Maitri: The Crown Princess

Marriage Alliance

Once upon a time there was an Island named Pushpadweep. The island was divided into eight big kingdoms, Chitrakila, Jambhgar, Anaika, Ambakila, Mandaara, Chimaargar, Neelasagar and Vilastha.

The kingdoms of Chitrakila, Chimaargar, and Neelsagar were under Ambakila kingdom and makes a big Empire called Vijaya.

The kingdoms of Mandaara, Jambhgar and Vilastha were under the rule of Anaika. The Empire is called Saraya.

Ambakila, where men and women were considered equal, was located in the eastern part of the island. It was also the imperial capital of Vijaya.

The Emperor and Empress had four children, three princes and one princess.

By the book the eldest child should inherit the throne. Maitri was the eldest child so she was crowned as Crown princess of Vijaya.

From the very beginning her only objective was to be a great and benevolent ruler like her father Harshvardhan.

When she was only six years old the Emperor died due to an illness and along with him died the dream of Maitri.

After the demise of the king, the Empress, Surupa, started administering the Empire.

The title of the ‘Crown Princess’ was being coerced on the little princess and in due time it became the thing she abhorred the most.

How ironic, the title that she had liked and was proud of in the past now she doesn't even want to mention it.

It's human nature to hate the things they are being forced on.

Maitri used to be a cheerful and kind girl but now she has completely changed. She's not cheerful anymore. Her bubbly personality has seemed to be lost somewhere amidst the turmoils of the palace. Her heart of gold had turned into a stone.

These changes were come into notice when she was sixteen years old.

Before that she used to smile and laugh with her friends , but now she is very distant from them, like a stranger.

People say that the Princess and the Empress have sort out all the misunderstandings between them.

It's a lie.

The relationship between queen and the princess was not a normal mother-daughter relationship but a relationship between a puppet and its master.

Next week is your birthday.'’ Stated the Empress.

She was wearing a ruby coloured lehenga. Her long, thick, jet-black hair was flowing on her back and on top of her head rested a golden crown that was «jaded» with many precious stones. She was jewelled from her head to toe.

A crown, forehead jewelry hangs from her hairline and rests on the forehead, nose ring, earrings, necklaces, rings on her every finger, arm band, waist band, anklets, and finally toe rings.

She doesn't look like a mother of four grown up childeren. If she stand with them she will look more like a sister.

She was sitting on her golden throne in an empty meeting hall. Many precious stons were engraved on the throne. Except of her only Crown Princess Maitri was present there.

'’You'll soon turn twenty.'’

A petite figure can be seen standing before the Empress. Her chest nut hair was reaching her hips. She was wearing a brown blouse and a dhoti and a dupatta around her torso. Her beautiful face was devoid with emotions. Her lightless dark almond eyes were staring on the ground.

Crown Princess, Maitri, nods in response.

'’I have arranged your marriage with the Crown Prince of Saraya'’

That was unexpected.

She widened her eyes and looked at the Empress.

'’Why?'’ This was the only thing that escape from her rosy lips..

The Empress' expressions changed. She tilted her head and raised her left brow.

'’Are you saying ‘No’ to me.'’

Princess averted her gaze to the other side.

'’I mean the Saraya Empire has always prioritised boys over girls. It's so different from our kingdom.'’ Reasoned Maitri.

'’Moreover, it's capital, Anaika, is the west most part of Pushpadweep, so far from Ambakila.'’

Empress's siren brown eyes were fixed on Maitri.

She listened her word and then said.

'’Ambakila and Anaika have always been in turmoil and thus the relationships between the two Empires have never been on the line.'’

Empress stopped for a while then continued.

'’so I converse this subject with the Emperor of Saraya and arranged an marriage alliance.'’

'’There are other solutions too'’ She gritted her teeths.

Empress Surupa chuckled.

'’Indeed there are, but I choose this one.'’

She showed a sly smile and crossed her legs.

Princess was irritated with this behaviour of the Empress.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath then said.

'’There are eight kingdoms in Pushpadweep. Chitrakila, Chimaargar and Neelasagar are under Ambakila and other threes are under Anaika.'’

'’So..'’ She twitched her brows.

'’Everyone knows that Emperor Daksha always had his eyes set on Chitrakila and that's the main reason for our enmity.'’ Princess said with a disdainful look.

'’The marriage alliance can end this years of enmity.'’ she said this sentence as if it's nothing.

Maitri sigh deeply.

'’What if this ‘marriage alliance’ is their plan to get ahold of Chitrakila.'’

She tries to explain.

'’What is more important for you?'’ the Empress asked.

'’Huh!'’

'’If this marriage didn't happen then the war is inevitable. Many people will lose their lives'’

It was more like a warning.

'’So is the peace and lives of your people are more important or Chitakila, Crown Princess.'’

She said in the most manipulative way possible and emphasized the word 'Crown Princess.'

Princess was silent for a while. She was in deep thoughts. She knows that the Empress surupa is no good. She is not trustworthy. She doesn't deserve the respect people gave her. How can she shake hands with our enemies and put the safety of our people on stake.

'’Queen Surupa, my father had always protected Chitrakila.'’ She stated. '’He had always put Chitrakila above to any other thing.'’

'’And if they want a war then so be it. I believe we can and we will give them a good taste of defeate'’ her voice was sweet but it hold power and confidence.

Empress's expressions turned ugly.

She knows that for Maitri the peace of her people is above all and because of that she talked about war and the after consequences. But she really underestimated her.

How can she forget that Maitri had always been a war genius. From a very young age she had been invencible like her father.

'’I know him better than you, he was my husband.'’ she said in rage.

'’Then why are you making an alliance with them? You know that father would never have agreed to it. If__'’

'’Enough!'’ She shout.

She quickly composed herself. The edges of her lips turned upward.

She stood from her throne and went near Maitri. The sound if her anklets were echoing in the wall of the empty meeting mall

'’I think you are forgetting something, princess.'’ She whispered in her ears.

Maitri widened her eyes that were red due to anger. Her dark eyes stared deep into her brown eyes. Her nerves become visible due to anger.

The queen smiled and went back to her throne and sit with full arrogant elegance.

She clenched her fist and stare deep onto the floor.

'’So, do you agree with me.'’ Surupa asked calmly.

Princess took a deep breath to calm herself. She raised her almond eyes and looked directly into her siren eyes.

'’Yes.'’ Her voice was hoarse due to anger.

'’Great!'’

She stand up from her throne and walk some steps towards Maitri. She looked at her desperate eyes that was looking on the ground and smirked at her helpless figure.

So what if she is like her father. Invincible. She is also a fool like her father who can die for those, for whome she care. This generosity is really her weakness.

She patted her shoulder and whisper in her ears.

'’Don't forget that now you are my puppet. If you ever forget it then you know the consequences, hmm..'’

This made her more livid.

She nods her head.

'’I need words.'’ She said sternly.

Princess forced herself to bring words from her heavy throat.

'’Yes.'’ She said in a husky voice.

She smirked and start leaving the meeting hall. The ear piercing sound of anklets followed her.

Maitri turned to see her disappearing figure with pure contempt.

The sound of anklets become fainter and fainter and eventually disappeared.

Crown Princess Maitri let out a scary chuckle.

'’This puppet will not be controlled for so long.'’ her rosy lips curved in a dangerous smile.