Page 102 of Trapped By the Maharaja

CHAPTER 43

The sun was shining brightly on Sanjana’s day off.

Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her cotton kurta was streaked with soil as she knelt in the Devara Palace gardens. The housekeeper, Rukmini-amma, directed the gardener where to plant rows of marigolds, and Sanjana helped, pressing her palms into the cool earth. For once, her mind was quiet, soothed by the rhythm of planting and the warmth of the morning sun on her shoulders.

“You planted the flower bushes perfectly, Maharani,” Rukmini-amma said.

Sanjana smiled, brushing dirt from her palms. “Thanks. You seem shocked.”

The older woman chuckled, shaking her head. “We’ve never had a queen who would sit on the ground with us and plant flowers.”

Sanjana tilted her head. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“It’s most definitely a good thing,” Rukmini-amma said with pride. “The staff are in awe of you that you can garden, cook, clean, and do laundry perfectly.”

Sanjana laughed. “Well, it’s what I did most of my life. I’m not going to forget just because I live in a palace now.”

The elderly housekeeper nodded. “Yes, but not everyone would continue to do those once they become a maharani.”

Before Sanjana could answer, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She brushed the soil from her hands, half-expecting it to be the hospital calling her back in for an emergency shift.

“This is Dr. Shetty,” she answered.

“Maharani Sanjana,” came a polite, familiar voice. It was Mira, Suchitra Devi’s longtime assistant.

Sanjana straightened, a flicker of tension coursing through her. “Yes, this is Sanjana.”

“Her Highness Suchitra Devi has asked me to inform you that you will be hosting a charity event for the Devara Trust schools this afternoon,” Mira said. “The event will be held at the Trust Grounds in the city. Two assistants will meet you there and guide you through the program.”

Sanjana blinked in shock. “ I-I’m sorry, did you say I will behostingan event? This afternoon?”

“Yes, Maharani,” Mira replied, her tone even, unwavering. “It has already been arranged. You will receive a detailed schedule in a few minutes. The Devara palace staff have also been sent instructions as to what you should be wearing.”

Sanjana’s heart thudded. She had spoken at medical conferences, argued fiercely in operating rooms, and handled frantic parents in life-or-death emergencies, but she had never hosted a charity gala, much less one tied to the Royal Devara Trust.

“I’ve never hosted an event like this,” Sanjana admitted, her voice unsteady. “What if I—”

“You’ll have full support,” Mira interrupted gently but firmly. “The Trust staff will handle logistics. You only need to represent the royal household.”

Represent the royal household.

Before she could argue, Mira spoke. “Wishing you good luck, Maharani,” the assistant said before ending the call.

Sanjana stared at the phone before lowering it slowly. Her pulse raced.

Rukmini-amma looked at her in concern. “What is it, Maharani?”

“I’m to host a charity event this afternoon,” she said. “I have no idea how to.

The older woman’s face softened as she touched Sanjana’s arm lightly. “I know you’ll do a great job, child.”

Sanjana swallowed hard. “I hope so.”

She didn’t want to mess up her first hosting event as the Devara Maharani.

An hour later, Sanjana barely recognized herself in the mirror.

The palace staff had worked tirelessly pinning her hair into a soft updo threaded with jasmine and rose buds, sweeping her eyes with kohl, and draping her in a silk saree of pale rose and gold. A delicate diamond set rested against her collarbone, glittering each time she shifted under the lamplight.