I stood in the middle of barren land, marked by the rotting stench of corpses, the desperate pleads of gravely injured British soldiers and even the martyrs from their own brethren.
Their desperate pleas and view of the blood soaked battlefield left me completely broken.
The reality and realisation hit me like a stone on my face.
One thought haunted me, “I had won, but at what cost?
The bodies of my comrades lay cold near my feet, cold and dead.
The same comrades who had pledged loyalty and had faith in me as a harbinger of peace took their last breath for me.”
I, completely lost in the dark, tried to think what my Queen would have done in this situation.
As my thoughts rationalised, I had come to realise those were not thoughts at all, Those were my feelings & anger for the British which had piled over decades.
I had won the world, but still lost to my emotions.
I fell down to my knees, realising the horror I had created.
In this cloak of darkness I desperately seeked a flame of light, even flickering was enough.
I closed my eyes, begging the Almighty to lead me the way.
Suddenly a feeling of warmth and compassion enveloped me, the fragrance of musk roses and fresh lavender.
A soft voice murmured into my ears, “So this is where you were.
At last I guess even my mighty guardian also feels guilt and compassion.”
I opened my eyes, surprised to see Rani hugging me from the back, radiant smile on her face.
I tried to stand up to formally apologise but she clutched to me and wouldn’t let go.
We stood there, in the same pose for quite some time.
I tucked to her for a moment in desperation and shame, just like a lost child who has finally found a guide.
After comforting me, she stood up and said, “Okay, let’s go now, Begum and others are waiting.” Saying this she went on to mount her horse.
In the meantime, I ordered her sepoys to go ahead of us to scout the area.
As soon as they left, I sprinted towards Rani.
I caught her hands holding the reins & pulled her towards me.
Rani, almost shocked, “What…
what are you…??” Then the next moment I was riding the horse across the battlefield with Rani clutched in between me and the horse.
She almost shyly clutched to me.
I said, “You came all the way out on a battlefield just to lighten up the mood of your ordinary servant.
This is the least I can do to make you feel at ease during these years of turmoil.” Embarrassed she buried her head in my chest and pouting she said, “I came here to support you, but you have turned this around on me.
You like playing tricks, don’t you.” I just laughed.
The laugh which I had forgotten for so many years, finally came back, all thanks to my Rani.
After sometime we reached the Kingdom of Jhansi from an alternate forest route, but to my surprise Begum Hazrat Mahal somehow knew as we found her waiting at the backgates of the palace.
Begum raised an eyebrow, her grin widening, “Oh ho!
Look at this!
The Rani of Jhansi and her guardian riding together like newlyweds after a grand victory.
Did the battle end so beautifully that you decided to turn the horse into a romantic carriage?”
The Rani stiffened slightly in my arms, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.
She tried to maintain her regal composure, but I could feel her trying not to smile.
Rani (trying hard not to be flustered, but failing miserably):
“Didi, it is not what it looks like.
We were simply returning quickly.”
Begum (laughing lightly):
“Not what it looks like?
When you are sitting in his lap on the horse, he is holding you as if he’s afraid you’ll vanish if he lets go.
If this is returning quickly, then I must also start riding with my own advisers often.”
She winked at me, her tone playful but affectionate
Begum:
“And you, Guardian, carrying the Rani thrown on horse through the whole Kingdom like this? New chapters come out on g.com first.
At this rate the entire kingdom will start calling you, “The Rani’s personal chariot’.
Should I prepare a proper wedding palanquin or do you plan to keep surprising us every day?”
Rani let out a small laugh and elbowed me in the side.
Rani:
“See?
What have you done?
Now even my sister is teasing us.”
Begum:
(chuckling)
“Don’t blame him, behen.
I saw the way you looked at him on the battlefield earlier.
That soft smile?
That little blush?
Even I, Begum of Awadh, felt jealous for a moment.
But you deserved this…
After all the war and blood, it was like a well deserved break for you two.”
She stepped back and gave a dramatic bow.
Begum
Now come inside.
The council is waiting.
We also have some new guests, but I doubt they will be more interested in gossiping about Guardian and Rani’s romantic horseride.
Rani shook her head, still flustered.
She glanced back at me over her shoulder, her voice in a whisper only I could hear.
Rani:
“You see what you have started?
Now I will never hear the end of this from here.”
Me
“Worth every bit of teasing…
as long as I get to ride with you again.”
Begum laughed heartily as she led the way inside.
As we entered the court the atmosphere was warm, cheerful & radiant.
The ministers had never seen such peaceful and playful days in Jhansi or Awadh ever before.
The Rani quickly ascended the throne and I took my throne beside her, as she gestured to the start of court proceedings.
After normal proceedings were over by the end of afternoon, a guard rushed into the court with the message.
“The envoys from Kanpur, Faizabad and Bihar, Kunwar Singh under the leadership of Tatyatope and Maulvi Ahmadullah want to meet you and your advisor, your Highness.”
My face lit up, finally they have come.
Rani, though agreed, didn’t understand what was going on.
The envoys arrived in the court.
They humbly bowed and showed their contract of lifelong alliance with Jhansi and Awadh.
“Our Kingdoms of Kanpur, and Faizabad & Bihar swear our alliance with Your Majesty and wish to be a part of the Jhansi Awadh alliance.”
Rani was surprised and content.
Somehow her eyes shifted towards me, as if she had known all along that it was my doing.
She then turned towards the envoys and said, “I am grateful for the alliance request and I humbly accept it.
Please tell the leaders of your constituencies that they are now part of the Jhansi Awadh alliance and we are happy to have them.
Then I gave a hand gesture to one of my soldiers and he fetched the captured leaders of Punjab regiment, Bombay regiment, etc.
Rani was even more shocked.
“I thought you had killed all of them.” I replied, “When we are fighting against an empire as great as Britain, it is advisable to have as many allies as possible.” Rani was impressed.
The Punjab regiment soldiers and troops swore allegiance to the union federation.
They were respectfully given a place in the alliance.
As they were leaving to march to Punjab, I secretly caught the leader’s hand and closed in on him.
I looked him dead cold in the eye and spoke, my voice threatening and dead serious, “If you ever try to do anything to backstab us, I will have you and your comrades’ heads rolling down the streets.
So don’t you dare!”
A cold sweat ran through the leader’s face.
I moved back and he hurriedly commanded his soldiers to move quickly to their quarters.
Rani (glancing at me with a warm, slightly teasing smile):
“You know, when the envoys arrived, I was surprised.
But when I saw you standing there so calmly, I realized you had been planning this for some time.
You didn’t just win a battle today.
You won friends for Jhansi.”
She stopped walking and turned to face me fully.
Her eyes were soft, filled with gratitude and something deeper.
Rani:
“I have been thinking about what you did on the battlefield.
The way you protected me, the way you lost control because they insulted me.
It frightened me a little.
But it also moved me.
No one has ever fought for me with such passion.”
She took a small step closer, her voice dropping to a gentle whisper.
Rani:
“Thank you.
Not just for the alliances, but for standing beside me even when your own heart was in turmoil.
You make me feel safe.
And happy.
Happier than I have felt in many years.”
For a moment, she looked almost shy, the fierce Rani of Jhansi replaced by Manikarnika, the woman who was slowly opening her heart.
Rani (smiling softly):
“I don’t know what the future holds for the League.
But I know I want you in it.
Not just as my advisor or guardian but as the man who makes my heart feel warm.
Stay with me.
Through every battle, every alliance, every quiet evening like this.”
She reached out and gently squeezed my hand, her touch lingering.
Rani:
“And next time you bring allies from the shadows, at least warn your queen first.
I nearly fainted from surprise today.”
We both laughed softly, the tension from the battlefield finally easing.
As we walked back toward the palace, she stayed close, her shoulder brushing against mine.
Rani (whispering):
“I am glad you are here.
Truly glad.”