[ CHAPTER XLI ]
In the lone corner of the room Mayurakshi sat with a gloomy expression while across her Ehanya sat looking at her. These past days she has been observing everything happening in the palace.
"Sister, you don't look good. What happened? What caused you look like this?" Ehanya asked even though she was aware of the situation.
Mayurakshi turned to glare at her, "are you trying to pour oil in the fire Ehanya? Don't behave like you don't know anything" gritting her teeth she almost hissed.
Ehanya gave a small smile, "sister you are getting angry on me for nothing. Whatever happening in the palace, where is my fault? You are using me to cast your anger on me. But I also understand your problem. You have gotten a new daughter-in-law who is also a pregnant. The people outside though won't utter a word on surface but who can stop their mouth in private?"
"What do you want to say?" Mayurakshi gritted her teeth in anger. She knew Amey was drown to that priest's daughter. She always thought it was just mere fling and the obsession would go away with time. But who could have thought that bitch would be so scheming and coveted the higher place even getting herself pregnant?
" Aren't you aware of it sister?" Ehanya's smiled continued on her face. " Now that your daughter-in-law got pregnant before marriage, such news is quite in debate for the citizens. While I was out of the palace yesterday there are some rumours going around"
"Have you heard that the former princess was now a divorcee? "
"But isn't she still living in the palace?"
"Yes, it was Emperor who assigned her as a caretaker"
"Caretaker of whom?"
"It wasn't stated clearly"
" The more interesting matter is the new princess is pregnant. It said she had a secret affair with the prince while the former princess was still in marriage time with the prince"
[Gasp] " you mean the prince was clearly cheating in their relationship? How could that be? Wasn't the rules of the royal strictly prohibited such affair?"
"I thought the same. But who could predict what's actually happening in the palace? We didn't see with own eyes and could only depend on the rumours and fleeting news from the palace"
"Ah! You said the new princess is already pregnant. Isn't she the daughter of Priest Arya, who used to held great devotion and respect in the court? How come his daughter is so shameless to have an affair with a married man and even got pregnant?"
" It's all about greed. Who wouldn't take the opportunity to latch on the higher branch? She did the same. There's also word saying she deliberately seduced the prince and got herself pregnant just to use the opportunity and get the princess position"
" I really pity the former princess, got divorced like this. Even her husband was a scum. How could man be a such a lier and go sleep with another woman?"
" That's why Emperor was so angry. After the divorce he forcefully had them marry. The cheating couple— it serves right"
" What right? Didn't that bitch got what she wanted? She got the position she was eyeing for. She should have been casted out of the palace and severely punished" when the whisper raised the other person shushed them.
" Shhh.....don't shout . If anyone heard it will be a trouble. Whatever the matter is it's a palace matter. You shouldn't interfere too much. "Let's not talk about it too much"
Mayurakshi's expression turned more dark. Before no commoners had such gut to question like this. But today they were freely criticizing then. And all of these were happening because of that bitch. Pregnant? Does she thinks giving birth in the royalty is really an easy task?
Ehanya read her expression and smiled quietly. "Sister what are you going to do now? The rumours around are spreading like fire, interlinking the matter and forming whatever coming in their minds. The recent incidents has clearly tarnished prince's reputation"
"You don't have to remind me" Mayurakshi snapped.
"I won't say much. But your former daughter-in-law was not a saint either. She could have just stayed silent and lived her life. Was that really hard to live in luxury with the royal title? But at the end, what she did? You were too soft on her. You didn't even noticed the unusual behaviour"
"What do you mean?" Mayurakshi frowned.
Ehanya leaned forward, "isn't sister herself who sent her to Emperor? Comparing to prince and the Emperor who do you think has the upper hand and hold more power in hand? Don't you think while serving the Emperor she has crossed the boundary of the relationship between daughter-in-law and uncle?"
Mayurakshi stared at her, "what nonsense?"
"You must think clearly yourself sister. If not, until you realise it will be late" that warning caused havoc in Mayurakshi's heart. Of course she wasn't blind not to notice Nandini's changed behaviour. She wasn't that obedient and timid anymore.
But since when she got so closed to the Emperor? And how come Emperor who always rejected women except his wife allowed it? Unconsciously Mayurakshi's expression changed as she clenched her fist tightly.
No something is not right. She missed something in there. But what? She couldn't figure it out at all.
Now looking at Ehanya's face she knew the girl knows something. "You are talking about me, what about you? Have you got any opportunity to complete your task or you are just leisurely walking around like you have all the time in this world?"
Ehanya stopped smiling at once. Of course these days the palace was quite messy and she couldn't even have any chance to get close to the Emperor. Besides it's not like she could seduce him so openly.
Seeing her expression Mayurakshi sneered inwardly. She couldn't even improve herself but came here to mock her. "You better finalise what you are doing. Even if the situation is not right, it does not mean you can walk around like nothing. Don't forget why you are here, if you really can't do it then what's the point of me bringing you here even enduring humiliation since the day you entered. Instead of poking your nose on others matter you better brace yourself and think how to get the Emperor fast. No one would be waiting for you"
Ehanya wanted to retort but she held back herself. Gritting her teeth she bide good bye and left. Mayurakshi even though was her cousin in relation but she don't like anyone questioning her or even mocking her like that.
Walking out of Mayurakshi's room Ehanya was annoyed. Really annoyed. How could she get near the Emperor when the opportunity was too slim— almost not having an ounce could be said. Before no matter who she wants she would get it, whether it's a person or things she likes. But this time her chances getting more thinner. Walking around with her maids she heard a low music was playing around. She tilted her head to see the source of the tune. A little far from the corridor there was a small resting place. She saw a figure sat in the in the middle playing sitar. Her maid was standing beside her clearly enjoying the music.
Jealousy bubbled in Ehanya's heart. How can that bitch got divorced and still looked so calm even being able to reside in the palace. Deciding to drop all her anger she moved towards the small gazebo but stopped in middle when she saw the music halted suddenly and Nandini covered her mouth. She looked like she was about to vomit. Her maid instantly held her to support.
"What's happening?" Ehanya frowned. From her view, Nandini looked weak and pale. She hold onto her maid leaning her body. She quickly hide behind the pillar and looked at the scene with interest. Then suddenly Nandini turned around and vomited. Her maid quickly helped her then they both left.
Ehanya kept looking at the gazebo. The sitar was still lying on the table. She thought for a while before concluding the matter. Is she......
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
"Pregnant?"
Somakshya looked at her son totally astound. She couldn't believe herself if she heard right or wrong. Just few days ago she discovered their secret affair and now her son came to tell her that he is going to be a father?
"Manik what are you talking about? Pregnant? Nandini is pregnant?"
"Mother you heard me" he nodded.
"Wasn't having this secret affair enough that you made her pregnant? " Somakshya couldn't help but get angry, "do you think it's a good news to give? Do you even have any idea how complected the situation is? She just got divorce and you are saying she is now pregnant? I have always thought you are smart now this is how your are proving it?"
Manik pursed his lips. What can he say now? Of course when he is with her he couldn't control himself at all. And it resulted his wife bring pregnant now. But does he has any regret? Absolutely not.
"Mother, I am not here to prove anything. I wanted to tell you the news. I thought it would be more convenient if you know this news" he got up, "I should leave now. Please rest well" then he started to leave but suddenly stopped before adding few more words again, "if you can calm your anger a little then help her a bit. She really needed a support" then he left the room.
Somakshya sat there in daze. What just happened now? Nandini is pregnant with his child.
Biuja saw the expression on her face, "your highness, what are you going to do now?"
"What's there to do for me? They had an affair and now having a child soon. Tell me is there any hand of mine?" Somakshya couldn't help but felt annoyed.
Biuja sighed, "but princess is alone and she is pregnant. She is still young to withstand her condition. At this moment she really needed extreme care"
" What it got to do with me?" Somakshya refused to give in.
Biuja smiled, " your highness, it's the heir. Emperor's first child" a child you longed to hold. She wanted to add but didn't.
Somakshya's heart gave a skip. She really wanted Manik's child. She was dreaming for this grandchild. But now the current situation was really hard.
"Your highness?" Biuja called out.
"Fine, it's a matter of child afterall. Even if I don't like its mother, the child is important" Somakshya said and Biuja smiled. Of course she knows how important the mother and child is. Her mistress could deny it for now but ..... For how long?
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