Devika - A journey unbound by time

34: The Aftermath

Soon, the competition was over and a bunch of winners were awarded including Veer and Devika. General Abhay and King Nanda had a smile on their face as they journeyed back to the palace.

Once they reached the palace, however, General Abhay became quite grim and towed Veer towards their home quickly.

Inside the General's mansion, the atmosphere was quite strained. Veer stood with his head down as General Abhay questioned him, "Do you realise where  did you go wrong today?"

"I lost the control of my emotions." Veer replied with his eyes glued to floor. His mother was watching his father scolding him with her brows furrowed.

"What was the first lecture I taught you in your warrior training?" General Abhay asked grimly.

Veer replied holding the stance of a warrior, "A warrior must always be in control of their facilities. They should never waver emotionally or mentally. "

Abhay asked him, "Is this lesson important?"

"Yes." Veer said his voice ringing with conviction.

"Why do you think this lesson important?" Abhay questioned.

"Losing the control of your emotions is losing  half the battle. Displaying your emotions in a public setting might give away your thoughts to your enemy. But father... he pushed Devika." Veer explained halting.

"Silence. You insolent child. You will address her as Princess always. Do not forget her station is above us. You can never call her name casually." General Abhay's voice rang out loudly. His wife gasped looking at her only son. She knew that if the King came to know of this then Veer's career might end before it even began. King Nanda doted on his daughter and he would not give her hand to a commoner.

"Yes Father, I will remember." Although Veer agreed verbally, his heart didn't agree.

"Are you... in love with the Princess?" General Abhay asked cautiously.

"Love?" Veer was startled. "I don't know." he replied.

"How do you feel when she is in front of you?" Abhay questioned him patiently.

Veer thought for a moment before replying, "I feel that I must protect her from all the bad things around her. When she laughs, I feel happiness. When she is threatened, I want to go on a rampage. When she cries, I feel the world is turning bleak. Father, I...."

"Stop right there, Veer. You are a subject of the Nala Kingdom. Apart from your identity as my son what exactly do you have that you can offer Princess Devika. There have been instances in history when a princess has married a subject of her kingdom. However, in all those cases the groom was someone of exceptional capabilities and the King had more than one daughter. It goes without saying that a princess's marriage is usually of a political nature." General Abhay explained  the facts of world to Veer. He could see Veer's pain which was displayed in his eyes. Each word of his broke his son further. Abhay then patted his shoulder and continued, "It will serve you well to forget your love and only remember your duty." Throwing this last statement at his son, General Abhay left for his room.

The General's wife Sharda couldn't  bear the sad countenance that Veer carried and she quickly came to hug her son as the General left. Holding  Veer's face in both of her hands, she said, "Veer, don't take your father's words to heart. He didn't mean to scold you. He is just worried for you."

"I know, Mother." he replied.

"Do you really love the Princess?" she asked him, her voice softened.

"Yes." Veer's voice rang with conviction. He had realized that as soon as he had started describing his feelings.

"Tell me about her. How is this Princess Devika like?" Sharda asked.

"She is like the radiant sun. She is kind, giving and soft towards others. Just like the early morning sun she brings happiness to others. She is also focused and determined to her work. Like the afternoon sun bearing heat on us, she is fierce when training. Her smile, her bearing and expressions all have the bearing of her nobel lineage. She has innovative ideas and is quite knowledgeable not just in warrior training but also in medical arts." Veer was speaking about Devika in such detail that he didn't even realise when he had started smiling. His face showed the expression of a man deep in love for the first time in his life.

"Wait.. she knows medical arts? How can a lady study medical arts?" Sharda questioned. She liked the girl her son was describing but his last statement made her skeptical.

"Mother, she doesn't study full fledged medical arts. It is more like she is studying antidote creation for poisonous substances. She doesn't come in physical contact with any patients. Moreovershe has led to a creation of a special branch of doctors and medical helpers that work to create antidotes which is helpful and affordable." Veer clarified calmly.

Sharda nodded thoughtfully. She knew that such an outstanding Princess would be coveted by many suitors and realised that she must make Devika her daughter in law. It would make their family the in laws of the King and their status in the society would rise. She then asked cautiously, "Dear son, what if I tell you that there may be a method to obtain her without angering the King?"

"Really? Mother do you really know of such a method?" Veer asked eagerly.

"Yes, I do know of such a method. However, in order to obtain her in the long term you might have to give her up in the short term." Sharda replied.

"I do not understand. Mother, what do you mean?" he asked.

"It is possible that your father may send you away for your first mission in a couple of days. As he knows about your feelings for Princess, he will definitely try to remove you from her side. Just go along with his plans and try to find an opportunity to win military credit. If you are able to show meritorious service that is commendable by the royal court then you will be asked what you want as a reward. At that time you can ask for her hand in marriage. Our King would definitely grant this request at that time." Sharda explained clearly.

"Mother... that is a brilliant idea. I would surely give that a try." Veer shouted joyously.

After exchanging a few more words with his mother, Veer then returned to his room. Lying down on his bed he imagined the day he would ask Devika to marry him. He fell asleep dreaming about her beautiful face.