i.

" Listen everyone. " the beating of the drums, along with the shrill cry of the royal messenger, attracted a lot of people, as a mass gathered around him. Having all the attention to himself, he unrolled the red scroll and read further.

" Reports of battle have emerged from the royal hails- " the murmurs grew louder, " -and the Crown Prince Mrityunjay has been declared victorious in the war against Swarnapradesh. Therefore, by order of King Adhiraj Naresh, you are all requested to welcome the Prince and the Commander-in-Chief with full enthusiasm. "

There were hails of ' Long live Gauravgarh ' and ' Hail the Crown Prince ', while some elderly people, heaved relieved sigh upon hearing the victory.

From the last few weeks, the whole of the empire of Gauravgarh was hunged in tense air, as their king had wedged a war against their arch nemesis.

Swarnapradesh, being an equally powerful kingdom, created an unknown fear among the common people of Gauravgarh. The last hope, they had was on the prince. Because, ever since, he was certified the best sword fighter from the royal academy, he'd been engaged in wars. And, true to his name, he'd win every deadly battle, he'd win over death.

Now, once again, Prince Mrityunjay didn't disappointed his subjects. Beginning from the children to the people in the last phase of their life, started decorating the empire. Afterall, they didn't want to leave any stone unturned, in the welcoming of their saviour and protector.

•

If the empire is in a noisy state, the palace itself, is an epitome of chaos right now. Servants, attendees and courtiers, running from everywhere to everywhere. And, all of that because of the queen of the palace. But, no one dared to question her, since she was in the mother mode, who was impatient for her son's homecoming.

" Aashi? Aashi, where are you? "

" Yes, your Highness. At your service your Highness. "

" Has Mrityunjay's favorite food prepared? "

" That, Your Highness- "

" Lekha, calm down. Getting so excited at your age is not good for your health. " King Adhiraj joked, coming out of the courtroom.

" Our son has returned victorious from the war, Your Majesty. You won't understand a mother's heart. During the war, every single moment, I couldn't breathe, worrying that something might happen to Mritunjay. You won't understand it. Anyways, you were only thinking about your battle strategies. "

" Lekha, Mritunjay is my son too. But, above all, he is our successor. He will become the king after us. He will have to fight such wars in the future, for his kingdom, for his people. It is his duty as a king. You are also a queen, you should understand the value of duty. " he tried to make her understand his point.

" I'm aware of my duties and I've never turned away from them, but when it comes to Mrityunjay, nothing else matters to me. " but she was adamant.

How can she be wrong in loving her son?

" What I'm trying to say is- "

" Enough for now. We'll have this conversation later on. " she turned towards the attendee, with whom she was formerly talking to, while Adhiraj sighed and walk away, " You were saying something? "

" Princess Geetanjali was in charge of that Your Highness. We're not well informed about that. "

" Then it must be ready by now. By the way, where is Geetanjali? "

" In her chambers- "

" In her chambers? Does she even know that her husband is arriving today? Or is she busy with her makeup and adornments? " she scowled.

The queen had never been fond of her daughter-in-law, neither she hated her, but certain things about the princess, riled her up.

" Forgive me, Your Highness, but may I say something? " Lekha raised an eyebrow at the audacity of the maid, " As much as the prince is your son, he is also Princess Geetanjali's husband. So, it's natural for her to be as anxious as you are. Perhaps she- "

" Do only as much as you have been told, Aashi. " the maid, bowed down in fear of the queen, " And go, call Geetanjali. "

" As you command, Your Highness.

Aashi hurried off to call the princess, although she couldn't help but wonder, what made the queen dislike the sweet and naive princess.