Chapter 5: No:
Cinduri's POV:
"Oh, no," says Step-Mother, "you will have to stay home and do your work."
"Besides, you have nothing to wear," says Lata, "you would embarrass us in those filthy rags of yours."
. . .
I huddled in a corner miserably while my stepmother and Lata searched through the trunks. They pulled out shiny earrings, necklaces, the rings, and belts. They draped bright veils around themselves and happily made plans for attending the festival. I started to cry when I watched them try on the chain that had once decorated the slim ankle of my mother.
. . .
At last, the ninth evening of Navaratri arrived, when the aarti lamp would be lit by the visiting Crown Prince. Stepmother and Lata were dressed in all their finery. They stepped out into their carriage.
"Maybe tonight you will meet your future husband," says Stepmother to Lata, "or you may even meet the Prince. Pinch your cheeks. Smooth your hair." She then glared at me. "Stop staring, Cinduri, and get back to work."
Yuvaraja Abhinav's POV:
My name is Abhinav and I am the Crown Prince. My Father's hoping to set me up with someone... but I only want to marry the woman I love... I just haven't met her yet.
"It's going to be quite a party," says Captain Chettar.
"And Yuvarani Shevade will be there as well," says Thakur Raghu.
"Yes, it should be very interesting," says Prime Minister Santosh.
"I suppose," I said.
To Be Continued
Yuvaraja Abhinav is the Adoptive Ancestor of Lil Upreti-Baker. In the next chapter, the snake helps Cinduri again.