CN SS: ~REVENGE~ part 11 updated at page 31 - Page 20

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Shinning_Stuti thumbnail
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Posted: 8 years ago

Originally posted by: sashashyam

My dear Debastuti,

I am only 6 days late with my comments on this one, which is better than par for the course for me these days. I simply don't feel like doing anything constructive at all. You must bear with me, my dear. I am ashamed when I think of my Lashykanna, who is the most patient of nieces any aunt could have, for she has never once chided me for being fully 5 chapters late with her wonderful FF.

🤗 Don't say like that Aunty... I can understand you must be busy with your mother's health, and also your own health too; don't stress yourself much behind the reviews of the FF. I become happy and rejuvenated whenever I see your post in my thread, does not matter how long it takes after updating the chapter. 😳

Anyhow, let me get started with this crackerjack of a chapter, and as usual, I will put down my comments in blue as I go down the paras.

Shyamala Aunty

Shinning_Stuti thumbnail
9th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 8 years ago
Thanks. 😃 Would like to hear something more from you onwards. 😳
Abinaya_24 thumbnail
9th Anniversary Thumbnail Visit Streak 90 Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 8 years ago
Fabulous update👏👏

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti


PART: 8


"So this is the list of the new maids of the palace." Chandra was going through the register-book swiftly. "6 maids have been employed recently, and others are old, working from the time of Nand. I will not be surprised if some of them are found faithful to Nand." He frowned... "Though that girl did not seem to be a normal maid of the palace... I can't remember to see her face before. Is she a newly employed one? " He looked at his efficient and faithful attendant. "Have you got the names of the visitors who met Nandputri from the in-charge of the spies of Antahpur?"

The young attendant nodded and handed him another list. Chandra read the names fast. His frowns deepened. "Just as I thought... The girl is appointed most recently..." He looked at the man. "Do you know if Acharya has returned or not?"

Nayanika's beauty cannot be unnoticed after all but good to see Chandra diving into action immediately and he is keeping watch on everything around him

"No Your Majesty... " He answered. There was a touch of worry in his voice too.

Chandra was worried. His Acharya has suddenly got out of the palace with a single horse and no security guards without notifying him. It was afternoon when he left, now it is nearly midnight. Sometimes Acharya really act recklessly. Despite knowing Nand's men are right here in Magadh, what was the reason of going out unarmed! At least he could have told Chandra where he is going! He knows that it's almost impossible to harm his Acharya, but still one should not be over-confident too! With the worry his mind filled with a childlike resentment to his guru...

HIS Acharaya ... This shows how much he meant to him. He is the combination of a father and a teacher to Chandra

"Should we send soldiers to search Acharya, Majesty?"

"No..."Chandra sighed! "Let us wait for one more hour, after that I myself will go to find him! You can leave." He sat on the nearby couch and ordered him. "Inform me whenever you get any news of him! I am waiting...and listen..." he showed him the register-book. "I want to know every details of this particular maid within one day. Hurry up."

After the attendant left, he again went through the register-book with concentration. 6 maids are appointed recently, and among them the girl named Nayna has been recruited yesterday only. The same girl was there with Nandputri in her room today noon when he was talking with her. The same girl whom he had suspected right then, and had instructed to keep an eye on her every move to the spies of the Antahpur. He had reasons to suspect her; Nandini is a house-arrested prisoner and there are only some selected maids who have access to serve her. His Acharya Chanakya himself has selected them, and that is not known by everyone of the palace except Chandra, Chanakya, the in-charge of the spies and those very faithful girls. Chandra does not know all of them personally but he has seen everyone at least for once, so seeing an unknown face in Nandini's room with suspicious attitude was not a matter to neglect. After getting the clue that Nand is trying to contact with his daughter via some message, he had already doubled the spies around Nandini, all the names of any mere person visiting her for any reason was being recorded. And that record says that the same girl has tried to fetch Nandini ample times just after joining, and the very clever in-charge has given her that scope to get further news. Else it is not possible that the very newly recruited maid will serve the imprisoned queen right at the day after joining.

The register says that the girl is a dweller of Pataliputra, and today only he has got a proof that Nand's men are right here in the capital. This girl is very likely sent by them. All the new maids are verified with every detail before recruitment, surely this girl too went through that panel... yet she entered inside the Antahpur safely. That means she and the men behind her are very clever, and the web is spread deeply inside the system too.

While thinking about all these Chandra felt impatient. God knows how many spies have been sent by Nand in the same process. God knows how much they are capable to harm them. God knows what the message was that the girl was carrying! God knows what is cooking up in enemy camp! What if the spies of Nand know that Acharya has gone out of the palace without any guard? What if they do anything wrong to him? He should not do late and search for him at once. But if there is really any confidential work where Acharya is engaged he should not ruin that... he must wait till the bell of midnight rings, else Acharya will be angry on him!

So many thoughts are running in his mind , poor fellow. It is good that he is not underestimating his foes, still he fears the consequences of being careless

And he is not a grown king but fresh and inexperienced so his lack of patience is quite common and agreeable

While sitting idle he was at the edge of tension. Then suddenly something clicked him, he pulled the books borrowed from Nandini, and started turning the pages one by one.

Just then Helena stood in front of his door.

She was angry. But more than that she was hurt... Even after a lot of trials she was unable to ignore Chandra's behaviour in Nandini's room. Maybe she had come into a conclusion hastily, but whatever may happen, she does not expect, and cannot bear it as well, that Chandra himself will smash her pride in front of that proud and egoistic princess of the previous king of this kingdom! Helena cannot forget how strangely Chandra was acting all normal with that imprisoned convict in front of the guards and the maids despite the allegations against her directly coming from the chief queen, and he did not even care that it can tell upon the image of Helana! After that he directly proved in front of everyone that it is Helena who is wrong! No, he never misbehaved, rather he was extremely caring about the courtesy, but does that heal the wound of insult which Chandra gave her by smashing her ego badly in front of Nandini, and proving in front of all present there that the convict queen Nandini has better importance to His Majesty than the chief consort Helena? But even after that she expected that Chandra himself come to her to talk about this, and to ask apology from her; after all he is Chandra... Helena does not expect him to be so much insensitive about her feelings... she cannot!

But she was wrong. Forget apology, he did not even come to the Antahpur after this. Still she hoped against hope that he is busy, and so he can't come to her right at that time! But there is also a limit of waiting! After waiting the whole afternoon, the evening and the night, at last she could not hold herself anymore and came to meet him personally.

And what she saw? That Chandra is sitting idle on the couch in front of a heap of books, with a book opened in front of him... the same books about which he was talking with Nandini at the noon!

The scene itself burned Helena's mind and heart in a strange inflammation of rage and jealousy. Yes, she felt jealous!

Chandra is still in zero in understanding women, the fact is he don't think it was necessary at all. It may cost him more if he remains same because women like Helena will always need an extreme attention who cannot survive negligence at all.

It may not affect her a lot now, but if Chandra's equation with nandhini changes then surely she will be horned

"Sandracottus!" Yet she called him in a mild tone, composing her voice. Chandra looked back.

"Helena you? At this night?" Chandra kept the book aside. "Any problem?"

Helena was already full of her sensitive resentments to Chandra, so this very natural dialogue stung at her heart directly! "It means I can't come to talk to you when I am not in any problem right?"

Chandra stared at her for some moments, then could not help but to smile helplessly. "What happened? You are looking angry?"

"Not at all His Majesty! This mere woman has no right to get angry... I am very sorry to disturb you in your leisure... I can see you were doing a pretty important work- like reading books... I am sorry!" She turned back to leave, hoping against hope for the last time that this time Chandra will not ignore her!

"Stop Helena... Come in." Chandra's plead sounded like a command. He got up from his seat and moved towards her. "Tell me what you wanted to say!"

Helena entered inside the room, biting her lips to express her anger. "I am sorry to come to you this way at this night Chandra, but I had no way... as I had expected you yourself will come to me." She paused for a bit then uttered in a bit softer voice. "I really did not expect this from you Chandra! I cannot believe that you insulted me that way!"

"I insulted you??" Chandra had no clue about this allegation. He was compact with so many matters today that he did not even remember the incident with Helena in Nandini's room.

"You think you didn't?" Helena was fuming, and was controlling herself with severe effort! "When you proved me wrong that way in front of that Nandini, and gave more importance to her silly habit of reading books over my allegations in front of all the guards and maids, and the way you put me down in front of that proud peacock..." She took long breath. "What was that if not insult, Chandragupta Maurya?"

"My God!" Chandra smiled palely in response. "Believe me everything was too spontaneous, I obviously had no intension to put you down in front of Nandputri and the guards! But even after that if my behaviour has hurt you, then..." He touched her shoulder after a moment of hesitation. "I am extremely sorry, Helena... I should have been careful!"

Helena looked directly at his eyes and smiled sarcastically. Chandra is very clever, isn't he? He simply does not want to go into any argument, so he directly asked for an apology from her and threw off the matter from mind. With this very clear-cut apology he stated Helena that he was not wrong either, though he has no problem to say a little sorry to stop the matter here. Nice, Chandra! But how do you think that the fire of Helena's heart, which has burnt her the whole day and evening, will be extinguished by this formal, fake apology?

Though she did not argue anymore... she did not want to argue with His Majesty over this matter anymore, as she could understand wastage of even a single word after Chandra's closing the topic will invoke the fire in her heart even more. She only sighed once. "Why you haven't slept yet Chandra?" she asked to continue normally.

Chandra had sat back on his seat. "I was busy." He stated in short while opening a book again.

Busy with the books of Nandini! Again something pinched her directly in heart. But she smiled instead. "You never told me that you have knack in reading?"

"Was there any scope of telling you this?" Chandra smiled casually. There was no scope of many things in the deal of their relationship, and still there is no scope of many things. "Good Night Helena..." He bid her.

Helena did not go. She came beside him and picked one of the books. "I don't have vast knowledge of Sanskrit. I am unable to read these books." She sighed. "This was the matter where you were busy, Chandra, reading the books peacefully?" She asked suddenly, and it sounded odd even to her.

"I love to read books, but now I am not in a mood of that, rather I am really busy." Chandra stated without changing his glare from her face. "Right now I am not going through the slokas, I am searching if really there is any secret message hidden in the pages." He shut the book with a bang and started talking to his own. "Childish... I know... If there had been any, she would never let me to borrow them so easily. The message was with her... and..." He became silent again.

"What? That means you too suspect Nandini? Then why did you..." Helena could not hold her surprise...

"Your doubt was unrealistic, but I have reasons to suspect her." Chandra did not elaborate further. "Anyways, good night, Helena..."

"But what is that reason? Tell me? What is that girl planning again? Which message are you talking about? Sandracottus..."

"You will get to know at right time. Now can you please leave me alone?" Chandra looked sternly at her. Helena was stunned.

He was preoccupied by many things already , so he just want to disclose this topic as soon as possible.

"Why it irritates you if I sit for a while in your room? Am not I your queen?" She uttered in a mild and composed tone.

"Acharya has not returned in the palace still now Helena, I am really in tension. So sorry if I sound rude." Chandra told somewhat in softer voice. "It is really very late of night, Helena... You should go to your room now else..."

"Else what? Who will blame us for what?" Helena smiled lightly. "Do not you consider me as your wife? Don't I have my usual rights of a wife?"

Chandra gazed at her for some time... "I don't think this is a right time to discuss about the rights and constraints of our marital relationship!"

"I really didn't mean it Chandra...I should understand your worry! Very sorry..." Helena confessed in embarrassment and was about to go, Chandra stopped her. "Helena?"

Helena looked back. Chandra came and held her hands. "I am very sorry, Helena... I have no right of being so rude to you!" This time his eyes had touch of slight guilt, his apology was from his heart. "I hope you can understand my state of mind now. Please let me alone till Acharya arrives safely, I promise I will get back to you tomorrow morning, and will discuss with you about everything you want."

"I understand Sandracottus... And I hoped you will understand I told everything very casually." Helena told holding back his hands. Then a slight smile played at the corner of her lips. As if she was mocking herself. "Do you really think that I was here to ask for my marital rights? Don't I know what is the terms and conditions of our marriage and I have no clear idea about my expectations from this deal of marriage? Is there any scope in our marriage where I can discuss with you about maturing the relationship?"

If it is not today Chandra has to answer this question in future. And this also shows that Helena's priorities changed. She got what she want so now she wants to move on further with her husband who still don't have any idea of her actual need.

Chandra was going to answer something , but he could not. Some guard has knocked the door.

I think he was saved for time being😆

"Maharaj, Mahamatya has come back. He is expecting you right now in the royal hall."

"I am coming!" Chandra got of the room rushing leaving Helena alone.

...

...

Acharya Chanakya was waiting in the hall. Chandra rushed inside the room. "Where were you Acharya! I was so worried for you!" He even forgot to touch his feet out of excitement. "You know Acharya that Nand's men are roaming right in this Pataliputra, what if they do any harm to you?"

Chanakya looked least affected with the worries face of Chandra. He only touched his shoulder with the touch of his usual affection before taking his seat. "I did not expect to be this late. I was coming right back in palace but got engaged into some other work on my way... However, say, what is the state of here?"

"At least you could have told me once that where were you going? At least you could have taken some armed soldiers with you!" Chandra groaned half-heartedly.

Acharya stared at his face for some moments. Maybe it was a mistake of Chandra's eyes, that he could see a curtain of vapour of emotion to cover the pupils of his Acharya's bright and luminous eyes, and his hard, emotionless face touched with a strange softness never seen before. He spoke after some moments; he had a pale smile in his lips, his voice was hiding a profound sigh that was buried in his heart. "Don't worry Chandra, Nand will not be able to harm me. I have reached far beyond that long ago!"

"What are you telling Acharya!" Chandra told in utter displease. "You are Acharya Chanakya! The backbone of this newly founded kingdom! Your safety is the necessity and responsibility of the kingdom! What would harm Acharya if you had took force along with you? At least you could tell me, I would come with you!"

Perhaps due to the excitement of the sudden release of tension Chandra was sounding like an impulsive adamant kid, as Acharya could not help but to smile while caressing his hairs with deep affection. He sounded lost while talking... "No Chandra... I could not let anyone to accompany me for my security today... My soul would not have allowed me to do so! I had gone to witness my past, Chandra... I had gone to see the debris of my previous life that I myself had buried under the soil of works and responsibilities one day!"

"Acharya!" Chandra called him. He was confused as well as feared witnessing this sudden uncanny change in his very-known Acharya... His trembling voice while pronouncing each word, his pupils becoming partially hazy, and the hidden sigh of the heart was reflecting the tormenting wailing of heart... He had no idea about this sudden change, but he was not able to bear this form of his rough and tough ideal teacher! "What has happened, Acharya!" He murmured in helplessness.

Chanakya took only one moment to compose himself. At the next moment he was back to his own self, his face again became rigid while eyes shone in usual blaze of personality, cunningness and wisdom. "Let's come to the point Chandra." he told, rather ordered. "I must say you what was the reason of my late. I met with the special gumshoe whom I sent in Dhananand's camp while returning. He gave me some news which is very important for our next move." He paused and checked Chandra's expression. "I got some information about the spy who has been sent in the palace. According to my source, Dhananand has already sent one of his faithful in the palace. She is a woman, a very accomplished and influential lady, also very close to Dhananand according to my source, though he was unable to tell the name. She has been sent to Nandini, and Nand is trying to execute his further plans through the hands of his daughter!"

"I was expecting this news Acharya..."Chandra told. "As today only I got a clue about this lady."

Chanakya's eyes beamed in excitement. Chandra detailed his discovery to him. "I have ordered to gather information about that woman. I am surprised, how did the lady get her entry in the palace after going through so many security panels!"

"It's not a big deal to befool the systematic security panels Chandra." Chanakya commented. "However... I don't think our men will be able to gather any proper news about that lady in formal procedure. They must be starting from the entries in royal registers which are obviously fake ones, you may get to see the proper drawbacks of the security system of the palace by doing so, but we cannot reach to Dhananand in that way. For that we have to take another different route."

"But how Acharya? Should we arrest the woman and interrogate about Dhananand?" Chandra was impatient from his mind.

"I don't expect you to talk like a fool Chandra!" Chanakya scolded his student mildly. "Do you really think it will serve our purpose? Rather we will be losing one golden opportunity to track Dhananand and Padmanand."

"I am sorry Acharya, I should not have been impulsive." Chandra admitted somewhat shamefully. "But what is the way?"

"Think Chandra, who is this lady? Who this lady can be, who is not from this palace but from this Pataliputra, who is accomplished and very influential but faithful and extremely close to Dhananand as well?"

"She could be a trained assassin, or a trained secret agent of Amatya Rakkshas, but when the term close and faithful to Dhananand' is being used, I don't know why I think she has a special relation with Dhananand only... maybe she is a paramour of Dhananand?" Chandra concluded after thinking a while.

"This is exactly what I think, and it will not be impossible to know her name investigating in this track." Chanakya said. "Whatever the girl's name maybe, she has entered into the lion's den, and she will be leading us to her masters even without knowing."

"But how Acharya?" Chandra asked.

"Simple... You have to let to her work according to our wish, but she herself will be unknown from this fact." Chanakya smiled.

"Pardon Acharya, but I can't understand how..."

"Chandra..." Chanakya stopped him touching his shoulder. "Dhananand has sent her to control Nandini according to his wish. She is nothing but a channel between both. If you make Nandini to work according to you, that woman, along with her master, will work accordingly. Don't forget, Nandini, their biggest weapon is in your hand now. If you track Nandini properly, you will be able to know about Dhananand's each move. And if you are able to control Nandini's moves, it will be not tough to let your enemies to dance on your finger!"

Ck and Chandra's conversation is always a pleasure and for a fraction of second the fatherly chanakya comes out.

Chandra is impulsive because he is young and hot blooded unlike his guru but time will teach him this needed qualities

Chandra was silent for a moment. The tensed and fearful eyes of Nandini after almost getting caught on his hands were floating in front of his eyes. Strange... that night there was the spontaneous spark of the fire of revenge in her fiery eyes, but today a strange urge of helplessness and dilemma had clouded the blazed pupils of those beautiful eyes. That night she was fearless, not even frightened from her destiny. But today she was afraid, as if she herself knows she is the one who is wrong, and so she fears from the consequence! He suddenly felt that he is not feeling any kind of hatred towards the daughter of Nand, rather he is also pitying her, like Durdhara.

Thank God, his thoughts were not heard by his acharya😆ck will burn him with his third eye if he comes to know what was running in his pupil's mind

But it will not go unnoticed for long time he will be caught for sure , after all his guru is chanakya

"What are you thinking now?" Chanakya asked seeing him unmindful. Chandra composed himself. "Nothing... Acharya, I was thinking that should I increase the spies around Nandini to track her each moves 24 hours?"

"It will not serve the purpose. They will be warned one day. Rather we have to give her as much freedom as possible deliberately to make her less careful to observe her each move properly." Chanakya told. "Chandra, I want you to observe and examine Nandini personally. I can't find anybody ever who will be much efficient that you in this work. Besides you are her husband, you have access in her room and her life as well. Win her confidence, let her believe that you believe her, she will be automatically leading you towards your goal. She is assumed as the ace of Nand's camp, but you use her as your pawn."

Pawn, a very common and widely used word in politics, in his life Chandra has used a lot of human beings as his pawn. He has been trained from his childhood to do this. But God knows why, this time the word pawn' sounded cheap and cruel to him. Chandra was silent. He himself does not know what he was thinking exactly. Only a collage of some merged pictures were hanging in front of his eyes... those evil savage eyes and cruel laugh of that Mahapadmanad, and the blazing smile along with the spark of fire in the eyes of Nandputri in his Suhaag-Raat... Both of them belonged to the same category of viciousness, but they are not at all same! His mind was playing with the little clips of memory... her ferocious yet excellent moves of sword, her timid and frightened eyes at noon... everything had been mingled in one frame and was deviating him from the proper thought-process! Chandra felt irritated at a moment. What the hell is going on?

Unconsciously he had noted many things regarding nandh putri , he started to change towards her. It may make him vulnerable

"Meanwhile I am using my sources to get more information about this mysterious maid and also about the channel through which the news are being passed to Dhananand." Chanakya continued. "And you have to take care of your safety especially for some days; Nand has become desperate and so he can attack from any side unexpectedly."

"I will not let anything happen to myself Acharya..." Chandra told in a mild tone, and at the next instant his voice again touched the childlike resentment. "But you do not take care of your safety at all. Why do you forget Acharya, that you too have threat of life from that savage Nand same as me?"

Chanakya touched Chandra's head. His eyes softened with strange glare of emotions. Chandra is a great weapon of his hand which is entirely made of and sharpened by him. Yet, all the rest of the affection left in his stoned heart, spontaneously flows to his Chandra only. There is perhaps only one emotional attachment and connection of heart left for the stone-hearted Acharya Chanakya in this world, which he could not eliminate from his life, rather he never wants to eliminate, but to preserve it till his last breath.

"Don't worry my son. None can harm your Acharya until you are here." He uttered with a great belief from his heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ this shows their trust and understanding level

...

...

"Who is this Chandra, Pita-Maharaj?" Nandini asked his father. Chandra had attacked their Magadh some days ago and retreated back after facing a defeat. But with his small troop he was able to shatter the strongest army of Magadh, it was not a mere thing. So naturally the authority of Magadh was thoughtful about him.

"Oh that Chandra? He is the team-leader of bandits, Nandini!" Mahapadmanand smiled casually and touched her hairs with affection. "Don't worry about him, my dear. I will smash that insect under my feet. Already many of his group have been caught!"

A bandit who loots and kills the common people... Nandini has immense hatred for that type of people. But still she had doubts... "But how does a bandit dare to wedge was against Maharajadhiraj Mahapadmanand?"

"He is thirsty for the throne, of-course... that bustard..." Mahapadmanand refrained himself from using further abusive languages, and punched the nearby table to control anger. "That idiot thinks he will snatch my throne, my kingdom from me! Huh! His death is calling him towards me... He will die the toughest death, I tell you Nandini..."

Not even a year passed after this, that leader of bandits, Chandra, won Magadh by defeating the valiant warriors of Magadh and sweeping out the existence of Nand Vansh from the world and sat on the throne in the name of Chandragupta Maurya- whom the dwellers of Magadh worship as the incarnation of lord Vishnu!

The smiling face of Chandragupta when he was talking about the books was floating in front of her. The spontaneous chants on his name, the smiles in the faces of the subjects were hanging in front of her eyes. Even before some days, Nandini used to believe that Chandra is a bloodthirsty savage looter who only knows to snatch everything from people. But today her visions have changed. It's tough to believe Chandra as a bad person!

No matter what her father said about Chandra, the leader of bandits is treated as the saviour of Magadh among common people. The common maids of the palace keep on praising him in their spare time. They love him. They respect him.

Rather in their heart there are some others else in the place of savage demons!

Her father... her brothers... The people of Magadh hate them... They blame them as unforgivable criminals committing countless blasphemous crimes! They are not worth of calling human beings according to them...

Even they hate Nandini... For being the daughter of Maharaj Mahapadmanand!

She was restless. The eventful day has taken away the rest of the peace from her heart... Each and every moments of the day was flashing in front of her eyes, burning her heart!

How will she be able to fulfil her mission of revenge in such a vulnerable heart?

Truth is the most beautiful and the Terrible thing which is haunting her from core , it was a bubble burst. Her life seems to be false and fake immediately

"What are you thinking Nandini?" The mirror smirked. "You are suffering from dilemma?"

"Chandragupta is a good king. The people of Magadh want him!"

"So? Why this will effect on your verge of revenge?" The mirror lashed out. "He has destroyed your world, you will be destroying his world. Give and take policy. That's it!"

"A princess cannot be insensitive towards the subjects!" Nandini's heart cried in lamentation. "And the subjects of Magadh loves him. The subjects of Magadh hate my father, my brothers, my whole dynasty. They hate me for being the daughter of Nand! They feel ashamed of my existence!"

"You give more importance to some gossip-monger maids and some mere citizens over your brother who has come back from definite death? You will refuse your brother's desperate request of help from you? You will snatch the last chance of raising his head in front of his enemies for your own selfish reasons?"

"I have my duty towards my people as the princess of Magadh! I can't overlook them!"

"You don't have your duty towards your father? You do not have your duty to your brother who has come to you for seeking your help? Are you that much cruel Nandini? Do you have that strength to ignore the call of your brother?"

Nandini got up from the seat instantly. There was a great plight inside her heart. She cannot overlook the request of her brother. She cannot extinguish the fire of revenge of her heart. Still, despite all these, she was feeling she is doing wrong. She is doing grave injustice to the people of Magadh...

When she lied down on bed, all the thoughts were slowly being faded by the touch of sleep. Only a shout was ringing in her ears- ""WE WILL NOT TAKE ANYTING FROM THOSE IMPURE HANDS OF THAT SINNER'S DAUGHTER!! GET HER OUT OF HERE!!!!"

The people of Magadh hate her. They hate her only as she is the daughter of King Nand. Being the daughter of Nand is a shameful fact in this new Magadh! She is hated. She will be hated always as she is the daughter of king Nand!

And then her eyes sunk in sleep.

Then she saw a strange dream. A strange and horrible dream...

"NANDINIII NANDINIII" The sound was getting clearer in the dark. Her father, her brothers were calling her, they were desperately seeking help from her. The helpless shout was carrying Nandini towards them. "COME HERE NANDINI...WE ARE HERE... WAITING FOR YOU..." They were shouting with all their strength.

"I AM COMING- PITA MAHARAJ..." Nandini shouted to the source of the scream. There were pitch dark in front, and she had no clue of anything, without the sound.

She reached to the source of sound... It is coming from a deep pit. "PITA MAHARAJ... COME UP..." She shouted.

"WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU NANDINI... COME... COME..." Another desperate scream floated in the air.

And while the intensity of the scream became louder, Nandini fell inside the pit. She clutched to corner of the wall, trying to go up with all her strength, but she could not. Some cursed omens from under the darkness were pulling her towards down... "NANDINI... COME TO US!! COME TO US.!!!"

"I DON"T WANT DARKNESS!! I WANT LIGHT! I WANT LIFE!" She shouted...

"YOU HAVE TO COME TO US, WE ARE YOUR OWN..." The darkness hissed. She was being pulled downwards, she was not able to help herself. The darkness was hypnotising her, she was drawn towards dark... She was becoming blind. She only could hear the voice of her Pita Maharaj... "I AM HERE MY DEAR! WAITING FOR YOU!"

Is he her father or the demon of the hell, disguised as her father?

"HELP ME!!!" She shouted. She was unable to clasp the wall anymore and was falling inside, but did not...

As suddenly a strong, manly, fair arm clasped her hand...

The hand is known to her. There is a tattoo of Peacock's feather painted in that hand...

The darkness was being prevailed by the sunrays slowly...

👏👏 beautiful

Nandini woke up from the bed, sweating profoundly. What was the meaning of this dream!

"Pranam, Maharani..." A security guard entered inside. "If you are awake and refreshed, Maharaj has sought you for a personal meeting."

"Personal meeting?" Nandini was not only shocked but worried as well. "When?"

"Anytime today morning when you are ready." The guard answered. "Should I call your maids to get you ready?"

Nandini nodded. She was thinking something deeply.

They stepped into their first phase of their relationship and it will be interesting to see how it shapes
Vulnerable nandhini is acceptable but not weak . I still wanted her to give a tough fight to Chandra by not falling in to his trap easily😉😆
Shinning_Stuti thumbnail
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Posted: 8 years ago

Originally posted by: abiariel

Fabulous update👏👏

Thank you so much. 😳 😳

They stepped into their first phase of their relationship and it will be interesting to see how it shapes
Vulnerable nandhini is acceptable but not weak . I still wanted her to give a tough fight to Chandra by not falling in to his trap easily😉😆

Of course...Nandini is a tough cookie. 😆



jayaks02 thumbnail
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Posted: 8 years ago
Loved reading Akka's comments - They are absolutely fantastic and added that much more to the fab chapter. This IS THE CN Story i wanted to see. 😃
Devil - when is the next chapter coming ?

This story should be your number one priority. 😆😉
Shinning_Stuti thumbnail
9th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 8 years ago

Originally posted by: jayaks02

Loved reading Akka's comments - They are absolutely fantastic and added that much more to the fab chapter. This IS THE CN Story i wanted to see. 😃

Devil - when is the next chapter coming ?

This story should be your number one priority. 😆😉


Writing now. Mood is not coming. 😆


Shinning_Stuti thumbnail
9th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 8 years ago


PART 9:


"Maharaj is waiting for you over there, Maharani." The chief guard stated while pointing to the terrace attached to the grand room of His Majesty. You may go there; we will be waiting for you here.

"I will go alone? Have you forgotten that I am a prisoner?" Nandini could not help but to smile out of surprise.

"Yes Maharani..." There was no sign of smile in the face of the rigid woman. "I have been ordered for this. His Majesty does not want any third person when he will talk to his wife."

While walking towards the patio Nandini still was surprised. What is the reason of this sudden call that too without any guards and security? What is running in his mind?

"Good Morning Yours Majesty, I..." Nandini had to stop despite starting the very formal conversation in one breath... as she had seen a magnificent scene in front of her.

The first ray of the morning sun had just touched the walls and windows of the palace of Magadh. Like a priest puts a mark of victory on the forehead of the newly coroneted mighty warrior king, the sun has showered the blessing through its first ray on the newly founded kingdom of Magadh. The golden and orange hues like holy fire has swept over the open terrace, and the bright new sun of the new dawn was peeping up from the hazy mist of horizon, melting the darkness and spreading the aura of a new hope of tomorrow. Nandini gazed and gazed. Perhaps this is the first time in her life she has seen the divine beauty of a sunrise... She could not take back her eyes... she kept on gazing... There is a silhouette of a masculine profile over the patio, glowing like gorgeous melted gold in the shower of the holy sunrays... His back was revealed in front of Nandini's eyes. The very muscular and manly built, and the very fair complexion, worth of jealousy of the colour of the beautiful dawn itself, was shining brilliantly in this ocean of golden hue. His body is in the posture of Surya-Namaskar... with all the devotion of his heart he is offering his prayers to the deity of Sun... Nandini could not remove her eyes from the display of the amazing art of body... she could not keep her princely dignity by preventing herself from ogling the perfect moves of his whip-like figure, constant change of each and every posture in fraction of seconds and the elastic flexibility of controlling each and every part of the body according to own wish of mind. It was looking the son of sun is himself offering his devotion to the Sun of the dawn...

Nandini did not notice that the time was flowing, but meanwhile Chandra has got finished his Surya-Pranam. After offering the final prayer to the deity of Sun he looked back, and his eyes directly fell on Nandini. The reddish glow had fallen in her face like a spontaneous blush. She was looking different. And beautiful.

"You..." Though Chandragupta was a bit embarrassed in front of her as he was bare-chested, he did not let that to reflect on his face. While wearing a courtesy smile he swiftly pulled his Uttariya from nearby stand and covered himself. Then picking up the silk towel he wiped out the sweat and came nearer. "I have told to inform you to meet me when you're ready, but I never thought you will be coming so early. It seems you are quite an early riser."

Nandini did not tell that she has awaked up in early morning for the first time and smiled in anticipation. "It seems His Majesty is a very early riser!" She told.

"Of course... A king is not allowed to sleep more than 4 hours." Chandra said while offering her the nearby seat at the terrace. With a little hesitation Nandini sat, and Chandra sat beside her. He was too idle to speak it seemed, as his eyes were relishing the sight of Sunrise. Nandini looked at his face. His bright face was glowing even more in the sparkle of the sunrise... Nandini gulped before she could speak.

"If His Majesty allows me may I ask that what was the reason for that I have been called?" She asked in a composed and mild tone.

"Yes, of course." Chandra smiled before looking at her. There was an unknown urge in his eyes, and he can hardly be considered as an enemy. Nandini got thrilled without any reason; she forcefully looked down to avoid the eye-contact, perhaps to emphasize the fact in her mind that he is an enemy. Chandra observed her for a moment, then he spoke in a lighter tone. "I have heard how did you protest when one of my soldiers were torturing a street-boy. I am very moved by this gesture of you. Thank you..."

"You should not be thankful to me, Maharaj. What I did was completely spontaneous, and it was my duty." Nandini told. Suddenly a sting of doubt had stuck in her already confused mind... It can't be the reason of calling her private.

"I know you consider this as your duty, and this thought is very much appreciable. You acted just like a queen should do." Chandra smiled. There was a strange softness in his eyes.

"Thank you Your Majesty. I am glad to know that you considered me as an able queen of this kingdom!" Nandini uttered still trying to fathom the real intension behind this much softness.

"Yes, but my opinions have no value, until and unless the subjects consider you as an able queen for them." Chandra's glare was deep. Nandini stuck once again. The display of hatred by the subjects in the function of charity was floating in front of her eyes, was paining her again.

"I am aware of the incident which took place in the temple." Chandra shook head sadly. "It was indeed unfortunate and sad. A king or queen can hold the power of authority one and only when their subjects allow them to do so. If the subjects of Magadh do not accept you as their queen then it is obviously not a good sign..."

Nandini did not tell anything. After watching her for a while, Chandra again spoke out, and this time his calm voice had a slight touch of heated excitement. "But what I feel the subjects are very much wrong here. Maybe this is a natural reaction, and we cannot blame them for being true to their heart, but still... it is wrong. It is not right to put the burden of sin of father on the shoulder of his innocent daughter of course. Maybe I could have handled the situation better if I were there. Though, the problem here is deep-rooted... it's not easy to get the respect from the bunch of raged mass..."

He kept on but Nandini was silent. She knows everything, but why Chandra is so concerned about her position in the heart of the subjects?

"I was thinking about a solution and hence called you." Chandra kept on talking. "I want that my subjects will give you the respect which you are supposed to deserve as a queen. According to the general norms of any kingdom, every queen of any queen should be equally loved and respected by the subjects, and if by any chance the subjects are against the queen it tells upon the reputation of the king himself. Hence I will love to give you ample opportunities to prove your capabilities as a queen, after what I can guarantee you, that while performing your duty as the queen of this land, you will get your deserving respect of a queen of Maharaj Chandragupta Maurya from the subjects."

Nandini looked at the eyes of Chandragupta. Yes, the truth is that! Nandini can only regain the respect worth of a royal lady when is the wife of Chandragupta, else she is not worth of it in this kingdom! There is no place of respect for Nandputri in the kingdom of Chandragupta Maurya.

"What do you expect me to do, Maharaj!" Nandini asked.

"To do something that would compel the subjects to forget that you are Nand's daughter." Chandra's voice only reflected what Nandini was thinking in her mind. There was a slight smirk in his face. As if he was again mocking her existence of being the daughter of Mahapadmanand. Nandini felt the load inside her heart... She is being told to deny her root, her identity, her father for sake of own reputation. But when did Nandini learn to think about herself only forgetting her father, mother, brothers and her own family? A hard sting of bitterness clenched her heart now. The earlier mesmerisation for Chandra that had covered her eyes was slowly getting hazy in the shadow of that bitterness. With that, another cloud of thought was slowly overpowering her mind... what is his intension actually...

Though Nandini did not react, rather she wore a courtesy smile instantly. "I am honoured that you are so concerned about my status, Maharaj. But was it the only reason for what you called me here, that too in private?"

Chandra laughed. His white teeth shone in the reddish beam. "You're having doubt on my intension, Nand-Putri?"

"Of-course not, My Lord." Nandini told instantly. "You are the king, and I am your mere house-arrested prisoner. There is no scope to even imagine that you will have some hidden intension behind any of your action. You have that capacity to order me and I am bound to obey you. But I am surprised, Your Majesty, that you have remembered me for only this reason which entirely revolves around me. Am I worthy of that much attention?"

Chandra stared at Nandini's eye for a while. Then his smile broadened. Instead of answering her he picked an entirely different topic. "You are a sensible woman Nandkumari. I think by this time you have got the idea that how much nasty ruler your father was. I am sure you have got an experience that how much hatred and curse your father has gathered in his name, so that even his daughter is not spared from the fire of their rage. You're the only one left who has the strength to repent your nasty father's deed. You have to do it!" He paused for a moment. "I don't know if I would have told you all these ever... but after witnessing that you have a heart, and you have an honest feelings of responsibility for weaker, I somehow got to believe that you are not like your father. You are different, and you are good. And perhaps you are sensible enough to understand what I am telling. You will sure adopt in your new life."

Nandini did not tell anything; basically she was unable to do so. The sting of doubt was still pinching in her mind- why is Chandragupta telling all these suddenly?

"Let me tell you something Nandputri!" Chandra's tone was sharp as a whip. "If I have done some good works in my whole life, I consider killing your father was the top-most of all of them. I understand your pain... However he might be, he was your father, you are obviously expected to love him and to shed tear for him. But your love and tears do not reduce the burden of his sins, neither he becomes eligible for forgiveness. The truth is always bitter, and you have to except it that your father Nand has no place in my kingdom. My subjects will never tolerate his slightest shadow even in his daughter. So, if you want to be their queen, you have to deny the existence of your father forever..."

Nandini's eyes flamed once before being extinguished. How coolly Chandragupta told all these to her! She looked at his deep eyes for once. No, she could not find the man who had been mesmerized her just a moment back... rather she could clearly witness the slaughter of her father in front of her. Yes, that day also his eyes were cold, chilling and vicious. Without shaking the hands for a moment he called the flood of blood, he had killed everyone... everyone... How cruel one man can be! Nandini had never ever seen such a calm and cruel human! And today, in this beautiful morning, this man is stating so calmly that killing her father was one of his best works. And he expects her to come under his control completely, to deny her root, to deny her relations of blood just to become the queen of Chandragupta Maurya? What does he think of himself? How can he think that Nandini will be eager to settle her own life with the support of the name of her father's slaughter?

How strange the mind of a human is! With this thought only, all the hesitation, all the confusion in Nandini's heart diluted. The question which was storming inside her heart lost somewhere in the flow of stubborn emotions...Just before some moments the picture of enemy Chandra was faded in her heart, but along with this, that faded image of her father's murderer glowed with double intensity. This Chandragupta Maurya is the killer of her father! And no great quality of Chandra is going to hide this ever! Their enmity has been imprinted in blood, and no matter how much greater human Chandragupta Maurya is, he will always be the Pitrihanta of Nandini. And according to the Khsatriya norms, it is the duty of a child to avenge the death of father... And Nandini will do this... She will do her best!

Hence she gave in the force of the pull of her own blood and relation after this hard tag-of-war, and curtained her eyes with the hazy spectacles of love. This way the plight between conscience and heart ended, heart won after wounding itself severely, and conscience slowly sat at the side, hiding its smile...

Though, Nandini did not react. She have learnt these days that one should never open her heart out in front of the enemy as they can use that as their weapon. She just passed an affirmative courtesy smile. Chandra reciprocated smiling. He looked at the East sky. The Sun has risen higher in the sky by now.

"If you have no problem, I would like you to accompany me to my room." Chandra proposed suddenly. "I have something for you..." He paused to answer the silent question in Nandini's eyes... "...regarding books." He completed. "Will you come with me, please?"

Nandini stared at his face for a moment, perhaps to fathom the real intension behind this sudden enthusiastic friendly proposal. She remembered the words of Chandra that he told her in the first night of marriage. He himself had told that her life has value for him, as only he needs her for some unknown reason. It was so obvious that he will try to use her by some mean...So has the process started? Otherwise why would he call her so early alone, would show his concern, and after that would have given this proposal? But what is the actual reason? Nandini could see the edges of the threads, but were unable to touch and join them together...

But still, she has to try to know what he wants actually. For that she has to win his belief. Only in this path she would be able to get the revenge of a daughter from him!

"I would love to, Your Majesty!" Nandini nodded, displaying a happy smile on her lips.


...

Nayanika turned back once before putting on the veil over her face properly and slowly kept the mop at the corner of the wall. She has heard a lot about the very tight spy system of Acharya Chanakya; she knows even a fly cannot hide its day to day actions from the eyes of those very efficient spies. All, irrespective of age, gender and status, are being scrutinized 24 hours under the scanner of the system. And a minor fault from her side will be deadly... not only for her, but for the princess, the royal family and the crown-prince himself. So she has been very careful each and every moment. She has observed these days, that right in this early morning, when the members of the palace are still in bed, the guards usually become casual, and so is the entire system. The morning lethargy takes over the whole palace, and very naturally the spies are not exception in this process. So she has chosen this time. There is still a mop in her hand, and she is acting like a floor-washer very realistically, there is no scope of suspecting her in this case. But the actual moment of examination is this... to open the door of the secret passage without getting seen by anyone.

While acting to clean the spider-nets from the corners she very swiftly pressed a particular point on the wall with a good effort. The lock of the hidden door opened, and Nayanika jumped inside in a blink of eye. The door became closed again.

There was inky darkness inside the passage with number of garlands of spider-web welcoming her. Nayanika started using the mop as a stick and kept on moving forward with suppressed tension inside. Where the hell is that man!

In another moment she could see a very dim light coming from other side.

"Pranaam Nayanika!" Sometime later the source of the light was in front of her. A well-built, handsome young man was standing in front. "I am Bhadrashal. Samant Bhadrashal. Senapati of Kumar Dhananand."

"Pranaam Samantraaj." Nayanika smiled in anticipation. "I hope everything was alright."

"Everything was just alright a moment ago, but suddenly everything has become heavenly." The young warrior passed a naughty smile. "Today I know why it is said that seeing Nayanika once in front of eyes is as priceless as spending an evening in the court of lord Indra along with the beautiful Apsharas of the heaven. I should thank my stars that I got the assignment in the palace of Pataliputra... One sight of you is enough to spend the whole life dreaming about you..."

Even in this crucial moment Nayanika could not help but to smirk naughtily. In the good times of Magadh she has heard more than enough time that Samant Bhadrashal tried to approach her by many means. Very naturally his wish was never granted, as Nayanika had been accessible only to Nand-Putras... Today is obviously Bhadrashal's dreams-come-true moment.

"I hope my men are working efficiently, and there will be no problem due to them!" She asked.

"They are just as perfect as a spy in enemy-land should be. Everything is going all perfect as part of plan, my dear Nayanike!" Bhadrashal tried to be a bit intimate with her. "I must say you're a gem of women... The way you arranged everything was..."

"I would prefer you to call me as Devi Nayanika, Samantraaj." Nayanika ignored his buttery words completely. "And it will be better if we start talking about next plan. We are in enemy-zone, and we have no time to waste."

"Alright!" Bhadrashal's smile glowed in the dim light while his eyes sparkled. "All is set. It's high time you come into action and end the story of Chandragupta Maurya."

"I am still confused how to end his story. The security system is too strict here! There is risk in every step!" Nayanika stated helplessly. "I think you don't know... the women of Nand-family has been imprisoned, and Princess Nandini is house-arrested, there are guards around her every time spying on her each and every action! One mistake may tell upon their life, which is not desirable! So, I think by now Kumar should forget the thought of killing Chandragupta and try to strengthen his force."

"I see!" Bhadrashal nodded thoughtfully. "So here is a bad news from you... there is no news of the imprisonment of the queens outside... Anyways, Kumar does not want to late in this mission by hook or crook. And also by the time I also have understood that there is no scope of getting back Magadh in fair war, the only option left is regicide, the secret murder of King Chandragupta... The kingdom will be upset after this, and in that chance we will attack and win."

"I don't think it will serve the purpose so easily. Rather under the supervision of Acharya Chanakya the army will become much conscious, and bloodthirsty if Chandragupta dies. You people will not get a least moment to waste after he falls. Attack should happen simultaneously. Are you people able to do that? Is the army ready for war?"

"I am not sure about frontal war, but if we attack from these secret passages Chandra's soldiers would not be able to beat us. Besides..." Bhadrashal smiled. "Let me give you a good news. We are not alone now. There is someone who is going to help us at every step..."

"Who is he?"

"I can't disclose." Bhadrashal shook his head. "However, I am sure you will find him fast... And after that you will not feel alone and helpless here. According to Kumar's instructions, the story of Chandragupta should be ended before day after tomorrow. Our co-operator will be right near you, and he will manage everything of this palace after the incident and will give us the signal. Meanwhile I will enter the palace with force via secret passages and cover the princess and the queens."

"It's easy to make a plan, but not so easy to execute." Nayanika told. "I still have no idea how I will kill Chandragupta. I have also to talk to princess about this..."

"Plan everything swiftly." Bhadrashal commented. "There is a preparation of some celebration in the kingdom. Maybe some auspicious guests are coming... There will be celebrations to welcome them, and that day you will get a golden chance of killing him. Before that I hope you will get to contact with our secret helping hand."

"Nice!" Nayanika smiled sarcastically. "But I need to discuss about Kumari Nandini too. After all I have been sent to help her in getting revenge."

"No need to indulge the young sentimental princess here." It was clear from Bhadrashal's tone that he has no expectation from the talents of a pampered princess. "Only do one thing, let her know that we are going to rescue her right at that day, so she should stay warned."

"All right." Nayanika nodded. "I am trying. I think we should go now, I will let you know what I thought about our next step."

"I am leaving Devi Nayanika..." Bhadrashal bid. "However, you must be understanding that we do not have much time in hand. We have to come in action right at the day after tomorrow..."

"I know Samantraaj. Tell Kumar that I will not disappoint him!" Nayanika told.

JanakNandini thumbnail
8th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail
Posted: 8 years ago

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Hi Stuti

It was a fanatastic chapter.My comments are in blue

PART 9:


"Maharaj is waiting for you over there, Maharani." The chief guard stated while pointing to the terrace attached to the grand room of His Majesty. You may go there; we will be waiting for you here.

"I will go alone? Have you forgotten that I am a prisoner?" Nandini could not help but to smile out of surprise.

"Yes Maharani..." There was no sign of smile in the face of the rigid woman. "I have been ordered for this. His Majesty does not want any third person when he will talk to his wife."


Wife! This is an important milestone in their relationship. As all along he never called her as his wife! Something intriguing.May be he follows his acharya's order which we seen in last chapter.

While walking towards the patio Nandini still was surprised. What is the reason of this sudden call that too without any guards and security? What is running in his mind?

"Good Morning Yours Majesty, I..." Nandini had to stop despite starting the very formal conversation in one breath... as she had seen a magnificent scene in front of her.

The first ray of the morning sun had just touched the walls and windows of the palace of Magadh. Like a priest puts a mark of victory on the forehead of the newly coroneted mighty warrior king, the sun has showered the blessing through its first ray on the newly founded kingdom of Magadh. The golden and orange hues like holy fire has swept over the open terrace, and the bright new sun of the new dawn was peeping up from the hazy mist of horizon, melting the darkness and spreading the aura of a new hope of tomorrow. Nandini gazed and gazed. Perhaps this is the first time in her life she has seen the divine beauty of a sunrise... She could not take back her eyes... she kept on gazing... There is a silhouette of a masculine profile over the patio, glowing like gorgeous melted gold in the shower of the holy sunrays... His back was revealed in front of Nandini's eyes. The very muscular and manly built, and the very fair complexion, worth of jealousy of the colour of the beautiful dawn itself, was shining brilliantly in this ocean of golden hue. His body is in the posture of Surya-Namaskar... with all the devotion of his heart he is offering his prayers to the deity of Sun... Nandini could not remove her eyes from the display of the amazing art of body... she could not keep her princely dignity by preventing herself from ogling the perfect moves of his whip-like figure, constant change of each and every posture in fraction of seconds and the elastic flexibility of controlling each and every part of the body according to own wish of mind. It was looking the son of sun is himself offering his devotion to the Sun of the dawn..

Description of the dawn is really good and to cap it,your sentence refering she saw beauty of sunrise for first time speaks a lot!

Nandini did not notice that the time was flowing, but meanwhile Chandra has got finished his Surya-Pranam. After offering the final prayer to the deity of Sun he looked back, and his eyes directly fell on Nandini. The reddish glow had fallen in her face like a spontaneous blush. She was looking different. And beautiful.

"You..." Though Chandragupta was a bit embarrassed in front of her as he was bare-chested, he did not let that to reflect on his face. While wearing a courtesy smile he swiftly pulled his Uttariya from nearby stand and covered himself. Then picking up the silk towel he wiped out the sweat and came nearer. "I have told to inform you to meet me when you're ready, but I never thought you will be coming so early. It seems you are quite an early riser."

Nandini did not tell that she has awaked up in early morning for the first time and smiled in anticipation. "It seems His Majesty is a very early riser!" She told.

"Of course... A king is not allowed to sleep more than 4 hours." Chandra said while offering her the nearby seat at the terrace. With a little hesitation Nandini sat, and Chandra sat beside her. He was too idle to speak it seemed, as his eyes were relishing the sight of Sunrise. Nandini looked at his face. His bright face was glowing even more in the sparkle of the sunrise... Nandini gulped before she could speak.

King sleeping time is correct as per Mudraraksha. Chanakya says so in that.I am glad you used it here !

"If His Majesty allows me may I ask that what was the reason for that I have been called?" She asked in a composed and mild tone.

"Yes, of course." Chandra smiled before looking at her. There was an unknown urge in his eyes, and he can hardly be considered as an enemy. Nandini got thrilled without any reason; she forcefully looked down to avoid the eye-contact, perhaps to emphasize the fact in her mind that he is an enemy. Chandra observed her for a moment, then he spoke in a lighter tone. "I have heard how did you protest when one of my soldiers were torturing a street-boy. I am very moved by this gesture of you. Thank you..."

"You should not be thankful to me, Maharaj. What I did was completely spontaneous, and it was my duty." Nandini told. Suddenly a sting of doubt had stuck in her already confused mind... It can't be the reason of calling her private.

Wow..That where you score..Yes Nandini have to think about the motive behind his change of behavior.

"I know you consider this as your duty, and this thought is very much appreciable. You acted just like a queen should do." Chandra smiled. There was a strange softness in his eyes.

"Thank you Your Majesty. I am glad to know that you considered me as an able queen of this kingdom!" Nandini uttered still trying to fathom the real intension behind this much softness.

"Yes, but my opinions have no value, until and unless the subjects consider you as an able queen for them." Chandra's glare was deep. Nandini stuck once again. The display of hatred by the subjects in the function of charity was floating in front of her eyes, was paining her again.

"I am aware of the incident which took place in the temple." Chandra shook head sadly. "It was indeed unfortunate and sad. A king or queen can hold the power of authority one and only when their subjects allow them to do so. If the subjects of Magadh do not accept you as their queen then it is obviously not a good sign..."

Nandini did not tell anything. After watching her for a while, Chandra again spoke out, and this time his calm voice had a slight touch of heated excitement. "But what I feel the subjects are very much wrong here. Maybe this is a natural reaction, and we cannot blame them for being true to their heart, but still... it is wrong. It is not right to put the burden of sin of father on the shoulder of his innocent daughter of course. Maybe I could have handled the situation better if I were there. Though, the problem here is deep-rooted... it's not easy to get the respect from the bunch of raged mass..."

He kept on but Nandini was silent. She knows everything, but why Chandra is so concerned about her position in the heart of the subjects?

"I was thinking about a solution and hence called you." Chandra kept on talking. "I want that my subjects will give you the respect which you are supposed to deserve as a queen. According to the general norms of any kingdom, every queen of any queen should be equally loved and respected by the subjects, and if by any chance the subjects are against the queen it tells upon the reputation of the king himself. Hence I will love to give you ample opportunities to prove your capabilities as a queen, after what I can guarantee you, that while performing your duty as the queen of this land, you will get your deserving respect of a queen of Maharaj Chandragupta Maurya from the subjects."

Nandini looked at the eyes of Chandragupta. Yes, the truth is that! Nandini can only regain the respect worth of a royal lady when is the wife of Chandragupta, else she is not worth of it in this kingdom! There is no place of respect for Nandputri in the kingdom of Chandragupta Maurya.

"What do you expect me to do, Maharaj!" Nandini asked.

"To do something that would compel the subjects to forget that you are Nand's daughter." Chandra's voice only reflected what Nandini was thinking in her mind. There was a slight smirk in his face. As if he was again mocking her existence of being the daughter of Mahapadmanand. Nandini felt the load inside her heart... She is being told to deny her root, her identity, her father for sake of own reputation. But when did Nandini learn to think about herself only forgetting her father, mother, brothers and her own family? A hard sting of bitterness clenched her heart now. The earlier mesmerisation for Chandra that had covered her eyes was slowly getting hazy in the shadow of that bitterness. With that, another cloud of thought was slowly overpowering her mind... what is his intension actually...

Though Nandini did not react, rather she wore a courtesy smile instantly. "I am honoured that you are so concerned about my status, Maharaj. But was it the only reason for what you called me here, that too in private?"

that was a witty reply!

Chandra laughed. His white teeth shone in the reddish beam. "You're having doubt on my intension, Nand-Putri?"

"Of-course not, My Lord." Nandini told instantly. "You are the king, and I am your mere house-arrested prisoner. There is no scope to even imagine that you will have some hidden intension behind any of your action. You have that capacity to order me and I am bound to obey you. But I am surprised, Your Majesty, that you have remembered me for only this reason which entirely revolves around me. Am I worthy of that much attention?"

Chandra stared at Nandini's eye for a while. Then his smile broadened. Instead of answering her he picked an entirely different topic. "You are a sensible woman Nandkumari. I think by this time you have got the idea that how much nasty ruler your father was. I am sure you have got an experience that how much hatred and curse your father has gathered in his name, so that even his daughter is not spared from the fire of their rage. You're the only one left who has the strength to repent your nasty father's deed. You have to do it!" He paused for a moment. "I don't know if I would have told you all these ever... but after witnessing that you have a heart, and you have an honest feelings of responsibility for weaker, I somehow got to believe that you are not like your father. You are different, and you are good. And perhaps you are sensible enough to understand what I am telling. You will sure adopt in your new life."

Nandini did not tell anything; basically she was unable to do so. The sting of doubt was still pinching in her mind- why is Chandragupta telling all these suddenly?

"Let me tell you something Nandputri!" Chandra's tone was sharp as a whip. "If I have done some good works in my whole life, I consider killing your father was the top-most of all of them. I understand your pain... However he might be, he was your father, you are obviously expected to love him and to shed tear for him. But your love and tears do not reduce the burden of his sins, neither he becomes eligible for forgiveness. The truth is always bitter, and you have to except it that your father Nand has no place in my kingdom. My subjects will never tolerate his slightest shadow even in his daughter. So, if you want to be their queen, you have to deny the existence of your father forever..."

Chandra is beating around the bush... he is not clear what he actually wants. this is what Nandini could have thought when he spoke Am I correct

Nandini's eyes flamed once before being extinguished. How coolly Chandragupta told all these to her! She looked at his deep eyes for once. No, she could not find the man who had been mesmerized her just a moment back... rather she could clearly witness the slaughter of her father in front of her. Yes, that day also his eyes were cold, chilling and vicious. Without shaking the hands for a moment he called the flood of blood, he had killed everyone... everyone... How cruel one man can be! Nandini had never ever seen such a calm and cruel human! And today, in this beautiful morning, this man is stating so calmly that killing her father was one of his best works. And he expects her to come under his control completely, to deny her root, to deny her relations of blood just to become the queen of Chandragupta Maurya? What does he think of himself? How can he think that Nandini will be eager to settle her own life with the support of the name of her father's slaughter?

How strange the mind of a human is! With this thought only, all the hesitation, all the confusion in Nandini's heart diluted. The question which was storming inside her heart lost somewhere in the flow of stubborn emotions...Just before some moments the picture of enemy Chandra was faded in her heart, but along with this, that faded image of her father's murderer glowed with double intensity. This Chandragupta Maurya is the killer of her father! And no great quality of Chandra is going to hide this ever! Their enmity has been imprinted in blood, and no matter how much greater human Chandragupta Maurya is, he will always be the Pitrihanta of Nandini. And according to the Khsatriya norms, it is the duty of a child to avenge the death of father... And Nandini will do this... She will do her best!

Hence she gave in the force of the pull of her own blood and relation after this hard tag-of-war, and curtained her eyes with the hazy spectacles of love. This way the plight between conscience and heart ended, heart won after wounding itself severely, and conscience slowly sat at the side, hiding its smile...

Though, Nandini did not react. She have learnt these days that one should never open her heart out in front of the enemy as they can use that as their weapon. She just passed an affirmative courtesy smile. Chandra reciprocated smiling. He looked at the East sky. The Sun has risen higher in the sky by now.

perfecr! you should not disclose your heart to enemies.

"If you have no problem, I would like you to accompany me to my room." Chandra proposed suddenly. "I have something for you..." He paused to answer the silent question in Nandini's eyes... "...regarding books." He completed. "Will you come with me, please?"

Nandini stared at his face for a moment, perhaps to fathom the real intension behind this sudden enthusiastic friendly proposal. She remembered the words of Chandra that he told her in the first night of marriage. He himself had told that her life has value for him, as only he needs her for some unknown reason. It was so obvious that he will try to use her by some mean...So has the process started? Otherwise why would he call her so early alone, would show his concern, and after that would have given this proposal? But what is the actual reason? Nandini could see the edges of the threads, but were unable to touch and join them together...

But still, she has to try to know what he wants actually. For that she has to win his belief. Only in this path she would be able to get the revenge of a daughter from him!

"I would love to, Your Majesty!" Nandini nodded, displaying a happy smile on her lips.

Helena's reaction will be a treat to watch, Will she break the vase or do something else .. I am waiting for her reaction after she comes to know chandini growing proximity. I think Your Helena comes as grey character,unlike in the serial where she is deep black,with her horrible makeup and expressions. morethan that her maroon gown.OMg cant they get her a pair of good colored dresses.


...

Nayanika turned back once before putting on the veil over her face properly and slowly kept the mop at the corner of the wall. She has heard a lot about the very tight spy system of Acharya Chanakya; she knows even a fly cannot hide its day to day actions from the eyes of those very efficient spies. All, irrespective of age, gender and status, are being scrutinized 24 hours under the scanner of the system. And a minor fault from her side will be deadly... not only for her, but for the princess, the royal family and the crown-prince himself. So she has been very careful each and every moment. She has observed these days, that right in this early morning, when the members of the palace are still in bed, the guards usually become casual, and so is the entire system. The morning lethargy takes over the whole palace, and very naturally the spies are not exception in this process. So she has chosen this time. There is still a mop in her hand, and she is acting like a floor-washer very realistically, there is no scope of suspecting her in this case. But the actual moment of examination is this... to open the door of the secret passage without getting seen by anyone.

While acting to clean the spider-nets from the corners she very swiftly pressed a particular point on the wall with a good effort. The lock of the hidden door opened, and Nayanika jumped inside in a blink of eye. The door became closed again.

There was inky darkness inside the passage with number of garlands of spider-web welcoming her. Nayanika started using the mop as a stick and kept on moving forward with suppressed tension inside. Where the hell is that man!

In another moment she could see a very dim light coming from other side.

"Pranaam Nayanika!" Sometime later the source of the light was in front of her. A well-built, handsome young man was standing in front. "I am Bhadrashal. Samant Bhadrashal. Senapati of Kumar Dhananand."

"Pranaam Samantraaj." Nayanika smiled in anticipation. "I hope everything was alright."

"Everything was just alright a moment ago, but suddenly everything has become heavenly." The young warrior passed a naughty smile. "Today I know why it is said that seeing Nayanika once in front of eyes is as priceless as spending an evening in the court of lord Indra along with the beautiful Apsharas of the heaven. I should thank my stars that I got the assignment in the palace of Pataliputra... One sight of you is enough to spend the whole life dreaming about you..."

Even in this crucial moment Nayanika could not help but to smirk naughtily. In the good times of Magadh she has heard more than enough time that Samant Bhadrashal tried to approach her by many means. Very naturally his wish was never granted, as Nayanika had been accessible only to Nand-Putras... Today is obviously Bhadrashal's dreams-come-true moment.

she is in relation with Dhananand only right

"I hope my men are working efficiently, and there will be no problem due to them!" She asked.

"They are just as perfect as a spy in enemy-land should be. Everything is going all perfect as part of plan, my dear Nayanike!" Bhadrashal tried to be a bit intimate with her. "I must say you're a gem of women... The way you arranged everything was..."

"I would prefer you to call me as Devi Nayanika, Samantraaj." Nayanika ignored his buttery words completely. "And it will be better if we start talking about next plan. We are in enemy-zone, and we have no time to waste."

"Alright!" Bhadrashal's smile glowed in the dim light while his eyes sparkled. "All is set. It's high time you come into action and end the story of Chandragupta Maurya."

"I am still confused how to end his story. The security system is too strict here! There is risk in every step!" Nayanika stated helplessly. "I think you don't know... the women of Nand-family has been imprisoned, and Princess Nandini is house-arrested, there are guards around her every time spying on her each and every action! One mistake may tell upon their life, which is not desirable! So, I think by now Kumar should forget the thought of killing Chandragupta and try to strengthen his force."

"I see!" Bhadrashal nodded thoughtfully. "So here is a bad news from you... there is no news of the imprisonment of the queens outside... Anyways, Kumar does not want to late in this mission by hook or crook. And also by the time I also have understood that there is no scope of getting back Magadh in fair war, the only option left is regicide, the secret murder of King Chandragupta... The kingdom will be upset after this, and in that chance we will attack and win."

"I don't think it will serve the purpose so easily. Rather under the supervision of Acharya Chanakya the army will become much conscious, and bloodthirsty if Chandragupta dies. You people will not get a least moment to waste after he falls. Attack should happen simultaneously. Are you people able to do that? Is the army ready for war?"

"I am not sure about frontal war, but if we attack from these secret passages Chandra's soldiers would not be able to beat us. Besides..." Bhadrashal smiled. "Let me give you a good news. We are not alone now. There is someone who is going to help us at every step..."

"Who is he?"

"I can't disclose." Bhadrashal shook his head. "However, I am sure you will find him fast... And after that you will not feel alone and helpless here. According to Kumar's instructions, the story of Chandragupta should be ended before day after tomorrow. Our co-operator will be right near you, and he will manage everything of this palace after the incident and will give us the signal. Meanwhile I will enter the palace with force via secret passages and cover the princess and the queens."

"It's easy to make a plan, but not so easy to execute." Nayanika told. "I still have no idea how I will kill Chandragupta. I have also to talk to princess about this..."

"Plan everything swiftly." Bhadrashal commented. "There is a preparation of some celebration in the kingdom. Maybe some auspicious guests are coming... There will be celebrations to welcome them, and that day you will get a golden chance of killing him. Before that I hope you will get to contact with our secret helping hand."

"Nice!" Nayanika smiled sarcastically. "But I need to discuss about Kumari Nandini too. After all I have been sent to help her in getting revenge."

"No need to indulge the young sentimental princess here." It was clear from Bhadrashal's tone that he has no expectation from the talents of a pampered princess. "Only do one thing, let her know that we are going to rescue her right at that day, so she should stay warned."

"All right." Nayanika nodded. "I am trying. I think we should go now, I will let you know what I thought about our next step."

"I am leaving Devi Nayanika..." Bhadrashal bid. "However, you must be understanding that we do not have much time in hand. We have to come in action right at the day after tomorrow..."

"I know Samantraaj. Tell Kumar that I will not disappoint him!" Nayanika told

Nayankika part is good .But i really pity her.. for her state.as a concubine of Dhananand.



Well written stuti.
I admire your writing skills.Kudos.Have a hug from me for this beautiful update.

Edited by Avantika1115 - 8 years ago
shailusri1983 thumbnail
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Posted: 8 years ago
Stuti that was a very fascinating update. There are several things which struck my notice at the first glimpse itself. I will try to list them out:

1) You have succeeded in showing how there is a subtle undercurrent of physical attraction and magnetism that draws both Chandra and Nandini together like the opposite poles of a battery. This is very evident in the Surya Namskar scene. I was happy to see that you did not shy away from portraying the sensual side of this relationship which will go on to become a relationship of true love in future.

This can be seen when Nandini is seen ogling not even so discreetly at the well-toned physique of Chandragupt. Similarly, it is evident that Chandragupt is also not so comfortable at his being glimpsed in his state by Nandini. His embarrassment at this shows that he too is aware of what they have between each other, an unsaid, unspoken, but at the same time palpable emotion. However, he thankfully saves himself and Nandini from anything further by taking refuge in the angavastram which he hastily wraps round himself.

2) The other thing you effectively brought out in this chapter is the gradual way in which their relationship has progressed by steady stages from enemy to a person, from a person to an official duty and responsibility like, he is the king and she is the queen. Now it has become even a bit closer like preserving appearances before a third person like the guard, messenger, etc, by telling in an indirect way that both of them are one functioning unit, a husband and wife, and that there is no space for a third. Whatever happens is between them only. Perhaps it was unconsciously there even before. But what is interesting to note is their calm and formal acceptance of it.

3) Another thing I have always loved in your FF is the historical intrigue angle. The functioning of employees in the palace, the administrative procedures, the elaborate discussions between Chanakya and Chandragupt to demonstrate how they think and function, etc. In this part too, I found Nayanika's irritation at being so carefully watched and being observed by the efficient spy system established by Acharya Chanakya very telling. That Bhadrasal found a loophole here does not tell negatively on their capabilities. Because for one, criminals always manage to find loopholes even in a tightly knit security system. Second, it could also be intentional to gather more information about the enemy side and lull them into complacence.

4) I did feel sorry for Nayanika that she is being used like an object by all these men like Dhananand and Bhadrasal. But then she is to blame for it because she chose to live this life voluntarily.

5) The final last point that is intriguing me is the final choice Nandini is going to make between her father and husband. She is still wavering like this and that like a ping-pong ball. One moment, she is admiring Chandragupt, the other moment the feeling of revenge and disgust dominate her.

So what will be the factor that will break the camel's back. Is it going to be this attempted regicide without involving her that will make Nandini realize the true character of her blood relations? It will definitely be a very telling blow to her if Dhananand and Co implement their plans without telling her anything. It will show her how they do not trust even her.

My feeling is she should have begun seeing sense after the reaction from her Praja. But still she is indecisive showing her fixation. Something drastic has to happen now to change that!
Shinning_Stuti thumbnail
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Posted: 8 years ago

Originally posted by: Avantika1115



Well written stuti.
I admire your writing skills.Kudos.Have a hug from me for this beautiful update.

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