Page 56 of Claimed By the Maharaja
Yamini was stunned.
She expected him to remain coldly silent. But his words fell like a mandate.
The air crackled as Rani Vasundara Devi’s eyes narrowed. “You dare defy me?”
“I am the Jogra maharaja. I have chosen who stands beside me.”
His voice held absolute authority.
Rani Vasundara Devi’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Bharat inclined his head once in respect. And then, he looked at Yamini.
His golden-brown eyes met hers for a brief second in a silent command before he turned to leave.
Yamini immediately followed.
Her legs trembled slightly while her mind swam in shock and confusion.
Rani Suchitra Devi followed them, her face unreadable. Once they were clear of the doors, she spoke.
“The remaining rituals will be completed,” Rani Suchitra said. “Preparations are already underway.”
Yamini nodded, still trying to process what had just happened.
As they turned down the corridor, a soft voice cut through the tension.
“Rani Ma?”
Yamini looked up to see a young, pretty woman hurrying towards them. She stopped to catch her breath. The woman was dressed simply yet elegantly, and her eyes held a warmth that immediately set her apart from the rest of the palace.
“Sorry, I’m late,” the woman said, her breath coming a little faster. “I had an urgent surgery that came up in the last minute.”
Yamini noticed Rani Suchitra’s eyes softening towards the woman.
Yamini felt a small pang in her heart as she recalled receiving similar affection from Rani Suchitra until five years ago.
Rani Suchitra gave a nod. “Come and join us to welcome Bharat and Yamini.”
The pretty woman nodded before turning towards Bharat and Yamini.
“Congratulations to both of you,” she said with a warm smile.
Bharat acknowledged the greeting with a small nod. Then the woman shifted her attention to Yamini.
“I’m Sanjana,” she said. “Ram’s wife.”
Yamini was surprised. Then she recalled Pooja mentioning that Ram Devara had married a commoner, which caused quite a stir in the media and elite circles. The woman he married was a doctor.
Sanjana looked towards the now closed doors of Rani Vasundara Devi’s suite. Her smile grew wider, and she lowered her voice as she spoke to Yamini. “Don’t worry. Rani Vasundara Devi has said worse things to me when Ram brought me as a new bride.”
Despite herself, Yamini felt her shoulders relaxing slightly.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
Yamini could only imagine how Bharat’s grandmother, who was a stickler for tradition, must have reacted to Ram Devara marrying a commoner.
Yamini didn’t have to wonder why the Devara maharaja married a commoner. Sanjana was beautiful and kind.
