I stopped staring at Swami and turned to look at the lady who kept a hand on my shoulder, it was Hira. She gave me a faint smile and I reciprocated it. She pulled me up with her to stand properly. "Looks like Rajkumariji can't stay without gazing at Rajkumarji." I heard the older woman say and everyone started laughing, my cheeks burned as I stared at my feet. I could feel Hira squeeze my arm and I had to put all my will power so I don't shout out in pain. My arms were really aching of Swami's hold. I looked at her and she wasn't laughing or smiling. I didn't know why, but suddenly the old woman spoke again, "Hira, what are you doing? Please show Rajkumariji all the jewellery, we need our approval, then you need to start working, we can't have Rajkumarji waiting forever. I am sure with the beauty of Rajkumariji he won't mind but still... " she said looking at me and I am sure my face went redder than Sindhur.

Hira quickly left my side and I followed her. The other maids I noticed were 11 in number, so including Hira they were 12 in a team. I remembered Swami saying about concealing my marks... Oh Krishna! That means they can see it now. I turned my head back to the ground. It was really uncomfortable here. I always wondered how Princess Kanaka was so bold. She would take bath in front of all the maids. And would let them dress her. Now.. But before my thoughts could wander, Hira opened the cover over the plate first maid was holding and my eyes widened. She then opened the ghagra, it was a gorgeous shade of blue, so dark and enchanting and it was studded with pearls forming flower pattern. "So, can we take that Rajkumariji like it?" the older maid asked and I nodded. She kept it carefully on the bed, I must say it looked really heavy. But I really wanted to wear a red coloured dress, while entering my husband's home, but I let that slide as Hira opened the next clothes, it was all jewellery and I didn't pay any attention to it as my mind was stuck on the dress, can I ask them... No..

Next she opened to reveal some herbs and scents and other many stuff, I let that slide too and nodded in approval of everything. Pearl had always been my favourite, I wanted a pearl earring at least one. But now, I am having a pearl dress and still I am worrying about the colour. I then just stood there as they all also silenced down. The old woman walked towards me and touched my cheek. She was a lot more taller than me, everyone was, maybe because I am younger, I controlled the urge to flinch at her touch. She removed her hand and stared at me, my head immediately snapped down as I was staring at the mud flooring drawing patterns in it with my foot. "You're very beautiful Rajkumariji... So serene...kind.. Down to earth.. I will now have to take leave..." she said and went away and Hira was chuckling, "Sorry Rajkumariji, but she is going to tell everyone how you look, she was here not only for introducing us but to examine you as well." she said and my eyes widened.

I knew people examine Royals.. But I couldn't believe I had become so important. "Please make choices Rajkumariji." she said bringing me out of my trance but before I could speak she beat me to it, "What would you prefer warm water or cold water?" she asked and my eyes widened. Warm water? Oh that is my dream.. To take bath in warm water. It's been years since I have taken bath... Since my parents were no more. Their memories made me a bit sad but I was overwhelmed at the prospect of hot water. "Hot water." I said and she nodded. "Yes Rajkumariji." Hira spoke in a authoritative tone, "You four go and arrange for Rajkumariji's hot water." she said and I sighed. "Which scent you would prefer in hot water, Rajkumariji?" she asked and I stared at her blank, what scent? But she read my agony and herself started listing, "We have rose, jasmine, Nishigandh, Parijat, lavender..." before she could continue I concluded that she would just drop these petals in water and in such scheduled place, they had so much? Rajkumari Kanaka used to use rose but I always loved jasmine, so I spoke, "Jasmine." with a little smile. She nodded, "Which lep would you prefer?" she asked and I bet her before she could speak again, "Chandan." it was my favourite, but I could never afford it. But now I got a fair idea of what she was saying to me, so I spoke again with confidence, "I would like rose scent in my hair. And lavender oil." I said and she looked shocked, I gave her a smile.

And she nodded and ordered everything to be done accordingly. She then walked towards me and showed me something, that was wrapped in lotus petals, there was some lep in that, "Rajkumariji, this is for you... Rajkumarji told me..you're hurt." my face burned, how can Swami tell her this? Maybe he told her just that I was hurt, she went on touching my cheek with her other hand, can people stop doing this.. I was angry but kept quite, "This will conceal the mark but it also has healing effect, it will eventually fade." she said and I nodded getting away from her. Just then the maids came in with hot water in a big vessel and I followed them and I saw such a huge vessel that could cook Kheer for 10,000 people, so big and they filled it with water, Royals take bath in this, maybe. They put the hot water in it, it had already some cold water. The moment, I dipped my hand in it, my eyes shut in pleasure..... Surely, these are certain reserved things... That now even I can enjoy, Perks of Princesses.

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