Chitrangada awoke to the chirping of birds on the windowsill. She turned her head towards the lovely sound. She tried to sit up and her head swam again.

"You should not try to sit up" Shiv's voice called out from across the room.

Starting slightly, Chitra turned towards the source of his voice, instinctively pulling the sheets over her body as she caught sight of him. Shiv extricated himself from the chair, looking extremely stiff and haggard.

He sat down on the edge of the bed.

"How do you feel?" he asked, not looking her in the eye.

Chitra's lip trembled and tears welled in her eyes. How did she feel? She wished she could stop feeling! So many things were going through her mind, to pick even one emotion seemed an incredible task, she didn't even know what she was feeling. And why wouldn't he look at her?

"I.. I.." she began to say, her voice cracking slightly. She couldn't continue, it was too much to think, let alone talk about her feelings.

He reached out to rub her foot through the sheets but Chitra flinched at his touch and drew her knees up against her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

He withdrew his hand quickly. He stood up slowly, running his hand through his hair, in frustration? Confusion? She couldn't say.

"I'll send someone in with some breakfast, you should eat something."

Shiv crossed the room quickly and was gone before Chitra could blink.

Why didn't he look at her? because of how he came upon her and Vikram? Did he really think she was ruined and not fit to be his wife?

********

As soon as Kalavati heard of her recovery she went to her room and hugged her.

Chitra was relieved to see that her mother was alive.

"Father?" Chitra asked fearfully.

Her mother's face fell " he is injured, he has not woken up yet."

"And the rest? Did you escape? Poonam? Is she safe?"

"Everyone is safe thanks to you. Though Poonam lost her parents." Kalavati said sadly.

Chitra gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Where is she? I want to meet her. I want to see father as well."

"Not yet Chitra, you are still weak. Thanks to Lord Krishna, nothing horrible happened to you. How would I show my face to damadji(son in law)?"

Kalavati lamented.

Chitra looked down.

"The damage is already done. He saw Vikram with me," she thought.

She sniffed as tears we're ready to spill out of her eyes again. Kalavati continued...

"That brute! whoever tried to ruin you failed. I made sure with the healer." Kalavati smiled.

Chitra's eyes flew open in surprise.

"Mother! You did what?"

"I had to Chitra, the state you were in....Hey Krishna." Kalavati continued.

"Where were you Chitra? What happened?" Kalavati asked.

"Mother.....I...I don't want to talk about it please."

Kalavati looked worried.

"Please mother just leave me alone."

She felt bad for talking back to her mother like that but she didn't have a choice. She didn't know what to say.

********

Shivaditya was sitting among his generals, the ministers, advisors of Navsarika, and Dev.

"Your highness thanks for coming to our help."

Mansingh said.

"I was too late Mansingh. I am sorry for that." Shiv said sadly.

He didn't want to be here but the political mess needed cleaning up as well. He had suddenly captured a huge kingdom.

The news of the battle had spread everywhere. Unless they took control of the situation, the entire kingdom would be in turmoil. Vikram had ruined everything in his foolishness.

"Your highness as King Vikram is in your custody the minister of Gurjar-Prathihar has sent a peace offering. You will have to take control of Patan, and the entire Empire."

Shivaditya rubbed his forehead.

"Father would be very happy. This was his dream. Expansion of the empire." He thought.

"I have proof that the attack was arranged by Vikram. As the ministers of Navsarika.Please execute him as soon as possible. This is my order."

Shivaditya said with a tightened fist. Until Vikram was alive he couldn't rest in peace.

"We will see to it, your highness," Maansing replied.

"Prince Devburman will travel for Patan and take control of the capital. We'll see how to proceed after that. If there are rebellions I will need your help." Shiv said.

"Sure your highness," Maansing said.

Shivaditya left the meeting and proceeded towards Chitra's chamber.

********

Poonam had recovered from her injuries but her loss of parents had left a void which would never be filled.

She was busy with nursing and helping the other injured in the infirmary because it kept her occupied.

"Poonam" Dev's deep voice broke her thoughts and she left whatever she was doing.

"Why aren't you in bed?" He asked.

"I am fine your highness. I can't keep sitting in bed all day." She replied.

"Come with me."

They strolled in the garden.

"I will be leaving for Patan soon. To take control. King Vikram will be executed for propagating this attack."

Poonam's expression changed from surprise to anger.

"He is responsible for my parent's death!"

"He is responsible for numerous despicable things Poonam. He will get his punishment in due course."

Tears welled her eyes.

"It was my parent's dream to see my wedding." She broke down.

Devburman hugged her. Tears rolled down her cheeks and disappeared in his kurta.

"Come with me to Patan."

She moved and he broke the hug.

"It would not be ethical. We are not yet married."

"So let's get married Poonam." He said.

"We can't your highness. Not now, the city has been destroyed. People have died. It would be selfish to have a wedding now."

He smiled.

"We don't need a grand wedding to get married. Just a simple ceremony in a temple would do. I don't want to leave without you. I will never leave you alone ever."

She gazed at him. She was all alone in this world now after her parent's demise.

"Can we have it in presence of the princess and his highness? She is my only family left in this world."

Devburman shifted uncomfortably.

"The princess is not well, she....she was injured."

Poonam had a horrified expression.

"What happened to her?"

Dev didn't know how to answer her. He had no idea what ordeal she went through.

"She is fine Poonam, Shiv rescued her."

Poonam searched his face.

"Was she captured by those brutes?"

"Not the brutes Poonam, unfortunately, it was someone she trusted...Vikram."

Poonam's eyes blazed with anger.

"You must talk to her Poonam. She needs her friends and family the most."

To be continued...