The inner chamber of Rajvanshi palace, Jaipur

A room dimly lit, is filled with the scent of incense. The walls are adorned with portraits of ancestors and symbols of the family’s royal lineage. In the centre, a low wooden table is covered with an array of astrological charts and sacred texts. Besides it sits an elderly man with a long white beard, dressed in saffron robes, his eyes sharp and calculating.

“The stars have aligned, and the omens are clear. What I am to reveal is not a mere prediction, but the will of the heavens themselves.” The priest declared with an air of solemnity. His voice deep and resonant echoed throughout the chamber.

“Speak, Rajguru. What have the gods decreed?” The king questioned firmly with clenched hands as he exchanged glances with his queen who stood there expressionless, as the tension in the room became palpable.

The priest takes a deep breath, “The young prince... (his voice lowers, almost reverently) ...he is marked by the stars. His birth under the shadow of Rahu has brought forth a prophecy of great misfortune.” He delivers the heavy blow. “What misfortune do you speak of, Rajguru?” The Queen questioned calmly as her husband's jaw tightened in anger. 

“A curse, Rani sa, a curse lingers over the child. It is written that the child will bring calamity upon this house. The gods have spoken—your youngest son is destined to be the harbinger of destruction, not just for this family, but for the entire kingdom.” The priest announces gravely, drawing a sharp grasp from the most trusted advisor of the kingdom, who also happens to be the younger brother of the king. On the other side of the room, Raghuvendra Singh Rajawat, the former king of Rajastahn sat silently while staring intently at the priest.

As if understanding the unasked questions and the turmoil, the priest continued, “The ways of the gods are beyond our understanding, Hukum. But the signs are undeniable. The alignment of the planets, the birth chart... everything points to an impending disaster tied to the prince.”

“And what is your counsel, Rajguru? How can we avert this so-called disaster?” The Queen questioned with a determined gaze, hiding all the signs of distress that the mother in her felt. The priest finally hesitates for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. “There is... only one way.” He began in a slow and deliberate voice, fully aware of the consequences that may arise. “The child must be removed from …this palace, ….from this kingdom. His presence here invites calamity. For the safety of all, the prince must be... disowned.” He breathed out.

His words hung heavy in the air, shocking the room into silence, as they all let the implications sink in. “You’re asking me to abandon my son... our son... because of a prophecy?” The king asked in a hoarse voice, as the colour drained from his face..

“It is not what I ask, Hukum, but what the gods demand. The choice is yours, but the consequences of ignoring this prophecy…. could be far worse than we would ever dare imagine.” He replied in a low voice.

“It is my son you speak of. I will not allow baseless superstition to dictate his fate. There must be another way, Rajguru. One that does not involve such a sacrifice.” The Queen spoke firmly, her voice was calm but edged with steel as she took a step forward.

The priest lowered his eyes, to avoid the queen's piercing gaze as he replied softly. “I have spoken, Rani sa. The decision rests with Hukum now.” For the first time, doubts crept in his mind, as he feared for his life.

As the king's mind raced, torn between his duty as king and his love as a father, he looked at his Queen, seeing the fear in her eyes, and then at his father, Raghuvendra, whose face remained unreadable. The weight of the kingdom rested on his shoulders, yet the idea of abandoning his child gnawed at his very soul.

 “What am I to do?” He whispered, almost to himself.

 “Devansh, the prophecy is dire, but we must tread carefully. Do not let fear dictate your actions. The gods may test us, but we must not lose our humanity.” Raghuvendra finally speaks calmly, his voice deep and measured.

>>>>>-<<<<<<

Scene shifts to a few months later…..

Under the dark covers of night a figure stealthy sneaked across the sprawling lawns and slipped out from the palace grounds with a sinister smile on their face, waiting for the chaos to start and left with a dark chuckle.

The queen was sitting in front of the mirror, going on with her night routine in the solitude of her personal chambers, lost in the thoughts of the news that she received a few days back. She wished to tell her husband, the king of the realm, about the upcoming arrival of the new member in their family, but hesitated due to the tense atmosphere that had shrouded the palace since the dreaded prophecy. 

More than that she was concerned for her youngest son, who was caught in the unnecessary crossfire of royal politics. And if that was not enough, then the note lying in the drawer of her cupboard weighed down on her. 

Mrinalini sighed and was about to change into her night gown when she was disturbed by a sudden commotion outside her chamber doors. With a frown across her face she moved forward to investigate. Upon opening the door a servant informed her that she was summoned to the king’s chambers immediately.

She was confused at being called at such a late hour that too in such a manner, but followed the servant nonetheless, keeping her face a mask of serenity. In a matter of minutes Mrinalini was standing in front of her husband, who sat there with a stoic expression. The moment she had entered, Mrinalni could feel the suffocating silence and the presence of Anvit and Janhavi Rajawat, her youngest brother-in-law and his wife.

Both of them were well known lawyers and they rarely involved themselves with the affairs of the states. Anvit handled their company’s legal affairs while Janhavi had her own successful career. Her instincts warned her that something was seriously off and her heart sank at her husband’s further words. “Mrinalini, we have received some disturbing news.” He began in a heavy, disappointing voice. “What is it, Devansh?” She whispered.

But instead of answering, Devansh looked at his brother and nodded. Anvit took a deep breath and stepped forward with a folder of documents. “Some letters and photos have surfaced, that… that supposedly implicate you of..  of being involved in a scandalous affair with a member of the court.” He spoke hesitantly as he placed it on the desk.

Mrinalini stood there in shock, as her mind processed the situation. She looked at the documents, her face pailing as she realised the efficiency of the person at editing and forgery. The documents looked absolutely authentic. 

“This is a lie. I have never been involved in any such affair.” Mrinalini spoke as she slapped the folder on the desk. Janhavi understood her frustration and shook her head in sympathy. “The evidence seems damaning Bhabhi sa. We are trying to understand how this could have happened.”

Mrinalini looked at the couple for a moment, noticing their conflicted expressions and turned towards her husband, who had not been sitting there quietly with grim expressions. “Don’t tell me you believe this nonsense Devansh.” She exclaimed with a hint of anger in her voice as her thoughts went to their unborn child.

Devansh gaze hardened as if coming to a conclusion. “If these accusations are proven true, then it could endanger the whole royal family and put the stability of the kingdom at risk.” He said in a measured voice, side stepping his wife’s question.

At that moment it was not a husband talking, but the king of state. Although monarchy had ended a long time ago and India was a democratic country, the descendants of the royal family still held power in their respective provinces.

Fury coursed through Mrinalini’s veins but she kept her temper in check. It was not the moment to fight, as a Queen she understood the gravity of the matter and her mind raced with the possibilities of who might have framed her. “I have been framed.” she spoke firmly.

“Let's hope what you say is true Rani sa, but nothing could be said until we reach the bottom of the matter.” Devansh declared with an air of authority as his brother looked at him with disbelief and Janhavi stood there aghast. “And if you are proven guilty…” 

“Enough.” Mrinalini cut him off, outraged at the hidden implications of his words. “You may be the Hukum, Devansh, but don’t forget you are accusing the Queen.” She seethed. “I will not allow anyone to malign my name just because of some papers. So don't you dare.” Mrinalini threatened and walked out of the study, leaving the people inside shell shocked.

Next day each and every media house of Rajasthan was bursting with the royal scandal. The headline flashed, ‘The Queen of Rajasthan involved in an extra-marital affair.’, ‘Rani sa’s betrayal confirmed by Hukum sa.’, ‘The Queen flees the state with her youngest son overnight.’ , leaving the royals shattered at the betrayal and reeling from the humiliation and mockery of the society.