When the sun set and night slowly started to fall, in the East side of the temple there was a open courtyard where the planned birthday banquet will bel holding. Sumeska asked for permission to held a banquet and master monk agreed as it's a occassion of someone's birthday. Though he don't wanted it but if he refuse then other people might ridicule him for being unreasonable because it's just a simple birthday so thinking about all this he agreed.
All the disciples and seniors looked happy. Because in temple there was not a great even to have fun. The temple rules are too strict and the disciples living there never dared to break it. But today they got chance to have some fun and they even heard the birthday girl who is young miss of marchent family also known as great cook and going to cook for everyone tonight speciall to give a good treat to everyone. Though the food item will be large in menu today but there was no permission for adding meats or drinking wines. So the foods will be plain veggie items and fruit juice will be added. But still the disciples are happy and ready to enjoy.
In the kitchen Lakshya almost done cooking and the temple cooks helped her finishing it. She added some powder for flavour in desert as Sumeska walked in.
"Today is your big day but look at you, you are busy in cooking"
Lakshya put down the bottle she was holding before turning around "mother" she smiled brightly "you have given invitation to everyone so how can I just seat back and hold myself while the temple priest cooks are doing hard work. Afterall it's my responsibility too"
The cooks present there revealed smiles hearing her. In their heart she is generous and kind. Even though she is the main character in today's even but she still came here and helped in cooking.
Sumeska smiled when she saw the expressions on their faces. Lakshya really do know how to hit the soft spot. And now she is waiting for the right moment to attack so that their plan get successful.
"Is everything ready?"
Lakshya nodded "everything is done in time. I would like to thank every priest cooks for helping me organise this feast"
"It's our duty young lady Lakshya" they replied.
"Since it is done then you need to get ready. Afterall you are the one for whom all these preparations have done" Sumeska reminded.
Lakshya nodded then turned to the cooks "then I will leave first"
After coming out of the kitchen Lakshya hold Sumeska's hand "mother is it still right what we are about to do?"
Sumeska patted her hand "I have told you already. To get something big you need to extend you gut and work hard. Besides if today's plan is successful then you don't have to worry for anything till your next life"
Lakshya's face showed some nervousness "but mother, even if I entered the palace there is still an empress high above me. And I will always be considered as second one by everyone"
"Why are you thinking all this now?" Sumeska frowned "even if you become a concubine but still it will have honour and prestige for being royal than ordinary. Isn't it good enough. Do you want to live your life in some small house without any name? Even the royal maids has their name and where you are going to enter the palace. Don't think those nonsense again. What I am doing is for your own good" she lectured.
"I was wrong mother. I will definitely try my best to hold in this chance"
Sumeska smiled "that's my daughter. Now let's get you ready"
In the open courtyard everyone started to gather for the banquet. Even the royal families also present sitting on different side only made for them. Nandini gazed around the crowd then nodded her head.
"Looks like the marchent family is quite rich" she commented. Even though the banquet is holding in temple but the preparation was quite dazzling than the casual feast.
"They put great effort to decorate the whole area" Manik replied as he sipped on his tea calmly.
"The whole situation feels like celebrating in palace than in temple" Nandini said again.
Manik nodded "it is like that. The marchen families are richer than other officials. Though in court general and prime minister has special place but marchent families are more involved in trading. So their business in hand their bank is quite heavier than others"
Nandini nodded in agreement. Marchent families are always going around here and there for business. They knows more people from outside countries or cities and has more way to trade their business. While they are talking they saw finally the main characters of the night arrived dressed in elegant cloth.
Lakshya wore a light green dress which perfectly matched her hair style and make up. The dress was quite simple and and several layers giving a floating look like clouds, soft and beautiful. Everyone's gaze turned to her.
Sumeska revealed a small smile "tonight's banquet is for my daughter. Today is her special day so to celebrate it we have organised a small feast. Hope everyone will neglect if thete is any mistake and enjoy the night"
Everyone cheered for them. Lakshya stepped forwards and thanked "today's feast is something I want to treat everyone for accepting my invitation and honouring me by joining the event. Please enjoy the servings" as she said few maids walked out from behind holding tray full glasses.
"These are fresh black grapes juice mixed with healthy ingredients. It will keep everyone fresh" Lakshya announced and everyone cheered again as the maids started to distribute the glasses.
After that Lakshya walked towards the royal seat with her maid. She first went to Chityakanta and offered the glass personally.
"Oh my dear, you look beautiful" Chityakanta praised making Lakshya blushed "tonight you are shining like a star my dear. Here" Chityakanta pulled out a golden box.
"This your highness" Lakshya looked puzzled but her gaze lingered on the golden shiny box.
Chityakanta smiled "this is my gift for you" then she opened the lid and a shining gem come into view. It was purple in colour and was shining more than gold. When the light of lanterns flickered on it, it shine more like a sparkling star.
"Your highness this looks too precious" Lakshya's eyes dazzled with the shine. Her heart started to race looking at the gem.
"My dear, this is called Purple heart and specially dig out from the stone forest in southern area last year. Only 4 pieces of it can be found rarely. Since today is your big day and I haven't brought any gifts, I am giving you this as wish for wellbeing" Chityakanta smiled.
"Your highness, this gem is so precious. Then how can I, a lady from merchant family worthy of having it" Lakshya shook her head. Chityakanta frowned slightly.
Nandini raised her tea cup to her mouth and sipped "young lady shouldn't refuse to take the gift. Since mother has already choose to give you then it means you are worthy. By saying such words do you mean that mother's judgment about you is wrong and you feel too lack of confidence in yourself for thinking a gem is more worthy than you?"
When she finished she sipped on her tea again. Lakshya's smiling face slightly stiffened suddenly. She was just plastering her generous attitude towards empress dowager showing she is not a greedy type character but with the words of the empress it's giving an impression like she is deliberately insulting the empress dowager and looking down on herself.
Sumeska on the other side clenched her fist though her face still showing smile. How come the perfect impression suddenly changed into provoking one? This empress and her words are too domineering.
"Lakshya empress is right. It's your birthday today. And you should not refuse such gift offered by empress dowager herself"
Hearing her mother Lakshya smiled and accepted the box "I was just fearing for having such precious gift. If I upset your highness by any means then pless forgive me for my negligence"
Chityakanta waved her hand "it's fine dear"
Lakshya nodded and turned towards Manik. She grabbed the glass and placed it on the small table before him and smiling slightly "your majesty please enjoy the feast. I hope you will ignore if there is any mistake tonight"
"It's okay. Young lady is considerate and for the birthday gift, I will prepare royal carriage when young lady will leave for the camp" Manik replied slightly nodding.
Lakshya's heart beat raced. He is still hanging on that point? Can't he just forget that matter for a minute? Why he have to drag it today? She even prepared herself well from choosing her dress, hairstyles and make up. She even prepared the kinds of food he likes to eat but still he is showing indifferent attitude towards her.
Lakshya smiled and turned towards Nandini before offering her a glass "I still lack knowledge in socialism. I hope if there is a chance, your highness will help me and take care of me like sisters"
Though those words are said casually but hearing that Nandini raised her eyebrows at her "how can I teach young lady. You have been associated in many gatherings. In that way you have more knowledge then me. Afterall who can forget the great skill of cooking that young lady has"
Lakshya wanted to refute but she couldn't find any words. What Nandini said was true. She has joined many cooking competition and have known many people from reputed family. And this empress has hit the right spot not letting her any chance to throw back. So she smiled.
"Empress is generous. Please enjoy the drink" then glanced towards Manik before leaving. Nandini glanced at her glass and frowned suddenly. A light fading smell hit her nostrils. It was so light that it couldn't detected normally. But she has developed strong smelling sense so it couldn't go unnoticed by her. She looked around to.fidd the source but couldn't detect exactly.
Manik raised grabbed his glass to cheer the crowd for the banquet but as he about to rise his hand it was hold by Nandini. He frowned at her.
She smiled "your majesty has not finished the tea yet. This tea is herbal so you can drink it later after it cooled down. Besides the feast it just started so you can still finish the tea before cheering for drink.
Manik nodded and put down the glass and grabbed his cup. After finishing his tea he nodded towards the crowd who was waiting for him to drink first and start it. He raised the glass high showing everyone.
"Tonight's feast, in honour of lady Lakshya" as he said the crowd joined raising their glasses then drinking it. The only one who did not was Nandini who was staring at the liquid inside the glass. Her fingers clenched the material tightly.
On the other side Lakshya and Sumeska eyes towards the royal seat and smiled. They saw Nandini get up and quietly left.
"Mother, why the empress left suddenly?" Lakshya frowned.
"Let her be. It will give you more chances to be with his majesty" Sumeska smacked her arm.
"Yes, I will go and prepare for the dinner"
"Go, and don't forget about the plan. It already succeeded first half" Sumeska reminded.
Lakshya nodded "yes" she revealed a smile then happily walked away.
On the other side Nandini reached her room and a clash soud heard. Atropa and Ageratina jumped in shock but didn't dared to sat a single word.
Nandini watched the liquid splashed on floor and her gree eyes darkened more. Her heart burning with anger then she suddenly laughed loudly.
"Oh...Lakshya..." She shook her hear "I have given you chance but you seem not to give in that easily right. Looks like you won't let it go until you suffer" then she paused. Her eyes fleshed with dark aura "since you really wanted to test my patience then let me show you the consequences of your Sinister plan"
Behind her Atropa vand Ageratina's hand trembled slightly they never saw her being so angry but today is too different from others.
Nandini slightly glanced towards the floor where the liquid splashed "fetch the Red Pearl" she ordered without any emotion.
Atropa and Ageratina's eyes widened. Their lady wants to use 'Red Peal'? Their heart couldn't help but shivered. Others don't know but they know exactly what is Red Pearl and it's effect. The person who is going to have it is sure doomed forever.
Nandini walk towards the window and gazed towards the moon. She is not ruthless but some certain people loves to provoke her no matter what. She knew Lakshya's influence is bad but she ignored it several times. But it seems they really want to see what will be the outcome of it. If it was not for her changing the glass then her husband would have drank that drink.
They dared to give his majesty aphrodisiac now she will return the favour but it won't be easy for them to suffer it.
Nandini clenched her fist "I will let you experience what hell is"
Note:-
I wanted to finish it in this chapter but it's getting too long. So it will be in next part.