Chapter 2

"Please try not to fidget Rajkumari!", said the maid as she added another hairpin to Swarnalata's hair.

"All this jewelry is too heavy! I don't want to wear any more stones!", whined Swarnalata.

The maid sighed and stopped with her task to study the hairpin in her hand. It was a gorgeous gold hairpin with a ruby in the center and pearls arranged around like flower petals around the ruby. Women would kill to have something extravagant as this hairpin, yet the princess found them heavy and refused to wear them. Not only the hairpin but every single jewelry on the princess's body, from her necklace to her bracelets, from her headpiece to her waistband, everything was luxurious. The saree the princess was adorned in was a gorgeous blue silk weaved with gold threads, one of the finest pieces of the country. And yet the princess wrapped in luxury refused them.

"Would you like that hairpin Dai Maa?", asked Swarnalata. The maid dropped the hairpin in haste as she went to gather anklets to adorn Swarnalata's feet dyed red with betel leaves.

"I don't dare, princess. These accessories don't suit someone like me. Only a princess like you can shine in these jewels.", said the maid.

"But these clothes, these jewels are so heavy. The cotton sarees and the silver earrings you made me are fine. They are so easy to run and climb trees in. I can't run or climb trees in these clothes.", said Swarnalata.

"Oh Rajkumari, you are not supposed to run around in these clothes. So many kings, queens, princes, and princesses are coming to the kingdom today so you must behave yourself. If the queen sees you running around sh-"

"Oh I know, she shall have both our heads then. Fine I won't run around, but I heard that father has arranged for a feast today. Hopefully you won't stop me from wolfing down on some of the chef's finest sweets! His ladoos and kheer is to die for.", said Swarnalata, drooling at the thought of feasting on the food of the best chef in the country.

"Of course I won't Rajkumari. Everyone knows not to keep you away from your meals, or all hell will break loose! Now lets hurry downstairs, the yajna is about to start and we should get there before your mother realizes that you are missing.", said the maid.

Swarnalata plopped down the stool she was sitting on before grabbing her Dai Maa's hand and making her way downstairs. No matter how young she was, she knew the importance of the Ashwamedha Yajna for her father. By performing this yajna, her father would officially be recognized as a powerful king to other kingdoms, and it would bring glory to the kingdom of Karusha. As confident and brave she wanted to be, it would be a lie to say that she wasn't nervous. Swarnalata was nervous, in fact she was very nervous. She loved her father and she loved her kingdom, so she was afraid of saying and doing things that could unintentionally hurt somebody. Her tiny feet led her to the courtyard as her eyes wandered about looking for the person who could calm her nerves.

"Father!", cried Swarnalata. King Dayanada smiled to see the face behind the angelic voice and crouched down to pick up his beloved daughter.

"You look beautiful, my child! Have you forgiven father from this morning?", said King Dayananda.

Swarnalata's face immediately soured as she recalled the incident from the morning. "I hope the horse runs away forever and never comes back." she mumbled.

King Dayananda let out a hearty laugh hearing his dear daughter's words. God knew how much he adored his one and only daughter, for whom he could do anything.

"I promise I will get you another horse. For now let's think about the kingdom, alright?", said King Dayananda. Swarnalata nodded, but couldn't hide the nervousness from her sweaty palms and trembling body.

"Are you nervous for the event?", asked King Dayananda.

Swarnalata let out a small sigh as she said, "I don't want to bring shame to father or the kingdom. What if I do something wrong or accidentally anger somebody."

"You can never bring shame to me or the people, my child. Everything you do is just so adorable! And if a small child speaking her mind or doing something seriously angers someone, then that person isn't good from the heart. A child is the form of God, and you are like Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) for us. If you happen to commit a sin, then it is up to everyone else to forgive you wholeheartedly as forgiveness is the greatest virtue. And I know you my child, you won't do anything that can seriously anger or harm anybody, after all you are my child.", said King Dayananda.

Swarnalata smiled at her father's words. He really was the calm to her storm. He always knew the right words that would calm her nerves.

"If you are still nervous then let me tell you something my father used to tell me. Look at everyone here, everyone is just human so now imagine them all in their underwear!", said Dayananda.

Swarnalata burst out laughing at her father's remark.

"Look, look at that guard he is in red underwear," said her father as he pointed to a blushing guard. "And him, I believe his must be orange." said her father pointing at the previous guard's partner.

"How did his highness know?", murmured the guard whose face was bright red now.

"And her-", King Dayananda immediately shut up as his fingers pointed at a fuming woman.

Although the woman was shorter than King Dayananda, she was taller than the average woman and was undeniably gorgeous. With dark deer like eyes that commanded attention, a full head of hair which reached her wide hips, plump lips as red as a rose, slender fingers bedecked with jewels, and dusky skin that glowed under the sun, this woman was none other than the queen of this kingdom, Maharani Shambhavi.

"What is all this vile talk of underwear, my dear?", said a visibly annoyed Maharani Shambhavi.

"My love, Swarnalata was feeling a little nervous so I was calming her nerves. Don't worry I didn't tell her about your underwear, I don't even know what color they could be.", said Maharaj Dayananda.

Maharani Shambhavi's eyes widened as she cleared her voice and Swarnalata snickered as her father's face turned pale.

"Can you please behave like a king and act proper, especially in public! You are the father of two children, the king of all the citizens in this kingdom, and yet you act like a jester.", replied Maharani Shambhavi. She looked at Swarnalata and said, "There is no reason for you to be so nervous. Have the confidence of a princess and you shall be fine. As long as you stay close by me, behave proper, and don't talk about underwear out in the open, then the kingdom's dignity will be saved."

"Yes mother.", replied Swarnalata. Although she was afraid of her mother, there was no denying that she loved and respected her mother. At the age of 14, her mother was in the battlefield alongside her own father, not only as his charioteer but also as a warrior. At the age of 18, her mother picked her own husband through her Swayamvar, and was officially the queen of Karusha. Even when her husband had gone for war when she was first pregnant with her son at the age of 20, she remained strong and led the kingdom for three whole months before her husband returned victorious from the battlefield. 13 years later, her mother still remained the same. She was headstrong, brave, responsible, and respectable, but somewhere over the years she had gained a feminine charm and a strong motherly instinct of protecting and caring for her children. Maharani Shambhavi may have a rough exterior but it was known that she was extremely compassionate and had a soft spot for women and children as loved her own children and husband to the core.

"Why didn't I see you in the temple room today, Swarnalata? And where is your brother? Is he just going to play with his bow and arrow all day long or is he going to come show his face today?", said Maharani Shambhavi.

"I don't play with my bow and arrow mother. I learn skills to use in the battlefield one day.", said a voice from behind. This voice Swarnalatta recognized as her own brother's, Rajkumar Devadatt. At the age of 13, Rajkumar Devadatt was not only handsome but extremely talented. He had mastered the readings of the Vedas and was notably one of the best archers of the kingdom. Not only could he shoot at more targets then Swarnalata but he could do so with three arrows at once and with his eyes closed, a skill Swarnalata wished she could have.

"But you have yet to enter a battlefield my son. Your games and tricks can never compare to the gore and bloodshed that happens in a war.", replied Maharani Shambhavi.

"Enough talk of war and weapons, lets make our way to the yajna. Acharya and Guru Vashishta must be waiting for us at the havan kund.", said Maharaj Dayananda and ushered everyone towards the ceremony.

Swarnalata was put down by her father as he walked next to his queen, both gazing into each other's eyes affectionately, still in love as they were fifteen years ago. Walking side by side, they really looked like the incarnation of Mahadev and Shakti.

"By the way, there will be archery, ball, and sword games before the feast. Do you want to take part or are you scared that I will beat you.", said Rajkumar Devadatt.

"I am not afraid of you! I will beat you fair and square and will all the prizes, just you see!", replied Swarnalata.

"You know other princes and princesses will be taking part as well right?", said Rajkumar Devadatt.

"I don't care I will beat them too, and then parade around with my prizes," said Swarnalata as she stuck out her tongue at Devadatt.

"We will see about that Swarna, but you sure you don't want a ladoo from the Chef's kitchen now?", said Rajkumar Devadatt as he stuck out a ladoo, basking in ghee under Swarnalata's nose.

"Where did you get this? We are not allowed in the kitchen until the yajna is over.", said Swarnalata as she took in the heavenly scent of warm ghee and sugar.

"I snook in, now do you want it or not? Eat it before mother sees or the both of us will be in trouble!", said Rajkumar Devadatt. Swarnalatta snatched the ladoo from her brother's hand and took a bite full of bliss.

"I take back what I said. You are allowed to win some of the competitions. You do know that you are my favorite brother, right?", said Swarnalata with a mouth full of ladoos.

Rajkumar Devadatt scrunched his face at the sight of Swarnalata's open mouth before him. "Gross Swarna! At least close your mouth before eating, you are going to get food everywhere!", he said as he patted Swarnalatta's lips with his silk uttariya, erasing traces of the ladoo she had just demolished.

"As for your favorite brother, I am your one and only brother Swarna.", said Rajkumar Devadatt, patting Swarnalata's head with a faint smile tugging at his lips.