Second marriage
The cries of a baby echoed in the silent chamber and smile spread on everyone's lips, just to fade soon.
"It's a girl, your majesty." The midwife announced, giving the baby in king of Suryan, Chandraprakash's hands.
The smile on his face suddenly fades away as disappointment covered his heart. He looked down at the princess and breathed deeply. He wanted a boy, a prince, a heir but he got a girl. His hopes scattered into pieces. Months of expectations and preparation to welcome a son went in vain. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Even if it's a girl, it's his blood. He then opened his eyes and looked at the midwife.
"How is my wife?"
"She is unconscious. But will wake up soon. You can see her if you want, your majesty." The midwife replied, looking down. She can hear the disappointment in his voice.
He stepped inside the chamber with heavy heart, carrying the princess in his arm. Even though he was disappointed and angry, he can't ignore his wife. He love her dearly.
Sitting beside her on bed, he gave the princess to a maid. He looked at his wife who was looking tired and sleeping soundly. His hand reached out, caressing her cheeks and he kissed her forehead.
"I am not angry on you." He whispered "No matter what, she is our daughter. Our blood. I will raise her well."
Seven years later,
"Raksha Chandraprakash Rajput." Queen Adhira said, Coughing because of her poor health and teaching her daughter how to write her name.
"Raksha Chandraprakash Rajput!" The princess said excitedly as she learned how to write her full name that contains her father's name. Her father is bravest and strongest man for her. She love him a lot. For her, her father is a protective shield who will always protect her.
"Very good." Adhira patted her daughter's back as an appreciation and continued teaching her until she heard the announcement of her husband entering her chamber.
As soon as Raksha saw her father entering the chamber, she stood up with wide smile and ran towards him.
"Father!" She called and hugged him.
He smiled at her bitterly and kneeled to hug her back.
"How is my princess?" He asked, caressing her head.
She broke the hug "I am fine. I missed you. Why didn't you come to meet me yesterday? Where were you?" She complained
He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead "Your father was busy. I had lots of work to do. I am sorry, I couldn't come to see you yesterday."
"It's alright." The princess replied with a pout "But don't do it again. I want to see you every day."
He chuckled softly "Fine. Now go and play outside. I want to talk to your mother."
She nod and ran outside the chamber. Chandraprakash shifted his gaze from Raksha to Adhira who was smiling at him softly, trying to control her cough to not make him worry for her.
He stood up with straight face and walked towards her.
"Where were you yesterday, your majesty? I was waiting for you whole night but you didn't cam-"
"I am getting married again." He announced, making Adhira look at him in disbelief.
The chamber suddenly fell silent after his unexpected announcement and tears started to collect in her eyes. She tried to laugh and said "You are joking-"
"No, I am not." He replied with straight face.
The book in her hand fell and so the tears from her eyes. She felt a sharp pain in her chest and clutched her clothes on her chest. "W-Why are you doing *cough* doing this to me?"
He sighed deeply and replied "It's been more than seven years and yet, you can't give me an heir."
"We can try again!" She yelled, her heart aching badly to hear that her husband want to marry someone else just because she can't give him a male heir.
"We are trying from last seven years but still...we can't. And keeping your health in mind, I don't think you can or should get pregnant."
"But we have Raksha! Isn't she your heir?" She pleaded.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath "I want a male heir. A son, a prince who will inherit the throne. The throne needs a king, not a princess."
He looked at her and said "And I have decided whom I am going to marry."
Tears started to flow like river from her eyes as she asked "W-Who?"
He looked away and replied "Nitara, my teacher's daughter."
Adhira felt as if her husband had decided to kill her by his decision. The woman who always had her eyes on Chandraprakash, finally succeeded. Without thinking about her feelings, he already decided whom to marry. Without asking for her consent.
"Last night, I went to meet her family and arranged our marriage. Next month, I am getting married." He said and walked out of the chamber, leaving Adhira sobbing and questioning her fate that why her life is taking such a big turn.
The pain in her chest was becoming unbearable. She tried to stand up and call someone but suddenly lost consciousness and fell.
"Mother!" Raksha, who just entered in chamber after seeing her father leaving, screamed. Running towards her mother after seeing her fainting.
