Cittaja || Indian Historical Romance

14.

Shakra was getting impatient.

Did his love really want to kill him?

The thought was troubling him. He wanted answers. But while the answers were being searched, he had to make up his decisions. Would he still love her? If he decided not to, would he ever find any other woman interesting? Mayurakshi has been in his mind for so long that now the idea of her being an enemy doesn't sit well with him.

At the crack of morning, Shakra started back to the Kalika Empire. He set out some spies to keep an eye in Pragvamsa Kingdom.

When he reached Kalika Empire, he spotted Basava. Shakra sent Mayurakshi back to Krishneri and hence met up with Basava.

Basava sighed seeing him. Lying to Shakra always ended up terrible. He wouldn't shy away from killing even his own brothers if they betrayed him or the Kalika Empire.

"What did you find out?" Shakra asked Basava.

Basava sighed, "Don't get angry, bava."
Shakra looked away at the request. It meant only one thing. Mayurakshi was somewhere involved.

"If she does really want to kill, why did she come running to save me and warn me? If I died in Pragvamsa, the Kalika Empire would first attack Pragvamsa and destroy them. So, why did she risk actually getting in the middle of all this?"

"That is what I don't understand, Bava. One of Vadina's servants is friends with a prostitute I know. She happened to mention that Vadina did make a plan to kill you by igniting the rebels but then why did she herself save you, the servants didn't understand."

"This is utterly foolish, Basava..." Shakra ran his hand over his face and then his head, pushing them between his knees. Basava sat down next to his cousin. It wasn't the Crown Prince of the most powerful Empire in the continent. No. It was his cousin. The cousin he knew for a long time. The cousin who found a best friend in him even with his birth nor being highly acceptable.

"Bava, I still feel that Vadina is confused." Basava offered.

"She isn't confused. Just tactically retreated on account of recreating her plan." They both looked up to see Amartya. The long hair was tied up in a knot over his head. Rudraksha mala around his neck.

"Vedatin, I know Vadina. She is a nice person." Basava offered.

"I never said she isn't a good person. Wanting to kill the enemy isn't really a bad thing. The enemy happens to be our friend is just a coincidence."

"If you have anything valuable to say than do so. Or else, leave me alone." Shakra growled.

"Stop being a touchy injured tiger. Although I doubt she harbours the same feelings for you as you do for her, I find no reason to believe she will abandon the enmity with you for those feelings."

He sighed and laid down. Staring up in the sky. He could spot several constellations at this point. Saahiti was a brilliant teacher while teaching him how to differentiate between constellations. Mayurakshi enjoyed watching constellations. Something that connected her with her long estranged mother.

"Yuvraj," Saahiti bowed down to him. Saahiti, the daughter of Mantri Kumarasena. The girl was rare kind among all the women he has seen. She almost ranks among the great thinkers in Ambikapuram. Her brilliance and knowledge could rival the great intellectual group in the court. Even Guru Vishwanath glowed at the sight of her. As if Saraswati had become extremely graceful while she was being born, Saahiti and her knowledge is well known in city.

Her red and white half saree had a certain kind of simplicity that was typical to those who were known to be thinkers. The rudrakshamala rested as decoration around her neck. A gold ring on her pointing finger that he remembered his father gave her extremely pleased with her quick witted answers. Her feet had anklets.

If he trusted a woman with his personal matters, it was Saahiti. He hadn't met a woman with more clarity in her ideologies. She knew the boundaries of her tolerance, hospitality, humility, and everything that made a good companion for a conversation. Shakra often believed that if someone's devotion to motherland was on the same par as him and his soldiers, it was Saahiti. If the situation called for it, she would abandon her beloved Vedanta for the sake of her motherland and hold the sword.

With a respectfully namaskara, she sat down on the seat available. "I assume that the reason why I have been summoned here this late at night is for an important reason. Either your life is at risk or you plan to do something foolish."

"It has come to our knowledge that Vadina is making some plans to kill Bava." Basava explained. "I believe that Vadina is having second thought. Amartya thinks that she's just making a tactical retreat. You're a woman. What do you think?"

"The information you're providing is too short for me to make a logical conclusion. If Rajkumari Mayurakshi is being suspected to be plotting against Yuvraj, my thoughts, regardless of her gender, is to have her finished."

"Thank you for backing me." Amartya thanked her. Amartya gave a 'You see I am being very logical with my suggestion.' look

"You think he's actually going to agree to killing Rajkumari?" Karma asked.

"That on the other hand I agree that is a task I don't think is possible. So, I don't know why this conversation is taking place. Regardless of all our effort, he still he wouldn't find it in himself to be able to kill her. So, how about we just keep him away from her?" She suggested.

Shakra stood up, "Let's keep that on hold while I try to figure it out."

When Shakra walked away, Saahiti watched him go. "I think we need to step in."

"Saahiti, don't be silly. You're transgressing Bava's authority. If he is to find out that we're planning behind your back, he's going to go crazy. You won't be able to take it if he goes crazy on you." Basava warned her.

"I don't care. All that matters to me is that this Kingdom that I call home. I will not let it fall into enemy's hands. Yuvraj is the future King and if I have to get blood on my hands to keep it the same way, I will do so."

"You could be the Queen if Shakra dies, why do you want safeguard him?" Karma questioned

"Regardless of what you perceive about me and Rajkumar Abhijit, the fact is that we know Yuvraj is the most powerful man in the continent. We cannot find someone better than him to be next King."

"She's our Vadina, Saahiti." Basava tried to tell her.

"I'm with you in this. Shakra is surely not going to be able to take her down." Amartya agreed with Saahiti.

"Our best chance is to make it seem like an accident."

"I know people who can do this." Karma agreed.

Basava felt his heart fall. He had always hoped that Shakra finds his happiness in Mayurakshi. His heart said that Mayrurakshi was simply mistaken in her approach. He had felt like Shakra truly found his happy space with her. A space that was free of responsibilities and a space he could be Shakra instead of having to be Yuvraj Shakrajit everyday. He didn't want it to disappear. No one brought that silly smile to his face like she did. No one made him feel boyish like she did.

"Basava, if you don't want to be involved don't get in but don't go and destroy the plan. Don't emotionally attach yourself with Mayurakshi as Vadina. Shakra will find so many more Princesses. I've heard about Princess Valli and her interest." Amartya told him.

"Her interest is also for a reason. Not out of desire. But I feel that she does pique his interest." Karma added.

Basava simply went on towards Shakra. Maybe he should focus on helping Shakra instead of struggling about Mayurakshi.

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