Future?

Mallika sensed someone behind her, she turned around and saw Prince Deepak standing there. He was handsome, charming and aristocratic. He had attentive eyes, sharp nose and curly black hair that reached his neck. He was tall, well built and looked like a warrior. They both would look very good together.

She said, ' Prince Deepak, I apologise for my words.. I know that I was rude.. I was furious with my Grandfather and my father. They only mentioned that they were thinking of an alliance but they didn't tell me you were coming..' he said, ' Princess, I can understand, I grew up with three sisters... I know the pressures of marriage on a girl..but I wish to clear one thing.. I can't abandon my home and come to live here.. I can understand that you are an only child and you would be the future Empress, but I can't give up on my family to be a supportive figure to you..' she looked at him and said, ' Prince Deepak, your father has abandoned you already when he didn't consider you, his eldest son! to ascend the throne.!!.' he looked at her with anger in his eyes and opened his mouth to retort, he heard something behind him and turned around..he shut his mouth...he was surprised but soon there was a smile on his face.. Samyukta and Pinaka were standing behind him..

Prince Deepak looked at them and said, ' when did you? how did you come?so soon?' Samyukta said, ' we started right after you left..we had to be there for coronation.. everyone is here.. mother, father, Surya,' Pinaka said,' yes, everyone is here..my parents are here too..' he walked over to Princess Mallika and said,'Princess Mallika.. it's a pleasure to meet you in person, I am your aunt's son, Pinaka .. and she is my wife Samyukta..' Mallika was stunned, she didn't expect this meeting to be interrupted..she came out of her shock and looked at them, Pinaka was very handsome, he had chiseled features and handsome face..but he was not as fair as Prince Deepak.. Samyukta approached her with a smile..She thought that Samyukta was really beautiful..may be a shade more beautiful compared to her..her features were majestic and exquisite... Samyukta was taller than her ..she had the build of a warrior Princess..she noticed that Samyukta had a sword in her waist belt like men do..she heard how valiantly she participated in the war against Zaffar and killed enemies.. Mallika returned a smile and said, ' it's a pleasure to meet both of you.. I am really happy to see you both in person..' they nodded to each other..

Samyukta said,' I wish to speak alone with Princess Mallika..if she is ok with it. .' Prince Deepak said, ' you must be tired from your long journey..this can wait..' Samyukta saw Prince Deepak, and noticed that he was hesitant...unfortunately she too heard Princess Mallika say that her father has abandoned the Prince by rejecting the throne..

Pinaka said, ' Samyukta, I think they were in middle of a conversation, let them complete..' Princess Mallika sighed and she said,' see, I know that you must have heard my words, I am sorry if they were bitter..but that was the truth.. and more over Prince Deepak is not interested to come and live here.. I don't have any other option.. I am the only child.. I am the future of the Gandhara empire.. I need a husband who can support me..he need not take my family name or anything..but he needs to stay here with me.. I am hesitant too because no one told me that Prince Deepak was coming to meet me.. Empress Samyukta.. I have my own struggles.. I am not an accomplished warrior like you..my talents lie elsewhere.. I don't mind it..but my grandfather feels that I should be accomplished in warfare like you.. since I am not an expert in warfare, he feels that Prince Deepak would be ideal for me as he is great in warfare techniques and he comes from the most famous dynasty of Hindustan..and both of you have set such high standards for everyone..we are being measured against them by everybody' ..she let out everything in a breath and looked angry and lost at the same time..

Samyukta and Pinaka looked at each other, Pinaka came forward and said,' Mallika, I was a slave in Samyukta's palace.. Prince Deepak and Prince Surya never spared a moment for me.. I was brought up by the Veera dynasty..who swore their allegiance and are still serving as slaves in the palace of Magadha empire..it was a long journey for me from being a slave to ascending the throne.. I never knew that I belonged to a royal family.. though I loved Samyukta, I never dared to tell her about my feelings.. there was struggle in releasing my mother from Devadatta.. there was struggle in finding my father..there was struggle in facing Zaffar.. there was struggle in securing Gupta empire, there was struggle in unifying two empires and establishing Chandra Gupta empire..lot of people helped.. family.. friends..my love Samyukta..but I am in this position only after a lot of struggle, enemies are everywhere.. Mallika I urge you to think about the greater responsibility we have.. you are responsible for your empire..but you are also responsible for your country.. that is the greater responsibility..we have threat from Iran..we have threat from evil forces..this is the time to shed our fears and unite.. your marriage to Prince Deepak will strengthen the bonds between Chandra Gupta and Gandhara empire a hundred fold..rest is up to you both..' he said looking at them both and he added, 'Prince Deepak, you too need to think hard and consult your parents before rejecting the proposal.. please be more responsible .. your pride and vanity are of value... I agree..but you are a Kshatriya.. don't forget your Dharma towards your country..rest is up to you..'