jagadeka veerudu athiloka sundari - part fourteen
(a/n - have you missed me? hellooooo there, sorry for vanishing for six whole months, I just lost the will to write, me thinks. anyway, enjoy? enjoy.
~ juhi <3)
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Bijjaladeva stormed out of the palace, as fast as his legs could carry him. It had been eight whole months since he had seen his son, and he slowly went insane in the huge palace by himself. Kattappa governed the empire on Bhallaâs behalf, adding insult to his fatherâs injury. Now that his son had finally returned to him, he could be happy.Â
Or so he had thought.
Bhalla returned to Mahishmati with his fully pregnant wife, her best friendâs words from six months ago ringing in his ears.Â
Devasena stood a few metres away from Bhalla, her grip on her sword steel-like. âShe needs to be at Sundarsi right now, and you know that. Why did you bring her here?â âBecause she needs her best friend more.â Bhalla stared ahead, watching the small kingdom.Â
âKuntala looks like it has recovered.â Devasena scoffed at his remark and glared at him. âNo thanks to you.â Silence settled as her eyes softened slowly. âYou can keep her here however long you wish to, but she needs to be at her home to be truly happy. To be safe. Or her child-â
âI canât take her to Sundarsi, that will alert my father of our whereabouts immediately. I wish to be away from him, for their sake. He would kill them both if we go now. Sheâs safest here, away from my fatherâs evil intent.â
He sighed, turning to Devasena. âI need to protect her, and the one coming to us soon. So think of this as me trying to be a good husband.â Devasena kept staring at him, her eyes cold, and she turned to leave. She paused, her back to him. âYou need to go to Sundarsi for your wife, though. Her child needs to be born there, and you know that.â Bhalla huffed, nodding.Â
âI do know what they both need, but for now, let us stay here until the time is right.â
Bijjaladeva froze the minute Aarya set foot into the palace, his eyes bulging out as he stared at her pregnant body, tears filling his eyes as he turned to look at Bhalla, his lips wobbling as he raised a shaky finger up at his son. âWhat have you done?â He cried, horrified and disgusted. Bhalla stared coldly at his father as Aarya dutifully bent down slowly to seek Bijjaladevaâs blessings. âWe seek your b-â âSilence, you witch!â Bijjaladeva thundered, glaring at her as he stepped back, looking at her and then at his son. âHow could you do this, Bhalla? You wed and now sheâs expecting a child?! A child from her is no less than a curse to us, to our kingdom!â Bhalla silently helped Aarya stand up again, rubbing her belly gently and supporting her back, fondly smiling at her, before turning to coldly stare at his father. âYou will not speak ill of my child, Nanna, or of my wife.â Bhallaâs proud smirk peeked through when he called Aarya his wife, and Bijjaladeva fumed.Â
âWife? Wife?! You trust this witch of a woman that much? You left your kingdom for months, letting it be governed by a slave, and you returned with this vile woman, swollen with a monster like her, and you expect me to be completely alright with it?!â Bijjaladeva glared at Aarya and pointed at her belly with disgust, spitting venom. âAre you even certain that this vile witch is carrying your-â A dagger materialised in Aaryaâs hand as she pointed it at Bijjaladevaâs throat, a dangerous glint in her eyes as she pressed it in enough to draw out blood. Bhalla coldly glared at his father, a protective arm around Aarya. âSpeak however you wish to about me, not a word against my child.â Aarya hissed, stepping forward as Bijjaladevaâs eyes shook, unable to look at her. âYouâre old and my kingâs father, so Iâm bound to give you a little more respect than your worthless self deserves, but donât mistake my manners and morals as weakness.â Bhalla calmly pulled her back, gently taking the dagger out of her hands as he smiled at her. âAarya, you need to rest, come on. Go to our quarters, Iâll be with you shortly. I need to talk to my father.â Aarya nodded, following a few soldiers and maids and leaving, and Bhalla turned to glare at his father. âAarya told you to say whatever you want about her, but if you even think of doing so again Iâll slit your throat myself, Nanna. Sheâs my wife, your daughter-in-law and the Empress of Mahishmati and Sundarsi.â Bhalla watched as his fatherâs face crumbled, a flurry of emotions passing through him as the old man choked and stumbled upon his words, tears running down his face. âYou- all this, for a sleazy wo-âÂ
âNo. All this, for my woman. For my wife.âÂ
Bhalla glared at him and stepped closer, towering over him as he slowly spoke. âIâm warning you for the last time, Nanna. Not a word against my queen; not a word against the mother of my child.â Bhalla turned and stalked off as his father was left behind, alone yet again. Bijjaladeva collapsed on the floor, weeping like a lost child, watching the emperor of Mahishmati with his family.
â â âÂ
Aarya sat on her bed, sighing softly as she rubbed her swollen belly, shifting uncomfortably as she settled down. Being pregnant wasnât the greatest feeling in the world, itâs honestly not talked about enough. The pains, the discomfort, the uneasy changes in the body. Aarya scowled, trying to find some sort of comfort when she heard a chuckle and turned to see her husband watching her, a smug smile on his face. She scowled harder, rolling her eyes. âAarya, this is ridiculous, you know that. I still donât know why youâre so mad at me.â Bhalla waltzed over, gently lifting her and fixing pillows under to make her comfortable exactly how she preferred, moving to sit behind her as he pushed her head into his lap, massaging her head. âI have no idea what youâre talking about, Iâm not mad at all, husband.â Aarya refused to sigh out in relief as he massaged her head, his hands slowly moving to her shoulders. âI just wish to know why we are here and not in Sundarsi.â She sat up and Bhalla smirked, nodding. âYouâre not mad, are you?â âI wish to give birth in my kingdom and you brought meââ
âI brought you here only to show my father how happy you make me, my queen.â Bhalla interrupted gently, cradling her face. âI brought you here so that my wife would step foot in the palace, not just the Queen of Sundarsi. I brought the Empress of Mahishmati, the mother of my heir and my wife to Mahishmati. And I know I did no wrong.â Aarya stared at him, sighing softly as she moved closer to him, resting her back against his chest as he gently wrapped his arms around her, kissing her temple. She watched as he interlaced his fingers with hers, rubbing his thumb over her fingers as he raised her arm to kiss her fingertips.Â
âI still wish to give birth in Sundarsi, Bhalla.â She whispered, looking at him softly. âI know, my queen, and you will. Because as much as the child inside is mine, Iâm glad you have a bigger claim on the little one.â He kissed her temple again, leaning lower to kiss the place her neck met her shoulder, running a soothing hand over her side.
Aarya smiled softly at his affection, nuzzling into him. âWho do you think it will be? A prince or a princess?â Bhalla chuckled at her question, kissing her cheek. âA warrior, like my wife.â Aarya blushed and giggled, shaking her head. âYour wife hasnât been a warrior ever since sheâs gotten a child inside her, you know. Thatâs a long time.â
Bhalla softly stared at Aarya and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. âThis is also a battle youâre fighting, Aarya. Do you think I donât notice the doubt and fear in your eyes every single second of the day? The worry, the insecurity, the troubled questions about yourself and this unborn little royal.â
He kissed her, pulling her closer as his hand ran over her back, making her sigh softly. âYouâre the strongest woman Iâve had the pleasure of knowing my entire life, and Iâm the son of Rajamata Sivagami. Iâve seen you govern your kingdom while on the run, care for me, yourself, our child, help Devasena rebuild her kingdom, not complain a single time about our conditions and push through all of it with the most graceful smile.â Bhalla caressed her face, resting his forehead against hers. âIâve known women were the fiercest forces on this planet, but I only truly understood how strong after seeing you. I love everything about you, Aarya, and Iâll help in any way that I can to aid you in this internal battle of yours. And if I must take you to your kingdom, I shall.â
Aarya calmly stared at her husband through his monologue, a small smile playing on her lips as she realised just how much Bhalla changed in the last few months, a change even Devasena couldnât believe despite seeing it with her own eyes.
Aarya kissed his forehead and smiled gently at him, cupping his face. âIâm so proud that my child has you as a father. Amarendra would be, as well.â Bhalla softened at her words, resting his head against hers as they simply basked in each otherâs presence.Â
â â â
Aarya rested in Bhallaâs arms as they sailed to Sundarsi, and he gently rubbed her hips to soothe any of her pains. His father, who came to talk to him, saw him and fumed silently, turning and walking back to his room in the ship, pausing in front of the small statue of Durga Maa that was sailing along with them. âYou⊠you made me bring that woman into our lives, havenât you? Fine. I'll be the one to make sure sheâs gone as well. Forever.â
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