Chapter 101: chapter 101

S A N M A Y I The sun hung low in the sky as I stood at the palace gates, watching the great procession approach. The air hummed with excitement, the throngs of people lining the streets waving banners and cheering as the procession made its way toward the palace. Ranajay had returned—my husband, the king—and with him came not just victory over the border dispute that had threatened to destabilize our kingdom, but a sense of renewed hope that had eluded us for so long.I stood tall, my eyes searching through the crowd for him, the man who had been my partner in every trial, every victory. His absence had left a hole, one that had been filled by my own resolve and the responsibilities of leadership, but seeing him again, strong and resolute, brought with it an undeniable sense of peace. I had missed him more than I cared to admit.And then, I saw him. He was not alone. He rode at the head of his procession, flanked by his most trusted commanders and advisors, but it was his presence alone that commanded the attention of the people. His regal bearing, the proud tilt of his chin, and the unwavering confidence in his eyes were enough to stir the hearts of all who witnessed his return.He was home.As the procession halted before the palace steps, I made my way forward to greet him, my heart pounding in my chest. The crowd parted as I approached, and I could feel their eyes on me, the weight of their expectations pressing down on my shoulders. But I cared not for the eyes of the court. I cared only for the man who had fought so hard, who had led his army with such determination and resolve.“Ranajay!” I called, my voice rising above the noise of the crowd.His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. He dismounted from his horse with the grace of a seasoned leader, his eyes never leaving mine as he crossed the distance between us. The air between us crackled with the intensity of our connection, the bond that had been forged through years of hardship and triumph.Without a word, he pulled me into his arms, his embrace strong and comforting, as though he had been away for a lifetime rather than mere weeks. The warmth of his body against mine felt like a balm to my soul, soothing the anxieties that had plagued me in his absence.“You’ve done it,” I whispered, my voice muffled against his chest.He pulled back slightly, his hands cupping my face as he looked down at me with a mixture of pride and relief. “We’ve done it,” he corrected, his voice rich with emotion. “Together, Sanmayi. Together.”I smiled, a sense of contentment flooding through me. The tension that had plagued me during his absence melted away, and I felt an overwhelming wave of gratitude for his return, for the man he had become. The people cheered again, their voices rising in unison, and I knew that this moment was not just a personal victory for us—it was a victory for Amaravati.But it was not just the kingdom’s future that I would announce today.“There is more,” I said, stepping back slightly to meet his gaze. My heart raced with excitement, the words I had kept hidden for so long finally ready to be spoken.Ranajay raised an eyebrow, a curious smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “What more, my queen?” he asked, his voice laced with a playful challenge.I placed my hand gently on my stomach, a quiet smile spreading across my face as I looked up at him. The silence fell, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.“I’m with child, Ranajay,” I said, my voice trembling with the enormity of the moment. “Our child.”The words hung in the air, and then the crowd erupted into cheers, their joy spilling into the streets as they realized the full significance of the announcement. The court buzzed with excitement, the nobles exchanging looks of astonishment, while the common folk raised their hands in jubilant celebration.Ranajay’s eyes widened with shock and wonder, and then, as if the weight of the news had finally settled upon him, his face softened into the most genuine, radiant smile I had ever seen.“A child,” he repeated, his voice filled with awe. “Our child, Sanmayi.”I nodded, tears welling in my eyes as the enormity of the moment settled within me. We had fought so hard, endured so much, and now, in this moment, it felt as though the future was finally within our grasp. A future not just for us, but for our kingdom, for our people.Ranajay leaned down and kissed me gently, his lips soft and warm against mine. The kiss was a promise—of love, of partnership, of everything we had worked for and more. As he pulled back, he looked into my eyes, his gaze full of pride and affection.“This kingdom, this future—we will build it for our child,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “Together.”His words filled my heart with hope, and for a moment, I allowed myself to indulge in the joy of the present. The past was behind us. The struggles, the betrayals, the losses—they were all in the past. The future, now, was ours to shape.But even as I basked in the glow of this triumph, I could not ignore the flicker of something else. A coldness that simmered beneath the surface. Nandini.I glanced at her then, standing at the far edge of the courtyard, her gaze fixed upon me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. Her smile was composed, but I knew her too well. The hatred that simmered beneath that carefully maintained composure was unmistakable. I could see it in her eyes—the rage that boiled just beneath the surface, the recognition that my child, the heir to the throne, would solidify my reign in ways she could never undo.Nandini had always been driven by jealousy, by a need to surpass me, and now, with the announcement of my pregnancy, that need would only grow stronger. She was a woman who would not take defeat lightly, and though she remained outwardly calm, I knew that beneath the surface, she was already plotting her next move.I turned my attention back to Ranajay, his hand still resting on my waist, and I smiled as the court continued to celebrate. But deep in my heart, I knew that while our victory was sweet, the battle was far from over.We had won today, but the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty. And Nandini—her quiet rage, her simmering fury—was a threat I could no longer ignore.But for now, I would savor this moment. The triumph of our return. The joy of our future child. And the love we shared—love that had survived the darkest of times, and that would carry us through whatever storm might come next.The future was ours.