The Pseudo Prince
Chamundeswari woke up only after the sun was up in the sky, Anagha patiently waiting at her bedside, even as Manu prowled silently around the princess’s bedchamber.
Stretching her arms high above her head, the princess yawned, coming awake with a soft smile on her face, a strange lethargy pervading her body. Catching sight of Anagha, her smile turned wider. “Good morning, Anagha! When did you come?” she asked, getting up to sit on the bed. Catching sight of her tiger, she squealed in delight, jumping down from the bed. “Manu, my dear! How are you?” She rushed across to kneel down next to him, rubbing his throat. “Is your paw healed?” she asked, throwing an arm around his neck.
Manu sat back on his haunches even as the princess lifted his injured paw and turned it up to her gaze. The bandage had been changed. Wondering if it was Adityan’s handiwork, the princess ran her thumb over the injured area. Manu growled in protest, but it was obvious that the pain had subsided considerably. “You are much better, my Manu,” she said, kissing the top of his velvety head.
A smiling Anagha, who had been silently watching the princess petting Manu, spoke softly, “Good morning, Your Highness! Shall I get your bath ready?”
Half turning her head even as she continued to rub Manu’s back, the princess responded, “Yes, Anagha. Make sure the water is hot. But wait, before that, I need a cup of sweet hot milk with some ground pepper in it.”
“Sure, My Lady!” Turning to another maid who was waiting nearby, Anagha told her to get some hot milk for the princess before turning back to Chamundeswari. “Would you prefer me to give you an oil massage, My Lady?” asked Anagha. After all, the princess had been riding on her horse all the waking hours over the past few days.
Chamundeswari imagined Anagha’s soft hands on her body as she massaged her and shook her head inadvertently, doing her utmost to curb a shudder. No! It was not the maid’s gentle hands that she wanted on her naked body, but the warrior’s hard and calloused ones. Biting her lip to stop herself from grinning madly at the wanton thoughts that crowded her mind, Chamundeswari said, “Not today, Anagha. I want to have a quick bath before going down to the throne room. I would like to wear the lotus pink sari along with my rubies. Will you keep them all out?”
“I will do that, Your Highness!” Anagha walked over to the carved wooden wardrobe and removed the sari and a matching bustier cloth, also of silk. She took out the gold jewellery set with rubies and diamonds before stepping out of the room to go to the back, rushing down the stone staircase and reaching the bathing hut which was exclusively for the princess’s use. She arranged for hot water that was boiling in two huge copper vessels on open wood fires to be filled into a brass bath tub with four clawed feet. The tub was big enough to hold four adults.
Two hefty men carried the hot water in metal pots, pouring the contents into the bath tub, filling it up to three-fourths full. Anagha quickly walked up the staircase and went into the princess’s quarters. Seeing that the princess had already drunk from her cup of milk, she said, “Your Highness! Your bath is ready.”
“Excellent! Manu, do you want to come along with me?” asked Chamundeswari, gathering the folds of her robe and wrapping it tightly around her slender body, a smile lighting up her face when she recalled the way Adityan had performed the same activity the earlier night. She stepped out of her quarters to take the staircase two at a time before rushing to her private bathing hut. Anagha followed the princess sedately, carrying some linen towels and a clean robe along in her arms.
It was more than an hour later when the princess was fully ready. Chamundeswari studied herself in the long mirror, turning one way and then the other. Will Adityan like the sari I am wearing? And what about the jewellery? She fingered the gold choker that encircled her slender throat, the rubies and diamonds glittering in the sunlight streaming from the window. The light fell on her large earrings, reflecting the brilliant red of the stones on her soft cheeks, making them glow brighter than ever. Her eyes shining with happiness, the princess stepped out of her chamber to go down to the throne room, wondering if Adityan was already there.
What if the queen took all of his attention once again today? Chamundeswari refused to let her lips droop in disappointment. Today, Adityan and she had a scheme between them. Adityan planned to ask the queen for her stepdaughter’s hand in marriage. The princess was not too worried whether the queen will give her permission or not. The royals of Kongunadu had their own set of rules. In fact, her father King Someshwara Thevar had extended the same rule to all his subjects.
A man or woman could marry anybody he or she chose, notwithstanding the fact that their choice of partner’s rank or caste was higher or lower. The only condition was that it was consensual. If Princess Chamundeswari wanted to wed a mere warrior and make him her prince, then no one could stop her from doing exactly that.
Of course, the princess was well aware that it would only take the chief minister a mere week or two to create a new ordinance and have it signed by the queen to change any law in the region. But Chamundeswari did not plan to wait that long. In fact, that was what had kept her preoccupied during her bathing ritual that morning. She had to organise the wedding in the Murugan Koil in the centre of the Azhagapuri fortress. The whole fort was built around this temple dedicated to Lord Murugan which had been constructed under the aegis of her great grandfather. The princess planned to take Vishnurayan and Anagha into confidence and arrange everything at the earliest auspicious date.
Stepping into the throne room, the princess’s forehead gathered in a small frown when she saw Vijayendran sitting on the chair next to the queen’s throne, listening to Naganandini as the queen spoke.
Quickly wiping the frown from her face—it was an effort, but she somehow managed it—Chamundeswari walked forward to greet them both. “Good morning, Chinnamma! You are up early,” she said, giving Naganandini a wide smile.
“Good morning Chamundi! It is you who are late I think,” said the queen, with an equally bright smile on her face. And why not? She had had Vijayendran to herself over the past hour. He had hung on to every word of hers, or so it seemed to the queen.
Chamundeswari wrinkled her nose playfully before going to sit on the chair opposite their guest. “Yes, Chinnamma. I slept till late. In fact, I do not recall sleeping so well, ever in my life.” She turned to Vijayendran to give him a mischievous glance, before saying, “Good morning, Aditya! I trust you slept well too.”
“Good morning, Your Highness!” he responded, his gaze running from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She glowed in the deep pink silk sari which was the exact colour of a lotus bud, the golden jarigai making the material glow brightly in the sunlight flowing into the throne room through the long windows on both sides. And he could not be sure if the jewellery added to her glow or if it was the other way around. Giving her an equally roguish smile, he acknowledged the fact that she had slept well because of his ministrations the earlier night. “Not at all bad, Your Highness,” he said, recalling how he had had a difficult time going to sleep after making love to the princess that had left him craving for satisfaction.
“I believe we are to expect an esteemed guest today,” said Naganandini, keen to have their attention back on her. “And from the Chozha kingdom too. Aditya! I am sure you will know this person.”
“Who is coming, Your Majesty?” asked Vijayendran, wondering who it must be. Whoever it was from the Chozha kingdom, he was bound to know them. And there was the fact that the other person will also recognise him for who he truly was. But not one to be rattled by anything untoward, he decided to simply wait and watch the situation unfold.
Naganandini gave him a mysterious smile. “You will have to wait, Aditya. Though not too long, I think.”
Even before she completed her sentence, a sentry stepped into the throne room to announce the arrival of Marthanda Bhupathi and Pandiyan. The two of them bowed before the queen in turn before taking up the chairs next to Vijayendran.
“You must meet our esteemed guest, Pandiyan. This is Adityan, a warrior in the Chozha army. He is also Chamundeswari’s relative from her mother’s side.” The chief minister performed the introduction. “And Aditya, this is Pandiyan, the Senapati of Kongunadu.”
Vijayendran stood up to greet the commander-in-chief with folded hands. “I am honoured to make your acquaintance,” he said, his gaze taking note of the long and ugly scar on the other man’s left cheek.
“Hmm… mmm,” responded Pandiyan, lifting a lazy brow at the palace guest, curling his mouth to one side mockingly. What is the big deal about this man, who is but a warrior in the army? Pandiyan was not too impressed.
Vijayendran was rather startled by the commander-in-chief’s behaviour. All along, he had been under the impression that the queen and her brother were Chamundeswari’s main enemies. But it looked like the Senapati was as arrogant as they both were. And… it hit him then. It had been Pandiyan’s men who had tried to kill the princess during her trip to Thanjavur. But Vijayendran had believed that it was the chief minister who had hired the men to do the job. It looked like that Pandiyan was also in league with Naganandini and Marthanda Bhupathi. Not uttering another word, Vijayendran went to sit in his chair.
It was not long before they heard the loud sound of the beating of drums and the blowing of trumpets, heralding the arrival of someone important.
The queen quickly rose from her throne. “Chamundi, come along with me. You too, Marthanda!” Taking the princess’s hand in hers while placing her left hand on her brother’s arm, Naganandini walked to the entrance even as she called over her shoulder, “Aditya, you wait where you are.”
Vijayendran noticed that Pandiyan also got up from his chair to follow the three royals. Now he was seriously curious to know the identity of this person from the Chozha dynasty. Taking a few deep breaths, he sat back in his chair to wait for the man to walk into the throne room.
After a while, a sentry stepped in to make an announcement that made Vijayendran’s eyes go wide with astonishment before he quickly wiped the expression from his face. The sentry said, “Hail Prince Vijayendra Chozhan of the imperial Chozha dynasty; the younger brother of Maharaja Rajendra Chozhan.” He was half bent as he bowed down to his waist before a man— allegedly the Chozha prince—strode into the hallway.
Twenty-eight-year-old Paranthaman, the commander-in-chief’s son, who was returning to his home country after fourteen years, had been well trained by both his father and the chief minister. Tall and broadly built, he was also trained in warfare; though his capabilities were blunted due to the decadent life he had led all his adult years. Though he was actually very handsome with perfectly proportioned features, his days of depravity showed in his face, deep lines on his cheeks proclaiming him to be way older than what he actually was.
Vijayendran was amazed how this man was trying to pass himself off as the Chozha prince. But this situation was definitely going to be interesting to follow. Was it not a good thing that no one in Kongunadu—except for the absent Vishnurayan—knew Vijayendran’s real identity? Everyone believed he was Adityan, a warrior from Thanjavur.
Marthanda Bhupathi and Pandiyan walked on both sides of the pseudo prince, equally pompous smiles on their faces. Adityan looked from one to the other as he wondered how the imposter had managed to fool both the chief minister and the commander-in-chief of the region.
Adityan’s thoughts came to a standstill when he suddenly noticed something untoward. He gazed at the commander-in-chief before turning his eyes to the pseudo prince. But for the immense control he had over himself, his jaw would have dropped wide open in astonishment. There was a resemblance between the two men. It may not be obvious to everyone, but it was to Adityan. After all, it was only he who knew that the pseudo prince was playing a lie.
The queen who stepped into the room as she held her stepdaughter’s hand firmly in hers, went to the front and settled on her throne. Greeting the pseudo prince, she said, “Welcome, welcome, Your Majesty! We are honoured to receive you in the court of Kongunadu.”
The man in the guise of Vijayendra Chozhan gave the queen a leery smile, his gaze running up and down over her. “I am also honoured to make your acquaintance, Queen Naganandini. You have a strong fort in Azhagapuri and beautiful palaces indeed. I hope to have a lovely time during my stay here.”
“But, of course, Your Majesty! We have a special dinner arranged in your honour tomorrow evening,” said Naganandini, colour rushing up her cheeks at the prince’s avid gaze. “Oh! Let me introduce you to my lovely stepdaughter, the princess of Kongunadu.” She raised a hand to beckon Chamundeswari forward. “This is Princess Chamundeswari, Your Majesty! And Chamundi, this is the prince of Chozha Nadu, Vijayendra Chozhan,” she introduced them.
It was with difficulty that Chamundeswari kept a polite expression on her face, a small smile that simply refused to reflect in her eyes. The man in front of her was… she was not sure what was the right word to describe him. Not having any idea of the lascivious nature of some men, she instinctively sensed that the man was a troublemaker.
But… but from what she had heard about Prince Vijayendra Chozhan was that he was a great warrior who was well respected by the royal family as well as the people of Chozha Nadu. She found it difficult to believe that it was that same man visiting them. Bringing her hands together, she bowed her head as she greeted him, “Vanakkam, Ilavarase!”
“Are all the women of Kongunadu as beautiful as you both are?” asked Paranthaman, drinking in her beauty avariciously. His gaze ran all over her from head to toe, making the princess go hot with shame even as her temper rose quickly to the fore. If it was up to her, she would have dug both his eyes out with her sharp dagger and handed them over to him on a platter. The rascal!
Adityan stood to one side watching the scene, not at all amused by the turn of events. It was difficult not to throttle the man who was gawking at both the royal women in turn; especially Chamundeswari. For one thing, he was tarnishing the Chozha name. As for another, he was ogling the woman Adityan was in love with. Gritting his teeth, the genuine prince of the Chozha empire drew on a well of patience he had inculcated since a young boy, a stony expression on his face as he planned the different kinds of tortures that he would make the lecher undergo.
Lunch was long and tedious to both Chamundeswari and Adityan while the other four seemed to have a wonderful time. It looked as if Marthanda Bhupathi and the pseudo prince were having a contest as to which man was the first one to drink himself under the table. They drank deeply of the madhu as the servants kept replenishing the golden jugs the intoxicating drink was served from, with Pandiyan glaring at them with baleful eyes.
The queen seemed highly entertained by the pseudo prince who showered her with compliments even as he ate his way through a small mountain of food. Naganandini kept watching Adityan, hoping for a reaction from him as the royal guest flirted outrageously with her. Will the younger man feel jealous? Not seeing any kind of reaction from Adityan, she turned her attention to the visiting prince and flirted with him atrociously.
So much so, that Pandiyan was all set to burst a blood vessel. What was Rani Naganandini up to? Making eyes at her stepdaughter’s suitor? After all, was that not the plan they had agreed upon? To wed the princess to the pseudo prince? He had a good mind to kick his son. But then, Paranthaman was not someone the commander-in-chief could push around. The boy had never listened to his father, not when he was a child, not now. Though he pretended to be enjoying himself, the Senapati’s jaw ached from gnashing his teeth.
The lunch seemed endless and even the ever-patient Adityan was losing his tolerance. What were the queen and her brother up to now? And why was Pandiyan’s son pretending to be Prince Vijayendra Chozhan? While Pandiyan must obviously know the identity of the pseudo prince, where the queen and the chief minister aware of the truth? Or were they being fooled?
Questions whirled around in Adityan’s mind and he was dying to get some answers. Catching Chamundeswari’s eye, he tilted his head, indicating that they should leave. Though they obviously could not remove themselves from the dining hall at one and the same time.
Once she gave a nod, indicating that she had understood him, Adityan got up from his chair. “Your Majesty, Queen Naganandini! My Lady, Princess Chamundeswari! My Lords Bhupathi and Pandiyan! And Your Highness, Prince Vijayendra Chozhan! If you will all excuse me? I have an errand to attend to. May I see you later in the evening?” he asked politely, eyeing each of them in turn as he addressed them.
The queen glared at Adityan, torn between her two guests. She could not help liking both of them. Considering the fact that the pseudo prince was open to flirtation, she decided to make do with him rather than the warrior from Thanjavur. “I excuse you, Aditya. But be back in time for dinner,” she declared.
Marthanda Bhupathi gave him a careless nod, while Pandiyan chose to ignore the mere warrior. As for Chamundeswari, she tilted her head in acknowledgement, her eyes pleading with him to rescue her.
Paranthaman looked at the young and handsome warrior, a cold and calculating expression in his gaze. “What is this errand that is so important, Aditya? More than venerating your prince?”
He had some gall, the rogue! Adityan wanted to smash his fist into the older man’s face. Bringing his hands together in obeisance, he bowed his head. “Your Highness! Please do not be offended. It is just that…” he paused, pretending to hesitate, before continuing, “It is just that you are all royalty. I am a mere warrior in the Chozha ranks. I feel that I do not really fit here. I…”
Pandiyan clapped his hands, smiling for the first time since Adityan met him. “Well said, Aditya. You are absolutely correct. I know Rani Naganandini is kind hearted. But being a mere warrior, you have no place at the royal dining table. I am glad you are intelligent enough to realise that. You may go!” He flicked his hand dismissingly, turning his attention back to his food.
Paranthaman turned to glare at his father. How dare he interrupt the conversation he was having with someone? He might be Pandiyan’s son. But the world believed that he was the Chozha prince. Should his father not treat him with the respect due to his supposed status?
But then again, the pseudo prince did not care for a handsome man, especially one who was younger than himself, garnering the attention of the two lovely ladies. So! Good riddance to the man. Giving Adityan a nod, he said, “You may go indeed!” He quickly downed the wine in his golden goblet before hailing to a servant to refill it.
With a sigh of relief, Adityan left the room, wondering how to rescue the princess from there as well. He did not have to think long, a smile lighting up his face as he remembered Manu. He quickly went to Chamundeswari’s quarters and let the tiger out. “Go, Manu! Your mistress needs you.”
Paranthaman’s goblet fell down from his hand with a clatter, the wine flowing on the marble floor when he caught sight of the fully grown tiger that prowled into the dining hall.
“Manu!” Chamundeswari leapt out of her chair to rush to her pet.
The pseudo prince could not believe his eyes when he saw the princess’s hand caress the tiger’s velvety head. Rubbing his eyes with both his hands, he stared some more, finding the sight too incredible for words.
“Chamundi! How can you do this?” scolded the queen. “If I have told you once, I have told you a hundred times, not to let your tiger wander around the palace unfettered. And with the Chozha prince visiting too! Go away, NOW! And take your stupid tiger along with you,” she snarled.
Biting her lip to stop herself from grinning, Chamundeswari said, “Forgive me, Chinnamma!” Turning to the others, she said, “Please carry on with your meal, Your Highness! I will take my naughty tiger back to his cage.”
The princess almost ran out of the dining hall, Manu faithfully following in her wake.
