“Are there other stories you enjoyed? We could have a tapestry made for you,” he offered. I shook my head, for I was far too overwhelmed to think up other tales I might want to see. But it was a kind offer, and I was glad for his kindness.
Dasharath walked slowly after that, letting me take in the sights, until we arrived at the left wing of the palace. Fresh garlands of small white mogra hung from the walls, enveloping the whole corridor in sweetness. I wondered if this was how the halls were adorned every day, or if they had made special preparations for my arrival.
My husband threw open the doors of a vast chamber with a great papered window on the opposite wall that let light into all corners. It was a strange living space, though, for I could see no bed. As I hesitated, fumbling for what to say, Dasharath said, “Do you not wish to see the rest?”
“The rest?” I echoed, and he beckoned me inward. I realized only then, stupidly perhaps, that there were carved doors set in the walls on either side of us. The one on the left opened onto another spacious chamber, dominated by a great bed that four people easily could have slept on. A covering of dark red wool warmed the floor, and an exquisite wooden cabinet inlaid with intricate swirls of mother-of-pearl stood against the wall. I touched the decoration with my fingertips, tracing the carved vines and flowers.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“It is beautiful,” I said, unable to wrench my gaze away.
“Not unlike you, then.” His voice was filled with a quality entirely foreign to me. I turned to look at him, but he was already striding past me, through the main room and onto the other side. There he revealed a small chamber mostly taken up by a table and cushioned seating.
“If there is anything you need, you can ask any of our servants.” He sounded—nervous? Or perhaps impatient.
“Thank you, my lord,” I said with a bow. “You honor me. I am sure you have more important matters to attend to.”
“The happiness of my wife is one of the most important matters I can think of.” He gave me a small smile. “I will leave you now, but not for long.”
Manthara was waiting outside of the door, only entering when Dasharath had departed. I went back into the bed chamber, marveling at the space, while she examined every nook and sill. “He has done well,” she said at last. “Now I must find some maidservants to help you prepare. Of course, you will have to choose your own staff eventually…”
Manthara bustled about, talking of preparations, as I sat and pondered what this new life might have to offer.
The next morning, Manthara and I set ourselves to the task of turning my quarters into a living space. My belongings had been moved into the room, and as Manthara unpacked, I cast a critical eye over each item I had brought, having taken in the opulence of Dasharath’s court. All my best outfits appeared frumpy in comparison to the elegant eastern fashions. I tried to recapture my confidence from the day I had been adorned to meet Dasharath—the glimpse of my mother, the assurance to hold my head high—but I could not. I might have been worthy to be a radnyi in Kekaya, but here…
I lifted one blouse, which extended past my waistline. “Not one woman wore a blouse this long,” I said.
“You can get it hemmed,” Manthara answered without looking up from her work. “Or have new ones ordered.”
I picked up one of my favorite saris, a lovely sky blue thing that I secretly had always believed suited me well. “This color is so dull.”
“You have never cared much about such matters before,” Manthara said. “Where is this concern coming from?”
“I never had to worry about whether what I wore was in fashion before,” I replied. “I want the court to like me, not see me as backward.”
“They will like you,” Manthara said as a knock sounded on the door. I liked the sound of it, the solidity of the wood of the door and the slight echo that spoke to the size of my room. Manthara went to receive the caller while I stood by my bed, still considering what I could wear in the evening’s court assembly.
“I apologize, but the radnyi is busy,” I heard Manthara say.
“I won’t be but a moment.” The woman’s voice sounded familiar, and I gave up on making a decision, dropping the fabric in a bundle and entering the main room in a plain cream dress, only to find Radnyi Kaushalya.
I panicked and bowed to her, before realizing I did not need to do any such thing, and straightened so abruptly that I stumbled forward a step. My face flushed with heat and Kaushalya’s lips twisted into a barely concealed smirk. “Are you all right?” she asked.