Chương 2: Amer Palace I
Zenana (Amer Palace)
The sun was high, painting the sky a breathtaking array of blue and yellow. Princess Meera Singh Kerridge gazed out over the lush gardens of the Zenana are of the Amer Palace.
Zenana belonged to the courtyard where the royal family women, including concubines or mistresses lived. Even though she was not a resident of the family since she was married of at the age of 12, Princess Meera was allowed to reside at the Zenana during the course of her stay in the palace.
The Amer Palace was built as a symbol of the harmonious union between between both Rajput and Mughal architecture. The palace was a marvel of intricate design with towering minarets and arched doorways adorned with delicate work.
The air was thick with the scent of roses, their petals drifting lazily on the gentle breeze. As she stood there, Meera couldn't help but feel hopeless when she viewed her status screen, like the stone statues that lined the palace walls.
Name: Meera Singh Kerridge
Gender: Female
Age: 15
Skills: Psychology(2), Trade(2), English(1) ,Hindi(1), Mewari(1), Farsi(1), Hinduism(1), Christianity(1), Arquebus(1), Etiquette(1)
(Level 0 skill cannot be displayed)
Assessment: The person has skills in psychology and trade with some attainments related to musket, language and religion.
After reading her status, she was speechless. The still harsh evaluation at the bottom, that she was seeing since she was born, aside, how come she had only ten skills over the course of two lifetimes.
Her maid, Nandini, who was given to Princess Meera over her stay for the week, sensed her dazed state as gently nudged her back to reality. "Princess Meera," she whispered, "you were supposed to go to the village today."
Meera blinked, her mind snapping back to the present. "Very well," she said with a nod. "Let us not wait any longer."
The maid followed Princess Meera to the changing place but before the maid could help her, Meera said that she could change on her own since she was used to it. The maid noted it and left her alone.
*****
Sila Devi Mandir (Amer Palace)
As the rays of sunlight hit the mandir(temple), a group of women clad in traditional saris gathered at the steps of the Sila Devi Mandir. Led by granddaughter-in-law of Man Singh I who was the previous ruler of the Amer Palace and sister-in-law of Bhau Singh who was the current ruler of Amer Palace. Sisodiniji Damyanti Deiji carried with her offerings of fragrant flowers, sweet incense, and freshly prepared delicacies.
Entering the sanctum of the mandir, the women were enveloped in an aura of tranquility and serenity. The air was thick with the heady scent of sandalwood and jasmine, invoking a sense of sanctity that permeated every corner of the sacred space.
With graceful movements, Damyanti led the women in to offer their prayers to the Sila Devi, who was an incarnation of Kali or Durga. As they sat down the sacred halls, Damyanti with regal bearing and commanding presence, issued a directive to the female attendants.
"Go. Bring Prince Jai Singh."
A murmur rippled through as one of the women hesitantly said Damyanti. "Your Highness," she began, her voice tinged with apprehension, "Prince Jai Singh is not in the palace. He left, promising to gather water lilies for your ritual."
Damyanti's brow furrowed in consternation at the news. "Water lilies?" she echoed.
"Yes, Your Highness," the woman affirmed. "The Prince pledged to retrieve the most exquisite blooms from the Maota Lake as a tribute to his mother. But..."
"But what?"
"Your Highness," she continued, "it has been quite some time since he departed, and yet he has not returned. I fear it may delay the commencement of the prayers."
Damyanti's gaze hardened with resolve as she countered, "If Prince Jai Singh said that he will bring flowers for the ritual then don't just think they are hollow words." she declared firmly. "It's his oath. The moon, the sun and the world may fall back but the one who calls themselves Kshatriya, how can he fall back? Prince Jai Singh is a true Kshatriya."
With a sense of unwavering faith in her son's honor and integrity, Damyanti reaffirmed her conviction. "My ritual will proceed as scheduled, and with the flower he brings," her voice ringing with a quiet certainty that echoed through the sacred halls of the mandir.
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