***

[Vidarbha]

The proclamation resounded across the entire city. The melodies of wedding songs, like an unstoppable tide, began to rise from the farthest corners of the empire, making their way to the heart of the capital.

The kingdoms of Chedi and Vidarbha seemed locked in an unspoken competition, parading their grandeur and wealth for all to see.

Meanwhile, the artists, ministers, and servants were all tirelessly consumed in this grand celebration, striving to illuminate their own destinies under its glow.

But...

What an irony?

The Goddess of Destiny herself sat in solitude within her chamber, gazing at the setting sun with such a forlorn intensity, as though counting the last fleeting breaths of her own existence.

The royal decree was announced and echoed through the chambers, reaching even the Rukmini's quarters.

"Princess, a message has arrived for you."

"Send it back."

"p-Pardon me..?"

Royal decrees have always held their gravity, and they always will.
But when you already know their contents and the sorrow they carry, what is gained by hearing them again?

There are some words that pierce the heart, words that render one powerless when heard repeatedly. It is better to overlook them, to console oneself with the hope that this time can be rewritten.

"Return this cruel decree as it is."

The maid hesitated but knew well that the princess's orders were absolute.

"As you wish, Your Highness!"

Her eyes returned to the horizon, where the setting sun painted the sky in hues of crimson. That radiant glow spilled over her moonlike pale face, scattering like rubies.

Her eyes like doe, gazed towards the infinite Sky. They brimmed with tears, deep and turbulent, like the waves of an endless ocean.

Yet she held them back.

... After all, if tears alone could mend all, life would be so much simpler. But then, what meaning would remain in her sufferings?

"If only Dwarkadhish were looking upon this very sky." she mused softly.

"If we are both gazing at the same sky, are we not connected?"
"Would he feel my presence as I feel his?"

She raised her hand, and the sunlight fell upon her palm as though sketching the name 'Shri Krishna' in the patterns of henna.

The goddess closed her eyes, yearning to still her swirling thoughts.

But then, something else emerged.

「A vision, or perhaps a dream?」

She could sense him, that man whom she imagined day and night, standing upon the open terrace of the palace.

She could feel him gazing at the same expanse of sky she had been lost in.

And those sharp eyes-they seemed to be fixed on her.

She could feel him raising his hands towards the sun, and as the golden rays embraced him, they traced upon his hands the name 'Rukmini'.

She could feel it all....

***

»»--•°•𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚊 𝚁𝚞𝚔𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚒 (9)•°•--««

***

The already enchanting chamber was being transformed into something even more captivating. The cool blue curtains, soothing to the eyes, had been replaced with a deep crimson hue.

The tiny white flowers in the pots gave way to the intoxicating aroma of red blooms. It was as if the entire palace had thrown open its arms in a grand gesture of welcome.

But not for everyone...

"Your Highness, the princess has refused to dine."

He exhaled deeply. This was exactly what he had anticipated.

"That obstinate woman!"

Yet, all he did was clench his fist. What more could he do? There were other matters demanding his attention.

Rubbing his temples gently, Rukmi turned his focus to a stack of letters. As his gaze fell upon one particular letter, his brows furrowed in confusion.

This, he had not foreseen!

⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅

Pausha, Krishna Paksha, Chaturthi
To the future emperor of Vidarbha,
Crown Prince Rukmi,

It brought me immense joy to read your letter. I always knew that as my cherished friend, you would fulfill your duty without fail.
However, I must confess, I had little expectation that the princess herself would grant her approval.

⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅

Indeed, it is true. Had he been aware of who had given their consent and what transpired here, his words might have been entirely different.

⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅

It seems the goddess of fortune has chosen to shower her blessings upon me. Rest assured, my friend, I will not disappoint you in return. We have sought the counsel of the chief priest of our empire.
According to his wisdom, the Ashtami of this fortnight stands as the most auspicious and ideal day.
We shall set forth on Shashthi and arrive by Saptami.

Until we meet soon, my dear friend.

Yours faithfully,
Shishupala

⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅⑅

「What?」

「But this... this is far too soon.」

The letter, sealed with the royal insignia of Chedi, crumpled under the vice-like grip of his trembling hands.

And then crumpled further..
And further still...

The state of his heart was beyond the realm of words-an inexplicable storm raging within.

The edges of the letter met the flame of a nearby lamp, and he stared at it as if his gaze alone could extinguish its existence. It was a look of pure revulsion, of loathing.

Before his very eyes, the letter turned to ashes, the final remnants of its words consumed by fire.

"Clean this up!"

His command to the servant. His eyes then shifted toward the minister standing nearby.

"Send word to all our allies and kin. Inform them of the wedding date and invite them here."
"And ensure that no other arrangements for the guests falter. Not a single lapse!"

He directed this sharply to another.

"Any objections?"

"But... but what about the princess?"

He had expected this query; he had even anticipated the exact moment it would surface. He also knew the answer he would give, as well as the manner in which he would deliver it.

"Leave her to me." A faint pause.

"And yes... begin preparations for the Mehendi ceremony as well."

These might have been the Crown Prince's final words before his departure
-
Had a maid not interrupted him.

"Your Highness, your meal-"

He ground his teeth audibly, so much so that even the maid's ears caught the sharp 'katt' sound.

"I'm not hungry."

And with that, he strode away, leaving an air thick with tension. The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces etched with the foreboding knowledge that the coming days would test them all.

______________________________________
Radhe Krishna❣️