Chitra was lovingly tying a Gajra(flower hair ornament) into Poonam's hair while she fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Be still Poonam?" Chitra said.

"Princess.....I am not used to this.."

"Chitra" Chitra corrected her.

"Chitra...I am not used to this. Why are you doing this?" Poonam said uncomfortably?

She was having a hard time adjusting to her new status. She wasn't used to being so casual with Chitra or being waited upon by her.

"Get used to it.....I made one Gajra for Kamakshi as well. She loved it. All done."

Chitra looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was arranged into an elaborate twisted bun. Several ornaments of gold and flowers adorned it.

"It's beautiful. thank you yours. I mean Chitra."

"Better" Chitra Grinned.

Kamakshi arrived soon after.

"Ready?" Chitra asked Kamakshi.

She blushed.

"Are you going somewhere Chitra?" Poonam asked.

"Yes, we are going riding with Vikram. Kamakshi has never met him. So she is coming along as well."

Poonam nodded.

Chitra and Kamakshi left while Poonam walked towards Devburman's quarters.

"Have you seen the Prince? He is so handsome?" One female voice said.

Poonam stopped in her tracks. Palace maids were used to gossiping and sometimes they yielded valuable information.

"Oh yes, he is very handsome, do you know he spent the entire night with the Nagarvadu?" Another maid said.

They both giggled.

Poonam furrowed her brows. Vikram had a reputation. Everyone was aware of it except perhaps, Chitra. But Poonam didn't expect him to continue this in his perspective in law's place.

"Is he more handsome than His Highness Shivaditya?" A third voice said.

"No, but he is at par and unlike Prince Shivaditya he is very generous with maids." The first voice giggled.

"Really?"

"Yeah, maybe he might take you as his mistress if you try."

They all laughed and Poonam was irritated. She had a sudden urge to give them a verbal lashing but she refrained from it.

She wondered if she should inform Chitra or Dev but decided it was just maids gossiping. Sleeping with Ganikas was no big deal for men from nobility either. The king might not even take it seriously herself maintained a harem of concubines.

One of the disadvantages of being a princess was that her movement was greatly restricted. Earlier she could move around freely now she had to follow a long list of protocols that she was still trying to memorize.

**********

Chitra, Shivaditya, Kamakshi, and Vikram were riding their horses through the city.

Kamakshi had blushed profusely on being introduced. Vikram was alluring.

After the tour of the city, they had proceeded to the outskirts which had thick vegetation.

"Your security is outstanding! Your highness" Vikram said to Shivaditya.

"Thanks, your Majesty. honour to be praised by you." Shiv responded.

"I can see why Badami is called impenetrable. It's hard to sneak out or sneak in through our 5 levels gates." Vikram said.

"I hope your majesty isn't planning anything like that?" Shiv joked.

"I won't even dream of it your highness" Vikram laughed.

"So did you like Vikram?" Chitra asked Kamakshi as they were out of his earshot.

Kamakshi blushed and nodded.

Chitra was pleased. If things proceeded this way there would finally be peace and Shiv would never leave for any war again.

Kamakshi's horse was galloping a bit fast. She was the one with the least horse riding skills.

Unexpectedly her horse got agitated over something and started to gallop very fast.

"Bhaiya I can't control him!" She screamed trying to pull the stirrup.

That irritated it even more and the horse rode away quickly.

"Kamakshi!" Shiv shouted....following after her.

"You stay here Chitra" he shouted back her at her.

Shiv and Vikram both followed after Kamakshi along with half of the bodyguard while the other half stayed with Chitra.

"Oh, God! I hope she is fine." Chitra prayed.

Sometimes later. She heard hoofbeats. She turned towards the sound. As expected Shiv and the rest were returning with Kamakshi.

She was securely nestled with Vikram?

Chitra looked at them surprised.

"His Majesty saved Kamakshi," Shivaditya informed her as they approached.

She blinked at them.

"I was just doing my duty. Fortunately, she didn't go far and the horse has also been captured." Vikram said politely.

Kamakshi looked shaken but she was fine.

Chitra beamed. Vikram had charmed his way into everyone's heart. He had been a perfect gentleman so far.

The D day for the annual fair had finally arrived.

It was a typical fair with different stalls, novelties but on a much grander scale.

Chitra was excited. It was her first significant festival ever since she was married.

She carefully dressed for the function and asked Shiv who was busy reading some parchments.

"Shiv I can go around the fair with Kamakshi and Poonam?"

"Yes but not alone. Your bodyguards will be with you."

He responded without looking up.

Chitra made a face "You mean those bunch of guys will be following me everywhere?? No way."

"Chitra you are a princess, not some commoner. You can't go around like this. It's unsafe. Mother will have a heart attack if she comes to know that the crown princess is wandering alone in the market."

Chitra made a face "Ok fine."

Chitra, Kamakshi, and Poonam were roaming in the fair looking at various nick knack.

It was just like the market but of a much grander scale. She greeted as Devburman approached them near a flower shop.

" I hope you are doing well your highness." She said.

"I am doing fine." He gave a quick look at Poonam who was looking down. She still found him intimidating.

Chitra looked at both of them and smiled. "Oops! I remember now I have to meet his highness...I will catch you guys later and Kamakshi you also need to do some shopping right? Let's go."

"But bhabhi what shopping do I need to do?"

Kamakshi protested.

"Payals(anklets) !! You have to buy payals..lots of them...come on."

She dragged away reluctant Kamakshi leaving Dev and Poonam on their own.

"But Bhabhi I dont want payals. I already have them."

"I made an excuse to let them be alone..you understand?" Chitra replied.

"Oh, now I got it" Kamakashi replied. Understanding dawning on her.

"Where is your bhaiya btw?? Am I supposed to wander around all alone along with that bunch of bodyguards?" Chitra complaints.

She heard Shiv's voice.

"Someone was missing me ?"

She turned around and found Shiv, standing behind her grinning.

"You scared me! where were you?" Chitra smiled at Shiv?

"I got his majesty with me," Shiv said.

"Yeah, I saw that," Chitra replied.

For the next hour, Vikram felt like a 5th wheel although Kamakshi tagged along, that girl barely spoke to him.

He found some time alone with Chitra when Shiv was busy observing something with Kamakshi.

"Chitra I have always wondered about something. May I ask?" He asked.

"Of course your majesty" she replied cheerfully he eyes glued to Shiv.

"Were you already in love with Prince Shivaditya when our wedding....well...when things got complicated. Since you had been abducted by him. Did you fall in love with him?"

Chitra's smile vanished as she looked at his face searching for an appropriate answer.

"Vikram....I...It was....not like that. He was very kind to me, took care of me. I couldn't help falling for him. But I wasn't against our engagement. Father had given his word and I was ready to honour it."

She still felt guilty about it.

"Relax Chitra it's just a simple question. I am just curious." He smiled.

She looked down "Yes. I am sorry your majesty." She said quietly.

"It's ok Chitra, we can't change the past," he simply said and moved forward.

To be continued...