"Your highness, you are looking wonderful!" Advika said enthusiastically. She took off the cloth from the tray on the table, revealing Ira's new gold crown with sapphire gems on it and the big one at the centre of it. She took the crown from tray and helped Ira wear it. She even made Ira wear that one wristlet that Avanya gave for her. The family wristlet.
After that, Ira was ready with her look. She stood up from her dressing stool and looked at herself in the mirror. A faint smile appeared on her face, the smile of happiness with some nervousness of appearing infront of everyone as future king's wife, the first princess of Jwalana, the only princess of Jwalana whom everyone is eager to see.
Ira closed her eyes and took a deep breath to clam her heart that is hammering inside her chest as if it will come out at any moment.
'How people will react after seeing me? What questions they will ask? Will they accept me? Hope everything will go smoothly. Raksheet told me that there are some people who would try to create problems. I should stay away from them. Hope they will not create any problem today. I want my husband to get crowned without any hindrance.' when Ira was in her thoughts, Advika places her hand on Ira's shoulder.
Ira opened her eyes and looked at Advika smiling softly. She smiled in response as she felt her heart calming after seeing Advika's smile. Instead of a friend, Ira found a motherly figure in Advika. She always treat her well and take care of her. Sometimes Ira feels like she is living with her mother whenever Advika is arround her, taking care of her.
"Your highness, i know you are nervous." Advika said "But trust me, you don't have to be nervous. You just have to be yourself. Because your true self is the best. The way you are kind and respect others, is enough to please everyone."
Advika held Ira's both shoulders, staring deep in her eyes "Don't let the rivals see your weakness as they will not let any opportunity to drag us down. Always remember that you are the most beautiful princess in Dhrattak Empire. Your husband is most powerful prince in empire and he will be the most powerful king for sure. Don't think that you are weak or less than others. You are a princess whom everyone should respect and if someone dared to disrespect you, your husband will make them regret their every action, every word, for rest of their life. You are the best, so never doubt on yourself and feel confident."
Advika's words filled confidence in Ira's body. Advika's every word was echoing in Ira's mind. She felt that she deserve this all, all the happiness, all the respect, all the love she is getting right now, she is worth it. Only she is worth it! She felt that she was locked up in a cage for such a long time and finally, she is free to fly. And she deserve this freedom!
Ira nod confidently and held Advika's hand. "Thank you Advika. Thank you so much for always supporting me and cheering me up. Thank you for always being with me. I am glad to have you in my life."
"Your highness, i am always with you. And i will always support you." Advika patted Ira's hand "Now we should go to ceremony hall. The ceremony will start soon and you should be present there before it start. His highness must be waiting for you."
Ira nod in aggreement. She turned towards mirror and looked at her reflection. She know her husband will be delighted by her appearance but she don't know whether Jwalana's people will like her.
The ceremony hall was filled with guests, emperor, kings and queens. Discussing some political matter, introducing their partners to others, and waiting for the coronation ceremony to start. All the kumar family and chakravarthy family members were present in hall, except for Ira and Raksheet.
"Hmm....the decoration is not bad." Abel said, looking arround the hall.
"I am glad you like the decoration." Ashwant said. Although he wasn't interested to talk or have any kind of conversation with this cunning and wicked king, he still have to bear him to make sure he will not create any trouble for them. He have to keep an close eye on him and his people and keep them away from Ira, as long as he can. After all, Ira have to meet everyone and greet them, so she can't avoid him.
"I didn't said i like it." Abel replied with a evil smirk on his lips. He really is a cunning person who never leaves any chance to make fun of his rivals.
Ashwant sighed frustratedly 'As i expected. This idiot!' Ashwant wanted to beat this arrogant person infront of him but he have to control his anger to not ruin his son's coronation.
"By the way, where is your soon to be king and....His wife?" The smirk on Abel's lips grew wider while mentioning Ira.
Ashwant's eyes widened in anger and he looked straight in Abel's eyes. He clenched his fist to control his anger and not to punch this cheap king!
Ashwant took a step forward towards Abel and said in his cold voice "Aren't you too much eager to meet them? You better stay away from my daughter-in-law or else...."
Ashwant's threat sounded like a joke to Abel. He chuckled and shook his head "Daughter-in-law? It sound so weird, isn't it?"
"Whether it sound weird or not, it's none of your business. So stay away from her. We invited you to witness our son's coronation. Not to create any fuss." Ashwant smiled sarcastically and looked at his right.
Abel furrowed and looked at the direction where Ashwant was looking and found emperor standing there, busy in talking with someone.
"Especially not in emperor's presence." Ashwant turned his head towards Abel, with the same smirk on his lip "Right?"
Abel clenched his jaw in annoyance. He know he can't do anything to ruin this grand occasion when emperor is present there. He don't want emperor to punish him and his kingdom for creating troubles in a grand occasion like coronation. Even if he can't ruin their happiness right now, he already have a plan that he brought here to take his revenge on Abhiveera and Viraaj.
Abel forced a smile and nod "Yes. You are right. But i am not here to create problems. I am here to witness the coronation. Why you guys always take me wrong?" He said with a fake sincerity that Ashwant can easily detect.
'Don't act innocent. We know your true colours.'
Abel waved his hands "let it be. I can't change your mindset. Let me introduce my family to you." Abel slightly turned around and gestured his family to come "Pavan, come!"
Ashwant rolled his eyes tiredly. He wasn't interested in meeting Abel's family but he have to kill the time and be arround him so he just let Abel introduce them.
Pavan walked towards Abel with his mother and sister. He stood right infront of Ashwant in conceit. His eyes staring right in Ashwant's.
Just by one look at Pavan and Ashwant understood that this prince is a houghty brat which is completely spoiled by his father. Well, what else he can expect from Abel's influence.
"Meet my son, Pavan Bakshi." Abel said and wrapped his hand arround Pavan's shoulder. "Bayar's next king."
Pavan stretched out his hand and offered Ashwant for handshake. "Nice to meet you, your highness."
Ashwant looked at Pavan from head to toe and understood that this prince don't have true manners. He is younger than Ashwant so he should join his hands to greete him to show some respect to his elders but instead, he is offering his hand for handshake. Ashwant was sure that if Pavan had not been a guest and had not been in any political event, he would not have even shaken hands with him.
But Ashwant don't care whether Pavan have any manners or not. It's none of his business.
Ashwant accepted Pavan's hand and replied "Nice to meet you."
They broke the handshake and Abel spoke.
"Meet my wife and daughter. My wife Kavya and my daughter Seya."
"Greetings your highness." Kavya and seya said and joined their hands to show respect to Ashwant.
Ashwant didn't expected this. He thought both the ladies would be as spoiled as their prince. But they are well mannered and they were having polite expression, not like Pavan. Especially Seya, she was having a sweet pure smile that made Ashwant rethink the way he look at her. She don't look like a spoiled cunning princess. May be she is not like her father. Her mother must have taught her some manners and how to behave infront of their elders and respect them. She look petite and fragile. She can't harm anyone for sure.
"Greetings." Ashwant replied, his eyes stucked on Seya.
The way Seya behave and smile, it made Ashwant wonder that she is Abel's daughter.
Seya looked at her father. Abel looked at her at the same time and smirk. The plan have started!
Abel fake coughed and spoke "I know my daughter is beautiful but don't stare at her like this."
Ashwant quickly came to his sense and blink several times. He looked away and cleared his throat.
"I wasn't staring." He looked at Seya and said "I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."
Seya shook her head and replied in her sweet captivating voice "Absolutely not your majesty. I am not uncomfortable at all. I know you don't want to make me uncomfortable. You are my elder, you should not apologize to me."
Seya's such a respectful behaviour left Ashwant speechless. He was really impressed by her.
"Your majesty, you should take a seat. You are not feeling well." Abhiveera said to Viraaj, asking him to sit down while waiting for the ceremony to start.
"It's ok your majesty. I am fine." Viraaj replied "I will feel much better when i will meet my granddaughter." His gaze shifted towards the door. His eyes were longing to see his granddaughter.
"She will come. You should sit down while waiting for her." Abhiveera grabbed Viraaj's hand and led him towards the chair in the first row. He made Viraaj sit down on the chair right infront of the stage so that he can have better view of Raksheet getting crowned.
"Ah, your majesty, no need to do this." Viraaj refused to sit in front row, especially right infront of the stage where emperor will sit near him. There must be more important and respectful guests who were thinking to sit there. It would be inappropriate for Viraaj to sit on their place. He was about to get up but Abhiveera held his both shoulders and pushed him back gently so that he will sit back.
"Why no need? You are not feeling well so you should sit and take rest. And you should sit in first row. The first row is for family members so you should sit here only." Abhiveera released Viraaj's shoulder and stood still "If you don't want to sit alone, i will accompany you." He then sat down on the chair next to Viraaj and held his hand tightly to reassure him that he will be with him throughout the ceremony.
Viraaj smiled in response and held Abhiveera's hand.