DMG~The Cinderella Way [New thread; pg.143] - Page 20

Chp.16 Getting to know the Royal family

Ridhima had finished her work for now. She hadn't had her breakfast as yet. She went to her room and sat down on the bed lost in thought. Soon there was a knock on the door. She went and opened it to find Gauri. She had brought the breakfast tray with her. "Gauri, what are you doing here with this breakfast tray?" asked Ridhima.

"Ssh... Ridhima, please let me in at least," replied Gauri. Ridhima let her in and silently closed the door behind her.

"Today is your first day here. I thought you might take some time to get used to the idea of working here, so I decided to help you," said Gauri.

"I've brought breakfast for you."

"But ain't we supposed to prepare our own meals here?" asked Ridhima.

"Of course, we are, but I came to know that you hadn't had your breakfast yet, so I brought it here," replied Gauri.

"Yeah because I'd gone to see BR. I decided to finish my work first," replied Ridhima.

"Ok now, before Bhanumati ji returns, finish your breakfast, I've got to get back to work," said Gauri.

"Fine, but first you've got to promise me that you will allow me to prepare lunch for both of us," replied Ridhima.

"Ok dear, agreed," said Gauri. Ridhima began eating alone as Gauri had already eaten before.

"Gauri, tell me something about all the members of the Royal family," said Ridhima.

"Royal family, hmm... Do you want me to begin from anyone in particular? Say Kunwar Armaan?" said Gauri with a twinkle in her eye.

Ridhima's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her prince charming but she dared not show her feelings for fear of being suspected. Before Gauri could say anything, Ridhima quickly replied, "Well you can begin from any member of your choice."

"Fine, I'll begin from Raja Sahib. RS is a very strict and justice loving person. He is a man of principles. He has real honor and respect for the values and ethics of his ancestors and expects the same from his children. He cannot tolerate oppression and lies. He deals severely with them. He always gives preference to his duties as a king over that as a father," said Gauri.

"Oh, I see, go ahead," replied Ridhima.

Gauri proceeded further, "BR is the first wife of RS and the mother of prince Armaan and princess Nikita. She is a very good person and a very loving and caring mother. But unfortunately she had an accident and due to it she was paralyzed. After her accident, she was confined to the bed and she couldn't even talk. Everyone in the palace had become very sad. The palace was engulfed with grief and sorrow."

"How sad! The prince and his sister must've been heartbroken," interrupted Ridhima.

"Yeah, Kunwar Armaan and princess Nikita were quite young and were having a hard time. RS soon realized that the kids needed a mother and the kingdom, a queen. So he married CR. CR is BR's younger sister. She had come to the palace along with BR and had always lived here. The kids got a mother as choti maa and the kingdom got a queen too, but everyone still missed BR and her cheerfulness. CR soon gave birth to a son, named prince Rahul and later a daughter named princess Anjali," said Gauri.

"Go on," said Ridhima. She had finished her breakfast and was listening intently.

"Now we come to- any guesses?" asked Gauri but Ridhima shook her head. "Our one and only, Kunwar Armaan!" Gauri exclaimed. "The prince of every girl's dreams, the heartthrob of millions and the most eligible bachelor of the Shishodiya kingdom," said Gauri dreamily. "At times I really wonder whether princess Muskan is really the girl for him."

Ridhima's heart began thudding violently. "Why do you say so?" she enquired innocently.

"That's because Kunwar Armaan is a very innocent person, kind, gentle, loving and caring at heart. A brave and true warrior. He respects his elders and loves those younger to him. He is not at all proud about his royal status and always adheres to the values of his ancestors. He does not believe in the differences between the rich and poor. I don't know princess Muskan, but something just telIs me that she can't match Kunwar Armaan in any aspect. He deserves someone as innocent and gentle as him. Someone who can care for him and understand him. Someone who's really loving and caring. Someone like, someone like... YOU!"

Ridhima who was drinking water was taken aback at Gauri's sudden outburst and broke into a coughing fit.

"Me? Are you kidding? What made you say that? And how long have you known me to say whether I am that kind of a person or not?" she asked shocked.

"Yeah you! I'm not kidding. Well even though we met just yesterday, I know what kind of a person you are. I don't think I have to think twice before saying that you are a thousand times better than princess Muskan. If only you were a princess!" Gauri sighed.

Ridhima just stared at her incredulously, "are you a psychic?"

Gauri laughed looking at Ridhima's expressions, "No Ridhima, I'm not a psychic, but whatever I'm saying is straight from my heart."

"Just shut up Gauri, if someone hears this, you and I will be kicked out of this palace within seconds. I don't know about you, but I can't afford to lose this job at all. So now keep shut and go ahead," said Ridhima.

"Whatever Ridhima, I'm not picking on you, I'm honest. Anyways, next is prince Rahul, handsome and still single, the apple of CR's eyes, gone abroad for higher studies and is expected to be back soon. He is quite different as compared to Prince Armaan. Princess Nikita and princess Anjali, both are exact opposites of each other. One who is simple, sweet and down-to-earth, whereas the other is proud and arrogant. One who's enjoying life to the fullest extent and other who faces all the hardships of life," said Gauri.

"Princess Anjali is 19 and single, but unfortunately princess Nikita is a widow."

Ridhima's jaw dropped on hearing this, "what?"

"Yeah Ridhima, life has played a nasty joke on her. Gauri told her about all the misfortunes in Nikita's life and what had come about to cause it. By the time she finished Ridhima was lost. She couldn't believe that life could be so harsh on someone so sweet. No wonder she dressed so simply. Her clothing and way of dressing very well showed how colorless her life was but Ridhima had been unable to understand it then. So far whatever she had seen of Nikita, told her that she was not the kind of person who deserved something of this kind.

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