Chitra let her hair out from the tight bun and combed her hair free from tangles. She changed herself into comfortable clothes ready for sleeping.

Arjuna was already fast asleep, she smiled looking at his tiresome face. She never knew that being a king can be this stressful, she slowly moved close towards him being careful enough to not disturb his sleep.

She slowly smoothed the thin lines of frowns on his forehead, he slightly shifted closer towards her and Chitra pulled her hand back. He needs sleep and she can't disturb him.

When she was about to turn to the other side Arjuna pulled her by her waist and slowly opened his eyes, "You took forever to change your clothes." He complained in a husky voice as he pressed his nose in her hair as her sweet smell of Jasmine's engulfed him in it.

Chitra didn't reply, she closed her eyes enjoying the moment.

"Chitra, I know it's too late to ask but are you happy here?" Arjuna asked, slowly tilting his head towards her face towards his. A month just passed by with so many issues to handle.

She smiled and put her hand around his neck, "If you are with me, I can even survive hell." She replied running her dainty fingers over his right eyebrow.

He bent a little and captured her lips and Chitra had a whole swarm of butterflies flying in her stomach. Even his look has the capacity to ignite a fire which was incomprehensible for her.

After a long passionate kiss she laid her head on his chest, thinking how crazily deep she has fallen in his love. Should she just spill it out? After this kiss, she definitely knows that this is not just lust, it cannot be.

"I love you Arjuna." She whispered, hopping he might hear her. A small frown was forming on her forehead as he didn't reply anything.

She raised her head to see his face, he was sleeping soundly with his lips parting a little. Silently laughing at his tiresome face hugged him tight in comfort.

Now that she said those words out it felt good. If not now then tomorrow, we have a forever together, thought Chitra drifting into a peaceful sleep.

* * *

Chitra stood outside the royal hall listening to what was happening inside. It has been a month since she has been here but due to all the bandits and Nandhini's issue Arjuna could not hold a ceremony to announce her as the queen, so till then she was not supposed to step inside the hall.

But her curiosity made her stand nearby and listen to the conversations. She felt like a small kid, sneaking around to listen conversations.

The royal court was nothing like Ramapur. It was huge, almost four times the size of her kingdom's and a golden throne sat at the end of the hall, it was so beautifully carved and designed that for a few minutes Chitra could do nothing but feel proud that the throne only amplified her husband's handsomeness.

Her face glowed with love and pride when everyone at the royal court got up bowing with a Namaskar when Arjuna walked in.

The discussions soon began, Arjuna explained the situation to king Aditya that Princess Nandhini had rejected this wedding.

"You cannot cancel this marriage. You can't put our kingdom's reputation at stake!" King Aditya almost shouted, frustration clear in his voice.

Chitra knew this, that night Arjuna guessed that the king who might be helping those bandits would be Aditya Kumar, king of Devampura. According to Vikram they were so focused on thinking that her father was the one behind this that they almost crossed out their neighbouring king. Aditya wanted to marry Princess Nandhini for straight and clear access to their kingdom's secrets and without a minister's help this was never possible.

"King Aditya, I have said this once and I am telling once more. I have never given you any word about Princess Nandhini's marriage. As Princess Nandhini has rejected this alliance it would be honourable if you respect her decision."

This was the plan to cancel the wedding in front of all the royals so that the minister; the traitor would jump in supporting king Aditya, Chitra thought as the suspense was killing her.

But she scowled as that didn't happen. Is their plan going off track?

King Aditya took a large breath as he ran his hand through his hair. "I will accept Princess Nandhini's decision, if you would accept my offer."

"And that would be?" Arjuna asked, shifting his head slightly as he rested his hand on the throne's golden hand rest.

"You will have to take my sister, Princess Apsara as your second Queen."

Seconds passed and Arjuna didn't reply anything as he looked amused.

And Chitra felt as if someone had broken her head with a huge stone.

Decline his offer Arjuna! Chitra silently prayed.

Arjuna rose from his throne ready with his reply and that moment Chitra chose to run instead of fighting. If he actually chose some women as his wife she won't be able to hear those words coming from his mouth. So she ran clenching her lehenga, her dupatta fell down on the way but she didn't care.

All of a sudden she bumped into someone and fell down as tears sprang out of her eyes.

"Queen Chitra!" Ratan bent down and helped her stand.

"Are you hurt? Should we go to the royal physician?" Ratan's voice sounded caring for the first time. Which actually made her cry.

She shook her head in disapproval as she sat near a tree. Chitra noticed that she was almost near the border of the palace.

After giving her a few minutes he spoke, "I can lead you to your quarters if you would like."

That sentence had nothing to trigger her cry but she started wailing loudly, her face as red as a beetroot and Ratan looked at her terrified.

"Did anyone misbehave with you my queen?"

She shook her head but answered, "Arjuna's marrying again."

"You are joking right?" Ratan laughed a little as he sat down beside her, far enough to maintain some distance.

"No, king Aditya offered his sister's hand to Arjuna. And kings always take more than one wife. I was so wrapped up in my happy bubble but now I realise, I was unlucky and I am always-"

"I am sorry to say this but you have just lost your brain." He almost scoffed as he stood and dusted his dress.

"You are not getting my point-"

"Okay so let me tell you this. Arjuna will never take another wife."

"W-what? Why do you think so?" Chitra asked, wishing that his words should come true.

Ratan sat down again, "Arjuna's inspiration for being a great king had always been his father. When our late king, Yogendra Pratap verma passed away Arjuna had to take over the throne. And Arjuna took his father's principles as his. So he would never take another wife."

"Because his father didn't? But what if-" Chitra's insecurities were not letting her brain accept any happy news though her heart was craving for some.

"And he clearly loves you." He said in a duh tone, looking up at the sun who was setting down.

"He does?" Chitra asked, surprised.

"Of course he does, now go back and talk to him instead of running around the palace."

Chitra never liked him before as he was always behind Vikram, trying to do something to him. But now at this moment he seemed like a good person, it felt like this was the real him. Not that rude and power loving man who always tried to harm her brother.

Chitra stood up ready to leave but before that she looked in his eyes and asked him, "Why do you hate Vikram?"

"He has some things which I love so I hate him."

Chitra frowned at his answer and asked as she tilted her head asking, "And that is?"

He hesitated a little as he spoke, "That would be Nandhini's love and Arjuna's trust. I lost my brain when I got to know that Arjuna was ready to marry her to some king but my heart broke when I saw that Nandhini chose not to live without Vikram. I almost trapped Vikram and killed him in hate but thanks to you I was saved from attempting more sins."

Chitra couldn't reply anything as he confessed everything.

"Go to your husband and express your love before it's too late." The sadness in his tone almost made her heart quench in pain.

She turned away from him and took a few steps and heard a familiar voice call out, "Princess Chitra!"

Her heart jumped in happiness as she saw who was standing in front of her, "Meenamma?" Her voice almost came out as a whisper.

She slowly walked towards Chitra giving her a toothy grin and Ratan jumped in front of her. "Who is that, do you know her?"

"Relax Ratan, she was my handmaid and also she raised me up!" Chitra felt happy for the first time this day.

"Meenamma! I am so glad you came here I was-"

"A soldier usually accompanies a visitor, where is your guard?" Ratan demanded an answer shocking Chitra by the tone which he used. Why was he behaving all alarmed?

A sudden sound of an alarm bell rang throughout the palace which almost made Chitra almost go deaf as Ratan pulled his sword out in reflex.

"How did you get in and state your purpose!" Ratan shouted as he stood in front of Chitra covering her.

"Emergency!" A guard shouted as he ran forward with his knife, "Kill that woman-" His words came to a halt as an arrow pierced his chest as he fell to the ground dying.

Chitra's eyes went wide seeing what happened to the soldier and in a fraction of second before Ratan could act, Meenamma pulled a tiny palm sized knife from her saree edge and choked it in Ratan's throat as blood spilled on Chitra's face.

Ratan fell to the ground clutching his throat and Chitra bent down crying, " Are you crazy?" Chitra shouted looking at Meenamma.

"Ratan! Don't worry I will take you to the royal doctor, he will definitely heal you." Chitra spoke in a dazed tone trying to help him stand but he was falling down and he was losing more blood.

"Please Ratan stay awake!!" She cried clutching his hand, "Help!" Chitra shouted, so loud that her voice almost broke. She tried to make him stand but they fell to the ground once more, she cried falling to the ground, wailing so loud that she felt her head spin.

Chitra tried to stand up though she felt dizzy and weak, she has to save Ratan. He was losing his life just because he tried to protect her.

"Why did you do this Meenamma!!" Chitra shouted her voice screeching with pain, tears flowing down her face.

"You are no queen, princess! You can never be one. And I am planning on making you a star in the night sky, just like your mother."

Meenamma stood there laughing, like she had not just tried to kill someone.

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