Worthy Inheritor

Himprayag

Nayantara snorted at her daughter's emotional response.

"For all the military achievements of yours, you are still a little girl looking for your parents' affection and validation. Do you think that the king has given you an equal chance or ever treated you equally? Are you not aware of his clear bias towards that illegitimate son of his? Who do you think am I doing all this for? I am not asking you to give up your dream of ruling over Himprayag. I am only helping you get a weapon which will ensure your victory. Chambal's prince would only be a front. I have full faith in your abilities to be able to control him and the country both the countries through him," she cajoled her daughter after the initial harsh words.

But Ahilya had had enough of her mother and her rants. Apart from the king and Gayatri, no one knew about the proposed agreement between Chandragarh and Himprayag and Ahilya didn't want to tell her mother about it at the moment. She didn't trust her enough to keep her mouth shut till the time the agreement was signed.

"Mother, I think coming here was a mistake. This biting cold is bad for your ageing limbs. Also, after last night's exciting planning, you must be tired. I suggest that you retire to your room and recuperate. I will send a message on your behalf to Chambal about our inability to receive them this week or ever. You don't have to worry your pretty head over it," her face held a cruel sneer.

As the queen's face blanched in front of her daughter's harsh behaviour, Ailya spoke up again, "A last word before I let you go – Gayatri and Veer are my people. No one is allowed touch them. Do you understand?" her eyes resembled sharp chips of ice and the queen shivered involuntarily, looking into them.

Ahilya didn't bother to wait for her response and took off in the opposite direction.

Late night, Gurukul, Chandragarh

Even though Prithvi was caught up with many important issues, his focus was currently on the shortlisted names on the list for the final stage. At the knock on the door, he frowned. Saraswati was getting more and more out of hand. He had specifically instructed her that he was not to be disturbed for the next two hours and she already dared to knock at his door.

"Enter!" at his glacier like voice, Saraswati shivered but she had no choice.

"Guruji!"

"Saraswati!"

Looking at the thundering eyebrows, she realized that her life was currently in danger.

"Here is the most urgent and encrypted message which has come from the royal palace along with a thick sheaf of papers. I have decoded the message already. I was instructed to bring this to your attention immediately," she said it all in one breath.

The words of reprimand died on Prithvi's lips and he snatched the material from her hand before barking, "Get out!"

Without waiting a beat, she made a hasty exit. Standing against the door, she patted her chest, comforting herself.

"He was always mean but now he is devil incarnate. Unfortunately, it's simply too late for me to consider a job change, though. Oh, Moon God, have mercy on this poor soul," she cried to herself softly.

Prithvi opened the message first and his eyebrows shot up in surprise as he took in the content.

The message from the queen read – "This is my first preference for the QIT. Reasons are mentioned in the documents. Make sure that she gets a nomination to enter the last round. Rest is dependent upon her ability."

Prithvi read and re-read the name again before realising what the queen was asking him to do. This round was the only component of the entire tournament when the candidate was dependent upon strangers' benevolence for her qualification instead of her ability. Though the zilla chiefs were supposed to be fair and impartial, everyone made choices out of their selfish reasons and not solely on the qualifications of the candidates.

This made Prithvi recall a rumour which he had heard long ago. When Rani Samyukta was chosen to be the queen, he was a young child. But during his growing years, he caught a few whispers about Rani Samyukta having been the personal choice of the previous queen. Otherwise, which zilla chief would have voted for an orphan from the capital instead of either someone influential or a person from their own zilla?

Since there was no proof for this, the rumour had died a natural death and then the queen's amazing performance shut all her detractors, at least publicly. But holding the note in his hand now, he finally understood it. With a tiny smile, Prithvi reached for the thick sheaf of parchments and was amazed once again.

There was a detailed analysis and record of each and every contestant starting from stage 1. Even the smallest thing had been entered in detail. He was once again impressed with the queen's hidden qualities. Before and during the tournament, he had collected a detailed report about each participant but that looked like a memo when compared to this comprehensive document.

"If she was going to conduct this exercise, she could have simply informed me, saving me and my staff a lot of time and effort," he grumbled to himself.

"Do not disturb me for the next three hours," he shouted behind the shut door to his subordinate.

Next morning

Mriga was just about to leave for the library when she got the message that Vandit was waiting for her downstairs.

"You are looking for me? Have you fought with her again?" Mriga asked cheekily, looking at Vandit's morose face.

He made a face at her and replied, "Only if you knew that I am the love guru who launches the ships of many lovers, you wouldn't dare to speak with me in such an insolent manner."

Mriga rolled her eyes at his narcissistic version overflowing and asked, "Then are you here to launch my ship?"