The Empress is smiling?-(1)

Devi Radha's P.O.V,

~Flashback~

"My dear, the Empress requires your assistance."

That's what my esteemed husband conveyed before departing for his usual duties.

His words were tinged with a hidden sorrow. Despite his imposing stature and the forced smile upon his face, he appeared drained and weary.

For the past fortnight, he had been deeply affected by the Emperor's condition. While he mourned the unexpected demise of the esteemed Maharathi Pandu, so did others.

Yet, his sorrow stemmed primarily from the anguish of his friend and the ruler of the Kuru Kingdom, Emperor Dhritarashtra.

"May the blessings of Suryadev be upon the royal family..."

Aware of the sudden somber atmosphere enveloping the royal palace, I hesitated to visit the elegant Empress. The thought of witnessing her melancholic state was the last thing I wanted to confront, especially when I anticipated the return of my beloved children.

Yet, I could disregard an Empress's decree, but not that of my dear friend. In the past days, I had mustered my courage to meet her, to share her worries, offer motivation, and aid in alleviating her agony, much like the other elders were doing in the royal castle.

However, I found myself hesitating once again. It was only the decree that provided me with a compelling reason to finally face her.

With determination, I left our home with Arya by my side and made my way towards the royal castle of Hastinapur, despite the dense fog obscuring our vision.

It was an unusual time for a meeting, being Usha Pahar, yet Sister Gandhari had decreed it.

Arriving at the castle, I beheld the sight I had hoped to avoid.

In the dimly lit chamber of the palace, she sat upon her bed, her posture weighed down by unseen burdens, her regal countenance shrouded in sorrow. Beside her stood her faithful attendant, Sister Sughada, a silent presence amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling around them.

The room was cloaked in a heavy silence, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the occasional sigh escaping the Empress's lips.

Her eyes, usually ablaze with authority and determination, now betrayed profound sadness, their depths reflecting the myriad sorrows burdening her soul.

Even Sister Sughada stood beside her, her expression blank, her tightly clenched fists betraying the emotions she dared not show.

At that moment, the Empress's gaze met mine...

Though She had a blindfold, I seem to see throw the black cloth!

I envisioned the dark pupils laying behind the veil of blindfold...

I saw a whirlwind of emotions, her vision steady yet filled with countless events, both joyous and woeful...

As they say, eyes are the mirrors of the soul...

It was undeniably true, considering the state of my friend...

Her mere glance silenced me. My words remained trapped within me, unable to be expressed in the midst of such circumstances.

All I sensed at that moment was that she didn't need sympathy or someone to share her feelings...

Instead, she needed true peace and tranquility to kindle the faint spark of life within her.

"Radha... Today marks the return of Mahamahim Bhishma with the young Pandavas. His Highness has decreed a sumptuous feast in their honor. Managing such affairs is beyond my capacity, as I must attend to Maha-Mata Ganga. Radha, I implore your assistance. Will you lend me your aid?"

"Your Majesty, I will gladly help. However, may I return after the start of Madhyanha Pahar?"

"Hmm? Of course. We shall finish before then."

Truthfully, I wanted to refuse initially. I didn't wish to neglect my own children while busying myself here at the palace, preparing food for other children who would have many servants attending to their needs. After all, my children only had me.

Though the young princes were of celestial birth, it was not something to fawn over. To me, all children were precious blessings from the Supreme One.

Yet, confronted with the distressing state of my friend, I agreed to her request and headed straight to the kitchen, offering a prayer to Lord Ganesh before instructing my fellow servants.

...

~Present time~

"Attention!"

"Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress of Kuruvansha, is making her entrance into the dining room!"

Following the announcement, a lady draped in a deep blue saree glided into the room, escorted by another woman adorned in a deep red saree with golden borders—a uniform exclusive to the chief maid.

The deep blue of her attire echoed the solemnity of her presence, contrasting with the vibrant hues of the room. With each graceful step, she exuded an aura of elegance and authority, her demeanor commanding respect and admiration.

Beside her, the chief maid moved with practiced precision, her rich red saree symbolizing her role as a trusted confidante and caretaker. Her steady gaze and unwavering stance bespoke years of dedicated service to her mistress, a testament to their unbreakable bond.

Together, they formed a striking duo, a testament to the harmony and synergy between mistress and maid, as they embarked on their journey down the golden brown carpet, the color symbolizing the royal dignity and authority they represented.

Indeed, the scene was not an anomaly during normal times, yet the unexpected shift in mood brought an equal measure of joy for her apparent recovery from grief and confusion at the abrupt change.

As I observed her graceful entrance, a sense of relief washed over me, mingling with the joy of witnessing her emerge from the depths of sorrow. The sight of her adorned in her deep blue saree, escorted by the chief maid in her vibrant red attire, stirred a sense of hope within me—a hope that perhaps the darkness that had shrouded her spirit was beginning to dissipate.

However, alongside the joy of her apparent recovery, a veil of confusion descended upon my thoughts. Just hours prior, I had sensed the weight of her sorrow, witnessed the anguish etched upon her features. The sudden change in her demeanor left me questioning the nature of her transformation—was it merely a façade, masking the turmoil within, or had she truly found solace amidst the storm?

As I grappled with these conflicting emotions, I couldn't help but marvel at the enigmatic nature of human resilience—the ability to emerge from the depths of despair with renewed strength and purpose. And so, as she glided down the crimson carpet, a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty, I found myself filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the mysterious workings of the human heart.