The next morning Hidimba woke up a little early than usual so she decided to prepare breakfast for her little one. She is well aware that once she will wake up she will argue to help her. She wanted her to have her fair share of rest but she is so stubborn. She feels that she is completely alone at this stage apart from her there is no one present to take care of her. She missed her daughter in law and grandson. They all sacrificed themselves to fulfill a promise she made this guilt is eating her from inside. It's true sometimes we have to sacrifice everything to keep a few promises. This war is a true example of such promises and sacrifices. There are so many who sacrificed everything to keep promises. She sighed dejectedly and turned her focus towards the vegetables.

"Grandmother why did you do this all alone you should have waked me up. You need to rest grandmother at this stage of life. You didn't take care of yourself at all." Harshini complained about watching Hidimba do all the chores.

"What about you? At this stage when you have to take care of yourself and the life growing inside you but you have to complete household chores and take care of everything alone. What do you think you are stone who doesn't feel anything. Why are you keeping everything inside you and act like nothing happened? Little one you need to acknowledge your pain and let it go keeping all inside will eat you up." Hidimba requested her in a defeated voice.

"You are advising me to acknowledge it and let it go but you are doing the same. Grandmother this pain is not the only mine so stop acting all tough and stop pretending like you are the ice queen as kamyaka calls you the "The glaze queen"." She answered in the same defeated tone. Both ladies looked at each other for a few moments with wet eyes and avert their gazes. They both have a lot of pain and emotions to share but no one wants to break the wall others have created around them as a shield.

"I will join you for breakfast in a few minutes after I fresh n up." Harshini left the place blinking back her tears while a lone tear slipped from Hidimba's eyes which she wiped roughly. While bathing Harshini tried to blink back her tears thinking about the ongoing situation of her life. She is broken from inside but has to keep this tough demeanor for the only old woman left in her life in the name of the family. Her parents died at a very young age so when she got married in this family she got a whole family which became her world in an instant.

But good times never stay forever one event and her whole crashed down. She died a thousand deaths the moment she got the news of the death of her husband and father in law. She felt suffocated remembering the burning pyre of her mother in law. The only question that haunted her since then is "Why?" she just wanted to know why she has to pay a price that too for the people whom she neither know nor met ever. But she never voiced her thoughts only for the old lady waiting outside for her. He clutched her mouth to suppress a sob from escaping her mouth. She takes a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

"I can't break down not after coming so far. No matter what grandmother I won't let anything take u away from me not even destiny." She repeated mumbling looking towards the door with determination.

Outside Hidimba was waiting for her lost in her world. She was busy contemplating the events of her life till now when she heard the voice of her little one.

"Where are you lost, grandmother? Come let's finish breakfast. Today's weather is really cold I guess winter will come earlier this year." Harshini talked nonchalantly to divert the topic.

"I guess winter will be at its usual time. The cold weather is due to the continuous rain. This year we faced heavy rainfall. I hope everyone stored enough dry woods, corn, and fruits for survival." Hidimba replied acting along to make the atmosphere light.

"Well, I guess you should hold a meeting with the family heads to know about the situations going on within the family. We have to make proper arrangements to make sure everything remains alright in this tough time. What is your opinion on this?"

"My opinion is that you are ready to take over the throne. You are now completely prepared to inherit the crown of Kamyaka. You are kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable about the crucial basics of politics. I guess it's high time I pass on the responsibility and take retirement." Hidimba stated with a proud smile taking the little girl by surprise.

"No grandmother I am happy being your assistant right now I am not mentally ready to take over such a huge responsibility. I would still say Kamyaka can never get a better queen than you. Also like you always say I need rest at this stage." The girl replied mimicking Hidimba.

"You will never change. Have your breakfast now I cooked your favorite vegetables." Hidimba gestured her to sit shaking her head.

Breakfast was a quiet affair. After breakfast, Hidimba sent a message to the family heads about the meeting regarding necessities. Both the ladies were preparing breakfast when Harshini decided to remind her of one ritual and her wish regarding this leaving Hidimba speechless about it.

"Grandmother I decided something and want to share it with you." Harshini voiced out her decision catching Hidimba off guard. Harshini is a free-spirited girl and her serious voice made her realize that whatever this decision is, it seems tough. Hidimba nodded gesturing her to continue.

"Like you remember after every child's birth we fulfill the ritual in which the head of the family especially the father do the Tilak of the child. Since we are the royals this ritual has to be done by the king. But we both are completely aware of our situation. In this situation this ritual will be done by our chief priest but." The girl stopped her shaky voice at the mid-sentence to control her unusual breath. She closed her eyes and collected all her strength to continue.

Kindly tell me your views on it as I really want to decide the upcoming sequence of events very soon.