Aditya got ready following Meenakshi's steps and dressed in his finest robes to match whatever little he could with her. He was dressed in a royal pink saree while Aditya wore a blue outfit with pink diamonds. Both of them went towards the kitchen where his father and the members of the court stood waiting for them. Aditya and Meenakshi stood in front of them and bowed their heads in respect.
"I hope we have not made you wait for long." She spoke softly, making Rajaji chuckle. He walked ahead and patted her head affectionately and spoke.
"No dear, we were just here a few moments ago." He led her to the burners where cooks stood with vessels in front of them, their hands folded in front of them waiting for her to begin. "You shall take the first fist of rice and begin this process for today. And then you can prepare the sweet while the cooks shall take care of the rest." Meenakshi nodded as she took in the place.
"Is there anything you would like to prefer?" She asked, as a man clad in the same clothes as the cook walked towards her with a plate full of rice.
"You could feed us anything and we shall gladly accept it dear. After all, a father cannot be choosy." He playfully added making Meenakshi smile. He gestured towards the man standing, waiting for her. She cupped a handful of rice with both her hands and walked towards the pot of boiling water. She stood in front of it and slowly raised her cupped palms towards her forehead and closed her eyes. Her lips mumbled a silent prayer and she opened her eyes. She took another step ahead, stepping onto the elevated platform in front and a poured the grains into it. She gave a small smile to the cook standing in front and he nodded in response urging the others to start their cooking.
"Your Majesty, I am Pranitha, the head maid here and from now on I am at your service, Your Majesty. What would you like us to prepare for the sweet?" She asked, her head bowed. Meenakshi observed that she would be as old as Chitrama and her posture of respect didn't sit well with her. She just bowed in response and quickly replied.
"Can I get coconuts grated and some jaggery to be melted?" She asked sweetly, and Pranitha nodded and ushered the group of women standing there to get to work.
"What has Your Majesty planned for us?" Asked a minister from the group. She turned around to face him and walked a couple of steps towards him.
"The sweet is called poornam, a simple sweet that is healthy yet tasty." She said. The minister nodded.
"I hope you are aware of your duties as a queen." Another minister added.
"I am aware of certain ones and if I fail to do mine well, I am sure you shall guide me on the right path." Meenakshi spoke, making the man puff his chest in acknowledgement.
They fell into a comfortable silence as the hushed whispers of the cooks and maids as well of the clinkering of the cutlery filled the air. Meenakshi walked and stood beside Aditya who sneakily captured her little finger with her, wrestling with hers. She glared at Aditya but he dared to make a poker face and looked ahead just like others.
A sound of harsh scraping found her ears and Meenakshi looked towards it. She found a girl no older than thirteen, sitting on the floor and scraping the coconut harshly, mumbling something along. She left Aditya's finger and walked towards her and squatted in front of the little girl.
"I take it that you hate doing this?" She asked, and the girl nodded. She looked up and found her queen making her gasp. She quickly stood up but she was held down by her shoulders by the queen who gently offered her a smile.
"What's your name by the way?" She asked, making the girl smile.
"Samyukta." She answered. A lady behind gasped, who seemed like her mother. Meenakshi looked up and found the lady glaring at Samyukta.
"Forgive me Your Majesty, for her rudeness. She means no harm at all. She is just new to all of this." Her mother said, making the little girl frown.
"I did not find her rude, please don't worry about me." Meenakshi spoke, her voice calm yet firm. The girl's mother nodded and bowed before she went back to her work.
"What is it that you would like to do otherwise?" Meenakshi asked, returning to her conversation with Samyukta.
"Read." She readily answered and Meenakshi raised her brows in surprise.
"Wow, you do know how to read?" Meenakshi asked.
"No, but I wish to learn. Ma says girls must not read. It's bad for us." Meenakshi smiled at her disappointment.
"What if someone teaches you to read?" She asked her, making the little girl's eyes glow in delight.
"I fear that I must interfere, for it is not advisable for girls and women to know how to read and write." The minister who had spoken first spoke again.
"And may I ask why?" Meenakshi stood up from her position and faced the minister.
"For one it is unnecessary. They always have their hands full from household and cooking, and two, it leads to unnecessary complications between people. They may seem to revolt or cause unneeded drama." He added, his voice clearly expressing his displeasure.
"Revolt?" Meenakshi paused looking at Aditya and her father-in-law who had displeased yet composed expressions on their faces. "Why would you think that is a bad idea?" She questioned.
"Revolt is a burden to the crown, Your Majesty. If it's among men, then silencing them would be easier, but when it's women, I am afraid no methods can please them. It is better that they remain dormant." He added, making Meenakshi's eyes glimmer in surprise.
"Hmm. I understand. A man can be beaten to silence. But when it's a woman, I think it shall not be that easy, won't it?" She asked back.
"No, Your Majesty. You are getting it wrong. I did not mean so. The only thing I meant wasâ"
"A revolt is a sign of displeasure from the throne and kingship. If anything, it clearly reflects the people's discontent with the rule. And a revolt must be answered not oppressed. And coming to women, her power is the family's power, her awareness is the family's awareness and her happiness is the family's happiness."
"I am afraid that the men may not accept an educated wife." Aditya stepped ahead but he was pulled back by his father. He looked at him and shook her head in a no. Aditya stayed silent and stood there, fisting his hands to the side.
"I am sure they won't. After all, a true man cannot accept an educated wife. For him she must always be beneath him." She smiled at him, her smile not reflecting in her eyes. She turned and walked to the pot where the jaggery was being melted, she paused and turned around. "I hope you know that I am educated. And yet Your King decided to take me as a wife. Now, would you question how true of a man he is?" She asked, her eyes furious yet her voice calm.
"I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty." The minister nodded, making Meenakshi chuckle mirthlessly. She headed to the pot and took the desiccated coconut from the maid and added it to the jaggery while stirring it simultaneously. She added another generous amount and another before the jaggery was perfectly bonded with the coconut making her smile in satisfaction. She stirred it once more before she looked at the cook. "I think we can take it off from the fire." She said, and the man nodded. Two men came forward and lifted the pot from the burning flames and placed it on the ground. Meenakshi took the ladle from the cook and served a potion in a bowl that was held by the maids standing. She made a serving and placed a small spoon in the bowl. She handed the ladle back to the helpers who quickly plated the dish and began serving it silver bowls to the royals standing there. Meenakshi walked to the little girl and offered her the bowl who delightfully accepted the dish.
"Be careful. It's still hot." The girl nodded as she blew mouthfuls of air to quickly cool it. Meenakshi smiled at her and walked to Aditya who offered her his bowl of sweets. She scooped a small serving and blew on it and offered the bite to him. He gratefully accepted it, his eyes never leaving hers. His father cleared his throat making them snap out. Aditya offered her a bit from the same bowl making her smile at his antics.
"This dish is phenomenal. Umm..I Have never had something like this before. I think I can keep eating this daily."
"Daily?" Aditya retorted, faking anger. "No, only once a while especially for you." The royals fell into a bout of laughter as they retired back to their respective places.
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Another big chapter for you lovelies. Please give me an emoji atleast. Love you all so much.
Did you check my page, that reel was fabulous. Also if you want a sneak peak into the coming chapters, comment "mice" and I shall give you a sneek. (PS: There might be smut, that is sexy and unimaginable)
Thank you for reading!