THE PALACE SECRET

Gerald you know exactly of the dangers within the palace, why are you two both happy to take the kids there? Durga asked Roshni and Gerald.

Gerald and Roshni looked at each other, then Roshni spoke, sister in law they have been many balls in the past , we have attended a lot of them too and nothing serious happened. Yes we are aware of the dangers within that wall but the news about the ball will soon spread every where ,and if we forbid the kids from going while they see every one else is attending they would ask for the reason, and you know we cant tell them about it, and you know how stubborn they can be , especially Priyanka. And another thing is I'm worried about Shaniya, she is now twenty five but still hasn't found some one, she might not say a thing about it but I know she might be hurting inside , her friends were married at the early age of sixteen to eighteen only she was left behind. we don't want to force her into marriage with someone she doesn't love so we hope atleast in this ball she would be able to find some one she is interested with. And one more thing sister you know that your brother is an official and a very respectable man, if his family wouldn't attend the ball people may start to have negative thoughts about it and it might be seen as an insult to the king. Roshni tried to explain everything to her sister in law not living even a single doubt of question. Even Gerald was impressed of how his wife was able to handle her older sister.

I promise I will look after every one when we reach there, and I will bring back every one home safe, Gerald assured Durga.

Durga was now convinced so she didn't complain anymore.

One more thing Roshni, you have to talk to your daughters about her behavior, she has grown up but she still acts like a child, I'm talking about Priyanka. Her behavior of speaking ill of her sister starts to irritate me, and if things continue like this … something bad will happen in the future, Gerald might have stayed quite a while a ago but it didn't mean that he was happy about what Priyanka did.

She is still a child Gerald, when she grows up may be she will change... Roshni tried to defend her daughter

Papa, Aunty, Maa the food is ready we are waiting for you guys to join in the table, called Shaniya

so they left and went to join in the table, while eating they made stories here and there, but Durga was in great thoughts after hearing Roshni's words she was also worried about Shaniya's future. She wanted to know what was in Shaniya's mind so avoiding asking Shaniya direct, she started as if she is making a story.

so my beloved daughters are all going to the ball, and they will dance with their prince charming, so Nina what do you wish your prince charming to be like? Durga started to ask Nina

He should be strong , stable, a man of his words, and most of all faithful or else I will end up breaking his legs. answered Nina while still eating not even caring

Every body in the table ended up laughing, that's how Nina was , a straight up person

still smiling Durga asked Priyanka too , even though she knew her answers already.

I want a man who is tall, handsome a gentleman that every woman will envy me when they see us together, I want him to be rich so that if I ask for anything he wont hesitate to give it to me .I want to live as a queen. That was Priyanka's answers

Okay child, what else could Durga say. What about you dear Shaniya what do you wish to have? all these questions the main target was her.

Shaniya was quite for some time , as if she was thinking hard. Then she raised her head, and said,, I'm looking for true love, a strong relationship, a man who trust me; that his decision wont be swept easily by anything, I want a man of my own I hate sharing, money to me isn't an issue because it comes and it goes. Looks to me isn't an issue we can get old someday the looks may not be there anymore. I want a soul mate, I want a man of a life time.

After her sentence the the whole table was in silence the three older people knew how strong her words were, until somebody broke in to a laugh.

Priyanka was laughing until she was holding her stomach, no body knew what she was laughing at.

while rubbing some tears in her eyes , Priyanka asked Shaniya so sister if an old man comes to you and wants to marry you would you agree, after every body understood what she was laughing about , the family broke into a laugh too, Priyanka's thoughts usually runs wide

They continued eating, Laksh asked aunt why aren't you asking about the woman I want? this is discrimination

I haven't asked you because I have a gift for the woman you will choose .answered Durga

What gift auntie? asked Laksh curiously

I have a book that has a list of all your stupid things, so if you want to marry I will gift it to that girl and tell her, girl see what you have got yourself into

Auntie that's not fair,,

and every one broke into a laugh again, a joke between Durga and his nephew,

it was a happy family, though they some times fought, but most of the time they were happy ,

Days passed fast , people started to prepare for the ball. every one was busy especially tailors, they were preparing peoples dresses making sure things are prepared on time, and some of the family that didn't have carriages they started to rent them because the ball will take place at the night.