THE GHOST
-4. Deceitful Minister

Even on that day Mahirat would be standing in front of his people but they would not recognize him! This realization saddened his heart. However, he knew the fact that he was solely responsible for this misfortune. He looked at the radiant throne beside him. He began to wonder as to who would manage the kingdom in his long absence. May be that the Queen would anoint Aditya for this job which could be the reason for the upcoming meeting, he felt.

Slowly people started streaming in and in a short while the attendance was full in the grand hall. Everyone waited eagerly for the arrival of the Queen to hear her announcement. Soon, Mandira arrived draped in a half white and pink coloured saree which looked simple yet beautiful. Except the mangalsutra, she wore no other jewellery. As she made her way in the Durbar, everyone stood up as a mark of respect to which she responded with a smile. She climbed the marble steps that led to the raised platform. Thereby standing beside the golden throne, she addressed everyone in a crisp voice, “It is now three days since the sudden disappearance of our honourable King. I still honestly do not fear the worst since I have got no confirmatory evidence to feel that way. I know that God is kind and will not bring any harm to my Lord. However, till the time he returns our kingdom cannot move on without a ruler. Somebody has to take charge. My guruji, the great sage Pariketu, had taught us that if we have the capacity to achieve a task, we should not leave it to others to accomplish it. We should own up the responsibility ourselves. I do believe that I have the ability to take care of my kingdom and my people. Thus, till the time my lord returns I want to own up temporarily this onerous task. I ask for your support and wishes to help me look after you to the best of my ability.”

There was complete silence in the assembly for a few moments after the Queen had promulgated her decision. The King who was standing just beside her applauded her decision in his mind. He was feeling proud of his Queen. Slowly, the durbar erupted in a thunderous applause over the Queen’s decision. Seeing this response, Mandira was overwhelmed by emotions and somehow managed to suppress them. She joined her palms and bowed before her subjects. “Thanks for your support. Please pray for your King’s safety.” Her voice appeared shaky as she spoke these last words. The King was touched to hear this. He prayed to God that she succeed in her new and challenging endeavor.

The next day just as she was about to go to the dining hall for having breakfast, Aditya entered her chamber. At that time, the King was present there. As Mandira waited for the minister to explain the reason for his visit, he suddenly removed his sword from the dagger and held it close to the Queen’s neck! Mahirat was shocked to see this. Although completely taken unawares by this move of the minister, the Queen managed to remain calm. “What are you doing?” she asked him.

Mahirat was highly infuriated at this action of his most ‘trusted’ minister. He wanted to help but found himself helpless to do anything. Still, he thought of doing something quickly and an idea struck him. He raced off to the palace kitchen and looked on either sides. To his right, he found a glass bowl having some fruits in it. He took an orange from it which missed the notice of two cooks who were present there at that time as they were facing the opposite direction. He then quickly moved to the Queen’s chamber. A couple of guards who stood on vigil outside the chambers of important dignitaries of the palace were startled beyond measure to see the orange moving in mid-air! They quickly informed their masters about it who failed to take notice owing to disbelief. As the orange entered the chamber of the Queen, the guard standing outside quickly followed suit in bewilderment. He was shocked to see Aditya threatening the Queen inside with his sword and hesitated to make his next move for the slightest slipup on his part could cost the Queen dearly. Both Aditya and the Queen were stunned to see an orange coming towards them and then hanging still in the air! Suddenly, the orange went up by a few inches and came crashing down on the minister’s hand that held the sword. A startled Aditya lost his grip on the sword which fell to the ground. Though the Queen was herself shaken by what she saw she still showed presence of mind. She swiftly picked the fallen sword and held it close to the minister’s chest. Aditya’s face reflected his fear and he also started sweating profusely. Mandira called out the guard and asked him to take the minister to the dungeon. The guard pointed his spear at Aditya and then led him out of the chamber.

Mandira kept the sword on the floor and slowly picked up the fallen fruit. Despite falling with a crash, it still appeared to be in good shape. She looked around and asked in a low tone, “Is anybody here? Please reveal yourself. I cannot believe that this fruit came here on its own without anybody carrying it!”

There was no response. Mahirat looked at her passionately. He had no intention to terrify her but then he did not have any choice. After all, he had to do something to come to her rescue. Nevertheless, he felt happy that he could save her from the impious designs of his minister.

Not getting any response, Mandira had no option but to make assumptions which she failed to do. She came out with the fruit and saw a maid passing by. Handing her the fruit, the Queen said, “You can eat it!” As the maid looked at her in bewilderment, the Queen further told her, “It is not that I do not like oranges but then I have a time for everything!” Mandira then went straight to the dungeon followed by the King who found this recent development rather amusing!

After much prodding, Aditya revealed that he had expected the Queen to appoint him as the King’s successor for he was their most trusted and efficient minister. When that did not happen, he was thoroughly disappointed and decided to forcibly take over the reins of the kingdom in his hands by taking the Queen as captive. He knew that the people may dislike his action for they had accepted the Queen as their ruler. However, he was sure that with time his just and able rule would win over their confidence.   The minister maintained that he had no hand in the disappearance of the King. However he admitted that he did indeed feel happy at the turn of events for that raised his chances of ascending the throne! All the concern that he had shown at the King’s disappearance was just to gain the impression of the Queen!

Both the King and Queen were deeply pained to see the machination of Aditya. Mandira deliberately made this news public including the strange incident about the orange which had saved her from the minister’s vile plans. She maintained that she was certain of a divine force helping her. All this was done to serve a warning to others like Aditya who may be plotting to dislodge the Queen and lay siege to the kingdom in the King’s absence. Although many found this theory about the orange hard to believe, still it made them take notice that the Queen had successfully aborted the sinister plot of Aditya. Mahirat saw through the intentions of the Queen which he appreciated. He now believed that she would survive in this vicious circle of power-hungry and unscrupulous elements.