Cittaja || Indian Historical Romance

53.

Madalasa Aranivasu, the only daughter of Amarkant Aranivasu, was a woman of beauty. She reminded everyone of the stories of Sri Valli, the beloved of Skanda. Aranichara was a tribe in the forests of Malaisagara. Their leader was Amarkant Aranivasu. A warrior tribe that was known for bravery and courage. They were the protectors of the Malaisagara forests. The forests had a beautiful temple of Skanda.

King Gokula was visiting Malaisagara Skanda and saw Madalasa. It was an instant reaction to the beauty that Madalasa was. Gokula didn't know anything else, as Kama's arrows possessed him. He sent Amarkant a proposal to marry his daughter. At first, Amarkant wasn't accepting of it. Gokula threatened to conquer and destroy all of Malaisagara if he didn't agree. Amarkant finally agreed to marry Madalasa to Gokula, but he always knew it would end in a horrible state. Krishneri's Queen had a specific reputation for being vicious and venomous. Amarkant didn't know how far Gokula could stand against that danger.

At last, his doubts turned out to be true. His daughter, Madalasa, returned to Malaisagara soon with the young daughter. The tribe accepted her warmly and cursed Gokula in their hearts. All through the years, they hated everyone who came from Krishneri in their forests. Malaisagara strictly restricted any trade or communication from anyone from Krishneri.

Shatrujit had sent an envoy to Malaisagara about his son and the princess being married. That surprised Amarkant at first. He did hear stories of Shakrajit and his unusual interest in Mayurakshi, but he assumed all of them to be just baseless stories people were creating. Until it finally came to light when the news came to him.

The Kalika Empire stood to welcome the princess of the tribe. Amritakumari stood first among all the women. Madalasa exited the palanquin and gave a warm smile to the Queen of the Kalika Empire. "Namaskaram, Mahadevi."

Amritakumari applied the tilaka to her forehead as a mark of respect. "Namaskaram, Rani Madalasa. I am glad to be welcoming you here."

"You are warm with your welcome, Mahadevi. I am thankful for it." Mayurakshi's beauty was slightly received by Madalasa. Amritakumari could now see Madalasa within Mayurakshi's features.

"You are our extended family, Rani Madalasa. Your daughter is our daughter-in-law." The two women smiled at each other. After Amritkumari, Anvesha and all the other queens greeted Madalasa respectfully. The two princesses stood with their mothers.

"I wish you had come a little earlier, Rani Madalasa. You would have been able to meet Annaiyya, your son-in-law. He would have been extremely pleased to meet you." Aparajita greeted her with a warm smile.

Mayurakshi was thankful to the royal family for welcoming her mother warmly, regardless of the bitterness Mayurakshi shared with them. She almost thought they would take out the bitterness over her mother too. Especially Aparajita. She particularly had a hard relationship with the princess.

"I am sure that he will return soon, Rani Madalasa. If you stay for a while, I am sure you will meet him when he returns." Shatrujit said as he stood next to Mayurakshi. She turned to him and smiled.

"You didn't tell me Amma was visiting." She asked in a whisper.

"Surprise!" Shatrujit chuckled at her reaction.

"I would have prepared myself for it if I had known."

"She is your mother; what's there to prepare yourself for? I sent your grandfather a letter about your wedding, explaining the details. So, your mother sent a request, hoping to visit you. I replied that we'd be happy to welcome her."

"Honestly, I don't know how to face her. The last time I met her, she wasn't particularly nice. I was younger and angrier."

"We're all rash and difficult when we're children. Adulthood doesn't settle within us quickly. It takes a while. That's why parents are naturally forgiving towards their children. There is no 'I have no idea how to face her'. It is just 'I am with my mother'. So, don't worry much."