Will Devsena get married ?

Silamban walked to the center and said, "Now we are going to start the competition of searching the husband of First Princess Devsena. Any person who have the wish and also the worth of being the princess's husband can come forward and beat the drum. When the sand from the upper part of the hourglass will come to the lower part the combat will end. Within this period of time, if the participant will not be able to unarmed the princess then he will be issued with death penalty".

" This is the correct chance. Go forward Jaldev and kill the princess in this combat only", Jaldev was about to go that he heard the drum beat.

Mekhla's mother's eyes fall on the man who had beat the drum. Her eyes glistened only with praise just by seeing the well toned body of that person.

"I, Mahisha, is ready to have the combat with the princess", said that man.

" Excellent ! Now go forward and chose your weapon".

Mahisha went to the center and chose a Parashu [1] and a shield. Devsena also took the same weapon as him.

"A woman will fight with a man ?", asked Jaldev.

" Why ? In our kingdom the woman is only the symbol of power. And the one standing in front of you is not a common woman but the daughter of our queen Sambhavija and Hahuma had also said that she is the reincarnation of our brave queen Devsena", said Manar.

Both stood in front of one another, eyes glistening with confidence. The match started. Eyes set on each other, they took a round. Devsena took the initiative to attack. Mahisha protected himself from the series of attack and then pushed Devsena away. Now Devsena was the one moving backward shielding herself. These attacks, dodging and the fight continue till the time was over.

Everyone was completely into the fight but Silamban's eyes were stuck to the hourglass. As soon as the time ended, he stood up and....

"Excellent ! None of the participant was able to defeat each other at the stipulated time. The results are not in the favor of anyone. Both the participants have presented equal skills and courage", was interrupted by Mekhla's mother.

" Right now, I am seeing the result of the combat in the eyes of my queen. I should do something before she embraces Mahisha ", murmured Silamban.

"Before the starting of the combat, it was decided that if the participant will not be able to unarmed the princess will be declared unsuccessful and will also be issued with death penalty. So Mahisha will be beheaded. This will only be the correct justice", said Silamban.

" These people are having so inexorable, unreasonable justice, like killing the innocents are like any sort of game", murmured Jaldev.

"What do you think, your radiance the first princess ? I know that I wasn't able to defeat you but you too were wasn't to defeat me", said Mahisha being pulled to the prison by the soldiers.

The whole area was cleared. Mekhla was the first one to leave. Devsena stood frozen to the same spot with confusion written all over her face. Same was also with Mekhla's mother.

Devsena's Room----

Devsena was sitting in her couch completely submerged in her thoughts. Mekhla came and sat besides her.

" Akka, where are you so deeply lost ? There's indeed something ".

" I don't know Mekhla. It's just that, when I saw Mahisha it felt like I have some connections with him".

"There could have been some connection, if you have wanted. If you have let him win".

" This is not the truth. I tried my best to defeat him but wasn't able to. He neither won nor got defeated".

"So shouldn't we praise him"?

" But we are issuing him with death penalty. This is not right. No one should get punished because of his courage and power. I am very confused".

"If you think so, then you should talk to father right now and should save Mahisha from dying".

In Silamban's Room----

" I don't have the power to cancel a punishment, my dear. It lies only in your mother's hand. You should probably go and talk to her", said Silamban.

Once she left,

"If now Sambhavija will cancel the punishment, it could have only one meaning, Sambhavija likes Mahisha", Silamban thought to himself.

When Devsena was in her way to Mekhla's mother's room, Mekhla suddenly pulled her, " Akka, come with me. The soldiers are taking Mahisha away to behead him".

Near the guillotine----

Devsena saw the room locked from outside.

"Why there is no one here ? Where have the soldiers taken Mahisha"?

" No where princess. His has been let off the death penalty. The queen herself came here to take him", said a soldier.

"Hail the goddess Mahisiamman. She stopped a disaster. We should thanks Amma", said Mekhla.

In the Guest Room----

Mahisha was standing in front of Mekhla's mother. She was seductively moving her hand on his arms.

" Today you have got a new life. I have granted you the boon of life", said Mekhla's mother.

"Thanks, your majesty. Your grace is great", said Mahisha.

She pulled him closer.

"Thanking me just by saying doesn't have any sense. Say what can you do for me"?

Just when she was staring intently into his eyes, the doors of the room flew open to show up Silamban. She cannot do anything except to reluctantly leave him.

" Silamban, see this courageous Dravid. We can't issue him with a death penalty because of his courage, can we ? What will the people of the kingdom think ?", said Mekhla's mother.

"You did the right thing Amma. If he had got any kind of punishment, I could not have been able to forgive myself. I could have felt guilty of his death. That's why, I am here to thank you Amma. With you in our kingdom, there can never be any injustice", said Devsena.

" But the justice is still incomplete, Devsena. According to the rule whoever will defeat you in the combat, you have to marry him", said Silamban.

"Mahisha was not able to defeat me king father".

" Don't forget that you too were unable to defeat him. Your mother thinks that he is your equal in skills and courage, so you have to marry him at any cost".

"Your father is right, Devsena. Mahisha is a suitable husband for you but I am going to fix the engagement date. Until I did not finalize the engagement date, Mahisha will be our royal guest and will live in this palace only. This is my final decision and order too", said Mekhla's mother.

" Apologies queen mother, but I can't do this marriage. I do not accept your order ".

" Devsena, it is your responsibility to follow your queen's order".

"And what will you do if I will not fulfill this responsibility"?

" I will punish you ".

" You will punish your daughter "?

"A queen will punish that girl of her kingdom, who disrespect the queen by not listening to the queen's order".

She pulled out her dagger and without even batting an eyelid cut Devsena's palm.

" Thank God that you are my daughter. Otherwise this knife would have been in your hands, rather in your neck".

Saying this stormed out of the room.

"I am not going to marry Mahisha, even if I have to die", said Devsena.