Queen Manikarnika

BAHLIKA KINGDOM

INDIA

MANIKARNIKA POV

Sitting on my bed mourning,

King Darsh pranav jai, my father, passed away and today is his burial.

Am going to miss his presence alot,

By now they must be moving to Laxmi river to scatter his ash.

Crying was the only thing I could do, but I must be strong and he wouldn't have been proud to see me in this condition.

I must make him proud.

In that case, there's only one thing to do.

******

I rushed to the stables to get my horse Priya, she's my late mother's  horse; colored milk- white. She's got beautiful brown eyes and she's also a fast runner. She's perfect for the job.

There I met Kapur, the stable keeper.

"Kapur, hurry and get Priya ready." I ordered.

"Yes your highness."

He answered as he ran to the stable to get Priya ready. He's a short man with a muscular build, his turban almost fell off his head as he ran bare chest.

First I'll go to mountain garnish were his body will be burnt, I have to hurry.

Everyone must be disappointed that I did not honor him but I don't care about their gossips, I have to hurry and get there so father won't be disappointed in adop........

"Your highness, she's ready."

Kapur interpurted by thoughts, gesturing to the horse.

I turned to my side and saw Priya standing beside him. She's as pretty as always.

Quickly, I climbed up on her back and went off. Getting closer to the gate, I yelled for the guards to open them.

I rushed out the gate and rode her non stop. she was really fast, I knew she would be perfect for this task.

*******

She climbed up the mountain, it's a really short one though.

Reaching the top, no one was there only two commoners, both male. I saw the burnt woods as the smokes escaped into the air.

The surroundings were just trees and bushes, only were the ceremony took place and the path were I came from and the path leading forward were clear.

"Who are you miss?"

One of the man wearing kurta asked.

"I am princess Manikarnika, the daughter of king Darsh pranav jai. I need to get to his burial rite now." I replied him.

I saw them whispering to each other but I have no time.

"Have they gone to the river of Laxmi, please answer me cause am in a hurry."

"Yes your highness."

The man bowed but I have no time for any formalities.

Without wasting any time at all I dashed to the other path straight ahead as it was leading to Laxmi river.

********

I was too late, the rites has been completed and his ash had been scattered.

I climbed down from Priya to meet the crowd wearing white.

But am face to face with my worst enemy, the devil herself.

Queen Adhira, my step mother.

"This stupid child! Oh dear god, you are a woman now and you are behaving like a child?"

She said eyeing me from head to toe.

I was clearly angry, me and Queen Adhira never got along.

"Look at yourself!!!"

She yelled at me and gesturing with her hands for me.

Am a complete mess, though on my mourn clothes as am wearing a white sari and no jewelry but I look terrible... Wait does it even matter?

"You always have one way or the other to bring shame to the royal family. You are a disgrace!"