Chapter 9

Every head turned in the direction of the voice which belonged to none other than Aditya Singh. A huge smile broke on Rukmini's face after seeing her brother, Aditya Singh Rajput, king of Udaipur. It was not everyday when her brother visited.It was once in a while because being a king himself it was not easy to take out time to visit his sister. Shauryaveer, Rudraksh and Rithambara were so excited after seeing their uncle but Maharaj knew his brother in law's anger .He was prepared for the worst.

Aditya Singh said, " what is this Rukmini? First invitation is given to maternal uncle and here you didn't tell me that Rithambara is getting married? I came to know about the marriage through other sources? "

Hearing this, Rukmini burst into tears. She told the whole story to her brother. Fury was dancing in Aditya Singh's eyes. His hands turned into fist and jaws were tightly clenched. He glared very hard at Vikram Singh Rajput and said, "how can you allow your daughter to marry complete stranger and send her away in a strange land . We don't know about them in great detail and you are ready to put Rithambara's life in danger."

Maharaj just lowered his eyes because he was  helpless in this situation . He can't go back from his promise. Here, Augustus and king Atticus were not able to understand even a thing but they knew something was up. They decided to sit back as an audience.

Rithambara didn't like her uncle shouting at her father . She talked to his uncle and assured him that she would be fine. Finally his uncle calmed down a bit. After everything was settled ,it was time for pre wedding rituals. Indian weddings go on for at least four days because there are many rituals. Noblemen from Florence were just watching everything . They didn't know why yellow pastes were applied on arms, legs and face of their beloved prince and his soon to be wife. These rituals were completely unknown to them.

Augustus couldn't believe that he's getting married again and that also in a very unusual way. He remembered his first wedding with his Valentina. He didn't know about Valentina back then. He was standing  on the altar waiting for his soon to be bride. When Valentina arrived with her face covered with a veil, everything came to halt. Her wedding gown was looking so elegant on her and the way she was walking gracefully with her father casted a spell on him. After their marriage, when he got to know her, he fell in love with her. She was a very sweet and loving lady. Though she is not with him, he has treasured her in his heart .

He asked for her forgiveness in his heart. He never wanted to get married but because of his father he has to marry such an arrogant lady. She was not even a bit like his Valentina. While his Valentina was a lady with a soft voice this girl's voice was filled with determination but he liked her voice anyways. While Valentina was a fragile woman who needed his protection, this girl was teaching him about choke throat technique.  Valentina used to blush when he stared at her and this girl clenched her jaws but he has to admit she looked deadly dangerous at that time. He can compare the traits of both women but not their beauty. It would be sin to call Rithambara ugly. He hates himself for this but he found Rithambara's beauty and character very intriguing . Valentina was a beauty herself no but the beauty of Rithambara was incomparable. He felt very guilty for thinking so but he couldn't help it. 

Finally, it was the wedding day . The way palace was decorated screamed royalty. Augustus was looking all handsome in Indian getup which consisted of royal red Kurta with cream dhoti, turban on head, sword in his hand and royal 'juti'.

He sat next to the priest after Rukmini welcomed him with teeka on his forehead. After few minutes, finally Rithambara descended down. Every eye was on her. Indeed she looked like a heavenly angel. Red bridal Saree which she was wearing had decorative precious stones on it. Golden threads were giving a look as if they are holding all the stars together but the  brightest star was Rithambara herself. Augustus was simply mesmerized ,he was just ogling at her. It was for the second time when everything came to halt for him in his life . He was not able to understand his feelings. His reverie was broken when he heard Aurelius's voice, "your highness, rituals are about to begin."

He cleared his throat and sat on the mandap (where marriage takes place) with a straight face . Rithambara sat next to him. Wedding rituals proceeded and it was time for saat pheras (circling seven times around the holy fire). They were going to be tied for eternity with that knot. King Atticus asked the translator what it means. He explained that one complete circle means three sixty degree and from number 1 to 9 ,7 is the only number which can not divide 360 hence it signifies that no matter how tough the problems are, nothing can divide the couple. King Atticus was amazed. Each and every ritual had a deep meaning withhold. After seven pheras, Augustus tied a nupital chain around Ritha's neck. After this, he filled her head partition with vermilion. There marriage was completed and after few post wedding rituals, it was time for Rithambara to leave the palace.