𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖜𝖓. (COMPLETED)
36. 𝓟𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖘-𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊
36. Press-Conference.
Siya ~
The next day when I woke up, the bed was vacant. I opened my eyes only to find that it was already 11:30 in the morning and I had overslept, max.
I threw myself out of the bed, panicking and danced around to freshen up as soon as it was humanly possible because there was no way I would miss Arjun throwing Amar and Vani out!
" Siya you're so so stupid. How could you oversleep on the best day of your entire freakin life?" I scolded myself and quickly dashed inside the washroom.
I got ready and then walked out only to find a plethora of media standing around, their cameras shuttering and flashing. Before I could make any sense of what was going on, Samarth bhai came to me and immediately asked me to follow him.
Siya's Look ~
" What is going on bhai?" I asked him while we continued to walk towards the Throne Room.
" Amar and Vani have finally played their trump card, their son." He replied and I found my steps halting for a second before he asked me to make haste.
I knew that they had a son but what was going on and where was he till now?
" What did they do?" I asked again.
" You'll find out in a minute." He replied as we were mere steps away.
And boy did I find out about their sheer evilness in a minute.
Not only did they get their son, Varun, here but also, they called the press in the Palace. Then they made an announcement about him being the rightful heir to the throne and now they were going to do a press conference about it in a hotel, a few minutes away from here.
" Let them make as many statements as they want. This is Arjun's kingdom and he is the monarch here. No one can usurp my son with any actions." Dad said, storming inside the throne room.
" Dad the more we react to their actions, the more satisfaction they are going to get." Arjun said in the calmest voice possible and I was honestly, flabbergasted.
How could he still be so so calm and level headed about this?
" No Arjun! This is our Kingdom and you are the King. Come on, we are going to this hotel and...." I started but Arjun walked towards me and took my hand in his.
" Siya we aren't going anywhere." He said without an explanation at all.
" He is right Siya. Ranaji does not have to go anywhere. I will." Papa said, after all, he was his prime advisor.
" It will be beneath him, as a King, to make a statement as such but I can Papa. I am the Queen and it's time I begin to act like one but for that, I need the truth, the whole truth. Can all of you please let me alone with Ranaji for a while?" I asked, looking around all my family who had a mix of emotions on their faces but agreed, clearing the throne room.
" Arjun I know you told me a lot of the truth that night in Jaipur, but I am going to need all of it. How you met Vani, your love-story, your wedding, everything." I asked him, my voice lowering towards the last part of the sentence because I felt an undeniable hurt in the chest as I spoke.
" Siya I will not do this to you." He replied with a flat face and a stern tone, trying to walk out on me but I held his wrist and stopped him.
" You have to Ranaji. I need to know things to go and fight for us." I told him, trying to convince him but not an expression on his face changed.
" I will take care of it, Little Flower." He said in that same tone and I rolled my eyes.
" No you won't. Arjun I don't need to tell you that people have a thing for grand gestures. This press-conference will serve them that, a grand gesture. You have never, in your tenure as a King, addressed the media once and that's why I really had never known you before I met you. You do your work in silence and let it speak for you but that work, your work, will need my words to support them today. Please, just trust me this once." I begged him, now holding both his hands and I could see him contemplating his options and the final look told me that he had caved into my demands.
" I need to leave for Kolkata in an hour, Little One. We have a meeting with a few prospects who'd be willing to work for our agrarian side of the kingdom, providing latest technology to increase our crop quality. I cannot let this go." He sighed, holding my hands back.
" How am I unaware about this Arjun? Besides, how can you think of leaving when your position is in jeopardy?" I asked, raising a brow.
" My secretary confirmed the appointment just last night, Little Flower. This is for our Kingdom and our farmers. My position means nothing if we aren't progressing and developing." He replied and I looked at him in awe.
No person could even think about matching my husband, topping would be so far-fetched to use.
" Okay so let's get going to the airport then. Tell me everything on the way." I said, with his hand still in mine, and tried to walk out with him but he stopped me.
" We don't need to get to the airport Siya. How am I supposed to tell you anything that is going to hurt you, I know it will." He replied, his voice unsure but I had to give him this final push.
" It's in the past Ranaji. I need to know your past to ensure a better future of this Kingdom so tell me, please Arjun?" I asked him, keeping my hand on his cheek and looking at him in the eye.
" What is it that you want to know Siya?" He closed his eyes for a second before he took hold of my hand again.
" Where did you meet her?" I asked, a direct question.
" We both were in the same university in California and she was mom's friend's daughter." He replied curtly.
" Same course?" I asked again and he nodded once.
" Was it love at first sight?" I gave away the second question.
" It was." He replied, again, in a non-emotive voice.
" Who fell first?" I asked, closing my eyes, dreading the answer. I knew who it was somewhere inside me.
" Her." His words, as they rang in my ears, were a complete surprise and I opened my eyes, looking at him.
" Her?" I confirmed and he nodded.
" She fell first?" I asked again.
" Yes Siya." He spoke up.
" Oh." Was all I could say after that.
" You are the only one who has ever caught my eye the first time I saw Little Flower, and you will remain to be my only one." He said, holding my neck and pulling me closer to him before he gave me a small peck on the lips and I closed my eyes again.
" Tell me your story Arjun, all of it please." I asked him, taking one step away but still close enough to feel his warmth within me.
" What does that have to do with his Siya?" He asked skeptically and his stance got rigid once again.
" It does Ranaji. Please stop protecting my heart right now when you need to protect your people first." I asked him, matching the intensity of his words.
" Siya...." He started but I knew what he was going to say and I kept my palm on his lips, stopping him.
" No Arjun. I am going to be fine. I might cry for a while after all this is over, maybe fight with you and vent but right now, I need to know this and you have to tell me." I stood my ground as steadily as I could.
We stood in silence like that for a few seconds before I took my hand away from his mouth, now pleading to him with my eyes.
" Three months. It took her three months to make me fall in love with her. Yes, she was pleasant to my eyes when I saw her for the first time but love, I wouldn't say. I had just finished college with her and returned from California. All the royal parties and engagements, she was there since she was Mom's friend's daughter, she'd help around. I had taken three months to myself before getting to work and in that time, she and I met a lot, hung out with each other, as you like to all it and then in one of those balls, I asked her out. That's when she told me that she had been waiting for me to do that since forever. After that I started working here, in my company which Amar had been the MD of since he was King, she proposed to me before I could and we married within two months. As I told you in Jaipur, it did seem like one straight of a fairytale, this story. The one I would never call my own, out of my will or compulsion." He replied, without a speckle of nostalgia in his voice, a fact in was thankful about in to be honest.
" Little Flower." I heard Arjun's voice laced with worry break me out of my trance and found his fingers, playing my my hair locks before tucking them behind my ear.
" Precisely why I did not want to tell you this." He sighed.
" No. No I am fine. I am okay." I half lied, trying to put some distance between but he didn't let me.
" This is all you are going to get from me Siya. If you think I am willing to tell you anything else, you are mistaken." He put out his final word and I knew this was it.
" Did you, or did you not offer to accept Amar's child as your own when you found out that Vani was carrying his child in her womb?" I asked him.
" I did not. I asked for a divorce since everything was out in the open and Amar was willing to marry her but for that, Dad asked him to abdicate. He did it, willingly." He replied and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
" Thank you Arjun." I said, trying to give him a smile to let him know that I was okay which I really was, for some surprising reason!
" Don't go to that press conference, Little Flower. I don't want you to..." He started but I cut him off.
" Trust me Ranaji, I am stronger than I look. I can handle people like Vani and Amar. I promise I'll be fine. Besides, I'll take Samarth bhai, Rohit bhai and Cockroach with me. Nothing wrong is going to happen. It's not like Vani will be waiting for me there with a revolver in her hands and kill...." I was trying to joke when Arjun roared.
" Siya." But my attempt at humor was met with a fierce response. Arjun's eyes blazed with anger, and he silenced me abruptly by placing his hand over my lips, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me.
" I was only kidding Arjun." I said, rolling my eyes.
" There was nothing amusing about what you said, Siya. You are the very essence of my existence. If you ever utter anything like that again, you'd see a side of me you may not like." His tone held the same anger as it did a few seconds ago but in addition, there was a flicker in his eyes, something I see when he's just about to kiss me and I stood corrected because the next moment, his lips were on mine and I begun to melt in his arms, his fingers tracing a searing path along my jawline while pressing his body into mine.
" Ar.....Arjun. Stop." I fought myself and kept my thumb between his lips and mine while touching my forehead with his, closing my eyes while I tried to fight a stupid smile and he groaned against me and this was the final straw as I giggled.
" We both have to get going now." I said and he nodded, pecking my lips one last time.
" Let's get you to the airport." I said, taking his hand into mine but he just pulled me, making me bump into his chest again.
" Not to the airport, Little Flower. Come with me." He said and this time, he lead us out and I looked at him, confused.
" Arjun you're getting late." I told him as we continued to walk to the backside of the Palace and there we were, finally, on the Tarmac.
Wait, Tarmac?
" What? Why is there a tarmac here Arjun?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him and he pointed at a distance.
Before me, stood a magnificent jet. It's sleek, silver exterior was shining under the sun and the Royal Family emblem glistened on its tail.
" This is a jet." I gasped, saying the obvious and turned to find him smiling.
" Is this yours?" I asked him, again, like a fool. Of course it is!
" Not just mine Little Flower, this belongs to us." He replied and I had the biggest of smiles on my face as we walked towards it.
" And yet you've never taken me somewhere on it once. I'd be mad if I had the time Arjun." I said and he let a laugh out for me.
" The better part of this year, you have tried to avoid me like plaque, Little One. I wasn't going to force you into a jet with me all that while." He replied and I shrugged. That was true too.
" When am I going to see you back here?" I asked him, desperately hoping for the answer to be tonight.
" Tonight." His words made me so happy. I wished him a safe travel and when he climbed up the stairs to the jet, I called his name out.
" Ranaji" He turned around to see me.
" Your story with Vani might have been a lot like a fairy tale in the beginning but ours will always be my favourite. The beginning, middle and the best part of it all, without an end in the sight." I shouted for him to listen and saw a huge smile appearing on his lips as he came back running to me and then, taking me in his arms.
" Mrs. Siya Arjun Singh Rajvanshi, you just might have done it today. I never envisioned myself running back to someone only for a goddamn hug. But if I hear words like these from you, I don't think I would find myself capable of leaving you alone." I could hear the laughter in his voice which sent me smiling.
" Get going Arjun. I need to leave too." I said as I realised that Papa must be waiting for him inside and he nodded, finally walking back and I left. We had little time.
I had already texted Rohit bhai, Cockroach and Samarth bhai to get the progress data in various fields ready so that I could show Amar his place and as for Vani, I didn't need any prep.
" Siya this is everything you are going to need." Rohit bhai handed a folder over to me and I nodded.
" Let's get going then, shall we?" Rohit bhai asked and they nodded.
I then booked the adjacent conference room in the same hotel, well who would so no to any demand made by their queen anyway?
Then Cockroach sneakily spread the news to the reporters who were covering that sham of a press-conference that I was going to make a statement in 5 minutes and as expected, most of the reporters shifted from that hall to mine.
" Maharanisaa, this is the first time any member from the royal family is addressing the media in eight years. Is there a reason to not interact then and come here now?" One of the reporters asked.
" Well, first of all, thank you for being here as a medium and platform for the royal family to put their words out there to our subjects. A few, irrelevant statements have been made today by a few irrelevant people and if there is something I won't tolerate, it is the sheer disrespect of my family and our position as a head of the State. Coming to your question, Rana Arjun Singh Rajvanshi believes in letting his work speak while ho chooses to remain quiet. Some claims have been made in regard to your King's validity of holding the throne and while he was strongly opposed to me making this statement, I know that I had to because I am your Queen but most importantly, I am his wife and any rubbish against him, I shall not tolerate." I finished and my eyes moved to look at my brothers who looked proud and gave me an encouraging nod.
" Kunwari Vani, Ranaji's ex-wife, claims that his son should be the King instead of Ranaji. Is there something you'd like to say to that?" Another one asked.
" That woman has claimed a lot of things and done a fair few things which aren't exactly moral per se that does include cheating on her husband with her brother-in-law and now, wants her eight year old to rule a kingdom. What credibility does this woman's words hold? Besides, when Amar abdicated the throne, his son lost any right he had over this Kingdom. That's what the royal law says. Therefore, any such claims cannot be entertained here." I told them, without mincing my words. I was going to expose Vani and how she first trapped Arjun but I refrained from it. I didn't want Arjun's personal life to be a joke for everyone out here. Amar and Vani had already done the damage.
" Amar Sa also claimed that the Kingdom is losing it's prestige under Ranaji. Would you like to add something to that?" Another reporter asked.
" I'd like to ask about his sources then because according to this official government data, it looks like Amar Sa is lying. Ten years ago, our state's tourism industry was struggling, with limited infrastructure and underdeveloped attractions. Tourist arrivals have increased by 85% since 2013, reaching an all-time high of 2.5 million tourists last year. The Revenue from tourism has seen an impressive growth of 120% over the past decade, contributing significantly to our state's economy. Investments in tourism infrastructure amounted to $1.2 billion, resulting in the development of new hotels, resorts, and recreational facilities. We've also witnessed substantial progress in the agriculture sector over the last decade, a sector which was hardly ever considered a part of our state. The Crop yields have increased by an average of 30% across major crops, ensuring food security and boosting income for our farmers. Access to credit facilities for farmers has improved significantly, with a 50% increase in the disbursement of agricultural loans and irrigation coverage expanded by 40%, reducing our reliance on monsoon rains and enhancing agricultural productivity. Ensuring the safety and empowerment of women has been a top priority for Ranaji and his council of ministers. Incidents of violence against women have decreased by 35% since 2013, thanks to stringent laws and dedicated law enforcement. The establishment of women's helplines resulted in a 50% increase in reporting of incidents, indicating growing trust in the system. Awareness campaigns have reached over 80% of our population, creating a safer environment for women to live and work. Our state's economic landscape has undergone a significant transformation with our Gross Domestic Product growing by an impressive 65% over the last decade, reflecting strong economic performance. The Unemployment rates have decreased from 12% to 5%, thanks to policies promoting entrepreneurship and job creation. Apart from this, the Foreign direct investment has increased by 75%, attracting global businesses and stimulating economic growth. In education and healthcare, our state has also made substantial strides. Literacy rates have improved by 15%, ensuring access to quality education for our youth and Investments in healthcare infrastructure resulted in a 40% increase in the number of healthcare facilities, providing world-class medical services to our citizens. If this doesn't count as progress, I don't know what will." I replied, taking the help of all the data in the folder.
" Ranisa, why isn't Ranaji here with you today when so many allegations have been made against him by his own brother and you are dealing with them?" Another question.
" Because he is en route to Kolkata right now regarding some technological advancement procurement deal for the State. I'd like to tell you what he told me before leaving. He said that, and his exact words being - My position means nothing if we aren't progressing and developing Siya, nothing. This is your Ranaji and mine." I told them all the entire truth and they all looked around with respect in their eyes.
" One last question ma'am. Is it true what Vani said? That Ranaji married you without your will to get married to him?" She asked and I sighed.
" That is not true in the least. Both our families were involved and we got married only after I said yes but yeah, I did give him a hard time in saying that yes. I am sure he'd agree to that. Wouldn't be his match if I had caved in that easy." I replied and a bunch of laughs went around as I smiled.
My phone pinged at the immediate moment, it was a message from Dad and I acted upon it, trusting his blindly.
" One last thing I'd like to announce here. Ranaji, Rajkumar Samarth, Rajkumari Preeti, their daughter Jahanavi and I will be taking a royal tour across all our districts starting next month to interact with our subjects and get back into touch with the ground realities. Understand people's problems better while living with them so that when we get back, we have fresh and better perspective. Thank you." I concluded with a smile, marking the end of this.
" I hope Arjun would be proud of me." I muttered to myself as we left for the Palace and I was content.
To unlock the next one, 3500 votes are what I seek on this Chapter. Hope you liked it. Until next time.
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