"Advika..." She ran towards her and held her both hands. She then pulled Advika inside the chamber and led her towards almirah.
"Please help me choose a dress i can wear on Coronation day. No one told me about Coronation so I didn't have time to decide what to wear. The coronation is next month! i need your help to decide my look for such a grand occasion. There will be so many peoples, nobles, kings and queens of other kingdoms! I should look classy and beautiful! After all, i am the wife of future king of Jwalana." She was talking nonstop and Advika can see the worry and excitement in her body language.
She really want to look good on Coronation day so that everyone can see how beautiful is the wife of the crown prince and soon to be king, Raksheet. She don't want her husband or other family members to be embarrassed because of her. Her looks are the biggest weapon with which she can impress others.
"What are you waiting for Advika? Come on, help me!" Ira exclaimed when she saw Advika standing still on her place without helping her.
Advika chuckled. She held Ira's hand, stopping her from taking out more clothes from almirah.
"Your highness, no need to choose any dress from your almirah."
Ira looked at her confused. If she doesn't choose any dress then what will she wear on Coronation?
"What do you mean? I have to choose a dress. I can't attend coronation wearing a simple dress. It will be so embarassing!"
"I know your highness. But as I said, you don't have to choose any dress from here." Advika replied "Your mother-in-law have already asked a designer to make a dress for you. So you don't have to worry about your dress."
"Really?!" Ira looked at her in disbelief.
Advika nod "Yes, Her Highness has already asked me to call a designer and decided your outfit, so all you have to think about is your hairstyle and jewellery. I'll help you with that."
Ira smiled widely and said "I am so lucky to have such a thoughtful in-laws. I have only been here a week and they think so much for me."
Advika just smiled in response.
"Advika, do you know anything about the outfit, like colour, design, pattern? so that I can match my jwellery and hairstyle with it." She asked.
"Sorry your highness, i can't tell you anything about your outfit." Advika answered with a apologetic look.
"Why?"
"Her highness forbade me to tell you." She replied.
Ira sighed deeply and sat down on her bed "Is it a surprise for me?" She asked like she already know the answer.
"Yes."
She held her head with her right hand and chuckled "How many surprises they want to give me?" She asked to herself. "And what about my measurements for the dress?"
"Her highness told me to tell you that if you want the designer to take your measurement, you can give it. And if you feel uncomfortable, you can give your any dress for reference of your measurement."
Ira scoffed "I don't like when people touch me unnecessarily, just give my dress to the designer."
In the evening, Ira was sitting next to the window, looking outside.
The cold wind was blowing softly, the trees were moving along with the wind in rhythm.
"Ira...." Viraaj called, entering inside the chamber.
"Grandfather..." She stood up from her chair.
Viraaj stood in front of her and said "The weather in Jwalana is quite hot, are you comfortable here? Or do you feel uneasy?"
Ira shook her head "No, I am good. It's not that hot. I will get used to it."
Viraaj nod and sat down on the chair infront of her. "Good. Did Raksheet asked you about your health? Like what is the problem and treatment?"
She shook her head and sat down. "No, he didn't. He sometimes ask me about my medicine and if I want to see the healer but not more than that. I am looking fine so he didn't paid much attention to it."
Viraaj sighed and thought for a moment. "Ira, I know it is a bit difficult for you to handle everything alone, but i believe in you. You can do it. You just have to control yourself, your emotions, your feelings, your words and especially your needs." He explained.
"I don't want you to lose the love you are getting right now, that's why I am talking to you openly. Control yourself. I know his majesty Abhiveera and his family is good but we can't take chance."
He added "If you want to stay in this family and get their love, then you have to come so close to them that no matter what happens, they won't push you away. You have to win their trust. They should be attached to you. Especially your husband, he should have so much love and trust for you in his heart that even if the whole world turns against you, he should be ready to leave the whole world but not you. But don't keep any physical relationship with him for a time being."
Ira closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She recalled what happened last night. Thankfully they stopped on one kiss. She controlled herself otherwise last night would have been the worst night of her life.
"I won't, don't worry." She replied, knowing what her grandfather is trying to say.
He held her hand on the table "It's just for a time being, until you win his trust. After that, you can start your married life without any fear. We said that you have health issues and if you start living your married life normally, it might give them a reason to doubt on you. Jwalana's weather is different from Aaro so it should affect your health. Try to look a little weak and sick so that they will trust our lie."
If Ira want to live fearlessly and start her married life, first she have to make her place in Kumar family. If others find out about her truth, they would probably throw her out of their family or worse her life would be in danger. So the best is, make their attachment to her so strong that it will never break.
"I know grandfather. I will take care of everything. Your granddaughter is sensible enough to know what to do and what not to do. So you don't have to worry about anything. I will manage." Ira reassured her grandfather. The look on her face was convincing Viraaj to trust her.
He smiled softly "I trust you. Just be careful." He looked out of the window "By the way, the wind was blowing so smoothly. But i am sure it can blow as switly as Vaayu can run."
Hearing Vaayu's name, Ira quickly turned her eyes towards her grandfather. She leaned forward and asked eagerly.
"Grandfather, how is Vaayu?! Is he fine?! Do he miss me?! You are taking good care of him right?!" Ira asked so many questions at once that Viraaj can't decide which one he should answer first.
"Stop stop, one at a time." He stopped Ira so that he can answer her questions without getting confused "First, Vaayu is fine. I am taking good care of him. And yes, he do miss you. In the beginning he used to stand at the tribe door waiting for you but slowly he is realizing that you will not be able to come back to him."
Ira looked out of the window, she smiled bitterly and spoke "I miss him too. I want to see him, hug him, caress his forehead and ride on his back but may be...it's not possible."
She looked at Viraaj "I just want him to be healthy and happy. Grandfather, please take good care of him and keep him away from Veer. Brother won't miss any opportunity to hurt my Vaayu. I don't know why he hate me so much that he doesn't let even an innocent animal live in peace."
Seeing Ira's sad face Viraaj felt downhearted too. He can't see his beloved granddaughter sad so he tried to make her smile."Don't you know how brave and smart Vaayu is?" He asked "Instead of Vaayu, you should worry about your brother. If he dared to bother Vaayu, Vaayu won't leave him easily. His one kick is enough to keep Veer away for a week." He said jokingly.
Ira laughed, imagining what Vaayu can do to Veer if he tried to bother him.
Vaayu and Veer, both have the same attitude, both are stubborn and have anger issues. The only thing which makes their personality different is love and hate for Ira. Vaayu love Ira the most in this world whereas Veer hate Ira the most in this world. Even the level of their passion to love and hate Ira is equal.
Ira stopped laughing when she realised that her Vaayu is alone in Aaro and no one is there to take care of him.
"You are right, Vaayu is very strong to keep Veer away from him. But I am still afraid, Veer will look for an opportunity to create trouble for Vaayu. You are here so he got an open chance now." Ira tapped her fingers on table anxiously. Thinking of every possible thing Veer would do with Vaayu.
Viraaj held Ira's both hand, stopping her from tapping her fingers on table and getting hurt "I have thought about that too. I have told a soldier to always stay around Vaayu. If Veer tries to trouble him, that soldier will stop him and inform me."
Hearing her grandfather's answer and how he is taking care of Vaayu without being with him, Ira smiled "Thank you so much grandfather. For loving Vaayu as much as you love me."
"He is like my child. I do love him as much as I love you so you don't have to thank me." Viraaj replied.
"I hope you are having comfort staying in our palace, your majesty." Abhiveera said to Viraaj who was sitting infront of him in meeting hall.
"I am. Thanks for the concern and hospitality, your majesty." Viraaj replied. He was having a slight smile on his face but he was feeling uneasiness in his heart. He rubbed his sweaty hand on the pillow next to him. He wanted to ask something to Abhiveera. Something serious, connected to Ira.
He looked at Abhiveera who was busy reading some papers.