepaneyesonherbecause..
..Imightnotspare
herthenetti
meatall'
'.
'
'Sur
e''
.
(QueenDorahandAvnienter
edbackintoher
chamberandclosedthedoor.Ci
ndydrewback
from Maj
idandwipedthewaterfr
om hereyesand
sobbed).
'
'Youcameformedidn'tyouMaj
id?'
'
.She
asked,
mor
einnocent
ly.
'
'List
encaref
ull
yCi
ndy,i
fyoucan'
tkeepupwi
tht
he
condit
ionsar
oundher
e,j
ustl
eave.
..
.
Li
ght
swentof
f.
Epi
sode44cont
inuat
ionwi
llst
artaf
terl
ight
scomes.
.
'
'List
encarefull
yCi
ndy,i
fyoucan'
tkeepupwi t
hthe
condit
ionsaroundher
ethen.
..
bett
erjustgobackt
o
London!Haveyouloosedever
yrespectfort
he
el
derlynow?!''
.
'
'Majid,
whyareyoushouti
ngatmenow?!After
whatIjustwentthr
ough?Iam t
ourwomanforfuck
sake!Don'
tyoulovemeanymoreorwhat?
!''
.
(
Maj i
dtri
edtosaysomethi
ngbuthehel
dbackand
walkedaway.Goingt
owardshi
schamberwi
thhis
l
efthandonhistummy).
'
'Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Bet
tert
hanIcoul
deverbe'
'
.
'
'Real
ly?Ci
ndy,whatr
eal
lyhappenedi
nther
ewi
th
t
hatQueen?''
.
'
'Nothi
ngspeci
al.Shewasj
ustt
eachi
ngmesome
Royalval
ues'
'.
'
'Royalval
ueshuh?Thewomanyoujustfought
wit
h?Okay.ButIneedt
ogetbackandsleep.Gota
headache'
'.
(
Theybot
hlef
ttoget
her
).
(
Int
heeveni
ng=Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
Shehadbl ackcof
feewitQueenSheenaandaf t
er
tel
li
ngheraboutwhathappenedatt hecour
t,
the
bothloosedappet
itei
mmedi at
ely.
'
'Ohgoodness,
hemustbesodevast
atedr
ightnow
'
'
.
'
'Yes,
putt
ingtoget
herhi
sfri
endshi
pwithSiamak
andthesafet
yofhispeopl
e,heisconf
used''
.
'
'Well
,
thesaf
etyofthepeopl
eismor
eimpor
tant
..
.
Thati
stheki
ng'sobli
gat
ion'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tunder
stand,
whywoul
dtheki
ngofJhansi
dothat
?''
.
'
'I
tmightnotnecessar
il
ybetheki
ngofJhansi
mother
.Itcanal
sobe..
well
..
.someot
herpeopl
e.But
i
t'
ssurel
yisthem '
'.
'
'Whatf
or?'
'
.
'
' Maybebecausewedidn'tallowt
hemarri
age
betweenMajidandRagah. .
.Imean,
theywant
edt
he
thecrownedPrinceaf
terall''
.
'
'Butt
hatwasn'
tourf
aul
t!Maj
idr
efusedt
omar
ry
her
!Shecouldhavebeinghissecondwif
ebutany
way..
.i
tdoesn'
tmat t
ernow.Youmightberi
ght
Sheena.Wemi ghtal
lbeindanger'
'.
'
'IfQueenMeer ahwashere...
shewoul
dhavegiven
hi
mt heinspi
rat
ion.Thest
rengtht
omaketheri
ght
decision''
.
'
'Butyoucanalsocomfor
thim Sheena.Youarehis
wif
earen'
tyou.Iknowhowmuchyoul oveShaker
whenyoubothgotmarri
ed''
.
'
'Ohmother
.Well
,
let
'sjumpfrom thatpar
tplease.
Hemustwantsometimealone.Let'
sjustl
eavehim
'
'.
..
Tobecont
inued
[
01/
23,
11:
55] :

.
Sequence45
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Mai
den'
schamber
).
Char uclosedherbagaf t
erpackinghert hings.She
feltmoreateasewhenshesawt herewer eno
mai dsinthevari
ousr ooms.Shel ef
therr oom and
closedthedoorbehi nd.Shewalkedt othemai n
gat eandopenedt hedoor.Rajtookthebagand
placedavei lonherheadwhi l
etheyt i
ptoedaway.
Theyhadal ongwalkwayandpi ll
arsandhal l
ways
topassbef orewalkingdownmor ethant enstair
s
bef or
eevenget t
ingtothecompoundwhi chwas
coveredwi thnumerousguards.
Ast heywal keddownt hefirsthal l
way, theywer e
l
uckyt of indt hewhol eplaceempt y.I twasnowt hat
someguar dswer ewal ki
ngt heretot aketheir
positi
onsf ortheni ghtprotect i
on.Theywal ked
downt hest airsandf ortothesecondhal lway.All
themai dshadf inishedthei rwor ksandwer eall
mat ching, l
eadedbySavi triintotheirvar i
ous
chamber s.RajandChar uqui ckl
yhi sbehi ndone
pil
laruntilal lt
he! ai dshadpassed.TheyEnt iahead
andst artedwal kingagai n.Shi vheldt heknifeand
smal lnapkinwetwi thal cohol,hewal keddownt he
hall
wayl ooki
ngaround.HesawRajandChar ufrom
faraway, runni
ngdownsomest ai
rs.Hequi ckl
ytook
tohisheel sandchasedt hem.Af t
erSavi tri
organi sedthemaidst ot heirbeds,shewentoutand
star
tedwal ki
ngdownt hehal lwayaswel l
.Finall
y,
thei
rt oilwasoverandt heygott othef rontofthe
buil
di ng.Therewer enumer ousguar dsst andi
ng
thereamongt hetrees.Theywentbehi ndonepi ll
ar
andgott othesideofthemai ndooroft hebuildi
ng.
'
'What'
snextRaj
?Weshouldhavepl
annedt
his
bef
oreplanni
ngarunawayact'
'
.
'
'Youal
readyknowwedidn'thavet
imetoplan.Who
knows,
Pri
nceFarukmustevenbesear
chingforyou
bynow''
.
'
'Yes..
.sosot r
ue''.Shi
vr evealedhimselff
rom
behindoneoft hepill
ars.''
Wher efadoyout hi
nkyou
aregoing?Well,l
etmW guess, er
rmmmm. .
.Charuis
pregnantandRaji safrai
dt hateveryonewil
lknow
heisthefatherandsoshei shelpingherescape?''
'
'Youf
ool
!Youknowt
hati
snot
hingbutal
ie!'
'
.
(Savi
tr
i,asshewaswal
kingdowntogetout
,she
heardargument
sandst
oodbehindapil
lart
ol i
sten)
.
'
'Oh,
soam agoodguessert
hen,
am Inot
?Char
uis
i
ndeedpr
egnant'
'
.
'
'YesIam pr egnant.I
tisi
ndeedtruethatam
pregnant.Butyouknowt hatRaji
snott hefat
heras
youclaimed.PrinceFarukisthef
ather!ButIam
sureheal r
eadytoldyouthat'
'.
(
Savit
riwasshocked.Butathi
nsmileappearedat
t
hesideofherli
ps.Shepeepedherearstoli
stent
o
more)
.
'
'Doyout
hinkIcar
eaboutthat
?Iam onl
yher
eto
obeymymaster
'sorder
s''
.
'
'What ?!Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?Whatki
nd
orders?
!''
.RajaskedashemadeCharust
and
behindhim.
'
'PleaseShiv,
l
etmego!Itisnotmyf
aultt
hatPri
nce
Farukrapedme..
.butwhathasmybabydonetoyou?
Letmego' '
.
(
Shi
vgott
hekni
feoutofhi
sbackpocketand
poi
ntedi
tatRajandCharu.CharugaspedandRaj
al
soremovedaswordfrom hissaddl
e).
'
'OhIsee. .
.heiswil
li
ngtopr ot
ectthemotherofhis
chi
ld.Whatat rai
tor
.Iam nilet
tingyougoChar u.
Pri
nceFar ukfeel
sthreat
enedbyyourpr egnancy.
AndIt hi
nkhehasgoodr easontofeelt
hatway.
Whoknowswhatyoumi ghtdomanyyear slater
wit
ht hatchil
d?''
.
'
'Ijustwanttogetawayf rom hereandnevercome
backIswear !Iwil
lnotdoanything.Pl
easelet!
e
fo.
..Idon'
tdeservethi
s''
.
'
'Don'
twasteyoubreathtal
kingt
ot hi
scrookChar
u.
Heonl
ydoeswhatPr inceFaruksaysremember?
He'
shispuppet!'
'
.
(Shi
vl oosedhiscoolwhenhehear dthatand
star
tedr unningtowar dsthem withtheknif
ebut
suddenlyst oppedont hewaywi t
haver ypainful
expressiononhi sface.Bl oodoozedfrom his
head,downt ohiswhi teface.Hef el
ltotheground,
motionlessandSavi tristoodbehindwithalong
woodedpaddl eandt heyal lst
arr
edatShivlying
l
ifel
essinapoolofbl
ood.Char
uwasaboutto
scream whenRajhel
dhermouth.Savi
tr
iwent
cl
osertothem).
'
'I
shedead?'
'
.Char
uasked.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Butt
hatisnoti
mpor
tantnow.Most
i
mpor t
antt
hingi
s,youcannowgoinpeace''
.
'
'Savi
tr
i.
..wher
eyoul
ist
eni
ngt
oever
ythi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Ist
hatwhat'
simpor
tantnow?Someguardswill
comehereinnoti
metoguardthi
sent
rance.
..bet
ter
gonow!'
'.
'
'Whyar
eyouhel
pingusSavi
tr
i?'
'
.
'
'Char
u,ar
eyouseriousl
ygoingtoint
err
ogat
eme
nowthatyouhavetheperf
ectopport
unit
ytorun
andsaveyour
selfandthebaby?''
.
'
'But
..
.
'
'Don'tworr
yChar
u.Weshal
lmeetagai
n.Ipr
omi
se.
Justgo!'
'.
'
'Let
'sgoChar
u''
.
(
Rajhel
dChar
u'shandandt
heypassedbehi
ndone
ofthetr
eesandr ushedintothepal
acefiel
dsi
nthe
darkwithouttheknowledgeofanyoftheguar
ds
standi
ngi nfr
ontofthetrees)
.
(
NextDay=Ri
shi
'
schamber
).
Shehadsuchasweetni ghtsleepandsheopened
hereyesatt hesoundoft heloudshowercomi ng
fr
om hergr anddar l
ingbat hr
oom.Shesatupand
l
ookedbesi desherandKushiwasn' tsleepingthere.
Sher aisedherhandsandspr eadthem i ntheai r
andyawnedsweet ly.Shest eppeddownf rom bed
andr eali
sedi twasKushiwhowasbat hing.She
fr
owned.Shehadneversl eptt hi
smuch.She
al
waysusedt owakeupf i
rstbeforeKushi .Buthow
comeshel oosedt oday?Orwasi tabr okenhear t
sl
eep?Shef rownedandswungherwar drobe
opened.Sher emovedyest erday'sclothesand
placedonanewshi nysareeofat opanddown.She
enteredt hedr essingroom andopenedonedr awer
andt ookoutMaj i
d'ssweat shirtandt ackedherhai r
behindherear sandwentbackt ot hebedr oom.She
carefull
yf oldedt heshirtandcar rieditintoher
handsgent lylikeitwasanewbor nbaby. .
.she
wal
kedcl
osert
othebat
hroom door
.
'
'Kushi
?''
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.Sheputof
ftheshower
.''
Angr
ythatIbeat
youtowaki
ngupfi
rstt
oday?Hahaha'
'
.
'
'Youar
elucky.Anyway.
.Am comi
ng'
'
.
'
'Wher eareyougoingnow?Ri shirememberthe
royalr
ules?Member softher oyalfamil
yare
supposedtokeepthemsel vesni ceanddecentt
o
recei
veanyvisi
toranyday, becauseyoumayhave
noideawhenyouwi l
lgetvisit
ed' '
.
'
'OhwowKushi
.It
hinkyoushoul
dhavebei
ngthe
onet
omarr
ythePri
nceinst
eadandnotme''
.
'
'I
diot
.Butser
iousl
y,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Ret
urni
ngsomet
hingt
hat
'snotmi
ne'
'
.
'
'Ohmygoodness!Thepot
?''
.
'
'Noway!Iam wisert
hanyouokay.Youj
ustwait
f
orme''
.Rishisai
dandlef
twit
hthesweatshi
rt
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hest
eppedoutf
rom t
hebat
hroom al
lfr
eshand
l
ooki
nggood.Buthiswoundsti
llhur
t.Aroyal
doct
orenter
edwit
hhisguardanddressedthe
woundforhim.
'
'Whenwi
llt
hiswoundheal
?''
.
'
'Justgi
vei
tafewmoredaymyPri
nce.Twot
o
t
hree,
andyouwil
lbegoodasnew'
'
.
'
'Okay.
..
am i
nahur
ryt
ogetasur
ger
y''
.
'
'MyPr
ince,
whati
sasur
ger
y''
.Sushi
m asked.
'
'Li
keser
iousl
ySushi
m,shoul
dIexpl
aint
hataswel
l
?
'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
sor
ry.Ij
ustwant
edt
o..
..
'
'Surgeryisanoper
ati
on.I
nagoodway, i
tsaves
l
ives.Ineeditt
omakethescardi
sappear.Ihat
e
scars''
.
'
'OhmyPr i
nce.Thati
sjusttooeasy.Wehave
t
radi
ti
onalher
binthekingdom whichmakesscar
s
f
rom awounddisappear'
'.Thedoctorsai
d.
'
'Amazi
ng!Ar
eyouabsol
utel
ycer
tai
n?'
'
.
'
'YesmyPr
ince,
whent
hewoundi
sadayaway
from healingcompl etel
y,wemi xyel
lowf l
owerand
redbeat stogetherandmeatt hem ont hescar .And
i
nj ustoneweek, thescardisappearscompl etely.
Andnoonewi l
levenknowt hatyougothur tatt hat
particul
arplace.Italsomakest heskinmor e
beaut i
fulandflawless.Thatiswhatmostoft he
l
adi esuseont heirbodieswhent heyar eoneweek
from theirweddings' '
.
'
'Wow.
..
butdoesi
thaveanyal
ler
gies?'
'
.
'
'Nosideeff
ectmyPr
ince.Andi
tisgoodf
orever
y
ski
ntype'
'.
'
'Getmesomeassoonaspossi
blepl
ease'
'
.
'
' Ther
eisonlyonewomanwhohasbei ngmaking
thatmixt
ureinthekingdom myPr
ince.Hernameis
Bhavna.Ishallcal
lherandmakearr
angements''
.
'
'What
ever
.Ij
ustneedt
hist
hingdonewi
th'
'
.
(Theybot hboweddownandl eftthechamber ,
l
eavingMaj idalone.Hegotupi nhistowel ,t
ied
aroundhi swaistandopenedt hewar drobethen
select
edawhi teshirt
.Itwasn'ttohistaste,hethrew
theshirtbackintothewardrobeandent er
edhi s
dressingr oom.Ri shient er edt hechamberwi tht he
sweat shirti
nherhands, shaki ng.Sheswal lowed
thousandsofsal ivaandl ookedar oundt hechamber ,
wonder ingwher eMaj idwas.Shewentcl osert ohi s
bedandl ayedt hesweat shi rtont ooofi t.Shel if
ted
herselfupandt urnedt ol eaveonl yt ofindMrt all
manMaj i
d,starr i
ngather ,
andt heywer ecl ose.She
gaspedandswal lowedt hebi ggestsal iva.He
l
ookeddownatherf ace, rollinghi seyesdownf rom
herlipstoherneckandchestandt henbel owwi th
somuchi nt
ensi ty.Ri shi'
sl egsst ar t
edshaki ng, as
hewasnotwear i
nganyshi rtandj usthi st owelt i
ed
downhi swai standevenhal fofhi sabdomenwas
appear i
ng.Hi shai rwaswet ,het urnedhi shead
behindherandsawhi ssweat shirtonhi sbed.The
waterf r
om hi shai rsprinkledi ntoRi shi'sf aceand
herhear tbounced.Thescentcomi ngf r om hi sbody
andhai rwassosweetandent i
cing.Hel ookedback
atRishi.Thecl osenesswast oomuchf orher ,
even
thoughhereyeshaddi eddown, shewasl osti nhi s
owneyes.Maj id'sbr eathhi therf aceandshecoul d
feelhishear tbeat i
ngsosl ow.Maj i
dwashol dinga
blackjacketandaj eansf rom t hedr essingr oom.
Hwt hrewt hem ont hebedwi t
hhi seyessti
llon
Rishi
'sface.Hewasn' tsmil
ing,neit
herwashe
fr
owni ng.Buthel ookedsohotandsexyl i
kea
pepperi nchickenwi ngs.Ri
shiquicklycamebackt o
hersensesandbr eakt hecl
osenessandwal ked
awayf rom himt ooneoft hecoucheswhi chl eaded
tothedoor ).
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.
'
'Toret
urnwhatItook.Isweart
hati
twasamist
ake.
Ij
ustneededsomethi
ngt owearsobadatt
het
ime''
.
(Maji
dtookt
hesweatshi
rtandthrewi
tatRi
shi
,she
caughti
tinmidai
rinaheart
beat)
.
'
'Andwhoshoul
dweart
hat
?''
.
'
'Don'
t.
..don'
tyouwanti
t?'
'
.
'
'Af
teryouhear
ingi
t?Not
hanks'
'
.
'
'IpromisethatIwashedi
t.Iusedallt
heexpensi
ve
perf
umedsoapandsani ti
zes.Iam sor
ry,
Idi
dn't
meant o.
..
.
'
'Youar
econf
usi
ngme!
..
..
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Justl
eaveokay?Idon'
twanti
tanymor
e''
.
'
'Butyousai
d,i
twast
ourf
avour
it
e''
.
'
'Yes.
..
.i
twas.Butyoumadei
tmyl
eastf
avour
it
e''
.
(
Rishi
'
sfacef
elli
ntot
otaldar
knessandt
orment
).
'
'Am It
hatbad?Imakethi
ngsl
ooset
hei
rgl
ory.
.am
sosorr
ymyPr i
nce.Ij
ust
..
..
'
'What
ever
..
..
'
'ButIdon'
twanti
t.Andt
hisl
ooksver
yexpensi
ve,
and.
..
.
(Majidgottohi
sfeetandstar
tedwal
kingnearer
Rishiwhil
eshestart
edsteppi
ngbackwards,
heart
pumpi ng)
.
'
'Isai
d..
Idon'
twanti
t.Okay?'
'
.
'
'O.
.o.
.okay'
'
.
'
'Excel
lent'
'
.
(
Hetur
nedandent
eredbacki
ntot
hedr
essi
ng
r
oom).
'
'Iwon'
tdoanyt
hingwi
tht
hisei
ther'
'
.Shesai
dand
wentbackt
othebedandpl
acedt
heshi
rtoni
tand
r
ushedoutoft
hechamber.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hekeptt
hrowi
ngbl
owsatShivfornotcompl
eti
ng
t
hemissi
onandhewasgoinginsane.
'
'Youdon'
trememberwher
etheypassed?'
'
.
'
'WhatIrememberi swhatIhavesaid.Ihadthem
myPrince.Iswearthat
,Ihadthem r
ightinf
rontof
me.Butsomeonej usthi
tmef r
om behind''
.
'
'Iam sosur
ethat
,i
twasLakshmi'
'
.
'
'Nono.Ipeepedi
ntoPri
ncessLakshmi
'schamber
l
astbigandshewasfastasl
eep.Shedi
dn'
teven
r
eali
sesomeonewasinherchamber''
.
'
'Mychancesaref
adi
ngawayShiv,
youaretr
yingto
sy,
someoneel
seknowsaboutChar
u'spr
egnancy?'
'.
'
'Iti
spossi
ble'
'
.Hesai
dandhel
dthebackofhi
s
headwhichwashur
ti
ngsobad.
'
'Youmayleave.Goandt
aker
estf
ornow.Iwi
llcal
l
youl
ater'
'
.
(
Shi
vboweddownandl
eft
).
'
'IfIdon'ttakecareoft
hisfast,
itwil
lstar
tspreadi
ng
l
ikeadi sease.AndIrefusetolookintomother'
s
eyesasaf ail
ureandacommonPr ince.No.Imust
actfast.
..Iwon'tl
etacommonmai dandmyown
l
itt
lesister,putmeinsuchtightconner''
.Hesaid
andsteppedout .
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewal kedoutoft
hedressingr
oom andsawthe
sweatshir
tonhisbed.Hewasalldr
essedupnow
andhet uckedhi
shairbackwar
dsandtooktheshi
rt
andstormedoutofthechamber.HesawSushim
busi
lyguar di
ant
hedoorandheldhi
swaist.
'
'Wher
eist
hatgi
rl
?''
.
'
'Whatgi
rlmyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'What
?!Tel
lmeyouar
enotwi
ll
ingt
opl
ayt
his
gamewit
hmeokay?'
'.
'
'WhatgamemyPr
ince?Idon'
t.
..
..
'
'Shi
t!
..
..
.
(
Maj
idsai
dnot
hingandwal
kedawayt
owar
dst
he
otherchamber
s,l
eavi
ngSushi
mlaughi
ngand
shakinghi
shead)
.
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Shewal kedoutoft hebat hr
oom wi tht owelonhr
breastandhert i
ghtwer ebr ight i
ng.Herhai rwas
compl etel
ywet .Sher emovedt het owelanst arted
dryingherbody.Shesati nfrontofadr essi
ng
mi r
rorbesidest hewar drobei nhrnakednessand
startedcleari
ngwat erf rom herhai rwi ththet owel.
Shel ookedatherf irm br eastswi thl aughterand
removedherneckl aceandpl acedi tont hetable.
Shet ookabodyspl ashandspr ayedherbodyi na
sweetf ragrance.Shef orupandr aisedherr ightleg
ontot hetableandst artedappl yingpomade, slowly
tohersof tskin.Shepurt het owelawayandr aised
herleftlegandst artedappl yingpomadeaswel l
.
Ther ewasal oudknockont hedoor .
'
'Gosh..
.t
hankgoodness.Iam starvi
ng,itmustbe
Kushiwit
hourbreakfastnow.Kushi ,whendidyou
st
artknocki
ngonmydoor ?'
'.Sheshout edand
l
aughed.Buttheknockbecamel ouderandmore
vi
olent
.''
Icanseethisgir
lwantst oplayjokeswit
h
me'
'
.
(Shest oppedappl yi
ngpomadeandwal kedt ot he
doorandopenedi twithhernakednessand
screamedsol oudlyandr ushedbacki nsi deasi t
wasMaj i
d.!Maj i
dwasf l
abber gasted.Sher eached
herdr essingt ableandt ookt het owelandcover ed
herbodyqui ckly.Butherl eftni pplewasshowi ng,
allredandshedi dn'
tr ealiset hatpl acewasnot
cover edwel l
.Maj idsteppedi nt othechamberand
closedt hedoorbehi ndhi m.Hel ookedupandsaw
QueenMeer ah'spaint i
ng.Hest arredati tforawhi l
e
andf eltashar panxi etyi nhi shear tbuthei gnor edi
t
andl ookedatRi shiwhowaspant inghel plessly.Her
handsgr abbedhert owelt ight l
yandherhai r
cover edherf aceandMaj i
dst ar r
edatherso
seduct i
vely.Hi sbrowneyesgl ancedatherf rom her
freshneckt oherbr eastt ohert ummyand
appear ingti
ght s.Hehel dt hesweat shirtinhis
handsandbegant owal ksl owl ytowar dsher .She
turnedherbackathi mf ri
ghtwi thhereyescl osed.
Hegotbehi ndherandhi scheatt ouchedt heback
ofherheadandshef eltli
kef ai nt
ing.Sheshar ply
turnedher sel ft ohim, maki ngherwethai rflyinthe
airandmadeonhi sf ace.Maj id'seyescl osedas
herhai rfellonhi sf ace.Heopenedhi seyesand
theywer ecl osert hanever .Ther ewasnogapor
spacebet weent hem now.Maj idl ookedi ntohreyes
throughherhai randbot ht heirlipswer eshaki ng.
Rishiwasj ustshi veringandMaj id'sbloodwas
runni nghot .Maj i
dsl owl yputhi shandsonhi sface
andst artedcl earingherhai rfrom hi sf ace.The
fragrancef rom herhai rwasheavenl y.Maj idplaced
herhai rbehi ndherandsawherl eftnipplepeepi ng
outandcr yingoutf orhi m,hest retchedhi shandst o
thet owelandcover edherbr eastwel l
,thatmadeher
feelsoembar rassed.Ri shiwasj ustst arringt hose
sof trosepi nkl ipsofhi s.Hef elttheel ectr i
city
pul l
inghi mt oherandwhowashet oresi st?He
neededt of indoutwhather eal l
yf eltforher .He
pul l
edherheadcl osert ohi swi thast rongr ightarm
andpl antedasof tkissonherl ips.Ri shi'seyes
wer eopenedwi delyinsur prise, butasMaj idand
hert onguewr estled,shemel tedawayandhereyes
shutcl osedast heirki ssdeepened.Thesweat shir
t
fellawayont ot hefloorf rom Maj i
d'shands.Her
breastspressedt ight
lyagai nsthim whil
eRishi'
s
handsshi vered,wonder ingwher etoholdhim,but
shehadnoi deawher eshel earnthowt oki
sslike
that.Majidkissedhersodeep, sointenseli
kehi sl
if
e
dependedoni t,
Rishifinall
yhandedherar msonhi s
shoulders,thisti
me. .
itlookedlikehisstomachpain
haddi sappearedf orgood. .
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
55] :

.
Sequence46
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Maji
d'smouthmeasuredherli
psperf
ectlyandhe
wi
ndedhisleftar
m,aboutt
ouchingt
hebackof
Ri
shi'
swaistwhentherewasaloudring.Hequickl
y
camet ohissensesandwi t
hdrewf r
om t heki ss.
Theybot hbreat hheavi l
yandsof ast,
lookingi nt o
eachot her'seyes.Maj id'
smout hwashal fopened.
Hecoul dn'tbel ievethatheactuallydidthat .He
reali
sedi twashi sphoner ingi
ngandhepl acedhi s
handi ntohi sjeant rousersandtookouthi sphone.
Rishidroppedi ntohershywor l
d,notabl et olook
strai
ghti ntoMaj i
d'seyesandl ookeddown.Maj i
d
l
ookedi ntohi sphoneandwassur pri
sedatt he
numbercal li
ng.Het urnedandwal kedt othedoor
andopenedi t.Het urnedbackandl ookedatRi shi'
s
whoseeyesf ellonhi m andimmedi atelylooked
away.Maj idbr eathoni tandwalkedout .Ri shiwi t
h
hershaki ngl egs,gottoherbedandf aintedi ntoher
bed.
(
Ont
hewal
kway)
.
Majidansweredthecal landplacedthephonetohis
earsandclearedhisthroatandmi ndfrom whatj
ust
happened,butitwasn'twill
ingtodisappearf
rom hi
s
head.
'
'Lookwhoi
snowwi
ll
ingt
ocal
lme.
..
uncl
eRaul'
'
.
'
'Hel
loMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Justl
iket
hat
?Hel
loMaj
id?Uncl
e,ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Whydoyouask?'
'
.
'
'Hm...
not
hing.I
t'
sbeingaver
ylongti
mewemet
ri
ght
?Whenwast hel
astt
ime?Almostamonthnow
si
ncewegothere,andwhenyoulef
t,t
hatwasal
l'
'.
'
'It
'snotanythi
ngseriousMaji
d.Ihadbusydays
aheadandIam sorryIdidn'
ttel
lyouanyt
hingabout
howdiffi
cultmybusinessesweregrowi
ng''
.
'
'I
nLondon?'
'
.
'
'Ever
ywhereMaji
d.Nowhere'
scool
.ButIdon'
t
t
hinkthati
simpor
tant
.Ihear
dyougotengaged'
'.
'
'Er
rr.
..
wel
l.
.i
fyouwannaputi
tthatway'
'
.
'
'Icoul
dn'
tbel
ievei
tsoIcal
ledyout
oaskmysel
f''
.
'
'What?Thei
nvi
tat
ionwentvi
ral
..
.andyoudon'
t
know?''
.
'
'Ihear
daboutit
,andIwasshockedthatyouofal
l
peopl
e,Maj
id,
hadacceptedi
t.AndputCindyasi
de''
.
'
'Lookuncl
e..
..
'
'HowcouldyouMajid?Youbroughtthegir
lallt
he
wayfr
om hercount
rytobreakherheartl
ikethi
s?''
.
'
' What
?!Whot ol
dyouthat?I
twasn'tmyfaultokay?
Iwasforced!AndIhadnootherchoicebecause
theywerethrownint
othedungeonandIhadt o
acceptt
hemar ri
agetofr
eethem '
'
.
'
'OhIsee.Sobyyourstat
ement.
..Youat
enoteven
i
nter
est
edinthemarri
age..Ri
ght
?''.
'
'I
..
..
'
'Maj
idyouhavet obesure.Bef
oreIcant
ellyou
whyexact
lyIcal
ledyou''
.
(
Maji
dl ookedar
oundhi
m,conf
usedandst
art
ed
wal
kingaway).
'
'Lookuncl
e.Justcutt
othechaseokay?Whatdo
youwant?'
'
.
'
'I
tisaboutt
hegir
l,
givent
oyousawifetobe.Your
weddi
ngisbytheendingoft
hismot
hright
?''
.
'
'Yeah.
..
but,
whatabouther
?Whati
swr
onguncl
e,
youareconf
usi
ngme' '.
'
'I
'dr
athert
ellyout
hisi
nper
sonnephew.Iwi
ll
arr
ivei
nthepalacet
omorr
owt
oseeyou.AndI
knowyouwilll
ist
entomemyboy'
'
.
'
'Ur
rrmmm.
..
can'
tyouj
ustt
ellme?What
'st
hedeal
?
'
'
.
'
'Youwi
llknowt
omor
row'
'
.
(Thecalldi
sconnect
edandMaj
idsatont
hest
air
s
confused).
(
Pri
ncessLakshmi
'
schamber
).
Sheembr
acedRajandgavehi
m aki
ssont
hecheek
i
nhappi
ness.
'
'NowOti
sset
tl
ed.Ihopeever
ythi
ngpull
sofff
ine
andChar
uwouldbefi
newhereeversheisnow''
.
'
'She'snowf arawayfr
om herepr i
ncess.Pri
nce
Farukwon'tbeabletofi
ndher .AndItoldoneofmy
auntstotakecareofher.Iwi
llbesendingthem
moneyver yoften'
'
.
'
'Thatisr
eall
ygenerousofyoumylove.Now,allwe
havetodoistokeepourmouthshut.I
fyoutrust
Savi
tr
iwil
lnottal
k,
thenCharuandherbabyissaf e!
'
'.
(Pri
nceFar ukbatchedontothechamber.Theyboth
quickl
yj umpedintoseparat
ewaysi nshockbythe
sightofhim.Hewasf ur
iousandglari
ngatbothof
them withanger.HepushedRajasideandquickly
wentf orPri
ncessLakshmi '
sarms).
'
'Wheret
hehel
lisChar
u?!Bet
tert
alknowLakshmi
..
Or.
..
.
'
'Pri
nceFarukthati
senough!'
'
.Rajshout
ed.'
'Don'
t
youhaveanyrespectf
orawoman?' '
.
(Pr
inceFaruktur
nedhiseyesback,st
arri
ngatRaj
wit
hdisgust.HepushedPrincessLakshmii
ntoher
beeandpushedRajtothefloor).
'
'Iam t
ourPri
nce.AndIcandowhatIwant
,ist
hat
cl
ear?Don'
tevert
alkt
omel i
ket
hat''
.
(Rajj
umpedbacki
ntohi
sfeetandr
aisedahandat
Pri
nceFaruk)
.
'
'Rajdon't
!Heisnotworthi
t.Iknowwhathe' s
planni
ngtodo.Don'
tlethi
m gettoyou' '
.Pri
ncess
LakshmigotbackupandPr i
nceFar ukslappedRaj
verypainf
ull
yacr
osshisli
psasi tburst
edopenwi t
h
blood.
'
' Far
uk..
.whatyouaredoingwil
lbeusel
essatt he
endoftheday.Becausemyl i
psaresealed.Ianot
goingtotel
lyouwer eCharui
sandsheisgoi ngto
givebir
thsafeandsoundandbr i
ngrchil
dupi na
polit
emanner !Somethi
ngyourownmothercoul dn'
t
teachyou!''
.
(PrinceFar ukgaveLakshmiahar shslap.Raj
l
oosedhi scoolandgaveFar ukadi r
tymouth
blow,givinghim ablackeyeandabr uisedmouth.
PrinceFar uklandedonthefloor
,groaningi
npain.
PrincessLakshmigotcl osertoRajandembr aced
him.Pr inceFarukgottohisfeet
).
'
'Thi
sisj
ustwhatIwant
edRaj
.Onepunch'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Far
uk?'
'
.
'
'Yessi st
er.Iwi
lldestr
oyyou.Ijustneededt hi
s
puncht ocallameetingatthecourt.Andfatherwil
l
sentenceyourdearboyf r
iendtodeathforraisi
ng
hishandonme' '
.Hesai dwithasmi l
eonhi sface.
'
'No!Youcan'
tdot
hatFar
uk!'
'
.
'
' Iam i
nmychamber ..
.Orlookformeanywher e
else.Igiveyouj ustsomefewhour s,t
ocomeand
tellmewher eCharuis.Andweshal lallbecool.And
Iwi l
lsayIf el
loffahorseandhur tmyf ace.Butif
youdon' tthen,
thisfaceisgoingri
ghtst r
aightt
ot he
king'schamber' '
.Hechuckl edandleftthechamber .
(
Lakshmiembr
acedRajt
ight
lyi
ntear
s).
'
'WhatdowedonowRaj.It
oldyounott
ohithi
m!I
knewhewaspl
anni
ngsomethingwi
cked.Nowyou
see?'
'
.
'
'Pri
ncessplease!Look,
don'
tleti
tgettoyouokay?
Wewon' tt
ellhi
m whereCharuis.Never!Idon'tcar
e
i
fam sentencedtodeathforhit
ti
nghim.Atl eastI
puthi
mi nhisplacealit
tl
e''
.
'
'Youf
ool!Ican'
tli
vewit
houtyou.Maybet
her
eis
somet
hingwecandot opreventt
his'
'
.
(
Justt
hen,
theyhear
daknockonthedoor.
..
andthey
wer
eshockedtoweret
hepersonahent
ered).
'
'Look,Iknowyouguysareshockedandeveryt
hing
but.
..
.Iheardever
ythi
ngyouarguedabout'
'
.
'
'Whoareyout
oeavesdr
opbehi
ndt
hepr
incess
chamber
?!'
'
.
'
'Look,youshouldjustshi
rtupandl istentome.If
youcanal l
owmeont his,
Iam wi l
li
ngt ohelpyou
guys.Iwanttohelpyouagai nstyourbr ot
her,
Pri
ncess.Thereisnoneedt ot el
lhim whereCharu
i
s,andlethi
mt akeyourboyfriendtot hecourt
,t
hey
willaskhi
mt hereasonwhyyouhi thim.Allyou
needt odoissaythat,
themai dispregnantforhim.
Andwhenhedeni esit,
Iwi
llstepin''
.
'
'How?'
'
.
'
'Leavet
hatt
ome'
'
.
'
'Whyar
eyouhel
pingus?'
'
.
'
'I
fthi
ngst
urnsoutr
ight
,Iwi
lll
etyouknow'
'
..
..
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
AfterRi
shiandKushitookt heirbreakfast,
Rishitol
d
Kushieveryt
hingandtheywer ebothbl ushi
ngl i
ke
theywerebothkissedtogether.Rishitookthe
sweatshi
rtandthrewitintothewar drobe.Bothshe
andKushisteppedoutt ogether.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shereceivedal et
terf
rom t
heJhansiki
ngdom and
aft
erreadingit,
shesmiledevi
ll
y.Sheal
sowrotea
dif
fer
entlett
erandgavei tt
ohermessengerand
askedhimt oleave.
'
'Justt womont hsmor e.I
nt womont hs,thenallmy
dreamswi l
lcomet r
ue.Fat heri scontroll
ingtheki
ng
verygoodandhei snotabl et ot hi
nkst r
aightand
makeadeci si
onont hecurrentwat erpoison
sit
uation.Ican'twaittoseehi m accuseki ng
Siamak, andthatisgoi ngtocr eatehellofa
commot i
onbet weent hetwol ongt i
mef r
iends.
Leadingt oaboomi ngwarwhi chIwi l
ltake
advantageofi ttomakeFar ukt heking''.
(
Aguar
dent
eredandboweddownt
oher
).
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..Savi
tr
iwant
stoseeyou'
'
.
'
'What
?!Who?'
'
.
'
'Savi
tr
i''
.
'
'Whatdoesthatwit
chwantnow?Orhasshenot
l
ear
ntherlessonsal
ready?'
'
.Shet
houghtt
ohersel
f.
'
'Tourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Letheri
n''
.
(Theguar
dleftandSavi
tr
ienteredmi nut
eslat
er.
Shewassmi l
ingwhensheent ered.QueenDorah
stoodupandfacedherconf
ident l
y.Savi
tr
ifol
ded
herarmstogether
).
'
'Hel
lo'
'
.
'
'Youneverl
ear
n,doyou?Whatdoyouwantnow?'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llgost
rai
ghtt
othestrengt
hforyout
hist
ime.I
cameheret
ocongrat
ulat
eyou''.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Oh..
.youdi
dn'
tknow?Awww. .
howcomePr ince
Farukbesohear
tlesst
oleaveyououtofsuchabig
news?GrandmotherDor
ah..
hahahaha'
'.
'
'Getout
.Idon'
thavet
imet
opl
ayj
okes'
'
.
'
' NowIhavenotj
ustoneevidence,
butt woagai
nst
yout omakeyout
alktal
k!Youaregoi ngtol
oose
thisgameQueenDorah.Ihavetheelephantbur
non
mypal m''
.
'
'Thati
sir
rel
evant
.Noonewoul
dbel
ievet
hatst
upi
d
mark''
.
'
'Buteveryonewi
llbel
ievethatPr
inceFar
ukr
aped
Charuthemaidandimpr egnat
edher''
.
'
'No.
..
no,
that
's.
..
.
'
' I
mpossibl
e?Ohi tis.Andyouar egoingtobea
grandmother.Outofwedl ock.Whichisforbi
ddenin
thekingdom.Nowam war ning,i
syoudar epullany
smartmoveonmeagai n..
.Youwi l
lregr
etit.
BecauseIhavespr eaderthisnewst osomef ew
people.Andifanyt hingshouldhappenedtome, they
aregoingtotelleveryone.Okay?''.
'
'But
..
.but
..
..
(Savit
risai
dnothingandlef
tthechamber,Queen
Doraht ookthedulloft
heki
ngandangril
ythrewit
offinanger)
.
(
Ont
hehal
lway)
.
KushiandRishistoodbesi
deoneclosedf
ort
alki
ng
abouttheki
sslikeitwashotgossi
p.
'
'Ican'
twai
tfort
hatf
orei
gnert
oheart
hisRi
shi
.It
's
l
essthantwoweekst
oyourweddi
ngandPri
nce
hasalr
eadyf
all
eninI
'
vewit
hyou?Ohgreat
!''
.
'
'Yout
hinkhe'
sreal
l
yinl
ovewi
thmenow?'
'
.
'
'Areyoubli
nd.Iwasn'
tevendaret
oseet
otheki
ss
andIalr
eadyfeell
ikemyli
psarewet'
'
.
(
Astheyconti
nuedthei
rchat
,Kushil
ookedover
Ri
shi
'sshoul
dersandsawPrinceMajidwalking
t
owardsthei
rdir
ect
ionwit
hhisfri
end.Rishi
'sback
wasfaci
ngther
eandsoshedi dn'
tseethis)
.
'
'Ir
eal
lyhopeyouar
eri
ghtKushi'
'
.
'
'Okay,
j
ustcl
oset
oureyes'
'
.
'
'What
..
.why?'
'
.
'
'Willyoujustdoitorwhat?Iwantt
oshowyou
somet hi
ng..
.Closeyoureyesnow!(
Rishicl
osedher
eyesandKushil aughedsil
ent
ly)
.
'
'Sayt
hat.
..
youl
ovePrinceMajid.Sayitf
ort
en
t
imesandyouwil
lbel
ievethathelovesyout
oo''
.
'
'Hahaha.
..
okay.
..
IloveyouPr
inceMaj
id.Il
oveyou
Pri
nceMaji
d..
..
(Kushislowlysteppedbackawayf
rom Rishiand
tooktoherheelsaway.LeavingRi
shiwit
hheryes
closedrepeati
ngt hosewor
ds).
'
'Il
oveyouPr
inceMaji
d..
.Il
oveyouPr
inceMaj
id.
.
Okay,
twomor
et ogo.
..
(Pr
inceMaj i
dandMaxwel larr
ivedbehindherand
wentinfrontofher.Maxwellt
urnedhisfacetolook
atMajidi
nsur pr
ise.Maji
dstoodinfrontofRishi
,
l
ookinginherfacewi t
hhreyesclosedandsmi li
ng)
.
'
'Il
oveyouPr
inceMaj
id.
..Il
oveyouPr
inceMaj
id!
!!
'
'
.
(Maji
d'sfacel i
ghtedup.Hecoul dn'tcontrolhi
sl i
ps
fr
om smi li
ng.Thi swat hemostamazi ngsighthe
hadeverseen.Ri shifi
nall
yopenedhereyesand
sawPr i
nceMaj idstandinginfrontofherandshe
gaspedf orbreath.Itl
ookedl i
kesomet hi
ngchoked
hr.Kushitri
ckedherandshewasgoi ngtodealwi th
heralot.PrinceMaj idheldhiswai stinwonder ,st
il
l
star
ri
ngather .Shehadal readystar t
edsweat ing.
Shetookonest epbackandr ushedawayl i
kea
mosquito).
'
'Whoa..
.di
dIjusthearherr
ight?She'
schant
ingher
l
oveforyou?Cindywouldki
llher'
'.
'
'For
getCi
ndyman'
'
.
'
'Excuseme?'
'
.
'
'What
ever
..
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
55] :

.
Sequence47
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewasr est
less,
morethanever
.Shestrol
led
downandupherr oom t
hinki
ngofhernextmove.
Avnient
eredandboweddown.
'
'Wher
eishe?
!It
'sbei
ngmor
ethanhoursi
nceI
sentyout
ogetFar
uk?
!Nowyouhavecomeback
wit
houthi
m?!'
'.
'
' Il
ookedforhi
m everywhereyourhi
ghness.I
couldn'
tfi
ndhim.ButwhenIwascomi ng.Butwhen
Iwascomi ngbackher e.
..
.It
hensawhim enter
ing
thecourtwit
hhisfather'
'.
'
'What
?!.
..
Whatar
etheygoi
ngt
odo?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow'
'
.
'
' Iam notgoi
ngtoletFarukdestroyever
ythingI
havewor kedhardallt
hisyearstobuil
t.
..
no!Ican'
t
allowhimt omakeanymi stakeri
ghtnowt hat
thingsaregoi
ngjustthewayIl i
keit'
'.
(
Theybot
hrushedoutoft
hechambert
oget
her
).
(
Ont
hewal
kway)
.
Kushiwaswalki
ngtowardsRishi
'
schamberwhen
shebumpedintoher.Ri
shigr
abbedhol
dofKushi
andthebot
hfoughteachotherpl
ayf
ull
yli
keki
ds.
'
'Your
ascal
!Ishoul
dhaveknownt
hiswasyour
pl
anal
lal
ong!Allal
ong!'
'
.
'
'Heyr
elax.
.okay?Iwasonl
yhel
pingyouadmi
tyour
f
eel
ingsf
orhi
m''
.
'
'Ihaveal
readyadmi
tt
edt
hat'
'
.
'
'Butyouneverdiditi
nfr
ontofhi
m.Nowi
t'
s
of
fi
cial
..
.yeeyyy!'
'
.
'
'Youknowhowner
vousugetwhenIam cl
oset
o
hi
m...
howcoul
dyoudothi
stomeyouidi
ot!'
'
.
Suddenly,theroyalcour
tbellst
ar t
edbangingl oudly.
RishiandKushisawser vantsrushingpassedt hem
ontheirheelstowardsthecourt.Theytri
edt alking
toanyoft hem butnoonewoul dst optol
istent o
whattheyhadt osayast heywer einahurryt oget
tothecour tandnottogetintot
r oubl
e.Theyt hen
saw
QueenSheenawal
kingt
owar
dst
hem andt
hey
st
oppedthem.
'
'Thi
sisnotthet
imeRi
shi
..
..
weneedt
ogett
othe
cour
tnow!'
'.
'
'Butcan'
tyouatleastbr
iefusaboutal
it
tl
eofwhat
i
sgoingonmot her'
'.
'
'I
tlookedl
ikePr
inceFar
ukwentt
omakear
epor
tto
t
heki
ng.That
'sal
lIhear
d..
.nowl
et'
sgo'
'
.
(
Int
her
oyalcour
t).
Theki ngwasseat edf i
rstbecausehewassuper
upsetaboutwhathadhappened.Ri shiandt he
othersent er edandwentt otaket heirposi t
ionsin
theirseats.Kushiwentbackt oj ointheser vants
standingatt heent r
ancei nsi l
ence.Al lfaceswason
PrinceFar ukashi sfacewasbr uisedupandhe
l
ookedbeat enmer cil
essl y.PrinceMaj idandhi s
fri
endsent er edthechamberandt ookai rpositi
ons.
Hesl owlysatonagol denchai rathi sf ather'
sright
handsi deandr elaxed.Ri shi'
sseatwasopposi te
Maj i
d'sseatbutshewasf acingQueenSheenaon
thegr andf loor.Pr i
ncessLakshmisatbesi desher
mot herwi t
hanabsol utewor riedf ace.Queen
Sheenar eal isedt hisandwasscar edt hemeet ing
hadsomet hi ngt odowi thheraswel l.Asever yone
wasf inal
lyseat ed,theki ngraisedhi shand.
'
'Lett
hecour
tbegi
n''
.
'
'Okayt
ourhi
ghness'
'.Thespokesper
sonadjust
ed
hi
mself
.''
Acomplai
nthasbeinglevel
ledagai
nst
oneoftheser
vant
sbyPri
nceFar
uk.Guar
ds,
bri
ng
theaccusedi
ntot
hecour
t''
.
'
'Ohmygoodness. ..Ohpl
easel
ord,
l
etal
lthi
send
soon.Ican'
tbaretoseeRaji
nanypain'
'
.Pri
ncess
Lakshmithoughtandangr
il
ytur
nedtost
areat
Pri
nceFaruk.
'
' Thisi
sallsowrong!Iswear,
Iwil
lteachFaruka
bitterl
essononthi
ssowel l
!Ihopethisrepor
tofa
thingisnotwhatam thi
nki
ng''.QueenDorah
thought.
(Twoguar dsenteredthecourtwithRaji
nt heirarms.
Hewashandcuf fedinchai
nsandt hr
ewatt hefeet
oftheki ng.Pri
nceFar uksmirked.Thekingsni f
fed,
l
ooki ngatRajwi thrage.Pri
ncessLakshmi was
havingendl essscareandscr ewingherhandsi n
anxiety.Wonderingwhatexact lywhatPrinceFar uk
tol
dt heirfat
her)
.
'
'Tourhighness,whathashappened?Whatdidt
he
guar
ddo?Thati sPrincessLakshmi'
sper
sonal
guar
dright?''
.QueenSheenaasked.
'
'Yeshei
s''
.Theki
ngt
urnedhi
sfacet
olookat
Lakshmii
nanger
.''
Lakshmi
!!
!'
'.
(Pr
incessLakshmiquickl
ygott
iherf
eet
,swal
lowi
ng
sal
ivaandsweating)
.
'
'Fat
her
?''
.
'
' HowcouldyoudothisLakshmi ?Isthatthevalues
tourmotheri
nsti
ll
edint
oyou? ..
.andyou,thisf
il
thy
guardandyou..
.aaaham disgusted''
.
(QueenmotherandQueenSheenawereshocked.
QueenSheenastoodup,
facedLakshmiwi
th
questi
oni
ngeyes).
'
'Whati
sthi
sLakshmi
?Whati
stourf
ather
..
..
'
'Noneedtoaskher!BecauseIam goingtotel
lyou
ever
ythi
ng.Pr
inceFar
uk,myeldestson,pl
easeget
up''
.
(Pri
nceFarukgotupwi
thbr
uisesonhi
sfaceand
pret
enti
ouslymoanedi
npai
n).
'
'Farukcametomet hismorningandmadear eport
.
Hewashi tbyLakshmi'
spersonalguard.Andthe
reasoni
s,myownser vant
shavebei ngcommi tt
ing
abominati
oninthepal
ace.Thisguard,
ishavinga
secr
etr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thLakshmial
lthi
sti
me!'
'
.
'
'Ohmygoodness!'
'
.QueenSheenafel
tashocki
n
herhear
tandf
ell
backi
ntoherseat
.
'
'Mot
her
!''
.
'
'Andalsohadarel
ati
onshi
pwithLakshmi'
s
per
sonalmaid.
..
whatwashernameagain?''
.
'
'Char
u..
.f
ather'
'
.Pr
inceFar
ukanswer
ed.
(
Allt
heel
der
sandpr
iest
spr
esentwer
eshocked)
.
'
'Andt hi
sguar dhadgottenChar upregnant.And
sentherawayf rom thepal
acei nsecret
.And
Lakshmi,theLakshmiwhomeIt houghtwas
i
nnocent,helpedthem dothis.
.anddidn'tmind
conti
nuingther el
ati
onshi
p.AndwhenFar ukf ound
outandt r
iedrepri
mandingher,theguardhithim' '
.
'
'Thati
snottruefat
her!'
'
.Pri
ncessLakshmi
shout
ed,hermothergotupandslappedherof
f.
'
'Shutupnowandli
stent
otourf
ather
!Iam ver
y
ashamedofyounow''
.
'
'That
'senoughmot her
!''
Pri
nceMajidgotupand
wentcl
osertoLakshmiwhoembr acedhimti
ghtl
y
andbur
iedherf
acei
nhi
schest
.
'
'Youcannotbedef
endingherMaj
id.Thi
sisan
abomi
nati
on''
.Thekingsai
d.
'
'Hasanyofyoutr
iedhear
ingt
heguar
d'ssi
deof
t
hestor
y?''
.Pri
nceMaji
dasked.
'
'But.
..
whatareyoutalki
ngaboutMajid?Areyou
sayi
ngthatam lyi
ng?ThatwhatIsaidisnotval
id
enough?'
'.Pr
inceFarukjumpedin.
'
'Idon'tknow..
..
..brother
.Butever
yonehasr
ight
s.
Soyoual lei
therlettheguardspeakorweal
ldepar
t
fr
om thiscourt.
..or?''
.
'
'Okayfi
ne.Whathastheaccusedgottosayinhi
s
def
ensebefor
ehispunishmenti
sgiventohim?''
.
'
'Iam i
nnocenttourhi
ghness.Ihi
tPr
inceFar
uk,yes.
Butt
hatisbecausehehitPri
ncessLakshmif
ir
st!''
.
'
'Yesf
ather
!Far
uki
sthef
a..
..
..
(
Justt
hen,
Jimmygottohi
sfeeti
nconfi
dence.
Maj
idwasshockedandt
herestoft
hei
rfri
ends
wer
eshocked)
.
'
'Iam sor
ryMaj
id.Ican'
thi
det
het
rut
hanymor
e..I
j
ustcoul
dn'
tcont
rol
..
..
'
'Stopt
hatshi
tJimmy!What'
sallt
his.Whatar
eyou
tr
yingt
oprovehere?Whendi
dyouar ri
vei
nthe
ki
ngdom t
oimpregnateawoman?''
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
wearej
ustcloset
ot hr
eedayst
heni
t'
llbea
mont
hsincewearr
ivedhereri
ght
?''
.
'
'So?'
'
.
'
'Igottoknowthemai
d..
.l
iket
hrewweeksago,
andI
fel
linl
ovewit
hher.Wel
l,
onethi
ngledt
oanother
and..
..
'
'What.
..
that
'sunbel
ievabl
e!'
'
.Pr
inceFar
ukshout
ed
i
nrage.
'
'Bel
ievewhatyouwantpeopl
e.Butam afor
eigner
,
andIdon'
tknowthatsomeoftourrul
essaysthat
nosexbefor
emar r
iage.
(Pri
nce!Maj i
dchuckl
edandscrat
chedhi
sheadi
n
disbel
ieve.Hetur
nedtolookathi
sfat
her
).
'
'Father.
.I..
.wel
l,
l
ook,
am sor r
yokay?Heisa
for
eigner,youshoul
djustletthi
sgo''
.Helooked
backatJimmyandwhi speredint
ohisear
s.''Fuck
youman!Iam savi
ngyourass,
youowemebi
g!'
'
.
'
'Well
..
.i
fthat
'sthetrut
han..
.fi
ne.Butt
heguardwil
l
st
il
lbepunishedforlayi
ngahandont hePri
nce.
AndLakshmi,getready.Iam get
ti
ngyoumarri
edat
once'
'.
'
'Noooo!Fat
herpl
easeI
..
..
.
'
'Enough!Thecour tisdismissed!Maji
d,makesure
togettourfri
endprepared.Wedon' tgi
vebirt
hout
ofwedlockher e.Heshouldgethisfamilyi
nLondon
readytocomegetmar ri
edtot hedungeon.
Lakshmi'stear
sf el
lfr
om hereyesandshequi ckl
y
rushedtoMaj i
dandhuggedhi mf r
om theback.
Majidturnedtoherandcar essedherfaceandhair
withcare.
'
'SavemeMaji
d.Pl
easebrot
her
,youcannotal
low
f
athert
ogetmemarri
ed.I
..
..
'
'Shhhh.
..
I'
vegott
hisal
ri
ght
?''
.
'
'Ar
eyousur
eMaj
id.
..Ar
eyou.
..
.
'
'Whodoyoul
ovet
hen?'
'
.
(
Lakshmil
ookeddowni
nshynessandMaj
id
chuckl
ed.Shetur
nedherheadt
olookatRajwho
wasbeingtakenawayandMaji
dreal
ised)
.
'
'Guar
ds!Lethi
m go'
'
.
'
'ButmyPr
ince.
..
.
'
'I
t'
sanor
der
.Lethi
m gonow,
andgetout'
'
.
(Theguardsobeyed,boweddownandl etRajgo.
Thecourthaddepar t
edcompletel
yanditwaslef
t
withMajid'
sfr
iendsandLakshmiwi t
hRaj.Raj
quickl
yrushedtoMaj i
d'sf
eetandtouchedhi
sfeet.
Maj i
dmovedawayandmadehi m standupand
closert
oLakshmi )
.
'
'Youl
ovemysi
sterhuh?'
'
'
'MyPr
ince.
.I.
..
..
'
'Yes.
.orno?'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
.
'
'Thentakehertoherchamber
.Shel
ookedt
ir
ed.
Andcomebackandt ellmehowyout
wowantt our
weddi
ngt obe''
.
(
Maj
idl
aughsasLakshmicheer
ful
lyembr
acedhi
m
andl
aterl
eftwi
thRaj
).
'
'NowJimmy,
youhavegotal
otofexpl
aini
ngt
odo.
Whatwasal
lthi
sabout
?''
.
'
'Ithi
nkyoushouldl
etyoursist
erexpl
ainbett
erto
youMajid'
'.Ji
mmywal kedcl
osertohisearand
whisper
ed.''
Yourbr
otherisamonsterman,beware
ofhim''
.
(Hesai
dandl
eftwit
hther
estwhi
leMaj
idponder
ed
onthi
swit
hast
onishment
).
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
SheslappedFarukandhef el
l onherbed.Helooked
ashamedandhear tbrokenwiththefi
naljudgement
andhehadnoi deaofwhatt osayt oQueenDorah.
Heknewhehadscr ewedupt histi
meandshehad
ever
yr i
ghtt
oactthatway.
'
'Sotel
lme.Whoi
sthef
ather
?Isi
tthef
orei
gner
,or
you?'
'
'
'Me.Iswearnoneofthi
swouldhavehappened
mother
.Ifmyplanshadworkedl
astni
ght,
Charu
wouldhavebei
ngkil
ledbyt
odayandthecourt
woul
dn'
thavehappened'
'
.
'
'Andwhathappened?Whydi
dn'
tyouj
ustki
llher
?''
.
'
'Shivsaidthat,
someonehithimfrom behi
ndwhen
hewasaboutdoi ngi t
.Andthatwasit
.Hejust
coll
apsedmot her.Forgi
vememot her
,Iwasjustso
restl
essanddesper at
e.Now,al
loutdr
eamsar e
crashing'
'
.
'
' Noonesdr eamswi l
lcrashFar uk.ItwasSavi tr
i
whohi tyourguar d.Shecameher ethismor ni
ngt o
threatenmewi thChar u'
spr egnancy.Idon' tknow
whyt hatf oreignerhast akent her esponsi bil
it
y.But
i
tal lboi lsdownt oonet hi ng.Heal soknowsabout
yourmot ivef orMaj i
d.Andi fMaj i
df indsoutt hat
youhat ehi m,hewi l
lnevert rustyou.Andi fItryt
o
usebl ackmagi ct ocontrolyourf atherright
now. ..thent hatst upi
dpr iestChanakherwi l
lfi
ndout
andannouncei t.Nowwear estaxked.Al lweneed
i
st owai tf orsomemor et i
met omakepl ans.For
now, you, myson, hast olookf orChar uandendher
l
ife.Becauseasoont obeki ng, willberemovef rom
thet hronei fher apeswomenandmaket hem
pregnantf ornor eason,andi ftheJhansiki ngdom
hear
saboutthi
s,t
henyouwillbedi
sgracedandtour
marr
iagewithRagahwil
lbecanceled.Iwil
lpr
act
ice
magictoni
ghttot
racewhereCharuis.Thenyou
canendthi
sokay?''
.
'
'Whatwedowi
thSavi
tr
imot
her
?''
.
'
'Leavehert
omeaswel
l'
'.
(
Mai
den'
schamber
).
Savit
risatonherbed,
looki
ngi nherpl
ansand
remember edtwent
yfiveyearsagowhenshe
removedt heneckl
acefrom QueenMeerahandgot
thatburn.
'
' I
fmydaught erisnolongeral i
veandam her eam
ofnouse.Whathappenedi nthecour ttoday,proved
thatQueenDor ahandPr i
nceFar ukhadever ything
undert heircontr
ol.Andwhoi sevengoi ngt o
believeacommonmai dlikemei fItryt oaccuse
them?AndIdon' twanttodi ewi t
houtsavi ngt he
royalfami l
yfrom thosetwodevi l
s.Event hought hi
s
mi ghtalsobedanger oustomyownl ife,
Iwi l
lhave
tof i
ndt hepotQueenMeer ah'
ssoulwashi dden
i
n,andf reeherspirit
.Thepr i
estalreadyt oldus
twent yfiveyearsagothat,
i
fhersoulissetf r
ee,t
hen
weshal lal
ldie.Well
,Iwi
lll
ovetodiewi t
hQueen
Dor ahtogether,Iwil
lsetQueenMeer ah'ssoul
free,shehasbei ngtr
appedf ortwent
yfiveyears.I
wi l
lfreeher,shewil
lkil
lusall.
.t
henitwillbeadone
deal .
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
11:
55] :

.
Sequence48
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenSheena'
schamber
).
Shecouldn'tcontrolhert
ear
saftert
henewsshe
heardatthecour t
.Itwasalr
eadydarkint
he
eveningandRi shiandKushiandQueenmother
couldn'
tevencont rol
.Andwhathurthert
hemost
wasthatthekingsaidhewasgoi ngtogetLakshmi
marri
edsoont oavoidanydisgrace.ButQueen
Sheenawasn'treadytoletherdaughtergo.She
wasjustherl
ittl
eprincessandhersourceofjoy.
Shewipedhert ear
sandsai dshewasr eadyto
sl
eep.
'
'Shoul
dwegot
hen?'
'
.
'
'Iti
snotl
ikeIam thr
owingyououtmother
,butI
needtodi
gestthi
sin''
.QueenSheenar
epli
ed.
'
'Mot
her
..
.ever
ythi
ngwi
llal
ri
ghtokay?Idon'
tthi
nk
t
heki
ngmeantwhathesaid''
.Ri
shisai
d.
'
'ThekingmeanswhathesayseverydayRi
shi.I
tis
al
readylat
eandinnerwil
lbeser
ved,youal
lshoul
d
goandgetsomethingtoeat'
'
.
'
'Wel
l,
Iannoteat
ingunt
ilyoueat'
'
.Ri
shisai
d.
(
Queenmot
hergott
oherf
eet
).
'
'Iwillgoandt
akemyeveni ngsleep.I
thasbeinga
l
ongwayandmor ej
ewelrymaker swil
larr
ivehere
fr
om Mumbait omor
row.It'
sjustlesst
hanaweekt o
RishiandMaji
d'smarr
iageceremony''.
(
Rishibl
ushedandt
heyal
llaughed)
.
'
'Sobet
terbest
rongf
ort
hatSheena'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llmot
her
.Iam sur
eIwi
llbeal
ri
ghtt
omor
row'
'
.
(Queenmot
herl
eft
,l
eavi
ngQueenSheenaandRi
shi
andKushi
).
'
'Mot
her
..
.wi
llyoubeokay?'
'
.
'
'YesRi shi.Pl easegot obed.Ipr omi set hatam not
hungry.IthinkIwi llfeelbet
teraftertal kingt o
Lakshmimysel ftomor r
ow.Char u'spr egnancywas
confi
rmed, t hef oreignerwasr esponsi bl e.But
Lakshmi '
sr elationshi pwit
htheguar di sr eal.That
hurt!
e,Iam hermot herandshecoul dn' ttr ustme
enought ot ellmet his.Iam t
hewor semot herinthe
world''
.
'
'Never
!Youhavebei
ngaverywonder
fulwi
feand
mother
..
.Bot
htoLakshmiandMaji
d''
.
'
'Andhowdoyouknowt
hat
?''
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
..
(
Rishit
ri
edpull
ingherwordbackandnott
olet
QueenSheenaknowtatshealr
eadyknewthet
rut
h
t
hatshewasn'
tMaj
id'
srealmot
herbutKushi
'
sbi
g
mouthwasit
chi
ng)
.
'
'Well
..
..
Maj
idi
stheproofQueenSheena!Youhave
mother
edhi
m sowellevent
hough.
..
.
'
'Kushi
!'
'.
'
'What?!'
'
.QueenSheenal ookedintoRi
shi'
seyes
andtheyweren'
tlyi
ng.Kushilookedawaybut
QueenSheenapul l
edherfacetolookather
s.'
'You
two.
.you.
..
you.
..
.
(Rishigotupandscratchedherhands,
wonder
ing
aroundt heroom.QueenSheenagotupandpull
ed
backRi shi
).
'
'Mot
her
!.
..
.
'
'Justanswerme!Howdidyoutwo..
.youal
ready
know?Youknowt het
rut
hdon'tyou?''
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
.
'
'When?'
'
.
'
'Itwascompl
icat
ed.Butwedi dn'
tfi
ndoutinthe
easyway.Wehadtoputthingstogethert
ofindout
.
IsawQueenMeerah'spai
ntingtheotherday
and,shewaswear i
ngt
heelephantneckl
ace.And
thent heki
ngt ol
dusafewst or
yaboutQueen
Meer ah,becauseIwant
edt oknowhowshedi ed.
Buthenevert oldmeshegavebi r
thtoPri
nceMajid,
I
j
ustt houghtseepandarr
ivedwiththeanswer'
'.
(QueenSheenasaidnot
hingbutj
ustsmi
ledwi
del
y.
Surpri
singRi
shiandKushi)
.
'
'MotherandIdi
dnotmakeamistakef
orchoosing
youasthefut
ureQueenRi
shi
.Youarei
ndeed,her
smart
.Youtwogirl
s''
.
'
'Real
ly?
...Youar
enotupset
?''
.Ri
shiasked.
'
'WhywouldIbeupsetatthetrut
hRishi
?This
secr
etwasneveraburdenforme.BecauseIl
oved
Maji
dassoonashewasbor n.IwasQueen
Meerah'
shandmaiden'
'
'
'What
?!'
'
.Ri
shiandKushiwer
esur
pri
sed.
'
'Butt
het r
uthisalongstory.Themysterybehind
QueenMeer ah'
sdeath.
..i
sal ongst
ory.Thatisa
st
oryforanotherday.
..
'
'Iknowt
hatPr
inceFar
ukhat
esPr
ince
Maj
id,
mot
her'
'
.
'
'Howdi
dyouf
indout
?''
'
' Theli
onattackinPr i
nceMajidthatnight
,i
twas
Pr i
nceFaruk'
sidea...
KushiheardPrinceFaruk
havingaconver sati
onwithhisguard..
.Shi
v.About
takingPri
nceMaj idtoa..
..
.
'
' Allofi ti
s..
.bit
ter
lytrue,
Rishi
.ButbyGod'sgrace
andt heneckl ace,Majidhasalwaysbeingsafe.And
nowyout oo....
becauseofyouRi shi
,Ibel
ieve
ever ythingwi l
lbealready.Justpromisemeone
thing. .
.sweart ome!''
.
'
'Yes.
..
.what
everyouneedmot
her'
'
.
'
'Noone.Especi
all
yMaj i
d,mustneverfi
ndoutthat
tr
uth.Hewil
lbeshatt
ered.AndIam surenoone
wouldwantthat
.Hewillhateusall
.Please,
canyou
dothat?'
'
.
'
'Ofcoursemother
.Icankeepi
stomysel
f.And
Kushit
oo,event
houghshehasabigmout
h.Don't
worr
y''
.
'
'Thankyou.Whenacompl
etel
ywel
ltomor
row,
and
wehaveti
me,Icanhelpyouwithi
nfor
mat
ion,
whi
ch
wi
llhel
pyoubettert
oprotectMaj
id'
'.
'
'Weshal
lleavenowmot
her
.Goodni
ght'
'
..
..
(
NextDay=I
ntheki
ngdom=Meho'
shouse)
.
Str
angemenar r
ivedinsuit
sandacarandbat ched
i
ntoheroom.I twasempt y,
onlyt
hebagsand
cl
othesaroundandaf ewfoodst
uff
s.Theywer e
hol
dingknivesandguns.Theysearchedaroundt he
compoundandgott otheentr
ance.
'
'Noone.It
hinkt
hemanl
eftt
hehouse'
'
.
'
'Wesawhiscl
othesther
e.Hestil
lli
veshere.We
havebei
ngt
ryi
ngtotackhim downforthr
eedays
now..
.
'
'Ormaybeheisnoti
n.It
hinkweshoul
dcomeher
e
i
nhnight.Whenhecomeshome.Thenwecan
f
ini
shthejob.
..
.
'
'Let
'sl
eaveher
ebef
oreanyoneseesus'
'
.
(
Radah'
sHouse)
.
BhavnahelpedRadahwashtheircl
othesandt
he
di
shes.Theybothwalkedt
ogetheri
ntohersowi
ng
shop.Bhavnatr
iedpl
aci
ngar opeintheneedl
eso
shecouldhel
pRadahstartsowingsomeclothes
butshesuddenl
yhadblurr
yvisions.
'
'Ever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?''
.
'
'OhgodRadah. .
.Canyoubel
ieveIam notabl
eto
placet
his..
..
myhead!'
'
.Shegroanedi
nagony.
Radahleftwhatshewasdoi
ngandquicklyatt
ended
toher.
'
'Youhavebeingcomplaini
ngofheadacheever
si
nceyouarri
vedu'r
e.Buttourblur
ryvisionsi
s
somethi
ngelseBhavna.Thisisgett
ingoutifhand.
Weshallgoandseethedoct orwhetheryouli
keitor
notnow.Iwi
llcl
osethestorenow''.
'
'NoRadah'
'
.
'
'Isai
dwearegoing.Ihavehadenoughoft
our
r
efusal
.Wearegoingtocheckonyounow!'
'.
(
Butt
woguardsf
rom t
hepal
acearr
ived
i
mmediat
elyi
nal
lsmil
esandboweddownt
oher
).
'
'Bhavna'
'
.
'
'Yes.Ohgod!Ihopenot
hinghashappenedi
nthe
pal
acet
hat
..
..
'
'Everyt
hingi
sal
ri
ght
.Thet
hingi
s,Pr
inceMaj
id.
..
he
gothurt'
'.
(BhavnaandRadaharebot
hsuddenl
yst
eeland
standi
ngther
espeechl
ess)
.
'
'Whathappened?I
sheokay?I
she.
..
.
'
'Heisalr
ight.Buthegotwoundedonhisstomach.
Thewoundi sheali
ng.ButhewantsTuescartoal
so
di
sappear.Andthatiswhy,
wear eher
e.Tour
mir
acleherbsandhandscancr eat
ethatsol
uti
on.
Wetoldhim aboutyouandhewant syoutocome
wit
hthemedi ci
netomaket hescardi
sappear'
'
.
'
' Oh,butofcourse.Iwillgl
adlydot hat.Thatyell
ow
herbt hough..
.Ithanotbeingr aini
nglatelyso..
.i
t
hasnotbei nggr owing.Iwil
lhavet ogot othe
templ etochecki fIwil
lgetsome.Tel lthePrinceto
wai tunti
laft
ertheweddi ngbet weenheandRi shi
..
.I
wi l
lsolveeverything'
'.
'
'Okay..
..
weshallt
akeourl
eavenow''.Theybowed
downandl ef
tandBhavnaputherhandstoget
her.'
'
Ohlord.
..
prot
ectmydaughterandherhusbandto
be.Radah.
..Iwantt
oseeRi
shinow'
'
.
'
'Wecan'tjustwal
kintothepalaceaswewi sh
Bhavna.ButIwil
laccompanyyou. .
.onl
yifwecome
backfr
om thedoctor.
..Let
'sgo..
.
(
Int
heRoyalPal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewor eabr andnewshi rtandat i
ghtblackjean
trousers.Ther oyaldoct
orchangedhi sbandage
woundwhi chwaaal r
eadyhealingfastandt oldhi
m
thenewst hat,
hewassoongoi ngtogetthewoman
tomaket heher btomaket hescardisappearaf t
er
hisweddi ng.Henoddedandsati nbed,waitingfor
hisbr eakf
ast.Buthekeptt hi
nkingaboutwhat
Jimmyt oldhim aboutFarukbeingamonst er.He
calledSushimi ntothechamberandhebowed.
'
'Youl
ookmuchbet
tert
odaymyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Thanks.Butthat
'snotwhyIcal
ledyou.Sushi
m,
youhaveswor ntoprot
ectmewithtourown
l
ife.
..
isn'
tit
?''
.
'
'Exact
lymyPr
ince.I
sther
eanyt
hingyoumayneed?
'
'
.
'
' Iwantthetr
uth.Sushim,youmayhaveknownme
asyourmast er.Butyoudon' tknowanythingelse.
Onet hi
ngIhatemosti nmyl i
feispeoplekeeping
thingsfr
om me.Ihat esecrets.Ihatel
iesanddecei t
.
Sushim,Ineedt oknowever ythingaboutFaruk..
.I
am notachildtobekeptt hingsf r
om.Ifeelstupi
d
whenpeopl ehidethi
ngsf r
om meandmakemef eel
Ican'tpr
otectmyself!Iam af ucki
ngadultwhocan
makel ot
sofchi l
dren''
.
(
Sushi
m chuckl
edandhel
dhi
smout
h).
'
'Sor
rymyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Wel
lyoushoul
dbe..
.Becausei
t'
snotf
unny.Tel
l
me,
whatist
hedealwit
hFaruk?'
'Whydoyouask?''
.
'
'Isaidwhat'
sthedealwi t
hhi m?Iam most
shockedbecauseeversinceIgothurt,
henever
camet oseeme.Ifitweren'
tf ort
hecourtcar
yest
erday,Iwoul
dn'thavemethi m.Whatki ndof
brot
herdoesthat?Tellme..
..doeshehateme?Do
youthink,
heplannedtheat t
ackonme?' '.
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
idwashi
twi
thpai
n.Tear
sdr
ewf
rom hi
s
eyes.Butt
heydi
dn'tf
all
.Hesni
ff
edandsat
caref
ull
yonhisbed.Hewasthi
nkingdeep,hedi
dn'
t
knowwhatandwhyandhowhi sbr ot
herhatedhi
m.
Hebithisl
owerli
psandtookadeepbr eat
hand
l
ookedbackatSushim).
'
'WhySushi
m?Doesanyoneknowt
his?'
'
.
'
' Queenmot her,
QueenSheena. ..
me..
.weknowt hat
youar enotsafeatal lar
oundPr i
nceFar uk.He
hatesyoubecause, hethi
nkshewassupposedt o
bet hecrownedPr inceandnotyou.MyPr ince..
.
thatiswhyyourgr andmot herisdoi
ngal lshecant o
catchFar ukintheactoftryingtoharm you.Soshe
canusei tasevidenceagai nsthi
m.Thenever yt
hing
wi l
lfi
nal
lybeover .Butheal waysdoeshi sthi
ngs
discreet
ly.Heleavesnoevi dencebehind''.
'
'Hewassupposedt obet hecr
ownedPri
nce?I
myselfhavebei
ngthinki
ng.Imean,
hei
stheeldest
son.
..
sowhydi dfat
herchoosemeinst
ead?Why
Sushi
m?' '
.
'
'My.
..
myPrincepl
easejustgett
ourmindoutof
t
hatnowokay?Tourweddingisj
ustar
oundthe
cor
ner
,youshoul
d..
..
'
'Ar
eyouhi
dinganyt
hingel
sef
rom me?'
'
.
(Justthen,
twomaidsenteredandboweddownwith
alargetrayofri
chbreakfast
.Sushi
mtookadeep
breathandquickl
yleftt
hechamber.Themai
ds
arrangedthefoodonhisbed).
'
'Whomadet
hef
ood?'
'
.
'
'Pri
ya.Shei
sQueenSheena'
shandmai
denmy
Pri
nce''
.Oneoft
hem r
epl
ied.
(Maji
draisedhishandsandr emovedhisshi
rt
.
Reveali
nghisfreshmuscularbody.Themaids
star
tedbli
nkingmoret i
mest hannor
malandstar
ted
suff
ocati
ng,theycouldn'
tbreath)
.
'
'Andwhoaskedyout
wot
oser
veme?'
'
.
'
'I
t'
sourdut
ymyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Taket
hef
oodback'
'
.
(
Thet
womai
dsl
ookedateachot
heri
nper
plexed)
.
'
'MyPr
ince.
..
?''
.
'
'Go.
..
tel
lRi
shit
obr
ingt
hei
t''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
(
Theyt
ookt
hef
oodandwal
kedaway)
.
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Kushiwasst i
llasl
eepandshedi dn'thearthatRishi
hadevent akeherbathandgotdr essedup.Ri shi
broughtacupofwat erfrom t
hebat hroom anditon
Kushi'
sface.Thegirlj
umpedoutofbedwi tha
scream andheldherchest.ShesawRi shil
aughing
atherprofuselyandgroanedloudlyather.
'
'Thati
swhatyougetwhenyout
ri
ckmet
osay.
..
I
l
oveyouPri
nceMaji
d''
.
'
' Ohgosh.Don'tworr
y!Ialr
eadyregr
etdoingt
hat.I
wasal r
eadydreamingofmyunknownPr i
nce
charmingyoufool.Ihopethelor
dpunishyoufor
thisandmakeyouseePr inceMajidseeyouagai
n''
.
'
'Thatwon'
thappened.
..
(Theyhear
daknockandRi
shishout
edforwhoever
tocomein.Thet
womaidsent
eredandbowed
downather).
'
'Youbr
oughtourbr
eakf
ast
..
.soqui
ck!Wow!'
'
.
Kushiexcl
aimed.
'
'No..
.i
tisnotforyou.Ri
shi
..
.Thi
sisPri
nceMaji
d's
br
eakfast.Andhesaysweshouldgivei
ttoyout
o
br
ingit'
'.
(Rishi
'
sfacefell
.Hermout
hopened.Herhai
r
standi
ngonends.Kushiontheot
herhand,
fel
lint
o
thebedinlaughter
).
'
'Hesai
dme?Di
dyouhearhi
mri
ght
?''
.
'
'Yes.Hesai
d..
.t
ellRi
shit
obr
ingt
hef
ood'
'
.
(
Theysaidandl
eftt
hecover
edf
oodsandf
rui
tson
Ri
shi
'sbedandl
eft)
.
'
'OhmygoodnessKushi
..
.whatdoI
..
.
(SheturnedtothebedandKushihadalr
eady
coveredherbodywiththebedsheet
sandmocki
ng
Rishiwithhersnor
e).
'
'Youaredist
urbi
ngmypr i
ncesssl
eepRi
shi.Gogo
go..
.t
helor
disgoodti
me.Go,ordoyouwatyour
husbandtostar
vetodeat
h?''
.
(
Rishisaidnothi
ngbutcar
ri
edt
helar
getrayof
f
oods,fr
uitsanddeser
veandwal
kedoutofthe
chamber
).
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Majidscr oll
edt hr
oughhi sphoneandt hensomeone
walkedupt ohimi nther oom.Her aisedhi shead
andi twaRi shiholdingt hetrayoff ood.Shewas
mor ebeaut i
fulthanever .Thist i
me, theireyes
l
ocked.Ri shilookedathi m andheal soglancedat
her.Botht heirmindscast edbackt ot hekiss.Rishi
fel
tanamazi ngsensat iont hroughherbodyt hat
shewasaboutt odropt hef ood.Shehadneverf elt
thatway.Sher eali
sedt hathert i
ghtswer ewetof
sweat .Shequi ckl
ysett hef oodont hebedi nfr
ontof
Majid.Hewor enoshi rtandher oll
edhi seyesf r
om
Rishi'
st optoherdown.
'
'Youokay?'
'
.
'
'Y.
..
yes.
.yes.
..
.I
..
..
ii
..
.was.
..
'
'Whyar
eyoust
ammer
ing?'
'
.
'
'You.
..
Imean.
..
.
'
'Imakeyoust
ammer
?''
.
'
'That
'snotwhatImeant
.I.
..
'
'Si
t''
.
'
'Huh?'
'
.
'
'Isai
d..
.si
tdown'
'
.
(Rishiqui
ckl
ysatdownacrosshi
sfeetonthebed.
Shekeptscratchi
ngherpal
msandlooking
elsewhere)
.
'
'Lookatmyf
ace'
'
.
(
Rishit
urnedherheadandl
ookedathi
m).
'
'DoImakeyouf
eel
uneasy?'
'
.
'
'I
..
.I
..
..
.
'
'Or
..
..
(Maj
idstar
redseducti
vel
yather
.Hi
sbr
owneyes
per
fect
ingherbody).
'
'Or
..
..
..
doyouwantanot
herki
ss?'
'
.
(
Rishi
'
shear
tski
ppedabeat
).
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
55] :
.
Sequence49
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Rishicoul dn'tbel i
eveherear s.PrinceMaj i
dst art
ed
enjoyi nghi sbr eakfastwhi l
ehi seyeswasonRi shi
.
Heneededt olandonadeci sion.Yesheki ssed
her,buti twasn' tenoughf orhim.Hewasconf used.
Hehadl ovedCi ndyf orsevenyear s,andnowhi s
feeli
ngswer econf usinghim.Hest arr
edatherwhi l
e
shef or cedher selfnottoblush.Sheneededt o
cont rolher selfandkeepi ttogether.Shecrossed
herf eett ogetherandher eali
sedhowner vousshe
was.Hehadal it
tl
esmi leatthecor nerofhislips.
Hel ovedi tthathewasmessi ngwi thher
.
'
'Doyouneedanythi
ngel
sepl
ease?'
'
.Shef
inal
ly
br
eakthesi
lence.
'
'Ouch.
..
howr
ude.Howdar
eyouansweraquest
ion
wi
thaquest
ion'
'
.Hesai
dgl
ari
ngatherwi
thagr
in.
'
'I
..
.i
t'
sjustt
hatI
..
.myPr
inceI
..
..
'
'Wel
lfor
geti
t.YouaskedmewhatIneeded?'
'
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Amassage'
'
.
(
Rishiwasabouttofai
nt.Sheneededherl
if
etobe
t
akenfrom heratt
hatmoment).
'
'Ma.
..
massage.Youmean,
pressi
ngyourbody?'
'
.
'
'Whatot
hermassagedoyouknowgi
rl
?''
.
'
'Justt
hat'
'
.
'
'I'
m sati
sf i
ed.Needt
okeept hi
sbodyin
shape..
.ri
ght?Am notsupposedtoeatmuch.
..what
doyout hink?''
.
'
'Yes.
..
yesofcour
se.I
..
.you.
..
(Pri
nceMajidgott
ohisf eet
.Noshi r
ton,
heremoved
thebandageandplaceditaside.Heint
ent
ional
ly
groanedinpai
nandRi shisuddenlyl
ookedconcern)
.
'
'Myshoul
der
shur
t.Imean,
sinceyougonna,
give
meamassage,t
henIbetyoucanal
sohel
pmet
ake
of
fmyj
eans?''
.
'
'Takeof
fyourshor
ts?
!!!I
..
..
'
'Yeahwhat
?What
'swr
ongwi
thmyj
eans?'
'
.
'
'I
t'
snott
hejeans.
.I
..
I.
..
thoughtIwasgoi
ngt
otake
t
hefoodf
rom thebed?'
'.
'
'Sur
e.Dothat.Butputi
tont
hatt
abl
eandhel
pme
t
akeoffmyjeans''
.
(Rishiswal lowedsal i
vaandt ookt hef oodf r
om t he
bedont othet ablebesidest hebed.Shet hent ur ned
toMaj id.Shewentcl osertohi m.Thewar mt h
comi ngf rom hisbodywasi ntense.Shebr eathso
heavi lythatMaj i
dcouldf eel herbreathonhi schest .
Shel ookeddownathi sgol denbel tandst arred
downatherhai r.Shepl acedherhandi nthehook.
Maj id'slipswi denedwi thasmi le.Sheunhookedt he
belt.Herhandswer eshaking.Shesl owl yremoved
thebel tf rom thejeansandpl acedi tont het abl e.
Sheunbut tonedandunzi ppedhi sjeansandst arted
pulli
ngi tdown.Shel ookedupathi sfaceandheput
hisf aceasi del i
kehewasn' twat chingher .Ri shi
frowned.Maji
dwor eanexpensivebl
uedesi
gner
boxeranditwastight
.Rishit
ri
edhardtogether
eyesoffsomepar twerewil
lmakeherbit
eher
tongueandfaint
.MajidsatonthebedandRishi
pull
edthejeansandplacediti
noneofthecouches.
Hepul l
edhimsel
ft ot
hetopofthebedandrested
hisbackontheheadoft hehead).
'
'I
..
.Ineedanoi
ntment
..
.Iwi
llgoandgetsome'
'
.
'
'Thedoct
orl
eftsomeher
e.Ther
eiti
s''
.Hepoi
nted
att
heopposi
tecouch.
(Ri
shitooktheoi
ntmentcupandtooksomeofiton
herhands.Shestoodatt
hecouch,unabl
etodeci
de
whethertogetonthebedornot
).
'
'I
..
.shoul
dIdoi
tatt
ourbackor
..
..
'
'Mychest ,
myshoul der
s,myfor
ehead,my
neck..
.mywai st
..
.t
hatpl
acehurt
.Especial
lymy
waistofcourse.Getonthebedand.
..
startwor
kwi
ll
you?''
.
'
'O.
..
okay'
'
.
(
Rishicl
imbedt
hebed.Shekneewal
kedcl
osert
o
Maj i
dwi t
huncert
aint
y.Majidstarredatherclosel
y,
breathingwi
thint
enti
ons.Hel eanedhislegs
strai
ghtonthebedandRi shikneltathi
ssidewi th
herpalmsopenedwi t
htheoi ntmentsmear edin
them) .
'
'Thati
snott
heper
fectposi
ti
on'
'
.
'
'I
..
.Idon'
tknowhowel
set
o..
.
'
'Wellt
hat
'swhyImademyl egsstrai
ghtsoyou
coul
dkneelovermyl
egs.
..
dot hat
.It'
l
lbeeasi
er'
'.
'
'Ishoul
d..
.Ishoul
d..
..
'
'Yeah'
'
.
(Ri
shidi dn'
twanttoembar r
assher selfyfurther.
Sheslowl ywentoverPr i
nceMaj i
d'slegsandknel t
overthem.Shewasnowkneel ingjustri
ghtst r
aight
athim.Hewor enothi
ngbutboxer s,looki
ngathi s
i
ncrediblebeauti
fulir
resist
iblebodymadeherdi zzy.
Herest edhisheadont hesof tcushionbedhead.
Shelookedathi sbroadchestandmuscul ar
shouldersandhisneckandhi sli
ps.Shecl osedher
eyestightlyandbreathintoit
.Sheopenedhereyes
andplacedherhandsatt het opofhi sbreast.Majid
j
ustst ar r
edathercl osel y.Theirbr eat h
met ,
cr ashingeachot her .Shesmear edt heoi ntment
onhi sar mswer eveinshadappear edbeaut if
ull
y.
Shegott ohi st ummyandsmear edi tgent lewhi l
e
bl
owi ngai ront hewound.Herhai rwasal lover
Maj i
d'sbody.Theecst asycomi ngf rom t he
massagedr oveMaj idcr azy.Howcomesheknew
howt odoever ything?Wassheevenavi r
gi nand
i
nnocent ?Maj i
dkeptt hinkingdeep.Shest art
ed
wininghersof tpalmsuphi sbodyandpassedby
hi
sbr eastandshoul der s,pressingt hem sof tl
y.
Maj i
dcoul dn'tcont r
oli tanymor e.Hel ookedi nto
hereyes, hereyesmethi sandhepul ledherhead
cl
osert ohi sandki ssedher .Shedr oppedherhands
onhi sshoul dersandki ssedhi m back.Heki ssed
herwi thsuchendl esswantandneed.Heswam hi s
handatt hebackofherwai st.Feel ingswer eget t
ing
height ened.Maj i
dpl acedonehandatt hebackof
herwai stwhi l
et heot herseam i nherhai r,pull
ingher
headi nmor eanddeepenedt heki ss.Maj idkissed
herlipssohar dtheybi teachot heranddr ankeach
other'sbl ood,hewi thdr ewf rom herl ips,
kissedher
downherneckwi t
hmor epassi on.Ri shiletouta
sil
entmoan.Maj idplacedhisarmsatt hebackof
herdress,
slowlyunzippingherdress.Rishididn'
t
real
isethi
s.Shej ustgotherhandinhi ssofthair
andherotherhandonhi sshoulder.Majidunzipped
thedresstoherwai standenteredherbar eback
withhissoftpal
m.Ri shi'
smoanswer ebecomi ng
heavier
.Thisfeeli
ngwasnewt oher .Majidgotthi
s.
Hepul l
edherin,morecloser.
..
.
(
Inf
rontoft
hechamber
).
Ci
ndygott
othechamberdoorandtr
iedbypassi
ng
Sushi
mtoent
erbuthepushedherback.
'
'Whatt
hef
uck?
!''
.
'
'ThePr
incesayshewant
stobeal
one'
'
.
'
'Hecan'
tsayt
hatwhi
lesam ar
ound'
'
.
'
'What
ever
..
..
'
'What
?!Hey,
bet
terl
etmei
nokay?'
'
.
'
'Di
syounothearme?Bet
terl
eave'
'
.
'
'Iam Maji
d'sgi
rl
fr
iend!Youcan'
tbet
reat
ingme
l
iket
his!'
'
.
'
'Ifyoufeelt
hatway,
whynotj
ustgobackt
oyour
countr
y?''
'
'Hahaha.
.youwoul
dr eal
lylovethatwoul
dn'
tyou?
Inyourdr
eams.Iam notleavingwit
houtMaj
id.I
sai
dletmein..
..
(
Oneguardarr
ivedi
nfr
ontofthechamberwi
thMr
RaulandCi
ndywassurpr
ised)
.
'
'You?'
'
.
'
'Hel
loCi
ndy.Howar
eyoudoi
ng?I
t'
sbei
ngal
ong
t
ime''
.
'
'Well
..
.i
t'
snicet
oseeyou.
..
.Iam her
et oseeMaji
d
buti
snincompoopswon'
tal
lowme!Ij ustwonder
whathehasagainstme'
'
.
'
'Becauseyouar edi
srespect
fulandarr
ogantand
youdon'tdeser
vePrinceMajid!'
'
.Sushi
mr at
tl
ed
out
.
'
'Hey..
.whoareyoutochoosewhodeser
vesMaji
d
ornot?Ifshedi
dn'
tdeser
vehim,
hewouldn'
thave
choseher''
.
'
'Wel
lMrRaul
,i
tisj
ustamat
teroft
ime'
'
.
'
'Tel
lMajidam her
etoseehim.Wespokeont
he
phoneyester
dayandheisexpect
ingme'
'.
(Sushim boweddownsl ightl
yandopenedt he
chamberdoor .Heent eredandpassedbyt hemany
curt
ains.RishiandMaj idhear dthis.Rishiqui ckl
y
gotawayf rom Majid,breathingheavi erthenever .
Herhear twasaboutt ost opbeat i
ng.Shest epped
awayf r
om t hebedandqui cklyzippedherdr ess
whileMaj i
dcoveredhi slegswi ththebedsheet .He
wasst i
llsmili
ng,
andhi ssmi lewasn' tinnocentatall.
Sushim arri
vedintothechamberandboweddown) .
'
'MyPrince,
MrRaulhasar
ri
vedandhe'
satt
he
door'
'
.
'
'Demn,di
dhehavetocomeexactl
ybythi
sti
me?'
'
.
Hesaid,
star
ri
ngatRi
shi
.Sushi
m sawthi
sand
smir
ked.
'
'MyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Lethi
min.
..
.
(Sushi
mleftwhil
eRishiquicklywenttotakethe
foodtr
ayfrom t
hetable.Majidgottohisfeetand
star
tedweari
nghisjeans.Rishist
artedwalking
slowlyaway.Shet urnedandl ookedintohi seyes.
Maj i
dl ookedather.Hi seyeswer ethemost
beaut i
ful,hi
slipsweret hepr etti
est,
hest arredat
herdeepl y,l
ookingatherf rom herheadandwi nked
atherseduct ivel
y.Rishilookeddown, herlips
couldn'thelpbutsmi leli
ghtly.Shet urnedt othe
doorandMrRaulent ered.MrRaulknewher .But
shedi dn'tknowhim.Shej ustl ookedathi m
strangelyandwal kedaway.MrRault urnedhisback
andl ookedather ,
li
ckinghisugl yli
ps.Het hen
turnedt oMaj i
dandt heyembr acedeachot her
ti
ghtly).
(
Rishi
'
schamber
).
Aglassofwat erhadburstedonthefloorscatt
ered
onthef loor.Kushisatonthebedshakingwi t
hher
eyesst uckatonedi r
ecti
onlikeshehadseena
monst er.Shehadherhandsonhermout handher
eyeswer eallr
ed.Pri
nceFarukandShi vstoodther
e
star
ringatherwi thfrowns.Pri
nceFarukhelda
knif
eandhest ar
tedwalki
ngclosert
oher .
'
'No!Pl
easedon'
t.
..I
..
Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingokay,
I
swear
!''
.
'
'Whoel
sedi
dyout
ellaboutwhatyouhear
deh?'
'
.
'
'No.Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.Ikepti
ttomysel
fIswear
Pri
nce!'
'
.
'
' Idon'
tbel
ieveyou.Youknowsomethi
ng?Iknow
tourmother.IknowhernameRadah.Andyoulove
herverymuchr ight
?''
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Whatashamethat
..
.yourst
ayi
nthepal
acewoul
d
bet
hereasonf
orherdeath''
.
'
' No!
!!'
'
.Kushil
oosedhermindandgr
abbedFaruk'
s
garments.'
'Don'
tevent
ryandbri
ngmymot heri
nto
this'
'
.
(Pri
nceFar ukr ai
sedhishandt ohitKushibut
anot herarm caughthisinmidair.Theyallquickly
movedt heireyesbehindhim andsawRi shi.Rishi
's
facialexpressionwasnol ongerbeari
ngt heangelic
face.Shel ookedpossessed.Shehel dPrince
Faruk'sarm andt hrewitasi
de.Shepushedhi m
awayf r
om Kushiandst oodinfrontofher.Thenshe
pointedaf ingerathim).
'
'Don'
tyouever
..
.Pr
inceFar
uk.Neverever
,tr
yto
l
ayyourhandonmyKushielse.
..
'
'Elsewhat
?!Iblamemygr
andmotherf
orgi
ving
commonerslikeyout
hepr
ivi
leget
obeonour
standar
ds'
'.
'
'Wemaybecommoner s.Butwearecommoners
wit
hhear
ts.Whi
lesyou.
..
youarenot
hingbuta
monst
er'
'.
'
'OhIsee.Soyoual
soknowaboutourl
it
tl
esecr
et.
Whydon'twehaveali
tt
let
alk'
'
.
'
'Iwillnottal
ktoyou...
okay?Getout!''
.Shesai d
andpoi nt
edatt hedoor.'
'Andasyouar ewalking
out,keepitatthebackofyourmi nd..
.t
hatevery
otherplanyouhavepl annedagainstMaj i
d..
.aslong
asIam her eandstil
lbreathi
ng,
youwi llfai
l'
'.
'
'Ohreall
y?Sinceyoual readyknowmymot i
ve
t
hen.
..shutupandl etmedomyt hi
ng.Orel
se,you
woul
dn'tknowwhathi tyou.Aslongasyoulivein
t
hepalaceandst i
llbreath,
youwon'tletmyplansbe?
Weshallseecommoner' '.
'
'Ihaveanameandt
hati
sRi
shi
.Youwantt
obat
tl
e
wit
hme?Bri
ngiton,
andIwi
llshowyout
hepower
ofawoman'
'.
(
Rishipushedhim andShivoutofthedoorandshut
t
hedoorclosed.Shewentt oKushiandpouredher
aglassofwater
.Shet ooki
tandembr acedher)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Majidhadhi
sbackt ur
nedonMrRaul ,hol
dingthe
tabl
ecloset
ohisbed.Hewel oosi
nghisbreath.Hi
s
eyesweren'
tbl
inki
ng,l
ikehewasfrozen.Heshook
hisheadandMrRaulf ol
dedhisar
msandnodded
hishead.
'
'YesMajid,Iknowi
tsoundsimpossi
bletoyou.But
i
tistr
uth.AndyoucannotmarryherMaji
d..
.don'
t
dothi
stome. ..
shei
smine''
.
(Maj
idwasjustspeechl
ess.ButMrRaulpul
ledhi
m
andmadethem makeeyecont act
).
'
'YousaidIwasli
keaf at
herf i
guretoyour i
ght?
So,
lookmei nt
heeyeMaj i
d,andt el
lmet hatyou
won'thaveher
.Thatyouwillfol
lowmypl anand
gi
vehert omeonyourweddi ngnight'
'.
'
'I
..
.I
..
Ijust
..
.
(Maji
dwasshaking,hi
svoice,hi
sbody.Het
ucked
hishai
rbackwar
dsandcover edhisf
acewit
hhis
handsandmadehi mselff
allsi
tonhi
sbed).
'
'Whyar eyouhavingdoubtsMajid?It
houghtyou
onlywantedCindy?Sowhatisit?Maji
d?''
.MrRaul
bentdownandhel dMaji
d'sface.Ther
eweretear
s
i
nhi seyesbuttheycoul
dn'tf
all
.''
Maji
d..
..
'
'No!''
.Maj
idsaidandgotup.'
' Didyoustoptothi
nk
aboutwhateveryouhavej
usttoldmeuncl e?Thi
sis
shi
tandcrap!Howcanyoubemar r
iedt
osomeone
whoisnotawar ehuh?Whatbullshi
tist
his?''
.
'
' Whyareyoual soact i
ngthi
sway?Whydoyou
evencare?!Yout ol
dmeyouwer ef
orcedt omar r
y
thegir
l!I
sthatnoti t
?Sowhyar eyouactinglikethi
s?
Youdon'tfeelanythingforherMaj
id.
..I
tisI,who
wanther.Andt hereisnowayam goingtol etall
the
moneyspentonherf amil
ygotowaste''
.
'
' Youboughther,
whenhermotherhadnoteven
thoughtofgett
ingpr
egnantwi
thher?Doyouhave
sense?!'
'.
'
'Youcancal
lmeamadman!Idon'
tcar
e.Justsay
wehaveadeal!'
'
.
'
'Hel
lno!Wegotnof ucki
ngdeal.
..nott
odayor
t
omorrow,ornever
!Ican'
tdothat!''
'
'Why?
!Youar
emyonl
yhope!'
'
.
'
'Wellbecause.
..
..becausethatis.
..
becausethi
s
marri
agewasar ranged, andIhavetoful
fil
lmy
obl
igati
onstotheki ngdom ''
.
'
'Whendi dyoustar
tcari
ngabouttheki
ngdom?You
sai
dyouwant edtogobacktoLondon.Sowhat
changed?HuhMaj i
d?Iwascountingonyoutohel
p
me...
butIguessIwil
lhavet
odoi tmysel
f''
.
'
'Whatwi l
lyoudo?Li st
enuncl
e,don'tt
ryanyt
hing
crazy.Am gonnapayyoueverylastpennyyou
spentonherf ami
ly.Just.
..
.
'
'Idon'
twantt
hemoney!Iwanther
.AndIwi
llhave
herMaji
d''
.
'
'Overmydeadbody'
'
.Maj
idwhi
sper
edathi
mina
t
hreat
.
'
'Inevert
houghtyouandIcoul
dcomet
othi
spl
ace.
Butit'
syourchoiceMaji
d.Don'tsayIdidn'
twarn
you..
..
youhavechosenthatgirloverme?Makesme
thi
nkthemar ri
ageisnolongerforced,
youare
actual
lymarryi
ngheroutoftourownf reewil
lar
en'
t
you?What .
..
areyouinl
ovewi t
hher ?''
.
'
'Getout'
'
.Maj i
dsaidandhewasn'
tsmil
ing.Mr
Raulhadneverseenhimli
ket
hatbef
ore.
'
'Fi
ne.Iwi
lll
eave.Butt
hisi
snotover'
'
.
'
'Sur
ei t
'snotover
.Ifyoudar
egocl
oset
oRi
shi
t
hen.
..Iwil
lmurderyou''
.
(MrRaulwasscared.Hetur
nedandquickl
ylef
t.
Maji
dsatbackonhi sbedandwasthr
owni nt
oa
deepthought
).
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
11:
56] :

.
Sequence50
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Ont
hewal
kway)
.
MrRaulwal kedinahurrytogetoutofthepalace.
HemetCi ndyandbumpedi nt
oher.Hesaidnothing
andt ur
nedt oleavebutshestoppedhim.Het hen
real
isedthathewasgoi ngt oneedal
lthehelphe
canget.Heneededsomeonemor einthepalaceto
makehi splansuccessful.Someonewhoanyone
wouldn'tsuspect.
'
'Wecan'
tbeseent
alki
ng.Wher
eisyourr
oom?'
'
.
'
'Overt
her
e''
.Shepoi
ntedatanopposi
tedoor
.
'
'Yes,
let
'sgot
her
einst
ead'
'
.
(
RoyalGuestr
oom)
.
Theybothent er
edandCi ndylockedthedoor.
Natalyawaswonder i
ngwhatwasgoi ngon.MrRaul
foundacouchneart hebedandsatoni t
.He
removedhi sspect
aclesandCi ndysatonthebed
readytotuckin.MrRaulf i
ll
edthem i
nwi t
hhissi
de
ofthestory.
'
'OhmyGod!ButMrRaul,
you?Youwantf
resh
bl
ood?'
'
.Nat
alyamockedhim.
'
'Hey,
shutup!Thati
snott
hemosti
mpor
tantt
hing'
'
.
'
'So..
thatgi
rl
,bet
rot
hedt oMajidisyourwi f
e?
Hahahaaaa''
.Cindylaughedout.''Ican'
twaitf
or
Maji
dt ohearthi
s.Hewi l
lcanceltheweddingat
oncesowecangobackt oLondon' '
.
'
'Ial
readyt
oldMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Huh?'
'
.
'
' Andherol
eme.Me! !!MrRaulSinghRatord.
..
.he
toldme,t
hemanwhobr oughthi
m upf ort
wenty
yearsandtookcar
eofhi m!Hethreatenedtoki
llme
i
fIdaretouchedRishi''
.
'
'Wai
t,
what
?!'
'
.Ci
ndyshout
ed.
'
'Youareaskingme?Yourmanhasal readysli
pped
ouryourfi
ngersCindy.Ithoughtyouwerewil
d
enough,butIwaswr ong.Anywomanwhost ays
cal
mf oranotherwomant osnatchhermanisa
weakli
ng''
.
'
'Shutup!Maj
idi
sst
il
lmi
ne.Hel
ovesme!'
'
.
'
'Ofcour
se.I
nyourdr
eams.
.t
hati
s''
.
(Ci
ndygotup,st
rol
li
ngaroundtheroom l
ikeshewas
possessedandtal
kingt
oherself
).
'
'No...nonono. .Noooo!Majidsaidt
hatt oyou?!
Then...t
hen..
.no.Iref
uset oacceptthi
s!Iwon't.
Look,hemi ghthavesoundedr udet
oyoui ndefense
ofthatgirl
.Bititdoesn'
tmeananyt hing.Youraised
hi
m, andyouknowher espectsever
ywoman. .
.no
matterwhat' '
.
'
'WhereyoudeadwhenIwasspeaking?Notonly
washerudetome,buthethr
eat
enedtoki
llmeifI
dar
ewentcloset
oRi shi
..
doyouknowwhatthat
means?'
'
'
'Itmeansnot hi
ng!''
.Cindyscrat
chedherheadand
scatteredherhairintoherface.'
'Iwon'
tal l
owthis!
Never .Majidi
smi ne.Ihavelovedhimf orseven
years...
madel ovetohim wheneverhewant edi
t.I
didever yt
hingforhim.Icouldkil
lanyonef orhi
m.I
can'
tbr eathwhenhe' snotaroundme.Maj i
dswor e
nottol ookatanyot herwomansowhat '
s
happeni ng?Why,whatwr ongdidIdo?Isi tmysins
t
hatIf
oll
owedhim her
etoseehisfamil
y?Onl
yso
t
hathi
sstupi
dfamilywoul
dseparateus'
'.
'
'Yes.AndsobynowCindy,
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dbe
gett
ingr
eadyt
ogobacktoLondon.
..
becauseyou
havenothi
ngmoreher
e''
.
'
'Hel
lno!Iam fucki
ngnotgoinganywhere.Iam not
l
eavi
ngwithoutMajid.Iwil
lnotl
etthatvi
ll
agegirl
snat
chanddest r
oyar el
ati
onshi
pIhavebui l
tfor
manyyears.Whatdoesshehavet hatIdon't
?!'
'.
'
'Shei
snotarrogantCi
ndy''
.Natal
yashout
ed.''
She
i
shumble.Shelookedi
nnocentandisnotf
ullof
her
sel
f.Haven'
tyouseen?'
'.
'
'Sowhatar eyout r
yingtosayNat
alya?Iam your
f
riend..
.yourbestfri
end!Youar
esupposedtobeby
mysi de.Onmysi de!'
'.
'
'YesIam onyoursi de.Ialsowantust
ogobackt o
LondonwithMajid.Butwi t
hwhatMrRaulhas
sai
d,i
tdoesn'
tlookli
ket hatisgoi
ngtohappened!'
'
.
'
'Yesi
twil
lhappened!Ij
ustneedtothinkof
somet
hingIcandotomakei thappened''
.
'
'Excell
ent
!Cindy,
excel
lent.
...
thati
sexactl
ywhyam
here.WhyIfoll
owedyouher e,
isjustsoyouand
I,
canputourheadstogethertoplansomething'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
'Yousee,i
t'
sjustt
woweeksawaytothewedding.
AndIcan'tst
optheweddi
ng.ButIcansur
elystop
t
hemar r
iage''
.
'
'Iam l
ist
eni
ng'
'
.
'
'Iwanttot
akeRi
shioutoft
hepal
ace.AndIam
t
akinghert
oLondonwit
hmeonmypr i
vat
eplane'
'
.
'
'Hahahaha.
..Ohgosh.That'sfunnyMrRaul.And
howdoIenterint
othisplanofyours?Iseenothi
ng
workingwi
ththat
..
.t
heyhaveguar dswatchi
ngher
24/7.Howwouldwedot hat
..
.howwouldyoutale
heroutoft
hepalace?''
.
'
'Thati
swher
eyoust
epi
n..
.youwi
llhel
pmewi
th
t
hat''
.
'
'Waitwaitwai
t.
..
doIlooklikeanactionmovieactor
t
oyou?Ihavedealtwiththatgirlbef
oreandshe'
sa
t
otalrascal
.At
otalnaughtyvil
lagegirl
..
..
howthe
hellareyougoi
ngtot
akeheroutoft
hepalacewi
th
hereyesopenedandstandi
ngwhensheknowsyou
arekidnappi
ngher
?''
.
'
'Thati
sit.Iam goi
ngtotakeheroutoft
he
pal
ace..
..
whenhereyesarenotopenedandshe'
s
notst
andingonherfeet
.Comeon, youar
easmart
gi
rl
..
..
youshouldknowwhatIman' '
.
(Ci
ndystar
tedr
eal
isingwhatMrRaulmeantanda
smil
edrewonherlips)
.
'
'OhmyGod!Iam sofucki
ngin!Bi
t..
.howwoul
d
you,
MrRaulevencometotheweddingaft
ert
his
encount
er,
youhavehadwithMaji
d?''.
'
'Iwon'tcometothewedding.Butmymenar e
surel
ygoingtodi
sguisethemselvesandonet here
asgueststospyonthings.Whent herightt
ime
comes,yougetMaji
dsomewher equi ettoseduce
him.Andmymenwi l
ltakecareoft herest
..
.Iwil
l
givet
hem speci
fi
corders''
.
'
'Ohyeah!Iam soint
othisplan.Ever
ythi
ngwil
l
workper
fectl
ywellMrRaul.Butyoushouldl
eave
now.Iwi
llcal
lyoulat
er.Okay?..
..
'
'Deal
..
..
(
Int
heki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
Akshay'
sbosswasMrRaulandhehadal lowed
Maxintohishouseaaguest .SinceAkshayhad
bei
ngwor kingforMrRaulf
orsomanyyear s,he
hadhistr
ustandal l
owedMaxt ost aythereunt ilhe
wasdonewi t
htheunknownmi ssionhecamet ot he
ki
ngdom todo.Maxsatononesof afeeli
ngr estless.
Hehopedt henewshesharewasf alseandt hat
Akshaycamebackwi t
habetternews.Het ookhi s
phoneandgotup.Akshayent eredthel i
vingr oom
andsatdown, l
ooki
ngexhausted.
'
'Akshay,
whatnow?'
'
.
'
'I
t'
sthesamenews.ThePri
nce.
..Thecrowned
Pr
ince,
isget
ti
ngmarri
edtosomegirlf
rom t
he
ki
ngdom '
'
.
'
'Andmysist
er?Heisget
ti
ngmarr
iedtosomeone
whoisnotCi
ndy?Demn,hewasj
ustusingher
?''
.
'
'Noman.Rumourshasitt
hat,
whent heyarri
ved
her
e,t
heroyalf
amil
yhadal
readypreparedthe
marri
ageforhi
m.Andwhenherefused,yoursist
er
andherfr
iendswer
ethr
owni
ntot
hepal
ace
dungeon'
'.
'
'Whatthefuckiswrongwiththi
speopleman!We
ar
einfucki
ng21stcentury.Theythr
ewmysisteri
n
adungeon.
..thi
speoplewillr
egr
etthi
s!'
'.
'
'Look,forgetitokay.Ther ei
snothingyoucando.
ThePr inceisget t
ingmar ri
edintwoweekst i
meand
Idon'tthinktoursisterhasachancebecauset he
royalfami l
ymi ghtnotli
keherbecauseshe' sa
forei
gner .ThePr i
nceistomar rythreewives,andI
don'tthinkyoursisterwillbeanyoft hem '
'
.
(
Maxangr
il
ywal
kedupst
air
s).
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace)
.
PrinceFarukwalkedupandpassedbymany
doors,headi
ngtoPrinceMaj i
d'schamberandstil
l
thi
nkingofhisnextmove.Hebumpedi ntoRajand
hewasf l
abber
gastedsinceRajwassupposedt obe
i
nt hedungeon,payingthepriceforhi
tt
inghim.Raj
boweddownandbypassedhi m butheheldhim by
histhroatandhithi
m againstthewall
.
'
'Whatar
eyoudoi
ngouther
e?Myf
athergavet
he
ordert
hatyounepuni
shedf
orhi
tt
ingme.Whol
et
yougo?''
.
'
' LookPr i
nce,Iknowhowover whel medyou
ar e,
yourthir
stforpowerandpl easuretoseepeopl
e
i
npai n.
..
butfortunatelyf
orus,noteveryoneisli
ke
you.Somepeopl eunderstandsothersandallow
them t oexpresst hemsel
ves.Pr i
nceMaj i
disthe
onewhosavedme, nowonderhewasmadet he
crownedPr i
ncei nsteadofyou.Hewoul dbeawi se
king''.
(Pr
inceFar
ukcouldn'
tholdhi
mselft
ogetherand
punchedRaj'
slef
teyesohardthati
ttur
nedbl ack.
QueenDorahsawt hi
sandstoppedthem atonce.
Rajboweddownandl ef
t).
'
'Far
uk!Whatwi
llpeoplesayift
heyseet
his?Why
doyouwantmetof ai
linl
ife?'
'
'
'Mot
herhe.
..
'
'Sowhat ?!SowhatFaruk.
..Makesur etocontrol
yourangersometi
mes.It'
snoteverythingthatyou
aretoreactsof
astinanger.Heisjustaser vant,
andwhenyoubecomeki ngthen.
..
youcanki l
lhi
m
andhi senti
reservantf amily!Butasyouarehere,
stoppingsol owtohi slevelandf i
ghti
nghim,
your
brotherMajidissti
llthecr ownedPr i
nce!I
fyour
fatherdiestoday,
hebecomeski ngyoufool
!And
whati fyourfat
herwast heonewhohadseen
this,
whatwoul dhet hinkofyou?' '
.
'
'Iam l
oosingmyr
elevancei
nthepal
aceandi
nmy
f
ather
'seyes!'
'
.
'
'Youhaveal readyloosedyourr el
evance!Andt hat
i
swhyyoumustt akeitbyforce.Wear esupposed
tobeintheleadandnott hem.I fyourfatherfi
nds
outthat,
youar eCharu'
sbaby'sfatherthen,t
hatwill
beourend.Iam j ustsoclosetof i
ndingCharu's
whereabouts.So,goaheadanddowhatwespoke
about.Gogo' '
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hehadt akenhi seveningbat handwhenhear ri
ved
i
nt hebedr oom, hisdinnerwasal r
eadyser ved.But
hehadl oosedal lappet
iteforfoodaft
erwhathe
hadbei ngt hrough.Het houghtofthehatredhis
brotherfeltforhim andal soMrRaul,clai
mi ngRishi
t
obehi
swi
fe.
'
'Twoenemi esont hel oose' '.Hest art
eddishing
out.''Mybl oodbr other,andnowt hemanI
consi deredtobemyf atherf ort wentyyears.I
ft hi
s
i
st heat ti
tudeFar ukhast hen, hedoesn'tdeserveto
beki ng.I'drathertal
kaboutt hiswithgrandmot her.
Demn, Ihavebei ngsor udet oherandnowam
missi ngherbadl y.She'sst ayingawayf rom me
becauseshet hinksImi ghthur ther.Butshe's
protectingmef rom adi stance.AndFar uk,Iwillbe
extracar efulwithhim.Ican' texposeanyt hing
abouthi mi fIgotnoevi dence.Iwoul dlook
stupid,noonewoul dbel ieveme.Whoknows. .
.his
mot herisevenpar tofal lthis''.
(Justthen,
Farukenteredthechamberandwalked
closertoMajid.Helookedfri
endl
yandMaj i
dalso
actedhisbesttolooknormal.Maji
dwasn'tsmili
ng
athimt hough.Hetookhisseatinoneofthe
couches).
'
'Ur
rrmmm hi'
'
.Far
ukmumbl
ed.
'
'Hi'
'
.
'
'So..
.youarelooki
nggoodtoday.Aft
ert
heat
tack,I
haven'thadt
imet ooneseeyou.Iwasal
sohurt'
'
.
'
'Oh.
..
ist
hatso?Whathappenedt
oyou?'
'
.
'
'I.
..
well
,
Iwasheadi ngtotheki
ngdom wi
thmy
horset
ocallforhelp.Thehor
sefool
edaroundand
mademef all
.Ialsogothurti
nthewoodswiththe
weeds.I
twaspai nful'
'.
'
'Aaa?Real
ly?Mmmm,
okay'
'
.
'
'Whyar
eyouact
ingl
iket
hat
?Youdon'
tbel
ieveme?
'
'
.
'
'Wellbr
other
..
.whatcanIsay?Doyout
hinkIhave
areasonnott
obelieveyou?'
'.
'
'Oooh...nono.Nott
hat.Ofcourseam tell
ingthe
tr
uth.IknowIwasacowar dthatnightbrother
.Iam
sorr
y.Ishouldhavehel
pedyouther eandthen.You
couldhavedied''
.
'
'Yes.Icoul
dhave''
.Hetookaglassofappl
ejui
ce
andtookasip.'
'ButIdi
dn'
t.AndIdon'
tthi
nkIever
wil
l'
'.
(
Maj
id'
stonesoundedr
eassur
ingandbol
d.And
Farukfeltuncomfor
tabl
e.Hefel
tli
keMajid
suspectedhim anditmadehi
mf earhi
m.Maj i
d's
eyeslookedlikeaburni
ngfur
nacetoFaruk).
'
'Wel
l.
..butofcoursebr
other!Whywouldyoudi
e?
Youarethefutur
ekingafteral
l.I
fyoudi
e,
who
woul
dbeki ng?''
.
'
'Youofcourse.I
sn'
titFar
uk?IfIdi
e,
youbecome
ki
ng.Butyouarethechosenone.Am notme''
.
'
'Doesmebei
ngt
hechosenone,
getonyourner
ves?
'
'
.
'
'Ar
eyouaski
ngwhet
heram j
eal
ousofyou?'
'
.
'
'No.Buti
fyouwannaputi
tthatway.
..
wel
lbr
other
.
Bemyguest''
.
'
' Majid,
Iam yourelderbrother.Wedidn'
tgrowup
together.Butyouaremybr ot
her.AndIwil
lalways
beher eforyou.Don'teverdoubtthat
.Ihavebeing
thinki
ngofhowabadbr otherIhadbeingbynot
comi ngtocheckonyou' '
'
'Don'
tbot
heraboutt
hat
.Iam f
itandst
rongnow.
..
'
'Thati
sgr
eat
!So,
Ishal
lseeyouont
hef
iel
dsf
or
hor
sebackr
idi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Sur
e.WhenIf
eel
li
keget
ti
ngoni
t.
..
Iwi
llt
ellyou'
'
.
'
'Ri
ght
.Ishal
lleavenowandgogetsomet
hingt
o
do'
'
.Hegotupandqui ckl
ylef
t.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
Maxsatonabedinther
oom hesl
ept.Hetookout
hi
sphoneanddi
all
edanumberthenplacedthe
phoneonhi
sear
.Avoicespoket
hroughthephone.
'
'YesMax'
'
.
'
'Hidad'
'
.
'
'Howar
eyouson?'
'
.
'
'Worsethanyoucaneveri
magi
nedad.Al
lyour
pl
ansarefuti
le'
'
.
'
'Can'
tbe!Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
'ThePri
nceyouwer et
hinki
ngwil
lmarryCindy..
.t
he
oneyouthoughtwasgoingtobeourmealticket
..
is
gett
ingmarr
iedtoanot
herwomani nj
usttwoweeks
'
'.
'
'What
?!Andwhataboutyoursi
ster
?!'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowaboutCi
ndydad.ButIam tr
yingt
o
geti
ntouchwit
hhersothatIcanconvi
nceherfor
ustogetbackt
oLondon''
.
'
' No!Youai n'
tgett
inganywherecl oseto
London, yougotthat?!Thepl
aceyouar e,i
salandof
gold,diamondandsi lver
!Youwillstayright
there,andCindymustbemar r
iedtot hePr i
nce.
Wher ear eyounow? !''
.
'
'I
nmyfriend'
sbosshouse.Theoldmanaccepted
meinhi
shousetostayunti
lm readyt
oleave'
'
..
'
'Becar ef
ulther
eson.Look,paysomeone,anyone
todestroythatmarr
iage.Hel
pyoursel
f
Max,becauseifyouletthi
sfort
unesli
pfr
om your
hands,youandyoursisterwil
lst
ruggl
ewhenam
gone''
.
'
'Idon'
tcarefather.Idon'
thavetimeanenergyto
f
ightandentir
er oyalfami
ly.Ican'
tdot
his.Iwi
llt
alk
t
oyoul at
er''
.Hehangedup.
(
Twoweeksl
ater
=RoyalPal
ace)
.
Theent
ir
ekingdom andpalacewer
efi
ll
edwi
th
someci
typeople,
vil
lager
sandvendor
s.
Ever
ywherewasbeaut
if
ulandbusy.I
twast
he
weddingdayofMaj
idandRishi
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
56] :

.
Sequence51
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=Royalr
efi
ningr
oom)
.
Mor ethantwent ymaidenswithfami
lyhad
surroundedRi shi
.Shewasget ti
ngaspecial
tr
eat ment.Bhavnasmear edpomadeonherl egs
whileKushidr ewhernaonherhands.Ot hermaids
wer edoingherhairandmakeupon, shewasn't
givenairtobreath.Shewasi nawhiterobe.Queen
Sheenaent eredwiththeweddingsareeinher
hands.Itwasr ed.Itwasshiny,
adiamondmade
dress.Thegar mentwasheavyandi twasthemost
expensi veweddi ngdressevermade.QueenSheena
placedi tonthebedandt heydressedupandmade
herhai r
.Therewasahugemi r
rorandshewas
takent ositi
nf rontofit
.Bhavnaweptwhenst ar
ri
ng
atherdaught eri nthemirror
.RishiWSf r
ight
ened.
Herf aceshowedhowf ri
ghtenedshewas.Af t
ershe
wasmadeupi nthereadiness,t
hemai dsbowed
downandl eft.Rishstoodupandf acedhermother
.
'
'Whati
sitsweet
hear
t?'
'
.
'
'No'
'
.
'
'Ohshei
sscar
edt
hat
'swhy'
'
.Kushimockedher
.
'
'ShutupKushi'
'
.
'
'Scar
esofwhat
?Isever
ythi
ngokay?'
'
.
'
'Yesmot
her'
'
.
'
'Shei
slyi
ng!Shei
sscaredbecausetodayisher
weddi
ngandthi
seveni
ngisherfi
rstnightofyou
know.
..
.
(
Thewomenl aughedwhi
leRi
shiki
ckedKushiwi
th
t
hebackofherhand).
'
'Oh,
isthatso?''
.QueenSheenat
easedRi
shiand
shesuddenlybecameshy.
'
'Rishi.
..
.don'
tbeokay?I
tisnat
ural
.Don'
tmi
nd
Kushi.Hertimewil
lcome''
.
'
'Sooo.
..
wil
lyouwantt
oeatsomet
hingbef
orewe
go?'
'.
'
'No'
'
.
'
'Alri
ghtBhavna, Kushi
..
.al
lofyou,st
ayher
ewi t
hher.
Thebridewillhavetogooutt her
ebefor
ethe
groom,i
tistradi
tionint
hekingdom.Iam goingto
checkont hepriest
sandguest sokay?Wil
lbeback
'
'.QueenSheenasai dandleftwhil
etheymadeRi shi
sitandrel
ax.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Alltheboyshadgat her
edinhi
schamber .His
fr
iends,someguar dsandfewmai ds.Sushim
enteredthechamberwi t
hapar cel
edtradit
ional
weddi nggar
ment .Hebowedandl ayeditont hebed.
Theboysbegant ostar
tmockingMaj i
d.Hewasi n
histowelaft
erbathingandhelookedhot t
erashe
waswetandf acedthemirr
orandwi nkedathi msel
f.
Sushi
m boweddowntohim andhet
urnedt
olook
onthebedandsawtheparcel
.
'
'Whati
sthat
?''
.
'
'Thati
syourt
radi
ti
onalweddi
nggar
ment'
'
.
'
'Hel
lno!Iam nowear
inganyt
radi
ti
onalt
hing'
'
.
'
'ButmyPri
nce,i
tist
radi
ti
on.
..
andthatgar
menti
s
t
hemostexpensi
veinthewor
ld''
.
'
'Isai
ditwon'
titSushi
m.Youknowam notintot
his
ki
ndofstuf
f.Look,
Igotasui
t,
showi
ttohim boys'
'.
(Jimmygotupandent eredintothedr essingr oom
andcameoutwi t
hapar celoff l
exibleblacksui tand
ti
e.Sushi m wasnotsur pri
sedasMrRaulhadwor e
SMEbef ore.Henoddedhi sheadsi nceMaj idwas
stubbornandnoonecoul dconvi ncehimt odo
anything.Themai dskeptstar ri
ngatMaj i
dwi thone
corneroftheireyes.Theyser vedaver yr i
ch
breakfastandboweddownandl eft.Majidsaton
hisbedbesi deshisfri
endsandt heyhel pedhi m
dressup.Theyt ookanewhai rcream andf l
attened
Maj i
d'shair.Noneedf ormakeupbecausehewas
cuterthanLucifer.Queenmot herenteredt he
chamber.Hisfri
endsandSushim excused
themsel
ves,leavi
ngthem bot
haloneinthe
chamber).
'
'Maji
d..
.youar
ewear
ingf
orei
gncl
othes,
whatwi
ll
peopl
e..
..
'
'Youwon'tconvi
ncemesoj
ustacceptt
his'
'
.Maj
id
snapped.
'
'Hm.
..
areyoust
il
lmadatme?'
'
.
'
'Oncomeon.Notagain.Ar
eyounotsat
isf
iedt
hat
am al
readydoi
ngwhatyouwant
?''
.
'
'Doesi
tmatt
er,
whenyoust
il
lhat
eme?Icancal
l
of
ftheweddi
ngifyou.
..
.
'
'Noway!'
'.Maj
idscr
eamedandQueenmot
herwas
sur
pri
sed.
'
'Real
ly?Noway?'
'
.
'
' I
..
.I.
.we..
look,
don'
tbeconfused.WhatImeantwas
that,wel
l.
..
theweddingalr
eadycameon.Yout ook
allthoseweekst okeepsi
lenceaboutcancel
ing
i
t,nowt hatthedayhascome, youwantto
embar rassme?' '
.
(Queenmotherbentdownandt
ookhi
ssui
tti
eand
star
tedf
ixi
ngitforhi
m).
'
' Iam doi
ngthi
sforyourowngoodMaj i
d,Ihope
onedayyouunder st
andmyr easonsf
ordoingall
this.
..
.andl
ovemeagain''
'
'Gr
andmot
her
..
..
'
'LookMaj i
d,Iknow!Okay,
Iknowyoul i
vethe
for
eignerandshe'severyt
hingtoyouandImean
nothi
ngatall.ItWSmybi ggestmist
aketohave
sentyoufaraway,andIthoughtIwasdoingallt
hat
toprotect
..
..
(Majidjustembracedherti
ght
lyandshehugged
him backintear
s.Sherestedherheadonhi
schest
andheki ssedherhead).
'
' Il
oveyou.
..
alr
ight
?It
'sokay,
Iunder
stand.Youare
theonlyonewhoknowst hereasonf
ordoingthi
s
soit'
senough''
.
'
'Yes''
.Sheresumedt
ofi
xinghi
sti
e.'
'Youl
ook
handsometoday''
.
'
'WhenhaveIevernotbei
nghandsome?'
'
'
'Never'
'.Theybothlaughed.'
'Youlookmore
handsomet hanever
.Tourmot herwouldbepr
oud.
'
'Mymot
her
?''
.
(
Queenmotherbi
therli
psasshehadasl
ipoft
he
t
onguewhenmakingthatst
atement
).
'
'Mymotherwoul
dbepr
oud,
youspeakasi
fshe'
s
dead'
'
.
'
'Haha...
forgetthat.Wow,tourbreakfastist
he
per
fectmealf oranewgr oom.Itlooksrichand
per
fect.Thet asteofroyalt
y.Comeon, eatnow
bef
oreIt akeyouout
'
'Gr
andmot
her
?''
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Il
oveyou.
..
somuch'
'
.
(Queenmothertouchedherchesti
nsadnessand
embracedhim,notwanti
ngtolethi
m go)
.
'
'Iwi
llgi
vemyl
if
eforyouMaj
id.
..
bel
ievet
hat'
'
.
'
'Canyouf
eedmepl
ease?'
'
'
'Butofcour
se.Haha.Si
t''
.
(TheybothsatdownandQueenmot heropenedthe
goldenbowls.Maj
idwassurpr
isedtheyweren'
t
forei
gnfoodsasheexpect
ed.Theywer er
ich
tradi
ti
onalf
oods.Hefr
ownedandmadeai ri
n
mout hli
keheWSabouttovomit).
'
'Ohshutup.
..
doyouknowhowdel
ici
oust
hisi
s?'
'
.
'
'Ihopethei
mpactisbet
terthant
hetast
e.So,
what
doesthewhi
tej
uiceneartheri
cedoes?'
'
.
'
'Iti
scalled.
..
ti
gernutj
uice.I
tisverygoodfort
he
heal
th.Especial
lymen,
itisgoodformen..
.i
tmakes
yourwaistmuchst r
onger''
.
'
'Ohyes!Demn, feedmewiththatonefi
rst
Grandma.Iwil
lneedmywai ststr
onger,
jeezzzam
i
nl ovewi
ththefoodalr
eady.I
'm gonnaneedmyf ul
l
st
rengtht
onight'
'.
(
Queenmot
hersl
ight
lyhi
thi
scheeki
nlaught
er)
.
'
'Younaught
yboy.Comeon,
openyourmout
h..
..
we
don'
thavemuchti
me..
..
.
(
RoyalGuestr
ooms)
.
Ci
ndyhaddr
essedupel
egant
ly.Shest
arr
edat
herselfi
nt hedressingmir
rorandmadeaposel ike
shewast heoneget ti
ngmarri
ed.Natal
yawalked
outfrom thedressingroom i
nhermownbeaut if
ul
si
mpl eforeigngownandst oodbehindCindy.
'
'OhmyGod.I
sitmeor
..
.youl
ookhappyCi
ndy?'
'
.
'
'Yeah.
..Iam.Ar
en'
tyou?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Neverbei
nginthi
skindofweddi
ng.
Looksl
uxuri
ousbutallt
radi
ti
onalandsor
oyal'
'
.
'
'Youshoul
dn'
texpectanyt
hingl
ess'
'
.Shesai
dand
combedherhai
rbackwards.
'
'Thousandsofguesthasar
ri
ved.Wehavet
obeon
ourwaynow''.
'
'Ican'
tgonow.Indeed,
Maj
idi
sgett
ingt
odaytot
he
vi
ll
agegirl
,
butIam t
heonehewoul
dspendthe
ni
ghtwith''
.
'
'Whatdoyour
eal
lymean?'
'
.
'
' Well
..
.Iprepar
edar omant i
cplaceforheandI.
Eversincewef orhere,Ihavebeingstr
oll
ingar
ound
thepalaceandIf oundoutt hatt
heyhadabeaut i
ful
fi
eld.Fullofbeauti
fulgrassesandflowersandeven
afir
epl
ace.Andguesswhat
,Iar
rangedar
omant
ic
spacef
orMaji
dandI''
.
'
'Idon'
tgetwhatyour
eal
lymean'
'
.
'
' Igotabeautif
ulheavywhi t
ebedsheets,
andr oses.
Thenmanycandl esandl ighter
.AndItookwi neand
somef ruit
s.Tenpi l
lowsandabot tl
eofoil.Ihave
ar r
angeditperf
ectlyfortonight
.MajidandI,wil
l
spendt henighttogetherwhileMrRaul,cantake
thatvil
lagegir
lfarawayt oLondon..aft
erourplans
today''
.
'
'Ar
eyousuret
heplanswoul
dwor
k,becauseIhave
abadf
eel
ingaboutt
hisCi
ndy
'
' I
twilldefi
nitel
ywor k.MrRaulandIhaveplanned
thiscarefull
y.Hismenar ear
oundthepalace,
they
havedi sguisedasguest s.Whentheti
me
comes, theywi l
lhel
pmeexecut etheplan''
.
'
'Hmmmm.Ihopeaftert
his,
yougetMaj
idandwe
canal
lgobackt
oLondon''
.
'
'Wewi l
l.Maj
idfeel
snothi
ngforthatgirl
.HeandI
wil
lspendaromanticti
meinthefields,
Ihave
ar
rangedever
ythingandthi
snight,hewillt
akeme
t
othemoon'
'
.
(
Int
hepal
acet
empl
e).
Allthenei ghbour i
ngki ngdomshadar rived,
i
ncl udingt heJhansiki ngdom.Thepal acepr i
ests
gather edinf r
ontofLor dGar nesha'sst at ue.The
guest shadsur roundedt hepr i
estsandst atues.
ThenQueenSheenaent eredt het empl e,hol di
ng
Rishi '
shand.Herf acewascover edwi t
har edvei l
andsoherf acecoul dn' tbeseen.Themai deni n
frontoft hem t hr ewbeaut i
f ulf
lower sont hem.Ri shi
wasst il
lshaki ng.Bhavna, RadahandKushiwal ked
behi ndthem i nal lsmi les.Ther ewasar i
tuallighted
fi
rei nfrontoft hepr iestwhower epr aying.Ther e
wasagol denmatbesi det hepanoff ire.Queen
Sheenacar efullyr aisedRi shi '
sweddi nggownand
theycl imbedt hest airst othemat .ShemadeRi shi
sitandcr ossedherf eetunderhert ight s.Cindyand
Nat alyaar r
ivedt her einal lsmi l
es.
'
'Theauspi
ciousmomenthasarri
ved.Now,where
i
sthegroom?Wemustper f
orm al
ltheri
tual
sbefor
e
t
heauspici
ousmomentpasses''
.Onepriestsai
d.
'
'?t
heyareonthei
rwaypri
est
.Pl
easebegi
nthe
r
it
ual.
..
.Oh,
ther
etheycome''
.
(Everyturnedt ot heirri
ghtsi deandsawQueen
mot hercomi ngwi ththehot testmanonear t
h.All
thegi r
lsweresmi lingandbl ushing.Someoft hem
want edtotouchhi m butt heguar dswerekeepi ng
them inorder .CindysawMaj i
dandshewi shedto
kil
lRishiatthatmomentandj ustt akeherman
away.Maj idwasi nhisfit
tingsui tandt i
e.Hishai r
wascombedbackwar dandhel ookedf i
tandt all
.
Hegotbehi ndRi shiandcl imbedt hestairs.Andhe
wasmadet osirbesi desRi shiandal socrossedhi s
l
egsunderhi st i
ght s.Rishi'shear twasbeat i
ngf ast.
Majidhadal itt
lesmi leatt hecor nerofhisl i
ps.The
ri
tualsstart
ed) .
(
Int
her
oyalki
tchen)
.
Halfofthemai
denswerebusi
lycooki
ngandbei
ng
supervi
sedbySavi
tr
i.
'
'It
hinkbynoweveryoneisattheceremony.Thisis
mychancetolookf
orthatpot.Iti
ssurelyi
nQueen
Dor
ah'schamberaf
terthi
swhol etwentyfi
veyears.
Ishouldgot
herenowbef
oret
hepar
tybegi
ns'
'
.She
thoughtt
ohersel
f.
'
'Savi
tr
i,ar
eyouokay?'
'
.Avniasked.
'
'Yes.
..
why?'
'
.
'
'Youseemedlostint
hought.Anyway,themaids
aredomewit
halltheroyalf
oodsandguestsfoods.
Thedri
nksandeveryt
hingisready.Whatdowedo
next
?''
.
'
'Avni
,whydon'tyousuper
viset
hemai
ds.Imustgo
t
othetoi
letnow''
.
'
'Okay.
..
Iwi
ll
.Butcomef
ast
.
'
'Don'
twor
ry.Iwon'
ttakel
ong'
'
.
'
'But,
haveyouprepar
edt
hespeci
alt
radi
ti
onal
dr
inkstobegiventot
hebri
deandgr
oom aft
ert
he
wedding?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Tumeri
cjui
ce.Ther
eiti
s''
.Savi
tr
ipoint
edata
smallgol
dentabl
einfr
ontoft
hem andlef
tthe
ki
tchen.
(
Cindyqui
ckl
yarr
ivedatt
hedooroftheki
tchen,
wit
hhereyesont
hespecial
dri
nks.Shesmiledand
hi
sbehi
ndt
hedoor
).
'
'Okay.Thefoodsandeveryt
hingisreadygirl
s.Let
usgoandar r
angethem onthepartygrounds.Hurr
y,
wedon'thaveti
meandit'sget
tinglat
e''
.
(Themai dsarrangedthef oodsandot hermealson
traysandwenti nli
neoutoft hekit
chen.Avni
coveredt hespeci
al dr
inksoft hebri
deandgroom
andpl acedthem ongol dentray.Shecarri
edthem
andwal kedoutoft hekitchen).
'
'Thisplanisveryrisky.WhatifMaji
dtakesthe
drinkIpourthedrugi nt
o?Thenhewi l
lbetheonet
o
sleepandnott hevil
lagegir
l.Ihavet
omaket hi
s
fast.
..
it
'sal
readyget t
inglat
eandMrRaul '
smenare
readytotakeaction''
.Shesaidandleft
.
(
Int
het
empl
e).
Maj idhadwalkedi nfr
ontofRishiar oundthef i
refor
sevent i
mesast radit
iondemands, aft
erthat
,Rishi
wal kedinf
rontofhi m andtheystartedrepeati
ng
thesamemet hod.Theguest sandr oyalfamily
threwf l
owersont hem astheywal kedaroundt he
fi
re.Theseventhr oundcompl et
edandt hepriests
gotupandpl
acedt
hei
rhandst
oget
her
.
'
'I
tisover!Youarenowhusbandandwi
fe.Goand
t
akeblessingsf
rom yourel
der
s
(Pictur eswer ebei ngt akenbyci tyj our nalist
sand
foreigner sfrom Mumbaiwhocamet owi t
nesst he
weddi ngbet weent hecr ownedPr inceandhi sbride.
Princesswasnowaddedt oRishi'sname.SoPr i
nce
Maj idandPr incessRi shiwentt ot aket heir
blessi ngsf r
om t her oyalf amilyandel ders.Thent he
part ybegun.Ri shi'sveilwasupnow.Hermot her
coul dn'tstopembr acingher .Mehof el tmor esaf ein
thepal acethanout side.Hewant edt ogetcl oserto
Bhavnat otellherhi slifewasi ndangerbutt he
guest swer etoomuch.Ri shihadcompl etel
y
forgot tenaboutherf ather.Shet ur nedhereyest o
seePr inceMaj idl aughi ngwi t
hhi sf riends.He
l
ookedbackatherandshequi cklyl ookedaway.I t
wasget ti
ngdar kandguest sst artedl eavingl i
tt
leby
l
ittl
e.Thepal acewasal mostempt yaf terguests
tookt hei rgif
tsandl eft.Maj i
dandRi shiwer enow
officiallywelcomedi ntothepal aceashusbandand
wife.Ri shiwentt hrought het raditionsandwal ked
i
nt othewalkwaywit
hr edvermi
lionwaterunderher
feet.Maji
dwassepar at
edfrom herandtheQueens
startedt
akingRi
shitowardsMaj i
d'schamber)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Avniar r
ivedint hechamber ,secret
lyfoll
owedby
Cindy.Avnipl acedthespeci aldri
nksonat ableand
l
eft.Cindyqui cklyenteredandt ookadeepbr eat
h.
Shet ookabl ackbot t
leoutofherpur seandopened
i
t.Shel ookedatbot ht hegoldenglassesand
quicklypouredt hewhi tesubstanceintothesecond
dri
nkandr ushedoutoft hechamber .
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
56] :

.
Sequence52
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
FI
NALE.
.
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Sherushedoutoft hepalaceandhi sbehi ndapi l
lar
i
nf r
ontasshesawt heQueenswal kingtowardsthe
chamberwi t
hRishi.Thechamberwascompl etel
y
decorat
edandcandl elight
swer eallovert heroom.
Thebedf ul
lofredrosesandwhi t
ej asminef l
ower s.
TheQueensi nhappiness,tookRishiclosertot he
bedandmadehersi t.TheQueensmockedheras
shewasal r
eadyshaki ng.Queenmot herbowerand
tookthesecondglassofspeci aldr
inkandhandedi t
toRishi
.
'
' Congrat
ulati
onsPr incessRishi..
.youhavedone
great.Verygreat.Thisisaspeci altumeri
cdrink.
Usedbyonl ytheroyalfami l
y.Iti
sat radi
ti
on,
ancientsayst hat
..
.ifthebrideandgr oom dri
nksthi
s
then,itgi
vest hem goodl uckintheirmarri
ageand
manychi ldrenaswel l''
.
'
'Okayyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Takei
tanddr
inki
t.
..
andwai
tforyourhusband'
'
.
(Rishit
ookthedrinkfr
om theQueenmot herand
placeditonherli
ps.Cindystr
etchedherheadf r
om
behindthepil
larandsmi l
edevil
ly.Sheremovedher
phonef r
om herpurseandmadeacal l)
.
'
'Hell
o.Boys,
ourpl
answor kedper
fect
ly.Shet
ook
t
heexactsamedr i
nkIporedthesl
eepingpowder
i
nto.Areyouboysready?'
'
'
'Yesweare.Butar
eyousur
ewewon'
tbe
i
nter
rupt
ed?''
.
'
'No.Iti
salreadydarkandtheQueenswi l
lleave
her
esoon.Nowcomeupt hest
airs.Iwi
lldestruct
Maji
dwhi l
eyout akeheraway'
'.
'
'Okay.
..Wear
eonourway'
'
.
(Rishif
ini
sheddrinki
ngthejuiceandsheplacedthe
glassonthetray.Sheshif
tedintothemiddl
eofthe
bedandcover edherfacewiththeveil
).
'
'OkayRishi
..
.weshalll
eavenow.Maji
dwillj
oin
yousoonokay?'
'.QueenSheenasai
dinlaught
er.
(
Rishinoddedherhead)
.
'
'AndRi
shi
,
makesur
eyoumakel
otsofchi
ldr
ent
his
eveni
ng.Ican'
twai
ttobeagr
andmot
her'
'
.
(Queenmot herlaughedwi t
hQueenSheenaand
wal kedoutoft hechamberl eavingt hedooropened.
Thechamberhadani cef r
agr anceandRi shiwai t
ed
forf ewmor emi nutesandst ar t
edf eeli
ngsdizzy.
Sher emovedt hevei lfrom herf aceandyawned.
Shest ret
chedherneckpassedt hemanycur tains
andsawnosi ghtofMaj i
d.Shegotuponherf eet
andhereyeswer ever yheavy.Shest oodneart he
bedandst art
eddoi ng.Cindyst oodatt hedoorand
wat chedar oundher .Shesawt hr eemeni n
traditionalgarmentwal ki
ngt owar dsher.She
quickl ystoodasi de).
'
'It
hinkit
'st
imetot
akeacti
on.It
'sal
readydar
k,
whatdidyoubr
ingwit
hyou?''
.
'
'Fivemoremenarestandi
ngoutsi
dethepalace
wit
habigcar.Wehavet odothi
ngsbefor
ethe
guardst
akethei
rposi
ti
ons''
(Rishist
oodatthebedandyawned.Shecoul
dn'
t
standstil
landshesatont
hebedwi t
hblur
ryvi
sion)
.
'
'WhydoIsuddenl
yfeel
thi
sway?I
t'
sst
range.
..I
can'
tbef
eel
ingsl
eepybyt
hist
ime'
'
.
(Shesai
dandl ookedbesidesherandsawagol den
j
arcontaini
ngwat er.Shetookaglassinf
rom one
ofthedrawerandpour edsomewat erandspri
nkl
ed
i
tonherf ace.Thensheopenedhereyeswi del
y.
Shegotupanst ar
tedwalkingt
oandf roi
nthe
chamber.Butshewasweakert hanthedr
owsiness)
.
'
'IwonderwhyMaj i
dist
akingsolong.ButIf eelso
sleepy,
Itwillbesoembar r
assingi
shecomest o
fi
ndmesl eeping.Hewil
lthinkIam scaredand
forcedasl eepbecausethi
si sgoi
ngt obeourf i
rst
night''
.
(Thethreemenent eredthechamberwhi l
eCindy
stoodouttherebeingont hel
ookout .Themen
passedbyt hecurtai
nsandgott othebedroom and
sawRi shii
nherexpensiveweddi nggownandl ong
shinyblackhair.Wit
hallherdi
amondneckl aceand
bangles.Rishisawthem buthervisi
onwast oo
blur)
.
'
'Whoar eyou?Maji
d?.
..
.What'
sgoing?'
'.She
scr
atchedhereyesandyawned.Thenfi
nall
yfai
nted
i
ntot
hebedandent
eredi
ntoadeepsl
eep.
'
'Car
ryherup.Hur r
y,weneedt
odoacl
eanj
obel
se
t
hebosswillki
llus!'
'.
(Twomencar r
iedRi shiintothear msandqui ckly
steppedout .Cindysmi l
edandshel ookedather
rightsideonl ytofindMaj i
dandSushi m walking
from af artowardst hechamber .Theywer echatt
ing
andwaki ngsowasn' tl
ookingst rai
ght.Ci ndy
qui ckl
ysi gnall
edthemen.Thel ookedar oundt hem
andhadnowher etohi de.Cindypoi ntedatal arge
pillarj
ustbehi ndoneoft hef rontpil
larsinf r
ontof
thechamberandt heyqui cklyrushedbehi ndit.
Ci ndyclosedt hechamberdoorandqui cklygot
awayf rom thechamber .Cindymadeaf orward
moveanmetMaj i
dandSushi m ont heway.Maj id
l
ookedatCi ndyandgui l
tfellonhi m.Hereyeswer e
tear yandshel ookedasi fshewant edt osay
somet hingtohim).
'
'Sushi
m,pleasecanyouexcuseusforamoment
?
Gotobed.
.Iwillseeyout
omorrow'
'
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.Heboweddownandwentback
andaway.
(Maj
idcoul
dn'
tlookatCi
ndyint
heeyes.Hel
ooked
awayandsheclear
edherthr
oat
).
'
'Congr
atul
ati
ons'
'
.
'
'Ci
ndy.
..
'
'Congr
atul
ati
onsonyourweddi
ng.Iam nowt
he'
t
hewoman' .Howamazing'
'.
'
'Ci
ndypl
ease.
..
.
'
'YouhavechangedsomuchMaj i
d''
.Shesobbed.'
'
Maji
d,whatdidIdo?Whyme?Whyar eyouhurt
ing
melikethi
s?Sowasitmyfaul
tforl
ovi
ngyouand
l
eavingmyl i
fei
nLondont
odomeher eher
ewith
you?''
.
'
'Letmeexpl
ain.YouknowIhadt
odot
his!Ihadno
choi
ce!'
'
.
'
'YesIknow.Butt
hef actt
hatyouhaveneglect
ed
meandmademef eelsolonel
ythispassedweeks,
makesmet hi
nkyoudon'tcareaboutmeanymor e'
'
.
'
'Idocar
eaboutyou!Ci
ndy,
whywoul
dInotcar
e?'
'
.
'
'Whataboutl
ove?Doyoust
il
lloveme?'
'
.
(Maji
dlookedawayandremovedthesui
tti
efr
om
hisneckandbrushedhi
sfi
ngerst
hroughhi
shair
.
Helookedsohotandmanly).
'
'Ci
ndy.
..
.
'
'Iknewit
!Youdon'tevenl
oveme!Youdon'
t!Maj
id,
t
henit'
sbett
erIdi
e!''
.
'
'Hey.
..
stopoverreacti
ng!OfcourseIloveyouCindy!
Look,
whydon'tyoul etustal
ktomorrowokay?I
promi
sethat.
..Iwillmaketimeforyoutomorrow.
Andwewi l
lgosomewher especial
,okay?'
'.
'
'Youpr
omi
se?Pi
nkyswear
?''
.
'
'Haaa.
..yeah.Pi
nkyswearbaby'
'
.
'
'Aw.
..
Imi
ssyoucal
li
ngmet
hat
.Itmakesmewet'
'
.
'
'Ci
ndycomeon!Come,
Iwi
llt
akeyout
oyourr
oom.
Come''
.
(Maj
idturnedandhel
dCi
ndy'
shandandwal kedher
away.Themengotawayfrom t
hepi
ll
arwithRishi
andstormedawaydownthemanystai
rs)
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Savit
rifi
nishedsear chingthewholechamberand
didn'
tfi
ndt hepot .Shewasexhaust ed.Sheheard
people'
svoi ces,walkingtowardsthechamberf rom
outsi
de.Shequi cklylookedar oundt hechamber
andquicklyf el
ltothegr oundandr olledher
sel
f
underthebed.QueenDor ah,AvniandQueenSel ma
enter
edt hechamber .QueenDor ahr emovedal
lher
ornament sandputi tawayandsatont hebed.
'
'Dorah.Youaremuchmor edanger ousand
cunningthanIt
hought
.ButIpromi se,si
nceweall
wantthesamet hi
ngnow,Iwon'tspeakawor dof
yoursecret'
'
.QueenSel
masai d.
'
'Youbett
ernotSelma.Becausewear eonthe
sameteam now.JustthreeweeksmoreandFaruk
andRagah'smarr
iagewilltakeof
fandourplans
wil
lbeexecut
easwel l'
'.
'
'OhmyGod!QueenDor ahandQueenSel maar e
al
soconspiri
ngagainstt
hekingdom?Thist i
me,I
havetoinf
orm Queenmotheraboutthi
s.Butwhy
wil
ltheJhansiki
ngdom beagainstUj
ani?'
'.Savi
tri
t
houghtt
oher
sel
ffr
om undert
hebed.
'
' Yourhi
ghness.I
tismorediffi
cul
tnowbecause
thosegirl
salwayslockt
hechamberwhent heyget
out.Looksli
ketheysuspectsomethi
ng'
'
.
'
'Ohgoodness!SothepotisinQueenMeerah'
s
chamber.AndIwasbusil
ysearchi
nghere.HowdoI
getoutofher
enow?''
.Savit
risol
il
oqui
es.
(QueenDorahsni
ff
edandherf
aci
alexpr
essi
on
changed)
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Sheexcl
aimed.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'Ther
eissomeoneher
eint
hechamber'
'
.
'
'What
..
.wher
e?!'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow!Butther
eissomeoneher
e.Icanf
eel
i
t.Avni
,sear
charoundnow!''
.
(
Savi
tr
ist
art
edsweat
ing)
.
(
RoyalGuestr
ooms)
.
Maji
dandCindyar
ri
vedinf
rontoft
hedoorandhel
d
handst
oget
hersmil
ing.
'
'Youl
ookhandsome.Iwishwecoul
dspendt
he
ni
ghtt
oget
her.Mysurpr
isewaswast
ed''
.
'
'Whatsur
pri
se?'
'
.
'
'Iprepar
edaromant
icscenef
orusont
hef
iel
ds,
nearthepal
acel
ake'
'
.
'
'Don'
twor
ryokay?Wewi llgother
etomorr
ow.Let
megonow.Iti
salreadygetti
nglat
e.So,
goodni
ght
?
'
'
.
'
'Sure''
.Ci
ndysaidandki
ssedhim butMaj
idpul
l
ed
backimmediat
ely.'
'Hm,
goodnight''
.
'
'Okay.
..
(Maji
dl eftandCindyenter
edt heroom.Shehugged
Natalyainhappinessandst ar
tedchatti
ng.Pri
ncess
LakshmiandRajwer ewalkingromant i
cal
lyi
n
sil
encet owardsherchamberwhent heyhear
d
CindyandNat al
yachatt
ingstrangel
yandLakshmi
stoppedatt hedoorwithRajtolist
en).
'
'Theyfi
nall
ytookherawayNat al
ya.Iwi
llbe
Maji
d'soneandonl yfrom t
omor r
ow.Thi
swi l
lbe
worsedayforthatvil
lagegir
lfortaki
ngmyman
from me.Andtheroyalfamil
ywil
lbedi
sappoi
nted
thatt
hebr i
detheyfoundforMaji
dhasrunaway.I
am surethati
swhatt heyaregoi
ngtot
hink'
'
.
'
'Ihopet
ourpl
ansgowel
landdoesnotbackf
ir
eon
you''
.
'
' Myplanshaveal r
eadyworked.MrRaulisat
Mumbaiai rportaswespeak.Andhewi l
ltakethe
vil
lagegir
ltoLondon.Londonisabi gci
ty,
theycan
l
andanywher e.Andweshallneverherf
rom
them,everagain''
.
(PrincessLakshmil ookedshockedandangr y.
Lakshmit r
iedent eringt heroom inangerbutRaj
stoppedher .Lakshmit hendashedof ftowards
Maj id'schamber ,followedbyRaj .Maj i
darri
vedi n
hischamberandwasshockedt of i
ndt hereempt y.
Heopenedal lthecloseddoor sandt herewasno
onet her
e.Hesawhi sdr inkonthet ableandt ookit
.
Hedr ankit.Heset hatRi shihadalsot akenher
drinkwasempt y.Hewasconf used.Het ur
nedand
startedwal kingoutandbumpedi ntoLakshmi and
Rajwhower ebr eathingheavi l
y).
'
'Lakshmi
..
..
haveyouseenRi
shi
?''
.
'
'Maj
id!Ri
shi
..Ri
shi
..
..
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'MyPrince.Pr
incessRi
shihasbei
ngki
dnapped'
'
.
Rajsai
d.
(
Majid'
sfacesuddenl
ychanged.Hiseyebr
ows
f
urr
owedandhi seyeswentdark)
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Yes!Wehear
dthem.Thatf
orei
gner
!.
..
.
'
'Ci
ndy?'
'
.
'
'Yes.RajandIwerepassi
ngby.Shewast ell
ingher
fr
iendthatherpl
answereworking.Shehas
conspiredwit
hMrRaultotakeyourwifetoLondon
Majid.Youhavetodosomething!Dosomet hi
ng
Majid!'
'.
(Maji
dwasconfused,helookedeverywhereto
nowhere.Heremovedhissuitndlef
ttheinnershi
rt
on.Hequickl
yenter
edthechamberandpi ckedup
hiscarkeys)
.
'
'Wher
edi
dtheygo?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowMaji
d!Al
lwehear dwasthat
,t
heytook
heraway.
..
.Fat
hermustheraboutt
hisnow!''
.
'
'No!Keept
histoyour
sel
f.Iwi
llt
akecar
eoft
his
mysel
f.Iwi
llbebackwi
thher'
'
.
'
' Iwi
llgowit
hyoumyPr i
nce'
'
.Rajdidandthey
bothleftwhi
leLakshmicl
osedthedoorandrushed
towardsthetemple.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Roadoutoft
heki
ngdom)
.
Thebl uelongvanwasr i
dingspeedi l
yawayona
smoot hroadt owardstheout ski
rtoft hekingdom.
Theywer ef i
vemachomen.Ri shiwasunconsci ous
atthet hi
rdbackseatandt hedriverwasdr i
ving
speed.Thecarl i
ghtsbri
ght ert
her oadandi twas
empt y.Justtallt
reessurr
oundi ngt hem.Thecart i
e
hitbstoneandi tshook.Rishifellfr
om thechai rinto
thecarandcoughed.Sheopenedhereyesandher
headwasspi nning.Shewasweakandhadnoi dea
whereshewas.Shemumbl edandsatup.Themen
from hesecondbackseatl ookedbehi ndthem, Rishi
l
ookedupandsawt hestrangemenandpani cked.
Shequi
ckl
ysatupi
ntot
hechai
rinf
ri
ght
.
'
'Whoar
eyou?
!Wher
eam I
?''
.
'
'Shutupandst
aycal
m bef
orewehur
tyou'
'
.
'
'Whoar eyou?!Whereareyout aki
ngme?Bet t
erlet
megoorel seIwil
lscream soloudthatal
lthetr
ees
wil
lfal
l!Hel
pme!Anybody!Pl ease!Letmego!''
.
Ri
shibegintoweep.
(Themenj ustl
aughed.Ri shigotupandat tacked
oneoft hem infrontbyt hehair
.Shegr abbedhi s
hairandslappedhi mf rom theback.Oneoft hem
gotupandpushedRi shibackwar ds.Hejumped
overonet hechai r
sandgott oRishi'
ssideandhel d
herstil
lwhi l
esher esistedandbi thisnosesohar d.
Thecarwasst i
llmovi ngf ast.Majidwasdr i
vingso
speedinangert hatRajwasf ri
ghtened.Hedr ove
towardsthesamer oadt otheout ski
rtoft
he
kingdom.Henwasupsetandhi seyeswer ebarely
opened, f
ocussedont heroad).
'
'MyPri
nce,
pleasecal
m downokay?Wewi
llf
ind
her'
'
.
'
'Ij
ust
..
.Ihavebei
ngsost
upi
dRaj
.Nott
ohave
real
isesomethingli
kethi
swouldhappened.I
seri
ouslydi
dn'texpectt
hisf
rom MrRaul'
'.
(Maji
ddrovesospeedt hatthewindpassedthrough
hishai
randkeptitrunningbackwards.Thenfi
nall
y,
theycameacrosstheroadandsawt helongvan
ri
dinginf
rontoft
hem) .
'
'Ther
etheyare!Iam sur
eofi
t''
.Rajshout
ed,
poi
nti
ngatthevan.
(Majidwassi l
ent.Hedr ovemer cil
essl yt
owar dsthe
vanandcr ossedi tspar thandover tookther oad
andgoti nfront.Thedr iverfr
om thevanqui ckly
steppedont hebr eaksandst oppedt hecar.Hi s
headhitthest eerandmoanedi npai n.Helookedat
theexclusiveandexpensi vecarpar kedinfrontof
him.Maj i
d'sfacel ookedl i
keaki l
ler.Helower edthe
windowgl assandt urnedhisf acetol ookatthevan
anddr i
verinthecar .HeandRajst eppedoutf rom
thecar,
andst oodi nfrontoft hevan) .
'
'Ohno!OhGod!Iti
shim..
.i
tist
hePrince!'
'
.The
mansit
ti
ngbesidet
hedri
verexcl
aimed.Thedri
ver
sl
owl
ypulledoutagunfr
om pocket
.
(Theyst eppedoutf rom t
hecar.Andtheothermen
from theback,steppedoutaswel l
.Rishil
ooked
strai
ghtatt hefrontandsawMaj idstandi
ngfar
from theglass.Herhandswer et
ir
edupnow.Maj i
d
starredatthefivemenwi t
hnoemot i
ons.Hiseyes
wer ebloodshot .Hischestwasmovi nginanger.
Thedr iverhadhi dhisguninhispocket.Maji
droll
ed
hiseyesandst udiedthem foral
it
tl
ewhi l
e.AndRaj
stoodf earl
essl
ybesi deshim).
'
'Whyhaveyouover
takenus?Getoutofourway,we
ar
efor
eigner
sandwear el
eavi
ngthekingdom '
'
.
(
Maji
dmadeaf
istf
rom hi
slef
thand,
readyt
othr
ow
abl
ow).
'
'Youaregoi
ngtol
eavet
heki
ngdom al
right
..
.but
youhavewhat'
smi
ne.Andam gonnat
akeitbefor
e
youl
eave''
.
'
'What
?!Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?'
'
.
'
'Gi
vememywi fe!'
'
.Maj
idcommandedinaheavy
t
one,nosmil
es,noemoti
ons.
..
justr
eadyt
otake
whatishi
s..
..
THEENDOFSEASON1
WHATHAPPENSNOW?
WATCHOUT,ASMOREDRAMAUNFOLDSAFTER
QUEENMEERAHISSETFREEANDTAKESACTI
ON
I
NSEASON2
COMI
NGSOON.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
56] :

(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence1
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Ont
her
oadoutoft
heki
ngdom)
.
Darknesshadcompl et
elytakenovert
heenti
re
ki
ngdom andeveryhumanandani malwereasl
eep.
Neit
herMaj i
dorRajbroughtanyweaponwi t
hthem.
Themenont heotherhand,hi
dwhattheyhad
behindincasetheneedarosef ort
hem t
ouseitand
Maji
dandRajhadnoidea.Thedr
iverf
olderhi
s
ar
msonhischestbol
dly.
'
' Excuseme?Butwhatar eyoutal
kingabout
?We
arejusttravel
lers.
.not
hingel
se.Wecameonan
excursioninIndia,weheardther
ewasaweddi ngi
n
thiskingdom from Mumbai,t
hatiswhywecame' '
.
'
'Andaf
tert
heweddi
ng,youGi
ll
esyourl
uggage
wit
hmoregif
tst
hanyouweregi
ven?'
'
'
'Whatgif
tsar
eyout al
kingabout
?Wear ereal
lyi
na
hurr
yyoungman,wearel eavi
ngt
hecountr
yand
don'
twanttomissourfl
ight''
.
'
'Iam goingtosayt
hisfort
helastti
me.Andi
fyou
l
etmer epeatmysel
f.
..Ohboy,
yougonnabesorr
y.
Givemebackmywi fe.Now''
.Majidsai
d.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?Whatwi
fe?'
'
.
(
Rishist
ruggl
edinthecarandopenedt
hedoorof
t
hevanandf el
loutint
otheroad)
.
'
'Maj
id!
!!'
'
.Shescr
eamedi
ntear
s.
(
Themenqui
cklyt
urnedt
oherdirect
ionandthat
waswhenMaj
idandRajat
tacked.Maji
dgrabbed
holdoft hedr iver'sshi rt,
turnedhi sf acet ohi m and
gavehi mt hebi ggestbl ow, fl
yinghi mf r
om t hewi nd
tot hegr ound.Rajwentaheadandr ushedt oRishi's
side.Hequi ckl yunt i
edt her opesf rom herhands.
Whi leMaj idt ookont her estoft hemen.Oneof
them pul ledoutashor tgunf rom hispocketand
point edi tatMaj id.Ri shiscr eamedandr ushedi n
frontofMaj id.Rajat tackedt hemanwi t
ht hegun
from behi ndmaki nghi sgunf all
.Hepul ledhisknee
up,hittingt hemanhar dinhi sbal lsandhe
screamedi nagony, l
andi ngont hefloor .Thewi nd
blewwi delyandRi shit urnedt oMaj id.Tear swer ein
hereyesandt heybot hhadaneyel ock.Rajt ookt he
gunf rom oneoft hemenandhel diti nhishands.
Hehadnoi deawhatt hatwas.AsMaj i
dandRi shi
shar edaneyel ock, thedr i
verf orcedt ogetupf rom
behi ndMaj i
dandgothi sgunout .Her aiseditand
point edi tatMaj id'sback.Ri shisawt hisand
gasped.ShepushedMaj i
dasi deandr ushedt othe
driverandpushedhi mt othegr ound.Ther ewasa
l
oudgunshotf rom thedr i
ver.Maj idandRajwer e
shocked.Thedr iverst ruggledwi thRi shiont he
groundandher aisedt hegunatherasshewason
topofhi m.Shebi thishandsohar d,hewas
agonisedbyt hepainandt hegunf el
l.Maji
dr ushee
totheirsideandpi ckedupRi shifrom him andt ook
thegunt henpointeditatthedr i
ver.Rajlooked
aroundhi m andalsopointedthegunhehel datt he
restoft hemen.Maj idheldRi shibythewai stwith
hisri
ghthand, usi
ngt heleftarmt opointthegun.
Thedr iverkneltandraisedhishandsupi nf ear)
.
'
'No!Wearejustmessenger
smyPr
ince!Pl
ease
don'
tki
llme!'
'
.
'
'SoyouknewIwast
hePr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Wehaveknownyouforalongti
me.Wehave
bei
ngworki
ngforMrRaulaverylongt
ime'
'.
(Rajl
eadedtherestoft
hegangt
othedr
iver
'ssi
de
andtheywereunarmednow.Maji
dpoi
ntedthegun
tothedri
ver
'shead).
'
'Icoul
dki
llyour
ightnow'
'
.
(RishihadneverseenMaji
dl i
kethat.Hehada
smi l
ingfaceandacalm mind,
butheknewhowt o
protect.Ther
ewasamonst erinthatcameout
wheneverhewasangr y.Shelookedathisface
whi
lehest
arr
edatt hedri
ver
.Shedidn'
tknow
whet
hert
oint
erfereint
hisbecauseshehadnoi
dea
whyshewaskidnapped)
.
'
'No!Please,l
etusgoandweshal
lneverr
etur
nmy
Pri
nce.Don'tpul
lthet
ri
gger'
'
.
'
'Listen,andli
stentomer ealgoodandclear.Iam
goingt ogiveyouachancet oli
vebecauseIam not
amur derer
.Butiti
smyweakness.I fIwant,
Ican
reall
yki l
lyouandgiveyourbodiestotheli
onsi nmy
dungeon.Youf i
vearegoingtogeti
ntoyourst upi
d
van,andgetouti fmykingdom.Andnevercome
back' '
.
'
'Yesyes.Wewi
ll
.Justgi
veus.
..
..
'
' Shutup!Don' tspeakwhenam talki
ng.Youf i
ve
shouldgetyourassest owhereverMrRaulis,and
tellhi
mt his.I
fhest epsafootinUjani
,hewillfi
ndit
har dt
obr eath.Isthatcl
ear
?''
.
'
'LoudandclearmindPri
nce''
.Thedri
versai
dand
gottohi
sfeet.Al
mosthalfofhi
sstr
engthwasgone.
'
'Weshalll
eavenow''.
'
'Di
sappear'
'
'
'ButmyPr ince,
MrRaulhasdonealotforyou.You
shouldhaveatleastagr
eedt
ohi spl
ansandgetrid
ofthegir
l.Youknewwewoul dtakeheraway''
.The
dri
versai
di nworry.
(HegotonMaj i
d'sner ves.Hepoi ntedthegunt othe
driver'
sf eetandpul l
edt hetri
gger .Shooti
nghi sf
eet
throughhi sboot s.Thedr i
verscr eamedi npain.He
fellont hegroundandhi smenr ushedt ohelphim
up.Ri shiwasshocked.Shewasconf usedaboutthe
whol et hi
ng.Shest artedthi
nkingnegat i
vel
y.Majid
knewt hewhol et hing.SoMaj idwast heonewho
plannedherki dnap.Shequi cklygotawayf r
om him
i
nami xtureofangerandsadness.Thement ook
thedr ivertothevanandent ered.Theyqui ckl
y
spar kedanddr ovepassedMaj i
d'scarand
disappear edthr ought hewoods) .
'
'Soi twasyou? !!
!''
.Thewindwassuddenl ysti
ll
.
Rishi'
stearsfel
llikerai
nwater.Shecoveredher
mout hwithherhandsandweptbi tt
erl
y.Sheknew
hedi dn'
tloveher.Butcouldthemanshewasmadl y
i
nl ovewithdot histoherontheirweddingday.
'
'Youar
econf
used.I
..
..
(Rishidi
dn'twanttol i
stenanymor e.Shewant edto
gobackt oheroldl i
fe.Shequicklylef tt
hereand
rushedtot hecar.Sheopenedt hebackseatand
enteredthenclosedt hedoorharshl y.Sheweptin
herweddi nggownandbur iedherf aceinherhands.
Rajwentcl osert
oMaj i
dandshr uggedhi s
shoulders).
'
'I
t'
llbewel
lmyPr
ince.Let
'sj
ustgoback'
'
.
(Maji
dwasj uststarr
ingatthecarandRi shiinitand
wasast onished.Hef i
nall
yunder stoodhi sfeeli
ngs.
Hepushedhi shairbackwar dsindepr essionand
walkedt othecarwi t
hRaj .Hesatint othedr i
ver'
s
seatwhi l
eRajsatbesi deshim,placingthegunsi nt
o
thefrontspace.Maj i
dspar kedthecar .Hel ooked
i
ntothedr iver
'smi r
rorandst ar
redatRi shiatthe
backseat,whohadherf acedownandherhai r
coveringherface.Hest eppedont hegasanddr ove
speedilyaway).
(
Int
her
oyalpal
ace=RoyalGuestRooms)
.
Thel
ight
swerest
il
lonandbri
ght
ing.Shewalkedt
o
andf
rointher
oom wai
ti
ngforasi
gnal.Nat
alya
wasfastasleepbutt
hetappi
ngcomingfrom under
herf
eetwhenshewal kedw,wokeherup
i
mmedi at
ely.
'
'Gosh!Wi
llyounotl
etmesl
eep,
madam?'
'
.
'
'Nat
alya,youcansl
eepi
fyouwant
,donotdi
stur
b
mywalking''
.
'
'Natal
ya.
..Iam wonder
ing,
shoul
dn'
tther
ebe
scr
eamsandshout i
nghereandther
ebynow?''
.
'
'Whatshout
ingandscr
eams?'
'
.
'
'Thevi
ll
agegi
rlwaski
dnappedr
ight
?''
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'So,howcomenoonei sgoingcrazylooki
ngf orher?
Especial
lyMaj id.Sheissupposedt obewaitingfor
himinhisbedr oom now.Andi ti
salmostthree
hoursnow, sinceMaj i
dleftmehereandwentt ohis
room.Isn'titstrange,
thathehasnotsai danything
duetoherabsence?' '
.
'
'Well
,maybe.ButIt
hinkMaji
disokaywithhernot
bei
nginhisroom.Imean,maybehethi
nksshe'sin
herownroom bynow.Look,
ifyouwanttohearany
shoutingandscr eams, j
ustwai
tuntilt
omor row.I
thinkthati
swhenever yonewil
lreal
iseabouther
disappearanceandr eact.Andbythatti
me, i
tmust
havebei ngtoolate.Si
nceMrRaulhast akenherfar
awaybynow' '.
'
'Youarerightgi
rl
.Andnoonewoul dsuspect
anyone.AndMaj i
dwil
lfi
nall
ybewhereher i
ght
full
y
bel
ong.Inmyar ms.Wewi l
lgobacktoLondon,and
moveonwi thli
fe''
.
'
'Exactl
y.Socomet
obed.Pl
ease.St
opdi
stur
bing
me''.
(Shequi
ckl
ycl
imbedt
hebedi
nhappi
nessandsl
ept
off)
.
(
Ont
her
oadt
othepal
ace)
.
Therewasahi ghtensioninthecar.Thesi l
ence
wasn'twelcomi ng,onl
ythewi nd,bl
owinginandout
ofthewindow.Maj i
d,ashewasdr i
ving,kepton
l
ookingintothedr i
ver'
smi rr
or,star
ringatRishiat
thebackseat.Sheneverr ai
sedherheadup.Rajf elt
uncomfortable,bei
ngint hecarast hethetwoi di
ots
ref
usedtospeakt ooneanot her.Majidtur
nedhi s
facetolookatRajandhemadeaf akesmi l
ehim.
Maj i
dwhi speredt hroughhi snoset ohim andhe
nodded.Theyf i
nal l
ygoti nf rontoft hepal aceand
Rajopenedt hedoorandst eppedoutwi thasmi le.
Rishitr
iedgettingoutbutt hebackseatdoorwas
l
ocked.Shef i
nal l
yr ai
sedherheadt olookbehi nd
Maj i
d.Maj i
ddr ovet hecari ntot hesecur i
typalace
fi
elds.Someguar dssawt hecarcomi ngandbowed
down.Ther ewassomeni cemusi cbeingpl ayedby
thepalacemusi ci
ansandi nstrument ali
stasi twas
theweddi ngday.Tr adi
tiondemands, theymust
playthemusi cunt ilthenextmor ning.Thepal ace
atmospher ewaar athercal m andsweet .Thewi nd
wascol d.Majiddr ovei ntot hegr eengr assland.
(
Int
hef
iel
ds)
.
Maji
ddrovet
hecari
ntot
hef
iel
dsandRi
shil
ooked
conf
used.
'
'Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?'
'
.
(
Nor
esponse)
.
'
'Isai
d,wher
eareyoutaki
ngme? !'
'
.Rishit
ri
ed
openi
ngthedoorbuti
twaslocked.'
'Letmegonow!
Ar
en'
tyousat
isf
iedaf
terever
ythi
ngnow?'
'
.
(Majidpar kedt hecarinthemi ddl
eofthebeautyof
natureandgotoutoft hecar.Hewasal r
eady
getti
ngupsetwi t
hRishinagging.Thefi
eldswas
empt y,andi twasonl ythebothofthem nowwi th
thetreesandf l
ower sandthelake.Hewoul dnow
tel
lherhi smi nd.Hegott othebackseatdoorand
openedt hedoor .Ri
shisteppedoutandf acedhim
i
nanger .Hecl osedthedoormuchmor ehar shl
y).
'
'Now,
youar
egoi
ngt
oli
stent
ome!'
'
.
'
'No!Iwillnotli
stent
oanyt hi
ng.Infact,
am not
i
nter
ested''.Thetear
sstartedagain.'
'Why?IknowI
meannot hingtoyoufrom thestar
ttil
lnow,
butdid
youreal
lyhavet ogothatfartogetridofme?''
.
'
'Hey.
..
justl
ist
ent
omyexpl
ana.
..
.
'
'Ialsohaveamot herwhowoul ddieifsomethi
ng
happenedtome.Di dthatreal
lymeantnothi
ng?!My
mother'
slif
e..
.myownl i
fe!Youplannedallt
his
perf
ectl
ywel l
..
.andi
tworkedforyou''.
'
'Enough!'
'.Maj
idr
aisedhisvoi
celouder
.''
Idi
dn'
t
doanythi
ngokay?Ididn'
tplant
his.
..
socanyoube
quietandletmeexplai
n?Thisisallami
stake.
..I
didn'
tevenknowt hatwoul
dhappened.ItwasCindy
whopl annedthi
s,
sheisgoingcrazyatt
hesightof
thiswedding'
'.
'
'Idon'
tbeli
eveyou.Imeannothingt
oanybody!I
don'
tbel
ieveyouatall
..
.i
twasallaconspi
racy'
'
.
'
'Shutup.I
fIwasi
nvol
vedi
nthi
sshi
t,
whywoul
dI
comeandsaveyouagai
n?'
'
.
(Ri
shiwassuddenlyquiet
.Itwastrue.Shewas
confusednow.SheandMaj idwascloseenough.
Theyonlyhearthewindandt hebi
rdschippi
ngin
thebeauti
fult
rees)
.
'
'Yes.Why?Whydidyoucomeandsaveme?Tell
me,Imean..
.Iwoul
dhavebeingabur
denof
fyour
shoul
ders.Sowhydidyoucomeaft
erme?'
'
.
(Majid'
sli
pswer eshakingwereshaki
ng.Hishai
r
wasscat t
eredinhisface,
star
ri
ngdownatRi shi
i
ntensely,
resist
ingtheconnecti
on,r
efusi
ngtobe
broke.Hejustturnedhisbackather)
.
'
'Tel
lme.Tel
lmewhy.Iwouldhavebei
nggoneand
youwoul
dhavegot
tenthechancetobewi
ththe
womanyour eal
lyl
ove.Whydi
dyoucomet hen?
Wasi toutofpit
y?Answerme,whydidyoucome?'
'
.
Shepul l
edhim byhi
sshoul
derandfacedhi
m at
once.''Whydidyougetmeback?!'
'
.
'
'BecauseIl
oveyou!
!!'
'
.Maj
idshout
edi
nherf
ace.
(Thewi ndbecameheavi erandheavi er.Asitwaa
planningtor ain.Nowt heycouldfeeltheirhearts
beatingslowl y.Maj i
d'sbreat
hwasn' teasy.Ri shifel
t
weaki nherkneesandhereyeswer est udi
edinto
Maj i
d'seyes.Thewi ndkeptbl owingpassedt hem.
Rishiwasn'tdr eami ng,wasshe?Thi swast henews
shewasn' texpect inganytimesoon.Butshe
actuall
yhear di t
.Maj i
dsai dit
.Herfinger swere
shaking.Thesi l
encewasi nt
ri
guing.Maj i
dwas
sweat i
ng,hiscl otheswer ewetevent hought he
windwasbl owi ng.Not hi
ngexisted,exceptthebot h
ofthem now) .
'
'You.
..
you.
..
I.
..
..
'
'Buti
tdoesn'
tmat
teranymor
e,doesi
t?'
'
.
'
'What
..
..
'
'It
ri
edmypossi
blebest
.If
orcedmysel
f,di
dal
lI
couldtojust
..'
'.Hetookadeepbr eat
h.Themusic
playedinthebackgroundfrom t
hepalace.'
'It
ri
ed
tojustnotacceptthi
sfeel
ing''
.
(Ri
shif
eltl
ikeshewasli
vingadr
eam.Tear
skept
str
eamingdownherface)
.
'
' IdidallIcould,dayandni ght
.JustsoIwi llf
inal
ly
convi ncemysel fthat
...
whatIfeltwasn'tlove''
.He
tur nedhisbackatheragai n.''
BecauseIswor et o
Ci ndy,nevertoloveanyoneasmuchasIl ovedher .
ButIj ust.
..
Ibreakmyoat h.Idon'tknowwhatyou
didt ome. .
.everyt
hinghappenedsof ast.And
suddenl y,Icouldn'tl
iveadaywi thoutseeingyour
face.Iam addi ctedtoyou,Ifel
tyouandIeven
br eathyou.Ididn'twanttoaccepti t
,but
...
love
happened' '
.
(
Hef i
nal
lyt
urnedt
olookatherf
ace.Shewas
f
labber
gast
ed).
'
'Andt hat
'swhathappened!ThatItri
edfight
ingmy
feel
ingsandlovebeatme!Okay,becauseIhave
star
tedbecomingweakwhenam ar oundyou!That
i
swhathappened!Thati swhyIcamef oryou!Good
ni
ght !'
'.Hesaidandstar
tedwalki
ngaway.Ri shi
quicklywipedhertear
sawayi mmediatel
y.She
l
ookedatMaj i
d,walki
ngfaraway,
closetoenteri
ng
i
ntot hepalaceandshetooktoherheelsbehind
hi
m.Shef inal
lygotcl
oserandhuggedhimf r
om
behind.
'
' No!''
.Shesobbedandt hewayshet i
ghtly
embr acedhim,notevenanantcouldpassbetween
them.''Don'tgoplease.Pl
ease,
am sorry.I
...
.Iwas
sost upid,
Iam sorry.Il
oveyouplease'
'.
(Majidtookadeepbr eath.Hehadbecomeweaker
thanhecoul dimagi ne.Het urnedhisf ronttoher .
Hest ar
reddownather .Shel ookedupathi m.I t
wassochar ming.Itwast her i
ghtt i
met obond.
Theirheart
s,theirmindsandt heirbodieswant edi t
.
Rishiembracedhi m again,passingherhandst ohis
backandr estingherheadonhi schest .Hehugged
herback,droppinghi sheadonher sandsmel l
ing
theperfumef rom herhai r,
deepi ntohi m.Sher ai
sed
herheadt ohisf ace.Hesmi ledandshesmi ledback.
Butshewast ooshy, shemovedherf aveaway.He
tookherchi nandt urnedherf acebackt owher e
theyshoul dbel ooki ngat .Inhiseyes.Hel owered
hisfacedant oherl i
psandki ssedher .Itwassof t,
l
onganddeep.Hecar riedheri nt ohi sarms.He
kneqwi thallherr eact ion,thati twasherf ir
sttime.
Inhisarms, hekissedherashewal keddeepand
deepi nt
ot hefields.Heknewwher ehewasgoi ng
evenwi thhiseyescl osed.TheybypassedCi ndy's
romant i
csceneandgotcl osert ot helake.Maj i
d
hadhi sfingersinRi shi'shai randshehadher
handswr appedar oundhi sneckandshoul ders.
Kissingherdeepl y,hegotoutofhi sshoesand
steppedi ntothel akewi thheri nhi sarms.Hi s
handswer egoingdownherwai standshegr abbed
holdofhi sshirttight l
yasf eel
ingswer eget ti
ng
heightened.Inhi sar ms, theywer enowhal fway
i
nt othelake.Maj idki ssedhersohar d,andshe
madewayf orherf i
nger sinhishai r.Maj i
dgott o
herbackandsl owl yandcar efullyopenedt he
buttonst ohergownwhi lekissingherneckdeepl y.
Theywer edeepandweti nt hel ake.Ri shi
'sheart
wast hunder i
ng.Maj idopenedhi sbut tonsand
removedhi sshirt.Thatbodyagai n,demn!Hehad
Rishiattachedt ohi ml ikeat attoo.Heopenedt he
zipoft hebackofhergownandf inal l
yt ouchedt he
fl
eshofherback.Shewasel ectri
fied.Hecar eful
ly
winedhi sfinger sdownherspi neandshegr abbed
himt ighter
.Shemoanedevent houghnot hinghad
startedyet.Maj idgotheroutoft hegownandt hey
kissedmor edeepl y.Hegotoutofhi sjeansf rom
undert hewat erandl etthewat ert akei taway, ashe
kissedher ,
her aisedhi shandandpl acedt he
weddi nggownont hebankaccountont hebankof
ther i
ver.Heki ssedherneckandgotal lthef old
chainsr omant icall
yof fherneckwi thhi steet hand
l
ett her i
vertaket hem away.Hepul ledherf rom the
surfacei nt
ot her i
verandt hehel dt heirbr eath.
Maj i
dhel dhert ightandswam l owert oherbeaut if
ul
fl
att ummy.Heki ssedhert ummywhi leshehel dhis
shoul ders,
feelingt heecst asy.Hepul leddownher
under wearandRi shiqui cklycover edherunderpar t
withherhands.Maj i
dlookedupatherf rom under
thewat erandsmi l
ed.Hesl owlygotherhandsof f
andki ssedherabdomen, holdingherwai stwi thhis
strongar ms.Hemadehi shandst hr oughherwhol e
body, heswam upandcaughtherl egs,sheopened
them andwr appedherl egsar oundMaj id'swai stin
thewater
.Theirfi
ngerscrossedineachother
s
handsandt heyswam up.Rishi
'slegswere
wrappedonhi swaist,
thei
rhai
randf aceswer
e
wet,
breat
hingheavilyateachother)
.
'
'Ma.
..
Maj
idI
..
..
.
(Andt henshesuddenl ygaspedf orbr eathwhenshe
fi
nallyf el
tMaj i
di nsi deofher .Paindr ewalloverher
face,wi t
hhereyescl osedherf inger s,pier
cingdeep
i
ntoMaj i
d'sski n.Herf i
rm poi ntedbr eastwasj ust
ascl oset oMaj id'
sl ips.Bemyguest .Hethought
andsuckedt hem l ikehi slifedependedoni t.His
thrustingbegansl owl yandt eaf elloutofRi shi's
eyesasshemoaned.Hewassost rong.Andhe
tookper f
ectcar eofher .Andhehadt heperfectway
ofdoi ngt hisinwat er .Herf i
nger spr essedi ntohi s
muscl essof t
lyandhermoanswer ebecomi ng
heavi er.Heki ssedherneck, l
ickingever ywat eroff
herfr om herbr eastt oherl ips.Hel eanedhi sar ms,
fi
rml yonhert ights, ashi st hrustgr ewf asterand
stronger ,maki ngRi shiloosecont rol .Shescr eamed
andmoanedwi thpl easur e.Maj idj ustlovedt heway
shemovedherbodyasonewi thhi m.Hewascr azy
overher .Andal lhecouldthi
nkof,wasjustthem i
n
thatintensemoment .Majidmadewayunderher
ti
ghtsagai nandcar ri
edher ,
hewalkedoutoft he
waterwhi l
ekissingher.Hecouldhearhershiver.
Hewal kedtother omanticbedCindypreparedand
l
ayedRi shionit.Themoonwasbr i
ghtandthestars
werebr i
ghter
.Hecover edthem withbedsheets.He
wenti ntoheroncemor e,makinglovetoherall
nightlong...
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
57] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence2
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay)
.
Thepal acewasl ightenedupasi twast hedayof
Shubhadr angi.Thisr i
tualismadet ofinall
ysanct i
fy
mar r
iedcoupl es.Manyvi sit
orsandwel lwishes
from al
lpar tsofthewor l
dget st
oseet hebr ideand
giveshergi ft
s.Peopl ef r
om thekingdom andot her
placedst art
edget t
ingt othepalacewi thnumer ous
gift
s.Ther oyalfami l
ywer ebusi
lyprepar i
ng
themsel ves.Theser vantswer edecoratingthe
palace,arrangingchai rs,
hangingflowersand
prepari
ngf oods.
(
Int
heki
tchen)
.
QueenmotherandQueenSheenaenter
edthe
ki
tcheni
nthei
rglor
yandallt
heservant
sbowed
down.
'
'Ar
eyoual
lfi
ne?'
'
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'But,
wherei
sSavi
tri
?Isshenotsupposedt
obe
super
visi
ngyou?'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.WewokeupandSavi
tr
iwas
nowher
etobef
ound.Wesear
chedever
ywher
e''
.
Pri
yasai
d.
'
'What.
..
doesanyifyouknowherwher
eabout
s?'
'
.
Queenmotherasked,
worr
ied.
'
'Noi
deaQueen'
'
.Theyr
epl
iedi
nchor
us.
'
'Okay,
beinahast
eandfi
nishever
ythinginatleast
anhourti
mebecauset
heguestsarefastarr
ivi
ng''.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Let
'sgoSheena'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewasdr essedupl i
ket hegoddessshewas.She
hadt iedherhai rupinabul bandcover editwi t
ha
sareecl oth.Avnihadawor ri
edfacewhi l
ehel ping
hergetr eady.QueenDor ahdidn'tcar
e.Shet urned
herfacebesi desherbedandSavi t
ril
ayedt here
helplessly.Herlipswerecr ookedandherl egswer e
broken.Shel ookedterr
ibleandshecr awledont he
fl
oort owar dsQueenDor ah'
sfeet.QueenDor ah
ki
ckedherawayandt urnedtoAvniwi thanevi l
smi l
e.
'
'Whatdowedowi thSavitr
iyouhighness.The
noisesout
sideprovesthattheguestarefast
approachi
ng,andifshe'
sher e.
..
howdoweknowwe
aresafe?'
'
'
'Sheisnotgoingt
ostayhereinmychamber.Iam
happyyoucaughtherredhandedl
astni
ght
.This
foolwoul
dhavespil
ledever
ysingl
ethi
ngshehad
heardtoever
yone'
'.
'
'Butyourhi
ghness,
howexact
lydi
dyouf
eelt
hat
t
herewassomeonei nt
hechamber
?''
.
'
' Neverunderest
imateneli
keSavit
rididAvni
.Or
youmayr egr
etitfor
ever
.Iknowhistosensethi
ngs.
Itisduetomybl ackmagicabil
it
y..
..
thati
showIfel
t
l
ikesomeonewasher el
astni
ght''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.Whatdowedowi
thhernow?'
'
.
'
'Ihavenoneedt oworryaboutheragai n.Nowthat
shewil
lnevertoneabletotalktorevealanythi
ng,
shecangotohel lf
oral
lIcare.ButIdon' twanther
tobeinmychamberf ortoolong.Wai tunti
lthe
cer
emonyst ar
ts.Assoonasi tdoes,dowel l
and
comebackher ewitht
woofmymostt r
ustedguards
andcarr
yheroutofher
e.Maki
ngsur
ethatnoone
seesyou''
.
'
'Pl
ease,
wher
edowet
akeher
?''
.
'
'Wecan'ttakeheroutofthepalacesincethere
wouldbesuspici
ons.Justleaveherinfrontofthe
dungeon.Thatway,
peoplemayt hinkitwasan
acci
dent''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'NooneMessr swit
hme.Nowshecan' ttalk,
nei
ther
canshewal k.
..
shewillr
emainlikethisforever.I
onlysparedherli
fei
nappreciati
onf orherloyalt
y
forthepassedtwentyfi
veyears.Ishalltakemy
l
eavenow.Thecer emonyisaboutt ost art'
'
.
(
ShewalkedoutofthechamberwithAvniand
l
ockedi
t,
leavi
ngSavit
ri
'sl
if
elessi
nthechamber)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Sushim stoodi nf
rontoft
hechamber,backt
ohis
posit
ion.PrincessLakshmiandRajwalkedt
oget
her
totheplace, l
aughi
ngandchatti
ng.
'
'Goodmor
ningSushi
m''
.
'
'Goodmor
ningPr
incess'
'
.
'
'Well.
..
Ihavebeingsenther etotakeRishi.I
tis
ti
mef orherroyalt
reatmentandherpr esenceatthe
ceremony.Andwhyi st hispl
acesoqui et
?Maj i
dis
supposedtobeget ti
ngr eadynow.PleaseSushim,
goandcal l
Ri
shi'
'
.
'
'Ohgoodness.
..
.Pr
incessLakshmi
,Pr
inceMaj
idi
s
noti
nhischamber'
'
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Wellam sorr
y,butIthoughthewaswit
honeofyou
pr
epar i
nghimself.Iarr
ivedher
eanhouragoandhe
wasn'ti
nhischamber' '.
'
'Butheisnotwit
hanyoneher
e.Butwher
eishe?
Rajyousai
d..
..
(Kushiwhowassimi
lar
lydr
essedupandr
eadyasa
pri
ncessarr
ivedt
her
einahaste)
.
'
'Ri
shi
..
.Wher
eisRi
shi
?''
.Sheasked.
'
'So.
..
bothRi
shiandMaj
idhassuddenl
y
di
sappear
ed?OhmyGod.Letiscal
lanassembl
y
now!'
'
.Pr
incessLakshmiyel
led.
'
'Nonono...
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hati
sver
ynecessar
y
pr
incess'
'
.
'
'Whatar
eyousayi
ngRaj
?''
.
'
'Lastnight
,Pr
inceMaj
idwenti
ntot
hef
iel
dswi
th
Rishi'
'
.
'
'Woooooo'
'
.Theyal
lexcl
aimed.
(QueenSheenainhergloryarri
vedther ei
nall
smileswi
thsevenmai densholdingtrayscont
aini
ng
anewexpensivesaree,j
ewelr
ies,oil
sandper f
umes).
'
'Goodness!Doyoupeopl
ethinkwehavet
hatmuch
ti
meorwhat ?Wherei
sRishiasthecer
emonywi
ll
begi
ninashortwhil
e''
.
'
'Mot
her
..
..
'
'Pr
inceMaji
dandPrincessRishispentt
heni
ghti
n
t
hefiel
dsyourhi
ghness''
.Rajsaid.
'
'Woooow.
..
.Howdi
dthi
shappened?'
'
.
'
'I
t'
sal
ongst
oryyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Lakshmi
,Kushi
..
.Yout
woshoul
dgoandgett
hem
pl
ease.Weshal
ltal
kaboutt
hisst
rangesi
tuat
ion
l
ater
.Hurr
yhurr
y''.
'
'Yesmot
her'
'
.
(
RoyalGuestr
ooms)
.
CindyandNat al
yadecidedtobl endi nwithther oyal
fami l
yandal sodressedupl i
ker oyal t
y.Butf orei
gn
royalty.Theycheckedt hemsel vesandgotr eadyt o
headoutsi ncesomemusi chadst artedplayingand
theywal kedout .TheysawQueenSheenawi th
Queenmot herandsomemai dshol ding
trays,l
aughi ngandheadi ngt owar dst herefi
ni ng
room.Andt heywer el
aughing,talkingaboutMaj i
d
unt i
ltheydi sappear edi
ntother oom andcl osedt he
door .CindywasshockedandsowasNat alya.She
feltweaki nherkneesasNat alyahel dherti
ghtf rom
behind.Shel ookedaroundandever ythi
ngwas
absol utelynor mal andper
fect.Exact l
ywhatshe
wasn' texpect i
ng.
'
'No..
Natal
ya?Pl
easetel
lmeIam dreami
ng.Howis
i
tthatever
yonei
sokayandsmil
ingwhentheyar
e
supposedtobel
ooki
ngfort
hatgir
l?''
.
'
'Wel
l,
maybe.
..Theyhaven'
tfoundoutyet
?''
.
'
'Hell
o?''
.Shesaidandcheckedt het
imeonher
phone.'
'Iti
sgetti
ngtoexact
ly8pm.Theyshould
havefoundoutbynow.Iam alreadybegi
nni
ngto
haveabadf eel
ing.Whatact
ual
lygoingon?'
'.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Whydon'
twef
indouteasi
ly?'
'
.
(Ci
ndydial
ledMrRaul
'
snumberandenter
edback
i
ntotheroom wi
thNat
alyabutt
hephonewas
swit
chedoff)
.
'
'OhmygoshNatal
ya..
.Itisswit
chedoff
.AndIam
aboutt
oloosemymindrightnow!Oh.
..
.
(
Herphonerangloudl
yandshechecked.I
twasMr
Raul
.Shequickl
yanswer
edandturnedherfacet
o
t
hedoor)
.
'
'Ohthankgoodness.Youfinal
lyrememberedyou
hadapartneri
ncri
meher ethatyoumustcallt
o
gi
veupdatesaboutourrecentprogr
ess!'
'
.
'
'Justshutup!Youannoyi
ngwi
tch!'
'
.
'
'Oh,
soam awi
tch.Af
terIhavehel
pedyouki
dnap
t
hati
diot
!''
.
'
'Noonewaski dnappedfool!Mymenarri
vedhere
l
astnightemptyhandedokay?Ihadtoeventake
onetothehospit
albecausehewasshotbyyour
Pri
nceCharmingafterherescuedhi
swif
e!''
.
'
'Wha..
..
wha...
no..
.but.
..
how.
..t
his.
..
no.
..i
mpossi
..
.
Noooo!
!!''
.Ci
ndyscreamedandt hrewthephone
agai
nstthewall
,destr
oyingi
t.
'
'Rel
ax!Hey,
whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Thi
scan'
tbe.OhNatal
yano!MyMaji
dcannotbe
i
nlovewit
hthatst
upi
dgirl
.Pl
easeno'
'
.
'
'Whatt
hehel
lhappened?'
'
'
'Ma.
..
Maji
d..
.t
heki
dnapwasamess.Maj
idr
escued
t
hevi
ll
agegir
l''
.
'
'Howist
hatpossi
blei
fMaj
idknewnot
hingabout
t
his?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowNat
alya!'
'
.
'
'Butyoushoul
dn'thavethrownthephoneandjust
askedMrRaulifheknewhowt hishappenedand
whetherMaj
idknowst hatyouar
ealsoinvol
ved.
Youaresuchaf ool
!'
'.
'
' I
tisnotnecessaryyouidiot
!Whatisr ealherei
s
that,
shedidn'tgetki
dnappedandpr obablyby
now,sheandMaj i
dmustbet ogether!No!''
.She
start
eddest r
oyingeverydecorat
ionintheroom
whileNatalyastoodtherewatchi
ngheri nsadness
andshakingherhead.
'
'Whatdowedonow?Gobackt
oLondon?'
'
.
'
'Never!Youcangoi fyouwant.ButIam not
movingani nchf
rom hereunti
lIgetMajidtogowi
th
me.Ilovehim Nat
alya.IswearthatIhavel
ovedhi
m
t
hefirstdayImethimi nthebasketbal
ldemo''
.
'
'Well
..
.f
rom t
hel
ooksoft
hings,
hedi
dloveyout
oo.
Butnow..
..
'
'Nownot hinghashappened!Hest il
llovesme,Iam
suret
hatgirlwantst
oseducehi m.Buthei sst
il
l
mine,
Iwon'tall
owher.Ididn'tcomeallthewayher e
tol
oosehi mtoanyone.Iwillsucceed.Ihateherso
much,fi
rstdayIsawher..
.shemustbewi thhim by
now,i
t'
swhatkill
smemostr ightnow''.
(
Int
hePal
aceFi
elds)
.
Thewi
ldwi
ndoft
hemor
ningkeptbr
ushi
ngt
hrough
thetreesandgr eengr asses.Wher et hecoolsun
restedont het wocoupl e.Theywer ecompl etely
exhaust ed.Maj idwasdeepi nsleepwhi leRi shi
openedhereyes.Shescr atchedt hem andyawned.
Herheadwasr est i
ngonMaj i
d'sstrongr ightar m.
Thebeaut ifulflower sbedwascomf ort
abl e,she
tri
edt ur
ningher selft ogetupbutshef eltashar p
paininherabdomen.Herf acewascompl et el
y
whi t
eandpal ewhi leherl ipswer edr y.Herbody
archedandi tfeltlikeshehadgonef orjoggi ng.She
turnedtot hel ef tsideandsawMaj id'sbeaut i
ful
face.Birdshadst artedcomi ngt othepl ace.Hor ses
wer eenteringt ogr aze.Butt hankgoodnessno
humanhadcomet her e.HerheadwasSt ol lonhi s
arms, hi
sf acewasf acingher ,
buthewasasl eep,his
redlipswer en'tasl eept hough.Shequi ckly
remember edt hei rwonder fulromant icnight .She
thenunder stoodt hepai nherabdomen.She
touchedherabdomenandsuddenl ytouchedawet
surface.Shebr oughtherhandt oherf aceandsaw
blood.Shegaspedandqui cklyforgotthepai nand
satupwhi lecover i
ngherbr eastwi t
hhal foft he
bedsheet .Herhai rwasamess.Shesawt hebl ood
i
nthebedsheet
s.Shel
ookedbackatMaji
dand
wantedt
opullt
hebedsheetof
fbuthel
ayedonhal
f
ofi
t.
'
'Nono. .
.hecan'tseethi
s.Ohgoshno.Mot hertold
methiswoul dhappenedoneday.Iwi l
lbeso
embarrassedifheseest hi
s''
.Shelookedaround
andsawherweddi nggownbesi dest
helake.''
What
doIdonow?Al lthi
sisacompl etemess.Lastnight
wascrazy,Idi
dn'tevenreal
iseanythi
ng''
.
(Majidstart
edt ur
ninghi mselftot heothersideand
shequi ckl
ysleptbesi deshi
ml i
keshewasasl eep.
Heopenedhi seyes.Hi seyest ouchedt hesunand
hishaircoveredhisf ace.Het ooki nsomeai rand
turnedtohisrightsideandsawRi shifeigni
ngsleep.
Heknewshewaspr etendi
ngt osl eep.Becauseher
eyeskeptshaki ngthought heywer eclosed.He
smi l
edlight
lyandcar essedherf ace).
'
' Goodmor ni
ngbeautif
ul''
.Hesaidandscooped
tonsofpiecesofflowersfr
om thesideofthebed
andsprinkl
edt hem onherface.Sheopenedher
eyesandwhent hei
reyesmet ,
shequickl
ycovered
herfaceawayi nshyness.Majidjustl
aughed.'
'
Whati
sit
?Ij
ustsai
dgoodmor
ning'
'
.
'
'Goo.
..Goodmor
ning'
'
.
'
'Whendi
dyouwakeup?'
'
.
'
'Justnow'
'
.
'
'Ar
eyousur
e?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
..
'
'Isawyoui
nmydr
eams'
'
.
(Ri
shisl
owlysatupwhileMaj
idst
il
llayeddown.
Shekeptsmil
ingshylywhi
lel
ooki
ngdownwi thher
hai
rcoveri
ngherface).
'
'Whatwasi
nthedr
eam?'
'
.
'
'Youwonthemostbeaut
if
ulwi
fecompet
it
ion.
..
?''
.
Theybot
hlaughed.
(Rishiwashi di
ngt hebl
oodysideofthebedsheeti n
hand.Maj i
dsatup.Bedsheetcoveri
nghiswai stand
downwar ds.Coul
dn'tst
opstarri
ngatRishiso
seduct i
vely.Hebithisl
owerli
pintohismouthand
hislightbrowneyespor t
rayi
ngher.HeseRi shi
squeezingt hebedsheetinherhands).
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'Not
hing.I
tisj
ust
..
.Iam i
npai
n''
.
'
'Oops.Youare?Thent hatmeans.
..
..'
'
.Hestarr
ed
atherdeepl
y,smil
ingfrom t
heothersi
deofhisli
ps.
'
'Youareavirgi
nRi shi
,ri
ght
?''
.
(Shef el
tsoshyandkeptherf acefaraway,sti
llwith
thebedsheetinherhands.Maj i
dsnatchedherhand
awayandsawt heblood,fr
eshandnew, st
ainedi n
thebedsheet.Hef el
tsoamazed.Hi seyesont he
blood,Ri
shi'
seyesonhi m,andhet urnedhiseyes
backatherwhi leshequicklylookedaway.He
smiledlikeabadboy.Hel ovedhowRi shiwasshy
ofhim.Hest art
edpulli
ngt hebedsheetawayf rom
herbodywhi lesheheldont ightandmaki ngthem
bothlaughoutsohappily.Theywer esohappy) .
'
'Maj
idst
oppl
ease!'
'
.
'
'Wow.
..
shei
snotst
ammer
inganymor
e''
'
'Whywoul
dIst
ammeraf
terwhathappenedl
ast
ni
ght
!''
.
'
'Okay.Howwasl
astni
ghtMr
sMaj
idSamr
at?Tel
l
met
ourexper
ience'
'
.
'
'Pai
nfulofcour
se!Maj
id,
stopt
hispl
ease,
Iam
t
rul
ystil
linpai
n!'
'.
'
'Wow.
..
thenIam t
rul
ybestast
hegi
rl
ssay'
'
.
'
'Gi
rl
s?!Whi
chgi
rl
s?'
'
.Ri
shiaskedwi
that
err
ibl
e
f
rown.
'
'Oops.
..
.j
eal
ousywel
comehome'
'
.
'
'Iam ser
iousMaj
id!'
'
.
'
'Honeyit
'si
nthepastokay?I
tisst
uff
sfr
om
London,
nothereRi
shi'
'.
'
'Bet
ter'
'
.
(Ri
shisaidthatandhepulledheroverhi
m whi
lehi
s
backtouchedthebedwi t
hheronhi m.Hepull
edher
headclosetohisfaceandt heyki
ssed
passi
onatel
y).
'
'Butser
iousl
yRi
shi
..
.Ir
eal
lydol
oveyou'
'
.
'
'Ohgoodness!
!!'
'
.Shesai
dandgotawayf
rom hi
m.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Maji
d,wearesupposedtobegett
ingr
eadyf
or
Shubhadr
angir
it
uals.Let
'sgonow''
.
'
'Whati
sShubha.
..
.Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'Ar
it
ual
formar
ri
edcoupl
es?'
'
.
'
'ButIwannastayher
ewi
thyouandt
hebi
rds.
Pl
eeeaaase'
'.
'
'Maj
id,
beser
ious!Let
'sgo!'
'
.
'
'Ohshi
t!'
'
.
'
'Nowwhat
?''
.
'
'Iki
ndal
eftmycl
othesi
nthel
ake'
'
.
'
'Godno!Whatdowedonow?
...
..
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
11:
57] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence3
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
hePal
aceFi
elds)
.
'
'Idon'
tknow..
.t
hatiswhywemustli
eher
eandnot
gobacktothepalace'
'
.Maji
dmockedher
.
'
' Hahaha.
..
youthinkyougotme?Lookovert here.
..
'
'.Shepointedatherweddinggownatthebankof
thelake.'
'Thati
smyweddi ngdr
essoverthere.I
don'thavetoworrysinceIwil
lhavesomethingto
wear .Sowhataboutyou?Youwi l
lsuff
erherealone
'
'.
'
'Noway!'
'
.
'
'Yesway'
'
.
(Theybot
hracedtowher
etheweddi
nggownl ayed
butadusual
,Maji
dwasfast
erandst
ronger.Hegot
totheweddi
nggownandpushediti
ntothelake).
'
'Noooo!
!!Maj
id,whatisthemat
terwit
hyou?That
i
smyweddi nggownf orGod'
ssake!'
'
.
(Majidhadabedsheett
iedt
ohiswaist
.Hewal ked
closert
oRishiwhohadhadtouchedherchestand
breathi
ngheavi
ly)
.
'
'Iwouldl
ovef
orust
oembar
rassour
sel
ves
t
ogether'
'
.
'
'What
?''
.
(Heheldherwaistandpull
edhercl
oser.Theirhair
weremessedup.Heki ssedher
.Hisgri
ponher
waistbecamet i
ght
erashedeepenedthekiss.Then
theyheardthemusicfr
om thepal
ace.Rishiquickl
y
pull
edaway) .
'
'Maj
id,
ever
yonewoul
dbeangr
yatus.Pl
ease,
let
's
go'
'
.
'
'Alri
ghtalri
ght.
..
nowthatwebothdon'
thave
cl
othes...
.whatarewegonnadonow?''.He
whisperedromant i
cal
lyandRi
shil
aughed.
'
'Idon'
twantt
ogeti
ntothepal
aceli
ket
his.Itwi
ll
bethemostdi
sgr
acef
ulact.Pl
easeMaj
id!'
'.
'
'Relaxhoney.Asl
ongasam wi
thyou,
webot
h
gonnabeokay.Alr
ight
?Come''
.
(Theybot hwal kedt other omant i
cbedsi deand
pul l
edallthebedsheetof f.Rishit iedthebedsheet s
onherwhol ebody.Maj idtiedabedsheetonhi s
wai standusedanot hert ocoverhi sbr oad
mascul ineshoul ders.Hecar riedt hel i
ghtbed
effortl
esslyanddr ownedi tandal lthef r
uitsand
bloodybedsheet sintot helake,lettingittakethem
away.Hewal kedbackt oRishiandr eali
sedshewas
weak.Theyl ookedi ntoeachot her '
seyes, somuch
i
nl ove.Hecar ri
edheri ntohisar msandherhead
fellonhischestwhi lelookingi ntohi seyes) .
'
'Feelbet
ter
?''
.Heaskedandshesmi
led.
'
'Yespl
ease'
'
.Shewhi
sper
ed.
(Helookedar oundandsawsomehor ses.He
walkedt oonewi t
hherstil
linhisar
msandpet t
edi
t
closely.Helif
tedherandmadehersi tatt
hebackof
thehor se.Thehorsesnortedandshookitsel
f,
maki ngherabi tf
ri
ghtened).
'
'Urr
rmmm..Ma..
.Maj
id?Idon'
tinkt
hishor
sei
s
ver
yfri
endl
y''
.
'
'Ssshhhh.
..'
'
.Heputhi
sfi
ngeronhi
sli
psand
br
ushedt
hehor
se'
smane.
(
Hesteppedont
hesaddl
eandsatbehi
ndRi
shion
t
hehorse)
.
'
'Your
eady?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tli
ket
hisposi
ti
onMaj
id'
'
.
'
'What
..
.Iam t
heonewhoal
lri
dei
t,
notyou'
'
.
'
'Iknow.Butcanyoudoi
twi
thmei
nfr
ontofyou?'
'
.
'
'Well
,
sot
hatIcanpr
otectyoueasi
lywhenyouare
goi
ngtof
all
.Orhowel
sedoyouwantt ositoni
t?'
'
.
(
Sheadjust
edher sel
fandtur
nedherfr
onttoface
Maj
id.Theyfacedeachotherandhesmil
ed).
'
'Haha..
.butyouar
est
il
linf
rontofme.I
tmakesno
di
ff
erence''
.
'
'Yesi
tdoes.Mybackisnol
ongerf
aci
ngyou.Now
wearefacet
oface'
'.
'
'Wow.
..
ain'
tyousor
omant
ic?'
'
.
'
'Maji
dst op!Letusgonow.OhgodIam f eeli
ngso
embarrassedenteri
ngt
hepalaceinthi
sstate.Oh
Maj
id,Iremembernow.Let'
sgoi nyourcarplease?
Ther
eiti
s!'
'
.Shepoi
ntedatal
ongdi
stance.
'
'Ital
soneedstorest.Ihavebei
ngusi
ngitever
si
nceIgothere.Ineedtogetnewones.Let
'sjust
usethehorsefornow''.
'
'Wel
lar
en'
tyouj
ustnaught
y?Letmehi
demyf
ace
'
'
.
(Maji
dlaughedoutasshehi sherf aceonhi schest
.
Herodethehor seslowlyuntiltheygott othe
entr
anceoft hepalaceattachedt othefiel
d'sgate.
KushiandLakshmimett hem att heentrancewi t
h
openedmout hs.Theylookedateachot herand
l
aughedout .Rishicoul
dn'tgetherf aceupt olookat
them.ShesqueezedMaj i
d'sarmst ighter,
signali
ng
himtokeepmovi ngbuthedi dn't
).
'
'Ur
rrmmm.
..Wel
lhel
lobr
other'
'
.
'
'HiLakshmi'
'
.
'
' Todayisbothyourday.Andeveryonei
sreadyfor
theceremony. .
.Howcomeyout wohavedelayedus
l
iket hi
s?Pleaseplease,
giveRi
shitous,
weneedt o
getherr eady,
comeon' '
.
'
'Don'
twor
ryLakshmi
..
.Iwi
llgetherr
eadymysel
f''
.
'
'What
?Maj
id.
..
..
(Heignoredthem bothandr odet hehorseintot he
pal
acewhi letheyfoll
owed.Guest swer estil
l
cominginwi thbiggift
s.Ever yonehadt heireyeson
MajidandRi shi
.Ther oyalfami l
yst oodont he
bal
conyi nsurpri
se.Ever yone,event heservants
andanimalshadt heireyesont hem.Ri shisti
llhad
herfacehiddendeepi nMaj i
d'schestwhi l
eher ode
passedmanypeopl ewhobowedt othem.Theki ng
andQueensl aughed.Ci ndyar r
ivedont hebal cony
wit
ht heothersduet othenoi seandt heysawt hem
downt hecompound.Ci ndy'shear tst
oppedbeat ing
atonce).
'
'Waitami nute.I
sthatmybedsheets?The.
..
bedI
arr
angedforMaj i
dandI ?'
'
.Shethoughttohersel
f
asteafel
ldownhereyes.Shebecameweaki nher
l
egsandf ellf
rom herheel
s.Herf
ri
endscaughther
butshebreakherr i
ghtl
eg.
'
'OhmyGodCi ndy!Pl
easesomeoneshoul
dhel
p
her
e''
.Nat
alyacri
ed.
'
'Goandgett
her
oyaldoct
or'
'
.Queenmot
hert
old
oneguar
d.
'
' Thisisallyourfaul
ts!Ar
eyouhappynow.You
fi
nal l
ysepar at
edmef r
om Majid.Wel
lthati
swhat
yout hink!Becauseyouwon' tgetawaywithanyof
this!Maj i
dismi neanditwil
lremainthatway''
.
'
'Getthegarbageoutofmysightnow!''
.Queen
mothershoutedatNatal
yaandtheothers.
(JimmyandMaxwel lhel pedCi ndyintotheguest
rooms.Maj idarri
vedi nf rontoft hemainpal ace
gates.Hegotdownwhi l
eever yonewat chedt hem i
n
confusionbuthehadabr ightsmi l
eonhi sface.He
tookRi shiintohisarmswi thhereyescl osedt i
ght
ly.
Heent eredi ntothebui l
di ngfollowedbyever yone
else.Ever yonetookt her oadt ot hepal
acet emple
whi l
eMaj i
dt ookther oadt ohischamber .He
cli
mbedmanyst air
swi thRi shiinhisarms.He
didn'tpasst hebalconyandwal kedstr
aightintohi
s
chamber .KushiandPr incessLakshmi mett he
family).
'
'Nowwhat
?''
.
'
'Maj
idwoul
dn'
tgi
veRi
shit
ousmot
her'
'
.
'
'I
shecrazy?Shoul
dn'
twebeget
ti
ngr
eadyf
ort
his
r
it
ual
?''
.
'
' Rel
axQueenSheena.Justsendsomemai dst
o
takeRishi'
sgownandor namentst
oMaji
d's
chamber .Andplease,
thepri
est
shasar
ri
ved.So
youallshouldhurryup''
.Hesai
dandwalkedaway
tothetemple.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Heent eredthechamberandcl osedthedoorshut
.
Rishifinal
lyraisedherheadandt heybothstar
ted
l
aughi ng.Hegotherdownf rom hisarmsandshe
wasweaki nherl egs.Shesatont hebedand
yawnedagai n.Shel ookedathim standi
ngand
starr
ingather .Shegotupandf acedhim.
'
'Ihavet
ogogetr
eadynow'
'
.
'
'Doyour
eal
lywannal
eave?'
'
.
'
'Ha!Whatel
seam Idoi
ngher
e?Ti
mei
sal
readyf
ar
spent'
'
.
(
Hewentcl
osert
oherandhel
dherwai
stt
hent
ook
herr
ighthandi
ntohi
s).
'
'Let
'sdance'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Can'
tyouheart
hemusi
c?'
'
.
'
'Maj
idpl
ease.
..
.
'
'Ri
shipl
ease.
..
.
'
'Wehavet
obet
her
e.I
twi
llbedi
srespect
ful'
'
.
'
'Itwil
lbedi
srespect
fult
ousnott
oful
fil
lour
desir
es.Youwanttobeherewi
thme,t
rut
horno?'
'
.
'
'I
..
.i
t'
snotl
iket
hat
.Iam nott
ryi
ngt
oleave.
..
.
'
'Youar etal
kingtoomuchbabydol l
.Youaremi ne
now.Youj usthavetodowhatIsay.Itwil
lnever
hurtwhenwear etoget
her
.Lettheguest
swai tfor
usforjustalit
tl
ewhi l
ebaby.Ourhoneymooni sn'
t
overyet''
.
(Heloweredhisli
pst
ohereandkissedherwitha
l
ongt imeneed.Themusi
cbecamel ouderi
ntheir
earsanditwasthemostromanti
cmoment .Ashe
kissedu,
hecarri
edheref
for
tl
essl
yonhi swaist.
Makingherl egswr aparoundhiswai st.She
grabbedhi mt ightl
ywhi l
eheheldherwai st,
and
walksintohi sglamor ousbathr
oom.Hecl osedt he
doorandsl owl yunitedthebedsheetf r
om Ri shi'
s
body,droppingt hem inthedesi
gnedf loor.He
enteredtheshowerandwhi l
ekissingher ,
het urned
thecoldwat eron.Thei rbodi
escol l
idedwhi l
ethe
waterbeatt hem.Hedr oppedRishiandherl egs
touchedt hefloor.Theirhai
randf aceswer ewet .He
l
ookeddownatherwi thasmi l
e).
'
'Showerort
het
ub?'
'
.
'
'Wear
eal
readyi
ntheshower'
'
.
'
'Butwhi
chonedoyour
eal
lywant
?Theshoweror
t
hetub?'
'.
'
'Nowyouar
egoi
ngt
odowhatIwanti
nst
ead?'
'
.
'
'Whenitcomestothi
spointedinlove,
themancan
evenrobabankift
hewomanwant shimt obaby.
Tellmewhatyouwant,
anditshallbegi
ven''.
'
'Ineedyou'
'
.
'
'That
'smygi
rl'
'
.
(Hegr abbedherwai standki ssedherpassi onately.
Theshowerbeatt hem l iker ainwat er .Maj idmade
hiswayoutwi thher .Theygott ot hebat ht ubwhi ch
wasf ullofwar m soapyandf lower swat er.Ther e
wasawhi tevapourcomi ngoutofi tandi tsmel l
ed
sogood.Hegotoutoft hebedsheetwhi chwas
coveringhim.Hepl acedheri nt ot hebat ht uband
heent eredaswel l.Hesatbehi ndherwhi l
eshe
placedherbackheadonhi schesti nt hewat er.He
grabbedabat hingcr eam andopenedi t
.Ri shi
chuckleandhepour edi tonherchestl i
kemi l
k,
in
betweenherbr east s.Hepl acedi tasi deandswam
hispalmsonherchest ,
grabbi ngherf irm br eastin
hishandsandpr essi ngt hem sof tl
y, hepushedhi s
handsdownt ohert ummyandt hel owerpar tsand
shegasped.Heki ssedherneckpassi onatel ywhile
hereyeswer ecl osed, herbodyshi veringint he
water.Hebr oughthi shandsupt ohershoul ders
andmassagedherasshemoaned.Shecoul dn't
controlherself.Shet urnedt of acehi m andpassed
herfingersthroughhi shairandki ssedhi m
i
mmensel y.Maj idpassedhi sf inger sdownher
waisttoherbut tandgr abbedhi shai rt i
ght erwhi l
e
theydeepenedt heki ss.Bothofthem br eathing
againsteachot her '
sski nandpanting.Want i
ng
mor eofeachot her .Maj i
dmadehersi tonhi sl aps
i
nt hewat erwhilehepenet rat
ed.Rishigasped
l
ouderandmoaned.Heneededhert ot akeoverand
betheboss.Shef aintedonhischest ,
breathing
heavierandfast erthanever .Hehelpedhert hrust
onhi m byholdingherwai stti
ght.Shemoaned
sweet l
yandherf i
nger sbitdeepintoMaj i
d's
shoulders,makingbl oodcomeoutofhi sfl
esh.He
groanedwhi l
et heirbodi eswentfasterandf ather,
movi ngtogether).
(
Inf
rontoft
hechamber
).
PrincessLakshmiandKushiar
rivedwit
hfr
owni
ng
faces.Sushim boweddowntothem ashet
ookhi
s
positi
on.
'
'Sushi
ml etusinpl
ease.Whatar
etheyst
il
ldoi
ng
i
ntheregod!!
!'
'.
'
'Pri
nceMaji
dsai
d,t
onotal
lowanyonei
ntot
he
chamber'
'
.
'
'Thenyougoi
nther
eandbr
ingRi
shipl
ease.We
ar
elat
e''
.
'
'EvenIhavebei
ngf
orbi
ddent
oent
erPr
incess'
'
.
'
'Can'tt
heyjuststopwhattheyaredoi
ngand
cont
inueaftert
her i
tual
.Motheri
ssoangrynow.I
t
i
sanor derSushim!''
.
(Heboweddownandent er
edt
hechamberwhi
le
LakshmiandKushiwai
tedout
).
(
Int
hebat
hroom)
.
Rishirestedherheadonhi schestastheyt
ookt heir
breath.Sheraisedherfacetolookint
ohiseyes.
Shewasshaki ng.Helookedintohereyesi
ntensely.
Herhai rwasalloverhisface.
'
'Il
oveyouMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Il
oveyoumost'
'
.
(Theykissedandhegotoutofthebat
htubinhis
nakedness.Rishicover
edhereyeswi
thherhands
i
nl aughter
.Majidchuckl
ed)
.
'
'Li
keser i
ously?Youwannacloseyoureyestowhat
youjustenjoyed?Andyourownpropert
y?''
.
'
'Idi
dn'
tenj
oyanyt
hing!I
thur
t.I
twaspai
n!'
'
.
'
'Ohareyousure?Okay,
Ipr
omi
sei
twon'
thur
tthe
nextt
imeokay?''
.
'
'Ther
ewon'
tbeanextt
ime!'
'
.
'
'Ohreall
y?Sayswhohuh?Sayswho?''
.He
sai
d,t
ickl
ingheri
nthebat
htubwhi
let
heylaughed.
'
'Maj
idst
op'
'
.
(Hehelpedheroutofthebathtubastheirbodies
wer ebubbl
edupwithsoap.Theywentundert he
showerandt hewaterwashedthem off
.They
kissedsohardunti
ltheyheardtheheavyvoicefrom
thebedroom).
'
'MyPr
ince?
!''
.
'
'Sushi
m?'
'
.
'
'Pl
easemyPr
ince.Theyar
eher
eforRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Who?'
'
.
'
'Pr
incessLakshmi
andKushi'
'
.
'
'Fi
vemi
nut
es!'
'
.
'
'OkaymyPr
ince'
'
.Hesai
dandwal
kedout
.
(Maji
dputofftheshowerandwalkedherint
othe
dryfl
oor.Hetookoutanewtowelfrom t
hetowel
wardrobeint
hebat hr
oom.Hewrappedthem bot
h
i
ntoitwhil
etheydriedup,
l
ooki
ngintoeachother
's
eyesandsmiling)
.
'
'Maj
id?'
'
.
'
'Yeah?'
'
.
'
'Yourf
ivemi
nut
esi
sget
ti
ngt
oonehour'
'
.
'
' Ohyeah?''
.Hedriedheroffhi
mselfandtookouta
whitebathrobefr
om thewar dr
obeandmadeher
weari t
.Hetookoneandwor eithi
mself.They
enteredthebedr
oom.Heki ssedherandtookherto
thedoor .
'
'Seeyoul
ater'
'
.
'
'Okay'
'
.
(TheykissedandRishiopenedthedoor
.She
smelledsogood.LakshmiandKushigavehera
mocki ngsmil
e.Rishibowedherhead,
sti
llbei
ngshy.
Theyt ookherawaywhi l
eMaxwell,
Jimmywi th
othermai
dsandguar
dsarri
vedandenter
edMaj
id'
s
chamberwit
hSushi
mt ohel
phim getr
eady)
.
(
Ref
ini
ngRoom)
.
Theyent eredwi t
hherandt heQueensandher
mot herwer eallsmili
ngatherli
keshehadwona
l
ottery.Theymadehersi tandtheyal
lgat
hered
aroundherl ikeli
ttl
echil
dren.Event
hemaidens
werei nt
erestedt oknowwhathappened.
'
'OhRishit
ellus!Pl
easepl
easepl
ease!'
'
.Kushi
shout
ed.
'
'Thatki
ndoft
hingi
sconf
ident
ialKushi
.Shutup!'
'
.
'
'ButIam herbestf
ri
end!Shehast
otel
lmenow!'
'
.
(Ri
shifel
tsouncomfortabl
eandkeptl
ooki
ngdown.
Shewishedshedressedupi nMaj
id'
schamber
i
nstead.Thansi
tt
ingthere)
.
'
'It
'sokay.Letusgetherr
eadybef or
ethe
auspici
oustimepass.Wehavel otsoft
imet
o
di
scussl at
er''
.Queenmothersaid.
'
'Ohgoodness,Ri
shi.
.Wherei
syourweddi
ngchai
n
andel
ephantneckl
ace?!
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
57] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence4
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Ref
ini
ngRoom)
.
'
'Ri
shi
,
theneckl
ace?'
'
.
'
'Mot
her
..
.Ma.
.Maj
id.
.he.
..
.
'
'Okay.Iwi
llgoandgetthem f
rom Maji
d.Pl
ease
cont
inuedr
essingherup.Wear el
ateasiti
s''
.
Queenmothersaidandwalkedout.
(
Inf
rontoft
hedungeon)
.
Fourguar
dsar
ri
vedwi
thSavi
tr
ifol
lowedbyAvni
.
Theydroppedheronthegr
oundwhi
lelooki
ng
aroundtomakesurenoonewaswatchingt
hem.
'
'I
sthatal
l?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Youmayl eavenow''.Avnisai
dandt he
guardslef
t.ShelookeddownatSavitriwit
hpit
if
ul
eyes.'
'Nowseewhatyouhavecaused' '.
'
'Imustdosomet hi
ng.ThatRishiissensi
ble.Ifonly
Igetherhertobeal
onewi t
hme, Icandoanyt hing
possi
bleforhert
oknowt hetr
uth''.Savi
tr
ithought
tohersel
f.
'
'Twent yfi
veyearsago.Whenyoui ntroducedmeto
QueenDor ah,
itwasyouyourselfwhot oldmethat,
I
shoul
dbever ycarefulofQueenDor ahbecauseshe
userblackmagicandshewasver ydangerous.But
youdidn'tt
aketakeyourownadvi se.Nowseewhat
happenedt oyou''
.
'
'OhIpityyousomuchAvni .QueenDorahisnever
appr
eciati
vet oanyone.Onceshedoesn'tneedyou
anymore,shewi l
lendyou.Andyouknowal lher
secr
etsnow, whoknowswhatyourendwoul dbe.I
j
ustneedRi shitogetthatpotandfreeQueen
Meerah,
howdoIdot
hati
fam par
alysednow?Oh
l
ordhavemercy'
'
.
'
' Ishoul
dbeleavingnowSavit
ri
.Iam verysor
ry.
ButIcan'tr
iskanyoneseeingmewit
hyou.Orel seI
am goingtoforceQueenDorah'
swrath.AndIdon't
thinkIam r
eadyf ort
hat'
'
.
(
Shesai
dandwal
kedaway)
.
'
' Todayisthewor sedayofmyl i
fe.Whentheroyal
familyfindsoutthatthisishowIhaveendedup
then..
.t
hatwillbeit.Theywillf
indanewl eaderf
or
themai dsandsendmebackt omyf amil
y.Then
howwi llIbeabletiexposeQueenDor ah?Ihavet o
thinkofsomet hi
ngf ast''
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hisfri
endsgat heredaroundhi m,helpinghim dress
up.Jimmyst oodbehindhim, combi nghi shairwhi l
e
Maxwel lstoodinfrontofhim, buttoninghisclothes
up.Buthehadhi seyesandmi ndsomewher eel se.
Remembr anceofhisfirstnightofbr eakingRishi '
s
i
nnocencekeptpi cturi
ngt ohim andhekeptsmi li
ng
tohimself.Hisfri
endsrealisedt hathi smindwas
nott
hereast heywerespeakingtohim andhe
wasn'
trespondingbutjustsmil
ingtonothing.He
smil
edsowi dewhenher ememberedthebat hr
oom
romanceearli
er.Theyshoutedinhi
sear sandhe
camebackt oreali
ty.
'
'Whatt
hef
uckman?
!''
.
'
'Weweretal
kingt
oyouman.Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng
about
?''
.
'
'Whatar
eyout
wot
alki
ngabout
?''
.
'
' Wewerewonderi
ngifyouwil
leverwanttogo
backtoLondonMajid.Imean,
aft
erwhatwesaw
thismor
ning.
.bet
weenyouandt hatgi
rl
..
..
'
'Thatgi
rl
..
.Maxwel
l
,hernamei
sRi
shi
.St
art
r
especti
ngthat'
'
.
'
'Wow!Isai
dit
!Iknewtherewassomethingt
here.I
t
oldyouJi
mmy, di
dn'
tI?'
'.Maxwel
lexcl
aimed.
'
'Wai
twai
twai
t.
..
whati
sgoi
ngonguys?'
'
.
'
'Maj
id.
..Ci
ndybrokeherl
egthi
smor
ningandshe
i
sinabadcondit
ionri
ghtnow..
.
(
Queenmot
herent
eredandever
yoner
ushed
out
,l
eavingherandMajidalone.Shesmi l
edathim
andhesmi l
edback.Hegott ohisfeetandtheyboth
embracedeachothert
ight
ly).
'
'Hel
ookshappyt
oday.ThankGod'
'
.
'
'Howar
eyoudoi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Aft
erseei
ngyouonthehor
sewit
hRishi
,Iam
st
rongenoughtocar
ryyoumydar
li
ng''
.
(Theybot
hlaughedandshehel
pedhi
m wearhi
s
goldear
ri
ngs).
'
'Maj
id?'
'
.
'
'Yeah?'
'
.
'
'Wherei
sRishi
'
sweddi
ngchai
n?''
.Sheasked
whi
leput
ti
nganear
ri
nginhi
slef
tear.
'
'Weddi
ngchai
n?Whyaskme?'
'
.
'
'What?!Pl
easest
opjoki
ngar
oundMaji
d.Rishi
ment
ionedyournamewhenweaskedher'
'.
'
'Me?Butwhy? .
..
.'
'.Hequickl
yremember edt
he
othernighti
nthelakeandheshr uggedhis
shoulders.'
'Ur
rrmmm. .
.gr
andmot her
?''
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Iki
ndaloosedt
hechaini
nthef
iel
d'sl
ake.ButI
sweari
twasanaccident'
'
.
'
'Buthow?I
twasonRi
shi
'
sneck!OhmyGodt
hati
s
abadomen!'
'.
'
'Awj eezzz.
..
canyouguysgi
vemeabreakabout
youreverydaybadomenstuf
f?I
t'
snotcool
.
Look,
it'
sjustachai
nokay?Wecangetanot
herone
anyti
mesoon' '.
'
'Iti
snotjustachain.Iti
saspeci albondwhichthe
womanwear stoindicateshebelongst oher
husbandalone.I
tisasacr edoath!Ijustdon'
t
underst
andwhyandhowi tgott
ot helake!How?
!''
.
'
'Ur
r.
..I
t'
ski
ndaal
ongst
ory?Ki
ndasome.
..
.
'
'Ooo.
..Igeti
tnow.Don'
texpl
ain'
'
.
'
'Lookgr
andma,don'
tbewor ri
ed.Ifi
tmeanst hat
muchtoyouthen,
RishiandIwillgetmarr
iedagain
andgetanewone...
but,
wil
lthatmean,st
oppingthis
cer
emony?
'
'Notnecessar
y.ButIa!St
il
lwor
ri
ed.YouandRi
shi
wil
lhavetogetmar
ri
edagai
n.Whatabouther
el
ephantneckl
aceMaj
id?Pl
easedon'
ttel
lmethat
onealso.
..
.
'
'Igotr i
dofeveryt
hing.You,fat
her,motherand
everyoneIhaveseeni salivebutisnotweari
ngthat
necklace..
.what
'ssorelevant?Ifpossi
ble,
Iwil
lgi
ve
minet oher''
.
'
'No!Thatisdangerous.Iwil
lasksomeguar
dsto
goandsearchforitwhilet
heceremonygoeson.
Let
'sgo''
.
(
Int
hepal
acet
empl
e).
Thebr idehadenteredwithaveilonherf aceand
shewasmadet ositinfr
ontoflordKrishna'sstatue.
Shesatonagol denchairandsomemai dens
starteddancingaroundherwhi l
esthedr umsbeat .
Evermai dwhodancedpassedherhadt ot hrow
somef l
owersonherf rom abaskettheyhel d.The
guest sandtheroyalti
eswereallseatedandt he
priestswereprayingsil
entl
y.Queenmot herentered
withMaj idandallthegir
lsstar
tedgiggli
ng.Oneof
them mi ghtbethenextwifeofthefutureking.
Ther ewasachai ri nfr
ontofRi shiandMaj i
dwas
!adet ositont hatchai r.Themai dspl acedat ablein
theirmidstandQueenmot herbr
oughtabi gbowlof
milk.Shepl acedi tont hetableinallsmi les.The
priestsstoppedpr ayi
ngandopenedagol denplate
thenr emovedasmal ldiamondr ingf rom thebowl
andt heyallwal kedt oMaj idandRi shi.Ast radit
ion,
Queenmot herliftedRishi '
sveil
.AssoonasRi shi
l
ayedhereyesonMaj i
d, si
tti
nginf rontofher ,
her
shynesscamebackandshest artedbl ushingwhi ch
madeever yonel augh.Thepr i
eststoodbesi des
them wi t
ht heringi nhishand.
'
' Youbot har enewlywedsnow.Andast r
aditi
on
demands. ..
.Shubhadrangiisalwayshel dupf or
mar ri
edcoupl estoini
ti
atethem intothemar ri
age.It
maybest rangetoyoumyPr incebutIbetRi shihas
seent hisal otoftimesinotherpeople'srit
uals.This
mi l
kont het ableisyourmar r
iage.Andt hisri
ngi n
myhand, signifi
estheauthori
tyeitherofyoumi ght
havei nthemar ri
age.Iam goingtodr opthisringin
themi lkandyoubot hwillsl
owl ydipyourright
handsi nt hemi lkt
of i
ndthering.Theper sonwho
fi
rstfi
ndsther ing,i
stheonewhowi llcontr
olt
he
mar r
iageti
lltherestofyourl
ives.Andso,pl
ease
prepareforit''
.
(Thepriestdroppedther i
ngintothebowlofmi lk
andmixedt hemi lkwithawoodenl adder.Maj id
rai
sedhi seyebrowst oRishiandsmi l
e.Rishilooked
i
ntothemi lkandal l
thepeopl ebegunshout i
ngi n
supportofMaj i
d.Theot herswerealsoshout ingin
supportofRishi.Thepr i
estsgavethepermi ssion
andtheybot hdippedt hei
rhandsintothemi lk).
'
'Youbetterf
inditfi
rstMaji
d,orelseRishiwil
l
cont
rolyouforever
!''
.Queenmot hershouted.
YesMajid.
...f
indi
tfi
rstel
seyouwillforeverdo
whatRishisaysandtherewi
llbenothingyoucan
doaboutit'
'.
'
'Finditf
irstRi
shi
!IfnotMaji
dwil
lturnyourhead
around.Youalr
eadyknowt hedr
il
l!'
'
.Kushi
screamed.
(Ast
heybot hswam thei
rhandsinthemil
k,
theyj
ust
coul
dn'tgett
hei
reyesof feachot
herandever
yone
wasjustchuckl
ingatthem.Cindywhosel
egwas
bandagedandhol di ngcr ouchesenter edwi th
Nat alyaeventhoughshewasadvi sedbyt heroyal
doct orstotaker est.Theyent er
edwhenever yone's
attentionwasont hepowercoupl e.Theybot h
j
oinedt hecrowdi nt het empleandst oodbehi nd
peopl e.Meanwhi l
e, MajidandRi shikeptswi mmi ng
theirhandsi nthemi l
k.Maj i
dcaughtRi shi'
sfingers
andcar essedherwhi leshepi nchedhi m andhe
l
aughed.Butf inall
y, Maj idgrabbedther i
ngandgot
hishandoutwi t
hi t.Ever yonerej
oiced.Ri shi
coul dn'tst
opsmi l
ing.Queenmot herqui ckl
yki ssed
Maj idandt her
ewasal oudmusi cpl ayed) .
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.Thepeopl
eshout
ed.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
incessRi
shi
!'
'.
'
'Gl
oryt
oher
!''
.
'
'Okayokay..
..
fr
om todayandforevermore,
Prince
Maji
d,youmayt akecontr
olinyourmarri
ageast he
manyouar e.Dominat
e!Andbeagoodhusbandt o
yourwif
e''
.Theoldestpri
estsai
dinhappiness.
(
Theyt
ookbl
essi
ngsf
rom t
heel
der
sandt
he
secondsect ionoft her i
tualbegan.Thesecond
secondsect ioni swer ethebrider eceivedgiftsfrom
alltheguest s.Andi tst art
edwi t
ht her oyalfami l
ies.
Ujani ,Jhansi ,
Chakt aktu,Morea,I
sla,NaShubhal a
andot hers.Hervei lwasagai nusedt ooverherf ace.
Anyonewhohel dtheirgi f
tswoul dgeti nfrontofher
andl i
ftthevei lupt oseeherbeaut i
fulfaceand
blessherandhandovert hei
rgifts.Queenmot her
wenthert ur
n,followedbyQueenSheena, theking
andot hers.QueenDor ahandFar ukwentt heir
roundst oo.QueenSel maoft heJhansiki ngdom got
toherr ound.Hol dingabi gparceledpi nkbox.She
goti nf rontofRi shi andwhi mper ed.Shepl acedher
boxasi deandsl owl yraisedupt hevei landf akeda
smi le).
'
'Sot hi
sisthegirlyouchoseovermydaught er
Majid?OhmygoodnessIam sodi sgusted.
.you
wouldhavebei ngsol uckytobemar ri
edtomy
Ragah.Butyoubr eakherheartwit
houtevengetti
ng
toknowher .Iwil
lnotf or
giveyouforchoosingthi
s
cheaphumanbei ngovermyPr i
ncess.AndIwish
yourmar r
iagewoul dbedest r
oyedonewayor
anot
her.Andyou,
Ihopeyouenj oymygift.
..
very
much''
.Shethoughttoher
selfandchuckled.She
bl
essedherandhandedhergifttoher
.Rishiplaced
i
tamongt henumerousgif
tshewasgi ven.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Meho'
shouse)
.
Andt herehel ayed.Lif
elessinapoolofbl ood.Wi th
agunshoti nhi shead.Therewasnot hingleftbut
hisdeadbody.Hi shousedoorwasopenedwi dely
andpeopl ewhopassedbywer ejustwonder ingwhy.
Twomenwal kedi nt
othecompoundbut
everywher ewasqui etandnor maluntiltheyent ered
thehallthrought heopeneddoorandsawal l
clot
hesscat teredwithchairsaroundi nimpr oper
manner .Theyscr eamedMeho' snamebutt her e
wasnor esponse.Theyqui cklyrushedoutand
walkedt othebackoft hehouseandsawhi sdead
body.
'
'Ohl
ordhavemer
cy.I
shedead?'
'
.
'
'It
hinkso.Ohl
ord.
..
hisdaughteri
scel
ebrat
ing
t
odayandnowlookatTuest at
eofherfat
her''
.
'
'Weshoul
dbeonourwayt
oannouncet
hisnow'
'
.
'
'Yesl
et'
sgo.
..
iti
sabadomen'
'
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=Pal
acet
empl
e).
Itwast i
mef orthet hi
rdsectionoft her it
ualwer e
thebr i
deandgr oom wer etof eedeachot herwi th
traditi
onaleggsandt oasts.Agol denmatwasl ayed
ont hef l
oorandt heybothsatoni t.Ther oyalfood
wasser vedinfrontoft hem ast heyf acedeach
otheront hemat .Majidcouldn'tstopt easingRi shi
wi thhiseyesandshecoul dn'tstopbei ngshy.She
firstdippedherhandi nthefoodandbr oughta
smal lamountt oMaj i
d'sli
ps.Heopenedhi smout h
andshef edhi m.Hei nternati
onal l
ybi therf ingersin
hismout handshegr oanedandqui cklygother
handawy, shefrownedathi m buthewi nkedather .
Peopl elaughed.Maj i
dtookascoopoft hef oodand
Rishisl i
ghtlyopenedhermout h.Hef edherandshe
alsobuthi sfi
nger saspayback.
'
'Ouch!'
'
.Hegothi
sfinger
soutofhermout
hand
t
herewasbl
oodalloverhi
sthumb.
'
'Ohmygoodness.
..Maj
idam sosor
ry,
,
I.
..
.
(
Shewascompl
etel
yhur
t.Themai
dsqui
ckl
y
broughtt
heroyaldoct
orwhil
eQueenSheena
quickl
ygott
ohimt ocheckhi
swound).
'
'Iam okaymother.Nevermind,
Idon'
tneed
medicat
ion.Ser
iousl
y,stopt
reat
ingmelikeat
en
year
sold''
.
'
'I
fhe'
sokay,
l
ethi
m be'
'
.Theki
ngsai
d.
'
'Butyourhi
ghness,
hei
sbl
eedi
ng'
'
.
'
' Shal
lwepleaseconti
nuetheri
tual.Iti
stimef or
thelastsect
ion.Wehavetodothatbef orethe
auspici
oustimepass.Wehavej ustfewmi nutes.
Canyoupl easeprovi
dethever
mi l
ion?''
.Thepr iest
said.
'
'Yesyesokay'
'.QueenSheenawentt
oLord
Kri
shna'
sandtookthetr
ayofvermi
li
on.Shepl
aced
i
tinfr
ontofMajidandRishi
.
'
'Okay.
..
theoi
lpl
ease'
'
.
(
Thepri
estwasgivenabott
leofoi
landhepour
edi
t
i
ntot
hevermil
ionandmixeditt
oget
her)
.
'
'Youar
egoingt
odi
pyourthumbint
othever
mili
on
myPri
nce,
andyouar
egoingtosmeari
tonRishi
'
s
for
ehead'
'
.Thepri
estsai
d.'
'Astradi
ti
on,
ourbel
ief
s
demandsthi
swi
llf
inal
lybondyou..
..
Astr
adit
ionandourbel
iefsdemands,
thi
swi
ll
fi
nal
lybi
ndyoutwoforever'
'.
(Thewhol et
empl ewasqui et
.Pri
ncessRagahhad
tearsinhereyes.Ci
ndywhowasi nt hecrowdf elt
soannoyedandwant edtobombt hewhol epal ace
up.Pr i
nceFarukwasf eel
ingsawkwar d,t
hinki ngof
whatt odotoendallthisnonsensehei sseei ngi n
frontofhim,
andQueenDor ahcouldn'twaitforal l
thistobeoverinherchamberandsl eeporbet t
er
stil
l,
usemagi ctofi
nallyf
indCharu'swher eabout s).
'
'Maji
d,It
oldyoutoletust endtoyourwound..
now
t
hatyourthumbi ssti
llbl
eeding,howwil
lyoudipi
t
i
ntothevermil
ion?OhGodyouar et
oostubbor
n''
.
QueenSheenasai d.
(Rishi
'seyesweretear
yasshewast hecausedof
allthi
s.Sheshouldhavenevergotr
evengeonhim
andshebi thi
mt oohard)
.
'
'MyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Rel
axpr
iest
.Idon'
tneedt
hever
mil
iont
odot
his
okay?WhatIhavei smor eimportantthanany
vermili
on''
.Hesaidandt ookhisbloodythumb,
slowlytoRishi
'
sf orehead.Everyonewasj ust
shocked.TearsfelloutofRishi'
seyes.Hesmear ed
hisbloodonRishi'sforehead,sheclosedhereyes
i
nt ears.
(Thepriest
sstar
tedclappingthei
rhandsand
everyonejoi
nedinthecelebrat
ion)
.
'
'ShubhadrangibetweenPrinceMaji
dandPri
ncess
Rishihasended.Nowl ett
hecelebr
ati
onbegi
n
pl
ease!''
.Onepriestshout
ed.
(Thecelebr
ationst art
edandPr i
nceMaji
dwast aken
outofthetemplet obeat tendedtoi
nhiswound.
Rishij
oinedther oyalfamilyandhermotheri
n
anotherpartofthet emple).
(
Inf
rontoft
het
empl
e).
Ji
mmyj oi
nedPri
ncessLakshmiandRajast
hey
werechat
ti
ngaboutthef
uture.
'
'Iam sor
ry.
..
andIdonotmeant
oint
rudePr
incess
'
'
.
'
'Af
terhel
pingRajtheothert
ime,
youcannever
i
ntr
udeinmymat tersJi
mmy' '
.
'
'Thankyou'
'
.
'
'I
sther
esomet
hingyouneed?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Exactl
yaboutt
helastt
imePr
incess.Iwantt
o
knowwher eCharui
s''
.
'
'What
?!Butwhy?'
'
.
'
'It
oldyout
hataf
terhel
pingyou,
Iwoul
dtel
lyout
he
r
easonwhyIdeci
dedtohelpyou''
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Thati
sbecauseIam i
nter
est
edi
nChar
u''
.
'
'Youcan'tbeser
ious'
'
.Pr
incessLakshmiwas
shocked.
'
'Iam ser
ious.I
tisnotj
ustani
nter
est
.Iam
absol
utel
ysureIam inl
obewit
hher.Pl
easej
ust
..
..
'
'Wai
twaitwai
t.
..
youdoknowt hatChar
uis
pr
egnantwi
thmybrother
'schi
ldri
ght?'
'
.
'
'Lakshmir
elax.Lett
heguyspeakup.Hehas
hel
pedusalot.AndIknowwebot hwantt
oprot
ect
Char
u,butIt
rustt
hisguy'
'
.
'
'Hmm!
!.
..
.
'
'PleasePr
incess.Look,
Iswearam onyoursi
de.
Butcanyoupleasehelpmewi t
hher ?'
'
.
'
'Shei
scar
ryi
nganot
herman'
schi
ld.
..
'
'Idon'
tcare.Peopl
ealwaysgetmar ri
edtopar t
ners
whoalr
eadyhavechi l
drenwithother
s.Idon'tmind.
AndIam will
ingtotur
nI ndi
anforher.Justshow
mewher esheis''
.
'
' Okayrel
axokay?RajandIar
eplanni
ngtoprayto
thegoddesst omorr
ow.Wewil
lsneakawayfr
om
thepalaceandgoseeher.Weshallt
akeyouwith
us.Isthatokay?'
'.
'
'Absol
utel
y.Thankyoubemuch.AndIhopeshe
accept
sme' '
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
57] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence5
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Sheenter
edwithhergoonsandstartedget
ti
ngall
herjewel
ryof
fherneck.Avnipour
edheragl adsof
waterandshesatonherbedandt ookit
.While
QueenSelmasatononei ft
hecouchesbesidesthe
bed.
'
'Atlongl
ast
..
.nowthenextcel
ebr
ati
onwi
llbe
RagahandFaruk'
swedding''
.
'
'Yes.Ican'
twai
t.Mypoordaught
er.Shecr
iedt
he
wholeti
met her
it
ual
sweregoingon''
.
'
'Don'
tworr
yaboutthatSelma.Aft
erRagah'
s
marr
iedt
omyson, shewillf
inal
lyf
orgetwhat
ever
f
eeli
ngshehasforMajid'
'.
'
'Ihopeyouareri
ght
.Ican'
tst
andherpai
n.Al
l
becauseoft
hatgi
rl'
'
.
'
'Hm,t
hatgi
rlwhohasbr
oughtmi
sfor
tune.Ipi
tyher
f
utur
everymuch''
.
'
'Pi
tyhermor
eaf
tershei
sdoneopeni
ngt
hegi
ft
s''
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
'Shewon'
tgetpassallt
hegift
swhenshe'
sdone
openi
ngmine.
..
thatwhore!'
'
.
'
'Sel
ma?Whathaveyouyoudonenow?'
'
.
'
'Wel lDorah,
youarenottheonl yonefullof
surprisesokaymydear ?Ijustdeci
dedthat,si
nce
everyoneissohappyt oday,whydon'tIgibethem a
l
itt
leshakeupoft hunderanddest r
oytheirsmi l
e?'
'
.
'
'Andhowdi
dyougetawaywi
tht
hat
?''
.
'
'Thegif
tIgaveMaji
d'swifeisa..
.ver
yspeci
algi
ft
fr
om Jhansi
.Youdon'
tseei tof
tenbecausei
tdoes
notl
iveamonghumans''.Shelaughedli
keawitch.
'
'What?Itdoesn'
tli
veamonghumans?Thenwhatis
i
thuh?Tellmenow.Wear et
eammatesnow,youar
e
notsupposedtohidet
hingsfr
om meatal
l''
.
'
'Okayrel
ax''
.Shesaidandslowlyst
art
edwining
herheadbackandfort
hwi t
hanevilsmil
e.Queen
Dorahwasabsolut
elyshocked.
'
'Youcan'
tbeser
ious!Snake?'
'
.
'
'Averypoi
sonousonemydear .Andi thadthe
powertoki
llt
hegr eatestmonster.Shehasnoi dea
whati
sawai t
ingheratal l.Whet
hersheopenst he
gi
ft
stodayort omorrow, shewil
lsti
llbeatt
acked''
.
'
' Ihavenot
icedsheandMaji
dhavegrowncl
oser
together
.Whatiftheyar
ebot
htoget
herwhenshe'
s
openingthem?''
.
'
' Evenbet t
ermydearf ri
end.Thenwe'dkil
ltwo
birdswi t
honest one.Thatonewoul devenbemuch
bet t
erbecausebyt hen,
thecrownedPr i
ncewilldi
e
theboom!Far ukwouldbef ut
ureking.Thegif
tsare
al ot.Iam nottheonlyonewhogi f
tedherwitha
pinkpar cel
edboxsonoonewoul dsuspect''.
(
Theybot
hlaughedandcl
appedt
hei
rhandsi
njoy)
.
'
'Ifthi
splanofyour
swork,
Iwilltrul
yhailyoumy
fr
iend.Iwil
lver
ymuchhailyou...
anyway,todayhas
beingalongdayandIneedtot akerestnow.Can
youbot
hpl
easeexcuseme?'
'
.
'
'Ohofcoursemyf
ri
end.EvenIhavetoprepar
e
mysel
fsi
ncewewil
lberetur
ningtoJhansi
t
omorrow''
.
'
'Don'
tworr
y.Iwi
llwr
it
etoyoual
ett
erassoonas
t
heydie'
'
.
'
'Ohbutofcour
se'
'
.
(Theybothlaughedwitchyandbot hQueenSelma
andAvniwal kedoutofthechamber .Kushisaw
them asshewaswal ki
ngt owar dsRishi
'
schamber
andquicklyhisbehi
ndt hepil
larsasQueenSelma
andAvnipassedbyandl ef
t.Shegotawayf rom t
he
pil
lar
,studyi
ngthem fr
om behi nd).
'
' Ohmygoodnesst hatisthemai d.Thatisthe
samewhoent er
edt hechambert heot herti
me
l
ooki ngforthepot .AndshecameoutofQueen
Dorah'schamber ,
meani ng.Doest hi
smean
that,
she'sQueenDor ah'
smai d?Nowever ypieceis
comi ngtogether.Pr i
nceFar ukisQueenDor ah'
sson
andhewant sPrinceMaj i
ddead.AndQueenDor ah
i
sal solooki
ngf ort hatpot.Iwillnotbesur pri
sedif
evenQueenDorahwantsPrinceMajiddeadaswell.
Therei
ssomethingwronggoingonandRi shiandI
mustfi
ndoutandf i
ghtt
hisstrangehappeni
ngs''
.
Shesai
dandwal kedaway.
(
Inf
rontoft
hedungeon)
.
Mostpeopl ewhocamet othecelebrati
onand
walkingaroundthepal acemeacr ossSavitriwho
l
ayedhel pl
essinfrontoft hedungeon.Andast hey
hadgat her
edthereandst ar
ringatherwi t
h
noise,t
heroyalf
ami l
yar ri
vedatt hescene,leadedby
guards.Theywer eallshockedandSavi tr
iwas
str
agglingtosaysomet hi
ng.Savi t
ri
'ssist
erhad
al
socomet othecelebr at
ion.Shequi ckl
yrushedt o
hersideaskingherwhathappenedt oher.Butal l
Savitr
ididwastost areatRi shi
.
'
'Thi
si sst
range.Shewasabsol
utel
yalr
ight
yest
erdayattheweddi
ng''
.QueenSheenasaid.
'
'Exact
ly.Sohowcomenow.
..
'
'Shel
ooksl
ikeshef
ellf
rom ahi
ghbal
cony'
'
.The
ki
ngsai
d.
'
'OhGodwhathappenednowSavi
tr
i?'
'
.Hersi
ster
cr
ied.'
'Shei
stheonlyf
ami
lyIhavel
eftt
our
hi
ghness.Pl
easehavemer
cyonus''
.
(
Savitr
iforcedhersel
ftocrawlandf
inal
lygotto
Rishi
'
sf eetandshetouchedthem.Shepressed
Rishi
'
sf eetandRishiqui
cklyt
ookastepawayin
fr
ight
).
'
'Looksl
ikeshewant
edtosaysomet
hingt
oRi
shi'
'
.
Queenmothersai
dsuspi
ciousl
y.
'
'It
hinkt
heguardsshouldt
akehert
oherhomeand
f
indadoctort
olookaft
erher'
'
.
'
'Aba.
..
aba.
..Ri
..
.sshhh..
ii
ii
..
..
aahhh'
'
.Shef
orcedt
o
t
alkbuti
twasfruit
less.
'
'Yourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Youar
eri
ghtmot
her
.Weshal
ldot
hat'
'
.
'
'Thankyouverymuchyourhi
ghness'
'
.Hersi
ster
t
hankedthem i
ntear
s.
(Thekingorderedt
heguar dsandtheycarri
edher
i
ntoapal anqui
n.Healsogavet hem abagofgold
coinstotakecareoft
hem andpr omisedtotendfor
Savit
riunti
lshegotbett
er.Thepartywascomi ngto
anendandpeopl
est
art
edgoi
ngt
othei
rvar
ious
homes)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Theroyaldoct
orbandagedhisthumbwi thasmall
cott
onwoolstuffedinagreenherbalmedi ci
ne.He
removedhissuitandputonasimpl yshirtand
short
s.Hesatonhi sbedandther oyaldoctor
boweddown.
'
'Wi
llyouneedanyt
hingel
seyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Howaboutt
hewomanwhowi
llmaket
hescaron
mybel
lydi
sappear
?''
.
'
'Shei
sPr
incessRi
shi
'
smot
heryourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Reall
y?Soyouwenttocal
lmymot
heri
n-l
awt
o
checkmysixpacks?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tunder
standyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Nevermi
nd.Canshedoi
ttoday?'
'
.
'
'Shesaidshewil
lbr
ingt
hemedi
cinet
omor
row
yourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Cool
,
youmayl
eavenow'
'
.
(Themanboweddownandt urnedhisf
acetoleave
whenCindybatchedintotheroom l
ikeamad
woman.Ther oyaldoct
orjustl
ookedather
str
angel
yandwentaway.Shehel dthecrut
ches
beinggi
ventohert owalkandshethrewitatMajid
whocaughtitinmidairwithaf r
own.Shewepther
headoffi
nf r
ontofhim whil
eheshowednosi gnsof
anyemotions).
'
'Howcouldyoudot
histomeMaji
d?!Tous?After
ever
ythi
ngwewentt
hrought
oget
herinLondon?
!''
.
'
'Whatdi
dwegot hr
oughCi
ndy?Ref
reshmy
memoryali
tt
lebi
t''
.
'
'Isthatwhatyouareaski
ngme?Af
teryouswor
e
nevertoleaveme''
.
'
'Thatisathi
ngofthepast
.Idon'
twantt
obewit
ha
snakeli
keyouanymore!'
'
.Hesaidandgott
ohi
s
feeti
nanger.
'
'What?No...
nonono,t
hisi
snotmyMaji
dtalking,
no.Maji
d,youarecal
li
ngmeasnake?Af
terIleftmy
count
ryandfoll
owedyouhere?'
'
.
'
'Ohyoul
eftyourcount
ry?Di
dIf
orceyou?Ordi
dI
ki
dnapyoulikeyouandMrRaulhadpl
anned
yest
erdayandkidnappedRi
shi
?!'
'
.
'
'Wha.
..
.I
..
I.
..
'
'I
...
I.
..
what?!Answerme!'
'
.Shegr abbedhol
dofher
l
eftarmssohar dwit
hredface.'
'AndyouthoughtI
wouldneverfi
ndout?''
.
'
' YouarehurtingmeMaj id!Whyshoul
dIletthat
vill
agemonst ertakeyoufrom me?YouandIwer e
theoneswhower esupposedtogetmarr
ied
yesterday.Notanyoneelse''
.
'
'Yousaidyoufol
lowedmeheref rom yourcount
ry?
HowaboutIshowyout hewaybackt oyourcountry?
Idon'
twanttoeverseeyouagain.Never
agai
n..
..
noti
nthisli
fe,
ori
nanotherli
fetocome' '
.
'
'Whatar
eyoudoi
ngMaj
id?'
'
.
'
'Get
ti
ngami
stakeoutofmyl
if
eforgood'
'
.
(Maji
dgr abbedholdoft hecr
utchesfr
om hi
sbed
andhisot herhand,
grabbingti
ghtonCindy'
sarm.
Hedraggedheroutoft hechamberinanger.
Sushim sawt hi
swhenhewaswaki ngtowardsthe
chamberandkeptonaski ngwhatwasgoi ngonbut
Maj i
djustdr aggedCi ndywi t
hhi m.Shekept
begginghi m andweepi ngashedr aggedherwi th
force.Mostoft heservantspassi ngbyj uststood
therewat chingt hem.Cindyintentionall
ytrippedon
theflooroverherbr okenleghopi ngtoget
sympat hyf r
om Maj idbuti tl
ooksl i
kehewas
determi nedtof i
nall
ygetr i
dofherf orgood.Mostof
thekingdom' speopl ewhower est i
llwalki
ngatt he
toooft hebal conywat chedthis.Maj i
dpul l
edCi ndy
onegr oundl i
keadogwi thlotsofangeri nhi seyes.
Hepul ledherhandandt hestick.QueenSheena' s
handmai denpassedbyandst oppedt obowdown) .
'
'Gointot
heguest
sroom andpackherthi
ngsand
br
ingthem t
omenow!''
.Maji
dordered.
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.Shesai
dandqui
ckl
ywal
ked
away.
(Majiddr
aggedherdownt hestair
sandast heroyal
familywal
kedtothemai nentr
ance, t
heyhear
d
noisesandmanypeopl eacti
ngstrange.Maji
d
steppedoutoft
hebuildingwhil
eCi ndyweptonthe
fl
oorandhekeptpull
ingherunt i
lhegotherupand
pushedherontot
hegr
oundatt
hepassagewayof
theent
rance)
.
'
'Maj
id,
whati
sal
lthi
s?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Shei
sleavi
ngthi
spalacef
orgoodnow.Idon'
t
wantt
oseeheragain'
'
.
'
'ButMaj
id,
can'
tyouseeCi
ndyi
shur
t?!'
'
.Nat
alya
cr
ied.
'
'ShutupNat
alya,
don'
tgeti
nvol
ved'
'
.Maxwel
l
shout
ed.
'
'Whathappenedson?'
'
.
'
'Youwereallwonder
ingwhyIcamef r
om thef
iel
ds
wit
hRishit
oday?Thatisbecauseshewas
ki
dnappedbyMrRaull astni
ght
!AndCindywas
par
toftheplan'
'.
'
'Ki
dnapped,
how?
!Youmean,
myf
ri
end.
.MrRaul
?''
.
'
'Samemanwhot
ookcar
eofmef
ather'
'
.
'
'Butwhy?'
'
.
'
'Iti
ssomethi
ngt
obetal
kedaboutpr
ivat
ely.Butal
l
youshoul
dknowist
hat,
Cindyi
snott
obet rust
ed.
Youcangobackt
oLondon..
aloneCi
ndy,
because
youandIar
eathi
ngofthepast''
.
'
'OhnoMaj i
dplease.Don' tsayt hatmyl ove.Ilove
yousomuch.Iam notabl et ol i
vewi thoutyout hat
i
swhyIdi dallthatMajid...pleasedon' tkickme
awayf rom you.Look,Iwillchangef oryou!' '
.She
saidandpai nful
lycrawledt oMaj i
d'slegsand
kissedhisfeetnumer oust imes.' '
Pl easeMaj id
please!PleaseIcan'tli
vewi thoutyoupl ease.Idon't
deservethisplease!Thisi snallyourf amily'
s
fault
..
.t
heyshoul dhavej ustl etyouchooseyour
wonbr ideandyouwoul dhavechoseme!' '
.
(
Hebentdownandhel
dCi
ndy'
sar
msandl
ooked
i
ntohereyes)
.
'
' Andt hatwouldhavebei ngt
hebiggestmi stakeof
myl i
feCindy.Thegreatestmist
ake!YouknowI
hat eli
es!Ihateli
esanddeceit.AndIhat esecrets!
Theset hr
eethingsmakesmesi ck.Sicktomy
stomach.Youar ejustt
hedefini
ti
onoft histhree
things''.
(
Rishif
eltsouncomf
ort
abl
eandherf
eel
ingwer
e
crashedwhenMaj i
dsai dthat.Assher emember ed
thatQueenSheenawasn' tMaj i
d'sbiol
ogicalmother
buthedidn'
tknowt hat.Sheslowl ywalkedbehind
Majidandtouchedhisshoul ders.Heturnedand
sawher ,
hetr
iedcal
mi ngdownandgott ohisfeett
o
faceher)
.
'
'Maj
idpl
ease.
..
'
'Don'
tdef
endher
!''
.Hef
rowned.
(Priyawal kedoutoft hebuil
dingwi thCindy'sbags
withhert hingspackedi nt
oi t
.Maj i
dt ookthebagin
onehandandCi ndy' shandwi ththeot herhandand
startedwal ki
ngtot heentrancefollowedby
ever yoneel se.Nat alyatri
edbeggi ngbuther
boyf riendwoul dn'tlether.Rishiwassaddenedby
thisandherhear tkeptbeat i
ngver yfast.Maj i
dgot
totheent ranceandpushedCi ndyoutoft hegates
andt hrewherbagsather ).
'
'Whateveryouwannado,goahead.Youhave
drai
nedmesomuchandsoIam sur eyouhavea
l
otofmoneyi nyouraccountandcanrakemoney
fr
om everywher
e.Goawayandf orgetmeforever'
'
.
'
'No.
..
..
(Peopl estartedwal ki
ngoutandgoi ngtot hei
r
varioushomesi nt heki ngdom unti
litwasl ef
twith
ther oyalfami l
y.Maj i
dcl osedthegatesathi s
Cindy'sfaceandl eftthem, wal
kingintothebuildi
ng.
Cindyl ookedar oundherandt herewasnoonet o
tendt oher .Shef eltdizzyandf aint
edi nfrontofthe
palace.Acarar rivedt here.Thedr i
vergotoutwi t
ha
fri
endandcar ri
edheri ntothebackseat .They
packedherbagsi ntot heboutandwentbacki nto
thecaranddr oveaway) .
(
Eveni
ngt
ime=TheKi
ng'
schamber
).
Queenmot herandQueenSheenaenteredthe
chamberwi t
hbori
ngfaces.Theki
ngwasget t
ing
readytosleepbuttheyhadtodist
urbthesleepand
seewhatt heycoulddoabouttheri
singissues.And
afterheheardthenews,hewasdevastated.
'
'Twomencameher
ejustnow'
'
.
'
'Fr
om wher
e?'
'
.
'
'Theysai
dtheyar
efarmer
s.Theysai
dtheypassed
Rishi
'
sfamil
yhome''
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
'
'Andt
heyf
oundsomet
hingt
err
ibl
e''
.
'
'Ohgod'
'
.
'
'Herf
atherwasdead'
'
.
'
'Whatat
ragedy.Whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Theyf
oundagun.I
tlooksl
ikeheki
ll
edhi
msel
f''
.
'
'Thi
snewswi
llt
earRi
shiapar
t''
.
'
' Ihavedeci
dedtotel
lherthenewst omorrow.
Newsr eachi
ngusis,Bhavna,Ri
shi'
smot herhadl
eft
thehouse.Peoplesaidt
heyhadi ssuesandshehad
decidedtoendthemar r
iage'
'.
'
'Whateverthathappened,i
tisthei
rownmar i
tal
i
ssuesand..
.now,sheisawidow.Letuswaitand
makeproperdecisi
ontomorrow.Fornow,Iwantto
sl
eepandhaveagooddr eam af
terMaji
dhimself
sentt
hatnaggingforei
gneroutofthepal
ace''
.
(
Theyal
llaugher
).
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shehadsquat
tedont
hef
loorchant
ingwi
thl
ight
ed
candlesallaroundherwi
thabigcr yst
albal
linfront
ofHeerwhi leshehadarai
sedherhandsoveri tand
chantinghard.Thewindqui
cklyblewintoherface
andsheopenedhereyest henlookedintothe
cryst
alballandlaughedpr
ofusel
y.
'
'Oht hereyouar emydearChar u.Her eyouar e.And
stupi
dLakshmiandRajt houghtt heyhadgi venyou
agoodhi dingplace?Hahahaha.Iwi llnotall
owyou
andyourbast ardsondest roymyson' sfuture,never
!
Iknowf orafactt hat
,youwi l
lappearonedaywi th
yoursonandmakeever yonet urnagainstFar uk
becauseher apedyou.Andt heJhansi swi l
lkillhi
m
formar r
yingtheirpri
ncesswhi leknowi nghehada
sonsomewher e.Yourl i
fei
sovernow.Idon' tneeda
grandsonf r
om acommonmai d..
.Iwon't''
.
(Sheheardaknockonherdoor.Shequi
ckl
ypushed
allhermagi
cthi
ngsunderherbedandwenttoopen
thedoor)
.
'
'Whatdoyouwantbyt
hist
imeoft
heni
ght
?''
.
'
'SoIcan'
tcomeint
omymot
her
'sr
oom anyt
imeI
wantanymore?'
'
.
'
'Iti
snightti
me.Itisveryunusualofyout
hati
swhy
Iasked,not
hingelse'
'.
'
'Well
,Icametotel
lyou.Maji
dthr
ewhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend
outofthepal
acemot her'
'
.
'
'Ohno!'
'
.
'
'Thatgirlt
rul
yisobsessed.Canyoubel
ieve,
she
conspir
edwi t
hMrRault okidnapMaj
id'
swifelast
night
?''
.
'
'MrRaulwhobroughtupMajid?Wow...
sobyt
he
l
ooksofthi
ngs,
Majidandhiswifenowhasmore
enemi
esthatwecouldeveri
magine''
.
'
'Yes.Anditi
soutchancet
otakeadvant
ageoft
hat
mother'
'.
'
'Wef ocusononethi
ngatatimeFaruk.Ihave
foundCharu'
swhereabout
s.Sheishi
dinginasmal
l
hatattheendoft
hef or
est
.Theresti
snowupt o
you''
.
'
'Inahatattheendoft
heforest,j
ustsoIwon'
tget
conf
used..
.i
sthatt
heonlyhatther
e?''
.
'
'No.Buti
tist
hesmal
lest
.Keept
hati
nmi
nd'
'
.
'
'Ohthankyoumot her
.Iwil
ltakeacti
onassoonas
possi
ble.Ican'
tmakeanymoremi st
akes'
'
.
'
'Good.Ili
kethatspi
ri
t.Justmakesurenoone
suspectandyouleavenotraceofevi
dence'
'
.
'
'Getr
eadymydearChar
u,Iwon'
tspar
eyou
t
omorrowatal
l.
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
..
[
01/
23,
11:
57] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence6
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom andent
eredhi
s
dressi ngr oom.ThechamberdooropenedandRi shi
ent eredandRi shient eredwi thanewl ook.Herhai r
ti
edupi naponyt ai
landwear i
ngani cesar ee.She
closedt hechamberdoorandpassedbyt hemany
cur tainsandar rivedint hebedr oom.Shel ooked
aroundandt hewhol er oom wasqui etandempt y.
Maj i
dwal kedoutoft hedr essi
ngr oom looki ngal l
smar tandsexyi nhispyj amas.Shequi cklyf el
linto
herwor l
dofshynessbutshef orcednotl ookaway.
Hewal kedt othebedandcheckedhi sphone, i
twas
veryl ate.Hesatont hebedandt ookhi slaptop, he
pluggedi tintot hesocketandswi tchediton.Ri shi
feltashar ppai ni nherchestasMaj idwasact i
ng
l
ikeshewasn' tevent her e.AsMaj idlookedt hrough
hisl aptop, her aisedhiseyebr owsandr olledhi s
eyesf rom herf eettot het opofherf ace.
'
'Whyar
eyoust
andi
ngt
her
e?'
'
.
'
'No.
..
Ijustt
hought
..
..
'
'Youar
eal
wayst
hinki
ng.
..
why?'
'
.
'
'Well
,i
sitt
hatbadt
othi
nkt
oomuchaboutt
hel
ove
ofyourl
if
e?''
.
'
'Mmmm okay''.Hesai
dandreti
redbacki
n
checki
nghi
slaptop,
andtheat
mospherefel
tso
col
dandhosti
le''
.
'
'Maji
d..
.areyouokay?'
'
.Sheaskedi
nasof
t
voi
ce,
sti
llstandi
ngawayfr
om hi
m.
'
'Whywoul
dn'
tIbeokay?'
'
.
(Thewayheanswer edpi
ercedherhear
tli
kean
arrow.Tear
sfel
loutofhereyesasheremoti
ons
wer ehei
ght
ened)
.
'
'Why.
..
whyareyouact
ingt
hatwayt
owar
dsme?
WhathaveIdone?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tgeti
t.Whatdoyoumean?Howam Iact
ing
t
owardsyou?''
.
'
'Younevermind.Iam sorryf
ordistur
bingyou.I
wil
ltakemyleavenow''.Shesai
di nashakingvoi
ce
andturnedt
oleave.
'
'Ri
shi'
'
.
(Shedidn'
tstopbutcont
inuedwalki
ng.!Maji
dgot
upandf ol
lowedherbehi
ndt hecurt
ainsand
stoppedher.Hert
urnedhertofacehim andshe
st
art
edr
esi
sti
ngwhi
lehet
ri
edt
ocuddl
eher
).
'
'Letmego.
..
leaveme'
'
.Ri
shicr
ied.
'
'Babebabebabe. .
.ssshhh,
li
sten''
.Hewhispered
andshecal meddown.Het ookherfaceinhis
handsandl ookedi
ntohereyes.''
Iam sorr
y..
.okay?
Please,
pleasedon'
tgo' '
.
(Heembr acedhertightl
yandshehuggedhi m back
i
nt ars.Hefoldedherinhisar
el i
keapi eceofcake
andt heybothwalkedbackintothebedr oom.He
closedhislaptopandplaceditaside.Hemadeher
sirint
othebedandheal sogottot hemiddl
ewi t
h
hisphone).
'
'Maj
id.
..
Ijustwant
edtocheckonyou.
..
soi
fyouar
e
f
inet
hen,Ishoul
dleavenow''
.
'
'Ar
eyousur
eyouwannal
eaveandsaygoodni
ght
?
'
'
.
'
'Iam notsupposedtobeher
ewhenyoudon'
tneed
me.Iti
stradi
ti
on''.
'
'Buthowdoyouknowwhet
herIneedyouornot
?''
.
(
Shechuckl
edandl
ookedbackathi
m).
'
'Idon'
tknow'
'
.
'
'Thereyougo''
.Hesai
dandl
ookedi
ntohi
sphone
whil
eRishil
ookedathi
m.
'
'Ar
eyoust
il
langr
yaboutwhathappened?'
'
.
'
'I
sthatwhyyoucameher
e?'
'
.Hesai
dandr
oll
ed
hi
seyestol
ookather
.
'
'No.
..
nott
hat
,Ij
ust
..
..
.
'
'Thendon'
ttal
kabouti
t''
.
(Ri
shihadneverseenMaj
idt
hatway.Hesounded
soangry,
evenatherandi
tmadeherfear
sbecome
more).
'
'O.
..
okay.Iam sor
ry.Forbr
ingi
ngt
hatup'
'
.
(Majidtookadeepbr eathandplacedhisphone
aside.HestarredatRishiwhohadherf ace
somewher eelse.Theroom wasqui etandthewi
nd
blewf r
eshairthroughthewindow).
'
'Ri
shi
?''
.
'
'Hm?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tli
keyourhai
rthatway'
'
.
'
'What
?''
(Majidcrawledtohersi
deandplacedhishandsin
herhair.Heuntiedt
heponytai
landherwhol ehai
r
fel
lonherf ace.Hepull
edhertothemiddleand
touchedhercheeks.Hekissedherandtheyboth
meltedinthesensati
on.Hewithdrewfr
om thekiss
andt heybothsatonthebedstarr
ingateachother
).
'
'Majid.
.youcanreleaseyourangeronmei fyou
want.Butpleasedon'tkeepiti
nyourhear
t.Idon'
t
wanttoseeyout hi
sway' '
.
'
'Whatway?'
'
.
'
'Youaresoundi
ngcol
d.Event
ome..
.and.
.andit
's
hurt
ingmedeepMaji
d.Pl
ease,
don'
tdothi
st o
yoursel
fandme.
..
.
'
'Ri
shil
ook.
..
.
'
'Iknowyoul
oveherandshehur
ti
ngyou,
breaks
your.
..
.
'
'Lovedher
.Il
oved.I
tispastnow'
'
.
'
'Okay.Butyouatl
eastfel
tsomet
hingf
orher
,and
whatshedidwasterr
ibl
ebutwhyareyouhur
ting
your
sel
faswel
l?'
'
.
'
' Youdon'tgeti
t.Iam hurt
ingmysel f
.Itiswhat
happenedt hathurtme.Ihatebei ngmadeaf oolout
of .Ihat
eli
esanddecei t
.Ihatesecr ets,
andt hatis
whyImakesur etoalwaysr evealwhat everam
hidingtothepeopleIloveandt rust.Shebr eakall
thosedoor sanddecidedtouset hem.Howcan
suchaper sonbei nmyl i
featall?''.
'
'I
..
..
'
'I
tmakesmerealmadwhenpeopl
edot
hatt
ome.
I
tweakensmeRishi'
'
.
(Shesai
dnot hi
ngbutembr acedhi
m.Hegrabbed
herti
ght
lyandpr essedherbodyagai
nsthi
s.He
buri
edhisfaceinherhair)
.
'
'Yourhai
rsmel
lsgood.Real
l
yni
ce.Whatdi
dyou
use?'
'.
'
'Ishower
edwi
thyout
hismor
ning,
remember
?''
.
'
'Ohyeah'
'
.
'
'Al
lyoursoapssmel
lsgood'
'
.
'
'Becauset
heyar
eexpensi
ve.Andnot
hing
expensi
vecomeseasy..
.l
iket
rust.I
tdoesn'
tcome
easy.I
tisear
ned.Andwegot hroughhellt
oearnit
.
Andwhenwel ooseit
..
.t
henthatistheendofit'
'
.
(
Rishiwi
thdr
ewf
rom t
hehugwhenhesai
dthat
).
'
'Doyout
rustme?'
'
.
(Helookeddowninhereyes,
sear
chi
ng.Hebr
eat
h
onitandsmiled)
.
'
'Yeah''
.Hewhi spered.'
'It
rustyou.Asamat terof
factRi
shi,apar
tfrom mygrandmot her..
.youarethe
onlypersonItr
ust.Iknowyouwi llneverhide
anythi
ngf r
om me.Ordeceivemei nanyway''.
(
Rishichokedwhenhesaidthatandbreat
hfast.He
waswor r
iedandpouredheraglassofwater
.She
t
ookinthewat erandcool
eddown).
'
'Ar
eyousur
eyouar
eokay?'
'
'
'Mmmm.
..
.
'
'Comeher
e''
.
(Hetooktheglassandplacedi
tasi
de.Hecuddl
ed
hercloserandwrappedherinhi
sarmsonthebed)
.
'
' Ohgodhel
pme.NowIam par tofthepeople
hidi
ngthetr
uthabouthisbi
ologicalmotherf
rom
him.Now,i
feveryt
hingcomesouti ntheopen,
what
wouldIdo?Am Isupposedtotellhim?''
.She
thoughtt
oherself
.
'
'Iam goi
ngt odoallIcantosurvive.Youknow,you
arenowapar tofme.Wear eonenow.Andsoam
gonnatel
lyoueverythi
ngam hiding.ButIam not
hi
dinganythi
ng.Youal r
eadyknowam t hef
utur
e
ki
ngandgol danddiamondorsi l
veri snota
probl
em f
orme' '
.
'
'Yes.Iknowyouar
ever
ybr
eat
htaki
ng'
'
.
'
'Br
eat
htaki
ng?'
'
.
'
'Il
iveyoureyesandyourhai
r.
..
'
' Andwhatel
se?Justconfessi
tall
.Youknowmy
eyesandhairaren'
tthef
ir
stthi
ngsyoulovesoj
ust
tellt
het
rut
h''.
(
Theybot
hlaughedandMaj
idyawnedsl
eepy)
.
'
'Maj
idstopbei
ngnaught
yokay?Aft
eral
l,
youare
t
heoneteachi
ngm t
obebad.Sopleasemaster
,
t
eachmewher
eel
set
olove'
'
.
'
'Hmmm.
.myl
ipsi
ssear
chi
ngf
orsomet
hing'
'
.
(
Rishir
aisedherheadt
olookathi
m andsmi
led)
.
'
'Whati
sitsear
chi
ngf
or?'
'
.
'
'Yourl i
ps?''
.Hepulledhercl oserandherhairf
ell
onhi sface.Theykissedf orlonghoursandasi t
wentondeep, Majid'
seyesbecameheavy. .
.hef
ell
asleepwhi l
ekissi
ngherandshepl acedherheadon
hischestashewasf astasleep.Tearsrundownher
cheeksandhereyesbecamer edfrom cryi
ng
si
lently.
'
' Forgi
vememyl ove.Ij
ustcan'
ttel
lyou.Andeven
i
fIcoul d,Iwouldn'
tknowhowt osayit.Iam sor
ry.
..
.
IhopeQueenSheenawoul dgat
herthecourageto
tellyouthetrut
hthemselvessothatnoneofuswi l
l
fallint
roublewhenyouf i
ndout..
..
.
(
NextDay=I
ntheki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
Thehousewasqui etandemptyandquietsi
nceMr
Raulwassti
lloutoftheki
ngdom.Itwasjustsome
fewguardsandwor ker
sofhisfar
m who
surroundedt hehouse.Upst ai
rsi noneofthe
bedrooms, Cindylayedonabed.Shehadbei ng
unconsci oussi nceyesterdayti
llthemor ni
ng.A
mai dent er
edwi t
hat rayofsomecookedr iceand
soupasshehadcaughtaf ever.Maxt ookthef ood
from herandshef elt
.Cindyrumbl edonthebedand
fi
nallyopenedhereyes.Shegr oanedpai nful
lyas
thepai ninherl egwor sened.Shef eltdi
zzybut
forcedt ositupont hebed.Hervi sionwasblur ry
andshewasconf usedasshewasconf usedasshe
didn'tknowwher eshewasconf usedasshedi dn't
knowwher eshewas.Shequi cklyr emembered
everythingthathappenedatt hepal aceandst arted
tocry.Sher aisedherheadandwasshockedt osee
theyoungmanst andingoppositet hebedan
starri
ngather .
'
'What
?!Max!OhmyGod, pl
easedon'tt
ellmeIam
i
nLondon.Noitcan'
tbepossi
ble.
..
.
'
'Justshutupokay?Youar
est
il
linI
ndi
aandi
nthe
Ujaniki
ngdom '
'
.
'
'Thenyou.
..
whatthehel
lareyoudoingher
eMax?
OhmyGodt hisi
sallsoconfusi
ng.Maxanswermy
quest
ion'
'
.
'
'Enoughofyourbicker
ing.Icameheref
oryou.I
camesoIcant akeyoubackt oLondon'
'
.
'
'Youmustbedreamingifyout
hinkIam goi
ngt
o
Londonwi
thoutMaj
id!'
'.
'
'Youmean,t
heMajidwhot
hrewyououtofhi
s
pal
aceyest
erday?'
'
.
'
'Huh?'
'
.
'
' Ihavebeingher efort
hepassedonemont h.The
thingi s,
Iwasf eel
ingbadinLondon,notbei
ngable
toseeyoubef orecominghere.AndwhenIgot
her e,
Iheardthatyourdream boyf
ri
endwasget t
ing
mar r
iedtoanotherwoman' '
.
'
'Hewasf
orced!'
'
.
'
' Idon'tcar
eokay? !Ihear
dthattherewasapar t
yat
thepal aceyesterdaysoIdecidedtousethatasan
oppor tuni
tytocomeandseeyou.ButIt hi
nkI
ar r
ivedthereattherightt
ime.Iarri
vedwhenthe
par tywasover,onlytoseeyoubeingthrownoutof
thepal acebythemanwhopr omi sedyouheaven
andeart
h..
.Iwasinacarwit
hmyf ri
endandwhen
wegotcloser,
youhadfai
nted.Andthati
showyou
endeduphere''
.
'
'Maji
dstilll
ovesmeMax.Ipromi
seyout hatt
hings
wil
lchange.Look,
heisj
ustbei
ngbrai
nwashed
t
hat'
sall.
.butIwil
lmakesur
ethi
ngsturnsoutinmy
f
avour''
.
'
'Whyar eyousoobsessedwiththi
sguyanyway?
Can'tyouseehedoesn'tl
oveyouCindy.
.openyour
eyes.Iasickofl
ivi
nginthi
sMrRaul '
shouse..
.
'
'Thi
sisMrRaul
'
shouse?'
'
.
'
'Youknowhi
m?'
'
.
'
'Hei
sthemanwhor
aisedupMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Idon'tcar
eaboutt
hat
.ButIdon'tt
hinkIwantt
o
i
nvolvemyselfi
nyourmadness.Youar eal
somy
si
sterandIdon'
twantt
oleaveyouatt hesamet
ime
'
'.
'
'ThenhelpmeMax.Pl ease.I
fyoulovemeasyour
si
sterasyousay,pl
easehelpmeMax.Icannotl
ive
wit
houtMaji
d..
.youhavetobelieveme,hei
sthe
onl
ymanwhohasevert
reat
edl
ikeaqueen'
'
.
'
'Hm.
.thisisver
ydangerousCi
ndy.Thi
sisar
oyal
f
amil
yt hatwearet
alki
ngabout.
..
'
' Iam notscar
edofanyone.Aslongasiti
saf ight
togetwhati smine.Theymustbeveryhappyright
nowt hatMajidki
ckedmeout .Butt
heydon'tknow
thatIdon'tgi
veup''.
'
'Hmmm.
..Whatpl
andoyouhavei
nmi
nd?
...
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Theybothopenedthei
reyesthesamet i
meandi t
wasfunnyhowt heywokeupt oget
her
.Rishii
nher
l
ightsar
eeandMaj i
dinhispyjamas.Hesmi l
edat
herandshesmiledback.Hegotupandshesatup
onthebedwatchinghim.
'
'Whydoesi
tlookl
ikeyouar
einahur
ry?'
'
.
'
'BecauseIam.Iorder
edaweddi
ngchainfrom
Mumbaiyyester
day.Si
ncet
hefi
rstonedrowned'
'
.
'
'Ohgosh!Ialmostf
orgot.Maji
d,whydi
dyoueven
dothat
!Now,notonl
ydidtheweddingchai
n
dr
own,butt
heelephantneckl
aceaswell
.Mother
wi
llbesoupsetanddi
sappoi
nted'
'
.
(Maj
idopenedt hedrawerbesi
deshisbeeand
removedhiselephantneckl
ace.Hesatonthebed
besi
desRishiandstartedpl
acingi
tonher)
.
'
'NoMaj
idno!Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
!''
.
'
'Ssshhh.
..Iwannadot
his,
okay?'
'
.
'
'Ther
e'snowayIam l
ett
ingyougi
beyourneckl
ace
tome.Youneedi
tmorethanIdookay?Maji
d,Iwil
l
beokayonmyown''.
'
'Remember ,t
hatIwonthesuperi
ori
tycompet
it
ion
yest
erday.If
oundtheri
ngfi
rst.Meaning,
youar
eto
dowhateverIwant''
.
'
'Maj
iddon'
t.
..
'
'Ar
eyoudi
sobeyi
ngmeRi
shi
?''
.
'
'No.
..
.
(Heputtheneckl
aceonhrneckandt i
editbehind.
Therewasaknockont hedoorandRishiquickl
ygot
upfrom t
hebed.Maji
dwasast oni
shedbuthedi dn'
t
knowitwastradi
ti
onnottoall
owanyeyeseet he
wif
eont hehusband'
sbedinthepalace.Queen
mot herandQueenSheenaentered.BothMaj i
dand
Rishiboweddownandt ouchedtheirfeet
.Rishi
st
oodi nfrontofMaji
d.Queenmot herandQueen
Sheenahadgl oomyfaces.Queenmot herheld
Rishi'
sshoulders)
.
'
'Takehear
tmydear
.Buti
tisbet
teryouknowi
t
now''
.
'
'Whati
sitGr
andma?'
'
.
'
'Yourmothermustbemour ni
ngbynow.Weal
l
havetogoint
othekingdom '
'.
'
'Mymot
her
..
.What
..
.
'
'Yourf
atherdi
edyest
erdayRi
shi'
'
.
(Theshockbl ewherawayandfort
unatel
yf el
lint
o
Majid'sarms.Tearsfel
lfr
eel
yfr
om hereyes.
Memor i
esofherfatherst
art
edr
ushinginherhead
event houghtheyneverhadacl
oserelat
ionshi
p,but
hebr oughthertotheworl
d.Maj
idhuggedher
ti
ghter).
'
'Fat
her
,Maj
id.
..Myf
ather
..
..
'
'Ri
shi
,i
tisunder
standabl
ethatyouar
ehur
t.But
please,letusgetreadytoat tendhi
sbur i
al.You
knowt radit
ionsaysthebodyi snottostaywithus
mor ethant hr
eedays.Also,yourmot hermustbe
needingyour ightnow.Pleasegetr eadysowego.
HelpherMaj i
d''
.Queenmot hersai
dandl eftwit
h
QueenSheena.
(
Heheldhertight
lyassheshookof
fal
lthesadness
f
rom herhear
twithhi
m).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Raj
'
sfami
lyhat
).
Atthelastendoft heforest,Pri
ncessLakshmi ,Raj
andJi mmydi sguisedthemsel vesonahor seand
rodeintothekingdom til
ltheyar ri
vedattheendof
theforestwheremanypoorhat swhere.The
smal l
estonewhi chwaswr etchedandalmost
brokendownst oodatthef arend.Anditwast he
onlypropertyRaj'sfat
herlefttohim andhisaunt
beforehedied.Theyr odetot heplaceandgotdown
i
nf rontofit
.Rajwentcl osertot hedoorand
knocked.Jimmywasnott oohappyaboutt he
conditi
onoft hehouseatal l.
'
'Thecondi
ti
onoft
hishousei
sbebad.Howcana
pr
egnantwomanbel
ivi
ngher
e?'
'
.
'
' Well
,
thi
sist heonl
yhouseRajhas.Apartf
rom
sleepi
ngint hepal
aceintheguar
d'schamber,
thi
sis
theonlyplacehecomest owhenhehasadayof f
guard''
.PrincessLakshmisai
d.
'
'WellIam j
ustsayi
ng.Butst
il
l,
i
tisnotsui
tabl
efor
Char
ut obeli
vinghere'
'
.
(Raj
'sauntopenedthedoorandsmil
edatthem.
Shel ett
hem i
nandclosedthedoor
.Charulayedon
awoodenbedl ooki
ngveryweak.Lakshmirushed
toherandcheckedhertemperat
ureandshewasn't
feel
inggoodatall
).
'
'Whathappenedt
oheraunt
?!Whati
shappeni
ngt
o
hernow?!'
'
.
'
'Shehasnotbei
ngwel
lfort
hepassedt
hreedays'
'
.
'
'What
?!Andwhathaveyoudoneaboutt
hat
?!'
'
Ji
mmyaskedangri
ly.
'
'Cal
m downJi
mmy..
.Iti
snotl
ikemyaunthas
anyt
hingwr
ong'
'.
'
'Thedoct
orsai
dshewashavi
ngf
ever
.Andsai
dI
shouldtowelbat
hherwit
hcoldwater
.SoIwas
goingtogetwaterwhenyoupeopl
earri
ved'
'
.
'
'OhmyGod.If eelbadaboutt
his'
'
.Hesaidand
wentcloserCharuwhoseeyeswerebarelyopened.
'
'Thisplaceisnotgoodforher
.Sheispregnantand
needsspecialatt
enti
on''
.
'
'Iwil
lgoandgett
hecol
dwat
erf
rom t
hesmal
lri
ver
aunt'
'
.
'
'Okay'
'
.
(Rajpickedupabi gpi tfrom theaideofthebedand
wentcl osertot
hedoor .Heopenedandsuddenl y
sawsomemenonhor sesf r
om af ardi
stance,r
idi
ng
towardst hehat.Hef el
tsuspi ci
ousandal er
t.He
quickl
yr ecogni
sedt hatt hei
rleaderwasShiv.He
quickl
yr eti
redi
nt other oom withshock.Heplaced
thepotasi dequickly).
'
'Wehavet
oleavet
hispl
acer
ightnow!'
'
.
'
'Whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Ij
ustsawShi
vandsomeguar
dsridingoverher
e.I
t
hinkt
heyhavebei
ngsent
.WeshouldhelpCharu
outofher
eel
se,
todaywi
llbet
hel
astdayshel
ives.
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
58] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence7
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Raj
'
sfami
lyhat
).
'
'Howi
sthatpossi
ble?It
houghtyoubot
hsai
dthi
s
pl
acei
ssecr
ettotheenemy''
.
'
'Doyout
hinkt
hisi
sther
ightt
imetodiscusst
his
Ji
mmy?Let'
sgonow!Hel
pmewi thCharu''
.
(Raj
'sauntwentclosert
othedoorandpeephi
s
eyesoutsi
dewhileJimmycarri
edCharuinhi
s
arms).
'
'Ohmygoodness.
.t
heyar
eal
mosther
e''
.She
excl
aimed.
'
' Youhavetogowit
hJimmy, Lakshmi.I
ftheyfind
toyhereaswell
,t
heywil
lnotonlysuspect
somethingbutal
soli
eaboutust oyourgatherbyall
means' '
.
'
'Okay.Butwher
edowepass?Ifwepasst
hef
ront
gat
ethen,t
heymightseeus'
'
.
(Rajquicklywentt othepeakoft heroom and
removedsomeboar df rom t
hewal l
.Andt herewas
awaybehi ndthatwal l
.Ji
mmyandLakshmi quickl
y
passedt hrought hepassagewaywi thChar uand
wentaway.Rajqui cklyclosedt hepassageway
withtheboar dandst art
edactingnor malwi t
hhis
aunt.Theybot hsatont hebedandt alkedabout
somet hi
ngel se.Shivandt heot herguar dson
horsesar r
ivedinf r
ontoft hegat equietl
y.Theygot
offthehorseandwi thswor ds,walkedar oundt he
hatandi nspectingit.Shivputhi searatt hewi ndow
sidetolist
ent othatwasgoi ngoni nther e).
'
'Don'
tworr
yaunt
.Iwi
llsoongetpaidf
rom t
he
pal
aceandhel
pyouwi
t hthemedici
nesyouneed'
'
.
'
'Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oleavenow?'
'
.
'
'Why?Wi
llyouneedhel
pwi
thanyt
hingel
se?'
'
.
'
'Yesyes.
..
canyouhelpmecooksomet
hing.Iwant
t
ocooksomething.Ineedhel
p''
.
'
'Sur
esur
e.Let
'sgoout
sidet
ogetst
art
ed'
'
.
(Shi
vquickl
ywiththeothermen,t
ooktheirhorses
andhurri
edofffr
om thehatint
otheforest.They
j
ustkeptacloseeyeonRajandhi sauntast hey
walkedofofthehatandstar
tedpicki
ngwooden
sti
ckstosetupafire)
.
'
'Wher
eisChar
u?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tthi
nkshelivest
her
eShiv.Westudi
ed
cl
earl
yandsawt hosetwoaret
heonlyonesint
he
hat'
'.
(AsRajandhisauntkeptt
hingscoolandcont
inued
pickingupt
hewood,hehadthecornerofhi
seyes
wat chi
ngShi
vandthemenhi di
ngbehindthet
rees)
.
'
'Icannotl
eaveyouAli
neaunt
.Ihavet
ostayher
e,at
l
eastunti
lthi
smenleaveandIt
akeyousomewhere
el
se''
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
' I
fIleaveyouJer e,
theymightcomebackand
threatenyoutogi veCharutothem.Andi fyou
refuse,t
heywillkil
lyou.Justkeepactingnormal
untilt
heygett i
redifstandi
ngthereandwhent hey
l
eave, Iwil
lqui
cklytakesomewher esaf e,
andfi
nd
wher eexactl
yt heytookCharusot hatyoucango
staywi thherandcont i
nuetakingcareofher''
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom'
stempl
e).
Mostoft hekingdom' shabitantshadar rivedand
gather
edt osuppor tBhavna.Shewasnowi na
completewhi tesareeasshewasawi downow.She
satonthef loorwithMeho' sdeadbodywhi chwas
al
sowr appedi nawhi t
eclothandl ayedona
woodenbedi nf r
ontofher.Hereyeswer eal lred
outofcryingandRadahsatbesi deher ,hol dingher
ti
ghtandcomf orti
ngherwhi lesthepr iest skept
prayi
ngtol ordHanuman.Peopl esatbehi ndBhavna
al
linwhiteandst arr
ingatMeho.Tr aditionsays, the
deadwast obel ookedatam pr ayedf oranal so
showedal astrespectbef
or ebeingbur ntt oashes.
'
'Sameersaidthenewsreachedt
heroyalf
ami
ly
yest
erday.Iam sur
etheyar
eonthei
rwaybynow''
.
'
'ThankyouRadah'
'
.
'
'Ihopeever
ythi
ngtur
nsoutokayt
oday.Peopl
eare
whimperi
ngbecauseMehocommitt
edsuici
de.I
t
qui
teshameful'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tbel
ieveMehocommi
tt
edsui
cideRadah'
'
.
'
'What
..
.why?'
'
.
'
' Heloveli
fet
oomuchtocommi tsuici
de.Iknow
themanImar ri
ed.Mehodoesnotevent hi
nkof
death.Inthef
ir
stpl
ace,
hehadnor easontokil
l
himself''
.
'
'Maybehestar
tedfeel
inggui
lt
yabouteveryt
hing
hehasdoneinhisl
i
fe.Betr
ayi
ngyou,sel
li
nghis
daught
er.
..
.
'
' IknowMrRauli sr
esponsi
blef
orthi
s.Didyou
hearwhatPr i
nceMajidsai
dyester
day?MrRauland
thatf or
eignerki
dnappedmydaughter!Iam ver
y
scar edforRishinow''
.
(
Ther
ewassomehousesf
rom out
sideandpeopl
e
gotupf r
om thet empl e.Bhavnakeptsi t
ti
ngast he
widowwasnotsupposedt ost andandgoanywher e.
Radahgotupandwal kedout sidet hetempl e.There
weresevenpal anqui nsassembl edwi t
hmany
guardsandmai densbesi desi t.Ever yguards
besideseverypal anquinraisedupt heclot
hf rom
thedoorandt her oyalfamilyst eppedoutf rom the
palanquins.Allinwhi t
e.Allthepeopl ejustbowed.
Rishiwhowasi nt earssawRi shiwhowaai ntears
sawRadahandbot hsheandKushir ushedt oher
andpl acedheri nat i
ghtembr ace.Ri shil
ooked
aroundherasmanypeopl ehadcomet ogivet hei
r
suppor ttoBhavna) .
'
'Mot
her
?''
.
'
'Yourmot
heri
sint
het
empl
e''
(Sherushedonthestair
sandent
eredthetempl
e.
Shesehermot her
'sbackfaci
ngher.Sher
unas
fastasshecouldandbentdownbehindhermother
thenhuggedherfrom behi
nd)
.
'
'Mot
her
..
.Iam her
enow.St
opcr
ying'
'
.
(
Bhavnat
urnedt
oherandt
heybot
hembr
acedeach
ot
her
,cr
yingoneachot
her
'sshoul
der
s).
'
'HeisdeadnowRi
shi
.Henevergott
omakepeace
wit
hus''
.
'
'Whathappened?''
.Sheaskedwhi
lest
arr
ingather
f
ather
'sl
if
elessbody.
'
'Idon'tknow.Itist
err
ibl
e,whatpeopl
earesayi
ng
sweetheart.Butyoudon'
tli
stent
othem okay?'
'
.
'
'Whatar
etheysayi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Yourf
ather
..
.heki
ll
edhi
msel
f.Theysawaguni
n
hi
shands''
.
(Shecrawl
edt
owar
dst
hebodyandputherheadon
hischest
).
'
'YoucouldhavestayedlongersoIaskyouwhy
youhatedmesomuchf ather
.SoIcouldaskfor
yourf
orgivenessandbl
essings''
.Shewept.
(Ever
yoneelseenteredthetempleandgr eeted
BhavnabutRishididn'tmovefr
om Meho' ssi de.
MajidwhosatbesidesQueenmot her
,gottohi sf eet
andwentclosertoRi shi
.Hebentdownandr aised
herheadfr
om thechestofherf at
her.Shel ookedat
him andhewi pedhert arswi thhisthumb.Ashe
kneltbesideher,sheplacedherheadonhi schest.
Thecer emonywentonandont il
litwast i
metot ake
thebodyaway.Fourmenvol unteeredandcarri
ed
thewoodenmathi sbodyl ayedon.Leadedbyt he
priestsandfol
lowedbyal lthepeopl e,
theywalked
ti
lltheyarri
vedont heburni nggrounds.Weedwer e
placedonhi m asallthepeopl esurrounded
mour nedoverhim.Especi al l
yBhavna) .
'
'Ifhehadason, hewouldhavebei ngt heoneto
l
ightthefir
eandper f
ormedi slastri
tesonhim.But
si
ncehehadnoson, anymanwhof eelsl
ike
showingyourcar eandloveforhisfami l
y,pl
ease
comef orwardanddoso' '.Onepriestssaidandthe
wholeplacewasqui et
.
(Rishif
eltsadanduncomf ortable,
shekeptr olthe
menwhost oodthereandr ef
usi ngtocomef or
ward
toperformthelastri
tesofadeaddr unkard.Maj i
d
stoodbesidesher,l
ookingatherasshel ookedat
thepeopleindiscomfortandst eppedforwar d)
.
'
'Iwi
lldot
hispr
iest
..
.IhopeIcan.CanI
?''
.
'
'Yesofcour
semyPr
ince'
'
.
(Bhavnaandt herestweremar veled.Thepriest
placedonewoodi naker osenet henl i
ghtedit
up,andasi tburnedfier
cely,Maj i
dwentcl osertothe
bodyandl i
ghtedtheclothandweedonhi sbody.
Hewentbackandal leyessawt hebodybur ni
ngto
ashes.Maj idgavethebur ningwoodbackt othe
priestandheaddedi tt
ot hebur ningbody.Everyone
starteddispersi
ngexceptf orthef amily.Ri
shiand
Kushisepar atethemselvesf r
om ever yone,hugging
eachot hertight
ly)
.
'
'Ar
eyouokaynow?'
'
.
'
'No.ButIwil
lbe.Iam wai
ti
ngf
ormot
hertotake
t
heashesfrom thepr
iest
ssowecanl
eave''
.
'
'Well
..
.youwi
llbeokay'
'
.Kushisai
dandl
ooked
asi
de.
'
'Kushiar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
.why?'
'
.
'
'Yeswhy?'
'
.
'
'Kushi
..
.Ifyouf
eel
separ
atedf
rom met
hisdays
then,
Iam sor
ry.Igotcaughtupwi
thever
ythi
ngt
hat
happenedlat
ely''
.
'
' Ohstopit!Webothknewthi
sdaywi l
lcome.You
aremar r
iednowandyourhusbandmustbeyour
topprior
ity.Yousat
isf
yhimfi
rstbef
oreyousati
sfy
everyoneelse''
.
(
Rishismiledandtur
nedherfavetolookatMaj
id
f
rom afarashespoketohisfr
iend.Shetur
nedher
f
acebackt olookatKushi
).
'
'Youar
emybestfr
iend.Don'
tdoubtt
hat
,ther
ewi l
l
comeati
meIwil
lsati
sfyyoubefor
eever
yoneelse.
Il
oveKushi'
'
.
'
'Il
oveyoutooRishi
.Promisemewewon'
tst
opour
f
ooli
shnessforanyt
hingi
nthewor
ld'
'
.
'
'Haha..
.Ipr
omise!'
'
.Sher eal
isedKushistil
lhad
somethi
ngelseonhermi nd.'
' ButIhopetherei
s
not
hingelseyouarehi
dingf r
om me.Tel lme,what
i
sit?'
'.
'
'Wel
l,
youareal
readygoi
ngthr
oughalott
oday
Ri
shi
,andIdon'
twanttoaddmore'
'.
'
'Kushi
,i
fiti
saseriousmat
ter,
tel
lme.Idon'
tmi
nd
i
t.
..
Icantakei
tal
lin.Tel
lme''
.
'
'I
t'
sthatmaid.Theonewhoent
eredt
hechamber
t
olookfort
hepot''.
'
'Haveyouseenher
?Whoi
sshe?'
'
.
'
' SheisQueenDorah'shandmaiden.Ir
ecogni
sed
heryesterday,
andeventoday.Theywerewalki
ng
together
.SheisQueenDor ah'
shandmaidenRishi
,
doyouknowwhatt hatmeans?''
'
'What?QueenDor ahisPr inceFaruk'
smot her
Kushi
.AndSavi t
rioncetoldussheal sowant s
Maji
ddead.Kushi ,
Ithinkwhatt hatpotcontains
mustbeveryimpor t
ant..
.Iam soconf usedright
now.Maji
d,thepot..
.everythi
ngisconfusing.Fir
st,
weknowt hereasonwhyt heywantMaj i
ddead.But
whatdotheywantwi ththepot ?''
.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Butweshoul dknowtati
tisvery
i
mpor t
ant.Whenwegett ot
hepal
ace,wewillhave
tomakethefinaldeci
sion.Weshal
lbri
ngitt
opr i
est
Chanakherandopenit''.
(
Rishinoddedandkeptst
arr
ingatMaj
idandkept
ont
ouchi
ngt
heel
ephantneckl
ace)
.
(
Maj
id'
ssi
de)
.
'
'Ar
eyouabsol
utel
ysur
eoft
hisMaxwel
l
?''
.
'
'Ofcour seman.ThisplaceisnotmyhomeandI
feelit
'st
imetofobakt oLondonsincet
hereisno
chanceofyougoi ngback.Jimmyhasalready
refusedtogobacksincehecl ai
medtobeinginl
ove
withthatmaid.
..
.whateverhernameis'
'
.
'
'Hm,
okayMaxwel
l.
..Real
lygonnami
ssyouman'
'
.
'
'Met
oo'
'
.
'
'Ar
eyou.
..
evergonnacome,
vi
sit
?''
.
'
'Idon'tr
eal
lyknowman.Tobehonest,
Idon'tr
eall
y
l
ikethi
splace.Ther
earet
oomanyruleshere.ButI
guessyoucancomet ovi
sit
,sowecanchil
lup,j
ust
l
ikeoldti
mes''.
'
'Idon'
tknowi
fthat
'spossi
ble.Iam t
hef
utur
eki
ng
andIcan'
tgoanywher
eelseagain''
.
'
'Yousaidthecomplet
eoppositeoft
hissome
monthsagoMaj i
d.Youdidn'
tevenwannacomet
o
t
hisplacedude,
whatchangedsomuch?' '
.
(Maj
idtookadeepbr eat
handt urnedhishead
behi
ndandsawRi shistandingandchatti
ngwith
Kushif
rom afardi
stance,thenturnedbackhi
sface
toMaxwell
).
'
'Myhear
tbeatchanged'
'
.
'
'Yourwhat
?''
.
'
'ThatwaswhenIt houghtIwasinlovewi
thCindy.
Buthey,
Iam veryhappyyoufol
lowedmeher eto
seemyfamily.Iappreci
atet
hat
,where'
sNatal
ya?''
.
'
'Shemustbear
oundher
e..
.
'
'Whenar
eyoul
eavi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Tomor
row.
..Ihopeshehaspr
epar
edher
sel
f''
.
(
Nat
alyaar
ri
vedbehi
ndt
hem wi
thaf
rown)
.
'
'Iam notgoi
nganywhereMaxwel
l
.Iam notl
eavi
ng
t
hisplaceunt
ilCi
ndyonest
ohersensessowefo
t
ogether'
'.
(
Theboyst
urnedt
oheri
nshock)
.
'
'Whatt
hehel
lar
eyousayi
ngNat
alya?
!''
.
'
'Youhear
dmer
ight
.Ci
ndyi
smybestf
ri
end.And
wher
evershei
sri
ghtnow,
sheneedsme'
'
.
'
'Howareyouevensur
ewhet
herCi
ndyi
sst
il
lin
t
hispl
aceornot
?''
.
'
'Iknowsheisher
e.Idon'
tt hi
nksheiswi
ll
ingt
o
gi
veuponMaj i
dsoeasil
y''.Shesai
dstar
ri
ngat
Maji
dclosel
yandhestarr
ingbackatherwitha
fr
own.
'
'Ithoughtyouwantedtospendther
estofyourli
fe
withmeNat al
ya,howareyougoingt
odot hati
fyou
arealwaysputt
ingCindybef
oreourr
elat
ionshi
p?''
.
'
'Keepiti
nmindt
hatwewoul
dn'
tbedati
ngifnotf
or
Ci
ndy.Sheist
heonewhoi
ntr
oducedus'
'.
'
'Youcannotf
orcel
oveNat
alya'
'
.Maj
idsai
d.
'
'Cindylovesyousomuch.Shel ef
teveryt
hing
behindandfoll
owedyouhere,andwhatdidyouto
her?Breakherhear
tanddisgraceheri
nf r
ontof
numer ousofpeopl
eyest
erday.Youthrewher
out.
..wherewasshesupposedtogo?''
.
'
'Ij
ustt
aughtheral
esson.Thatnoone,
absol
utel
y
moonetouchesmywoman.Buti fyout
hinkt
hat
wasembar r
assment,whenyoumeether,t
ellher
thatt
her ealembarr
assmentwillcomewhenshe
daresletmel aymyeyesonher ,
andIwil
lmakeher
fl
ytoLondonwi t
hnothi
ngatall''
.Maj
idsai
dand
walkedaway.
'
'SoNatalya.
..I
fCindywillspendtherestofherl
if
e
her
etryi
ngt ogetMajidback,whatwil
lhappenedto
us?YouandI ,
thi
srelat
ionship?'
'.
'
'LookMaxwel l
,i
fyour eal
lyl
ovemeandiswil
li
ng
towaitformeuntilweallgobackaswe
came...
thenf
ine.Isti
llwannabewit
hyou'
'.
'
'You...
youjustt
hrewawayf i
veyear
srelati
onship
whichcouldhavet urnedint
osomethi
ngmor e
seri
ousandbeaut if
ulTalya.Well
,
youhavemade
yourdecisi
on.Iwishyoual lt
hehappi
nessi nthe
world.AndIhopeyouwi l
lbehappywit
ht ourCindy
'
'.Hesaidandwal kedaway, l
eavi
nghertosob.
Aftereveryt
hingwasoverandt heyal
lwentbackto
thetempletopr ayf
orthelostsoul
s.Bhavnawas
givenMeho' sashesinaredpot.Ever
yone
dispersedandwhent heygotoutsi
de,Ri
shiwanted
togohomewi t
hBhavnaduet ot hesi t
uationbut
Bhavnast oppedherandaskedhert ogot othe
palaceandt hat,shewasgoi ngt oar ri
veint he
palacet henextdayt otakecar eofPr i
nceMaj i
d's
scar .BhavnaandRadahpassedadi ffer
ent
directionandwentaway.Theki ngent eredhi s
palanqui nandsomeguar dscar riedit.QueenDor ah
wentcl osert oherpal anquinandherper sonal
guar dar rivedf rom nowher eandopenedt hecl othe
cover i
ngt heent ranceoft hepal anqui n.Queen
Dor ahent eredt hepal anquinandherguar dsecretly
handedapi eceofpaperovert oher .Andheand
someot herguar dsr aisedthepal anquin.Queen
mot herhel dRi shi '
shandt otakeheri ntojoinheri n
herpal anqui nbutRi shirefusedandwentt ojoi
n
Maj idinhi spal anqui n.Hesmi l
edatherandl ether
i
nsi de.Ever yonegoti ntotheirsandt heguar d
carriedt hepal anqui nsont heirshoul dersand
startedheadi ngupt hemount ainst owardst he
palace.
(
InMaj
id'
spal
anqui
n).
Theysatbesi
deseachot
herandt
heat
mospher
e
wasqui etast heroadwasqui etastheroadwas
alsolonely.Rishikeptst
arri
ngatMaj idbuthehad
compl et
elylostconcentrat
iononher .Hekepton
scroll
ingthroughhi sphoneandt ypi
ngont he
screen.Hisphonesuddenl ybeepedl oudl
yandi t
wasamessage.Heopenedt hemessageandr ead
through.
'
'IMISSYOUSOVERYMUCHMYLOVE.IKNOW
ALLTHATIDIDWASOVERTHEBOARDBUTIDI D
ALLTHATBECAUSEILOVETOUMAJI D.IWILL
NEVERSTOPLOVINGYOU,ANDIAM DYING
WITHOUTYOU..
.YOUPROMISEDMEETERNITY, I
WANTTOCOMEBACKI NTOYOURARMS.DO
SOMETHINGMAJID.ILOVEYOUANDIAM NOT
GIVI
NGUPONYOU.NEVER' '
.
(Majidtookadeepbreathasfini
shedr eadingthe
messageandheswi t
chedthephoneof fandlooked
outthewi ndow,i
ntotheemptysandyr oad.Rishi
starr
edathi m wi
thsomuchexpectationsi nher
eyesbuthenevert ur
nedtolookatherf ace.Hejust
l
ookedoutt hewi
ndowandRi shi
'shear tached
painful
ly)
.
'
'Thanksyou'
'
.Shesai
dqui
etl
y.
(
Hetur
nedhisfacet
oherandl ookedqui
etl
yather
f
orawhil
e,andshestar
redbackathim).
'
'Forwhat
?''
.
'
'Youperfor
medmyfat
her
'sf
inalr
it
es.Iam ver
y
great
fulf
orthat'
'
.
'
'Itdoesn'tcal
lfort
hanks.ButIam sorryaboutyour
father
.Idon'tknowhowIwi l
lfeeli
fIlooseda
parent''
.
'
'Ifonl
yyouknewyourmother
,theonewhogave
youlif
ehasbei
ngdeadsi
nceyouwer ebor
n''
.
(Heshif
tedt
oRi
shi
'
ssi
deandcuddl
edheri
nhi
s
arms).
'
'Yougood?'
'
.
'
'I
nyourar
msMaj
id,
Iwi
ll'
'
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
11:
58] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence8
.
(
Int
hepal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Sheenteredthechamber ,
fol
lowedbyFarukandshe
cl
osedt hedoorshut.Sheopenedhersareeand
qui
cklybroughtoutthepieceofpapergi
venherby
herpersonalbodyguard.Shesatonherbedwhil
e
Farukstoodinfrontofherwithhi
shandsonhis
waist
.
'
'Wher
edoest
hiscomef
rom?'
'
.
'
'Theguar
dsai
dCi
ndywasatt
het
empl
etoday'
'
.
'
'What?
!Mother
,whatdoyouhavet
odowi
tht
hat
f
orei
gner?'
'
.
'
'Thatfor
eigner.
..Far
uk,
istheonlypersonwhocan
hel
pusgetr i
dofMaj idokay?Shewillmakesure
shetakeshim backtowheretheycamef rom '
'
.
'
'Oh,
sonowweneedsomeone'
shel
ptogetr
idof
Maji
d?Ithoughtweweresupposedt
oki
llhi
m and
notsendhim backt
oLondon''
.
'
'Itwil
lmakenodi
ff
erencethough.Shewasinacar
andnoonesawheratthetemple.Shegavethe
guardthi
stogi
vet
ome.Socanyoushi tupsoI
read?'
'.
'
'Fi
ne,
goahead'
'
.
(
Sheunwrappedthepaperandl
ookedi
ntoi
t.Far
uk
wasf
eel
inguneasy).
'
' Hell
oQueenDor ah.ThisisCindyandIt hinkby
thistime,youal r
eadyknowt hatMajidthrewmeout
oft hepalacebecauseoft hatvil
lagewhor e.ButI
am notgi vingupwhat soever.Ij
ustneededt o
know, i
st herenothingatallthatwecanuseagai nst
thepeopl esepar ati
ngmef rom Majid?Ther emust
besomet hingwhi chcanmakehi m comebackt o
me.Hat ehisf amil
yandr unbackt omyar ms.I
mean, thatistheonl ywayIcanconvi ncehi mt olet
usgobackt iLondon.Don' tyouhaveanyt hingin
mi ndtosepar atehimf rom thatnosygr andmot her
ofhi sandmakehi mlist
ent omei nstead?Pl ease
thi
nkabouti
tverywel
l.Af
terr
eadi
ngthi
s,getback
tomeverysoon.Iam r
eadytohel
pinanyway
possi
ble'
'
.
'
'Hmmmm.Wel l
,udon'
tknowaboutthi
s.Butt
hat
gi
rli
sreal
lyobsessednowforsur
e''
.
'
' Everygir
lisobsessedwi
thMaji
d.Hismotherwas
themostbeaut if
ulwomaninUjani
..
..
.andhe?Sorr
y
tosayt hi
sson,heisacharmerhi
mself.Heisi
ndeed
achar mer.Ahandsomemanhehasgr ownto
be,justasbeauti
fulashi
smother'
'.
'
'Hi
smot
hert
hatyouki
ll
ed'
'
.
'
'Yesfool
!BecauseIneededyout
obet hecr
owned
Pri
nce.Andam notgoi
ngt ost
opunt
ili
tcomesto
pass''
.
'
'Sohowar eyouplanningtodowhatthef
orei
gner
said?Whatatal
listheretotur
nMaji
dagainst
everyone?Andwil
litchangeathi
ng?'
'.
'
'Yesitwil
l.I
fMaj idhatestheQueenmot her
,he
won'
twantanyt hingtodowi thher.Andguess
what,
hewi l
lloosepr otecti
onfrom them.Andwhen
hedoes,t
hef oreignerwi l
lconvi
ncehi mtol
etthem
gobacktoLondon.IfMaji
dissmar tenough,
hewil
l
l
eave,
butifhedoesn'
t.
..Thenthat
'sit
!Wef i
nal
lyki
ll
hi
m andthenyou..
.myson,wil
lbeking''
.
'
'Wow.Thent hegirlissmartaf
terall
.Buttoy
coul
dn'tevendefatQueenMeer ah,evenin
deat
h,sheissti
llwinning.Howthenwi l
lyoubeabl
e
todearherson?''
.
'
'Yes!
!!Igeti
tnow!'
'
.
'
'Whatnow?'
'
.
'
'QueenMeer
ah.Shei
stheonl
ywayt
otur
nMaj
id
agai
nstt
heRoyalf
ami
ly'
'.
'
'How?'
'
.
'
'Ha...
Farukl i
stent othis.QueenSheenai snot
Majid'
smot her.ButMaj idthi
nksshei shismother.
Becausethati swhatQueenmot herdecidedwhen
QueenMeer ahdi ed.Andt hekingagreedtoit.Maji
d
nothavingamot herwasgoi ngtotr
aumat izehim
whengr owingupandt hatwaswhyt heymadet hat
cari
ngdeci sion.Buttheyneverknew, thatcari
ng
deci
sion,isgoi ngtobeqdanger ousdecision.
GuesshowMaj idwi l
lfeelwhenhef i
ndsouthi s
mot
herhasbei
ngdeadf
ort
went
yfi
veryear
s''
.
'
' Yes!Youaregeniusmother.Thatwil
lbeperf
ect.
Butmot her,
wehavebei ngforbi
ddenthroughout
thekingdom toshutourmont hsaboutthi
str
uth.
Anyonewhomakesami stakewillbedeadbefor
e
sunrise.Howwillyouexposeit?'
'
'
' Relax.Iknowmywayar oundt hepal aceandt he
entirekingdom, alltoowel l.Allthedangeri sint he
Royall ibrar
y.Therei sar oom i nther ewhich
cont ai
nsUj ani'
shi stor y.Youneverl ikesbooks,you
Goul dhavef oundt hedoori nt helibrary.I
thas
Ujani '
shistory,t
hest rength, l
istoft heKungsand
queensnames.Bot hpastandpr esent.Andunder
ever yQueen'sname, hersi nsordaught ersare
wr i
ttenundert hem.Idon' tthinktheki nghast he
hear ttowr i
teMaj i
d' snameunderQueenSheena.
BecauseQueenMeer ahishi smot her .Andthatis
theonl yevidencewear egoi ngtohavef orMaj i
dto
believe' '
.
'
' Doyoureali
se,t
hatifsomeoneseesyouent
eri
ng
thelibr
aryandthenlateron,
Maji
dGert
'shi
shands
ont hathi
stor
ybook,
ever yeyewi
llbei
nyouandyou
wi
llbesuspect
ed?'
'
.
'
'BecauseIam nott
heonewhowi
llgoandget
i
t.
..
.Maji
dhimselfwoul
d''
.
'
'How?Youaretheonewhotol
dmeaboutMaji
d's
realmot
herwhenIwasfi
ft
eenyear
sol
d.Iwoul
dn't
haveknown''
.
'
'Exact
lymyson.Noonei nthepalaceknowst hat
youareawareofthetr
uth.So,
youwi llmakeyour
moveandt akeMaji
dtotourintheli
br ar
y.Iti
supto
youtomakesurethatsomeonel i
keQueenmot her
nottoseeyoutwogoingintotheli
brary''
.
'
'Youyoursel
fsai
dIdon'
tli
kereadi
ng.Sowhatwill
happenedift
heyf
indoutIt
ookMajidtothel
ibr
ary?
'
'.
'
'JustdoasIsay.Noonewi
l
lhol
danyt
hingagai
nst
you.Ourpl
ansareal
mostwr
appedupt
osucceed''
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Heent er
edtheroom wit
hMaxwellwholooked
devastat
edthanever.Maji
dwentcl
osertothe
coolermachineandtookoutqchi
ll
edwaterbott
le
ofwat
erandhandedi
tovert
ohi
m.
'
'Yougood?'
'
.
'
'Fuckbei
nggoodman.Natal
yaj
ustchoseCindy
overmeandyouar
easkingmeifam good?'
'
.
(Maj
idtr
iedasmuchashecouldt
okeep
composureandnott
olaugh)
.
'
'Oh.
.Ri
ght
.Sor
ryf
oraski
ng'
'
.
'
'Ican'tbel
ieveNat al
yalookedi ntomyeyesand
j
ustt hr
ewourgi veyearsr elat
ionshipawayMaji
d.
Well,
Iguessitallcameoutgood.Iwasbusi l
y
packingmyt hingsyesterday, sayingt
omyselft
hatI
wasgoi ngtointroducehert omyf ami
lywhenwe
arri
vedinLondonsowecoul dpossibl
ygetmarri
ed
'
'.Hegul pt
hewat erwhi
let earsf l
owedouthi
seyes.
'
'Wowman.Youar ecryi
ng?Thi
smusthavehur t
youal
ot''
.Hesaidandsatbesi
deshi
m onthebed.
'
'Sowhatareyougonnadonow?Wi l
lyoust
il
lleave?
'
'.
'
'Yeahman.Ihavetoleave.
.t
hisisnotmycount
ry.
ButIguessIwi
llcomeandvisitwhenyoubecome
ki
ng.Thatway,
Iwi
llf
eel
muchmor
efr
ee'
'
.
'
'Okaycool.Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssyout
hough,
but
hey.
..
whereisJimmy?''
.
'
'Thefoolsaidheai
n'tgoingbacktoLondon.Weall
knowhedoesn'thaveaf amil
yther
e.Hisonlyf
ather
diedandthatwasit
,youtookcareofus''
.
'
'Imeanwher
eishe?Ihaven'
taskedyout
otel
lme
t
hestor
yofhowIhel
pedyouboys' '
.
'
'Idon'
tknowwherehei
s.I
nfact,
Ihaven'
tseenhi
m
t
oday..
..
Idi
dn'
tseehi
m att
hefuneral'
'
.
'
'St
range.
..
Iwonderwhat
'supwit
hhim.Iwillcal
l
hi
m''.Hetookouthi
sphoneanddial
ledJi
mmy' s
number.
(
ThecityofMumbai
=Doct
orMal
hot
ra'
sci
ty
Hospi
tal)
.
Jimmystoodinthewai
tingroom,ver
yrest
lessas
thej
our
neywasver yr
uffandlong.Hisphonerang
i
nhispocketandhequickl
ypickedup.
'
'Yeahbr
o..
.what
'sup?'
'
.
'
'I
'm supposedt
oaskyout
hat
.Wher
ear
eyou?'
'
.
'
'Ipromisetoexpl
ainever
ythi
ngwhenIgetback
okay,
allyouneedknownowi sthat
,Iam f
ine'
'
.
'
'Hey,
whereareyou.
..
doyouneedhel
pwi
th
somet
hingor.
..
'
'Notr
eall
y.Actual
ly,
Iwi
llneedyourhel
p.Butonl
y
whenIgetback''
.
'
'Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?Maxwel
li
sgoi
ng
backt
oLondont
omor
row'
'.
'
'What?!Whyi
shel eavi
ng?Okayf
ine,
Iwi
llar
ri
ve
t
hiseveni
ngsothatwecanbothaccompanyhim''
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
fi
ne.I
fyousayso'
'
.
'
'Bye'
'
.
(Thedoct
orwal
kedoutf
rom t
heemer
gencywar
d
andmetJimmy.Heremovehi
smosemaskand
heldhi
sshoul
der
s).
'
'Well
,goodf
oryouyoungman.
..
yourwi
fei
s
absol
utel
yfi
nenow''
.
'
'Ohgosh.
..
thankyouman.
..
Imeansi
r''
.
'
'Nevermi
nd.Herbabyandher
sel
far
einper
fect
condi
ti
on'
'
.
'
'So,
thatmeans.
..Icanseehernow?'
'
.
'
'Sur
e,goahead'
'
.
(Ji
mmyputhi sphonei
ntohi
spocketandwalked
i
ntotheward.Charul
ayedonthewhit
ebed,
i
n
hospi
talcl
othesandwit
hhereyest
ouchi
ngthe
roodtop)
.
'
'Hi'
'
.
(Sheroll
edhereyesopposit
eafeetandsawJi mmy
standi
ngatt hedoor.Shewasunconsci
ouswhen
theyweret r
avel
ingsoshehadnoideawher eshe
was.Andshedi dn'tknowwhobroughtherther
e.
Butsher ecogni
sedJimmyandshewasst i
ll
confused).
'
'You?'
'
.
'
'CanIcomei
n?'
'
.
'
'Yespl
ease'
'
.
(Heent
eredwentcl
oser.Therewasamet alchai
r
besi
desthebedandsohemadehi msel
f
comfor
tabl
e.Satonthechair
,Char
ufelt
uncomf
ort
ablei
nagoodwayandcouldn'
tlookat
hi
m.Hesmileandcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat)
.
'
'Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
trememberanyt
hing.Wher
eam I
,
wher
eis
auntSubhrasi
?''
.
'
'Cal
m down.Iwil
lexpl
ain'
'
.Hetol
dherever
ythi
ng
t
hathappenedbef
oresheappear
edint
hehospit
al.
'
'Justr
estandgetbett
er.Andt
hatishowyou
gonnathankme.ButIhopeyouarenotf
eel
ingany
pai
ns''
.
'
'No.So,Iam nol
ongerinUjani
?''
.She
asked,
looki
ngsad.'
'Thati
swher eIwasbor
nand
broughtup.
'
'Butyouar
eindangert
her
e,andso,
youcanno
l
ongerli
vet
here'
'
.
'
'Howam goi
ngt
osur
viveher
e?Wher
ewi
llIl
ive
and.
..
'
'Rel
axokay?Everyt
hingwil
lbet
akencar
eof
.Just
t
akeallt
herestyouneed''
.
'
'Thankyoubemuchsi
r.Ir
eal
lyappr
eci
ateal
lthi
s''
.
'
'Mynamei
sJi
mmy.
..
and,
youar
ewel
come'
'
.
'
'Whyar
eyouhel
pingmepl
ease?'
'
.
'
'Hmmm. .
.j
ustgetwellsoonokay?Byt heway,Iwil
l
begoingbackt oUjanit
hisevening.Oneofmy
fr
iends,
hei sgoingtoLondontomor row.SoMaj id
andIwillaccompanyhim,Iwouldhavest ayedhere
tomeethim beupsetandpeopl emi ghtsuspect'
'.
'
'Wi
llyoual
sogo?'
'
.Char
uaskedi
naweakvoi
ce.
'
'Ofcour senot!HowcanIl eaveyouher ealone?!'
'
.
Jimmyi mpul si
velyandr eal
isedhenear l
yspitout
hisfeeli
ngforher .'
'Imean. .
.Ican'tleaveyouher e
alonewhenIam t heonehel pingyou.Sor ightnow,
restasmuchasyoucan.Ihavet oldthedoct orto
giveyouallyoumayneed.Ineedcomeback
soon,andwhent heydischarge,Pr i
ncessLakshmi
andIwi l
lfi
ndahouseher eforyout olivein.Andbe
safefrom alldangeruntilyougi vebi r
th,t
henwewi l
l
knowwher etogof rom there''
.
'
'Hmmm.
..
okay.Thankyousi
rJi
mmy'
'
.
'
'Iwil
lloveiti
fyoucal
ledmeJi
mmyandgett
hesi
r
outofi
t''.
'
'Ohokay.Iam sorr
y''
.
.Shelaughedweakl
y.'
'Iwi
ll
l
ear
nitfrom t
hiseveni
ng'
'.
(Uj
aniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=Pr
inceFar
uk'
s
chamber
).
Aft
ergett
ingthenewsofhisfai
ledpl
anfr
om Shiv,
hecoul
dn'tcontr
olhi
sangerinanywaypossibl
e.
Hepouredforhimsel
f,ast
rongwineanddrunkit
ful
l.
'
'Youneverdoanyt
hingr
ight
!''
.
'
'Asf
ort
hist
imemyPr i
nce,
Iam notgoi
ngtotake
t
hebl
amebecausei
tisnotmyfaul
tonebit'
'
.
'
'What
?Ar
eyouchal
lengi
ngme?'
'
.
'
'WhenthemenandIarr
ivedt
her
e,i
twasonl
yRaj
andhi
sauntcooki
ng'
'
.
(Far
ukthr
ewhishandt
oShi
v'
sface,
givi
nghi
ma
seri
oushotsl
ap)
.
'
'Thatisnotwhatmatter
stomeyouf ool!I
promisedmymot herIwasnotgoi
ngt omakeany
mistakes.AndIt
oldyouthesamethingthi
s
morning.Youcouldhavegonetot
hreatenRajand
hi
sauntaboutCharu'
swhereabouts.Youmessed
upandyouaredefendi
ngyourfail
ure''
.
(Shivdidn'
ttakethesl
apl i
ghtl
y.Hestart
edfeel
ing
theedgeofenmi t
ytowardsFaruksincehewast he
servantandFar ukwasthePrinceanddidwhatever
hewant edtohim.Whet hergoodorbad).
'
'Iam sor
ryi
fIf
ail
edyou'
'
.
'
'Yesyoudidfai
lmeindeed.Butl
et'
sfor
getthat
r
ightnow.Ineedyoutodosomethingel
seforme''
.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
' Onmyweddi ngdaywi t
ht hepr i
ncessofJhansi,we
shallplananot herfor
m ofat tack.Anditwil
lbe
againstMaj id.Heistheonewhoneedst obe
eliminatedsoIt akemyr ightfulplaceonthethrone.
Iwantt ouset hisplantomakemymot herhappyso
thatshef orgetsherangerwhenshef i
ndsoutwe
didn'
tgetChar u.Andalso,keepaneyeonRajand
Lakshmif rom nowon. ..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
58] :
.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence9
.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
'
'Keepaneyei nRajandLakshmifr
om nowon.
KeepaVeecl oseeyeonthem.Iassur
eyou
t
hat,
theyhavehiddenChartsomewhereel
seandwe
mustfindout''
.
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Fornow,t
hispl
anofattackmusthappenedandwe
wil
lusethechandel
ier'
'
.
(
Pri
ncessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
SheandKushifacedeachotherwi
ththepotinher
hands.Andsheslowl
yputherhandsont heband
onthemouthofthepotwit
hshakingbodyandf ear
.
TheybothsatonthebedandKushisnatchedthe
potf
rom her
.
'
'Don'
topenitnow.Forme,iti
sbet
teri
tfal
lsi
ntot
he
handsofpr
iestChanakherwhoknowsbest''
.
'
'Kushi,
asmorningandeveni
ngpassesaway,t
he
dangeri
nthepalacei
ncr
eases.
.youandIcannot
fi
ghtthi
sal
one.Wehavetoseewhatisinthi
spot
nowornever'
'.
'
'Whatift
hethi
nginsi
det
hispotki
llsushuh?Let'
s
useourbrai
nsokay?Wewil
lbealr
ight.
..
.Fornow''
.
'
'Itissaidthat
,wit
houtanevi denceagainstany
memberoft heroyalfamily,onecannotcomei nthe
publicandaccuset hem,elset heywil
lfaceadeat h
penalty.Andasweat eher e,
wehavenoevi denceat
al
l!Wher earewegoi ngtost artandhowwi l
litend?
PrinceFarukisstil
lat hr
eat ,
howwi l
lwedef eathim?
'
'.
'
'Idon'tknow.Tobehonestwithyou,
eversincehe
cameher eandthreatenedme,
Ihavenotbeing
feel
ingmyselfatall
.WhenIseehim andthatugly
guardifhis'
'.
'
'OhmygoodnessKushi
!KushiIl
iveyousomuch!
!!
'
'
.
(
Sheoutt
hepotasi
deandhuggedKushit
ight
ly)
.
'
'O.
..
okay.WhathaveIdonenow?'
'
'
'Somethi
ngver
ygood.Youjustmademer eali
se
someonewehavet
otal
lylef
toutthi
sconversat
ion'
'
.
'
'Okay.
..
who?'
'
.
'
'Shi
v!Kushit
hisguycanbeourbai
t!'
'
.
'
'Waitaminut
e,Shi
v?Youmean,
Shiv.
..
Pri
nce
Faruk'
sdog?Hewastheonewhofoll
owedmeher
e
'
'.
'
'Exact
lyKushi.Canyouimagi
nehowf
uni
twi
llbe
t
oplaywithhishead?''
.
'
'Idon'
tunder
stand'
'
.
'
'Okaylook.
..
ShivisPri
nceFar
uk'
sguar
d,whoIam
sur
e,doeswhateverheiscommandedt
odo''
.
'
'Obvi
ousl
y''
.
'
'Andhemustknowt housandsofPri
nceFaruk'
s
secr
ets.Andbyevermomentthatpassesby,
they
mustbeplott
ingsomet
hingnasty'
'.
'
'Justgost
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt'
'
.
'
'Fi
ne,
Iwantyoutodrawcl
osertodrawclosert
o
Shi
v.Bet
terst
il
l,
gethi
mtotrustyouand.
..
'
'Justwaitr
ightt
her
e.Ar
eyouusi
ngmeasabai
t
Rishi
?''
.
'
'What?Iam notusi
ngyou!Whyar
eyoumakingi
t
soundli
keIwishyouhar
m orsomet
hing?'
'
.
'
'Youareputt
ingmeinthemouthofashar kand
youar
etalki
ngto.Howcomeyouar etur
ningint
o
somespoil
tstupi
darr
ogantPr
incess?
!''
.
'
'Ihavetodoal
lIcantoprot
ectmyhusband!Iam
j
ustdoingawif
e'sdut
y!'
'
.Sheblur
tedangri
ly.
'
'Butwhataboutafr
iendsdut
y?!Kushisaid
emoti
onal
ly.'
'It
houghtIwasyourbestfr
iend'
'
.
(Rishir
eali
sedherl ivewast hrowingawayanot her
l
ove.Anot herrel
at i
onshipandanot herbond.Kushi
couldn'
thol dhertears,
suest art
edfeelinganger
towardsRi shi
.Rishishiveredinpainand
embar r
assment ,reali
singshehadbr eakher
fri
endshipoath.Shecont inuedt hetearwit
hKushi.
Kushigotuponherf
eet
).
'
'Huh.
..
wher
ear
eyou.
..
'
'Igeti
tthati
t'
severywoman'sdutytoprot
ecther
husband.Butnoti
nmydr eams,
disIseeyouputti
ng
meindangerforyourhusband'
ssafet
y.Howcould
you?Youarenotmyf r
iend.Myfri
enddied'
'.
'
'Iam sorr
ydon'
tleaveme.Kushi
..
.youcan'
ttake
meserious''
.
'
'Youwereabsol
utel
ycl
earwhenyout
oldmet
oget
cl
osert
oShiv''
.
'
'Kushi ,allIwant edwasf oryout ohaveconf idence
togetcl osert oShi vandactl ikeacr azyyou, who
don'tcar eaboutanyt hing,all
youcar eabouti s
pursuingt ourl i
vel i
fe.Makehi mfallinlovewi thyou
sowegetenoughi nformationandcr eateevi dence
outofi ttof inallyexposePr i
nceFar ukandQueen
Dorah.Thati sall.Iwoul dneverputt hel i
veofmy
l
ovei ndanger .Kushi ,
apartfrom mymot her,you
werel i
keamot herandf at
herandasi stertomeas
well.Besi des, youcoul dhavej ustwaitedf ormet o
fi
nishtal king, sot hatifyoudon' twantt odoi t,
I
woul
djustl
eaveyououtofi
tandf
indsomeoneel
se
'
'
.
'
'Andwhowouldthatper
sonbe?Apar
tfr
om
me,whoel
sedoyoutrust
?''
.
'
' Iwil
ldoanythingf orhim Kushi.Youdon't
understandme, butyouwi l
l,whenyouf al
linlove.
Maj i
diseverything..
.Imean, everyt
hingt
hathas
happenedi nthel astfewdays. .
.mylovegrew
strongerforhi
m.Andheal sof i
nall
yadmittedtome
thathelovedme' '.
'
'Real
ly..
.Ohwow!''
.Kushishout
edexci
tedl
y,
f
orget
tingheranger
.
(
Theybot
hsatdownont
hebee)
.
'
'Wedi
ditKushi.He.
..
hetouchedme,thatni
ghtwas
t
hemostpainf
ulbuthappiestni
ghtofmylif
e.He
mademehis.Hemadl ovetome' '
.
(
Kushismil
edi
ntears,
starr
ingatherf
ri
end.They
f
inal
lyst
arr
edateachother).
'
'Fi
ne!Iwi
lldoi
t.
..
yes!Iwi
llst
artpr
acti
cingmy
wor
dssoIknowwhatandwhatnott osayandhow
toact.Iwi
llmakesur
eShivwor kagainstPri
nce
Farukandexposehim byf
all
inginlovewithme''.
..
.
.
(
NextDay=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Thesunl i
ghtbr i
ghterandt hechambercont ained
theangelonhi sbed.Bei ngroyaltycamewi thso
muchcomf ortandadvant age.Somet hi
ng
l
ike,sl
eepi ngandwaki ngupanyt i
meyouwant ed.
Ast heser vantshadwokenupl ongandat tendi ngto
theirdailyworks.Maj i
dwasst i
llfastasleepand
dreami ngaboutever ythingnice.Jimmyand
Maxwel lenter
edi naf lash.Maxwel lwasal ldr essed
upandJi mmyaswel l
.Theypul ledthebedsheet s
from hisbodyandheopenedhi sr i
ghteye,st arring
atthem st andingtallatt hefootofhi sgrandbed.
Hisvisionwasal i
tt
lebl urashehadj ustopened
them.Heopenedbot heyesandwasst i
llfeeling
sleepy.
'
'Goodmorni
ngidi
ot.
..
youpromi
sedtoaccompany
metotheai
rpor
tandhereyouar
e''
'
'Mmmm?Maxwel
l.
..Ohmanam sosor
ry,
Idon'
t
knowhowIsl
eptsol
ong'
'
.
'
'Yousti
lll
ooksl
eepyt
hough.Idon'
tthi
nkyoucan
gowit
hus' '
.
'
'Awman,
ifyouwantIcan.
..
.
'
'Maji
dit
'sokay.Iwi
llmi
ssmyf
li
ghti
fIdel
ayany
f
urt
her''
.
'
'Haveasafej
our
neyman.
..
.ser
iousl
y,comeand
vi
sitsoon'
'
.
'
'Iwill
..
.Iwi
ll
.Letmej
ustgoandputsomethingsin
orderathomeandIwil
lcomebacksoonerorlat
er''
.
'
'Okaycool'
'
.
'
'Ur
rrmmm Maj
id?'
'
.Ji
mmycal
ledout
.
(
Heyawnedandl
ookedatt
hem)
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'CanIgetyourcr
edi
tcar
dbr
o?'
'
.Heasked.
'
'Yeah.I
nthedr
awert
here''
.Hepoi
ntedbehi
ndt
hen.
'
'Whatdoyouneedi
tforanyway?'
'
.
'
'I
t'
ski
ndaal
ongst
ory.ButIpr
omi
set
oexpl
ain
ever
ythi
ngbef
oret
omorr
ow.Iam gonnat
ake
Maxwellt
oMumbaiandcomebacksoon''
.
'
'Wait
!Domeaf
avour
..
.Ineedanewcaranda
t
elevi
sion'
'
.
'
'Whi
cht
ype?'
'
.
'
'Cashoutsomemoneyf rom myaccountandj ust
buyanythi
ngtomyt aste.Iam i
nterestedinquali
ty
andnotquant
ity.Andeveryquali
typr oductisof
cour
se,ver
yexpensive.Don'tworryaboutt he
money.Spendasmuchasyouhavet oaslongasi t
i
squali
ty''
.
'
'Okaycool'
'
.Onecar
..
.andat
elevi
sion'
'
.
'
'Twocars.Andpl
ease,
regi
steri
tthenbr
ingone
workerf
rom t
heTVcompanyt ocomeandfix
ever
ythi
ngforme'
'.
'
'Okay'
'
.Ji
mmynodded.
'
'OkayMaj i
d.Thi
swher ewepar twaysbro''
.
Maxwellsai
dandwentcl osertohim onthebedand
embracedeachother.'
'Iwil
lcomevi si
tint
henear
fut
ure,
andhopefull
y..
.Imightstaylongerorfor
ever
'
'
.
'
'Ri
ght
..
.haveasaf
etr
ipman'
'
.
(Maxwel
landJimmywakesoutoft hechamberand
Maji
dwentbacktohissoftfl
uff
ypil
lowandburi
ed
hisf
aceini
tandstar
tedfall
ingasl
eepwhen
Sushi
m ent
eredandboweddown) .
'
'Goodmor
ningmyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Ohno.WhatnowSushi
m?Iwannar
estf
orawhi
le
'
'
.
'
'PleaseRi
shi
'
smot
heri
sher
ewi
tht
hemedi
cinef
or
yourscar'
'
.
(Hequi
ckl
ysatupandjumpedt ohi
sfeet
.Andhe
wasonlyi
nhisti
ghtboxershor
tsandhelookedhot
ashel
l)
.
'
'Rishi
'
smot
her
?Ohdemn. ..
whydidshecomej ust
now?Ohshi
tam notevenr
eady.
..
Imean,
Ijustwoke
upsohow.
..
.
'
'Youarethecr ownedPr i
nceafteral
lmyPri
nce.
Aft
ert
heKi ng'sorder
s,yourownor der
sar
ethe
mostrespectedintheentir
ekingdom.Youcan
makeherwai
tunt
ilyouar
eready'
'
.
'
'No.
.t
hati
sdi
srespect
ful
.Ur
rrmmm,
wher
eisshe?
'
'
.
'
'Sheishavi
ngawordwit
htheQueens.AndIwas
sentt
otel
lyout
hatshehadar
ri
ved''
.
'
'Okaycool
.Am gonnatakemybathnowand,then
youcanbri
ngherinher
e...
Ihopeshewi
llbeablet
o
meetmehere,
or?'
'.
'
'Whereveryouchooset
omeetheri
swher
eyouwi
ll
meetmyPr ince'
'
.
'
'Ri
ght'
'
.Hesai
dandwal
kedi
ntot
hebat
hroom.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
Cindyhel
dagl assofwine,
feel
ingr
estl
essand
holdi
ngherbrother
'sphoneinMrRaul'
sst udyr
oom.
Asshewai t
edimpat i
ent
lyt
ogetar epl
yf r
om Queen
Dorah,Maxkeptopeningdrawersandshelvesfor
books.Shelookedintot
hephoneanddi all
edMr
Raul'
snumberandpl acedi
tinherear.
'
'Hel
lo?MrRaul
?''
.
'
'Whoi
sthi
s?'
'
.Hi
svoi
cecamei
nheavy.
'
'Rel
axyour
sel
fokay?'
'
.
'
'Ci
ndy?'
'
.
'
'Yesi
tisme.It
'sbei
ngabel
ongt
ime.Iguessyou
ar
esti
lli
nhi
ding''
.
'
'Hi
dingf
rom what?Iam j
ustwai
ti
ngf
ort
heper
fect
momenttost
riket
hat'
sall'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?''
.
'
'Iam notgoi
ngtof
orgi
veMaj
idf
ortaki
ngwhati
s
mineandshooti
ngoneofmymen''
.
'
'Whatthefuck?!It
hinkhewast r
yingt
odefend
himsel
fsi
ncet heyprobabl
ytr
iedtoatt
ackhi
m.And
fort
hatgi
rl
,youcan'tblameMaji
dokay?She
brai
nwashedhim' '
.
'
'OhIt
hinki
t'
stheot
herwayar
oundl
it
tl
edamsel
''
.
'
'Don'
tyoudare.
..
don'
tevent
ryt
oat
tackMaj
idam
warni
ngyou''
.
'
'Andwhatwi llyoudo?Iam notletti
nghim snatch
mywife.Don'tcommandmeort ellmewhatt odo.I
haveam eyeinTuewhol eofUjaniandIknowwhat
goesonthere24hour sever
yday, Ihear
dMaj id
ki
ckedyououtoft
hepal
ace'
'
.
'
'Sowhat
?''
.Shef
rowned.
'
'Well
,i
tseemsyourluckwi
thhi
m hasfi
nal
lygone
downthedrai
ngir
l.Forme,
Iwil
lat
tackwhennoone
l
eastexpect'
'
.
'
'Iam her
eplanningawaytoseparat
ethosetwo
andyouareplanningi
nat
tacki
ng..
.Iam warni
ng
youMrRaul,i
fyouhurtMaji
dthen..
..
'
' Savetourthreatstothosewhohavef earinthem.I
wi l
ldowhatIwantandi fyoudarei
nvolveyoursel
f
then..
.Iwillayout oit'
'.AndCindydidn'
tgettosay
anythinguntilthecallwentoffanddisconnected.
'
'Ohgosht
hatst
upi
dman!'
'
.
'
'Nooneaskedyoutocal
lhi
m''
.Maxwel
lsai
dwhi
le
openi
ngsomebooks.
'
'Wel
lIt
houghtheWSti
llonmyside..
.t
hati
mbeci
le!
I
fhehur
tsMaji
dthenhewil
lregr
eti
t!'
'.
(
Fewsecondslat
er,
Nat al
yaar
r i
vedinthemansi
on
wit
hherbagsandaskedforCindy.Theguar
ds
l
eadedheri
ntoTuestudyroom andsheandCindy
embracedeachotherwhil
esheweptonher
shoulder
s.Sheshi
ftedherl
uggageasi
deand
greet
edMax.
'
'Maxwel
llef
ttheki
ngdom Ci
ndy.Hehasgonet
o
London'
'
.
'
'Hedoesn'tdeser
veyouNatalya.
..heisaf oolf
or
gi
vinguponyouandnotwai ti
ngt i
llweallwent
backtoget
herbecauset
hatishowi t
'sgonnabe.
Majidwil
lgobacktoLondonwi t
hus' '.
'
'Aftereveryt
hingthat'
shappened?Iwi
shyouwer e
atthebur ni
nggroundstosee.Hedeedeveryt
hing
forhiswife.Heisinlovewit
hhernow..
.howareyou
gonnabr eakthat
?''.
(Oneguar dent
eredthestudyroom andhandeda
pieceofpapertoCindyandl ef
t.Ci
ndyopenedt he
paperandgott oherfeetandwentthroughit.Her
facialexpr
essi
onchanged, buti
twast hatof
surpriseandhappi
ness).
'
'Ohmygosh...
thati
swhatIhavebei
ngwai
ti
ngf
or
al
lthi
swhi
le.
..Ican'
tbel
ievet
his'
'
.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'It
'sMaj id.Hehasbeingliedt oal
lhi
sl i
febyhi s
ownf ami ly.Guys,
canyoubel i
eveMajid'
sbi ologi
cal
motheri snott heonehethinsis?Hisbiological
motherhasbei ngdeadforliketwent
yf i
ve
years,eversincehewasbor n.HernamewasQueen
Meer ah''.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Yes!Ohmygoodness...Idon'
tthi
nkMajidhasany
i
deaofthi
s.Itwi
llbeabomb.QueenDor ahhas
alr
eadywr
itt
enherethatMajiddoesn'
tknow,doyou
knowwhatthatmeans?''.
'
'Butatbusi
nessdoyouevenhavewi
tht
hatQueen,
Ci
ndy?''
.
'
'Itdoesn'
tmatters,whatmattermostnow,ishowt o
makegooduseoft hisi
nfor
mat ion.Buti
nthelett
er,
shesaidIshouldn'tdoanyt
hingandt hatsheis
workingonit'
'
.
(Suddenly,Maxcl
earedhisthroat.Hewasmor e
thanshockedaboutsomet hi
nghesawi noneofthe
booksi nthest
udy.CindyandNat al
yaturnedt
ohis
direct
ionandMaat ookoutapi ct
urefr
om thebook
hehel
d).
'
'WhatnowMax?'
'
.
'
'Ci
ndyl
ookatt
his.
..
come'
'
.
(Shewalkedtowardsherbr
otherwi
thNat
alyaand
sawthepicturei
nMax'shands.HerWSopenedin
shock)
.
'
'Wai
t,
Maxi
sthatnotourdad?AndMrRaul
?''
.
'
' Wellyeah!That'
swhyIcall
edyoudummy!But,
I
don'tgetthis.
..
thi
spict
urel
ooksver
yold,
l
ikei
twas
takenmanyyear sago'
'
'
'Thatmeans,
ourf
atherknowsMrRaul
,how?
!''
.
..
'
'Wehavet
ocal
landaskhi
m''
.
(
Int
hepal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewasdonebat hi
ngandhedr essedupbutdidn'
t
wearashi rt
.Hesatinthemiddleofhi sbee,
wit
hhis
backr est
ingonthebed'shead.Therewasagent l
e
knockont hedoorwasopened.Ri shiandBhavna
enteredthechamberwithabasketofyel l
owand
greenherbs.Bhavnagotcloserwhi l
eRishiwas
behindandsheboweddown.
'
'Ar
eyour
eadynowmyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Yespl
ease'
'
.
'
'Okay'
'
.
(Bhavnasteppedasideandwentbesidesthetabl
e
nearthebedandr emovedasmal lmotarandpist
le.
Shestartedgri
ndingandmi xi
ngtheherbs,maki
ng
themedicine.Ri
shijustst
oodopposit
et he
bed,st
arri
ngatMaj i
dwhost ar
redbackather.She
tur
nedherf aceasideasshedidn'
twanthimt owink
ather).
'
' Iam donemyPri
nce.Ihavet
orobitf
astsoitgets
dr i
eduponyourscar
.That'
stheonl
ywayf ori
tto
takeeffect'
'
.
'
'Okay,
nopr
obl
em.Canyoul
eaveusal
oneRi
shi
?''
.
'
'Huh?'
'
.
'
'Canyouexcuseyourmot
herandI
?''
.
'
'Butwhy?
?!'
'
.Shef
rowned.
'
'Becausethati
swhatIwant
.JustdowhatIhave
askedplease'
'.
'
'ButIwantt
obeher
e''
'
'Ri
shi
!!
!'
'.Heshout
ed,
fei
gni
ngannoyance.
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
11:
58] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence10
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
'
'Ri
shi
!!
!'
'.Maj
idshout
ed,
fei
gni
ngannoyance.
(Rishipanickedali
ttl
e,l
ookingathi
m andthei
r
facesdi dn'
ttel
lanystor
y.Heremotionswenthigh
ast earsappearedinhereyes.Shesnif
fedand
wal kedoutofthechamberi nahurr
y,shut
ti
ngthe
doorbehi
nd.Bhavnawentcl
osedtoMaji
dandsat
onthebedbesideshi
m.Shedippedherr
ighthand
i
ntothemixtur
eandshestar
tedsmeari
ngitin
Maji
d'sscar
).
'
'Iam sor
ryf
orwhathappenedmot
her'
'
.
'
'Ohthatisnoti
mpor t
ant.
..
indeed,
awi
femustobey
herhusbandonalloccasi
on''
'
'Shel
ookedhur
twhenshel
eft
.Shei
smadatme.
Hmm '
'.
'
'Shewillgetoveri
t.Anyways,Idon'
tknowwhyyou
askedhertoleave,
butIthi
nkit
'sforagoodr
eason?
'
'.
'
'Iwant
edt
otal
kaboutMrRaul'
'
.
(Bhavnawastotal
lymarvel
edandcoul
dn'tsay
anythi
ng.Herhandsst
artedshaki
ngwhil
eattendi
ng
toMajid'
sscar)
.
'
'Whati
sitaboutMrRaul
?''
.
'
'Iknowever ythingconcerni
ngt hef
actthatRi
shi
's
fathertookli
tsofgoldcoinsfrom MrRauland
promi sedtogivehisdaughtertohimformarri
age''
.
(Bhavna'
semotionswenthighandshesobbedas
sherememberedMehoandcl eanedthet
earswhi
ch
wasnearlyabouttof
allout
).
'
'Thati
strue.He...
didal
lthat
.Andt heday,whenyou
sai
dMrRaulki dnappedRishi
's,i
treall
yscaredme
off
.ButmyPr ince,whydoyouwantust otal
kabout
i
t?Ateyou..
.angrythi
swaahi ddenfrom you?'
'.
'
'Iam notangryatyou.Iam sur
eyouhadnot
hing
t
odowi thit'
'
.
'
' Ineverknewt hatMehohadmadeadealwi thMr
Raul .Unti
lhecamet oourhouseonedaywi t
h
foodst uf
fsandmoney.Iwaspr egnantbythen.He
triedtoevent ouchmyst omach.SoIhi thi
shands
awayandki ckedhim outofthehouse.MehoandI
ar guedoveritandthatwaswhenIf oundoutabout
thedealhemadewi thMrRaul' '
.
'
' Iam awar
eofeverythi
ng.MrRaulcamehereto
seemeamont hagot owarnmet ogi
veRishit
ohim.
AndwhenIr ef
used,
he!adeadealwit
h..
..
someoneI
thoughtIknew.Andwell,youknowwhathappened
next''
.
'
'Iam veryworri
edmyPri
nce.Rishii
sal
lIhaveand
i
fanythinghappenedt
oherthen.
..
..
MrRaulisaver
y
dangerousmanandIam afr
aidofwhatheis
capabl
eof '
'
.
'
'Iwillnotl
etanyt
hinghappenedt
oherokay?I
n
fact
,Iam mostprot
ecti
veofhernowandMrRaul
shouldbeafrai
dofwhatam gonnadotohim''
.
'
' Promiseme.Nooneknowsaboutwhatwi l
l
happenedtomor row.Butmakeapr omisethatyou
wi l
lal
waysbet hereforhernomatterwhat.Sheis
fragil
emyPrince.Justmakeapr omisetoprotect
herandsoshewon' tgethurt
.Iam notabl
et odo
thatanymore''
.
'
'Yes.Sheismyresponsibi
li
tynow.Don'tthink
aboutherwel
lbei
nganymor e.Shedoesn'tknow
abouti
t.AndIthi
nkitIyourtr
uthtotel
lhersi nce
youethemother''
.
'
'Iwil
lrat
hershedoesn'
tfi
ndoutatallmyPri
nce.
Sheisalwaysgoi
ngtobeinthelookout,
feel
ing
scar
edandeverythi
ng''
.
'
'Ihat
ekeepi
ngsecr
etst
hough.Soofyoucan'
ttel
l
her,
Iwillj
usttellher
.Andassur
eherofhersaf
ety.
Andmakesur eshedoesn'thol
danyhar
d
feel
ings..
.j
ustleaveallt
hatt
ome''
.
(Bhavnanoddedandfi
nishedappl
yingt
he
herbs,
shestoodupandboweddown) .
'
' Iam donemyPr ince.Iwillbetakingmyl eave
backtot hekingdom now.Makesur eitdr
iesupand
keepitont hescartil
leveningwhenyoubat h.And
thenrepeattheprocesst omorrow.Iam goi ngto
l
eavet hemi xt
ureheresot heser vantsdoitforyou'
'
.
'
'Yes.Thankyou.Howl
ongwi
lli
ttakebef
oreIsee
i
mpr ovement
?''
.
'
'Thisherbisverystr
ongandpowerful
.Thescar
wil
ldisappearexact
lyint
hreedays'
'
.
'
'Thankyouverymuch!'
'
.Hesaidandgottohis
f
eet.'
'Ishoul
dgoandseeRishinow.So,
shal
lwe?'
'
.
'
'Yes'
'
..
.
(
Pri
ncessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
Shesatonherbedwi
thKushi
, openi
ngallgif
tsone
af
tert
heother
.Sheneversmi
ledthroughoutand
Kushiwashappilyopeni
ngandadmi r
ingallt
he
gi
ftsinhappi
ness.Shetookoneoftheboxesand
openeditanditwasanexpensi
vejewelrywhich
wasbadgedasagi ftfr
om t
hetri
beofLowa.I twas
di
amondear ni
ngsandanemer al
dnecklace.
'
'Rishi
,canIhavet hi
sone?I tlooksli
kemyt ype
okay?Hahaha' '
.AndRi shidi
dn'tanswerback.''
Ar e
yousti
llt
hinkingaboutPr i
nceMaj i
d?Whydon' tyou
gethappinessinopeningallthisbeauti
fulpar
cels?''
.
'
'Letmet
hinkokay?'
'
.
'
'Whatever.Forme,
allt
hegi f
tsweopenedarevery
beauti
ful
.Almostal
lofthem arej
ewelr
ies.Ei
ther
goldordi
amond.ThisisrichesRi
shi'
'.
'
'Idon'
tcar
eaboutal
lthi
s!'
'
.Sheshout
ed,
thr
owi
ng
apinkboxshehel
dontoTuefl
oor
.
'
'Heeey..
.Rel
axokay?Doyouhaveanyi deawhatis
i
nit?Whatift
hereisglassi
nit?Jeezzz.
..'
'
.Shesai
d
andpickedupthebox.Shestart
edopeningit
.
'
'Iwon'
ttal
ktohi
m.Whywouldheevenshoutatme?
Iwassohappytoseehi
mthi
smorningbutnow,I
don'
tevenwantt
oseehim'
'.
'
'Forgetthemat terandlet
'stal
kaboutwhatmat ter
s
most .Ihavedecidedtoexecuteourplantoday.I
wil
lintenti
onall
ygetclosertohim,
andi fi
tisgett
ing
di
ffi
cul t
,Iwil
lseducehim, makehimfalli
nl ovewit
h
meandgetever ysecretoutofhim''
.
(
Oneguar
dent
eredandboweddown)
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..Pl
ease,
Pri
nceMaj
idwant
stosee
younow''
.
'
'Woooow.
..Ri
shi
?''
.
'
'Tel
lhi
m Idon'
twantt
oseehi
m''
.Ri
shisai
dwi
tha
f
rown.
'
'What
..
.yourhi
ghness.
..
.
'
'Di
dyounothearmeorshoul
dImakemyvoi
ce
l
ouder
?''
.
(
Het
urnedandwal
kedoutoft
hechamber
).
'
'Ser
iousl
yRi
shi
?''
.
'
'I
fhethi
nkshei
stheonl
yonewhocanhur
t
me,t
henhei
sver
ymuchmi st
aki
ng'
'
.
(
Suddenl
y,Maj
ident
eredt
hechamberandcl
osed
thedoorbehind.Kushistoodupandl eftt
he
chamber,cl
osingthedoorbehi nd.Ri
shitookthe
pinkboxwhichwasl efthalfwayopenedbyKushi ,
acti
ngli
keMaj iddi
dn'texisti
nfrontofher)
..
..
.
(
Pri
ncessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
'
'Yourmotheraskedmet
osaygoodbyf
orher
.She
haslef
tthepal
ace''
.
(
Rishikeptsi
lencewhi
leopeni
ngt
hesmal
lergi
ft
s).
'
'So..
.what'sgoingonnow?Look, shef i
nished
appl
yingtheher bs''
.Hesaidandr aisedhisshirtt
o
showhert hescarbutshedi dn'tr
aiseherheadt o
l
ookathi m.''Rishi
?OhIgeti tnow,youain'teven
gonnatalktomenow.I sthi
syourwayofr evenge?
Thenit'
snotni ceatall'
'
.
(Hesaidandl
aughedoutl
oudbutRishisai
d
nothi
ngandkeptonopeni
ngthegi
ft
s).
'
'Alri
ghtam sor
ry.Ineededali
tt
leAli
neti
mewith
yourmum totacklesomeissuesandIneededt
o
excuseusbutyouwer eprovi
ngstubbor
nand
neededtohet
amedandt
hatwaswhyIshout
ed
okay?'
'.
(Thesi
lencewasnowbeginningt
obecome
awkwardandirr
it
ateMaj
id).
'
'Rishi
?Iapol
ogizedalready..
.whatnow?Areyou
si
lentmodenow?Al ri
ghtcool,t
henam gonnaleave
now.Whenyoudeci dethatyouwannat alkt
ome, an
gonnabein!ychamberor ..
.anywhereel
se''
.
(Heturnedtol eaveandashewasget t
ingclosert
o
thedoor,herealisedRishinevercal
ledhim back.He
didn'
thearhervoi ceandhewasshocked.Shewas
actual
lyandr eallymadathi m.Hewascr avi
ngto
hearhervoice.Hei ntenti
onall
yheldhistummyand
groanedinpai n).
'
'Ouch!Myst
omachhur
ts!'
'
.
(Rishiquickl
yraiserherheadtolookathi
m
standingclosetot hedoorandbentdown.Heused
thecor nerofhi
seyest olookather,
andandhe
madei tseem mor eserious.Shequi
cklyr
ushedt
o
hissideandhel dhi m)
.
'
'Ar
eyouokay?Maj
id!Ohgoodness.
..
whatdoIdo
now?'
'
.
'
'Wa.
..
wat
erpl
ease'
'
.
'
'Comef
ir
st'
'
.
(Shehel pedhim upandshepl acedhishandbehi nd
herwai stwhilesheplacedher sonhisshoul ders
andwal kedhi mtoherbed.Shescat t
eredt hegif
t
awayaway, makingspacef orhim.Shel ayedont he
bedandqui cklyt
urnedtohercool ertopourhima
glassofwat er.Helookedatherandsmi l
edbadly
l
ikehehadwi nalott
ery.Sheturnedtohi m andhe
quickl
yst oppedsmi l
ing.Sher ai
sedhisheadand
madehi m dri
nkthewat er.Buthestil
lkeptont he
sickfaceandsheputt hecupaway) .
'
'WhatdoIdonow?Thewoundisalr
eadyheal
ed,
so
howcanthescarhur
tyoul
iket
hat
?Mustitbethe
eff
ectoft
heherbs?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow'
'
.
'
'WhatdoIdonow?'
'
.
'
'Ki
ssme?'
'
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Pl
easeki
ssme.Thepai
nwi
llgoi
fyouki
ssmeI
swear'
'
.
(Ri
shit
henreal
isedt
hathewasonl
ypr
etendi
ng.
Shemadlygotupand
Maj
idal
sogotupandhel
dherhand)
.
'
'Ri
shiam sor
ry.Iwi
llnevershoutatyouagai
nI
pr
omiseandIswear.Pleaseplease!'
'
.
'
'Idon'
twantt
oli
stent
oitokay?Justl
eaveme!'
'
.
'
'Iwon't
.Besi
des,Iam t
heman,andifIsayf
orgi
ve
me,youmustfor
giveme.Icont
rolsi
nceIfoundthe
r
ingandeveryt
hing''
.
(Theybot
hl aughedastheyf
oundi
tfunny.Maj
id
pull
edherintoahug).
'
'Iam r
eal
lysor
rybaby.
..
.Iwon'
tdot
hatagai
n''
.
'
'Pr
omi
se?Doyousweari
t?Icr
ied'
'
'
'Imakeanoat
htohur
tmybabygi
rlagai
n.I
promi
se'
'.
(Theybot
hsatdownonthebedandstar
ted
openingt
hegi
ftst
oget
her,
star
ri
ngateachotheras
I
'
ditwast
hei
rfi
rstt
ime)
.
'
'So,
whatdi
dyout
alkaboutwi
thmymot
her
?''
.
'
'Aboutyourf
ather'
'
.
'
'Whatabouthi
m?'
'
.
(
Shetookaheavypi
nkbox.Shest
art
edr
emovi
ng
t
heparcelf
rom t
het
op)
.
'
'I
tiski
ndaawkwardbutiti
sbett
eryouknowwhat
t
heyhavebei
nghidi
ngfrom youal
lthi
swhil
e?'
'
.
'
'Don'tactawkward.
..I
tisnott
hatseri
ous.You
don'thavetoworr
yyourheadaboutthisatal
l.Iam
hereforyou''
.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
(Sheunwr appedt heboxandopenedt hetop.Just
then,
abl ackcobrajumpedoutt owar dsherfaceand
wrappedi tsel
fonherneckandr aisedit
shead
towardsher .Majidgotupandst oodst i
ll
.Rishihad
not i
met oscream outoffrightsinceital
lhappened
sofast.Hereyeswer eopenedsowi del
yandwas
sweating.Maj i
dwasf ocusedont hesnakeand
gaveRi shiaprotecti
onadassur inglook).
'
'Ma.
..
ohmyGod.OhmyGod.
..
am gonnadi
e''
.
(Thesnaket r
iedopeni ngitsmout htodevourRi shi
butMaj i
d'selephantnecklaceonherneckl ighted
upt oit
sfaceandbl indedit.Preventi
ngitfr
om
str
ikingandbi t
ing.Rishishiver
edlikeachicken.Her
heartwast hemostheavi est).
'
'Rishicont
rolyour
sel
f.
..
am gonnatakecareof
t
his..
.don'
ttal
k''
.Hesai
dandt ur
nedtoleave.
'
'No!Don'
tleavemeMaj i
d.Pleaseplease'
'.She
weptherheartout
.''
Iam scaredpl
ease..
..
'
'Iknowsweet heart.
..Iwi
llbeback.Iwil
ltakecar
e
ofthi
s..
.don'
tmovef rom t
here.Juststaysti
ll'
'
.
Majidquickl
yleftchamber.
(Ri
shir estedherheadont hebed'
sheadandst arr
ed
i
ntot hecobr a'seyeswhi l
ethecobrastarredbackat
her,
unabl et obit
e.Shecl osedhereyesver yhar d.
Herhai randbodywer eallwetandshewascover ed
i
nf ear.Thesnakej ustwi ndit
sheadbackandf ort
h
ather ,
l
ooki ngforapl acet obit
ebuttheneckl ace
wasst rongenough, preventi
ngthetragedy.Maj id
enteredthechambersomef ewmi nuteslaterwi t
h
Sushi m.Hehel daguni nhi shand.Hewal ked
closertoRi shianbehi ndt hesnakewhowr apped
i
tselfaroundherneck.Hecar ef
ull
ypoi ntedt hegun
atthesnake' shead.Hi shandshook, ast herewasa
possibil
itythebulletwoul dtouchRi shi.Rishi
openedhereyesandnoddedathi m.Hepul ledthe
tri
ggerandbl oodsplashedi ntoRishi'sfaceand
body.Thesnakewasdownont hebed, dead.
Sushi m quicklycarr
iedi toutandshegotup.Maj i
d
heldhercl oseandt ight.Squeezingheri ntot he
ti
ghtesthug.Herweaknesshadbecomevi siblenow.
Shel oosedher selfi
nt hehugast hebl oodonher
facedr i
edof fonMaj i
d'swhi t
eshirt
).
'
'I
t'
sokaynow.Wear
eokaynowsweet
hear
t''
.
'
'Howcant
hisbe?Howcansomeonedot
hisMaj
id?
'
'
.
'
'Comeon.
..
let
'
swasht
hisbl
oodof
f''
.
(Hecareful
lywalkedherintot
hebat hr
oom.He
removedhisshirtanddroppedit.Hewalkedher
undertheshowerandopenedi t.Theybothwent
underandbl oodcover
edt hef
loor.HegotRishiout
ofherdr essandwashedherf aveof fthebl ood.He
couldseeshewasst i
llshakingi nhi sar ms.He
droppedhi sfavedownt oherl ipsandki ssedher .
AsheWSwi t
hdrawi ngf r
om t heki ss,Rishipul ledhis
headbackandki ssedhi m mor edeepl y.Hegr abbed
herwai stwithtwost r
ongar msandpul ledheri n
mor ecloser.Theywer ebot hwetandhet urnedof f
theshowerwhi lestil
lkissingher .Hecar r
iedher
effortl
esslyandwentbacki ntot hebedr oom,
kissingher,wit
hherhai ralloverhi sf aceandbody.
Hebenthi skneedownont hebedandpl acedher
ont hebed.Hewi pedherchestwi thhist ongueand
shepi ercedhisbackwi thherf i
nger s.Her aisedt he
bedsheet stocovert hem andshepul ledhi mt o
her,unhookinghi sgoldenbel t
,removi nghi swet
meansandpul l
ingdownhi sboxer sasqui cklyas
shecoul d.Hewentcr azyandscat t
eredt hegi f t
s
awayf r
om thebedandt ookover .Heki ssedherl i
ke
ahungr yl i
onandshewel comedi tseduct ively.She
provedt ohimt hathewasn' ttheonl ybadone.Hi s
headmadewaydownherst omachandpl ayedher
bellybuttonwithhi stongue.Shepl acedherf ingers
i
nhi shai randhepul l
edi tdownherabdomenand
downt her e.Shegaspedandmoanedl oudl y.Her
l
egsst artedshaki ngasi fitwast hef i
rsttime.He
heldhersmoot hl egswhi l
est i
llwhi lehe
myst eriousl ydrewecst asyonherf acewi thwhathe
diundert hebedsheet s.Hepul ledhi sheadupand
shewasdr oopingwetandi npai n.Hecar ef ul
ly
penet r
at edandcover edhermout hwi thhi sr i
ght
hanashesackedherni pplesandt hrustedgent ly.
Shecr iedhi snamebuthervoi cewasn' thear das
hishandcover edheathi mrmout h.Hepul ledhis
headupf rom herbr eastt oherneckwhi lethrusting
andshesqueezedt hefleshofhi sshoul ders.Her
fi
nger s, onceagai n,herf ingerscutt hroughhi sskin
andbl ooddr ippedout .Hegr oanedi npai nshe
heardt hepai n,
buthewasn' tstoppi ngt hisf or
anythingi nt hewor ld.Hisst rengt hgotst rongeras
hisvei nsandmuscl esbecamevi sibleinhi sbody
ashist hrustgotst rongerandf aster.Star r
ingather
face,
shegothi shandawayf rom hermout hand
gaspedf orbr eath).
'
'Ma.
..
Maj
id!'
'
.
'
'Yeah?'
'
.Heanswer
edsl
ight
lyi
nawaywhi
chhi
s
breat
hwascutti
ngof
fbecausehewast
hrust
ing
hardinsi
deofher
.
'
'Ur
rrggghh!I
t'
syur
..
hur
ti
ng.Pl
e..
Pleeeeeeee
eeease.
.Aaaaah'
'
.
'
'Shhhh,
rel
ax,
am gonnast
op'
'
.
'
'No..No..
.don'
t.
.I.
..
ouch!YesMaj
id.
.Yes!Oh
goodness!''
.
(Feelingsgothei ghtenedandhi sarmsgr abbed
hers,pressingt hem ti
ghtl
y.Theybot hletthe
momentsl i
pawayandmoanedt ogether.Maj id
sweatf rom hi sfacetohischi nandf ellonherl ips.
Maj i
df aintedoverher ,embr aci
nghert ightlyasher
breastpr essedagai nsthischest .Theirhear t
beat
start
edsl owingdown.Her olledoffisherandsl ept
besidesher ,
holdingherstil
l.Hecar essedt hel i
neat
herback.Herheadf ellonhischestandhebr eath
throughherhai r).
'
'So.
..
whatwer
eyousayi
ngRi
shi
?''
.
'
'Not
hing'
'
.Shegi
ggl
ed.
'
'Ihavegotsomet
hingt
otel
lyou.Idon'
tthi
nkt
hisi
s
theperfectt
imebutIdon'twanttohi
deanythi
ng
from you.Yourmotherwasscaredtotel
lyou,
but
am gonnasayi tanyways''
.
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.
(
Maj i
dslowl
ytol
dherthewhol
estor
y.Ri
shiqui
ckl
y
r
aisedherheadandl
ookedathi
m).
'
'What
?!OhmyGod,
Ican'
t.
..Myownf
ather
?''
.
'
'Yes.Andthati
swhatl edt
oyourki dnapt
hatnight
.
Sonowyouknowt hewholetruth.Pl
easedon'
tcry
orhateyourf
ather
...
.Idon'
tthinkheknewwhathe
wasdoingbythen''.
'
'Mmmm. ..Don'tdef
endhim.Hedid.Iam scar
edof
whatmighthappenedlat
eron.Queenmotherwillbe
soashamed''.Shecri
ed.
'
'Ial
readyt
oldherandmymot hereveryt
hingandI
madetenunderst
andthati
twasn'tyourfaul
t.
..
baby
weareokaynow''.
'
'Maji
dhastoldmethis.Iam si
ckandti
redof
hi
dingthi
str
uth.Iwi
llt
ellhi
m now''
.Shethoughtto
her
self
.Maji
dyawnedi nasleepymode.Shelooked
upathim andhelookedupathim andhelooked
downather,smi
li
ng.Shefel
treal
lyguil
tyandkept
herheaddown.
'
'Heeey.
..Whati
sit
?Whyt
hesadf
acenow?'
'
.
'
'Maj
id,
ther
eissomet
hingIwantt
otel
lyounow?'
'
.
'
'Okay.
..
goahead''
.Hesai
dandyawned,
then
cl
osedhiseyes.
'
'Iti
ssomet hingIfoundoutnotlongago.Ir eal
ly
don'
tknowwher etostartf
rom..
.butIhavetot r
y.
Majid..
.QueenSheenai snotyourbiol
ogicalmot her
.
Thet r
uthis,yourmot herdi
edwhenshegavebi rthto
you.Hernamei sQueenMeer ah.Ia!Sosor rymy
l
ove...Pleasedon'tbemadatme. .
..
(Therewast otalsi
lencebet
weenthem.Rishir
aised
herheadt oseehi sfaceandhewasfargoneinto
thesleepingwor l
d.Heheardnot
hingthatshesaid.
Rishipull
edawayandsatupont hebedwi t
h
tears,
str
eami ngdownhereyesandstarri
ngathim).
'
'Aft
erfor
cingt
hetrut
hout ,
thisiswhatIget?Oh
Lor
d..
.Helpmewiththissecret.I
fIhavebecome
par
tofthi
s,hewil
lnevertr
ustmeagai n..
..
never
agai
n.Eveni
fit
'snotmyfault
,becausewear e
marr
iedandam notsupposedtohideanyt
hingfr
om
hi
m''.
(
Int
heser
vant
sdi
nni
ngr
oom)
.
Kushiint
enti
onall
yjoi
nedtheotherki
tchenmai dens
togoservefoodstoallt
heservantsi
nthedi nni
ng
hall
.Whichobviousl
yshockedmostoft hem
becauseshealwaysatewithRishi
.Thekitchen
maidssteppedoutofthekit
chenincl
udingPr i
ya
andKushi.
'
'Youar
egoi
ngt
ojoi
nusal
ltoeatt
oday?'
'
.
'
'YesPriya,whyar
eyousosur
pri
sedanyway?Iam
aservantheret
oo''
.
'
'Noyouar enot
.Youaremorel
ikepr
incessRi
shi
's
bestfr
iendsoever
yonetr
eat
syouli
keoneofthe
royalf
amily'
'
.
'
'Look,
Iam hungryokay.Andbesi
des,Ri
shii
swit
h
Pri
nceMaji
datt hemoment ,
Ihadtoexcuset
hem '
'
.
'
'Mmmm..
..
okay.I
t'
sni
ceofyout
ojoi
nusanyway.
..
wear
eal
mostther
e''
.
'
'Lor
dgi
vemestrengt
handtheperf
ectact
ingf
ace
t
okeept
hisani
nmygr ip'
'
.Kushit
houghtt
ohersel
f.
(Theyar r
ivedatt helar gedi nninghal landent ered.
Theent i
rer oom wasf ullwi t
hser vants.Themai ds
withthei rfacescover edwi thvei lsast raditi
on
demandsandt heguar dsi ntheirr oyaldemanded
andt heguar dsinthei rr oyaluni for m.Kushif el
tso
uncomf ortableast her ewer emanypeopl ebutshe
hadt odot his.Shewal kedbehi ndPr i
ya, holding
bowl soft oastedf l
atbr eadandt heyst ar t
edser ving.
Sher olledhereyest ower et heguar dshadgat hered
andspot tedShi vsitt
ingamongt heot her sand
chatting.SheandPr iyawal kedt owar dst hem and
sheconf identl
yser vedt hem t oast edbr eadwhi l
e
Priyaser vedt heveget abl esandot herf oodswi t
h
othermai ds.Shivr ai
sedhi sheadt ost areatKushi
whi l
eshest arredbackathi m.Hewasshockedt hat
shedi dn'tlookscar edatal lbuti nf ullconf i
dence.
Kushit ooksomecupsf rom abasketnearbyand
start
edar rangingoneeachi nfrontoft heguar ds
theyst oodi nf r
ont.Shet ookapotoutoft hebasket
andst ar t
edpour i
ngjui cei neachoft hcup.She
i
ntenti
onal
lydroppedthepotonShiv'
scup,maki
ng
i
tallpouri
ntohisclot
hesandspace.Hegasped
andquickl
ygottohisfeet
.Alleyesonthem).
'
'Whati
sthi
s?!Ar
eyoubl
ind?'
'
.Shi
vshout
ed.
'
'Ohgoodness,
am sosor
ry.
..
Iwas.
..
was.
..
'
' I
t'
sokayKushi
.AndyouShi v,
haveyoureal
ised
thisi
sKushi?Shei
sprincessRishi
'
ssist
erandyou
don'tt
alkt
hatwaytoher!'
'.
(Kushist
arr
edathim wi
thanevi
lsmil
eandhe
quickl
yreal
isedt
helookandf
rowned)
.
'
'Youi
ntent
ional
lydi
dthi
s,
didn'
tyou?'
'
.
'
'Butwhywoul
dshedot
hat
?!'
'
.Pr
iyacuti
n.
'
'OhshutupPriya!Don'
tgeti
nvol
ved.NowIhavet
o
gochange.Ser
vemyf ood,
Iwil
lbeback''
.
(Hewal kedawayandwentout .Kushitookabi t
eof
oneoft hebr eadanddashedoutsi
de.Shegotout
andf oundpl aceempty.Shel
ookedtoherleftand
ri
ghtandt herewasnosignofShivanywhere.She
quicklystartedwalki
ngtowar
dstheguard's
chamber ).
'
' Ohgoodnessnow. ..
nowIam goi ngtoent erinto
theguar dschamber .Intoal i
onsdenbecauseof
thatfool.IwonderhowIshoul dactwhenIget
there,si
ncei tisfor
biddenandever ything''
.She
openedi t
,l
ookingbehi ndherandent ered.She
closedt hedoorandgotcl osedthedoorandgot
closertot hemanyr ooms.Shi vopenedoneoft he
door sandst eppedout .Theybumpedi ntoeach
otheratt hedoorwayandbot hfel
lont hegr ound,
wi t
hKushif allingont opofhi m.Hedi dn'tr
ealiseit
washeratf irstsoast heyf el
l,
hegr abbedherwai st
stronglysoshewoul dn'tfal
loverandgethur t.Then
heopenedhi seyesandr eali
seditwasheront ooof
him.
'
'You?
!''
.
'
'Ur
rrmmm.
..
'
'Ar
eyoufol
lowi
ngmeorwhat
?Heygi
rl
..
.getof
fme
'
'
.Hesai
dinaged.
(HepushedKushiasi
dewhostartedbreat
hing
fasterandf
ast
er,
gaspingf
orbreathasifher
asthmahadcome.Inabsol
utefri
ght,
hebentdown
andhel
dherup)
.
'
'What
'swr
ong?Youhaveast
hma?'
'
.
(Kushinoddedherheadf
astandhel
dherchest
hard).
'
'Wa.
..
wa.
..
'
'Wat
er?'
'
.
(Shenoddedf astandShi
vwhoknewt hathewould
bei nabsolut
ehotwateri
fshedi edonhim.And
PrinceFarukwouldnotanythingtosavehim,
he
tookt ohi
sheelstogetwater.Kushist
oppedact
ing
andj ustl
aughedherheadoff).
'
'Ohwow. .
..
helooksli
kesomeonewhoactuall
yhas
aheart
.Imightbeabletobr
eakt hr
oughbyal
l
means.Iam goingtomakehim dowhatIwant.Let
t
hegamebegi n...
.
(Sheheardsomeoneappr oachingbackinto
doorwayfrom outsi
deandshewentdownagai n,
breat
hingfastandcoughingthroughitaswel l
.Shiv
enter
edthedoor wayandquicklygottowher eshe
l
ayedandspr inkl
edwateralloverherface.Hedid
thisrepeat
edl
yandfinal
ly,
sawthatherbreat
hwas
goingdown.Hehelpedhersitupandwatchedher
closelyasshecool
eddownf orawhil
e).
'
'Ohgosh,
Ithoughtyouwer
egoi
ngt
odi
eonme'
'
.
'
'I
sthatt
hebestt
hingyoucansayyouf
ool
?''
.
'
'Whatdidyouexpect?DoyouthinkIcar
eabout
yourorsomething?Whatar
eyoudoinghere.
..
huh?
Areyoufol
lowingmeorwhat ?'
'
.
(Kushigott
oherfeetandbeatof
fthedustf
rom her
dressandturnedt
ohisfrowni
ngface)
.
'
'Idi
dn'tknowwher eIwasgoi
ng.Iwasl
ost
.It
'sal
l
youneedt oknow.
.but.
.
'
'Butwhat
?''
.
'
'Thankyou.Youact
ual
lysavedmyl
if
eri
ghtnow
andam grat
eful'
'
.
'
'Idi
dn'tsaveyourlif
e,dumbgir
l.Isavedmyown
l
ifef
rom getti
ngintothehandsofther oyalf
amil
y.
El
setheymi ghtaccusemeofyourdeat h.WhenI
havenothingatallt
odowi t
hit'
'.
'
'Ohar
eyousur
e?Icoul
dhavet
oldt
oldQueen
mot her
.Makeupast or
yandt el
lheryouhavebei
ng
fol
lowingmeever ywhereandisthreat
eni
ngmeand
youknow, yourmast erFar
ukwoul dhavedone
nothingtosaveyou, youknowwhy?Becausehe
careslessaboutyouandal so,
hewouldget.New
guardandf riendanydayandanyt i
mesoon,af
ter
yourdeath''.Shecunninglygotint
ohishead.
'
'Sowhyhaven'
tyouaccusedmeyet
?''
.
'
'Becausemymot herdidn'
trai
semeupt obea
scam andevilmonklikeyouokay?Ihavenoevi l
i
ntentionsagai
nstanyoneandt hatiswhyIam not
afrai
doft omorr
ow.Wher easyou,youareevi
land
youbet t
erwatchyourback.Pri
nceFar ukwil
ltur
n
hisbackonyouoneday' '
.
(
Shesaidandwalkedaway.Leavi
ngShi
vtost
art
t
hinki
ngdeepandfeel
ingsorr
yforhi
msel
f)
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Sheent eredthesecretr
oom wher
eherf at
her
's
statuestood.Shechantedasusual,
makingher
fatherappear.Andthisti
me,
hedidn'
tlookconf
ident
l
ikeheusedt o.
'
'I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ghtf
ather
?''
.
'
'Yourdoom i
sget
ti
ngcl
oseDor
ah'
'
.
'
' Myowndoom?Butf at
her
,Ihaveever
ythi
ngunder
controlher
e.I
twon'tbemorethanaweekbefore
wegetr idofMaji
d,ki
llt
heki
ng,andt
henFaruk
takesoverever
y''
.
'
' Ohareyousure?Becauset hishasnever
happenedbefore.Iwashar nessi
ngmor epowers
from t
hemountai nsinothertoarr
estthespi
ri
tof
Ujani
'sgod.Thest upi
dHanumant hr
eatenedme
thatQueenMeer ahwi l
lsoonbef r
ee''
.
'
'Ohno!'
'
.
'
'Youforgotaboutthatpotdidn'
tyou?Youforgot
t
hatthereisabiggerprobl
em thangetti
ngri
dof
Maji
d.IfMeerahbecomesf ree,j
ustr
emembershei s
t
entimesst r
ongerthanyouandIputt oget
her''
.
'
'SoshouldIst
opreveal
ingt
het
rut
habouthi
s
mothert
ohim?''
.
'
'Yes.Thebookwillappeari
nMaji
d'schamberand
hehimsel
fwillf
inditouthi
msel
f.Iwil
ltakecar
eof
that.Afterhefi
ndsthetr
uth,t
hati
swhenIwi llstar
t
control
linghim.Hehasgivenhisprotect
ive
necklacet ohi
swi f
ebecausesheloosedhers.Itwil
l
beeasi ertopossesshi
m now.ThenwhenIent er
hisbody. .
.Imysel
fwil
lgetint
othatchamberand
bringthepot''
.
'
'Whatwi
llwedowi
thi
tthen?'
'
.
'
'Wewi l
ltakei
tdeepintot
hemount ai
nst
oti
eher
spi
ri
tforgood.Sothatshecanneverbef
oundnor
beathreattous'
'.
'
'Ohf
atherwow!Youar
eageni
ussowhyt
hatf
ace?
'
'
.
'
'Ifeell
ikeFarukwi
llbeki
ngsoon..
.sost
artt
he
at
tackont hekingl
ikeweplannedi
nthepast
.Thi
s
i
sthebegi nni
ngoftheend''
.
(
Theyl
aughedmani
acal
ly)
..
.
.
Dropyourcommentoneachepisodeyouread...
Youwillonl
ymakemetoabandont hi
sstoryifyou
can'
tdropanycomment,
andifyouyoual ways
commentnextonmypost,ki
ndl
ystopi
torIwi
ll
havenochoi
cethant
oblockyou.
[
01/
23,
11:
58] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence11
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
heeveni
ng=Pr
incessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
Theywer ebothsohappythatKushipul
ledthrough
withheracti
ngtowardsShivaft
erKushiexplai
ned
everyt
hingtoher.Shetookali
tt
leboxfr
om under
thei
rbedandhandedi toverKushi
.
'
'Ihavehavekeptt
hepoti
nher etomakei tsaf
er.
Wear ej
ustoneweekawayfrom PrinceFaruk'
s
weddingandwemusttakethistothepri
est
Chanakhert
omor
roweveni
ngokay?'
'
.
'
'Whynott
hiseveni
ng?Wehavenot
hingdoi
ng'
'
.
'
'Maj
idaskedmet
ogot
ohi
schambernow'
'
.
'
' Youtwoar ej
ustj
otgivi
ngwear oundyouany
spaceatall.Youar
elit
eral
lyspendingal
lthedays
together'
'
.
'
'Kushimydearfr
iend,
whenyour
eacht
her
e,you
wil
lunder
stand'
'
.
'
'Lookatt
hisidi
otwhoIusedtof
oolwi
thyest
erday
t
reati
ngmelikeachi
ldnow''
.
(Theybothl
aughedandRi
shil
eftt
hechamberwhi
le
Kushitookt
heboxinsi
det
hedressi
ngroom)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewasdr yinghimselfofff r
om thewet nessofhis
eveningbath.Jimmyhasr etur
nedint heafter
noon
withhiscarsandt elevisi
onhewant edand
everythi
ngwasf i
xedf orhim.Afterdryinghimsel
f,
hewenti ntohisdressingr oom.Rishient er
edthe
chamberandcl osedthedoorbehi nd.Shewor ea
heavysar eeinthecolourofgr eenandhadl ef
ther
hairdown,justli
keMaj idwant edi t
.Shel ooked
aroundandwassur prisedatthenewr enovat i
onas
therewasat el
evisi
on,am aircondi t
ionandsome
othermoder nthingsshehadneverl aidhereyeson
before.Shejustqui etl
ysatont hebedandMaj i
d's
phonesuddenl ybeepedl oudly.Shet urnedherhead
andl ookedatthescr eenbutt herewasal ockoni t
whichshehadnoi deawhyt hephonebeepedor
howi twasused.Maj idcamei ntothebedr oom and
tookhisphone.Hebentdownandki ssedherhar d
ont heli
psandl if
thi mselfupt owearhi sni ghtshi
rt
checkingonhi sphone.
'
'Whati
sal
lthi
snewt
hingsi
nyourr
oom?'
'
.
'
'Youwon'
tunder
stand'
'
.
'
'Thenteachme.Youdidn'
tgr
owuphereobvi
ousl
y
andIwanttolear
nali
tt
leaboutwher
eyouwere
broughtup'
'.
'
'Likeseriousl
y?Becausetherei
snothi
ngr eal
ly
specialaboutLondon.Justthef
reedom andtoo
muchf un.Youcan' tf
orcepeopl
etodowhatt hey
wantovert her
e..
.youknowwhatImean?' '
.
'
'Li
keyouwer
efor
cedt
omar
ryme?'
'
.
'
'Whatthefuck?!Ri
shiwhatar
etoyt
ryi
ngt
odo
now.
..
arguewithme?''.
'
'Iam j
ustaski
ngaquest
ion'
'
.Shesai
dinnocent
ly.
'
'Welli
twasn'tthatniceofaquesti
onokay?So
pl
ease.
..
don'trepeatthatst
atement'
'.Hesai
dwit
ha
l
it
tl
eangerinhi stone.
'
'Iam sor
ry.
..
Iam.
..
please,
j
ustmovef
rom t
her
e''
.
'
'Themarri
agewasar
rangedal
ri
ght
.Butar
ewe
cr
yingnow?''
.
'
'No.
..
(Thephonebeepedloudlyagai
nandhecheckedi t
.
Suddenly,
therewasanawkwar dsi
lenceint
he
chamberasMaj i
dreali
seditwasanothermessage
from Ci
ndy).
'
'THEREISSOMETHI
NGSTRANGEIJUSTFOUND
OURABOUTYOUANDYOURFAMI LYMYLOVE.I
WISHYOUWOULDMEETMEATTUEKI NGDOM'S
STREAM TOFI
NDOUT..
.IWANTTOATLEAST
MAKEUPFORMYMI STAKESBYTELLI
NGYOU
THETRUTHABOUTWHATTHEYAREHI
DING
FROM YOU'
'
.
'
'They?Whatt
he..
.Iknowherfart
oolong,
shejust
wantsmyatt
enti
onam sure''
.Maji
dthought
.
'
'Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.Ri
shiasked.
'
'Yeah.
..
'
'Er
rMajid,
Iam j
ustgoi
ngt
osl
eepbyyourai
de
t
onightr
ight
?''
.
'
'Whydoyouask?'
'
.
'
'Well
..
.Idon'
tknowwhyyoucal
ledmet
ospendt
he
ni
ghtwithyou,
that
'swhy'
'
.
'
'Stopbei
ngsof or
malandeveryt
hing,youar
emy
wif
efordemnsake!Thisi
swhathusbandandwi fe
mustdo.Sleepnextt
oeachother
,kiss,
hug,
cuddl
e,
smoochandhavel ot
sofsexbaby..
.
(Hecr awledt
owardsheronthebedandlaughing
together,
helayedonheronthebedandhet hrew
thephoneasideandeffor
tl
esslyt
orehersareein
stri
ps).
'
'Maj
id!'
'
.Shegr
oanedashet
oreherdr
ess.
'
'Whaaat.
..youhavealotofiti
nyourwar
drobe.
..
Thi
sisjustapieceofcakedarl
ing'
'
.
(Hegott hesareeoffherbodyandt herewasal i
ght
shor tdressunder.Hecoul dseeherf l
esh
under neaththatgarmentandi tdr
ovehi minsaneas
i
fhewasseei ngherbodyf orthef
irstti
me.He
smel ledherscentandashebr eat
hagai nsther
skin,shewr appedherl egsar
oundhi swaistand
pulledhi m downt oher.Hechuckl
edandki ssedher
neck.Heki ssedunderherchinwhileher emoved
thatsameshi rthejustputon).
'
'Maj
id.
.Maj
idwai
t.
..
'
'Whatnow?'
'
.
'
'Pl
ease.
..
justdon'
thur
tmet
hist
ime.
..
ithur
t.
.I
swear'
'
.
'
' YeahbabyIknowi thurt
s,thati
swhywemustdo
thiseverysecondofeverydaysoyougetusedtoi t
.
Youwi llr
eali
seyouwi l
lbetheoneaskingf
orit'
'
.
Maj i
dlaughedashesai dthat,
makingherl
aughalso.
(
Ashewasi nt
hemoodandshewasal soreadyand
wasaboutt
oproceed,
hisphonebeepedloudly
againandagai
n.Hisfacet
urnedredoutoffuryand
gotoffRi
shiwhosatupont hebee,
looki
ngathis
back.Hwtookhisphoneandswitchediton)
.
'
'YOUMAYTHI NKIAM LYI
NGMAJID.IKNOW
TOURFAMILYHASALREADYBRAI NWASHEDYOU
AGAINSTME,BUTWHATTHEYHAVEDOMETO
YOU,I
SWORSETHANYOUCANEVERI MAGINE.I
HAVEALREADYFOUNDOUTTHEI RBIGGEST
SECRETWHICHYOUHAVEN' TEVENFOUND
OUT,ANDI
TISALLABOUTYOU.IKNOW YOU
HATESECRETSTHATISWHYIAM WI LLI
NGTO
TELLYOUEVERYTHINGNOW.BELIEVEMEAND
MEETMEMYLOVE.YOUWI LLBESHOCKED''
.
'
'Maj
id,
whoi
sit
?Whydoyoul
ooksoser
ious?'
'
.
'
' Ci
ndy.Idon'
tknowwhatshewantsfrom me.AndI
don'twanttobeamonsterbyt
hrowingheroutof
thekingdom mysel
f''
.
'
'Whatisshesayi
ng.
..
whydidn'
tyout
ellmeyou
havebei
ngheari
ngfr
om her
?''.
'
'BitIj
ustt
oldyou.Andalso,
Ihavenot'being
heari
ng'fr
om herli
keyoumakei tsound.Shehas
bei
ngt
ext
ingmebutIdon'
trepl
yher'
'
.
'
' Idon'
tunderstandanyt hi
ngyouar esayingMajid
andIhonest l
ydon' tcaretounderstand!Ij
ustwant
toknowt his.
..
whydoest ourfeel
ingchanget owards
mewheni tcomest oher?'
'.Hervoiceshookand
tearsfel
louthereyesf reel
y.''I
fyoustil
lli
veher
moonsecr etl
y..
justsayso!Andl etmeknow, maybeI
am yoursecondbest ,
andIcanknowmypl ace''
.
'
' What?No.Idon'
tli
veCindy!Rishi
,youbett
erst
op
thinki
ngofthi
skindofthoughtsbeforeyoumake
yourjeal
ousycreat
eproblemsf orus''
.
'
'Iam notj
eal
ous!'
'
.Shescr
eamedathi
m and
wipedhert
ears.
'
'Ohyeah?Ohreal
ly.
.So.
.i
tmeans,
youdon'
tcare
ri
ght
?Youwon'tcarei
fmysecondmarri
agetakes
pl
acesoonri
ght?'
'.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Orhaveyoufor
gott
en?Thatthekingissupposed
t
omar r
ythreewi
ves.
..aanndd.
..
am thefut
ureki
ng?
'
'
.
(Shef ol
dedherar mswi t
haf r
ownandt urnedher
backathi m.Hechuckl edandt ur
nedhi sphoneoff
.
Het henrelaxedont hebed.Rishireal
isedher
sil
enceisgoi ngtocauseherownpr oblemssoshe
turnedherf acetolookathim whowasal r
eady
starri
ngather )
.
'
'Youdon'tdar
etel
lmethatagain.Youcannott al
k
tomeanyhowyouwantMaj i
d!Idon'tevenfeel
yourli
veanymore.
..
whyareyouplayingwithmy
feel
ings?'
'
'
'OhLor
dcomeon.Ri shi
,st
opbei
ngachildal
ready.
It
rul
ydoloveyou.Can'
tyouseei
tinmyeyes?You
ar
ethel
oveofmyl i
feokay?Il
oveyou.
..
.
'
'Sowhataboutt
het
wowi
vescomment
?''
.
(Hepul
ledhrcl
osetol
iewi
thhi
m ont
hebedand
car
essedherhai
r)
.
'
'Nomatterhowmanywi vesam gonnamar
ryRi
shi
,
youwi
llbemysoul .YouaremyoneandonlyQueen.
Andourson,wi
llbekingafterme''
.
'
'Haha.
..
youar
eal
readyt
hinki
ngofason?'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
yousee?Thati
swhywemustmakelove
more.
..
comeonbaby,wher
edi
dwestop?'
'
.
(Shelaughedoutl oudasher oll
edont opofherand
coveredt hem wit
hbedsheet s.Butal i
ttlefarfr
om
them,thereisatabl edr awernearoneoft he
couchesi nt her
oom andont hattabl
e, abook
suddenlyappear edont opofi t.Abigbook.Whi ch
containedt hehi
stor yofUj aniandt heirstrengthand
thei
rkingsandqueenswi ththeirchil
dr en.The
drawerint hetableopenedupmyst eri
ousl y,
controll
edbyagr eatf orce.Thebookf elli
ntothe
drawerandshuti tselfclosed).
(
Int
hepal
acegat
her
inghouse)
.
Thissmal lhousei swher emostpart
iesand
cel
ebr at
ionswer ehel d.I
thadnotbeingopenedf or
awhi leandthatwast heroom QueenDor ahhad
chosenf orFarukandPr i
ncessRagaht oget
mar r
iedin.Inthisnightwerethegoodmi ndswere
asl
eep, t
hatwaswhent hedevi
lswerealsoplotti
ng.
Pri
nceFar ukdi sguisedhimsel
fintoaguar dand
enteredtheroom wi t
hShivandtwoot herguards.
Theyputont heirl
ampsandsl owlygott othe
middleoftheroom.Undert
hebigchandel
ier
hangingatthetopoft
heroofi
ng.Theyl
ookedup
theybigl
ightandsmil
ed.Pri
nceFarukl
ookedint
o
hisgarmentandtookoutaknif
eandhandeditto
Shiv.
'
'Doyourj
ob'
'
.
(
Shivfel
tdi
ff
erenti
nhisbodyandali
ttl
egui
lt
.
Wonderi
ngwhethertot
akethekni
feornot
).
'
' Hehasusedmeforfart
ool
ong.Andhewon't
evenhelpmewhenIneedhim.Iwi
llendupbei
ng
thedyingdog!'
'
.Het
houghtt
ohimselfi
nanger
.
'
'Shi
v''.Far
ukshouted.'
'Whatareyouthinki
ng?I
am r
oyaltyandIam supposedtobesleepingby
nowyoui di
ot!ButIdeci
dedtofoll
owyouher eso
youdon'tmakeanymi st
akesthisti
me.Mypl ans
musttakeseedthisti
mearound.Nowt aketheknif
e!
'
'.
'
'YesmyPri
nce'
'
.Herepl
iedandt
ookt
hekni
fe.'
'
Whatdowedofi
rst
?''
.
'
'Ther
eisabi
gropehol
dingtheli
ght
sup.Ithas
bei
ngjoi
nedt
oLordPar
vati
'sstat
uebehi
ndt hi
s
wal
l''
.Hepoint
edatthewallwher
et her
ewasan
i
ncenseburni
ngwithtr
aysoflant
erns.Looki
nglike
analt
ar.'
'Gowit
hthisguar
dsandcutt herope.I
tis
astr
ongandheavyropesoyouwi l
lneedtheirhelp'
'.
'
'Whathappensaf
terIcuti
tmyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
' I
twillmaket hechandel ierweakerf r
om hangi ngat
thetop.Soatmyweddi ng,wear egoingt oarrange
forthecr ownedPr i
nceandhi swi f
e,oranyonehe
prefertodancewi th..
.goundert hechandel ierto
dance,thatwi l
lbet hedancef loor.Thenast heyare
dancing,you,Siv..
.andt heot herguar dswoul dgo
behindt hewal lsandsett hecutr opef reefrom the
statue,andt hechandel i
erwi l
lcomecr ushingdown
onmybel ovedbrotherMaj i
d..thenRI P.Hei s
gone...andwon' texistanymor e''.
'
'Ohmygoodness.Pr i
nceFarukisruthl
ess.Iam
starti
ngt ofeelbad.AndIhaver eali
sedthatIdon'
t
wantPr inceMaj i
d'sbloodonmyhands.Ineedt o
askf orhelpfrom someone.Becausei fPri
nceMajid
diesandt hereisani nvest
igat
ion,Iwil
lbecaught.
Andwhenam caught ,
Iknowf orsurePri
nceFaruk
willbetr
aymeandl eavemet odie''
.Hethought
har
d.
'
'NowgoShi
v!Go.
.not
imet
owast
e..
.hur
ry!'
'
.
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.Heandt
heot
herguar
dsl
eft
.
'
'Mymot herwi
llbepr
oudofmenow'
'
.He
sai
d,smi
li
ng.
(
NextDay=I
ntheki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
Bot hbrotherandsist
erst oodwaiti
ngf ortheirfat
her
toanswert hecal
ltoaskhi m abouttheirdiscovery.
Cindywasnotr eal
lyconcent r
ati
ngont hatbut
busilytryi
ngMaj i
d'st
hr eenumber sbutt herewas
noanswer .Itwasactuall
yswi t
chedof f
.Thei rfat
her
fi
nal l
yanswer edMax'scal l
sandhi svoicecame
through.
'
'Hel
loMax'
'
.
'
'Hidad.
..
Cindyi
sher
e''
.
'
'Ohmypr
incess.Putheront
hephone,
Imi
ssher'
'
.
(
Maxhandedt
hephonet
oCi
ndy)
.
'
'Heysugar'
'
.
'
'Ci
ndymydear
.Howar
eyou?Whenwer
eyou
pl
anni
ngt
ocal
lme?'
'
.
'
'WhenIgotagoodnewsdad.Butal
lmydr
eams
ar
eshat
tered'
'
.
'
'Thatisnotwhywecal
ledhim Ci
ndy.Canyouj
ust
t
ellaboutwhatwef
ound?''
.
'
'Therei
ssomethingyoushouldknowdad.The
houseIam cur
rentl
yli
vingi
n,bel
ongstotheman
whotookcareofMajid.Andwesaw,yourpict
ure
here'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Api ct
ureofyouandt
heman.I tlookedl
ikeanol
d
pict
ure..
.weweredumbfoundedandwewant edt
o
askyouabout..
.Whatr
elati
onshipdoyouhavewith
anIndianman?HisnameisMrRaul' '
.
(
MrBlakekeptsi
lenceforalongt
imeont
hephone.
Hi
sface,
burni
ngwi t
hrage).
'
' YoufoundMrRaul?Final
ly!Afterf
if
tyyears
searchingf
orthatsonofabitch!Iam comingto
IndiaandIwil
lmakehim payf orbetr
ayi
ngme' '
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'MrRauli st hemanwhobet r
ayedandst olemy
hardear nedgol df rom me. .
.t
hemanwhomademe
hateI ndianswi thpassi on.Mygr eat estenemy.He
i
st her easonwhyyourgr andpar entsdi edCi ndy.
Myf atherspental lhismoneyt ogetmet r
avel
abroadt odealwi thgol d.It raveledt omany
count riesandmetMrRauli nJapan. .
.wher ethey
harbourgol dandot herr esour ces.Wemadeadeal
towor khandi nhandapar t
ner sandexpor tgold
from ar oundt hewor l
d, ont hecondi ti
ont hatint he
end,wewi llallhavef airshar eoft hepr of it
.Butt hat
bast ardbet rayedme.Hepoi sonedmewhent he
dealwassetandst ol
eal lmygol di ncludi ngthe
moneywemadet ogetherf ortwent yyear sof
wor kinghar d.Iwasr ushedt ot hehospi taland
almostdi ed,myf at herwasal r
eadydi agnosedwi t
h
cancerandwhenhehear daboutt henews, hedi ed.
Mymum di edoft hinkingandIwasar restedandput
behindbar sf orfiveyear sbecauset hecompany
foundoutt hatMrRaulandIwer emaki ngsecr et
dealsbehi ndt heirbacks.ButMrRaulwasnowher e
tobef oundsoIr eceivedt hepuni shmental one.
WhenIgotoutofj ail
,
myl ifewascompl etel
y
destroyed.Ihadt obegont hestreetstomakeends
meet .Luckil
yf orme...
Igothi r
edasadr iverforone
ofthemostdi sti
nguishmini st
ersofLondon.Iwas
l
oyalt ohim.Hi sdaughterandIf el
linloveandhe
decidedt osuppor tusandi ntr
oducedmei nt
o
poli
tics.Thatwaswhyhel efteveryt
hingt omeand
hisdaught erafterhedied.Wegotmar ri
edandI
earnedapl acei nthegovernmentofLondonandwe
madeaf ami l
y,shegavebi rthtoyourbr ot herand
you.ButIhaveneverf orgottenmyt hirstf orrevenge
i
fIeverf oundMrRaul .Now, karmahasf inall
yf ound
himf orme' '
.
'
'Ican'
tbeli
evet
his.Andwear
est
ayi
ngi
nhi
s
house?'
'.
'
' Keepstayingther
e.Don'tgoanywhere.Iwil
lbe
thereinthreedays.Iwi
llbether
ei nthr
eedays.And
donott el
lasoulaboutmyar ri
val.Iwil
lbri
ngmen
wi t
hmet oat t
ackhisri
ches''
.
'
'Okayt
hen.Seeyousoon'
'
.
(
Shehangedup)
.
'
'Wemustactal
lnor
malnott
oletanyonesuspect'
'
.
Maxsai
d.
'
'Don'
tworr
y.Iam concer
nedwit
hMaj i
dt hanour
f
ather
'sr
evenge.Hecantakecar
eofhimsel f
.Al
lI
wanti
stogetbackwithMaji
dandlet
'sallgoback
t
oLondon''
.
(
Int
hepal
ace=Pr
incessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
Kushihadgonef orherbreakfastf
rom theki tchen
andwaswal kingtothechamberwi ththef oodona
tr
ay.Shef el
tsomeonef ollowingherandshe
hurri
edinf r
ontofthechamberandopenedt hedoor
whenShi vcameoutofnowher eandgr abbedher
andlockedf rom t
heinside.Kushiknockedhi m wi th
herelbowandsheputt hef oodonat ableinf rontof
her.Shepickedagl assofwat erandthrewi tonhi m.
'
'Heeey.
..
rel
ax!'
'
.
'
'Yout
ellmewhatyouar
edoi
ngher
edog?
!''
.
'
'Justr
elax!Iam onl
yher
etot
alk.Nothur
tyou'
'
.
'
'Ohofcourse,
andt
hatiswhyyougrabbedmewi
th
f
orcer
ight
?!Getoutnowbefor
eIshout''
.
'
'Ij
ustwantt
otal
ksor
elax!'
'
.
'
'Idon'
twantt
oheari
t!'
'
.
'
'Eveni
fiti
nvol
vesamur
derconspi
racyagai
nst
Pri
nceMaji
d?''
.
'
'What
?!.
..
..
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewast hef irsttoopenhi seyes.Hepul l
edthe
bedsheetasi deandgotup.Het ookhi snightshorts
from thef l
oorandwor eit,andwal kedcl osertot
he
wi ndowt odr awt hedrawt hebi gcurtains.He
suddenl yremember edCi ndy'smessageabouthi s
fami l
y,hidi
ngf r
om him.Het urnedt ohisbedand
starredathi swi f
esleepingpeacef ul
ly.Sheopened
hereyesandyawned.I twasbr ightinthemor ni
ng
andt heyhadsl eptforsol ong.Shequi cklysatup
andsmi l
edathi m.Shet ookherl i
ghtdr essf r
om the
fl
oorandpl acedi ton.
'
'Maj
id.
..canyouasksomeonet
ogetmeasar
ee
f
rom mychamber?''
.
'
'Yeah''
.Hewalkedtot
hedoorandopenedit
.Ther
e
wasSushim,st
andingt
hereandheaskedhimtogo
getasareef
orRishi
.Heboweddownandl ef
t.
Maj
ident
eredback.
'
'Howar eyoutoday?''
.Rishiaskedasshewalked
cl
osertohimt ocheckhisscar.'
'Themedici
neis
worki
ngfast.Thescarisdisappeari
ngl
it
tl
ebyl i
tt
le
'
'.
'
'Yeah.ShesaysIshoul
drepeati
ttodayt
oo.Wi
ll
youdoitforme?'
'.
'
'Ofcour
se.Whynow?'
'
.
'
'
ButIhavet
obat
hfi
rst
.Wi
llyoubat
hwi
thme?'
'
.
'
'Yes.I
fyouwant'
'
.
'
'Whywoul
dn'
tIwantt
hat
?''
.
(Theybot hwentt otakeabat handr eturnedt othe
andr etur
nedt othebedr oom.Rishi '
snewsar eewas
alr
eadyl yi
ngont hebed.Theydr essedupt ogether
andMaj i
dlayeddownandsheappl iedt hemedi cine
onhisscar .ButMaj i
dcoul dn'
tst opt hi
nkingof
Cindy'smessagel astnight.Rishi'scouldseehi s
mindwasn' twi t
hher .Somemai dsent eredand
washedMaj id'
sfeetandser vedt hem br eakfastand
l
eft.Theyst art
edeat i
ngandMaj iddeci dedt okeep
hi
smindawayfr
om hi
sthought
sandconcent
rat
e
onhi
sbeaut
if
ulandl
ovel
ywife)
.
'
'Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oteachmeaboutf
orei
gnst
uffnow?
'
'
.
'
'Whynot
?Whatdoyouwannaknow?'
'
.
'
'Thatt
hingont
hewal
l'
'.
'
'I
tiscal
ledat el
evision.Ther
emot
eisi
nthe
dr
awer..
.Iwi
llgetit''
.
(Hegotupandwalkedt
othedrawerandopenedi
t.
Andtherei
twas.Thebi
ghist
orybookofUjani
.Li
ve
andcolour
ed)
[
01/
23,
11:
58] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence12
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Majidtookoutt hebook,confusedbecausehehad
neverseeni tbefor
e.Hepl aceditintopofTue
drawerandt ookoutt heremote.Het urnedand
facedthetelevisi
onandswi tcheditonwi ththe
remote.Rishifini
shedeatingandcover edt he
remainingfoodont hetrayandpl aceditaside.She
pull
edMaj idclosertoherandl ookedatt heremote.
Thetelevi
sioncameonandt herewasanewsoni t
from t
hecity.
'
'Sohowdi
dyouswi
tchi
ton?'
'
.
'
'Ipr
essedt
her
edbut
tonatt
het
oo.
..
see?'
'
.
'
'Yes'
'
.
'
'I
tisthesamepl
aceyougonnapr
essi
fyouwanna
swi
tchiton'
'.
'
'Well
..
.okayboss.Sowhatel
sear
eyougoi
ngt
o
showme?' '
.
(
Hewasaboutt
osaysomet
hingwhenhi
sphone
rungloudly.Het
ooki tandwal
kedtot
hedrawerand
answeredi t
.Heplaceditonhi
searwi
thangerand
whispered).
'
'Whatthef
ucki
swr ongwit
hyouCi
ndy,
Iswearyou
don'
twantt
oseethebeasti
nmeokay?'
'.
'
'Maj
idl
ist
en.
..
'
'Ihaveki
ckedyououtofmyl
if
eso.
..
leti
tst
ayt
hat
way''
.
'
'Atl
east
..
.meetmeatt
her
iver'
'
.
(Maji
dlookeddownatt
hedr
awerandopenedt
he
book).
'
'Meetyout
hereforwhatgoodreason.
..
whatwere
yout
alki
ngaboutlastni
ghti
nyourmessage?'
'.
'
' Youwi
llbeveryint
erest
edt
ohearitf
rom mei
n
personMaji
d.Itisnotsomet
hingyoucant
akeon
thephone''
.
(Maj
idstar
tsthi
nkingdeepwholelooki
ngint
othe
bookandscroll
ingthr
oughandsuddenlysees
somethi
ngveryshocking.Hi
seyesnarrowsashe
sawpict
uresofQueensandpi ct
uredofbabi
es
undert
hem)
.
'
'Whatt hefuck?''
.Hehangedupt hephoneand
l
ookedcl oselyatthepictur
esandnames.' '
Queen
Gayatri
,themot herofPrinceShaker.Queen
Kara,t
hemot herofPrincessRowaandPr i
ncess
Kazia.QueenDor ah,t
hemot herofPrince
Faruk..
..
QueenSheena, motherofPrincess
Lakshmi .
..'
'
.
(Maj
id'
sl i
psshookandhebegunt osweat.Hebi
t
hisl
ipshardandt ar
sdrai
nedouthiseyesfr
eel
yas
hesawt helastnameinthecor
nerofthebook)
.
'
'Que.
.Queen.
..
..QueenMeer
ah,mo.
.mot
herof
Pri
nceMaji
dthecrownedPri
nce?
??'
'
.
(Rishiwasbusi lywatchingthetelevi
sionandt r
ying
hardt olearnaboutther emoteonherown.Her
mindwascompl etel
yoni tandhadnoi deaMajid
haddi scoveredthetruth.Maji
dwast otal
ly
broken,betrayedandangerconsumedhi m atonce.
Hequi etlyplacedhisphoneont hedr awerand
angril
yt ookthebooki nhishandanddashedoutof
theroom l i
keamadman.AndRi shididnoteven
r
eal
ise)
.
(
Pri
ncessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
AfterKushiheardthewhol econspir
acy, shetotal
ly
l
oosedherappet i
teandwasabsol utelystunned.All
thetimesheandRi shiwer
ecelebrating,Pri
nce
Farukwasal sobusi l
yplot
ti
ng.Shebecameweaki n
herkneesinf r
ightandsatdown.
'
'Whyar eyouevent
ell
ingmet
his?Whyshoul
dI
t
rustyou?''
.
'
'I
fyoudon'
ttr
ustme,i
tisuptoyou,
youcanst
art
t
rust
ingmeaft
erPri
nceMajid'
sdeath'
'
.
'
'Soiti
strue.
..
thenwhyar
eyoubet
rayi
ngPr
ince
Far
uk?''
.
'
'Li
stengi
rl
..
.
'
'Mynamei
sKushi
!'
'.Shesnapped.
'
' Whatever
.Listen,
Ireal
lytookwhatyousai din
goodear syesterday.Andtobehonestwi thyou,I
am ti
redofPr i
nceFar uk'
sdisrespectfulbehavi
or
towardsme.Wehavebei ngfr
iendssi ncechil
dhood
andallhedoesi smakemehi sser vantandnot hi
ng
el
se'
'
.
'
'Howwi
llIknowt
hisi
snotoneofyourevi
lpl
ans'
'
.
'
'Ihavetol
dyouallIhaveofhi
mfornow.Savehi
m
whenthetimecomes.Elsehewil
ldi
e''
.Shi
vsai
d
andlef
tthechamber.
(
Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
Shehaddr essedupaf tershefini
shedherbr eakf
ast
andwasget tingr eadyt omeett heki nginTuecour t
room forameet ingaboutt hepoisonwhi chkeeps
i
nfectingt heirwat erbodies.Mor ethanf i
ftydeaths
hadbei ngr epor tedf orthepassedt woweeks.Al l
duet ithefactoft hepoi sonwhi chisspr eadingwide
i
ntot hewat ersofUj ani.Maji
dsuddenl ybargedinto
thechamberl ikeamadman.Hi seyesal lredand
ful
lifanger .Queenmot herquickl
yt urnedin
astonishment .Whensher eali
sedi twasMaj i
d,she
smiledandopenedherar mstohi m.Mostoft he
servant sgat heredatt hedoorinfrightast heyhad
fi
rstsawMaj idangr i
lywanedt oQueenmot her'
s
chamber .Hishai rwasal loverhisf aceashi schest
movedupanddowni nanger .
'
'Sweet
hear
t,ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Howcoul dyoulooki
ntomyeyesf
orthepast
elevenmonthsIhavebei
ngi
nTuekingdom andl
ie
tomyf ace?'
'.
'
'What?Maj
id,
areyousur
eyourheadi
swor
king
f
ine?'
'
.
'
'Ishouldaskyouthatquest
ion'
'
.Hisvoi
ce
soundedmor eheavi
erandmanlyandanger
fol
lowed.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Whatist
his?
!''
.Herai
sedupthebookandopened
i
ttoexact
lywerethet
rut
hli
esandpoint
edittothe
Queenmother
.Andshewasstunned.Hereyes
beguntot
earup.
'
'Ma.
.Maj
id'
'
.
'
'Whatist
hisQueenGayat
ri
?!
!!'
'
.Hescr
eamedand
shepani
cked.
'
'Maj
idwher
edi
syou.
..
..
'
'Wher
edi
sIf
indt
het
rut
hofal
lyourl
iesanddecei
t?
'
'
.
(QueenSheenaandt heot
herroyalmember s
arri
vedatthedoorinconfusi
onast heyhadseen
theservantsstandi
ngther
ewitht heirhandson
thei
rmout hsinshock).
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.Theki
ngasked.
'
'Maji
d..
.Icanexplai
nthisplease.Calm down
gr
andson''.Queenmothertriedgett
ingclosert
o
hi
m buthepoi nt
edaleftfi
ngeratherinf ur
y.
'
'Don'
tdar
e!Don'
ttr
ytocomecl
oset
ome.
..
you
di
sgustme!
!!'
'
.
(Thekinggotangryandt
urnedMaji
dtohisf
ace.He
threwhishandsandgaveMajidadi
rtysl
apwhich
stunnedeveryone)
.
'
'Shakerst
op!'
'
.Queenmot
hershout
ed.
'
'Maji
dist
oospoiltmother
!Thatf
orei
gncult
ureof
t
alki
ngtot
heirel
dersanyhowhascloudedhi
shead
t
oomuch!''
.
'
'Iti
sourfaultt
hatheisact
ingthi
sway!Hej ust
foundoutthewholetr
uthandIdon'tunder
stand''
.
Queenmot hercr
ied.'
'Maj
idhasfoundabout
Meer
ah!'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Ever
yoneshout
ed.
(QueenDor ahandFaruksmi l
edevill
ybehind
everyoneaasi gnofvict
ory.QueenDor ahgaveher
personalbodyguar dasignandt heguardnodded
andl eft.Theongwhowasf aci
ngMaj idnowwas
feeli
ngweakandr egrett
edlayi
nghi shandinhim.
Hisf acewasgui l
tupwhi l
eMaj i
dlipsshooklikehe
hadaf ever.Hi
swholehai rwasmessyandt ears
streameddownhi scheeks).
'
'Son.
..
I.
..
Iam sor
ry.
..
son,
Ican.
..
'
'Whenwer eyoupeopl
eeverpl
anni
ngt
otel
lme
anyt
hingaboutt
hisatal
l?'
'
.
'
' Maji
dpl easelist
entous.Wewer edoi
ngitforyour
good..''
.QueenSheenawhowasi ntearst
ried
touchinghi m buthepushedherhandsawayand
thatki
llerher.''
Sonplease.
..
'
' Iam notyourson!Don'tcal
lmeyourson..
.youal
l
ar el
iar
s!Youmadeqf ooloutofme,maki
ngme
thinkIhadamot herwhoIcoul dr
elyon,
whatr i
ght
didyouhavet ochoosewhot obemymot her.
..
Wher
e'smybi
ologi
calmot
her
?!'
'
.
(Lakshmiwasextr
ashockedassheneverknew
aboutthi
strut
h.Queenmotherwasgoi
ngtocr y
whileQueenDorahandPri
nceFarukwereenjoyi
ng
thi
s).
'
'Maj
idpl
easeam sor
ryf
orl
yingt
o..
.
'
'Don'tcomeclosetome!Noneofyoushoul d.How
l
ongwoul dIhavebeingkeptinthedar k.Youalldo
notcareabouttheoutcomeofyouract ions
becauseyoucar eabouti
syourselves.Iam
di
sgustedtohaveyouaaf amil
y..
.wher eismy
mother?!'
'
.
'
'Sheisdead'
'
.Theki
nganswer
edi
nal
owt
onel
ike
awhisper
.
(
Thi
shi
tMaj
idhar
dinhi
schest
).
'
'Yes.Shedi
edt
hedayshegavebi
rt
htoyou'
'
.
(
Thebookinhishandsli
ppedtothefloorandhe
j
ustl
ookednowhereandhisbreathandhisbreath
washeavi
ert
hanever.Hestar
redatQueenmot her
moreashehadputhiswholetrusti
nherandhef el
t
di
sappoi
nted.Queenmot hercoul
dreadthestoryi
n
hi
seyesandshej ustpl
acedherhandstogetherin
fr
ontofhi
m) .
'
'Pl
easemylove.Letusexpl
aini
s..
.youar
eget
ti
ng
al
lthi
swr
ong..
.
'
'Maji
d..
yourmotherwasQueenMeer ah,
yes.AndI
wasQueenMeer ah'
shandmai den.Shetr
ustedme.
AndIservedherri
ght.Yourmotherwasthemost
beaut
if
ulandkindestcreat
ureand..
..
(AsQueenSheenat riedherbesttocalm hi
m
down,Majidsaidnothingbutwalkedpassedthem
withhisheadhangingdown, heleftt
hechamber
withthem fol
lowi
nghi m andt
ryi
ngt otal
khim outof
hisanger)
.
'
'Majidfor
giveme.Beangr
yatmeal
oneplease,I
wastheonewhomadeSheenayourmother,don'
t
ventyourangeront
hem Maji
d''
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hearri
vedatthedoorwer
eSushi
m wasconf
used
butopenedt
hedoorforhi
m andheent
eredi
nfur
y.
'
'Doyouneedanyt
hingmyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'Don'
tletanyonei
n..
.i
sthatcl
ear
?!'
'
.
'
'Y.
..
yesmyPr
ince'
'
.
(Sushi
m closedthedoorshutandQueenmother
andtherestarri
ved.Shecoul
dn'thol
dbackher
tear
s).
'
'Sushi
m..
..
'
'Iam sorr
yyourhighness.ThePri
ncehadwar
ned
menott ol
etanyonein.Iam sor
ry'
'.
'
'Comemother
.Letusthi
nkofhowt osol
vethi
s
probl
em.Wehaveabigprobl
em athandnow.Come
'
'.
(TheQueenmot hernoddlesadlyandtheyallleft
.
Majidarr
ivedi nthebedr
oom wer eRishiwasso
happyshehadbei ngabletocontrolt
hetelevi
sion
byherselfwithoutMaji
d'shelp.Shereali
sedhehad
comeIt ot hechamberandhappi l
ywentcl oserto
him wi
tht heremote).
'
'Maji
d!Youwon'tbel
ieveIt
urnedt
het
elevi
siont
o
di
ff
erentchannel
s.Andther
earesomanynice
thi
ngsoni
t.Whoi
sthet
eachernow?'
'
.Shemocked
him.
(Maj idweaklysatonhisbedwi thtearsstr
eaming
fr
eel y.Ri
shiwasshockedandpl acedtheremote
aside.Shebentdownandhel dhisfacetoher
sbut
hiseyesl ookedatdif
ferentdir
ecti
on.Hiseyeswere
allredandshecoul dseeami xt
ureofsadness,
angeranddi sappoint
ment ).
'
'Myl ove.Maj i
dwhati sit
?Areyouhurt
?Doest he
scarhur t
..
.whatisi t
?''
.Sheaseehelpl
esslybut
Majidjustkeptmut eforalongti
me.Shealso
star
tedweepi ngashewasn' tsayi
nganythingtoher.
Shequi ckl
yembr acedhimt i
ghtl
yandthatwas
whenMaj i
df r
eelyweptonhershoul der
s.''Pl
ease
stopkeepingqui etandt el
lmewhatiswor r
yingyou
Majid.Ican'tstanditwhenyouactt hi
sway.Iam
yourwifeandIexi st
.Youcant el
lmeeverything''
.
(Majidbreaktheembr aceandstoodup.Hewalked
closertohisdrawerandpickeduphisphoneand
switchediton.Buttherewerenomessagesfrom
Cindyanymor e.HeturnedandfacedRishiwhowas
l
ooki ngcuri
ous).
'
'Theyhavebeingl
yingt
omeal lt
hiswhil
eRi
shi
.
Myownf amil
y,hasj
usttouchedmewithmy
al
ler
gies'
'.
'
'What
?''
.Herhear
tski
ppedabeat
.
'
'Iknowt hatIdon'
thaveamother
.Ihaveneverhad
amot herti
llnow.Mymotherdi
ed,
andthey!adeher
handmaidenmynewmot her'
'.
(Rishibecamebr eat
hlessandtooktwostepsback
from Maj i
d.Herfaceguil
tupandnotlooking
surprisedatallsi
nceshealreadyknewthetrut
hand
keptqui et
).
'
'Canyoui maginewhatam feel
ingri
ghtnow?
Call
ingsomeone' mot
her'f
ortwentyfi
veyear
s.
Andyour eal
isetheyweren'
tevenyourmother
..
.my
heartisj
ustburningup.Al
lthepeopl
eI
tr
usted..
.t
hatiswhatIgotpaidbackfor
..
.f
or
tr
ustingthem '
'
.
(Maji
dlookedatRi shiforawhil
e.Shealsocouldn'
t
gethereyesfr om hisf
acebecausetheguil
twas
nowcontroll
ingher .Andshecouldn'
tpr
etend.Maji
d
beguntorealisesomet hi
ngmuchmor epainful
).
'
'Youdon'
tlooksur
pri
seatal
l'
'.Hesai
d.
'
'I
..
..
'
'Didyoual
soknowthet
rut
h?''
.Heaskedina
shaki
ngvoi
ce.Wishi
ngi
nhisheadf
orRishit
osay
no.
(
Herbreat
hbecameheavier
,wishi
ngfordeathto
t
akeheratthatmoment
.Tearsfel
louthereyesand
Maj
idswall
owedsali
va)
.
'
'No.
..'
'
.Hewhi
sper
ed.
'
'Maj
idIcanexpl
aint
his.Myl
ovel
ist
ent
ome.
..
'
'Ri
shi
..I
..
.what
?!I
..
Itr
ust
edyouRi
shi
.Yout
oo?'
'
.
'
'Nononoyoudon'tgeti
t.If
oundoutnotlongagoI
swearMaj
idpl
ease,
tr
yandcal m your
sel
fpleaseI
..
.
'
'Howcoul dyoudothist
ome?!'
'
.Hegrabbedheri
n
anger,
pressi
nghisf
inger
sdeepi
nherf
leshandshe
groanedinpain.
'
'Youar
eget
ti
ngi
twr
ong.Ouch!Youar
ehur
ti
ng.
..
.
'
'Youalsol
ookedmeintheeyes.Af
teral
lthe
speci
almomentwe'
vesharedtoget
herandnever
oncei
nyourl
if
edi
dyoudeci
det
otel
lmet
het
rut
h''
.
'
'Maj i
d..Itri
ed.Iswear
.It
ri
edtot
ellyouthetrut
h.
Please,IloveyouandIcannever
,everhurtyour
feel
ingsMaj id.Iwasti
edup.
..
.
'
'It
rustedyou!Ithoughtwewer enotsupposedt
o
hi
deanythingfrom eachother.It
oldyouwhatI
hat
ed,andyoudi ditt
ome.Youdi dittomeRishi
!'
'.
Hepushedherawayf rom hi
m.
'
' Maji
ddon'tbeli
kethi splease.It
'snotmyf ault'
'
.
Sheweptherheadof f.''
Iwant edtotellyou.Ever
y
ti
mewewer etogetherMaj id.Myhear tknows,God
knowsIwant edtotellyou.ButQueenSheena
stopped..
.Maji
dIwashur t
ingalltheti
meswewer e
together
.Iwantedsobadl ytorevealthetruthto.
..
.
'
'Getout'
'
.
'
'No...Maji
dIwi l
ljustdi
e.Iam sor
ry''
.Shef el
lon
herkneesandhuggedMaj i
dti
ghtl
yar oundhis
waist.''
Don'tdothistomeMaj idpl
ease.Ican't
standyourangert owardsme..
.Iwillneverhide
anythingfrom youagainIswearandpr omise.Maji
d
youar etheonlyonewhomakesmehappyi nmy
l
ife,whatdoIdowi thoutyou?WheredoIgo?Iwi l
l
evendi srespecttheQueenssecretandt el
lyou.She
toldmenott otel
lyout hatwaswhyIkeptmy
mout hshut .
..
Ididn'twanttohur
tyouorher .Iwil
l
notmaket hatmistakeagainMajidpleaseplease
please''.
(Assheweptti
llhereyeswereal
mostswoll
enand
herli
pswereaboutfall
ingof
fbecauset
oomuch
tear
s.Maj
idbentdownandpul l
edherupinanger
).
'
'Ofcour seitwon'
thappenedagain.BecauseIwant
nothi
ngt odowi t
htheking,QueenGayatr
i,Queen
Sheena...AndIwantnothingtodowithaliarand
decei
tfulpersonli
keyou''
.
'
'Pleasedon'ttr
eatmel i
keCindy.Il
oveyouso
much...andeveryt
hinghappenedsofast
..
.Iwasnot
i
ntendingtohide..
.
'
'Youknowwhat ?Youar eabsolutel
yright
.Iam not
gonnatreatyoul
ikeCindy,becauseyouarewor se!
Youareal i
arandasuppor t
erofevilminds.Gosh,I
wouldlovetohateyourightnow.Butdon'tworry,
becauseintime,
am gonnahat eyou!'
'.
'
'Don'
that
emepl
ease.Thenj
ustki
llme.Pl
ease
don'
tpuni
shmel
iket
hisMaji
d.I
twasn'
tmyf aul
t''
.
(Hehel dherhandandf orcef
ullystar
tedwal kingher
tothedoorwhi leshepleased.Heopenedt hegate
tohischamberandpushedRi shioutl
ikegar bage.
Shef el
lhar dont hegroundandMaj i
dshutt hedoor
atherf ace.Sher ushedtothedoorandst art
ed
bangingi tandbeggi nghimtoopent hedoor .She
l
ookedatSushi m whowasqui etandlooki ng
elsewher e.Rishihadshoutedont opofher
boys,bringingattent
ionfrom someser vantsand
royalfami l
y).
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Ri
shisaysomet
hing!'
'
.QueenSheenasai
d.
'
'Whatshoul dIsaymot her?!ThatMajidhatesme.
Hej ustl
ookedi nt
omyeyeswi t
ham expr essi
onI
haveneverseenbef ore.It
oldyouIcoul dn'
tholdthe
secretofMaj i
d'smotherandyout oldmet hati
s
shouldkeepi tasecr
et.Nowhehast akenwhathe
i
sf eeli
ngrightnowonme!Ishoul dhavejusttol
d
him everyt
hing.Hewant snothi
ngt odowi t
hme.Oh
God!'
'
.Shebr
eakdownandf
ellonherknees.
'
'Servant
s!Gobackt
owor
k''
.Queenmot
her
shouted.
(Theyal
lrushedawayandQueenSheenabent
downtowardsRishibutshegotupandl
ooked
away).
'
'Het
hrewmeout
.Ij
ustwanthi
mtol
ist
en.
..
.
(Rishifeltdizzyandcol lapsedont hefl
oor.Andwi t
h
greatfearf rom everyone, t
heyrushedhert othe
royalclinic.Sushim knockedt hedoorat housand
ti
mesandwant edMaj idtoknowwhatj ust
happenedbuthedi dn'tgetar esponse.Hetried
openingt hedoorbuti twasl ockedfrom i
nside).
(
Thepal
acecl
ini
c).
Rishiwasst i
llunconsci
ous.Butthefamil
yhad
gatheredaroundherandt heroyaldoct
orandher
assist
antsstoodar oundher,checki
ngher
temper at
ureandot hert
hings.
'
'Iwi
llneverf
orgi
vemysel
ffort
hismot
her'
'
.
'
'Thi
sisnott
her
ightt
imef
orr
egr
etsokay?Noone
i
satf
aul
tbutme.Iwassoscar
edt
otel
lhi
m''
.
'
'Didyouhearwhathet ol
dmei nyourchamber?He
hasforbi
ddenmef r
om call
inghi m myson.You
knowhowmuchIenj oyedrai
singhim.Ican'tst
and
standthepai
ntheyarebothgoi ngthr
ough.All
becauseofourmist
akes''.
(Theroyaldoct
orfi
nishedchecki
ngonherand
smiled.Shetur
nedtotheQueens).
'
'Howi
sshedoi
ngDi
vya?'
'
.
'
'Thepr
incesshast
akenseed'
'
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Pri
ncessRi
shii
spregnant
.Andwhenwechecked,
i
tistwoweeksol
d''
.
'
'OhmyGod!Mother
..
.'
'.QueenSheenat
urnedt
o
Queenmot
heri
ntear
sofj oy.
'
'Congr
atul
ati
onsSheena.Youar
egoi
ngt
obea
gr
andmother'
'.
'
'Andyoual
so,
agr
eatgr
andmot
her'
'
.
'
'ThankyouMeer
ah'
'
.Shepl
acedherhands
toget
herinhappi
ness.'
'Youhavemadet
hismi
racl
e
happened.Thi
sistheonlynewswhi
chmakeMaji
d
tofor
giveus''
.
'
'Ishoul
dgotothepal
aceandtel
lMaj
id.Heshoul
d
beherewit
hhi
swi t
hhiswi
fe'
'.
'
'Yesdear
.Gonow.Iwi
llst
ayher
efornow'
'
.
(
QueenSheenal
eftqui
ckl
y).
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
59] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence13
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Meho'
shouse)
.
Asasi gnofrespect,aft
erhisdeath,
Bhavnadeci
ded
tostayi nhermat r
imonialhomeagai nandRadah
herfrienddidnotleaveheral one.Shecameand
l
ivewi thhersoever ymor ning,
theybothwal
ked
togetheronther oadt oRadah'ssowingshopto
work.Theywer egetti
ngr eadyand
Radahst oodoutsidetowaitf orBhavnat ofini
shher
dressingupsot heycouldleave.Sevenpr i
ests
enteredthecompoundandRadahqui cklybowed
downandt ouchedthei
rfeet'
si nallsmiles.Bhavna
gotoutf r
om thehouseandl ockedt hedoorandshe
steppedintothecompoundandal sotouchedt hei
r
feesandputherhandst oget her.
'
'Goodmor
ningpr
iest
s''
.
'
'Goodmor
ninggoodmai
denofourLor
d''
.
'
'TowhatdoIowethi
spl
easantvi
sitf
rom t
hegr
eat
pri
est
sofUj
ani?'
'
.
(
Allt
hepr
iest
slookedateachot
herr
unsur
pri
se)
.
'
'Bhavna,
areyousayi
ngyoudon'
tknowt
hepur
pose
ofourvi
sit
?''
'
'Wel
l.
..
.
'
'Bhavnadear
,youareawidownow.Andour
customsdonotacceptt
hatwidowsl
eaveamongus
i
nt heki
ngdom '
'.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Weallknowt hat,
apartfr
om theroyalfami l
y,
ever
yoneelseisordinaryinthekingdom.Andasa
woman,whenyourhusbanddi es,
somer itual
sar e
madeonyouandyoushal lbetakentothe
mountai
nst oservethegreatestpri
estofLor d
Hanumanf orever
.Therear esomanywi dowst here
'
'.
'
'Butpriest.
..Bhavnaispart
ial
ly,
apar
toftheroyal
famil
y.Youcan' ttr
eatherl
ikeacommoner.Her
daughterismar ri
edtothecrownedPr
ince'
'.
'
' I
tdoesn'tmatt
er.Sheisnottheonemar ri
edtot
he
Prince.I
tisherdaughtersothereisnot
hingwecan
do...
getreadyBhavna.Weshal lcomeforyou
tomor r
ow' '
.
(Tear
srundownBhavna'
scheeksandsheshookal
l
overherbody)
.
'
'Pri
estChanakher
..
.Pl
easesaysomet
hing'
'
.Radah
begged.
'
'Iam sor
ryRadah.Iwi
shIcoul
dhelp.ButIam onl
y
fol
lowi
ngrul
esfrom myheadpr
iest
s.Haveanice
daywomen''.
(Thepri
est
st ur
nedandwentoutofthecompound
andleft
.Bhavnabreakdowni
ntotearsonthe
ground)
.
'
'Ohmymisfor
tune!Theyaregoi
ngt
otakeme
awayf
rom mydaughterfor
ever'
'
.
(
Radahwentdownandconsol
edher
).
(
Int
hepal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hel ayedonhisbedlikeadeadbody.Hisfacewas
dri
edupandf reshbecausehehadwashedhi sface
withfreshcol
dwat erfr
om thebathr
oom.Hiseyes
touchedtheglassroofi
ngofhischamberandhe
fel
tempt yandalone.Hisphonerungloudl
yandhe
satupont hebedandanswer edthecall
.
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.
'
'Maj
idIam ser
ious.Ihear
dsomet
hingst
range
aboutyourfamil
yinthepubli
cyester
day.About
somesecr ett
heyarehidi
ng.ThatiswhyIhave
beingcal
li
ngendlessl
ymyl ove.Iam sur
eyou
wouldwantt oheart
hisnews.Iwenttothemarket
yester
dayandIheardsomemenwhohadgat her
ed
dri
nking,
talki
ngaboutit'
'
.
'
'Aboutmybi
ologi
calmot
her
?''
.
'
'OhmyGodMaj
id!It
hought
..
..
'
'Ij
ustfoundoutthewhol
etr
utht
odaysodon'
t
bot
heryoursel
f''
.
'
'Ma..
.Maji
dIam sosor
rybaby'
'
.Shesobbed
pr
etent
iousl
y.
'
'I
sthatal
lther
easonyoucal
led?'
'
.
'
'Maji
d..
.ar
eyouokay?Youdon'
tsoundal
lri
ghtat
al
l'
'.
'
'Ihavebei
ngmadeafooloutof
,f
ortwent
yfi
veyea
andyouareaski
ngwhet
heram okay?'
'
.
'
'Iam sorr
y.Ij
ustt
houghtmaybeiti
snotr
ightt
obe
al
onerightnowatt
hismoment''
.
'
'Howdi
dyouknowIwasal
one?'
'
.
'
'Iknowyouevenmor et
hanmyownsel f.Andyou
soundlonel
y..
.Doyouneedanyt
hing?Tellme,
Iwi
ll
serveyou''
.
'
'Ineedyout
oleavemyl
if
eal
oneCi
ndy'
'
.
'
'No!!!Iwil
lnotdosuchathi
ng.Majidyouthrewme
out.Youkickedmeoutofyourli
fe.Sayingt
hatIdi
d
somet hi
ngwr ong,
nowyouseewhatyourown
famil
ydi dtoyou?Thepeopl
eyout r
usted?'
'
.
'
'ShutupCindy.Youshoul
dbeashamedforcal
li
ng
me.Idon'
tneedyouoranyoneel
se!Noone!'
'.
'
'Noone?Doest hatmeanyourwif
ealsoknewthe
tr
uth?''
.SheaskedandMaji
dbreakdownatonce.'
'
Andshenevertoldyou?OhmyGodMaj id!Now
betweensheandI,whoist
heworsenow?''.
'
'Ci
ndy.
..
'
'Iwastryingtofi
ghtformyl ove.Whilesher,she
cl
aimedtol i
veyoubuthissuchabugand
danger
oust rut
hfrom you.Shewasgoi ngtowat ch
youpayhomaget oanimpost erfort
her estofyour
l
ifeMaji
d.Andyouar esayingIshoul dbeashamed
ofmyself?IhateyouMaj i
d!Ihateyour ightnow!''
.
Shecr
iedandhangedup.
(Maj
iddi
all
edanumberont
hephoneandpl
acedi
t
onhi
sear).
'
'Hel
lo?'
'
.
'
'Hel
losi
r,Mumbaiair
por
tatyourser
vice,
howmay
wehelpyouplease?'
'
.Afemalevoi
cecamethr
ough.
'
'Maj
idSamr
at'
'
.
'
'Okaysi
r.Maj
idSamr at
..
.Ohgoodness!Tuefut
ure
ki
ngofthegr
eatUjaniki
ngdom.Wear eatyour
ser
vicemyPri
nce.Whatdoyouneed?''.
'
'IneedaVIPplanet
ofl
ymeoutofIndi
a.Whenwi
ll
t
henextfl
ightt
oLondonbeavai
labl
e?'
'
.
'
'Doyouwantt
obet
heonl
yonei
nthepl
anemy
Pri
nce?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Wemi ghtbethreeorfour.AllIneed
i
sfortheplanewhi chi
staggedasaVI P.Ineed
pri
vacyi
nit.Itshouldwaitspeci
all
yforme' '.
'
' YesmyPri
nce.Pleasewaitforawhi
le..
.MyPri
nce,
thenewestplanewhichi
staggedasVI Pwil
lbe
avail
abl
einthreedaysti
!eplease'
'
.
'
'Okaycool.Makethatavail
abl
eforme.Ihopei
tis
goi
ngstrai
ghttoLondon''.
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Good.Thankyou'
'
.
'
'Thankyouf
orwor
kingwi
thus'
'
.
(Hehangedupandt hrewhisphoneaside.Sushi
m
enter
edthechamberandboweddown.Hi sface
down,hecoul
dn'tl
ookstrai
ghtatMaji
d'sfaceashe
alsoknewthetr
uth).
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.Maj
idaskedcol
dly.
'
'MyPr
ince,
QueenSheena,
she.
..
'
'Whatdi
dIt
ellyout
odoSushi
m?'
'
.
'
'Nott
oletanyonei
nsi
det
hechamber'
'
.
'
'Good.Youmayl
eavenow'
'
.
(Sushimt urnedandleftt
hechamberwi
thoutaword
andMaj idgottihisfeett
oopenhiswar
drobe.
QueenSheenabar gedint
othechamber
,looki
ng
mor eseri
oust hansad.Sushi
m st
oodbehindher
withpleadingeyes).
'
'MyPr
ince,
I..
I.
.It
oldher
..
.
'
'Justl
eave'
'
.
(Sushi
m boweddownandleft
.ThenMajid
conti
nuedtour
inginhi
swardr
obe,act
ingl
ikeQueen
Sheenadidn'
texi
st)
.
'
'Maj i
dlookatme.Donotdisr
espectme.Iam
standi
ngr i
ghther
eandIhavesomethingi
mport
ant
totel
lyou''
.
'
'Idon'
tthi
nkIheldyourmouth.Youcan'
thol
dme
r
esponsibl
eforyourownsi
lence''
.
'
'Thi
sisaboutRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Oh.
..
youraccompl
ice?Okay,
am al
lear
s''
.
'
'Maji
dstopacti
ngchi
ldi
shbecauseyouarenotthe
f
ir
stpersont
hishashappenedt
o,andyouwon'tbe
t
helast'
'.
(Whenshesaidthat
,Maji
dtotal
lylosshi
smi ndand
l
eftthewar
drobe.Heheldherhandt i
ght
ly.She
couldshei
ntohiseyeshowhur tandhatef
ulhehad
become.Hestart
edwalkingheroutinanger).
'
'Ri
shii
spr
egnantMaj
id!'
'
.Sheshout
edandhel
eft
herhand.Hi sfacelookedshockedandsurpr
iseat
thesaket i
me.AndQueenSheenasmi ledand
thoughtt hegoodnewswasgoi ngtowor kmagic.
Butt her
ewasn' tanounceifhappi
nessinMajid'
s
eyes.Hisf acialexpressi
onhadnotchanged.And
hewasj ustshockedt hathewasgoingtobea
fatherfr
om t hewomanwhohehat edatthemoment.
'
'Wha.
.what?'
'.Hisvoiceshookandhechoked.He
qui
ckl
ypouredagl assofwateranddr
ankitatonce.
Wit
hhisbackturnedtoQueenSheena.
'
'Yes.
.yesmyson!Youar
e..
..
'
'Donotcallmeyourson,youl
iar
!''
.Heangr
il
y
shout
edandt urnedtof
aceher
.''Youwerej
ustmy
mother
'sservant!'
'
.
(QueenSheenaraisedherhandathi
m andslapped
him har
dacrossthefaceandhishai
rfel
lback).
'
' ButIrai
sedyoutoo!'
'
.Shesnappedangr il
y.'
'That
i
swhatyourmot herwouldhavewanted.Icouldn'
t
wat chyouwithoutamother.
.Iwasloyaltoherand
shewasal sogoodt ome.Ouronlymistakewasnot
tell
ingyou.Butwedisallt
hattoprot
ectyouandt he
ki
ngdom because.
..
(Hegrabbedholdofherhandsandr udel
ywalked
hertothedoor.Heopeneditandpushedherout.
Someser vant
swhopassedby, j
uststoodther
e
stunned)
.
'
'Idonotcar eaboutyou.
..Oryourr
oyalnonsense.I
haveheardandseenenougheversi nceIgothere.
Youwantedaf utureki
ng?Letyourpartneri
ncrime
givebi
rt
handuseherbabyasyourki ng.BecauseI
am noti
nterestedi
nthethroneofli
esanddecept i
on!
Iam goi
ngbackt oLondonsoon.Gott hat?'
'
.Majid
saidandslammedt hedoorinhwirf
aces.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shearrangedforasmal l
dr i
nkpartl
yinherchamber
tocel
ebrateherclosetovict
orywithFaruk.And
aft
ert
hedr inkhadbeingserved,t
heycheer edi
nthe
chamberandcel ebrat
edinhappiness.
'
'Nowthenextthingistokil
lyourfat
her.Because
wit
hCharuandMaj i
doutofourway,it
'slef
twith
yourf
athert
odief oryout
osi tonthethr
one.And
wecan'twai
tforhisnatur
aldeath.Wehavenoi dea
whent
hat'sgoi
ngtohappenedso,
wehavet
otake
car
eofthatour
sel
ves''
.
(Far
ukclear
edhist
hroatandl
ookedaf
rai
dand
uncomfort
able)
.
'
'Mot
her
?''
.
'
'Faruk,
whyar
eyoulooki
ngt
ensed?Wear
ecl
oset
o
ourult
imat
egoal'
'
.
'
'I
tisaboutChar
umot
her
.Shei
snotdeafmot
her'
'
.
'
'What
?Whatnonsensei
sthi
sFar
uk?Ishowedyou
wer
eshewashidi
ng''
.
'
'Isentmymenmot her
.Butasusual,
theywereso
i
ncompet entandr
uinedever
ythi
ng!Theysaidthey
wenttothehuttoexecut
eeveryt
hingbutthen.
..
they
neverl
ayedeyesonher''.
(QueenDorahcoul
dn'
tcont
rolher
sel
fandj
ust
slappedFar
uk).
'
'Anyti
meIf eell
ikemyvictorisnear,
youjustfi
nda
waytor ui
nitri
ght?Youfool!Youwi l
lbegett
ing
marri
edt oPri
ncessRagahi nlessthantwoweeks.
AndiftheJhansikingdom fi
ndsoutyouar ehaving
achil
delsewhere,theywil
ltur
nagai
nstusandki
ll
you.I
t'
sagainsttheirt
radi
ti
on!'
'.
'
'Iam sor
rymot
her'
'
.
'
'Now..
now...
Iam conf
used.Idon'
tknowwer
eto
evenconcent
rat
e.Yourfat
herorCharu?'
'
.
'
'Justl
ookforheragai
nmother
.AndIpr
omi
set
hat
t
histi
me,Iwil
lfi
ndherandendher'
'
.
(
Shel
ookedathi
m wi
thdi
str
ess)
..
.
.
(
Royalcheckupr
oom)
.
RishiwasconsciousnowandKushihadj oinedher
i
nt heroom.Tryi
ngt oconsol eherbutitwasjustout
ofhand.Themai dshadgat heredaroundherbythe
orderoftheQueenmot hert oserveherfoodbutshe
refusedtoeatwhil
et ouchi ngherstomach.Queen
Sheenaenteredwithabl ankf aceandQueen
mot hermethrbesidest hebeds.
'
'It
oldShakeraboutRi
shi
'
spregnancy.Wehave
t
oldtheannouncert
ogogivet
henewst oever
yone
i
nthekingdom '
'
.
'
'Ihavet
oldMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Ri
shi
..
.eatsomet
hingpl
ease!Foryourbabysake!
'
'
.
'
'No!Ij
ustwantMajidhere.
..
.motherpleaset
akeme
t
oseehim.Ijustneedtoexplai
nthingswell'
'
.
'
'Maj
iddoesn'
twanttoseeanyoneRi
shi
.Het
hrew
meoutofhisr
oom '
'.
'
'What
?''
.Theywer
eal
last
oni
shed.
'
'Nomother
..
.no,
whataboutme?Doesn'thewantt
o
seemeatal
l?Didn'
tyoutel
lhi
m about
..
about.
..
.
(Shebreakdowni
ntot
ear
sandt
ouchedher
stomach).
'
'Hedi
dn'
tcar
e.Today,
Idi
dn'
tsewMaj
id.Isawa
monst
er'
'
.
'
'Howdi
dher
eactt
othenewsoft
hepr
egnancy?'
'
.
'
'Hethrewmeoutmother
.Andsai
dhewant
ed
not
hingtodowi
thanyofus'
'.
(
Rishibur
iedherf
acei
nherhandsandweptbi
tt
erl
y
andt
ri
edtogetoutfr
om t
hebedbuyt
hedoct
ors
woul
dn'
tal
lowher).
'
'Justletmegoandseehi m mysel
fmother
.I
promisethatiwil
ldoal
lIcantoconvi
ncehi
m Iam
beggi
ngyou.St ayi
ngherewil
lnotdomeanygood''
.
'
'It
hinkweshouldleavehi
m al
onef
ornowRi shi
.
Hedidstooangryandnotthi
nki
ngstr
aight'
'
.
QueenSheenasaid.
'
'Ican'
tli
vemyl i
feli
kethi
sQueenmot her,
youcan'
t
stopmefrom goi
ngt oMajidnow.Iam pr
egnant
.
Thiswassupposedtobet hehappi
estdayofour
l
ivesri
ght?Whatjusthappened?'
'.
'
'Ihavebei ngthinki
ng.Howonear t
hdidMaj
idget
holdoft hatbook?Ithasbei
nghiddenint
her
oyal
l
ibraryforages.Inasecretl
ockedroom.Weonly
opent hatbookiftherei
sgoingtobeawaror
anythingserious.Sohow..
.
'
'QueenDor ah?''
.Queenmot herwalkedcloserto
Rishiandplacedahandonhershoul der.'
'Like
QueenSheenasai d,
Idon'tt
hinkthi
sist herightti
me.
Youar ecar
ryingthefut
ureofUjanii
nyourwomb
r
ightnow.
..
youneedal
lther
estyoucanget
..
.
'
'Pl
ease.
..
.
'
'Listen!IknowMaji
d.AndIam t el
li
ngyou,t
hisi
s
notther i
ghtti
me.Givehim someti
met othi
nkof
everythi
ng.Thenewswast oobi gf
orhi
m,heneeds
tobeal onetoabsor
bit.Kushi.
..
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'TakeRi
shitoherchambertor
estnow'
'
.Shesai
d
andKushit
ookRishiaway.
(
Mumbaici
ty=Di
amondHot
el)
.
Jimmyar ri
vedatt herecepti
onwi t
hCharuandRaj '
s
auntbyhissi deandt heybothheldbigshopping
bagsandt wol uggage.Charudressedupinaf ine
Indi
antradit
ionalsareeandshel ookedhealt
hyand
beauti
ful
.Shest oodbehi ndJimmywhi l
ehet ook
careofthi
ngs.
'
'JimmyWashi
ngt
on?''
.Therecept
ioni
st
asked,
l
ooki
ngi
nherbooks.
'
'Yesmi
ss'
'
.
'
'Oh,
youcameher
ethel
astt
imet
obookar
oom f
or
two?VI
Psuit
,f
orayoungl
ady.
..
Char
yNi
gam and
Subhr
asiRaj
veer
?''
.
'
'Yes,
ther
etheyar
e''
.
'
'Okay.Howl
ongar
etheyst
ayi
ngpl
ease?'
'
.
'
'Possi
bly..
.t
enmonthsonthecount.Iwillcomef
or
heraf
tertenmoths.ButIwil
lpayforal
lthemonths
shewil
lstayinot
herforhertogetherpeaceof
mind''
.
'
'Shoul
dthehot
elser
vehert
il
lthen?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Onl
yheal
thyf
oodsser
vedt
opr
egnant
womenplease'
'
.
'
'Okay.
.checked.Thi
sar
ethekeyssi
r.Pl
easeenj
oy
yourst
ay''
.
'
'Thankyouver
ymuch.Iwi
llmaket
hepaymenton
mywayout''
.
'
'Nopr
obl
em si
r''
.
(Ji
mmyhel pedCharuandSubhr asiupthestair
s
andunl ockedtheroom 4door.Theyenteredand
theroom wasal r
eadybreatht
akingwithtwo
dif
ferentbedsandawar drobewi t
hanai rcondi
ti
on
andeveryt
hingtheymayneedinthere.They
droppedeshoppingbagsandtheluggageonone
bedandChar usatdown,
touchi
ngherstomach)
.
'
'Iam ver
yhungr
y''
.
'
'Iam sosorrywedidn'
tgetsomethi
ngont heway
Charu''
.Jimmysaid.'
'Butt
herei
sasmal l
rest
aurantIsawopposit
ethehot
el.Icangetyou
anygoodyouwant' '
.
'
'NoJimmy..aft
ersuff
eringandbri
ngi
ngushere?I
wil
lgett
hefood''
.Subhrasisai
d.'
'Whatdoyou
wanttoeatdear
?''
.
'
'Anyt
hingaunt
.Ij
ustneedsomet
hingsmal
l'
'.
'
'Okaydear'
'
.
(Jimmytookmoneyoutofhispur seandhandedi
t
toSubhr
asiwhowal kedoutoftheroom.Jimmy
clear
edhist
hroatandgotreadytoleave)
.
'
'Ishoul
dgetgoi
ngbackt
otheki
ngdom nowChar
u
'
'
.
'
'Sosoon?'
'
.Shegott
oherf
eet
,f
aci
nghi
m al
it
tl
e
cl
oser
.
'
'Well
..
yes.Youdon'thavetoworry.Iwil
lcomehere
nextweektovisi
t.Ipr
omise.Youwi l
lbetakencar
e
ofbythehotel
.Ihavepaidforeveryt
hing'
'.
'
'Okay.But
..
.It
houghtnextweekwastoolong.I.
.I
wil
lmissyou''
.Shesai
dandbl ushedl
ight
ly,
looki
ng
el
sewhere.
'
'Youwi ll
?''
.Jimmywassurpri
sedbuthappyshe
saidthat.'
'Iwil
l.
.mi
ssyouver
ymucht ooCharu.I
n
fact,
IwishIdidn'
tgo''
.
'
'Thenst
ayhereforawhil
e?Please?'
'
.Shesaidand
coul
dn'
tcont
rolher
sel
f.Sheembracedhi
mt i
ghtl
y.
(Jimmylookedl
ikehewasdreami
ng.WasChar
u
alsohavi
ngfeel
ingsf
orhi
m andhidi
ngi
t?He
embracedherbackandeventi
ght
er)
.
'
'Ireall
yneedtot
ell
yout hi
sCharu.I
tisnowor
never.Il
oveyouCharu.
..
Ireal
lyl
oveyou''
.
(Char
upul
ledawayf
rom hi
m andt
ear
sst
reamed
downhereyes)
.
'
'Butmypr
egnancybel
ongst
o..
..
'
'Idon'
tcar
ewhoi
tbel
ongst
o.Il
oveyouand
whateveryourchil
dturnsoutt
obe,
Iwilll
oveitas
wel
l.PrinceFarukdoesn'
tdeser
veyourpain.
..
(Hewentcl
osertoherandpulledhertohi
m.She
pani
ckedbutl
aterfel
tpr
otectedinhisar
ms.They
l
ockedli
psandkissedpassionat
ely)
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
11:
59] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence14
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(I
ntheki
ngdom=I
nthepal
ace=Pr
incessRi
shi
'
s
chamber
).
Sheopenedherwar
drobeandt
ookoutMaj
id'
s
sweat shirtandpr essedi tagainstherchest.She
facedQueenMeer ah'
spor traitandtearsdrowned
herf ace.Shebr eakdownandwentonher
knees, weeping.Kushiknel tbehindherandhel dher
ti
ght l
y.Ri shitookoffMaj id'snecklacefrom her
neckandwepti nit
.Kushipul l
edherupandmade
hersi tonherbed.Shewentasi deandpour edher
glassandwat erbutRishir efusedandhereyes
wer eonQueenMeer ah'sbeaut if
ulfaceonthe
portrait.Sheki ssedthesweat shir
tandburiedher
favei nitandweptmor e.Kushimadeaser i
ousface
andmadeRi shifaceher.
'
'Youarest
rongerthant
hisRi
shi
.Whatareyou
doi
ng?Areyougoingtopuni
shyourbabyforour
mist
akes?'
'
.
'
'Kushi.
.Kushii
i'
'.Sheembracedherandwepton
hershoulder
s.''Maji
dwil
lneverf
orgiveme,
wil
lhe?
'
'.
'
'I
..
.''
.Thi
smadeKushial
sobr eakdowni
ntotear
s.'
'
Ri
shidon'
tgi
veupli
kethi
s.Ineedyoutostay
st
rongsowecoul
dplantogether''
.
(
Rishigotonherf
eetandandfacedQueen
Meerah'
sport
rai
tandputherhandst
ogether
).
'
'Pleasehelpme' '
.Shechokedandcoughed.Kushi
gavehert heglassofwat erandshedr unkitthis
ti
me.Shegavet heglassbackt oherandcont inued
cryi
ngt oQueenMeer ah'sportr
ait.'
'Helpmemot her.
Hei syourson. .
.Il
ivehim moret hananythinginthe
wor l
d.Ican'tl
ivewi t
houthim QueenMeer ah.I..I
didn'tmeant ohidethetruth.Ididn'
twantt o.Thisis
notsupposedt obehappeni ngtous' '
.
(Shef el
tweakandsatonthebed.Memor i
esof
Majid'shappysideandsi
ll
inesswithherflashedin
herfaveandshecr i
edharder.Kushisatbesidesher
andt ookherhandsinher
s).
'
'Icannott el
lheraboutPri
nceFaruk'
splansfor
PrinceMajid'
splan.Sheist
ooweakandpal eandI
don'tthi
nkshewi l
lbeabletohandl
eit.Ishoul
dtake
careofthisonmyown.Maybewi ththehelpofShiv
'
'.Kushithought
.
(
Rishilayeddownquiet
lywi
tht
hesweat
shi
rt
t
ouchingherstomach).
(
Int
heeveni
ng=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shehadhermagi ccrystalballinthemi ddleofher
room againandwi t
hherdoorl ocked,shechant ed
withallhermight,
mentioningChar u'
sna! e.She
winedherhandsovert hecr ystalballandopened
hereyeswi delyandChar u'
sfaceappear edinthe
ball.Thenshesawheri nadi stingui
shedr oom.But
shehadnoi deawhereexact l
yshewasandshedi d
allshecouldbutcouldn'tfi
ndt heplace
'
'Thi
sisbeyondmypower sfather.Pleasehelpme.
Weareclosetoourgoalssowecannotl etthi
smaid
dest
royit'
'
.Shesaidandpul l
edt heballunderher
bedandgottoherfeet
.''Charuist oopoor .
..
andt
he
pl
aceIsawher ,
l
ooksmor eli
keapal acechamber.
Whereisshe?'
'.
(Herf
ather
'sspi
ri
tappear
edinabl
ackr
obewi
tha
smallbl
ackbott
lei
nhishand)
.
'
'Theci
ty'
'
.
'
'Mumbai
?Buthowdi
dthatpoorr
at.
..
'
'Sheisget
ti
ngsuppor
tfr
om thef
orei
gner
.Butno
matt
erwhat,
shewil
lbeadangeri
noursuccess.
Thatbast
ardsheiscarr
yingwil
lonedaygrowupad
askherabouthi
sfather
.Andshewi l
lhaveno
choi
cebuttosendhim backheretomeetFar
uk.
AndguesswhattheJhansipeoplewil
ldotoFar
uk'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llt
akecar
eofi
tfat
her'
'
.
'
'Mypower slimitedthroughtheyearsandIdon'
t
havemanyi nsightsinthist
hings.Sogotakecar
e
ofal
lthis.Iwillalwaysbeher etoguideyou.Weare
j
ustaf ewst epscl osetoourgoalmydear .Nowt
hat
Maji
dhat esever yone,takethi
s''
.Hesaidand
handedt heblackbot tl
etoher.
'
'Whati
sthi
sfat
her
?''
.
'
'Iam goingtotakecareoft
hepitcontai
ningQueen
Meerah'
ssoul.Now,youtakecar
eoft heking.Thi
s
bott
lecontai
nsthepoisonmeantforhisfood.Iti
sa
sl
owpoi son''
.
'
'Yesf
ather'
'
.
'
'Makesuretobecaref
ulofQueenmotherandt
he
ot
hers.Toymustnotmakeanymist
akes''
.
'
'Yesf
ather'
'
.
(
NextDay)
.
Thepal acewasbusyasusualwi thever yonegoi ng
upanddown.Theweat herwascoolasi fi twas
aboutr ain.Maj i
dwal kedoutoft hebui ldingdr essed
allfl
ashyandsexy.I nhi sf avouri
tecol ourbl ue.He
wor eabl uebl ouse,awhi t
ej eansandabl ue
sneaker s.Hewakedt ot hecompoundandgot
closertohi snewcar .Ri shicameoutoft hebui lding
i
nabeaut i
fulseabl ueandshi nysar ee.Shewal ked
fastertowar dshi m,cryinghi sname.Maj idwor e
darkshadesandt urnedhi sback.Sher eachedhi s
sideandqui cklyopenedherar msandwr apped
them ar oundhi mt i
ght ert haneveri nasadembr ace.
Shewepti nhi sshirtandwoul dn'tlethim go.The
royalfami l
yandsomeser vantswi thaf ewpr i
est s
stoodinf rontoft hebui l
ding'scompoundwat ching
them from al itt
lefardi stance.QueenSheena
couldn'tcont r
olhert ear swhi leQueenmot herhad
thecor nerofhereyessetonQueenDor ahwhokept
smi l
ingandobvi ouslyenj oyingthepai nf ulmoment .
Butshehadnothear dt henewsofRi shi'
s
pregnancy.Apar tfrom herandFar uk,
ever yoneel se
l
ookshumbl edanddest royed.Maj idr emovedhi s
dar kshadesf r
om hi seyesandhi seyesappear edto
bet ir
ed.Li kehehadnotsl eptt helastni ghtandjust
stayedupcr ying.Hi seyesl ookedr edandsl eepy.
Het hr ewt hedar kshadest hrought hecarwi ndow
andi tf ellononechai ratthebackseat .Maji
d
placedhi sst r
onghandsar oundherar msand
startedpul li
ngthem awayf rom him butshe
ti
ght enedhergr i
p.Hegotmadanduseral it
tle
strengt ht opul herof f
,hol
dingbot hhands.They
l
ookedi ntoeachot her'
seyeswi t
hsomuch
i
nt ensi t
y.Maj i
d'sbreathhitRi shi
'sf aceandher
tearskeptst r
eami ngdown.Hest arreddownather
l
ipsandt heywer eshaking.Shewasshockedt osee
adi fferentanf r
om whatshesawt hel astday's
mor ni ng.
'
'Iam sor
ry'
'
.Shewhi
sper
edsadl
y.'
'Pl
easej
ust
..
.
(Hepushedherawayf rom him andshewasl ucky
nottohavef all
.Queenmot her'
sheartsi
ppedabeat .
Majidturnedtohiscarandopenedt hefrontdoor
butRishiquicklygott
ohim andkneltdown,hugging
him onhiswai stf
rom t
heback.Sheweptmi l
ea
hungrybabyandsomeser vant
sevent ear
edup.
Thekingf el
tupsetandwalkedbackintothe
buil
dingwot hepri
ests.Maji
dturnedtoherandbent
down,faci
ngherandpul l
edheraway,grabbingher
ti
ghtl
ylikehedidtoCindy).
'
'I
fyouever .
..
Rishi,
ifyouever .
.getcl
oset
omel i
ke
t
hiseveragain.
..youwouldn'tli
keme' '
.Hesai
dwith
aheavyvoiceandat hr
eateninglook.
'
'Dowhat everyouwantt ome, Idon'tcareMaji
d.I
j
ustneedyouher epl ease.Iswear,Idi
dn'twantto
l
ie,
Iswear,Iswear.
..
askever yoneMaj id.Don'
thate
me,Ican'
tstanditplease''
.Shej ustcried
uncontr
oll
ably.
'
'Youspentever ysecondwi t
hme.Showi ng
me,stupidandsenselessdeceit
fullove.Theonly
diff
erencebetweenyouandCi ndyi s.
.Cindydid
somet hi
ngbadt obewi thme.Whi l
esyou,youjust
keptthebiggestsecr
etofmyl if
e.Iwaspayi ng
homaget oani mposterandyouwer ewatchi
ngme
doit.Anddisyoueverst optothinkofhowIwoul d
feeli
fIfoundoutIact ual
lydi
dn'thaveamot her?
Shei sdead!'
'.
'
' Itri
edmybestMaj i
d.Whatshoul
dIsayMajid?Oh
Lor d.
..Icur
sethedayIl
ear
ntthetr
uth.
..
Maji
dthey
toldmet okeepmymouthshutbutIswearIt
riedt
o
tellyou.Pleaser
emember.
..t
heday..
.
'
'Idon'
twantt
ohearanythi
ng!Idon'
ttr
ustyou,
or
anyoneel
se.I
sthatcl
ear
?''
.
(Hethrewherasi
deandQueenSheenaqui ckl
ygot
thereandhel
dhersoshewoul dn'
tfall
.Majid
openedhiscarandenter
ed.Queenmot hergotto
thecarandopenedthedoorandpulledMaj i
dout
thengavehimthemostpainfulsl
apacrosshis
face).
'
'Haveyoucompletel
ylostyoursenses?Youj
ust
malt
reat
edyourpregnantwife!'
'
.
(
Thi
snewshi
tQueenDor
ahandFar
ukl
ikeabomb)
.
'
' Maji
dpl ease.
..''
.QueenSheenapl acedherhands
togetherinsorrow.''Punishusal lyouwant ,
but
pleaseleaveRi shioutofthis.Icompl et
elytake
responsibili
tyforhersil
ence.Don' tpunishherli
ke
this.
..
shel ovesyout oomuchMaj id,andIknowyou
can'twithouthereither'
'.
(Maji
drol
ledhiseyesdownt oRi
shionthefl
oor
whohadherf acedownwar dandsobbing.He
star
redatherforali
tt
lewhileandstarr
edbackat
Queenmot herwhowasf acinghi
m) .
'
'Don'
teverl aytourhandonmeagai nQueen
Gayat
ri.Ihavebei ngcursedtobei nthisf
ami l
y.At
l
east,
youhur tmeoncebymaki ngmemar ryher'
'.
Hesaid,poi
nt i
ngatRi shi
.'
'Itdi
dn'thurtasmuch,asI
t
oldherIt r
ustedher .Shewasmyot herhalf,
I
t
houghtIcoul dtrustmyl i
feinherhands' '
.
'
' Majidwhyar eyoudoi ngt histome?Can' tyousee
thatourl i
veshouldbeabl etost andt his?'
'.Ri
shi
gotupandwentcl osert ohi m.Shet ookhishands
i
nher s.'
'Majidwear egoi ngtohaveababy.
Maj i
d,it
'sourbaby..
.don'tdot histoourchi ld.Iwil
l
dowhat everyouwant .Butdon' ttreatmel ikemy
fatherdid..
.Iwoul
djustdi e.Apar tfrom mymot her,
I
havet akenyouawmyever ythingMaj i
d.IswearI
didn'twantt ohi
deanyt hingf rom youaboutQueen
Meer ah...
.
(Maji
dinapitofragerai
sedhi
shandandwas
abouttohi
tRishibuthel
dhimsel
fbackand
contr
oll
edhi
semot
ions.Het
henpoi
ntedaf
ingerat
her)
.
'
'Don'
tyouever
,ever
..
ment
ionhername.Youar
e
notwor
thy'
'.
(Thiswast hemostshocki ngandsaddestmoment .
Alltheservantshadtheirhandsont hei
rmout hsas
theythoughtMaj i
dwasaboutt oslapRi shi.Maj
id
enteredhiscaranddr ovespeedi l
yaway.Queen
mot herandQueenSheenat urnedt ospeakt oRishi
butshet urnedherbackont hem andwal kedint
o
thebuildi
ngwi thKushiandever yone).
'
'Iunder
standheract
ions.Wehavedest
royedher
marri
agemother''
.
'
'IknowMaj
idl
ovedher
.Hei
sgoi
ngt
ogobackt
o
her'
'.
'
'How?Wehavenohel
pfrom anywher
e.AndMaj
id
hast
hreat
enedt
ogobacktoLondon''
.
'
'Hesai
dthat
?Wecan'
tal
lowt
hat
.Af
terever
ythi
ng
wasgoi
ngonsowel
l''
.
'
'Thedayaf
tert
omor
rowi
sfast
ingday.Doyou
thi
nkMaj
idwi
llbewi
ll
ingt
obr
eakRi
shi
'
sfastf
or
him?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Wit
hwhati
sgoingon,
Ithi
nki
twi
l
lbe
bet
terf
orhernott
opar
ti
cipat
e''
.
(
Int
hecour
t).
Thekinghadfini
shedt
hemeet
ingandQueen
motherandQueenSheenamethi
m.Pri
ncess
Lakshmilat
erenter
ed.
'
'Whathappendnow?'
'
.
'
'Oneoftheprot
ect
iveguar
dsofthekingdom came
her
eandsaidtwopeoplefr
om theendsofthe
ki
ngdom di
edthi
smor ni
ngfordri
nki
ngfrom t
he
Sanj
akri
ver'
'.
'
'Ohgoodness.Notagai
n.Shaker
,t
hisi
aget
ti
ngout
ofhand'
'
.
'
' I
tisthesamepoisonpr oblem fr
om t
heriverofthe
Jhansikingdom.Nowpeopl eareangr
yand
planningademonst r
ati
onagai nstme.Ican'tsitf
or
thistohappened.IhaveMaj id'
sprobl
em tothink
aboutandnowt hi
smot her?''
.
'
'Whatdoyoupl
ant
odonow?'
'
.
'
'Si
mplyhaveaseriousmeeti
ngwit
hSiamakaft
er
t
heweddingbetweenFarukandhi
sdaught
er.He
mustcheckhi
speoplewell'
'
.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,wi
llt
hisnotbri
ngaheat
ed
ar
gumentbetweenyouandKi ngSi
amak?''
.Queen
Sheenaasked.
'
'Iwillt
akethatr
iskQueen.Ican'
tchoosemy
f
riendshipwit
hSiamakovertheli
vesofmysubj
ect
s
'
'
.
'
'Theysental et
ter.Si
nceit'
sjustl
essthantwo
weekstotheweddi ng,theywil
lbearri
vingi
nthe
ki
ngdom tomor r
owt oli
vehereuntilt
heduetime''
.
Queenmot hersaid.
'
'Okaynoproblem.Howi sRi
shidoing?Keepaneye
onhermother.Iwi
llspeakt
oMaj i
dwhenheget s
backandmakessureheunder st
andseveryt
hing'
'
.
'
'Whyar eallofyouhi
dingthi
ngsfrom us?Iwoke
uponemor ningjustt
olear
nMaj i
disonlymyhal f
brot
her?''
.Lakshmisaidi
nanger.'
'It
'snotfai
r!My
rel
ati
onshipwithRajwaskeptasecretandwhen
youal lf
oundout,youtr
eatedmel i
keast r
anger
becauseIhadf al
leninlove.Notknowing,your
secretswereevenbiggerthanus.NowMaj i
dwant
s
nothingtodowi t
hanyofus. .
.see?'
'.
(
Shesai
dandwal
kedoutoft
hecour
t).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Att
her
iversi
de)
.
Hiscarspeedi lyarr
ivedatt her i
ver 'sroad.He
parkednearonecoconutt reeandgotout .Hest ood
bythedoorf orawhi l
etakingt hef reshai ri n.Some
ofthesubj ect spassedbyandboweddownt ohi m
andlef t
.Hewal keddownt hesandsl opewi tha
bottl
eofwat erinhishandandwal kedst raightt o
theriver,st
andi ngont hesandandbr eat hingi n
deept heairt hatcamewi tht her oaroft her iver.As
heclosedhi seyesandf eltthebr eeze, hecoul dn't
stopt hi
nkingofRi shi.Remember ingt heirf irstkiss
andt ouchesandt hesweetf ragrancef rom herhai r
andbody.Andi thurthim mor ethatsheknewabout
thesecr etandhi sitfrom him.Hef eltagent letouch
onhisshoul derandheopenedhi seyeandt urned
back.Andt hereshest ood,thesmi lingext ravagant
Cindy.Shehadl ef
therhairdangl ingdownsi nce
sheknewi twasMaj id'
sfavourit
estyle.Andshe
wor eatranspar
entseablueshor tdresssinceshe
knewt hattoowasMaj id'
sfavourit
ecolour.The
windblewbet weenthem,Maj i
dtuckedhi shai
r
behindhisearandf acedherwi t
haconf usedface.
Wonder i
nghowshegott here.Shegotherhandof f
hisshoulderandsteppedal it
tl
ecloserandMaj i
d
steppedbackwards.
'
'Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Ar
eyouf
oll
owi
ngme?'
'
.
'
'HowcanIfol
lowyou?Iwasar oundt
hear
ea.
Looki
ngar
oundtheplace,
tour
ing..
.
'
'Tour
inghuh?Youarenowt
our
ingt
hepl
aceyou
wantt
oleavesoon?'
'
.
'
'Iwant
edtoleaveMaji
d.ThewayIcame..
.andI
camewithyou.Andi
fIam leavi
ng,
Ihavet
ol eave
wit
hyou''
.
'
'Whetherwel
eavetogetherornot
,not
hingwi
ll
change.Wewi
llnotgetbacktoget
her'
'.
'
'Majid..
.IwasgoingtotellyouaboutMrRaul'
s
pl
ansi fthepl
anitsel
fbecamesuccessful
.ButI
neverthoughtyouhadfall
eni nl
ovewithher
.I
wouldn'
thaveagr
eedtothepl
an.Youknow,
allI
car
eaboutisyourhappi
ness'
'
.
(
Maj i
dtur
nedhisbackather,st
arr
ingattheri
ver
wit
hsomuchmi xedemoti
ons.Cindywalkedtohis
f
ront.Tur
ningherfacei
ntothemostinnocent)
.
'
'Ican'
ttr
ustanyoneanymor
e''
.
'
'Youcantrustme.BecauseIwi
llneverhi
det
he
t
ruthaboutyourmother'
'
.
(Tear
sfel
loutMaj
id'
seyesashelookeddownat
herandimagi
nedi
ttobeRishi
).
'
'Iwil
lbeleavi
ngt
hedayaf
tert
omor
row.Backt
o
London,
wannacome?''
.
'
' Ohno.Thisi
swhatIhavewant edal lmyli
fe.To
l
eavethisgodforsakenpl
aceandgobackt oour
l
iveswi t
hMajid.Butmyfatheri
sal soarr
ivi
ng
tomorrow.AndhesaysIshoul dstayhereandhel p
himtakeeverythi
ngf r
om MrRaul.WhodoIf ucking
choose?Theloveofmyl i
fe,ort
heloverofmyl ife?'
'.
Cindythought
.
'
'Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?Ai
n'tyoui
nter
est
edi
n
Londonanymor
e?'
'
.
(
Shepr
etent
iousl
ytur
nedherbackathi
m).
'
'Whatistheuseofbeingi
noneplanewi t
hyoui
f
youdon'tconsi
dermeastheloveofyourli
fe
anymore?Idon'twantt
ogoifyoudontloveme
anymore.Youcanleavemehere''
.
'
'Areyougoi
ngt her
eagainCindy?Becauseyou
knowIcanactuall
yleaveyouift
hat'
swhatyou
want'
'.
'
' Idon'tknowhowt omakeyouunder standt his
Maj i
d.Iloveyou.AndIdon'tregr
etanyt hingIdidto
thatidiot!Aft
eral
l,
shedeserveditanyways. ..
who
knowsshewassuchat rai
tor?Dayandni ghtwit
h
you,cuddl i
ngyou,
butsheknewyourmot herwas
anot herwomanandwasdeadMaj i
d''.Shesai dand
turnedt ohim.
(Shecoul
dseehewasweakandt ir
ed.Andshe
thoughtt
hiswastheperf
ectopport
unit
ytotake
backherri
ghtf
ulposi
ti
oninhisli
feagain)
.
'
'Aft
erf
indi
ngout,
whathappened?'
'
.Sheasked
sof
tl
y.'
'Howareyoufeel
ing?'
'.
'
'Ican'
texplai
n.Al
lIcanthi
nkaboutis,
dismy
mothereverholdmeinherarms?Didshe..
.'
'.Hi
s
voi
cebreakandhecr i
edinhispal
ms.
'
' Haveyouhuggedanyonel atelybaby?''
.She
openedherar msandembr acedMaj i
d.Hetriedto
resistatfi
rstbutthenlatemel tedinitaswell.I
twas
awar m andsweethugandher eal
lyneededthat
from someone.Hebr eakdownandt heywenton
theirkneestogether,
embr acinggr aceful
ly.
'
'Idon'
tknowwhot otrustanymore.Wearenot
manybutIcanseehowt heyal
lhavebetr
ayedme
atonce.Ican'
tseeeyetoeyewithanyoneint
he
pal
ace.Makingitdi
ffi
cul
ttoli
vethere'
'
.
'
' Majid,youcantrustme.Myl oveIwoul
dnever
thinkofhur t
ingyouliket
hat.Wehavebeingi
na
relat
ionshipforsevenyearandyouknowmewel l.I
t
willhurtift
hatendedbecauseofsomeonewho
endedupbet rayi
ngyouright?'
'.
'
'I
tal
readyendedCi
ndy'
'
.
'
'Itdi
dn'
tendforme''
.Shesaidandtookhisf
acei
n
herhands.Touchi
ngherf
oreheadt
ohi s.
'
'Ci
ndysop'
'
.Hewhi
sper
ed.
'
'Stopresi
stingmeMaj id.Webot hwantthi
ssogive
i
ntomebaby. .
.Il
oveyou''.Shethrewher
selfonhi
m
andtheirl
ipstouchedinal ongkiss.
(Majid'
sbacktouchedthesandyf l
oorandCi ndy
l
ayedoverhi m wi
thherarmsar oundhisshoulders,
kissi
nghim seduct
ivel
y.Shekissedhim sodeep,his
l
ipsbegunt ohurt
.Hepulledawayandgott ohis
feet,
hishai
randfacewerefullofsand.Cindy
pointedati
tandlaughedathim) .
'
'Itfeel
sjustl
ikeol
dti
mesbaby.Li
kewhenwewer
e
atthebeachinLondon,r
emember?'
'.
'
'Iguess.
..
Ijustneedsomewher
equi
ett
ocl
earmy
head''
.
(
Shef
orcef
ull
yembr
acedhi
m).
'
'LetmebehereforMajid.Iwon'tgi
veyouareason
tocompl
ain.Iwi
llbewit
hyoui fyouneedanyoneto
hug,
ort
alk.
..
eveninthebedroom ''
.
(Maji
dlaughedatthi
sfunnygest
ureandstudied
Cindy'
sbodylanguage.Andsheal
soactedsincere
i
not
hert
obenot
iced.Shesmi
ledwi
del
y).
'
'Iam gl
adIcoul
datl
eastmakeyoul
augh'
'
.
'
'Yeaht
hankyou'
'
.
'
'Ihavetoputmoreeff
orti
ntheactsohecansee
am ser
ious'
'.Shet
houghtt
ohersel
f.'
'Letusgo
backtoLondonandgetbacktoourol
dlivesand
for
getweevercamehere''
.
'
'Iwantt
o..
.buti
t'
shar
d..
.
'
'Iwi
llhel
pyousweet
hear
t''
.
'
'Yes.Iwonderhowmymot her'
sfacelooksl
ike.I
am goi
ngtothepalacet
osearchforherimage''
.
'
'Iwannacome.Pl
ease?'
'
.
(
Hest
arr
edatherf
orawhi
le)
.
'
'Okay.Iam r
eal
lygonnaneedyouCi
ndy.
..Ir
eal
ly
needyouri
ghtnow..
.
(
Shedi
dn'tlethi
m compl
etet
hesentenceand
j
umpedintohisarmsandembracedhim).
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
59] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence15
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay=I
nthePal
ace=Pr
incessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
Afterhernormalmorningr
outi
ne,shest oodi
nfront
ofQueenMeer ah'sst
atueandplacedherhands
together
.Sheraisedonehandandt ouchedQueen
Meer ah'
sfacewhilet
heotherhandt ouchedher
stomach.
'
'Blessmeandyourgrandchil
drenQueenMeer
ah.
Tomor r
owi
sthefasti
ngday,pl
easemakeMajid
for
givemebef
orethen''
.
(
Kushient
eredt
hechamberwi
thagl
oomyf
ace.
Shegentl
ypl
acedthet
rayofbr
eakf
astont
het
abl
e
andfacedRi
shi
).
'
'Kushi,
Ihavetogivethepr egnancynewstomy
mother.Ihavetoaskforper missi
onfrom Queen
mothertoleavethepalace.Willyougowithme?''.
'
'Thati
swhyIam her
eRi
shi
.Look,
sirdownf
ir
st'
'
.
'
'Idon'
twantt
oeathere.Motherwi
llcookforme
whenIreacht
hehouse.Imissherf
ood' '
.
'
'Rishil
ist
en!Youwi
llnotf
indaunti
nthehouse
okay?!'
'
.
'
'What
..
why?Kushiwhati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
'Yourf
atherdi
edRi
shi
.Thatmeans,
yourmot
heri
s
nowawidow' '
.
'
'What
?''
(Ri
shireali
sedeveryt
hingandbreakdown.Shesat
i
nthebedandhel dherheadwi thbothherhands.
Shestartedchoki
ngandpour edforher
selfaglass
ofwater).
'
'No.
..
'
'Theri
tualstotakehertothemount ai
nsisbeing
hel
dtodayRishi.Thenewscamet otheroyalf
ami l
y
j
ustthi
smor ningand..
.t
hisisasacredsecretri
tual
whichoccursbetweenthepriest
sandt hewidows
al
one''
.
'
' MotherIam sosorry'
'
.Sheputt heglassdown
andweptherhear tout,
hol
dingherstomach.''Not
whenIneededyout hemist.
.no.Kushiwhyisall
thishappeningtome?Mymot herisgetti
ng
old..
.nowtheyaregoingtokeepherint he
mount ai
nstoserve,
allf
orthesakeofmypr odi
gal
fatherwhodoesnordeser vetoberemember ed!'
'
.
(
Kushiwentclosert
oherandsatbesi
desherand
wrappedheri
nahug) .
'
'Weonl yhaveeachothernow'
'.Shewept.'
'We
shallgoandvisi
therassoonastheri
tuali
sover
okay?Everyt
hingwouldbeokay''
.
'
' Iam lef
tstranded.Ithoughtthi
swouldbetheend
ofoursor rows.Iwi shedformyowndownf allwhen
Iwi shedtomar rytheprince.Kushi
..
.Iwi
lldi
eifall
thepeopl eIli
veleavesme' '
.
'
'Iam sti
llher
eokay?AndIam notmovingani
nch
fr
om yourside.Weshal
lconquert
hisf
ightt
oget
her
.
Ipromise''
.
(
Rishibr
eakt
hehugandf
acedKushi
).
'
'Imi
sshim Kushi
.Ireal
lyneedhi
m.Whycan'the
seet
hathei
st heonehurti
ngmerightnowby
i
gnor
ingme?''
.
(Kushithr
ewherfaceasi
dewi t
ht hei
mpressi
onof
guil
twritt
enal
loveri
t.Ri
shisearchedherf
aceand
real
isedsomethi
ngwasn'tr
ight)
.
'
'WhathappenedKushi
?Whyar
eyou.
..
'
'QueenSheenat
oldmenott ot
ellyout
hisbut
..
.I
j
ustcan'
thi
deitf
rom you!'
'
.
'
'Ohmygoodness.
..Whati
sitKushi
?''
.
'
' I
tisMaj id.Yousl
eptearl
yyester
dayRi
shi
,soyou
didn'tseewhathappened.ButMaj i
dcamebackto
thepal ace..
andhewasn'talone'
'.
'
'Whatar
eyousayi
ng?'
'
.Sheaskedi
nconf
usi
on.
'
'Iam sayi
ng..
.Maj
idcamet
othepal
acewi
tht
he
f
orei
gner!'
'.
'
'Ci
ndy?'
'
.
'
'Yesyes..whateverhernameis.Thatwitchhas
makesur etogetMaj i
dbackinherli
fe.AndMaj i
d
didn'
tseem botheredaboutwhatpeoplesaidatall
.
Infact
,t
heyspentsomet i
meinTuegar denandlater
wentintohischamber .Wheni
twasget ti
ngreall
y
dark,t
henheor deredSushimtotakeherbackto
whereshecamef rom '
'.
(Rishitouchedherchestasshefeltaver
ysharp
painitit.Shedeepl
yclosedhereyesandimagined
allshewasgoi ngthroughwasjustadream.She
openedhereyesandwi pedhertearsawayi
n
confidence).
'
'Maji
dcannotf al
loutofli
vewi t
hmeKushi .I.
.I
knowImadeami stakeofhidingthetrut
h,andI
knowheisjustmadatme.Hewi llsooncomeback
tohi
ssenses,becauseIwillnotgiveuptryingtowi
n
backhi
strust
.AndnotevenCi ndywi l
lst
andi nmy
way.Maji
dismi ne.Minealone''.
'
'Yes!Thati
sthespi
ritgi
rlf
ri
end!Wecannotal
low
t
heenemywi natall
.Youhavetostar
tshowing
Maj
idwhathe'
smi
ssi
ng'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
' Showhi mt hatskinnybonesi snotyourl evel.You
arehisf i
rstQueenaf terall
,youhaveal lt
her ight
sin
thewor ldtohavehi stimeandat t
enti
on.TheJhansi
royalfami l
ywi l
larri
veher eatanymoment .Iam
goingtocal lPri
yaandwear egoingtot ransform
youf r
om headt otoeRi shi
.Youwi lll
ookso
beautifulthatMajidwi l
lregretevergetti
ngangr y
wi t
hyou' '
.
(
Theybothlaughedbut?
Rishiwatooburdened.
Aft
ert
earfl
owedhereyesforhermother
.Butshe
t
ookcourageandwipedhertear
saway).
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hedressedupi nahotwhiteshir
tandknicker
swith
aseablueslipper
sandcheckedhi msel
finthe
mir
ror.Hisphonerungloudl
yinhisbedroom andhe
wal
kedt her
eandpi ckedi
tup.ItWSfrom the
Mumbaiai r
portandheansweredquickl
y.
'
'Yes.
..
tel
lme'
'
.
'
'Si
r,
theplaneyourequest
edwillnotbearri
vingat
t
heexactsamedat eweplanned.Wear everysorr
y
f
ortheinconveni
encesir'
'
.
'
'Whatt
hef
uck?Iwannal
eaveI
ndi
atomor
row!'
'
.
'
'Wear esor
rysir
.Almostallt
heVI Ppl
aneshas
beingusedandrequi
resspecialadj
ust
mentsand
repai
rstoi
tbefor
eitcanfl
yagai n''
.
'
' Ial
readytoldyoubefore..
.Ineededapl anewhi ch
hasneverbei ngused!Iwannabet hefir
stpersonto
useit.Jeezzz,whycan'tyouguysf oll
owsi mple
i
nst r
uctions?Almostallt
heser vi
ceher ei
sf ucki
ng
poor.You'regonnagetf i
redifIdon'tgetoutofIndia
tomor r
ow' '
.
'
'Pl
easesi
r.
..
Iam beggi
ngyou.
.I
..
I.
..
'
'Doyouhaveapri
vat
ejetavai
labl
ethen?Wher
e
pr
ivat
ejet
saresol
d?'
'
.
'
'Wedeci dedtosell
someayearago.The
renovat
ionsfort
heyar einwhi
chthejet
swi l
lbe
keptwil
lbecompl et
ednextweekonFr i
day.Sot hat
means,youcangett ourwonli
censedpr
ivat
ej etby
nexttwoweekst i
mesi r'
'
.
(Majidangr i
lythrewhisphoneagai nstthewal land
groanedi nrage.Hehel dhi swai st,
wonder ingwhat
todo.Hwt urnedhisbackt osi ront hebedandsaw
Farukst andingjustsomef ewi nchesawayf rom
him.Theyeyeseachot herpensi velyforawhi l
e.
Maj i
d'sheartwasbeat i
ngsof astwi t
hangerand
Faruklookedr elaxandi nnocent .Majidshookhi s
headandl ookedawayf r
om hi m.Hest eppedf ar
awayf rom him andgotcl osert ohiswi ndow.He
openedt hewi ndowsandr aisedt hefreshcot ton
curtai
nsupandt hewindbl ewi nhisf ace,r
aisinghis
hairbackwar ds.Het urnedbackt oFar ukwho
smi l
edathi m andwal kedcl osertohi sside.He
placedonehandonMaj id'sshoul der).
'
'Youar
epl
anni
ngt
ogobackt
oLondonbr
other
?''
.
'
'Howdidyouentermyr
oom Far
uk?Iasked
Sushi
m nott
o..
.
'
'Iam t
ourel
derbrot
her
.Youcannotkeepmeaway
f
rom seei
ngyou''
.
'
'Ihavet
heri
ghttomypri
vacy.AndIhavetheri
ght
t
ochoosethepeopl
eIwannasee..
.andpeopl
eI
don'
twanna'
'
.
'
'Whywoul dyounotwanttoseemeMaj
id?I
haven'
tdoneanyt
hingtoyou!'
'
.
'
'Ohreall
y?Okay'
'
.Hesai
d,l
ooki
ngr
elaxedbut
suspi
cious.
'
'Hey..
.i
fyouarer
eferr
ingtothenewsaboutyour
bi
ologi
calmother
,thenno.Ineverknewunt
ilt
he
dayyouannouncedMaj i
d''
.
(Maji
dsuddenlyseemedshockedandtookastep
awayfrom Far
uk.Makinghi
shandsli
pf r
om hi
s
shoul
der)
.
'
'AndIam supposedt
obel
ievet
hat
,r
ight
?''
.
'
'Yes.Becausei
tist
rue.Isweart
hatIneverknew
yourmotherwasofQueenSheena.Sheactedlikea
realmot
hertoyouMajid''
.
'
' Yesbutshei snot!'
'
.Heangr i
lyst
art
edwalkingto
andf r
oint hechamber .'
'Howcouldtheythi
nkit
wascoolt ogi vemeanewmot her?Thati
sthe
dumbestt hingIhaveeverheardof.Andthat
too..
.mymot her'
shandmaiden?Iwonderhowmy
motherwouldbef eel
ingr
ightnow.Theycleaned
hernamef r
om everyone'
sli
ps..
.j
ustsowhat?She
wil
lbeforgott
enandQueenSheenawi l
lthi
nkshe
hastakenherplace?''
.
'
'Iam tr
ulysorrybr
other
.Apar
tfr
om me,
youand
Lakshmi,ever
yoneknewaboutyourmot
her
.Queen
Meerah''
.
(
Maji
dbr
eakdownandsatonhi
sbee,
bur
yinghi
s
f
acei
nhi
shands)
.
'
'Butyoucannotpuni shther estofusforour
famil
y'
smi stakes.Iam ver
yangr yatmymot her
ri
ghtnow...
forhidingthi
struthforsolong.She
doesn'
thaveanybet t
erexplanati
onsforme,soIj
ust
l
efttheroom.Nowt hatyouwantt ofobackto
London,whowi llbemyr i
ghthandonmyweddi ng
day?''
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Iam gett
ingmarriedi
nlessthantwoweeks.To
pri
ncessRagah.AndIwi l
lneedallyesupportIcan
getMaji
d''.HeheldMaji
dbackonhi sfeet.'
'Maji
d
pl
ease,thi
nktwice.Youarethefut
urekingafter
all
..
.youcannotleaveyourkingdom becauseof
ter
ribl
epeoplelikegrandmotherandtherest.And
mor eso,Iam goingt
oneedt oursupportonmy
weddi ngday.Ihopeyouthinkthist
hrough''
.
(
Far
ukt
urnedandwal
kedout
).
(
Theci
tyofMumbai
=Doct
orMal
hot
ra'
shospi
tal
).
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
11:
59] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence16
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Theci
tyofMumbai
=Doct
orMal
hot
ra'
shospi
tal
).
Ji
mmyt
ookChar
utoseet
hegynaecol
ogi
st.He
spentthepastt wodayswi thCharuandgavean
excusetoMaj idthathewasj ustexplori
ngt hecit
y.
Thedoct orarri
vedinthewar dwithanur seand
switchedont hemoni t
orandf orhi
sequi pment s
ready.Charuwor eabl ouseandal ongskirt.She
l
ayedont hebedwi ththehel pofJimmyasher
stomachwasoutandcoul dn'tdoi
tonherown.The
doctorsmearasl imyliquidonherst omachandshe
heldJimmy' shandt i
ghtly.Theybot hlookedont he
moni t
orverycloselywhi l
et hegynaecologist
checkedherpr egnancyheal t
h.
'
'Ther
eiti
s''
.Hesai
dandpoi
ntedatt
hemoni
tor
.
'
'Ohgod..
.t
hatli
tt
let
hing'
'
.Ji
mmysaid.''Canwe
knowwhetheri
tisaboyoragir
l?Wel
l.
.becauseshe
i
seightmonthsnow''
.
'
'Wel
lofcour
sesi
r.Letussee.
..
'
'Iam soner
vous'
'
.Char
usai
d.
'
'Don'
tbe.I
fthedoctori
shappy,t
hent
hatmeans
t
hebabyisfi
ne.Rightdoct
or?'
'
.
'
'Yes..
yesofcour
se.Thebabylooksabsol
utel
y
heal
thyandtheheartbeati
sperf
ectandaccur
ate'
'
.
'
'See?'
'
.Ji
mmysai
d,squeezi
ngherhandgent
ly.
'
'Okay.
.ar
eyour
eadyf
ort
hegender
..
.wow,
i
tisa
boy'
'.
(Charupl
acedherhandsoverintear
sofj
oyand
pull
edJimmycloserforat
ighthug).
'
'ItusourbabyboyChar
u.Youar
enotal
one
anymore''
.
'
'Yes.Ourbabyboy.Andhei sgoingtogetal
lthe
l
ovehedeserves.Ican'
tbeli
evethisl
it
tl
eangelwil
l
sooncomeandj oi
nusher e''
.
'
'Weshoul
dst
artpl
anni
nganamef
orhi
m''
.
'
'Yes.Youar
eri
ght
.Wewi
llpl
ant
hat'
'
.
(
Ujaniki
ngdom=Ther
oyalPal
ace)
.
Al ar
gishcarenteredthegr andcompoundand
everyonewal ki
ngoutt herewat chedinsur pri
se.The
carparkedneart hethreecarsofMaj idandi njusta
second, Ci
ndyandNat alyasteppedouti nshor t
reveali
ngf or
eigndresses.Thewi ndblewovert heir
sideandt heyopenedt hebackseat .Cindyremoved
herluggagewhi leNatalyaremovedher s.They
happil
yclosedthedoorandt ur
nedt ot hebuil
ding'
s
entr
ance.Themur muri
ngoft heser vantswere
becominglouderanddrewt heattentionoftheroyal
famil
y.TheysteppedoutandmetCi ndyand
Natal
yaont hewayinside.Queenmot herrai
sedher
handandt woguardssteppedinf rontofCindyand
Natal
ya,blocki
ngthei
rwayf rom entering.
'
'Whoall
owedthi
s?Howdar eyoustepaf
ooti
nmy
pal
ace?
!''
.Theki
ngaskedangri
ly.
'
'Iam notgoi
ngt
oanswert
oyouki
ng'
'
.
'
'Howdar eyou?
!Thusi st
hekingi
fUj
aniandhe
canbeheadyourightnow''
.Queenmot
hershout
ed.
'
'Idon'
tthi
nkMajidwil
lall
owthatQueenmother
.
Noneofyou..
.hasther
ighttot
alkt
omeuntilImeet
Maji
d''
.
'
'Youatenotgoi
ngtostayi
nthi
spalacefor
eigner
.
Overmydeadbody''
.Queenmothersai
dand
st
eppedinfr
ontofher
.
'
'Isthatso?Thenyouwil
lsurel
ydi
eformet
ost
ay
here''
.Cindysai
darr
ogant
ly.
(Queenmot herloosedhercoolandr aisedherhand
i
ntoheai rtoslapherbutherhandwasst oppedi n
midai r
.Ever yonewasshocked.Queenmot her
turnedtot heothersideandsawMaj idholdingher
hand.Hepushedherhandawayi nangerandst ood
i
nf rontofCi ndy.Everyonestarredatthem ashe
tookCindy' shandi nHusandt helookedstunned.
Hest arredathisf amilyandtheser vantsbehind
them.Ci ndysmi ledconfidentl
yandQueenDor ah
couldn'tstopthankingherst ars).
'
'Majid!Whati
sthemeani
ngofal
lthi
s?'
'
.Theki
ng
asked.
'
'Whatdoyout
hink?'
'
.Maj
idsai
d.
'
'Sheisnotstayi
nghereMajid!Youcannotbr
ing
anyotherwomanherebecauseyourwi f
eisinthere!
'
'.Queenmothersai
d,poi
nti
ngatthegrandbuil
ding.
(Rishiwasbeaut iful
lydressedthensheandKushi
arri
vedatt hetallbal
conybecauseofal lt
henoi
se
outside.Theylookeddownont hecompoundand
sawMaj i
d, hol
dingCi ndy'
shand.Rishi
'
sjaw
dropped, hermout hopened, shefel
tashocki
nher
hear
tandhel
dherst
omachast
heyl
ookeddown)
.
'
'Lastti
meIchecked...
yourtr
adition,gi
vesmeevery
ri
ghttotakeanywomanIwant .Iam mar r
ied
becauseyouforcedme!Iam goi ngtodot hi
ngson
myownt er
msnow.Ci ndyisgoingt oli
vehere
whetheryoualll
ikei
tornot''
.
'
'Majid,
youaremaki
ngaver
ybi
gmi
stake'
'
.Queen
Sheenasaid.
'
'Youmakemeangrymoret
hananyone.Youar
e
notevenr
elat
edt
ome''
.
'
'YouaremysonMaj i
d.Hatemeallyouwant
.ButI
am honouredtohaverai
sedthesonofthemost
wonderfulper
sonintheworl
d!'
'.
'
'Whati
syourmai
nreasoni
nbr
ingi
ngt
hisgi
rlher
e
Maj
id?Tohur
tus?'
'.
(
RishiandKushisteppedoutofthebuil
dingatonce.
Maji
droll
edhiseyestot heent
ranceandsawher .
Hi
seyesshowednosi gnsofemotionstowardsher)
.
'
'Cindyi
sher
e.Becausewear
ebacktoget
her.And
sheisgoi
ngt
obemysecondwi f
e''
.Hesaidwith
hi
seyesonRi
shi
.
(KushiheldRi
shif
rom t
heback.ButRi
shigat
her
ed
herstrengt
handwalkedtowar
dsthem).
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Maji
ddon'tdot
hisplease.Tr
adi
ti
on
demands.
..
yourf
ir
stwi f
emustputtobedbef
ore
youcanmar r
yasecondwi fe'
'
.Queenmot
hercr
ied.
'
'I
tiseit
herImarryCi
ndy...
orIl
eavet
heki ngdom.
AndifIswear,
i
fanyonetri
estostopme,youwi l
lal
l
di
etogetherwi
thme.Nooneshoul di
nterferei
nmy
l
if
e..
..
becauseIhavetakenchar
ge''
.
'
'Maji
d''
.Rishiwhisperedandhet
urnedhi
sfacet
o
her
.''
Iam sorry,
please.
..
.
(Hewal kedawaywi t
hCindyandNat al
yaandthe
enterthebuil
ding.Ri
shiwalkedawaytowardsthe
entrance,f
oll
owedbyKushi .TheJhansifami
ly
arri
vedinthepalaceinthei
rpalanqui
nsandthe
kingandQueenswentt omeetandwel comet
hem) .
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Heent
eredhi
schamberwi
thCi
ndyandhewasnot
l
ookingli
kehimself
.Hewasexhaust edandhurt
aft
erquarr
eli
ngwithhisfami
ly.Hesatonhisbed
andCindydroppedherhandbag,admiri
ngthe
chamberanditsnewdecorat
ion.
'
'OhMajid,howImi
sst
hisr
oom somuch.Thi
ngs
haschanged''
.
'
'Ci
ndy,
canyoul
eavemeal
onef
ornow?Iwoul
d
l
ovetor
est'
'
.
'
'Notachoi
ce.Notwhil
eIam her
esweet
hear
t.You
wil
lnol
ongerbealone'
'
.
'
'Ij
ustneedt
ocl
earmyheadal
ri
ght
?''
.
'
'Thencl
eari
twi
thme'
'
.
(Shecunningl
yrai
sedherrightl
egwhichwashalf
nakedtothetopofthebed,
nearMajid'
snoseand
helookedupatherwhileshesmiledandwinkedat
him).
'
'Iam noti
nthemoodf
ort
hisCi
ndy.Iam ser
ious'
'
.
'
'FornowMaji
d,Ipromiseyout
hatthi
sist
heonl
y
t
hingwhichwi
llcqkm youdown.Tr
ustme''
.
(
Shel
ower
edherl
ipsdownt
ohi
sandki
ssedhi
m
passi
onatel
ybuthedidn'
trespondtotheki
ssashe
showednosi gnofemoti
ons.Sheawam herar
ms
downhisjeansandgrabbedhiscrouchandhe
pushedherhandawayf r
om there)
.
'
'Ci
ndyst
op.Idon'
twantt
odot
his'
'
.
'
'Youhaveto.Imissyousomuch.Yousaidit
your
sel
f,youaregoingt
omarr
ymer ight
?''
.
'
'Isai
dthatt
oannoyt
hem okay.
..
'
'What?!'
'
.Shegotawayfrom hi
m.'
'Sowhyam I
hereMaji
d?Areyoujustmeorwhat
?Toforgether
?
'
'.
'
'Ci
ndycal
m..
.
'
'DoImeannot
hingtoyou?Ican'
tbel
ievet
his!'
'
.
Shebr
eakdownintear
s.
(Maj
idstart
edfeel
ingawfulandgotupt
henhel
d
hert
ighttocar
ressher)
.
'
'I'
m sor
ry.
..
hey,i
t'
sfine.Don'tf
eelthatwayplease.I
j
ustwantedtobeal one.Isaidthatoutoff
rustrat
ion.
Surewewillgetmar r
ied.Butnothere.Wewillgo
backtoLondonaftermybr other'
swedding''
.
'
'Pr
omi
se?'
'
.
'
'Sur
eIdo'
'
.
'
'Thenmakelovet
omeMaj
id.Pr
ovet
omet
hatyou
st
il
lli
veme''
.
'
'I
..
.Iam t
ir
edCi
ndy'
'
.Hesai
dsl
owl
y.
'
'Hmmm. ..
noproblem.Come,Iwillgiveyoua
massagebaby.
..soyoucanfallasleepandwakeup
st
rong''
.
(Shelatehim downont hebedandhet ookadeep
breathandcl osedhiseyeswhi l
eCi ndymassaged
him soft
ly.Oppositethebed,theinvisi
bleone
appeared.QueenDor ah'sfather.Andhewasr eady
totakeaction)..
..
.
(
Pri
ncessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
BothsheandKushihel
dthepoti
nthei
rarmstight
ly
andwrappedi
twithasmallr
edtr
ansparentcl
oth.
'
'Tomor r
owisfasti
ngdayKushi
,
andpeopl
ear
e
prepar
ingfori
ttomorr
ow''
.
'
'Sothatmeans,
i
fwet aket
hepott
othepr
iestt
his
eveni
ng,noonewil
lnoti
ce'
'.
'
'Exact
ly.Now,
keepthisi
nthewardr
obe,assooni
s
i
tis9pm,weshallsneakoutoft
hepal
ace''
.
'
'Buti
sthatnott
ool
ate?'
'
.
'
'Thati
stheonlytimepeopl
ewon'
tnoti
cethatwe
ar
enotinthepalace.Wehavenochoi
ce''
.
(Kushitookthepotandplacediti
nt hewardrobe.
Rishisatint
hebee,l
ookingexhausted.Kushiwent
closertoandsatbesidesher)
.
'
'Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llbe'
'
.
'
'Wi
llyouf
astf
orMaj
idt
omor
row?'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
Iwi
llonl
yfoitfort
hesakeofhi
ssaf
ety.Now
t
hathehasbroughtthatwi
tchback'
'
.
'
'Well
...
thati
stheonl
ypur poseoft
hefast
ing.Be
st
rongRi shi
.Aft
eral
l,
yourbabyshoul
dbeyourtop
pr
iori
tynow...
notMaji
d''
.
'
'Yes.Mybaby.OhgoodnessKushi
,
Ihaven'
t
expr esseditye..
.butIam veryhappyt hatIam
car ryi
ngal i
ttl
ehumani nme.Doyouknowhowi t
feelsnow?' '.AndIam notgoi ngt oletMaj i
d'sanger
drivemet opunishthisbeautifulsoulinme.I fhe
doesn' tcareaboutourbaby. .
Ido.Andi fhewant s
not hingtodowi ththebaby,Ido.AndIwi lll
ovehim
orher' '
.
'
'Thati
sthespi
ri
tsist
er.Wewon'
tletanyt
hing
st
andinourway''
.
(
TheKi
ng'
schamber
).
Hesatonhi sbed,
holdingasmal lpor t
raitofQueen
Meer ahinhi shandsandt hepi twhi chcont ained
herashesoft wentyf i
veyear sago.Hi seyeswer e
wetf rom tearsandhehear dhi schamberdoor
opened.Hequi cklywipedhi stear sawayand
placedthepor t
rai
tasideasQueenmot herent ered
andst oodadi stancef r
om hi m,starringathi mi n
sadness.Sheknewexact lywhathewasdoi ngand
sheknewhersont oowell.Hehat edpeopl et osee
him weakandvul nerable.Hewast heal mi ghtyKi ng
ShakherSamr atofUj anikingdom andt hef earless
war r
iorallthekingdomsf eared.Shewal kedcl oser
andsatbesi
deshi
m andhecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
'
'Whati
sitmot
her
?''
.
'
'Don'thi
deyourtear
sShakher.
..
iti
sokayt ocr
y
whil
esam here.Iam yourmot
herafteral
l'
'.
'
'Ihavecr
iedenoughmother.AndMeerahisnot
comingbacksoIbett
eraccepti
tal
ready'
'.
'
'Butyoucan'
t.Aft
ert
went
yfi
veyear
s.Shewast
he
l
oveofyourli
fe''
.
'
'Shestil
list
heloveofmylif
e.AndIhavenever
l
ookedatanyotherwomant hesameway.Ihave
t
rieral
lIcoul
dtogetoverherdeat
h..
..
butIj
ustcan'
t
'
'
.
'
'Iknow.Shewasmyf avouri
te.EvenSheenahas
notbei
ngabletotakeherplaceinourli
ves.And
seei
ngMajideveryday..
.makesmet hi
ngIam
seei
ngher.Idon'
tthinkMajidwouldbethiswayif
shewasalive'
'.
'
'Yes.Meer
ahmi ghthavebei
ngagoodandqui et
woman.Butshewasanumberonedi scipl
inar
ian.
AndMajidonl
ylooksli
keher,
butheneverbecame
l
ikeher'
'
.
'
'Whatwoul
dwedowi
tht
hef
orei
gner
?''
.
'
'YouheardMaji
d,didn'tyou?Hewouldgobackt
o
Londonifweki
ckedt heforei
gnerout
.Andsowe
don'
thaveachoicebutt okeepher'
'.
'
'Idon'
tli
keheronebi
t.AndIf
eelshei
sgoi
ngt
o
t
urnouttobeasecondQueenDo...
.
'
'Queenwhatmother?Mot
her,
whati
sgoi
ngon?
Areyouhi
dingt
hingsfr
om me?''
'
'Shakher
,youwi
llnotunderst
and.ButIpromi
se,
oncewehaveenoughevidence,youwil
lknow''
.
'
'Evidenceofwhat
?Ar
eyout
alki
ngaboutQueen
Dorah?''
.
(
Queenmot
herf
akedal
aughandgott
oherf
eet
).
'
'Shakher
, nowthattheJhansifami
lyar
ehere,
when
ar
eyoupl anni
ngtoquestionKingSiamakaboutt
he
waterpoi
soning?''
.
'
'Af
tert
heweddi
ng'
'
.
'
'Doyout
hinkt
hati
sri
ght
?It
hinkyoushoul
dtel
l
him now.Lett
ingFarukmarryhi
sdaughterbef
ore
confront
inghim wil
lbeadisast
er.Whati
fhewants
totakehisdaughterback?'
'.
'
'Wel
lmot her,
thatwillbeadisgracetous.AndI
woul
dn'tall
owt hat
.IfSiamaki ssensibl
eenough,
he
woul
dtalktomeni cel yaboutthepoisonwhenIask
hi
m.Else,t
henhewi llbecalli
ngforwar''.
'
' Ohgoodness..
no!Areyoureadyforawar
?Youare
toooldnowShakher .AndFaruk,
hehasoproper
trai
ning.Notoft
alkofMaji
dwhoknowsnot hi
ngat
all'
'
.
'
'Pract
icemakesmanper fectmother.Majidand
Farukwillst
artlearni
ngfr
om theroyalschoolof
warri
ors.Especiall
yMaji
d,whoi sthefutur
eking.
Hehast olearnmor ebecausethekingsistheone
wholeadshi ssoldier
stowar.Andi fhedoesn't
tr
ain,
howwi llhesavehiskingdom inthefutur
e''
.
'
' Idon'twantanywar.Everyoneenjoyspeace
Shakher .Pl
easetalktoSi
amaki nasensiblewayso
thatyout wowillsol
vethi
si naniceanddiplomat
ic
way. .
.okay?'
'.
'
' Iwi
llseet ot
hatmother.Iwi
ll
.BecauseasfarasI
know,itisthepeopl
eifUjaniwhoaresuff
eri
ngfrom
thispoison,nott
heJhansis.SoIwil
lsaythi
snicel
y
forhimt ocheckhispeopleandscoopoutthe
culpri
t''
.
'
'Good'
'
.
(
RoyalGuestr
ooms)
.
Infrontoftheguestroom, QueenSalmahandeda
medi um sackofgoldcoinst oonemasculi
neguar d.
Heboweddownandl ef
t.QueenSalmar et
reated
backi nt
other oom andcloserthedoor
.Shewent
closertoherhusbandwhol ayedonthebedwi tha
bookofr oyalt
yinhishands.QueenSal mar emoved
herjewelri
esandpl acedthem inoneofthedrawers
andsatont heebedaswel l.
'
'Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
ooutt
her
e?'
'
.
'
'Aguar
d..
hewassentbyQueenDor
ah'
'
.
'
'Andwhatbusi
nessdoyouhavewi
thher
?''
.
'
'Whatbusi
ness?SheisFaruk'
smotherr
emember?
Theboywhowi l
lbecomeourdaught
er'
shusbandi
n
j
ustaweek'
sti
me?'
'
.
'
'Hmmm. .
.i
fyousayso.I
sthatal
l,
whatdi
dshe
want
?''
.
'
' Shesenttheguardtoaskforper
missionsoRagah
couldspendsomet imewithFaruktogettoknow
themselveswell'
'
.
'
'Whydoessheneedper
missi
on?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
.Wee.
..
'
'Don'
tli
etomeSal
ma.Whati
sreal
lygoi
ngon?'
'
.
'
' OhSiamakenough!Iam notdoinganythi
ngwr ong.
Besides,whatyoushouldbeworriedaboutmostif
thefactthatpeopl
earetal
kinghereandthere.
Aboutthepoi soni
nUjani'
swaterbodies'
'.
'
'Howdoest
hatconcer
nme?'
'
.
'
' Ohi
tmust
.Thewat erwhi
chfir
stgotinf
ectedwas
theonet
hatsepar
atedUjanif
rom Jhansi
..
.doyou
knowwhatthatmeans?''
.
'
'Whereareyougoi
ngwi
tht
his?'
'
.Hesatup,
l
ooki
ng
concer
ned.
'
'Myki ng.
..
doyouknowt
hati
tispossi
blet
hatt
hey
suspectus?''
.
'
'Howcant hey?Shakherknowst hat,
ifheisgoing
toheanenemy, i
tsurelywon'tbethepeopleof
Jhansi.Andifhesuspect ed,hewouldhave
confront
edmeal ready.AndIwouldbever y
disappoi
ntedifhedi dthat.Al
lheKingslooksupto
him.Ifheaccusesmei nanyway,doyouknowt he
kindofembar rassmentIwoul dgothrough?''
.
'
'Wel l
,
Ihopeyoukeepi nmind..
.t
hati fShakher
shouldaccuseyou,al
lthesupportyougetf r
om t
he
restofthethi
rt
ytwokingdom, i
ncludingUj aniwi
ll
stop.Andourkingdom wouldsuffer.Iam yourwife
andIal waysgi
veyouadvice.Givethisat hought'
'.
'
'Whatdoyouexpectmet
odo?'
'
.
'
'Iam notsayingyoushoul dcallf
orwar .Buti
fyou
werekingofUj ani
,youwoul dhavebeingmuch
morerespectedandt akenintoaccount.Andyou
wouldbetheonepeopl ewouldbebeggi ngfor
support'
'
.Shesai dandgott oherfeet
.''Butno,
you
al
wayshadt obeundert heshadowofShakher ,and
now,
theyaresuspect
ingyouar
ethewi
ckedmonk
whopoisonedthei
rwater'
'
.
(Shesai
dandwentstr
aighti
ntot
hebat hr
oom and
Siamakent
eredi
ntoaverydeepevi
lthought
).
(
Int
hemount
ains=Gr
eat
estUj
aniShr
ine)
.
Bhavnaar rivedi nthetemplewit
htheepr iest
s.She
hadcompl etelychangednow.Shewasi nanal l
whitesareeandat ightvei
lwasusedtocoverher
baldnessasherhai rwasshavedoff.Hereyeswer e
redfrom tear sandshewal edbythepr i
eststobe
i
ntroducedt othegr eatpri
est
.Sheboweddownand
touchedhi sf eetwithbothhandsandt hepr i
estwas
greatl
yimpr essed.Andshewast akent ojoin
widowsint hemount ai
ns.
(I
ntheeveni
ng=I
nthepal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
s
chamber)
.
Itwasal at
easi twasi mpossibl
etohearasingl
e
noiseinthepalace.Maj i
dlayedonhisbed,f
ar
asleep.Darknessemer gedintheroom and
possessedhi m asfastaspossibl
e.Hiseyes
openedandi twasbl ackastheevilkni
ghtandan
ecli
pse.Hesatupst r
aightandhelookedevil
.He
wasshi r
tlessandonl yhaspyjamason.Hegott o
hisfeetl
ikear obotandt hecol
ourofhiseyeskept
changing.Theni tf
inall
yturnedt
onormal.He
walkedoutofhi schamberi nahaste.
(
Pri
ncessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
BothRishiandKushidressedupsimplyandwor
e
veil
sontheirf
aces.Kushiopenedthewardr
obeand
tookoutthepotandwrappeditinherarms.
'
'Ri
shi
,ar
eyousur
eoft
his?'
'
.
'
' Yes.I
tist
imet ogetthi
soverwi
th.Now,whenwe
getdownf rom t
hebuildi
ng,
wewil
lpassbehindthe
treesandsneakintothepal
acefi
eldsandleave
throughtheotherdoor''
.
'
'Whati
fther
ear
eguar
ds?'
'
.
'
' Wewil
ljustmakesomethinguporf i
ndaway.But
nomatterwhathappenstonightKushi,
wemust
taket
hispottopri
estChanakherandsolvet
he
myster
y''
.
'
'Let
'shur
ry.
..
woul
dwegoal
one?'
'
.
'
'Ofcour
se!Wecan'tt
rustanyoneri
ghtnowKushi
.
Unti
lweknowwhyQueenDor ahi
sinter
est
edi
nthi
s
potandwhyitshooki
nyourhands''
.
'
'Ri
ght
..
.ever
ythi
ngisr
eadyint
hebag.Lant
ern,
wat
erandtengoldcoi
ns'
'.
'
'Letmehol
dthat
.Youhol
dthepot'
'
.
(Shetookt hebagf rom Kushiandt heybot hwal ked
tothedoor .Rishiopenedandst eppedout,fol
lowed
byKushi .Shesl owlyclosedt hedoorandt heybot h
facedeachot herandnodded.Assoonast hey
stoodsi debysi deandt urnedt oleave,t
herehe
stood,star r
ingatt hem withamur derouslook.Ri shi
panickedandt hebagi nherhandf ell
.Kushilooked
atheri nshockandherhandsshooksof astasshe
heldthepott ighterthanever .Majidstart
edwal ki ng
closerandRi shiforcedt okeephercomposur e.He
reachedi nf rontofherandl ookeddownatheri na
deephat red).
'
'Maji
d,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?'
'
.Sheaskedi
na
shaki
ngvoi
ce.
'
'Whatar
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngi
nmypal
ace?'
'
.Hi
svoi
ce
soundedalotheavi
erandl
ouder
,thenRi
shi
real
isedsomethi
ngwaswrong.
'
'Maji
d...Ar
eyouokay?Doyouhaveacold?'
'
.She
tr
iedt
ouchinghisf
acebuthehi
therhandawayand
shegroanedinpai
n.
'
'Getout
..
.Idon'
twantt
oseeyou!Leavet
hepal
ace
'
'
.
'
'What
?!Majid.
..
whatar
eyousayi
ng?Iam pr
egnant
f
orgoodnesssake!'
'
.
(
Hegr abbedholdofherr
ighthandandst
art
ed
wal
kinghertothechamber).
'
'Idon'
twantanyt
hingtodowit
hyouort
hatsnake
i
nyou.Cindyi
smywi fenow,
youschemi
ngwitch!'
'
.
'
'Maji
d..Maj
idpl
ease.
..St
op.
..Youar
ehur
ti
ngme
pl
ease.
..
'
'Pri
nceMajidpl
easest
op.Youwil
lhur
tthebaby'
'.
Kushipl
eadedwhil
eshefol
lowedt
hem wit
hthepot
i
nherhands.
(Theygott
othechamberandMajidopenedthe
door.HepushedRi
shii
ntoitandshefel
lhar
don
thebedandhel dherstomachinshock.Kushi
enteredandplacedthepotonthedr awerand
rushedtoRishi'
sside.Maji
dopenedt hewardr
obe
andthrewoutt hehundredsofsareesandscatt
ered
them intheroom.Rishigotupint
ear sandhel
dhis
shouldersandturnedhimtoher).
'
'Don'
tdot
hisMaji
d..
.Please!Iam st
il
lpregnant
wit
hyourf
ir
stchi
ldaft
erall
..
.Havemer cy''
.
'
'Idon'
tloveyouanymor
eokay.SoIdon'
tneedyou!
'
'
.Hesaidandpushedheraway.
'
'Pl
easePri
nceMaj
id,
shemadeami
stakeandshe
i
ssorr
y..
.
'
'Shutupmai
d!'
'
.Hecont
inuedr
emovi
ngt
het
hings.
(Ri
shisnappedoutofitandpushedhi
m awayfrom
thewardrobe.Shest
oodinfrontandr
efusedt
olet
him cl
ose).
'
'Iam notgoi
nganywher
e!'
'
.
(Maji
dt ur
nedhisheadandsawthepotonthe
drawer.Hequickl
yignor
edthem andwal
kedt
othe
drawer.Hetookthepoti
nhishandsandsmil
ed
widely.Thenhetur
nedtoleavebutRi
shiqui
ckly
blockedhiswayatthedoor.Themanynoisewoke
everyoneinthepal
aceup.Peoplest
art
edarri
ving
there).
'
'No!Gi
vet
hatpotback!'
'
.
(Majidfr ownedandr aisedhi shandt osl apherand
Rishipul ledthepotaway.Hi shandhi therf aceand
asshef ell,
thepotslippedf rom herhandsandt hey
bothhar dont hef l
oor.Thepotcr ashedi nt opieces
i
nf rontofRi shi'
sfaceandshescr eamedi npainas
herstomachhi tthedoor .Theweat herchanged
i
mmedi at elyandabl acksmokel eftthepotatonce
andhi ttheseal i
ngoft hechamberandt hegl ass
roofcrashedandbr eakdownwhi l
et hesmokel eft
andhi tthecl ouds.Agr eatthunderbl asted.The
royalfami l
yar r
ivedther eandwhenQueenDor ah
sawt his,shescr eamedi nagony.Theweat her
turnedr eallyfreezi
ngcol dandangr yr ai
nst art
ed
out.Thunderandl i
ghteni ngbr eakthr ought heenti
re
kingdom andQueenDor ah'
sf atherqui cklyescaped
from Maj i
d'sbody,andhef ainted.Theki ngor dered
andbot hMaj i
dandRi shiwer equicklyl i
ftedupby
someguar
ds)
.
'
'No..
.Noooo!Thiscan'
tbe!Noooo!'
'
.QueenDorah
shookalloverherbodyandever
yonetur
nedtoher.
'
'QueenDor
ah.
..
areyouokay?'
'
.Theki
ngasked.
'
'Mo.
.mot
her
..
mot
heryou.
..
'
'Don'tcomeclosetome!No!Shecan'tbe..
.She
can'
t!Iam doomed!No!'
'.Shebitherl
ipsi
nhor r
or
andtooktoherheelst
owar dsherchamber,chased
byFarukandsomeguar ds.
'
'Ohmygoodness.Thisweatheri
sabadomen' '
.
Queenmothersai
dinfear
.''
Thethunder
,li
ght
eni
ng
andrai
ntoget
her?'
'.
'
'Let
'sgetoutofher
e..
.ther
oofisdest
royedandt
he
r
ainiscominginhere'
'.QueenSheenasaid.
(Theguardscarri
edMaj i
dandRi shiint
heirarms
andastheyallturnedtoquickl
yleave,Queen
Meerah'
spor t
rai
tfellf
rom thewallandhitthe
groundhardandshat t
ered.Ever
yonewasshocked.
Thunderblast
edandt heyallscr
eamed, r
unningout
ofthechambert oQueenmot her'
schamber ).
(
Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
BothMajidandRishiwasunconscious.Andthey
werebothlayednextt
oeachot heronQueen
mother'
sbed.Theroyaldoctorcheckedonthem
andtheroyalfami
lystoodatthedoor,wor
ri
edsick.
'
'Wi
llt
heybeokay?'
'
.Ki
ngSi
amakasked.
'
'Hopef
ull
y''
.QueenSheenasai
d.
'
' Pl
easegotobedSiamak.Weareverysorr
yfor
thisunf
ort
unat
emoment .Weshalll
etyouknow
whatevert
hathappensi
nthemorning''
.Theki
ng
said.
'
'Nopr
oblem Shakher
.Pl
easet
akecar
e.Let
'sgo
Sal
ma''
.
(
Theybot
hsai
dgoodni
ghtandl
eft
).
'
'Kushi,
whatonearthhasjusthappened?'
'.Queen
motherasked.'
'Howisthi
sevenhappening..
.what
i
sgoingon?''.
'
'I
..
.I
..
Idon'
t.
..I
..
Idon'
t.
.Ij
ust
..
'
'It
'sokaydear'
'.QueenSheenasai
ddear
lyand
caressedher
.''
Whathappenedmusthavebeing
t
err
ibl
eri
ght
?Foryout
obedumbf
oundedl
iket
his'
'
.
'
'Kushi.
..
whatwasthatont
hef
loor
?''
.Queen
motheraskedcur
iousl
y.
'
'Lookedl
ikeabr
okenpot
..
.
(
Ther
oyaldoct
orar
ri
vedt
her
eandboweddown)
.
'
'Howar
etheydoi
ng?Pl
easet
ellmeRi
shi
..
..
'
'Thepregnancycouldhavebeinginadelicat
e
si
tuat
ion.Sheneedsmor erestandcare.ButPri
nce
Maji
disabsolut
elyfine.Theybothcanwakeupat
anymomentyourhi ghness''
.
'
'Oht
hankgoodness.
..
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shehadl ockedhersel
finsi
deinsweatandthey
keptbangingonherdoort oopenup.Shelooked
exhaustedandcheckedt hefourf
ourcor
nersofthe
chamberi nfear
.Thundercrushedandsheheldher
ears.Therainbecomeheavierandheavi
erinher
ears.
'
'Youdon'
tscar
emeMeer ah!Youwil
lneverdef
eat
me!Myfat
herwillhel
pme!'
'.Shesai
dintear
s.
(Herwindowssuddenlyshutcl
oseloudlyby
themselvesandshescreamedandt ur
nedt othem.
Shescratchedherf
acehar di
nagonyandbl ood
oozedoutofthecutscratchmadeonherf ace).
'
'Iki
ll
edyout
went yfi
veyearsago.AndIwil
lki
llyou
agai
n!Youwi
llspoilmyplansnomor e!'
'
.
(Oneoft hel i
ghtsinherroom blastedoutandshe
screamedandt ookasmal lstat
ueandt hrewi tat
wheret helightwasandshescr eamedi nf earand
depression.Suddenl y,
therestoft heli
ghtsbegunt o
goof fandoni nherroom andanot herblasted.One
ofitfel
lonherbedandbl astedthenthebedcaught
fi
reimmedi at
ely.Sherushedt oherdoor ,
shout i
ng.
Shequi cklyopenedi tj
umpedandouti ntoFar uk's
armsandhewr appedhisarmsar oundher .This
noisealsocal l
edf orat
tenti
onandt heroyalfamily
arr
ivedt here).
'
'Fi
re!Fi
re!Inmychamber
..
.shecaughtf
ir
e!
Fi
re.
..
there,
overt
her
e..
.
(Shekeptscr
eami
ngwi
thherf
acehi
ddeni
nFar
uk'
s
clot
hes).
'
'Motherst
opthi
s!Thereisnof
ir
e!Cal
m down!
Whatiscomingoveryou?''
.
'
'No!Ther
eisf
ir
e!Saveme!'
'
.
'
'Ther
eisnof
ir
e!Look.
.l
ook.
..
(Shet urnedherheadintoherchamberandt r
uly,
everythingwasnor malinthere.Herwindowwer e
opened, theli
ghtswerenor mal,andthebedtoo.
Everyonest ar
redatherlikecrazy.Butther
ewas
onet hingthatwasnotnor mal,shesawt hestatue
i
nt hehandsofsomeonehangi ngintheair.Atall
womanwi t
hblazingeyes..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
11:
59] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence17-
18
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Mostofever yonei nthepal acehadgat hered
themsel vest heret ocheckonQueenDor ah.She
wasont hef loor,
inFar uk'sar msandassher aised
herheadup, thereshehangedi nt heai r.Gravity
couldn'tbr eakher .Shehel dt hestat ueinherhand
strongly.Hereyesbl azedl ikeabur ningf urnaceand
herhairwast helongestofal l
.Itwaspur ebl ackand
messy.Shewor eabl ackr obewhi chcover edher
entirebodyandf eet.QueenDor ahcoul dn'tbel i
eve
hereyes.Herhear tst artedbeat ingf asterthan
nor malandshewasf ri
ght ened.Thepeopl et r
aced
hereyest other oom butcoul dn'tseewhatshewas
l
ooki ngat .Thebur ni
ngf lamef rom hereyes
stoppedbl azingandherbeaut i
fuleyesshowedup
againaf tertwent yf i
veyear s.Shel ookedwr etched
andangr y.Hereyest oldonl yonest ory.Pur e
revenge.
'
'Mot
her
..
.pl
easet
ellmewhati
swr
ongwi
th
you.
..
please'
'
.Far
ukaskedi
nwor
ry.
'
'QueenDorah.
.weareher
enow..
.pl
easecal
m down
andtel
luswhatisgoi
ngonwit
hyou' '
.
(Sheneverspoke.Itwasli
keherli
pswer eseal ed.
Shejustpoint
edatQueenMeer ahwhosheonl y
couldsee.QueenMeer ahgaveawi ckedsmi leat
thecornerofherl
ipsandflewnearQueenDor ah.
Shescreamedi nagony.QueenMeer ahraisedher
handtoherandgr abbedholdherneckt i
ghtly.
QueenDor ahstar
tedchokingandloosingbreat h)
.
'
'Water
!Somebodybri
ngwater
!''
.Far
ukshouted
andsomeser
vantsr
ushedawaytogetwater
.
(QueenMeerahfacedgeecl osethanbodyandsoul.
Herfacewaspur egreyandpal eandhereyeswere
redasblood.Herli
pswer edriedupandcracked
andherlonghair
,ashardast hemountains.Andher
fi
berswrappedthemselvesunder
QueenDor
ah'
schi
n).
'
'Heyt
her
eDor
ah,
l
ongt
imenoseen'
'
.
'
'Pl
ease.
..Pl
e..
.
'
'Yourt
imeisupnow'
'
.QueenMeer
aht
hreat
enedi
n
amasculi
nevoi
ce.
(Far
ukwr appedHusar
msar
oundi
smot
her
prot
ect
ively)
.
'
'Pl
easemot
her.
.st
oppl
ease.St
opact
ingl
ikea
cr
azywoman.
..
.
'
'Somebodycal
lthepal
acepr
iest
snow!'
'.Theki
ng
shout
edandQueenMeerahdi
sappear
ed.
'
'Shei
sgone..
.gone?'
'
.QueenDor
aht
houghtt
o
her
sel
f,l
ooki
ngshocked.
(Theservant
sarri
vedwit
hagl assofwateranda
priest
.QueenDorahqui
cklygotRiherf
eetand
cleanedhergavewit
hthebackofherhands).
'
'Mot
her
?''
.
'
'QueenDorah,
areyouokay?Lett
hepr
iestcheck
onyou''
.Theki
ngsaid.
'
'No..
.nonoIam okay.Whyi
severyonegat
her
ed
her
eliket
his?Whatisgoi
ngon?'
'.
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?Don'
tyouknowwhathappened
t
oyouatal
loverher
e?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Grandmotherplease,mymot heri
slooki
ng
exhaust
edalready.PleaseIt
hinksheneedsrest
ri
ghtnow''
.Faruksaid.
'
' Yesmother.It
hinkwecansoughtthi
ngsoutby
tomorrow.Letusleavenow.
..
iti
salr
eadylat
e''
.The
kingsaid.
(Ever
yonedepar t
edfr
om there,
l
eavingFarukand
QueenDor ahatthedoor.Far
ukkissedherfor
ehead
andturnedtoleavebutsheheldhim back)
.
'
'No!Don'
tgo..
.Ican'
t.
..Ucan'
tsl
eept
her
eAl
ine
Far
ukplease!'
'
.
'
'Mother
..
.whatj
usthappened?Whati
swr
ongwi
th
younow?''
.
'
'Sheusher
e..
shei
s..
.her
e.Shei
sback.Shei
sfr
ee
'
'
.
'
'Who?'
'
.
'
'QueenMeer
ahyouf
ool
!Thepoti
sbr
oken'
'
.
'
'What?Buthow?It
houghtyousai
ditwasunder
cont
roland.
..
'
'Idon'
tknowhowi
thappened.Butl
ookatmenow!
Iam miser
abl
e!'
'
.Shepoi
ntedatt
hescr
atchonher
face.
'
' Andyouwantmetospendt
henightwi
thyou?If
thealmight
yyoucoul
ddonot
hingtoher
..
.whatwil
l
Idomot her
?''
.
'
'Soyouwantmet
obei
nther
e?Al
lal
one?'
'
.
'
'Well
..
.thenlet
'sgotimychamberinst
eadmother.I
am notsleepi
nginyourchamberunti
lthi
ssi
tuat
ion
i
ssolve''.
'
'Beli
eveme,i
twil
lbesol ved.Ican'tl
ivemylif
el i
ke
t
his.JustwhenIam justclosetomyvi ctor
y,that
waswhent hepotdecidedtobr eak.ButQueen
Meerahismist
akingifshet hi
nks...
(
Thethunderstr
okeheavi
lyandt
heybot
htookt
o
t
hei
rheelstowardsFar
uk'
schamber)
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
MrBlakearr
ivedi nthemiddl
eofthenightwhenit
wasraini
ngfiercelyandever
yonewasasl eepi
nthe
ki
ngdom.Hear r
ivedinasmallcar
,f
oll
owedbyabi g
tr
uck.Macqui etl
yopenedthemansion'sdoorand
steppedoutwithanumbr el
laandmethi sfat
heron
thecompound.Andi nthebigtrack,
containedheavy
weightandmascul i
nemeni ftwentyfi
ve.They
l
ookedscar yandunwelcoming.Theyal lwalkedi
nto
themansi onsecr
etl
yandclosedt hedoor .He
l
ookedar oundthedarkroom aselect
ricit
ywasout
duet ot
heheavyr ai
n.
'
'Lookatt
hat
..
.allt
hus,
j
ustl
ookatt
hisl
uxur
yhe
cr
eatedwi
thpartofmymoney''
.
'
'Keepyourvoi
cedowndad.Whoar
eal
lthi
smen
wit
hyou?''
.
'
'Theyar
emyboys.Andmyguar ds.Andt heywork
f
orme.Don'tasktoomanyquest
ions.
..Justtel
lme
wheret
hatcockroachi
s''
.
'
'Hei
snother
enowdad.Buthi
ssoni
s.I
'
donl
yyou
ar
epl
anni
ngtoat
tackt
oni
ght''
.
'
'Toni ghtistooobvious.Andwedon'tknowyeti
f
everyonewhowor ksf orhimisher
e.Mor ni
ngwi
llbe
perfect.Ihaveapal m.Butbeforet
hat,
givemea
placet osleep.Imean...
givemeandmymena
placet osleep.Aplacewher enoonewil
lknowa
st
rangerisher
einthemorni
ngunt i
lwestr
ikeokay?
MrRaul,hewil
lnotknowthethundert
hatwil
lhit
hi
m' '
.Hesaidandaheavythunderstr
oke,
fol
lowed
byli
ghteni
ng.
(
NextDay=I
nthepal
ace)
.
Theweat herwaswar m andt hef l
oor swer edr y.
Servantshadwokenup, andwentt otheirdaily
duti
es.Andi twast hedayoft hef asti
ngsot he
enti
reki ngdom wasbusy, especi allythewomen.As
theservant swer ei
nahur r
yt ocookt heendoft he
fast
ingmeal s,j
ustinfrontoft heki t
chen, l
ayedt wo
bodiesofmai dsoft hepal ace.Mi stoft heki t
chen
maidsst umbleduponeachot herast heyal ljumped
outoft hewayi nshock.Thesi ghtsifthebodi es
weredi sgustingandl ookedl iket heywer e
mer ci
l
essl ymur dered.Thei rneckswer ecutopen
anddr ybl oodpaintedt hef l
oor ,wer ethelayed.The
maidsmur muredtot hemsel vesandt hi
scal l
edf or
theattent i
onofsomer oyalf ami li
es.
'
'Wecamet omeett
hisher
etourhi
ghness'
'
.Pr
iya
expl
ained.
'
'Ohmygoodness. ..
graci
ous!'
'
.Queenmot her
excl
aimed, t
akinghereyesoffthehorr
ibl
escene.''
Yourhighness...
thi
sistoomuch.Whowoul ddot hi
s
hear
tlessthing?Thishasneverhappened!'
'.
'
'Guar
ds!Whatexact
lyhappenedl
astni
ght
?''
.The
ki
ngaskedi
nanangrytone.
'
'Yourmajest
y..
.pl
easel
astnight,ever
yonewas
i
ndoorsduetotheheavyrai
n.Wedon' tknowhow
t
hishappened''
.Oneguardrepl
ied.
'
'Howcanyoubei ndoors,whenyouar esupposed
tobeprotecti
ngus!Howusel esscanyoual lbe?
Youhavet akenanoathinthemount ai
nst
oputt he
l
ivesoftheroyalf
amilyfir
stbeforeyourown
l
ives,
nowhaveyour eali
sedt ourincompet
ence?!''
.
Pri
ncessLakshmishoutedi nfury.
'
'We.
.wear
esor
ry.
..
'
' Taket
hebodi esawayt othei
rfamili
esandgive
them aconsolati
onprice.Andcallthepr
iest
sand
elderst
ogetherinthecourthouse.Wear egoi
ngto
conductinvest
igati
onsont hebodiesandother
thingst
of i
ndtheculprit
..
.go!'
'
.Thekingorderedthe
guar
dsandent
eredt
hebui
ldi
ng.
(
Theyboweddownandcar
ri
edt
hebodi
esaway)
.
'
'Todayi sfast
ingdayandi tmustt urnouttobea
blessingtoeverymarri
edcoupl e.Thisisnotgoing
toatopanyoft heblessingsthecelebrati
onwi l
l
bring.Nowmai ds.
..
hurr yupandgost artthe
preservat
ionmeals.Andmakesur eitistast
y,you
knowwehaveguest s''.Queenmot herordered.
(
Queenmot
herandLakshmit
urnedandwentback
i
ntot
hebui
ldi
ng)
.
(
Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
Thesunwasshi nningthrought hewindowasi twas
openedwi del
ytol etfr
eshairintothechamber .The
room wassurroundedwi throyaldoct or
sandsome
maidssinceMaj idandRi shihadnotopenedt heir
eyessincethelastnightchaos.Oneoft hedoctor
's
assi
stantssqueezedl emonj ui
cei nt
oacl ean
napki
nandpl acedi tundertheirnosewhi l
eQueen
SheenaandKushist oodandwat ched.
'
'Yousaidlastni
ghtt
hatt
heywouldopent
hei
r
eyes.
..
butnothi
nghashappened'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhighness,don'
tworry.Thi
shappens
oftenwhenthereisashock.Aslongast hei
rbot
h
breathi
ng,
thatisthemostimportantt
hing,i
tisj
ust
onet hi
ngt
hatis..
real
lynotr
ighthere'
'.
'
'Whatisi
tSaroj
..
.don'
tdar
etrytohi
deanythi
ng
f
rom usnow.Nomor esecr
etsinthi
spal
ace.What
i
sgoingon?'
'.
'
'Yourhighness.
..
thepr
egnancyi
sinaver
ydel
icat
e
si
tuat
ionnow' '
.
(KushiandQueenSheenast
arr
edateachot
heri
n
dist
ress)
.
'
'I
sthatwhyshehasnotopenedhereyesyet
?''
.
Kushiaskedi
ntear
s.
'
' Pr
obabl
y.Int
hiscases,ear
lypregnanci
esaret
obe
takencar
eofverywell.Sheisjusttwoweeks
pregnant
..
..
andIdon'
tknowhowshef el
ldownbut
..
.
'
'Shefel
lhardonherst
omach''.Kushicr
ied.'
'
BecausePri
nceMaji
dslappedher''
.
'
'Ohgod!'
'
.QueenSheenawasst
unned.
'
'Heaskedhert
oleavet
hepal
ace.Hewant
edt
o
t
hrowherout
..
.andi
tcausedconf
usi
on.I
twas
t
erri
ble'
'
.
'
'Iam sorryyourhi
ghness..I
fPri
ncessRishiwakes
upandf eel
senormouspai n,
wewillhavenochoice
butt
ot erminat
ethepregnancybyforcemeans''
.
'
'Nono.
..OhLor
d..
.Whyi
sal
lthi
shappeni
ngnow?
'
'
.
(Majidgaveal oudcoughi nhissleepandgent ly
openedhi syes.Thesunr aysburnedhi seyesand
hecover edhi sfacewi thhishand.Hesl owlysatup
andal lt
hedoct orsandmai dsdepar tedf r
om him.
Hef i
nallyremovedhi shandsf rom hisfaceand
real
isedallt hepeopl estandingthere.Hewasst i
ll
shirt
lessandi nhi spyj
amas.Hewast otall
y
confusedandal lhecouldrememberwaswhenhe
wentt obedi nhischamberl astnight.Hegott ohis
feetandst retchedhi mself,
starri
ngatt hem all
.The
maidsgat her edt hemselvesandqui cklywalkedout).
'
'Whati
sgoi
ng?Wher
eam I
?''
.
'
'Ohst
op!Wher
eam I
?''
.
'
'Ohst
op!St
opact
ingdi
ff
erent
..
.youmayl
eavenow
Maji
d.ButIhopeyouar
ehappyf
orwhat
everyou
di
dlastni
ght''
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'What
,what
?!Whyar
eyousur
pri
sed?'
'
.
'
'Whyam Ievennoti
nmychamber?Idon'
t.
..Iam
conf
used.Whatt
hehelli
sgoi
ngon?!'
'
.
(Ther
estwereallconf
usedasheact
edcompl
etel
y
unawareofwhatwasgoingon).
'
'Iam si ckofyouract i
ngal ready!Nowgetout !No
one,absol utelynoonewi l
lbegyout of orgiveus
anymor e.Keepyourhat r
edi nyou, asl ongasyou
want ,
whensensef i
nallyenter syourheadi nthe
nearfutur e,Ihopei twouldn'tbet ool ateforyou
Maj i
d.Itwi llevenbet oolate,becauseIdon' tthi
nk
I,
noryourgr andmotherorfat herwi l
lforgiveyou
afterwhatyoudi dlastnight .Youwi llbe
responsi blef ort
hedeat hofyourunbor nchild!'
'
.
QueenSheenacr i
edout .
'
'Huh?What .
..
whatdi d.
.WhathaveI.
..
what
nonsense!Iwasasleepinmyroom lastni
ghtandI
wokeupher etoday,
thenyouaretel
li
ngmet hi
s?Is
t
hatyournewwayoft
ryi
ngt
oconvi
ncemet
o
f
orgi
veyou?''
.
'
' Idon'tcareaboutyourforgivenessanymoreafter
thehear tl
esswayyout reatedyourpoorwife.Look
whatyouhavedonet oher!''
.QueenSheena
said,point
ingatthebed.
(Maji
dturnedhisbackandf acedthebed.Andt hat
waswhenher eali
sedRishiwasinast ateof
unconsciousness.Herfacewaspal eandr edfrom
str
essandherl owerli
pswascutf rom theslapand
fal
l.Maji
d'sworldcamecr ushi
ngdownonhi m,the
wayhegott oherwasi naf l
ash.Hewaai ntotal
confusi
onandhel dherinhisarmsi ntea.Hewas
shockedanddi dn'
tknowwhatwasgoi ngon) .
'
' Ri
shi
..
whathappenedtoyou?Whathappenedto
her?Wakeuppleasebaby..
.Iam her
enow.Iswear
thatIf
orgi
veyou.PleaseRi
shi,
openyoureyes'
'
.
'
'Shecan'thereyoubecauseshehasnotwokeup
si
ncelastnightwhenyouhither
!''
.QueenSheena
snappedangril
y.
'
'Me?What
?!Iwoul
dneverhur
tRi
shit
hatway!I
woul
dneverhi
ther
.Neverl
ayahandonher
.How
canyou.
..
'
'Areyousayi
ngyoucan'
trememberwhat
happenedl
astni
ghtMaji
d?''
.
'
'Whathappened?Whathappenedwast
hatIwent
t
obed!Thatwasall'
'
.
(
QueenmotherandPr
incessLakshmienter
edina
r
ush.Thesi
ghtofMaj
id,hol
dingRishii
nhisar
ms
madeQueenmothert
hehappiestwomanonear t
h).
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngon?'
'
.Sheasked.
'
'Wakeup..
.openyourbeaut
if
uleyesRishipl
ease''
.
Hewept.'
'Iwil
lneverhur
tyouagain.Neverever
Ri
shi
.Iswearplease.
..
.
'
'Maji
dcannotr ememberhi m sl
appi
ngRishimot
her
.
Kushisaidhesl appedherl
astni
ght.Nowheis
act
ingallinnocent''
.
'
'Demni t!Iam notacti
ng.Idon'tremember
anythi
ng.Whyar eyousayi
ngIhi ther?Iwould
neverdot hat
,noteveninmydr eams.IknowIt ri
ed
tohithertheotherday,
butIdidn'tbecauseIknewit
mighthurtt
hebabyandIl
oveher!Ican'
thither
whenIloveher
.Whatareyoual
levensaying?''
'
'Maj
id.
..Youmean,okay.Wher
ewer
eyoul
ast
ni
ght
?''
.Queenmotherasked.
'
' Isl
epti
nmychamberandt hel
astpersonIl
ayed
eyesonwasCi ndy!Islept
.Not
hingmore''
.Hesaid
whi l
eheplacedRishi'
sheadonhisl
apsandhislips
touchedherforeheadandhist
earsf
ellonherl
ips.
(
Queenmotherwasconvi
ncedsomet
hingwas
wrongandt
ookQueenSheenaoutwi
thher
).
'
'Kushi'
'
.
'
'MyPr
ince?'
'
.
'
'DidIreal
lyhi
ther
?WasItheone?Di
dIhitmywif
e?
'
'.Heaskedwhil
ehekepthi
scomposur
eonRishi
andnotlooki
ngatKushi
.'
'Answerme'
'.
'
' Yes.Thati
swhathappenedl
astni
ght
.Yout
ri
edt o
throwheroutoft
hechamberandwhensherefused,
youhi ther'
'
.
'
'Ar
eyouokaybr
other
?''
.Lakshmiasked.
(
Butt
heent
ir
eroom wassi
lenceandMaj
id'
shear
t
wasveryheavywit
hpain.Herol
ledhi
shanddown
Ri
shi'
sstomachandtouchedher.Heweptsome
morebecausehecouldn'
trememberhi
tt
ingherat
al
l,
butkepti
tinhi
smindthathewasresponsi
blef
or
whatwasgoingon).
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Afterspendi ngtheni ghtwithFar uki
nhischamber ,
i
twasmor ningandshef inall
ydecidedtohebackt o
herchamber .Shewast heonl yQueenwhohadnot
gottenr eadyforthef asti
ngcer emonyandshewas
suddenl ystarvi
ngt odeat h.Thishadnever
happenedt oheronf astingdayandshedi dn't
under stand.Shewasal sof r
ightenedtoenterher
chamberonherownsowentwi thAvni
.They
enteredandshesatonherbed.Shet ookasmal l
mirrorf r
om herdr awerandcheckedherf ace.The
scarfr om herownf ingersscr atchwasli
ghtlyonher
faceandshewi ncedatt hepai n.
'
'Shoul
dIcal
lther
oyaldoct
oryourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Don'
tyoudar
eleavemeher
eal
onef
oranyt
hingi
n
t
heworld'
'.
'
'YesyourHi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Ihavetogoandt akemybat hnow.Weal lneed
prot
ecti
onnowmor ethanever''
.Shesai
dand
openedherdrawer,removi
ngabl ackthr
eadfrom i
t.
ShehandeditovertoAvni.'
'Tieitt
oyourhandnow
'
'.
(
Avnit
ooki
tandqui
ckl
yti
edi
ttoherhand)
.
'
'Whati
snextyourhi
ghness?'
'
.
'
'Iwi l
ltakemybathnow.Thiswil
lprotectyoufr
om
anyhar mf ornow.Thenaf
tert
hecelebrati
on,
we
shallknowournextmove.Butstandrightheret
il
lI
fi
nishtakingmybat h''
.
'
'Okay'
'
.
(QueenDoraht hengottoherfeetandent eredher
bathroom.Sheyawnedandst art
edr emovingher
saree.Shewentcl osert
othesinkmi rr
orandt ook
hertoothbrush.Assoonassher ai
sedherheadt o
facethemirror,ther
ewasabi gwr i
ti
ngont hemi r
ror
i
nbl oodwhichr eads'IAM BACKTOTAKEYOU
WI THME,BUTFARUKI SFI
RST' .Hertoothbrush
sli
ppedtothef l
oorandherbreathingbecame
uneasy.Suddenl
y,hershowert
urnedonbyit
sel
f
andshenearlysl
ippedtothefl
oorandscr
eamed
outloud)
.
'
'Never
..
.youwi
llnott
ouchmyson.Thi
sisbet
ween
youandI''
.
(Asshest arr
edatthemi rror,
thewr i
ti
ngsoni t
disappearedandanot herappear edwhichreads'
YOURENTI REBLOODLI NEWOULDBEWI PEDOUT!
YOUTOOKMYLI FEWI THFORCEANDIWI LL
SHOW YOUNOMERCY, NOMERCY, NOMERCY
'
...
.I
tkeptwr i
ti
ngandQueenDor ahgrabbedasoap
boxandt hrewitatthemi rror
,crushi
ngi ti
ntolot
sof
piecesandAvniqui cklygottothedoor).
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..
'
'Iam okay.Justshutupandst
andatt
hedoor
.I
wil
lbeoutsoon' '
.
'
'Okay.
..
.
(
Queenmot
her
'schamber
).
I
nf r
ontoft
hechamber,
Queenmot herandQueen
Sheenaponder
eduponwhathappenedandcamet o
theconcl usionthatMaj idwasact uall
ynotact i
ngon
hisownf reewi l
lbuthewaspossessed.Theyhear d
aloudscr eam from thechamberandqui ckly
entered.Thehor rorwasr eal
.Rishi'
seyeswer e
openedandsheopenedt hem withapainfulscream.
Shehadnoi deawher eshewasandbot hherhands
wer eholdinghrst omachhar d.Theroyaldoctor
shookherheadi nunhappi nessasRi shist
arted
bleedingpr ofusely.Majidcouldn'tt
hinkstrai
ghtand
keptst ar
ringatt hepeopl earoundthem.
'
'OhmyGod, pleaseSar
oj,
donott
ellmet
hisi
swhat
Iam t
hinki
ngitis''
.
'
'Iam sor
ryyourhi
ghness.
..
'
'No!Savemybabynow!Comeon..
..
doi
t!Savemy
wif
eandbabynow!'
'.Maj
idgotupi
nanger.
'
'MyPr
ince.
..
.
'
'No.
..Icannotbet
hekill
erofmyownchil
dno.No!'
'
.
Hebreakdowni nuncontr
oll
abl
etear
s.
(Thewindblewhardfr
om outsi
detothechamber.
OnlyMaji
d'stear
scouldbeheard.Ri
shicoul
dn'
t
scream,
hervoicewasceased.Tear
srundownher
cheeksandshewasshi veringi npain.Thechamber
doorsuddenl yopenedbyi t
selfandever yonetur ned
tot hedoor.Abeaut i
fulsoulent eredatonceand
tookawayt hepai ninasecond, t
hiswasunknown
toeveryone.Andt heywer eal lshockedt oseet he
bloodf rom Rishistopped.Andshest art
ed
breathingnor mal.Shel ayedherheadbacki ntot he
bedandqui cklysleptoff.Ever yonewas
i
mmedi atel
yateaseandt her oyaldoctor,wit
h
tremblinghands, bentdownandcheckedonRi shi
wi t
hherassi stants.Sher ai
sedherheadandsmi led.
Theyal lsmiled.Maj i
dwenti ntothebedand
wr appedhishandsar oundher ).
..
.
.
.
(
QueenMot
her
'schamber
).
'
'Sar
oj,
youar
esmi
li
ng.Pl
easegi
veusagoodnews
'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhighness.Iam evenamazed.Thisis
surel
yami r
acle.Ihavet
ot el
lyout
hat,
Ithoughtthe
pregnancywasf i
nall
ygoneanddonefor,butaf
ter
checki
ngonheragai n,
Icanconf
ident
lyt
ellyout
hat
yourgrandchi
ldisabsol
utel
yokay.Oh.
..
orshoul
dI
say,
yourgrandchil
dren'
'
.
(
Theyal
lhadt
hei
rmout
hsopenedi
namazement
).
'
'Gr
and.
..
chi
ldr
en?'
'
.
'
'Thepr
incessi
scar
ryi
ngt
wins.Yest
heyar
etwo'
'
.
'
'OhhailtheLor d.OhSar
oj,
thankyousomuch!
Come,Iwillshoweryouwit
hgift
stoday'
'
.Queen
motherrejoiced.
'
'Wehavet
ocl
eanherupf
ir
styourhi
ghness'
'
.
(
Theycal
ledt
womai
dsi
ntot
hechamber
).
'
' Gotothekit
chen.Gathersomecleantowel
sfrom
thestoreroom andaddapanofwar m waterwit
hit
andmi ntl
eafsandperfume' '
.Thequeenmother
saidandtheyquickl
yleft.
'
'Ishal
lgoandgi
vethi
sgoodnewst
otheki
ngnow
'
'
.QueenSheenasai
dhappi
ly.
'
'Nowait
.Heisbusynow.Hei
shavi
ngameet
ing
wit
hel
ders'
'
.
'
'Youshoul
dgoandt
akeyourbat
hMaj
id.Ri
shii
s
f
inenow''
.
'
'Iam notl
eavi
ng.Justl
eavemealone''
.Hesai
d
whil
eholdi
ngRishi
'shandonthebed.
'
'Wel
l.
..
okay.Sor
ry'
'
.
(Themai dsarr
ivedwi ththeaskedi t
emsandt he
doctorscaref
ullychangedRi shi'
sclothesand
cleanedherupni cely.Andaftertheywere
done,theyputonhernewl i
ghtandst rai
ghtdr
ess
andcover edherwi t
hbedsheet s)
.
'
'WhatdowedonowSar
oj?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'Sheneedstoeatsomet hi
ngyourhi ghness.Aft
er
ever
ythi
ngthathashappened, shemusteatt o
cont
ainherstr
ength.Thebabiesonlybecomes
heal
thywhenthemot herishealthy'
'
.
'
' Yesyes.
..
ofcourse.
.okay,sol
etusallleaveandthe
mai dswil
lbri
ngfoodlater.Thecelebr
ationswil
l
startinj
ustamomentandweal lhavetoarri
vein
thet empl
e''
.
'
'Yesmot
her'
'
.
(Theyal lexit
edthechamber , l
eavingRi shiand
Majidint hechamber .Injustal i
ttl
emoment ,Rishi
openedhereyes.Hervi si
onwassobl urryshehad
noideawher eshewas.Maj i
df eltashamedt olook
atherf aceandhepul ledhisf aceasi de,notlooking
atherf ace.Sher oll
edhereyesar oundt her oom
andwhenshef orhercl earvisionback, shel ooked
toherr i
ghtandr ealisedMaj idwassi tt
ingt herewith
hisfacesomewher eelse.Shewasqui tesur pri
sed
andt houghti twasheri magi nati
onandi gnoredit
unti
lherhandf ellonhi sonthebed.Thenshe
real
isedt hiswasr ealandt hatMaj i
dwasr eally
therewi thher).
'
'Maj
id'
'
.Shesai
dinalowtoneandheturnedt
o
f
aceher
.''
Youar
ehere?Butwheream I
?''
.
'
'Queenmot
her
..
.Imean,
grandmot
her
'schamber'
'
.
'
'HowdidIgether
e?And.
..
I.
.youwer
e,Imean.
.l
ast
ni
ghtyou.
..
'
'Idon'tknowwhatIdi dRish.Idon'
tknow,Iam so
confusedrightnow.TheysaidIhityouandIdon't
knowhowt hathappenedIswearRishi,
please.
..
'
'Youtri
edt
othrowmeoutofthepalace,and
t
hen..
.ohmygoodness,
thepot
..
thepot..
.
(Shequi
cklyrememberedever
ythi
ngthathappened
andreal
isert
hepitcr
ushedint
opieces)
.
'
'IwouldneverhurtyouRishi
,beli
evemeI
swear.
..
allIcanrememberwast hatIslepti
nmy
chamberlastnight
.Idon'
trememberwaki ngupand
comingtotourchamberandIam l ost
..
.
'
'Maji
dyou?Youarenotangrywi t
hmeanymor
e?'
'
.
Sheaskerast
arsf
ellouthereyes.
(
Hequi
ckl
yshookhi
sheadi
ntear
sandsmi
les)
.
'
'No.I.
.Iam sor
ryRishi
.Iam sososor r
y,IpromiseI
wil
lneverbethatst
upidagain.Beli
eveme,Iwill
neverl
eaveyouorrejectyouever.Never''
.
'
'I
sthi
sadr
eam?'
'
.
(Heloweredhi
mselfdownandembracedherwhi
le
shehuggedhim backti
ght
lyast
heybothwepton
eachother)
.
'
'Il
oveyousweetheart
.Il
iveyousosomuchand
t
hethoughtofl
oosingyouisthewor
seRi
shi.You
aremyl
ife,
mywor
ldandIcan'
tst
andbei
ngangr
y
anymor
e''.
'
'Iam sorr
yforeveryt
hing.Iwaslostwit
houtyou
Maji
d..
.IwaslistandIdon'twantthatt
ohappened
agai
n''.
'
'Itwon'
tandIpr
omise.From t
hisdayf
orward,
you
andIandourbabi
eswillbetheonl
ythi
ngsthat
matter
s''
.
'
'Ourbabi
es?Youmean,
babi
es?'
'
.Sheaskedi
n
sur
pri
se.
(
Hestoppedhuggi
ngherandsatupint
hebeeand
l
aught
er.Hehel
pedhersi
tupandfacedeachot
her
).
'
'Yes.Youar
egoi
ngt
obr
ingt
wosoul
stot
hewor
ld
Rishi'
'
.
(Shecover
edhermouthwi t
hherhandsand
happi
nesstookoverherbody)
.
'
'Ohmygoodness.Iwi
llbeamotheroftwochi
ldr
en?
Wel
lIhopet
heydon'tt
urnoutasstubbor
nasyou''
.
'
'AndIhopet
heydon'
ttur
noutt
obecr
ybabi
esl
ike
you'
'.
(Theybot
hlaughedinhappinessandthreemaids
enter
edwithagrandbreakfast
.Theyservedthem
onagoldentray,
boweddownandl eft
.Maj i
d
washedhishandsandt ookapieceofvegetabl
e
andheldi
tatRishi'
smout h)
.
'
'NoMaj
id.
..Iam f
ast
ingt
oday'
'
.
'
'Noyouar
enot
.Soopent
hatmout
hofyour
s.Now
Ri
shi'
'
.
'
'Maji
ddon'
tfor
ceme.Youwon'
tst
opmef
rom
f
ast
ing.Noonewil
l'
'.
'
'Hmmm. .
.doyouwantourbabiestocomeout
weakandmalnour
ished?Iam notal
lowi
ngthat'
'
.
'
'Ohplease,j
ustonedaywon'
thurtt
hem.Besides,
I
atel
astnight
.Ihavedeci
dedt
ofastforyou
becausewearemar r
iednowandi
tismydut ytodo
so''
.
'
'Thedoct
orsai
dyoueatt
his'
'
.
'
'No'
'
.
'
'Hmmm. .
okay.Sothatmeans,i
fyouar
efast
ing,
t
henIcan'
tkissyoueit
heri
sn'ti
t?''
.
'
'Well
...
asfort
hatone,
youcandoi
t.I
tisoutoft
he
quest
ion''
.
(Hechuckledandpul l
edhimselfcl
osert
oher.She
closedhereyesastheirli
pstouchedandMaji
d
i
nt ent
ional
lypushedthefoodintohermout
has
theykissed.Shequickl
yopenedhereyeswit
ha
frown).
'
'Maj
id!Thati
scheat
ing!'
'
.
'
'NowIhavebreakyourfastRi
shi
.Eatt
hatthi
ngis
yourmout
h.Youcanf astf
ormenextyearandI
promi
seIwil
lofstopyoubythem '
'
.
(
Shesmil
edwhilechewingt
hefoodi
nful
landshe
f
edhi
mt ooandtheyconver
sedwit
heachotherl
ike
t
heworl
ddidn'
texi
st).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
Maxadhi sfatherpreparedt
hemsel vesand
everythi
ngwasr eadytobetakeni nt
oaction.They
att
ackedwhenMrRaul 'sguardsleastexpectedand
puthissondown.Theyt i
edupt heguardswho
guidedtheent ir
emansi onandtogetherwithMr
Raul'sson,Rishab.AndMrBl akehandedhi mt he
phone.
'
'Whoar eyoupeople?Andyou! ax,
aft
ermyfather
welcomedyouinourhousel i
keaf amil
ymember ,
t
hisishowyour epayus?'
'.Rishabaskedpensivel
y.
'
'Shutupyoungman, cal
lyourfathernow.Andtell
hi
m exactl
ywhatIhaveor der
edyout o.Ifyoudare
pl
ayr uf
fwithmethen,Iwi
llgl
adlyblowyourbrains
out''
.MrBlaket
hreat
enedashepoi nt
edagunon
Rishab'
shead.
'
'Okayokay,cal
m down.
..
youdon'
thavet
ofi
ght
okay?Iwi
lldoasyouhavesaid'
'.
(Heslowl
ydiall
edMrRaul'
snumberandplacedit
onhisears.Heplacedi
tonl
oudspeakersothey
coul
dallhear)
.
'
'Hel
lo?'
'
.
'
' Ri
shab,youfi
nall
ycall
ed.Ihavebeingwait
ingto
hearfrom youbutthenet
workwasver ybad.Is
ther
eanynewi nf
ormati
oninthekingdom?Tellme
becauseIcan'twaitt
ogetbackhomeandt ake
whatismi ne'
'.
'
'Well,
Idon'thaveanyi nformationfrom thepal
ace
i
fthatiswhatyouwantt ohear.Thet hi
ngis,
there
hasbeingagr eattheftinthemansi onandoneof
yoursmallmar ketsfather.Wear el
oosingmoney
andIam findingithardt otakecareofthings''
.
'
' OhRi shab,whatwoul dIdowi thyou?AfterallI
havet houghtyouaboutbusi ness,
youcannotsol ve
thisli
ttl
epr obl
em.Iam t ell
ingyou,i
fyoudon'tstep
tourgameup, youwillenduppoorwhenam no
l
ongerher e.Becauseallthebusinessesbelongsto
younow.Manupandst opcalli
ngdaddyforevery
l
ittl
epr oblem '
'.
'
'Iknowf ather
.ButIneedyourhel
pnow.And
besi
des,nyoubel ievePr
inceMaji
dandCi
ndyar
e
backtogether?'
'.
'
'Whatdi
dyousay?'
'
.
'
'Whatyouj usthear
dfather.Theyarebacktoget
her
andPri
nceMaj i
dissoangrywi t
hRishibecauseshe
knewthetruthabouthi
sr ealmotherandkepther
mouthshut.Hewant snothingtodowi t
hher
anymore.Soguesswhat ?YouhaveRi shial
lto
your
sel
fnow'
'
.
'
'Wowson!Thankyouf orthiswonder f
ulnews.I
cansleepwellatni
ghttoday.Ifthisi
sso,Iam
gatheri
ngsomemenher e.Iam goingtoarri
vein
Ujaniatexact
ly8inthemor ning.Totakewhatis
mineadnoonei sstoppingme' '
.
'
'Exact
ly'
'
.
'
'Prepar
eformyar
rival
.Iwon'
ttakel
ongatal
l.And
t
histime,
wewil
lal
lbegoingbacktoLondon'
'
.
'
'Okayf
ather
.Iwi
llbel
ooki
ngf
orwar
dtot
his.
..
'
'Bye'
'
.
(Ri
shabhangedupthephoneandMrBl ake
snat
chedthephoneawayfrom hi
m andsmiled
evi
ll
y).
'
'Whyareyoupeopl
edoi
ngal
lthi
s?Whathasmy
f
atherdonet
oyou?'
'.
'
'Shutupboy!Yourfatheri
sevi
l
.Anditi
sjust
kar
mapuni shi
nghim now''
.Maxsai
dandbothhe
andhisf
atherlaughedout.
'
'Youwi
llbecomef
ather
lesst
omor
rowboy.Iam
kil
li
ngyouruglyf
atherandIwi l
ltakeeveryt
hinghe
stol
efrom me.Andthenmyr evengewi l
lbe
complete.WhenItakeever
ything,Iwouldn'
tcare
anymor ewhet
herCindymarriesthatPri
nceornot.
Shewi l
lgobacktoLondonwi thuswhet hershe
l
ikesitornot'
'
.
'
'Yesf
ather
..
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=Thet
empl
e).
Allthepeopl eoft hekingdom hadar rivedi nthe
templ e.Especi allythemar riedcoupl es.Thel adies
madet hemsel vesupbeaut i
f ull
yandi twasget t
ing
tosundown, neart heti
met hei rhusbandswoul d
breakt heirfast .Theysepar at edt hemsel vesf r
om
theroyalf ami ly.TheKi ngsati nagr andr oyal
chair,QueenDor ahsatonhi sr i
ghthandsi dewhi l
e
QueenSheenasatonhi sleft.Thepr iestsgave
thankst olordHanumanandaf terthat ,
thel i
ghteda
bigwoodoff irewher eal lt
hewomenwi llwalk
aroundi tf
ort hirtyti
mes.Theki ngdom' spr i
estkept
starri
ngatQueenDor ahi nfr i
ghtandsheal so
starredbackathi m whilewal kingar oundt hefire.
Shequi ckl
ymovedherat tent i
onf rom hi mi norder
nott iraiseanysuspi cions.Af tergoi ngar oundt he
fire,allthewomenwentoneaf tert heot heri ntot he
sacr edl ordHanuman' sr oom t ot akeacupofwat er
andnetbowl .Al lther it
ual swer er eadyandwhen
nightf ell,
thewomensur roundedt hemsel vesar ound
thet empl etoget herwi t
ht heirhusbandsandt hey
final l
ybr eakt heirf ast .Thet imecamef ort hem t o
wal kar oundt hef i
ref oranot hert hi r
tyt i
mes.The
kingandQueenmot herst eppedoutt owai tf or
QueenSheenaandQueenDor ah.Ast heywal ked
ar oundt hef ire,QueenMeer ahappear edbesi des
l
or dHanumanst atue.Thewi ndbl ewal lovert he
templ eatonce.I twasavi olentwi ndwhi chscar ed
ever yone.Thewomenl aunchedt heirwal kf ast er
thannor mal .QueenMeer ahr ai sedupherhandsup
i
nt heai randt hewi ndr aisedupt hef ireandcaught
upwi t
hQueenDor ah' sbeaut if
ulsar ee.She
scr eamedi nhor ror.Guar dsf rom ar oundt hecor ner
star tedr unni ngt owar dsherbutt hewi ndbl ewt hem
allaway, i
ncludi ngt heot herwomenandpr iest s.
QueenDor ahgotbur ntonherl egsandast hef ire
wascomi nguphrupperbody, sher ushedout side
wi thal leyesonher ,
scr eami ngandshout i
ngf or
help.Peopl
ear oundf i
nallythrewwat eronherfrom
allangl
esandshecol lapsed.Theki ngindispai
r
commandedandshewascar r
iedi
nt oapalanquin
towardsthepal ace.Ther oyalfami
lyl ef
tasfast
possibl
e.Baki nt het
empl e,theservantsatthe
temple,t
heser vantsatthet emplecommencedt he
cleani
ngoft het empleasi twasallchaosand
almosteverythingwasdest r
oyed.
'
'Thisisabadomenpr iestShaurya.I
sther
e
anyt
hingbadUjanihasdonet olordHanuman?'
'
.
Pri
estChanakherasked.
'
'Oh,
whyar
eyouaski
ngme?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
youar
etheheadpr
iestar
en'
tyou?'
'
.
'
' SodoesthatmeanIshoul dknowever ythi
ng?
Whathappenedi sstr
ange.Ast rangewind,suddenl
y
thesacredfi
reincr
easedi t
selfandburnedQueen
Dorah..
..Iam j
ustconfused.Anyway,i
ti snightt
ime
andIhavet ogohomenow' '.
'
'Wethepri
estsmusthaveameet
ingt
omor
rowi
f
youdon'
tmind''
.
'
'Yeswewi
ll
.Goodni
ght'
'
.Hesai
dandl
et.
(Theheadpr iestleftthet empl ewi thasmal lsack
bagofwat erandhel dhi slant erninhis
hand, walkinghomei nt hedar kadbushar eanear
thef orest.Hekeptt hinkingdeepasQueenDor ah
hadear li
ersenthi m amessageaboutt hebr oken
potandsoevenashewal ked, hefearedf orhi sli
fe.
Heper fectlyknewt hatt hef i
reincidentwasnotan
accident .Ashewal ked, hehear dfootstepbehi nd
him andhequi cklyt urned, butt herewasnoone
there.Al it
tlef r
ightpassedt hroughhi sbodyandhe
adjustedhi scomposur ewel l.Het urnedonhi s
l
ant ernandt henl ookedbehi ndhi m wit
ht hel antern.
Thel it
tlelightshowednosi gnofanyt hingor
anyonebehi ndhim.Thenhesawadogr unpass
him andaway.Het ookadeepbr eathandsmi l
ed).
'
' I
twasj ustthestupi
ddog.Whywouldanyonelet
theiranimalsoutbythist
imeoftheni
ght.Ishal
l
compl ai
naboutt hatt
omorrow.Peopl
eofUjaniare
becomi nglazynow' '
.
(Heturnedtowalkforwardwiththel
ant
ernandas
heher ai
seditt
oviewhi spath,
onlyt
ofi
ndthe
scar
iestviewofhisli
feinfr
ontofhim.Hewqasnot
expect i
ngt hisgr andappear anceoft hewomanhe
helpedki l
ltwent yf i
veyear sago.QueenMeer ahhad
ashar pt wocut tingedgesofswor dsi nherhands
theywer ebl azi
ngwi thfir
e.Theangr yexpr essi
onon
herf acetooonl yonest ory.Andt hatwasr evenge.
Thepr i
estgaspedandhi shear tskippedabeat .The
l
ant ernhisi nhandsl ippedandf ellhardont hef l
oor,
crushingdown.Dar knesssur roundedt hem andt he
skybecamedar kerandcl oudy.Shesmi l
edatt he
cornerofherl i
ps, l
ookingevil.Thet own' spri
est
breakdowni npi t
if
ultearswi thhisf orehead
touchingt hegr ound) .
'
'Yourhi
ghnesspl
ease!Pl
easespar
emyl i
fe!Iwas
onl
yfoll
owi
ngordersfr
om QueenDorah.Iam
bl
ameless'
'.Hepl
eaded.
'
' Iwi
shIcouldspareyourl
if
eShaurya,butthatis
theMeerahthatdied.TheMeerahyoukil
ledincold
bloodandhadnomer cyonherson!Whereismy
sonShaurya?''
.Sheaskedashervoiceturnedinto
thatofaman.
'
'Wedidn'
tkil
lhi
m!NeverQueenMeerah!Heisthe
cr
ownedPrinceofUj
aninow!Thef
utureking.
Pri
nceMaji
d.Heismar
ri
ednowandhi
swi
fei
s
evenpr
egnant'
'
.
'
' OhIknowt hatyouf ool!Justl i
keyour emember
mysoni sthecrownedPr ince,Ialsoremembert he
peopleIl ovedandst il
llove.Andyout ookmeaway
from them.Iam guessi ng, youthoughtIwoul d
forgetmyl oveandkillaround.Wel lyouar eri
ght,I
wi l
lki
llaroundl i
kemad.ButIam st ar
tingwi t
hyou.I
am goi ngt otakeyourlifeandyouwi l
lgeta
shamef ulandpainfuldeat hf r
om me.Sher ai
sedup
thecut ti
ngswor dsandf rowned.
'
'Pl
ease!Inthenameofourlor
dyourhighness
pl
ease!Ihaveawifeandsevenchi
ldr
en.Shewillbe
awidowplease''
.
'
'Yes.Evenmyhusbandbecameawi dowerofhis
fi
rstwife.Mysonbecamemot herl
essofamother
andmyki ngdom lostt
hei
rsoulandmour nedthe
deathoft heirf
ir
stQueen.BeforeQueenDorahcan
arri
vetoyoursi deandmakeapl anagai
nstme,you
willbelonggoneandIwi lldealwit
htherest
.Good
bye...
andr esti
npieces!'
'
.
(Aftert hedeepvoi ceandangr yt one,shet hrewt he
blazi ngswor dst owardsthepr iestandoneofi t
piercedt hroughhi shead.Aspai ndr ewhi sface,he
fellonhi sbackandgaspedf orbr eath.Tear sfellout
hiseyes.QueenMeer ahcont rolledhi sbal anceby
raisinghi m upt oatree.Lifekeptdi sappear i
ngf rom
hisbodyandhewasshi veringal lover .Shewent
towar dshi m andwi thaswor di nherhand, she
piercedi tt hroughhishear tagai nstt het ree.And
blooddr aineddownhi sbodyt ot hegr ound.She
l
ight edf irewi t
hherf ingersint hewi nd, andwi tha
deadl ysmi le,shebur nthim ali
ve.Leavi nghi sf ace
unt ouchedf orpeopl etorecogni sehi mi nt he
mor ning.Hescr eamedt odeat h.Butnoonehear d
hiscr y.QueenMeer ahdi sappear ed).
(
Int
hepal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Aft
ertheordealshepassedt hr
oughatthetemple,
shewaslayeddown.Shewast endt obytheroyal
doctor
sandmedi cineswereappli
edonherbur nt
l
egs.Shecouldn'tsleepaseveryti
meshecl ose
cl
osedhereyes, i
magesoft hekeptappeari
nginher
mind.Far
uksatbesi desherwithherhandsinhis.
Theywer
elef
tal
oneandoneguar
dent
eredand
bowed.
'
'Yourhi
ghness.Thef
orei
gnerwant
stoyou'
'
.
'
' Don'
tyouunderst
andthemeani ngofpri
vacy?
Howdar eyouevenenterherewhenmymot heri
sin
thiscondi
ti
on?Goandt el
lthatf
oreignert
ocome
backinherstupi
ddreamsand. .
..
'
'Far
uk.
.Far
uk,
enough.I
t'
sokay.Letheri
nKar
an'
'
.
(
Theguar
dboweddownandl
eftt
hechamber
).
'
'Aft
erhel
pinghergetbackt
oget
herwi
thMaj
id,
whatmoredoesshewant ?'
'
.
'
'TothankmeIguess.Andmaybetel
lmet
hatshe
i
sleavingwi
thhimtomorr
ow''
.Shesai
dwi
tha
pai
nfulsmil
e.'
'Hel
pmesitup'
'.
(Heheldherhandandbar elyhelpedherupandshe
restedherbackont heheadofthebed.Cindy
enteredthechamberandcl osedthedoorbehi
nd
her.ShewalkedclosertothebedandFar ukst
arr
ed
atherfrom t
oetohead.Henar r
owedhiseyesli
kea
camer aandcapturedhercurvybodyandgothis
eyesaway.Shesmil
edatQueenDor aheventhough
shecoul
dn'twai
ttogetherf
rust
rat
ionsout)
.
'
'Ihear
daboutyouracci
dent
.Everyone'
stal
king
abouti
tint
hepalaceandIwanttoknowhowyou
aredoi
ng''
.
'
'Nothi
ngcanper manent
lyputmedownCindy.I
cansti
llsti
llt
alkandmakeplansandthati
sallt
hat
matt
erst ome' '
.
'
'Wel
l,
thati
sgr
eatbecausewehaveabi
gpr
obl
em '
'
.
'
'What
?Thingsaregoi
ngongreat
.Al
lyouneedi
sto
l
ureMaji
dbacktoLondonwi
thyou''
.
'
'Don'
tyougeti
t?Icannol
ongerconvi
nceMaj
id!'
'
.
'
'Andwhyi
sthat
?''
.
'
'Hei
sbackt
oget
herwi
tht
hatvi
ll
agegi
rlokay?
!''
.
'
'Am Igoi
ngdeaf?Orareyoucrazy?Thi
sis
i
mpossibl
e.Heshouldhateherri
ghtnow!No!Far
uk,
howonearthist
hispossi
ble!Ar
eyounotsupposed
tokeepaneyeonthem?''
.
'
'Whyareyoubl
amingme?Pri
ncessRagahsai
d
shewant
edtoknowmoreaboutmesoIhadto
spendt
hewholedaywit
hher
!Howt
hencoul
dI
keepaneyeonthem?'
'
.
'
'Ohno!Sothatmeanseverythi
ngisbacktosquare
one?Ohgoodness.
..
mymi sfort
uneisathand!But
no,
Iwon'
tal
lowthistobr
ingmedown' '
.
'
' Iam sof r
ustrat
edr i
ghtnow.Hespentt heent i
re
daywi t
hherandt hatidi
oti
cguardofhisr efusedfor
met oseehim.Andhehascompl et
elyforgotten
thatIexist.Thetwooft hem hasnotbeingaway
from eachot hertoday.Fi
rsti
nQueenmot her's
chamber ,
andt hennowi nhischamber.Iam so
enr aged''
.
'
'Haa.
..
.andIguessheisnowhappywi
tht
he
pr
egnancynewst hen'
'
.
'
'What?!'
'
.Cindywashi
tbyahear
tat
tack.'
'Thegi
rl
i
spregnant?'
'.
'
'Yes.Di
dn'
thet
ellyou?'
'
.
'
'Ohgosh..
.ohGod!'
'
.Sheweakl
yfel
lint
othecouch
nearbyi
ntearsandangui
sh.
'
'Cal
m down.Ihaveapl
anf
oryou.Look,
theonl
y
waytogetMaji
d'satt
ent
ionbackt
oyoursel
fand
f
inal
lygoawaywi t
hhimisonethi
ng.Getpr
egnant
f
orhimtoo''
.
'
'Orki
llt
hatbi
tchandt
hebast
ardshei
scar
ryi
ng'
'
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
12:
00] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence19
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
BothFar ukandQueenDor ahwereshockedat
Cindy'
sr eact
ion.Theymighthavebei
ngstudyi
ng
herforthepastmont hswhenshear r
ivedi
nthe
palacewithMaji
dandsheseemedal lquietand
i
nnocentbuttheyneverconsi
deredhertohave
suchevilundert
hoseeyelashes.Shegottoherfeet
andcleanedhertear
s.
'
' Get
ti
ngpregnantforMaji
dwi l
ltakealotoft
ime.
Heevenr ej
ect
edmeyest erdaywhenIt ri
edto
seducehim.Idon'thaveti
mef orthatanymor
e.If
thatgir
ldi
es,t
henMaj idwil
lhavenor easont
ostay
hereanymore''
.
'
'Hmmm.
..
thati
sal
sonotabadi
deaatal
l'
'.
'
'Iwoul
djustendheronceandf
oral
l.Per
iod!'
'
.
'
'Il
ikeyourat
ti
tude.Buthaveyoupl
annedont
his?'
'
.
'
'Iknowexactl
ywhattodo.Whenisyourweddi
ng
day?''
.Sheaskedandst
arr
edatFaruk.
(Hegotonhisf eetandwentcl osert
oher.Fancing
herbodyfrom headt otoe.Sheswallowedsali
vain
aheartbeatandst eppedal i
tt
leawayfrom hi
m.
Farukgaveasmi r
kandt urnedbacktoher)
.
'
'I
nsi
xdaysexact
ly.Lor
dKr
ishna'
sbi
rt
hday'
'
.
'
'Ni
ce'
'
.Ci
ndysai
dwi
thanevi
lsmi
le.
'
'Whatar
eyoupl
anni
ng?'
'
.QueenDor
ahasked.
'
'Yousee, t
hatdayisperf
ect.Becauseallt
he
att
enti
onwi llbegi
ventoyoursonandhi swife.And
Majid,
hewi l
lbeonthepreparati
onstooIguess.
Thatgirlwil
lsomehowbeal one.Youknow,evenif
she'sgonnabewi tt
heroyalfamili
es,shewil
lsti
ll
endupal oneatsomepoi nt
.AndIwantt olur
eher
tothetopoft hebal
cony''
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Itwil
lworkQueenDorah,Iswearthati
twil
lwork.I
am goingt
oplanonabeaut i
fulspeechtogi
veto
her.Asadcryi
ngspeech.Andpr et
endli
keam
gonnagibeupinMaji
df orherbecauseIwasgoi
ng
backtoLondon''
.
'
'Hmmm. ..
andwhathappensnext
?''Farukasked
andwinkedather
.Sheclear
edherthroatandgot
hereyesoffhi
m.
'
'ThenwhensheandIar eatthetop, Iwillgl
adl
y,
pushherofft
hebalconyandshewi lltearaparti
nto
pi
eceswhenshef all
sofft
hefif
teenst oreybuil
ding
ofthepal
ace,andthenoops!Shedied' '
.
'
'Youar
esowi
cker'
'
.QueenDor
ahsai
dinl
aught
er.
'
'Myki
ndofwoman''
.Far
ukwhi
sper
edt
ohi
msel
f
wit
hanevi
lsmi
le.
'
'Andnobody.Notasouli ntheworl
dwi l
leven
suspectme.ThenMajid,
i
nhisdevastat
ionand
mourningofhi
sbelovedwifeandunbornchild,
Iwi
ll
bethefall
enangelwhogoest ohi
m andcheerhim
upandconvincehimforustogobackt oLondon''
.
'
'Bet
ter
.ThenIcannol
ongerwai
tfort
heweddi
ng
day'
'
.QueenDorahsai
d.
'
'Icannotwai
tei
ther'
'
.Ci
ndysai
d,f
oldi
ngherar
ms
t
ogetherafr
owni
ngsmi l
e.
(
NextDay=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Thedaywasbr ightandf air
.Thet wol i
vebi
rdswer e
bothnakedinbeeanddi dn'
twantt ogetoutofit.
MajidhadhisheadonRi shi'
sstomachandcoul dn'
t
stoplaughi
ngwhenher efusedtor emovehishead
unti
lhehearsakickfrom hi sbabies.Hehadhi s
ri
ghthandonRi shi
'sleftbreast,
asifhewas
coveri
ngitbuthewasact uall
yenjoyingthe
sensati
onhewasget tingf r
om thatsoftspot.And
whenhecoul
dn'thearAmykicki
ngfr
om her
st
omach,her
aisedhisheadandstar
redatherwi
th
afr
own.
'
'Theydon'
tli
ket
hei
rdaddy?'
'
.
'
'Ial
readyt
oldyouthattheyarenothumanbeings
yet
.Theyarejustt
woweeksol dandtheyhaveno
i
deaofwhatishappeninghere''
.
'
'AwbutIwantt
hem her
enow!'
'
.
'
'Stopbei
ngagir
lMaji
d!'
'
.Shel
aughed.'
'Letusgo
andtakeabat
hnow.Youknowthemaidswillcome
her
esoonwithyourf
ood'
'.
'
'Iwantthem t
ocomeseeuslikethi
s.Socloseand
sonaked''
.Hesai
dandcrawledtoherli
psside.'
'I
neverknewhowhotyouwereunti
llastni
ght''
.
'
'Heeey!St
opembarrassi
ngme''.Shesai
dand
cover
edherfacewi
thherhands.''
Maji
d?''
.
'
'YesQueen?'
'
.
'
'Soi
fthebabi
esar
eboys,
whatnamewi
llyougi
ve
t
hem?''
.
'
'Maj
idandMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Haha.
..
noway!Thati
ssoembar
rassi
ng.Inever
wantmysinst
obelikeyou'
'
.
'
'Awcomeon!Iam nott
hatbad.Okayhowabout
..
.
Mal
ikandShakher
?''
.
'
'Yes,
thatonei
sbet
ter
.Waybet
ter
.Whati
ftheyar
e
gi
rl
s?''
.
'
'Whentheyar
eboys,
Igi
vethename.Whenthey
ar
egirl
s,
yougi
vethename.Ihavenoi
deaabout
gi
rl
'sst
uff'
'
.
'
'Yeahri
ght
.Theonl
ygi
rlst
uffyouknowi
sthet
he
under
wear'
'.
'
'Correct'
'
.Hedidhappil
yandkissedher
,t
hen
winkedatherandforRihisf
eetandworehis
pyjamas.
'
'Whent heyturnoutt obegir
ls,onewil
lbeMarish.
Marish,
anameIt ookoutf
rom bothournames.
Maji
dandRi shi,equalst
oMar ish.Andt
heotherone
wil
lbe..
.Meer ah''
.
(Maj
idsuddenl
yf r
oze.Hi
sbackwasf aci
ngRi
shi
andhecouldn'
tturnt
olookatherwhenheheard
hismot her
'snamef r
om her .Hisfavet urnedredout
ofdevastati
onandpai n.Rishireali
sedt hisandfelt
badf ormakingthatmistake.Shef orcefull
ygotup
i
nherf eetandcoveredherbodywi ththebedsheet s
andwenti nfrontofhim.Sher aisedherhandand
touchedhisfavegently.Hebl i
nkedandt earsfel
l
downf rom hiseyes)
.
'
'Iam sor
ryl
ove.Pl
ease,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
o..
.
'
'It
'spaybaby,am j
ustsurpri
sed,t
hat
'sal
l''
.Hesai
d
andsatinthebed.Rishibentdownandfacedhi
m.
'
' Ij
ustt
hought ,namingoneofthem Meer
ah,woul
d
makepeopl erememberyourmot heragai
n.You
couldactuall
yseeyourmot heri
nheranditwil
lbe
thebestgiftaft
erallthi
syear
s''
.
(
Henoddedpai
nful
lyandt
heygotupt
oget
her
).
'
'Yeah,
am okaywit
hi t
.Don'
twor r
y.Mari
shand
Meerahiti
s''
.Hesaidandembr acedhert
ightl
y.'
'
Tourchamberwasfixedyester
day.Andeveryt
hing
i
sbackt onor
malagain.Let
'sgoandgetready..
..
(
Theybot
hwal
kedi
ntot
hebat
hroom t
oget
her
).
(
Thecour
troom)
.
Fewmember soft heroyalf ami l
yhadgat heredwi t
h
someel dersandpalacepr iests.Thi swasn' tawi de
rangeofmeet i
ngbecauset heki ngwant edt oknow
thecul pri
tsbehindthemur deroft hemai dsandso
hecal ledbothQueenmot herandQueenSheena.
Twopal aceguardsent eredt hel arger oomswi tha
brownsackcl othwhichwaacover i
ngsomet hingin
theirhands.Theyar ri
vedandi nf rontoft he
king,t
heyboweddown.Theknel ttot hefloorand
unwr appedbot hsackcl othesont hef l
oorandt her
e
appear edtobeakni fewhi chhadbl oodst ai
nson
them.Thedesi gnsofthekni vesshockedt heQueen
mot herandt hekingmostsi ncei tlookerver y
fami l
iar.
'
'Thi
siswhatwef
oundyourhi
ghness'
'
.Oneoft
he
guar
dssai
d.
'
'Whereexact
lydi
dyouf
indt
hem?'
'
.Queenmot
her
asked.
'
'Whenthewholepalacewentont
hef ast
ing
cer
emony,mostifustheguar
dsstayedbackbyt
he
or
dersifQueenmot
hert
opr
otectPr
inceMaj
idand
Pr
incessRishi'
'
.
'
'YesIdi
d''
.
'
'Afterthemor ningmeet i
ng,wewer est
il
ldoingthe
i
nvestigationst hekinghasordered.Oneofthe
guardsal ert
edusf asttocometothegarden.They
weredoi ngt heirworkandweddingt heplaceand
foundthesef ourknivesunderoneroseflower.We
arri
vedther eandexami nedi
twellandreali
sedthey
werethesamekni vesusedtomur derthetwo
maidsyourhi ghness' '
.
'
'Thoseknives!Ohmygoodness.Thosekni
vesare
bear
ingtheexactlydesi
gnsoft
heJhansi
sisn'
tit
?!'
'
.
Oneelderexclai
med.
(TheQueenmot herandkinglookedateachot herin
despair.Suddenly,
someguar dsleaderanol dman
from t
heki ngdom andawomanweepi nghereyes
outintothecourtroom.Everyone'sattentionfel
lon
them ast hewomanweptuncont rol
lably.Four
guardsent eredt
hecourtbehind,
carryingawooden
bedwi t
hadeadbody, wr
appedi nwhi t
ecl othonit.
Ther oyalfamilyadj
ustedtot
hei
rseat
swhent hey
real
isedtheweepi ngwomanwast hewifeoft
he
hadpr i
est.Theylayedthewoodenbedinthemiddl
e
ofthecour troom i
nfrontoft
heki
ngandbowed
down) .
'
'Lett
her
ebesi
lence!'
'
.Thespokesper
sonshout
ed.
(Theweepingwomanimmedi
atel
yceasedhercr
ies
andcoveredhermout
hwit
hherhands).
'
'Whathashappened?'
'
.Theki
ngasked.
'
'Yourhighness.
..
thi
smor ning,somef ar
mer s
steppedouttofoontheirdailyfarmingandcame
acrossamanhadbei ngmur deredandst akes
againstatr
ee,andburntont op''.Oneoft heguar
ds
saidanduncoveredthehead' spriest
'sface.
(TheQueenmotherqui
ckl
ygotherfaceawayf r
om
thebody,
QueenSheenagaspedi
nshock,coveri
ng
hereyeswit
hherHansandthekingcloserhi
seyes
i
nhor r
or)
.
'
'Howdidt hi
shappened?'
'.Oneelderasked.'
'This
i
sabadomen.Theheadpr iesthi
mself?Thisi
s
out
rageous.Thi
sissomethingtobelookedinto''
.
(Thebodywascover edandalltheroyalf
amil
ies
andpeoplepresentatthecourtgotoutfr
om t
heir
chair
stoconsolethepriest
'swif
e).
'
'Idon'tknowhowt hishappenedPar idhi
.ButI
assureyout hatwewi llgettothebottom ofthi
s.He
seenaliveandwel lyest er
dayandthisistroubl
ing.
Please,
prepar ehi
sbodyandl etusallatt
endhis
burialt
omorr ow.Iwil
lt akethecostofeverythi
ng''
.
Thekingsaid.
'
' Thankyouyourhighness.Thankyouallmember s
ofthecourt.Myf ami
lyandIwillbeexpect
ingyou
alltomorr
ow''.Shesaidandexitedt
hecour twi
th
theguardsandt hepri
est'
sbody.
'
'Aft
ertheburialofthepri
esttomorrow,weshal
lal
l
gat
herheretocont i
nuethismeeting.Youmayall
l
eavenow' '
.Thekingsaidandt heyboweddown
andlef
t,
leavi
ngQueenmot herandthekingal
one.
Heseemedweakandexhaust ed.
'
'It
hinkyoushoul
dgoandli
edownf orawhi
leson.
Doyouthinkyoucangoonl
iket
his?Ihat
etosee
youthi
sway''.
'
' Toomanypr oblemsmot her!Nowyouseemot her
?
Youseewhatt heJhansipeopl ewantt ocauseus?
QueenDor ahwasr i
ghtafterall
.Theyar edoi
ngthis
becauseoft heembar rassmentt heyf acedupwhen
Maj i
drefusedtomar ryPrincessRagah.Butdoes
thatment heyshouldtakei nnocentlives?Iwil
lnot
spareSiamakaf tert
heweddi ngmot her !'
'
.
'
'Shakher
,nocal
m downf
ir
st.
..
'
'Therei snocal mingdowni nthis!Hewant sa
fi
ght,t
hati swhathewi l
lget
.Aftertheweddi ng,
MajidandFar ukwillhavetostarttrainingatt he
royalarmyschool .Af t
ermyconver sat ionwi t
h
Siamak, hemi ghtwantt ostar
tawarandt akeover
Ujani,andwemustber eadytodef endwhati sours.
Weneedasmuchsuppor tf
rom theot herkingdoms,
webei ngt hei
rleader,
doesnotmeanwear esafe.
Jhansiissecondbestandt heyar eal sostrong.But
l
uckilyforus,Siamakhasnosonsandt hatgivesus
aheadst art'
'
.Hesai dandangr i
lyst ormedout .
'
'Lor
d,havemer
cyonus'
'
..
.
(
QueenSheena'
schamber
).
Sheenteredi
ndistr
essaft
erever
ythi
ngthat
happened.Sheremovedherj
ewelri
esandlayedon
herbedtorestbuthear
daquickknockonherdoor.
Herguardenter
edandboweddown.
'
'Yourhighness.Pri
nceMaj
idandPr
incessRi
shi
wantstoseeyou' '
.
'
'Maj
id?Lett
hem i
n''
.
(Theguardboweddownandl ef
t.RishiandMaji
d
enteredhandinhand.Rishiwasalli
nsmi l
es,
faci
ng
QueenSheenabutMaj idhadhisheadboweddown
outofshamesnakesadness.QueenSheenagott o
hrfeetandsmiledsoft
lyandRishiboweddownand
touchedherfeet)
.
'
'Nono!Ri shi
,
whatareyoudoi
ng?''
.Shefrowned.'
'
Don'teverdothatwhenyouar
epregnant
.You
shouldevenbei nbedbynowaft
erever
ything'
'
.
'
'Iam okaymot
her,
please'
'.Shel
aughedand
t
urnedtoMaji
d.'
'Maji
d?''
.
(Majidwentonhi
skneesinfr
ontofQueenSheena.
Itshockedhermoret
hananythi
ngshehadseenor
heard.Tear
sfel
louthi
seyesandheputhishands
t
oget
her
).
'
'Forgivememot her.Inevermeanttodisrespect
youtot hatext
ent.Pl
easeforgi
vememot her,
Idon't
deservet obecal
ledtoursonatal
l.Idon'tdeserve
anymot her
'sl
ove''
.
'
'OhMaj id.I
fyoueversaythatagai
n,Iwillsl
apyou
l
ikeIalwaysdo''
.QueenSheenasai dandmadehi m
sitonherbed.Shethrewherhandsar oundhis
shoulder
sandembr acedhim warmlywhi leRi
shi
smi l
ed.'
'ComeandsithereRishi'
'.
(Shewalkedcl oserandsatbesi
desMajidonthe
bed.RishiheldMaj i
d'sf
aceinherhandsand
cleanedhisteawhi l
eQueenSheenaheldhimt i
ght
ly,
showinghim wi thl
ove).
'
' Youdeserveallt
heloveintheworl
dMaji
d.
Becauseyourmot herlef
tenoughli
veint
hewor l
d
forallofusall'
'
.Shesaidandopenedherdrawer
thentookoutasmal lport
rai
tofQueenMeerah'
s
painti
ng.Andshehandedi tt
oMaj i
d.
'
'Thi
sisacrybeaut
if
ulpi
ctur
eofher
.Howol
dwas
shemother
?''
.
'
'Justt
went yone.Shewast wentyonewhenshe
gavebir
tht oMaji
d.Butshewasf if
teenwhenshe
andthekinggotmar r
ied.Andshewast hemost
happi
estwomanonear thwhenshef oundoutshe
waspregnant.SoMaj i
d,evenifyounevermetyour
mother,
huggedherorneverhear dhersayshe
l
ovesyou, shegaveyoual lherl
ovewhenyouwer e
i
nsideofher''
.
'
'Youaret
hemot herIknownow.AndIdon'
tever
wantt
oloose.Never'
'.
(Ther
ewasat ot
alr
econci
li
ati
onandMaj
id
embracedher
).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
MrBlakeandMaxwer eallr
eadyast heti
meMr
Raulhadsettoarri
vewasj ustsomef ewmi nutes
away.TheyuntiedRishabandpl acedaf akebomb
wir
esinhisclot
hessohewoul dn'ttri
ckthem inany
way.MrBlakeaetedhisendar oundsecr etplaces
oft
hemansi on.Abigcararrivedont hecompound
andMrBlakestoodbehi ndthemai ndooroft he
mansionwit
haguni nhishands.Ri shabstepped
outofthehousewithahel pl
essfacebuthecoul
dn'
t
doanything.MrRaulsteppedoutofthecarand
openedhisarmswithasmi l
e.Fat
herandson
embracedeachotherandMrRaul '
smenstepped
outofthecaraswell.
'
'OhImissmyhomesomuch.Homesweethome'
'
.
Hesai
dinlaught
er.
'
'Letusgeti
nsi
def
ather'
'
.
'
'Ri
shab,ar
eyouokay?Youl
ookscar
edandsad.
What?'
'
.
'
'Iam okay.Asi
tis,
Iaj
ustdi
str
ess.Thati
sal
l'
'.
'
'Iam herenow.Iam goingtosel
lallt
he
businesses.Becausemynextdest
inati
onisLondon
aft
erItakeRishi.Andweareneverret
urni
ngback
toIndia'
'.
'
'Iam sosor
ryf
ather'
'
.Ri
shabt
houghtt
ohi
msel
f.
(MrRaulthrewhishandsonhi sshouldersandthey
bot
hwal kedclosertothedoor.Suddenly,
there
wereloudgunshot severywhereinthemansionand
MrBlake'smenr eveal
edt hemsel
ves,shooti
ng
awayallMrRaul'
smendead.MrRault ri
edrunning
backt
ot hecarbutassoonasheturned,onebig
manfrom MrBlake'
smenf acedhi
m up).
'
'Whoareyoupeopl
e?Ri
shab,
whatisgoi
ngon
her
e?'
'
.MrRaulaskedi
nashakingvoi
ce.
(Thenhesuddenl yhear daclapf r
om someone
behindhi m.Cl appinghishandsloudlyandlaughing.
MrRaulqui cklyturnedhisbackandwaspuzzl edt o
seehi ssocal l
edl ongtimefri
endandbusi ness
partner.Het henr egret
tedhi
sl i
feandeverybad
thi
nghedi dinl i
fecamer ushingtohisface.Hefell
onhi skneesandcr i
ed).
'
'Hell
oRaul
.It
houghtyouwoul
dbehappyt
osee
yourl
ongti
mefri
end''
.
'
'Steven.
.OhGod!Howdidyouevenf
indme?
Steven,l
ook,
l
etust
alkt
hist
hroughpl
ease'
'
.
'
' Ihavenothi
ngt otal
kaboutRaul.I
nfact,
Iam i
na
hur r
ytoleavethi
sbor i
ngkingdom.Iam nother
efor
talki
ng,Iam herefortaki
ng.Andyouhavewhat's
mi ne.Remember ?''
.
'
'Icanexpl
ainever
ythi
ng.Ihavebei
ngevi
l'
'.
(MrBl
akel
oosedhi
scoolandsl
appedMrRaul
har
d).
'
'Iwillgi
veyouanythi
ngyouanyt
hingyouwant
Stevenplease.Pl
easel
eavemysonoutofthi
s.Let
hi
m go' '
.
'
'Iam notgoingtodoanyt hingt oyourson.Iwi l
l
j
ustmakehi m watchmet akeyourl i
feandt hat'
sall
.
Butbeforethat,
come.Youar egoi ngt osi
gn
ever
ythingyouowet omynamer i
ghtnow.Oneof
myboysi slawyerandweal readymadeat ransfer
ofassetsdocument sbeforewear r
ivedhere.Don't
tr
ytoplaygameswi t
hme.Al lyourmenar edead
nowsoIcal ltheshotsnow' '
.
(Themenseparatedthemselvesashal
fofthem
carr
iedthedeadbodi
esar oundtodi
sposeandburn
them whil
etheot
herhalftookMrRaulinsi
dethe
mansionwi t
hMrBlake'sorder
s).
(
Int
hepal
ace=Pr
inceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hestoodatt
hegatewithoneofhiscl
osestguar
d
andhandedhi
m apieceofpaperwit
hwrit
tenwords
onit
.Thengavehi
m asmal l
sackoffol
dcoins.
'
' Donotmakeanymi st
akesDasthan.Itr
ustyou
andyourski l
ls.Shi
vissoincompetentnowIdon't
knowhi sproblem.Thati
sthenameoft hehotel
theyareli
vingin.Makesurenottoleaveanyclues
behind''
.
'
'Di
amondHot
eli
nMumbai
?''
.
'
'Yes.Andt hati
sal sot
wentygoldcoins.Iwil
lgi
ve
youmor eafterajobwelldome.Got her
eandf i
nish
Charuandt hatunbornbastar
d.Ihavebeing
counti
ngthemont hsandiam suresheiscloseto
givi
ngbirt
h''.
'
'OkaymyPri
nce.Iwon'
tletyoudown'
'
.Hesai
d
andboweddown.
'
'Good.Youbetternot
.Takeasmuchguardswith
youandfini
shthejobonceandforal
l'
'.Hesai
dand
openedthedoorandlethi
m out
.ThenhesawCi ndy
passi
ngby.''Hey''
.
(
Shet
urnedandsmi
rked,
thenwal
kedcl
oser
).
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Whydon'
tyouonei
nsi
deandknowwhati
tis?'
'
.
'
'WhyshouldIent
eryourchamber
,ar
eyounot
engaged?'
'
.
'
'Youar
echasi
ngamarriedman,
sohowwil
litmake
youwor
se?Oryoudon'
tfindmeasmanl
yasMajid?
'
'.
'
'Youarehi
sbrotheraft
eral
l
.Whatcoul
dpr
obabl
y
beworseorbet
ter?'
'.
(
Shesai
dandhepull
edheri
ntot
hechamberand
l
ockedt
hedoor
).
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
12:
00] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence20
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay=MrRaul
'
schamber
).
Hewast ort
uredwi thmanyl i
fet hreateningt oolsas
el
ectricwiresandot hermachi nes.Hewasweak
andatt hepointifdeat h.Hissonsati nachai r
,t
ied
upandwat chi
nghi sf atherdiesl owly.Ever ylastbut
oftheirpropert
ieshadbei ngsignedt othenameof
MrBl ameandsoMrRaulwasnotanobodyanda
wretchedman.Thehousehadbei ngscat teredand
destroyed.MrBl akehadever ythinghewant edand
gavehi sphonet oMaxt ogiveacal ltoCi ndyt o
prepareherselfsot heycoul dgobackt oLondon.
Hepoi ntedagunt oMrRaul '
sheadwi t
hawi cked
smile.
'
'Thisiswher eital
lendsoldfri
end.Whocouldhave
i
magi ned,noonei nthiski
ngdom isafr
iendof
yours.Ifnot,
someonewoul dhavecomel ooki
ngfor
youforavi si
tandpr obabl
ycatchmeandmymen.
ButIguessyouwer etoowickertoever
yoneelseto
evenhaveaf r
iend''
.
'
'Pl
easesi
r,
don'
tdot
his.Youhaveal
readyt
aken
ever
ythingyouwant.Ourmoneyandproper
ti
es.
Youhavebi l
li
onsunderyournamenow.Whydon't
youjustgo?''
.
'
'Sothatoneday,
youcanbr
ingt
hepol
iceaf
terme
r
ight
?''
.
'
'Iwi
llneverdothat.Ineverevenknewallt
he
moneymyf atherhadwasst olen.Iwoul
dhave
l
ookedforyouandgi veneverythi
ngtoyou''
.
'
'Thatisnotmybusiness.Yourfatherisasgoodas
deadrightnow.Lookathim.Hecan' tevenopenhis
eyestalk.I
fIspar
ehisli
fe,
Itel
lyou,hewi l
ldiei
njust
seconds.Heisevensuffer
ing,sol
etmej ustendit
allf
orhim''.
(Theenti
reroom wasquietandhosti
le.Andt
her
e
wasasmel lofbl
oodever ywher
e.MrRaulkept
vomiti
ngbloodandhisfacewer eal
lcutand
brui
ses).
'
'Pl
easefat
her
..
.f
orgi
veme.Icoul
dn'
tdianyt
hing
f
oryou''
.Ri
shabmumbledintear
s.
'
'Iti
sonlyfai
r.Hepoisonedmeonceandl
eftmef
or
dead.I
sthereanylastprayer
sRaul
?''
.
'
'Fu.
.f
uckyouSt
even.Youso.
.sonofa.
..
(MrBlakesteppedonhisabdomenandpr essed
hardwithallhi
sstr
engthandMrRaul'sscreams
didn'
treachanywherecl
osetothewindowsashe
wasdyi ng.Maxcamefrom t
hekit
chenwi t
ht he
phoneandaf r
own).
'
'Dad.Ithi
nkwhatyouhavedonet
othemabi
s
enough.Pl
ease,
l
etusjustgo'
'
.
'
'ShutupMax.Whatdi
dCi
ndysay?'
'
.
'
'Look,t
hatgir
lisobsessedwit
hthePrinceandshe
i
snotgoi ngtoLondonwi t
hus.Shesaysweshould
gowithoutherandshewi l
lcomebackl at
erwi
th
Maji
d''.
'
'Whatissheeventhi
nki
ng?Iti
sobvioust
heguyis
noti
nterest
edinher
!No,
Icannotl
eaveherher
e.
Shewillgowit
hus''
.
'
'Shesai
dsaidweshouldgi
veheronl
yfourdays
f
ather
.Shesaidshewi
llbei
nLondoninfourdays'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
sheismypr
incessaft
eral
l.Icandoat
l
east
,t
hisf
orher
.Sowear egoi
ngtowaitfort
hat
fourdays.I
nthi
shouse.AndIwillwaitti
lltheday
comewhenwear eaboutt
oleave,Iwil
lfi
nishthi
s
animalandwewi l
lgobackhome' '.
.
(
Mumbaici
ty=Di
amondHot
el)
.
Itwasget tingdar kandpeopl eint heci t
ywer e
closi ngf rom t heirdailywor ksandt hesamewent
fort hewor kersatDi amondHot el.Thei nhabi tants
oft hehot elhadt heirkeyswi t
ht hem andcoul d
arriveanyt imef rom wher et heyhadgonet o.The
wor ker spackedt heirstuffandl ef t.Itwasexact ly
9pm andt hehot elguar dswer et heonl yones
aroundandsecur i
tycamer as.Dast hanandsi x
guar dshet ookwi t
hhi mf rom t hepal acear ri
vedi n
fronti fthehot elacr ossthest reet swi thswor dsand
bowsasi ft heywer egoi ngf orwar .Hest udiedt he
buildi ngf orawhi leandt woguar dsst andingi n
frontofi tandal ert
edt heguar ds.Theywor esi mple
citycl othesi nordernott obenot icedasst ranger s
andwal kedi nfrontoft hehot el, hidingt hei
r
weaponsi nt hei
rcl othes.Thehot elguar dsqui ckl
y
stoppedt hem.
'
'Whati
sthepr
obl
em?'
'
.Onehot
elguar
dasked.
'
'Il
iveinthehotelandIbr
oughtmyf
ri
endsal
ong'
'
.
Dasthansaid.
'
'Ist
hatso?Whati
syournameandwhi
chr
oom do
yousleepi
n''
.
'
'Dast
hanKar
naandmyr
oom i
s..
urmm,
room.
..
.'
'.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
(Andqui ckl
yastheycould,t
heyatt
ackedthehot el
guardsandsnappedt hei
rnecksdeadandpul l
ed
tenintothehotel
.Whenthecoastwascl ear,
they
quicklycli
mbedthestai
rs.Subhrasiwaswal ki
ng
i
ntot heroom 4whenshehear dfootst
epscomi ng
fasttowardsher.Shequickl
yenteredt
her oom and
shutthedoorclose).
'
'Whati
sitaunt
?Havet
heyal
lcl
osed?'
'
.
'
'Iheardpeopl
equi
ckl
ywal
kingupst
air
sandIgot
f
right
ened''
.
'
'Ohaunt.Wearesafenowsonevermind.Iam
havi
ngabdominalcr
ampsandmyent i
rewaisti
s
hurt
ing'
'
.
'
'I
tisyourni
nthmont
hChar
u.I
tisnor
mal
.Youcan
goi
ntol
abouranyt
imef
rom now'
'
.
(Justthen,
theyhear
dviol
entnoi
sesandChar
u
slowlygottiherf
eet
).
'
'Ohgoodness. ..
.whatisgoi ngonoutt here?''
.She
saidandwal kedcl osertothedoorandpokedher
headout .Onlytof i
ndmostoft hehotelcustomer
outsidet
hewal kwayandont heirkneesinfri
ght
withDast hanthreateni
ngt hem t oshowhi m where
shewas.Shequi cklyshutt hedoorcl osedand
Dasthan'sattenti
ondr ewovert here.Charu'
swater
brokeatonceandshef elli
nt olabour.Shelayed
behindthedoorandbecamebr eathl
ess.
'
'OhGod.Whathashappened?'
'
.
'
'Das..
Dat
h..
.Dast
hanaunt
.Aah!'
'
.Shetr
iedt
okeep
hervoi
cedownandhel
dherstomachi
npain.
'
'WhoisDast
hanChar
u?OhGod,
nowyouar
ein
l
abour
..
.
'
'Pri
nce.
..Pr
inceFarukhassentDasthant
o..
kil
lme.
Ir
ecognisedhimfrom t
hepalace.Thephoneaunt
!
Hurr
y!!
!'
'.
(Subhr
asiquicklyt
ookthephonefrom thebedand
handeditovertoCharu.Shequi
cklywentdownand
satonthefloorinpai
n,wit
hherbacktouchingthe
door.I
twasqui ckl
yhithardf
rom t
heout si
de).
'
'OpenthedoornowdearCharumhet
ra.Iknowyou
ar
einthere'
'
.Dasthansai
dinanger
.
(Shequi
cklydial
ledanumberandpl
acedt
hephone
onherears).
'
'WhatdowedonowChar u..
..
ohGod!Whatdowe
do?Youcan'
tbei
nlabourforl
ong'
'.
'
' He..
Hel
lo.
..
Jimmy.Hel pmepl ease!Helpme,
come
tothecit
ynowpl easeJimmy.Theyar eher
e.Pri
nce
Faruksentthem..
.them t
oki l
lmeandt hebaby
i
s. .
.comi
ng!Help?''
.Shecriedoutloudandthrew
thephoneelsewher ewhil
eshel ayedonthefl
oor.
'
'Boys.
..
Ithi
nkweshoul dbr
eakt hedoornow.She
i
sprovi
ngst ubbor
n.Thedoorisstrong,
bri
ngthe
swordsowedest r
oythist
hingandgetthisover
wit
h''
.Dasthansaidfr
om outsi
de.
(Char
ustarr
edpushi
ngwhi
leSubhrasibentdown
andhelpedherwi
tht
hedel
iver
yeventhought hey
wer
eint
roubl
e).
(
Int
heki
ngdom=I
nthepal
ace)
.
Afterthecal
lhehadfrom Char
u,Ji
mmywasgoi ng
i
nsaneandqui ckl
ytooktohisheelsf
rom hi
sroom
andr usheddownthestai
rswit
honeofMaj i
d'scar
keys.Hebumpedi nt
oMaj i
dont hest
air
s.
'
'What
'supman?Wher
ear
eyouof
ftobyt
hist
ime
oft
henight
?''
.
'
'Maj i
dlook.
..
thisi
snotimefort
alks.Ineedtoget
toMumbai ..
.r
ightf
ucki
ngnow!Just..
.Iwil
lexpl
ain
l
aterman' '
.HesaidandbypassedMaj i
dbuthe
stoppedhim.
'
'Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
her
eman?'
'
.
'
'Maji
d!Youdon'
tgeti
t.Letmegoman!I
tisal
ong
st
ory,
someoneneedsmyhelpnow!'
'
.
'
'Iam comi
ngwi
thyout
hen.
..
'
'Yeahwhat
ever
,let
'
sgonow!Hur
ry!'
'
.
'
'Can'
tIgoandt
ellmywi
fef
ir
st?'
'
.
'
'Wedon'
thavenodemnt
ime.
..
'
'Al
ri
ght
..
.l
et'
sgo.
..
Iam dr
ivi
ngt
hough'
'
.
(Theyr
ushedtoonecarandent
ered.Maj
idspar
ked
anddrovespeedi
lyaway)
.
(
RoyalGuestRooms)
.
Cindyhaspackedallhercl
othesi
nherlanguage
toget
herwit
hNatalyaandshewasl ooki
ngrelaxed
thanever
.
'
'Ican'tbel
ieveyouact
ual
lysl
eptwi
thhi
sbr
other
Cindy!'
'.
'
'Hey..
.keepyourvoicedown!Iti
snotmyf ault
.
Majidhasdeniedmesexf orsol
ong, whatdi dyou
expect
?Besides,i
twasj ustoneday.Itwillnever
happenedagainsinceIam gonnakillthatslutand
weallgonnagobackt oLondonaf t
ert heweddi ng'
'.
'
'Don'
tyout
hinkyouar
egoingtoof
arwi
tht
his?
Ther
earesomanyguysinLondonandt
hewhole
worl
d''
.
'
'Butnoneli
keMaj id.Nooneisanexcell
entl
over
l
ikeMaji
d.Sorich,sohandsome,sogoodinbee..
.so
goodinever
ything,andstr
ong.Herespectswomen
andt r
eateveryonel i
kefamil
y.Evenhisbrot
heris
nothal fofamanashi m.Doyouknowhowhar dit
i
stof indamanl i
kehim?Iam notgivinghim up
Natalya.Notforanythingint
hewor l
d.Ihavemade
mypl ansalready,fourdaysmoretoexecute
thi
s,andwear ethrough''.
'
'Whati
fitdoesn'
twor
k?'
'
.
'
'Itwillwor
k.I
tisFar
uk'
sweddi
ngandhehe
decidedtohel
pme' '
.
..
(
Mumbaici
ty=Di
amondHot
el)
.
Therewasal oudcryofababyi nthehotel.And
Dasthanandhi smenwer eal
mostdonebr eaking
thedoor.Char utookherbabyboyi nherarmsand
cri
edasshehuggedhi m.Subhrasitookt
hehot el
bedsheetsandcl eanedt hebabyup.Thewhol ef loor
wasbloodyandSubhr asiwenti
ntothebathroom
andfetchedsomewat erinabowlandcleanedt he
babyandChar u.Theysuddenlyheardthesirenof
poli
cecarsur roundingthehotel
.Theguardsl ooked
thr
ought hewi ndowandsawMaj idandJimmywi t
h
somepol icemen, r
ushi ntot
hehotel
.
'
'Pr
inceMaj
idi
sher
e!'
'
.Oneguarshout
ed.
'
'How?
!''
.
(Dasthanwasf inallysuccessfulandbr eakt hedoor
open.Hehel dhisswor dinhishandsandal lt
he
customer sshoutedi nhorror.Charulookedathi min
horrorandheldt hebabyt ightl
y.Her ai
sedt he
swor dupandanot herhandgr abbedhi shandand
pull
edhi m out
.Maj idheadedhi minthef aceandhi t
him hardintheabdomenwi thhisknee.Hepul led
Dasthant othefloorandmadeaf i
stwi thhishand
andhi thi
m ont hemout h,
maki ngbloodspl ashout.
Theot herguardstookt otheirheelsbutwer eshot
deadbyt hepolicemen) .
'
'Pl
easemyPr
ince.Pl
easespar
eme'
'
.Hepl
eaded.
(Ji
mmyqui cklyent
eredtheroom andhel dCharu
ti
ghtl
y.Maji
dgotDast hanupi nanger.Dasthanhad
asmallknif
ei nhi
scloth.Hepul l
editouttostab
Majidbuthewasf stenoughtogr abholdofhis
handandcr ackedhisbones.Hel amentedanMaj i
d
pushedhimt othepoli
ce.Buthest r
onglypull
ed
himsel
fawayandst artedrunningawayand
unf
ort
unatel
y,hewasal
soshotatt
hebackandf
ell
downdead).
'
'Ar
eyouokayChar
u?I
tisal
lovernow.Youar
e
nowsaf
e.I
t'
sokay'
'
.
(Afterhavingawor dwi tht hepol icemen, ambulance
wer eassembl eddownt hehot elandever ythi
ngwas
clearedf r
om thehotel,
includingt hebodies.The
doct orswhoar r
ivedther e,
checkedChar uandt he
babyandl at
erleft
.Char ul ayedi nanewr oom wi t
h
thebabyi nhrar msandshecoul dn'tstopweepi ng.
Maj idstoodatthedoorwi thhi shandsf oldedonhis
chestandst arri
ngatt hel ovebi rds.Jimmyhadt old
himt hewhol etrut
hint hecarandsohewaawar e
thatt hebabybelongedt oFar uk).
'
'ThankyousomuchJi
mmy.Foramoment
,I
t
houghttodaywast
heendofmyl
if
e''
.
'
'Iti
sokay.Ourbabyisherenow.Andthedoct
ors
saidhei
shealthyandstr
ong.Justl
ikehi
smother'
'.
'
'Yes''
.Charusai
dandst ar
redatMajidt
henbowed
herhead.'
'MyPrince.Maythelor
dgiveyoul
ong
l
ifeandmoreprosperit
yandhappiness'
'
.
'
'Thankyouman'
'
.
(Maji
dkeptst
arr
ingatt
hebabyandhet
ookadeep
breat
h).
'
'Thi
s..
.Thi
sisyournephewmyPr
ince.For
giveme
I
..
.
'
'It'
sokay.Ican'tbeli
eveFarukr
apedyou.Andnow
wantstokillhi
sownson?Myownbr ot
her,
gosham
disgust
ed.Ishoul dapol
ogizedt
oyouforallpai
n
youhadt oendur eCharu'
'.
'
'Doyouwantt
oholdhim?''
.Char
uaskedMaj
id,
he
l
aughedandwentcl
osert
othem.
'
'Sur
e.Whynot
?''
.
(Hesl
owlyt
ookthebabyinhisar
msandsmi
led.He
qui
ckl
yrememberedRishi
).
'
'Whati
shi
snamenow?'
'
.
'
'Jeed.Hi
snamei
sJeed'
'
.
'
'Thisplacei
snolongersafeforyou.Youwi l
lhave
tobuyanewhousef orherJimmy.Int hecountry
aide.Farawayf
rom her
e,t
hatiswhereshewi llsaf
e.
Andi f
youguyswannagetmar ri
ed,doitfastman.I
don'
tknowwhatt hefutur
ehol
ds,
butIassur
eyou
Char
u,youwil
lonedaycomebackt oyourki
ngdom
andli
vether
eforever''
.
'
'Mayyourwi
shescomet
opassmyPr
ince'
'
.
'
'Iwillprovi
dewhateveryoumayneedf orthe
baby,fornow,IhavetokeepaneagleeyeonFar uk.
Atleastunti
lIhaveenoughevidencet
oi ncri
minate
hi
m.Thenwecanal lhavepeace'
'.
.
.
(I
ntheki
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
s
chamber
).
Shehadchant edabi gdealandsummonedher
father
'ssoultothechamber.Shewast ooangry
withhimf orabandoni
ngherf ort
hepassedthr
eeto
fourdayseversinceQueenMeer ah'
ssoulescaped.
'
'Nowt hepri
esti
sdead.IknowMeer
ahki
ll
ed
hi
m, whowil
lbenext?You?Whydi
dyouabandon
me,areyouafr
aidofhert
oo?''
.
'
'Ineverabandonedyou.I
fyouknewallt
hepl
ansI
wasmaki ng,youwoul
dapplaudme''
.
'
'Lookatmylegsf
ather
!Twodaysagoont
he
f
asti
ngday.
..
.
'
'Iknowexact lywhathappenedDor ah.Nowl i
sten,I
abandonedyou.Butr ather,Iwentt olookf orhel p.
Didyouknow, anci
entspirit
si nthemount ai nshasa
wayoft yi
ngupspi ri
tsforgood?Thepr iesti nthe
mount ai
nshasbei ngabletoseeghost sal lhislife.
Thatuswhyhewasmadet hemount ainpr iest
because,t
hatuswher eghost sdwel landr est.Int he
mount ai
ns.AndHanumanhasbl essedhim.The
onlyproblem hehasis,hecannotdi ff
erent i
ate
betweenbadspi ri
tsandgoodspi ri
ts,
andbecause
ofhisinnocence,l
ordHanumani snotabl et o
i
niti
atehim yetint
othespi r
itualworld.Hanuman
wantssomeonewhoi sagoodsoulandaf earless
personatt hesametimet otakeovert hemount ain
pri
estwhenheusnomor e''
.
'
'Howdoesthatboi
lsdownt
othef
actt
hatwewant
Meer
ahoutofourway?''
.
'
'Meer
ah'sspi
riti
swonderi
ngaroundthekingdom,
t
aki
ngrevenge.Shehaskil
ledt
hepri
est,
wehaveno
i
deawhoisnext ,
whet
heryourmai
dsorus,but
bef
oreshecangett
othi
spl
ace,
wemustar
resther
spi
ri
tint
hemountai
ns''
.
'
'Howdowedot
hat
?''
.
'
' Wecanonlydothatonaf ullmoon.Wejustgeta
l
ittl
ebloodofMaji
d.BecauseMaj idi
sherson.You
getthebloodandbri
ngitRime, andIwi
llt
akeitti
themount ai
nsanddotheritual'
'.
'
'Iwil
ltryhardandgetthisbloodbecauseMeerah
usjustastepawayf rom ki
ll
ingFar
ukandIwon' t
al
lowt hat
.Father
,pl
easetellmearr
esti
ngherspiri
t
i
sper manent''
.
'
' Ar
restinghersoulwi llnotbeper manent .I
fshe
getsthebl oodoft her easonwhyshei smeantto
takerevenge, shewoul dbef r
ee.Whensheusi nthe
mount ains,onlythosewhohasspi ri
tualeyeswould
beablet oseeher .Butonl ytheper sonwi t
hthat
fearl
essspi ri
twillnohowt ofreeher.Shewi l
lnotbe
abletot al
korr eact.Shewi l
lbel i
keadeadbody.
Shewi llbelikedead,butwhent hebloodof
someoneshehat esf allsonherf eet,
shewi l
lbefr
ee
andcomeher etoki l
lusal l'
'.
'
'Thent hatwi
llneverhappenedbecausenoonewi ll
evenknowshehasbei ngtiedint
heforest.And
evenifsomeonef indsout,
noonewillbeabl et
oget
Farukormybl ood.EvenifFarukhaschildren,
itwi
ll
bemanyyear slaterandMeer ahwouldalreadybe
for
gotten''
.
(Thewindowsoft hechambersuddenl yopened
widebyt hemsel vesandherf atherdi sappeared
quickl
ywi t
houtat r
ace.Thewi ndbl ewi ntothe
chambervi olentl
yintoQueenDor ah'schamberand
shequicklygotupi nfri
ght.Thi
ngsi nherchamber
fel
lapartbecauseoft hewindandherl i
ghtswent
off.Shequicklyrushedt othewi ndowandwhenshe
wasaboutt oclosethewi ndows,af orcewi t
hnoone
handspushedherawayf r
om thewi ndow, maki
ng
herhackhi tagainstawal l,
shefellhar dont hef
loor
andcoughedoutbl ood.Shet ri
edget ti
ngupi nher
weaknessandasdoi nassher aisedherhead
up,QueenMeer ahwasst andinginf rontifthe
window.Thewi ndbl ewherhairbackwar dsandher
favelookedpal eandscar y).
'
'No.
..
no.
.goawayf
rom me!LeavemeAl
ine!'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llf
oreverhauntyouDorah.Ki
ll
ingyouwi
llbe
t
ooeasyofapuni shment'
'
.
'
'Iwil
lnotst
andbackandwat
chacommonghost
l
ikeyouscareme!'
'
.
(Shequickl
yopenedherdrawerandtookouta
bott
leofblackpowder
.Sheopeneditupandt hr
ew
i
tallatQueenMeerah.Shequickl
ydi
sappeared).
'
'Ha!Ihavedeal twi t
hyouonceandf orall
.Iam a
fewstepsawayf rom mygoal s.Charuisoutoft
he
way,Ci
ndywi l
lkillthatgir
landt akeMaji
d
away..
.andIwillexecut ethekingforFaruktobe
crownedking.Thati sit''
.
'
'No.
..
thati
snoti
tDor
ah!'
'
.
(Shescr
eamedi
nhor
rorandtur
nedherhackonl
yto
seeQueenMeer
ahl
yingonherbed)
.
'
'Iwillt
ort
ureyout i
llyouconfess.Andafteryour
confessi
on,youwillbethrowni nt
othedungeon.
ThenIwi l
lkil
lFar
uk,andlatercomeintothe
dungeonandgi veyouapai nfuldeat
h..
.t
hent her
est
ofthefamilywil
lli
vei npeace.Thati
sit'
'.Shesaid
andwascar ri
edbyt hewi ndanddisappeared.
'
'Meerahissopower fulnow.Butwai t
,i
fsheisso
powerf
ul,howcomeshehasnoi deaaboutthatmy
fat
herandIhavepl ot
tedagainsther?Orsome
myster
iesarejustunknowntovengef ulspi
ri
ts?I
shoul
dcalm untilFar
uk'sweddingisover.Andtake
mynextactionsagainsther'
'.
(
4DaysLat
er=Theweddi
ngday)
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
12:
00] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence21
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
4DaysLat
er=Theweddi
ngday)
.
Justlikeeverybeauti
fuloccasioninthepal ace, so
wast hisone.Everyt
hingwassetandr eadyand
guestskeptonent eri
ngthepal ace.I
ncludingt he
kingdom' speopl
eandt heRoyalf amil
iesfrom ot her
kingdoms.Thebr idewast akentother ef
iningr oom
togetdr essedupinthereadinessofabr ide.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewasdr esserupmor eli
keagr oom,eventhough
hewasi nfor
eignclothes.Hel ookedhit
terthan
chickenvi
ndaloo.Ji
mmy, LakshmiandRajent er
ed
thechamberandgr eetedhim.Het ookhisphone
andr eadamessageoni tandlaughedthenf aced
them.
'
'I
t'
sMaxwel
l'
'.
'
'Howi
shedoi
ng?'
'
.Ji
mmyasked
'
'Heisokay.Hehasanewgi rlnoe.Iam gl
adhehot
overNat
alya.Shedoesn'
tdeservehim''
.
'
'Yes.
..
sur
ethi
ng'
'
.
'
'Howar
eyoudoi
ngt
odayJi
mmy?'
'
.
'
'OhcomeonMaj
id.Whywoul
dn'
tIbebet
ter
.Iowe
al
lmyhappinesstodaytoyou.Charuisfi
neand
aft
erourmarr
iagetwodaysago, Ihavedeci
dedto
gi
vehersomespacet orecoverf
rom herchi
ldbi
rt
h
befor
ewedoanyt hi
ng''
.
'
'YouarearealmanJimmy.Thankyouver
ymuch'
'
.
Pri
ncessLakshmisai
dwit
hasmi l
e.
'
'Iam r
ighther
epri
ncess''.Rajsai
dandcl
ear
edhi
s
t
hroatandtheyal
llaughed.
'
'OhRaj.
..
youaremyman.Andyouarethebestf
or
me.Butareweallr
eadyt
oat
tend,
hishi
ghness
Far
uk'
swedding?''
.
'
'Af
terever
ythingIhavelear
ntabouthim,
Iam r
eady
f
oranythi
ng.Letusjusthopeheissincer
ewit
hhis
f
eel
ingsforthepri
ncess''
.
'
'Farukisneversincer
ewit
hanythingMajid.He
wantstokillhi
sownson,whywoul dhecareabout
Pri
ncessRagah.Heonl yagr
eedt omarryherto
i
mpr essfat
her.Andwecan'taccusehim of
anyt
hingyetunt i
lwehaveenoughevidenceagainst
hi
m.Char udoesnotwanttoputJeed'slif
ein
dangerthatiswhywemustr espectherdeci
sion
nott
orevealhi
mt ofat
herandtherestofthefami
ly
yet
.Farukmightf
indoutandevenkil
lhim bef
ore
weknow.Iam surewewi l
lsoonfi
ndevidence
agai
nsthimforal
lthecri
meshehascommi tt
ed
agai
nstever
yoneofus''
(Ri
shient eredthechamberi nanext ravagant
appearance.Shewor eal ongfloralpinksareewi t
h
shi
nypear l
sallinfr
ontofi t.Sheleftherlonghai r
dangli
ngdownbecausesheknewMaj idneverl
iked
i
twhenshet i
edherhairup.Maj idlayedhiseyeson
herandf ellonhisbedpl ayfull
y,maki ngeveryone
l
augh.Shegotcl oser,l
ookingshy.Si l
encefelli
nthe
chamberandMaj i
dgott ohi sfeet)
.
'
'Guys..
.t
herei
snoneedt obesil
enceher
e.Ihave
al
readytol
dRishiever
ythi
ng.Sheknowsever
ythi
ng
'
'.
'
'Hmm...
okay.I
fonl
ywecant r
usthert
okeept
he
secr
et'
'
.Pri
ncessLakshmisai
d.
'
'Ikeptmymout hshutoverMaji
d'smot
her
,Ican
keepquietaboutt
his'
'
.Rishisai
d.
'
'Wel
lthati
str
ue'
'
.Ji
mmysai
d.
(
Majidpul
ledhercl
osertohimsel
fandt
heot
her
s
mockert
hem andledtheroom).
'
' YoulooksohotRi shi
.Whydi dyouweart
histight
dr esshuh?Don'tyouknowt hatmenfr
om around
thewor l
dwillbeheretoday?''
.
'
'AwMajid!Thisi
sthedressQueenmot
hergavet
i
me,andIcouldn'
tsayno''
.
'
'Hey.
..
aft
ertheweddi
ng,
Iam goi
ngt
ochoosewhat
youwearfr
om tomorr
owokay?'
'.
'
'It
houghtyouknewnot
hingaboutgi
rl
'sst
uff'
'
.
'
'Hey,
Ionlyknewthi
ngsaboutRi
shi
'sstuf
f.AndI
wil
lchooseyourdr
esstomorr
ow.Peri
od.Let'
s
go,
theti
mehascome' '
.
(
Theybot
hlef
tthechambert
oget
her
).
(
Occasi
onalVenue)
.
Thedoortothehousewasopenedwi delyandthe
weddingst
arted.Pri
ncessRagahwasbr ought
i
nsidebyQueenmot herandQueenSal ma.Maji
d
satbehi
ndFar ukonthesacr
edmar r
iageground
andkeptst
arringandwinki
ngatRishiinTuecrowd.
QueenSheenaandt heKingsawt hetwolovebi r
ds
romancingfrom afareveninthemi dstofpeopl e
andlaughedsilentl
y.TheygotcloserandPr incess
Ragahsatbesi desFaruk.Thepr i
estsstart
edt he
ceremony.QueenDor ahwasabsol utel
yalertand
keptcrossi
nghereyesandl ookedaroundt omake
surethatnodest r
ucti
onwaspeepi ngaround.Maj i
d
couldn'
tstopteasingwithhishoteyesandRi shi
couldn'
tstopblushingandfacedKushi .
'
'Iwi
llbebackRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Whatisgoi
ngonKushi
,eversi
ncet
hismor
ning
youhavebei
ngact
ingst
range''
.
'
'Ri
shili
sten,
i
tisbet
teryoudon'
tknowokay.Iwi
ll
beback''
.
'
'Theceremonywil
lbeoversoonandwear eall
supposedtot
hrowfl
owersont hebri
deandgroom.
Justtel
lmewhereyouaregoing''
.
'
'Justtourinat
e.Areyousati
sfi
ednow?Iwil
lbe
back!''
.Shesaidandrushedoutoft
hetook,
l
eavi
ng
Rishiveryconf
used.
(
Behi
ndt
heOccasi
onalHouse)
.
Kushisteppedoutsi
deandwentbehindthebui
lding
wherethecutropedwhichsupport
edthechandelier
i
nt heroom werecutandshemetShivther
e.He
wasshockedbyherbeaut yandthewayshewas
dressed.Shewasalsoshockedtoseehimther
e.He
l
ookedar oundandwhennoonewaspassi ngby,he
pull
edherclosert
oacor ner
.
'
'Hey.
..
whatwast
hatf
or?'
'
.
'
'Sothatnooneseesust
alki
ng.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?''
.
'
'Iwasaboutt
iaskyousame'
'
.
'
' I
..
.Iwanttodosomethingaboutther opes.Sothat
whenPr i
nceFaruksi
gnalsmeandIr emoveitfr
om
thestatue,t
hechandeli
erwil
lfal
lelsewhereandnot
onPr inceMaji
d''.
'
' Good.Thati swhyIam al
sohere.Iwantust
odo
somet hingaboutthi
snottocausesadness
today..
.please!'
'
.
'
'Rel
ax!Ihaveswi t
chedtheropes.Therear
etoo
manystatueshere.SoIhavepushedt heoneIcut
t
othetheirst
atue.WhenPr i
nceFarukgivesmet he
si
gnal,
Iwillr
emoveitfr
om undert
hest
atueandt
he
chandel
ierwil
lfal
lel
sewhere'
'.
'
'Ihopei
twil
lnothurtanyoneel
se.Fall
ing
somewheremightal
sobesomeone' sdownfal
l'
'.
'
'Whichdoyoupref
er?Pri
nceMaj
id'
sdeat
horan
or
dinar
yperson'
sdeath?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
twantanyonet
odie..
.ohgod!Look,
Ihavet
o
gonow.Butweshallt
alkaf
terever
ythi
ngisover'
'
.
Shesai
dandst ar
tedl
eavi
ng.
'
'Youlookbeauti
fulthough''
.Hesai
dandclear
ed
hi
sthroat.'
'Iam j
ustsaying.
..
youar
elooki
ngvery
pret
tytoday''
.
(Kushibl
ushedr
eal
lyhardbutkeptherpost
ureand
decidedt
oplayt
ough).
'
'WhenhaveIneverl ookedprett
y?Don'tactl
ikeyou
haveaheart.Iwi
llseeyoulater'
'.Shesai
dandsaw
hi
ml aughi
ng.Shesmi ledandleft.
(
Occasi
onalVenue)
.
Theweddingceremonywasoverandt
he
cel
ebr
ati
onwer eon.Thebr
idewasunhappyand
keptstar
ri
ngatMaj i
dwhowasbusilymaking
passedonRishi.Peopl
ewereeat
inghereandthere
andMaj i
dwalkedtoRishi
'
ssideandsl
idehisarm
behindherwaist
.
'
'I
tist
imef
ort
hedance'
'
.
'
'Whatdance?'
'
.
'
'Distheynott el
lyou?Theyarrangedaspecial
danceorever ybri
deandgr oom today.YouandI
arefi
rst.EvenbeforeFarukandthepr i
ncess.
..
so
comeon, shal
lwe?' '
.
'
'OhMaj
id,
ever
yonewi
llst
areatus'
'
.
'
'Soisthatwhatbothersyou?Look,
youcanhide
yourf
aceonmychest .Comeon...
Iam nott
aki
ngno
asananswer.Let'
sgo!''.
(Theannouncementwasqui cklymadeandj ustas
planned, Maj i
dandRi shiweremadet ostandonthe
dancef loor,
inthemi ddleofther oom underthebi
g
chandel i
erlighthangingther oof.Thecrowd
gatheredt hemselvesawaybesi desthebiggate
whilether oyalfamil
ysati ntheirroyalpl
acesatthe
topoft hest age.Majidplacedhishandbehi ndher
wai standt hesi nger sstar t
edasl owr omant i
c
traditi
onalI ndi ansong.Ever yonewat chedi nal l
smi les.CindyandNat alyast oodi nt hecr owd,
frowni ngandwai ti
ngf ortheper fectmoment .Majid
l
ower edhi sheadt okissRi shibutshedodgedhi s
kissandpl acedherhe' donhi schest ,maki ng
ever yonel aughbecauseshewast ooshy.Kushi
roll
edhereyesar oundandl ookedupt oseet he
chandel iershaki ng.Shet urnedherheadt othegat e
andShi vent ered.ThenFar uksecr etlyr aisedhi sleft
handandgavehi mt hesi gnal.Shi vnoddedhi shead
andwentout si
de.Kushi '
shear tski ppedabeatand
wai tedtoseewhatwoul dhappened.Shi vgotout
thereandpl acedhi shandsont hecutr opes.I n
broaddayl ight ,
Maj idandRi shidancedt hemoment
awayi nar omant i
cway.QueenMeer ahappear ed
behi ndFar uk, starri
ngatt hechandel ierandatFar uk.
QueenDor ahl ayedhereyesonherandmout hwas
compl etel
yshutbyQueenMeer ah.QueenMeer ah
placedherhandsonFar uk'sseatandi tsuddenl y
turnedt oohotf orhimt ositoni t.Hequi cklyjumped
outofi t
,screami nginpai nandagony, her ushedt o
Maj idandRi shi'
ssi de,
pant ing.Al leyeswer eonhi m
andhrst eppedaf ootawayf r
om Maj id.Shivletthe
cutr opelooseandt hechandel i
ershook.I tf
ellof f
thecei l
ing,comi ngdownf astt owher eFarukst ood
andpeopl eshout edi nhorror.Majidlookedupand
quicklypushedFar ukfastoutoft heway, healso
heldRi shiandjumpedawayf r
om thef l
oorqui ckly
andt hechandel iercr usheddownt hegr ound,
breakingt hefl
oordownandcr ushingwi thglasses
scatteredeverywher e.Ther oyalfamilyandpr iests
quicklygott otheirf eet'
sinshock.Ri shiwasont he
fl
oorwi thMaj i
d,hol dinghert i
ghtl
y.Far ukwasal so
ont hef l
oorwithpeopl erushingtohi m.Queen
Dorahgott ohissi deandmadehi m gett ohisf eet.
Maj i
dhel pedRi shiupandsheembr acedhi mi n
wor ry).
'
'Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
'
'Whatj
usthappened?Ohgoodness'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow.I
sever
yoneokay?'
'
.
(Everyonewasi
ntotalshock.QueenDorah
pretenti
ousl
ypl
acedherhandst oget
heri
ntear
s).
'
'ThankyouMaj
id.Yousavedyourbr
other
'sl
if
e''
.
'
'No.
..
iti
snot
hing.Whatj
usthappened?'
'
.
'
'Ohno!Mypl
ansjustgotspoi
ltagai
n.Thatst
upi
d
Shi
v,
howcomethechandeli
ercamedownonme
i
nst
eadofMaj
id?'
'.Far
ukthoughthimself
.
'
'Guards!'
'
.Thekingshout
edandt wooft
hem
assembledthemsel
vesandboweddown.''Goand
checkonwhathasjusthappened!'
'.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Theyboweddownandl
eft
.
'
'Ohgoodness.Canweneverhavepeacei
nthi
s
pal
aceforonce.Ohgod!'
'
.Queenmotherl
amented.
'
'Don'tworr
ymother.Thecel
ebrat
ionswillst
illgo
on.Wewi l
lnotal
lowanymisfor
tunespoilFaruk's
day.Ever
yoneisokay,
andthati
sallthatmatters'
'.
'
'Youarehurt
!''
.Ri
shishout
edandheldMaj
id'sl
eft
handwhichwascutalit
tl
eatthewr
istwi
thblood
onthesurf
ace.
'
'It
'sokay.I
tdoesn'
thur
t''
.Maj
idsai
d,pul
li
nghi
s
handaway.
'
'No.Sti
llwehavetocheckont
hewound.Come
dear'
'
.Queenmot hersai
dandst
ret
chedherhands
t
oMaj
id.
'
'Holdthi
sforme.Waitformeokay?''
.Maj
idsai
d
andhandedhisphonetoRishiandl
eftwi
thQueen
motherandther
oyaldoctor
.
(Thecelebr
ationsconti
nuedasifnothi
nghad
happened.Cindyplacedherphoneinthecr
owdand
shefacedNat alya)
.
'
'I
tist
imenow.Shei
sal
one'
'
.
'
'Cindy,
areyousureaboutt
his?Imean.
..
Idon'
tfeel
okayaboutthi
s''
.
'
'Youhaveneverfel
tokayaboutanything.Ihaveto
dothi
s.Wewi l
lal
lbenefi
tfrom i
t.Weshallgoback
toourcount
ry,
isthatnott
hewhol eplan?Iwillal
so
getMaji
dbackandyouwi llgofi
ghtforMaxwel l'
'
.
'
'Shoul
dIgowi
thyou?'
'
.
'
'No.
..
Iwi
llseeyoul
aterokay?Lookmybackforme
andmakesurenooneislooki
ngatme,
elseaf
ter
shei
sdead,t
heywil
lknowit'
sme' '
.
'
'Justgo'
'
.
(
Cindywal
kedsl
owl
yamongt
hepeopl
eand
reachedRi
shi'
sbackandt
appedhershoul
der
sand
shequickl
ytur
ned).
'
'Weneedt
otal
k''
.
'
'YouandI?Ist
hisisaseri
ousjoke?BecauseI
t
hinkIhavenot
hingtot
alktoyouabout''
.
'
'I
t'
saboutMaj
idokay?'
'
.
'
'Thereisnothi
ngtot
alkaboutMaji
d.Hei
smine,so
youjustst
ayaway!Heisnotgoingtomar
ryyou.In
fact
,hewon'tmarr
yanywomanel se'
'.
'
'Thati
swhyweneedt ot al
k.Ifyour
eal
lywantt
o
knowwhatam tal
kingabout,meetmeatthel
ast
fi
ft
hbalconyoft
hepalace''
.
'
'What
?!Whyt
her
e?'
'
.
'
'Becausethatiswherewewil
lbot
hgetpr
ivacyand
somequiettotalkcl
earl
y.Womantowoman''.
Cindysai
dandwal kedaway.
(Rishif
eltunsaf
eandsuspici
ous.Shewastot
all
y
confusedandcur i
ousatt
hesamet i
me.Shetooka
stepforwardandKushist
oodinherway).
'
'Andwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Weneedt
otal
k''
.
'
'NotnowKushi.Li
sten,
hol
dMaj i
d'sphone.Gi
vei
t
t
ohim whenhecomesback...
thatf
orei
gnerwants
t
otalktome'
'.
'
'Youcan'
tbeseri
ousRishi
.Youarejustgoi
ngt
o
l
eavetheweddi
ngbecauseofthatwoman?Where
i
ssheanyway?''
.
'
'Onthefif
thfl
ooroft
hepalace.Look,
Idon'
tknow
whatshewantsokay?ButIwanttohearit
.She
soundedseri
ousandIwanttoknowwhatshe
wantstosayaboutMaji
d''
.
'
'Ri
shi
..
..St
opt
his!Cur
iosi
tyki
ll
edt
hecat
!''
.
'
'Iam notacat.Andnoonei ski
ll
ingme.Shejust
wantstotal
k.Pleasedon'tint
err
uptus.Andwhen
Maji
dcomesback, justt
ellhim''
.Shesaidand
handedthephonet oKushi.''
Iwanttohearwhat
shehastosay''.
(Shesai
dandqui ckl
ywal kedawayf
rom t
heroom.
QueenDor ahandFar uksawthi
sandbothst
arred
ateachothersecret
ly).
(
Fif
thf
loor
=Ont
hehi
ghestbal
cony)
.
Ci
ndywaitedinherl
ongwhitedress,
faci
ngt he
ki
ngdom onthetopofthebui
ldi
ng.Shecheckedher
wri
stwat
chi nahurryandfr
ownedandf oldedher
ar
msonherchest .
'
'I
sshegonnacomeorwhat
?Idi
ot!'
'
.Shet
hought
t
ohersel
f.
(Ri
shiarri
vedquickl
ybehi
ndherandl ookedar
ound
theplaceasshehadnevergottenthathi
ghinthe
palace.Sheslowl
ywalkedtowardsCindyandstood
behindher).
'
'HereIam.Whatdoyouwant
?Andmakei
tfast
,I
needtorest'
'
.
'
'Yesofcour
se.Congr
atul
ati
onsonyourpr
egnancy
'
'
.
'
'Youhear
dabouti
t?Wel
l,
thankGod.Youshoul
dn'
t
beher
ethen'
'
.
'
'Well
,
thati
sexact
lywhyIcal
ledyouher
etoday.To
saymygoodbye''
.
'
'Goodbye.
..Idon'
t.
..
.
'
'Iam goi
ngbackt
oLondont
omor
row.Ipackedal
l
mythi
ngsyest
erday.Iam t
ir
ed,
Ijusthavet
ogo
andl
eaveMaji
dbehind''
.
'
'It
'sgoodforyou.ButIam notevenyourfr
iend.
Whywoul dyoucareaboutsayinggoodbyet ome?
Andifthi
siswhatyouwant edtosay,
couldn'
tyou
havejustsayi
tatthepart
y?''
.
'
'Ohcomeon.YouandIbot hstart
edonthewrong
road.Icameher ewithMajid,onlyfor
mstoloose
himt oyou.Soitisonlyfai
rthatyougivemethis
chancet ospeaktoyouoneonone.Hei syours
now, andther
eisnothingIcandoabouti t
.Andit
hurts,that
'swhyyouar eheretoday''
.
'
'What
?''
.
(Ci
ndyquickl
ygr
abbedholdofRi
shi'
shandswit
hall
herst
rengthi
nangerandhat
e,Ri
shit
ri
edresi
sti
ng
butCi
ndymadesurehaveherinhergri
p).
'
' Whatdidyouthi
nkyoubi tch!ThatIbroughtyou
upheretoplayagoodgi rl
?Wel lIam donepl ayi
ng,
todayistheendofyouandyourbasel ess
pregnancy!Af
teryourdeath,Maji
dwi l
lbemi ne!'
'.
'
'Letmego!Leavemeal
one,
youwon'
tgetwaywi
th
t
his!Af
termydeath,
Maji
dwil
lsti
lll
oveme,
j
ustl
ike
t
hekingsti
lll
ovesQueenMeer
ah!''
.
(Att hement ionofhername, QueenMeer ahqui ckly
appear edbehi ndRi shi.Cindypul ledRishit owar ds
theendsoft hebal cony, aboutt opushherof fthe
heightwhenQueenMeer ahpossessedRi shi
i
mmedi atel y.Maj i
d, t
her oyalf amilyandsomeof
thesubj ectsqui cklyar ri
vedatt hebalconyandt he
sightt errif
iedhi m.Hescr eamedRi shi'
sname,
runni ngt owar dsbot hwomen.Ri shipossessed
extraor dinar yst rengthandgr abbedCi ndy'shand
andpul ledheraway, pushi ngherawayf rom her .
Cindywhowaspushed, mistakenlyslippedof fher
feetf rom t hebal cony, screami ngMaj id'snameand
from t het opoft hebal cony, cameherf alli
ngdown
thegr ound, withherbl oodspl ashingal laround.
Dead.QueenMeer ahdi sappear edf r
om Ri shi'
sbody
andMaj idr eachedhersi deandhel dherf rom
fainting.Shewasspeechl essandt erri
fied.Far uk
andQueenDor ahwer esoshockedandweaki n
theirknees, theydi dn'tknowwhatt osayordo.
Nat alyascr eamedCi ndy'snamei ntearst henshe
qui
cklyr
ushedawayf rom thebalcony,backdown.
Maji
dstarr
edatRishi,
whisperinginherearstocal
m
downbecauseshewasst i
llshaki
nginhisarms.
Theybothgottoherfeetandr emoveda
handker
chi
effrom hi
spocketandcl eanedthe
sweatonherface)
.
'
'Idi
dn'
tdoi
tMaj
id.
..
.Pl
easebel
ieveme.
..
.
'
'Hey...
am Iaccusi
ngyou?It
'
sokay.Isawwhat
happened?Areyouokay?''
.Hesai
dandt ouched
herstomach.
'
'She.
..
Ican'
tbel
ievet
his.Shej
ustt
ri
edt
oki
llme.
Shetr
iedtopushme''
.
(TheQueenmot hercall
edther oyaldoctorandher
assist
antsandt heytookRishiawayt oherchamber
tocheckonher ,f
oll
owedbyKushi .Majidst ood
thereforawhile.Hiseyesfil
ledwi t
htearsand
anger.Hetookadeepbr eathandwentcl osertothe
balconywit
ht heothersandl ookeddownatCi ndy'
s
deadbodyont hegroundinapoolofbl ood.Her
headwascutopenedandhereyeswer ehal f
opened.Majidcouldn'tbel
ievehiseyes.Hebr eak
downi ntears,
andstar
tedremember i
ngeverythi
ng
theybothhadunt i
lherdeath.Nat
alyabentdown
overherfri
end,cryi
ngoutloudwithsomeoft he
peoplesurroundi
ngher.Itwasallover
).
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
12:
00] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence22
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay=I
ntheki
ngdom=MrRaul
'
smansi
on)
.
MrRaulwasdead.Hisbodywasthr
owi noneofthe
stor
eroomsinthemansi
onandhissonwasst i
ll
ti
edupi nachai
r.MrBl
akewal
keddownst ai
rswith
al
lhisbagswhichhi
sthi
ngswerepackedin.The
fourdayshehadgi venhi sdaught erwasoverand
hewasr eadyt ofinal
lyl eaveUj anibehindwi thhis
chil
dren.Whenhegotdown, hesuddenl yhear da
l
oudpai nf ulscream from t helibrary.Heandhi s
mengat heredthemsel vesi nt hemi ddleofthelivi
ng
room andsawMaxwal kingoutoft helibr
arywi t
h
hisphonei nhishandsandt ear sinhiseyes.Mr
Blakelefthisbagsasi deandwal kedfasttohimi n
confusion.Maxj ustfellintooneoft hechairsnear
byweepi ngbitt
erly.MrBl akebentdownandt ook
thephonef rom him.
'
'Todayisthedaywearefi
nal
lyleavi
ng,
insteadof
youtocallCi
ndytomeetusattheair
por
t,youare
her
eoverreact
ing'
'.
'
'Ci
ndy.
..
'
'What
?''
.
'
'Iwasjustspeaki
ngt
oNat
alyadad.Ci
ndy'
sfr
iend.
Cindyi
sdead!''
.
(MrBl
akefel
lbackonthefl
oor
,speechl
ess.Hi
s
bodyl
anguagechangedimmediat
ely)
.
'
'Mydaught
er.
..No.I
mpossi
ble.Noooo!Notmy
pr
incess.
.Pl
easeno!'
'
.Hewepthi
seyesout
.
'
'Shediedyester
daydad.Natal
yasai
d..
..
she
sl
ippedfr
om thepal
ace'sbal
conyandfel
lbecause
shetri
edtoki
llMaji
d'swif
e''
.
'
'No..
.Cindywhy?Thisisjustanight
mare.My
daughterisnotdead.Iwi
llcal
lhernowandshewi
ll
answer,youwillsee'
'.
(MrBl
akegotupandst
art
eddi
all
ingCi
ndy'
s
numberonMax'
sphone).
'
'Stopitdad!'
'.Maxst
oodupandangr i
lysnatched
hi
sphonef rom hi
sfat
her.'
'Thisi
sallyourfault!
Cindy'
sdeathisyourf
aultandnoones.Youpushed
herherebecauseofyourself
ishdesi
res!Andyou
madesur eshewaseagertomar ryMajidbecause
hewasaPr i
nce!'
'
.
'
'Noson.
..
'
'Yes.Youwer et
heonewhomadeherobsessed
wit
hthePr i
nce.I
fyouhadf orbi
ddenherfr
om
cominghere,
shewoul dn'
tbehere.Nowmyonl y
si
ster
...Ohgod!Iam cursedtobeinthi
sfamil
y.
Fir
stitwasmum, andnowCi ndy.I
twassupposed
t
obeyou!Ci
ndywasj
uststar
ti
ngherl
if
e!What
woul
dyoudonow?What?
!''
.
'
'Thatr
oyalf
amilywil
lregr
ett
his!Iwi
llavengemy
daught
er'
sdeat
h''.
'
'Idon'twanttobeapartofanyofyourpl ans
anymor edad!Iam l
eavi
ng.Iam goingtotake
Cindy'
sbodyandgobackt oLondon.St ayhereand
dowhatyouwant' '
.Hesaidandl ef
tthemansi on
withhi
sbags.
(
Int
hepal
ace=I
nthet
empl
e).
Thepalacewasmour ni
ng.Notever yone, butat
l
eastMaj i
dalonewasmour ning.Cindywasdr essed
i
nal lwhit
eandl ayedinaf l
owerbedi nt hemi ddle
ofthetemple,witheveryoneseat edaroundher .Her
headwasbandagedi nwhi t
et ocovert hescarf rom
herfall
.Whitecottonwaspl acedi nhernoseand
shewascover edi nfl
owersot hebedf rom headt o
toe.Onlyherfaceshowedf orpeopl etosee.Herl i
p
weredryandf adedandherf acewaswhi t
eandpal e
withhereyesclosed.Lifel
essandmot i
onl ess.
Maj i
dsatcloserbesideshermor ethanever yone.
Hewasi nrealpai
n.Hesatdownwit
hhisknees
underhi
sjawandhekeptst ar
ri
ngatherf
acewhil
e
tear
sdroppedouthiseyes.
'
'Iam sor
ry'
'
.Hewhi
sper
edi
ntear
s.
(Queenmotherwal
kedcl
osertohim andsat
besideshi
m andpl
acedherhandsonhis
shoulder
s).
'
'Maj i
d,t
hisi
snotyourfault
.Iam notsayi
ngshe
deservedwhathappenedtoher,
butshetri
edtoki
ll
Rishiandyourunbor
nchildr
en''
.
'
'Becauseofme.I twasallst
il
lbecauseofme.
Cindyisnotamur derer
.Sheactedthatwayal
lthi
s
whilebecauseIstoppedlovi
ngher.Soyes,
iti
smy
faul
t.Iki
ll
edher''
.Hebur i
edhisfaceinhi
shands
andweptbi t
ter
ly.
(RishisawMaj i
d'sr
eactionandgothurt.Shewas
alsoinwhi l
elikeeveryoneelse.Shetur
nedherhead
tolookatNat alyawhosatf arawaybesides
Cindy,al
soweepi nghereyesout .Thenshetur
ned
toKushi )
.
'
'Ishoul
dhavel
ist
enedt
oyouKushi
.Ishoul
dn'
t
havelef
tthepar
ty.Thisi
sallmyfault
,ifIhadnot
l
eft,
shewouldn'
tbetir
edtokil
lme,andIwouldn'
t
havepushedher''
.
'
'Youdidn'tpushher.Iti
senough!Shedeser
ved
whathappenedt oher.Atleast
,t
her
ewil
lbeoneless
bur
denof ftourshoul
ders''.
'
'Doyout
hinkMaj
idwi
llf
orgi
veme?'
'
.
'
'Whywi l
lMajidhateyou?Hehasnor i
ght.Sodid
heexpectyoutostandt herei
dlytobekil
led.Li
sten,
i
tisnormalthatMajidissadrightnow.Hei shuman
andthegir
lwashi sloverformanyyears.Hewi l
l
soongetoveritandwewi l
lmoveonwi t
hourl i
ves''
.
(
Queenmot
hert
ookhersar
eeandwi
pedMaj
id'
s
t
ear
s).
'
'Whatwouldwedonow?Shedoesnotbel
ongt
o
us.Wi
llherf
ami
lycomeforher
?''
.
'
' Ical
ledherbrot
her.Hemi ghtbeinhi
swaywith
theirf
ather'
'.Nat
alyasai
dandcl eanedhert
ear
s.''
Youguysshoul djustbereadyforanythi
ng'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llt
akecar
eofi
t''
.Maj
idsai
d.
(Therewasabignoiseout sidethetempleand
everyone'
satt
enti
onwaspushedt her
e.Theyallgot
upandr ushedout
sidethet empleonlytofi
ndMr
Blakeandhismen,creat
ingchaosi nt
hepalace.He
heldaguni nhi
shands, shootingsomepalace
guards.Andwhenhel ayedhi seyesonMaj i
d,he
stret
chedagunathim) .
'
'Sonofabi
tch!Youar
eadeadmeat
!''
.
'
'MrBl
ake,
cal
m your
sel
fpl
ease.
..
.Youdon'
thave
t
odothi
s''
.
'
'No!''
.Rishiscreamed,rushinginfr
ontofMaji
d
andspreadingherhandswi de.'
'Youcannotki
llhi
m!
Hedidn'tdoanyt hi
ng.Iwast heonewhopushed
yourdaughter,notMajid''
.
'
'Justt
hebitchIwaslooki
ngfor'
'
.MrBl
akesai
d
andgotthegunreadytoshoot
.
'
'Ri
shist
op!'
'
.
(Maxarri
vedinthepal acet
oolateinhiscar.Hegot
downandr ushedbehi ndhi
sfatherbutMrBl ake
pul
ledthetri
gger.Farukcameoutofnowher eand
pushedRishioutofthewayandr ecei
vedthebullet
onhi sleftshoul der.Alleyeswer eastonished.Ri shi
fel
linMaj id'
sar msandasMrBl aket r
iedtoshoot
again,Maxgr abbedt hegunf rom behind.MrBl ake
hadnoi deaitwashi ssonandpul ledthetri
gger .He
shotMaxi nthest omach.Fat herandsonst ar
redat
eachot herinhor ror.BloodpouredoutofMax' s
mout handMrBl ake'sworldcamecr ushingdown
onhi m.Maxf elldowndead.MrBl akebecameweak
andl ookedar oundhi ml i
kehewascal li
ngforhel p.
Hepoi ntedthegunonhi sownheadandshot
himselfdead.Peopl egottheireyesoffthehor ri
bl e
scene.Theyr ushedt oFarukwhowasshaki nglikea
chicken).
'
'Ohmygoodness!Whydi
syoudot hat
?!Far
uk!'
'
.
QueenDor
ahcri
edandFarukwentunconsci
ous.
(Majidquicklyusedallt
hestrengthhehadl ef
tto
carryFarukonhi sshoulder
sandr ushedt
ohiscar
wit
hJi mmyandpl acedhim atthebackseatand
enteredtogetherwit
hJimmywi thoutawordand
speedil
ydr oveaway).
'
'Butwherear
etheygoi
ng?
!''
.QueenDor
ahasked
i
ndespair
.
'
'Ithi
nktot
heci
tyhospi
tal'
'
.QueenSheenasaid.'
'
Theyknowmorehowtotakecareoft
hisacci
dents
'
'.
(Thepalaceguardsatt
ackedMrBlake'
smenand
broughtthenunderoneumbrel
laandti
edthem up)
.
'
'Takethem t
othedungeon!'
'
.Theki
ng
commanded.''Andpl
ease,pr
epar
ethi
sbodi
esf
or
buri
al'
'
.
'
'Thisi
st hemostt err
ibl
edayofmyl i
fe!'
'
.Natal
ya
cri
ed.'
'Thisplaceiscurse.Ishouldhavegonewi t
h
Maxwell.Ihaveloosedeverythi
ng.Myboyf r
iend
andmybestf riend.Ihavetoleavethi
splacenow!''
.
'
'Doyouhavemoneyt ogobacktoyourcountry,
andar
eyougoingtotakethebodiesofyourpeopl
e
wit
hyou?'
'.Queenmotherasked.
'
'What?!Whatmoneywi l
lIusetodot hat
?Theydied
her
eandshoul dbeburi
edhere!Everythi
ngi s
Maji
d'sfaul
tsotaker
esponsibi
li
ty!Iam leavi
ng'
'
.
Shesaidandleft
.
(
MumbaiCi
ty=Doct
orMal
hot
ra'
sHospi
tal
).
MajidandJi mmysatdownwai ti
ngimpat i
entl
yfor
thedoct or.Andwhi l
ehewaswai t
ing,
hecoul dn'
t
getthehor ri
blesightsoutofhi
shead.Ji mmy
droppedhi sar msaroundMaj i
d'sshoulder
s,
comf orti
nghi m.Jimmy'sphoner angandi twas
thei
rf r
iendMaxwel l.
'
'Wegonnat alkl
aterman.Maji
disnotokay.
..
.no
youcan'
ttal
kt ohi
m now.Justcalli
nanhour'
sti
me.
Cool'
'
.Hesai dandhangedup.''
ShouldIgobuy
cof
feeforyou?''
.
'
'I
t'
sfi
ne'
'
.
(
Thedoctorwal
kedoutoft
hesurger
ywar
dand
r
emovedhisnosemakeandbothmenqui
ckl
ygot
t
othei
rfeet)
.
'
'Goodnews.Surgerywassuccessf
ul.Noint
ernal
damage,t
hebull
etjusthi
ttheout
erpartofhi
s
shoul
dersoi
twaseasyt oremove''
.
'
'Ohthanks.Sodoesthatmeanhecanevenbe
di
schargedtoday?'
'
.
'
'Nono..
.t
omorrowisokay.Hehastobeunder
obser
vat
iont
hroughthenightt
oavoidany
i
nfect
ions.Butyoucanseehi
mifyouwi
sh'
'
.
'
'Yeah'
'
.
(Thedoct
orl
efti
mmediatel
ytoat
tendtoot
her
pati
ent
sandMajidt
urnedtoJimmy).
'
'Wai
tformehereJi
m.Iwi
llcomebackheresowe
f
indahotelt
osl
eepi
nadgobacktothekingdom
t
omorr
ow' '
.
'
'Ri
ght'
'
.
(Hetur
nedandenter
edthewardadwenttosit
besi
desFarukwhoseeyeswereal
readyopened.
Theysmil
edateachotherandMaj
idheldFaruk'
s
hand).
'
'Hel
lobr
other'
'
.Far
uksai
d.
'
'Idon'
twanttot
alkaboutanyt
hingel
seFar
uk.I
j
ustwanttoaskonequesti
on.Why?Whydidyoudo
t
hat?''
.
'
'WhatcanIsay?Icannotall
owmynephewsor
ni
ecesgethurt
.Rishii
sbrave,butsheforgotshe
waspregnantwhenshesawyouwer eindanger.I
hadtostepint
hewayt osaveyoubot h.
..
inaway,I
am al
sot
hanki
ngyouf
orsavi
ngmyl
if
eyest
erday'
'
.
'
'WhatIdidwasnot
hingcompar
edt
othi
sFar
uk.
I
..
I.
.don'
tknowwhatt
osay''
.
'
' Youdon'thavetosayanythi
ng.Justbesafeand
believet
hef actt
hatyouaremybr ot
her,Iwon'
t
thinktwi
cet osaveyourl
if
e.Never..
.'
'.
'
'Iwon't.Ihavet ogonow.Todayhasbei ngt oo
muchal ready.Iam justgladiti
sallover
.Iwi ll
comebackt omor r
owt otakeyoubackt ot he
kingdom.Anddon' tworr
y, t
hedoctorswillfeed
you,Iwil
lhaveawor dwiththem '
'.Hesaidandgot
tohisfeetandl eft
.
'
' Hahahaha..
.Idi
ot.Nothingisoverbr other.I
nf act
,
i
ti sj
ustthebeginningofawarwhi chIwi llwin,
and
becomeki ng,
andyouendupdead' '
.Hesai dand
l
ayedhi seyesont hetelevisi
oninther oom onlyt o
seeanewsofat t
ackonDi amondHot elsomedays
ago.Hesawever yt
hingt hathappenedandsawt he
peoplewhoendedupdeadt henreali
sedhi s
Dasthanandot herguardswer epart
.''What ?
!So
thatmeans...
.NowonderIhaven' theardf rom him
since.Charuescapedagai n?Ordi dshedi e?There
wasnonewsofher .Iwi
llprefertot hi
nkshedi edi
n
thehandsofDast hanbef orehewaski l
led.I
nany
case,thatisnolongermypr obl
em, whatmattersi
s
now,injustafewweeks,ther ewoul dbewar
betweenUj aniandtheJhansi s,andMaj idwil
lhave
nochoi cebuttoleadthear myt ofightandsavehis
kingdom.Thent hatiswher eitallends''
.
(OneWeekLat
er\
Int
heki
ngdom=Pr
incessRi
shi
'
s
chamber
).
Afterever ything,theroyalfami l
yhadnochoi cebut
tobur ythefor ei
gnersinat radit
ionalway.Andaf t
er
that,everythingwasset tl
eddownagai n.Andi nthat
oneweek, wast heoneweekMaj i
dhadi gnoredRi shi
untilthisdaywhenheent eredherchamberi nt he
momentshewasdr essingupont hebed.Shepi ton
hersar eeandMaj idstoodatt hedoorwi thhis
handsathi sback.Hecl ear
edhi sthroatandshe
reali
sedhewasi nside.Shewentcl oserwi t
hasmi l
e
andt urnedar oundi nfrontofhim.
'
'HowdoIl
ook?'
'
.
'
'Ni
ce'
'
.
'
'Mmmm.
..Okay.Whati
shappeni
ng?'
'
.
'
'Ri
shil
ist
en...
youdon'
thavetoactl
ikeyouarenot
madatmeokay?Igetit.Imadeami st
ake,buti
t
wasoutofrespectf
orCindy'
'
.
'
'Youalwayshaveawaytoj
usti
fyyourmi
stakes
r
ight
?Insteadofasi
mpl
esorr
y?''
.
'
'No!Ofcoursenot.Iam sor
ry.Pl
easeforgi
veme.I
t
i
sallovernow,
shei sbur
iedandgoneandyouare
mylif
e.Letusjustfor
getaboutever
ythi
ngand
moveon' '
.
'
'Al
ri
ght
.Iam al
waysanokayper
son,
sookay.Let
's
moveon''
.
'
'Butyoudidn'thavet
obej
eal
ousyouknow.You
ar
emywi fe,andyoushoul
dhaveunder
stoodwhatI
wasgoingthrough''
.
'
'Understandi
twithoutyouevenspeaki
ngtome?
Maji
d,stopthatbehavi
ourofyoursokay?Idon'
tli
ke
i
t''
.
'
'OkayQueenmot
her'
'
.Heopenedhi
sar
msand
l
andedthem onRi
shi
'sbodyinat i
ghthug.'
'Ir
epent
.
Nomoreignori
ngyouornottal
kingtoyou.Never
.
Onl
ylovi
ngyouandourbabies''
.
(
Int
hecour
troom)
.
Everyonewasgat her
edi nt her oom,waiti
ngf orthe
kingofJhansi .Sincetheyhadspentoneweeki n
Ujaniaftert heirdaught er'sweddi ngwi t
hFar uk,they
gavenot icet ot heroyalf amilyofUj aniofthei r
departuret henextdayandt heki ngwant edt o
confronthi m andgetever yt
hi ngoverwi t
hbef oreit
wast ool ate.TheQueenmot her ,QueenSheena,
QueenandevenQueenSal mawer epresenti nt he
court.Ever yonewasqui etunt ilkingSiamakent ered
thecour tfollowedbyhi sguar ds.Hecoul df eel
couldfeelcol deyesst arringathi mf r
om al lsidesof
thelarger oom.Hewentcl osert othekingandt ook
hisseatbesi deshi m.Theki ngcl earedhist hr oat
andadj ustedt ohisseatandf acedki ngSi amak.
'
'Whatisi
tShakher
,whydoIf
eelsomet
hingi
s
wrongher
e?''
.
'
'Becauset
her
eissomet
hingwr
ong.Andbef
ore
yougotomor
row,
iti
sbet
tert
otal
kabouti
tnowor
never'
'
.
'
'Okay.Iam al
lear
s.Ihopei
tisnotser
ioust
hough'
'
.
'
'Weshal
lseehowseri
ousiti
safterseeingthi
s''
.
Theki
ngsai
dandfacedtheent
rance.''
Br i
ngiti
n!'
'.
(Twoguar dsent er
edt hecourtroom wi
thapaper
wrapperintheirhands, coveri
ngsomeknives.They
gottothef r
ontoft heKingsandboweddown, t
hen
l
ayeddownt hewr appersandopenedt hem upto
revealthekniveswi t
hbloodst ai
nedonthem.King
Siamakopenedhi smout hinshockwhenhesaw
theknivesofhi skingdom thatway).
'
'What
..
.
'
'Ar
eyoushockedSiamak?Areyoushockedwe
f
oundt
hem?''.Theki
ngasked.
'
'WhatdoyouevenmeanShakher
?''
.
(
QueenDorahandQueenSal
masmiledwickedlyas
t
hei
rplanswer
eabouttogocompl
etel
ydown) .
'
'Thi
skni
veswer
efoundonthesamedayoff
ast
ing
i
nmygardenSi
amak!Oh,
andhowsurpr
isi
ngi
tis
thattheywer
ethesameknivesusedt
oki
llt
he
palacemaidsonthatsameday!'
'
.
'
'So?Whatar
eyoui
nsi
nuat
ingShakher
?''
.
'
'Idon'tknowSi amak.Yout el
lme.Isitnot
suspi
cioust hat
,afterMaji
dref
usedt omarryyour
daughter,youhavecal meddownsomuchandnot
sai
danyt hingaboutt heembarrassmentyoufaced
fr
om theot herkingdomsbecauseoft hat
?''
.
'
'ExcusemeShakher!'
'
.QueenSalmashoutedand
gottoherf
eet
.''
Whatdidyouexpectustodo?
Maji
ddoesnotloveRagah.Canweforcehi
m?''.
'
'Butyoucanexactlytakerevengeonusby
poi
soningourwatertokil
loursubject
sandkil
ltwo
ofmypalacemaids?''.QueenDorahplayedal
ong
andshoutedangr
ily.
'
'Wai taminute.
..Shakher,
yout hi
nkIam
responsibl
eforyourkingdom'smisfor
tune?I
cannotbeli
evethis.Didyouknowt hat
,mypeople
arealsodyingfr
om ourwat ers?Haveyouheardme
compl ai
ntoyouShakher ?''
.
'
'Ever
yonehasawayofr
uli
ngt
hei
rki
ngdom
Siamak.Andi fyoudidn'
tcomplaintome,youmust
havehadyourownr easons.ButIam complai
ning
toyoubecausemypeopl ehavehadenough.Ifyour
kingdom doesnotstopthoseuglyacts,
thenmy
peoplewillnottakei
tli
ghtl
ywithyouSiamak.Itis
justapieceofadvicesoyout i
ghtenyour
i
nvestigati
ons.Keepyourpeoplesane''
.
'
'Ican'
tbeli
evethis!'
'.Hesai
dandj umpedi nt
ohis
f
eet.'
'Youareaccusi ngmeofallthisandeveryone
i
squietri
ght?!Youandyourpeopl ehavedecidedto
t
rampleonmydi gnit
yisn'
tit
?Thisisthelaststr
aw!
'
'
.
'
'ThelaststrawofwhatSi amak?Oh. .
.soyouhave
fi
nal
lydecidedt oshowyourt ruecoloursri
ght?'
'.
Oneeldergotonhi sf eeti
nangerr ant
ing.'
'I
fyou
wereinnocent,youwoul dhavef oundasensible
waytohandl ethis,
andnowseewhatyouar e
sayi
ng..
.Ittotal
lygivesyouaway!Youar eki
ll
ing
ourpeopleandyouar eguil
ty!'
'.
'
'Weshal
lnotstandfort
his!Weareleavingnow.
Andwearetaki
ngourdaughterwit
hus!Iwi l
lnot
al
lowmydaughtertobemar r
iedi
naki ngdom who
nowt
akesusast
hei
renemi
es'
'
.QueenSal
masai
d
i
nange.
'
'What?Youknowt hatisimpossibl
eSalma.Shei
s
Faruk'
swi
fenow.Whatdoyout hinkyouwanttodo?
Breakamarri
ageandbr ingacurseonUjani?'
'
.
Queenmotherasked,al
sostandingup.
'
'Sheismydaught
erandIdowhat
everIwantwi
th
her'
'
.
'
'Don'tf
orgetsheisnotonl
yyourdaughternow.
SheisalsoFaruk'
swifenow,andsheisnotgoing
anywhere''
.Theki
ngsaidandgott ohi
sfeet.
(
TheguardsofJhansir
aisedt
heirweaponsbehi
nd
t
hei
rKingwhil
etheguardsofUjanidi
dsame).
'
'Youhavesteppedonthetailofal i
onShakher!I
can'
tallowmydaughtert
obeher e.Idon'
twantt o
beaf amil
ywit
hyouanymor e,andi fyouwon'tall
ow
met ohavemydaughter,
Iwilltakeherwithforce!'
'.
KingSiamaksaidi
nangerandcommandedhi s
guardstogogetRagah.
'
'St
opt
hem!'
'
.
(Thekingcommandedandt onsofUjani'
sguards
rushedtotheirf
ront,
pointi
ngswordsandspear sat
theJhansis.Therestofthefami
lyrushedint
othe
courtr
oom) .
'
'Father
!Whati
sal
lthi
s?'
'
.Pr
incessRagah
scr
eamed.
'
'Youwi llnotgetawaywi ththisembar rassment
Shakher !Youhavereali
sedot hereldersfrom allt
he
otherkingdomsar ehereandhavedeci dedto
disgracemel iket
his!Iherebypr onouncean
endlesswar .Iwil
lnotrestuntilyourkingdom fall
s!'
'
.
'
'Thisispr
epost er
ousfather!Youar eover
reacti
ng.
Thisismyinlawspl aceandyouar etheoneswho
madet heUjanismynewf ami l
y,andnowseewhat
youaredoing.Pleasefat
her, dropyourwords.Take
backyourwor ds!'
'
.Ragahcr ied.
'
'Takeayeart
oprepar
eShakher
..
.becauset
hiswi
ll
beawartothedeat
h!'
'.
'
'Takeal
lthet
imeyouwantSiamak.Ifwari
swhat
youwant,
wariswhatyouwi
llget
!''
.
'
'Fat
her
..
.War
?What
?Ifyouguyshaveapr
obl
em,
t
hencan'
tyoufi
ndamor
epeacef
ulwayt
osol
ve
t
his?'
'
.Maji
dasked.
'
'Ther
eisnothi
ngtosol
vewiththi
str
ait
or!'
'
.The
ki
ngscreamed.'
'Nowgetoutofmykingdom
Si
amak!Weshallmeetonthebatt
lef
iel
d!'
'.
'
'Youhaveaccusedmeoft heunimaginable
Shakher.Andi tisunfor
givable.Iam notgoingt o
for
giveyou.Uj aniandJhansii snowpr onounced
enemies!'
'.Hesai dandr emovedaswor dfrom his
garmentandr aiseditup.''
Wart othedeat h!And
whoeversur vivesinthi
swar ,
wi l
lpossessbot h
JhansiandUj aniastheirsubjectsandhewi l
lrul
e
both!'
'
.
'
'Sobei
t!Getout
.Mayyourgui
lt
yconsci
encej
udge
youf
ort
his!'
'
.
(QueenSal
magaveQueenDor ahasecr
ett
humbs
upandembr acedherdaught
er).
'
'Weshal
lsoonbet
oget
heragai
ndear
.Ipr
omi
se'
'
.
'
'Pleasemot her,
youandfat
hershouldnotdot
his'
'
.
Ragahcr i
ed.''Wari
sgoi
ngtotakeinnocent
people'
sli
ves''.
'
'TheUj
anisbr
oughtthi
suponthemsel
ves''
.Queen
Sal
masaidandlef
ttheplacewi
thki
ngSiamak.
(Rishiqui
cklyembracedMajid.Thekingandthe
otherssatdown.Ragahwentcl osert
oFarukwho
pretendedtobewor r
iedandhurtaboutthesi
tuati
on.
Shehel dhi
shandst i
ghtl
y,tr
yingtosaysomething
butcouldn'
tfindt
hewor d).
'
'EveryoneheardwhatkingSiamaksai
d.Heis
goingstrai
ghttoJhansit
oprepar
ehisarmybynow
'
'.Thekingsaid.
'
' Whatdowedonow?Ohgoodnesspl easetel
lme
thisisnothappening.Wehavenothadanywari n
thir
tyyears,
andnow. .
anotheroneiscomingto
destroyeveryt
hing''
.Queenmot herl
amented.
'
'Iher
ebyor dert
hatwest ar
tprepar
ati
ons
i
mmedi at
ely!Ihavechosenthetwopeopl
etostand
i
nmyst eadt ofi
ghtforUj
ani.Maji
dandFaruk!'
'
.
'
'What?!No!'
'
.Rishishout
edinhor
rorandfacedt
he
ki
ng.'
'NotMajid!Pl
easeyourhi
ghness.Maji
dcan'
t
l
eaveme' '
.
'
'Maj
idi
sthef
utur
eki
ngpr
incessRi
shi'
'
.Queen
Dorahsai d.'
'Thisti
me, i
tisnotevent heki
ngwho
wil
lchoosehi m.Lor dHanumanwi ll.Becauseiti
s
everyking'sresponsibi
li
tytof
ightforhiskingdom
i
nt i
mesofwar .Thatiswhyheneedsan
heir
,becauseanyt hi
ngcanhappened' '
.
'
'Howcanyousayt hatQueenDorah?Maj idknows
not
hingaboutfight
ing!Hefight
swithhishandsnot
swords!Hecan'tgotoanywarwi t
hr ut
hless
sol
diersf
rom Jhansi''
.Pr
incessLakshmisaid.
'
' Idonotl ikethis.Butt hisi
scustom.Thati swhy
theki ngmustber eadyf oranyt
hing.Iam toooldto
fi
ght .Thati swhyMaj idandFar ukwoul dstar
t
traini
ngatt heroyalarmyschoolt omorrow.Bythe
endoft hisyear,theJhansi swouldattackfrom t
he
deser ts,wemustber eady.Iam sorryyouhavet o
facet hismysons.For givemyincompet enceof
ruli
ng.Cour ti
sover' '
.Theki ngsaidandgotup.
(
Majidwasspeechl
ess.Ever
yonest
art
edl
eavi
ng.
Ri
shicr
ied)
.
'
'Maj
idsaysomet
hing!'
'
.
(
Maj
iddelt
othegr
ound.Ever
yonehadl
eft
,l
eavi
ng
t
hem al
one)
.
'
'Maj
id.
..
.
'
'Iwil
ldothi
sRishi
.Youhear
dthem.I
tismyf
ate.I
wil
lacceptmydest
iny.
..
.
TBC
[
01/
23,
12:
00] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence23
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
Int
heeveni
ng=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewast hehappi
estwomani
ntheworl
dnow
becausesheknewwhatshehaddonebehi
nd
everyone'
sback.Shehadwonal lt
hel oyaltyofthe
palaceguards.Andt heyknewexact lywhatt odo
whent hewarstar ts.Shekneltdowni nt hemi ddle
ofherchamberasusualandchant edhar d.Gustof
windsblewf r
om t heout si
deintothechamberand
herfather
'sspir
itappear ed.Theysatt of aceont he
fl
oor.Bothlaughingatt hesignsoft heirvictory.
'
'Nowi stheti
metousethepoi
sonIgaveyou
Dorah.Thekingmustdi
esoonforFar
uktopossess
hi
spossession''
.
'
'Yesf at
her.Exact
ly.ThekingmadeMaj i
dthe
crownedPr i
nceandsohedoesn' tdeser
vetoli
ve.
Hecheat edFarukhiseldestsonandsohedoesn'
t
deservetoli
ve''
'
'Good.NowIcamewi thagoodnews.I tseemsthat
everyt
hingisworkingonourside.Ifoundoutthat
LordHanumanwashel pi
ngQueenMeer ahinher
revenge.Soli
stentowhatIhavei nmind.Ineed
youral i
tt
leofyourbloodtoshuthim up.You
practi
ceblackmagi canditi
slordHanuman' s
abomi nat
ion'
'.
'
'Itisnothard.Iwil
lgi
veyoumyblood.Butfat
her
,
please,keepinmindthati
fwedon'
tgetri
dof
QueenMeer ahbef
orethewar
,t
henshewill
sabotageitall'
'
.
'
'IcheckedallIneededtocheckandthenextf
ull
mooni stomorroweveningDorah.I
fwedonotget
Maji
d'sbloodbyt hen,
wewilll
oosetoMeerah'
'.
'
'Maj
idandFar
ukwillstar
ttrai
ningtomor
row.Iwi
ll
makesur
eMajidget
shur tt
omor rowandFarukwi
ll
f
indawaytogett
hebl ood''
.
'
'Yes.Dot hat
.BecauseifMeerahi
snotarrest
ed,
shewillnotal
lowthepoisontoworkontheking.
Butforthemeant i
me,j
ustgoaheadandtryyour
l
uckwi ththepoi
son''
.
'
'Yesf
ather
.Iwi
lldoever
ythi
ngyoui
nst
ructme'
'
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Sushim ent
eredwi t
haboxwhi chwascoveredand
heboweddownandpl aceditonthebedbesides
Maji
dwhowasl yinginbedi nthedeepthought.He
di
dn'tevenreal
iseSushim waai ntheroom and
Sushim cl
earedhisthroat.
'
'MyPri
nce?'
'.Sushi
m bentdownandt
appedonhi
s
l
eg.'
'Pr
inceMaji
d..
.
'
'Sushi
m!'
'
.Hepani
ckedandsatup.'
'Youar
eher
e?
'
'
.
'
'MyPri
nce.Ohmygoodnesswhatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
Pl
easecanIbeofanyhel
p?'
'.
(
Majidsi
gnedandscrat
chedhi
seyesasi
fhej
ust
wokeupfrom adeepsl
eep)
.
'
' Canyoustopmef r
om goingtothewarSushi
m?''.
Tear sf
ellohofhi
seyes.'
'Canyoustopthem f
rom
takingmeawayf r
om myRi shi
?''
.
(Sushi
m'seyesst
art
edbecomi
ngtear
yaswelland
hequickl
ywipedi
tawayandsatdownbesi
des
Majid)
.
'
'MyPrince.Youdon'
thavetogotothewari
fyou
don'
twantto.Youhavealotofmoneyandpower.
Youcanleavetheki
ngdom wit
hyourwif
eandstar
t
yourl
if
eelsewhere'
'
.
'
'Andwhataboutf
amil
y?Grandmot
her
,my
mother
..
.f
ather
?Whataboutt
hem?Wil
ltheybesaf
e
her
e?Won'
ttheJhansi
sat
tackt
hem?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
.
'
'WillInotbeacowar dandat rait
ortomyown
people?AsakingImustputmyl i
featst akeallt
he
ti
me.Whydi dfatherchoosemet obefut ureki
ng?
Whydi dmymot herdieandl ef
tmeSushi m' '
.He
cri
edlikeababyandSushi m criedaswel l
.'
'How
canIr unawayfr
om destinySushi m.Ican' t
.Ayear
bythistime,
Iwouldbeeitherdeadoral ive.And
whatwi l
lbecomeofmywi feandchildren' '
.
'
' MyPr ince,letmet el
lyousomet hingst hat
happensdur ingwar .I
tisverydi ff
icul tfort heking
todi e.Becauseashef ights,hi sbacki sal ways
wat chedal lt
het i
me.Hei sstillprotect edont he
batt l
efiel
d.Peopl ewhodi esmi star et hewar
soldiers,becauset heopponent sar esupposedt o
attackt hesoldiersmor etogett otheki ng' '
.Het ook
theboxandpl aceditinfrontofMaj id.' 'Thisisyour
trainingamourmyPr i
nce.Youwi llweari ttomor row
atther oyalar myschool .Iwillalwaysbet hereto
wat chyourbackmyPr i
nce.Iam al sopar tofthe
warsol diers.Weshal lcomebackal ive.Andwewi l
l
conquertheJhansi
sandt
aket
hei
rki
ngdom f
or
oursel
ves''
'
'Thank.
..Thanks.Youcanl
eavenow'
'
.
'
'Di
nnerwi
llbeser
ved'
'
.
'
'Iam nothungr
y.Justl
etmebetoni
ght
.Don'
t
al
lowanyonein.NotevenRi
shi'
'
.
'
'YesyourHi
ghness'
'
.Hesai
d,boweddownandl
eft
.
(
NextDay=Pr
inceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hestarredathimselfi
nthemirr
orafterputt
ingon
hi
sroyalamouruni f
orm andsmil
ed.Het hen
i
maginedhi mselfonthethr
oneofUjaniandr ul
ing
Jhansiatthesamet i
me.
'
'Mybodyt rustsmenow.Af terever
ythi
ngI
di
d..
.t
akingthebul l
etforhiswifeandeverythi
ng,he
i
sgoingt okil
lanyonewhosaysanybadt hing
aboutme' '
.Helookedonhi sbedandcar riedhis
swordinhishand.''Thisisthesameswor dIwi l
l
usetokil
lhimi nthebattl
efield'
'.
(
Hischamberdoort
hrewwideopenedandQueen
Dor
ahenter
edwithasmall
bottl
einherhandsand
cl
osedt
hedoor
).
'
'Ar
eyour
eadysi
n?'
'
.
'
' Morethanr eady.Iam soexcitedfortodaymother.
You,Ihavebei ngli
vinghereallmyl i
feandIhave
beingstudyingt hegreatwarri
orsinthear myschool
sinceIwasaki d.Ihavemor eexperiencethanMaji
d
willeverhave.Iwi l
lpassallt
het r
ainingtest
sand
thefighti
ngcont ents''
.
'
'That
'smyboy.I
nfact
,makesur
eMaj
idget
shur
t
t
oday''
.
'
'What
?Butt
hisi
sjustat
rai
ning.Notacompet
it
ion
'
'
.
'
'Ineedhi
sbloodforsomethi
ng!Justmakeitseem
l
ikeanacci
dentandyoudidn'
tmeant ohur
thim.
Justmakesuret
ogethisbloodinthi
sbott
le''
.
(
Shehandedt
hebot
tl
etohi
m).
'
'Idon'
tunder
standmot
her
.Howwi
llIdot
his?'
'
.
'
'Thisisnotjustanybot
tl
e.Ithasthepowertokeep
blood.Holditwell
andmakei tsecr
et.Theent
ir
e
familyandinhabi
tant
softhepalacewi l
lbepr
esent
attheroyalschooltostudyyourtrai
ning.AndIhave
plannedwiththeteachertomakesur eyouand
Maj i
dcompet eateachothertoday,whenthat
happens,j
ustmakesur eyoucuthi swristor
somewher eyoucanuset hebott
letofacetoget
somebl oodittome' '
.
'
'Whatar
eyouusi
ngi
tfort
hough?'
'
.
'
'Justshutupandgett otheschoolanddowhatI
sai
d.Wear esocl
osetoourgoalFar uk.Icannot
waittoseeyouruleoverUjaniandJhansi .Onl
yif
QueenSal maknewwhatwehaveal sopl anned
againsther''
.
(
Theybot
hlaughedcr
azi
ly)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewasal readydr essedupi nhisamouruni form
tooandwasal solookinginthemirrorandt ooka
deepbreath.Hest artedthi
nkingwhet herhewas
goingtosurvivethewarwheni tarr
ived.Hewasa
cit
yboywhohadf unal lhi
sli
feanddi dwhathe
wantedwithoutcont rolandsuddenly,onetrio
changedhislifeforever.Hestart
edbut toni
ngthe
armourandhecoul dn'tbecausei twassowedi na
traditionallycur vyway.Hi schamberdooropened
andRi shient eredwi thhi sbr eakf
ast, shecl osedt he
doorbehi ndandwenti nsideunt i
lsher eachedt he
bedr oom andpl acedt hef oodonasmal lgol den
tablebesi dest hebed.Shet urnedtohi m, faci ngher
already.Theybot hst arredateachot heri nt he
awkwar dsilenceandshenot icedhisamourwas
notbut toned.Shewentcl oserandst ar tedbut t
oning
i
tf orhi m.Hi seyeskeptst arringatherasshe
but t
onedhi samourandt ear squicklyr ushedoutof
hereyesasshebut toned.Hewasal soi nr ealpai n
toseehert hatwaybutkeptqui et.Shef ini
shed
but t
oni ngandt ur nedt ol eavewi thoutawor dbuthe
caughtherl efthandandpul ledhert ohi m and
embr acedhert ightly.Shehuggedhi m backi n
uncont rol
lablet ears.Theybot hembr acedunt i
lthey
wentdownont heirkneest ogether,weepi ng.
'
'I
fyouaregoi
ngtostarti
gnor
ingmet
ooRi
shi
,who
wil
lIgetmyst
rengt
hfrom..
huh?''
.
'
'Idon'
twantthi
sMajid.Idon'
twantthi
sto
happened.Pl
easedon'
tdot hi
sMaji
d.Iwil
ldi
eif
youl
eaveme'
'
.
'
' Idon'
twantt
oleaveyouei thermylove.Butyou
canseei ti
smydestiny.Rishi,whatwouldpeople
thinkofmeifIr
unaway.I twi l
lhauntmef or
ever'
'.
'
' Whydidtheypassthiscrueljudgement?Don't
theyunderst
andtheyar egoingtoseparateafather
from hi
schil
dren?Manyf atherswilll
eavethei
r
famil
iesforthi
swar.
..Maji
d, youcan'tdothi
s.You
knownot hi
ngaboutthis''
.
(Hesatonthefl
oor,
wipi
nghi
stear
sawayandshe
satbesi
deshim).
'
' I
fIdon'tf
ight,ourchil
drenwillsuffer.Thekingof
Jhansihatesusnow.I fheisvi
ct or
iousi nthi
swar
then.
...
hewi l
lruleoverUjaniaswel l
.Andguess
what,hewillmakeourchi ldr
enhi sslaves.Isthat
whatyouwant ?''
.
(Rishishookherheadandwr
appedherhands
aroundhi m).
'
'Can'
tanyt
hingbedone?'
'
.
'
'No.Not
hing.Iguessi
fIhadst
ayedher
eal
lmyl
if
e
then..
.Iwouldhaveacceptedt hi
ssoeasi l
y.Butitis
allsonewt omeandi tisdif
ficul
t.ButIwilldothis.I
won'tbackdown.Iam notacowar d,andmy
foref
atherswerewarri
orsafterall,
Ishoulddosame
'
'.Hesaidandgott ohisfeetandhel pedRishiup.''
Shallweeat?''
.
'
'Maj
id.
..
'
'Please.Eatwithmeatleast
.Iam nothungrybutI
knowyouwon' tl
etmegowi t
houteati
ng.Soiti
s
ei
theryouhel pmeeatsomethingsmall,
orIeat
nothi
ngatal l'
'
.
'
'I
sthatsupposedt
omakemel
augh?'
'
.
'
'Yes?'
'
.
(
Theybot
hlaughedt
oget
herandwal
kedt
othebed
t
oeat)
.
(
Ther
oyalar
myschool
).
Itwasli
kear oyalpar
kwi t
hgreengrasseverywhere.
Partl
ygrassandpar t
lysand.Ther
ewer eameniti
es
hangingeverywherehangingever
ywhereandmost
oftheservantswereseatedandtheroyalf
ami l
yas
well.Readyt owat cht hetraining.Maj i
dar r
ived
therewithRi shi ,holdinghandst oget her.Theybot h
hadnevergonet her eandwassur prisedtoseet he
decorati
onsofswor ds,bowsandar rowsand
spearswi thpol ishedst onesandot herweapons
everywher ear oundt het allwal l
soft heschool .
Farukhadal r eadyar rivedandwasst andingont he
trai
ninggroundswi thsevent eacher sand
i
nstructors.Maj i
dt ur nedt oRi shiandki ssedher
softl
yont hel ipsandl efthert henwentst raightto
thetrai
ninggr ounds.Herhear tskippedabeatand
shewasst il
lst andi ngwher eMaj i
dl efther,
wat ching
him unti
lQueenmot herar ri
vedatherai deandt ook
herhandsandpul ledherawayt ositwi ththeot hers.
'
'Goodmor ni
ngprinces.Wel
cometotheroyal
schoolofarmies.Ithi
nkyourecei
vedtherevi
sion
bookofwhatt heschoolisal
laboutl
astni
ght.AndI
hopeyour eadit'
'.
'
'Ireadi
tal
llastni
ght'
'
.Maj
idsai
dandFar
uk
nodded.
'
'Good.Now,
si
ncethiskindoft
rai
ningi
stowards
war,
wemuststar
tpract
icesoonbecauseeven
thought hewarhasnotst artedyet ,
theJhansi scan
attackatanyt i
me.Wecan' ttrustthem all.Andif
theyat t
ack,youmustber eadyt odefend.Youneed
topr epareyourheartsandmi ndf orthi
s.Pl ease,
is
anyoneofyoui shavi
ngsecondt houghtsabout
this,t
hentheyshoul dspeakout .Becausewhent he
traini
ngst art
s,t
herewil
lbenosecondt houghts
aboutt hi
s' '
.
'
'Myhear
tandmi
ndi
sready.Iam r
eadyf
ort
his'
'
.
(
Maji
d'smindwascomplet
elyf
arawayandFar
uk
t
appedhi
sshoulder
s).
'
'Maj
id!Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?'
'
.
'
'MyPr
ince,
areyouokay?Ar
eyour
eadyf
ort
his?'
'
.
'
'Yesyes.
..
am sor
ry.Iwasj
ustthi
nki
ng..
..
I
mean,
canwegetthisthi
ngstar
tedal
ready''
.
'
'Sur
emyPr
ince.Pl
ease,
yout
woshoul
dbeonyour
f
eet'
s''
.
(Theybothgotonthei
rfeetandtwoarmyoff i
cers
arri
vedwitht
wodi f
fer
entswordsinthei
rhands.
Theylookedthesamebutonel ookedcompletel
y
newandshar pandt
heyhandedittoMajidandthe
otheronet
oFaruk.Maj
idfel
ttheheavi
nessofthe
swordbuttookcour
ageandhelditmanly).
'
'Fir
stofal
l,
wear
egoi
ngtot
eachyou.
..
howi
tis
exact
lyt
oholdaswor
d''
.
(Theteachingswentonandonandonandi t
shockedFar ukt hatMajidlearntsofast
.Theroyal
famil
ysof ast.Ther oyalfamilywerevery
i
mpr essedandFar ukwaaj ealousaboutitbutdidn'
t
showhi sanger .Afterl
earninghowt oholdaswor d
andswayi taroundwhenf i
ghting,
QueenDor ah
gavethesecr etsignaltotheleaderoftheteacher
andhenodded) .
'
'Nowthatyoutwoaredoingwel
lint
histr
aining,i
t
i
sti
met otestyourst
rengt
handf
ight
ingskil
ls''
.The
t
eachersai
d.
'
' What?!Butteacher
,thati
snotthenextmovet
o
take.Theirf
ighti
ngskill
sisevensupposedt
ost
art
bynextmont h...
.
What
?!Butt
reacher
y..
.t
hati
snott
henextmovet
o
take.Thei
rfi
ghti
ngskil
lsi
sevensupposedtost
art
bynextmont hsi
ncetheyhaven'tgott
ent
o
anywhere''
.Oneoftheteacher
ssai d.
'
'Oh...soareyougoi ngtoteachmehowt odomy
worki ntheroyalschoolnow?Haveyoueven
real
isedyetthat..
..
thist
raini
ngisnotjustany
trai
ningbutat r
ainingforawarwhichwoul d
determinethefutureifUjani
?''
.Theteachersai
d
andangr il
y.
'
'Please.
..
it
'senough,
wewi l
ldowhat
everyousay.
Justsaywhatweshoul ddonext'
'
.Maji
dsaid.
(Theteachercall
edtwoifthequal
if
iedwarr
iorsof
theki
ngdom tot hegroundswhower eal
soin
amour sandfighti
ngswords.Theypoint
edthei
r
swordsatMaj idandFaruk).
'
' Youfourshouldremember .Thisi
sjusttrai
ning
andt est
ing,andnotrealfi
ghts.Youjusthaveuse
realswords,
becauset hati
swhatyouwi l
lusei nthe
war .Pri
nceMajidwasf astenoughtoevenf ightto
theextentofmakinghi sownopponentf al
l.The
peopleclappedandFar ukfrownedandr oll
edhi s
eyest olookathi smot heri nthecr owd,shegave
him at humbsupsecr et lyandhei ntentional l
yl if
ted
hisswor dasi fhewasgoi ngt oeasi lyattackhi s
opponentandt heni nhi sownf or t
une,hecut
Maj i
d'sshoul der.Maj id'sshoul der .Majidscr eamed
i
npai nandf ell
.Ever ymout hwasopened.Ri shi '
s
heartskippedabeatandt ouchedherchest .She
quicklygott iherf eeandr ushedf rom herseataway
from herseatawayf rom herseatawayf rom t he
people, f
ollowedbyt heot hers.Far ukqui cklyr ushed
toMaj id,pantingi nhor ror.Hequi cklyremovedt he
bottl
egi vent ohim, andasi fai
dingMaj i
d, hepl aced
thebot tl
eundert hebl eedi ngshoul derwhi l
et he
bloodf elli
ntot hebot tl
e.Maj idtouchedhi sshoul der
ti
ghtly.WhenFar ukreal isedever yonewascomi ng,
heclosedt hebot tl
eandhi ditinhi samour .Ri shi
gottohi m andqui cklyt orehersar eeandusedi tto
quicklytieupt hewound.Shewr appedherhands
aroundhi mint ears).
(
Int
heeveni
ng=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hewasfinal
lypr
oper
lytakencar
eofbyt
her oyal
doct
orsandhewasleftal
onewit
htheQueensand
hi
swi
fe.
'
'Mum,Grandmother.
..
youcangotobednow.Iam
nol
ongerfeel
ingthepainIpr
omise'
'
.Hesaid.
'
'Ohson.Ican'
ttaket
hisanymore'
'
.QueenSheena
wept
.''
Thiswarneedstostop'
'.
'
'Buti
tcan'
t.Cani
t?'
'
.
'
'Wewr oteatrucel
ett
ertotheki
ngofJhansithi
s
aft
ernoon.Anditwaswrit
tenbyhis
daughter
,Pr
incessRagahandsignedbyher.We
haveaskedhimt ocometotermswithpeaceagai
n.
Wear ewait
ingforhi
srepl
y''.
'
'Ihopeitwor
ks.Ican'
tal
lowMaj
idgothr
ought
his!
'
'
.Rishisai
dinangerandl
eftt
hechamber
.
'
'Ri
shi
!'
'.
'
'Leaveher..
.i
t'
snormaltobeangry.Unti
lKing
Siamakgivesusabef it
ti
ngrepl
y,
youwillwaitfor
somefewdayst ohealandcont
inuetr
aini
ng' '
.
'
'Doesawar
ri
orki
ngr
estgr
andmot
her
?''
.
'
'Maj
id.
..
'
'Iwil
lcont
inuet
rai
ningtomorr
ow.Iam determi
ned
todothi
s.Theygaveusjustayeart
opr epar
e.And
ayeardoesn'
twasteti
meincoming.Don'tworr
y
aboutme.Iti
smyf at
etoli
veordie'
'
...
(Twoscenes=QueenDor
ah'
schamberandThe
greatmountai
nsofUj
ani
).
Itwassocol dintheni ghtandi twasf ullmoon.
Batsandscar ybirdsr oamedar oundt heki ngdom
from themount ains.Wol vesscr eamedf r om t he
forestsandQueenDor ahsati nt hemi ddl eofher
chamberwi thhercr ystalbal li
nherl aps, wat chi
ng
herfatherdoi ncant ati
onsandchantatt het opof
themount ains.Hesummonedt hespi ri
tsand
chantedhar d.Hel itwoodsoff i
r eandt hr ewpepper
again.Andi ntheircust oms, pepperwasusedt o
summonst ubbor nspi rit
s.Thewi ndblewsohar d
butthef i
rer efusedt ogoof f
.Thunderst r oke
haphazar dly.Ashechant ed,blacksmoker ushed
outfrom thef i
reandQueenMeer ahappear edi n
frontofhim, ont oooft hemount ai n.Looki ngangr i
er
asever .QueenDor ahpani cked.QueenMeer ah
pointedaf ingeratt heman.
'
'You!Howmanyt
imesdi
dIwar
nyounott
omess
wit
hmyson?!'
'
.
'
'Isummonandi mprisonyourspiri
t!Guesswhat
Meerah?Whi leyouwer ebusyharnessi
ngmor e
powersf r
om thefor
est,Iwasalsobusil
yfindi
nga
waytoi mpri
sonyourspi r
ither
einthemount ai
nsso
youwillneverbeabot hertousagain!'
'
.
'
'Icannotbestopped.Butal
soguesswhat?Ican
stopyou!'
'
.Sher ai
sedherhandupandthere
appearedfl
eekofviol
entfi
rewi
thaspearinit'
'
.
'
'IhaveMaj
id'
sbl
oodher
e!'
'
.
(QueenMeer
ah'sf
aci
alexpr
essi
onchangedand
shewasshocked)
.
'
'How.
..
'
'AndIhavesummonyourspi ri
tint
othisfir
e.The
i
ncantat
ionsareover'
'
.Hesaidandopenedt he
bott
lewi
ththeblood.'
'OnceIpourthebloodinthe
fi
re,
youarefor
evergone!'
'
.
'
'No!'
'
.QueenMeer aht
hrewthefi
respearathi
m
andasitchockedhi
schest
,thebot
tl
efellf
rom hi
s
handandf el
lint
ot hef i
reandchainsfr
om nowher e
grabbedholdofQueenMeer ahandacagef el
lover
her.Shescreamedi nagonyasshecoul dn'tescape.
QueenDor ah'
sfathershout edinpai
nashecaught
upinfir
eandbur ntup, wit
hnoashesort r
aceofhi m.
QueenDor ahshout edinsorrowasherfather
di
sappearedf or
ever .
'
'Fat
her
?Fat
hercamebackpl
ease'
'
.
(QueenMeer ahwasshutdownandshewasst uck
onthestoneatt het
opoft hemountai
nsandwas
motionl
ess.Itwasli
keshet ur
nedtosalt
.Queen
Dorahsawt hisandlaughedoutl
oud).
'
'Myf at
hersacri
fi
cedhimselff
orme.Tohel lwit
h
youMeer ah!Asl
ongasyouar eoutofmywaynow, I
am fr
eetodowhatIwant .Iwil
lnotletyoudown
fat
her.Farukwil
lbeki
ng.Byhook..orcrook'
'.
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
12:
00] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence24
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay=I
nthemount
ains)
.
ThedaysBhavnahadspenti nt hemount ains, she
hadlearntwel lhowtocookal lthehighpr i
est '
s
favourit
emeal s.Themanwast oooldandwr etched
nowandneededal lt
heloveandsuppor t.Even
thoughmanyoft hewindowshadl ivedint he
mount ainswithhi m,
Bhavnawashi sf avour i
te.She
wasahomemadewoman, respectfulandhumbl e.
Shecookedt hebestfoodsforhi m.Whathel oved
mostwast hat,shewasapeacemakerand
confidentandbr aveaswell.Sheneverpi ckedany
argumentwi thhercowi dowswhoal sol i
vedi nt he
mount ainsandt hatmadehi mr eal
isehisnext
successor.Af t
erBhavnaf i
nishedcooki nghis
favouri
temeal ,
shear rangedthem onat rayand
walkedoutoft heki t
chenofst onesandwal kedt o
thebackofthemount ainswerether
ewast hetent
room ofthehighpr iest.Sheboweddownand
enteredthetent.Themanwassoweakandeven
breathi
ngwasdi f
ficultforhi
m.Shehel pedhi m si
t
upandwashedhi shands.Whenhest arted,
itwas
diff
icul
ttoevenf eedhi mself
.Bhavnast oppedhi m
from eat
ingandwashedherownhands.
'
'Don'
twor
ry.Iwi
llf
eed'
'
.
(
Thepr
iestnoddedwi
thasmi
le)
.
'
'Bhavnadear
,youl
ookhappi
ert
oday'
'
.
'
'Yespri
est''
.Shesmiledandfedhim.'
'Iam happy
t
hatmydaught eri
spregnant.Igott
henewslast
week.Ohpriest
,Iwi
llbeagrandmothersoon.I
t
f
eelsamazing''
'
'Yes.I
tisalwaysni
cet
owel
comeanewmember
i
ntoafamily''
.
'
'Icannotwaitt
oseeher.Thesadnewsist
hat,t
he
Jhansiki
ngdom wasdeclar
edwaragai
nstUjani'
'.
'
'Yes.Iheardabouti
t.Theybr
oughtt
henewstome.
Pl
easeIam beggingyou,donoti
nter
ruptmeunt
ilI
am done''
.
'
'Ohgoodnesspr
iest
.Thi
sst
atementofofyour
s
puzzl
edme''.
'
'Iti
sagoodnewst ome.Buti tmaynotbeof
i
nterestt
oyou.Again..
.but
,t
helordHanumanchose
youlongagothedayyouar ri
vedheretobet
henext
pri
estofthemountainsinmyst ead'
'
.
'
'What?!'
'.Shebecamebreat
hlessandtookacupof
water
.''
Pr i
est
..
what?Me?Impossibl
e..
.butpr
iest
,
howwor t
hyam Itofindf
avourintheeyesofthe
l
ord''
.
'
' Wel
l..
.youar efavoured.Goddoesnotchooset he
mostbeaut i
fulorrichestpeople..
.hechooset he
meeki nt heheartandcour ageousmi nds.Thati s
whyIhavet houghtyoual lthethi
ngsyoul ear
ntin
thepastmont h.Aboutgodsandspi r
its.Aboutthe
mount ainsandf orests.Youal soseet hingsinthe
spir
it
.Youhavegr owni nmi ghtandwi sdom.Pl ease
takethisintoconsi derat
ion.Ihaveal itt
letimeleft
onear
th.Pl
ease'
'
.
'
'Pr
iest
,don'tsayt
hat.HowwillIdot
hispr
iest
.How
wouldIdothiswit
houtyou?'
'
'
' Iam stil
lher
eforthemeant ime.Iwil
lsendforthe
headpr iestsf
rom thekingdom t
oconvertyou.So
thatafterme,youwi l
lbemade,headpri
est.Trust
me, youwi l
ldogreat.Andyouwillbeproud.With
thispositi
on,youwi l
lhavealotofpower.Andyou
canl eavethemount aintogoandvisi
tyourfamily
anyt i
meyouwant .Thinkabouti
t''
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=RoyalKi
tchen)
.
Themai denswer ealmostdonewi t
hallthe
prepar ati
onsoft heroyalmor ningfoods.Theywer e
almostdone.Theywer ealmostdone.Pr i
yawas
nowt hel eaderoft hemai densandshesuper vi
sed
them.Theki ng'smeal wassepar atedfrom therest
andi twasf r
eshandr eady.I
twascompl et
ely
cover edandr eadytobeser ved.Hi shandmai den
carri
edi tfrom thekitchenaf terallt
heguar dsstood
theref orthemai dstot astethef oodstheyhave
prepar edbef orelet
ti
ngt hemai dt akethefoods
away.Andther
estofthemaidenst
ookotherf
oods
away.Onthewaytotheki
ng'schamber
,themaid
metQueenDorahonthewalkwayandshebowed
down.
(
TheKi
ng'
schamber
).
'
'I
sthatt
heki
ng'
sfood?'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Iam goi
ngtohischamber
.Gi
vemet
hef
ood,
Iwi
ll
t
akeittohi
m''.
'
'ButmyQueen.
..
'
'Ar
eyouquest
ioni
ngme?'
'
.
'
'Pl
easeno'
'
.
'
'NowdoasIsayandgetoutofmyspi
ri
t!'
'
.
(Shetookt het r
ayofthefoodsfr
om t hemai dand
shequi cklylef
t.QueenDorahsmiledwi ckedlyand
l
ookedar oundher.Shetookourthepoi sonher
fat
hergaveherandpl acedthetr
ayont hefloor.She
quickl
yopenedever ysi
nglebowlandpour edal i
tt
le
amountofpoi sonint
othefoods.Aftershewas
done,shehi siti
nhersareeandcar r
ieditup) .
'
' Maji
dandFarukar etr
ainingbynowandt he
Queensar eal
lpresentattheschool.Iti
sgoodI
pretendedtobesicktobeabl etoexecutet
hispl
an
ofmi ne.NowkingShakherSamr at
..
.her
eIcome''
.
Shesai dandwalkedtotheKi ng'
schamber.''
Tel
l
thekingIam heretoseehi m''.
'
'Noyourhi ghness.Pleaseyoucanentersi
nceyou
arebri
nginghisfood''
.Theguar dr
epl
iedand
openedthedoorf orhertoenter
.
(Sheenteredandt
hedoorwasclosed.Shewent
closert
ot heki
ng'
sbedwer
ehehel dasackoffi
ft
y
goldcoins.Whenhesawher
,hegotupandbowed
hisheadwi t
hasmile)
.
'
'QueenDor
ah,howcomeyouar
etheoneser
ving
methismor
ning?'
'
.
'
'Haha.
..
Iguessbecause,
ithasbei
ngverylong
si
nceyouandIspentsomequalit
ytimetogether
.
SoIdeci
dedIwouldtakethi
sopport
unit
ytocome
her
e''
.
'
'It
houghtyousaidyouwer
en'tf
eel
ingwel
l
.Any
way,
pleaseyoucanputt
hefooddown''
.
(
Theybot
hsatdownandsheser
vedhi
m.Heplaced
t
hegol
dcoinsonatabl
eandst
art
eddi
shi
ngout).
'
'Whati
sthemoneyf
or?'
'
.
'
'Mothersai
dshet hinksi
twil
lbeagoodi deato
compensatetheKingofJhansiwit
hmoneyanda
l
otmoretreasures.Soshesaidt
ost ar
tarrangi
ng
somemoneyandval uabl
estogi
ftthentomor r
ow''
.
'
'Buthasher
epl
iedt
oourl
ett
eroft
ruce?'
'
.
'
'No.Wejustsenti
tyest
erdayQueenDor
ah.
..
.I
t
hinkweshouldwaitali
tt
lewhi
le'
'.
'
'Ialsothi
nkiftheywantedpeacewi t
hus,they
wouldhavealreadyrepli
edourlet
teryourhighness.
Anyway, i
neverythi
ng,Ihopeever
ythingturnsout
well''
.
Secondst urnedtomi nutes,minut
est urnedto
hours,
hour sturnedtodays,daysturnedt oweeks
andweekst urnedtomont hs.Asmont hsrushed
fast
,QueenDor ahhadalreadywont het rustofal
l
thepalaceguar dsandmostoft hewarsol dier
swi t
h
goldcoins.Andshedi dallt
hissecret
ly.Sheand
QueenSal masecr etl
yexchangedt hel ett
ersfrom
Jhansit oUj aniandvi cever sa.Andt heJhansi s
neverr epli
edt heUj ani slett
erbutr at her,t
hey
causedchaosi nUj anibyr epeat edlysendi ngki l
ler
s
tot aket helivesofmor epeopl einUj aniandal so
poisonmor ewat ers.Soast hemont hswentby, the
peopl ei fUjanimadecompl ainsaf tercompl ai nst o
theki ng.Apar tf rom t hat ,
Ujaniseemedl i
kei twas
reallycur sedandnot hinggoodcameoutofi t
.The
king'sheal thandst rengt hbegant of ail
.The
kingdom asawhol ewasi ngr eatdespai randt hat
aloneanger edt hepr i
ncesandt heent ir
eroyal
fami ly.Peopl ecal ledt heki ngi ncompet entandi t
wast hel astst rawf orMaj i
d.Hesawhowpeopl e
weepovert hei rchi ldr en'sdeat hduet othewat er
poisoni ngandot her sweepovert hei rwivesand
husbandsduet ot heat tackf r
om t heJhansi s.Thi s
andmanymor e,het houghtoft hef utureofhi sown
unbor nchildr en'sf ut ureandt hatgavehi mt he
vigourt ofi
ght .Sot hrought hemont hs,henever
jokedwi thhi st raining.Het rainedsomuchand
evengotsecr etl essonsf rom Sushi m.Hegr ewi n
powerandi nmi ghtandst rengt handhecoul dnow
fightl i
keaki ngandadef enderofhi speopl e.And
QueenDor ah' sevilagai
nstthekingwasnever
known.Event houghhewasdyi ng,shenever
stoppedpoi soninghim andshemadesur eshe
wouldn'tbecaughtnorsuspect ed.Bhavnawasal so
ordainedast henextmount ainpriestwhi
chbr ought
alit
tl
ej oyafterthemount ai
npriest'
sdeath.And
theythoughtl or
dHanumanhadabandonedt hem
butli
ttl
edidt heyknowQueenDor ah'
sfat
herhad
donebef orehedi sappearedfor
ever .
(
9Mont
hsLat
er=Pr
incessLakshmi
'
schamber
).
Theking,onhi ssickbedagreedt oPrincess
LakshmiandRaj '
smar r
iagesot hepreparati
ons
wereunder wayandshewassuperexci ted.
Diff
erentkindsofsareesandj ewelr
ieswer e
broughttoherchambert ochoosefrom.Shecal led
bothhersisterinlawswhower ealr
eadymar r
iedto
helpherchoosef rom.Theyhappi l
ysatont hebed
andchose.Ri shil
ookedmor ebeaut i
fulthaneverin
herlastmont hofpregnancy.Herstomachwaabout
toexplode.Shet r
iedherpossiblebestnottospoi l
thegirl
'
smoment ..
'
'Ican'
twai
tfort
hatdayt
ocomeLakshmi
.Iam
ext
remelyhappyf
oryounowthatf
atherhas
deci
dedtomakeRajthecommanderofthepal
ace
guards'
'
.Ragahsaid.
'
'Yes.Thatmeansaf
terourweddi
ng,Rajwouldbe
abletoli
vei
nthepal
acewithme.Everyt
hingwil
lbe
great'
'.
'
'Afteryourweddi
ng.
..
itwil
ljustbet
hreemont
hs
l
aterwhen...
when.
..'
'
.Rishisobbed.
'
'OhRi
shi!It
houghtyousai
dyouwoul
dn'
tment
ion
t
hewar!'
'
.
'
'Lakshmidon'tyouunder
stand?Maji
disleavi
ng!
Heisgoingtowarwhi chi
saf i
ghtt
odeath.ThereI
zer
opercentagethathewil
lcomebacktome!''.
'
'Farukisalsol
eavi
ngbutIam notcr
yingabouti
t
Rishi
!'
'.Ragahsai
dcol
dly.
'
'Wellmaybeyoudon'
tloveFar
ukl
ikeIl
oveMaj
id!'
'
.
Ri
shisnappedangr
il
y.
'
'Girlsi
t'
senough!Ohgoodness. .
.whyareyoutwo
doingthis?Iam al
sohurthere.Theyarebothmy
brother
sandIl ovethem equal
ly,
andtheycanbot
h
dieorl
ive.Buttheyar edoingitforourf utur
e.Don't
yougetit?Wear eallhur t
ing.GoandaskQueen
DorahandQueenSheenahowt heyar ef eel
ing
abouttheirsonsleavingsoon.ThatiswhyIhavet o
getmar r
iedevenbef oretheyleavetheki ngdom.
Becauset heymightneverseemeagai n.Andyou
arebothfighti
nghere, i
sthisnottheti
meyouar e
supposedt oprayhar d?''
.Shesaidfrowni ngand
cryi
ng.
'
'Iam sor
ryLakshmi.Idon'
thol
danygrudges
agai
nstyouRishi
,i
fthatiswhatyout
hink.Because
Maji
dchoseyouoverme' '.
'
'Majiddidn'
tchooseme.Hechoset heforei
gner
overyousodon'tputtheblameonme.Iwas
chosenforhim.Hedidn'tchooseme,butheloves
menow.AndIdon' tseewhyyouar eangr y'
'
.
'
' Iam notangry!'
'.Shesai
d,weeping.' '
Iam justso
angr ythati
sthroughmyownpeopl e.Myown
par ent
sandki ngdom,thr
oughthem t hatwemi ght
l
ooseourmen.Theyhaveunf or
givingspi r
it
sand
theydidn'teventhinkofmyownsaf ety.
..
(
Rishigr
oanedandhel
dherst
omach)
.
'
'Ri
shi
?''
.
(Herwat erbrokeandherent i
rebodywaswet .She
screamedi ndi scomf ortandt heyrealisedt hetime
hadcome.Shehel dherwai standt heyhel pedher
uponherf eet.Ragahr ushedout si
deandst art
ed
screamingf orhel p.Lakshmihel dRi shitightlyand
helpedherout side.Ever yoneinthepal acegat hered
quickly,
especi all
yt her oyaldoctors.Thenews
reachedt heroyalar myschoolandMaj idrushed
l
ikeflashf r
om t hetr aininggroundsi ntot hepal ace)
.
(
Thel
abourr
oom)
.
Maj i
dr efusedtost andoutsideandi nsi
stedtost and
i
nt her oom andwat chRishigivebi r
thandnoone
wasgoi ngtostophi m.Indeed, noonecoul dstop
him,heent eredther oom withther estofthef amily.
Ther oyaldoctorandherassi stantshadgot ten
everythingreadyf ordeli
very.Maj i
dqui cklygott o
Rishi'
ssi deandki ssedhersweat yforehead.He
heldherhandt i
ght l
yandwasshaki ng.Thedoct or
rai
sedRi shi
'sdressupandpl acedherl egsst rongly
onthebed.Majidpushedawaythepi
ll
owfrom
Rishi
'
sheadandhet ooktheposi
ti
on,l
ayi
ngher
headonhislaps.
'
'Okay..
.t
akeadeepbr eat
hpri
ncess.Cal
m down
andtakeallt
hebreathi
ngyoucanget.Justr
elax
your
selfandli
stentomyvoice.
..
givemewater''
.
(
Oneoftheassi
stant
sfetchedacupofwat
erand
t
hedoct
orpourediti
ntoherhandsandr
obbedit
).
'
'Ican'
t!Thi
shur
t.
..
pleasemakei
tst
opnow!'
'
.Ri
shi
cri
ed.
'
'St
artnow.Push!Pushcal
mlypl
ease.
..
push!'
'
.
(Sheti
ghtenedhergri
ponMaj i
d'shandandpushed
withal
lhermight.Hecaressedherhai randblewair
i
nherf aceandsheforcedar ef
reshingsmile.Then
conti
nuedpushing).
'
'Theheadiscoming.
..
youaredoi
ngagr
eatj
ob
pri
ncess.Pl
easegoon.Push''
.
(Fourhour
slater,
ther
ewasal oudcr
yoftwostrong
babiesi
nthelabourroom.TheQueenmother'
seyes
l
ightedupwithjoyandcontent
.Shewentcl
oserto
t
her
oyaldoct
orandcheckedt
hebabi
es)
.
'
'Congrat
ulat
ionsPri
nceandpri
ncess..
.youhave
j
ustcreat
edtwostrongandbeauti
fulgi
rls'
'.
(Majidgottohisfeet.Hishandsshaki ngandt ears
i
nhi seyes.Hewentcl oseraf terthebabi eswer e
cleanedandcover edinclot hes.Hest arredatthem
bothinQueenmot her'
sar ms.Theywer esotinyand
i
dent i
cal.Heknewdeepl yt hat,
histimet ospend
withthem wasver yshort.Tear sfellouthiseyes
andhet ookthef i
rstbabyinhi sar ms.Shewasj ust
aphot ocopyofhim.Shewasf astasl eep,andhe
turnedhertoRishi.Hewi pedhi stear sandplaced
heratRi shi
'
srighthandsi de).
'
'Rishi
..
.t
hisi
sMari
sh'
'
.Hesai
dandsmil
edint
ear
s,
assheknewitwoul
dn'
tbel
ongandhewoul
dbe
gone.
(Maji
dturnedawayandt ookthesecondbabyf r
om
Queenmot her
.Shehadhereyesopenedwi del
y.
Shesmiledandpulledhertongueasifshewaa
teasi
ngherfather
.Helaughedandpl acedheron
Rishi
'sl
eftsi
de).
'
'AndMeer
ah'
'
.Hesai
dandQueenmot
hert
ear
ed
up.
'
'Thosearebeaut
if
ulnamesyout wo.Mari
shand
Meerah.MaytheLordblessthi
stwo.Andmayhe
bri
ngbackourhappinessagain'
'.
(
Int
hegar
den)
.
Kushilaterentered.Andasshewaaent eri
ng, she
l
ookedar oundandmadesur enoonewasl ooking.
Shegoti ntothebeaut i
fulgar denandl ookedar ound
toseet hepersonshewentt heret omeet.Ahand
coveredhereyesandshet ur nedandpushedt he
personaway.Shef rownedathi m andheal so
fr
owned.Theyst ayedt hatwayf oralit
tl
ewhi leand
bothlaughedateachot her
.Sher ushedtosi deand
embr acedhim.KushiandShi vhadbei ngseei ng
eachot herforthepastmont hseversi ncethey
developedlovef oreachot her .Andsof orthesame
passedmont hs,Faruk'
spl ansagai nstMajidand
Rishihadneverbei ngsuccessf ulbecauseanyt ime
heaskedShi vtodosomet hingagai nstMaj i
d,he
wouldgost raighttotellKushiandt heywoul dboth
sabotageFar uk'splans.
'
'Rishigavebi
rt
htogi
rl
s.Twogi
rl
s!Iam f
inal
lyan
aunt!'
'.
'
'What
?Ohgoodness.Gi
rl
s?'
'
.
'
'Why?'
'
.Sheaskedangr
il
yduet
oShi
v'
sreact
ion.
'
'Nono. .
.sweetheart,i
tisnotwhatyout hinkokay?I
am justsayi
ng...
PrincessRishigavebi r
thtoyou
gir
ls.
..
doyouknowwhatt hatmeans?Thatmeans,
Pri
nceMaj iddoesnothaveanhei ryet.AndItrul
y
beli
eveinmyhear tthatPri
nceFaruki splanni
ng
somet hi
ngwickedt ogethimselfont hethrone''
.
'
'Thereisnothi
ngwecandor i
ghtnow.Aft
ert
he
war,
PrinceMajidwi
llcomebackandhaveababy
boywithRishiandt
heneveryt
hingwoul
dbeokay''
.
'
'Howsur
ear
eyout
hatPr
inceMaj
idwi
llcomeback?
'
'
.
(
Acomplet
eandawkwardsil
entf
ellbet
weent
he
t
woformoret
hananhour)
.
'
'Whyareyouaski
ngmethatShi
v?I
sther
e
somet
hingIneedt
oknow?''
.
'
'Youknowi
fIknewsomet
hing,
Iwoul
dtel
lyou.But
Idon'
tthi
nkPr
inceFar
ukhasnot
hingi
nhi
smi
nd'
'
.
'
'What everi
tis,
youar ehi
sthrust
edguar
dandhe
wil
ltellyoueveryt
hing.Thati
swhynoonemust
knowwear etogether
.Ifhefi
ndsout
,hewil
lki
llyou.
Idon'twantthat''
.
'
'Don'
tworr
y,noonewoul
dknow.Atl
east
,unt
il
Pri
nceFar
ukisgott
enr
idof'
'
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hehel dMar i
shi nhisar mswhi leRishilayedonthe
bedwi thMeer ah.Heopenedt hewi ndowsand
naturalfr
eshai renteredandt heyenj oyedthe
momentwi ththeirbabies.Foodsandf ruit
shad
beingservedf orRishi.Shewasweakand
exhausted.Maj id'
sroom wasf i
lledwi t
hswordsand
spears.Itl
ookedscar y.Andhal fofthebedwas
fi
ll
edwi tharmour sfrom t hewarsoldiers.Hesaw
howRi shifeltuncomf ortablei
nt hechambernow
thatthi
ngshadchambernowt hatthingshad
change.
'
'Youwannagot
otourchamber
?''
.
'
'I
t'
sokay'
'
.
'
'Ihavetobackt
ot r
ainingnow.I t
'sj
ustonemonth
moreforustofi
nishtraining,andIwi l
lbegi
ven
qual
ifi
cat
ionasawarsol dier
..
.fi
nall
y''
.
'
'Can'
tyouspendt
hismomentwi
thmeher
e?'
'
.
'
'Iwi
llcomebackint
heeveni
ng.Butthisi
smor
e
i
mportantasi
tist
osecur
eourfutur
e''.
'
'Af
utur
ewi
thoutyoui
nit
?''
.
'
'Whatar
eyouevent
alki
ngaboutRi
shi
?''
.
'
'Don'
tyougeti
t?!Whydoesithavetobeyouwho
shoul
ddo?!Onl
ywickedpeopleli
keyourbr
other
shoul
dgoanddieinwarli
kethisone!'
'
.
'
'Mywi ckedbrother
..
asyoucal l
edhim,savedyour
l
ifesomemont hsagor emember ?Inf
act,hetooka
bull
etforyouandourgi r
ls!Haveyouever
consider
edthat?''
.
'
'Maj
id?'
'
.
'
'No!Youshouldalsor
ememberthat,
i
fnotfor
hi
m,youandthebabieswoul
dbedead!IfIcalcul
ate
al
lthebadthi
ngshehasdone,whathedi
df oryou
hascover
editall
.Soali
tt
legr
ati
tudewouldn'
thurt
Ri
shi'
'
.
'
'Grati
tude?Ar eyougoi
ngcrazy?Maj
id.
..
whyare
youactingblindnow?WhotoldyouFaruksavedmy
l
ife?Hej ustmadesuretof
oolusbypulli
ngthat
..
..
'
'Iam leavi
ngRi shi
.Allthi
sargument swil
lnot
changeanythingaboutmydest i
ny.Don'tl
etus
haveproblem becauseofyouract i
ons.Iwantthe
l
astthreemont hs..
.Iwantmylastthreemont hs
heretobeofhappymemor i
es,elseyouratt
it
udeis
j
ustkil
lingme!''.Hesaidandangr i
lylef
t.
(Shecall
edhi
m backbuthedi
dn'
tgetbackandshe
heldherbabi
esi
nherarmswithafr
own).
'
'Ihavetobest r
ongforthethreeofusnow.
WhetherIl
ikeitornow,t
hewarwi llhappened.SoI
shoul
dbevi gi
lantandnotletmyselfbefooledlike
Maji
d.ButIwillnotsi
tforhimt ot
rusthisbrother'
'.
(
3Mont
hsLat
er=Warbet
weenUj
aniandJhansi
).
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
.
[
01/
23,
12:
01] :
.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence25
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
3Mont
hsLat
er=WarTi
me)
.
Theent i
reUj aniki ngdom hadgat her edint hepal ace
andout side.Ever yonebr oughtt ot hepal ace, t
he
l
ordoft heirhouses.Thet empl ei nt hepal acewas
openedwi delyf orpeopl et oent ert obringgi f
tst o
thepri
nces.Warsol diershadf i
lledt hepal ace
compound, allsetandr eady.Hor seswer eset tl
ed
andcover edi nmet alamour s.
Wives,
mot her s,childrenandf ami l
ymember sof
almostallt hewarsol diersal larrivedi nthepal ace,
weepingandl ament ingast heirmenwer egoi ng
i
ntothel andofnor etur n.Theki ng, inhi sweakness
sati
nt het empl ewi tht het ownpr iests,waitingf or
thepri
ncest oarri
veandpr ayforthem.The
bags,l
ights,f
oods,l
anterns,weaponsandhor ses
wereal lr
eadyfortheirdepartureandnewscamet o
them t
hat ,
theJhansiswer epackedandont heirway
from t
heirkingdom toattackUjani.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
Hisheartwasthunderi
ngsofastashestarredinto
t
hemi rr
or.Heheldhisswor
dver yt
ightand
i
maginedhi msel
ffi
ghti
ngonthebattl
efi
eld.Queen
Dorahquickl
yenter
edthechamberwi t
hsomet hing
wrappedinacloth.
'
'Far
uk'
'
.
'
'Mother''
.Heanswer
edandt
urnedt
oherwi
tha
conf
identsmil
e.
'
'That'
smyboy.Becour ageousbecauseyouare
goingasPr
ince,butwil
lcomebackaski ng.Make
sureyoudoeveryt
hingIhavetol
dyouand
remembereveryt
hingattheri
ghtt
imes''
.
'
'Ihaveever
ythi
ngi
nmindmother
.IhopeQueen
Sal
mahasspokentothei
rwarsol
dier
s''
.
'
'Hahahaaaa.
..
yesshehas.Thatst
upi
dwoman,
she
t
hinksweareherenemiesincri
me''
.
'
'Butwear
egoingtobet
rayhersobadl
y..
.whatwas
herpl
anmother
?''
.
'
' I
tiskingSi amakwhoi sl eadinghi ssoldier
st ot he
war .Andt heplanwast hat ,
whenUj aniandJhansi
clothes,theUjanisoldi
erswi llpavewayandl oose
protecti
onoverMaj id.Andt hent heJhansisol diers
canf i
nallypindownMaj idforyout ofinal
lykil
lhi m.
Thenaf terthat,
shecanf inall
ywr itealetterof
solacet oKingSiamakandendt hewar .Butno, t
hat
i
snotwhatIwant .KingSi amakmustdi easwel l.He
hast odief oryoutotakeoverUj aniandJhansiat
thesamet ime.Sodowel landki llhim aswell.So
thatafteryoubecomeki ngofJhansiandUj ani ,
QueenSal mawi l
lbeanobodyt ous.Wecaneven
kil
lherasbonus' '
.
'
'Excel
lentmother
.Becausewhenshef i
ndsoutI
ki
ll
edherhusband,shewillt
urnagainstus.Soaf
ter
herdeathinmyhands,herdaughterisallmi
neand
herpeoplewi
llbeoursl
aves''.
'
'Thatismor el
ikeit'
'.Shesaidandunwrappedthe
cl
othshewashol dingandi twasaknife,
carvedl
ike
asnake.Itwasal i
ttl
eknifeofauniquemanner.'
'
Takethis'
'.
'
'WhatdoIdowi
tht
his?'
'
.
'
'It
ookal otofti
metomaket hi
sknifeFar
uk.Ever
si
ncethewarwaspr onounced,
Istart
edmakingthi
s
kni
feforyou.Thisi
swhatyouwoul dusetoki
ll
Maji
d''.
'
'Whataboutmyswor
d?'
'
.
'
'Forgetaboutthatsword!Thi
sknifewillpr
otect
youint hefi
ghtunti
lyoukil
lMaji
d.Becausei tInot
allofthesoldi
ersIandQueenSalmawer eableto
deceiveandbuy.Sobeext racar
eful.Sotakeit.
.t
ake
i
tnow!' '.
(Het
ookt hekni
feandwrappedi
tinhi
samourand
embracedhismother
).
'
'Iwil
lmissyoumother.Youar
ethebest
.ButIwil
l
makesureMajidwi
llbedeadbefor
ethewareven
ends'
'.
'
'AndIwi llmakesurethekingisdeadbef orebef
ore
youar ri
ve.Thecr ownwi l
lbewaiti
ngf oryou.But
youbet terbecarefulofSushim.Youknowhe' sa
warsol dierandisgoingtothewarast hesol e
prot
ect orofMaj i
d,makesur ehedoesn' tstandin
yourway.Ican' tbeli
evethisFaruk.Aftertwentysix
years,mydr eamsar efi
nall
ybecomi ng
real
ity.
..enoughofthis.Letusgot othet emple
now,ever yoneiswaiti
ng''
.
(Far
ukputonhi
sheadamourandheldhandswit
h
hismot
herwit
hasmileandt
heybothwalkedout
).
(
Pri
ncessRi
shi
'
schamber
).
Shesatonherbed, starr
ingatherbabiesint hei
r
l
ittl
ebeds.Ever yblinkofhereyescameoutt earson
herbabi esclothes.Hereyeswer eallredf r
om
cryingthewhol enight .Shewasi nawhitesar eeas
al
lthel adiesofther oyalfamilyweretowearwhi te.
SheHDver mil
iononherf or
eheadndherhai rwas
down.ShehadMaj i
d'ssweat shi
rtonthebedand
shesqueezedi tonherchest ,rel
easingallthepain
andsadness.Herchamberdooropenedandshe
quicklygott oherfeet .Maji
dpassedbyt hecur t
ains
andenteredthechamber .Hewasinawaruni for
m
butnotinhisamourbecausehehel dtheamouri n
hishands.Hewentcl oserandpl
acedtheamouron
thebed.Rishi'
seyeswer esomewhereelsebuthis
eyeswereonher .Hiseyesweredullandsleepy.
Lookingsadderthanshewas.Hest arr
edatherfor
awhi l
eandbentdownt ocheckonhisbabies.He
carr
iedMeer ahinhi
sar msandshedel i
ghted.
'
'Yes.
..
it
'sdaddybaby.Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ult
his
morni
ng''.
(Hekissedherli
psandinhal
edhersweetbody
scentinhim andbr
eakdownint
osilenttear
sand
outherbacki nt
hebedandcarr
iedMar i
sh).
'
'Hell
otheresweethear
t.Mybaby,mybigli
tt
le
pri
ncess.Daddycamet osaygoodbyepret
ty,my
sunshi
ne..
.Takecareofyoursi
sterand.
..
.
(Herai
sedhisheadandl ookedatRishiwhoseface
waswetwi t
ht ear
s.HekissedMar i
shandputher
besi
desMeer ah.Thenwalkedclosert
oRishi.But
shequickl
yturnedherbackathim).
'
'Ri
shi
..
.Ri
shii
tist
imet
ogo.Ij
ust
..
.Ri
..
Rishi
,won'
t
yousayanyt
hingt
ome?'
'
.
'
'WhatdoyouwanttohearMaj id?'
'
.Hervoicewas
shaki
ngsomuch,t
earsovertookherenti
rebody.'
'
Aremywordsevenimportanttoyou?''
.
'
'Ri
shi'
'
.Hewasbr
oken.
..
.
'
'WhatdoyouwantmetosayMajid?'
'
.Hervoice
wasshaki
ngsomuch,
tear
sovert
ookherenti
re
body.'
'Ar
emywordsevenimpor
tantt
oyou?''
.
'
'Ri
shi'
'
.Hewasbr
oken.
'
'I
sthi
sthepromi
seyoumadetome?Thatwe
woul
dneverbeapar
t?HowdoIli
venow,
tel
lme.
How?''
.
'
'Ri
shiam gonnacomebackIswear'
'
.
'
' Whatassurancecanyougi vemeMaj i
d?What?
Youar eleavingandIdon'tknowif
..
.''
.Shequickl
y
turnedandf acedhim,l
ookinghi
mi ntheeyes,
and
shesawt heintensi
tyi
nhiseyes.'
'TellmehowIwi l
l
breath''
.
'
'Br
eat
hforme.Doyouknowwhyuhaven'
twor
n
myamouryet ?BecauseIwant edtohugyouRishi.I
wantedtohugyouandf eelyourheartbeat
.Tofeel
ourheart
sbeati
ngtogether.Becausethi
smetal
amourwon'tall
owthat.Rishi
,canIgetthat
hug,
pleasemylove?''
.
(Shehesi
tat
eforaminut
eandt hrewherar
ms
aroundhi
m,huggi
nghimtight
ly)
.
'
'Maj
idpl
easest
aywi
thme'
'
.Shewept
.
'
'Ihavetr
ainedforayearRi shi.Ipr
omi seyou,I
knowwhatIam doi ng.IknowIcandot hi
s,
Ican
fi
ghtnow.TheJhansi sareourenemi esnowandi f
wedon'tst
opt hem,theywillmakeust heirslaves
andkil
lusli
keani mals.Idon'twantthatfuturefor
MeerahandMar ish''
.
'
'Pr
omi
seme.Sweart
ome'
'
.
'
'Iswear
.Iwi
llcomeback.Justkeepwai
ti
ngf
orme
'
'
.
(Thensuddenly,
ther
ewasal
oudbangont
he
aler
ti
ngmet al
).
'
'I
t'
sti
me'
'
.Hesai
dandl
ockedl
ipswi
thRi
shi
.
Kissi
ngherasi
fitwast
helast
.Sheki
ssedhi
m
backwit
hpassi
onandtear
s).
'
'Maj
id.
..
sweart
ome.
..
swearyouwi
llcomeback!'
'
.
(Helookeddownatherf orawhi leandlooked
aroundthechamber .Hespottedasmal lbladein
thedrawercl osetothebedandwentt otakeit.
Rishi
'seyesopenedwi del
yandbef oreshecoul d
sayanything, Maji
dquicklysli
thisri
ghtpalm open
andbloodcamer ushingouranddr oppingont he
fl
oor.Her ai
sedhi shandupwi ththedroppingblood
andlandedi tonRi shi
'
shead.Thebl oodrushed
downRi shi'
snoseandl i
ps,l
ookingint
ohereyes
withpain,
hest eppedmuchcl osertoher).
'
' Isweartoyou,
Iwil
lcomebackRi shi
.Iswear.Let
thisbloodbemyassur ancetoyou.Il
eave.
..
Ileave
youi npeacebaby.Takecareofourgir
ls.
..
promise?
'
'.
(Sheembr acedhim againandqui
ckl
ytorepartof
hersareeandt i
eduphi swound.Shecl
eanedher
faceoffthebloodbutherhairwaswetwithi
t.She
carr
iedMar i
shwhilehecar r
iedMeer
ahandt hey
bot
hst
eppedout
).
(
Pal
aceTempl
e).
Allthewomenwhosehusbandswer egoi ngt othe
warhel dapl ateoff lowersandwetver mi li
onwi th
fl
ower sint heirhands, pr
ayingt ot hegoddess.Ri shi
gavet hebabyt oKushiandqui cklywentt otakeher
positi
onwi ththewi ves,whileMaj i
dgavet hebaby
toRajandwentt ost andinf rontofRi shil i
keallthe
mendi d.Theywi net heplatedar oundt hemen' s
faceanddi ppedt hei rthumbsi nt hever mi l
ionthen
smear edi tintheirf oreheads.Tear sfelloutt heir
eyesast heydi dt hisfortheirhusbands.Ri shi
's
handsshookwhi ledoi ngther i
tualbecauseshe
knewandf eltthismi ghtbet hel astshef acedhim
Maj i
dliket his.Hepl atewasaboutt of allandMaj i
d
grabbedherhandst i
llwhil
esheper f
or medt he
ri
tual.Sheever ythingwasdi ne,theki nggotupand
blessedt hem al landQueenmot hergaveeachof
thetent housandmensomesweet s,
incl udingthe
princes.
'
'Justast
hissweetbr
ingssmil
estof
aceswhenit
i
seaten,
mayyoubevictor
iousandbr
ingsmi
lest
o
thefaceofUjani
.GoandBRItheheadofKung
Siamak!'
'.Shesai
dcour
ageousl
ybutintear
s.
(Pri
ncessRagahwepthel plessl yandal lthemen
wentouti nl i
ne, wit
ht heirweaponsandbel ongi ngs,
foll
owedbyt hewomen.Theygoti nf rontoft he
palaceandal lstarredupt hef arawaymount ains
whicht hedeser twasal sof arbehi nd.Maj i
dwor e
hisamourandmet alhel met .Hel ookedst r
onger
andmanl ymor ethanever .Hehadt rainedal lt he
manymont hsandwast all
erandhi smuscl eswer e
biggerandvi si bl
e.Hewast hehot testsol dier
amongt hem andt hatonl ymadet hel adiesf aint .
TheUj anisoldi ersrodespeedi lyawayont heir
horsest ostar tthefight.Thef ami liesandot herl eft
thepalacei nt ears.Maj i
dt urnedt ot her oyalf ami l
y,
buthiseyesj ustl andedonRi shi .Shehadcover ed
hermout hwithherhandsi ntear s.Hewentcl oser
tohisbabi esandki ssedt hem f ort hel ast.Far uk
huggedhi swi feandgoti ntohi sownbl ackhor se
andhismot hernodded.Maj idtur nedhi sbackt o
getonhi shor sewhenRi shiqui ckl yr ushedt ohi s
backandembr acedhi mf rom t her e,bur yingherf ace
onhisbackandweeping.Sushi
mf acedtheQueen
motherandtouchedherf
eet.Andsheplacedher
l
ipsbehindhi
sears).
'
'Takecar
eofMaj
idpl
ease'
'
.
'
'Iwi
lldot
hatwi
th!
yli
feyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Makesureyoukeepaneyeinhi
m ever
ystepof
t
hewat.Iam scar
ed.If
eelt
hiswarwasplanned'
'
.
'
'Don'tbot
heryour
selfyourhi
ghness.IfMaji
disthe
ri
ghtf
ulheirt
othethr
one,noonecant akethataway
fr
om him.Notevendeath.Weshallal
lcomeback
al
ive'
'.
(Maji
dtur
nedt
of aceherandsher
emovedhi
s
neckl
acefr
om herneck)
.
'
'Thisbelongst
oyouMajid'
'.Shesai
dwhile
sobbing.'
'Youwil
lNedt
hisnow,morethanme'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tneedthisRishi.WhatifIdon'
tcomeba. .
.I
mean..
.well
,
Imean, mydest i
nyismydestiny.Thi
s
neckl
acewillmakenodi ffer
ence.Andbesides,
MeerahandMar ishwillneedyoutoweart hi
sto
prot
ectthem i
nstead.Keepit''
.
'
'Maj
idpl
easet akethi
s!Ineedyoubackher
eali
ve!
'
'
.ShescreamedandQueenDor ahf
rowned,
prayi
ng
f
orMaji
dt or
ejectit
.
'
'NoRi shi
.Isai
dkeepit
.Ipr
omiseyouIwi
llcome
back.Isworeonyourheadwit
hmyblood,
didn'
tI?'
'
.
(Rishiremember edandl oosedherguar d,embracing
himt ight
ly.Hemovedawayf rom them allandgot
i
nhi shor se.Sushim alsogoti nhishor seand
salutedther oyalf
ami l
y.Ri shididn'
tknowwhatt o
do.Hert earsneverdr i
edandshef elthelpless.
Maj i
dwi nkedatherwi thapai nf
ulsmi leandheal so
noddedatJi mmyandRaj .Lakshmi wavedatt hem
allandaway, theyrodet heirhorsesfastaway) .
.
(
5Mont
hsLat
er)
.
Inthi
swhol emont hs,QueenDor ahkeptpoi soni
ng
thekingunti
lhecoul dn' tt
akei tanymore.Hewas
weakenedandnioneknewwhatwaswr ong.He
hadtobef ed,bathandcl othed.QueenSheenat ook
verygoodcar eofhim, butQueenDor ahbribedthe
king'
smaidt okeeppoi soninghim.Andt hewaral so
whenonver ywel lforUj ani
, eventhoughhal fof
thei
rsoldiersloosedthei
rli
ves.TheJhansiscreat
ed
anewst rategy.KingSiamakwasn'tdeadyet.And
ther
ewasn' tgoingtobeanendt othewarunti
lhe
orMajidwasdead.Eachki ngdom camped
themselvesint hedesert
sinthenightandatt
ackin
themorningsandsomet imesevenattackatni
ght i
ll
morning.Thiswentonandonandi nformonths.
(
ThePal
ace=Theki
ng'
schamber
=Int
heeveni
ng)
.
Theki ngl
ayedonhi sbed.Her equest
edforsome
j
ui ceandQueenSheenal efttofoandmakei tf
or
him.Somemi nut
eslater,
QueenDor ahenter
edwith
thatsamejuice.Sheclosedthedoorandwent
closerandsatbesidestheking.
'
'Wher
eisQueenSheena?'
'
.
'
'Queenmothercall
edher.Sosheaskedmet
o
br
ingthej
uicei
nstead'
'.
'
'Haveyouheardanyt
hingfrom..'
'
.Hecoughedso
muchthati
ttur
nedtoblood.''
Haveyou.
..
'
'Yourhi
ghnesspl
ease.
..
cal
m down.Pl
ease,
Iwi
ll
br
ingsomet
issue'
'
.
'
'No..
.t
hishappenedi
ntheaf
ter
noon.Iam dyi
ng
QueenDorah''
.
'
' Yes.Andyouwi l
lfi
nal
lymeetyourancest
ors
tonight.Ididn'
twanttodot hi
sbecauseIl
ovedyou
somuch.Butyoucheat edFarukandmadeMajid
yourhei r'
'.Shethoughttohersel
f.
'
'Haveyoupeopl
ehear
danyt
hingf
rom t
hewar
?''
.
'
' Thecommanderoft hesoldi
erssental et
terthat
Uj aniwaacl osetovictor
y.Theyaretakingthef i
ght
faryourhi ghness.Theysai dsomeoftheJhansi
sol diersandt heirki
nghimselfwerehidingf araway
from t hebat tl
efi
eld.Theyarehidi
ngcloset osome
wat er f
all
s.Sooursol di
erswouldbeattackingf r
om
ther e.Please, t
akeyourjuice''
.
'
'Thankyou'
'
.Hesatupandtookthej
uiceandt
ook
asip.'
'Howi
sMaji
dandFaruk?''
'
'Theyareabsol
utel
yfi
neIguess.Theyhavegot
hur
talotbut,
youalr
eadyknowhowwargoes' '
'
'Iwanti
ttoend'
'
.
'
'Met oo.Butunti
ltheygetSiamak,t
hatwon' t
happened''
.Shesai dandgottoherfeetwitha
wickedsmile.'
'Andt hati
swhyIhavegi venFaruka
magicknifetokil
lMaj i
dsothewarends' '
.
(Thekingpouredoutthejui
ceinhismouthoutin
shock.Theglasssl
ippedoutofhishandsandfell
onthef l
oor
.HestarredatQueenDorahinshock).
'
'You?QueenDor
ah.
..
.
'
' Yessweet
heart.OhShakher ,whatdidyouthink?
ThatIwil
lsitsil
entforMaji
dt ocomebackandbe
king?Theri
ghtfulheirtot
het hr
oneofUj ani
!Faruk,
becausehei syourfir
stson!Butno,youhadto
madesur et
hatyourf avouri
teQueen'ssonbecame
thekingandnott heQueenwhogaveyouyourf i
rst
son!''
.
'
' ButQueenDorah,why..
.why..
.'
'.Hecoughedand
thisti
me,Tuebl
oodwhi chcameoutoft hi
smout h
wast hi
ckandblack.Bl
ooddr oppedoutofhisnose
aswel l
.
'
'Hahahaha.
..
whatdidyout
hink?Iwasn'
taf
ool
Shakher
.Andthati
swhyIkil
ledQueenMeerahas
well!Iki l
ledher !Shedi edbecauseofme, not
becauseshegavebi rt
ht oMaj i
d.Ial sopl annedal l
thoseat t
ackst hatnear lyl edtoMaj id'
sdeat hwith
Faruk.Andi ti
sal sot r
uet hatIdobl ackmagi c.Yes!
AndIam t hecauseofal lthemi sfortuneUj anihas
beingt hrough.Thati snotal l,
i
twasI ...
Iwast he
mast erpl anbehi ndt hiswar .I
twasal ltoki l
lMaj id
topavewayf orFar uk.ItwasIwhopoi sonedt he
Ujaniwat er.Allofitwasmeandnooneel se!Iused
blackmagi ctodoi tall.Far ukalsohi sQueen
Meer ah' schamberkeysi nSavi t
ri'
sdaught er's
uniformt oframeherbecauseshewast hreatening
meI 'dt hings.Shewasmyaccompl ice.Wesett he
l
ionf reef rom thedungeonandmadei tat t
ackMaj i
d.
Hahahaha. .
.Itwassoenj oyablet oseeyoual l
suffer!Ir eall
ydon' thavet i
met ot ellyoual lmy
sins..
.justdi e.Butyoushoul dknow, QueenSal ma
wasmyaccompl ice.Wepl annedt hewat er
poisoni ngt ogetherandbr oughtt hef i
ghtbet ween
youandyourchi l
dhoodf r
iendSi amak.Nowyou
bothwi l
ldieapai nfuldeat h.Howpat hetic!''
.
(
Tear
srusheddownt
heki
ng'
seyesashewasdyi
ng.
Hecoul dn'tshoutordoanythi
ng.QueenDor ah
quicklyr ushedtohissideandtooktheglassfrom
thef l
oor .Thekinggrabbedholdofherhairwit
hhis
l
astst rengt handsheslappedhim har
d.Hishead
hitthebed' sheadandof fhedied.Shequickl
y
rushedoutoft hechamber).
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Rishiandhert winswereonthebedwhi leRishi
starr
edatMaj id'
spictur
eport
rait
,weeping.Thegirl
s
crawledalloverthebedbuthermi ndwasonl yon
Majid.Shemi ssedhim morethananythingthe
world.Shetouchedt hebedandfelthi
spr esence
andhi st
ouch.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
RagaharrangedallofFaruk'
sclothesont hebed
andwept.Shewasal readysixmont hspregnant.
Shetookoneofhi sgarmentsandsmel leditwit
h
passi
onandr ememberedthei
rfir
stnighttoget
her
whil
eweepi ng.
Ther
ewassuddenl
yapainfulscr
eam i
nthewhol
e
pal
aceandt
hekingwaspronounceddead.
(
Int
hemount
ains)
.
Bhavnawasdr essedi npri
estcl
othesandhol di
ng
herpri
esthoodrod,shecli
mbedupt hemount ai
nst
o
praywit
hherassist ant
.Whenshegotupt here,
she
wasshockedt oseebur ntwoodandot herblack
magicstuffsscat
teredthere.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Mypr
iest
ess.
..
doyouknowwhatt
hismeans?'
'
.
'
'Areanyofthewi
ndowsper
for
mingbl
ackmagi
c
overher
e?!'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknowmypr iestess.Butbl
ackmagi chas
notbei
ngheardofinUj anisi
ncefi
ftyyearsago.
Andalso,
thi
sisshockingbecauseitlooksli
keis
wasdonel i
kesomemont hsago.Notverylong'
'.
'
'Letuscheckthi
sout.
..
anyonewhodi
dthi
swi
llbe
sever
elypuni
shed!'
'
.
(
Theywentcl
oserandbentdown,
checki
ngt
hrough
t
hethi
ngs)
.
'
'Thi
sisst
range.Noonehasevercometothetop
oft
hemountains.I
twasonl
ytheformerheadpri
est
whooftencameheret
opray.Buthenever
complai
nedoffi
ndi
ngsomethingl
iket
his.
..
Idon'
t
under
stand''
.
'
'ThismaybewhyUj aniisgoingt
hroughcrisi
s.
Someonei sperfor
mingbl ackmagi
candt hathas
madel ordHanumanabandonus.Thi sis
preposter
ousandIam r eporti
ngi
ttotheUjani
pri
eststomorrow!'
'.
'
'Ohmygoodness!'
'.Theassist
antshout
edasher
eyesl
andedst
rai
ghtonast r
angeimage.
'
'Whati
sit
?''
.
'
'Tha.
..
that
..
.'
'.Shesai
dpoi
nti
ngst
rai
ght
.
(Bhavnarai
sedherheadandbehol d,shesawa
stat
ueinacage.Astatuewhichwascover edin
dustandcobwebs.Anditlookedli
keawoman.And
herlegsandhandswerechainedandt heycouldn'
t
makeoutwhati tr
eal
lywas.Bhavnawentcl oserto
thecageandstarr
edatthestatuesfaceclosel
yand
waspuzzled).
'
'QueenMeer
ah?
!''
.Shet
houghti
nshock.
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
12:
01] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence26
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
NextDay=Royal
Pal
ace=Templ
e).
Theent i
relandofUjaniwasi nmour ning, yetagain.
Thiswast heworstdayoft heirli
ves.Menand
womenwer ealli
nwhi t
e,gatheredint het empl eand
thepalaceasawhol e.Theki ngwasl ayedonabed
ofhighplatter
.Cl
othedandcover edal loverhi s
bodyinwhi teandgrey.Theent ir
ebedwaamadei n
gold.Queenmot her'
sfacewasgr ievedwi thtears
andshehadcompl etel
ychangedt otally.Theent i
re
priestsofthekingdom hadsur roundedt he
king,perf
ormingthelastri
tual
s.QueenSheenahad
criedsomucht hatshecouldn'tcr yanymor e.Aft
er
ther i
tual
,theJimmyof fer
edtoper f
ormthebur ni
ng
ri
tual i
nplaceofMaj i
d.Afterbur yingtheking.
Queenmot hertookhisashesinapotandhandedi t
tosevenst rongmessenger sinf rontofthetemple.
'
'Gi
veittoMaji
dandFar
ukt
opaget
hei
rrespect
sto
t
hei
rfather'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Theydon' tknowtheirf
atheri
sdead,
sofi
nda
sensiblewayt ot
ellt
hem.Andmakesur ethey
discardhisashesinanylaketheycomeacross'
'
.
'
'Mother,doyouthi
nkiti
sgoodtotellt
hem
t
his,
nowt hatt
heyareatwar?Wil
lthatnotdest
ruct
t
hem?''.QueenSheenaasked.
'
' Theywil
lhaveapr oblem wit
huswhenwedon' t
tellt
hem.Itisbett
erthisway.Shakheris.
..'
'
.Queen
mot herweptandRi shiwrappedherarmsaround
herintears.'
'Shakherisgonenow.IjustprayMaji
d
comesbacksoonandt akeshispl
aceast he
ki
ng,
andRi
shit
heQueen'
'
.
'
' Tel
lMaj
idIl
ovehi
m wit
hal
lmyheart
.AndFaruk
too,wear
eprayi
nghar
dfort
hem '
'
.QueenSheena
said..
.
'
'Outj
our
neyisver
yfaryourhi
ghness.Weshal
l
t
akeourl
eavenow''
.
'
'MakesureMaji
dperf
ormsthel
astri
tessi
nceheis
t
hekingnow.Lethi
m di
scar
dhisfat
her'
sashes'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.Weshal
lseet
othat'
'
.They
sai
d,boweddownandlef
t.
'
'Theti
mei sget
tingclose.Myvi ct
oryi
srighther
e.I
hopeFarukperf
ormst hatri
te.Becausehe..
iti
she
whowillbecomekinginjustaf ewdays''
.Queen
Doraht
houghtandl aughedinherhead.
(3DaysLater
=Int
hewindedness.Apl
aceofno
where=I
nthedeser
t,f
arfr
om home=Gett
ingt
o
eveni
ng).
ThefightwastoughbutSushim madesuretobe
fai
thf
ulandprotect
iveoverMaji
d.Swordsand
arr
owswer ethrownallovert
heUjani
scampand
fi
ght i
ngpoint.Maj i
donhi shorsefoughtli
keaman
andki l
ledalmostf i
ft
ymen.Bl oodsplashedallover
hisbodyandhewasal readylooki
nglikeagladiat
or.
SomeJhansisol dier
sthrewar r
owsathi m,oneofit
piercedthebackofhi sshoulders,makinghimf al
l
fr
om hi shorse,hardint
ot heground.Sushim
quicklyatt
ackedt hosemenwi t
hhisswor dand
wentdownf rom hisownhor seandqui ckl
ygotover
toMaj id.
'
'Retr
eat
!Ret
reatnow!'
'
.Heshout
edandqui
ckl
y
car
ri
edMaji
dathisback.
(Farukthrewabigsmokingpi peattheJhansi s
whichcont ai
nedli
tsofdarksmoke, maki ngthem
rushawayf r
om t
hebattl
efield.Sushim placedMajid
onhi shorseandgotoverhi sownhor seandr ode
bothawayi ntot
hef or
est
.Fol lowedbyal ltheUjani
soldierl
eftandFaruktotheircamp) .
'
'Br
ingwat
er.
..
fast
!''
.Sushi
m shout
ed.
(Theyalll
ookeddirt
yandrut
hless.Maji
dwaslayed
downonapl ant
ainleaf
.Hegr
oanedinrealpai
n,hi
s
face,
coveredinwoundsandblood.Theyremoved
hisarmourandpouredwaterinhiswound,
he
screamedoutloud,
makingallthebi
rdsint
hetr
ee
fl
yaway).
'
'Thisi
sbad.Weneedanewcampi
ngpl
acemy
Pri
nce'
'.Sushi
mtol
dFar
uk.
'
'Wewillleavethi
splaceintheeveni
ng.Weshal l
fi
ndanewpl acenearsomewaterfal
ls.Becausewe
arer
unningoutofwat er'
'.
'
'Wemustal sof i
ndthehidi
ngplaceofKingSiamak.
Hejustwantst ohidei
nthewoodsandsendmor e
sol
dierstokil
ltheoneswehavel ef
t..
..
sothatwhen
wear ehelpl
ess,hewouldfi
nal
lyattack''
.
'
'Thisf
ooldoesn'tknowam goi ngtoleadust o
wheretheJhansisareevenst ronger.Iam sending
youexactl
ytoKingSi amak'shidingplaceyouf ool
.
AndIam kil
li
ngMaj idandSi amakt ogetherther
e
andgoingbackhomeaski ng''.Het houghtto
himsel
fandrubbedt heplacethesmal lkni
feis
hidi
ng.
'
'Pr
inceMaj
idi
slooki
ngbad.Hei
shavi
ngaf
ever'
'
.
'
'Am okaySushi
m''
.Maj
idsai
dsl
owl
y.'
'I
tjusthur
ts
t
oobad.I
..
.t
hinkwedon'
thavet
imet
orestSushi
m..
.
Not
ime''
.
'
'TheJhansi
sber et
reatednowmyPr
ince.Pl
ease,
l
et'
sjustwai
tfornow''.
(Themessenger
sfrom Uj
aniarri
vedonhorsesand
withal
otofweaponsont hem.Theygotdownand
boweddown.Majidsatup,hi
sfacelooki
ngredf
rom
str
ess)
.
'
'Mypr
inces'
'
.
'
'Whoareyoupeopl
e?''
.Pr
inceFar
ukaskedwi
tha
f
rownandpoint
edhisswor
datthem.
'
'Wemeannohar m!Wearemessengersfrom Uj
ani
andwehaveamessage.Wehavejourneyedfort
he
pastt
hreedayst
ofi
ndyou''
.
'
'Oh.
..
ist
her
eapr
obl
em?'
'
.
(Thefacesofthemessenger
sandt hel
eader
removedt hepotfr
om hi
shorse'
ssaddl
eand
str
aightenedit
).
'
'Whati
sthi
s?'
'
.Maj
idasked.
'
'Theki
ng'
sashes'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Theki
nghasdi
edyourhi
ghness'
'
.
(Maj
idandeveryoneel
sequicklygottot
heirf
eet
.
Heheldhi
swoundedshoul derinpai
n.Faruksmi
led
att
hecornerofhisl
ipsandlaterbur
stoutint
ear
s).
'
'Ni
!Thiscan'
tbe!Notfat
her
!''
.Hebentdown.'
'
Maj
idthisi
simpossi
ble!'
'
.
(Maji
dblinkedhiseyesandtearsfel
lout.Allt
he
soldi
ersdroppedthei
rweaponsandf ellontheir
knees.Theyallpl
acedtheirr
ighthandsont hei
r
chestboldl
yasasi gnofthei
rrespectt
ot heking).
'
'Myf
atheri
sdead?Why?Whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Hevomi t
edbl oodyourHighness.Thatiswhatthe
royalf
amilytol
dus.Andhedi edfourdaysagoand
Queenmot hergaveushi sashestogi vetoyout
wo
topasstourlastrespectsothatPrinceMaji
d
discar
dstheashessi nceyouar ethekingnow''
.
(Maji
dstret
chedhi
shandsandt
ookt
hepotonhi
s
bosom andweptonit
).
'
'Resti
npeacef
ather'
'
.HeandFar
uksai
dtoget
her
.
'
'Thatmeans,
wecan'
tfi
ndanewcampunt
ilwe
haveourl
astni
ghtwi
thfat
herMaj
id'
'
.
'
'Noprobl
em.Wewi l
lsl
eepher
et onightandIwil
l
di
scar
dtheashestomorr
owmor ninginthenearby
l
akesowecanf i
ndanewcampaf tert
hat''
.
'
'Asyouwi
shyourhi
ghness'
'
.Sushi
m sai
d.
(
Majidrai
sedhisheadandst
arr
edatt
he
messengersst
ernl
y).
'
'How.
.i
s..
my.
.howi
smywi
fe?'
'
.
'
'Shei
sabsolutel
yfi
neyourhi
ghness.Sheand.The
l
it
tl
epri
ncessestoo'
'.
'
'Andmywi
fe?'
'
.Far
ukasked.
'
'Shetooisfi
newi t
hthepregnancy.Everyonei
nthe
fami
lyisokay.Theyarej
ustwaiti
ngf ort
hewarto
endtobereunit
edagain'
'.
(Pr
inceFar
ukt
urnedandstar
redatoneoft
he
sol
dier
sandnoddedtohi
m.Healsonoddedback)
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=I
nthegar
den)
.
Ri
shiwasshockedasshest
arr
edatbot
hKushiand
Shiv,
hol
dinghandstogether.Shecaughtt
hem r
ed
handed,
kissi
ngpassionatel
y.
'
'Ri
shi
..
.youhavet
oletmeexpl
ain'
'
.
'
'Kushi,
whathaveIbei
ngmissi
ngout?Youarenow
makingoutwi
thmyhusband'senemy'
saccompli
ce?
'
'
.
'
'HehaschangedIsweat
!''
.
'
'Changed?Haveyoubei
ngbet
rayi
ngmeal
lthi
s
whil
e?''
.
'
'Whatareyouevensayi
ngRishi?No!Rishi
..
.Iwil
l
neverdot
hat.Howcanyouthinkthatofme?''.
'
'Whywouldn'
tIthi
nkthatofyou?Youar
eki
ssi
ng
hi
m!Ican'
tbel
ievethi
s''
.
'
'Shi
vhaschanged!'
'
.
'
'Peopl
eli
kethem neverchange!Anaccompl
iceof
Pri
nceFar
uk?Ohpl ease''
.
'
'Hewast heonewhot ol
dmet hatPrinceFarukwas
pl
anningtoki
llPr
inceMaj i
donhisweddi ngday.He
wastheonewhot urnedthechandeli
erroles
el
sewheresoitwouldn'
thitandki
llyouandPr i
nce
Maj
id!'
'
'
'SothatwasPr
inceFar
uk'
sdoi
ng?'
'
.Ri
shiwas
shocked.
'
'Yes.Pl
easeRishidon'
thateme' '
.Kushicri
ed.'
'
Weloveeachother.YoutoldmeIwoul dunderst
and
whatyoufel
tforPri
nceMaj i
dwhenIal sofel
linl
ove.
Nowam Ilovesodon'ttakeitawayfr
om me' '
.
'
'I
tisyourowndecisi
onKushi.Youaregrown,do
whatyouwant.Ihopehedoesn'tt
urnyouint
oa
monstert
oo''
.Shesaidandleft
.
'
'Idon'
tthi
nkshewi
lleverl
ikeme'
'
.
'
'Shewil
l.Shehasagoodheart.Oneday,
shewill
appr
oveofus' '
.Theyembr
acedeachotherl
ikeno
one'
sbusiness.
(
FarAwayi
nthedeser
ts=Uj
ani
'
sCamp=Atni
ght
).
Allt
hesoldi
erswer easl eepincl
udi
ngFaruk.But
exceptMaji
d.Hehadf oldedhisarmsonhischest
ashesleptonal eaf,
star r
ingatt
hemooni nthedar
k
skywithnostars.Li
ght eningpassedi
nthesky.The
coldwindpassedont hem t othesout
handcame
back.Rishi'
ssmi li
ngfaceappearedintheskyt o
him.Hewasmi ssi
ngher .I
twasalmostsixmont hs
awaywi thoutherandi twaskil
li
nghim.Hef elther
touchandki ssesandyawned.Hi sfather'
sashesin
thepotwasonhi sbagunderat ree.Hequickl
yf el
l
i
ntoadeepsl eep.Somef ewminuteslater,
oneof
thesoldi
ersgott ohisfeetandwentclosertoMaj i
d
withaswor d...
(
NextDay)
.
Thesundi dn'tcomeup.I twasrathercloudyand
theweat herwasdar kevent houghitwasmor ning.
Maj i
dandt heotherwokeupf r
om thei
rsl eepand
washedt heirmout hwit hsomemi ntsti
ck.They
arrangedt hemsel vesandsai dgoodbyet othe
messenger s.Afterthemessenger sleft
,thesol dier
s
tooktheirbagsandunt iedthei
rhorses.Maj i
dwent
towher ehi sbagswer eandr eal
isedhisf ather'
spot
wasmi ssing.Heshout edinanguishandt heyall
surroundedhi m.
'
'Thi
sisimpossi
blemyPr
ince.
..Ar
eyousur
eyou
pl
acedither
e?''
.
'
'Idid!Iswear
.Isawitbef
oresl
eepi
ng.Thi
scan'
t
be.Ihavetodiscar
dtheashes'
'
'
'Butwhohasdonet
his?'
'
.
(Faruktookouthi
sswor dinangerandthunder
strokeloudl
y.Hestr
etchedhisswordatthe
soldier
s).
'
'Youpeopleshouldspeakupnow!Wher
eismy
f
ather
'sashes?!Speakup!'
'
.Heshout
ed.
'
'Wedon'tknowPr ince.Wewouldneverdo
anyt
hingwit
hi t'
'
.Theysaidastheysearched
amongthem andr eali
sedonei
fthem weremissi
ng.
'
'WhereisBinduzah?!''
.
'
'Yes..
.wherei
sBi
nduzah?Heisnother
e.St
range!'
'
.
Theleaderoft
hesol
dier
sshout
ed.
'
'Thepotisnothere,
andBinduzahi
salsonother
e?
What..
.Idon'
twanttothi
nkwhatam thi
nki
ng.But
am act
uallyt
hinki
ngit'
'.
'
'WhatareyousayingSushim?Ti
meisgoi
ng!I
needtodi
scardmyf at
her'
sremai
nsnow!The
Jhansi
scouldat
tackatanyti
me!'
'
.
'
'I
sBi
nduzahatr
ait
or?Imean,
whatwoul
dheeven
dowi
tht
heashesoftheki
ng?'
'.
(Suddenly,t
ent housandar rowsf rom nowher ejust
fel
lintheirmidst,
kil
li
ngt went ysoldi
ersatonce, and
theyallscatt
ered,fall
ingaside,bloodever ywhere.
Thunderst r
okeandheavyr ai
npour edoutf rom the
sky.Someoft hearrowspi ercedintotreesandone
ofthem hadapaperat t
achedt oit
.Sushi m helped
MajidupandFar uktookt hepaperf rom thearrow
andr eadwhatwasi nitandhewasshocked) .
'
'Wehavet ogetoutofherenowmyPr i
nce!Iti
snot
saf
ehere!Let
'sgosoldi
ers!'
'.Sushi
m shouted.
'
' Nowait!''
.Farukshoutedandhandedt hepaperto
Maj i
d.'
'TheJhansi shavef at
her'
sashes.Theyhave
beingwor kingwithBinduzahallt
hiswhil
e.They
saidifwewantt heashes,
weshoul dsearchfor
them underar ockbehindsomewat er
fal
ls''
.
'
'What
?Thi
sis.
..
'
'Str
ange.Thi
smi
ghtbeat
rapPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.
Sushi
m said.
'
'Eveni
fiti
s,
wecan'
tal
lowt
hem t
ohavef
ather
's
ashes!
..
.Maj
id?'
'
.
'
'Youar
eri
ghtFar
uk.
..
.
(Suddenl y, t
heyhear dheavynoi sesofr uthless
Jhansisol diersrushingtot hei
rcampt hrought he
forests.Theyqui cklygotont heirhor ses.The
Jhansi st hrewmor earrowsatt hem andt hey
quicklyr odef astawayoutoft hef orest.Thehor ses
runsof ast,theywer esoonoutoft hefor estand
theysawhundr edsofJhansisol dier
sst andi ngf ar
awaywi thswor dsi nfr
ontofar ock.TheUj ani
soldierswer eleftwithfi
ftynow.Pl usMaj i
d, Faruk
andSushi m.Maj idtookadeepbr eath.Int hemi ddl
e
ofSushi m andFar ukandt hesol dier
sbehi ndt hem).
'
'Final
ly.
..
thatist
hei
rhidi
ngplace.Theki
ngof
Jhansi
'shidingpl
ace''
.Maji
dsaid.
'
'Thiswil
lbeourlastbatt
le.Thereisnotur
ning
back.Li
feordeat
h,wemustt akefat
her
'sashes,and
ki
llt
hekingofJhansi''
.Faruksaid.
'
'Thisiswhendest
inywr
it
est
hef
ateofUj
ani'
'
.
Sushim sai
d.
(
Maj
idf
rowned.Hi
schest
,shaki
ngwi
thanger
.He
rai
sehissworduphighast
herainbecameheavier
andheavier
.AndFarukt
ouchedhisamourpocket,
wherehehadkeptthesmal
lknif
e).
'
'Theti
mehascome'
'
.Het
houghtt
ohi
msel
fand
smil
ed.
'
'Areyour
eady?!'
'
.Maji
dshout
edandt
hesol
dier
s
shout
edbackincour
age.
(
TheJhansisol
dier
sfrom t
hef
orestarr
ivedbehind
t
hem wi
thswords.Theyweret
otal
lysurroundedby
t
heJhansi
s).
'
'Fi
ghtwit
htheot
her
sSushi
m.Far
ukandIwi
llgo
f
orthepot'
'.
'
'ButmyPr
inceI
..
.
'
'That
'smyorder
.Thesoldi
ersherecan'
tfi
ghtal
one.
Weshallmeetaf
tert
hisi
sover.Andgobackhome' '
.
(
Sushim'
seyesbecametear
ysincehedi
dn'
twant
t
oleaveMaj
idal
onewithFaruk)
.
'
'YesmyPr
ince'
'
.
(Maji
dandFarukrodethei
rhorsesf
astawaywhile
Sushim andot
hersol
dier
sfoughtfi
ercel
y.Thet
wo
gotclosert ot her ockscl osertot hedanger ous
waterfallswhi chf ellfrom enor mousr ock,deepl
y
i
ntot hegr ound.Thesol diers,protecti
ngt heJhansi
ki
ngat t
ackedt hem ont heway.Maj idjumpeddown
fr
om hi shor sewhi l
ei twasr i
dingandf oughtback.
Farukal sot hrewar r owsatt hem, kil
li
ngthem one
aft
ert heot her.Mor esol di
erscameoutandMaj i
d
dodged, andki ll
edmor e.Far ukgotdownandf ought
behindMaj id.Finally,alltheJhansisol dierswere
ki
ll
edandMaj idleftoneal i
ve.Hol di
nghim byt he
neck).
'
'Wherei
syourki
ng?!'
'
.Heaskedangr
il
ywhi
le
pl
aci
ngswordunderhi
sneck.
'
'He.
..
overt
her
e!Behi
ndt
hatr
ock!'
'
.
(Thesoldierl
edMaj i
dandFar ukbehindther ock
andanar rowf rom nowher epiercedMaji
di nhi s
backandhel oosedhol doftheJhansisol dier,
but
Farukkil
ledhi m ashet r
iedtor un.Theyt
ur nedand
sawt heKingofJhansihol di
ngt hepotandaswor d.
Majidfel
lononekneei npain.Weaknesst ookover
him.Theki ngofJhansil aughedandwal kedcl oser
toFaruk,theybot hstoodtallbehindMaji
dwhi lethe
r
ainf
ellhar
dandheavi
er)
.
'
'Youar eluckyyouaremar r
iedt
omydaughter
Faruk.Idon'twanttocauseherpai
n.SoIam
spari
ngyourl i
fe''
.
(Faruksmi ledevillyandgott hesmal lkni
feoutof
hisamourandst abbedt heUj anikingdeepl y.He
quicklysnat chedt hepotf rom hi m andwal kedhi m
tothecliffoft hewat erfall
s.Maj idslowlytur nedhis
backandf orcefull
yt ookt hear rowoutofhi sback
andgr oanedi npai n.Ther ain,washinghisbl ood
awayi ntothewat erfal
ls.Hewasshockedt osee
Farukkill
ingt heki ng.Hesl owlygotupandst art
ed
walkingweakl ybehindFar uk) .
'
'You.
..
Far
uk,
howcoul
dyou.
..
'
'Youareshockedr i
ght
?Thewari sovernow,and
am goi
ngt obekingoverUjaniandJhansi
!Yes
Si
amak...
.alloft
hiswastheplansofmymot herand
I'
'
.
(
Majid'
seyesopenedwi
del
yinshockashehear
d
t
hat
,standi
ngbehi
ndFar
uk).
'
'Mymot
herhasal
waysdr
eamsofme,
si
tt
ingont
he
throne!Iam li
kethisbecauseever yonecheatedme!
Myf ather.
..
myf amily.Allofthis,j
ustsoIcouldbe
king.Yourwifeandmymot herplannedallthe
poisoninginJhansiandUj ani,j
ustsot her
ewoul d
enmi t
ybetweenyouandmyf ather
.Mymot her
kil
ledQueenMeer ah..
.sot hatIcouldbecomeki ng,
butmyf at
herchosest upidMaj idinstead,sowhen
hecamebackf rom London, Ihadt odoallcoul
dt o
kil
lhim,buthewoul dn'tdie.Theonl ywaywast o
makeawar' '
.
'
'But
..
you.
.youmar
ri
ed.
..
'
' Idon'tevenhaveanyf eel
ingsf oryourdumb
daught er!Idon'thavetimef orthis.Justdi e!'
'.He
saidandr emovedt heknifefrom t heking'
sst omach
andpushedhi m away.Hef elloffthecliff
,downt he
veryt allwater
fallanddisappear edinthewat ers.
Weaknesst ookoverFar ukandhel aughedcr azily.
Hehel dthepott i
ghtl
yandwasaboutt oopeni t
whenMaj i
dgrabbedhol dofhi shandf rom behi nd.
Hewasshocked.Hesl owlyt ur
nedandsawMaj id'
s
angr yeyes.Hat eandangerconsumedhi m.Maj id
tookt hepotf r
om Far ukinanger .
'
'Whatdi
dyousayagainFar
uk?Mymot
herdi
edi
n
yourmot
her
'shands?'
'
.
'
'Ma.
.Maj
id.
..
Cal
m..
ca.
..
(Majidangr i
ly,wi t
hallhisstrength,hitFar
ukinthe
facewiththepot ,
makingittobreaki ntopi
ecesand
theashesspr inkledint
ot hewat erf
alls,
Farukf
ell
i
ntot hegroundf ill
edwithwat er.Bl
oodoozedoutof
hismout handnose, andabi gcutappear edunder
hiseyestohi slips.Majidpulledhim backuptohis
feetandgr abbedhi mtightl
y).
'
'Isaid..
..sayitagai nFaruk!Didyourmot hertake
mymot herawayf rom me? !'
'
.Hescr eamedand
l
ift
edhi skneeupandhi tFaruk'sabdomenandhi t
him hardonhi slipsandagai n, hefel
lintothewat er
.
Hisbloodmi xedwi ththewater.Hequi cklytookthe
knifefr
om thewat erandhel dithard.Assoonas
Maj i
dlif
tedhim upagai n,hestabbedMaj i
ddeep
i
ntohi sheart,
throughhi schest.Maj i
dgaspedi n
pain.Bloodqui ckl
yr ushedoutofhi smout h.
'
'Yesbr
other
.Mymot herki
ll
edyourmother
.And
now,
Iam ki
ll
ingyou.Youcanpeaceful
lygoandjoi
n
yourmotherwhileIt
akeoveryourt
hrone.
..
and
bett
erst
il
l,yourhotwif
e''
.
'
'Ri
..
.Ri
shi'
'
.Maj
idwhi
sper
edashel
oosedbr
eat
h.
(Farukhear
dnoisesrushingtowardshi
m.Het ur
ned
andsawt heUjanisol
dier
sridingf
astonthei
r
horsestowardsthem).
'
'Goodbyebrot
her.Greetf
atherf
orme''
.Hesaid
andpushedMajidoverthewater
fal
lswit
hthekni
fe
i
nhischest.Maj
iddisappearedi
nthedeadl
y
water
fal
ls.
(Farukhimsel ffel
lunconsciousont heground.The
soldiersquicklyarr
ivedther
eandgotdownf r
om
theirhorses.Sushim quickl
yr emovedhisclothest
o
j
umpi ntothewat erf
all
sbutt hesoldi
erspull
edhim
back) .
'
'No!Pri
nceMajid!'
'
.Hescr
eamed.''Leaveme!I
promi
setheQueenmothertopr
otecthim!Nohe
can'
tdi
e..
.hecan'
t!'
'
.
'
'Iam sor
rySushi
m!Can'tyousee?Weloosedhim!
Pri
nceMajidi
sgone!Thatisawater
fal
lsofdeat
h''
.
(Theyalll
ookedaround,bl
oodbeingwashedaway
bythefier
cerain.Sushi
m breakdownonhisknees
i
nt ear
swhi l
etheothersat
tendedonPri
nceFaruk)
.
'
' Iam t
ool at
e.Iam usel
ess!Justusel
ess!Iam
betterof
fdead!''
.Hesaidandt ookouthi
sknifebut
thesoldiersnat
cheditfr
om him.
'
'Areyoucrazy? !Youhaveawif
eandchildr
en!
Whatwouldt heydo!Therei
snothingwecando
Sushi
m.Not hing.Wehavetoprotectt
hosewhoar e
l
eft
.Weshoul dgobackhomewi t
hPr i
nceFaruk.He
i
sallt
hatisleft.Pri
nceMaji
disdead''
.
(
Thunderst
ormsst
rokeheavi
lyi
nthesky)
..
..
.
[
01/
23,
12:
01] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence27
.
(Uj
aniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=Pr
incessRi
shi
'
s
chamber
=NightTi
me).
Shequi cklypanickedoutofabaddr eam, screami ng
outMaj id'snamewhenwaki ngup.Shet ouchedt he
neckl acei nsweatandi tburnedherbadl y.She
groanedi npain.Itbur nedherchestandshequi ckl
y
tooki tof fandthrewi tont hef l
oor.Herbr eath
becameoneasyandshest eppeddownf rom the
bedandwor ehersl eepers.Shewentcl osertot he
babiesbedandcheckedont hem.Theywer efast
asleepbutsuddenl y,t
heybot hopenedt heireyes
togetherandst artedcr yi
ngl oudly.Theycr iedso
hardt hati twokepeopl eup.Shecar r
iedt hem bot h
i
nherar msandt heywer est il
lcryi
ng.Thunder
strokel oudlyandt heircr
iesbecamel ouderand
l
ouder .Lighteni
ngspr eaderint hesky,appear i
ngi n
herr oom.Queenmot herandot hersquicklyent ered
thechamber .
'
'Ri
shi
!Wehear
dthebabi
es.Ri
..
..
'
'Maj
id'
'
.
'
'What
?''
.
'
'I.
..
Ihadanight
mar
e''.Shesobbedandgavet
he
babiest
oQueenmotherandQueenSheenaand
rushedout
.
(
Pal
aceTempl
e).
Rishiarr
ivedt
her eandfellonherkneesinfrontof
LordKr i
shnaandpl acedherhandstogetherintear
s.
Rainstartedf
alli
ngheavil
y.Theroyalfamilyarr
ived
i
nt hetemple,t
hebabi esweresti
llcr
yingand
everyonewasconf used.QueenSheenawentcl oser
toRishiandli
ftedherup.
'
'Ihavet
opr aynowmother
..
.pl
ease!Somet
hingi
s
notri
ght
!''
.Shecri
ed.
'
'Rishi
,
li
stentome,i
tisl
ateint
heni
ghtpl
ease!St
op
t
hisandwai tt
il
lmorni
ng''
.
'
'No!Ihadani
ghtmar
e.Ihear
dMajidcal
li
ngmy
nameinthedr
eam!ButIdi
dn'
tseehim!'
'
.
'
'Rishi
..
..
thegi
rl
sneedyoufornow.Sopl
easecal
m
down.Letusgobacktosl
eepnow' '
.
'
'Theneckl
acebur
nedmyneck!Thi
shashappened
bef
ore.
..
please,
leavemetopr
ay.
..Kushi
,takecar
e
ofMeerahandMar ish'
'
.
(Theyalll
eftt
hetemple,l
eavi
ngheralone.She
l
ightedacandleonapl at
eandli
fteditupatlor
d
Krishna'
sfaceandrai
sedonelegup.Shest oodon
onel egwit
hhereyesclosedi
nfrontoflor
dKr i
shna,
praying)
.
(
FarFr
om home=I
nthewi
lder
ness)
.
Thesoldiersrodeonthei
rhorses,
leadedbySushim.
Farukwasawakeandhadal r
eadycreat
ed
unbearablesceneaboutloosi
nghi sbr
otheri
ntear
s.
Her odealitt
lefast
erandgotbesidesSushim'
s
horse.
'
'AreyouokaySushi
m?''.HeaskedbutSushim
saidnot
hing.Onl
yhi
sfacet el
li
ngast
oryofregret
fornotf
oll
owingMaj
id.'
'Ifeelwor
sethanyou
Sushim''
.
'
'Real
lyPri
nceFar
uk?Ar
eyousur
ethati
showyou
ar
efeeli
ng?''
.
'
'Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?'
'
.
'
'Nothi
ngreal
ly.IjustwonderhowIwi
llf
aceQueen
mother
.FavePr i
nceRishi'
'.
(
Far
uksobbedandcl
eanedhi
stear
s).
'
'Thatwater
fal
lswasdeepSushim,t
her
ewasno
waywecouldfindhi
m.Wet r
ied.Maj
id,
hei
sdead.
Hecouldn'
tsur
vivet
hewar''
.
'
'Ipr
omisedhewasn'tgoi
ngtodie.For
givemeyour
hi
ghness''
.Heweptonhishorsewhil
eFaruk
smir
kedthencl
ear
edhi st
hroat.
'
'Ishoul
dhavebei
ngt
heonet
hatdi
ed!'
'
.
'
'Isti
lldon'
tunderst
andhowthi
shappenedPr
ince
Faruk.Yourexpl
anati
onandever
ythi
ng
seems...
veryver
yconfusi
ng'
'.
'
'Whatar eyouevent r
yingtosaySushi m?What
othert
ruthdoyouwantt ohearagai n?Maj i
dandI
caughtKingSi amak.Andhet riedtothrowanar row
atMaji
dbutIgoti nhi
swayandhehi tmewi ththe
potcontaini
ngmyashes.Hegavemet hi
sscar!''
.
Hesaidangr il
yandpointedathi sface.''
ThenMaj id
gotinthewayofmeandhi m,buthest abbedMaj id
withasmal lknif
e,andlucki
ly,Istabbedhimt ooand
theybothfel
lfr
om t
hecli
ffi
ntothewater
fal
ls.It
ri
ed
allIcoul
dbutMaji
ddiedbefor
ehefellof
f''
.
'
'Weshoul
dhavegothi
sbodyt
ogoandbur
yback
home'
'.
'
'Butt
hatdi
dn'
thappened.Thewari
sovernow'
'
.
'
'Yesiti
sover
.Butwewi
llneverbehappyagai
n.
Never'
'.
'
'YouarerightSushi
m.Youwi l
lnotbehappyagai
n
becauseIam yournewking''
.Hethoughtt
o
hi
mselfandsmi l
edwickedl
y.
(
NextDay=Uj
aniKi
ngdom=I
nthet
empl
e).
Thesunwasoutandshi ning.Ri
shiwasst il
lonone
l
egwi ththeotherlegupandhol dingtheplateof
l
antern.Tearsstreamedhereyesandshewas
sweating.Herlegswer eshakingandshewast i
red.
Queenmot herandQueenSheenaent eredthe
templeindist
ress, wat
chingfrom behind.Ther
ewa
suddenlyshoutingandscr eamsout si
dethepalace.
QueenSheenat urnedherbackandPr iyaenter
ed
andboweddowni nhappiness.
'
'Yourhighness!Thewari
sover
.Theyarearr
ivi
ng
f
rom farawaywi t
hthepri
est
softheki
ngdom!''
.
(Rishiloosedbalanceandfel
lont
hefl
oorwi
tht
he
plate.Thelanter
nl i
ghtqui
ckl
ywentof
fandt
heyal
l
rushedout si
de''
.
(
Inf
rontoft
heent
rance)
.
Ther oyalf ami lyst oodi nfr ontofthebi g
gate,lookingf arawayatpr iests,l
eadi ngmenand
horsest ot hepal ace.Thepr i
estswer eallin
white,andsowast hepeopl eofUj aniwhower e
foll
owi ngbehi nd.QueenDor ahsmi l
ed.Pr i
ncess
Lakshmiandt her estwer econf used.Ri shiandt he
Queensgott her ei nahast eandst oodi nfrontoft he
rest.Ast hepeopl eandt hepr i
estsgotcl oser,they
hear dwai li
ngandcr ies.Pr inceFar ukandSushi m
gotdownf rom t heirhor seswi ththei rswor ds.
Sushi m gotcl osert otheQueenmot her ,bowed
downandpl acedhi sswor dsinf r
ontofheront he
fl
oorandFar ukal sodr oppedhi sswor dwhi chwas
fi
ll
edwi t
hdr ybl ood.Thesol di
ersl efterejust
twent yfiveandt heyallf el
ldownont heirfaces.
Rishi'sfacewasbl ankwhensher ealisedMaj i
dwas
absent
.Sushim coul
dn'
tlookatt
heQueensf
ace
andhischestkeptmovi
ngheavil
yupanddown.
'
'Su.
..
.
'
'Forgi
vemeyourhighness'
'
.Sushi
m sai
dina
heavyandpai
nfult
one.
'
'No'
'
.Ri
shiwhi
sper
ed.
(Sushim wal kedi nfr
ontofRi shiandf ellonhis
kneesi ntars.Queenmot herscr eamedi nagonyand
torehersar ee,closetostri
pingher selfnakedbutt he
servantsqui cklyheldhertoget her.QueenSheena
collapsedandwasqui ckl
yr ushedi ntothepalace.
PrincessLakshmimour nedandbur i
edherf acein
Raj'sgarmenti ntear
s.Rishij uststoodt her
est i
ll
l
ikeast atue, l
ookingont her oadwi thoutmovi ngor
sayingawor d).
'
' No!Lor
dno!
!!NotagainandnotMaj
id!No!Sushi
m
tellmeyouar
enotserious!'
'
.Queenmother
shouted.
'
'Iti
str
ueyourhighness'
'.Pr
iestChanakhersai
d.''
Lastni
ghtwasdangerous.Senselessst
ormsstroke
andthelant
ernsi
nthepalaceallwentoffatt
he
same.Iwant edtofoandprayandunder st
andwhy
thathappened.Buttheyarr
ivedthi
smor ni
ngin
sackclothestothanktheLordforasuccessf
ulwar
.
Butalso,
toannouncePr i
nceMaj i
d'sdeat
h''
.
'
'Youmademeapr omise.
..
yousaidyouwoul d
protecthim youfool
!'
'.Queenmot herangr
il
y
grabbedSushi m uptohisfeetandslappedhi
m
hard.''Youassureme!MyMaj i
dcannotbedead!
No!Maj i
d!'
'
.
'
' Thi
sisimpossibl
e!Faruk,howcouldyoustand
thereforyourbr
othertodie!Heissupposedtobe
heretositonthethrone!'
'
.QueenDor ahshoutedi
n
faketearsandhitFaruk.'
'Iwon'
tacceptthatour
Maj i
disgone.Never!Wher ei
stheproof?Whereis
hisbody?!''
.
'
'He.
..
Idi
dal
lIcoul
d.For
giveme.Ij
ust
..
.Idon'
t.
..
'
'Wher
eismyfat
her
?''
.Ragahaskedwi
thnohope.
'
'I
shedead?'
'
.
'
'Hefel
lint
oadeepwat er
fal
ls.
..
adeadl
ywater
fal
ls
wit
hMajid.WeneversawMaj i
dagai
n''
.Far
uksaid
andRagahbreakdown.
'
'Forgi
veme. .
.Ishouldhaveneverconvincedyour
fat
hertomakeyout hecrownedPrince!Nevernever
neverever
!''
.Queenmot herlamentedont hefl
oor.
'
'Ki
ngSiamakstabbed?Maji
dintheheartand.
.'
'.
Far
uksobbedandlookedathi
smot herwit
hthe
cor
nerofhi
seyesandshesmi l
edsoftl
y.
'
'Wehavesentamessaget otherestofthe
ki
ngdoms.Theywillarr
iveheretomorrowfora
massfuner
alforal
l t
helostsoldi
er,i
ncludi
ngPri
nce
Maji
d''
.Pri
estChanakhersaid.
(Rishi'
smemor yquickl
ycastbackont hefi
rstday
shemetMaj i
d.Thedayshewaschosenashi swif
e.
Alltheirsil
lymoment sandt heirweddingday.When
Maj i
dsavedherf rom t
hekidnappers.Theirfi
rst
nighttogether.Embar r
assingthemselvesallthe
days,thefunt heyhadtogetherandt hesadness
theyshar ed.Adt hedayshegavebi rthandthe
ti
mest heyspentwi t
htheirgir
ls.Kushiwalked
closertoheri ntearandtouchedherhand) .
'
'Ri
shi
!Snapoutofi
t!'
'
.
(
Rishipani
ckedandgotoutofhert
hought
sand
l
ookedatKushi.Thenshel aughed.Ever yonet
urned
toher.ShepushedKushiawayf r
om herand
scrat
chedherheadcr azi
lyandscat t
eredherhairon
herface.Asshelaughedcrazil
y,tearsrundownher
eyes.Queenmothergottoherf eetandhel dRi
shi
ti
ghtl
y).
'
'For
givememydear
.Please.
..
just
,itwi
llbef
ine.
Maji
disst
il
lher
ewi
thyou''
.
'
'Majid?'
'.Ri
shiaskedstr
angelyasifshedidn'
t
knowwhatwashappeni ng.Thenshel aughedout
l
oudagainandqui ckl
ywipedhertearsaway.''
Why
am Ievencryi
ng.Hahahaaaa,cansomeonej oi
nme
todancetoourLord?''
.
'
'Ri
shi
..
.gr
andmot
her
,whati
sgoi
ngonwi
thRi
shi
!'
'.
'
'Guar
ds!'
'
.
(
Twopal
aceguar
dsboweddown)
.
'
'Hurr
y!Gotothemountai
nsandgetBhavna!Tel
l
hert
oprepar
ehersel
fbecauseRi
shii
sgoingmad!
Run!'
'
.
(
Theguar
dsboweddownandt
ookt
othei
rheel
s
away.Rishipushedt heQueenmotherawayand
star
tedrunningfastaftert
heguar
ds.Threeother
guardschasedaf terherandgr
abbedheronthe
road,asshef el
l,
shelaughedoutl
oudandthrew
sandatthem) .
'
'Wil
lyoudancewi t
hmeornot ?Huh,
huh?
Hahahaaaa,whydidt heli
ght
sgooff?Thedance
wil
lbebori
ngnow!''.Shesaidandstar
tedmaking
her
selfdi
rt
yont hefloor.
(Theguar
dsboweddownandcar
ri
edherupand
star
tedwalki
ngt
othepal
ace)
.
'
'Takehert oMaji
d'schamber!'
'
.Queenmother
shouted.Theyl
eftandshetouchedherchestand
breakdowni nt
ears.
(
Ever
yoneweptatonce,
incl
udi
ngt
hepeopl
eoft
he
l
and)
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oQueenMeer
ah!'
'
.Onemanshout
ed.
'
'Gl
oryt
oher
!''
.Theyshout
edback.
'
'Gl
oryt
oKi
ngShakher
!''
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
oPr
inceMaj
id!'
'
.
'
'Gl
oryt
ohi
m!'
'
.Theyshout
edi
ntear
s.
'
'Whatdowedonowyourhi
ghness?'
'
.Pr
iest
Chanakherasked.
'
'Ihavegivenuppri
est
.Inolongerhavehope.
Nothi
ngismor ei
mportantanymore.Lor
dHanuman
abandonedus''
.
'
'Don'
tsaythat.Uj
aniwont hewar
.Soasof
t
omorrow,thewarsoldier
sinfr
ontofUjani
'
sgate
mustdivi
dethemselvestogotoJhansiandcl
aimit
f
orus''
.
'
'Iwil
ltakecar
eoft
hat
..
.myMaj
id.
..No.Hecan'
tbe
dead'
'.
'
'Wedidn'
tgetPri
nceMaj i
d'sbody.Sothatmeans,
wewil
ldothemassbur i
alwi t
houtanybodies.The
newswil
lbesenttothefamili
esofthesoldier
swho
al
sodi
dn'tsur
vivethewar''
.
'
'Wear eal
sogoi
ngtohavetot
hinkoft
hethrone'
'.
Oneofthepri
est
ssai
d.'
'Pri
nceMaji
dwas
supposedtobet
heki
ng.Nowthatheisgone,onl
y
oneper
soni
slef
t''
.
(Queenmother'
sfuneralexpressi
onchangedint
o
somecoldheartedwitch.Thenshequicklyr
eali
sed
that
,Far
ukmi ghtberesponsiblef
orMajid'
sdeath)
.
'
'Andwhoi
sthatper
sonqual
if
ied?'
'
.Sheaskedi
n
anger
.
'
' Well
...
Pri
ncessRi shigavebirthtogirl
s,
thatmeans,
PrinceMaj iddoesn' thaveanhei r.Andthatl
eaves
uswi t
hPr inceFar uk.Iam sor r
yforsayingthisat
thismomentofsadnessyourhi ghness,butyou
knowourcust oms.Thet hronecannotst ayempt y
formor ethanamont h.Ift
hathappens, theroyal
ty
stoneshallbet akenawayf rom theSamr atfamil
y
andgi ventoanot herf amil
y''.
'
'Enough!''
.QueenDor ahsaid.'
'Can'tyouseeshe
i
si npain,
andyouar etal
kingaboutthet hr
one?
Ujanihaslosti
tscrownedPr i
nce!Aren'tyou
ashamedofyour self
?!Aft
ertheburialtomorrow,we
shallt
hinkofournextmoveandannouncet othe
ki
ngdom ''.
(
Queenmot
herangr
il
ydashedi
ntot
hepal
acewi
th
Pri
ncessLakshmiandt heot
her
s.Thepeoplel
eft
wit
ht herestoft hepri
estsandt
heguardswere
abouttocl osethegateswhenBhavnaarri
vedther
e
wit
hahor se.Theybowedt oherandsherodet
he
horseint
ot hepalace)
.
(
Pri
nceFar
uk'
schamber
).
QueenDor ahhadtooksomeher baloi
ntmentfr
om
theroyaldoct
orstotreatFar uk'sscaront hef
ace.
Shesatbesideshim ont hebedandst arted
cleani
ngthewound.Mai dsent eredandbowed
downwi thagrandroyalf oodsanddr i
nks.They
servedandleft
.
'
'Thati
diot
!Whatdi
dhet
hink?Thathewi
llbeki
ng?
'
'
.
'
'Youcan'timaginehowIenj oyedwhent heli
fegot
outofhim mother.Helookedmei nt
heeyesand
di
ed.ThenIpushedhi mi ntothewaterf
all
s.Heis
dead.
..
thewateritsel
fcontainedmanyr ocksin
i
t,
andforestsaroundit.I
tisal andofnoretur
n''.
'
'Thati
sitmyboy.Thati
sit
.Nowmydr
eamsar
e
f
inal
lyareal
it
y''
.
'
' Yes.Weshal lat
tackt
omor row,andIwi
llsi
tonthe
throne,andthekingofUjaniandJhansi
!Ihavelot
s
ofsur pri
sesfortheent
ir
ef amilyandt
hekingdom
asawhol e.Theyhavenoi dea''
.
(
Theybot
hlaughed)
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Theent i
ref amilyhadgat heredintherewhil
eRi shi
wasunconsci ousont hebed.Bhavnagr i
ndsome
herbswhi lecryingher self.Shesmear edtheherbs
onRi shi'
sforeheadandt hebackofherear s.Kushi
enteredthechamberwi tht hebabiesandgaveone
ofthem toLakshmi .QueenSheenasatont hef l
oor,
l
ookingar oundt hechamber .Suddenly,
oneof
Maj i
d'spictur
epor trai
tf ellfr
om thewalland
crashedint opiecesont hef l
oorloudl
y.They
puzzledandRi shiquicklywokeupf rom her
sl
eep, si
tt
ingupi nsweat .Shet ur
nedt otheother
si
deandsawhermot her .
'
'Mot
her
..
.youar
eher
e?'
'
.
'
'Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
(
Thenever
ythi
ngsuddenl
yst
art
edcomi
ngbackt
o
her
.Shet
henr
emember
edever
ythi
ng)
.
'
'No!Nononono. .
.pl
easetel
lmeIwasdr eaming!
No..
.Maj
id!Majid,
wher eareyou?Whereishe?He
hasstar
tedthosesill
yjokesofhisagai
nright
?''
.
(Shesai
dandquickl
yjumpedoutofthebedtorun
outbuthermot
hertookhershoul
derandfacedher
).
'
'Ri
shipl
ease.
..
wecan'
tdoanyt
hingabout
..
..
'
'No!Mot
her,Ican'
tli
vewit
houtMaji
dbymyside.I
can'
tdot
hisanymore.Thepai
nistoomuch'
'
.
'
'Haveyouforgot
tenyouareamot
hernow?What
wouldMaj
idthinkofyounowwher
everhei
s?'
'
.
'
'MyMaj i
dishere.Heisnotdead.Hemadeanoath
wit
hhisblood.Hisbl
ood!Ihavetogoandl
ookfor
hi
mr i
ghtnow, hemightbeneedi
ngmyhelpby
now..
..
.
'
'Thati
senoughRi
shi.Ibr
oughtyouupt
obea
st
rongwomanso..
..
'
'Maji
disaroundher
esomewher
e.Youcanask
mother
,just
..
..
(
Bhavnal
oosedi
tandsl
appedRi
shihar
d,maki
ng
herfal
l.Ever
yonewasshocked.Rishicamebackt
o
hersensesandscreamedtheloudest)
.
'
'Getout!Al
lofyou,
getout!I
tisyourf
aul
ts!I
beggedyounottoletMaji
dgo!''
.
'
'Ri
shipl
ease.
..
'
'Iam lef
tal
onenow.Ihavemoone.Ohl or
d!Get
out.
..
Isaidl
eave.Getout
,al
lofyou!'
'
.Tearsbl
inded
hereyes.
(Theyal lleftthechamberinregret,l
eavingher
alone.Shequi ckl
yclosedthedoorandl ockedit.
Shef elldownbehi ndthegate,goingcrazy.Shewas
breathless.Shegott oherfeetandwentcl oserto
thedr awer ,sheopeneditandt hr
ewi tagainstt
he
wall,
cr ushing).
'
'Liar!Howcouldyoubr eakyouroath!Whydidyou
sayyouwi l
lcomeback. ..
.backtome!''
.Shesobbed,
hereyesallred.Shelookedupandr emovedone
portr
aitandhitithar
dont hefloor
,cr
ushingt
hat
al
so.' '
Ihat
eyou!Ihat eyou...
ohGod!''
.
(Shebreakdowni
nweaknesst owardsonebroken
port
rai
t.Sheswam herhandonitandthebr
oken
glasscutherpal
m.Bl
oodpai
ntedMaj
id'
sfaceon
theport
rai
t).
'
'Comeback.
..
comebackt
omepl
e..
.pl
ease'
'
.She
f
aint
ed.
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
12:
01] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence28
.
(
Int
heeveni
ng=Theki
ngdom'
stempl
e).
Aft
erleavingsomeher bswiththeroyalfamily,
she
l
eftthepalaceandar r
ivedatthetemple.Itwasvery
coldintheeveningandl i
ght
eningstrokeinthesky.
Shewentcl osertoLordHanuman' sstat
ueand
fr
owned.
'
'Whathavewedonet oyou? !What ?!Youhave
fi
nallypr ovenhowpower l
essyouar e!Thenwhyar e
west illevenfol
lowingyou? !Youar ethewor se!Why
haveyoukeptqui et?!Youst ayqui etforthekingto
di
e, f
ine...
hewasol d.Butwhatdi dMaj i
devendot o
deser vethisend?Whatdi dRi shidot obecomea
widowatt hisyoungage? !Howcanshel i
vewi t
hout
herhusband?' '
.Shef ellonherkneesandwept .
PriestChanakherwal kedourf rom oneoft he
prayingr oomsandwal kedcl oserRiherf rom
behind.
'
'Bhavna'
'
.
(
Shest
oodupandf
acedhi
m).
'
'Youar
eher
epr
iest'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
doyouneedanyt
hing?'
'
.
'
'WhydoIf eell
ikeyouar enotworr
iedoraf
fect
ed
byPri
nceMaj i
d'sdeath?Ujaniwi
llbethr
owninto
dar
knesstomorr owafterFar
ukistakenaski
ng,and
youar
elookingr el
axed?''
.
(
Thepr
iestchuckl
edandwentcl
osertot
hest
atue.
Het
ookaplateandli
ght
edalant
ern).
'
'Iti
snotasifIam notaff
ecteddearBhavna.But
whatcanwedo?I tiswhatiti
s..
.andwhetherwecry
ornot,
Far
ukwi l
lbemadeki ngtomorr
owbecause
heistheonl
yheirleft'
'
.
'
'Idon'tknowwhattodo.Howwi llheevenrulet
he
ki
ngdom wi t
hhi swi
ckedper
sonalit
y.Hewi l
lbur
n
usallali
ve.LordHanumanisjustsleepi
ng!'
'
.She
snappedangr i
ly.
'
'Youarewrong''.Hesaidandl ookedar oundand
out
sidethecoldweather
.''Li
sten,Isawsomet hi
ng,
al
mostayearago.I twasterr
ible.Evilspir
it
s
summonedt hemselvesand!adei ncantati
onson
Lor
dHanuman' '
.
'
'Ar
eyouser
ious?'
'
.
'
'Justl
ookcl
osel
ytot
hest
atueandar
ewhatIam
sayi
ng''
.
(Sheturnedt
othestat ueandstart
edatitclosel
y.
Shetookadeepbr eathandwi denedhereyesand
sawadr opofdarkbloodont ooofthestatue'shead.
Shecamebackt oher selfandl
ookedbackatt he
pri
estinshock)
.
'
'What
?!Thi
s..
thi
s..
.
'
'Exact
lywhatIwassaying.Thespi
ri
tsper
for
med
bl
ackmagichereandblockedlor
dHanuman''.
'
'Bl
ackmagic?
!Wow..
.t
hisi
sstr
ange.Thati
sthe
samethi
ngIsawi
nthemountai
ns''
.
'
'Youdi
d?'
'
.
'
'Butwhowoul
devendaredi
sobeyourr
ulesand
per
for
m bl
ackmagi
c?''
.
(Twowomenwalkedint
othetemplei
nful
lstr
engt
h
anddet
ermi
nat
ion.Oneofthem wasSavi
tr
i)
.
'
'QueenDorahperf
ormsbl
ackmagi
cpr
iest
s!'
'
.
Savi
tr
ishouted.
(Bhavnaandthepr
iestt
urnedi
nshockt
oseeSavi
tr
i
andhersist
er)
.
'
'Savi
tr
i?!'
'
.Pri
estChanakhersai
dindel
ight
.''
You
ar
ewell!Youarefi
nal
lydoingokay'
'.
'
'Yespr
iest'
'
.Shesai
dandt
ouchedbot
hthei
rfeet
.
'
'Whoar
eyou?'
'
.Bhavnaasked.
'
'Mynamei
sSavi
tr
i.Fr
om t
hehouseoft
heSul
tans
ofUjaniKi
ngdom.AndIusedt obeQueenDorah'
s
handmaidenandtheleaderoft
hepal
acemaidens''
.
Shesaidandboweddownt oLor
dHanumanand
tur
nedbackatthem.''AndIhaveast
orytot
ell
aboutQueenDorah''
.
'
'Wear
eal
lear
s''
.
'
'QueenDorahisthedevi
linawoman'
sform.She
hasbeingper
for
mi ngbl
ackmagici
nUjanif
or
twent
ysevenyearsnow.Andsheki
ll
edQueen
Meerah!'
'
'
'Ohl
ord!Howdi
dyou.
..
'
'Iwasheraccompl i
ceandIwi
llneverst
op
regr
etti
ngmyactions.Butt
hel
ordhasgivenme
anotherchancet
oatoneformysins''
.
(Shetol
dthewholestor
yfrom headt
otoeandhow
shegotbett
erf
rom thestr
okeQueenDorah
charmedonher)
.
'
'SoQueenMeerahwasgoingt
okil
lyou,
butshe
spar
edyoubecauseyouhadsi
ncer
it
yinyoureyes?
'
'.
'
'Yespr i
est
.Andthatishowshehealedmet hi
rt
een
monthsago.BitIwastooafrai
dtooneoutand
exposeQueenDor ah.
..
butQueenMeeraht ormented
meunt i
luneversawheragain.Andmysi ster
encouragedmetocomeher eandseePriest
Chanakher''
.
'
'IhaveseenQueenMeer
ah'
'
.Bhavnasai
dinal
ow
t
one.
'
'Youhave? !Bhavnasaysomet hi
ngnow!Because
l
ordHanumanneverl ies!HeordainedMaji
dasking
evenbeforehewasbor n.QueenMeer ahwasthe
chosenQueen, andherenti
regenerati
onmustbe
royal
ty.Theymustneverluck.Wherehaveyouseen
QueenMeer ah.
..
weneedherfreetoletusknow
whetherPrinceMaji
disreall
ydead!''
.
'
'Sheisont
opofthemountai
ns!Shehasbeing
t
urnedtost
onebythatsamespi
ri
twhoblockedlor
d
Hanuman!'
'
.
'
'Lor
d..
.
'
'Sheisi
nacage.Iti
sli
ke.
.shehasdi
edal
lover
agai
npri
est
.It
hinkQueenDorahknowsaboutt
his.
BecauseIsawi
magesofherandanol
dmani
nmy
vi
sion''
.
'
'Howdowef r
eeherthen?Ithi
nktheydidthatt
o
herbecauseofherr
evenge''
.Savi
trisai
d.
'
'Weneedsomet i
me.Mor et
imetododeepri
tual
s
toknowwhattodo.Wi
llyouhel
pmepriest
?''
.
Bhavnaasked.
'
'Iwillgladl
yhelpyoudear
.AndyouSavit
ri
,
please..
.gobackhome.Iwil
lcal
lyouwhenIneed
you''.
(
Theyal
ldepar
tedf
rom t
her
e).
(
NextDay=Royal
Pal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Shelayedonthefloor.Theroom wasscatter
edand
l
itt
ledropsofbl
oodst ainedt
hefl
oor.Withtheroom
messedup.Sheopenedhereyesandt heywer ered
asblood.Shewassi l
entandmot i
onl
ess.Tearsfell
outofhereyesast hememor i
escamebi tbybit.
Sheslowlysatup.Aknockcamei nandavoi ce
shouted.
'
'Ri
shi
!Pl
easeopent
hedoor
!Mar
ishhascr
ied
si
nceyesterdayandhasnotstopped.Thebabies
arehungry,
pleasedon'
tpuni
sht hem!'
'.Kushi
shouted.
(Ri
shigottoherfeetandquicklywalkedtothedoor
andopenedit.Kushiheldthetwogirlsinherarms
andstar
redatherf r
iendwithsadness.Rishilooked
exhaust
edanddead.Shet ookherbabiesand
enter
edbackintothechamberwi thKushi.Shesat
downont hebedandpl acedthem atherleftand
ri
ghtandbreakfastem both,
sti
lll
ookingdead).
'
'Ri
shi
,
thebur
ialwi
llst
artsoon.Pl
ease.
..
'
'Maji
disnotdeadKushi.Myhusbandwillcome
backt
ome..Iknowit
.IknowMajidisali
veandjust
l
ostsoIam notgoi
ngtoanyburial
!'
'.
'
'Hmmm. .
.Ij
ust
,IknowPr
inceFar
uki
sresponsi
ble
f
orthi
s!'
'
.
'
'Ifbithim,whoelse?Idon'tbeli
evehispit
ystory
andcr ocodil
etears.Sothetradi
tionsayswhat,a
womanmustpasst hroughfireforherhusband'
s
protecti
on?Ihavedonei tbeforeandIwi l
ldoit
againKushi .Maji
dwi l
lcomeback' '.
'
'Idon'
tknowRi
shi..
.Iser
iousl
ydon'
tthi
nk..
.l
ist
en,
Pri
nceFarukwi
llbeordai
nedaskingtoday''
.
'
'Wha.
..
'
'Maji
ddoesnothaveanhei rRi
shi.Youknowgirl
s
can'
tbeKungs.Sothati
sit.WakeupRi shi
,i
fthi
sis
howyouaregoingt
oact,howwi l
lMeerahand
Mari
shreact
?Acceptthetruth'
'
.
'
'Whati
sthet
heKushi
?''
.
'
'That
..
Rishi
,am sorr
ybutthetr
uthcamebyit
sel
f.
Pri
nceFarukfi
nall
ysucceededi
nkil
li
ngPri
nce
Maji
d''
.
'
'Lethi
m beki
ng.Buti
twon'
tbeki
ngf
ort
her
ight
ful
hei
rtocomeforwhati
shis'
'
.
'
'Gosh,t
heroom i
ssomessedup''
.Kushisai
dand
gotup.'
'Ihopeyouacceptt
het
rut
honedayRi shi'
'
.
(
JhansiKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace)
.
QueenSal mahel
dherhusband'
sswordand
screamedintear
s.OneJhansiwarsol
dierstood
therewit
hhisheadboweddown.Shehel dthe
swor di
nastrongri
ghtar
m andfacedthesoldier
.
'
'Repeatwhatyousai
dagai
n''
.
'
'Isawitwithmyowneyesyourhi ghness.Iwasthe
oneprotecti
ngthekingathishi
deout.AfterPri
nce
MajidandFar ukki
ll
edoursoldi
ers,Ihisbehindone
ofthestonesandsawPr inceFar
ukst abtheking
andpushedhi m downthedeepwat erf
all'
'.
'
'Thatt
rai
tor
!Howcoul
dhedot
his?How?
!''
.
'
'Andheki
ll
edPr
inceMaj
idaswel
l'
'.
'
'Ishouldhaveknown.Ishoul dhaveknownDor ah
andhersonwer etr
aitorsandsnakes!Howdar eshe
dothistome!Theyplannedal lthis!'
'
.Shesnapped
angri
lyandslewthesol di
ers,bloodsplashedonher
faceasthesoldi
ersfelltodeath.
(Suddenly,
guardsfr
om nowherecameoutand
grabbedQueenSalmandpi nnedherdown.She
tri
edresi
stingbutt
heyweretoostr
ong.They
snatchedtheswordawayfrom her
).
'
'What?!Iam theQueenofJhansi
!Howar
eyou
f
il
thypeopletouchme?!'
'.
'
'Thewari
soverandUj
aniwavi
ctor
iousover
Jhansi.Soyouar enolongert
heQueenofJhansi.
Pri
nceFar ukwi
llbeordainedaski
ngt odayi
nboth
JhansiandUjani.Soheandhi smothershal
lrul
e
now.Thenewr ulersare,
KingFar
uk,QueenRagah
andQueenDor ah!''
.Oneguardsaid.
'
'Howdar
eyou.
..
Ragahi
smydaught
er!'
'
.
'
'Yes.ButQueenDorahprefersyoubeourpr
isoner
.
Let
'stakehert
oUjaniguards!'
'.
(Theyforcedherupandtookheraway,t
heywent
i
nt otheking'
schamberandtookthecr
owinabass
along).
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=Templ
e).
Thepr iest
sgat heredandwer edoingthebur i
al
rit
uals.Everyonewasi nwhite.Theywer ealli
nthe
temple, i
nsilenceandsadness.Rishient eredthe
templewi ththebabiesinwhi t
easwel l.Queen
mot hergotupandt ookMarishwhi l
eRi shiheld
Meer ah.Whent heri
tual
swer edone,t
heyal lgotup.
QueenDor ahsteppedaf ootinfr
ontofl ord
Krishna'sstatue.
'
'Okayi
tisenoughnow.Enoughwi
tht
het
ear
snow.
Thedeadcannotcomebacksoi
t'
senough!'
'
.
'
'AreyoumadDor
ah?
!''
.Queenmot
hersnapped
angri
l
y.
'
'Don'
ttal
ktomymot
herl
iket
hatgr
andmot
her'
'
.
'
'Whatisevengoi
ngonnow?'
'
.QueenSheena
asked.
'
'Mysoni
stheki
ngnow.Becausethet
hronei
s
empt
yandheist
heonl
yheirl
eft'
'.
'
'So.
..
'
'Pr
iest
s!Letusgoandor
dai
nFar
uknow!'
'
.Queen
Dor
ahordered.
'
' Youdon'thaveanyright
stodothatDorah.Iam
theonlyonewhohast hatri
ghtt
ojoi
nthe
or di
nancesandsirthenewkingonthethrone''
.
Queenmot hersai
d.
'
'YesQueenDorah.Queenmotherwilldeci
dewhen
t
obeginthecer
emony''.Onepr
iestsaid.
(QueenDorahangri
lyremovedaswor df
rom one
guarbehindherandsl
ewt hepri
estdown,
blood
splashedonthefl
oorandeveryonewasshocked.
Ri
shiqui
ckl
ytookMarishf
rom Queenmot
herand
t
ooktwostepsback)
.
'
'Notanymor e.Imaketherulesnowmot her!''
.
QueenDor ahsaidandturnedtotheotherpalace
pri
ests.'
'Whatabouttherestofyou?Wi l
lyoumake
Farukthekingtoday,
oryouwantt oendupl i
keyour
col
league?''
.
(
Theyshooki
nfear
).
'
' Guards!St opher!'
'.Queenmot hershoutedbutall
theguar dsstoodthereliketheydidn'thearher.
Thensher eal
isedeverythi
ng.''OhIsee,clapfor
your selvesnow.Youf i
nall
ygotwhatyouwant ed
aftertwent ysixyearsright?Youhavepl annedwi t
h
Far uk,andaf t
erkil
li
ngMaj i
d,nowt hethroneis
your sright?''
.
'
'Shutupmot her!Al
lyoushoul
dknowis,
yourrei
gn
i
sovernow. .
.i
tiseit
heryouobeyt
henewera..
.or
youdie.Let
'sgoandmakeFar ukki
ngnow!''
.
'
'Howcoul dyoudothi
sFar
uk..
.howdareyou
disr
espectourcust
omsandtr
aditi
ons?'
'
.Rishi
shouted.
'
'Ohlookatt hat.Thisonealsohasmout htotalk'
'
.
Faruksaidinlaughterandstartedwalkingclosert
o
her.'
'ShutupRi shi.
..
ifyoudon'twantthelit
tl
elast
memor yyouhaveofmybr otheral
sodiei nyour
arms.Thinkofyoudaught er
s''.
(Hetri
edtotouchMeer ahandRishiqui
ckl
yplaced
thebabiesdownont hefl
oorandremovedaswor d
from aguardbehi
ndherandpointeditatFar
ukin
angerandfearl
essness).
'
'Iam nott
hateasyFar uk!Don'tyouevendar e
comeclosetomychi ldren.
..
yourwifeispregnant,
whenshegivesbirth,
youcant ouchyourownevi l
off
spri
ngs!ButIswearonmyunhappydest iny,t
hat
i
fyoudareletyourshadowevenf al
lovereit
her
MeerahorMar i
sh,Iwillbeheadyou!'
'.
(
QueenDorahandFar
ukhimsel
fwereshocked.
QueenDor
ahpull
edFarukwayf
rom her
).
'
'Wewi l
lgett
imef orherson.Lethergo.
..
fornow''
.
QueenDorahturnedtothepriest
s.''
Ordai
nhim now!
Bri
ngthecrown!''
.
(
Thepeopl
eofUj
aniopenedt
hei
rmout
hswi
del
yin
shock.Theguardsarr
ivedwit
hthecrowninaglass.
TheQueenmot hersharedt
earswit
ht her
est
).
'
'Iam notwat
chi
ngthi
snonsense'
'
.Rishisaidand
l
eftwi
thherbabi
es,
fol
lowedbyQueenmot herand
t
herest.
'
'Don'
tbebother
edmyson.Whent heyst
ayher
e,i
t
won'
tchangeanythi
ng.Youaregoi
ngtosi
tont
he
t
hrone,
thati
sallt
hatmatter
s''
.
(Thepeopl egatheredther
eshooktheirheadsand
didn'tevenwaitfortheceremonytostart
.Theyal
l
turnedtheirbacksandl ef
tthepal
ace.Faruk
becamer edwithfury)
.
'
'Ifi
twasMajid,theywoul
dhavebeingglor
ifyi
ng
hi
m.Letthem leaveandwaitt
il
lIsi
tonthethrone,
andtheywil
lallbesorr
y''
.
'
'Now.
..
letusbegi
nthi
scer
emonypr
iest
s''
.
(Thepri
est
sbeguneverythi
ng.Burnti
ncenseand
i
ncarnat
edandf i
nal
lyputthecrownonFaruk'
s
headandpronouncedhim ki
ngofUjaniand
Jhansi
).
..
(
1Mont
hLat
er=FarAwayonwat
ers)
.
Ther iverwasr ushingt ot heeastoft hesmal lKr ishi
Tribef arawaybehi ndmount ai
nsanddeser ts.Thi s
wasat r
ibecreatedmanyyear sago.Theysl epti n
tentsandat ewi l
df oods, f
oundi nthef or estsand
theylivedahappyl ife.Thef amilyoft heRat or d
createdt hetribeinal andofnowher eandt heyhad
mul t
ipliedthrought heyear s.Thechi efoft het ribe
l
ivedal it
tl
eluxur i
ousl ythant hetri
bemember s.The
chief'
sf ami l
ylivedl uxuriouslybypr eciousst ones
andsi lvertheysel ltof arawayki ngdomst oget
moneyt omanageandt akecar eofhispeopl e.The
tri
bemenwer est rongandhar dworkingwhi l
et he
womenwer esubmi ssi veandhel pful.Hewal ked
downt hesloppedst oneswi thhispreci ous
daught erandsonandwi fe.Theygott it her unni ng
wider iverinfrontoft heirli
tt
letownandhepoi nted
strai
ght .
'
'Theysaidtheyf
oundpreci
ousstonesovert
here
l
astnight
..
.soweshal
lsendment ogoandcollect
t
hem tomorrowmorni
ng.Iti
sgett
inglat
e''
.
(
Ther
iverwashedabodydownf
rom f
ar
away,
pushi
ngitclosert
othet
own.Si
ndoorasaw
thi
sandgasped,
thenpoint
edatt
hewater
).
'
'Whati
sthat
?!Ther
eissomet
hingcomi
ngover
her
e!'
'
.
(Theyallt
urnedt
heireyest
othedir
ect
ionandthe
themenr emovedthei
rswordsandgotreadyf
or
anythi
ng).
'
'Ohgoodness!It
hinki
tisaper
son!'
'
.Themot
her
sai
d.
'
'What
?!Mot
her
,ar
eyousur
e?'
'
.Ashoksai
d.
'
'Wehavet
ohel
p!Boys,
gochecki
toutnow!'
'
.
(Threement hrewthei
rswor dsasi deandr ushed
i
nt otheangr yrunni
ngr iver
.Thewat erpushedt he
bodyt owar dsthedrylandandt hemenqui ck
rushedt hereandbentt owar dst hebody.They
studiedtheper sonforawhi leandgaveasi gnalfor
theirfamili
est ocomef orwar d.Someoft het ri
be
peoplesawt hisandrushedt her easwel l.Themen
turnedtheper sonupandt her ewasakni feinhi s
chest,hi
sf oreheadwascutwi t
hdr yblood,hisback
andbodywer ewounded, hiscl otheswer ewr etched
andhisfaceaswhi
teassnow.Theypani
cked.
Sindoor
abentdowncloset
othebody)
.
'
'It
hinkhei
sdeadf
ather'
'
.Oneoft
hem sai
d.
'
'But
..
.whoi
she?Wher
edoeshecomef
rom?'
'
.
(Sindoorasl
owlyplacedherhandar oundtheknife
andt ookadeepbr eath.Sheusedal lherst
rength
andt ookouttheknifefrom thechestandfresh
bloodoozedouti mmedi atel
y.Hecoughedout
bloodandcollapsedwi thoutopeni
nghi seyes).
'
'Heisal
ive!Help!Ohf
ather
..
.pl
easewehavet
o
hel
phim.
..Ithi
nk''
.
'
'But,
whati
fhe'
sadanger
ouspersonf
ather
?Look
athowsomeonest
abbedhim'
'.
'
'ShutupAshok!Fatherplease.Heisl
oosi
ngalot
ofblood.Letushel
phim nowbef or
ehedies!He
needsus!''
.
'
'Hmm. .
.okay!Come,car
ryhim andl
et'
squi
cklygo
backhomet otreathi
m boys!Now!'
'
.Thechief
shout
ed.
(
Theynoddedandqui
ckl
ycar
ri
edMaj
idi
nthei
r
ar
msi
ntot
het
own,
fol
lowedbyever
yone)
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
12:
01] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence29
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=RoyalAr
mySchool
).
Rishistoodatwher etheswor dswerehangedwith
Kushi,LakshmiandShi v.SheremovedMaj id'
s
necklacefrom herneckandt ookonei ft
heswords
andpl acedthenecklaceonat abl
e.Kushiand
Lakshmihel dMeerahandMar i
sh.
'
'Ar
eyousureitwil
lst
il
lbepower
fulaf
terdi
vidi
ngi
t?
'
'
.Lakshmiasked.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Butmyowngotmi
ssinginthelake
andMajidgavet
hist
ome.AndIdon'tneedt
his
anymor
ebecausemygi
rlswi
llneedi
tmor
ethanme.
NowthatFar
ukiski
ng'
'
.
(
Theyal
lchuckl
ed)
.
'
'Youareri
ght.Iwill
nevertmyeyesof
fthi
s
beaut
if
ulangels'
'.Kushisai
d.
(Rishitor etheropeont heneckl aceint
ot woand
placedt heel ephantont het able.Sheraisedthe
swor dupandcuti tintot woequalpar t
s.Sheasked
forhel pandShi vusedanai landhammert omakea
holei nbot hthepar ts.Rishipl acedtheropesi nboth
theneckl aceandt i
redi tont hegi rl
s.Theyopened
theirarmsandshet ookt hem i nherarms.They
l
ookedsobeaut i
fulandheal thy.Theywer eidenti
cal
butMar ishhadherf ather'seyeswhi l
eMeer ahhad
hisnoseandl i
ps.Sheputt hem bot hdownandt hey
didt heirbabywal k,holdinghandst ogether,f
oll
owed
byt headul t
s).
'
'Whatarewegoi ngtodonow?Wi l
lwesitforFar
uk
torul
easkingf or
ever?Thepastonemot hhas
beinghel
l'
'.Lakshmisaid.''
Het r
eatsRajli
kea
fi
lt
hyrag,
maki nghim doallhisst
upidwork''.
'
'Shiv,
hasFar
uknotevenspokent
oyoueversi
nce
heretur
ned?'
'
.Ri
shiasked.
'
'Hehas.Theonlyprobl
em i
s,
hedoesn'taskmeto
doworksforhi
ml i
keheusedto.Ithi
nkIhavet
odo
mypossibl
ebesttogainhi
strustagai
n''
.
'
'Please,
becaref
ulmylove.Idon'twanttot
ogo
wickedwitht
hatmonst
eragain!'
'.Kushisai
d.
'
' Don'
tworry.Idon'twantt oseehi
m onthet
hrone.
Theonl ypr
oblem is,evenifheusremovedas
king,
therei
snoonei nt heSamratf
amil
yanymoreto
takethethr
one' '
.
'
'Therei
s''
.Lakshmisaid.'
'Butt
hatisnoti
mportant
r
ightnow.Wehavetof ocusonbringi
ngFarukdown!
'
'
.
(Apal
aceguar
darri
vedintheroyalschooland
boweddowntothepri
ncesses)
.
'
'Whatdoyouwant
?''
.Ri
shiasked.
'
'Theki
nghasaskedf
orShi
vyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Okay.
..
let
'sgo''
.Hetur
nedt
othem i
ndi
scomf
ort
andlef
twiththeguar
d.
'
'Iwi
llpref
ertoseeFar
uk'
ssi
nwit
hChar
utosi
ton
t
hethronethantoseeFar
ukhi
msel
foni
t''
.
'
'Ragahisalsopr
egnantLakshmi
..
.r
emember
?''
.
Kushiasked.
'
'Whocares?JeedisFaruk'
sfi
rstson.Andwhenwe
bri
nghim,
Farukwil
lbeinSKmucht r
oublewi
tht
he
Jhansi
s.I
tisagai
nstthei
rcust
oms' '
.
'
'Sowhydon'
twebr
ingJeedt
hen?'
'
.Kushiasked.
'
'Iti
stoodangerousfornoe.Heisjusttool
it
tl
eto
knowanythingandIdon'ttr
ustFar
ukandQueen
Dorah!Theymightevenfindoutt
hatJeedis
comingherebeforeweevenplantobr i
nghi
m' '
.
'
'So...
allofyouhaveaccept
edMaj
idi
sdead?'
'
.
Rishiaskedwithtear
yeyes.
'
'Rishili
sten,Ia!Hissist
er...
.butt
hetruthhas
alr
eadybei ngsaid.It
'sbeingonemont hsincethe
warended.Far ukhasbei ngmadeki ng.Wear eal
l
underhiscont r
ol.MidMaj idwasal i
ve,wouldn'
the
behere?Ihavemour nedhi mf oronemont h,pr
aying
tothelordforallofthist
obeabaddr eam,but.
..
'
'Pl
easeacceptt
hetrut
hRishi
.Idon'
tthi
nkhe
want
edtodieeit
her
,and..
..
'
'Heswor ewithhisbloodLakshmi !Thisloveist
oo
i
ntensetodie!El
seIwi l
lneverwor shipGodagain
andIdon'tmindgoingt ohellforit
!Look,pleaseyou
twoshouldtakecareoft hegirl
s,Ihavet ogoand
praynow''.Shesaidandqui cklywal kedoutofthe
school
.
(
Ont
het
err
ace)
.
Far uksatonagol denchai rwithmai dens
massagi nghisf eetandshoul derswithoil.One
mai dal sost oodbybi aleftsidewi t
hgr apesand
appl esonagol dent r
ay,andhekepteat ingthem
oneaf t
ertheot her.Ragahweakl yarrived
there, holdi
ngherwai standwal kingonswol l
enfeet
.
Shear r
ivedthereandst oodi nfrontofhi m.Faruk
raisedaneyebr ow, st
ar r
ingatherqui et
ly.She
clear edhert hroatasshet houghthewoul dlett
he
servant sexcuset hem, buthedi dn't
.
'
'Ineedt
otal
ktoyou'
'
.
'
'Goahead'
'
.
'
'Al
one.
..
.Iwantapr
ivat
emomentpl
ease'
'
.
'
'Thi
saretrust
edser
vants,soyou!
atspeak.Buti
f
youdon'
t,
thenyoucanleave''
.
'
'Hm.Iwanttoaskforpermissi
ont
ogoseemy
motheri
nthedungeonplease''
.
(
Far
ukchuckl
eandgott
ohi
sfeet
).
'
'Youwanttogoandseeyourmot
her
?Isyour
motherimport
antt
oyout
hanwhatwespokeabout
l
astnight?'
'
.
'
'ButFar
uk!Howdoyouexpectmet
oknowt
he
babyIwi
llgi
vebi
rt
hto?'
'
.
'
'Iam thekingnoe.SokeeponmindthatIneedan
hei
r!Ifyoudon'tgi
vebir
thtiamal
echil
d,j
ustkeep
i
nmi ndt hatshewi
llbeki
ll
ed!'
'
.
'
' Buthowdoyouexpectmet ochanget
hegenderof
ourchildFar
uk?Iti
soutbaby!'
'
.Shecri
edandtri
ed
touchinghi
sfacebuthehi
therhandsaway.
(
QueenDor
ahqui
ckl
yar
ri
vedt
her
eandf
rowned)
.
'
'ThatisenoughFar
uk!Andyouarenotgoi
ngt okil
l
anyone!Whetheramal
echil
dorfemale,
itwi
llsti
ll
beyourchi
ld,
yourbl
ood.Mygr
andchi
ld'
'
.
'
'Youcangoandseeyourmothernow.Buti
fyou
gi
bebir
thtoagir
l,
youhavel
essfavouri
nmyeyes.
AndIwil
lmarr
yasecondwifeandputyoubeneat
h
her'
'
.
(
HesaidandRagahlef
t.QueenDor
ahgottihi
s
f
rontandl
ookedathi
mf r
om headt
otoeandsmil
e).
'
'Whowoul
dhavet
houghtmydr
eamswoul
dcome
t
rue?'
'
.
'
'Doyouneedanyt
hingmot
her
?''
.
'
'Yesdear'
'
.
'
'Pl
easesi
tdown'
'
.
'
'No.Iti
saboutt
helastt
ime'sconver
sat
ion.When
arewegoingtof
allt
hecourtandmakethat
decl
arat
ion?'
'
.
'
'Tomor r
ow.Tomor r
ow,Iam pl
anni
ngonget t
ing
marriedagai n.AndIhavefoundtheperfectperson
tomar ry.
..somot her
,Iam doi
ngthepreparati
ons
forbotht heannouncementofmynewwi f
eandour
declarati
on''.
'
'Can'
tyout
ellmewhoyournewwi
fei
s?'
'
.
'
'Youwi
llknowont
hatdayofannouncement'
'
.
(
Shi
var
ri
vedandboweddown)
.
'
'YourHi
ghness,
youcal
ledf
orme'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
pleasemother,
canyouexcuseus?Iwi
llt
ell
youever
ythingl
ater
.Andtherestofyou!'
'
.
(Al
ltheser
vant
slef
tQueenDor
ahandFar
ukf
aced
Shi
v).
'
'Ineedyout
odoaspeci
alj
obf
orme'
'
..
..
(
Pal
aceTempl
e).
Rishidecoratedthetemplewit
hf l
owersand
l
ant er
ns.Shel i
ghtedfi
reonacandl eandpl acedit
onagol dent r
ay.ShewentinfrontoflordKr i
shna'
s
statueandr ai
sedthecandleuptoherf ave.She
raisedonelegupandcl osedbotheyes.Forabout
oneabout ,
sheopenedhereyes.
'
'Iknowyouar eli
steni
ngt ome''.Shebr okedown
i
ntotearswit
honel egsti
llup.'
'Ijustneedasi gn.I
needasignal
,justalit
tl
esignthatmyl iveisnot
dead.Ever
yonehasaccept edMaj id'
sdeath,butI
wi
llneveraccepti
t!'
'
.
(Shesaidandstronggashofwi ndblewandoutof f
thecandlel
ight
.Shewasast onished.Sheplaced
herlegdownandl ightedt
hecandleagain.She
againli
ft
edthecandl eupandthestrongwindcame
again)
.
'
'Ifyouar ear ealgodwhohascompassi ononher
subjects,thendosomet hi
ng!Ifyoudarebr eakyour
promi setome, Iwill
nevercomeher eagaintogi ve
youof fer
ings!Never !Iwil
ldisownyouandnever
wor shipyouagai n..
.never
!''
.Sheshoutedandt he
windcoul dn'tstopblowing.Butshest i
llwept.'
'I
needhi m...pl
ease.IneedmyMaj idback,Idon'twant
anyonebuthi m.Showmehei sali
veandIwi l
lnever
goawayf rom you.Showmeanysi gn.Letyourr od
Falk,oraflowerf r
om yourheadf al
l.Anysign!''.
'
'Ri
shi'
'
.Avoi
cecal
ledoutandshet
urnedherback.
'
'Queenmot
her
.Iwasj
ust
..
..
'
'Ihaveheardever
ythi
ng' '
.Shesai
dandwal ked
cl
osertoher.'
'Ri
shi.
..
enoughisenough!Stopthi
s
andstar
tgivi
ngyourfullatt
ent
iont
oMeer ahand
Mar
ish.Theyar
etheonest
hatneedyou'
'
.
'
'But
..
.
'
'Ihavebeingseeingyouwast eyourli
feawayever
si
nceMaj i
ddied!EvenIwhoi shisgrandmotherhas
accept
edhi sdeat
h.Whatmor edoyouwant ?!How
doyouwantyourdaught erstogrow?Inthe
memor yofloosi
ngtheirf
atherinthewar?Farukis
ki
ngnow!Theyar eruli
ngoverusnow.Ihave
accept
edit,
dosame!Weal waysdon'tgetwhatwe
wantokay?Maj i
disdead!Hei sgoneandnot
comingback!''
.
(Theplat
esli
ppedfrom Ri
shi '
shandsandt he
candleli
ghtwentof
f.Shehel dhertear
sbackand
walkedawayfrom t
hetempl e.Queenmot herbreak
downi nt
otear
sandwentcl osertothestatue)
.
'
'Shewantedasi
gn.Butwhatcanst
opt
he
i
nevi
tabl
e?Iti
swhati
tis'
'.
(Shecl
eanedhert earsandquickl
y,astronggashof
windbl
ewal loverthetempleandLor dKrishna'
s
heavyr
odf el
lfrom thetooofi
tsraisedhandand
l
andedinthever mil
ionpowder,makingi
tspr i
nkl
eal
l
ar
oundthealt
ar.Thewi
ndcouldn'
tstopbl
owi
ng.
Queenmotherwasdeepl
yshocked).
'
'What?Ohgoodness..
..Asign?''
.Shequickly
rememberedRishi
'swords.'
'Ibel
ievei
nyouLor d
Kri
shna.Pl
easeshowmeasi gnaswell.Tellme,
i
s
myMaj i
dali
ve?''
.
(QueenSheenaent er
edt het empl eandassoonas
shegotbehi ndQueenmot her,,allthestrongt al
l
pil
larslif
tingcandl eont opoft hem st artedf al
li
ng
anddest royingt hingsi nt het empl e.Thewi ndthat
startedblowi ngwasangr yandt hrewboQueen
mot herandQueenSheenadownont othegr ound.
Thepi ll
arswer ef if
teeni nt het empl eandt heykept
fall
ingoneaf tert heot her.Thel astonewasheavy
andi tquicklyf ellinfrontonabi gt r
ayf ullof
vermi l
ionpowder ,throwingal lthever mil
ionon
QueenSheenaandQueenmot her .Thechaos
stoppedandt hewi ndsuddenl ysei zed.Bot hthe
Queensgott ot heirfeet).
'
'Whatwasal lthi
s?!Ohgoodness,
thi
smightbea
badomen,mot her
,lookatal
lthi
smess!Thi
shas
neverhappenedbef or
e.Thi
sisabad.
..
.
'
'No!Thi
sisthebestchaost
hathaseverhappened
i
nthepalaceSheena'
'.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Maji
disali
ve!OurMaj
idisst
il
lal
ive'
'
.Shesai
d
andembracedherti
ght
ly.
'
'What
?!'
'
'
'Rishiwasher
e.Sheaskedf orasignfr
om l
ord
Kri
shiandshegotit.Ial
soasked,andthi
s
happenedSheena!Thisi
sthesign!''
.
'
'Mot
her
..
.Ohmot
herar
eyousur
e?I
sit
..
.
(
Theybot
hembr
acedhappi
ly)
.
'
'Wehavetof otopri
estChanakhert
oni
ghtandtel
l
hi
mt hi
s.Butwehavet okeepsil
entaswel
l.Noone
mustknow..
.come..
.
(
Theybothl
eftt
het
empleandt
oldsomeser
vant
s
t
ogocleant
hetempl
e).
(
Int
hedungeon)
.
Ragaharr
ivedt
her
eandt heguardsexcusedt
hem.
QueenSalmawaslooki
ngwr et
chedandexhaust
ed.
WhenshelayedeyesonRagah, shequickl
ygotup
andhel
dthemetalbarsseparat
ingthem.Thel i
ons
roar
edangr
il
yandshehel dherearsinfri
ght.
'
'Youbr
oughtthi
suponyour
sel
fmot
her
.It
oldyou
nott
ostar
tthewar'
'
.
'
'Youhavenevercometoseemeher
eRagah.How
coul
dyou?Iam yourmother
!''
.
Farukpreventedme!Heiskingnow!Hei slor
eover
everyki
ngi nIndi
abecausehenowr ulesoverthe
twomostpower f
ulki
ngdoms..
..Al
lthankstoyou
andfather!'
'
'
'YoudonotknowhowIr
egr
etmyact
ions.
For
give.
..
.
'
' No!Iwi
llneverforgi
veyou!Asawi fe,
thebest
thingwastot al
ksenset oyourhusbandtomake
peacewithhisfriend,yourbadadvi
celedhimtothe
warandhel oosedhi sli
feini
t''
.
'
'Youareignor
ant.Yourhusbandandhi
smother
ar
etherealdevi
ls!Dor
ahisawi t
ch!'
'
.Shet
old
Ragahheraideofthetr
uthandshewasmorethan
di
sappoi
nted.
'
'Soallt
his,
j
usttogetrevengeonMaj i
dforrej
ecting
me?Nowyouhavemademef at
herl
essandRi shia
widow.ButFar
ukwillpayforthi
s''
.Sheturnedto
l
eave.
'
'Iam hungr
ypl
ease!'
'
.QueenSal
macr
ied.
'
'Ifyoudidn'
tcar
eaboutinnocentl
ives,
whyshouldI
careaboutyou?'
'.Ragahsai
dcoldl
yandl ef
tthe
dungeon.
(
Int
heeveni
ng=I
ntheki
ngdom=Thet
empl
e).
BhavnaandChanakhersatdown, holdi
nghands
toget
herti
ghtl
yinf r
ontoflordHanuman'sst at
ue
andchanting,
therewasal ight
edfi
rearound
them,t
heychantedwi t
heyesclosedandt hewind
blewaroundinascar ymanner.Thunderstrokeand
theli
ghtswentofftogetherwit
hthefir
eandt hey
bothopenedtheireyesatthesametime.
'
'Whatdi
dyousee?'
'
.
'
'Manythi
ngs.I
tist
imetosetl
ordHanumanand
QueenMeerahf
ree'
'.
..
.
Whatdi
dyousee?'
'
.
'
'Mayt hingspr i
est.Itisti
met osetl or
dHanuman
fr
ee''
.Bhavnasai dandst oodup.Shet ookaknife
fr
om theal t
arandsl i
therpalms.Chanakherdi dthe
samet hing.Theywentcl osertothestatue'
sfeet
andmadet heirbloodf al
lonit'sfeetand
i
mmedi atel
y,t
hesoundofaheavyr ainwashear d.
Thensuddenl y,priestChanakherwaspossessed
andwaar ai
sedupi ntotheair.ThenBhavnaqui ckl
y
boweddownandcl osedhereyes.
'
'Bhavna!Agoodhear
tedandf
ait
hfulser
vantofmy
l
and''
.
'
'Lor
d!Iam l
ist
eni
ngt
oyou.Pl
easespeakupt
omy
hear
ing'
'.
'
'Theonl ywaytosetMeer ahf reeistolookfort
he
bloodofherenemy.Letherspi ri
tthi
rstfor
vengeanceagain.Remi ndheroft hereasonwhy
sheneedst obefree.Andthati sthebloodofher
ki
ller
!''
.Thespi
ritl
eftthepriestandhef ellt
othe
groundandstoodupweakl y.
'
'OhLor
d,whathappened?'
'
.
'
'Lor
dHanumani
sfr
eeandhepossessedyou'
'
.
Bhavnasai
dhappi
ly.'
'Wef
inal
lyknowawayt
oset
QueenMeerahf
ree!'
'.
(QueenMeerah,QueenSheenaandLakshmi
enter
edthetemplewit
htwoheavyclot
hesonthei
r
headstopreventt
herai
nfrom wet
ti
ngthem)
.
'
'Goodevening.
..Bhavna,
youar
eher
e?'
'
.Queen
motheraskedinsurpr
ise.
'
'Yesyourhighness.I
tisal
ongst
ory.But
,whyar
e
youal
lhere?''
.
(
TheQueensl
ookedateachot
heri
ndi
scomf
ort
).
'
'YoucantrustBhavnajustli
keyout
rustmeyour
hi
ghness.Sheisalsohereforagoodcour
se''
.
'
'Okaypriest!Idon'twantFar
uktoreal
iseweare
outofthepalacebef or
ehesendssomest upi
d
guardstolookf orusandquesti
onus.SoIwil
ljust
maket hi
ngsshor tandsimple'
'.
'
'Okay'
'
.
'
'Maj
idi
sst
il
lal
ive'
'
.
'
'What
?Haveyouseenhi
m?Anymessagesor
..
..
(Queenmothertol
dthem ever
ythingthathappened
earl
ierandt
heywereamazed.Theyi ntur n,
tol
dher
thewholetr
uthaboutwhatSavitr
itoldthem and
howl or
dHanumanhasbei ngrevealed).
'
'Iknewit!Thatwit
ch!Shewil
lpayfortaki
ngmy
MeerahandShakherf r
om me!Iswearontheshor
t
ti
meIspentwi thmyhusband!'
'.Queenmother
snapped.'
'
SowhatdowedonowBhavna?Howdoweget
Dor
ahorFar
uk'
sbl
ood?'
'.
'
'Itisjustimpossiblemother!Thosetwohave
fi
fteenguar dswit
ht hem,everywheretheygo.They
evenent erthetoi
letwit
ht hem '
'.QueenSheenasaid.
'
'Andr ightnow,onlyQueenMeer ah'
sfreedom wi
ll
bri
ngMaj i
dbackt ous''.
'
'Yes.Wedon'tknowwhereheis.Maybeaf araway
pl
acewedon'tevenknow.Weneedhi m back.Ri
shi
i
sdyingsl
owly.Ohgoodness!'
'
.
'
'IfFarukhadamakechi ld,
wecouldhaveusedthat
child'
sblood.Becauseamalechi
ldishishei
r,
anda
strongbonef r
om him''
.
'
'ButRagahhasofgivenbi
rt
hyet
.Shewi l
lgi
vebi
rt
h
nextmonth!Sodowehavetowai
tti
llnextmont
h?''
.
QueenSheenaasked.
'
'Nomot
her
.Far
ukhasason'
'
.
'
'Huh?''
.Queenmot
herwasshockest
.''Whatare
youtr
yingt
osayLakshmi
?Areyouserious?'
'.
'
'Yes,
yesgr
andmot
her'
'
.
(Shetoldthe!Thewhol
estor
yabouthowFar
uk
rapedChar uandmadeherpregnantand
everyt
hing).
'
'Iam nol
ongersur
priseatanyevil
themotherand
sonwoulddo.Butt
hisisamazing.Wearegoingto
needJeedandgethi
sbl ood'
'.
'
'Idon'
tknowifCharuagreesmother.ButIwil
lhave
awordwithJimmytomorr owsowecanbr ing
CharuandJeedherethedayaft
er''
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
12:
02] :
.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence30
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=Pr
inceMaj
id'
schamber
=Bat
hroo
m)
.
Rishisatont hebat hr oom floornames, wi
ththe
openedshowerbeat ingherent i
rebodyand
weepinghel plessly.Sher emember seachandever
memberoft her oyalf amily'
swor dsaboutMaj id'
s
deathandcoul dn'
tt akei t
.Thenmemor i
esofMaj i
d
andheri nt hebat hroom f ollowed.Shecoul dn'
ttake
i
tanymor e.Shequi ckl yclosedtheshowerandgot
out.Shewor eabat hi ngrobeandwal kedtoherown
chamber ,shemetFar ukont hewalkway.Hest arr
ed
atherfrom headt ot oe.Hei maginedherwetbody
andhairal loverhi sownbodyandcr avedf orherso
muchatt hatmoment .Thesweetscentf r
om her
bodydr ovehi m cr azy.Shef rownedandl ooked
asi
de.
'
'Goodeveni
ng'
'
.
'
'Idon'
twantt
otal
ktoyouKi
ngFar
uk!Sol
eaveme
al
one!'
'.
'
'Wow..
.t
hatwasharsh.Butal
loft
hisatt
it
udeof
your
swil
lchangeaf
tertomorr
ow'sannouncement'
'
.
'
' Whateveryoudo, thati
syourownpeopl e!''
.She
wal kedpassedhi m buthegrabbedherhandand
turnedher ,andsheasshet urned, herhai
rfellon
hisf ace,wetti
nghisfacewithfloralwater
.He
smel ledherhairandshewasshocked.Shepul l
ed
hersel fawayfrom himimmedi ately.
'
'Youarehereal
lal
oneRishi
.Behumbletome.I
am theki
ngnow.Notmylatebr
other'
'
.Hesai
dand
walkedaway,
ent
eri
ngint
otheki
ng'schamber
.
(Rishiwassoflabber
gast
ed.Shewasconf
usedand
alsoleftf
orherchamber)
.
(
FarAway=TheKr
ishiTr
ibe=Chi
ef'
sHome)
.
Itwaslat
eint
henightandthewholet
ownwas
quiet
.Int
hechi
ef'
shome,herbal
ist
sweref
il
led
everywher e.Inoneoft heempt yroomsoft hebi g
houseofpr eciousst ones,Maj orwasl ayeronabi g
matf il
ledwi thsheet s.Hewasst ri
ppedof fhis
clothesandwasputonwi ththei rtr
adit
ionalshor t
s.
Hisupperbodywasnotcl othed.Hewascl eanedup
nicelyandhi shai rwascombedbackwar ds.The
woundonhi schestwascover edwi t
hgr eengrinder
herbandwascover edwi thal eaf.Hewasdeepl y
unconsci ousbutwasbr eathing.Si ndoorasat
besideshi m wi t
habowlofwar m waterandacl ean
rug,massagi nghi sshoul dersandar ms.Shesmi l
ed
whenshest arr
edathi sface.
'
'Isn'thethemosthandsomemanyouhaveever
seen?' '
.Sheaskedt
hetwoser
vant
sstandi
ng
besidesher.
'
'YesSindoor
a.Heisi
ndeedhandsome.Iwonder
wherehecamef r
om,andwhathappenedtohi
m.He
hasn'
tevenopenedhi
seyessi
ncewef oundhi
m''.
'
'Ithi
nkhegothurtprett
ybad.Butt
heher
bali
st
sayshewil
lbefine.I
tlooksl
ikehei
sheal
ingfat
.He
l
ooksbett
erthanyesterday'
'
.
'
' Yes.Iwishheopenedhi
seyessowecouldask
him wherehecamef rom.
..
.orhi
sfami
ly'
'
.Oneof
them said.
'
'Yes,
sot
hatwecanhel
phi
mret
urnt
othem '
'
.
(
Sindoor
afr
ownedatt
hesoundoft
hat
).
'
'Hey.
..
.yougi
rl
sshoul
dshutupal r
eady!Al
lthatwi
ll
bedonewhenhe'sawake.ButIdon'
tthi
nkhehasa
fami
ly'
'.
'
' Ever
yonehasafami
lySi
ndoor
a.Butanyway,
all
thatwouldbedonewhenhe'
sawakeri
ght?Wejust
havetowait'
'.
(
NextDay=Uj
aniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace)
.
Thebel lbangedloudlyandever yoneint hepal ace
andt heentir
ekingdom wer esummonedt ocomet o
thepalace.Farukwasi nhi scrownandr oyalat t
ir
e,
andsowasQueenDor ah.Theyst oodont her oyal
balconywhi l
eeveryoneel sewasdownont he
compound.Ther oyalfami l
ystoodatt hetoowhi l
e
theservantandsubj ectsstooddownont helarge
compoundandout si
det hepalaceaswel l
.
Everyone'sfacelookedconf usedast heywonder ed
whyt heysummoned.Rishiwasinanor malsaree
andherhairwasdown,withherchil
drenplayi
ng
besidesheront
hefloor
.Sheonl ykepthereyeson
them.
'
'Goodmor ningpeopleofUj ani
.Youar enothereby
mistakebutf oragoodr eason''
.Thespokesperson
shoutedatt hetop.'
'Hisroyalhighness,Ki
ngFar uk
wouldliketomakeanannouncementt ousal l
.
Please,letuspayheedt ohim.Thankyou!' '
.
'
'WhatIam goingtosayI'
dnotjustam
announcementbutanorderanddeclar
ati
on.Ihave
spokenaboutt
hiswithmymot her.AndIam
makingblackmagicl
egalinUjaniandJhansi
!'
'.
(Thepeoplewer eastound.Somewer e
pissed,
othersweremur muringandsomeot her
s
wer egl
adbecauset heythemselvesperf
ormed
blackmagi cinsecr
etplaces).
'
'What?!I
mpossibl
e!Thi
sisat
abooFar
uk.You
cannotdothat
!Youcan'
t!'
'
.
'
'Youhavebei
ngtalki
ngtoomuchthi
sdays
grandmot
her
..
.andIam si
ckandt
ir
edofyou!
Guar
ds,
hol
dher
!''
.
(Theguar
dshesi
tatedforamomentandgr
abbed
holdofQueenmother)
.
'
'Leaveheralone!Whyar
eyoudoingthi
s
wickedness?Howcouldyou?'
'
.QueenSheenaal
so
shouted.
'
'Ohgosh..
..
thewomanwhoalsoj
umpedf r
om
ser
vanttor
oyalt
yal
sothi
nksshecant
alk.Grabher
now!'
'.
(
QueenSheenawasal
sogr
abbedhol
dof
).
'
'Faruk,
leavemymot heralonenow!Ihat
eyour
nonsenseandIam al r
eadygetti
ngfedupofyour
i
nsolence!''
.Lakshmishouted.
'
'Don'
tpushmet othr
owyoui nt
othedungeonli
tt
le
si
ster
.Iam notyourf
avour
it
ebrotherMaj
idokay?'
'.
'
'Andyouwil
lneverbehi
m!Heissti
lli
neveryone'
s
hear
tevenaf
terdeat
h.Doyouknowwer eyouwill
remai
ninus?Ourbutt
s!'
'
(
Farukl
oosedi
tandslappedLakshmi har
donthe
f
ace.Rajt
ri
edt
oreactbutRishisecr
etheldhi
m
back.QueenDorahwasj ustenj
oyi
ngthi
sspeci
al
moment .Far
ukturnedbacktothepeopl
ewhowere
al
llooki
ngathim withhate)
.
'
'Thesecondannouncementi
sthat,
Iam gett
ing
marri
edagai
n.Thekingist
omar r
ythreewives,soI
am get
ti
ngmarri
edtoasecondwi f
e''
.
(Theyallweresil
entandRagah'
sheartski
ppeda
beat.Eventhoughshehatedhim nowforki
ll
ingher
father
).
'
'AndIhavef oundthewomanwhohascaptur
ed
myheartandmi nd''
.Hetur
nedt
ohi
srightand
point
edatRishi.'
'Ri
shi
!Sheust
obecomemy
secondwif
e!''.
(
Theshockwastoomuchf oroneday.EvenQueen
Dor
ahwasshocked.Ri
shisuddenl
ybecameweak
i
nherknees)
.
'
'YoumustcrazyFar
uk!Thati
syourl
atebrother
's
wif
e!Areyou!adort
ryi
ngtobemad?!'
'.Queen
motherscr
eamedathim.
'
'Never
.Never!Ionl
ybelongtoMaji
d!Mybody,
my
hear
t,
mymi nd,
mysoul..
..onl
ybel
ongstoMaj
id.
Readmyli
ps...
Maj
id.Maybeyoudi
dn'
theari
t
ri
ght
..
.Maj
id!
!!'
'
.Ri
shiroar
edint
ear
s.
'
'Ohisthatso?Hei sdead!Readmyl i
ps,
dead!Heis
notcomingbackbecausehe' saghostnow!Ikill
ed
hi
m andsawhi m die!Heloosedhisbreathinmy
handsbeforeIthr
ewhi m of
fthatcli
ffint
othe
deadl
ywat er'
'
.
(Everyoneel
setouchedt
hei
rmout
hsi
n
astonishment
).
'
'You.
.you.
.ki
..
.
'
' YesRishi
!Maj i
dwoul dhavesurvivedthewar .He
foughtagoodf i
ght.Heevenkil
ledmanypeopl e
thanIdid.Butatt helastr
ound,Iwouldn'tbeaf ool
toseehi m survi
veandbecomeki ng.Whyshoul dI,
theeldestsonst ayquietf
ormyl i
tt
lebrothertobe
king?Never !SoIendedhim,andtookmyr i
ghtful
place.Andyouar egoingtobemywi f
e,whetheryou
l
ikeitornow!' '
.
'
'Never
!Youwoul
dhavet
oki
llmef
ir
st'
'
.
'
'Hahaha.
..No.Iwoul
dn'
tki
llyou.Noway.Guar
ds!'
'
.
(Heshout edandoneoft heguar
dspushedRi shi
asidecar r
iedMar i
shinhi
sarmsandhandedhert o
Far uk.Ri
shi'
sfacebecameblank.Shetri
edtoget
closer,butFaruktookaswordfr
om oneofthe
guar dsandpoi nt
editatMar
ish'
sneck.Thegirl
criedoutloud.Lakshmi,
KushiandRagahcover
edt
hei
rmout
hswi
tht
hei
r
mouths).
'
'No!Don'
tdothi
sFar
ukpl
ease.
..
why?Ineverdi
d
anyt
hingt
oyou!'
'.
'
'Well,youar et
oobeautif
ultobewasted..
..
soit
's
yourchoi ce.Bythecountofthr
ee.
..
wear egett
ing
marriedtomor row.Ever
ythi
ngismader eadysoit
's
uptoyout oacceptoryourdaught
erdies.
Three,two...
one..
.
'
'Fi
ne!Gi
vememydaught er
!Iagr
ee!Let'
sget
marr
iednowifthat
'swhatyouwant!Butgive
Mari
shback!'
'
.
'
'Excell
ent!'
'.HesaidandgaveMari
shbacktoRishi
andshet ookMeer ahaswell
,
huggi
ngthem ont
he
fl
oorintears.'
'Anyonewhodoesnotatt
endthi
s
weddingshallbeouttodeat
h!Whet
herri
chor
poor
,sickorheal
thy.
..
youmustcome.Youcanal
l
l
eavenow!' '
.
(
Everyonelef
ttothei
rvar
ioushomes,Far
ukandhi s
motherlef
twit
htheguardswi t
hQueenmot herand
QueenSheena.Lakshmiquickl
yfol
lowedthem to
t
hedungeon.RagahandKushibentdownt owards
Ri
shi).
'
'Wewi l
lsur
vivethisRi
shi
.Pl
ease,
justcal
m down.
Ever
ythi
ngwillbe..
.
'
' Nothi
ngwi llbefi
ne!Howdar eMaj i
dleavemeli
ke
this?WillFarukevenhavet hebal
lstotalki
fMaji
d
washer e?OhGod!HowcanIsur vivethi
smarr
iage?
IhateFar uksomuch. ..
toomuch,howcanImar r
y
him?Ican' tbegintoimaginehishandsonmybody!
'
'.Shewept .
(
Int
hedungeon)
.
Queenmot herandQueenSheenawer et
hrowninto
thedungeonbyFar uk'
sor
ders.Themetalgat
es
werelockedandLakshmiarr
ivedther
eindist
ress
andhelpthebars.QueenSal
mawasj ustwatching
t
hem qui
etl
yandshamef
ull
y.
'
'Lakshmi
,haveyouspokent
oMaj
id'
sfr
iend?'
'
.
'
'Yesmot her.Thereisapr obl
em, hei sgoingto
l
eavetheki ngdom tomor r
ow.Hedoesn' twanttobe
underFaruk'sruli
ng.Sohei sleavingandnever
comingback.It ol
dhi m ever
ything,buthedidn't
beli
eveinsucht hings.Andheal sosai dJeedhas
bloodproblemsandsoChar uwoul dn'
tall
owhimt o
comef ortherit
ualashei ssti
llveryyoung' '
.
'
'What?!Whatki
ndoff
ri
endi
she?Hei
snoteven
Jeed'
sfat
her!'
'
.
'
'Butheisabetterf
athert
hanFarukwoul
deverbe
grandmot
her''
.Lakshmicri
ed.'
'Whatdowedoto
rel
easeQueenMeer ahnow?''
.
'
'Howl
ongdi
dJi
mmysai
dwehavet
owai
t?'
'
.
'
'HesaidifJeedmaybeget sal i
ttl
eol
der.Henever
sai
dwhen.Ibeggedhi m buther ef
used.Ialso
underst
andhim mother.Charuhasbeingthr ougha
l
otwithherpregnancy,
Idon'tthi
nkshewi llwantto
putherson'
slif
eindangernow' '.
'
'Sot
hati
sit
?Wehavel
oosedt
hisbat
tl
e?'
'
.
(
Theyal
lfel
lint
otot
alsi
lence)
.
(
TheKi
ng'
schamber
).
'
'Whati
sitnow?'
'
.
'
'Whatisthemeani
ngofallt
hisFar
uk?Ist
histhe
surpr
iseyouwant
edtogiveme?Whatiscoming
overyou?HowdareyouchooseMaji
d'swi
fefor.
..
'
'Ifyouareheref
orthat
,thenyoumayleavemot her
.
Thatgir
liswhatIwant'
'.Hesaidandgotup.''She
dri
vesmecr azymother
!Herface,
herhai
r,herbody.
..
'
'Enough!Shei
sst
il
lMaj
id'
swi
feandyourenemy!'
'
.
'
'Iam pr otectedmot her.Shewillbeafrai
dofmef or
oner eason.Ihavet hepowert ot akeherchil
dren
awayf rom her .Justl i
keItookMaj i
d.Sodon'tworry
andsuppor tme.Becausewhet heryoul i
keitornot,
I
willmar r
yhert omor row.Andi tiscomi ngonf orr
eal
'
'.Hesai dandl eftthechamber .QueenDor ah
couldn'tbelievethi
s.
(
NextDay)
.
Ther
oyalweddi
ngcamet
opass,
thatFar
ukand
Rishiwer ejoinedt ogetherashusbandandwi f
e.
Bhavnacoul dn'tsayordoanyt hing.Sheadvised
Rishitodoever ythi nginherpowernott ogive
herselftoFar uk, butshenevert oldheraboutMaj i
d
orQueenMeer ah, asitwast obekeptasecr etunti
l
everyt
hi ngstartedwor ki
ngout .Rishiwasordained,
theidealQueenofUj aniandJhansievent hough
shedidn' tappreci atethet i
tl
e.Ont henightoftheir
wedding, sher ushedi ntoMaj i
d'schamberwi thher
daught ersandl ockedt hemselvesupt opr
event
Farukf rom gettingachancewi t
hher .
(
1WeekLat
er=TheKr
ishiTr
ibe=Eveni
ng=Chi
ef'
s
Home)
.
Sindooraneversteppedafootf rom Majid'
ssi de
eversincehewasl ayedont hatmat .Shehel da
whiteandcleanr ugwit
hwar m wat eranddi dn'tst
op
massagi nghim andapplyi
ngher balointment.She
caressedhissoftfaceandsmi led.Thet wo
servantsenter
edwi t
hsomef oodandf ruit
s.
'
' Si
ndoor
a,youhaven'
teatensi
ncemor ni
ng.Pl
ease
eatsomethingnowbeforeyourfat
hercomesfrom
themeeti
ng' '
.
'
'Idon'twanttokeepmyeyesofhim.Idon'
t
understandwhyhehasnotopenedhiseyessi
nce
wesawhi m.Butheisst
il
lbr
eat
hing''
.
'
'It
hinkiti
sbecausehesuf
feredal
otfr
om t
he
st
abbinganddrowningf
rom t
hewater'
'
.
'
'Whenwi
llheopenhi
seyes?'
'
.
(Maji
dshookhi shandslowlyopenedhiseyes.The
gir
lspani
cked.Hisvisi
onwasbl uryandhewas
weak.Heblinkedhiseyesandyawned.Thatwas
whenhef el
tthepainsofthestabbing.Hecoughed
andSindooraquickl
ycaressedhisface).
'
'Sshhh.
..
slowl
y,r
elaxdear
.Rel
ax.Youar
efi
ne
now..
.
(Majidtri
edsitti
ngupandt hethreegirl
shel pedhim
sitdown,resti
nghisheadont hewal lbehind.He
starr
edatt hem str
angelyinconfusi
on.Hi sbear er
hadgr ownal it
tl
eandhel ookedthinandwr etched.
Hisvisionwasst il
lbl
ury.Heslowlyscr at
chedhi s
eyes).
'
'Hurr
y!Goandcalleveryone!Cal
lmotherand
f
atherandever
yoneelse!Tellt
hem t
hestranger
wokeup,
hurr
y!'
'
.Si
ndoor
asai
dandt
het
wogi
rl
s
r
ushedout.
(Maji
d'svisi
onfi
nal
lybecamecl
earandhesaw
Sindoora'
sfacecl
earer
.Hewasfri
ght
enedandhad
noideawher ehewas).
'
'Whoar
eyou?Wher
eam I
?''
.
'
'Cal
m down,al
lyourquest
ionswi
llbeanswer
ed
soonokay?'
'
.
(Everyonesuddenlyenter
edt heroom inexci
tement.
Maj i
dgotscar edandhisbreathi
nguneasy.
Sindoorapouredacupofwat erforhimtodri
nk.
Afterthat
,hefeltal
it
tl
ebetter,st
arri
ngateveryone
ont heroom,oneaf t
ertheotherinconfusi
on).
'
'Wher
eam I
?Whoareyoual
l?Idon'
tunder
stand'
'
.
Hesai
dandhel
dhi
sheadinpai
n.
'
'Howar
eyouyoungman?'
'
.Thechi
efasked.
'
'If
eelokay.
..
.Iguess'
'
.
'
'Wef oundyoualmosttwoweeksago,att
hebank
ofourriver
.Youwereveryhur
tandatthever
geof
deat
h.Wedon' tknowwhathappened,
butwetook
youi
nandyouhavebei
ngunconsci
ousf
or,
Idon'
t
knowhowl
ong''
.Thechi
efsai
d.
'
'Yes.Pl
ease,
nowthatyouar
eawake,
canyoutel
l
uswhoyouare?Orwhereyouar
efr
om?''
.Si
ndoora
askedwit
hasmil
e.
(
Majidlookeddown,asifhewast ryi
ngtoremember
whathappened,buthecouldn't
.Hef or
cedhismi
nd
t
orecoll
ectwhateverthathappenedbutitwasn'
t
r
eveali
nganythi
ng.Fearovertookhim andhe
l
ookedatthepeopleinfrontofhim).
'
'I
..
.Idon'
tknow'
'
.Hesai
d.
'
'Excuseme?'
'
.Ashokaskedi
nsur
pri
se.
'
'Idon'
tknowwhoIam.Ican'
tremember'
'
.
'
'Areyousure?Notevenyourname?Pleasetr
yto
remember.Wecan'tkeepsomeone'
str
easureher
e''
.
Thechiefsai
d.
'
'Iswearsi
r,
Ican'
trememberanyt
hing.Nothi
ngat
al
l.
..
I.
..
Idon'
tknow.Whati
shappening?''
.
(
Thechi
eft
urnedt
otheher
bal
istwhowasnoddi
ng)
.
'
'I
tsomet
imeshappenschi
ef.Awomanf
rom t
he
nextt
ownhadadaught erwhosuf feredthi
ssame
si
tuat
ion.Thechildcoul
dn'trecogniseherown
motheraft
erfall
ingandhit
tingherheadt err
ibl
y
hardonat abl
e''
.
'
'Ohgoodness.Whatt
ypeofsi
cknessi
sthi
sone
cal
led?'
'
.
'
' I
tisnotactuall
yasi ckness.I
t'
samemor yloss.
Andsomesuf fersitpermanentl
ywhi l
eothers
suffer
stempor ary.Givetheboysomet i
me, Ithi
nk
hemi ghtremembert hingssoon''.Shewhisperedto
thechief
.
'
'Ar
eyousur
e?'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyout
hink?'
'
.
'
'Well.
..
hedoesn'
tl ookli
keabadpersontome.And
i
findeed,hecan'
tr ememberhispast,
Ican'
tlethi
m
go.Thatwil
lbewi ckedofme.Iwil
lkeephimf or
now.Atleastunt
ilher emembers'
'.
(
Thechi
eft
urnedt
oMaj
idandt
her
est
).
'
'Fat
her
,whatdowedonow?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l,
hei
sgoi
ngt
oneedourhel
p,sonevermi
nd.
Hecanst
ay'
'
.
(Theyal
lcheeredinhappinessastheyhadgota
newmemberi ntheirt
ri
be.Sindooratookt
hetrayof
foodandplacediti
nfrontofMajid)
.
'
'I
tisokay.Don'
tbeaf
rai
d,youar
eoneofusnow'
'
.
'
'Oneofyou?But
..
..
whoam I
?''
.
'
'Yournamenow,isAbhishek.Whenyour
egainyour
memor yi
nthefut
ure,youcantel
lusever
ythi
ng,
okay?Areyouhungry?'
'.
(Eventhoughhef el
tuncomfort
able,
henodded.
Everyoneelseexcusedthem whil
eSindoor
afed
him).
Thedayswentver yf ast
.Maj i
dr ecoveredfrom hi s
wound, li
tt
lebyli
tt
leandbecamest rongerbyt he
day.Andi nUjani
,Farukkeptr uli
ngi nselfi
shness
andwi ckednessbecauseRi shirefusedt ogive
hersel
ft ohim.Ragahgavebi rthtoagi rlandFar uk
punishedherbyst ar
vingherf orweeks, andr efused
toseet hefaceofhisowndaught er.Queenmot her
andQueenSheenaneverf reedf rom thedungeon,
butLakshmiandt hemai dsalwaysbr oughtherf ood.
QueenDor ahli
vedi nhappi ness.Char ur
efusedt o
i
mposeherson, Jeedi ntoanydangeragai n, and
alwayschangedt hesubj ectwhenJi mmybr oughti
t
upf orhertotakeJeedt oUj aniforBhavnaandt he
priesttotakehisbloodt of reeQueenMeer ah.
QueenSal ma,duet ostarvingl oosedherli
feand
wasbur i
ed.UjaniandJhansiwasnowt he
foundat i
onofblackmagi c.Meer ahandMar ish
grewupt obethet womostst ubborngir
lsint he
palaceandki ngdom asawhol e.Onehadher
father'
stemperandt heot herhadhermot her '
s
tri
ckishbehavior.Inall,
theyal ltri
edtosurviveunder
ther ul
ingofFaruk.
(
6Year
sLat
er=Uj
aniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace)
.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
12:
02] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence31
.
(
SixYear
sLat
er=Uj
aniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace)
.
Rishit
iedherhairup.Nomakeup, i
nar oyalsar
ee
andnover mil
iononherforehead.Shewal keddown
thewalkwayindistr
ess,shouti
ngtheirnames.She
bumpedi nt
oKushiont heway, shewasal so
l
ookingdistr
essed.
'
'Whati
sitKushi
?Ar
eyouokay?'
'
.
(
Kushil
ookedar
oundt
omakesur
enoonewas
l
ist
eni
ng).
'
'Rishi
,youknowthatyouandShivareallIhavegot
eversincemymot herpassedaway.ButIam
feel
ingveryscar
ednow' '
.
'
'I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?Youcant
ellme'
'
.
'
'Ithi
nksomeonehasbei
ngspyi
ngonShivandI.
Youknowthat,
Far
ukhear
saboutthi
s,
hewil
lki
llhi
m!
'
'.
'
'Calm down,
thisisnott
hepl
acetotal
kaboutt
his
t
hings.
...
wewilltal
kinmychamber,
buthaveyou
seenMeer
ahandMar
ish?'
'
.
'
'It
hink,
Isawt
hem goi
ngt
otheki
tchensi
de'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Ial
sodi
dn'
tunder
stand.
..
.
'
'Pleasehelpmel ookforthem '
'.Shehel
dKushi'
s
handandt heybothstart
edt hei
rnames,wal
king
downt hestai
rs.
(
RoyalKi
tchen)
.
Thetwoi
nnocentdevi
lsgott
otheki
tchenand
boweddowntothemaids.
'
'Pr
incesses.
..
doyouneedanyt
hing?'
'
.Pr
iyaasked.
'
'I
sbreakf
astr
eady?'
'
.Mar
ishasker
,l
ooki
ngi
ntot
he
f
oods.
'
'Yes.Wear eser vi
ngar
rangi
ngthem onatr
aytogo
andserve..
.aww, youpr
ett
yangels,
youmustbever
y
hungryaren'tyou?''
.
'
'VeryhungryauntPr
iya.CanIpleasehelpyou
car
rythefoods?''
.Meerahaskerinnocent
ly.
'
'Ohno.
..
thati
stheser
vant
sjobt
odo.Andbesi
des,
t
hefoodsareheavy''
.Avnianswer
edandcar
ri
ed
QueenDor
ah'sbreakf
astonat r
ay.
'
'YesMeerah,come,
Iam t
aki
ngyourmot
her
's
f
ood,come.
..
let'
sgo''
.
(AvniwalkedpassedPriyawithQueenDorah'
s
breakfast
.Mar i
shstoodatthedoorandst
retched
herrightl
egont heway,makingAvnit
ri
pontothe
fl
oor,wit
hallthefoodsfal
li
ngandgetti
ngdestroyed
onthef l
oor).
'
'Ohgoodness!Pr
iyapl
acedhertrayoffoodona
t
abl
eandt r
iedhel
pingAvniup.'
'AreyouokayAvni
..
.
'
' Don'
ttouchme!''
.Shesaidandangr i
lygotupon
herfeetandstar
redatMar i
shwithanger.Marish
l
ookedupatherandwi nkedather,
thensmiledat
thecornerofherl
ips.'
'Youli
tt
le.
..
'
'Nonono. .
..
youdon'ttal
ktoachi l
dli
kethat.And
especial
lynother
.Youhavet ogoanchangeyour
unif
orm, comebackandser veandQueenDor ah
anotherfoodandgoandser veher.Youknowwhat
shewi l
ldoifyoudelaywi t
hherbreakfast'
'
.Priya
sai
d.''Andmakesur e,aft
erservi
ngthebreakfast
,
youwil
lcomebackhereandcleanthi
smessup.I
don'
twantther
oyalki
tchendi
rty'
'
.
'
'What
ever'
'
.Avnisai
dangr
il
yandl
eft
.
'
'Okay..
.l
et'
sgogi
rl
s!'
'
.Pr
iyasai
dandwal
ked
passedthem.
(Meerahquickl
ythrewasmal lwrappedpaperover
toMar i
sh,Pri
yanearl
yreali
seditandturnedher
back.Theybothsmi l
edwidely,
putti
ngtheirhand
behindthem i
nnocentl
y).
'
'Whatar
eyougi
rl
supt
othi
sti
me?'
'
.
'
'Nothi
ng!Wear
ejustadmi
ri
ngyourbeaut
yaunt
y
Pri
ya''
.Meer
ahsai
d.
'
'Yes.Youar
everyoldandbeauti
ful
.Nowonder
youarethel
eaderoft
hemaids''
.Marishsai
d
happi
ly.
(Pr
iyalaughedandst eppedout .Marishqui
ckly
wentclosertoQueenDor ah'sbowl soffoodand
openedt hewrappedpaper .Therewasawhi te
substanceinitandshequi cklypouredital
lint
othe
j
uiceandst ew,shequickl
yst arr
editandrushedout
wit
hMeer ah.Theykeptgigglingwhenf ol
lowing
Pri
ya.ThentheymetRi shiandKushiont heway.
MeerahandMar i
shopenedt heirmouthsinsur pr
ise
whentheysawt heirmother.Mar i
shquicklyhisthe
paperi
nherdr essandstartedactingalli
nnocent
wit
hhersister
).
'
'Youtwo!Iwil
lteachyoualessontoday!'
'
.Ri
shi
shout
ed.'
'DidInottel
lyoutocleanyourmout
hs
andbathbef
oresteppingout
?''
.
'
'Wedidmot
her
!RightMeerah?'
'
.Mar
ishasked
Meer
ahwhowaslookingscar
ed.
'
' Nowedidn't
!SorryMarish.Okay,
weshallgoand
takeourbathandcleanourmout hsnow''
.Thetwo
girl
srunfastpassedRishi,l
eavi
ngthet
hreewomen
l
aughing.
'
'Yout woarenotgoingtoeatuntilyouar
edone!''
.
Rishishout
edinlaughter.'
'Ohgoodness.
..Iknew
t
hiswasMar i
sh'
splant olett
hem getout
.What
weretheydoinginthekitchenPr
iya?''
.
'
'Ihavenoideayourhi
ghness.Pl
ease,
your
breakf
asti
sready''
.
'
'Noprobl
em,letusgo'
'
.Theyal
lwal
kedbackt
o
herchamber
.
(
MumbaiCi
ty=Ji
mmy'
sMansi
on)
.
Ithadbei ngyear sf inenow, hehadal readyhadt wo
childrenwi t
hChar u,butthroughal lthat,hewas
neverr eall
yhappyaf terloosinghi sbestf riend.He
neverspi keabouti t,
butChar uknewt hatshewas
partlytoblamef ornotagr eeingt otakeJeedback
toUj aniforther i
tual .Theysatatt hedi nningt able
eatingwi ththechi ldren.Jeedhadgr ownt obeone
handsomeyoungboy.Andi twasnotsur prisi
ng,
ever yt
hingabouthi m wasFar uk.From headt ot oe,
het ookFar uk'seyes, nosel i
ps, hai
randever yt
hing.
Thatwasoneoft het hi
ngwhi chscar edChar u
most ,
butwhent heywentt obedt hel astnight,she
tookt hesituati
oni nt oconsi derati
ont hat,
isit
wer en'tf
orMaj idaswe' l
l,
thensheandJeedwoul d
bedead.Shecl earedhert hroatatt het ableand
cleanedherl ips.
'
'Ji
mmy,
doyout
hinki
t'
stool
ate?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tunder
stand'
'
'
'Iknowithabeingsi
xyearsnow,buti
sittool
atet
o
changemymi ndandtakeJeedtoUjanif
orthe
ri
tual
s?'
'
'
'Wha..
..
huh?Youaccept
edi
tnow?Af
tersi
xwhol
e
year
s?'
'.
'
'Iknow!' '
.Shecr i
ed.''
Iwasscar edf orthesaf etyof
Jeed.YouknowFar ukwillki
llhi
mi fhewasi nf ront
ofhim!ButIr egretnottakinghim sooner .Ihave
beingadi sgracetoUjani,Pri
nceMaj idsavedJeed
andIwhenDast hantri
edt okil
lusatt hehotel,andI
forgotthatsoon.Butnow, Jeednol ongersuf fers
from anaemia, andheisgr ownt obest r
ongand
brave,It
hinktakingalitt
lebloodfr om him woul dn'
t
hurt''
.
'
'Hmm '
'
.
'
'Butdoyour
eal
lyt
hinkPr
inceMaj
idi
sal
ive?'
'
.
'
'Idon'
tknow.Lakshmisai
ditwast hepr
iest
softhe
ki
ngdom thatsai
dso.Andalso,
theysawasignthat
hewasalive''
.
'
'Thenweshoul
dleavet
omor
row.Iwi
llst
art
packi
ngsomethi
ngsandwewil
lgobacktoUjani
t
omorrow.SotheycantakeJeed'
sbloodt
ofree
QueenMeerah,soshewil
lbri
ngPrinceMaj
idback
t
otakewhatishis'
'.
'
'Areyouseri
ous?'
'.Jimmyaskedi ntears.'
'You
can'
timagi
nehowImi ssmyfriendCharu..
..
ifhei
s
tr
ulyal
ivet
hen,Iwi
llbethankf
ulforever'
'
.
'
'Don'
tworr
y,Ibeli
eveintheLor
d.AndIbeli
evehe
i
sali
ve.Andhewi l
lcomebacktousagain.Far
uk'
s
r
eignovert
hethroneisbutashortt
ime'
'
.
'
'Mot
her
,wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?'
'
.Jeedasked.
'
'Wearegoingtoseeyourunclesandaunt
iesand
gr
andmothersoonJeed.Areyouhappy?''
.
'
'Yepee!Yes.Wi
llt
her
ebechocol
atest
her
easwel
l
?
'
'
.
'
'Ofcour
se.Lot
soft
hem.
..
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=Maj
id'
schamber
).
Rishist
oodt here,
starri
ngatMajid'
spor
traitonthe
wall.Achainflowerwashangedoni tt
osi gnif
ythat
hewasdead.Tear srusheddownherfaceasshe
touchedhisfaveont heport
rai
t.Shenolongerhad
hopeorhappi ness.Heronl yhappi nesswer eher
gir
lsnow.Asshet houghtdeepl yonhowt o
composeher sel finf r
ontofFar uk,shehear dal oud
scream out si
de.Shequi cklyr ushedoutandsaw
peopl erushedal lar oundQueenDor ahwhowas
vomi ti
ngandr eleasinghor riblegasever ywher e.
Rishiwasast oni shed.Shewentcl osert ocheck.
Farukcommandedf orther oyaldoct orst oquickly
comeandcheckonher .Ri shisawMeer ahand
Mar ishbesidesKushi ,
laughi ngt heirheadsof f.
Theygavet hemsel veshi ghf iveandcont i
nued
l
aughi ng.Kushisawt hisandl aughedsi l
entlyas
sheknewt hoset wower er esponsi blef orthat.
Priyanka,Faruk'sdaught ergott othei rsideand
joi
nedt hem inl aught er.Ther oyaldoct or squickly
tookQueenDor ahi ntot her oyalt reatmentr oom as
everyonedepar ted.Far uksawRi shist andingt here
andf rowned.Hequi cklywentt ohersi deandf ol
ded
hisar msonhi schest .
'
'It
oldyout
ocomeandseemei
nychamber
,di
dn'
t
I
?''
.
'
'Iwasbusy'
'
.
'
'Whati
smor
eimpor
tantt
hanme?'
'
.
'
'Maj
idis!Maj
idismyrealhusband!Hei
sthel
ove
ofmyli
fe!Andther
eisnot
hingyoucandoabouti
t!
'
'.
(Hesl appedRishihard,
makingherfal
l.Marish
frownedaf arandtookashar pri
bbonoutofherhair.
Meer ahheldherbackandshookherhead.But
Mar i
shpushedMeer ah'
shandawayandr ushed
behindFar uk.Sheusedallherstr
engthtostabhim
from theback.Hegr oanedinpainandturnedhis
back).
'
'Don'
tevert
ouchmymot
her
!Youmonst
er!'
'
.
'
'Mar i
sh..
.ohgoodness!Youl i
tt
lerascal!Li
kefat
her
l
ikedaught er!'
'.Farukshout
edandgr abbed
Mar i
sh'
shai r.Rishiloosedi
tandslappedFar uk
acrossthef ace,thenshepulledherdaughtertoher
.
'
'Don'tdar
e!Youcandowhateveryouwantwit
h
me..
.butdon'
tinvol
veanyofmydaughter
s!'
'
.
(
Meer
ah,
KushiandPr
iyankaj
oinedRi
shi
).
'
'Oh.
..
ist
hatso?
?Guar
ds'
'
.
(Thr
eeguar
dsar
ri
vedt
her
eandboweddownt
o
him).
'
'Yourhi
ghness'
'
'
'Takehert
omychambernow!'
'
.Far
uksai
dand
angri
l
y,poi
nti
ngatRi
shi
.
(Theyobeyedandgr abbedher.Shedidn'
ttr
yto
resi
stbecausesheknewshewoul dn'
twin.The
chil
drentri
edtostoptheguardsbutKushiheld
them back.Astheytookher,
Farukfol
lowedin
l
aught er
).
(
FarAway=Kr
ishiTr
ibe)
.
Thesmal ltownhadi mprovedal ongt heyear s.The
hardwor ksoft hetri
be'
snamet omanyki ngdoms
want edtoknowmor eaboutt heirpr eci ousst ones
andsi l
verwhi chmadet hem ver yrichand
prosperous.Thet imeoft heyearhadar ri
vedwhen
thei
rr i
verswoul dproducepreci ousst onesi nthem
forthement ogoandcol lect
.Br ighti nt hemor ni ng,
themenoft het r
iberemovedt heircl othes,leaving
thei
rshor t
sonandr ushingtot her i
ver .Ashokwent
i
ntohi sfather'
shousequi ckl
yandr eachedMaj id's
bedr
oom.Hel ayeddowninhi
sdeepinhissl
eep
andSindoor
asatbesidest
hemat,
star
ri
ngathim.
'
'Si
n..
.whatar
eyoudoi
ng?'
'
.
'
'Youar
eher
e''
.
'
'Iam comi ngtocallAbhi,
sothatwegoandcol l
ect
stones.Besides,whatareyouevendoingher
e,huh?
!
Whenwi llyouacceptthatthi
smanher ehasno
feel
ingsforyou?Andsoonerorl at
er,
whenhe
start
stor emembert hi
ngs,hewil
lgobacktowhere
hecamef rom '
'
.
'
'Idon'
tthi
nkhewi
llr
ememberanyt
hing.I
t'
sbei
ng
si
xyears''
.
'
' Nooneknowswhatwil
lhappenedlater'
'
.Hesai d
andwentcloserandt
appedonMaj i
d'sshoulders.
Heopenedhiseyesandsatup.'
'Heybr ot
her,you
toldmetowakeyouupwheni t
stimet ocoll
ectthe
stones'
'
.
'
'Oh.
..
sor
ry.It
hinkIsl
eptdeep'
'
.
'
'Youcansl
eepmor
eifyouf
eelweak'
'
.
'
'Nono.
..
Ican'
tl
eaveyouguyst
owor
kal
one.
..
Si
ndoor
a,youar
eher
etoo?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l,
Ijustcamet
ochecki
fyouneedanyt
hing'
'
.
'
'What?But,
Iwasasleep..
.anyway,t
hankyou.Idon'
t
needanyt
hing.Ashok,shallwe?'
'
.
'
'Let
'sgo'
'
.
(Hegotupandwal kedout sidewi t
ht hem.Thesay
l
ighthi thisfaveandski n.FollowedbyAshokand
Sindoor a.Mostoft hechildrenr ushedt owardshim
andhel dhi shandsi nplayfulmode.Hehadbei nga
goodmanandagr eathel ptot hetribeeversincehe
arri
vedt here.Themencar riedbi gnet stowardsthe
ri
ver,asi ftheyweregoi ngtocat chf i
sh.Majid
patteredt hechil
drenandt ookt ohisheel swith
Akshayt owardsther i
ver.Sindoor at ookadeep
breath,standingatthedoor .Oneoft hemai dsoft he
housear ri
vedtherewithat rayofgr apes).
'
'Gr
apes?'
'
.
'
'Keepiti
nther
oom f
orAbhi.Hewillneedallthe
st
rengt
hinthewor
ldaft
ercoll
ect
ingtheprecious
st
ones''
.
'
'Youar
est
il
lthi
nki
ngabouthi
m?'
'
.
'
'Howwoul
dIst
opTani
?How?'
'
.
'
'Buthehasalr
eadymadeitcl
eartoyout
hathehad
nofeel
ingsf
oryou.Heonl
yseesyouasasist
er?
Andyourfat
herhasal
sotakenhi
m asason''
.
'
'Theonlywayhewi
llf
alli
nlovewi
thme,
i
sby
seduci
nghim''
.
'
'Huh?
!Youar
egoi
ngt
ogot
hatf
ar?'
'
.
'
' Il
ovehi m Tani!Whydoesnoonei nt het r
ibe
under stand!TheLor dknowswhyhebr oughthim
here!ItisbecauseIhavebei ngwaiti
ngf ormyone
trueloveal lmylif
e!Listen,makesureyoukeept hat
bigmout hofyoursshutonwhatam pl anni ngtodo
tonightokay?Iwi llgointohisroom t
oni ghtand
waittillhearri
vesf r
om ther i
ver,
andhewon' tbe
abletor esistmybody. .
.justsi
gnitont hewal l'
'
.She
saidwi thdeterminati
on.
(
Att
her
iver
).
Al
lthemenhadgat
her
edthemsel
vestogetheri
n
t
hewater
,swi
mmingher
eandther
e,sur
roundingthe
entir
ewat er.Theywer et hirt
ymen, i
ncludingMaj id
wasshi rtl
ess, hisbodywassomanl yandt he
woundoft hekni feonhi schesthadcompl etely
healed.Hishai rhadgr ownhal fwayl ongt ohi sneck
andhel ookedst r
ongandheal t
hy.Heswam i ntot he
waterwi thaneti nhi shand, hesawpr eciousst ones,
l
inedup, deepi nt othewat er,hecol l
ectedsomeand
placedthem i nt othenet .Heswam deeperand
deeperintot her iverandt herewasadar kvi ew
whichhadbei ngcaughtbyt hepr eciousst ones.He
neededt ocat chhi sbreat h.Heswam upt her iver
andt ookadeepbr eath,hesawsomeoft hemen
alsocatchingt heirbreat h.Afterhebr eathi n,he
swam backi ntot her i
verandwentdeeperand
deeperandsawavi ew.Heswam downt ot her iver
groundsandt ookt hepr eciousst onesf rom t hevi ew
andt ookthecl oth.Itwasadr ess.Hewasshocked
whenher ealisedi tat raditi
onalweddi ngdr ess.He
tookitinhishandandsomet hingf el
loutofi t,he
l
ookeddownandsawanel ephantneckl ace.Thenet
sli
ppedf rom hi shandsandt ookt heneckl acei nto
hishands, hest arredati tforal ongwhi l
ei nthe
waterandhewasl oosinghi sbr eath.Flashesof
thunderandl ight eni
ngcl oudedhisvi ewandhis
memor ywasbl ur.Hesawabeaut if
ulwoman
wear i
ngthatneckl aceinawat erwithhim.Hewas
shockedandhest art
edswi mmi ngup.Hegott othe
surfaceoft her iverandhel dhisheadt i
ghtl
ywitha
painfulgroan.Hehel dtheneckl aceinastrong
handsandst arr edatitcloser.Thememor iescame
again,hesawhi mselfinabeaut if
ulroom,weari
ng
thatnecklace, andsawt hatsamewomanwear ing
thesameneckl ace,buthecoul dn'tseeherface
properlybecausei twasbl urr
y.
'
'Wha.
..
.
'
'Abhi
!Haveyoucoll
ect
edanystones?'
'
.Hehear
da
voi
ceshout
edfrom f
arbehi
nd.
'
'Whowast
hat
?Idon'
tunder
stand.
..
(Thememor i
escameappr oachingfastandhesaw
himselfinbedwi t
hthewoman, wear i
ngthe
necklaceandhequi ckl
yswam outoft heri
ver
,he
gottother i
verbankindizzi
ness.Theothermen
sawt hisandalsostart
edswimmi ngtothebank.
Majidheldboththenecklaceandt hedressi
nhis
handsandhef el
lononeknee.Thememor iescame
fasti
ntohisheadandhecoul dn'
tcontr
olthe
confusionashesawhi mselfr
emovingthatsame
olddressheheldfrom thewomanwi t
hthe
necklace'
sinawater.Ashokgotther
eandgr abbed
holdofhim andkneltbefor
ehim).
'
'Br
other
!Ar
eyouokay?Saysomet
hing!'
'
.
'
'I
..
.Isawher
.Idon'
tunder
standwhatIsaw'
'
.
'
'Whatdi
dyousee?Wheredi dyougetthi
sthi
ngs
f
rom?''
.Heasked,t
ryi
ngt
ot aketheneckl
acebut
Maj
idheldi
tti
ghtandpul
ledit.
'
'Don'
ttouchi
t!I
tismi
ne!'
'
.
'
'Butyoucameher
ewi
thnot
hingbr
other
.Wher
edi
d
yougetthi
s?'
'
.
(
Maji
dgotuponhi
sfeet
,st
il
lhol
dinghi
sheadand
t
heneckl
ace)
.
'
'Iam sor
ry,
Ican'
tcol
lectanymorestones.
..
maybe
anot
herday''
.Hesai
dandwal kedawaytothe
chi
ef'
shouse.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
12:
02] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence32
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=Eveni
ng=Royal
Pal
ace=Queen
Ri
shi'
schamber
).
Shesatonhergr andbed,weepingwhi l
eKushi
comfort
edher.Meer ahandMar ishangril
yhis
behi
ndherdoor ,
watchingandlisteni
ngtohercr y.
Kushiopenedthedrawerandt ookoutat issue.
'
'WhathappenedRishi
?Whatwi
llyout
ellt
hegi
rl
sif
t
heysawyoucr yi
ngnow?'
'.
'
'Far
uk,
he.
..
'
'Ohmygoodness!Pl
easet
ellmei
tisnotwhatam
t
hinki
ng.Di
dhedaret
ouchyou?Thatbeast
!''
.
'
'Nohedi
dn'
t!Het
ri
edt
orapeme.Butl
ucki
lyf
or
me,t
herewasasmallkni
feneart
hedr
awerandI
t
hreatenedhi
m wi
thi
t''
.
'
'OhthankGod.That
'sgood.Sot
hen,
whyar
eyou
cr
ying?'
'.
'
'Hehasthreat
enedt
oexecut
eQueenmot
herand
QueenSheenatomor
row''
.
'
'No.
..
.
'
' Hehasnoconsi derati
onKushi.Hesai dhehas
deair
edmef orsixyearsandIhaverejectedhim.He
saidIam hiswi f
enowandi ti
smyr i
ghtt otr
eathi
m
l
ikeIdidwi t
hMaj id.AndsaidifIdi
dn'
tacceptto
spendt henightwithhimthiseveni
ngt hen,
hewould
surel
yexecut eQueenmot herandQueenSheena
tomorrowinbr oaddayl i
ght''
.
(
Kushicover
edhermout
hwi
thbot
hherhandsi
n
f
ri
ght)
.
'
'And.
..
ohLor
d,whyar
eyoulet
ti
ngal
lthi
shappened
t
ous?Whatdidyousay?'
'
.
'
'Ican'
twatchhi
m ki
llt
heonlyt
wopeopl
eIhavel
eft
i
nthepalaceasmotherssi
ncehehasf
orbi
ddenmy
mot
hert
ocomeandvi
sitme'
'
.
'
'Ri
shi
?Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?'
'
.
'
'Iam goi
ngtobetr
ayMaj i
d''.Shesaidt
hatwit
ha
l
otofpainandsorr
ow.''Ihaveaskedhimtoset
QueenmotherandQueenSheenaf r
eetomorr
ow.
AndIpromisehi
mi fhedoest hat
,t
henIwil
lgi
ve..
.I
wil
lgi
vemyselftohim''
.
'
'I
..
.
'
'Hesaidhewoulddothattomorr
owmor ning''
.She
sai
dandfacedKushi.'
'I
fFarukevert
ouchesme
Kushi
,Iwoul
ddie.IswearIwil
lki
llmysel
f!'
'.
(
Thet
wof
ri
endsembr
acedeachot
hert
ight
ly)
.
(
Ont
hewal
kway)
.
Thetwosi
ster
swal
kedsl
owl
yinangerandf
aced
eachot
her
.
'
'Di
syouheart
hatMarish?Thatbi
gbaduncl
eis
goi
ngt
ohurtmother
!''
.
'
'Andwecan'
tal
lowt
hatt
ohappened!'
'
.
'
'Butwhatar
ewet
odo?Hesai
dhewi
llki
ll
grandmot herandgr
eatgr
andmother
!Andwhatwi
ll
fathersaywhenhecomesf r
om hisj
our
ney?'
'
.
'
'Thati
swhywemustt
eachhi
m al
esson!Come
wit
hme' '
.
(Thetwogir
lshel
dhandsandwal keddownt
he
stai
rs,
towar
dstheroyalcl
ini
croom).
(
FarAway=Kr
ishiTr
ibe=Chi
ef'
sHouse)
.
Maj i
dwasi nasackshor t
saf t
ertakinghisevening
bath.Heent er edhi sroom andsatonhi scushion
mat .Heuseasmal lsoftsackclotht odryofhis
body,thenhet urnedoverhi spil
lowandt ookadeep
breath,wonder ingwhatt odo.Hel ookedovera
smal lbagandt ooki tcl
oser.Het ookoutt heclot
hes
i
ni tandt ookoutt hesmal lkni
fewhi chwasgi vento
hi
m byt hechi ef,
tell
inghimi twasst abbedintohis
heartwhent heyf oundhi m.Hest arredatthistwo
i
temsi nhishandsandcl oserhiseyessi l
entl
yasi f
hewasmedi tating.
'
'Ibel
ievethesethi
ngshassomethi
ngnt idowith
mypast''.Suddenl
y,someimagesofdif
ferent
f
acesappear edinhi
svisi
onandheclearlysaw
Far
uk'
sface,
stabbi
nghiminthehear
t.Heopened
hi
seyesinshock.'
'Far
uk?'
'.
(Si
ndoor aenteredt heroom andcl
oserthedoor
behindher.Maj idplacedthenecklaceinhisneck
andt i
editup,
t henhepl acedtheknifeunderhi
s
pil
low.Sindoor alookedseducti
veandappeal i
ng.
Shewal kedclosert ohim andheadjustedwellto
themat )
.
'
'Hi'
'
'
'Whatareyoudoingher
eint
henightSi
ndoor
a?
Aren'
tyousupposedt
obeinbed?'
'.
'
'Youar
emor
eimpor
tantAbhi
.Look.
..
(Shesatonthebednearhi
m andt
ouchedhi
shand
cunni
ngly)
.
'
'Ireall
yloveyouAbhi
.Ido,
don'tunder
standwhyhe
r
ejectedme.Am Inotbeaut
if
ul?''
.
'
'Sindoora,keepi
tinmindthatIcan'tremembermy
past.WhetherIhaveafamilyornot.Whet heram
mar ri
edornot.OrwhetherIhavechildren, soyou
can'texpectmetogiveint
oyou.IfIdot hat,what
wouldyoudowhenIregai
nmymemor y?Iwantt
o
remembermypastassoonaspossi
bleandgo
backhome..
.
'
'Ifyouhadafami
ly,
theywouldhavesearchedand
foundyoubynowAbhi''
.Shesai
dandt r
ied
seduci
nghim.
'
'Si
ndoor
a..
.
(Shewasaboutkissi
nghim whentheneckl
ace
burnthi
schestpainf
ull
y,hepushedherawayand
touchedi
tinshock).
'
'Youshoul
dleavenowSi
ndoor
a.Pl
ease.Just
l
eave'
'.
'
'Abhipl
ease.
..
'
'Youareawoman.Donotembar
rassyour
sel
fany
f
urther
.Go'
'
.
(
Sindoor
aangr
il
ygotonherf
eetandst
ormedoutof
t
heroom).
'
'WhoisFaruk?Ihear dt
henamesomanyt imes.
OhLor
d..
.Idon'tknowwhetherIwascloset
oyouin
mypastl
ife.Butpleasehel
pmer ememberthi
ngs
fast.HowdidIenduphere,
Ihavespentsixyear
s
here.Idon'
twanttospendanylongerher
e.Helpme
remember''.
(NextDay=Uj
aniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=I
nthe
dungeon).
Somemai densar r
ivedtherewithf
oodsonagol den
tr
ay,f
oll
owedbyLakshmi .Theguardsboweddown
andopenedt hedungeon, l
ett
ingLakshmiandt he
maidensinsidetoserveQueenmot herandQueen
Sheena.Afterser
ving,t
hemai densboweddown
andleft
,QueenSheenaandQueenmot herstar
ted
eati
ng.Lakshmigott oherfeetandturnedtothe
guards.
'
'Whatar
eyoubot
hwai
ti
ngf
or?Leavenow!'
'
.
(
Theguar
dsboweddownandl
eftwi
tht
hemai
ds)
.
'
'Howar
eyoumot
her
..
.gr
andmot
her
?''
.
'
'Iam notr
eal
lyf
eel
ingokay.It
hinkIam dr
awing
near
ertomyancest
ors''
.Queenmotherlamented
andcoughed.
'
'Nogr
andmot
her
!Youcan'
tgi
veupyet
,youar
eour
r
ock'
'
.
'
'Iti
seasiersai
dLakshmi .Farukhaskeptmeand
yourmotherhereint
hisdungeonf orsi
xyears.
..
how
doyouthinkourcondi
tionswoul dbe?ButIcur
se
him!Far
ukwi l
ldieamiserabledeath'
'.
'
'Iam begi
nningt
oloosefait
hintheLord.Shegave
usasignthatMaj
idwasal i
vesi
xyear sago,
what
haveweseen?Nothing!Far
ukissti
llki
ng,r
uini
ng
l
ives'
'
.
(Lakshmilookedar
oundthedungeonandbent
downt othebothofthem)
.
'
'West i
llhavehopemot her!Ihaveagoodnews.
CharuandJi mmyhasar ri
vedi nUjaniear
lythi
s
morning,Jimmysentamessaget hroughRajtome.
Grandmot her,wecanmaket herit
ualtofi
nall
yfree
QueenMeer ah'
sspir
itt
onight''
.Shesaidcheerf
ull
y.
(
Bot
hthef
acesoft
heQueensl
ight
edupwi
thj
oy)
.
'
' OhthankyouLord.Heansweredusaft
ermany
yearsofprayi
ng..
.butwhowil
laccompanyt
hem t
o
themount ai
ns.
..Lakshmi
,wi
llyougo?'
'.
'
'Iwi
shyoucoul
dgowi
thusgr
andmot
her'
'
.
'
'Iwantt
o.ButIam l
ockedupher
e''
.
(Threeguardsarr
ivedt
her
ei nahasteandquickl
y
unlockedthedungeon'
sgates.Thentheybowed
down) .
'
'Queens!Hi
shighness,
theki
ngsayst
hatheis
f
reei
ngbothofyoutoday''
.Oneoft
hem sai
d.
'
'Whatdi
dyousay?Far
ukhasaskedyoutocome
andl
etusoutf
rom t
hedungeonaf
tersi
xyear
s?'
'
.
'
'Yes'
'
.
'
'Whathappened?Whatchanged?'
'
.
'
'Wedon'
tknow'
'
.Theysai
dandl
eft
.
'
'OhGodmother!Thi
sisagreatt
urnaround!A
gr
eatmi
racl
e!'
'
.Lakshmijumpedinhappiness.
'
' Yesitisami racle,
pavingwayf orthelegitowner
ofthet hronetocomeandt akehi scrown.After
tonight,ever
ythingwi l
lfal
lint
opl ace''
.Queen
mot hersaid,
smi li
ngatthecor nerofherli
ps.
(
KingFar
uk'
schamber
).
Ther
ewasnoonei nthechamber ,
exceptf
orShiv
whostoodatthedoor,
guar
dingit
.Meerahand
Mari
sharri
vedther
e,l
ooki
ngallgoodandinnocent
.
'
'Hel
lot
her
euncl
e''
.Meer
ahgr
eet
ed.
'
'Okay,
anyti
meIseeyout
wo,
onl
ytwowor
ds
comesint
omyhead''
.
'
'Andwhatar
ethose?'
'
.
'
'BadNews.Whatar
eyout
wodoi
ngher
e?'
'
.He
asked.
'
'Oh,j
ustauntKushilooki
ngf
oryou.Andsheasked
ustocomeandcal lyou''
.
'
'Ohreall
y..
hey,
keepyourvoicesdown.Yout wo
knowthat,
noonei ssupposedtofindoutabout
KushiandIelsethebadmanwi llhurtme''
.
'
'Oooh,that'
str
ue.Wearesorry.Youknow,youhave
tobefast''
.Mari
shsai
d,pushi
ngShivawayf rom t
he
door
.''YouknowauntKushidoesnotlikewaiti
ng''
'
'Butt
hedoor
..
.
'
'Wewil
lguar
ditforyout
il
lyouarri
ve.
..Gogogo'
'
.
Meer
ahsaidandpushedhim away.
(Assoonashewasoutofsi ght,
thetwogi r
lsused
allt
hei rst
rengtht oopenthegr anddoorandMar i
sh
enter edwhileMeer ahlookedout.Mar i
shquickly
removedasmal lr
edsubstancef rom herdressand
sprinkleditallovertheroom.Shequi ckl
yremoved
anot herwhitepowderandpour edi ti
ntoheki ng's
coolerofwat er
.Shecover edhernoseandqui ckl
y
rushedoutoft hechamberandcl osedt hedoor .
TheysawShi vcomi ngtowardsthem wi thafrown
andt heyadj ustedthemselveswel l)
.
'
'Howdar
eyout
wodecei
vemel
iket
hat
?''
.
'
'Well
..
.howcanyoual l
owyoursel
ftobedecei ved
bytwolit
tl
egir
ls?''
.Mari
shmockedhi m andthey
bot
htookt ot
heirheel
s,
leavi
nghim speechl
ess.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Sheangril
ythrewhergol
dengl
assofwineagai
nst
awall,
whil
eFar ukst
oodt
herel
ikehedi
dn'
tcare
aboutheranger.
'
'Isthi
showyouarerei
gni
ngFar
uk?What
nonsensei
sthi
s?!'
'
.
'
'Iwoul
ddoanyt
hingf
orRi
shimot
her
.Shei
smy
wi
fenow'
'
.
'
' Sheisnotyourwifeyoufool!Shei
ssti
llMaji
d's
wi f
e!Therit
ualtobreakhert
ieswithMajidwas
neverperformed,youmarri
edherwi t
hforce,
even
thoughIhadf orbi
ddenyou''
.
'
'Whatevermother.WhethersheisMajid'
swifeor
not
,shewil
lbemi netoni
ght.Shewillbemywoman.
Youhavenoi deahowmuchIhavecr avedforher
al
lthi
syears.Thatmademecr azyoverher,
madlyi
n
l
ovewithher''
.
'
'Can'tyouseeshei sdecei
vingyouFaruk,can'
tyou?
Youshouldn'thavelist
enedtoher.Nowyouar e
sett
ingQueenmot herandthatst
upidSheenafr
ee
becauseofher !'
'
.
'
'Thati stheonlywaysheaccept edtospendt he
nightwi t
hmesoIhadt oaccepti t!Af
teral
l,what
harm atallwouldthosetwoexpi redwomendot o
me?Am t hekingnow!Am theki ngofkings.And
bettersti
ll
,Ri
shiisvul
nerablenow, sheisundermy
control,
Iwantasonf rom her.Ragahi snothingt
o
me,itisRishiIwant.Andwhenshebecomes
pr
egnant
,Iwi
llMarythatfri
endofher
sasat
hir
d
wi
fe''
.Hesai
dinlaughterandlef
t.
'
' Iam wonderingwhatplansRishihasmadewi
th
Queenmot herandtheother
st odecei
vemysonli
ke
this.No.Iwon'tal
lowthem tobreakmyhardwor
k
down, Ihavetofi
ndoutwhati sgoingon'
'
.
Inthemi ddleoftheday, Far
ukthrewabi gpar tyfor
thepeopl eint hepal acet oenj
oy.Ever yonewas
surprisedbecauset hi shaneverhappenedbef ore.
Het hrewt hisfeastbecauseRi shihadf inall
ygi ven
i
nt ohisdemandsandhewasgoi ngtoenj oyheri n
thenight .Hesentsomemai denstohandoveran
expensi velightromant i
csareetoherchamber ,with
j
ewel riesaswel lsoshecoul dweari tint henight .
Queenmot herandQueenSheenahadpr oper
ly
takent heirbathsanddr essedproper l
yandwentt o
Rishi'
schamber , andt hatwaswhent heyl earnt
that,
theywer eonl yfreebecauseRi shiagr eedt o
sleepwi thFar ukei t
herf ort
heirl
ivesort heir
freedoms.
(
Eveni
ngTi
me=I
ntheki
ngdom=Ont
heMount
ains)
.
Theweat herwascoolandwi ndy,
andf i
nal l
y,
everyonewasassembl edont hemount ains.
Bhavna, Chanakher ,Queenmot her,
Lakshmi ,
Jimmy
andJeed.Bhavnaandt hepriesthadmadear ound
ri
tualfir
e,chant i
ngwithalltheirmight.PoorJeed
cri
edt hewhol eti
meashehadneverseen
somet hingl i
kethatbefore,hewentunderhi s
mot her'
ssar eeandcl osedhiseyeswhi l
eshehel d
himt i
ght .Thecagewi thQueenMeer ahi nsidehad
nowbecomeol dandshewasdi f
fi
culttobeseen
i
nside.Af t
erthechanting,Bhavnagott oherf eet
andf acedt hem.
'
'I
tist
ime'
'
.
'
'Please.
..
wil
lithur
t?Howwi
llyougethi
sbl
ood?'
'
.
Charuasked.
'
'Iknowhowyouf eel
dear.Donotworry,Jeedwill
notfeelanybigamountofpain,
wejustneedadr op
ofhisbloodtofal
lonQueenMeer ah'
sfeet,
andthat
wouldbeal l'
'
.
'
'So,
howar
eyouget
ti
ngi
t?That
'swhatIwantt
o
know''
.
'
'Br
inghi
shand'
'
.
(Charust
retchedhishandt oBhavnaandshet ook
outasmal lpi
nfrom herhair.Jeedopenedhi
seyes
widelyi
nshock.Bhavnapi nnedhisthumbandhe
screamedi npai
n.Bhavnapl acedherthumbunder
hisandthreedropsofbloodf el
lonherthumb.She
toreapartofherdressandhandedi tovert
oCharu).
'
'Tieittohi sthumbt ostopt heblood.Hewi llheal
anymomentf rom now' '
.Shesai dandt urnedt othe
pri
est.Theybot hwalkedcl osertothecageand
Bhavnast retchedhert humbofbl oodtoQueen
Meer ah'sfootinthecage.' 'Iher
ebyf rom this
moment ,QueenMeer ah,setyouf reefrom the
chainsofbondage, comeour ,
andavengeyourdeat h!
Comeoutandsaveyourchi l
drenf rom t
hecl awsof
sl
aver y!'
'.
(Thebloodonhert humbf ellonQueenMeer ah'
s
footandt hecagequi ckl
ydi sappear
ed.Agashof
windbl ewthem allontothegr oundandt hunder
strokeloudly.Thestonebr eakfrom Queen
Meer ah'sbodyandsheopenedhereyes.Theywer e
blazingwithfireandanger, butassoonasshe
l
ayedeyesonQueenmot
her
,theangeri
nhereyes
di
sappear
ed)
.
'
'OhLor
d..
.Meerah.MyMeer
ah'
'
.Queenmot
her
sadl
ybr
eakint
ot ear
s.
'
'Mot
her
..
..'
'
.QueenMeer
ah'
svoi
ceshook.
(
Shetri
edtotouchQueenMeerahbutshecoul
dn'
t.
Herbodywastranspar
ent
.Theyal
lboweddown).
'
'For
givemedear
.Iwasnott
her
ewhen.
..
'
'Thereisnot imef orregr
etsmot her.Mysoni s
ali
veandam br i
ngi nghim back.Andaf teram done
withDorahandFar uk,youwil
lneverknowpai nin
yourli
fe.Iam goi ngt ospareFaruk's
off
spring.
..
afteral lisdue,
youwi l
lbeabl etotouch
me,andsayourl astgoodbyes.Gobackt othe
palacemot her.I
ti stimeforacti
on' '
.Shesai d
fi
ercel
yanddi sappear edwit
hf i
re,l
eavingeveryone
amazed.
'
'Let'
sgograndmot her
.Ji
mmy,youshouldtake
CharuandJeedandgobackt otheci
ty.WhenMajid
ret
urns,Iwi
llsendyouamessagetofinal
lycome
back''
.
'
'Okay'
'
.
(
FarAway=Kr
ishiTr
ibe=Chi
ef'
sHouse)
.
Maj i
dwasdeepl yasl eepi nhisr oom wi t
ht he
necklaceonhi m.Thunderkeptst r
iki
ngandi t
start
edr aining.Menf r
om t het ribewokeupi nt he
nighttohuntf orcrabsandsnai ls.Butthechi ef'
s
housewasqui etandsober .Maj i
dsl eptstrai
ght
withhi sfacef acingt het op,shirtlessandl ooking
hot.Sindoor aqui etlyent er
edt her oom slowlyand
closedt hedoor .Asi twasr aini nghar dandher
footstepswasn' thear d.QueenMeer ahappear edat
theleftsideofMaj id.Si ndoor aunt i
edherhai rdown
andst artedr emovi nghercl othes.QueenMeer ah
wentbesi desMaj id'sheadandt ouchedhi s
foreheadandcl osedhereyes.
'
'Rememberyourwifeandchildr
enmyson.Go
backandpossessyourpossessi
onsMajid!Goand
makeFarukpay!WakeupMaj id.
..Wakeup!!'
'
.Her
voi
ceechoedloudl
yinhishead.
(Shedisappear
edandMaj
idqui
ckl
ywokeup
screaming).
'
' Mother!'
'.Hewassweatingi
ntensel
y,Si
ndoora
quicklydressedup.Maji
dsatupthemat ,
pant
ing
helplessl
y.Tearsrundownhischeeksandhe
turnedtoseeSi ndoor
a.'
'Whoareyou?''.
'
'What
?Abhi
..
.whatar
eyousayi
ng?'
'
'
'Abhi
?No.
..
whatar
eyousayi
ng?Mynamei
sMaj
id!
'
'
.
'
'Father
!Mother.
..
everyone!'
'.Si
ndoor
aopenedt
he
doorandshoutedforeveryone.
'
'Wheream I?Whoareyoual
l?Wher
eiswi
fe?I
don'
tunder
stand!'
'
.
'
'Ohgoodness.
..It
hinkhegothi
smemor
yback
f
ather'
'
.Ashoksaidhappi
ly.
'
'Son.
..
howar
eyouf
eel
ing.
..
whati
syourname?'
'
.
'
'Mynamei sMaj
id.Maj
idar
thSamr
at.Ki
ngofUj
ani
andJhansi
''
.
(
Theyal
lcover
edt
hei
rmout
hsi
nshock)
..
.
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
12:
02] :
.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence33
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=Ki
ng'
sChamber
).
Far
ukcount
edt
hir
tygol
dcoi
nsandhandedt
hem t
o
Shi
v.
'
'Youcangotobednow.Ishal
lhaveawor
dwi
th
youtomor
row''
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Heboweddownandl
eft
.
(
Twomai
densar
ri
vedandboweddown)
.
'
'Wher
eismyQueen?'
'
.
'
'Wehavepr eparedherandsheisr
eadyinher
chamberyourhighness.Shet
oldustocomeand
askyouwhet hershecoul
dcomehereornot''
.
'
'Ah.
..
butofcour
se!Iam everr
eadyf
orher
..
.goand
br
inghert
ome'
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness'
'
.Theyboweddownandl
eft
.
'
' Hahaha. .
..
todaywi l
lnotbeyourni ghtRishi
.ButI
am sur eyouwi l
lalsofal
li nlovewithmeaf ter
tonight.Iam amanofmywor d,
soyoualsohavet o
beawomanofyourwor ds.Youhavecl osedt hose
l
egsofyour sforfartoolon.Si xyearsaft
ermy
brother'sdeath...
Ithi
nkit'st i
meIal soent
ert here
andseewhatmadehi mf alloutoflovewitha
damsell ikeCindy' '
.Hesai dandl aughed.He
openedt hedoorandent eredhi schamber.
Dizzinesst ookoverhi sheadandhewassuddenl y
weak.' 'Whatishappeni ng?Whati sthatscent?''
.
(
Hewentcl
osert
ohisbedandf
etchedwat
erf
rom
wat
erf
rom t
hecool
eranddr
unkit
).
'
'Howam Isuddenl
yfeel
ingdi
ii
..
..
(Hefel
lonhisbacki
ntothebedandent
eredintoa
verydeepsl
eep.Ri
shiwaswalkedt
othefrontoft
he
chamberandtheyboweddown).
'
'Yout
womayl
eavenow'
'
.Shesai
dandt
heyl
eft
.
(Shetookyummyinthatbeauti
fulsar
eeandjewel
ry.
Shetookadeepbreat
handt ouchedthedoor'
s
handl
e, Meer
ahandMarishrushedtohersi
defrom
nowhereandpull
edherawayf r
om thedoor
).
'
'Mot
her
..
.don'
tgoi
nther
e!'
'
.Meer
ahshout
ed.
'
'What?
!Whatar
eyout wost
il
ldoi
ngawake?Di
dI
notwar
nyounotto.
..
'
'Motherstopcompl
aini
ngandl
et'
sgobackt
oyour
chamber''
.
'
'Youdon'
tunder
stand.
..
'
'I
fyougot
her
eyouwi
llal
sof
aint
!''
.
'
' Wha.
..
how?''
.Shestar
redatthem andt
hey
scrat
chedthei
rheads.'
'Whathaveyoutwodone
thist
imehuh?''
.
'
'Wer
e..Wel
l.
..
.
'
'Tel
lherMar
ish!'
'
.
'
'Wewenttot
heclini
candt
ooksaponapowerand
sl
eepi
ngpowder
,then.
..
.
'
'OhLor
d!'
'
.Sheexcl
aimedandbentdownt
othei
r
l
evel.''
Whathaveyout wodone? !Didn'
tItel
lthe
bothofyounevert omesswi t
hFaruk?Nottoher
i
nvolvedwi t
hthosepeople?AndyouMar i
sh,youas
theeldestone,
didn'
tyour eason?
!Howmanyt imes
haveIwar nedyou?Butno, si
nceyouarejustas
stubbornastourfather
..
.youwon't.
..
.
'
' Mot
her?Areyounotsupposedt
obet hanki
ngus
thanscol
dingus?Wecan'tall
owthatbeuncl
ehurt
you,weheardever
ythi
ngyousaidtoauntKushi
!'
'.
'
'Youtwoarej
ustsi
x!Howmanyti
messhoul
dI
warnyounott
oeavesdr
oponel
ders?'
'
.
(Thetwogirlshi
sthei
rhandsbehi ndthem wit
h
shamefulfaces.Ri
shistarr
edatthem qui
etlybut
shecouldn'thi
dehersmi l
e.ShebreakItolaught
er
outint
olaughterandtheylaughedaswell)
.
'
'Comeyout
wo,
l
et'
sgo'
'
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shelookedwor r
iedaboutFar
uk'sdeci
siontof
ree
theQueensandshecoul dn'
tcontr
olheranger
.She
woreherslipper
sandsteppedoutinthedarktogo
andinvest
igatethi
ngsonherown.Shewal ked
downt hehal l
wayt owardsQueenmot her'schamber
andt hecandl elightsinthepil
larssuddenl ywentof f.
Shest oodt hereandt urnedherbackbutt herewas
ononet here.Shet ookadeepbr eat
handt urnedt o
herf rontonl ytor ecei
vethemostpai nfulinvincible
slapofherl ife.Shewasr ai
sedupi nt
ot heai rand
threwt of allhardont heflooragainstoneoft he
pill
ars, hit
ti
ngherheadver yhardont hepillar.She
groanedi npai nandscr eamedoutl oudwhenbl ood
startedr ushingoutofhernoseandmout h.Shewas
shocked, heopenedhereyesbuthervi sionwas
blurry.Ther oyalfamilyandsomeguar dsar r
ived
therei nahast eandwer eshockedt oseeheri nthat
state.Queenmot her,
QueenSheenaandLakshmi
starredateachot herwithasilentgri
n.
'
'Dorah.
..
ohgoodness,whathappenedt
oyou?'
'
.
Queenmot hershout
ed.
'
'Mother,pl
easecome. .
.Iwi
llcal
lther
oyaldoct
or
now!'
'.Ragahsaid,
tr
yingtohelpherout.
'
'Leavemeal one!Don'ttouchme. .
.don'
tdar
e!Go
awayfrom me,allofyou!''
.Shesaidinangerasshe
tr
iedgett
ingup.''Faruk!Faruk!
!!'
'
.
'
'Ithi
nkFar
ukisasl
eepQueenDorah,what
happenedt
oyou?Weheardyouscream '
'
.Queen
Sheenasai
d.
(QueenDor ahfinall
ygottoherfeetandtheguards
star
tedleaving.Shet ur
nedherbacktoleaveand
therest
andingi nfrontofherwasanangr yspi
ri
tof
QueenMeer ah,hereyesblazi
ngwitfi
re.She
grabbedholdofQueenDor ah'
sneck,andonly
QueenDor ahcoul dseeher).
'
'Longti
menoseenDor
ah,di
dyouandyourf at
her
t
hinkyoucoul
dkeepmehostagef
orever
?''
.
'
'No.
..
impossi
ble.
.t
hisi
simpossi
..
..
(QueenMeeraht
ight
enedthegri
ponherneckand
shecoughedoutmorebloodandheldherownneck.
Theother
sweresurpri
sedanddidn'
ttr
ygoingcl
ose
toher)
.
'
' Iam notgoinganywher eagainDor ah.Yourf
ather
i
snol ongerheretohelpyou,andt ourmagichas
becomet ooweak,let
'ssehowi tfeels,
havi
ngthe
thronetoyour sel
fandsuf f
eringaswel l'
'
.Queen
Meer ahsaidanddi sappeared.
(QueenDorahlookedaroundherandrushedIt
oher
chamberwhiletheother
salsolef
ttot
heir
chambers)
.
(
NextDay=FarAway=Kr
ishiTr
ibe=Chi
ef'
sHouse)
.
Mostoft hepeopl einthetribehadgat hered
themsel vesi nthechief'
shouseaf terhearingMajid
hadr egai nedhismemor yandaf t
ertell
inghisstory
tothem, theywer eallamazed.Andt heyalsotold
him ever ythingthathappenedandhowt heyfound
him.Hebr eakdowni ntotearsaft
erleaningthathe
hadbei ngi nthetri
beforsixyears.
'
'Wear everysorryf
ortheterri
blestoryyour
highness.Ourt r
ibei
sal soundertheleadershi
pof
Ujani.Butwehadbei ngsof orgott
enbecauseofthe
fardistance''
.Thechiefsai
d.
'
'Ineedtofoback.Ican'
tbehereanylongeruncl
e.
I
fFarukisnowking,Iwonderwhathasbecomeof
myRi shi
..
.mybabi
es.Theymustbebiggi r
lsbynow
'
'
.Maj i
dsaidint
ears.
'
'Ifyourbr
otherhasdonet
hist
oyouandbelieves
youaredead,doyouthi
nki
tisgoodt
ojustappearin
Ujanijustl
ikethat
?Youmusthaveagreatst
rat
egy
togoback, andIhaveagr
eatpl
anforyouson''
.The
chiefsaid.
'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
'
'Goi
ngt otakewhatri
ghtf
ull
ybelongst
oyoufr om
anenemyi sthemostdif
fi
cultt
hingint
heworld.It
i
sgreatert
hanawar .Soyouneedaper f
ect
ly
pl
annedstrategytobeabl
etoattackhi
m whenhe
l
eastexpected''
.
'
'ButhowdoIdot hatwhenIhavenoar my?Ihave
nooneuncl e.GodImissmywi fe''
.Hesai
d
painf
ull
y.''
Sixyears?Lordl
etmegoandseet hem
al
ive.Grandmother,mother
,Lakshmi.
..
'
'Wewi llhel
pyouyourhighness.Weareatyour
servi
ce.Wedon'thavewarsoldier
s,nei
therar
ewe
warri
ors.Butwehavefoughtmanybat t
lesagainst
othert
ribeswhotri
edtotakeourtri
beforthei
rown
becauseofourpreci
ousstones''.
'
'Youwill
?''
.Tear
srushdownMaj i
d'seyesandhe
embracedthechi
ef.'
'Thankyousi
r!Youdon'tknow
howmuchyouhavesavedme' '
.
'
'Iwillgathersomement oday.Goinsi
deand
prepareyourclothes,
yourbody,
heartandmind
Majid.Youwi l
lbegoingbacktoUjanitomorr
ow.
Thent hesteptotakebackyourthr
onewi l
lst
art
fr
om t her
e''.
(Maj
idgott
ohisfeetinfrontoft
hechief'
sbuil
ding
andl
ookedtowardsthefarawayr i
verandthe
mountai
nsbehi
ndt hem andinhal
eddeeply).
'
'Iwil
lnotspareyout
histimebr other
.Iwil
lnot
spar
eyou,noryourmother''
.Hesai dandscooped
somesandi nt
ohishandandl etitgoslowl
y.'
'So
hel
pmemot her'
'.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace)
.
Everyonewasbusi lydoingtheirduti
esausual .
Rishisteppedoutofherchamberandwal ked
towardst hetempleinfr
ighttogoadpr aybecause
shewasaf raidFar
ukmi ghtwakeupandcr eated
chaosbecausenot hi
nghappenedbet weent hem
l
astnight.Shet ookbothMeer ahandMar i
shalong
andsuddenl ymetFarukinhiskingshipr oyalatti
re,
happil
ywal kingtowardsherwi t
hjewelriescar ri
ed
bymai
dens.Themai
densboweddownt
oRi
shiand
Far
ukgr
inned.
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
you.
..
'
'YouhavemademehappymyQueen, andIhave
decidedtorewar
dyoufort
hat
.Inf
rontofever
yone
'
'.Faruksai
dhappil
y.
'
'Me?Whatdi
dIdo?
!''
.Ri
shiaskedi
nsur
pri
se.
(
Far
ukwentcl
osert
oherandwhi
sper
edi
nherear
s).
'
'Lastnightwast
hebestnightofmyli
fedear
.I
havesleptwit
hwomen,butyouaret
herealwoman
Rishi'
'
.Hesaidandbi
thislips.
(Rishiwastot
allyconfused.Queenmotherand
QueenSheenawal kedoutfrom t
hetemple,
goi
ng
closertot
hem.Themai densboweddownand
stret
chedthetrayofjewelri
estoRishi
).
'
'I
..
I.
..
'
'Acceptthem myQueen,ther
eismor
eto
come,whenyoufinal
lygi
vemeason''.
(Suddenl
ytherewasaveryloudscr
eam fr
om t
he
palacebui
ldi
ng.Theyal
ltur
nedthei
rfocusont
he
bui
ldi
ngandAvnir
ushedoutf
rom t
hebui
ldi
ngi
n
sweat
).
'
'Yourhi
ghness.
..Yourhi
gh.
..
.
'
'Whati
sit
?Whowast
hat
?!'
'
.Far
ukasked.
'
'QueenDor
ahyourhi
ghness.
..She.
..
'
'Mymother?!'
'
.Farukwasastoni
shedandhetook
t
ohisheel
sintothebui
ldi
ng,f
oll
owedbyAvni.
'
'Taket
hej
ewel
ri
est
omychambergi
rl
s''
.Ri
shi
sai
d.
(
Themai
densl
eftwi
tht
hechi
ldr
en)
.
'
'WhathappenedRi
shi
?''
.QueenSheenaasked.
'
'Iam t
hemostconfusedper soninthewor l
dri
ght
nowmot her
.Iswear,
nothi
ngatal lhappened
bet
weenFar ukandil
astnight,soIdon'tknowwhy
he'
sacti
nglikesomethi
nghappened' '.
'
' Meerah'shandwork''.Queenmotherwhisperedto
her sel
fandsmi l
ed.''
Don'tworr
yRishi.IfFar
uk
thinksthatsomethinghappened,t
henj ustpl
ay
along,don'tbescared.Iti
sLordHanumanwor ki
ng
onoursi de''
.
'
'ButQueenmot
her
..
.
'
'Sheisright
.OnlytheLor
dknowswhyFar uki
s
acti
ngthatway.Letusgoinsi
deandcheckwhati
s
happeni
ngt oQueenDorahbefor
etheysayweare
conspi
ri
ngagainstthem '
'
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Onlyshecoul dseedar knessal loverherr oom even
thoughi twasbr oaddayl ight.Herdoorwasl ocked
andshecoul dhearmul ti
pl evoi cescallinghert o
opent hedoorbutshecoul dn'tgocl osebecause
thedoorwasbur ni
ngwi t
hf i
ercelyf i
re.Queen
Meer ahblewanenor mousamountofwi ndtowar ds
herbedandt hereappear edt housandsofbees.She
j
umpedoutofherbed, screami ngi nagonyand
tearswhi l
esthebeesst ingsher .Herf aceand
handsbegunopeni ngupwi t
hwoundsandshe
beggedher .Farukwasal readysi ckandt ir
edand
askedt heguardst oopent hedoorwi thf orce.They
breakthedooropenedandsawQueenDor ahlying
onthef loori
nt hescatteredr oom wi thwoundsal l
overherbody.Shewasl ooki ngl i
keal ivingdead.
Ragahcover edherdaught er'sf aceandt ookher
awayfrom t
hehorri
blesi
ght.Far
ukboweddowni n
fr
ontofherandtr
iedtouchi
ngherbutthewounds
l
ookedscaryandpainful
.QueenmotherandQueen
Sheenastar
redateachotherwit
hasmi l
e.
'
'Ohgoodness!Whathashappenedagai
nwith
Dor
ah,ohLord!'
'
.Queenmotherexcl
aimed.
'
'Doesthi
snotlookli
keabadomenmot her?Oh
Lor
d!''
.QueenSheenasai
d,put
ti
ngherhandsonher
mouth.
'
'Ar
eyouokaymother
?Talktome''.Far
ukaskedi
n
aworr
iedt
one.'
'Whodidt
histoyou?''
.
'
'Wa.
..
wat
er.
.wa.
..
'
'Carryhertot
hecli
nicandgethersomewater
i
mmedi atel
y!'
'
.Far
ukorderedtheguar
dsanditwas
done.''
WhatdoIdonowRi shi
?''.
'
'Me?Butwhyar
eyouaski
ngmewhat
..
.
'
'Youaremywi f
eandIwantt
ogetcl
osert
oknow
youri
deas.I
sthatbad?'
'
.
'
'Wel
l.
..
'
'Pl
easehel
pme.Whatdoyout
hinki
swr
ongwi
th
mymot
her
?''
.
(Ri
shirol
ledhereyestoQueenmotherwhowi
nked
athersil
entl
y,thenshel
ookeddownforawhi
leand
backatFaruk'sface)
.
'
'Tomorrowisthestr
eam wishi
ngdayyour
hi
ghness.It
hinkit
'sgoodforustogoand.
..
.
'
'Haveyoufor
got
teni
tisf
orbi
ddenf
ort
heQueens
t
ogot othewi
shi
ngst
ream?''
.
'
' Youaskedf ormyi
deas.ItiswhatIam givi
ngyou.
Itisalsoforbi
ddent
operformebl ackmagicinUjani
butyoupassedt heorder
,didn'
tyou?Weal lneed
thebet ter
mentofki
ngdom,sourcessaysthat,
Queen
Meer ahoncewenttothewi shi
ngst r
eam t
owi shfor
ason, thati
showshebecamepr egnant'
'
.
'
'Andhersondi
ed!'
'
.Far
uksai
dwi
thaf
rown.
'
'Hedidn'tdi
e!Your uthlessl
yki
ll
edhim!''
.Rishi
wasaboutt olooseitwhenQueenSheenahel dher
back.'
'I
tisupt oyouifyouwantyourmot herwell
ornot,
Ihavegi venmysuggest i
on.Comeandgi ve
met hepermissionifyouagree,
andweshal lal
lgo
tothestr
eam towi shforQueenDor ah'
swellbei
ng
t
omor
row'
'
.
(
Aftersayi
ngt
hisstr
aightaway,
shewal
kedaway
wit
htheQueens).
'
' Sheissti
llinlovewithMaj id!'
'
.Hesaidinanger.'
'
Lookathowshewasaboutt opounceonmewhenI
saidMaj i
ddi ed.Maybei fIacceptherwishtogoto
thest r
eam, shemi ghtatleastseesomegoodi n
me, shehast oseemeast hebestmanintheworld''
.
(
Int
het
empl
e).
Meer ahandMar i
shsatinfrontofl
ordKri
shna'
s
statue,hol
dingMajid'
spi
ctureport
rai
tand
caressingit
.Marishli
ght
edacandl eandsat
besidesMeer ah.
'
'Mari
sh,
Idon'
tthi
nkf
atheri
scomi
ngback,
mot
her
l
iedt
ous''
.
'
'Ar
eyoucal
li
ngourmot
heral
iar
?''
'
'Buteversincewegrewup,allshetol
duswas
t
hat,
fatherhadtr
avel
ed,doesitmean,f
ather
t
ravel
edeversincewewer ebabies?'
'.
'
'Let
'spr
ayhecomessoon'
'
.
'
'Mar
ish,
Iheardt
hebaduncl
esayi
ngourf
ather
di
edi
nawar !'
'
.
'
'Huh?!Thati
snott
rue!Ourfat
herhast
ravel
ed!
Thati
swhatmothersaid,
andIdon'
tbel
ievemot
her
i
sal i
ar'
'.
(Rishistoodatt
het emple'sent
rancei
ntears,
l
isteningtohergir
lsarguingaboutMaji
d.Theysaw
herandshequi ckl
ywi pedhertearsaway.They
rushedt ohersi
de).
'
'I
sfat
herdead,
mot
her
?''
.Meer
ahasked.
'
'Tel
lust
het
rut
hnow!'
'
.
(
Queenmot
herar
ri
vedt
her
equi
ckl
y).
'
'Yourf
atherhast
ravel
edgi
rl
s.Goandpl
aynow'
'
.
'
'Butgr
andmot
her
!.
..
'
'Gonow!Don'
tbest
ubbor
n''
.
(
Theybot
hlef
twhi
leRi
shif
acedQueenmot
her
).
'
'Queenmother
,howl
ongwi
llIl
iet
othem?What
shoul
dIdonow?''
.
'
'I
tisgoodyouar
epl
ayi
ngal
ongwi
thFar
ukdear
.
Keeppl ayi
ngwi t
hhishead,
weareclosetoour
vi
ctory.Aver ybigsur
pri
sei
sinst
all
edf oryou''
.
Queenmot hersaidwi
thasmil
eandl ef
t,l
eavi
ng
Rishiconfused.
(
Eveni
ng=I
ntheki
ngdom=Ont
opoft
hemount
ains)
.
Bhavnaknel
tdowninfrontofQueenMeerahwith
off
eri
ngsinhappi
ness.QueenMeerahst
retchedher
handsonherhead.
'
'Bhavna,i
t'
sbeingt
hir
tyfouryear
ssi
nceIl
astsaw
you,
Ihaven'
tfor
gott
enthegoodnessyoudi
dme' '
.
'
'Thatwasnot
hing'
'
.
'
' Whowoul dhavethought,ourchil
drenwoul dbe
mar ri
ed,andgivenustwobeaut i
fulgranddaught er
s?
Maj i
dandRi shiwerewishedononecoi n,t
heyar e
destinedtobetogetherandnoonewoul dsepar ate
them.Ri shiwouldbeMajid'
soneandonl ywife.He
willnotmar r
yanymor ewivesagain''.
'
'Butt
het
radi
ti
on.
..
.
'
'Ihavechangedt
hetradi
ti
on.Therewi
llnol
onger
beanymultipl
emarr
iagefort
heking.I
twoul
dbe
t
heirowndecisi
ontomake.Iknowmysonwouldn'
t
wanttomarryanyotherwoman,el
sehi
stor
ywi
ll
r
epeatit
sel
f.WhichIdon'twant'
'
.
'
'Gl
orybeont
oyouyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'Maj
idisr
etur
ningtoUjanit
omorr
ow.Thet
imehas
comefort
herealwart
obegin''
.
(
NextDay)
..
.
[
01/
23,
12:
02] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence34
.
(
NextDay=Royal
Pal
ace=RoyalPal
ace)
.
Morninghadreachedherandal
mostherwhole
bodywasbandagedbecauseofthewounds.She
l
ayedont hebed,t
hinki
ngofwhatt
odo.Faruk
ent
eredthecli
nicwithguar
dsandQueenDorah
turnedawayf r
om himinanger.Hegavet heorder
andt heguardsqui
cklyleft
.Hewentclosertoher
andf ol
dedhisarmsonhi schest.Twomai ds
enteredwotherbreakfastandservedi
tonasmal l
tablenearthebed,t
heyboweddownandl ef
t.
'
'Mot
her
,goodmor
ning'
'
.
'
'Getout
!Af
teral
lIhavedonef
oryou,
thi
sishow
youpaymebackisn'
tit
?''
.
'
'ButwhathaveIdone?'
'
.
'
'Aft
erfighti
ngfort
wentysevenyearssoyoucoul
d
beki
ngatl ast,
youwoul
dratherl
ist
entothatst
upi
d
Ri
shiinsteadofme''
.
'
'Don'
tcal
lherst
upi
dmot
her
!Il
oveher
!''
.Hesai
d
i
nanger.
'
'Oooh,lookatthat
.Doyouknowhowst upidyou
l
ook?Youl oveher?Well
,
shehatesyouforki
ll
ing
herhusband,youareherenemy.Shei
splotti
ng
agai
nstusandIknowi t''
.
'
'Youarever
yungr
eatf
ulmother
!Imean,doyou
evenknowwhatRi
shihasdoneforyou?Shejust
volunt
eeredtogotothewishi
ngst
ream t
odayt
o
wishforyourwellbei
ng'
'.
'
'Huh?'
'
.
'
'See?Shei
sgoingoutofherboundari
esf
oryou.
Andyouareher
esayingsheisplot
ti
ngagai
nstyou
andI''
.
'
'Youhaveallowedhert
ogotothestream?Oh
no..
.mysonhasbeingbrai
nwashed.Youstupi
d
fool
,doyouknowthatQueenMeerahisfr
eeagain?'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Andt hi
stime,
ther
eisnoonet
ohelpus.Myfat
her
hasbeinggonesevenyear
sago,andyouar
ehere
fool
ingaround'
'.
'
'So.
.soi
fsheisf
ree,
doest
hatmeanshe'
stheone
whodist
hist
oyou?''
.
'
'Whoel
se?Herofcour
se!'
'
.
'
'Ohnomot
her
!Whatdowedonow?'
'
.
'
'Sheismor eangri
erandpowerfulnowt hatherson
i
snorher eanymore.Ihaveaspir
itualhelperin
Jhansi
,Iwil
lgother
esoont oseekf orherhelp.She
al
soperf
ormsblackmagi
c.Andgoodspiri
tsl
ike
QueenMeerahyesbl
ackmagic.Iwi
llt
eachhera
l
esson'
'.
'
'WhatdoIdonowmot
her
?''
.Far
ukaskedwi
th
f
ri
ght.
'
' Ar
eyounowaski ngmewhatyoushoulddo?Why
don'tyouaskRishi
,i
diot
!Idon'
twantyoucl
oset
o
thatwoman!''
.
(QueenMeerah'sspi
ri
tqui
ckl
ypossessedFar
uk
andhisfear
fuleyest
urnedi
ntohat
eatQueen
Dorah)
.
'
'Iwil
lnotevenlist
entoyourstupi
dadvicemot her!
AndIwi l
lnotst
ayawayf rom Ri
shi!I
tQueen
Meerahisback,dealwi
thheronyourown.Aft er
al
l,
youaretheonewhoki ll
edher.Iwil
lal
sobe
wait
ingforMajid'
sspir
itt
ocomeandIwi l
lki
llhim
overagain'
'.Hesaidandlef
t.
'
' Thisboyisnotgoi
ngtospoilmyplans!Iswear
thati fhehadanhei
r,
Iwouldkil
lhi
m andmakemy
gr andsontheki
ng.Iam evenbegi
nningtoregr
et
killi
ngCharu''
.Shesai
dandpushedt hetrayoffood
awayi
nanger
.
(
Int
heki
ngdom)
.
Everyonewasbusi l
yrushingtothewi shi
ngst ream
withtheirgol
dencoi n.Peoplewer eabsol
utely
shockedt oseether oyalf
ami l
yar r
ivi
ngthereas
wellsincetheywer enottogot hreeaswellsince
theywer enottogo.Meer ah,Mar i
shandPr iyanka
quickl
yr unpassedt headult
st owardsthest r
eam
chasedbyKushi .Lakshmitri
edrunningafterthem
butshewasst opped.
'
'Remember,
youarepr
egnant
,youbet
terbecar
eful
'
'
.QueenSheenasai
d.
'
'Let
'sdothi
sfastsoRajandIcangot
othet
empl
e
t
oofferof
fer
ingstolor
eHanuman''
.
'
'Areallyourcoi
nsready?'
'
.Queenmot
herasked
andtheyallnodded.
(Majidarri
vedonahor se.Hehadar ri
vedinUjaniat
l
ast.Af t
eralmostsevenyears.Ever
ythingwas
planned.Twomenal sosatonahor sebehindhim
andt heywerealldi
sguised.Maji
dhaddi sgui
sed
himselfwithabeardonhi sface,
buthehadnotcut
hishai rbecausei talsohel pedhi m nottobe
recogni sed.Hehadsmear edsomedar koilonhis
body, maki nghiml ookl i
keananci entsarkIndi
an.
Hewasdr essedupi nnear lywr etchedclothwi t
hthe
other s.Hesawt housandsofpeopl erushingtothe
stream andf ol
lowedt hem wi ththeot her
sunt i
lthey
arrivedatt hestream wer emanypeopl ehad
surr oundedt owish.Theyal lsteppedasidet omake
suret her oyalf
ami lywi shedf i
rst.Majidturnedto
thest ream andt hefirstper sonhi seyesl andedon
washi sgr andmother .Tear srusheddownhi s
cheeks) .
'
'Yourhi
ghness,
please.
..
.t
hisi
snott
het
ime.
..
'
'Don'
tcal
lmethatri
ghtnowAshok.Can'
tyouwer
e
weareonadeadlyground?'
'
.
'
'Sor
ry'
'
.
'
'JustcallmeAbhif ornow.Duetoourplans,
we
mustactdiscreet
.ButImustbef acetofacewit
h
mygr andmothertoday.Sheistheonlyonewhowil
l
beabletohelpmegeti ntothepalace'
'.
'
'Whatdowedot
hen?'
'
.
'
'Fol
lowmylead'
'
.Maj
idsai
dandgotdownf
rom
hi
shorse.
(Ri
shiwentfi
rstandwalkedcl
osert
othebri
dge.
Shetookhercoininherhandandcl
osedhereyes)
.
'
' Ei
ghtyearsagot oday,youanswer edawi shthat
camef rom mymout h.Awi shthatchangedmyl i
fe
forever
.Awi sht obemar ri
edtot hePr ince''
.She
forcedfortearsnottocomeoutf rom hereyes.' '
Today,Iwisht hatFarukandhismot herneverhave
peace.Justliketheyt ookmyhappi nessf rom
me, t
aketheirhappinessaswel l
.Iar i
seal lthespi
rit
s
ofthepeopl etheyhaveki l
ledt
ot ormentt hem ti
ll
theirl
astbreath.Thisismywi sh,letitbeso' '
.
(Shesaidandt hrewthecoinintothestr
eam and
cleanedhert ears.Sheleftt
hest r
eam andthen
Queenmot herandQueenSheenawentt here
together
.Rishiwenti nt
ot hecrowdlookingfor
Meer ahandMar ishandshout i
ngthei
rnames.
Maj i
dwalkedt hroughthecr owdandgothi tbya
stickathi
sback.Het urnedhisfacebackwar dsand
sawMar i
shr ushingtohisside.Shequicklyhis
behindhim, hi
dingherfaceinhi sshor
ts).
'
'Don'
ttel
lmysi
sterIam her
eokaymi
ster
?''
.
(
ThenMeerahandPr
iyankaqui
ckl
yfort
her
e,t
ryi
ng
t
ocatchMari
sh).
'
'WealreadycaughtyouMar i
sh!Comeoutnow!''
.
Meerahshoutedwit
hl aught
er.'
'Motherwi
llbe
upseti
fwedon'tgetthereontime,
l
et'sgo'
'
.
'
'Mar
ish?''
.Maj
idwhisper
edandbentdown
t
owardsthechi
ldr
en.'
'Marish?'
'
.
(
Theylookedathi
minconf
usi
onast
ear
sappear
ed
i
nhiseyes).
'
'You.
..
'
'Doyouknowmeuncl
e?'
'
.
'
'I
..
.
(Rishiquicklyarrivedt hereinahast eandshout ed
theirnamesbehi ndMaj id.Hewasshockedwhenhe
hear dthatvoice.Hegott ohisfeetandturnedhi s
back,andt herestandi ngt herewashi sbeauti
fulwife.
Hiseyesofaf fectionincr easedandhi shandswer e
shaki ng,wantingt otouchhersobad.Thegi r
ls
rushedt oherai de) .
'
'DidInottel
lyout
hreenottipl
ayaround?
!Whywi
ll
younotletmeworrylessf
orjustoneday?
!''
.
'
'Wewer
ejustpl
ayi
ng!'
'
.Mar
ishsnapped.
'
'Shutup!Youar
ejustasshor
ttemperedl
ikeyour
fat
her,
notwanti
nganyonetocomplai
nabouttour
baddeeds!'
'.
(Rishiraisedherhandt ohitMarishbutMaj i
d
quicklygr abbedholdofherhand.Peopl ewhosaw
thi
swer eshocked.Howdar east rangecommoner
daretot oucht heking'
swife?Theyst art
ed
mur mur i
ngt oeachot her
.Rishiher selfwas
astonished, st
arri
ngathisfaceandi ntohiseyes.
Shegetashar ppaininherchestandt ookher
handsawayf rom hi
m.Theyst arredateachot her
forawhi leandsomeguar dsar r
ivedt here)
.
'
'Donothittourchi
ldyourhi
ghness.Sheissti
lla
chi
ld,
sixyearsoldandsheisnotmatured''
.Hesaid
i
naver ydeeptone.
'
'Wha.
..
howdi
dyou.
..
(
Maji
dsaidnot
hingandent
eredi
ntot
hecr
owdwi
th
t
heother
sandwasseennomor ebyRi
shi
).
'
'Let'
sgotourhi
ghness''
.Theguar dssaid,
taki
ng
Rishiandt
hegir
lsaway.Rishikeptlooki
ngbackas
sheleft
.
(Maji
darr
ivedbesidesthestream wereQueen
mothert
urnedandbumpedi ntohim.Theyst ar
red
ateachot
herandt earsfel
lfr
om Maj i
d'seyes.
Queenmot herwasconfused).
'
'Gr
andmot
her'
'
.Hewhi
sper
ed.
(Queenmot herwasaboutt
oscr
eam herheadof
fin
happinessandMajidqui
ckl
yshookhi
shead).
'
'Meetmebehindt
hetempl
eandlet
'st
alk.Iwi
llbe
wai
ti
ngthere'
'
.Hesai
dandshenoddedthenhel ef
t
i
mmediatel
y.
(
Rishiar
ri
vedt
her
ewi
tht
hegi
rl
sandever
yoneel
se)
.
'
'Weareal
lreadyQueenmother.LakshmiandRaj
wentt
othetemplet
opray,
therestofuscango
backt
othepalace'
'
.
'
'No.Ican'tgotot
hepalaceri
ghtnow.Youal
lcan
gonow,Rishi,
gowithKushi
,SheenaandIwil
lpr
ay
ali
tt
lei
nt hetempl
eandcomebackt othepal
ace
l
ater'
'
.
'
'Youneversaidyouwouldgotothet
empl e.But
anyways,pl
easecomebacksoon.YouknowFar uk
andhist''
.Ri
shisai
dandleftwi
thKushiandt he
gi
rlswit
hsomeguar ds'
'
.
(
Maj
orTempl
e).
SinceQueenmot herandQueenSheenawer eleast
i
mpor tantinthepalace, onl yonet rustedguar dof
Lakshmif ol
lowedt hem i ntot het empl e.Theycal l
ed
LakshmiandRajt hent heyal lrushedt othebackof
thetemple.Theyl ookedar oundbutt herewasno
one.UntilMajidarri
vedt hewi t
ht het womenhe
arri
vedwi t
h.Queenmot herandt heot hersturned
andMaj idremovedt hebear df r
om hi sfaceina
haste.Queenmot herr ushedt ohi m wi t
hopened
armsandembr acedhi m.Ever yonewasi ntears.
QueenSheenaembr acedhi m aswel landLakshmi
addedup.Theyal lwentont heirkneesi nfullof
emot i
ons.Aftert
heemot ionalr euni on,theyslowly
walkedtowar dsabenchunderat r
eeand
Queenmot
herwoul
dn'
tletgoof
fMaj
id.Maj
idt
old
them ever
ythi
ngt
hathappeneddur
ingthewarand
after
,andhowheloosedhismemory.
'
'Oh,
thi
sist hehappi
estdayofmyl
if
e.Thehappi
est
,
i
tisablessedday''
.
'
'Wher
ehaveyoubei
ngMaj
id?Howdar
eyou.
..
'
'Doyouthi
nkthi
sist
herightti
mef ort
hismot
her
?I
t
hinkweshoul
dsavethi
sforlater'
'
.
'
'IhavetomeetRi
shi
.Pl
ease,
justl
etmeseeher
,I
wantto.
..
'
'Youcan'
tri
ghtnow.Notne'
'
.
'
'What
..
.how,
whatdoyoumean?'
'
.
(
Queenmothernar
rat
edthewholestor
yfrom t
he
t
imehi
sdeathwasannouncedti
llnow).
'
'What?!'
'
.Majidgottohisfeet.Hishandsmadeof
f
ist
.''
RishiandFaruk?!How..Ican'
t.
..
.
'
'Nothinghaseverhappenedbetweenthem I
promisedyou.Buthewouldhavekill
edMarishi
f
Rishihadnotaccept
ed.Allweneedtodonowi s
pl
anahead.Weshoul dmakeplansofhowt o
dethroneFar
uk''
.
'
' Ican'tbel
ievehemar r
iedmywife!'
'
.Hisanger
tookoverhi m andpushedthebench
away, breat
hingheavi
ly.Queenmothergotupand
heldhi sshoulder
s.
'
' Maj
id,donotletyourangerdest r
oywhatarewe
abouttoachieve.I
fDorahact edthisway,she
wouldn'thavesucceededinmaki nghersonki ng.
Youwi l
lsurel
ymeetRi shiagain,butfi
rst
,weneed
togetyoui nt
othepalacefir
st..
.buthowdowedo
that
?''.
'
'Asaguard.Takemeinasaguard.Iwil
ldi
sguise
mysel
fli
keIhavenowandnoonewoul drecognise
me.Andthenwewillt
akeourpl
ansfrom t
here''
.
'
' That'
sdangerous.Buti
tmightbetheonlyopti
on
wehave' '.QueenSheenasai
d.''Wewil
lletRi
shi
talktoFarukaboutthi
s.YouwillbeRi
shi
'spersonal
guard''.
'
'Sushi
m wil
lbever yhappywhenhehear st hi
s
whenhehearsi t
.Farukhasmadehi m him his
per
sonalguard.Hetr avel
stoJhansiandother
ki
ngdomswi t
hhi m''.Rajsai
d.
(
Theyal
lgotupandMaj
idputbackt
hebear
donhi
s
f
ace)
.
'
' Si
ncet heguar dsaresomanyi nthepal ace,no
onewoul dtellwhetheryouar eneworol d,except
wher eyouwi llsleep,
someoft heguar dswi llr
eali
se
thatyouar enew.Andwecan' taff
ordf oryout obe
recognisednow.Soweshal lprepareasaf epl acein
oneoft her oomsi nthepalacetempl eforyout o
sleep,untilweint r
oduceyout oFarukasRi shi'
s
personalguar d''.Queenmot hersai
dwi t
habi g
smi l
e.
'
'Doesthatmean,
wecangot
othepal
acer
ightnow?
'
'
.Majidaskedi
nahaste.
'
'Rightnowsweet hear
t.Wearegoi
ngtothepalace
now''.Sheansweredandhuggedhimtight
ly.'
'Thi
s
i
sthel astf
ightMaji
d.Bebraveandst
rong,weare
nevergoingtoseparat
eagain''
.
(
RoyalPal
ace=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewasdi schar
gedf
rom thecl
ini
candher
bandageswer er
emovedbecauseshedidn'
twant
them.Butsomemedicineswereappl
iedonher
body.Shelookedi
ntohermir
rorinangeronhow
uglyshehadbecome.Sheturnedtoherbedand
tookasmallpotfr
om herdr
awerandsatont he
fl
oor.
'
'SinceIam onmyownnow,Ihavetocontactmy
fr
iendinJhansitohel
pmewit
hthiscur
rent
probl
em.Ican'tdothi
sonmyown''.
(Sheclosedhereyes, wi nningherhandsal lovert
he
potandbr eathingindeep.Sheopenedhereyesand
tookacandl ef r
om underherbedandl i
ghteditup.
QueenMeer ahappear edt hereandbl ewan
enormousofwi ndf rom hermout h,i
ncreasingthe
fi
reandbur ningQueenDor ah'sface.Shescr eamed
i
nagonyandt hecandl esl ippedf rom herhandont o
thesoftcarpett hent her oom caughtf ir
e.Shewas
bli
ndedbutshecoul df eelther oom burningandf ul
l
ofsmoke, shecover edt hebur nsonherf ace,
screamingandt ryi
ngt of indawayoutoft he
chamberbutt hef i
respr eadandshescr eamedout
l
oudf orhelp).
'
'Ican'
tbel
ievetheal
might
yQueenDorah.Queenof
ki
ll
ingsandblackmagici
sonfi
re'
'.QueenMeerah
l
aughedoutl
oud.'
'Ki
ll
ingyoutodaywoul
dbetoo
easyf
orthet
hir
tyf
ouryearsthi
rstf
orr
evenge'
'
.
(QueenMeer ahsai
dandsnappedherf i
ngers,
makingthef i
regooff
.Peopl
estart
edbreakingthe
dooropen.QueenMeer ahdi
sappearedandt hedoor
swungopenedandever yoneent
ered.Faruk
couldn'
tlookathi
sownmot hernow).
'
'Ohno.WhathaveIdonet
odeser
vet
his?Getout
al
lofyou!Getout
!''
.
'
'Whataboutyourf
acemo.
..
.
'
' Shutupandgetoutnow!' '
.Sheopenedhereyes
andt hel ef
tsi
decouldn'
tsee.Shescreamedout
l
oudi nhat eandeveryonel
eftther
oom oneaf t
er
theot her.Shecl
osedthedoorandlockeditup.She
wenti ntothesecretr
oom i
nherchamberand
closedt hedoor.
Queenmot herspoketoRishiaboutgett
inga
personalguardanddidn'
tapprovebutlater
under st
oodtogettheguardtoalsoprotectboth
Meer ahandMar i
shanddecidedt ogoandt ryher
l
uckwi t
hFaruktoseewhetherhewoul dunderstand.
(
RoyalKi
tchen)
.
Allthemai dshadgat heredt here,prepar i
ngt he
afternoonmeal .Meer ah, Mar ishandPr iyanka
playedal lovert hepal aceandr eachedt hekitchen.
Theyent eredwi ththeirhandsont heirback.Ever y
royalhandmai denst oodi nf ront,cooki ngthemeal s
forthei rmast ersandmi stresses.Avnif i
nished
cooki ngQueenDor ah'sfoodandst artedser vingit
onat ray.Meer ahqui cklywentcl osert othet r
ay
andpushedi tdown, dest royingal lt
hehar dwor k
cookedf oodont hefloor.Ever yonewasshocked,
exceptf orMar ishandPr i
yankawhocoul dn'
tst op
l
aughi ng.
'
'Nextt
ime,showrespectt
ouswhenweent
erher
e
'
'
.Meerahsaidandpokedhert
ongueout
.
'
'Howdar
eyou?
!Youi
nsol
entbr
at!'
'
.
(Sher ai
sedherhandt ohitMeer ahbutQueen
Meer ahappearedinthekitchenandhel dherhand.
PeoplesawAvni '
shandl ockedi ntheairbut
couldn'tseewhowashol dingit.Unlessshehersel
f
sawQueenMeer ah,burni
ngwi thrage).
'
'No!QueenMeer
ah?
!''
.
(Ever
yoneexcl
aimedwhentheyearshershouta
deadperson'
sname.MeerahrushedtoMarish'
s
sidewhil
ePri
yacover
edthem underhercar
ing
hands).
'
'Avni
,ar
eyouokay?'
'
.Pr
iyaasked.
'
'TalkAvni!Tel
lthem. .
.t
ellthem youwereQueen
Dorah'saccompl i
ce.Youi nsol
entbrat
!''
.She
shoutedandslappedAvnihar dacrossherface.
Makingherf al
l,
facedowni nt
othespicyfoodonthe
fl
oor.
'
'Hel
pme!Ican'
t.
..
.
(
Pri
yaqui
ckl
ytookt
hechi
ldr
enoutoft
heki
tchen)
.
'
'Hurr
y!Goandcal
lther
oyaldoct
ornow!Hur
ry!'
'
.
Pri
yatol
dtheki
ds.
(QueenMeer ahdi
sappeared.Therestoft
he
servantswereafr
aidtogoclosetoAvnisi
nceshe
ment i
onedQueenMeer ah'
sname.ButPr i
yawent
closertoher
.Shehelpedherupandbehol d,herl
eft
cheekwasswol l
enupi nt
othebiggestboi
l.The
servantsr
acedawayfrom Avniwhoseeyeswer
e
cl
osedandherf acewasteari
ngapart
.Royal
doctorsar
rivedandt
ookheraway).
Tobecont
inued.
.
[
01/
23,
12:
02] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence35
.
(
Theki
ng'
schamber
).
Rishient
eredthechamberwereFarukwaslostina
deepthoughtonhisbed.Shestoodashor
tdistance
fr
om him wit
hhatredi
nhereyes.
'
'Youhaven'tseenanythi
ngyet.I
fasahuman
bei
nginthi
swor ld,
allyouwantiswhatbelongst
o
someoneelse,t
henlamentat
ionswil
lneverpass
yourhome''
.Rishithoughtt
ohersel
f.
(Shewentcl
osert
ohim andherai
sedhishead.He
gaveoutafakesmil
eandalsogott
ohisfeet
).
'
'Queen,
Iam pl
easedt
oseeyou.Ineededyour
pr
esencetocal
m down'
'.
'
'Pl
easesi
tdown'
'
.
(
Far
uksatdownandshesatbesi
deshi
m).
'
'Iheardaboutwhathappenedtoyourmot
heragai
n.
Theysaidherroom wasalmostbur
ntdown.And
herfacetoo'
'.
'
'Idon'
tknowwhatel setodot ostopt
his
happeningsRishi
.Iseri
ouslydon'
twanttol
oosemy
mother.Sheiseveryt
hingtome' '
.
'
'Ibeli
evethathappenedbecauseshewas
perf
ormingbl ackmagic.Youshoul
dbanbl
ack
magicfrom thekingdom '
'.
'
'Idon'
tthinkso.Shehasbei ngperf
ormingblack
magicevenbefor eIwasborn,andnothi
ngli
kethis
haseverhappened.IthinkIshouldbetheonetogo
toJhansitomorrow.Ihavetogoandseeherbl ack
magicfri
endandaskf orhelp.Idon'
tthi
nkshei si
n
anycondi
ti
ont
ogo'
'
.
'
'Soyouar
eleavi
ngUj
anit
omor
row?'
'
.
'
'Yes.Woul
dyoumi
ssme?'
'
.
'
'I
nyourdr
eamsyouf
ool
!'
'.Ri
shit
houghtand
smil
ed.
'
'Yourbeaut
if
ulsmi
lebr
ingshappi
nesst
omyhear
t
'
'
.
'
' Bef
oreyougo, Ij
ustwantedtoaskf orpermi
ssion
togetaper sonalguar
df ormyself
.Wi t
heverythi
ng
thathashappenedl at
elyinthepalace,If
eelunsafe
andIwoul dlovetogetaguar dformyself.Whatdo
youthink?'
'.
'
'Ihaveal
readyt
oldtol
dRishi
,
youar emyfavour
it
e
Queen.SoIdon'
tmindyoudoingwhatyouwantin
t
hepalace.Whodotoywantforthatjob?'
'
.
'
'Idon'tknowyet
.ButwhenIchoosehi
m,Iwi
ll
surel
yshowhimt oyou'
'.
'
'Bett
er.Ihavetostar
tprepar
ingmysel
fformy
j
ourneytomorrow,canyouexcuseme?''
.
'
'Ofcour
se'
'
.Shet
urnedt
oleaveandhehel
dher
hand.
'
'NotevenakissforyourKi
ng?''
.Heaskedand
Ri
shi'
sfavetur
nedblank.Hepull
edcl
oserand
ki
ssedherli
ps.Herheartst
opped.
'
'CanIgonow?'
'
'
'Yes'
'
.
(Sheleftthechamberandclosedthedoor.Shewas
soangr y.Shequicklyt
orepar
tofhersareeand
cleanedherlipswithal
lherst
rengt
h).
(
Int
heGar
den)
.
Maj
idandSushi
m embracedeachot
herti
ght
ly,
whi
leMaji
dsmil
ed,Sushi
m wasinuncont
rol
labl
e
t
ear
s.
'
'Iam nowhavi
nghumanf eel
ingsyourhi
ghness.
Now,Iknowt
hatIhavenotkil
ledyou'
'.
'
' Youatenottoblamef oranythi
ngSushim,it
'smy
fault
.Itr
ustedFaruktoomuch.Hehadact edtoo
sincerei
nfrontofme,somuchsot hatInever
thoughthehadt hatmindsetforme''.
'
'Iam absol
utel
yhappyyouar
eback.Now,
wecan
f
inal
lyhavear
easont
ost
il
lhope'
'
.
'
' Ihaveeverythi
ngplannedoutbef
orearr
ivi
nghere
Sushi m.ThatiswhyIneedyourhelpinconvinci
ng
thesol di
erstosupportus'
'.
'
' Ir
eallydon'tknowaboutt hatyourhighness.Faruk
hasr eall
yinstil
ledfearinthem.I nfact,
themost
fearl
esssol diersinthekingdom nowevenshi verat
thement ionofFar uk'sname.I fanyonet r
iedtoplan
evilagainsthim, bl
ackmagi cfrom hismot herwould
exposet heper sonf astandtheywi l
limmedi at
elybe
beheaded' '
.
'
'JusttryanddowhatIhavesai d.Justdo
something.Becauseifweat t
ackwit
houttheir
knowledge,thentheywillal
soatt
ackus.Youar e
oneofthem,youknowt hosewhoarecompletely
l
oyaltoFarukandot herswhoarenotcompl et
ely
l
oyalandhat eshim''.
'
' Thosewhoareloyaltohi
m aremanythanthose
whoar enot.ButIwil
ltr
ymypossiblebestand
gatherthosewhoatenotloyalasoneandtalkto
them.Butwehavet il
etthem knowyouarestil
l
al
ivebef
oret
heywi
l
lgett
heener
gyt
osuppor
tus'
'
.
'
'Don'
twor
rySushi
m,wewi
llgett
othatpoi
nt'
'
.
Queenmot
hersai
d.
'
'Whataboutthesoldier
sofJhansi
?Theyareal
so
veryl
oyalt
oFar uk,t
heywil
latt
acki
ftheyheart
hat
wehaveattacked.Andwewi l
lbenomatchfort
hem
yourhi
ghness''
.
'
' Theonlywayt ogettheJhansisoldiersonourside
i
swhenwer evealthetr
uthtothem that,
Farukhada
childwithanotherwomanbef oregettingmarri
edto
theirpr
incess!'
'.Lakshmisai
dwi t
hanevi lsmil
e.
'
'
.
'
'Exactl
y!Thati
strue.Weallknowthatoneofthe
great
esttaboosi
nJhansiisgetti
ngmarri
edt othei
r
womenwhenyouhaveachi l
delsewher
e.I
tist hei
r
great
estenemysincethekingdom wasestabli
shed.
Wehavet ogetCharutocomeher eagai
nver ysoon
'
'.Rajsai
d.
'
'Ohgoodness!Weshoul
dn'
thaveletthem goback
t
oMumbai .Howwil
lwecommuni catethennow?''
.
'
' GotoNYchamberLakshmi.Looki
ntothedr
awers,
Iforgotwer
eIpl
acedmyphones.Justtakeanyof
them andbri
ngi
ttomet ocal
lJimmy''
.
'
'Ri
ghtnow?'
'
.
'
'Now.
.j
usthur
ry!'
'
.
(
Lakshminoddedandlef
tthegar
denimmediat
ely.
Queenmotherent
eredwit
hasmileandhugged
Maji
dti
ghtl
y).
'
' Grandmother,pleasecontrolyouremot
ions,we
wi l
lhaveal otoft i
metoembr aceeachotheraft
er
thisfighti
sover .Elseifsomeoneseesus,t
herewil
l
beal itt
lesuspicion''
.
'
'Okay...
okayfine.RishihasspokentoFarukand
shesaysFar ukhasagr eedforhertogetapersonal
guard.Hedoesever ythingshesaysnow.Sheal so
saidFarukwillbeleavingforJhansit
omorrow
evening''
.
'
'He.
.f
orwhat
?''
.
'
'Somet hi
ngshasbei
nghappeni
ngl
atel
ytoQueen
Dorah,
andhewantstogoandmeetagrandbl
ack
magi
ciant
oseekf
orhel
p.That
'swhatRi
shisai
d''
.
'
'ThenIhavetoseeRi shitomorr
oweveni
ng
grandmother
.Pleasedot hi
sforme.
..
am beggi
ng
you.Rishimustknowam her enow,
andsheisno
l
ongeralone''
.
'
'Doyouknowhowt omakesur
etoconvi
ncehert
o
cont
rolheremot
ionst
hen?'
'
.
'
'Ofcour
se!Iwil
l.Iwil
ldowhat
ever
.Si
nceyouare
sayi
ngFaruki
sleavingandQueenDor
ahisnorwel
l
i
twouldbetheperfectt
imet
omeetwithRi
shiagai
n
'
'.
'
'Al
ri
ght.
..
.okay.Iwi
llseewhatIcando.Tomor
row
ni
ght,
youbot hwil
lfi
nall
ymeet''
.
(
Pri
nceMaj
id'
schamber
).
Lakshmienteredquicklyandst art
edsear chi
ng
thoughMaji
d'sdr awersandRi shilat
erent er
ed
quickl
yandstar t
edsearchingthoughMaj id'
s
drawersandRi shil
aterenteredquickly.Shewas
shockedtoseeLakshmit heresinceithadbei ng
yearsandshewast heonlyonewhoeverent ered
thatchamber.Sheknewal loftheroyalfamily
acceptedthatMajidwasdeadandnoneoft hem
everenteredhischambersi ncehewaspr onounced
dead.Sheal sohadaccept edthathewasdeadbut
shealwaysent er
edt hechambert oremindhersel
f
thatMajidwasst i
llwit
hheri nthespir
it
.Shecleared
herthr
oatandLakshmij ustpanickedandturned
backtoher .Shehisthephonebehi ndherand
adjust
edt oherpositi
onasRi shiwalkedcl
oser.
'
'Ri
shi
?Youar
eher
e?'
'
.
'
'Iam alwayshere.Butyou,
Iam sur pr
isedthatyou
arehereaft
ersevenwhol eyears.Younevercame
herebecauseyousaidyoudi dn'twanttoremind
yoursel
fofanysadmemor i
es''.
'
'Wel
l.
..
Imi
ssmybr
otherRi
shi
.Ist
hatbad?'
'
.
'
'Butyouwer esearchingi nhisthi
ngs.Whatdoyou
want?Youcoul dhaveaskedme, andIwoul dhave
t
akenitforyou...
areyoual ri
ghtLakshmi ?Youand
Queenmot herhavebei ngactingstrangeeversince
wecamef rom thewishi ngstream t
hismor ni
ng.
Queenmot herhasaskedmet otel
lFaruktoallow
megetper sonalguardf ornogoodr eason,and
now,youar
ealsoheresearchi
ngthr
oughMaj
id'
s
thi
ngs.Whati
sreal
lygoingon?''
.
'
'Nothi
ng.Don'
tworr
yRi shi
,verysoon.
..youwil
l
for
gett
hepainsofl
if
e''.Lakshmisaidandhisthe
phonebehi
ndhersareeandquicklylef
ttheroom.
'
'Forgetmypain?Arethi
speoplehi
dingsomethi
ng
fr
om me?''
.Rishij
ustshookherheadandlef
tthe
chamber.
(
NextDay=Af
ter
noon=Thet
empl
e).
Rishiknel
tinfrontofLordKrishna'sst at
ue,wi
thher
eyesclosedandwaspr ayi
ngsi l
entl
y.Queenmot her
andQueenSheenaent eredthet emplewi t
hMaj i
din
hisdisgui
se.Rishifel
tthei
rpr esenceandopened
hereyes.Shest oodupandt ur nedtothem.Rishi
quickl
ypanickedwhenshesawhi m,she
remember edhimf r
om thewi shingst r
eam asthe
manwhohel dherhandwhenshewasaboutt ohi t
Mar i
sh.
'
' You?''
.Whensheexcl ai
med,theyallpani
cked,
thinki
ngshehadr ecognisedhi
m.''Youwer ethe
samemanf r
om thewi shingst
ream yester
day,r
ight
?
'
'
'
'OhRi
shi
,
youknowhi
m?'
'
.QueenSheenaasked.
'
'Imethim att
hestr
eam yest
erday.Hestoppedme
fr
om..
.f
rom hit
ti
ngMari
sh.Ican'tbel
ieveyouknow
hi
m.Whoi she?''
.
'
'Hei syourper songuardnowdear .Thi
sist heman
Iwast al
kingaboutallthi
swhile.Hisnamei sAbhi.I
havef ul
ltr
usti nhi
m.Hei sgoodandl oyal,
andhe
wil
llookaf teryouandthegir
lsverywell''
.Queen
mothersai d.
'
'Hm.Al r
ight.Ihopeyouhavet
oldhim abouthow
stubbor
nt hegirl
sareandhowreadyheshouldbe
fortr
oublefrom them '
'
.
'
'Yesyourhi
ghness.
..Am r
eady'
'
.Maj
idsai
d.
(Ri
shiwasshockedandshestar
redathi
m cl
osel
y.
Tearsappear
edinhereyes)
.
'
'Wow.
..
'
'Ar
eyouokayRi
shi
?''
.QueenSheenaasked.
'
'Yesyes.
..
just
,hi
svoi
ce.Thevoi
cesoundsl
ike.
..
(Farukandthreeguardsenteredthetempl ei
na
hasteandMaj idbecamesti
f f
.Hebol t
edhi shands
i
ntof i
standwasl oosi
ngcont r
ol.Queenmot her
touchedhisshouldertocom down.Ri shicomposed
hersel
fwell)
.
'
'Iam l
eavi
ngRi
shi'
'
.
'
'Sosoon?It
houghtyousai
dint
heeveni
ng'
'
.
'
' Yes.Thati
swhatIsaid.ButIwast ol
dbyoneof
theJhansisoldi
ersthatthemagici
analmostget
s
power stoworkonexact l
y6pm i
ntheeveningof
evef ul
lmoon.Tonightisaful
lmoonandIhavet o
l
eavenowt oarr
ivether
eearly'
'.
'
'Ohokay.Haveasaf
etr
ipt
hen'
'
'
'Comeandaccompanyme.Let
'sgo'
'
.
'
'Meetmyper
sonalguar
dher
e''
.
'
'Ireal
lydon'thavet
imeRishi
.Iwi
llmeethim when
Igetback.Let'
sgo''
.Hesaidandpull
edRishiaway
wit
hhim.
(
Maj
idl
oosedhi
smindandthr
ewabl owagai
nst
t
hewal
landgr
oanedi
npainandanger)
.
'
'I
tisokay!Thi
swi
lll
astonl
yashor
tti
me
sweet
heart'
'.
(Lakshmient
eredwi
thhi
sphoneandhandedi
tto
him).
'
'Ichar
gedi
tthewholeni
ghtj
ustl
ikeyoudi
rect
ed
me.YoucannowcallJi
mmy''
.
(
Hetookthephoneanddi
all
edJi
mmy'
snumber
.It
wasqui
cklyanswer
ed)
.
'
'Hel
lo?
!Shit,
don'
tyoudaret
ell
met
hisi
smybest
f
ri
end!'
'.Ji
mmyscr eamed.
(
Maj
idj
ustl
aughedsi
lent
ly)
.
'
'Yeahman.
..
Maj
id!Damn,iti
sreall
yyou.OhGodbr o!Iwannacr
y.
Awww...Iwi
llnoteattoday,
Iswear
!''
.
'
'I
t'
sbei
ngal
ongt
imeJi
mmy.What
'sup?'
'
.
(Ji
mmyst artedweepi
ngonthephoneandMaji
d
comfort
edhi m andt
oldhi
m ever
ythi
ngandwhathe
wasplanning).
'
'Doyout
hinki
tissaf
ebr
o?'
'
.
'
'Iwil
ldowhateverIcaninmypowertoprot
ectmy
nephewJimmy.Justbringhim her
ebyt
omorrow
eveni
ngfort
heshowt ostart'
'
.
'
'Ican'
twai
ttoseeyouman.Andgiveyouat
ight
hugli
keagir
landherboyf
ri
end'
'.
'
'Hahaha.
..
met
oobr
o.Met
oo'
'
.
Queenmot herandQueenSheenahadper fectl
y
decoratedthepal acest r
eam sideli
keaf i
rsttime
honeymoonni ght.Thesamepl aceRishiandMaj id
fi
rstgaveintoeachot her.Butthi
st i
me, theymade
sureitwast hemostbeaut if
ul.Withhelpf r
om t he
othertr
ustees.Theywenti ntoMaj i
d'sthingsand
broughtoutoneofhi sneverwornclothesand
secretl
yprepar edhimf orthespecialnight.They
tr
iedhar dtoconvi nceRishitoallowher selftobe
madeup, theysuf feredbeforeshefinal
lyagr eed.
(
Eveni
ng=QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Shewasnowwear i
ngamaskt ocoverthebur nson
herface.Sheref
usedanymedicalatt
enti
onf rom
anyoneandshewasl ef
taloneinherhal
fbur nt
chamber .Shewoul
dn'
tstoptr
yingtocontacther
bl
ackmagici
anfri
endfr
om Jhansi
.Herf
riendf
inal
ly
appear
edinhercr
yst
albal
l.Shest
art
edlaughi
ng
andsheli
ght
edacandle.
'
'Whati
sitDor
ah?'
'
.
(QueenDor
aht
oldherever
ythi
ngt
hathappenedt
o
her)
.
'
'SowhatdoIdonowSant
i?'
'
.
'
' Dor
ah, justtwothi
ngs.Burnincenseinyour
chamberbyusi ngastrandofyourhai r
.Andyouwi l
l
getridofQueenMeer ah'
sspiri
tforever
.Andafter
that,
sprinkletheashesinyourchambert ogetr
idof
anyot herevilspi
ri
ts''
.
'
'Onlythat?Butt
hatsoundst
ooeasyf
oraghost
l
ikeQueenMeer ah!'
'
.QueenDor
ahasked
suspi
ciously.
'
'What
? !Ar
eyouunderest
imat
ingmycapabi
li
tyasa
magi
cianorwhat
?!'
'.
'
'Nono.
..
am sorr
y.Iti
sjustthat,
deal
ingwi
tht
his
ki
ndoft
hingsisnotthateasy''
.
'
'Ihavebei
ngpr
act
ici
ngbl
ackmagi
cevenbef
ore
youwer
eborn!AndIknowthesi
mpl
estwayt
odeal
wit
hghost
s!SojustdoasIsay'
'
.
'
'Okay.Iwi
lldothatexact
lyt
hiseveni
ng.Iwi
ll
cont
actyoulat
er''
.
'
'Good'
'
.
(QueenDorahwinedherhandthemagi
cian
disappear
edandshepushedthebal
lunderherbed)
.
'
'Ihavetomakesureeveryoneinthepal
acei
sbusy
wit
htheirownthi
ngsbeforeIcanstar
tthi
smagi
c''
.
Shesaidtoher
selfandf
inall
ywalkedout.
(
Butf ari
nJhansi,
themagi
cianshecont
acttur
ned
i
ntoQueenMeer ahwhowasl aughi
ngmadly.She
l
ookedasideandtherealmagici
anwasdeadunder
aplantai
nleaf
).
'
'OhDor ah.
..
thi
sisjustthebeginni
ng.Aftert
his
ri
tual
,youwilll
ooseallyouri
nsightonblackmagic
andthatiswhenIwi l
ltr
ulystar
ttort
uri
ngyouf or
good''
.
(QueenDor
ahsteppedoutoft
hechamberandas
soonasshetur
nedtocheckthepal
ace,
she
recei
vedahugeslapfr
om nowhere.Hermaskfel
l
downandshemoanedi npain.Uponturni
ng,
she
sawthedeadking).
'
'No!'
'
.
'
'YesDor
ah.DidyouthinkIwi
lll
eavethi
sdif
fi
cult
j
obtoMeerahalone?Iam her
etotort
ureyou''
.He
sai
dinastr
angevoiceandbeguntolaugh.
'
'Thi
scan'
tbe!Youar
edead!'
'
.
'
'Yes.Becauseyoukil
ledme!Andki
ll
edMeerah!
Andwear eallher
etotakeyouwi
thus''
.Hesaid
andrai
sedhishandather.
(Shequi
cklyopenedherchamberdoort oent erand
alsometPreeta.QueenSheena' sbestf r
iendwho
usedtobeahandmai denwithhert oQueenMeer ah,
andwaskill
edbecausesher evealedthet r
uthabout
QueenDorah'sblackmagi candnoonebel i
evedher .
QueenDorahgaspedi nhorr
or.Shegr abbedQueen
Dorah'
sneckandst rangledher.Theki ngcaughther
neckfr
om behindandshewasl oosingherbr eath.
Theypull
edheri nt
ot hechamberandpushedher
downanddi sappeared.Shehadl oosedgr eat
ener
gyfrom herbody.Shequickl
ystar
tedpr
epar
ing
thei
ncensewhichwasdi r
ectedtoher)
.
Itwasver ydarkintheeveni ngandaf t
erRi shiwas
madeup, shewasconf used.Queenmot her
commandedmostoft heguar doutoft heguar dout
ofthewayandt heyobeyedbecauseRi shiwaswi th
her.Rishiwasdr essedinal ightwhitesar eeandher
hairwasl ef
tdown.Queenmot herbroughthert ot
he
palacestream,farbehindt hepal aceandshewas
surpri
sedatt hedecorations.Shehadnoi deawhat
wasgoi ngon.
'
'St
ayher
eforawhi
le.Iwi
llbeback.
..
okay?'
'
.
'
'Queenmot
her,
don'
tyout
hinkIshoul
dbeasl
eep
bynow?Imean.
..
'
'Justkeepqui
etRi
shi
!'
'.
'
'Iam confused!Al
lofyour
efusedtoexpl
ainthe
meaningofallthi
sandyouexpectmetokeepquiet?
Doyouknowt hetr
oubl
ewewi l
lfacei
fFarukheard
aboutthi
s?''
.
'
'Hewon't
.Heisfarawaynow.Justst
andher
efor
awhi
le.Iwil
lbeback.Okay?'
'
.
'
'Queenmo.
..
(Queenmot herignoredherandqui ckl
yrushedout
ofthestream garden.Rishitookadeepbr eat
hof
thecoldairtouchedthef l
ower swhichwas
decorat
edar ound.Shenot i
cedt herewasasmall
l
ayedwhi tesheetsont hefloorinthefor
m ofabed
withpil
lowsandf lowers).
'
' Ah.
..
what?!Abed?Ohgoodness, whywouldthey
dressmet hi
swayandbr ingmei nf r
ontofabed,at
thispl
ace?''
.Sheaskedherselfandt ear
sappeared
i
nhereyes.''Whatisal
lthistort
ure?!''
.
'
'Rishi'
'
.Maji
dcal
ledhername,
standi
ngr
ight
behindher
.
(Rishichokedandhreyesopenedwi del
y.She
i
mmedi atel
ytur
nedherbackandwasbl ownaway.
Tear shadnowbl i
ndedher.Weaknesssnat chedher
strengthandherli
psandbodywer eshaking.Maji
d
j
ustst arr
edatherwi t
hdesir
ei nhi
seyes, astor
yon
hislipsandlongi
ngonhi sface.Hesmi l
edlight
ly.
Rishiwasshocked, shecouldn'
tbel
ievehereyes).
..
..
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
12:
03] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence36
.
(
Pal
aceSt
ream)
.
Thef l
oweri nRi shi
'shandfellont hegr ass.Her
mout hwidelyopenedi nshock.Maj idwasdr essed
l
ikehowheusedt oalwaysdr ess.Hewasi nal l
whiteshirtandj eans.Hishairwasst i
llhalfl
ong
wayt ihi
sneckbuthehadshavedandl ookedl i
ke
Majidofyest erday.ThatsameMaj i
dwhoshesaw
l
eavingthepal acesevenyear sago.WhenMaj id
sawhert ears,hecoul dn'
thol
dhi ssadness.Tear s
alsorushedouthi seyesaswel l
.Rishiwasweaki n
herkneest hatshet ruednottof alldown.
'
'No.
..
thi
s..
thi
s..
.t
hisi
simpossi
ble.Thi
sisj
ustan
i
maginat
ion.Ri
shihowcanyoubesost upi
d
to.
..
no.
..
thi
sisjustnot
..
.t
hisismyeyesdecei vi
ng
meagain''
.Shesaidandclearedhereyeshim.
Thensheturnedandstar
redathim again.'
'
Ma..Maj
id?'
'.
'
'Baby'
'
.Hewhi
sper
edi
naheavyvoi
ce.
'
'OhmyGod!'
'
.Shest
oodt
her
e,aboutt
ofai
nt.
(Maji
dwalkedcl
osert
oherandshesmell
edthe
scentofhi
sbodyandreal
isedhewasr
eal
).
'
'Ma..
Maj i
d..
.OhGod!'
'.Sheembracedhim withall
herst
rengthastheybothfel
lonthegrass.Majid'
s
backtouchi
ngthegrassandRishiontop,budding
hi
mt i
ghtlyi
napooloft ear
s.
(Shejustwouldn'
tletgoof
fhim.Buryingherfacein
hisbroadchest.Heembracedherinhis
arms,feel
ingherbodyagai
naf t
ermanyyear s.He
swam hi shandinherhai
rsoftsi
lkyhair
.Rishi
sobbeddeepl yi
nhisarms,i
tfel
tli
keherwor l
dwas
beginningtobuil
dup).
'
'Ssshhh.
..
am her
enowbaby.Am here,
andam
neverl
eavi
ngyoursi
de.Iswear
.Iswearonmyli
fe'
'
.
(Shej
ustcoul
dn'tstopweepi ng.Thetear
sofj oy
hadovert
ookher.Maj i
d'sentir
eclot
heswer enearl
y
wetfr
om hertear
s.Shecoul dn'tt
alkorbreatheasy
butMaji
dkeptstrokingherhairgentl
ywhi l
esshe
l
ayedoverhim onthegr ass)
.
'
'For
givememyl ove.Idi
dn'
tmeant
ocauseyou
t
hispain.Am sor
ry''
.Hewhisper
ed.
'
'Iknewit.
..
IneverI
..
.'
'.Shechokedandt
ight
ened
herembraceoverhi
m.' '
Iknewyouwouldn'
tleave
melike.
..
li
kethatMaji
d.Imissedyousomuch' '
.
'
'Imi
ssyout
oosweet
hear
t''
.
'
'Ican'
tbel
ievet
hisishappeni
ng'
'
.Shesai
dwhi
le
sobbi
ngandembr aci
nghim.
'
'Iti
sr eall
ove.Iam notgoinganywhere
again.
.promise.Iam st
ayingherewit
hyouandour
chil
dren''.
(Ri
shiwasabletocomposeher selfali
tt
leand
rai
sedherheadfrom hi
schestandst arr
edint
ohis
eyes.Hereyesweresoredfrom cryi
ngandher
noseaswel l
.Maj
idstar
redbackatherwi th
i
ntensit
y.Sheembracedhim againandcr i
edsome
mor
ewhi
leMaj
idj
usthel
dherl
ikeal
it
tl
ebaby)
.
'
'Howdar eyou...
howcoul dyou.
..
howdareyou
l
eavemeal lthisyearswhenyouknewyouwer en'
t
deadMaj i
d!Why? !'
'.Shecri
edwhil
ehit
ti
nghim and
embracinghim atthesamet i
me.''
Doyouknow
whatyoudi dtome?Mymi nd,myhear
t,
mybody?I
hateyou!Why?' '
.
'
'Am sor
rypl
ease'
'
.
(Heswam hi shandar oundthebackofherwai st
andsheshi vered.Her eali
sedshehadneverbei ng
touchedthatwayi nyear s.Rishirai
sedherhead
andst ar
redathislips.Therewasnot i
met owast e.
Thatlipsbelongedtoherandsheki ssedhim.He
kissedherbackandt heirbreathcaughtup.She
kissedhimlikethatshehadnotdonei tbefore.He
ti
ghtenedhisgr i
ponherwai standpulledhisli
ps
downherneck.Hebr eathheavi l
yonherski nletout
asi l
entmoan) .
'
'IneedyouMaj
id.Makemeyour
snow'
'
.Shesai
d
i
nashakingvoi
ceandhesmil
ed.
(
Her
oll
edoverhergotherupwi
thonehand.He
heldhersar eef rom thebackandt oreitupandshe
l
aughedshyl y.Heunbut tonedhi sshir
tslowl yand
pulledhercl oser ,kissi
ngever yt i
pofherbody
deepl y.Sheshi veredinhisar mswhi lehewor ked
hishandt oherbr east,
loosinghervestof fher
body, heplacedonehandbehi ndt heskinofher
wai standcar ri
edheri nhi sarms.Shewr appedher
l
egsar oundherwai standhesl owlywalkedt owar ds
ther i
verwer ei tallstart
edbef ore.Shegaspedas
thewat erwassocol d.Sher emovedMaj i
d'sshi r
t
andki ssedhi sshoul dersasi fshewaseat i
nghi s
body.Maj idletheri ntothewat erandgotoutofhi s
jeansandl etRi shi'
ssar eegoi nt othewat er.Hewas
theonewear ingt heneckl acet histi
meandhe
woul dn'tremovei tnow.Heat eupherf acewi th
kissesandcar esses.Shemoanedhappi lywhi leher
fingersIt ohisshoul dersdeepl y).
'
'Imi
ssyousomuchRi
shi'
'
.Hewhi
sper
edwhi
le
ki
ssi
ngher
.
'
'Imi
ssyoumostsweet
hear
t.Justshutandt
ake
me.
(
Maj
idgr
innedandpul
ledhercl
oser
,squeezi
ngher
deepi nhi sbodyandshegasped.Pai ndr ewal lover
herf aceandbodyasshemoanedl ouder.Maj i
d
strokehergent lyandshehel dhi mt i
ghtlywhi le
cryingsi lently.Hewascr azyovert hemoment .He
bitherneckl i
keahungr yhyenaandshesqueezed
hishai rinherhandwi t
hhereyesshutcl osedand
mout hopened, wit hpai nfulmoanscomi ngout
whi lehet hrustgent ly.Thebedmatwasj ustal i
tt
le
distanceawayf rom t her i
ver .Hesl owlygotout ,
of
ther iver,crawl i
ngont hegr asswi t
hherunderhi m.
Hol dinghi mt i
ght .Hel ayedheront hewhi l
eflower
bedsheet sandshebr eathf ast erandf asterbecause
hewast oodeepi nsi dehernow.Het ookof f
earringsandt hrewt hem of f.Henear lyswal lowed
herear swi t
hki sses.Hespar ednopar tofherbody
asshesqueezedherbeasti nhi shandsl ikehi sli
fe
dependedoni t.Hi sbackwasnowvi sibleoft he
scrat chesf rom Ri shi'sfinger s.Hebentwi t
hhi s
headt ohi sst omachandki ssedal loverwi thhi s
handsswi mmi ngonherbr eastsi del i
keasnake.
Shet urnedMaj iddownont hebedandt ookoverby
kissinghi m deepl y, hel ethert akeoverandpul led
hercl osert ohi sbodyandgoi ngrightdeepi nt oher
withfullf
orce.Shegrindedhiml i
kenoone' s
businessuntilecst
asyt ookoverthem andher ol
led
herdown.Theymoanedi ntoeachot her'
ssweat s
whilebreathi
ngheavily.Thistwousedal lthesi
x
yearsofsepar at
ingtomaket hecr aziestlove)
.
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Afterprepari
ngal lt
het hi
ngsnecessar y,shecuta
l
itt
lest r
andofherhai randt hrewitint
othef i
reand
chanted.Shel ookedaroundherchamberand
reali
sedt hewholeplacewaacal m andthatmade
herhappyandt hinkthateverythi
ngwaswor ki
ng
out.Af t
ertheincensewasbur nt,t
hefir
ewentof f
andshepour edtheashesi ntoasmal lpotandshe
heldit.Shegott oherfeetandcl osedallher
windows.
'
'Thet
imehascomet ogetri
dofyouonceandfor
al
lMeerah.Youar
enotgoi ngtobeabothert
ome
andmysonanymor e.Neveragai
n''
.
(Shesaidandsprinkl
edallt
heashestoevery
cornerofherroom.Befor
eshecouldreali
se,
she
sawal lherbl
ackmagictool
sdisappear
edint
othi
n
ai
r)
.
'
'Huh?Whatisallt
his.
.no.
.no.Why?Wher
ear
emy
st
uff
,howwi
llIsurvi
vewi t
houtthem?'
'
.
'
'Youwon'
tsur
viveDor
ah.Thi
sist
hebegi
nni
ngof
t
heend.
..
(Shequi
ckl
ylookedatherwindowanditqui
ckl
y
openedbyi
tsel
f.Shelookedbehi
ndherwindowand
saw
QueenMeer
ahst
andi
ngt
her
ewi
thasmi
le)
.
'
'Youcan' tsti
llbeherewhenam donewi ththe
ri
tual!Icommandyout oleavenow!''.Sheshouted
andthr ewacandl eather,butitdi
sappear edinfr
ont
ofQueenMeer ah.''Youknowwhat ?Whet heryou
getrevengeornot ,yoursonisalreadydead!AndI
succeededi nmaki ngFarukt heking.Thatwasmy
onlydr eam,
whet heryouki l
lmeorFar uk,
Majidwil
l
nevercomebackt ol i
fe!'
'
.
'
'Hahaha.
..Suchasoftbr
ainyouhaveDor
ah'
'
.The
ki
ngsaidi
nl aught
er.
'
'What
..
.whatar
eyou.
..
'
'Dyi
ngqui
ckl
ywoul
dbet
ooeasyDor
ah'
'
.
(QueenMeer ahappear edbesi
det hekingwitha
whi paswell.QueenDor ahtur
nedt orunbutPreeta
alsoappearedi nfr
ontofherwithawhi p.Theyall
pouncedonQueenDor ah,whi
ppinghermer cil
essl
y.
Shescr eamedi nagonybutnoonecoul dhearher
criesinthepalace)
...
.
(
Pal
aceSt
ream)
.
RishilayedoverMaj i
dinhernakednesswi t
hher
handsal lt
ightenedoverhisentir
ebodyasifshe
waspr eventinghimfrom disappeari
ng.Maj
idsl
ept
strai
ghtont heclothwit
hhishandsoverheras
wel l
,
whilelookingi
ntothebeaut i
fulsky.
'
'Ihavet
igonowRi
shi'
'
.
'
'What?'
'
.Shesai
dweakl
y,
rai
singherheadt
olook
athi
m.
'
'Wecan'
tletmor ni
ngreachushere.Ser
vantswill
comeher
et ocleanupthispl
aceinthemor ni
ng,
and
Far
ukwil
larri
vehereinthemorni
ngwon' the?''
.
(Ri
shiwasquietsur
pri
sewhensher
eal
isedMaj
id
knewthetr
uth).
'
'Maj
id,
youknowt
hat
..
..
'
'Iknowyouar
eFaruk'
swif
enow.Iknowever
ythi
ng.
Grandmot
hert
oldmeever
ythi
ng'
'
.
'
'Maji
dIdidn'
twanttomar
ryhi
m.Het
ri
edt
oki
ll
Mari
shifIref
used'
'.
'
'Rishi
,Iknoweverythi
ngsother
eisnoneedt o
explai
n''
.Hesaidandsatupandstartedweari
ng
hisshir
t.'
'Youdi
dn'thaveachoi
ce,Igeti
t!'
'
.
'
'But,
yousoundveryupsetabouti
t''
.Shesai
dand
satup,
cover
ingherbodywiththesheet
s.
'
'Ofcour
seam upset!Shoul
dIjumpuphi ghinjoy?
Hemadeuphismi ndtokil
lme,andaft
erdoingthat
,
hecamehereandmar ri
edyou!ButIwil
lnotspare
hi
m atal
l'
'.
'
'What?''
.Shewasshockedathi sreact
ionsi
nce
shehadnoi deawhattheyhadplanned.''
Maji
d,you
areact
ingstrange.Tel
lme,asyouareherenow,ar
e
wenotsupposedt otakeourchil
drenandsecr
etly
l
eavet
hispl
acef
orgood?'
'
.
(Majidwalkedclosert
ooneoft hefl
ower
decorati
onsandt ookhisguardunif
orm andwor eit
.
Rishiwasast oni
shed.Shegotonherf eetandalso
real
isedtherewasanewsar eeneartheflower
decorati
onsforher.Shewentcloserandt ooki
t).
'
'MajidIam t
alki
ngtoyou!Faruki
snotheret
oni
ght
,
Icangoandpackmyt hi
ngsandthechi
ldr
enas
well
,
andyoucanmeetmeatt heentr
ancesowe
canescapethi
shell
!''
.
'
'Iam notleavi
ng'
'.Hesai
dinacoldandhat
eful
t
one.''Iam her
etokil
lFar
uk,
notr
unawaywithyou
Rishi'
'
.
(
Onceagai
n,t
ear
srusheddownherf
acebyhear
ing
t
hat
).
'
' Whatdidyouj ustsayMaj i
d?SoFarukismore
i
mpor tantthanmer i
ght?''
.Sheaskedandgavehi
m
aharshst opacr osstheface.'
'Howdareyouhave
thegusttot el
lmet hat?!DoyouknowhowmuchI
haveendur edinyourabsence?Youhavenotbeing
hereforsevenyear s!Youhavebeingoutofour
l
ives,
andIhavebeingtheonlyonet obri
ngup
MeerahandMar i
sh!Andtoday,t
hisiswhatyoutell
me?Wher ehaveyoubeing,where,
whenIwas
suff
eri
nginFaruk'
shands,hi
dingfrom hi
m,hereand
ther
ejustt
oescapehistouchesandr ape?Whydid
youkeeptoolongincoming?Why?Iam aski ngyou
soanswerme!''.
'
' Look, Iloosedmymemor yokay? !Ithasbei ngsix
year ssinceIl oosedmymemor y.Maybeyoudi dn'
t
realiset hescar...
look!' '
.Heshout edandopenedt he
unifor m andshowedherhi schest.' 'Lookatwhat
Far ukdi dtome!Hest abbedmeandpushedme
i
nt ot hewat er!Andyouwantust or unaway, now
thatheusmadl yi nl ovewi thyou?!Tel lme,ar
ewe
goingt or unwi ththeki ds?Butisgr andmot herand
mymot hernother e?HowaboutLakshmiand
Raj ,
andhowaboutyourf ri
endKushi ,andyour
mot her ?Didyouevent hinkaboutt hem f i
rstbefor
e
aski ngmet hat?Ordoyout hi
nkIal sodon' twantto
behappyandhavepeace?Theonl yf uckingwayt o
behappyi stoelimi nateFar ukandhi smot her!I
don' tknowwher eIwasunt i
lIr
egai nedmymemor y
i
nasmal ltown,
whereIwastoldhowIwasf oundi
n
wateratt
hevergeofdeath,
allt
hankstoFar
uk.Iam
notbacki
ngoutifmyrevenge,Iam payi
ngback
Farukwit
hhisowncoin''
.
'
'But
..
.
'
'Ther ear enobut sdemni tRishi!Youshoul dknow
betterthananyonet hatismyr esponsi bil
it
y.My
grandmot heri sawar ethatam goi ngt okillFar uk.
Mybi ologicalmot her,sheisr esponsibl eforal lthe
chaosi nthepal acenow.Idi dn'tbeli
evei tbef or e
but.
..grandmot herexpl ai
nedever ythingt ome, that.
..
'
'.Maj idbreakdownandbentdown.' ' Shest ill
needsmet obeking.Thet hronei smi neRi shi,I
won' tgivei tuptoFar uk..
.never !Mygr andmot her ,
mymot her, f
ather.
..
.evenQueenSheena. .
.theyal l
foughthar d,j
ustsoIcoul dbet hecrownedPr i
nce.
Andbecauseoft hat,
QueenDor ahkil
ledmymot her
andf ather, shekill
edot herinnocentpeopl e, how
l
ongdoyout hi
nkpeopl ecanendur et his?Tel l
me,shoul dIl eavewhatbel ongst omeandr unaway
withyou?' '
.
'
'Maj
id.
..
'
'Grandmothertoldmet hatmymot her
'sspiri
tis
hoveri
ngaround,andi sbehindmei nwhat everIdo.
Wear eneartoourvictor
y.Gr andmother,
Queen
Sheena,ever
yonesuppor tsme, wehaveplanned
everyt
hingal
ready''
.Hesai dandgotupandhe
star
redherclosel
y,favetofacewi t
hal i
tt
lespace
betweenthem.''Areyougoingt osupportmeornot ?
'
'.
'
' Am. ..
Idon'twantlooseyouMaj i
d.Iswear, Iwil
l
j
ustdi ethisti
mei fanythinghappenst oyou.Idon' t
wantathappenedbef oret ohappenagai n.That '
s
why. ..
Iam scar edMajid,doyouknowhowmuch
Meer ahandMar i
shneedsyou?Il iedtothem and
saidyout ravel
edevent houghIknewyouwer e
dead, everythi
ngwascompl i
catedinamyl ife,j
ust
waki ngupever ymorningandr eal
isi
ngFar ukwas
myhusbandandyouwer enevercomi ngback!' '
.Se
heldhi m closeinpain.''Thepai nIwentthrough
afterFar uksaidyouwer edead,Ialmostwentmad!
Ifyoudon' tknow,t
henam t ell
ingyou''.
'
'Ri
shi
,thati
sthemor ereasonwhythi
sfightmust
comet
opassf orvi
ctorytobemine,
sothatwecan
startalloveragainsweet heart
.Itisnotasifam so
i
nt erestedinthethrone,becauseIwi l
lneverchoose
thet hroneoveryouandourki ds.ButFaruksitt
ing
ont het hr
onei sadisasterandImustendhi s
reign..
.Ihaveto.Hehast opayf orsepar
ati
ngus, he
depr i
veduofourl oveforalmostadecade, andyou
wantust orunaway?I st hatwhatyouwant ?
Runni ngawayf r
om what '
sour s?''
.
'
'No''
.Shewhisperedandwor ethesar
eeand
embracedMajid.'
'Iam af
rai
dofwhatmi ght
happened.Far
ukistoodangerous.He'
sanani mal.
WhatifheFINAoutyouar ehereandsti
llal
ive?'
'
.
'
'Hewon't
.Heistoobusytryingtoi
mpr essyouand
fi
ndi
ngacureforhismother'smadness.AndIwil
l
bebusypl
ott
inghisdownfall''
.
'
'Whenwi
llyouat
tackhi
m?'
'
.
'
'Soon.Yourmot heri
sperformingri
tualaroundthe
enti
reki
ngdom andshesaysi twilll
astsevendays.
Shesaysitwil
lblockthefourcornersofUjaniand
humbleFaruk'
ssol di
ersonthatdayofattack.So
yeah,
weareattackinginsevendayst i
me''.
(Sheti
ghtenedhergri
pandlaterlef
thim.Majid
quickl
ydestroyedt
hedecorati
onsandbedi nt
ot he
l
akesincethehoneymoonwasover .Hefacedher
andgaveheradeepki ssandturnedtoleavebut
sheheldhishandandembr acedhim).
'
'Promisemeyouwil
lcomeandseemeagainMaj
id.
Idon'
tknowwhy,
butIcan'
tletyougonow'
'
.
'
'Rishiam alwaysr ightherei
nt hepalaceokay?I
won'tgoanywher e.Trustme,al
lthi
swi llbeover
soonandwewon' thavet ohi
det obet ogether
anymor e.Justmakesur etokeepyouremot ions
i
ntact,understand?Iwi l
lprot
ectyouandt heki ds
unti
lthatday,t
henIwi l
lfi
ndaspeci al
pl aceforyou
unti
lthef i
ghtisover''.
'
'OhMajid.
..
.'
'.Sheki
ssedhi
m andhepul
ledher
f
rom hi
m.Ijust.
..
'
'Iwillseeyout omor r
ow.Ipr
omi se'
'
.Hesaidand
l
eftquicklybeforeshecouldsayanythi
ng.Butno
matterwhat ,
att hatmoment,shewasthehappiest
womani nthewor ld.
'
'Mar
ishandMeer
ahwoul
dbet
hehappi
estgi
rl
sin
theworld.Ican'tt
ellt
hem now,butIknowIwil
l
surpr
isethem tomor r
ow''
.Shesaidandt ookadeep
breat
handwal kedint
othepalace.
(
QueenRagah'
schamber
).
Ragahwassoshockedaboutt henewsshe
recei
vedfrom Lakshmiandt
heQueens.She
recei
vedthetwomostshockingnewsofherl
if
eand
shewouldn'tstandst
il
l.
'
'Sot
hatmeans,
Pri
yankaisnotFaruk'
sonlychi
l
d.
AndMaj
idi
salsoal
ive?OhLord.Thisi
s..
.
'
'shocki
ng?'
'
.
'
'Iam mor
eshockedthatFarukwoulddar
emarr
y
mewhenheknewhehadachi ldandki
ll
edmy
f
atheront
op!Thatbeast
!''
.
'
'Thati
swhyweneedyourhel
pRagah.Pl
ease.
Maji
dneedst
otakebackhi
sthr
one!Uj
anibel
ongs
t
ohim''.
'
'Ihaveal
wayswantedtopunishFaruk.Andget
r
evengeformyfat
her'
sdeath.ButIhadnoideahow
t
ostart'
'
.
'
' Theni sisyourchance.I ti
sagainstJhansi '
s
customsf oramant ogetmar ri
edt otheirwomen
whenhehasachi ldwithanotherwomanwhoi snot
hiswi fe.Youar etheprincessofJhansi .Noonehas
beingabl etotakethatplacesinceyouwer eyour
father'
sonl ydaughter
.Andyouar etheirQueen
now, youar et
heonlyonewhocaneasi lyconvince
thesol dierstoturnagainstFaruk.Byr eveali
ngthe
truthtot hem ''
.
'
'Youmean,
Ishoul
dtel
lthem Far
ukhadason
bef
oremarr
yingme?'
'.
'
'Exact
ly'
'
.
'
'Thati
seasy.Butt
heywi
llneedevi
dence,
since
Far
ukiski
ngnow' '
.
'
'Hi
ssonwi l
lar
ri
vei
nUjanit
omorr
owwithhi
s
mot
her.Thenweshal
lmakethemovef
rom t
her
e''
.
'
'Iwil
lgl
adlydothat.IknowheisPr i
yanka'sfat
her
.
Buthenevershowedheranyf atherl
ylove.And
Pri
yankadoesnotlovehim ei
ther.Sowher ei
s
Maji
dnow?' '
.
'
'Ihopewecanputort
rusti
nyou'
'
.QueenSheena
asked.
'
'Iwi
llneverpr
otectthemanwhokill
edmyf ather
andbetr
ayedmyki ngdom QueenSheena.Tr
ustme
'
'.
'
'Maj
idwi
thRishinowIguess.Theyneededt
his
momentt
oreunit
e''
.
'
'Howsweet'
'
.
(
Thefourwomenhel
dthei
rhandst
oget
herand
f
acedeachot
her)
.
'
'Sevendaysmor
e,andal
lournight
mareswil
l
fi
nal
lycometoanend.Sevendays''
.Queenmot
her
sai
d..
.
Tobecont
inue.
[
01/
23,
12:
03] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence37
.
(
RoyalCl
ini
c).
Avnil ayedt herehelplessl
yandi npai nasshe
breathheavi l
y.Ther oyaldoctorshaddone
what evertheycoul dandshewasst il
lnot
comf ortable.Theyhadnoi deawhathadhappened
tocauseherbeaut i
fulfacet oswell upsobi gwith
woundsal loverherbody.Theygotannoyedofher
bickeringandputof fthelights.Priyaenteredthe
room wi thsomewat erandf oodforher .Shewent
closerandsatonachai rnearthebed.Sheser ved
thefoodandpl acedaspooni nit.SeeingthatAvni's
facehadswel lsomucht hatithadcover edher
eyes,shedeci dedtohel pherbyf eedingher .
'
'Openyourmout
hAvni'
'
.
'
'Who.
..
ist
his?Whoi
sit
?''
.
'
'Pri
ya.Look,
Ihavetogot
obedear
lyt
odayokayso
pl
easehelpyoursel
f''
.
'
'Iam goi
ngtodi
ePr
iya.QueenMeer
ahwi
llnot
spar
eme' '
.
'
'QueenMeerah?Idon'
tunder
standanyt
hingyou
meanAvni.HowcanQueenMeer ahwhohaddies
t
hir
tyfourYeat
sagokil
lyou?'
'.
'
'Because.
..
.Iwas..
.anaccompl
icetoQueenDorah
when..
shekil
ledQueenMeerahinthel
abourroom '
'
.
(
Pri
yashookherheadi
nshock)
.
'
'So,
allt
hiswhi
le.
..
.
'
'Pl
ease,
tellmyhusbandt
otakecar
eofour
chi
ldr
en'
'.Shesai
dandcoughed.
'
'Avni
..
.Cal
m down.Tomor
rowwi
llbeanot
her
..
.
(Shet henr eal
isedt hattheswel li
ngonherf ace
startedbecomi ngbi ggerandbi ggerallofasudden.
Priyaqui cklygotawayf rom herinf r
ight.She
quicklyopenedt hedoorandshout edherhel p.
Avni'sfaceswel lupsobi gthatt heveinsi nherface
appear ed,andjustl i
keabomb, herfacebl asted
out,withbloodspr eadingeverywher e).
'
'OhLord!''
.Pri
yaquickl
yrushedout
.Thedoct
ors
andservantsar
rivedt
herelat
eandther
ewas
not
hingtheycoulddo.
(
NextDay=Ent
ranceofUj
ani
).
Sushim start
edt hewor kofspreadingt henewsof
Majid'
sarrivaltothetrust
edsol diersandtheywere
mor ethanwi l
li
ngt ohelpinanywaypossi bl
e.They
sawFar uksitti
ngonahor seandcomi ngtowards
thekingdom wi t
ht hr
eeoft hetrustedsoldi
ers
behindhim.Theyadj ustedt hemsel veswell
unti
lhe
reachedtheirside.
'
'Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eSushi
m?'
'
.
'
'Icametomeetyou.Yout
oldmeyouwoul
dar
ri
ve
heret
hismor
ning''
.
'
'YesIdid.Butwhatareyoureal
lydoingher e?I
t'
s
beingfi
veyearsandyouhaveneverst eppedafoot
i
nt hi
splaceduetosomepastexperience
remember?Yousaidthisent
ranceremi ndedyouof
mybr ot
her''
.
'
'Icamemainly,
justbecauseIwant
edt
omeetyou
andtel
lyouthat
,QueenDorahisi
naver
ycr
it
ical
condi
ti
on''
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.Hedidn'
thearanot
herwordandrodf
ast
i
ntot
heki
ngdom, f
oll
owedbyhisguards.
(I
ntheki
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace=QueenRi
shi
'
s
chamber
).
Shet i
edMarishhairupnicelyaf
terMarishand
dressedthem beauti
ful
lyl
iketheli
tt
leprincesses
theywere.Allt
heQueensandPr i
ncessesLakshmi
enteredi
nsmi l
esast heyfacedtheli
tt
legirl
s.
'
'Whati
sgoi
ngonmot
her
?''
.Meer
ahasked.
'
'Ar
eyour
eadyRi
shi
?''
.Queenmot
herasked.
'
'It
hinkso'
'
.
'
'Whyhaveyoudr
essedusupinroyal
tytoday
mot
her?Arewegoi
ngtoanoccasion?'
'.
'
'Nogi r
ls.Iti
sjustaboutsomeonewewantyoutwo
tomeett oday.Buthey.
.weneedyoubothto
promisenott osayanythi
ngaboutwhatweare
goingtoshowyout oanyone.
..Pr
omise?'
'
.
'
'Why?Whoistheper
son?I
sitaspeci
alper
son?'
'
.
Meer
ahasked.
'
'Ar
eyougoi
ngt
opr
omi
seornot
?''
.Lakshmiasked.
'
'Wel
l.
..
okay'
'
.Meer
ahsai
d.
(
Theadul
tst
henl
eadedt
hem outoft
hechamber
).
(
QueenDor
ah'
schamber
).
Ther oyaldoctor
shadcleanedherupandmade
breakfastforher
,andaf
tereati
ng,shelayedonher
bedwi thhereyesopenedbutshewasn' tmovi
ng.
Shel ookedsadandparalysed.Oneofthemaids
enteredandpackerthebowl sandplat
esandturned
toleave.
'
'Whydidn'
tAvnicomet oser
vemet oday?'
'
.She
askedandcoughed.'
'Thati
diot
!Sheismyservant
!
'
'.
'
'Avnii
sdeadyourhi
ghness'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Shedi
edl
astni
ght'
'
.
'
'How?
!''
.
'
'Shehadabi gswellonherfaveaft
eranunknown
att
ackyourhighness.Yest
erdayi
nthekit
chen,she
actedst
rangeandwascal l
ingQueenMeerah'
s
name.Then..
.
'
'Getout
!''
.
(
Themaidquickl
ylef
tthechamber.QueenDor
ah
moanedpai
nfull
yassheforcedt
osituponherbed)
.
'
'Meer ahhasdeci dedtokillmeslowl y.ButIwillnot
al
lowt hat.Bitwhatisgoingon?Isshef i
ghti
ngon
behalfofhergr anddaughtersorthethr one?I
mean, Majidisdead.Right?Thereissomet hi
ng
str
angegoi ngonandImustf i
ndout .Or .
.i
sMaj i
d
not..
dead? ??''
.Shegotupandst artedpr epari
ng
herselft
ogoout .
(
Pal
aceGar
den)
.
TheQueenswalkedt
hegirl
sintothegar
denwith
thei
reyescl
osedunt
ilt
heyreachedthemiddl
e.
'
'Canweopenoureyesnowt
hatwest
opped
walki
ng?'
'
.Mar
ishasked.
'
'No..
notyet
.Iwil
ltel
lyouwhent
oopenyoureyes'
'
.
Queenmothersai
d.
(Maj
identeredthegardenandhet ri
edtocont r
olhis
emoti
onsonmeet i
nghischildrenaftersomany
year
s.Hewal kedsil
entl
yandst oodinfrontofthem.
Hequickl
yr emovedhisdisguiseandnoddert o
Queenmot her)
.
'
'Okaygi
rl
s.Ar
eyour
eady?'
'
.
'
'Yes.
..
canwenowopenal
ready?Oureyesar
eti
red!
'
'
.
'
'Okay.
.openyoureyes'
'
..
Tobecont
inued
[
01/
23,
12:
03] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence38
.
(
Pal
aceGar
den)
.
Majidtookadeepbr eat
handthet wogirl
sopened
thei
reyes.AssoonasMar ishlayedhereyeson
him,
sheopenedhereyeswi delyassher ecogni
sed
himimmedi at
ely,
butMeerahdidn't
.Marishusedto
betheonewhoal wayshadhispictur
ewi t
hherall
theti
me.Shescr eamedtheloudestwithshockand
ami
xtur
eofhappi
nessandsadness.
'
'Father
!!
!'
'.Mari
shscr
eamedandMaj idbenddown
wit
hopenedar msandasmi l
e.Thetwogirl
srushed
i
ntohisarmsandembr acedhi
mt i
ghtl
y.'
'Youhave
comebackf at
her!'
'
.
(Ever
yonehasthrowni nt
oimmediatemourni
ng.
Majidloosedhi
smanl ysenseandweptonhis
chil
dren'
sshoul
ders.Thegirl
scouldn'
tst
opcryi
ng
eit
her).
'
'It
hinktheyaregoi
ngtoneedsometi
mealoneto
r
eunitebett
er.
..
whatdoyouthi
nk?'
'
.QueenSheena
whi
speredtothewomen.
'
'Youar
eri
ght'
'
.
(Shi
vandKushiqui
ckl
yent
eredthegardeni
n
sweat,
pant
ingandl
ooki
ngfr
ight
ened).
'
'Faruki
sback!!
!Farukisbackinthepalaceri
ght
now!AndQueenDor ahisalsooutther
ewal ki
ng
aroundt
hepalace.
..'
'.Kushishout
ed.
(Ri
shitur
nedherf
acequi
ckl
y,
star
ri
ngatMaji
di n
shock.Maji
dqui
ckl
yki
ssedhisgi
rl
sandtooktheir
f
acesi
nhi
shands)
.
'
'Ipromiseyoubabi
es,
daddywi
llcomeback
soon..
.okay?'
'
.
'
'But
..
.wher
ear
eyougoi
ngf
ather
?''
.Meer
ahasked.
'
'Ineedyout
wot
opr
omi
semeonet
hing'
'
.
'
'Pl
easedon'
tgof
ather'
'
.Mar
ishcr
ied.
'
'Thebaduncleisbackgirl
s.Youmustprot
ectyour
fat
herfr
om him aswell
.Youcannotl
etanyone
knowthatyourfat
heri
sback, el
set
hebadmanwi ll
hurthi
m''.Queenmothersaid.
(MeerahandMari
shqui
ckl
ynoddedt
hei
rheadsand
embracedMaji
dti
ght
ly)
.
'
'Iwil
lcomebackforyou.Ipr
omi
segi
rl
s''
.Maj
id
sai
dandgottohisfeet
.
(
Rishiqui
ckl
yrushedt
ohi
ssi
deandembr
acedhi
m
i
ntears)
.
'
'Iwi
shthi
swil
lbeoverver
ysoonMaj
id.Ican'
t
st
andthi
sanymor
e''
.
(
Maj
idl
ethergoandqui
ckl
yrushedoutoft
he
gar
denwi
thShi
v).
'
'Mother.
..
whenwi
llf
athercomeback?'
'
.Meer
ah
asked.
'
'Gir
ls,
weallhavetoactasifyourfatherwasnever
her
e.Else,
ifthebadmanf i
ndsout ,
hewi l
lhur
thim
andyouwillneverseehi
m again''
.QueenSheena
sai
d.
'
'Okaymyl
ipsar
eseal
ed.Mar
ishsai
d.
'
'Metoo''.Meerahsai
d.'
'Butasl
ongasweseeour
f
atheragain'
'.
'
' Yesyes...
youwi l
lseehim agai
n,noproblem.But
untilithappens,
yougirl
sshouldkeepyourmout hs
shut .Hewi l
lbecomingforyout omorrow,sogo
backi ntoyourroomsandt akeanydr essesand
toysofyourchoi cesandpackt hem okay?''
.
'
'Okay'
'
.
(
Theyhappi
lyr
ushedoutoft
hegar
den)
.
'
'Okay.
..
sonoe,
whati
snextmot
her
?''
.Ri
shiasked.
'
'Byt
hist
ime,
CharuandJi
mmymusthavearr
ived
i
nJhansi
.AndRagahmustal
sobeonherwaythere
'
'
.
(
Rishisi
gnedi
nrel
ief
).
'
' I
t'
stime,l
et'
sallpr
epareourselves.Al
lthechil
dren
wi l
lfi
rstbetakenoutofthepalace,wit
hKushito
Mumbai ,
andweshal lgi
vetheexcuset oever
yone
that,
theyaregoingforsomevacat ionorsomething,
butbet t
ersti
ll
,t
hechildr
enwillnotbesafeinUjani
from tomorrow''
.
(
JhansiKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace)
.
Theonl ythi
ngt hathadchangedi nthekingdom
wast hefactthattherewer enoemadesl avesin
theirownlandsbecauseoft hechangeofkingshi p.
Thepal acewasqui etanddi st
urbed.Guardsstood
allovertheplacewithweapons, protect
ingthe
entrance.Charu,Ji
mmyandJeedar ri
vedthere,
hand
i
nhand.Thegat eguardsblockerthewaywi ththeir
swor dswithfrownedf aces.Ji
mmywal kedinfront
boldly.
'
'Yes?Howmaywehelpyouand.
..
whoar
eyou?'
'
.
Oneguardaskedi
naheavyt
one.
'
'Wehaveanappoi
ntmentwi
thPr
incessRagahand
t
hati
swhywear
eher
e''
.
'
'Ithi
nkyouarevi
sit
ors.BecausesheisaQueen
nowandalso,
shedoesnotl i
vehereanymor
ebutin
Ujani'
'
.Theguar
drepli
ed.
'
'Weknowever yt
hing,butsheist
heonewhoasked
tocomeher et
owai tf
orher.Sowearewai
ti
ngri
ght
hereunt
ilsheret
urns''
.
'
' Youcan'
tjustcomeoutofnowheretosay
nonsenseanddowhatyouwant .Youbett
erl
eave
thepalacenowbef or
eweattackyou''
.Theguard
saidinanger.
'
'Youhavetounderst
andt
hat
,t
hisi
sver
yimpor
tant
.
I
tisforourowngood''
.
(
Theleaderoftheguar
dscameoutf
rom t
hepal
ace
wit
haswor d)
.
'
'Whati
shappeni
ngher
e?'
'
.
'
'Thisi
ntr
udersj
ustarr
ivedheresaying,
they
neededQueenRagah.ThenItoldthem t
hatthe
Queenisi
nUjaniandnothere,
but.
..
'
'Enough.
..
it
'senough.Youal
lcandepar
tfr
om her
e
'
'.Theleadersaid.Theguardsboweddownand
l
eft,
leavingCharu,
JimmyandJeedt her
e.''
Please,
youmayent ert
hepalace.Justthi
searlymorning,
a
l
etterfrom QueenRagahgott omef rom Uj
ani.She
hast ol
dmeever ythi
ng.ButIdidn'
tbeli
eveatfir
st'
'.
(Hel
oweredhi
sheadandstar
redster
nlyatJeed.
Thel
it
tl
eboyhisbehi
ndhi
smot her
).
'
'ButnowthatIhaveseenhim wit
hmyowneyes,
noonehastotellmethat
,hei
st heexactphot
ocopy
ofhi
swickedfather'
'
.
'
'Mysonisnot
hingl
ikeFar
uk!'
'
.Char
usnapped
def
ensi
vel
y.
'
'Nevermind.Iam j
ustsayi
ngthat
,t
heylookali
ke.
Andther
eisnothingyoucando..
helooksexactl
y
l
ikehi
m.Byt heway,haveyout
oldhimthetrut
hyet?
'
'.
'
'Who?'
'Ji
mmyasked.
'
'Theboy'
'
.
'
'Heonl
yhasonef at
her.Andt
hati
sme'
'.Ji
mmy
sai
dbol
dly.'
'Hedoesn'
tneedt
oknowt
hatFaruki
s
hisbi
ologi
calfather
..
.whenhegr
owsupand
becomesmat uredenough,wewi
llt
ellhi
mthewhol
e
tr
uth,
fornow..
.
(QueenRagahquickl
yarri
vedinapalanqui
nwith
fourmaidsandtwotrust
edguardsofhers.She
steppedoutandherhear
tskippedabeatassoon
asshesawJeed) .
'
'Ohgoodness!'
'
.Tear
srusheddownhereyes.'
'So
i
twastrue'
'.
(
Char
uandt
heguar
dboweddownt
oher
).
'
'Youar
ewel
comeyourMaj
est
y''
.Theguar
dsai
d.
'
'Callandgatherallt
heguar dsofthepal
acetothe
fr
ontofthethroneSagar''.Shecommandedt hat
l
eadguar di
nanger .'
'Tell
t hem t
oassemblebefor
e
menow!Thi schild.
..
isFaruk'sson.Andhehadhim
beforehemar r
iedme!Soi tisanabominati
on!
Hurry!'
'
.
'
'YesQueen'
'
.Hebowedandqui
ckl
ylef
t.
(
Ragahwal
kedcl
osert
oChar
uandJi
mmy)
.
'
'Yoursonwi
llbesaf
e''
.Shesai
dandf
aced
somewher
eel
se.'
'ButFar
uk..
.i
snotgoi
ngt
oknow
whathi
thi
mfr
om theback''
.
(
UjaniKi
ngdom=RoyalPal
ace)
.
FarukandQueenDor ahstoodont hewal kway.She
wassoshockedwhenFar uktoldherbl ackmagi c
fri
endfr
om Jhansiwasdeadbef orehear ri
vedin
hershri
ne.Shethenbegant othinkdeepl yand
rememberedsomanyt hingsalltoget her
.Faruk
rol
ledhi
seyesar oundwetherhewi l
lspotthelove
ofhisl
if
eanywher e.Hewasr estless.QueenDor ah
suddenl
ypanicked.
'
'Thi
scan'
tbe!Thi
sisi
mpossi
ble!'
'
.
'
'Mot
her
,haveyougotanyi
deawher
eRi
shii
s?'
'
.
'
'Far
uk!Thi
sisourend!'
'
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Youstupididi
ot!WhilesIam busyanalysi
ngwhat
t
herealtrut
hmi ghtbe,youar
ebusilythi
nkingabout
t
hatwretch!Youf ool
,
Maj i
dmightsti
llbeali
ve!'
'
.
'
'Huh?!
!'
'.Far
ukf
eltweakandwasaboutt
ofal
l.'
'
Ma..
Ma..
.Ma..
no.
.nonononono''
.
'
'YesFaruk.Ial
readyt
oldyouthatQueenMeer
ah'
s
spi
ri
tisback.Notheral
one,yourf
atheri
sal
soher
e!
'
'.
'
'Father!Butmother,It
houghtal
lourproblems
wereoverandweonl yhadQueenMeer ahto
contendwith.Majidcanneverbeali
vebecauseI
sawhi m di
e.Isuckedtheli
feoutofhim befor
e
pushinghim It
ot hewaterf
all
s''
.
'
'NoFar uk.Allofmymagi chasdisappeared.ButI
sti
llhavemymagi cinst
incttoknowt hatIam ri
ght.
Rishidoesn'
thaveamal e.AndifMaj i
dhasdi ed,
whywoul dQueenMeer ahbef i
ghtingusifMaj i
dis
deadandshehasnohei rinhergenerati
on?And
howcomeherspi riti
swor ki
ngtogetherwithyour
father
'sspi
rit
?''.
'
'I
..
.mother
..
.ohnomother
.Howist
hispo.
..
buti
f
Maji
disali
vethent
hatmeans.
..
hei
s..
he.
..
'
'Hei scomingf oryouFaruk,
heisgoingtotakehis
revenge''
.QueenDor ahaddedwithanangryface.'
'
ButIwillneverall
owt hatt
ohappened''
.
'
'Butyoudon'
thaveanymor
epower
smot
her
!You
saidi tyoursel
f,al
lyourmagici
sgone.And
now, fatherhasalsojoi
nedthegame!Howonearth
willyoubeabl et oprot
ect!
e?!'
'
.Far
ukshoutedI
distress.
'
'Son.
..
.
'
'No!Iwi
llt
akemat
ter
sint
omyownhands!'
'
.
Heangri
lyenter
edhi
schamberandwasshockedto
seet
hekni f
eheusedtostabMaji
dint
heheart
ei
ghtyearsagoonhisbed,
dri
ppi
ngwit
hblood.
..
Tobecont
inued.
[
01/
23,
12:
03] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence39
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
(
KingFar
uk'
sChamber
).
Hegotweaki nhi
skneesandscr eamedi nagony.
Hef el
ltothegroundwi t
hhi seyes, st
il
lstarr
ingat
theknifewhichwasdr i
ppi ngwithbl ood.Hehel dhis
chestti
ghtlyandscreamedf orpeopl eoutsi
de.
QueenDor ah,t
heguardsandt her estoftheroyal
familyent
eredimmedi ately.AssoonasQueen
Dorahlayedhereyesont heknife,sheslippedt othe
groundandhel dherhead.Far ukqui cklygott ohis
feetandturnedtotheguar dswhower eavailableat
themoment .
'
'Assembl ealltheguar dsinUjani
!Includi
ngthewar
sol
diers!Andbl owt hetrumpetsJhansinow!
Announce...andcall.Tellt
hem theKingsays...
ther
e
i
saboutt obewar .Ineedt hem al
lhereinUjaninow!
Go!'
'.Heor deredfast,t
heybowedt heirheadsand
qui
cklyrushedout .
'
'Whatisgoi
ngonFar
uk?'
'
.Ri
shiaskedl
ooki
ng
concer
ned.
'
'You.
..'
'
.Hel
ookedl
ikeapossessedper
sonashe
wal
kedclosert
oRishiandgr
abbedherar
ms.'
'
Wherei
sMaj i
d?''
.
'
'What
?!'
'
.
'
'Whatareyoutal
kingaboutFar
uk?Majidhasbei
ng
deadforal
mostei
ghtyearsnow!''
.Queenmother
shout
ed.
'
'Liar
s!Youcan'tfoolmeanymore.Thenwhati
s
t
his?!'
'.Hepoint
edatt hekni
feonhi
sbedwhich
wasdr i
ppingwit
hbl ood.
(Ri
shiandtheother
stur
nedt
hei
rfacest
othebedi
n
ast
onishment)
.
'
'Thatisthekni
feIusedtost abMaji
d!AndIpushed
himintothewater
fal
lswiththekni
festil
linhi
s
chest
!Howcomei ti
shere?!''
.Hescreamedin
Rishi
'
sf aveandshefl
inched.
(QueenDorahquickl
ywalkedtot
hebedandpi
cked
uptheknif
e,poi
nti
ngitatQueenDor
ahandQueen
Sheena)
.
'
'Tell
mewher eyourgr
andsonis.
..
.el
seIwil
lki
ll
Rishi
!!
!'
'.Shesai
dandgrabbedRi
shibytheneck.
Poi
nti
ngt
hekni
fet
owar
dshereyes.
'
'No!Leavemealone,Idon'
tknowwhatyouat
e
t
alki
ngaboutIswear!''
.
'
'Dorah,
areyououtofyoursenses? !St
opt hi
s
nonsense.Youaremaki ngami st
ake.Meerahand
Marishwil
lbehelpless!Youtwokill
edtheir
fat
her,
nowyouwantt okil
lthei
rmothertoo?!'
'
.
Queenmot hershouted.
'
'Faruk.
..
pleasebel
ieveme!'
'
.Rishicri
edandFar
uk
t
urnedtolookather.Tryi
nghardtofi
ghthi
s
f
eeli
ngs.''
Leaveheralonemother!'
'
.
'
'Areyououtofyourmi
nd?She'
str
yingt
ofoolyou
son!'
'
.
'
'Noshewon't''
.Farukt
ookRishiawayfr
om his
motherandgrabbedherwit
hforceandanger.He
for
ceful
lywal
kedherout,
fol
lowedbytherest
.''
Guards!'
'.
(
Hecall
edt
hefewguardsnearbyandcommanded
t
hem t
oarr
estQueenmotherandQueenSheena)
.
'
'Far
uk!Youcan'
tdot
hist
ousagai
nyouf
ool
!Let
usgo!Wehavenoi
deaofwhatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
!''
.
'
' Youbot haregoingtost ayi
nthedungeonunti
l
Maj i
ddeci destocomef oryou.Iknowhecan'tl
i
ve
wi t
houtyou.Taket hem away!''
.Hesnappedat
them.' '
Andmakesur etherear
emor et
hanten
guar dsguardingthedungeonbef or
eyouleavet
he
place.Prepareyourselvesforwar!'
'
.
'
'YesyourHi
ghness!'
'
.Theyr
espondedandl
eft
wit
htheQueens.
'
'Faruk.
..
whataboutt hechi
ldr
en.Wemustgrab
t
hem too,especi
all
ythosenastyt
wins!'
'
.Queen
Dorahhissed.
'
' No!Don' tdar etouchmychi ldren!Theyhave
nothingt odowi t
hthis!Pl
easepl ease.
..Iam
beggingyou!Pl ease!''
.Ri
shicriedwhiletryi
ngto
freeher selffrom Faruk'sarms,buthewast oo
strong.''Bel i
eveme. ..
ifMaji
dwasal i
ve,uwouldbe
thefirstper sont oknow!''
.
'
'Andyouwoul
dnevertel
lusabouti
t.
..
..
.wi
llyou
Ri
shi?'
'
.Far
ukashedherwit
hanevilsmil
e.''No.I
don'
tthi
nkso.Mother
,goandbr
ingthosetwi
nsto
ther
oyalbal
cony.Ri
shiandIwi
llbewait
ingf
oryou
'
'.
'
'Okay.
..t
aket
hiskni
fe,i
ncaseshetr
iedanyt
hing
st
upid'
'.Shehandedthekni
fetoFar
ukandleft.
'
'Iknowt hatyouknowMaj idisali
veRi shi'
'.Hesai
d
andplacedt hekni
feoverherthroat.'
'Idon'tcar
e
howmuchIl oveyouanymor e.
..youwi l
llooseyour
chi
ldren,
ifMajiddoesnotturnupt othenext24
hours.Let'
sgo!''
.
(
Hepushedherf
orwar
dwhi
lest
il
lhol
dingher
).
(
Mar
ishandMeer
ah'
sChamber
).
Lakshmihadpackedal ltheirt
hingsandt heywere
settoleavethepalacesecr etl
ywiththehelpofRaj.
Heheldsomeweaponsi nhishandsasheopened
thechamber '
sdoorslight l
yandpeekedhi seyesout
toseeiftherewerepeopl eout
side.Theysuddenly
heardofnoiseandr unni ngsaround.Lakshmi
quickl
yrushedtothewi ndowandl ookedout si
de
thepalace.Shegaspedandqui cklycloserthe
window.
'
'OhnoRaj
..
..
whati
sgoi
ngonnow?'
'
.
'
' It
hinkFarukalreadysawt heknif
eonhi sbed'
'.He
saidandsawQueenDor ahandtwoguardsbehind
her,walki
ngtowar dsthechamberfrom acrosst
he
hallway.Hequicklylockedthedoor.'
'QueenDorah
i
scomi nghere!Hurry..
.hurr
ywitht
hekids.Pass
throughthenewpassageway' '
.
'
'Butwhataboutyou.
..
'
'Justgo!Hur
ry!'
'
.
(Lakshmitookt wosmal lbagsandrushedtot
he
backgatesoft hechamber .Sheheldherst
omach
soshedi dn'
thur therunbornbaby.Rajhel
dhi
s
swor duphighandt her
ewasaver ybigbangont
he
chambergat es).
'
'Whoeverinther
eshouldopenthedoor,el
sei
twil
l
bebrokenandthepersonwil
lbekil
led!'
'
.Queen
Dor
ahshout edfr
om outsi
de.
(
Rajusedal
lhisstr
engt
htopushthebedagai
nst
t
hedoorandrushedoutoft
hepassageway).
(
Ont
heMount
ains)
.
Maj i
dsatont hepeak.Wi t
hhi slegsf ol
dedt ogether
andhi shandsl i
ftedupt ogetherandwi thhi seyes
closed.Allthepriestsoftheki ngdom bot hdeadand
ali
vesurr oundedhi m.Physical l
yandspi ri
tuall
y.The
onlyonesvi sibl
ewer ethepr iestsoftheki ngdom,
BhavnaandChanakher .Theyhel dlit
tle
pits,
containi
ngher bsandoi l.Theychant edon
Maj i
dwhi lehetookadeepbr eath.Theritualwas
almostover .Theskyst artedt ur
ningblackand
whi t
e.Thunderst rokeloudlyandt heyallpour ed
theirpi
tsofoi li
ntoMaj id'
shai r,
anditdrippeddown
hisface.
'
'Theri
tuali
sover.Hai
lLor
dHanuman!'
'
.Bhavna
shout
edinmi ght
.
'
'Hai
l!'
'
.Theot
her
sresponded.
'
'Hai
lLor
dHanuman!'
'
.
'
'Hai
l!'
,
.
(Li
ghteningstrokeandMaj i
dopenedhi seyes.
Immediat el
y,Sushi
mr usheduptot hemount ai
n,
panti
nghar dandbr eat
hingheavi
ly.Everyone
tur
nedt ohim.Andhehadar ri
vedwi t
hmostoft he
warsol
dier
s).
'
'Sushi
m?'
'
.
'
'You...
yourMajest
y!Far
ukalr
eadysawtheknif
e
youasked!etoplaceinhi
sbed.Hehasarr
ested
Queenmot herandQueenSheena!Andhehas
grabbedholdofQueenRishi
!'
'.
(
Maj
idquickl
ygott
ohi
sfeeti
nanxi
etyandt
urned
t
oBhavna).
'
'Don'tworr
yMaj i
d.LordHanumanwillnotf
orsake
us.Todayisyourday.Vict
oryi
syour
s.Andt he
ri
tualwi
llworkbytheti
ckingoft
en!'
'
.
'
'Shoul
dIgonow?'
'
.
'
'No,notnow!Wai
tti
llt
her
eisf
ullmoon!'
'
.Pr
iest
Chanakhersai
d.
'
'Butwhati
fhehur
tmywi
feandchi
ldr
en?
!''
.
'
'Hewon'
t,
Maj
id'
'
.Bhavnasai
d.
'
'Howdoyouknowt
hat
?!'
'
.
'
'Becauseyouar
etheonehewant
snow.Cal
m
down''
.
'
'Yesyourhighness.Farukjustgaveat r
umpet
announcementthat.
..
ifyoudon'tshowup, i
nthe
next24hours,
theli
tt
leprincesseswillbeki
ll
ed.But
whathedoesn'tknowi s,
RajandPr i
ncessLakshmi
hastakenthem outofthepalacebynow' '.
'
'Ar
etheysaf
e?'
'
.
'
'YesyourHi
ghness.Theyarebei
ngpr
otect
edby
Shi
vaandothert
rustedguar
ds''
.
'
'Sonow,it
'sl
eftwi
thRi
shiandmyQueens.Far
uk
wil
lregr
etthi
s..
.
(
Int
hePal
ace=Mar
ishandMeer
ah'
sChamber
).
QueenDorahandtheguar
dsbreakdownthedoor
ndenter
edandfoundanemptyroom.Sheroar
edin
anger
'
' Theyescaped!Donotlett
hem!Sear
chforthem
everywhere!Andkil
lthoset
winsandanyonewit
h
them whenyouf i
ndthem!''
.
'
'YesyourHi
ghness'
'
.
(Assoonast
heyturnedtoleave,
QueenMeerah
appear
edinf
rontofthem al
linherf
ier
ceanger
.
Obviousl
y,onlyQueenDor ahsawher .Shewipert
he
twoguardsfrom t
hef aceofthechamberandbl ood
spl
ashedintoQueenDor ah'sface.Theydied
i
nstantl
y.QueenDor ahtooktheirswordsand
poi
nteditather)
.
'
'Real
lyDor
ah?Swor
dsatme?'
'
.Shel
aughed.
'
'OhnoMeer ah..
.notagainstyoudear' '
.Shealso
l
aughedandcuti ntoherpalms,herblooddr opped
tothefl
oorandshet hrewitatQueenMeer ahwho
qui
cklydisappeared.''
Yes!Ihavef oundanewway
tofi
nall
ygetr i
dofMeer ah,mysonwi llbeking
for
ever!'
'
.
(QueenMeerahquickl
yreappear
edandgr
abbed
holdofQueenDorah'st
hroat)
.
'
'Thi
sist
heendofyourr
eignDorah,
andnoonecan
st
opmefrom maki
ngMaji
dt heki
ng''
.
'
'Soi
t'
str
ue.
..
hei
sal
ive'
'
.
'
'Yes!Hei s,
andthereisnothi
ngyoucandoaboutit
!
'
'.QueenMeer ahsaidandherf ur
ywaskindl
ed.Her
eyest ur
nedfuryredandQueenDor ah'
seyestur
ned
black.Loosi
ngherbr eat
h,QueenMeerahent
ered
i
ntoQueenDor
ah'
sbodyi
mmedi
atel
y.
Thesol dier
sofJhansihadgat heredt hemselves
withtheirsoldier
sofUj ani.Inandout si
dethe
palace.Theywer emor ethanat housand.Li tt
ledid
theyknow, allt
heJhansisol dierswer enowagai nst
Faruk.Whi l
ehal foftheUj anisoldierswereagainst
him aswel l.Theyallli
ft
edt heireyest othetall
est
balconywer eFarukheldRi shicapt i
vewi t
halmost
fi
ftyguardsbehi ndthem.
Theskywastur
ningdi
mmeranddi
mmerasi twas
get
ti
ngtoeveni
ngti
me.Ful
lmoonf
inal
lyappear
ed.
Maj idandhundr edsol
dier
s,i
ncl
udingSushim.They
star r
edatthefullmoon.Andthem star
redatthe
priests.Bhavnanoddedherhead.Agr eensmoke
rushedoutf rom themountai
nstonesandquickly
spr eadthekingdom.
'
'Go!Gonow.I
t'
sti
mef
orvi
ctor
y!'
'
.
(Maj
idmajesti
cal
lygothi
shor ser
eadyandki
ckedi
t.
Thehorsespedupit'
srun,
fol
lowedbytheot
her
sol
dier
sint
othekingdom).
(
Int
heki
ngdom)
.
AsLakshmit ookMar i
sh,MeerahandRagah's
daught erthr
oughthekingdom onhorsesand
pal
anqui ns,shefeltasharppaini
nherabdomen.
Pri
yahel pedhersirproperl
yinherpal
anquinand
shoutedf orRajandShivwhohel pedotherguar
ds
carr
yt hepalanquin.
'
'I
sthebabycomi
ngnowpr
incess?'
'
.Kushiasked.
'
'It
hink.
..
Idon'
t'
'.Shescr
eamed.
'
'Raj
!'
'.Pr
iyashout
ed.
(
Themengott
othewomeni
nhi
spal
anqui
n).
'
' Wecannotgot othemountainsri
ghtnow.We
haveimmedi atel
ygettothecaveMajidaskedt
he
otherservantsofthepal
acetohide.I
think.
..
.t
he..
.ourbabyiscomingnow!''
.
'
'Okay.
..
wewi l
lbesafeovert
her
eswel
l
!''
.Rajsai
d
andqui
cklycarr
iedt
hepalanqui
n.
'
'Whereisourmot
herandf
atheraunt'
'
.Meer
ah
asked.
'
'We.
..
'
'Rel
axgi
rl
s.Yourpar
ent
sar
eokay.
..
theyaskedus
t
otakeyouwi t
husokay?Theywil
lar
rivesoon'
'
.
Kushiassur
edthem whi
lesheher
sel
fcried.
(
ButLakshmicoul
dn'
thol
don.Shestar
tedpushi
ng,
whi
lePri
yaandKushihel
pedherwi
ththeli
tt
lewater
t
heyhad).
(
Int
hePal
ace=Ont
her
oyalbal
cony)
.
Farukhel dRishibyherhairandpul l
edhertowards
thebalcony.Hereyeswer einshockashet ri
ed
pushingherover .Shequicklyrememberedwhen
Cindyfelloffthatsamebal cony.Shescreamedand
tearrusheddownherf ace.Faruktur
nedt ohis
guardsandoneoft hem raisedhishand.Faruk
turnedbackt othesoldier
s.
'
' Fi
ft
eenHoursMore!IfMajiddoesnotshowupi
n
thenextf
ift
eenhours,
then..
.hi
sbabygir
lher
ewil
lbe
pusheddownt hi
sbalcony.Inotherwor
ds,
shewi
ll
bedead..
.and.
..
(Suddenl
y,aspeedarrowf l
ewf r
om nowhereand
pier
cedFaruk'
srightsol
diers,
hescreamedloudly
outofpainandagony.Heal mostfel
ltotheground
butheldhimsel
fup.Allt
hesol di
ersrushedt
ohi m.
Hishandslef
tRi
shiandshetooktoherheel
s,
cli
mbingdownthousandsofst
air
sawayf r
om
them).
'
' Gethernow!Gether !'
'.Hecommandedandal lthe
soldier
sr ushedaf terher .Farukadj ustedhi mself.
Wi t
hallhisst r
engt h,het ookoutt hear r
ow, andhis
bloodstainedhi swhol ehands.Het urnedhi sface
i
nt othesol diersfardownt hebalconyandout si
de
thepalace.Andf rom farawayt hepal ace, hesaw
thousandsofsol diersonhor ses,r acingt ot he
palacewi thswor dsandar rows.Andher ecognised
theonel eadi ngthem.Hehel danot herarr owand
bow,het witchedhi seyeswel landt heshockonhi s
facewaspr iceless.Hesawhi sl
ongl ostbr other
Maj i
d.Finally...
.
Tobecont
inued.
..
[
01/
23,
12:
03] :

.
(
SEASON2)
.
Sequence40
.
FI
NALE
.
©Adel
aideCl
ara
.
Anotherar rowcamef l
yingspeedt owardshim.But
thisti
me, hecaughti twi t
hal lhisst rengt
handhi s
l
ipscur vedi ntoanevi lsmi l
eashi seyesbehel d
Maj i
dcomi ngwi thspeedwi thallhi ssol
dier
s.He
quicklybentdownandpi ckedupahor n.Heblewit
withallhismi ght.Andwi thhowl oudi twas,
the
kingdom pr obabl yhear di t
.Het urnedt oal i
tt
le
comf ortthronebesi deshi m andt ookhi swar
armourandwor eit.Heal sohel dt heswor dwhich
belongedt ot heki ngsdur ingwart ime.Andhe
starr
edatt hesmal lknifeinhi shand.
'
'Iam goi
ngtouset hi
ssameknif
e,t
ostabyou
agai
n!Justl
ikesevenyear
sago.Butthi
sti
me,you
ar
egoi
ngt
odi
eforr
ealbr
other'
'
.
(Thewarsoldi
erssalut
edandmadethei
rweapons
ready.Far
uklookeddownthebal
conyand
screamedoutloud).
'
'At
tack!Butl
eavemybr
other
,hei
smi
ne!'
'
.
(Thesol di
ersbreakdownt hegat
esoft hepal
ace
andf acedupwi thMajidandtheothers.Thef
ight
suddenlyturnedupsidedownwhent heJhansi
soldier
sstartedkil
li
ngFaruk'smen.Whi chmadeit
easierforMaj i
dtoentert
hepalacewi t
hhishorse)
.
'
' What?!'
'
.Far ukwasshockedwhenhesawt hetur
n
thathappened.Het urnthathappened.Het ur
ned
hisbacktol eavet hebalconybutpanickedwhenhe
sawQueenDor ahst andi
ngt her
estif
fl
ylikea
possessedper son.'
' Mother?Fi
nall
yyouar e
here.
..
wher ear ethosechi l
dren?Theyaretheonl
y
onesIcanuset ogett oMajid'
sweakness''.
'
'Theyescapedson'
'
.Shesai
d.
'
'Wear eoutofti
memot her!Thesoldi
ersare
fi
ghti
ngagainsteachother.Theyar
ekill
ingeach
other
!Doanymagi c.
..
anything!'
'
.
'
'Go. .
.gonoeFar
uk!Vi
ctor
yisyours!Iwi
llbe
performingmagi
chere.
..
andthefi
ghtwil
lbeinyour
favour!'
'.
'
'Yesmother!'
'Hequi
ckl
ystar
tedwal
kingawaybut
QueenDorahheldhi
sshoul
der.
'
'Wait
!''
.Shest
ret
chedherhand.'
'Gi
vemet hatl
it
tl
e
kni
fesoIcanchanti
ntoi
tforyoutof
inal
lykil
lMaji
d
'
'.
(Far
ukdi
dn'
tthi
nktwi
ceandhandedi
tovert
oher
andqui
ckl
yknel
tinfr
ontofher
).
'
'Givemeyourbl
essi
ngsmot
her'
'
.Hesai
dwi
thhi
s
eyescl
osed.
'
'Mayvict
orybeyour
sfor
everandevermyson'
'
.
Shesai
d.
(Farukgotonhi sf
eetandrushedawayf rom t
he
balcony.Assoonashel eft
,QueenDorahstarr
edat
theknifeinherhandsandsmi l
ed.Andsuddenly,
i
t
actuall
yturnedouttobeQueenMeer ahwhowas
possessingQueenDor ah.Herbodyturnedint
o
QueenMeer ah)
.
(
Downt
heWarGr
ounds)
.
Thef ightwasi ntenseandt heJhansisol diers
ruthlesslysl ewever yUj anisoldierwhowasl oyalt o
Faruk.Ri shigotdownf rom thest airsandf elldown
i
nf rontoft hemai npal acegat e.Herbr eathingwas
veryuneasyandshef eltdizzy.Shet ri
edget t
ingt o
herfeetwhent hef i
ftyguar dswhower echasi ngher
arri
vedathersi deandgr abbedher .Maj idf ort her
e
thatinst anceandt heyr ushedt oattackhi m.He
dodgedt hei rbl
owsandt ookRi shibyherwai st.He
foughtt heguar dsbyhi sswor dfiercel
yandki l
led
almostt went yofthem.Sushi m quicklyar ri
vedwi th
somesol diersarri
vedwi t
hsomesol di
ersandt ook
over.Maj idwal kedRishisl owlytoacor nerandsat
heront hef loorasshewast oot ir
edandl ooki ng
messy.Theyst arr
edateachot herforawhi leand
embr acedt ight
ly.
'
'Iam her
enowsweet
hear
t''
.
'
'MeerahandMar .
..
Mar
ish.
..
Maj
id,
theyar
ein
danger
!''
.Shecr
ied.
'
'NoRi
shi
.Theyar
esaf
enow.LakshmiandRaj
tookthem farawayint
ot hewoods.Ever
ythi
ngwas
preparedcareful
lyf
ortheirhi
ding.
(
Shewasimmediatel
yrel
ievedwhenshehear
dthat
.
Heki
ssedherandpushedherint
othedar
knessof
t
hecorner
).
'
'Maj
id.
..
pleasedon'
tleaveme'
'
.
'
'St
ayqui
ether
eRi
shi
.Nomat
terwhat
,donotmake
asound'
'
.
(Hedidn'tgivehertimet oanswerandhequi ckl
y
l
efther.Thef ightwasbecomi ngmor eheavi
erand
heavierashi ddenguar dsandsoldi
ersofFarukkept
appearing.Thensuddenl yt
hegreensmokef rom
themount ainsappear edintheskyandstart
ed
fi
ll
ingthewhol epalace.Theguardsandsoldier
s
cougheduncont rol
lablyandbeguntocoll
apseone
aft
ertheot her).
Peopleintheki ngdom wer eal lr
ushi ngtothetopof
themount ainswi t
ht hegodsoft heirhouses.All
prayi
ngf orMaj i
d'svictory.Evensomewomen
walkedonf ire.Themount ainswer ef i
ll
edwith
l
ords,peopleandpr iests.Prayingandchant i
ng.
Fi
reswer
eli
ght
edf
rom woodsandt
hunderst
roke.
Aheavyr
ainbegunt
opoordownasl
ight
eni
ng
f
oll
owed.
(
Int
hePal
ace)
.
Majidremovedanot herswor df
r om hisbel
tandwas
abouttoenterthebuildingbutt henhebumpedi nt
o
Farukwhopoi ntedhisswor dathi m.Sushimtr
iedto
getclosert
othem butot herguar dsatt
ackedhim.
Thesmokebegunget tingi twayi ntot
heirl
ungs.
'
'Hell
obr ot
her!''
.Far
uklaughedwi ckedly.'
'You
musthavebei ngacatinyourlastlif
e,becausehave
ninel
ives.Allt
henineattemptstokillyouinthelast
nineyearsfail
ed.Don'
tworry,
allyourliveshave
endedtoday.Becausefinal
ly,
Icanki llyouwith
passionandneverhavet obotheraboutt omorrow''
.
'
'Iwil
lnotspar
eyouFaruk.Iam goi
ngtoki
ll
you,
andIwon'thaveanyregr
etslat
eron'
'
.
'
'Areyousureaboutthat?BecauseIam t
hevict
im
here!Iwasbor
nf i
rst
,Iwassupposetobethe
crownedpri
nce.Butyouhotintheway.Mymot her
andIhasalwaysbeingsecondhandt oourf
ather
.I
real
lyenjoyedthenewsofhisdeat
h.Andmy
happinessfinal
lycompl
etedwhenIthoughtyou
haddied.Butno,youdeci
dedtogetinthewayagai
n!
'
'.
(Hesai dinangerandr ai
sedhisswor dt oattack
Maj i
d, buthecl ashedhi sswordwi t
hFar ukr aised
hisl eftlegt okickMaj i
dbuthehi thi slegawayand
hithi m har dont hef acewi thaf i
stedhand.Far uk
felltot hegr oupwi thbl oodinhismout h.Maj i
d
wal kedcl osert ohi m andwasaboutt ogr abhi m bit
her aisedhisl egandhi tMajidtot hegr oundt oo.He
qui cklygott ohi sf eetwi thhisswor d.Ri shiwas
wat chi ngallthisi nthedar kandherhear twas
beat ingf ast.Shebegunt opraysi l
ent lyasshewent
aheadandwat chedt hebattlebetweenMaj i
dand
Far uk.Far ukr aiseduphi sswordagai nstMaj idbut
hedodgedandhi tFar ukathisbackbyhi slegbut
Far ukt urnedf astandwasaboutt osl abMaj idwhen
hest oppedandf rozei nmi dair.Hi sf acel ooked
paleandsuddenl yli
feless.Thunderst rokeand
ever yoneel sef ightingi nthepal aceandout side
stopped.Li ghteni ngpassedt hrought heskyandt he
rainbecameheavier
.Bloodbeginf all
ingoutof
Faruk'sbackandfal
li
ngont heground.He
screamedi npai
nandslowly,wit
hhi sbodyshaki ng,
het ur
nedhisbackandhewasshocked.Ever yone
elselookedbehi
ndFarukandwer eabsol ut
ely
shocked.QueenDorahheldt heknifeinFaruk' s
stomach.Andshest ar
redinhiseyesl ikea
possessedwomanwi t
hsomuchhat r
ed.Far ukwas
shockerthananyone).
'
'Mo..
.mother
?''
.Far ukcoughedoutdarkbl ood.He
l
ookeddownhi sstomachandwasast onishedi t
wasthesamekni f
eheusedt ostabMajid.Het hen
rememberedQueenDor ahaski
nghimt ogiveitto
hert
ochantoni t
.''By.
.butmother.
..
why?' '
.
'
'BecauseIam notyourmot
her
!''
.
(Darkwashocked.Ever yoneelsewas.Rishiquickl
y
rushedoutfrom herhidingplaceandgottoMaj id'
s
sideonthegr ound.Shebentdownandgothol dof
him.Caressi
nghi sfacebecausehewashur t
aroundhisforehead.Queenmot herandQueen
Sheenaquicklyarri
vedtheresincetheywerefreed
bySushim.Theguar dsofUjanicol
lapsedonthe
gr
ound)
.
'
'You..
.mother
..
.I'
'.Hestar
tedlosi
nghi
sbreat
has
bl
ackveinsappear edi
nhisface.'
'Mo.
.mot
her,
why
ki
ll
..
.me?Iam..yourson..
..
'
'Yes,yourrei
gnisoverFar uk.Youar ejustsobli
nd
andpower l
ess.Justli
keyourmot her''
.Shesaid
andt ookouttheknif
efrom Faruk'sstomachand
stabbedhim deeperagain.Farukgaspedf orbr
eath
asheashest ar
tedbecomi nglif
eless.'
' Thebody
belongstoyourmot her
.Butt hespiri
t..
..
(QueenMeer ahleftQueenDorah'sbodyandst ood
aside.QueenDor ahcamebackt ohersensesand
sher eal
isedshewashol di
ngtheknifewhi ch
stabbedFar ukinf r
ontofher.Herfaceturnedinto
horror.Shesawherson' sbloodsoakedi nher
hands.Tear sbli
ndedhereyes.Thi swasthemost
terr
ibleviewshehadeverseem i nallherlife)
.
'
'No!NoFar
uk!Nononomysonno!
!!'
'
.
(Farukcoll
apsedanddr oppeddowndead.Ther
ain
turnedheavier
.Majidforcedhi
mselfupandmoved
asidewithRishiandtheQueens.Theirmi
ndswere
sti
lltr
yingtounder st
andwhatwasgoi ngon.Ragah
arr
ivedt hepalaceonahor seandaswor d.Shewas
tooangr y.Shegotdownandst ar
tedwal kingin.
QueenDor ahbentdowni ntear
sandangui sh,t
ryi
ng
towakeFar ukup.Shet ruedgetti
ngt hekni f
eoutof
him butitwasnowst udyi nhimforgood.Shef el
l
overhisbodyandweptbi tt
erl
yasever yone
surroundedher .Onlystarri
ng.Rishiembr aced
Maj i
dtightly)
.
'
'No!Youcan'tl
eavemeFar uk.Ohno..
.youatethe
reasonwhyIhavebeingdoingwhatIdidallt
his
yearsmyson!''
.Shechokedonhertears.'
'AllI
wantedwasthebestforyou.Notthi
s,
Faruk..
.wa
keupmyson,
please!Myonl
ysour
ceofj
oy!'
'
.
'
'ItisoverDorah''
.QueenMeer ahsai
dand
suddenly,shebecamevisibl
eforeveryonet
osee
her.Andal lt
hepeopl
efellonthei
rfaces.Maj
idand
Rishiweremostshocked.
'
'Mo..
mo.
..mother'
'
.Maji
dsai
dinashaki
ngvoi
ce
ast
earsf
ellf
rom hi
seyes.
(
QueenDor
ahgott
oherf
eetandt
ookFar
uk'
s
swor d.Ragahar r
ivedbehindher .Shestar
ted
runningtowardsDor ahwit
hherswor dandal oud
angr yscr
eam.Asshewasaboutt ostabher,
Queen
Dor ahrai
sedupt heswor dandsl ewRagahi nher
throatandshef ellt
ot heground.Her
blood,spl
ashingtot heground.Everyonewas
puzzled.Rishiscreamedandr ushedtoherside)
.
'
'Ragah..
.noRagah..l
ist
en,youhavet oleavef
or
Pri
yanka.
..Pl
ease!Li
vef oryourdaughter.
..
someonehelpus!''
.
'
'Rishi
.Idon'
t.
..
.havemuchti
me.
.l
eft
.Takecareof
mychi..
.daughter.Pr
omiseme'
'
.Befor
eRishicoul
d
sayanythi
ng,Ragahdied.
(QueenDorahgrabbedholdofRishiwit
ht hesword.
Therainbecameheavierashereyesturnedblack.
Majidgothisswordreadyandtr
iedmovi ngforwar
d
butQueenDor ahhel
dt heswor
dver yt
ightlyi
n
Rishi
'sthr
oat)
.
'
'Iwil
lsl
itherthr
oatifyoudarecomeanycl osert
o
us!'
'
.Shewar nedMaj i
d.'
'Idi
dn'
tkillmyson!Iwil
l
makesureyoupayf orthi
sMeer ah.Didyouthi
nkall
mypower
swer
egone?Ij
ustf
ool
edyoul
ikeyoudi
d
wi
thme''
.
(Assoonasshesai dt hat,
sheopenedhermout h
towardsMaj i
dandabl ackflamer ushedoutt oward
him.QueenMeer ahst oodi nf r
ontofMaj i
dand
capturedt hesmokei ntoher .Shebl ewagustof
strongwi ndandi tblewQueenDor ahaway, Ri shi
wasaboutt of al
lbutMaj i
dcaughther .Queen
Meer ahcr eatedabi gcaveofst oneandi thitt he
ground, makingever yonef all.QueenDor ahf ellbe
hardinf r
ontoft hecave' smout h.Thecaveopened
andar iveroff ir
ei nit.QueenDor ahf eltdizzyand
tri
edget t
ingupbutshef ellback.QueenMeer ah
l
ookedbackatMaj i
dandt her estoft hef ami ly.
Theywer eallint ears.Sheappear edcl osertoMaj i
d
andRi shiandembr acedt hem t ight l
y.Same
happenedwi thQueenmot herandQueenSheena) .
'
'I
tist
imenowmyson.
..
thebat
tl
ehasended'
'
.
'
'Don'
tleavememot
her
.Pl
easemot
her'
'
.
'
'Iam al
wayswithyou.Iam nolongerapartoft
he
l
ivi
ng.Sotakecar
eofthoseleftnow.Fi
nall
y,my
dream foryouisareali
ty.Fr
om todayonwar ds,
therewillnol
ongerbechaos.Andyoushal lal
lhave
thepeaceyoudeser ve'
'.Shesai
dandt ur
nedt oher
son.''
Mybabyboy.Yourmot herwilll
iveyoutil
lthe
endoft i
me' '
.
(Sheturnedtowardsthecaveandwal
kedcl
osert
o
QueenDor ah.Shegrabbedherupandst
arr
edint
o
hereyes).
'
'Thi
sisyourendDor
ah'
'
.
'
'No.
.noMeerahpl
ease.Ipromi
sethatIwil
lchange.
Pl
easeno.Don'
tpl
acemei ntot
histor
tur
ecave.
Pl
ease!'
'
.
'
'Thi scaveoff i
re...
isyournewhomeunt ilyourl
ast
breathDor ah.Nomor eair,
nomor efood,nomor e
wat er..
.andnomor eli
ght!GoodbyeDor ah!''
.Queen
Meer ahpushedheri nsideandshutt hecaveclose.
'
'Youwi l
lneverseeorhearf r
om thiswomanagai n.
Idon' tknowhowl ongshei sgoingtoli
ve.Butas
l
ongasshel i
ves,shewi l
lspenditinthatcave
forever.Killi
ngherwi l
lbetooeasyofapuni shment
fortheyear sshehast ort
uredthepeopleIlove''
.
(QueenMeer ahwavedherhandsgoodbyet oher
familyanddisappear
edwi t
ht hecavef orever
.As
soonasshedi sappeared,
af astofwindbl ewand
everythi
ngaroundbecamenor mal.Everyonewas
emot i
onal.Theatmospherewasover whel ming.
(
9Mont
hsLat
er)
.
Everythingwasnewandf resh.Uj anikingdom was
renewedi nrenovat i
onsandever ythingel se.The
templ ewasdecor ated.Thef amilieswer euni ted.
Afterthef ight,FarukandRagahwer ebur ied
together.Thet empl eswerer enovat ed.The
kingdomswer eatpeaceandt ranqui li
ty.Maj i
dand
Rishirenewedt heirvowsandsheWSni nemont hs
pregnant .Maj id'scoronati
onwasdonesome
mont hsagoandhewasmadeki ngoverJhansiand
Ujani.Hemadeor derforal ongpassagewayt obe
madef rom Uj anit oJhansiandf rom Jhansit ot he
Krishitribe.Sot het wokingdomsandt ribescoul d
mar kettoget herandpayvi sitstoo.Al lUjani
soldierswhot ur nedagainstMaj idwer eputt odeat h.
TheQueenst ookt hei
rri
ght f
ulposi ti
onsi nthe
palace.Lakshmigavebi r
tht oaboy, KushiandShi v
gotmar riedandwaspr egnant.Alltheservanttook
thei
rplacesbacki nthepalacet oo.Charuand
Jimmymovedbacki nt
ot hekingdom forgoodand
l
ivedint hepalace.Hewasnol ongerPrince,but
King.Rishiwasnol ongerprincess,butQueen.And
theyrul
edi npeaceandhar mony.
(
KingMaj
id'
schamber
).
Hehadt akenhi sbath.Ther oyalKing'smai den
anointedhisfeetandleft.Hisroom wasr enewed
andever yt
hingthatbelongedt oFar ukwasbur ntto
ashes.Hewasl ooki
nghandsomemor et hanever.
Hesatonhi sbeeandr aisedhislegsi ntothebed.
Suddenly,histwomusket eersrushedi nt
ot he
chamberi ntheirpyj
amasandj umpedi ntohisbed.
Kissinghim al
loverhisfaceandmessi nguphi s
hair.Asafather,heplayedal ongandact edli
kehe
hadf ai
ntedont hebed.
'
'Father
?''
.Meer
ahcal
ledandst
arr
edatMar
ishi
n
shock.
'
'Meer
..
Meer
ah,
whyi
sfat
hernotwaki
ngup?'
'
.
'
'Ohno!Fat
her
,wewer
ejustpl
ayi
ngwi
th.
..
(Maji
dgotupqui ckl
yandsqueezedthem i
ntothe
mattr
essi
nl aughter
.Eywerebothrel
ievedandtook
hispi
ll
ows,hit
ti
nghi m wi
thi
t)
.
'
'Fat
heri
sti
rednowgi
rl
s.Letmesl
eeppl
ease'
'
.
'
'Nono.
..
wear
enotdoneyet
!''
.
Pleasepl
ease.Goandplaywi
thyouragemat
es
okay?Iam soexhaust
ed''
.
'
'Ouragematesar
esl
eepi
ngf
ather'
'
.Mar
ishsai
d
wit
hapout.
(Ri
shienter
edt hechamber,l
ooki
ngbeaut
if
ul.Maj
id
for
gotthekindsandwasl osti
nRishi
'
seyes.The
chi
ldr
enset hisandlaughed)
.
'
'Ohokay,wemustl
eavenowMeer
ah.Because
f
ather
'sagematehasarr
ived'
'
.
(Theyalll
aughedatt
hisandthegirl
sleft
.Rishigot
closert
oMaj i
dandsatwithhim.Hestartedkissi
ng
herbyshewast ooshyandstartedpushi
nghi m
away.Shef el
tast
ingpai
ni nherabdomen) .
'
'Ar
eyouokaybabe?'
'
.
'
'Ma.
.Maj
id,
Ithi
nk.
.t
he.
.baby'
'
.
'
'What
?!Byt
hist
ime?'
'
.
'
'Whatdoyoumeanbyt hi
sti
me?!I
tcancome
wheneveri
twants!Getyour
sel
fupandcal
lforhel
p!
Now!Aaaaah!'
'
.
'
'Awshit!'
'
.Hegottohisf
eetandr
ushedout
side,
shout
ingforever
yone.
(
OneWeekLat
er)
.
Allthekingdomshadgat heredinUj aniforthe
nami ngcer emonyandcor onat i
onofMaj i
dand
Rishi'
snewbor nbabyboy, Karan.Hewasso
beaut i
fulandhewashi sfather'
stwin.Noonecoul d
sayot herwise.Thepeopl eoft hekingdom gat hered
downt hepal aceandal lt
her oyalfamil
ieshadcome
togetheront opofthebalcony.Maj i
dinhisr oyal
atti
reandcr own, t
ogetherRishi,walkedtot he
mout hoft hebal cony.Queenmot herheldhergr eat
grandsoni nherar msinhappi ness.Thechi ldren
playedar oundwi t
hsomeser vantsguardingt hem
throughout .
Maji
dslowl
ytookhi
sbabyinhi
sarms.Hest
arr
ed
atRi
shiandki
ssedheri
nfr
ontoft
heworl
dandthey
al
lchuckl
edwhil
ecover
ingthei
reyesi
nlaught
er.
Heli
ft
edthebabyupinthesky.
'
'Meetyourcr
ownedPri
nceandfutur
ekingofUjani
andJhansi
!Pri
nceKar
anSamratthesecond!'
'
.
(
Ever
yonecheer
edi
nhappi
nessandj
oy)
.
'
'From t
odayonwards,
mayyoual lli
vei npeaceand
happi
ness!Longl
iveUjaniandJhansi!
!!''
.He
shout
ed.
'
'Longl
ive!Theyr
esponded.
THEEND!