Chapter 4. Understanding the new world.

December 15, 2021. Goa, Maharashtra, India.

SAMRAT'S POV

"My son, eat something," Mrs. Simran said.

I shook my head. I was still wearing my Sherwani, a button-down knee-length jacket, still waiting for my bride.

I asked her, "Mother-in-law, where could she go?"

She sat beside me and held my cheek as if I was a five-year-old boy. She said, "My son, I know you are worried about her. But Priya is my brave daughter. She will surely come back to us. Don't worry," she said. She was saying that only to calm me. I know she was also worried about her daughter.

"Mom, you are so worried about Priya, right?"I said. She nodded and tears fell out of her eyes.

"She is my only daughter, Samrat. What if something happens to her," she vented out her frustration. I held her hand and spoke, "do you know what, mom, your daughter is the strongest woman I have ever known. I promise you that I will make sure she gets back home safely," I assured her. I was thinking of places where she could go.

"Mother-in-law, where was the last place you saw Pragya," I asked her.

Maybe there, she could have left some clues.

"She was so eager to see you. She was a little bit anxious so I sent her to her room," she said. But both of us heard a sound, "No, Mrs. Simran," said Malini. She is my mother-in-law's house helper.

"No, I mean after that I saw her going to your library," Malini explained.

"To my library?" my mother-in-law exclaimed. She has a point. Reading the last option of Pragya. She either sees Si-fic movies or goes out for a walk if she gets bored. Reading a book is something she doesn't choose in this situation. But she is brilliant. She knows everything. She has a brief and good knowledge of many things other than her studies. Maybe it is because she is an author's daughter.

Pragya has studied management. We met for the first time when she came to my office to apply for a job. I liked her the moment I saw her. And when I interviewed her, I understand that the Almighty has sent her just for me. She was hired as my secretary and we had to meet with this beautiful princess.

I and Mrs. Simran went to her library. We searched for a clue that might lead us to Pragya but it all went in vain. I saw an ancient book on the table.

"Mother-in-law, what is that book?" I asked Mrs. Simran.

Mother-in-law Simran got shocked. "WHAT!"

PRAGYA'S POV

He just blackmailed me. I was thinking, that even if the empirical doctor finds anything to get me back to my world, he can't do anything unless the king says. And the possibility of getting me back to my present is near zero.

My room's door opened and a maid got inside. She bowed down.

"My lady, His Majesty has sent you this," she gave me a cloth. It was so heavy, cotton cloth.

Should I wear this for my wedding?

"His Majesty wants you to wear this, my lady," the maid said, still bowed.

"You may raise," I said. She got raised holding the cloth. I took the cloth and asked, "What is your name?"

"Li Mei," she answered.

"Don't be afraid, I am just a human being like you," I made her feel comfortable with me. "You don't have to feel fear or shy to communicate with me. You are free to say whatever you like," I smiled and I saw a beautiful smile on her face.

"I want you to be honest with me," I said. She nodded. When I was sure that I got her attention I continued.

"How many wives does the king has?" I started my interview.

"Three," she answered.

"Look, Li Mei, I don't know much about this palace or your king. Tell me more about him,"

"His Majesty is a good person," she said. I couldn't help laughing. I knew that she was saying this because of fear.

"Ok, when did the king start ruling this state?" I asked.

"It is 3 years since His Majesty started ruling this state. He is also ruling the other six neighboring states," she said.

"One last question, Li Mei, whom should I ask to make you my assistant,"

"Sorry, my lady, I don't know about 'assistant',"

Oh, my bad, I forget that I am from a completely different world. I have never imagined that I must know the synonym of an assistant. I have never dreamed that a day like this would come.

"I mean helper," I corrected.

"His Majesty is the one who has full right to us. My Lady is His Majesty's favorite. I am sure he will agree,"

"Li Mei, can you make it meaningful? Who is your lady? Is she another concubine?" I was so confused about this place.

"I was referring to you, My Lady," I raised my eyebrows in amusement.

"Stop confusing me, Li Mei. Stop calling me by those names. Just call me Pragya. I know you are doing this out of respect. If you want to show me your respect, then don't break my trust," I said holding her shoulder. She nodded.

"So I must ask your king to make you my friend," I chuckled. I saw the confusion on her face. "I mean my helper,"

I suddenly remembered that I needed help with wearing that cloth.

"Li Mei, could you mind helping me with wearing these cloth? I have no idea how to dress in these heavy cloth," I said.

"Sure, My Lady, I mean, Pragya. My Lady, please allow me to call you the way I used to. It is like humiliating you when I call you by your name," she said politely. Though I didn't want her to call me like that, I couldn't refuse her. I nodded.

We went to the depressing table in my room. "So tell me, Li Mei, what is the name of the wedding dress," I asked.

"This is not a wedding dress, my lady. It is a casual dress of a concubine in this palace. It is called Diyi. But this one is sent by His Majesty, especially for you," she explained.

Why is this king doing things, especially for me?

After dressing up the dress, I faced myself in the mirror. The dress was not that much heavy when I wore it.

Oh, God! What do I look like? My hair, my makeup, my jewelry. No, it is not me. I am sure the woman I am seeing in the mirror is not Pragya Singh Rathore.

It was a red dress with a golden flower design on it. A big red flower clipped on my head. I can't explain my makeup. The makeup is different from what I used to use before. Something was still there when my entire look got changed. My necklace. That necklace was given by Samrat. He gave me this necklace as a gift for our fifth anniversary.

"You are my princess.

You are my life, pragya.

You are my breath that I can't live without,

You are my heart, I will die the moment you left me.

You are my world, I will live in joy in your presence.

I will be your charming prince forever.

I will share everything with you. Your joy and your tears.

I LOVE YOU, PRINCESS!!!"

He said these beautiful words when he gave me this necklace. Mom, Dad, his Mother, his father, Abhi, everyone was there.

"I miss you, Samrat. Where are you," I burst into tears. I heard the announcer, "The king has arrived," I rolled my eyes in boredom.

"Oh, Lady Pragya, you look attractive in the Diyi," that cruel king said.

"Why? Why me? You have everything and everyone. Why are you doing this to me?" I cried.

"You are the one who entered my palace, ain't you?" he smirked. "All of you, out," he said a bit loudly. The moment he gave an order, every living body in my room ran away. Just me and him.

"Pragya, I am the king of Qin,"

"Where is it even located?" I scoffed.

He held my waist and squeezed me to himself. I pushed his chest but I couldn't rid of him. He was very strong.

"Look, Lady Pragya, don't try to mess up with me. You will surely regret it," he released me.

"What do you want from me? I am just an ordinary girl from another era. And as I can see, you are a king who is feared and respected by your people, having three concubines already. Why do you want me, Your honor," I asked.

"Because I will surely get it if I want it. I want you to be my concubine, you are going to be my concubine in no time," he said. I smiled ironically.

"Look, your honor, you might force me to this marriage. But I will tell you, you will never win my heart. I promise you that,"

"Don't worry, Lady Pragya, I will be ok if you are with me. And..." he suddenly stopped and neared me. To my ears, "I like the way you call me, My Lady," he breathed his hot breath and made me nervous.

What the hell is he doing? How can a king of the medieval period be so romantic?