Early morning sunlight filtered through the jali screens, casting warm golden patterns across the bed.
I woke first, feeling my Rani still curled against my chest, her breathing slow and peaceful.
Me (gently kissing her forehead):
“Goodmorning, my dear.
Wake up!
It is already morning.
We might get late for the court and meetings.
Come on!!
Wake up.”
Rani(still in her sleep tossing and turning on the bed):
“Just five more minutes, please.
The council can wait at least five minutes right?!”
A mischievous idea sparked in my mind.
I carefully slipped out of bed, wrapped a loose robe around myself, then gently scooped her up, blanket and all bridal style into my arms.
She stirred immediately, eyes fluttering open in sleepy confusion.
Rani Lakshmibai (voice husky and disoriented):
“Hmm..?
What are you….?
Put me down this instant!”
I grinned and started walking toward the door, carrying her effortlessly.
Me:
“You said ‘five more minutes’, right?
I’m just making sure you get them that too in the most comfortable way possible.”
Rani (eyes widening as she realized what you were doing):
“No.
No, no, no!!
Don’t you dare!”
Too late.
I pushed open the door and stepped into the main inner corridor of the palace.
Morning activity was already in full swing with attendants carrying trays, guards on duty, maids sweeping, and a few senior officials heading to early meetings.
The moment they saw the Rani of Jhansi tucked securely in my arms like a bride, the entire hallway froze.
Gasps.
Wide eyes.
Then barely suppressed laughter.
Rani’s face turned a deep, genuine shade of pink.
She buried her face against your chest, mortified.
Rani (whispering urgently, half laughing, half embarrassed):
“Put me down right now!
Everyone is staring!
This is not how a queen appears in the morning!”
Me (teasing, still walking confidently):
“But you look so peaceful.
And after last night, I thought the queen deserved to be carried for once.”
An elderly maid dropped her broom.
Two young guards nearly collided with each other trying not to laugh.
One attendant whispered loudly to another, “Did you see that?
The Guardian is carrying the Rani!”
Rani (muffled against my chest, voice flustered):
“I am going to have you thrown in the deepest dungeon for this.
I swear on every God in Jhansi!”
I finally reached the door of her private changing room and gently set her down on her feet. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she whirled around to face me, cheeks still flushed, trying (and failing) to look stern.
Rani Lakshmibai (pointing a finger at me, voice a mix of irritation and embarrassment):
“You absolute menace!
Carrying me through the entire corridor like some blushing newlywed bride?
In front of the guards?
The maids?
They will be gossiping about this until Diwali!
What were you thinking?!”
She was genuinely surprised and a little embarrassed, but the irritation was the good kind; the kind that came wrapped in affection.
She kept smoothing her messy hair and adjusting her robe, clearly flustered.
Me (grinning, unable to hide how much you enjoyed it):
“I was thinking that after everything we’ve been through wars, treaties, councils you deserved one morning where someone else carried the weight.
Literally.”
She glared at me for a long second, then let out a defeated huff, her lips twitching despite herself.
Rani (still flustered, poking my chest):
“You are impossible.
The great Guardian of the Alliance , reduced to carrying his Rani around the palace like a sack of grain.
I can already hear Begum laughing when she hears about this.
‘Behen, your most precious man, apple of your eye carried you like a princess!'”
She turned away to pick up her riding clothes, muttering under her breath, but I caught the small, secret smile she was trying to suppress.
Rani (still grumbling, but softer now):
“Though I must admit, it did feel nice.
Being carried like that.
Even if I wanted to strangle you in front of the entire palace staff.”
She paused, then turned back to me, her embarrassment fading into warm affection.
She stepped close and poked my chest again.
Rani (voice lower, eyes sparkling):
“But if you ever do that again in public, I will make you run laps around the fort with full armor on.
Understood?”
I nodded, still smiling.
She rose on her toes and gave me a quick, firm kiss equal parts scolding and loving.
Rani (whispering against my lips):
“Now go.
I have to face the council with whatever dignity I have left after my husband decided to parade me through the corridors.
And YOU !
you are going to hear about this all day.”
As we both stepped out of the changing room, the hallway was suspiciously quiet.
Attendants quickly looked away, but their shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.
One guard saluted a little too enthusiastically, clearly fighting a grin.
The Rani shot me one last flustered, irritated but loving glare before composing herself into her regal posture and walking toward the council chamber with her head held high.
Soon after the court commenced.
There were whispers everywhere in the courtroom.
The ministers talked about the morning and soon I found their eyes and chuckling all shifting towards me.
I exhaled deeply, looking up on the ceiling trying desperately to avoid their gazes.
There was still some chuckling in the courtroom.
Although faint but loud enough for my ears.
Within no time after my arrival the arrival of Rani was announced.
As the big gates of the durbar opened, Rani could be seen walking on the red carpet in the courtroom.
She wore a bright red saree embedded with jewels. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
The “Chikankari” patterns of “off white” shade increased her beauty tenfold.
The special ‘gulab attar’ from Awadh made her smell like heaven.
The regal composure on her face told verses about her personality.
She stood alone, as an unparalleled epitome of beauty and courage.
It was all until her eyes fell upon me, a silent smile appeared on her face.
Her commanding eyes suddenly shifted, teasing me playfully.
As the morning court finally concluded and the whispers began to die down, I stepped out into the main courtyard to catch my breath.
Before I could even relax, a familiar voice rang out from the main gate.
Begum Hazrat Mahal (loud, teasing, with clear amusement):
“Well, well!
So the great Guardian of the Alliance has taken up a new profession carrying queens through corridors like a royal palanquin bearer!”
I turned to see the Begum of Awadh dismounting from her horse, flanked by a small escort.
She was dressed in her usual elegant yet practical attire, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
She had clearly already heard the gossip.
Begum (walking toward me with a wide grin):
“I leave for Awadh for a few weeks and return to find that my dear brother in arms has become the talk of Jhansi.
Carrying the Rani in front of the entire palace staff?
In broad daylight?
Even I wouldn’t dare such boldness!”
She stopped in front of me, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.
Begum (teasing, but warm):
“Tell me, Guardian, did you at least carry her gracefully, or did you stumble like a sack of grain?
The maids are already composing songs about it.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck.
Me:
“It was only a few more minutes of rest for her.
I didn’t expect the whole palace to turn it into the story of the year.”
Begum laughed heartily, then stepped closer and gave me a light, sisterly punch on the arm.
Begum:
“Good.
Keep that spirit alive.
The League needs your strength, but it also needs moments like this.
Just don’t let the Rani throw you in the dungeon for real, I still need you for the eastern front.”
I chuckled lightly.
She glanced toward the council chamber where the Rani had gone, her expression softening slightly.
Begum (more seriously, but still playful):
“And between us, I’m glad to see you smiling again.
Awadh heard what happened there.
Don’t carry that darkness alone.”
Before I could reply, she turned with a wink and headed toward the inner palace.
Begum (over her shoulder):
“Now go make peace with your queen before she really does declare you a public menace!”
I stood there, shaking my head with a reluctant smile.
The weight from Awadh still lingered, but between the Rani’s warmth last night and the Begum’s teasing today, it felt just a little lighter.
Later that afternoon, when no one was watching, she pulled me into a quiet corner, still a little pink in the cheeks.
Rani (trying to sound stern, but failing):
“You are never living this down.
Never.”
Then she smiled, leaned in, and kissed me properly, the kind of kiss that made the morning’s embarrassment completely worth it.