Desperate wails of the palace women could be heard from far and Raghuveer had a sudden urge to protect his ears from these screeching wails, oh how he hates to hear women cry. The large corridor through which they were walking has tall and spectacularly crafted pillars. The closer Raghuveer walked inside the palace, the stronger those desperate wails of the palace women could be heard. Of course, every woman in this palace happens to be his father's concubines irrespective of their status, rank or age.

This part of the place receives the first rays of the sun and just to magnify the beauty, tiny bits of mirrors were studded in them and when the sun rays hit this part, an unavoidable illusion of a heavenly brightness is created, almost shining brighter than the sun.

Just to intensify the beauty of this place pink lotus was decorated around them. Though these flowers were found in remote areas of the empire, they would always appear every morning without fail. Queen Anasuya loved these flowers, when the king couldn't give his wife his heart, he gave her the power to rule the palace instead.

The closer he got towards his father's chambers the louder got the cries of woman, the strong smell of flowers made him rub his nose. Somehow Raghuveer's lips curved into a smile and his eyebrows shot with amusement seeing a group of young women stand by the emperor's chamber clinging on the wall bawling their eyes out as they furiously wiped each other's tears consoling themselves. Their sorrow wasn't for the dying king rather for their fate if he dies.

Once again, a deep wave of disappointment rushed through him. What did his father gain by taking so many concubines? Not even one woman felt sympathetic for him.

The king's chambers is once again a major talk of the empire apart from the lovely corridors. His large bed was made of gold, as in, the bed poles were blocks of pure gold, and on that lavish bed lies his father, the emperor of this nation whispering something in low voice to his first son, Dipankar.

His eyes drooping every second as he forced himself to stay awake and talk with his son. Till now, Raghuveer did not care about his father's health but now that he saw his father, he couldn't help but feel some unknown pain in his heart observing the pale face and red eyes of the king.

A small group of ministers bowed their heads acknowledging his presence and queen Anasuya who elegantly stood by the emperor's huge bed averted her gaze to him and then signalled all the ministers to take their leave. Her face was expressionless, either she didn't care about her husband's illness or she was an expert in masking her feelings.

When the chambers were void of any minister or a servant, Anasuya made her way to Raghuveer and for the first time, he could identify tiredness on her face.

"Raghuveer, let us continue to wait outside and provide your father and the crown prince some space." Speaking in a low, soft voice she walked away and the heaviness in her voice didn't go unnoticed by Raghuveer. Casting one last look at his father he stepped outside only to a see a fuming queen.

The bawling concubines of her husband were the cause of immediate snap of her mood.

"If you don't shut your mouths this second, I will make sure to sew your mouths shut."

Just like that, hearing the queen's fuming voice all the concubines pressed their lips together.

"Leave," Anasuya ordered in a gruff voice and the eerie authority in her eyes made them fled from there holding their skirts.

She closed her eyes taking in a deep breath as she asks in a low voice, "What is your purpose behind this visit, Raghuveer? Your desire to assessed the throne or the emotions of heart to visit your sick father?"

Raghuveer's lips curved up in a sly smile sensing the weakness in her voice. He would never dare to laugh at a person who was suffering, but this woman did more than hurt his mother. She kicked him out of the palace, plagued his childhood by deserting him from every person, destroyed his mother's life and whatnot.

"I must admit, ruling the palace behind my father must have got your brain weak, my queen." At his mirthful words, her eyes snapped open at him, "I am not a fool to express my intentions to an enemy."

Anasuya laughed out for the first time in the day hearing Raghuveer's words, "Good to know that you at least realise who your enemies are."

After that short conversation, both of them fell silent, standing outside the chambers in a deadly calmness. Shortly, the large wooden door of the chambers creaked open and Dipankar stepped out with an enormous grimace on his face. When he noticed Raghuveer he quickly spoke,

"Father is asking for you."

Nodding his head Raghuveer stepped up with his hands stiffly placed behind his back, and right before he could Anasuya announced in a hurried tone, "A chariot will be waiting for you to ride after visiting your father."

Initially, his plan was that. To leave this palace after visiting his father and mother, but the authoritative voice of the queen made him think otherwise. A person whom he hates deciding something for him, made him rebel with all his strength.

"Who said anything about departing from the palace, my queen?" Throwing a smile at her he strolled inside the emperor's chambers and Anasuya's lips twisted in anger as she gritted her teeth.

She has to do something before it's too late. Before all these years of her hard work goes in vain because of this bastard.

***

"

I wish to leave," Riya stated standing up dusting specs if invisible dirt off her long skirt. The old man in front of her is officially crazy, he kept convincing her that she and Raghuveer are soulmates, and she wasn't buying that crap. This situation was so similar to one of those fake salesmen who try to weave any crappy story to make you believe and buy their product, but only this time the old man can be mentally ill.

"Why, child? Is what I am saying too boring for your liking?" He asked with a smile which got on Riya's nerves in these last few seconds.

Riya had to bite her cheek inside her mouth to prevent herself from spitting out a sarcastic comment. She tried to ask him about her way home or details about this country but he remained stubborn, he wanted only to talk about what he had to say.

"Yes, and what is the use of me being here if you won't answer my questions? I better go now, Raghuveer will be home soon." Riya smoothened her hair as she spoke, and the last words she said truly excited her. Raghuveer will be home soon, which means they can talk about their relationship!

"Alright child, I apologise for not answering your queries. How about you sit down and let me explain everything in detail?"

"No thanks. I-"

"On a serious note, as a friend of a royal prince you should be aware of our culture to help him at times of trouble, don't you agree?" The old sage asked as his fingers brushed through his white long beard. He kept smiling as Riya stood there conflicted, knowing in deep about this country's culture can be a plus for her to dig out ways back to her house but on the other hand, she loathed learning about history or cultures, or to be precise she had a huge enmity with social studies subject back in her school.

But shortly she settled back on the mat to hear him out, all she has to do is hear a few sentences, if he goes back to his crazy talk about soul mates she will just run away. Deciding, she nodded her head.

"For a human, the first responsibility they hold in life is the relationship with their parents. Come what may they should always be grateful and respectful towards them and then" The old sage gives out a huge smile as he continues, "comes the next major commitment in one's life. Marriage."

Riya wanted to roll her eyes at his speech. What? Parents should always come first? What had her mother done for her? She abandoned her as a child despite her heart-wrenching cries and her father, he is no better. Of course, he loved her more than anything in this universe but his ambition to see his daughter in his dreams as a popular actor surpassed his love.

But she didn't bother voicing her opinions to the sage, what difference will it ever make by expressing those wounds which life has made? They will remain with her, till her last breath.

"According to culture, once a couple ties the knot of sacred relation of a husband and a wife, they remain tied for all their seven lives."

"S-seven lives? Isn't it a myth?"

The sage's lips curls into a humble smile and for the first time, that smile reaches his lips.

"No child, this body," Saying his forwarded his hand, "Is nothing but an ornament our soul takes, even after our deaths our souls will have to carry karma."

Riya nodded her head in appreciation, and almost with eagerness. This talk about souls and karma is definitely better.

"And here, we come back to my point dear. Believe it or not, you and Raghuveer share such bond, a promise to stick together for all your seven lives and that, is the reason why you were pulled back in time, for your soulmate."