Chapter 2 Agastya
With every step I took away from her, I reminded myself that she needed to confront her fears. It wasn’t my job to make her feel at ease.
Everything I did was meant to protect her, and I’d always look after her as…a prince.
But her eyes looked hopeless and empty, and her smile seemed to vanish into thin air. The pallor of her skin hadn’t faded since that day, and it was all turning into a nightmare for me.
It made me uneasy. I didn’t want to look at her and feel I could do something, but I didn’t.
Reaching my chamber, I noticed the two female attendants packing the requested items.
“Is everything ready?” I asked.
“Yes, Kunwar Agastya,” one of them replied.
I nodded in response and walked straight into the bathroom for a quick bath. However, my mind lingered on the night she brought me food.
She appeared scared, looked exhausted, yet feared sleep.
I understood she wouldn’t quickly get over that day—her past. Despite my lack of knowledge about her suffering, I could still discern irreparable pain in her eyes.
But I wanted her to leave that behind, believing that it wouldn’t happen again.
And I didn’t know why it was bothering me.
She sat quietly before me, her eyes downcast, and I sensed she wanted to stay in my presence. And I didn’t know how to console her; it wasn’t my place.
I didn’t want to ignite that flame in her, since I knew I couldn’t sustain it.
Or we both could’ve burned.
After removing my clothes, I slid into the pool, resting my head against the wall with my eyes closed.
Her haunting words about fear, ‘Those who don’t have shadows over their head can’t afford to be scared of fear, Kunwar-sa,’ had lingered with me since that day.
Her pain ran deep, and now another layer of terror had been added: fire.
She feared fire. She sat before me while I ate, never lifting her gaze to the flames just a few feet away. Perhaps she sought some comforting words or simply wanted to be near me. Either way, she shouldn’t have come.
Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes again, realising I had been lost in her thoughts when I shouldn’t have been.
She wasn’t my wife. She wasn’t… my wife. My responsibility: that’s all she was.
Maybe, more than responsibility.
I gulped, clenching my teeth, and tried to forget that day, focusing on other things.
But one thing gnawed at me deeply: the suffering of the women who had experienced that ritual.
I didn’t know what prompted me to protect her, but at that moment, I felt I would lose someone who had contributed so much to my life.
I observed her smiling and laughing with Bhabhi-sa while diligently working every day to fulfil her responsibilities.
She didn’t deserve to die like that. Nobody did.
My heart raced. Without her, I couldn’t picture the future. In that moment, her pain was so overwhelming that I forgot everything and did what needed to be done. I didn’t know how much trauma she had endured.
I was, once again, plagued by nightmares of that day, utterly oblivious to what she was experiencing.
“Kunwar Agastya,” a voice from the outside interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to face him. “Commander Eklavya is here to see you.” I nodded before he left.
I rushed to finish my bath, concentrating on the critical matters ahead. After getting ready, I stepped out and noticed Eklavya waiting for me in the guest chamber.
“Kunwar Agastya,” he said, standing up with a bow as I approached him.
“Is everything ready?” I asked, and he nodded. I mentally reviewed my checklist.
The gifts, the soldiers, and Eklavya.
“Did you test it?” he asked, and I nodded slightly.
“It’s working, but I’m not sure exactly how we can use it,” I admitted, and he furrowed his brow before speaking after a brief pause.
“Several people have noticed the commander of Mehrangarh in the brothels. Perhaps we should allot some spies there. He knows what’s happening, and I think they may also know how to exploit it.” He suggested, and I nodded, considering his words.
“Then we should focus on extracting yellow crystals from Songarh,” I suggested, and he agreed.
“There’s only one issue: we need to appoint someone trustworthy in Mehrangarh to monitor them,” he said, and I smiled slightly.
“That’s why I’m taking you there,” I said, wrapping my arm around his shoulder as we walked toward the palace’s main door.
“What do you mean?” he asked, confused.
“I’ve asked Rudra Bhai-sa to assign you as my fiancé’s bodyguard so you can watch over the palace,” I explained.
He arched his brow. “Why would they agree to that?”
Smiling, I replied, “Because I care about my future wife,”
He smirked a bit. “Caring? Really?” he teased, and I playfully punched his abs.
“Agastya,” Rudra Bhai-sa’s voice caught my attention, pulling my gaze from Eklavya to him.
He walked up to us. “All set?” he asked, resting his hand on my shoulder, and I nodded.
“Yes, I’m excited to go to the Ganguar15 festival,” I lied.
He smiled before turning to Eklavya. “And you, the gift?” he asked.
Eklavya smiled and nodded. “Yes, Ranaji, all set.”
“Remember, no blunders, no fights, no actions—just information,” he reminded us. He was aware of our concerns about a war approaching our doorstep.
Eklavya and I shared a glance before nodding in acknowledgement.
“Yes, Bhai-sa,”
“Yes, Ranaji,”
He inhaled deeply, looking at both of us. “If anything happens to any of you. I will bring you both back to life and kill you with my own hands,” he threatened with love, and I nodded silently.
“Come here,” he said, hugging us and patting the back of my neck. “All the best! And Agastya, try to spend some time with your would-be wife,” he said, and I inhaled deeply.
“What will I do after the wedding, then? There’s plenty of time to enjoy,” I said, and he gave me a dissatisfied look, which made me smile. “Fine… I will.”
He nodded, and I looked at the attendants, taking the necessary things to the convoy waiting at the palace’s main entrance.
“We should leave now,” I said, and we both walked toward our horses’ stable to begin our journey to Mehrangarh. Rudra Bhai-sa saw us off.
The journey was long, as Mehrangarh was a kingdom near the Him Ranges, but just a few miles from the northeast border of Indira.
It took us a whole day to get there. Since we weren’t travelling with women, we forewent tents and spent the night under the trees.
When we entered Mehrangarh Palace, the sun was shining brightly. Upon seeing everyone waiting at the door, I felt guilty as I realised how much had changed since my previous visit.
I arranged my marriage alliance with the Princess of Mehrangarh through Rudra Bhai-sa. Everyone, except Rudra Bhai-sa, thought I loved the Princess, so I wanted to marry her.
But the reality was completely different, even beyond Rudra Bhai-sa’s imagination.
I told him I would keep an eye on the borders with Mehrangarh’s help, but little did he know it was just a cover for my plans.
“Pranaam Raja-sa,” I smiled, joining my hands as I looked at the old King of Mehrangarh welcoming us.
“Kunwar Agastya,”
he said, embracing me loosely and patting my shoulder. “How was your journey?” he asked, and I responded with a grin.
“It was fantastic. I missed you and your hospitality,” I attempted to smile, and he chuckled softly.
“We’re glad you’re here; come on in,” he said, welcoming me into the colossal palace of Mehrangarh. The towering red brick walls of Mehrangarh contrasted with the main palace, which was made of white imported marble.
Mehrangarh was a kingdom renowned for its remarkable connections to the outside world. There were rumours, possibly truths, that individuals from other continents had visited. They also possessed trade secrets.
And I was looking for one of them.
Actually, Two.
“How’s everything going?” I asked politely, and he smiled while placing his hand on my shoulder.
“Everything is good, and Princess is maturing faster,” he replied while I tried to remain calm despite his words.
My intended princess was the youngest sibling; seven elder sisters and two brothers, all married and well settled. However, the king's concern about her disinterest in marriage had worried him. He believed she hadn’t matured mentally.
“That’s good to hear,” I said.
“You should meet her,” he suggested. “We’ll arrange for your lunch in her chamber.” I nodded and spent time with them before heading to her chamber.
The princess and I got along well as future husband and wife. We were friends. I observed the soldiers standing outside her chamber as I passed through the corridors.
“I wish to see her,” I exclaimed, and they opened the door for me.
I stepped inside and noticed the silence of her chamber. As I walked through the large gateway area, I entered the guest chamber. The beautiful decorations caught my eye, and I saw her sitting on the couch, waiting for me.
“Rashmika,” I called, and she lifted her head to look at me.
“Agastya!” she shrieked, getting up from her couch and running toward me. “I was waiting for you for so long,”
I glanced around at the attendants watching us. She noticed my gaze and turned to look at them.
"Um… bring something for him to eat," she said. I watched some of her attendants leave, but not all of them.
"Can you leave us alone?" I asked, looking at the male soldiers on duty.
They walked out, leaving us alone, and I glanced at Rashmika, who was looking at me with an adorable expression.
I smiled, moving my hand back to take out the letter. Her lips widened into a smile, and she reached out her hand to take it.
I immediately pulled my hand back.
“Aye, please. I’m dying for this!” she pleaded, her sweet voice bringing me an ear-to-ear smile. I handed her the letter.
As she sat on the couch to read it, her eyes brimmed with tears that streamed down her cheeks. A wide smile lingered on her lips.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, and she looked at me, smiling and nodding.
“Yes, yes!”
I smiled back, sitting beside her.