2 Blossoming in the meadows

Years passed by, the autumns leaves came and shredded its beautiful leaves, making the princess, more beautiful and rare, the winters were solace, to make her skin more pure than white, and the summer gave her the pleasant warmth of the summer heat, which makes her strong and radiant, and the energetic vernal equinox makes her joyful soul. Like this sixteen years passed by, the king and queen had protected their little daughter from the outside world. They didn't, let Megha, drop tears, they had made all her wishes fulfill to make her happy. Also, she was engaged to the son of the kingdom's official advisor's son, Knight, Arjun,

Princess Megha was admiring the meadows from her balcony while her best maid cum friend was doing her hair. Shaanti asked the princess:- " princess is looking for the knight? well, he went to nearby people, will take some time to come back.

I smiled and look back-" how do u know that shaanti?

Shaanti replied in a very prominent expression-" princess, I happened to be the head of the maids, nothing stays hidden from my ears!

I replied in a very joyful manner-" hmm.. this is why u are my favorite one. But when will he be back do you have any information?

Shaanti replied -" princess, as of I heard he will be back late. she looked a little worried. I quickly noticed and asked her back- " what happened? why do you seem that you want to tell me something and you cannot?

Shaanti looked down and replied-" please forgive me, princess, I don't want to make you worried, but I am not just only your maid, but your friend, I don't want you to see heartbroken!

" Heartbroken? tell me clearly shaanti !, you know I like straightforward answers and truth." I exclaimed.

Shaanti replied very calmly -" It's just that, Do you really love Arjun sir?

I looked to the windows and said-" Well do be honest I don't know what is love, Father and Mother had told me from childhood, he will be my husband one day, and mom told me he will always keep me safe and happy. Seeing my parents smile makes me really happy shaanti, I guess this is what is called love. And as per Arjun, He always makes sure I stay happy, And I think Love takes slow and steady to be, hence, we have our whole life to love each other. But no one ever asked me what I really want ever. Well, let it go. But why do u ask this suddenly shaanti? Tell me what's going on.

Shaanti came front and hold princess's hand:- Princess, I really hope You find your love one days, and as per your parents, they love you unconditionally, and as Arjun sir, I don't want you to worried, But I got to hear, that in the northern part of the kingdom, the Hailo village, there is a girl who is...

Before she could finish her sentence, the queen came in.

Queen:-" My dear daughter, why aren't you ready yet? Arjun will be here by evening I heard of you better be ready by then. My daughter listens to me, men do not like to wait okay? It's we, who need to adjust to their time,

I simply acknowledged my mother and she exited. Shaanti left too, I was standing on my Window, and my thoughts,

Since childhood, I have been taught to stand straight, talk politely, dressing etiquette like a royal family, How to become a future Queen, a better wife, a demure, and a fragile woman. I was taught to adjust, never to be spoken, a good lady doesn't do that. I never got love from a father, instead, I was taught by a king. Mother says I am a mature lady, with lots of responsibilities to serve the future. But somewhere inside me, there is still that little girl, wondering how does it feel to fly, how does the world look outside this castle, This kingdom, she wants to explore, to lead, to fall in love. But she wasn't allowed to. Well to this boundary, they cannot hold one thing, I actually secretly use to go outside this castle sometimes. Just around the southern border of our kingdom, besides the valley, there is a small abandoned temple of Lord Shiva, beside the huge tree. I come here sometimes when I feel sad or torment by being in that big castle listening always what to do, how to do. and where to do. Shaanti and Arjun only know that I come and visit here. Besides shaanti, Arjun is my childhood friend. he saved me many times from my father earlier. But what he thinks of me, is I am his little queen, weak and sometimes need to pamper that's all. But yes we had a bond.

Here, in the temple, I forget all my responsibilities, all my sorrow, and can be myself. I worship Lord Shiva so that someday he might listen to me, and help me to get from my sorrow. I just sit around the tree and admired the beauty of nature.

Today, I escaped again to the temple, and while returning, it was almost evening and I saw from the far it was Arjun. About Arjun, He was a wise man. The knight and the leader of the soldier of Rajnagri. My father's favorite like son, Successor to the throne as a King, and my would-be husband.

Arjun approached me and said-" Greetings princess, now where are you coming from?

I smiled and greets him-" Good evening Arjun, I was returning to the castle from the temple.

Arjun Take my hand and took me on the horse while riding he asked again in a sarcastic tone-" Now what made you escape the castle again princess? Don't you know it's not safe to be here, and especially for being my Queen, it won't suit you now?

I looked at him in a bit confused and asked-" But you never stopped me before coming here. You know this is a place I feel little myself from the closed doors of the castle.

he did not give any expression and replied -" It was before when I was crowned as the future King and You being announced as my future wife. Grow up, Princess. You will have responsibilities to carry on as my wife. And If you want to come here, I will make arrangements from now, You will be accompanied by the soldiers and maids.

I did not answer anything and stayed mum. He Looked and noticed me being a little grumpy. So he asked one again in his usual cold voice-" Now is that the angry face I see of my future queen? What happened?

I think twice, before speaking out,-" We are friends before being husband and wife right?

He replied in a puzzled tone-" Of course

I looked away and asked him-" is that mean I can ask you a question and you would reply to me honestly?

he wore a proud smile and replied-" Do u doubt princess?

I said-" No it's just that, I have been hearing few rumors' about you, that worried me a little bit, that there may be some other girl at the Hailo village, in the northern part of the kingdom, where you visit often.

Arjun stopped the horse, and looked at me in a bit harsh way-" Are you doubting me? Do You dare doubt your future king?

I replied softly-" No, I don't want to, but there was rumor's all around

He harshly replied to me-" And that is a rumor princess, do not be fooled by it. You are the future queen of this kingdom, and soon to be my wife. rather than listening to these stupid rumors, your part of the job is to maintain the Harem and take care of me and think about our future generation. Your father wouldn't be much happy to know that his daughter is escaping the castle, bothered about the mere rumors, and questioning the future King.

I understood, I was stopped again being speaking of my mind. Tears rolled in the corner of my eyes and I tried holding it off so Arjun couldn't see that. I was not sad that he talked harshly, I was actually sad that my childhood friend has somewhere disappeared into the future king. And I acknowledged him-" I Understood, and I will follow it further.

He rode the horse without saying a word. And we stopped near the palace.

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