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***

Riya couldn't help but stare at a tiny sparrow hopping in front of her, from plants to trees and trees to puddles of water. Weirdly, the tiny birds and it's every move fascinated her as in how it is able to catch the grains with its beak and how suspicious it is of humans and moreover how its tiny thin legs manage her whole weight!

"What are you staring at?" Dhruvan was sweeping a few scattered dry leaves in the backyard as Riya sat on the patio relishing afternoon's nature.

"Nothing in particular, birds and-"

"You eat birds too?"

Riya gave him eye-burning glare at that question and he resumed back to his sweeping, his fear of turning into food for her has become irritating now and if possible Riya might really kill him to avoid his stupid questions.

Humming an unknown tune she started playing with the pallu of her half saree, time flew away like the leaves falling off a tree, so quick and unnoticed that it is almost a week since she has turned out with no memories. After the visit of minister Kashyap, Sahasthra sent a few clothes, ornaments and skincare products for Riya in secret without the knowledge of her father and of course, Raghuveer was not happy about their friendship but has chosen to remain quiet.

The half sarees which Sahasthra has sent were beautiful with eye-catching colours and those ornaments were so elegant and lovely that if it is by her way, she will never return them to Sahasthra again.

But frankly speaking, Raghuveers long silk kurtas were more comfortable and easy to wear. All she has to do is pull his kurta over her head but now, she has to tie that lehenga and hook up that life squeezing blouse and oh god, that dupatta is just a pain in the ass, it keeps slipping and sliding down her shoulders. And those ornaments are just a cherry on top, the golden ornaments no more look pretty to her, alas, looks can be deceiving.

Her thoughts of her tragic clothing have come to a halt as Raghuveer walked to the backyard and without wasting any time he was ordering Dhruvan about something and Riya couldn't help but stare at him. Unfortunately, her legs have healed and he was no more picking her up or helping her to stand and somehow his handsome features were upgrading to the next level every time she looks at him.

Why is he so handsome?

"Riya," Raghuveer called out and she sat stiff tuning with his ordering voice, "We will mostly not return for the night so make sure to lock all the doors and windows before you go to sleep."

And once again, she was successfully lost hearing his voice. Did she ever attribute his confident and rich voice? His voice is-

"Alright then." Saying he turned around to walk away and almost snapping out of the trance, Riya caught his arm before he could leave.

"Why? I mean where are you going?" She stuttered a little as she spoke.

"Today is Shivarathri, and after breaking the fast we will be leaving for the horse race. So you-"

"Can I also come!" All the dead excitement in her woke up as she clung on his arm.

"No." Saying Raghuveer tried to pull his arm away but she had a death grip on him.

"But why!" She moaned in frustration and Raghuveer narrowed his eyes at her as he spoke, "Tonight all the royals and ministers are going to be there and taking you there is like going on a suicide mission. So rest up, in here peacefully for the night."

Raghuveer successfully pulled his arm away from her grip and turned to walk inside but Riya ran in front of him, blocking his way.

"If all the ministers are showing up then Sahathra might also come, right? I will stick to her and I promise to not create any disturbance, please?" Riya asked desperately, tilting her head trying to act cute. And Raghuveer was convinced for a second seeing her adorable expression but flashes of what she and Dhruvan had done on the minister Kashyap's visit made him decide otherwise.

"No, so stop being stubborn and stay at home." Saying he strode away from there and Riya kicked a pebble near her foot in frustration and for Dhruvan's awful luck the tiny stone hit his head making him yelp in pain.

"Ouch, why would you do that." Dropping the broomstick to the ground, he complained kneading his head with his left palm.

"Serves you right!" Screaming Riya kicked the floor in frustration and anger striding inside the house.

Soon all the house was lit by oil lanterns as the sun had retired for the day and Riya sat in her chambers grunting and cursing Raghuveer.

"We are leaving." Dhruvan peeked his head inside the chambers as spoke, "I have locked all the entrances and windows, so you-"

Riya picked up a large pillow beside her and threw at Dhruvan screaming, "Shut up!"

Why won't he take her with him! However, Riya has decided to not give up so she marched outside and Dhruvan bent down to the ground in fear.

"Take me with you!" Riya demanded as she saw Raghuveer standing near the porch.

"Look, we have already had this conversation before so you-"

"What if someone abducts me! And what if an animal attacks me!" Riya tried to formulate all the excuses which can melt Raghuveers heart but to no avail, he rejected all her fears straight away saying that even a destructive earthquake won't be able to touch her.

Locking all the doors Raghuveer and Dhruvan left leaving a furious Riya behind. The nerve of this man! All throughout the week, Dhruvan kept bragging about his master's excellent talent in horse riding and she kept imagining how attractive and striking he would look riding on a horse. But now, all she has is her imaginations.

Cursing and swearing all the bad words she knew she sat by the window looking outside, those all-day squeaking stupid birds were also gone, but all at once, she heard a large howl from the forests and she gulped loudly in fear. Damn it! She asked for birds, not human-eating wolves! Riya hurriedly pulled the windows close and hit the bed covering herself with a thick blanket.

And near the entrance of the house, Raghuveer and Dhruvan were ready to leave but a large howl from the forest halted them.

"Looks like the wolves are back," Raghuveer mutters and Dhruvan shivered in fear.

"These forests are warmer than others around our kingdom, so all the wolves tend to come here every winter." Saying Dhruvan facepalmed himself.

Raghuveer ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he spoke, "Dhruv, call for a bullock cart for us to travel and I will get that woman."

"Her? But why!" Dhruvan whined loudly, he thought this night is going to be peaceful without that demon by their side but no, his master has to spoil his happiness.

"Just do what I say." Saying he marched inside the house opening the lock.

He was a little surprised to see her on the bed fully engulfed in thick blankets.

"Woman! Wake up, or I am leaving."

Hearing Raghuveer's voice Riya sat up straight, her excitement returning back alive.

"Are you taking me with you?" Her eyes shone in happiness as she spoke and Raghuveer nodded his head in a yes making her jump on the bed and squeal in happiness.

And somehow her excited expressions made his lips curl up in a smile as he spoke, "So arrange yourself-"

"What more should I arrange?" Riya complained as she stepped down the bed adjusting her dress, "I am already warring this half-saree and this heavy uncomfortable ornaments, so what more should I-"

"Your hair." Saying he folded his hands over his chest.

And Riya paused her speech as she touched her hair, she and Dhruvan had tried their best to tie her hair but unfortunately, her uneven smooth hair gave no chance to be tied up.

"I can't do anything about it! It is so unequal that all I can do is a bun with it." Riya declared, shaking her head in frustration.

"Then do a bun but make sure that your hair is tied up." Saying he walked out of the chambers waiting for her, and Riya quickly pulled out a ribbon-like cloth and tied her hair in a quick bun. Sahasthra has sent some golden and silver hair clips for her but her hair rejected everything and anything.

Dhruvan stood beside the bullock cart waiting for his master and soon they appeared out of the house. Raghuveer was walking with large steps while Riya was almost running behind him holding her lehenga up with both her hands.

The second Riya's sight fell on Dhruvan, she greeted him wiggling her eyebrows, "Hello, boy."

And Dhurvan successfully avoided her hopping inside the cart and Riya stood in front of the entrance wondering how to sit inside. The cart was tall and she can never jump like Dhruvan wearing this heavy dress.

"Veeru! Help me, why is this cart so high?" Riya complained as she tried to jump, however, the cart driver's mouth hung open hearing the bravery of that woman to nickname a prince and Dhruvan silently banged his head to the wooden wall inside wishing to die.

Raghuveer closed his eyes as his nostrils flared in anger. Just a second ago she happened to promise him about not getting into trouble and look at her now.

"What!" Raghuveer spoke with gritted teeth seeing her trying to jump and hop on the cart.

"Help me, please." She tried to make a puppy face and Raghuveer pulled out a rock nearby and placed it in front of the cart silently telling her to use that.

Riya flashed a smile, muttering a thank you and caught Raghuveer's arm hopping inside and the cart driver had to place his hand on his mouth from letting out a scream in fear. Did that woman just grab a prince's arm? And that too Prince Raghuveer?

Before he could catch a glimpse of these rare scenes Raghuveer turned forward glaring at him, making the driver settle down in his place with his sight struck to the ground.

Shortly, the cart began to run with Raghuveer sitting near the exit of the cart and Riya in between.

"Please, can I sit at the edge! This is my first time and I want to look outside!"

And Raghuveer let her sit at the edge without any resistance. However, every time the cart jerks she would dangerously swing to the other side making his heart race, why can't she just hold the handle? Once again the cart jerked and this time he had to hold her hand so that she wouldn't fall off the edge, somehow when he is with her, he himself keeps forgetting that he hates others touch.

"Thank you, Veeru." Riya thanked, chirping with happiness like a little kid and Raghuveer suppressed a loud scream.

"Stop, calling me that."

"Why?" Riya pleaded, "I even gave a nickname to Dhruvan and he loved it!"

"NO, I didn't!" Dhruvan screamed but Riya and Raghuveer chose to ignore him.

"His name is, kitty." Riya giggled enjoying the rotten expression of Dhruvan and Raghuveer swallowed a laugh pressing lips together.

"And Verru is also such a cute nick-"

"Don't."

"How about, Raghu?"

"No."

"Hmm, How about Tiger?"

"Just close your mouth and-"

"How about-"

The night's shining moonlight laced through the path on which their cart ran and the car driver couldn't help but be happy as for the first time he could hear Prince Raghuveer chuckle and laugh.

***