When Chitrangada, Poonam, and Kamakshi finally went out of the palace. They were accompanied by so many bodyguards it looked like a mini-army!

"Are you sure his highness assigned so many guards for me ?" Chitra asked Kamakshi.

"Yes, Bhabhi. He made sure that his instructions were followed, otherwise, everyone would be in trouble." Kamakshi replied.

Chitra muttered something in anger. She hated being supervised like a child. Kamakshi had accompanied them because neither Chitra nor Poonam knew their way around the city plus it was a good opportunity to get to know her sister in law.

However, the 20 bodyguards following them were not something she anticipated.

Poonam read her mind and said " No princess you can't attempt your escape plans here. It won't be appropriate."

"I am not planning anything like that," Chitra grumbled.

Ever since Shivaditya had left she was missing him like crazy, she had remained closeted in her chamber for two days until Poonam dragged her out for an outing.

Chitra had agreed to get out of the palace, just to divert her mind though it wasn't helping. Rather it added to her annoyance.

It was the first time she had left the palace grounds since her wedding. Shivaditaya had not let her leave their chambers, thanks to their insatiable love life.

Perhaps, if Shivaditya hadn't gone to the war they might have continued being confined to their room.

She blushed and focused on the city around her.

She didnt get a chance to see much earlier.

Badami was beautiful. The roads were wide and paved with cement. There were big houses on either side of the road which probably belonged to the courtiers.

When they proceeded further there were narrower lanes and houses of all shapes and sizes. She was amazed by the cleanliness even in the narrowest of streets.

Women and children moved around bowing to them and doing their daily shopping. She was distracted by the temple bells and saw a huge ornate temple on the far right.

The yellow glowing pagoda bore testimony to the fact that it was covered with gold.

She folded her hands to pay respect to the deity.

They reached a wider area which looked like the city centre. She was already impressed by their architecture now she was amazed by their town planning as well.

The city was built in circles. In the centre, stood the imperial Palace and official residences. That was surrounded by a boundary wall and a moat.

The palace wall had several gates which could be sealed during invasions.

Just outside the moat, residences of common people situated.

It was again surrounded by a second wall. Then came the commercial areas, followed by another wall. Then the external outposts and barracks.

Overall there were layers of five walls surrounding the main palace. Once sealed they turned into an impenetrable fort.

Right now they were in the third circle, the commercial centres of the City.

It was particularly crowded this time of the day. Most of the people had flocked around them to get a glimpse of the royal ladies.

"Look mother the princess is so beautiful!" One little girl gushed making Chitra smile.

"Kamakshi I want to hang around here. I hope that shouldn't be a problem?" Chitra asked while glancing at several stalls and shops.

"Not at all, bhabhi there are many nice shops here you can look around."

They got off their horses which was taken away by their bodyguards. Chitra looked at the 20 bodyguards accompanying them and asked: "they will follow us around ?"

Kamakshi nodded sheepishly.

Chitra shrugged and looked around. The crowd dispersed where ever they went. Most of the women were laden in gold and the children looked well-fed which was a symbol of a prosperous empire.

The shopkeepers bowed and invited them to check out exotic silks, pearls, gold, and diamond jewellery. There were shops of all sizes from enormous to small vendors.

She didnt needs anything but, politely looked around and spotted a cart full of bangles. When she approached the cart the shopkeeper looked scared.

"Excuse me, sir. I would like to see some bangles." She said.

The man who was dressed very humbly looked intimidated especially by the stern guards around her.

She repeated " Sir please dont be scared. I just wanted to buy some bangles."

He said " Your Highness I am honoured to serve you but these are simple glass bangles. I don't think they would be appropriate for a princess."

She smiled " It's ok I like glass bangles."

The man beamed and asked her to selected anything from the display.

She smiled, Shivaditya liked the jingling of bangles.

Chitra was engrossed in the bangle selection when she heard shouts.

"I hate the entire lot of you. Hope you all burn in hell !"

Chitra looked in that direction. An old lady who was dressed in rags and looked like she had not eaten in days was glaring at them.

"The royalty is it? The bloodsucking monsters would be more appropriate." That woman shouted.

Chitra's bodyguard was instantly near her and another guard shouted at the woman.

"Shut up! You begger. How dare you appear in presence of the crown princess !" Another guard yelled.

"The crown princess is it." Her glare was focused on Chitra.

"So this is the enemy woman ?"

She has so much hate in her gaze that Chitra felt a cold chill.

"It's because of you that I lost everything. I hope you burn in hell."

Chitra kept back the bangles she was holding and stepped cautiously towards the woman.

"I am sorry for your misfortune lady. However could you please tell me how have I offended you? Perhaps, I can help." Chitra said.

"Help! You and your evil family has done enough! " she picked up a rock and threw it at Chitra.

The hell broke loose. Several things happened simultaneously. Poonam jumped in front of Chitra. The rock never reached them because it was blocked by one of the guards.

Another guard hit the woman with a whip and she fell screaming while he whipped her saying

"How dare you to attack the princess."

Chitra screamed in horror trying to stop the guard "No! Stop don't hit her."

She was immediately surrounded by her bodyguards, her voice muffled by the noise.

Poonam said, "your highness we must leave immediately. It's not safe here."

Chitra protested "No! Please ask them to stop."

The woman screamed. Something broke inside Chitra. She shouted as loud as she could.

"I command you to stop hitting that lady !"

The guard stopped immediately and looked at Chitra, stunned.

"Nobody will hit that lady. Do you hear me ?" Chitra was shaking in anger.

"Let her go." She commanded.

Her bodyguard said "Your highness! attacking a member of the Royal family is treason. We can't let her go. She has to be arrested and face trial."

"I dont want her arrested. I am pardoning her" Chitra commanded.

"I am sorry your highness but only his majesty can pardon a felon. We must arrest her now. She may be pardoned later" The bodyguard said.

Chitra took a deep breath, "Fine! arrest her," she said reluctantly ", but no one will hit her is that clear?"

The guards nodded.

The moaning woman was picked up by the guards and taken away while Chitra looked on helplessly. She was disturbed by her words.

She needed to know why she hated the royal family? How did she offend her?

Kamakshi urged Chitra "Bhabhi we must go back now."

Chitra nodded then looking at the cart full of bangles she commanded her bodyguard "I am buying everything. Pay that man."

The bangle seller bowed to her.

Their horses were ready and the ladies returned to the Palace. Chitra didnt speak a word while returning. She had to know that the woman was fine. She had to know why she was so bitter with that. What was going on?