Page 297 of A King's Oath

“Not yet,” he kissed her again, reminding her again that they had spent months skimming the threshold before 'all the way’ and why those were still the most pleasurable days of her life.

49. Behind The Stables

— AVANTIKA —

Palace of Nawanagar

Official Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Subject:The Wedding Announcement of H.H. Rawal Samarth Sinh Solanki and H. H. Avantika Kumari Raje Scindia of Gwalior

The Palace of Nawanagar is honoured to announce the forthcoming nuptials of Rawal Samarth Sinh Solanki, the King of Nawanagar, to Avantika Kumari Raje Scindia of the Gwalior royal family.

Their union is one of deep-rooted affection and shared history. The two met in school as teenagers, where a bond of friendship soon blossomed into love. Their decision to marry, however, was tragically interrupted by a time of national uncertainty and personal grief.

In the wake of the presumed demise of Rawal Siddharth Sinh Solanki, then the reigning monarch, following a catastrophicaccident in Antarctica, the kingdom was engulfed in unrest. Amid the storm, Rawal Samarth Sinh Solanki assumed the throne prematurely and was thrust into immense responsibility at a time of emotional fragility. In those difficult days, misunderstandings between Rawal Samarth Sinh Solanki and Avantika Kumari Raje led to a painful separation. It is with deep regret and repentance that Rawal Samarth Sinh Solanki acknowledges having pushed her ruthlessly away during that period — unaware that she was carrying his child.

The truth, long buried, came to light recently. Their daughter, Brahmi Kumari Solanki, now seven years old, has been joyfully embraced by the Solanki dynasty. A formal DNA verification establishing Rawal Samarth Sinh Solanki as her biological father has been submitted to the Council of Nawanagar and will be entered into the Solanki Lineage Archives alongside her official birth documentation. Brahmi Kumari Solanki of Nawanagar now stands affirmed in name, in heritage, and in love.

With healing behind them and their family restored, Rawal Samarth Sinh Solanki and Avantika Kumari Raje will wed in a grand ceremony on the auspicious occasion of Dev Diwali, celebrated with full state honours in Nawanagar. A week-long events, religious ceremonies, and royal processions will mark the occasion. Further details on the programme will be shared in due course.

Issued with joy and solemnity,

The Principle Secretary

Palace of Nawanagar

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Life in times of joy passed quickly. But life in times of excitement, preparation, announcements, shopping, trials, decor-consultations? That life passed like a blur. Here one moment, weeks away the next.

With event planners, Hira ben’s team of chaperones who were better-equipped and more learned in palace events than the professional event planners, and Rajmata’s continuous support of the planning, Avantika felt time slip like butter over a hot piece of waffle. Kresha flew down with Gopi and Aniket, her parents returned with preparations completed. The summer palace on the outskirts of Nawanagar was chosen as their wedding venue, where her parents were put up with their loyal subjects of Gwalior who had held affection for them even after all these years, and travelled for Gwalior’s youngest Kumari’s wedding.

Except for the wedding itself, all other celebrations and functions were scheduled inside the palace premises.

Avantika jerked her head to the side and pushed the heavy jhumka through her earlobe hole. It had been ages since she had worn something so heavy and dangly in her ears. A team of local chaperones, friends from Gwalior and school and university buzzed around her. Professional drapers worked around her to pin her gaawthi multicoloured kali-work lehenga-odhani in place. Her mother stood in the distance with Rajmata, the two of them deep in some conversation. Avantika observed their exchange through the mirror. Kresha joined them and it looked tense.

She stopped staring and concentrated on her earrings instead. These slightly hot discussions weren’t new. The mild friction between their families was visible. Correction — the mild friction between her family and Samarth was visible. His father openlysupported her family and dispensed a tense moment with his incredible humour. His stepmother though, was known to stand up for him from time to time. Avantika was hard-pressed to judge her. On the one hand, she wanted to respect her. On the other, she couldn't bring herself to look at her without remembering the last twenty years of Samarth’s life — years that she had stolen.

“Mama, can I have a pony tattoo here?” Brahmi pointed to her bicep. Avantika smiled. She looked so beautiful in the tiny version of the same ensemble.

“It’s called mehendi, poppet,” Kresha came up behind her, turning her and bending down to apply blush over her cheekbones.

“The same, Maasi!”

“You can,” Avantika held her arm up for the drape of her dupatta to be pinned, in that local Gujarati fashion. It went and tucked in the hemline of her waist and flowed with her as she moved.

“Where willyoutattoo Samarth’s name?” Tulika sat back on a lounger, sipping from the orange juice she was sure was tampered with. A bottle of champagne had been snuck into her bungalow early this morning by her friends but Brahmi had woken up and they had hidden it.

“On her palm,” Ananya answered for her. She was the only chaperone and childhood friend from Gwalior who had come. Her cousins, and her Kaki Maharaj had all cited other commitments and rescinded the invitation. Her Kaka Maharaj had only accepted the wedding day invitation.

“In Hindi or Gujarati?” Tulika went on.

“Hindi, of course,” Kresha fired. “Always Hindi!”

“Actually, I am not getting his name in my mehendi,” Avantika cut her off before she went on a rant.

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