Poonam arrived back in her chamber still shaking with anger. Social climber? That's what she called her.
Devburman arrived relatively late at night. The political affairs had kept him busy. This was ideally their wedding night.
He found Poonam looking out from a balcony attached to their bedroom.
He smiled and hugged her from behind.
She was startled but the familiar musky scent assured her of his presence.
"Your highness you are late," She said.
"I am a sorry princess. This kingdom is in a complete mess! Vikram had more concubines than army generals! How was your day ?"
He asked turning her around to face him.
"I... I had a busy day too" she looked down.
He placed his hand under her forcing her to look up.
"You look upset. What happened?"
She took a deep breath then said.
"Do you think I am a social climber?"
He chuckled.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean someone who tries to trap and marry above her status."
He laughed.
"Are you implying that you trapped me?"
She looked anxious.
"No your highness."
"This is the kind of trap I would love to get entangled with." He bent and placed a kiss on her lips.
"Your highness I am not that sort of a girl." She was still upset.
"I know. Dont pay attention to the gossip of palace maids. I love you. Nothing else matters."
"But your highness I am not educated in administration, or other skills which a royal lady should possess. I don't know how can I be of any help."
"You have a brilliant mind Poonam. You can learn anything. I will arrange for tutors who will teach you everything and I will help you at every step. No one is a born royal. They learn it."
She smiled. He had always been good to her.
He hugged her and she placed her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. They ended up on the bed, finally becoming one.
*******
1 month had passed and Navsarika was almost back to its glory. The provinces had accepted the sovereignty of the Chalukyas. No one wanted to fight with a mighty empire.
Shiv and Chitra had gone on a hunting trip. The forest was much safer now as they had flushed out most of the rebels.
"I have finally decided what to do with the empire?"
Shiv said as they relaxed near a stream. She was lying with her head in his lap.
"What are you planning?" She asked while playing with a blade of grass.
"Bhaiya will be crowned the king of Gurjar-Pratihaar. I mean the previous Gurjar-Pratihaar empire. Now it will be known as the Western Chalukya empire."
Chitrangada sat up.
"This is incredible Shiv! That way it would be easier to manage the empire."
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yes, my dear. Bhaiya will be the king of the western empire while I will rule from Badami. He deserves to be the king."
YOU ARE READING
Enemy's Woman
Historical FictionChitrangda was engaged to the Crown Prince Vikram, of the Gurjar-Pratihar Empire since the day she was born. As the Princess of Navsarika, she has been sheltered and pampered by her parents as well as her fiancee Vikram. Just when everything was goi...
