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BeingBlunt's thread on How Devi will become Ashok's wife gave me an idea and that quickly became a story. So here it is, this is just part 1 of ... how Devi becomes Ashok's wife.
I'll dedicate this one to BB for his inspiration đđ
CHAPTER 1
It's the final day of the competition and Kaurvaki is announced the winner. She stands in front of everyone and says, "I pick Ashok." Ashok looks perplexed, and thoughts of Kaurvaki being brutally slaughtered by Sushim, Helena, Siamak appear in his mind. Thoughts of Kaurvaki under Charu's black magic also appear. Everyone waits for his answer; Dharma - anxious as ever - gently nudges Ashok and softly says his name.
"Ashok?"
Ashok looks at Dharma and frowns, his eyes expressed sorrow and he shook his head. "Sorry Maa." he said in a low enough voice that only Dharma could hear.
To Samrat Bindusar, Khallatak, Radhagupta, the princesses, and all other members of the royal family, Ashok loudly said, "I will not marry Rajkumari Padmavati."
Bindusar looks shocked and asks, "Ashok! Why have you said this?"
"Samrat, marriage at this time is something I did not consider. I have come back to Magadh, to Pataliputra after 10 years of exile. I want to first serve the people, and then serve my desires. Until then, I would not like to marry."
"But Ashok, marriage at this age is part of the royal traditions."
"And while I respect that highly, my attention is currently set on seeking out Khondana. This is the same Khondana who managed to sneak in and put poison in Rajkumari Padmavati's plate. What could this very Khondana do to my future wife when I am not around. I'm sorry Samrat, but having just looted Khondana's looted treasury, I don't think they will sit and wait; they will strike and I want to be focused on that."
Kaurvaki, who had been standing rather calmly, smiled. "But Ashok ..." She bit her tongue, and corrected herself. "Rajkumar Ashok. I know how to protect myself, I won't give you a --"
"No means no, Kaur-Padmavati. Please respect my decision." And Ashok bowed to Bindusar and left the court.
Walking quickly, lost in thoughts of his Kaurvaki dream (the one where he falls off a cliff and Kaurvaki pulls him up), he accidentally bumps into Devi, but catches her before she falls.
"Chh--Aassshoookk." Devi said, happily. She wasn't in the court room, so she wasn't aware of the events that had just unfolded.
"Devi! What are you doing here?"
"I was just preparing to leave" She smiled, softly and sadly.
"Oh and where are you headed?"
"I don't know. I haven't heard from Baba ever since you saved us from Khondana. I've been so wrapped up in the competition that I haven't started my search for Baba either. A part of me hopes he is in Ujjain, but I don't even know that."
"I'll tell you what, you stay here for a few more days and I'll have a soldier travel to Ujjain and see if your father is there. Vit really likes you being here, and he has missed you immensely ever since we left. Stay a few more days for Vit, Maa Dharma ..." He paused and whispered, "... and for me."
Devi looked up inquisitively. What did Ashok mean for him? She wondered. She had always found Ashok attractive, and his ruthless Chand personality who fought only for good was something she grew to cherish. She smiled and returned back to her small chambers as Ashok watched her.
A few days later, Vit barges in. "Didi! Devi Didi!!! Guess what I brought for you." He giggled in excitement, his small hands unable to cleverly hide the large ladoo.
Devi looked up, thrilled to see Vit and put her finger to her lips, pretending to think. "Puri!" She said happily.
"That was random Didi!, But nooo. It's a Ladoo!!" He unveils the ladoo and squeals happily as Devi tries to take it from him.
"Give it to me Vit, it's mine!"
"No I changed my mind now. You wanted a puri, so I'm going to eat the ladoo now."
"Viiittt!" Devi laughed.
A sudden knock on the door stopped the laughter temporarily, but it resumed once they saw it was Ashok leaning against the door, with a sad smile on his face.
"Vit." Ashok said, calmly. "I have to tell Devi something, can you please wait outside?"
"Okay Bhaiya!" Vit said cheerfully and left.
Ashok entered and sat across from Devi.
"Yes Ashok? Why are you so serious?" Devi said.
"It's just that the soldier whom I sent to Ujjain has returned."
"Oh he did? Is Baba there in Ujjain? Is he coming back for me?"
Ashok looked down, trying to properly align his thoughts. "Your father is no longer alive Devi."
Devi looked crushed, "Baba is gone?" Tears started forming in her eyes.
Ashok nodded and stared at his feet.
"Then I should prepare for his final rites then." She murmured.
"Yes, that would be nice."
"Thanks Ashok for doing that for me, I really appreciate it.." Devi stood up and started packing her things while Ashok just stared, unable to say anything.
"Where are you headed?" Ashok finally asked, breaking the silence.
"To Ujjain first I guess." She sighed deeply and continued to gather her clothing.
"Can I come back in now Bhaiya, Didi?" Vit poked his head into the room. His charming face quickly turned grave when he saw Devi packing her clothing.
"Didi, where are you going?" Vit said, as he entered the room and approached Devi. She quickly wiped her tears and gave a fake smile.
"It's been awhile since I've seen Baba; I miss him Vit."
"Aww do you have to go now Didi? Now that the competition is over, you and I can have some fun like we did in Ujjain."
At the mention of the word Ujjain, Devi collapsed on the bed, burying her face in her hands. Vit was surprised and looked towards Ashok who was deep in thought.
"Did I say something wrong Bhaiya?"
Ashok stared at Devi for a second, before turning his attention towards Vit. "Vit, Devi's Baba has left this world." He said softly, occasionally throwing worried looks towards Devi.
Vit fell silent. "I'm sorry Didi, I didn't know."
Devi looked her. Her mascara had been washed away with her tears, leaving dark streaks near her eyes and cheeks. She smiled and tousled Vit's hair, "It's okay Vit. You didn't know."
The room fell silent once more; only the songs of the bards were heard in the distance mixed with their musical instruments.
"Vit." Ashok said suddenly. "Take Devi's stuff and move it into the room next to mine."
Devi looked at Ashok. "No Rajkumar --"
"Ashok or Chand, whichever you prefer. None of this Rajkumar titles." He said firmly. "Look, I don't want an argument from you. You're not going to Ujjain, you're moving in next to my chambers."
"But that right is now Kaurvaki's."
"Kaurvaki isn't going to get married to me; she is going back to Kalinga."
"I simply can't..."
"I'm not looking for an argument Devi. It's a request."
"I'm sorry, I --"
"Vit," Ashok interrupted. "Change of plans. As RajKumar Ashok, Prince of the Mauryan Dynasty, Grandson of the Great Chandragupta Maurya, Disciple of Chanakya, and Son of Dharma, I am ordering you to stay and move into the chambers next to mine."
Vit grinned.
"Ashoook, please don't do this." Devi exclaimed. "I'm not a Rajkumari or anything. This is where I belong."
"Hey, if VannRaj Ashok can enter the palace and become Chakravartin Ashok Samrat, you don't need to worry about not being a Rajkumari." He winked. "Vit, move your Didi's belongings into the chambers next to my room. She is staying there from now on and won't be going back to Ujjain anytime soon alone."
To be continued...
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