👑Fifty Four~

A wave of grief and disbelief had swept through Chandraprayag following the devastating news that Virat, their beloved King, was found dead in a car crash on the outskirts of the city. The wreckage of Virat's car was discovered in a gorge, revealing a scene of unimaginable horror. The burnt bodies of both the driver and the King were recovered and have been taken for forensic identification.

Known for his boisterous personality and unwavering support for his elder brother, Hardik was rendered completely silent by the reality of Virat's death. He stood, a statue of stoic grief, witnessing the grim discovery. The sight of the bodies seemed to have stripped him of his usual vibrancy, leaving him a shell of his former self.

Rishabh and Shubman cried holding him while he looked at the scene ahead, like a numb statue.

"Bhai! Chaliye,"Rishabh said and moved him, and he walked with the brothers, silently.

"The circumstances surrounding the car crash are currently under investigation. Authorities are working diligently to determine the cause of the accident and piece together the events that led to this tragic loss. Was this just an accident or a planned murder?"the words of the news reporter standing at a distance, caught their attention.

"Something is definitely wrong. Some evil has cast eyes upon our family. Why is everyone suffering suddenly? Who is this enemy?"Rishabh asked.

"Rishi! I think...no I am sure, I am sure this is the same person who had attacked Dadabhai on his coronation ceremony. Everything went normal after that. Months passed in peace and we let our guards down. That person was waiting for this chance,"Shubman said.

"Yes! And...Oh God! Only if we had been more careful! Kaash Dadabhai ki jagah hum gaye hotey aaj."

"Don't say that. We have to be strong now. Look at Bhai. He was already suffering from distress due to Bhabi's sudden disappearance, and now..."Shubman didn't say further.

Rishabh sat beside Hardik, inside the car and said,"Bhai, you go home. Me and Maan will bring the bodies."

"That's not a body, Rishi! That's our Dadabhai. No! No that's not Dadabhai,"Hardik kept murmuring.

"He's having a mental breakdown. Let's hurry up. We can't lose the people we have,"Shubman said. "We have already lost a lot,"he added, wiping his tears.

"Nikal jaiye! Nikliye yaha se,"Meenakshi yelled at Snehanvi, pulling her down the stairs.

"Yeh kya kar rahi hain aap?"Kadambari asked coming in between.

"Maa Sa hatt jaiye. Humare Veer ko nigal gayi yeh manhus, abb pata nahi aur kispar iska bura saaya parey! Kya pata humare baaki beto ko bhi kho deh hum iskey wajah se,"Meenakshi said, glaring at Snehanvi who was weeping, lost in her own pain.

"Mom! Mom please don't do anything to her,"Devangini pleaded coming ahead.

"You will not say a word, Devi. Go to your room."

"Nahi Mom. Please don't hurt her, she's pregnant,"Devangini said, taking Snehanvi in her embrace and she stared at her. Devangini looked at her and gave a nod.

Snehanvi cried more, hugging her, while Meenakshi went silent and Kadambari said,"Inka dukh aapke dukh se kam nahi hain bahurani sa. Inhoney apna pati khoya hain. Akay ka bhi koi khabar nahi hain abhi bhi. Devi, jaiye bete, inhey upar le jaiye."

Just then the brothers arrived at the palace, an ambulance behind them.

"Veer! Humare..."Snehanvi couldn't finish and fainted again on seeing the body being taken out.

Suryavardhan broke down into tears, seeing the scene, saying to Gods that they could have taken him in place of his son.

"Humsey nahi dekha jayega,"Meenakshi said, running away from there, crying aloud, covering her face with the loose end of her saree.

The sound of weeping and lamenting could be heard from downstairs when Meenakshi came to her room. She shut away the noises by closing the door and locking it up.

She walked to the middle of the room, crying and saying,"Humare Veer chaley gaye. Chaley gaye,"and the next moment a laughter echoed within the confines of the room. "Chaley gaye Veer, finally! Maharaj Virat ka kissa khatam,"she added, clapping. "The plan worked out really well I must say."

She poured herself a glass of wine and sat on her rocking chair in a relaxed mood, staring at the huge family picture on the wall in front of her.

"Humare itney saalon ka mehenat aaj jaakey safal huya. Kitney saal guzaarey humnein apna ek perfect mother wala image banane mein. Tabhi toh kisi ko shaq nahi huya aur na hi kabhi hoga ki I am the one behind the death of their beloved king,"she said while wiping her tears and then huffed.

She looked at Hardik's picture in the family photo and said,"Sachmein bete, aapko raja banane ke liye kya kuch nahi karna para aapke Mom ko. Hmm! Aur aap hain ki Dadabhai Dadabhai karte rahe. Bachpan se lekar aaj tak humare bholey bhaley bete ko brotherly love wala patti parhaya hain Virat ne. Itna ki my son took a bullet for him! The bullet which was meant to hit him and finish him off that very day. Yeh Virat, Virat hain ki koi jinn! Uskey chakkar mein Anushka maari gayi. Nahi toh kabka khel khatam ho jaata unka, aur humare Hardik abb tak raj kar rahe hotey."

She leaned back and remembered how she had got Anushka dead in an accident by tampering with the car she had travelled in.

"Maut ke khel mein humein, Rani Meenakshi ko takkar dena kisi ki buss ki baat nahi hain. Yeh silsila toh barson se chala araha hain. Pehele humari pyaari badi behen Manikarnika, someone who had always taken whatever I liked. Har cheez mein humein harane ka shaukh tha unhey!"she murmured while remembering their childhood days.

Manikarnika earning all the praises for being the smarter and talented one. She was not only more beautiful than Meenakshi, but also compassionate and intelligent.

Meenakshi stared at her dark skin remembering how Manikarnika attracted attention due to her fair complexion. She remembered Manikarnika's wedding with Suryavardhan whom she had liked from the very beginning.

The prince with whom Meenakshi was supposed to be married got killed due to a disease their family wasn't aware of, while Manikarnika had given birth to Virat by that time.

Jealousy, anger, sorrow and the ambition of achieving everything she never got, drove Meenakshi crazy in greed and anger, killing Manikarnika by poisoning her.

She remembered pretending to care for Virat and love him just like her own son, which made Suryavardhan consider her suitable for being Virat's mother. Her marriage to him was perhaps the happy ending for the time being and things might have been well and fine as she had achieved the man she loved, but fate had other plans. Shaktivardhan's dismissal from the throne due to his secret marriage to Agnes, gave the crown to Suryavardhan.

Meenakshi, who had given birth to Hardik, slowly started developing a thought. She sidelined it initially, actually tending to Virat as a son, before the second murder she had to commit for protecting her secret.

Shaktivardhan had come to stay in Amber Taj with his family, after Suryavardhan pleaded with him for it. Agnes, who was a doctor, somehow started digging up the truth behind Manikarnika's sudden demise due to poison, after hearing about it from Kadambari. She got a clue against Meenakshi and started doubting her.

Not being able to be at peace due to this and fearing the consequences of discovery, Meenakshi had burnt her alive while Shaktivardhan had coincidentally met with an accident that very night. Meenakshi suggested Suryavardhan to close the investigation and show things as an accident as anything otherwise will tarnish the image of the royal family and he did as said, trusting her blindly.

And then there was Anushka who fell into the cyclone of ill fate, meeting the tragic death as she too had played a spy, investigating Agnes and Manikarnika's deaths, trying to find out the truth.

"I hate oversmart people. My dear Dhara bahurani too falls in that category. She always has to interfere in everything and also make Hardik follow her ways. Hum jaantey theh ki jab tak Dhara yaha reheti, Hardik ko hum apni baat nahi manwa paatey. If that girl wasn't carrying my son's heir then I would have got rid of her too by now. Anyways, ek baar humari Hardik raja ban jaaye, phir le aayenge unki maharani ko wapas. Andrew ka kaam toh tamam ho hi gaya hain. Accha hi huya. Risk nahi le saktey theh hum. Warna kya pata yaha Virat ke jaatey hi log unhey na raja bana lete umar mein bade hain isiliye. Aur rahi baat Akay ki toh unhey khatam kar denge. Now there's nobody between my son and the throne,"Meenakshi said.

"I wouldn't have done anything, Harry. Trust me. Aapke Dadabhai ko hum kabhi kuch nahi karte, par beta aap jo aaye. Aap humare guroor hain. Humare bete ke rehete kisi aur ko raja kaisey banne dete bhala? Hmm? Isiliye humein yeh sab karna para. Sirf aapke bhalai ke liye. Now you'll be the king and your son will be the crown prince. My lineage will follow in Chandraprayag, through my son. Abb banenge hum sahi mainey mein Rajmaata. Shubman will be busy with his musical career always. Moreover, I never had a problem with that kid. Bachpan se humnein hi toh paala hain unhey. Kal ki aayi Manyata haq jata rahi hain badi! Huh! Khair, on the other hand, humare pyaare Rishi toh rahengi hi apne bhaiyon ke paas. Abb humare teeno bete araam se rahenge. Sab kuch unka hoga,"Meenakshi said and drank the wine before letting out a happy sigh and closing her eyes.

"Harry! Why are you crying?"Virat asked while the six years old Hardik cried sitting in a corner.

"Dad didn't bring a ship for me,"he complained and Virat chuckled saying,"What ship?"

Hardik pointed at the one which belonged to Virat, saying,"Like that."

Virat laughed and said,"I was little when he had gifted me that. It's not new."

"It looks new,"Hardik said, wiping his eyes, looking at the ship, astonished. "It's so pretty!"

"Take it. It's yours now,"Virat said giving the ship to him.

"Really?"Hardik asked, his eyes sparkling with joy. "But this is your favourite,"he added, his smile fading away slowly.

"You're my most favourite, Harry,"Virat said, making him smile again and he hugged him saying,"You're the best Dadabhai in the world."

"And you're the best little brother,"Virat said, kissing his forehead, picking him up in his lap.

Hardik opened his eyes, calling,"Dadabhai!"and then looked at the ship, which he was holding and had fallen asleep with.

He ran his hand over the ship and sat quietly while saying,"Not fair Dadabhai. You betrayed me. You left me alone. I won't forgive you for this."

Shubman wrapped a bandage around Rishabh's hand as he had cut it absentmindedly, fidgeting with Virat's sword.

They sat silently, remembering their moment with Virat with that same sword.

"Humara talwar kidhar hain?"Virat asked.

"Kaunsa wala Yuvraj?"Charan Singh asked.

"Wahi jo hum humesha carry karte hain during ceremonies and practice sessions, Kaka,"Virat said searching for the sword when Rishabh and Shubman arrived there, the former carrying the sword in hand and Shubman in arms, somehow.

"Dadabhaiiii, Rishu is strong,"Rishabh said and Virat frowned and ran up to them.

"Kya kar rahe ho? Gir jaoge,"he said while taking Shubman in his arms.

"Hum senapati hain,"Rishabh said, making him chuckle.

"Yes! Senapati ki jay!"Shubman said, clapping.

Virat's eyes softened seeing the duo. One was seven, the other five. But both were crazy.

"Rishi! You are yourself little and you were carrying Maan!"

"Yes! Because Rishi is a strong prince,"Rishabh boasted, holding the heavy sword up.

Virat chuckled and made Rishabh wear his crown, which covered his eyes, and he walked around saying,"Jo jo humare baat nahi maanega unka sirh kaat diya jaayega."

"Sirh kaisey kaat teh hain Dadabhai?"Shubman asked.

"You don't have to know that,"Virat said with a chuckle.

"Yuvraj! Aapka taj Baujiraj ko kiyu pehena diya aap ne?"Charan Singh asked.

"Humare Bhai hain yeh, Kaaka. Humara sab kuch le saktey hain,"Virat replied making him smile and he left with a bow.

Virat sat down, and Rishabh climbed upon his lap, saying,"Dadabhai, aap itney powerful kaisey ho?"

"Yes! How?"Shubman asked, and both of them held his arms, seeing the thickness. Though Virat was just sixteen, he was well-trained and strong, which fascinated his younger brothers.

"That's because a crown prince has to be strong to carry responsibilities. Baba Sa always says so."

"Where are your responsibilities? Do you carry that in a bag?"Rishabh had asked, looking over Virat's shoulder and he had laughed aloud, amusing both of them.

"Rishi! Maan! Chaliye, khaana kha lijiye dono,"Meenakshi said, coming to them.

"Abhi nahi Mom,"both of them said and found Meenakshi standing beside them. They then looked back towards the sword, and realised that Virat wasn't around anymore.

"If you both behave like that then Veer will be more sad. Look at me. I have strengthened my mind anyhow. Jaiye, aapke Bhai ko bhi khilaiye. He has locked himself in the room,"Meenakshi said, faking remorse and wiped her fake tears while both of them hugged her and cried. She held them, saying comforting words, while thinking,"Aisa patti parha ke rakha tha uskey jaatey hi teeno aisey maatam mana rahe hain ki maano inki khudki zindegi khatam hogayi ho."

She sent them off to call Hardik and went to Devangini who was sitting in Virat's room, feeding Snehanvi forcefully as she was crying and not eating anything.

"Aisey nahi chalega. You have to eat. Think about the baby. Dadabhai ke saath saath isey bhi khona hain?"Devangini scolded her and she nodded a no.

"Nahi! Nahi nahi,"Snehanvi said.

"Then eat,"Devangini said, feeding her, suppressing her emotions.

"Devi! Niche jaiye. Khud zara apne bacche par dhyan dijiye aap,"Meenakshi said in a strict tone, standing near the door, startling both of them.

Devangini made Snehanvi hold the plate and said,"Khao. Finish it up."

She then walked up to Meenakshi and said,"Mom, inka haal dekhiye. Inhey akele chhorke kaisey jaaye?"

"She'll be fine, Devi. And why is she still wear colourful clothes? Ask the maids to help her change into something light in colour, rather, white."

"Mom!"Devangini exclaimed seeing her cruel side.

"What, Devi? This ill-fated girl deserves it,"Meenakshi said and walked away pulling Devangini along.

"Aaj agar Jiji yah hum unkey jagah hotey toh bhi aap aisa karti?"Devangini asked, and earned a tight slap in return, which shocked her.

"Khabardar jo aisi baat dobara apne zabaan pe laai toh!"Meenakshi yelled. "Pyaar aur izzat mil raha hain, chupchap khush rahiye. Chaliye."

She pulled Devangini again and she cried silently, holding her cheek and thinking,"Jiji yah Baujiraj yaha hotey toh iska jawaab aapko abhi mil jaata, Mom."

"Harry! What's wrong with you? Only this much?"Meenakshi said to Hardik who was fidgeting with his spoon.

"It's fine Mom,"he replied in brief.

Suryavardhan looked around, the silence that had fallen over the dining area, the empty seats of Virat, Durdhara, Akay and Andrew, haunted him, telling him they'll never return. He wiped his tears while Meenakshi whispered to him,"You shouldn't break down like that in front of the kids."

"What to do? I am unable to control my emotions,"he said when Charan Singh came there and called,"Hukum!"

"Tell,"Suryavardhan said in brief.

"People are wishing to know who'll be the next king."

"What?"

Meenakshi ate her food and smirked before adding,"That's obvious. With Veer gone in such a disastrous way, with Andrew too missing all of a sudden, the people are doubtful about the future. I think we should think about it."

Suryavardhan gave a nod and then looked at Hardik and then looked at Charan Singh and said,"Make a declaration, Prince Hardik is the next king of Chandraprayag."

Hardik looked up immediately and protested, standing up,"NO! Never. I'll never take that throne. That's Dadabhai's."

"Harry, calm down beta. This is not for us, it's for the people,"Meenakshi said.

"Shaant ho jaiye Hardik. You're the next in line, hence it's obvious. Sit down,"Suryavardhan said but Hardik walked away from there, pushing his chair aside.

"Maan! Rishi! Aap dono ka kya vichaar hain?"Meenakshi asked.

"Bhai ko hi banna chahiye raja, Mom,"Shubman said.

"Yahi sahi hain,"Rishabh added.

"Maa Sa?"Suryavardhan asked, looking at Kadambari who replied with a nod. "Just protect him at any cost,"she added, a sob escaping her throat.

"Yahi tey raha. Kunwar Hardik ke rajya abhishek ki taiyaari ki jaaye,"Suryavardhan declared.

************************************Here goes the update. Keep Reading and Keep Vommenting Guys.😘❤️