Chitrangada bowed in front of the golden statue of Goddess Durga. She was in the temple for morning prayers. Bhojraj attended morning aarti(prayer) for the Goddess every Monday. Chitra was here to run into him.

There was an announcement of his Majesty approaching the temple entrance. The crowd parted and the guards formed a line on both sides forming a row.

As the crown princess, she was already near the garbgrih( Sanctum Sanctorum) where Bhojraj was going to join her. Maharaj Bhojraj approached the entrance of the temple and walked towards the sanctum sanctorum.

He was elated to see his daughter in law already present there. She bowed down to touch his feet.

"Ayushmati Bhav Princess," He said.

She smiled.

"What brings you here Princess ?" He asked.

"I am here to pray for the well-being and success of his highness your majesty" She replied.

"Excellent! I am so lucky to have you as my daughter in law" Bhojraj replied.

She bowed again and then stood solemnly while the priests chanted the invocations.

The pooja(prayer) was complete and Chitrangada left the temple along with Maharaj Bhojraj. As expected he offered her to come along in his carriage. She excused her maids and bodyguards to go along with Bhojraj.

She had met Bhojraj a few times during the post-wedding rituals and her coronation.

Chitrangda wasn't the Queen yet so she wasn't required to the attended court sessions. Though she could if she wanted to.

"I hope you are liking Badami and everything here?" Bhojraj asked her.

"Yes, your Majesty I am quite comfortable here. Everyone had been very kind to me." She replied.

Bhojraj smiled.

"I do have a request though. I hope you will grant my wish" She said.

"Sure go ahead" he replied.

"A few days ago a woman was arrested for treason, she had attacked me in the market."

"Yes! I have heard of it. Don't worry she will be executed soon as per the laws."

"I don't want her to be executed, your Majesty". Chitra said.

" What?" He asked surprised.

"Please forgive my insolence but I want to pardon her."

Bhojraj looked pensive.

" You are like my daughter. Attacking anyone from the royal family is treason. It's a very grave crime Chitra. If I let her go it would set a bad example for people."

"I agree, your majesty but she is a very old woman who has a tragic past. Sometimes people do things because of their sufferings. It's her first offence. If we forgive her it would also set an example of your kindness and tolerance."

"Hmmm, I kind of agree with you" He replied.

"A king should be loved by his people not feared. Your people are like your children. You need to show love and kindness as well. This will earn you love and respect from the people."

Bhojraj was now smiling, " you are very good with words. Raja Kiritveer has raised you well. Alright, since it's your first request. I will grant a pardon to her."

"Thank you, your majesty. Thanks for your grace" She bowed and folded her hands.

She sighed with relief. This would relieve her of a big burden. Now she had to rehabilitate that lady.

******

That night Poonam walked towards the royal gardens. Devburman's quarters were in the east wing of the Palace. As per their deal, he had sent her a message to meet near the pond which was in the middle of the garden.

She stepped nervously towards the gazebo. She stopped when she heard a tune coming from the garden. It was a piece of flute music, the sweetest music she had ever heard.

Mesmerized she walked towards the gazebo. Devburman was playing the flute.

His eyes were shut, brow furrowed in concentration while his lips played the tune.

Her nervousness and misgivings had given way to wonder and curiosity.

She tiptoed cautiously to avoid disturbing him and sat in front of him, looking at his face while he gently swayed to the tune.

At first, the bansuri (flute) he was playing seemed like any other normal flute but on observing closely it was different from the usual ones. It was longer, more colourful with strange symbols on it. She had never seen such symbols before.

Mesmerized she listened intently for several minutes. She wasn't sure how long.

Devburman had heard the clicking of her anklets and bangles announcing her arrival.

Yet he continued playing the flute. After the tune was complete he opened his eyes.

Poonam was sitting right in front of him, her eyes wide in wonder. She looked so innocent he smiled.

"Your highness! That was beautiful!" She said then clapped.

He laughed, "glad you liked it."

"But what kind of Basnsuri is that? I have never seen such a flute before?"

"It's called a dizi, it is similar to Bansuri yet different."

"Dizi? What is a dizi?" She asked?

He smiled and gave her the flute to look closely.

"Can you see those symbols on it? They are Chinese characters. This flute is from far northeast, from the land of Tibet."

"Where is Tibet?" She asked while cradling the flute.

"Hmmm let me give you some geography lessons. Which places have you travelled to?" He asked.

"I have never been outside Navsarika. This is the first time I have travelled outside Navsarika." She replied.

"Have you heard of places like Persia, Turkey, Tibet, etc?"

" I have heard of them. I have even seen merchants from these places. They used to visit Navsarika sometime for trade, princess Chitranagada often bought some exotic things from them."

"Good.... then you would be aware there are many different nations beyond this land. Do they have different languages, cultures, etc? "

She nodded.

"If you travel further north, cross the great river like Yamuna, Ganga and go beyond the Himalayas, you will reach the Kingdom of Tibet."

"Have you been there? " she asked amazed.

He nodded.

" 6 years ago I lost someone I loved dearly. Unable to cope up with the loss I left this place and travelled beyond this land of Bharat to different places, kingdom, met different people. This Dizi was a gift from a Buddhist monk I met in Tibet."

Poonam looked at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. No wonder he was so wise. He had travelled beyond her imagination.

"I am sorry for your loss. I wish I could see those places. Tell me about them."

"That will take the whole night are you sure you want to spend your night with me? " He chuckled.

She blushed.

"Don't worry I didn't mean in that way, I have seen beautiful places, people, culture, and also some terrible things. Things which should not arrive into the land of Bharat ever."

"What did you see your highness?"

"Have you heard of Mongols? The Turk tribes of the west?"

She shook her head.

"They are bloodthirsty barbarians who have no regard for dharmic laws. They loot and pillage, take women and children as slaves. They don't even spare royal women."

"But that is against the law, Your Highness." Poonam shuddered.

"Those are our laws, not theirs. It's perfectly normal for them to kill and pillage. I am afraid if our Kings continue this in-fighting we'll soon become so weak, that we won't be able to face bigger enemies."

"Is that why you don't like wars?"

"I don't like pointless conflicts for glory and personal ego. Otherwise to maintain righteousness one has to fight battles."

"You would have made a wonderful king your highness!" Poonam suddenly said then immediately regretted her words.

"I am sorry I shouldn't have said that. Please forgive me, your highness." She looked worried.

"Looks like someone is updated about me." He grinned.

"I didn't mean to offend you," Poonam said fearfully.

"Don't worry I am not offended. I am not interested in being the king. I just want the wellbeing of everyone in the empire. Someday when everything is settled. I would travel again and explore different places."

Poonam wondered, whom he had lost 6 years back but decided not to pursue it.

He picked up the flute and started playing again. Poonam continued sitting with him for hours.

To be continued.