Princess Fighter: Search for the Throne

IV

99 Years later

The air seemed to fill up in Northern Zilla, just as the inhabitants of the province felt today.

Located at the foot of the mountain, this is the most fertile land in Chandragarh, largely due to the three rivers that make it the food route of the entire kingdom.

It was the day of the celebration of Zilla and its inhabitants, especially the householders. The old man had gathered by the river.

The boat was not yet seen, but the sound of a conch shell was heard. This means that the children will arrive on land before the hour is over.

"How many days will they be here? I don't even know how much he's grown. Does he eat well there? He gets used to my story every night. I don't know if she managed to do it." a short nap in Gurukul* or not", lamented a mother, whose son went to Chandragarh Gurukul for the first time.

"Can you calm down, miss? Everyone knows that all children should go to Gurukul at the age of nine, so why don't you prepare yourself and your son beforehand?" Raghuveer.

Belavati, his wife, nudged him loudly before whispering, "I don't believe it. How could you casually flaunt your indifferent attitude? Many people here still remember your crying behavior five years ago when Mrignayani first went to Gurukul."

Raghu's face flushed red before muttering, "How can you compare that woman's behavior to mine? I was just upset that my son was gone, I never worried about how he would sleep and survive. I prepared it well enough."

"really! So, aren't you the one who stays up for 2 nights in a row at the end of each vacation, making ladoo* and math* for your daughter, till date?" Bela seduces her husband.

"God! I forgot to take a pot of vegetables from the boiling stove. I hope they won't be charred when we get back" he said anxiously.

He shook his head in despair, "Don't start worrying about food anymore. Ever since I came home this morning, I couldn't calm down because of the commotion you made in the kitchen. Looks like the party is being prepared."

"So, who asked you to approve tonight's assignment this week? You could have asked the police station to postpone it. After all, you are the head of the office. Do you think you can spend enough time with Mriga now?" his reply.

His wife looked at him with serious eyes, "But it was my turn for night vigilance. How can I say no? It's not fair, is it?"

Chandragarh is a prosperous country with a population below six digits. The country managed to survive and thrive for almost a century under matriarchal rule*.

There are strict norms and regulations that have been established, abdication that attract severe punishment. Queen's kingdom is based on the motto – 'Equality, Justice, Growing, and Embracing'.

Both men and women are free to make the choice to become a professional or a housewife, depending on their skills.

Since Bela is an outstanding sword lady and is good at horseback riding, she is employed at the North Zilla police station.

Raghu has decided to use his science background to improve the small plantation crops they have in their back home.

As a housewife, she had a flexible time to experiment with various farming techniques.

Also, with Mriga going most of the year to Gurukul, he has had more free time over the past few years, which he has used effectively to find a faster way to grow potatoes.

He is currently working to grow two plants simultaneously and effectively on the same plot of land.

"I can see the flag, oh I can also see the boats now", someone shouted in excitement.

The kids get off the boat. The younger ones were aided and handed over to anxious parents before the more experienced children helped the boatmen sail back to the capital.

Local councillors who were also present that night, handed over some drinks to the boatmen as a token of gratitude for bringing the children safely and quickly to their families.

"We will be here on the appointed day at dawn. Make sure the kids are ready in the same uniform that day" the last boatman said, before leaving.

Due to being downstream from North Zilla to the Capital, the nearly empty boat would return before nightfall.

"Look at that pretty uniform. I love how soft and comfortable it feels," exclaimed a mother who had just seen her daughter wearing school clothes.

"Maa, I can't wait to be eleven. Then I'll use more colors" exclaimed the boy again.

As per Gurukul rules, children from nine to eleven years old are only allowed to wear white.

Colors are given daily to older children as per Ayurveda instructions*.

• – Monday White

• – Tuesday Red

• – Green Wednesday

• – Thursday Yellow

• – Friday Light Blue

• Saturday – Blue Midnight

• – Pink

All children wear angrakha-style clothes that are tied to the side of the shirt, not in the middle. It's combined with loose pajamas.

The clothes are woven from cotton and washed repeatedly until soft, before being worn by children. Clothing styles ensure maximum comfort and flexibility whether studying or exercising.

...----------------...

"I'm so hungry. Father, please tell me that you have prepared a good meal for me at home" exclaimed Mrignayani, after greeting his parents.

"Your father has been working hard in the kitchen for hours now. There was enough food for my hungry little monster" his mother said affectionately.

"Didn't you eat breakfast before you left?"

Raghu frowned.

As a man with a background in science and farming as his job, he puts eating as a top priority for a person to stay healthy.

The belief is that a person needs to eat within the first hour after waking up and the last meal four hours before going to bed.

"We left at 4 am today. Although we did bring snacks for the trip, but I had too many hungry little kids on board. So, I ended up giving my share to them," he replied with a smile.

At the age of 14, Mrignayani was one of the few oldest children left from North Zilla to attend Gurukul.

Most of the other children of Zilla are too young or have completed their education by the age of 16 and are working, either in Zilla or in the capital, where Gurukul is located.

"Oh, I have to tell you something important. But that was after I drove you both home," Mriga laughed and left.

"I can't follow you ladies. Have pity on me," Raghu panted as the mother daughter duo started to compete with each other at breakneck speed.

"This shows how unlike you are. When we get married, at least I can see you when I turn to look. Today, we've been waiting for you for the last ten minutes and there's no sign of you all along." Ways. There goes. No more delays. Starting tomorrow, you have to run with Mriga every morning" Bela threatened.

"Let me see my food preparation. I don't have time for this conversation right now," she ran away, wiping the sweat on her eyebrows.

Mriga sighed in satisfaction after finishing a very large meal.

He took his parents' equipment along with his own to put it in a large tub that was placed outside the house.

"Leave the plate in the bath and come back. It's my turn on schedule to wash it off. But I'll take him to the community cleanup later. For now, I want to know what you want to tell me before. Also, how are you doing this semester? Tell us everything,” his mother said with a smile.

Bela doesn't do much housework, but husband and wife have household chores that they do on a rotating basis, regardless of their respective jobs.

Under current sanitation systems, every twenty homes have a general washing area dedicated to cleaning their appliances and clothing.

This water collects in a small pond from a small man-made path of one of the major rivers, such as a tributary. However, dirty water is not returned to the main stream.

There is a small filter through which it flows into another separate area that is used for community toilet purposes.

The wastewater eventually flowed into a large enclave located deep within the nearby forest area.

It was a closed place and only had one narrow exit, deep underground.

This is a common practice in all of Zilla in accordance with the country's latest waste policy.

"My test went well. I have managed to maintain my value. Besides, I am now included in the top five archers in my age group, but my athletic and devotional skills have decreased slightly. As for the big news, my project is considered the best in all of Gurukul for this quarter. In the first year as a senior, we must submit a dissertation on a topic of our choosing. I decided to design and hold a special class for eleven year old students. Topikki is 'Menstruation; as an important gift'. Dad, I have to thank you for explaining it and preparing me so well when it happened to me," she went and hugged her father, after saying all these words with a burst.

"Well, that's an unusual topic for a project. You wouldn't think there was anything special about it. What made you take it?" his mother's eyes shone with curiosity.

"Umm. over the past two years, many girls in my class got their periods for the first time. And many, if not all, do not know anything, fear and poor gear. Since they were far from their families, I helped them understand the reason for their appearance and how to take care of themselves all along. Since we were going to do the first solo project that carried significant weight in the final assessment, I was thinking of doing something really relevant, impactful, and different. Most of my classmates chose safe topics that the seniors had chosen in the past and gave them good grades. I wanted to do something relevant today rather than write an elaborate thesis about what was possible or what had happened! My project has been considered a breakthrough –. Also. It will be compulsory college for all 11-year-olds" he told them with a beaming smile.

"Well, luckily you told me this. I was afraid that you would become a copy of your mother, but it seems that you have managed to take a little from me as well" said her father with a twinkle in his eyes.

"really? And what's the bad of this scenario if he really becomes exactly like me? Are you trying to imply that I'm disabled, that I don't have a brain?" Bela's up, hands on hips.

...----------------...

Northern Zilla

Raghu looked at his daughter to help her out of the difficult situation where she landed unwittingly.

"Uh, Maa! Dad just meant to say that it would be an arduous task for me to get close to your perfection and that I might be disappointed. Therefore, relieved that I have taken some of his imperfections." His nature too," Mriga tried to distract him.

While glaring at her husband, Bela left, muttering softly.

Raghu winks at his daughter and asks her to clean up the room while she goes to take care of her beloved land, which is located behind their house.

She recently put her hands on a book from a foreign country where her author explains how by controlling and regulating water, nutrients and temperature, vegetables can be grown in small, enclosed areas.

As a member of the national science society, Raghu attends many meetings held every six months.

People from different fields come together to exchange notes and have the opportunity to meet with travelers from different Zilla or countries who come there to exchange discoveries, knowledge, and new items.

...****************...

Royal Palace, Central Zilla

"The finance minister is here to see you" the palace maid told Rani Samyukta.

Clad in a pale lavender dress, the queen wore a golden-coloured royal robe on top of her before stepping out of her room.

"Thank you for coming so early. Did you get the information I asked for?" she asked.

Bowing respectfully, the minister handed the scroll to him, "As you can see, we have increased the fiscal surplus this year, mainly due to our increase in foreign trade. Goods sold to neighboring countries have increased by thirty percent. We also strive to minimize transport time to reduce the ratio of fruit and vegetable waste we export. The Ministry of Agriculture is working with the Ministry of Science to find a way to keep vegetables and fruits fresh longer so they can survive the trip."

Rani Samyukta sighed in satisfaction, "Thank you for the effort. When I took over Chandragarh's government twenty-four years ago, my only agenda was to take the country one step ahead of where its predecessor left it. From what you've described, it seems like I've almost reached it. I'm sure it's time we start looking for the next queen."

"But .. isn't this too early? The precedent is to begin the search in the twenty-fifth year of the queen's current reign. We still have a year before we need to start the process" he was surprised.

"No, I don't want to make hasty decisions, nor do I want to choose a future queen from a limited pool of 16-year-old girls, as has been done in the past. I asked Royal. The committee helped me change the rules for this year's selection process. I want to open it for girls who are fifteen years old and above. If we consider them wise enough to get married at 15 years of age, we can let them participate in these historic events as well. This time, the competition will be more rigorous and comprehensive, covering a longer period of time. We must not rush to choose the person who will hold the future of the country in his hands,” he said in a firm tone.

The finance minister bowed to the queen and walked out.

He had been a regular visitor of the palace in his childhood. His grandfather was the minister of agriculture at the time.

As per Chandragarh rules, no family is allowed to hold a position in one of the ministries consecutively for two generations, meaning no minister can see his daughter or son holding ministerial posts.

That is why, the father of the finance minister, although a qualified candidate, still lives his life as a trader.

This rule exists to stop any family from gaining too much power or influence that can ultimately lead to corruption.

In fact, there are enough loopholes to get through this by including a first cousin or close friend into ministry.

The finance minister compared the appearance of the palace from what he remembered in his childhood to the present and found the current state of affairs much simpler.

Rani Samyukta is a hardened person, preferring to live a minimalist lifestyle. She is the only queen to date to choose not to marry.

Instead he devoted all his free time to the orphanage located in the city, which had raised him as well.

"It will be very difficult to find a queen who conforms to her standards and dedication, not forgetting her intelligence" the minister mused, as she left the palace.

“The Royal Committee has merged their report and sent it through the envoy,” Indrani told the queen.

Indrani is Rani Samyukta's junior at school and has been handpicked by the queen to work at the palace, ever since they both fainted from Gurukul.

As the queen's personal adviser, she is the liaison between the queen and all ministries. He is also the most trusted man Rani Samyukta.

Equally dedicated and hardworking, she is the queen's only friend but has a very different personality from Rani Samyukta.

The queen had been orphaned and despite all the efforts made over the years, she had never been able to trace the origin of her family.

A quiet person, he only speaks when absolutely necessary and rarely laughs.

On the other hand, Indrani is basically gregarious. They have met each at the age of nine and ten in Gurukul and have been inseparable ever since.

In fact, Samyukta spent every school holiday since then with the Indrani family to become queen.

"Please tell the kitchen to send my breakfast to the office space directly. I don't want to waste time going to the dining room" Rani Samyukta ordered him.

"Given that you only eat fruit at this hour, why don't you stop by the royal garden on your way to the room. You can pick whatever fruit you like and chew it on the road. That will save more time, " Indrani said in an annoyed tone.

Summoning a small smile, which was reserved exclusively for her, Rani Samyukta replied, "I am only referring to myself. You have enough time to enjoy your favorite food. I want to read the report sent by the Royal Committee, alone."

......................

* Mathis – Small round salty fried snacks

* Laddoo – Yellow round candy made from gram flour

* Gurukul – Schools where teachers and children live on campus

* Matriarchal rules – Social units (country/location/region) are governed by a woman or a group of women

* Ayurveda - The science of life according to Indians