The hall was full of crowd. And most of them were female. Since it was a baby shower so the rituals needed females to perform it. Except Maya's husband and Manik, even Vaibhav was not present in the ritual. Ageratina helped Maya to sit in the center. There was a golden chair placed for her while Chityakanta seated at the side. Few elderly females were singing songs and the priest was already waiting to perform the ritual. Once Maya settled on her seat the old priest walked forward and performed some Puja before finally indicating to start.
One of elderly lady smiled and said to Chityakanta "Chityakanta come and start the ritual first. You are her mother so the right is yours first. Then we will follow"
Chityakanta has invited many of her friends to attend this baby shower. Besides, this was the first time Samrat was holding a baby shower ceremony after years. She smiled and walked forward and stood before Maya. Behind her a maid was holding a tray.
Chityakanta leaned and took a pair of golden bangles and made it wear Maya before filling her lap with sweets, gifts and some fruits.
"I hope you and your child will be blessed my god to live happily without worries" Chityakanta uttered the words near Maya's ear then lovingly kissed her forehead.
Maya's eyes brimmed with tears yet she was still smiling happily. Ageratina helped to put away the gifts from her lap. Once Chityakanta was done, other ladies present in the hall followed the lead and blessed Maya and her child. Everyone was happy and smiling.
"Nandini, come it's your turn. As her sister-in-law you are the last one" Chityakanta said with a small laugh.
Nandini was standing behind Maya and helping her perform the ritual. Hearing Chityakanta's words she smiled and nodded her head before stepping forward. Atropa was holding a tray behind Nandini and was waiting for the time.
Nandini leaned and gifted her a golden box Maya "this is from me, not related to ritual but made specially for you"
Maya was confused first. But then she nodded and opened the lid of the box. Maya gasped as she pulled out the pair of baby anklets. The golden anklet was shining in her hand and everyone looked at it with wide eyes.
One of the ladies suddenly asked "Empress, how can you be so sure that the child will be a boy?"
"Yes, you have given her an anklet for the little prince," another one commented.
Nandini turned around to look at those ladies then smiled "it doesn't matter whether its prince or princess. Right now the important thing is to give blessings to the mother to be and be hopeful for her so that she can give birth safely without any complications. And about this baby anklet, it's just an instinct. Besides this anklet can be wore by both gender"
Hearing her say those ladies smiled and nodded. Nandini continued to perform her ritual. Once she was done filling Maya's lip she straightened herself and smiled at Maya.
"There's something more. Today's blessing is not only from me but from your brothers too"
Maya frowned "brother's?" She threw a glance towards Manik who was standing at the side.
"Yes, your brothers have decided to give you something. Besides this ritual is about blessing the baby and you and also there is no rule saying only ladies can bless the child" Nandini replied. And everyone laughed at her last sentence.
Maya blushed while her husband showed a proud look sitting at the side.
"What gift?" Maya asked.
Nandini didn't reply yet and waved her hand. Two male servants walked in holding something which was shielded with silk cloth. Everyone's eyes lingered on the thing as it was placed in the middle before everyone.
"So big, what is it?" Maya looked at the thing and asked with excitement. She never expected her two brothers would do something like this. Not only her, even Chityakanta was somehow excited to see the gift.
Nandini walked forward and in a swift she removed the cloth showing the beautiful golden cradle made from scented wood. The design of the cradle was beautiful with flowers decoration along with it. Looking at the cradle everyone's eyes filled with envy. It's too beautiful.
With wide eyes Maya gazed at the cradle. This tipe she couldn't control and sobbed. The cradle was the last blow for her to cry her heart out. She got up and walked towards the cradle. Stretching her hand she stroked the cradle lovingly.
"It's so beautiful" she exclaimed then looked at Manik with watery eyes.
"Thank you elder brother, I never thought I would be this blessed to have you as my brother" she walked towards Manik and hugged him.
Manik gathered the little princess in his arms as he smiled. Like always this sister of his is still behaving as a child when she was about to become a mother herself.
"As long as you are happy princess" he uttered before dropping a kiss on her head.
At the side, even Chityakanta wiped the corner of her eyes. Even if Maya was not born from her, she never treated her differently. Nor did Manik and Vaibhav.
The elderly ladies who watched the scene also got emotional. One of them said to lighten the mood "it's a happy occasion today. We should not waste it with tears. And Princess Maya, it's not good for you to cry. If you are happy then your child will be happy too"
Everyone knows about Maya's identity. Though she is married and becomes a queen, in Samrat she is referred to as a princess like before.
Manik broke the hug while Maya wiped her tears "I am sorry, please continue with the ritual"
"The ritual is almost done. Since the gifting session is done, er should proceed to the sweet exchange and entertainment" one of the ladies said and everyone agreed.
Maya was once again seated on her seat while Nandini gave her some sweets. Along with her everyone fed her sweets in small amounts. At the side Kumeka couldn't contain her calm look. Her heart filled with jealousy and hatred.
Her daughter was resting so she didn't attend but as an elderly woman she had to attend it. No one was asking about Kashmin yet all were busy with Maya and her child. This wouldn't have happened if Nandini didn't interfere. She clenched her fist before slowly walking towards Maya. She fed sweet to her then smiled.
"This is really fortunate for Samrat that the Princess is now expecting a child. After so many years today is the first time that Samrat is holding a baby shower ceremony. If it was not for princess Maya, I don't know how long Samrat needed to wait for this day to come" Kumeka said with a smile.
Everyone present there was not a fool and could understand the hidden meaning behind that. It has already been months since the Emperor of Samrat married. And now the princess of Samrat is also expecting a child but compared to the empress who is married for a few months already still didn't give any good news.
Chityakanta frowned at Kumeka "Kumeka what are you talking about? Today is a good occasion and it would be better not to discuss such a thing" her voice held a strong warning.
Kumeka seemed to ignore the warnings as she still smiled brightly "am not I right Chityakanta? Samrat also needs its heir. But even after so many months Empress has not given any good news" she mocked before looking at Nandini "Empress, don't you want to give Samrat it's heir? Even if you are not ready for it, how long do you want Samrat to wait for? Besides as an empress of the country it's your first responsibility to fulfil"
The present ladies turned to look at each other and they started to whisper.
Nandini just looked at her with a poker face. She shook her head inwardly and about to say when she heard a cold voice.
"That's enough"
Everyone turned to look at Manik who was now wearing a serious expression "today is Maya's day. And we all have gathered here to bless her. It would be better to leave other things and focus on her"
Those few words are enough to understand that this matter is dismissed. Few ladies glanced at Kumeka secretly. Kumeka wanted to pursue this matter but since Manik has joined, she really could drag this even if she wanted. Then like earlier everyone focused on singing, eating and enjoying the ceremony.
Maya turned to look at Nandini "sister in law don't take those words seriously. Few people just couldn't rest until they are insulted"
Nandini smiled when she heard that and nodded her head.
After the ceremony everyone proceeded to leave the hall. Maya was supported by Ageratina. Chityakanta followed behind her. Nandini ordered all the gifts to be brought to Maya's room before she left. Atropa was waiting for her but when she saw Manik accompanying Nandini she just followed behind them.
"Are you fine?" Manik asked as he walked with her.
"Yes," Nandini smiled.
"Sorry for the earlier"
"Your majesty, why are you apologizing?"
"That kind of matter should not be talked about on such occasions," he replied.
"It's just-" Nandini was about to say when she felt her head spinning suddenly. She felt it before the ceremony and thought it would go away but this time she couldn't understand what's happening as her body swayed and she fell backwards.
"My lady..." Atropa jumped in shock. She wanted to hold Nandini but Manik was faster.
He hold her with a frown. Nandini fell unconscious in his arm. Hearing Atropa's scream Chityakanta and Maya who was walking forward turned back only to get shocked seeing the scene.
"What happened?" Chityakanta asked with concern.
"Sister in law? She was fine a few minutes ago. What suddenly happened?" Maya asked with confusion.
Manik scooped Nandini up in his arm "Don't panic, call the imperial physician in Rose Palace '' then he walked out of the hall.
Atropa trailed behind him with an anxious face while others followed the lead.