It was the day before the first occasion of Yashvir and Ananya's wedding. There was a ruckus in the entire Palace, as the preparations went on in full swing. Every corner of the Palace radiated a beautiful fragrance, and gleamed with the light from decorative oil lamps.
Ahankara walked through the corridors, staring at the walls and the decorations. With every step she felt her heart sink further and further into her chest, whilst she held onto Neharika's hand for moral and emotional support. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears, as everything made her reminisce her own wedding. The wedding she always thought she would think of and cry, but for very different reasons.
Ahankara let out a loud sigh as they exited into the garden, making Neharika walk in front of her and stand in her way.
"What are you doing, Rajkumari?" She asked, her eyes filled with sadness and concern.
"What?" Ahankara asked, not sure o
"I said, you apply it," Ahankara stated, feeling her heart clench at her own words. She turned her face to the other side and closed her eyes, not wanting to see him leave."Alright, Rajkumari," Neharika replied softly, glancing at Yashvir. As she made a move to sit down beside her, Yashvir raised his hand to stop her. He placed his index finger on his lips, ushering her to remain quiet, as he took the small bowl from her hands. He gestured for her to leave the room, and although hesitant, Neharika obliged. Once she had left and the door was closed securely, Yashvir sat down beside Ahankara, causing the bed to dip."He's such a jerk," Ahankara whispered, sniffing. "You know what he said, Neha? He was only showing care and affection because he wants me to be at the wedding. Or else he wouldn't even care if I'd just go and die in a ditch."Yashvir bit his lip, and took some ointment onto his fingers, before tracing it on her
"I told him I love him," Ahankara announced, closing her eyes shut in pain, as she stood up from the throne. Yashvir immediately rushed to her, catching hold of her arms to support her, so she would not get hurt again. She gave him a small smile before turning her attention back to Ananya. Ahankara made her way to her, before standing in front of her."So you told him you loved him. What, you hadn't before?" Ananya rolled her eyes."I hadn't," Ahankara replied. "And that's why it was hard for him to believe me, when I tried to clarify our misunderstanding. Finally when I confessed, he believed me. Because that's what love is. You trust the one you love, and you trust the one who loves you.""As adorable as that sounds, what about me?" Ananya asked, her teary gaze shifting to Yashvir. "What about me, Yashvir? Why did you do this to me?"Yashvir shifted his gaze to the floor in guilt, sighing. "I'm sorry. I
Yashvir held onto Ahankara's hand from behind, his other hand resting on her waist. His warm breath tickled her ear as he leaned in to her, placing his chin on her shoulder."Keep your eyes on your target," Yashvir whispered, before he made her swing the sword around. "And then attack.""Hmm," Ahankara replied, her breath hitching and her heart beat pacing. His close proximity was making it difficult for her to focus, and a small, bashful smile stretched across her lips."Keep your grip firm, or the sword will be knocked out of your hands," he said, tightening his fingers around hers. "And don't just use the blade. You can use every part of the sword to your advantage.""How?" Ahankara asked, turning her head to look up at him. He leaned in and touched his nose against hers, gently nudging, before he pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back, closing her eyes, as she let go of the sword, letting it fal
Ahankara carried the tray of colors to the bed, her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to suppress her smile. She placed it on the side table, watching to make sure Yashvir was fast asleep. She sat down beside him, careful not to move the bed too much, and took some of the pink color into her hand. Grinning, she slowly brought her hand towards his face, but before she could touch him, Yashvir woke up with a jolt and caught hold of her wrist. Ahankara gasped as he pulled her closer, his eyes narrowed dangerously."What do you think you're doing?" He asked."I... Uh..." She muttered, biting her lip as her gaze flickered from him to her hand, and back to his face. She realize her closed fist was vertically above his cheek, and she grinned before unclenching it, causing the color to fall onto his face."Ahankara!" Yashvir snapped, closing his eyes and scrunching up his nose."Happy Holi," Ahankara smil
Yashvir walked inside the room, his gaze meeting Ahankara's as she offered him a small, tired smile. He walked up to the bed and sat down beside her, after which everyone else left the room, except the doctor."Is she okay?" Yashvir asked, looking up at the doctor as he took Ahankara's hand in his. "Thank you for showing up on such short notice. The Palace doctor is out of town.""It's an honour, Maharaj. And your wife will be perfectly fine very soon. I would, however, suggest you take special care of her from now on. Such an accident could potentially harm your baby. You're lucky she-""What?" Ahankara and Yashvir said in unison, their expressions mirroring each other's."Did you say baby?" Yashvir asked in disbelief, frowning."Um, yeah," the doctor nodded, smiling. "You two weren't aware? She looks eight weeks to me.""I told you!" Ahankara breathed, her eyes turning g
Neharika stood beside Ahankara, throwing flowers at Kabir and Ananya, who walked around the sacred fire, fulfilling their last wedding ritual. Her eyes accidentally met with those of the man standing beside Yashvir, and he smirked, causing her to blush and immediately look away. Realizing that Yashvir was calmly conversing with him, Neharika lightly nudged Ahankara's arm."Yeah?" Ahankara asked softly, turning her head to look at her."Who's he? The man beside Maharaj," Neharika questioned, her voice lowered to a whisper."Who?" Ahankara frowned, looking in his direction. "Oh he. That's Rajkumar Ranvijay Samrat. He's a childhood friend of Yashvir, Ananya and Kabir. He was too busy at the time of our wedding so he couldn't show up. Why are you asking?""He's a Rajkumar?" Neharika asked softly, meeting his gaze again as she felt her heart sink."Yeah... Is everything okay?" Ahankara frowned,
"I'm not playing with her feelings," Ranvijay frowned, crossing his arms over his chest."Bullshit," Yashvir narrowed his eyes at him. "Why else would you be messing around with her? You know she's not a Princess.""So what?" Ranvijay scoffed. "Since when do you care about titles? Even if Ahankara had not been a Princess, I'm sure you would still have married her."Yashvir raised am eyebrow at him. "I would, but are you serious? You wanna marry Neharika?""Look, I haven't decided yet. I need a few days around her, obviously. You tell me, is she nice a girl?" Ranvijay asked."Of course, why else would I be concerned about her? But she cannot handle a Kingdom, that's for sure. She's intelligent, no doubt, but you know Princesses receive certain training since a young age," Yashvir explained."She must have been on Ahankara's side when she received hers," Ranvijay shrugged.
"I don't understand, Kunwar Sa. Why would you choose me?" Neharika whispered, a tear escaping her eye. "You could choose any beautiful Princess, anyone at all... Why me?""Why is it so hard for you to admire yourself?" Ranvijay frowned. He walked up to her, and gently took her arms, turning her around so she would face him. "I like you. I like everything about you. Your simplicity, your wit, your grace. You, Neharika. I don't care about any fancy Princess out there, about anyone who isn't you. Because you're the one I want in my life.""Your family would never acce-""It's a good thing I don't have any family then, right?" Ranvijay cut her off. "I only have an Uncle, and his family. And they don't have anything to say to me, they don't care. They mind their own business, I mind mine.""But what if-""Shh," Ranvijay placed his index finger on her lips, making her silent again. "Trust me."