Battling with Sadhana's death and trying to move on, Ashokdhar had come to a normal calm and former state after 6 months of healing. However, even if the subjects got over their queen's death way before the royal family, it was until the complete healing of the king that the kingdom was unattended.
Everything was back to the pavilion and so was the evil. Tamasvini and her plots were headstrong. She devised plans while lurking around like an innocent queen.
Nevertheless, Vihaan was new. He had already become an uplifted person. A brighter person. He was a better King, a better son and a better brother. However, he turned out to be the best student, a best friend and the best husband. He had a clearer outlook on things and he was sure that it all came from Aradhya.
From getting him through horrible breakdowns, handling the kingdom's affairs alone to even looking after the Darsh, Aradhya had herself occupied the whole six months. She barely complained nor did she ever feel the burden of the work. Her mind was hell-bent on giving Vihaan as much time as he needed to heal.
The sun was out on the horizon of Ashokdahr. A faint aura of positivity spread through the air. People gathered at the palace fields to welcome their new king. Vihaan stood there with his hand gripping a sword and the other hand elegantly held at his side. Aradhya stood a few steps beside him. Rajmata and Nandini stood at the corner while Acharya Chitrabhanu and Rihit stood proudly. Every citizen was ecstatic about their king's return.
Aradhya remembered the scene a few days ago. She was finally relieved to see Vihaan out of his grief. As Aradhya thought about all this a crippling pain sprung up in her head and an uneasy sensation in her gut.
Nandini glanced at Aradhya who sat on the bed. Nandini bobbed Darsh who had grown quite a bit in the last few months on her shoulders. She had witnessed him calling her and Aradhya his mother and still that made her grim.
"Are you sure you are fine? You have been sick for a few days." Nandini uttered.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that I haven't been getting enough sleep. I only have been sleeping for twelve hours a week. Maybe even less. And I guess I have mild indigestion." Aradhya replied.
Rihit entered the room with striding steps. He shot Nandini a smile which she returned. Things had calmed down between them but hadn't gotten back to normal. They still kept their distance from their relationship.
"Aradhya, the ministers are here." He spoke.
"What for? I already finished today's court." Aradhya replied.
"They said they wanted your consent and seal on some of the statements and treaties. They are waiting in the courtroom."
"I'll be there. And do you know where Vihaan is?"
"He was in Acharya's room. They were talking about something. Very intently."
.  .  .  .
Tamasvini sat in her room fuming with anger. Her mind ran around the conversation she had with Vihaan a few days ago.
Vihaan meekly bowed before her and sighed. "I'm really sorry. I know you expected a lot more from me. But all I have to say is that I...cannot offer you my love. But I will always respect you."
"Why?" Tamasvini asked, "why can't you offer me your love?
Vihaan smiled, "I have already offered it to someone else."
Tamasvini grunted in frustration. Her plan was somehow going downhill. It was always her goal to somehow serenade Vihaan into liking her but it was now of no use.
She scribbled at the letter she was writing. To who? There is no need for that to be answered, I believe.
.  .  .  .
"I think it's time to take them down." Vihaan spoke, "I think it's suitable to attack them now. Our army is also at its finest now."
Guru Chitrabhanu had a severe expression on his face whilst he considered Vihaan's proposition.
"I...I think it will be suitable but it's not exactly necessary. I think we should halt now. There are just another couple of kingdoms left for us to capture but I think, for now, we should leave the Dharini kingdom out."
"But it would be in our favour if we do it now."
"Vihaan...you have recently healed. Take some time off from the violence and blood. It may be triggering. Let's not attack anyone until we are provoked."
Chitrabhanu patted Vihaan's back. Vihaan nodded in agreement. Acharya blessed him before he walked out of the room.
.  .  .   .
"I agree with Acharya. Stay calm now. Don't get yourself into some violent situations." Aradhya said as she sat hastily doing the paperwork for the upcoming statement. Vihaan sat across the table staring at her.
He had accepted what he felt for Aradhya as real and beautiful instead of deeming it wrong to fall in love with his enemy. He knew Aradhya returned his feelings. He felt that sense of comfort and easiness when he was with him.
"Aradhya..." He called. She still didn't avert her gaze from the statement firm before her. She just hummed.
"Aradhya!..." Vihaan leaned in trying to get her attention. Aradhya just sighed and set down her work.
"What?" Aradhya asked.
"Thank you. For everything. Thank you for taking care of my kingdom, my family and Darsh when I couldn't. Thank you for being my strength when I was down. Thank you for always staying by my side when others gave in. I cannot thank you enough for all this..."
"Yes, thank you for your gratitude."
"Is that how you respond to someone's gratitude?"
"I don't know. I have never really heard anyone say thank you to me. I don't know how to respond."
Vihaan just grinned with a defeated face. He looked at her while she got back to her work. A feeling that had stemmed in him all these months ago together shone in his eyes. The eyes Aradhya didn't even try to read these days.
"I have to go." Vihaan stood up.
"Where?"
"There has been some problem in the southeastern part of the kingdom. I have to go resolve the matter."
"Okay. Stay safe and don't get into any troubles," Aradhya said while she still scribbled away at her scroll.
Vihaan smiled inwardly and left the room after grabbing his sword.
.  .  .  .
"Okay, that is it. I am not the annoying one. It's you." Nandini bickered with Rihit while cradling Darsh in her hand. The two had thought of a little walk in the kingdom with the new prince. The people gas expressed their undying love for him. They also had offered him many gifts which Rihit carried.
"Whatever you say...but has Aradhya gotten better?" Rihit balanced the gifts.
"I do not know. Guess we will find out now."
Both of them barged into the room where Aradhya stood taking support from the table. She shot them a small smile and sat down again. She sighed heavily. She let out a nauseated sigh.
"Okay, call the doctors..." Rihit told Nandini as he set down everything that was in his hands and walked towards Aradhya with his face filled to the brim with concern.
"If you didn't know, perhaps, I am taking lessons to be a doctor," Nandini said and set Darsh down in his crib.
"Do something then..." Rihit stressed.
"Don't freak out so much. It'll probably go away in a few days. Just a seasonal illness maybe." Aradhya ordered them.
"No, Aradhya. Sit and think. Think properly. Was it anything you are in the last few days? Was it anything you drank? Did you overwork yourself?" Nandini asked.
"It's nothin-"
"No, I told you to think about it. Just think of all the things you did in the last week."
Aradhya sat there thinking. The way the two reacted actually made her genuinely concerned if everything was right with her.
Right and Nandini too looked at her waiting for her to say something. Their faces grew more concerned when Aradhya's face lit up with realisation.
Aradhya looked at the two. How could she have neglected this? How could she have just cast off this another aside?
"I...I am...I am with child."
ð¡ï¸
Hey. I know this is kind of sudden and whatnot. But then again, I won't try to justify myself because a lot can happen in six months.
Again, tell me how you like the chapter. It was a bit shorter than all the other ones.
And it would mean a lot to me if you drop a vote on this chapter. And if you have any doubts and suggestions or even opinions do leave a comment. I will try my best to reply to you all.
And another less important but necessary thing. Please do not use any offensive terms to address any characters of the story in the comments. Even if they are evil, they are people too. And addressing them with offensive language is unfitting. At least in this genre of the story.
And to people who are kind of hating on Tamasvini, I just want you all to also acknowledge the fact that Tamasvini is being used. She is also a pawn. She just obliges what is said by her mother and Amar. Yes, she may have her motives. She may have craved wealth but now she is still under her said, well-wishers.
And if I offended anyone by anything said above I apologise. I just wanted that to be said.
Thank you.
Until next time.
With love
â¤ï¸