Jasmine Kingdom

Last Full Moon Day that Year.

Chilling winds gushed in and started blowing the curtains of the Queen's room as if a child was playing with them, as if to witness a very important event in history. The moonlight penetrating through the large windows filled the room with a light of hundred candles. The peaceful clear blue sky invites the looks of unasleep people to dive deep into itself and wander the crowded streets of stars.

Yes, people of the kingdom couldn't actually sleep and have been waiting for the news. The priests, astrologers and fortune tellers are counting numbers looking at the constellations. The atmosphere outside the palace is so tense and calm that it is waiting even holding its own breath.

In the queen's chamber which is located on the shore and just above the river, all the servants are rushing, taking the doctor's orders. Everybody in the kingdom is tense not because of any war happening outside of the fort but about the birth of the prince for their kingdom, their future king and their hope.

Aaradhya, the Queen of Jasmine is having contractions from the last few hours. She is pregnant with twins. Every person in the kingdom is hoping for at least one prince to save their kingdom from enemies.

"Ah..." a ear piercing cry was heard in the queen's chamber and all of the servants held their breath. Again another heart breaking sound is heard from the queen and she gave birth to a child. Everyone is eagerly waiting for the announcement made by the doctor, Yashoda, that it's their prince. But their face fell after her announcement.

"It is a princess. Congratulations Queen!" Yashoda congratulated the queen, her friend.

"Ah...Ah...."

In a few minutes, the queen began to tremble again from the pain. She held her breath and tried her best to push the baby from her womb. Tears are rolling from her eyes continuously and she is experiencing the worst pain in her life but none of it matters to her now. It's her child's birth that matters.

Finally a baby cry is heard which didn't stop the people praying to God to bless them with a prince. After a long silence, Yashoda announced to everyone the gender of the baby.

"Congratulations Aari. It's another beautiful princess", Yashoda said with tenderness in her eyes.

Yashoda is a best friend to the queen and a well recognised doctor in the kingdom. She gained much fame because of Aaradhya's constant support to her and not letting her give up on her dreams. Also after Aardhaya got married to King Shivraj Rathod and became the queen, she brought many changes in the kingdom especially for girls' better welfare.

Suddenly someone barged into the room. Everyone looked at the door where the queen's most trusted servant couple, Raji and Raghu stood.

"Apologies for the inconvenience queen. There is a news for you", Raji informed the queen with a deep bow.

"Raji and Raghu, come forward and have a look at my little Princesses" Aaradhya said with a tenderness in her eyes. Both the servants are happy for their queen. When they were going through a lot of struggles, Aaradhya took them in and gave them life, so they devoted their lives to her. Her happiness is their delight and her sadness is their pain.

"Congratulations Queen!" Both said in unison.

"What is the news you want to share about Raji?" the queen asked. Before she responded, someone entered the room and took the baby from the hands of Yashoda. Everything happened so quickly and before they could respond, that person rushed to the balcony.

Aaradhya got shocked and it took a moment to comprehend what just happened. After recovering, she calmly looked at the person and asked, "What is the meaning of this Vidhya?"

Vidhya was one of the King Shivraj's cousins, who didn't like Aaradhya and got punished by the King for once putting the queen in danger. She hates Aaradhya, accusing her that she lost her chance to become a wife to Shivraj and queen to this kingdom. Because of her foul schemes she lost her son and he is in jail for his wrong deeds. To avenge her son today she decided to give the queen the same pain she felt when her son was taken away from her.

"Huh.. What else would this mean? other than making you cry and beg in front of me..?" Vidhya sneered.

"What do you want?? Give me my child back, you wicked women!", Aaradhya said coldly.

"Ooh.. Arrogant..! That won't help you dear. But you, begging me, might make me spare this poor child of yours" Vidhya said.

"What made you think that I will beg in front of you? Who is the worthless and shameless woman here? Because of your sins alone your son is rotting in prison. Have some shame on yourself", Aaradhya said coldly without any sugar coating her words. At the same time she indicated Raghu with her eyes to take action.

"You think that your words will distract me and give your damn servant a chance to take me down?" Vidhya laughed with an evil grin.

Aaradhya's heart sank and her emotions were not in control. She is a mother now, she doesn't want to take any risk which may make her daughter suffer. So she decided to surrender herself for the sake of her daughter. In this world, there's nothing a mother cannot do to protect her children.

"Ok. Just don't harm my baby, I will do whatever you say.. You just want me to beg you, right? Here, I'll kneel down in front of you. Please give back my daughter", Aaradhya pleaded.

"Hahaha!.. Good.. Very good..! Where has that arrogant and proud queen gone now?" Vidhya asked.

"I am Mother now!" Aaradhya said with tears in her eyes.

Everyone in the room was moved with her words. Yashoda knows her best friend very well. She knows that behind Aaradhya's proud heart, there is a kind heart which beats for everyone's well being. So she couldn't take it anymore and looked at Vidhya coldly and raised her voice.

"Do you know the consequences of your act Vidhya?" Yashoda asked, being unable to handle her friend's state.

"Hah.. You insignificant thing! Do you really dare to open your mouth in front of me? Who even gave you the right to speak in front of the royal family?" Vidhya asked coldly.

Before Yashoda replied Vidhya looked at Aaradhya and said, "Ah! Don't waste my time and do what I said. Kneel. Now!!"

Before Aaradhya's knee touched the floor, an arrow hit Vidhya's head making her throw the baby backwards.

"NO.....!!" Aaradhya shouted and fainted.