Kani could not sew if her life depended on it. She couldn't work a needle or follow a pattern to safe her life. The sewing lessons her father insisted she go to were therefore were pointless. She wandered the halls nursing sore fingers afterwards and complaining to Loni about the unfairness of being an untalented woman. On one such occasion Kani had finally told the sewing woman that she would never be good at sewing fragile pieces of cloth together so she should stop trying. Thankfully she even saw the futility in her continued lessons so left for her village again the following morning feigning sickness. Sewing lessons were over and she was no longer held down by senseless tasks. Taking Loni from her cage Kani scampered down the hall to where the Maharajah was conducting business. Looking onto the room she saw HIM standing there. His hair was still slightly wet from the shower he took every morning and his clothes were black today. The meeting was about the rumors of bandits ambushing villagers on the roads and sticking iron rods into their skin and taking what little money they had. Kani had heard about these incidences but when a man described the way each bar was put in it made her wince. The only way to take it out was to amputate the limb. She crept slowly away from her hiding space and meandered back to her rooms. Kani's father was gone as usual showing the young heir how to properly disembowel somebody or something like that.
I couldn't believe he had arranged a camp out on my 17th birthday. Why not just tell me he hates me instead of trying to prove it through actions?
She sighed to herself and kicked open her bedroom door. Lying there on the bed was the most provocative dress her father had ever given her. It was sleeveless and made of sheer silk. The color was indescribable but seemed to shimmer with every color in the rainbow. Reaching to her ankles, the dress accented her every curve and made her breath catch in her throat. Looking for a note as to why her father would change his tune, Kani came up empty but her curiosity was dampened when she tried the breathtaking material on. As she turned around to view herself a small note fell out of the dress. Picking up the slip of parchment, her puzzlement grew.
Have fun tonight my dear and remember you only turn 17 once.
Love
That was all? What game is my father trying to play?
Kani sighed at the vision that was her 17 year old frame and twisted in the mirror to see what kind of effect it would have on the men at court. Living in a palace all her life should have made Kani a spoiled brat but her kind and fun loving nature wouldn't allow for petty ways. She spent most of her time in the palace menagerie teaching the new arrivals how to properly behave themselves in front of visitors. Having only recently begun to receive a salary for her efforts, she had put off her dream of going to school but now that she was 17 and had a paying job, Kani had started dreaming again.
Kani sighed, "Maybe this is my father's plea to keep me under his thumb instead of going to America.
Well it won't work, she thought before slipping on a pair of ornamental slippers, checking her makeup in the mirror and putting each hair in place. Seeing that everything was as good as it was going to get she headed for the feast room.
Smiling to herself, she remembered the first day she had met the new advisor, Mola Ram. Four years ago to the day she had met the man who haunted her dreams and had become her closest human friend in Pankot. Now he was being honored for getting rid of the Iron Rod Bandits and making the roads to Pankot once again safe for travelers. Kani wouldn't miss the ceremony for all of the legendary 6 Sankara Stones. Walking into the banquet area, she was assaulted by the smell of cooking meat and pickling juices. Wrinkling her nose at the unpleasant odor she found her seat at the end of the long table and motioned for a nearby servant.
"Hello Sukara, any chance of me getting something besides fruit today?"
Now miss Sahib, you know better than to ask that, though if I may be so bold, you need to get some meat on those bones."

Laughing, Kani replied, "Of course but I would rather have fish and not monkey and beetle."
Sakura smiled and shook her head in misunderstanding. Kani looked around the room to find Mola Ram talking with the ever present British soldiers at Pankot. They seemed to be interested in how he was able to capture the bandits when all of their well planned efforts went awry. Kani smiled at his mischievous dodging of every question but even she herself wondered as to how he was able to accomplish the capturing of the Iron Rod Bandits. Again standing at her designated place, Kani assumed the bored look that always brought men to toy with but before any approached she felt a warm hand on her shoulder to see Mola staring at her with his chocolate eyes and pearl white smile.
"I see you are once again wearing a dress my dear. I must say that I approve of this one more than the previous one."
Kani nodded, "It does seem to have the desired affect on the opposite sex but I wonder as to its appearance. My father would by no means buy me something this inappropriate."
Mola's smile softened and Kani understood. Blushing at his stare she was saved from answering by the trumpets announcing the Maharajah's entrance. Bowing low Kani turned towards the opening door as Mola returned towards the other end of the table.
He got me the dress but why? Do I dare suggest that he is showing interest in me?

These thoughts ran through her head as the court went through the honoring motions for the Maharajah. Finally everyone sat down and the feast began. Waiting for her fruit Kani tried not to focus on the nauseating smell that was coming from the center of the table. As people dug into the lizard eggs, fried centipedes, live eels and sugared snake tails Kani waited in turmoil. She didn't know if she dared make advancements towards the man who had been loyal to her and had captured her heart so completely.
Suddenly she felt a bump and saw Sakura standing over her.
"Somebody must really like you Sahib," the servant said as she placed a covered tray in front of Kani. As Sakura walked away Kani uncovered the plate to reveal rice and vegetables along with a steaming piece of spicy fish. She instantly knew and glanced towards Mola in love, hope and appreciation. He nodded back and winked to show he understood. Digging into the food before her, Kani savored each piece of the forbidden food. After living almost completely on a diet of fruit and freshly caught fish the rice and fish was heaven in her mouth.
Mola watched her through lidded eyes as she enjoyed her meal and smiled at her antics.
She is showing off for me, he thought as her eyes rolled towards the ceiling in thankfulness and she sighed with contentment. Turning back to his conversation with the Maharajah he suddenly couldn't wait for the ceremony to end.
Kani finished her plate and wiped her mouth to show the servants she has done. Looking at Mola through her napkin, she watched as his hands reenacted the fight with the bandits for the British soldiers. She had always been drawn to how delicate and intricate his hands were. They beckoned and slashed and folded together in an almost feminine way.
"Sahib, Mistress?"
Kani broke out of her daydream to see Sakura once again standing over her with an expression of awe and wonder.
"Sahib, I don't know who your friend is but you are blessed today."
Kani grew puzzled as another covered tray was placed before her. She hesitantly uncovered it and almost had to bite her tongue to keep from squealing. A large bowl of chocolate ice cream was set in the center. She picked up the bowl and noticed a small piece of white paper lying on the tray. Picking it up, she hid it in her lap and slowly unfolded it.
It you are pleased with your meal and your dress, please come to my bedroom. I have something else to give you.
Love
Kani looked quickly at Mola but he was engaged in his conversation with the soldiers so she could not tell if had noticed her reaction. Slowly eating the treat before her, Kani's heart was doing flip flops in her chest.
I can't believe this is happening to me. What is he going to give me? I don't have anything to give to him. What am I going to do? I am going to his room.
After making up her mind about her course of action, Kani settled down to enjoy her ice cream. Soon the Maharajah was calling for everyone's attention.
"I would like to introduce to you our guest of honor. He is not a guest to this palace but we should all think of him as our constant protector. He has not only been watching after me for the last four years but has also solved our greatest crisis ever. The Iron Rod Bandits are no more thanks to Mola Ram!"
The guests cheered as Mola stood to receive the Maharajah's recognition and his eyes strayed to the only person on his mind. Kani was sitting and clapping along with the rest of them but her eyes looked at him with such longing that his heart seemed to constrict on his chest. Turning towards the Maharajah he bowed low and clasped the ruler's arm in friendship. Soon the crowd was settled down and the entertainment was brought out again. The feast would not end for another hour or so but Kani could no longer sit still and wait. Excusing herself from the table she walked out of the feast room seemingly unnoticed.
Mola watched her with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. He could not leave until the party was over and he hoped that when he did he would find her waiting for him in his room. Turning back to his admiring fans he settled himself for a long couple of hours.
Kani raced down the hall to her bedroom and locked the door behind her. Taking off her party dress, Kani dug through her nightgowns until she found the forbidden lingerie hidden in her drawers. Slipping on the white satin material she grabbed a robe from among her hangers and made her way secretly towards Mola Ram's bedroom.

Please R&R because I don't know if my changes were better or not. Thank you notes go out to everyone who reviewed my first chapter. I really live in appreciation!