Shedding ROYAL Blood

▪︎6▪︎The Reward For My Bravery

▪︎Sultan Omar Khan▪︎

I received a message from Shah Mubarak Sahab, one of the eldest of the few financial advisors, requesting my presence in the meeting hall tomorrow for discussing some legal matters. He handles the financial matters, takes care of the Royal treasury, salaries of the soldiers, Palace helpers etc. while political matters lie strictly in the hands of Malika-e-Jahan.

I read that and kept it aside. Her thoughts won't let me sleep. Why do you have to be so difficult Amrit? Why can't you accept everything as it is? Why do you force me to show you my bad side?

With my tangled thoughts, I was waiting for sleep to take over when I heard loud shouts and voices coming from the Harem side. Shocked, I took my sword and rushed towards it when Abubakar held me back. "Stop Sultan! There's a small fire started at the Harem. I don't know how yet but it's taken care of."

Fire? Amrit? I rushed inside and straightaway towards her room to check if she was safe. I saw her covered in a blanket, sleeping. I was relieved. But... how come all the commotion didn't wake her up? I know she's a heavy sleeper but this was beyond tolerance. I slowly slid the blanket away from her body only to find thick cushions and not her?

What the hell! How can this happen? Where did she go? Enraged, I called for the Guards. They were as shocked as I was. "You were supposed to be guarding her presence right? Now answer me! Where is she?" My voice was thunderous and their faces paled.

"Sultan, we were right outside. She was sleeping here when we went to check the fire a few moments ago."

I don't believe this!

"She must have not gone far away. Go find her! If you don't, you will be punished for neglecting your duty like this! Alert all the Guards and Seal the exits. Find her and bring her to me at. any. cost. Inform Abubakar about this. This is treachery from the both of you. Tell me when was the last time you saw her?"

"When a maid brought food."

"Find that maid." They dispersed searching frantically and I was angry, frustrated and restless. You are going to regret this Amrit. This was the last thing you should have done. I have been tolerating your mistakes, your mischiefs, your disrespect but not this one. This is way beyond my acceptance and tolerance.

The other thing that worried me was What will happen when Malika-e-Jahan comes to know about this? She is not going to spare Amrit. I have to find her before she does. I showed my anger to everybody but deep down I felt defeated, sad at this. It all happened so fast. In the morning she was beside me and now she's gone. I sat there in a chair looking around, thinking about all the possible outcomes of both her getting caught and she escaping. God forbid, what if she is never found? She will be because I will use all my power to make that happen.

I sat there angrily for almost an hour. After that, the female Guards dragged the maid and pushed her on the floor. "She was the one Sultan. She has definitely helped the Khatoon (Woman) escape."

"Not the Khatoon. Begam Sahiba. With respect."

I turned my eyes to this woman. "I give you one chance to tell your side of the story."

"Sultan, I was the one who started the Fire so that Amrit could escape." The woman was not looking down. She had no fear in her eyes, nor her voice faltered while admitting it.

"Do you have any idea what you have done and what this may cost you?" I asked leaning forward from the chair.

"I already know what it costs. My life. And I am just alive to see you, tell you that we Hindus honour our motherland and our oaths more than anything else. Rajputana will prevail." With those words, she licked the poison in her ring.

"No!" I shouted, reaching out to her but it was too late. She collapsed on the floor, white liquid oozing from her mouth and her eyes closed.

Does that mean Amrit is... is that why she came here? My blood boiled. If she is a part of this whole spiderweb, she will be punished and so will each one of them.

▪︎Amrit▪︎

Peace. Freedom. Sips of fresh air. It's not at all false what people say, Freedom is the breath of the soul. Without it, there is life but not worth living. A day in that golden cage made me realize it.

I should be grateful to Kunwar Sa for making such a non failable arrangement to get me out of there. After I got out of the Palace, from the secret passages, I took the road to the borders. It was so helpful that I had the map in mind. On the way, I did encounter angry Mughal soldiers but I distracted them by sending the horse the other way. A final walk across the river that was the border of the Agra. There aren't soldiers following me from here on.

From there, I kept on walking, for a whole day, taking help from some merchants on chariots. I reached Panipat.

Kunwar Sa must have got the news of my arrival. Standing at the Main Gate of the Palace, I stepped inside. To my surprise, I was welcomed with flowers, rose petals and marigolds showered on me by a few maids.

"This welcome?" I asked one of them and she said, "Kunwar Sa ordered us. He wants to meet you right now."

I went straight to his Chamber. I longed to see him, to hold him, to feel that this is not a dream. I swiftly walked to his chamber and hugged him from behind. "I am grateful you did all this to rescue me." I spoke with tears in my eyes.

He pulled me in front of his face, wiped my tears and asked, " You got the information you went for Amrit?" He asked and I just stared at him.

Wouldn't he ask how I am? Or did I get hurt? Or anything else?

I nodded, "yes I did."

He was relieved. His face broke into a smile. "I knew you would do it. Why don't you go to the conference room, talk to the advisor waiting there, give them all the details and information, after that you can rest until evening."

"As you say."

"And be ready for the Sabha (Court Session) tonight. I have an important announcement to make." He smiled looking into my eyes.

"Really?" I stared back at him with the same smile and expectant eyes.

"Yes. I have to honour you with a special reward for your bravery." He said as I left from there.

After the meeting with the advisors, In my room, I could only recall Kunwar Sa's words and my heart kept pumping loudly in excitement and curiosity. Is it really happening? Finally he realises my worth after 4 years of my servitude. He wants to give our love, our relationship a name. Give me respect and dignity in the world's eyes. Finally, my hard work, my dedication, my loyalty, my love paid off. This might be the first time in the history of a Rajput family or any Royal family that a King is proposing marriage to a slave-girl. He would receive so much backlash from his own people. They would never accept this. And honestly, I never thought Kunwar Sa would ever be bold enough to take such a step. To put aside all the discrimination, all the cruel customs and write a new chapter in the pages of history. I couldn't help smiling. I kept grinning all the time while getting ready. How will this happen? How will everyone react? Will they ever accept me? I brushed away those thoughts and focused on my happiness.

Even if no one accepts me, I would still be a wife, a morally respected woman. Even with being a maid, people would not look down upon me or say derogatory things behind my back. I longed to see this day all my life. I am grateful to you God for showing me this day. I was losing patience, getting weaker day by day, waiting.

***

As the evening set in, the court was filled with the courtiers, Royal family members. The common people were waiting outside for the session to finish and Kunwar Sa to announce the big news to them. I stood in a corner waiting for the King's guard to announce my name to step forward. Someone has arrived in the Palace. I saw a huge Chariot outside. Maybe some Royal guests. Kunwar Sa's arrival was announced and he walked across the court with pride towards the Throne while all of the courtiers stood up in reverence. As he descended on the Throne, he looked around with a smile but his eyes didn't meet mine.

He looked all over and started to speak. "Today is a very auspicious day for me. I have to make two very important announcements. The first announcement is about a Royal wedding." He said with the same smile and my heart fluttered, my palms became sweaty and the hair on my neck stood up. This is it. He was going to do it. "As you see, the Rajputana has a very firm hold on the West India. And this is because of the hard work, sacrifices and powerful planning of our ancestors. Their ambitious desire to expand our Kingdom is still there and flowing through my veins so there is an addition in the Rajputana which makes me really happy."

What is he talking about?

"All my people, you will be glad to know that the Kingdom of Jodhpur will soon be a part of this honorable Kingdom, joined by the marriage of your King and their Rajkumari (Princess). Everyone please welcome your new Queen... Rajkumari Sanyogita." The court went silent and everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the court as the chan-chan sound of huge anklets came tearing through the silence. I could hardly move my neck because of shock. "This is the Rajkumari who will soon be your Maharani Sa... Sanyogita." He completed as the woman in Royal robes, clad in jewelry and her face covered in beautiful netted veil walked towards the King. I could actually feel a sharp pain in the chest. Why wouldn't I? No one heard it but my heart broke to pieces. Why Kunwar Sa why? Tears started flowing from my eyes as the Rajkumari walked and got seated beside him on the throne.

I have no business here. I should leave.

As I turned around, "Amrit!" I heard Kunwar Sa call. I wiped my tears and slowly walked in the middle of the court, looking down. "I also have to make another announcement today rewarding Amrit for her bravery and valor with which she has served me and my Kingdom for all these years. As a reward, I honor her with the huge rose garden at the back of the Palace and her freedom. I declare From this day onwards, you are a free woman Amrit. I free you. You don't owe me an oath or your life. If you want to continue your service to me, you can and if you want to quit, you can do that too. As a free human, you have the right to make your own choices."

That relieved me a bit. Free. Why did you have to free me when I wanted to be in the cage of your relationship forever Kunwar Sa?

"Long live the King. I'm honored to be in your p...presence." I choked. "Now please allow me." I said with a slight bow.

I wanted to go before I burst out crying. Run away to some place where no one can hear my screams or see my broken self.

He nodded. "I understand you're overwhelmed. Not all the slaves get so lucky. You may leave." He said and I ran outside as fast as I could.

I didn't know whether to be happy or sad. Both news were big enough.

Free. The word gave me wings.

I don't believe it until now. I have as much rights as any human being. Now I can think, Make decisions. I'm no one's property. Infact, I can own property. I can go to gatherings. I can travel alone. Go wherever I want. I can do things without permission. I can read, learn, write. It won't be a criminal offence. I wouldn't have to hide ot from anyone. Nobody can hit or punish me without a reason. Most of all, I can marry without anyone's permission. If I am accused of something, there will be a trial.

Children born to me won't be taken away from me. They'll be free. I'll own them. They'll be no one's property. I won't have to shift cultural attitude or change my religion or beliefs according to my master's will.

I will have a legal claim to my family. My husband and children would be my first priority. I wouldn't owe my life to anyone.

But then... All this happiness won't be with Kunwar Sa.

I sighed. This is my fate. This is how it is going to be. It started raining but the freezing droplets hitting my skin didn't have any effect on me. I could feel nothing. The castle of my dreams turned out to be made of sand and washed away at the first wave of reality. Reality that I am nothing. A nobody. I was living in a fool's paradise all these years. Hoping for the impossible. Atlast Kunwar Sa turned out to be like all other Royals–obsessed with his Royal blood.

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