The Grand Durbar resounded with silence.
Every soul waited in anticipation of both the royalties, King Dharma Raj and the king of Vijaysthal's first interaction of the day.
King Dharma Raj was visibly in doubt, for his guest's solo entrance had ruined his welcome speech for him and his family.
But his contemporary, on the other hand, was indifferent to all the reactions he had received up till then, and stood tall with his pride.
"Seems like I am not the only one who wants to get over with this ceremony.", Deepshikha whispered to Asha.
"Ssh, you two", Queen Jyoti scolded them.
At last, having found his words, King Dharmaraj went and embraced his guest warmly, who did the same in a friendly gesture.
"Welcome Virdutta, my old and dear friend. We are glad to have you with us today. Please, take your seat. ", King Dharmaraj wholeheartedly welcomed his friend, King Virdutta, and personally led him to his seat.
King Virdutta accepted his gesture with a smile, but, as he took his seat among the other guests of the day, he fumed, his honour seemingly wounded.
"First of all, I thank all of our guests for accepting our invitation", King Dharmaraj said, "without you, this beloved festival of ours wouldn't have been so unique and special. As you all know, the Annual Spring Festival is celebrated in the hope of a new and beautiful beginning for us all. Let this year be witness to a glorious history, created by the fellowship and fraternity, that we shall forge today. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous future! "
The first day of the festival was over as soon as it had begun.
Although the standard royal mode of conduct demanded a dignified and regal appearance at all times, all the guests were indeed tired from having travelled a long way to the Kingdom of Dharmaskhetra. From the young prince of Devahi, to the tough, old man from Deewarnagri, everyone looked drowsy, with their heads nodding off again and again. Therefore, it was indeed a much-appreciated thought of Princess Deepshikha, that the events of the day were kept as concise as possible, with only a few performances for the guests.
"My 'thought'? ", Deepshikha asked Asha, as they left the Grand Durbar, leaving her parents to cater to the guests.
"Yes, your 'thought'. You definitely won't remember, but when your parents were discussing with you how the proceedings of the day should be, you gave them a half-baked suggestion of keeping the events short and concise, if they are having so much trouble fitting them into the schedule in the first place, while waving a cauliflower stalk. Aren't you glad you finally contributed to something?"
"I would be if…"
"COMING THROUGH!"
Blam! Thump! "Ouch!" "Ow!"
The next thing I know, I was sliding on the floor while the Princess wrestled to get untangled from her attacker, while Asha tried her best to hold her back up.
"What do you think you are doing?", Asha charged the girl who was responsible for this mess.
"I am just making my way. You shouldn't have come in my way.", she replied rudely, and ran off.
As she ran away, knocking some of the flower vases off the table, I couldn't help thinking who this strange girl was, who, although dressed as a princess, had behaved unlike one.
"Who was that girl?", asked Deepshikha, echoing my thoughts.
"Must be another weird princess like you? ", Asha replied.
"Yeah, maybe – wait, what did you say? I am weird?"
And thus, the game of cat and mouse began.
That night, a feast was held in honour of all the guests of Dharmaskhetra.
The royal family themselves supervised the manservants and maids, as they served and catered to the guests. That is, the entire family minus Deepshikha, who stood in a corner with Asha, smiling facetiously at anyone who happened to glance or greet her.
"You must interact with the guests and make small talk. That's how a princess must behave at a feast like this. Also, you must try to make new friends. You can't hang on to just me alone", Asha advised Deepshikha.
"Nah, I'm fine", Deepshikha waved it off, "I don't know anything about them anyway. What will I say to them?"
"How about you demand an apology from her?", Asha pointed towards a corner.
Sitting at the tables there, was King Virdutta.
By his side, twisting off a piece of roti, was the same rude princess from before.
"Guess what? She's a princess after all", Asha said.
"Wasn't that obvious? ", Deepshikha replied monotonously.
But her eyes had a slight twinkle in them.
Then, with a sigh, she walked across to the royal family of Vijaysthal.
"Namaste, King Virdutta", she bowed, "I am Princess Deepshikha of Dharmaskhetra. Since my father has cordial relations with you, therefore I felt that as her daughter I must introduce myself to you."
King Virdutta smiled and said, "We are also pleased to see you, Princess Deepshikha. Your father and I indeed have a long and firm friendship. I am glad to see that my friend has raised a very fine daughter. Ah, yes. This is my daughter, Princess Chandrika."
"Yes, I know. We have met before", Deepshikha said.
"You have? ", King Virdutta looked at her daughter, who gave one to Deepshikha that could have killed her if it could.
"Y-yes, we did meet today, but it was only brief.", she replied to her father.
"Then, in that case, why don't you two spend some time together and… get to know each other?", King Virdutta suggested.
But for her daughter, it was for of a command, for she promptly bowed, and, taking hold of Deepshikha's hand, led her out into the corridor.
"What is up with you?"
Chandrika closed the door to the nearby room she had led Deepshikha to.
"Hey, wh- what are you doing?", asked Deepshikha.
"What I am doing?", asked Chandrika, balling up her fists, "I am going to batter your face into chutney!"
"Wait! Wait, I am not a fighter!", Deepshikha protested, stepping backward.
"Well, I am. As a princess of Vijaysthal, learning to fight is just as important as it is to sew", said Chandrika, starting to chase Deepshikha around the room.
"Huff…. huff. What did I ever do to you?", asked Deepshikha, doing her best to escape her assailant.
"Do? Oh, nothing much, except bringing up the corridor episode in front of Baba."
"Me? I didn't say anything about that. I just said I had met you before. You were the one to mention it."
"Yes, but it was you who made me mention it! As if I wasn't in enough trouble with Baba already, that you had to add ghee to the fire. Just wait till I get your hands on you!"
"Wait! I give up! I surrender!", Deepshikha put her hands up, "I am sorry, but I don't exactly know why I should be…but I am sorry! If you wish, I'll go and speak in your defence with your father."
"No! Just… just forget it", said Chandrika, putting her head down, her face troubled, "It would just mess things up more. Let's…Let's just say you asked for forgiveness, and… and I said that I'll think about it. Just…just leave it now."
Deepshikha looked at Chandrika and stepped forward.
"You- you are okay?", she asked, raising her hand.
"No. stay away from me. I don't need anyone. I am just fine by myself. Just fine."
She hugged herself and turned her back to Deepshikha, whose hand finally found her shoulder.
"It's all right. You don't need to tell me anything. But don't be cooped up with your feelings so much. Um – how about you come to my room?"
"Huh. And why should I?"
"You have anything better to do?"
Chandrika's face conflicted over multiple thoughts. Then, finally, she sighed and said, "All right. Lead the way, busybody."