When Virat’s murder happened seven years ago, Shota, like everybody else, had believed what the princess had said at her trial. About hating her husband too much to ever accept him as a partner.
But when Veer had asked him a few weeks ago, to investigate the events around Virat’s murder, Shota started having second thoughts. Was that really what happened? And what did it mean for Veer and Chandra’s relationship that Veer was starting to have doubts?
Everyone believed their marriage to be one of convenience, but he wasn’t so sure. Shota recalled the meeting from sevenyears ago, when Veer met his prospective father-in-law, King Chandraketu, for details regarding bridal agreements and choice of the bride.
* * *
Seven years ago…
“Prince Veer. We welcome you and thank you for agreeing to this meeting. Er… Is King Bheesmala not going to be present for this meeting?” asked a spokesperson from Amaravathi nervously, referring to Veer’s father.
“You know well enough, my father has business…elsewhere,” replied Veer, blowing on his nails, unconcerned with how his behavior might appear to the others. Shota knew that Veer detested meetings such as this.
King Chandraketu leaned over and spoke in whispers with another courtier, his eyebrows bunched in annoyance. It was considered a slight to not be present for such a significant meeting, but Chandraketu couldn’t make a fuss. Not without insulting Veer, whose presence was equally consequential.
They were in a ceremonial tent set up a few miles inland from the River Pravani—still in Amaravathi territory but right at the edge of the land occupied by Rajgarh’s troops.
Various platters of refreshments were placed on the many tables, the floor was strewn with carpets, elaborate lamps placed at intervals were aglow, warding away the evening dusk. The flaps of the tent were thrown wide open to allow for a breeze, although, judging by the frantic movements of the fan-bearer, it was a futile hope.
A sweet-smelling jasmine plant provided some much-needed relief from the tension swelling in the tent.
They were here to present Veer’s choice of bride formally to King Chandraketu. But this was just a formality. KingChandraketu was already informed of Veer’s choice two days ago by unofficial means. Shota himself had delivered that news to his counterpart in Amaravathi.
Shota felt slightly unsettled when Veer had revealed his choice to him a few days ago. After the incident in the Navari Woods, where they had ambushed all the princesses of Amaravathi, Shota was sure Veer would choose Princess Aswini, the eldest and easily the most beautiful of them.
That would have been a conundrum, though, since Aswini was already engaged to a prince of Hoysyala and it would have created all sorts of trouble were Veer to insist on her. But thankfully, he had chosen another. Shota approved of Veer’s choice. He heard she was almost a carbon copy of Aswini, if not in looks then in her temperament. The only thing that disturbed him was that he didn’t remember her among the others who made more of an impression.
Speaking of those kinds of people, he was glad Veer didn’t choose Princess Chandrasena. From what he had seen of her that day, she was as hotheaded as Veer himself.
Shota cleared his throat. “Prince Veer is here, representing Rajgarh and its wishes.”
The courtier straightened and his brow smoothed. “Very well. We called this meeting to discuss matters of a truce. Both parties agree—this war has gone too long and will enter a discussion about what could be done to end this. I would like to have both parties’ verbal agreement, if this is acceptable.”
“It is,” said Veer, inclining his head.
“We agree,” said King Chandraketu.
The courtier continued. “First, I will present Amaravathi’s terms. We ask that you retreat your troops and leave. In return, Amaravathi will swear to never again question Rajgarh’s sovereignty over Saptavarsha or engage in war. To make thisalliance stronger, Amaravathi will agree to the marriage of Prince Veer to one of the seven princesses of Amaravathi.”
Shota nodded. “Rajgarh agrees with all that you mentioned. The only addition we request is that the fortress of Kalpeet be added to this bargain as a bridal price.”
The courtier glanced at Chandraketu.
“Kalpeet is a quite valuable…” said King Chandraketu, dithering about the matter. “It has been part of Amaravathi since its existence. If I have to part with one of my daughters, why should I part with Kalpeet too?”
“Come on,RajaChandraketu. It is quite simple,” said Veer before Shota could stop him. “Either you give us Kalpeet, or we’ll take it from you. By force. You don’t want to be known as the first king under whom Kalpeet has fallen, do you? And you know it is in danger of doing exactly that. This way, at least you can save face.”
“Now look here,” began Chandraketu, his face flushing with anger. In deference to the hot climate in Amaravathi, he and most of his courtiers went bare-chested, but a heavy carcanet necklace with a large deep-blue diamond sat at the center of his chest. He was dressed in finest finery, gold glinting at his earlobes and the many rings on his hands.
Veer’s party in contrast was almost plain, wearing their regular, everyday clothes. A deliberate snub that Shota was sure didn’t go unnoticed by their counterparts in Amaravathi.
“If you desire Kalpeet, you can take it,” continued Chandraketu. “I’ll even offer it to you freely, but leave my daughters alone.”
“Are you reneging already on your promise of marriage between the two kingdoms?” asked Shota, frowning.
A heavy ornate crown sat on Chandraketu’s still dark curls, and Shota observed a trickle of sweat roll down his temple thatcould either indicate nervousness or just the unbearable heat, but still he persisted with his obstinacy.
“I love my daughters, and it pains me to give one of them in marriage to a…a rogue like him. I’d be condemning them to a lifetime of misery,” he answered.
