Royal Wedding (Part 3)

February 25, 2010

The first rays of the sun cast a golden hue over Vijayanagara, illuminating the grand city as if the heavens themselves were celebrating this historic occasion. From the sacred temples to the bustling markets, every inch of the city was adorned in gold and red banners, silk drapes, and vibrant floral arrangements. The air was thick with the scent of fresh jasmine and sandalwood incense, blending with the distant sounds of temple bells, traditional drums, and joyous cheers.

Today, history would be made. The Crown Prince, Krishna Deva Raya, was to marry Smriti Pandey, uniting not just two souls but an entire nation in celebration.

The Vijayanagara royal family had declared the entire day as a public festival, and in the spirit of generosity, free meals were being distributed across the kingdom. Every street corner, every temple courtyard, and even remote villages saw people gathered to enjoy the feast sponsored by the royal family. Foreign visitors and migrant workers were also welcomed to partake, ensuring that no one in Vijayanagara went hungry on this momentous day.

Inside Thiruvananthapuram Residence

In the grand inner chambers of Thiruvananthapuram Residence, where the ceilings were adorned with gold-leaf murals and the walls bore intricate carvings of past rulers, Krishna Deva Raya stood before a towering mirror.

His sherwani, embroidered with real gold threads and encrusted with emeralds, shone under the glow of the chandelier. His jeweled turban, adorned with a rare diamond at its center, reflected the light with an almost celestial brilliance. A thick Kundan necklace lay across his chest, signifying his royal lineage.

Yet, despite his regal attire, Krishna remained lost in thought.

His trusted secretary and advisor, Priya Banshal, stood beside him, ensuring that every fold of the prince's attire was perfectly arranged.

"You look like a king already, Your Highness," Priya commented with a smile.

Krishna chuckled, adjusting his sleeves. "Not a king yet, Priya. Today, I am simply a groom."

Priya smirked. "A groom whose wedding is being watched by millions, attended by world leaders, and protected by an army. No pressure."

Krishna shook his head, a small laugh escaping his lips. "I am more concerned about Smriti. This level of attention is something she has never experienced."

Just then, Queen Fulmati Deva Raya entered the chamber, her presence exuding warmth and authority. Dressed in a stunning saree woven with real gold and deep crimson silk, she carried herself with the grace befitting a queen.

"Krishna, my son, you look magnificent," she said, her voice filled with pride as she gently adjusted his turban.

Krishna smiled. "Thank you, Mother."

She studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Today, you do not just take a bride—you take on a responsibility. A ruler's strength comes from his family. Be good to her, protect her, and love her."

Krishna nodded solemnly. "I promise, Mother."

Satisfied, she placed a small tilak on his forehead and blessed him.

The Bride's Chambers

On the other side of the residence, Smriti Pandey sat before an enormous mirror, her heart pounding.

Her wedding attire was breathtaking—a deep red lehenga, embroidered with gold and encrusted with emeralds, designed to reflect both her beauty and her new status as the future queen. Her long veil shimmered like liquid gold, and her jewelry—thick bangles, intricate necklaces, and an elegant maang tikka—transformed her into a vision of regal splendor.

Her mother stood behind her, adjusting her dupatta, her eyes filled with emotion. "You look divine, my child," she whispered.

Smriti exhaled shakily. "It feels unreal, Ma…"

Her best friend and cousin, Nisha, grinned. "Of course it does! You're about to marry a prince!"

Smriti's hands trembled slightly as she touched the heavy gold bangles on her wrists. "What if I make a mistake? What if I trip? What if—"

Her mother placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Krishna loves you. That is all that matters."

A knock on the door interrupted the moment. One of the residence attendants stepped inside and announced, "It is time. The Crown Prince awaits."

Smriti took a deep breath. This was it.

The Wedding Procession

Outside the residence, the royal wedding procession of Vijayanagara had begun.

Krishna Deva Raya, seated on a magnificent white horse draped in gold embroidery, led the way. His royal guards and the elite Agni Special Forces marched alongside him, their presence ensuring the highest level of security. The RIS (Royal Intelligence Service) and MIS (Military Intelligence Service) worked behind the scenes, eliminating any potential threats.

The streets were lined with cheering citizens, showering the prince with flower petals. The sound of drums and conch shells filled the air, blending with the rhythmic chanting of Vedic hymns.

The grand Padmanabhaswamy Temple, where the sacred wedding ceremony was to take place, had been transformed into a celestial paradise. Thousands of oil lamps flickered, casting a golden glow over the temple's intricate carvings.

Inside the temple, the royal priests recited powerful Vedic mantras, their voices resonating through the sacred halls.

As Krishna stood at the altar, Smriti was led inside by her family. The moment their eyes met, the world around them seemed to fade.

The ceremony commenced with the exchange of garlands, followed by the tying of the sacred mangalsutra around Smriti's neck.

As Krishna tied the final knot, the priests chanted:

"From this moment forth, you are bound by destiny, by love, and by duty."

Smriti looked up at Krishna, her eyes shimmering. She was no longer just Smriti Pandey. She was now Smriti Deva Raya—the future queen of Vijayanagara.

As the wedding concluded, the celebrations erupted across the kingdom.

Inside the grand banquet hall, where world leaders and foreign dignitaries gathered, Krishna Deva Raya stood up and raised his hand for silence. The hall fell quiet, eager to hear what the future king had to say.

With a calm yet commanding voice, he declared:

"Today, on the occasion of my wedding, the Royal Family of Vijayanagara has decided to donate 20% of our shares in the Royal National Petroleum Company to the government—for the price of just 1 Varaha. We want the government to use the revenue from this company to increase the welfare of the people."

A stunned silence followed.

Foreign journalists and media outlets scrambled to confirm what they had just heard.

The Royal Family had just given up more than $100 billion worth of shares.

It was publicly known that Vijayanagara had an oil field with 1 billion tons of reserves, but in reality, the royal family knew it contained more than 5 billion tons of oil.

This decision was a game-changer—a move that would strengthen the government and elevate the standard of living of every citizen in Vijayanagara.

As the realization set in, the banquet hall erupted into applause.

And in that moment, Krishna Deva Raya didn't just become a husband—he became a leader who had cemented his place in history.