"We should start the marriage ceremony." Abhiveera said to Viraaj.
"Yes, we should." Viraaj replied. "Daksha, bring Ira into the hall." He said to Daksha.
"Yes, your majesty." Daksha went towards Ira's chamber.
After some time,
Ira entered in the marriage hall with her mother. As she entered in marriage hall, everyone's eyes turned to her, stucked on her. She was looking like an angel who just came down from heaven. Her beauty seemed out of this world. No one can take off their eyes from her.
She was looking down. Without caring what is happening arround, she was just moving forward where her mother was leading her. She didn't looked up at anyone, not even at her groom.
Viraaj and Abhiveera both were admiring Ira. There were tears in Viraaj's eyes as well as Abhiveera's eyes were moist too.
Raksheet looked at the door and found his bride entering in hall. As soon as he saw her, his breath hitched. He felt butterflies in his stomach. His eyes stuck on Ira. He slowly stood up unknowingly, mesmerized by her beauty. Such a beautiful princess is going to be his wife, he can't believe it. His heart was beating faster and faster as Ira was coming towards him. Her every step was increasing his heartbeat. His lips curved in smile without him knowing.
"Brother, she is as beautiful as grandfather told us." Ahil whispered to Raksheet.
"No." Raksheet replied, still admiring Ira. "She is more beautiful than grandfather told us."
Ahil chuckled at Raksheet's behaviour. He was surprised but happy to see his brother like this. His brother who never looked at any girl with love in his eyes, is now can't take off his eyes from Ira. In his whole life, Raksheet never praised any girl but now he is praising his future wife's beauty.
Ira came to the stage.
Raksheet took a step forward and extended his hand for Ira to help her get on the stage.
She accepted his hand and held it. still looking down, she stepped on the stage.
As Ira touched Raksheet's hand, his heart skipped a beat. He felt a bunch of butterflies flying in his stomach and making him go crazy. He was hardly controlling his feelings. He didn't want to let go of her hand, even when she came on stage. Her soft skin was making Raksheet want to hold it for some more time.
Raksheet was lost in Ira's beauty when Ahil whispered "Brother, leave her hand or else everyone will make fun of you!"
When Raksheet heard Ahil's voice, he came to his sense. He looked around and found everyone was looking at them. He quickly let go of her hand and smiled awkwardly in embarrassment.
Ira stood next to him, without any expression and feelings. She was feeling like a puppet who don't have any feelings and have to do as her father want. She can hear everyone whispering. Some were praising her. Some were gossiping about her. About being a mystery for everyone. No one knows anything about her. Everyone is seeing her for the first time. Some were jealous of her beauty. Some were mesmerized by it.
Viraaj Sighed, controlling his emotions "She is looking so beautiful. I didn't thought she will look so beautiful in bride dress."
"Yes. She is beautiful." Abhiveera commented, not wanting to take off his eyes from Ira.
Both were admiring Ira with a smile on their face which was filled with so many emotions.
Soon the marriage ceremony started and everyone was busy in it.
Everyone was enjoying the marriage ceremony. Even Raksheet was smiling with whole heart, without worrying about anything. His smile was genuine and pure. But the only thing which was making him feel uncomfortable was Ira's silence. She didn't uttered a single word throughout the ceremony. She didn't looked at anyone, not even at Raksheet, her soon to be husband. She was doing as her mother was telling her. She wasn't protesting against anything but she wasn't looking interested too. There was no emotions on her face and that's what making Raksheet anxious.
'Does she really want to marry me?' Raksheet asked to himself, looking at Ira.
Ceremony ended. Now it's time for groom and bride to leave.
Ira's heart was beating fast. She was standing next to her grandfather. Every second was increasing her heartbeat. Her legs were frozen on her place. She don't want to go. Her eyes were full of tears and she was breathing heavily trying to control her tears.
Raksheet noticed it. He wanted to console her but don't know how. He can't even hold her hand because don't know how she will react. He thought may be this marriage is against her will that's why she was quiet throughout the ceremony and if he do anything which she don't like then it might create a scene.
"Your majesty, please take care of my granddaughter. Even if she is hurt, she won't tell anyone. Please, don't let her feel alone. She just need some love and care and that's enough for her." Viraaj said to Abhiveera, trying to control his tears. "I-If she want to meet me, please allow her to come here. Or send me a letter. I will come there. J-Just don't let her feel that she don't have me there with her." His voice cracked and tears started to flow from his eyes.
Hearing her grandfather's cracking voice, Ira can't control herself. She burst into tears and hugged her grandfather tightly. She was feeling like someone is taking her soul away and she can't do anything except watching it.
"Don't worry, your majesty. Now she is our responsibility. She is our family member now." Abhiveera reassured "And if she want to meet you, she don't have to take our permission. She can come to meet you anytime. You can come to meet her too. You are always welcome in our kingdom. You should be happy. Soon your princess will be the queen of Jwalana Kingdom. I promise she will never feel alone. We will take care of her."
Ira was sobbing silently in her grandfather's embrace. She heard what Abhiveera said but she don't really care about it.
Viraaj hugged her and said "Take care of yourself. Don't be sad and don't cry. Your grandfather is always here for you. Do as your elders and husband says." He said to Ira.
Ira nod, still hugging her grandfather.
"Ira..." Her mother came to her with teary eyes.
Ira looked at her mother. She broke the hug and went to her mother. Both of them tightly hugged each other. Ira is close to her grandfather but she love her mother too. Her mother always loved and appreciated her. Her mother was the only one who took care of Ira when her grandfather wasn't around.
Viraaj and Dhishva were busy talking with Raksheet and his father and grandfather.
"Do you remember what I told you?" Ira's mother asked to her.
Ira nod. "Yes. I do remember."
"Let me remind you one more time. You have to keep everyone happy. Especially your husband. He should be your first priority. You have to do as he say.
You are his first wife but it doesn't mean you will be his only wife and queen of Jwalana Kingdom. He can have several wives or mistress. He can choose his any other wife to be the queen. You might feel hurt or lonely but you have to adjust.
You have to adjust in family even if you can't. You have to love your husband, doesn't matter if he love you equally or not. Now, Jwalana Kingdom is your house. You have to live there forever. But don't forget your mother and grandfather are always here for you. I know i can't help or support you much but if my daughter is in trouble, i will try to help you as much as I can. I love you so much dear. Take care of yourself." Daksha explained to Ira and Ira wasn't looking bothered by anything.
She know her husband can have several wives. She may feel lonely. But she won't feel hurt because she don't care about it. This marriage is for good relationship between two kingdoms so Ira don't care about her married life. Raksheet can do whatever he want. She will not stop him. He can marry anyone. He can have several wives or mistress. She will never interfere in his business.
"Your majesty, the carriage is ready." A soldier informed.
"We should leave now." Ashwant said.