Maitri's father's last words

On that day when the princess had revealed the truth of the Empress in front of Manvik and he didn't believe her. She was crying in a corner.

The Commander was taking a round of the palace for any chance of danger. The Emperor had just passed away so the possibility of danger and threat to the throne was even bigger. Anyone can revolt to claim the throne.

He saw a crying figure in a corner. Her small head was buried in her legs. He approaches her and instantly recognizes her.

''Princess!''

Maitri looked up. Her eyes were swollen due to crying.

He bent down to her level.

''Princess i know that you were very close to your father but still you need to be strong.'' He tried to calm her.

''I know you are so small to be emotionally strong but you are also a crown princess so__''

''I am crying because i know my father's murderer.'' She said looking straight into his eyes

''What? Murder but wasn't __''

''No, he didn't died of any illness but poison.'' She said and again started crying.

''Princess, can you please tell me details.''

She knows that if her brother did not believe her then no one will but she still narrates the whole thing to him. She was ready to be broken again but was shocked when he said that he believed her. He believed in her every word.

''Don't worry princess, this slave of yours will always protect you and will help you to avenge your father and our Emperor.''

''However maybe i won't be enough help because of my oath'' he said this with downcast eyes.

''But i will do everything in my range.'’

In the night the palace of Anaika was dazzling with lavish decoration.

The diyas (earthen lamps) were illuminating every corner of the palace.

In the morning Manvik did some donation to poors and take their blessings.

At night a feast was organized.

'’Come Manvik sit here.'’ The Empress said as she patted the seat beside her.

They were in the Empress' Chamber.

He sat beside her with an ear to ear smile.

'’Here I made your favourite ladoos.'’

She put a big plate full of ladoos before him.

He widened his eyes as he grap the whole plate.

'’Mother! You are the best.'’

She smiled dotingly on him.

'’I know.'’

Chaaruvati who was standing on the door enters.

'’It would be even better if sister was here.'’

The Empress' smile dropped as it never existed.

Manvik who was eating ladoo pit down the plate.

'’Chaaru!'’

'’I mean she is also a family member, her presence__'’

'’Stop it, Chaaru, and it's not like we don't acknowledge her, it's just that she doesn't consider us as her family.'’ He looked at her mother. '’And she doesn't deserve it.'’

He moved his gaze towards Chaaruvati

'’You may not know but she had once slandered my mother for killing father, the Emperor.'’ His eyes were red due to anger.

He can't control himself when he remembers that unfortunate day.

Chaaruvati had also heard about this from the siblings.

The atmosphere was tense. No one dares to say anything.

The silence was interrupted by the sound of sobbings.

The siblings tuned their heads toward the Empress.

She was crying!

'’Mother!'’ They both say in unison.

'’Mother, why are you crying.'’ He went forward and embraced his mother.

'’I know it's my fault. She was very close to her father but he leave her at such a young age.'’ Surupa was sobbing.

'’She was already devastated by her father's demise and__'’ she let out a sob and continued.

'’And I still scolded her over small thing. I am such a heartless mother.'’ She was weeping hard.

'’No,no,no mother, you are not wrong. All the fault is of her. You can't blame yourself like this just for some slanderings from some insignificant peoples.'’ He tries to console her.

He glares at Chaaruvati.

Chaaruvati puts her head down in guilt.

Her misty eyes were looking at the ground.

Empress lips curved into a sly smile and eyes shined with schemes.

It has been fifteen days since they set off for Anaika. They were now in Chitrakila.

It is a small kingdom under Ambakila and is situated near the borderline of the two kingdoms.

Chitrakila is very different from other kingdoms.

It prioritises girls over boys. After marriage grooms had to move to the bride's home. Men do all the house chores and women earn money.

Its Queen, samartha, is also a woman.

The kingdom of Chitrakila is under Ambakila's governance. But like the other kingdoms it doesn't have to pay any tribute to Ambakila and Maitri still didn't understand why the previous rulers were sensitive to this particular kingdom.

Even her father. She still remembers her father's last words to her.

He was laying on the bed. His face was all pale. Six years old Maitri was sitting beside him.

''Maitri, my dear daughter, of all your siblings I trust you the most. I might not live any longer but I want a promise from you.''

''I promise father.'' The tears were streaming down her cheeks.

She knows that it might be the last thing her father is asking her.

''I want you to always protect Chitrakila.''

''Chitrakila?'' She was confused as to why Chitrakila is so important.

''I understand your confusion.'' He creased her hair affectionately.

''Do you remember the paintings I gave to you on you birthdays.''

She nods.

''There are more but maybe I won't be able to give them to you anymore.''

He stopped for a while

''You have to find them by yourself.''

''Why are you always talking so mysteriously.''

''If in the future something strange happens then the paintings will help you.''

''Why don't you just tell me directly.''

He smiled.

''I also want to, but I can’t.''

The memory fades as they enter the main city of Chitrakila.

They avoid the water route as the princess is suffering from seasickness, and decide to take the forest route.

When they were passing by the forest area a messenger from the Chitrakila palace informed them that the queen had requested them for their visit and was preparing to welcome them.

The princess agreed.

Before going to the palace of Chitrakila, Princess Maitri decided to take a stroll around the forest.

The forest was said to be a mystery. The teak trees were in majority so it got its name, Teakwoods.

Maitri had also heard some rumours about this. It is said that this area was filled with many magical beings and animals here used to talk like humans before the magic vanished from the world.

Of Course Maitri was unable to believe these baseless rumours.

Magic doesn't exist in this world, it never did.

If magic was real then why did it vanish without any trace? There's nothing that can prove that it has existed in a period of time.

And those magical beings, where did they go? Are they hiding somewhere? Are they already dead without magic?

They never exist….

Her steps stopped when she reached in front of a beautiful lake. Swans were swimming there, enjoying the scenery.

The setting sun seemed to be swallowed by its blue water.

The serene beauty of nature.

It was a spellbinding view.

Maitri was admiring the beauty of nature when she heard some strange noise, like something falling. The swans start hiding here and there due to the sudden sound. The flattering of their feathers filled the air.

She turned to take a look, her eyes didn't catch anything except trees and bushes.

She shrugged and made her way back.

In the palace of Anaika, the Empress, in her chamber, was sitting in front of a mirror.

'’Are you sure she didn't do or try to do anything unusual?'’ The Empress asked calmly.

She was admiring herself in the mirror as she was wearing a new set of jewellery.

'’Yes, on the entire journey she didn't do anything suspicious.'’ A man in black replied.

He was covered head to toe only his eyes were visible.

He was standing behind her.

The Empress can see his confident eyes in the mirror.

She took a comb and started combing her hair as she smiled.

The royal entourage was on its way to the royal palace of Chitrakila.

As the night fell, they found themselves standing in front of a massive gate, the main gate of the palace. Kandeels (paper lanterns) were lighting the way.

The kandeels are usually used in festivals in other kingdoms but here… it's really different.

And the ‘different’ is always ‘special’.

The gates opened. The queen was standing at the entrance with puja ki thali. She did the arti and welcomed them.

Maitri had never been in Chitrakila before. The main reason of her visit was to fathom that why Chitrakila is so special.

''Welcome Crown princess.'' Samartha welcomed the Crown princess and others.

''Welcome, your royal Highness, in our humble kingdom.'' The Crown princess of Chitrakila courtesies.

''It's my pleasure to be in this beautiful kingdom.'' Crown princess Maitri also bowed with a sweet smile to show her respect and gratitude.

Chanda looked at her with surprise and curiosity as she always behaved coldly with the people of the palace of Ambakila. Outside the palace she is a totally different person and the reason still remains a mystery.

''Provide me the pleasure to escort you to your given chamber.'' The Crown princess of Chitrakila, Samriddhi, offered her escort.

''Ofcourse.'' Princess Maitri agreed.

Maitri looked around the palace with a surprised expression and was a little curious to know which great master had painted the walls of the palace.

It seems like some kids had thrown paints on walls for fun.

The walls were pink, green, blue, red, white…

It was more like a painting room of a crazy painter than a royal palace.

Well now it makes sense why people say that Chitrakila is the land of painters and paintings.

Almost all the renowned painters belong to Chitrakila.

And perhaps, that's why it is called ‘Chitrakila’, the fort of paintings.

Soon they reached outside the room that was given to Maitri to stay.

''Now give me permission, your highness. I hope you don't feel any lack in our hospitality.'' With that Samriddhi bowed.

She nods in response.