The person who was suffering the most in this ordeal was Poonam. In spite of her trauma, she had to pretend everything was normal.

Chitrangda was in Malwa.

She had to lie to other court ladies specially Indu.

Indu had her misgivings regarding Chitrangda. It was unlikely that the princess would travel all of a sudden to Malwa with no prior planning.

She had tried her best to pry out information from Poonam but it was futile. She didn't dare ask the queen or the King directly but she was keeping her eyes and ears open for any nugget of information.

"Come on give me some information. You people have been going on so many raids. Yet you got nothing about the Princess? "

Indu stopped in her track as she overheard the chief advisor talked to the Commander General.

"Nothing Sir, we have apprehended one of the major bandit leaders but they know nothing about the Princess. There is another letter though which arrived today morning".

Indu was on alert "So the Princess is indeed missing! What about those letters ?"

Concealing herself in the shadows she listened patiently "Now all I need is to get my hands in those letters" She smirked.

********

Chitrangda had got a female attendant who barely spoke, all other attendants including Jayaraj were polite to her but they didn't give out any information about Shiv.

A rope had been fastened to work as a temporary handrail for the stairs so she could walk around.

Shivaditya came into her room with a pair of leather slippers. He placed it near her feet and said "I got these for you the floor is pretty rough it might chafe your feet".

He gently placed the slippers in her feet.

She said, "They are lovely thanks" and smiled.

He escorted her down the stairs into a large paneled room. It was converted into a study. There were ornate furniture and oriental rugs. Tall windows let in the warm light. Two walls held books on a broad selection of subjects.

She looked around and remarked, "You are fond of reading ?".

Shiv smiled "Yes I like reading".

Chitrangda was impressed "A well-read bandit !!" she thought.

When she looked into the adjacent room Shiv said "That is my bedroom".

Chitrangda blushed and hastily retreated. He said, "The double doors lead to the garden but I fear you must wait a little longer before getting out".

She smiled "This will do fine for a while."

He said, "Excellent..be at home I have other business to attend to."

Apart from the fact that Shiv's ability to make her desire him frightened her out of her wits, the days passed in pleasant leisure. She could go around

anywhere. There were other men too in the fort, busy in some sort of training but they didn't even look at her forget about talking to her. Probably it was Shiv's order not to disturb her.

She thought "Probably he's the chief of the bandits".

Jayaraj whom she found quite entertaining never revealed much about Shiv.

Most of the time Shiv joined her for lunch, sometimes he used to be out on his business. She dare not think what business.

She had started to enjoy his company now and looked forward to their chats. She found him to be very knowledgeable and a perfect gentleman. He always joined her for dinner and stayed on his side of the table. She was amazed at his manners and knowledge. She found him to be was more cultured and educated than Vikram. He was fit to be a prince!

She penned several letters to her parents always being vague about her whereabouts. She had no idea how or when it reached her parents.

They were taking a stroll in the garden when Shiv asked "I suppose you are to be married soon?"

Chitra gasped he knew it? And the realization hit her she had forgotten all about Vikram. In fact, in the last few days, she had not even thought of him.

She nodded.

Shiv said "good to know that. So you must be looking forward to it?"

She said, "Yes. Vikram is my very good friend".

"Only a friend?"

She replied "We are engaged since childhood and I have grown up believing that he will be my future husband. Since it's our parent's wish. I have to honor it."

He asked, "But do you love him?"

Chitra just looked down "Did she love Vikram??" Well, she never felt the way she felt with Shiv. She hardly understood love.

She just said "It's my parent's wish. That's how things happen right? Our parents choose our spouse and we learn to live with them. Is there any other way ?"

"It depends. One need not be bound by rules all the time. A Kshatriya(warrior) woman is free to choose her husband did you know that ?"

She bit her lips and stared at him "I was never given that option".

"What if you are given an option? What if you are given a choice what will you choose Princess ?"

She blinked her amber eyes "I.....I don't know".

He didn't ask anything further.

***

"Your Highness you look distracted these days," Jayaraj asked him while on their daily patrol.

"Is it? I am fine Jayaraj".

"Is it because of the Princess ?" Jayaraj asked cautiously.

"What do you think Jayaraj? What should I do ?"

"Your Highness! I have been with you for years. You have always done what would be best for your realm. An alliance with Navsarika would be a good thing even if it's by force. The princess is the sole heir to the throne."

Shivaditya smiled "Always practical as ever Jayaraj. But I am not going to force her. She would come me herself." He laughed and rode back towards the fort.

*******

During her explorations Chitrangda found Shiv brandishing a sword fencing with one of his men.

She looked on transfixed.

He was shirtless and with his rippling muscles and fluid movements she could not take her eyes off him.

He noticed her and stopped. He wiped his face and asked, "Good morning what are you doing here Princess?"

She picked up a lying sword and said "Let's have a duel".

Shivaditya was surprised "Are you sure ?"

She didn't answer, just gave a blow with her sword. He was startled but defended her attack. She attacked again and he defended, they started dueling and Shiv was aghast. She could fight !! and fight well !!

Of course, she was delicate as a flower but she knew her stuff.

They dueled for some time both getting sweaty. Chitrangda was smiling seductively at him but she was no match to him he overpowered her and her sword flew out of her hand. He quickly caught her wrist, turned her back and his sword was on her neck. She just stared at him with her large eyes and that half-smile.

"Don't look at me like that" He whispered.

She smiled "Otherwise what ?"

He dropped the sword but didn't leave her hands.

He gave a jerk and she fell in his arms. Chitrangda's mind was spinning her breathing had become ragged and she just looked at him.

He held her waist. She kept her hands on his bare chest. Her fingers burned wherever she touched him.

Shivaditya trailed his finger on her face. His other hand trailed on her back.

She blushed when his finger outlined her lips.

He said, "I will miss these eyes".

He bent his head and lightly brushed his lips on her cheeks. Chitrangda's lips automatically parted he touched his lips to hers but nothing further he

released her.

Her mind still woolly it took some time for her to come back to reality.

He just said, "You are good I didn't expect that you could do fencing".

"I am a princess I can do a lot of stuff".

"I don't know of many princesses who can fight so well".

"Well, I am different. Father allowed me to learn whatever I wish but my mother doesn't like it. She wants me to be subdued like other girls"

"You sure are different. Why do you need to be subdued I like you this way? Fiery !! " He said.

She felt please and wondered why was she so happy about his approval.