iii.

" Have you lost your senses, mother? "

" Mind your words- "

" I'm sorry for my behaviour mother, but my answer is no. "

Mrityunjay got up from his seat and made his way out when, " I've asked you the same question before the war too. " Lekha stated.

" And even then, my answer was a no. " he didn't stop in his tracks.

Realising that her words are having no effect on him, she softened her tone, " Jay, understand the situation. "

" No mother. " he turned around, " Not this time. My first marriage was Father's decision, but I had no objections because my married life has been good. Geetanjali is everything I ever want. I don't need another woman. " his eyes sought Geetanjali, who averted her gaze, when their eyes met.

But he couldn't miss the layer of sheen coating her orbs.

" But the kingdom needs a queen. A capable queen to rule beside the king. " the woman was getting irritated at her son.

" Geetanjali too has the potential to be a queen, Mother. " his tone laced with rage.

How could his mother degrade his wife in front of him?

" Even you know yourself, if she's got the capabilies or not, son. Stop defending her. The truth is we need- "

" My final answer is no, Mother, and I want no argument. " he walked towards Geetanjali, held her hand and started walking out of the dining hall.

" Even Geetanjali had given her affirmation to this ordeal- " that made him stop dead in his steps, " -she got no problem with that. Ask her? "

Geetanjali felt an excruciating pain in her wrist, where her husband was holding, " Is that true? "

She looked at Mrityunjay and then at his clenched jaw, " Prince, I just wanted- "

" Is. That. True ? "

" Yes " the dining hall fell silent, Lekha with a winning smirk, Geetanjali with fearful eyes and Mrityunjay, he felt short of words.

" Your Highness- " the heavy tension still lingering in the air, " -the King has been asking for you. "

Lekha nodded and walked out, giving her son a final look, while Mrityunjay left Geetanjali's wrist with a jerk and stormed off to their chamber.

Confused and frightened, she also ran behind him. The instant she was in the chamber, a strong arm was wrapped around her waist, a hand on her jaw, tilting it to make her look into the burning orbs.

She gasped out, " Prince- "

" Sshhhhh. Who gave you permission to agree to my second marriage? " he whispered close to her lips.

" I thought- "

" You thought, and what about me? " Geetanjali closed her eyes, when she felt her husband leaning in, but the next moment, she was left cold.

Opening her eyes, she saw her husband standing in front of the wide window, his back facing her.

" Do you want me to give myself to another woman? " she shook her head, even if he couldn't see it, " Do you want another woman to take your place in my heart? " fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

" Do you want me to forget our love, Geetanjali. Do you want me to divide my love between you and someone else? If yes, then I'm sorry Geetanjali, I won't be able to do that. " he faced her, expressions stoic.

She couldn't hold back anymore and broke into cries, hiding her face in her palm, " No, Prince, I couldn't bear to see you with another woman- "

" Then why this decision ? " Mrityunjay interjected.

" -but it's not just about us. It's about Gauravgarh's future. The kingdom needs a- capable queen- " she started but,

" And why do you think you're not suitable for the role? " he cut her off in mid-sentence again.

Geetanjali lowered her head, " Because I wasn't raised to be a queen. Just a wife. Useless and pathetic. "

A knot appeared between his eyebrows, " Mother told you that. "

" That's the truth anyways. " he sighed out frustratingly.

" So you don't desire the throne? " she shook her head meekly.

" And, do you desire? " it remained unanswered, which finally broke the thread of patience in him.

" Fine. The case is, the throne will go to whoever marries me. My second wife, in that case have to fulfill the duties of a queen. And then, I'll have to give them my time, love, and myself to her, because that's my duty as a husband. And maybe then, I won't be able to stay with you." he walked backwards, never breaking their stare, and removed the gold ring -the symbol of their marriage- from his ring finger and kept it on the table nearby.

" What are you- " tears choked her words.

" Someone else will have the right to this, won't they? " she just sobbed at his bitter words.

It isn't easy for her, to say yes to her husband's second marriage, it breaks her from inside too. Couldn't he see that?

A knock was heard, and Mrityunjay let the attendee in," Greetings, Prince. The king - " she stopped noticing Geetanjali's pale face.

" The king? " Mrityunjay gritted out. He was already handling a lot.

" -His Majesty was asking both of you. "