Chapter 68: chapter 68

S A N M A Y I The day had finally come—the day when I would be united with Ranajay in the sacred bonds of marriage. It was a day I had dreamed of and yet feared in equal measure. The grand wedding of the prince of Amaravati and the daughter of rebellion. What a strange thing it was, to think of the twists fate had thrown our way. Yet as the first rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains of my chambers, I could not help but feel a sense of peace settle within me. The world outside was buzzing with preparations, but in this quiet moment, it felt as though time stood still, as if the universe itself held its breath in anticipation.The air was thick with the scent of marigolds and jasmine, which had been woven into garlands and draped across every surface in the palace. They were the symbols of prosperity, of auspicious beginnings. I had heard it said that marigolds carried with them the blessings of the gods themselves, and today, their fragrance filled the halls with promises of a bright future. Yet despite the vibrant beauty of the decorations, despite the music that echoed through the corridors, a certain heaviness lingered—an undercurrent of tension, like the calm before a storm.I stood before the mirror, carefully adjusting the intricate bridal ensemble I wore. The red silk of the saree, embroidered with golden thread, seemed to shimmer in the candlelight, while the jewels that adorned my neck and wrists gleamed as though they held the very essence of the sun. My hair was braided with strands of jasmine, and the delicate veil of tulle framed my face, hiding just enough to keep a sense of mystery intact. But it was not the grandeur of the dress that filled my thoughts—it was the promise of the man I was about to marry.Ranajay. I could not imagine a life without him. No matter the court intrigues, no matter the past that clung to my every step, his love was a balm to my weary soul. In his eyes, I saw acceptance—something I had longed for but never truly believed I could have. And though the world around us was fraught with scheming and uncertainty, with Nandini’s cruel machinations and the rebellion that threatened to tear apart the peace we sought to build, it was Ranajay’s steady presence that gave me the courage to face what lay ahead.There was a soft knock at the door, and as I turned to face it, Vasundhara entered, her expression one of quiet urgency.“My lady, the time has come,” she said in a low voice, her gaze flickering briefly to the servants bustling about in the hallway. "The Kanyadaan ceremony is about to begin. Are you ready?"I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest, though not from fear. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the culmination of all our struggles, all our hopes. But I knew as well as anyone that it would not be without challenge. Nandini would not simply let us walk into the future hand in hand. She had already shown the depths to which she would sink in order to tear us apart. And so, I could not afford to be complacent, not even for a moment.“I am ready,” I replied, my voice steady, though the weight of my thoughts pressed heavily on me. “Let us go.”---The procession to the grand hall was as magnificent as any I had ever seen. The courtiers had gathered, their robes in every shade of gold, red, and royal blue, their faces painted with anticipation and curiosity. The high priests, robed in saffron, chanted ancient Vedic mantras that filled the air with a sense of reverence and mysticism. The rhythmic beat of the tabla echoed from the courtyard, blending with the sounds of the conch shells being blown in unison. It was a celebration that could rival the heavens themselves.As I walked down the steps of the grand palace, the soft petals of marigolds were scattered before me, a carpet of blessings that seemed to promise that I was stepping into a new life, a life I had not dared to hope for. The sun shone down brightly, and the people of the palace, both noble and common, lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the bride.Ranajay stood at the altar, his back straight, his eyes filled with something I could not quite read. He was a man of great strength, and yet, in this moment, he seemed like someone who, too, was on the precipice of something immense. His gaze met mine across the room, and for a moment, the entire world fell away. In that look, I saw not just love, but understanding—the knowledge that we had both borne burdens, that we had both suffered, but we had made it this far, together.I reached him, and his hand stretched out to take mine. The moment our fingers brushed, a strange shiver ran through me, as if the very air had changed, had become more alive, more charged with possibility. A thousand unspoken words passed between us, but none were needed. We knew. We understood. This was not just a wedding. It was a statement. It was a promise.The high priest began chanting the sacred verses, and we took our places before the fire. The Kanyadaan ceremony, the sacred giving of the bride, was the first and most important of the rituals. My father’s absence weighed heavily on my heart, but I knew he would be proud. The gods had brought me here, and it was not in vain. I turned my gaze toward Ranajay, and for a brief moment, the world beyond the ceremony disappeared. It was just the two of us, the flames, and the vows we would make.As the priest raised his hands and began the first mantras, the sound of an approaching procession interrupted the sacred quiet. My heart stilled as I recognized the familiar sound of the royal guards, their boots echoing against the marble floors. There, at the back of the hall, stood Nandini, her expression one of cold fury, and beside her, King Jayavikram—his face a mask of unreadable intent.I could feel the tension in the air thicken, like the dark clouds gathering before a storm. Nandini’s eyes locked with mine, and in them, I saw an unmistakable promise. This was not over.And then I heard it. A low whisper carried by the wind, barely audible to those around me. "She will never be your queen."I felt Ranajay’s grip tighten on my hand, and his voice came to me, soft but firm. "No matter what happens, you are mine."I nodded, finding strength in his words. In that moment, with Nandini’s malicious gaze upon us, I knew one thing for certain. No matter how many schemes she devised, no matter how much she sought to tear us apart, I would stand by him. And together, we would weather whatever storm she sent our way.The priest continued his chant, and as we exchanged our vows in the light of the fire, I knew that no force, no matter how powerful, could break the bond we had forged. Love had brought us here, and love would keep us strong.---Nandini’s fury was palpable, and I could feel the heat of it from across the room. But her attempts to disrupt our wedding would not succeed. Not now, not ever. This was a day for us—our love—and no conspiracy, no matter how desperate, could overshadow that.As the final vows were spoken and the sacred fire burned bright between us, I knew that the union of Sanmayi and Ranajay would not only stand as a triumph of love but as a defiance of all those who would seek to tear it down.For in this moment, as we exchanged garlands and pledged ourselves to one another, we were bound by more than just ceremony. We were bound by love—a love that no one could ever undo.