3
A Twist in their Fate (Part 1)
King Baabul was quiet as he didn't have an answer to her question.
"I asked you a question didn't I?"
"You are disrespecting a King who is older and wiser than you little princess." King Baabul said in an angry tone.
"She is right King Baabul and she wasn't disrespecting you, Princess Aishwarya has every right to do whatever she wants as she is the Queen." King Sanjay said in support of Aishwarya earning a smile from the princess.
"I will take my leave to start preparing for Papa funeral which will take place in three hours time. I hope to see all of you, take care." Princess Aishwarya told the five king's and left their presence with the guards that had followed her in.
King Baabul turned angrily to face King Sanjay.
"Backstabber, how can you support that little girl instead of me?"
"Lower your voice. I only did that because of my son. You know Khan and her are engaged and an auspicious date has been fixed for their engagement party." King Sanjay replied, defending himself. "Once she declares my son as her fiance to the public, my son is now part of the Maharaja family and will have a say in any matter of the kingdom, there won't be going back. Once a Royal family is married to another Royal family, there is no divorce except death. We will kill her that same night." He added.
"I understand now." King Baabul said standing up to his feet. "I am going home to rest a little then come back here for Padas funeral. Your Queen requested for our presence." With that, he left the meeting room.
The remaining four stood up also and left the meeting room.
*****
On her way to her room, princess Aishwarya met Mehek.
"I was searching for you my princess."
"What for Aunt Mehek?"
"Rohan is finally awake and he is in your guest room my princess"
Aishwarya smiled widely at the news. "I have told you to call me Aishwarya aunt. You are like a second mother to me." She told her personal servant and ran speedily to meet Rohan.
When she entered the room, Rohan was reading a book but dropped it on the bed he was sitting when he saw who it was. He was bare chest as his stomach was bandaged.
"Good morning my princess." Rohan greeted quickly getting up to his feet, going to his knees and bringing his head lower almost to the ground, ignoring the pains that shot all through his body, when Aishwarya's voice stopped him.
"Don't do that Rohan, please get up to your feet." Aishwarya said firmly and Rohan stood up to his feet.
At that moment, Princess Aishwarya realized she hadn't taken her bath yet or look presentable. She was still in her night pajamas.
Hope she still looks beautiful in his eyes.
"Sit down please."
He sat down on the bed and Aishwarya sat next to him. He couldn't bring himself to look at the young beautiful piece sitting next to him.
"So, what happened to you?" Aishwarya asked gently and couldn't tear her eyes away from his face. He was good looking.
"After we left and went home, Prince Khan tortured me until I couldn't take it anymore and ran here. I did not know my offence." Rohan said as he started to cry.
"It's okay Rohan, don't cry." Princess Aishwarya said, trying to console the crying boy. "You know, I lost my papa Las night to unknown assassin's." She added sadly and Rohan stopped crying as he slowly turned to look at her face.
"I did not know about your loss, I am sorry my Princess." He said, wiping off his tears.
"It's okay." Aishwarya told him, smiling a little bit. "He will be laid to rest today."
"So what was your name before you became Khan's servant?"
"I have no name, my Princess. My mother died when I was born and my father who was the gardener in the palace of Prince khan didn't have time to give me a name, I was either called 'boy' or 'brat', I never really have a name." He told her, staring at his feet so that Aishwarya couldn't see his embarrassed face.
"I am sorry for that Rohan and now you have a name."
"Which you gave to me my princess, thank you."
"Please, I told you to call me Aishwarya and not Princess."
"I am finding it difficult to say your name, my Princess." Rohan said in honesty. "Maybe with time."
Aishwarya nodded her head in understanding.
"Can you tell me about yourself?" Rohan asked.
"Am just Aishwarya who believes in dreaming high and helping my subjects whenever they are in need." Aishwarya answered. "Do you have a dream of what you would love to become in the future?" She asked.
"Not really, but there is one I would really be happy if it becomes a reality."
"And what could that be?"
"I want everyone to be equal, the servants, slaves, the poor, the rich, the royals everyone should be equal. No more be scared to speak out your mind. But, I know my dream won't come to pass."
"Is that all?"
"For now, yes my princess."
"Once I am crowned the Queen, I will fulfill your dream." Aishwarya said.
"Your Highness please don't take my dreams from my eyes, I will die." Rohan said slowly.
Aishwarya smiled.
"My Papa used to tell me, If life's a playground, then divide it in two parts, put dreams in one part and reality in other, now the one who has more faith in his hard work than in his luck, he's the one who crosses life successfully. The one who shows us the dreams also gives us the strength to make them true."