Chapter 5
Bhargavi spoke with restrained anger,
"Rajmata Saptaparni herself said—according to the customs of this dynasty, if the king's first wife cannot bear a child, or fails to give birth to a son, she is unworthy of being a queen. Even in the past, your ancestor King Shankhajay banished his wife Rohini for being barren. Yet you… you continue to favor her."
King Maarg replied calmly,
"She may not hold the rights of a queen… but she is still the daughter-in-law of the Amravart lineage."
With that, he walked away.
Bhargavi stood there, burning with jealousy.
"I will never let that woman unite with the king again."
Seeing her frustration, Shairini said,
"You couldn't stop my brother, could you?"
"He refuses to listen," Bhargavi replied sharply.
Shairini smiled faintly.
"You won't succeed this way. He won't listen to you… or to any of us. Let him do what he wants."
Bhargavi frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Let Basumati return to the palace," Shairini said calmly.
"Do not oppose it."
Bhargavi's eyes widened.
"Why should I allow that?"
Shairini leaned closer.
"Let her come… and then humiliate her. Let her see, with her own eyes, her lost status and identity. Provoke the king into bringing her back—and then destroy her pride."
Bhargavi hesitated.
"Why would I bring my rival into my own home?"
"To remind her… exactly where she stands."
---
Meanwhile…
Basumati was working in her modest home, preparing food in the kitchen.
Dhananjayi was outside.
A knock came at the door.
Basumati hurried to open it—
and froze.
King Maarg stood there.
She quickly covered her head with her veil and stepped aside.
The king entered.
Basumati arranged a seat for him.
"Where is Dhananjayi?" he asked.
"Somewhere outside…" she replied softly.
"What would you like to eat?"
She placed sweets and water before him.
But Maarg didn't look at the food.
"I came to tell you something…"
Basumati lowered her gaze.
"Please speak."
"Soumitra has received an invitation to a swayamvar."
"That is good news," she said.
"It is for the marriage of Princess Rupkatha of Amaravati."
Basumati smiled faintly.
"I will bless him wholeheartedly before he leaves."
Maarg nodded.
After a pause, Basumati asked,
"Our Swapnili is also of marriageable age… have you thought about her future?"
"Yes," Maarg replied.
"But first, let something be decided for Soumitra."
Basumati said confidently,
"Soumitra is a son of Amravart. He will surely win."
Maarg remained silent.
No… he thought.
Soumitra is not worthy. He is emotional, dependent… shaped by indulgence and pride.
Out loud, he simply said,
"If anything is needed, I will inform you."
He turned to leave.
Basumati stopped him gently.
"You didn't taste the sweets… it would have been nice if you did."
Maarg hesitated.
At that moment—
Dhananjayi entered.
Seeing her father's horse outside, she had already guessed he was there.
She walked in and said calmly,
"Mother, you should taste it first… then he will eat. The king is not used to eating like this."
Maarg replied,
"No need. I will eat."
And he did.
Then he left.
As he mounted his horse, Dhananjayi stood nearby.
He glanced at her briefly—
and rode away.
---
Dhananjayi had seen this her whole life.
Her father…
visiting like a stranger.
She had never known what it felt like to be loved as a daughter.
But when she saw Swapnili and Soumitra…
she understood.
---
The next morning—
Soumitra prepared to leave for the swayamvar.
Bhargavi, Shairini, and Rajmata Saptaparni performed the welcoming ritual and blessed him.
Dhananjayi and Swapnili were also accompanying him.
As they departed the palace, Dhananjayi said,
"Brother… Mother Basumati is waiting to bless you."
Soumitra glanced ahead.
Basumati stood beneath a tree, holding a tray, her eyes filled with affection.
He was about to ignore her—
when Dhananjayi spoke again,
"She has been waiting for you… and you would leave without her blessing?"
Soumitra replied coldly,
"We have a long journey ahead. We should not waste time."
From inside the palanquin, Swapnili said,
"She is your elder. Show her respect."
Reluctantly, Soumitra approached.
Basumati blessed him with all her heart—
but he did not even touch her feet.
He simply left.
Basumati placed her hand on his head and said softly,
"Return victorious."
Soumitra said nothing.
---
Amaravati—
the most luxurious kingdom of all.
A land of art and creativity.
Every building, every palace was adorned with intricate sculptures.
The people were prosperous, and the kingdom led in trade.
Kings and princes from nearly thirty kingdoms had gathered.
Meanwhile, the princes of Durgaavati had already arrived.
Riddhim looked around in awe.
"What a magnificent arrangement!"
Advitiya lay back casually on a velvet bed.
"Well… they had to do it."
Riddhim asked,
"Have you seen Princess Rupkatha's portrait?"
Advitiya turned to Swarnendu.
"Have you?"
"No," Swarnendu replied.
"But I've heard she is extremely beautiful… and quite arrogant because of it."
Advitiya said thoughtfully,
"We need to know what the challenge of the swayamvar is."
"We'll find out soon enough," Swarnendu replied.
"No," Advitiya said firmly.
"We must know beforehand."
He looked at Swarnendu.
"Our kingdom must remain till the final stage. The honor of Durgaavati is in our hands. We must win."
Swarnendu smiled.
"You're the only one who can overcome every obstacle. After all, you are the one invited to compete."
Advitiya shook his head.
"I have no desire to win Rupkatha's hand."
Swarnendu was surprised.
"But Rajmata wants you to marry."
Advitiya looked at both of them seriously.
"Listen carefully. Tomorrow… I will not attend the swayamvar."
Riddhim was shocked.
"Then who will represent our kingdom?"
Advitiya turned to Swarnendu.
"You will."
"And I will make sure you win."
Riddhim frowned.
"But if you don't win, and Swarnendu does… won't that go against Rajmata Dhriti's command and the traditions of the Lion dynasty?"
Advitiya replied calmly,
"We'll deal with that later. First, we need to know the nature of the competition."
---
Meanwhile…
Dhananjayi, Swapnili, and Soumitra arrived at the royal court of Amaravati with gifts.
King Ranvijay welcomed them warmly.
"Ah! The royal family of Sumetra—welcome!"
Soumitra bowed.
"My father sends his greetings… along with these gifts."
Queen Soumila smiled.
"You didn't have to bring all this."
She looked at the two girls.
"You've both grown so much."
Turning to Dhananjayi, she asked,
"How are you?"
"I am well," Dhananjayi replied.
Swapnili said eagerly,
"Come, let's go see Rupkatha."
---
But Rupkatha did not like Dhananjayi.
Arrogant in her beauty and wealth, she spoke only of her jewels and appearance—things that held no meaning for Dhananjayi.
Feeling out of place, Dhananjayi quietly left the chamber.
As she walked back—
a sudden burst of fireworks startled her.
Her foot slipped on the stairs—
She was about to fall—
But suddenly—
Two strong hands caught her.
---
To be continued… ✨
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