Finally the day of Coronation had arrived. All the kumar family members were getting ready to attend the ceremony. They were happy, more than happy but they had a little nervousness in their hearts. It's the biggest and blessed day for their family. Their elder son, the crown prince will get crowned as a king. But there is one more thing which is blessed for them but tough to handle.
Ira's reputation as crown prince's wife, the future king's wife.
They have to maintain this reputation and protect it from every stain. They don't want Ira to face any trauma or humiliation that may leave deep wounds in her heart.
"Princess, aren't you getting ready yet?" Seeing his wife sitting infront of her dressing table in her daily wear, Raksheet asked. "Don't you want to attend my coronation?" He asked jokingly while buttoning his sleeves.
"Of course i will!" Ira immediately turned around to face Raksheet "How am I supposed to be absent on my husband's coronation? The thing is..." She turned towards the mirror and looked at herself with a pout "Advika went to bring my dress and haven't come yet. I am eager to wear my dress! I haven't seen it once yet! I am really excited to see it but Advika is taking such a long time. I don't want to be late for ceremony."
"Patience my dear, patience." Raksheet patted Ira's head and said "I think the dress is so beautiful and delicate that Advika have to bring it here carefully, that's why she is taking time."
"Hmm..." Ira replied and looked at her husband through the mirror. Her lips curved in a smile when she saw her husband's royal look. She has always seen him well dressed in his rob and crown as a prince. But today on his coronation day, he is already looking like a king in his royal attire, even before getting crowned.
"By the way, you are looking excellent. My soon to be king." She said and winked at her husband.
Raksheet chuckled and bent his back to hug her as she was sitting on her dressing stool. He hugged her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Really?"
Ira immediately nod and kissed his cheek.
Raksheet smiled brightly to see his wife praising him. "If you are saying then i am sure I am looking good. My wife's praise is enough to fill confidence in me."
Ira giggled and held his hand that were wrapped arround her shoulder.
At the same time, they heard someone knocking on the door.
Ira said "I think Advika has come."
Raksheet looked at her and replied "So i should leave now. Get ready quickly and come soon. I am eager to see you in your special dress that took so long to arrive."
Ira giggled and nod.
Raksheet kissed her cheek and stood straight. He patted her head before leaving.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Advika with two maids holding something like a mannequin covered in a white sheet.
"Ah, what is it? Princess Ira's dress?" He asked to Advika while staring at the dress covered by sheet.
Advika smiled politely "Yes your highness, it's her highness's dress for today's ceremony."
"Ok. You can go inside. She has already waited too long. So don't take much time and get her ready quickly and bring her to the hall."
"As you say, your highness."
Raksheet then left from there, letting Advika help Ira get ready.
Advika signalled the two maids to follow her and entered in chamber.
As soon as Ira saw Advika with two maids behind her, carrying something big covered in a sheet, she stood up with wide eyes.
"A-Advika, what is this?" Ira asked.
"Your coronation dress, your highness." Advika replied. She then signalled the maids to take off the sheet and show Ira her dress.
The maids nod and started removing the sheet off from the mannequin.
Ira was watching them carefully, eager to see the dress that made her wait so long just for its one look. Her heart beating fast in her chest and she bited her lower lip in excitement.
The maids removed the sheet completely, revealing a golden-dark blue gown covered in gems and glitter with soft fur at the edge of its full sleeves, expressing the royalty of the wearer. It has a collar on the neck, which prevents the wearer from expressing her cleavage and collarbones.
Ira covered her mouth with her hand in amazement. Her eyes shinning and looking up and down at her dress.
'Beautiful' was the only word that came in Ira's mind after seeing the dress. She slowly stepped forward, extending her hand towards the dress to touch it and confirm that it's not a dream. The beautiful and such an expensive dress is hers for real. She touched her dress softly, sliding her hand from collar to shoulder and then sleeves. The fur on the sleeves was so soft that made Ira's heart calm and want to touch it again and again. She then touched the gems on the dress, blue and golden gems were covering upper body till the waist beautifully and glittery design down the waist to the edge of the gown.
In her entire life, Ira felt like a princess for the first time. Who can wear such an expensive and beautiful dress and can appear infront of people and show her beauty.
"I-It's so beautiful Advika." Ira said while admiring her gown.
"I am glad you liked it." Advika replied. She placed the tray that she was holding, covered with a cloth on dressing table and approached Ira.
"Your highness, you should get changed now. Ceremony will start soon."
Ira nod and replied "Yes, help me get changed."
"Welcome your majesty. It's a pleasure to meet you again!" Abhiveera approached Viraaj as soon as his carriage entered in kumar palace gate. Even the soon to be king, Raksheet was there to welcome them.
"Nice to meet you again your majesty." Viraaj said while getting down from the carriage with his son's help as he was already feeling sick and can't travel. But he came to Jwalana just to meet his beloved granddaughter.
Abhiveera's smile slowly dropped and he immediately held Viraaj's hand to support him stand after seeing him looking pale and weak.
"What happened, your majesty? Are you ok? You are looking weak! Did you encounter any problems on your way here?"
Raksheet went to him as well and asked "Grandfather, aren't you feeling well? Let's go inside first. You should take some rest."
Viraaj smiled at Raksheet and Abhiveera to look fine and show everything is alright "I am fine. There is nothing to worry about."
Dhishva sighed heavily before informing Abhiveera and Raksheet about his father's health condition as he know his father will not tell anyone and will try to hide it or avoid questions regarding his health.
"Father is not feeling well lately."
Viraaj grabbed Dhishva's hand tightly, preventing him from informing Abhiveera and Raksheet about his health. He don't want them to worry about him. It will be a burden on them. They have to take care of such a grand event, they shouldn't get distracted because of Viraaj's health.
"No no, it's not like that. I am just a little tired because of traveling." Viraaj tried to cover up the truth "He worry about me a lot that's why he is saying this all. Actually, i am all fine!"
"Grandfather, you weren't tired when you came to Jwalana last time. Then what happened this time?" Raksheet asked, suspecting on his grandfather-in-law that left Viraaj speech less. "I think father-in-law is right. You are not feeling well. You should rest first. Come, let's go inside." Raksheet held Viraaj's hand and escorted him inside the palace.
He didn't informed about it to Ira because he know she will rush to meet her grandfather instead of getting ready and will be late for ceremony. It's better for her to meet her grandfather when she enters in hall.
"Grandfather, you are looking tired. Do you want anything to eat or drink? You should take care of yourself." Raksheet asked while helping Viraaj sit on bed of guest chamber he specially prepared for him to stay there for some days because of his promise with Ira.
"No no, i don't want anything. Don't worry. I told you, i am fine."
"Father, you promised me that you will take care of your health, then why are you ignoring it again?" Dhishva, who was observing how his father is hiding his weakness and trying to appear strong even if he can't, finnally reminded his father about the condition he asked him to fulfill if he want to go to Jwalana.
Other members have already went to other guests chambers to rest. But Dhishva wanted to make sure that his father's health is not deteriorating. And he is taking good care of himself.
"I am not ignoring my health." Viraaj replied "But i am actually feeling well then why should I bother everyone?"
Raksheet quickly sat down next to Viraaj and held his hand tightly "Grandfather, you are not bothering anyone. I am your grandson-in-law, it's my duty to look after you. And it will never bother me. Just tell me what you want."
Viraaj sighed deeply and smiled "I want to see my granddaughter. Where is she? Didn't you informed her about my arrival? I really want to see her."
Raksheet fell silent. His grip on Viraaj's hand loosened. And his expression turned more severe. He can imagine how Ira will react when she will see her grandfather's condition. She will be so upset and worried once she get to know that her grandfather is sick and looking so weak.
"She....she is getting ready for ceremony. As you know your granddaughter will not listen to anyone and will come here to meet you instead of getting ready, i preferred not to inform her about your arrival. It's better if she meet you in ceremony hall. But...." He tightened his grip on Viraaj's hand.
"But what?" Viraaj asked.
"But i am worried, how she will react when she will see you like this. She loves you a lot and can't see you sick."
Viraaj held Raksheet's hand and patted it as assurance "I will take care of it. I will handle her. And you should leave now. It's your coronation, you must be busy today. Don't wast your time here-"
"It's not a waste of time your majesty." Before Raksheet could answer, Abhiveera spoke while entering in Viraaj's chamber. "As long as it's the matter of a family member, there is no waste of time."
He walked towards the bed and stood next to it "And you are our family member, so don't call it waste of time."
Raksheet released Viraaj's hand and stood up.
"And about Raksheet, you should go and help your father." He said to Raksheet "I will accompany his majesty." He then turned his gaze towards Dhishva and asked him to go and rest "Dhishva, you should go and rest. You must be tired. I will take care of your father."
Dhishva just smiled in response and nod. "Father, take care. Call me if you want anything."
"No need, his majesty is here. He will help me if i want anything. You go and take some rest." Viraaj replied.