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"The walls of a royal palace are built with the blood and vengeance of innocent souls, Raghuveer." Dipankar looked dead in his eyes as he questioned him, "Are you ambitious enough to break through the flesh of every person who blocks your way and taint your hands with their blood?"

A slow smile upon Raghuveer's lips as he couldn't help but laugh at Diapankar's words, his rich velvet laugh echoing through the silent night as a lone tear slipped down his cheek resembling how he found a weird sense of mirth in his words.

"My bad, " Rahhuveer said, managing to speak in between his laugh, "Yet I can not apologise for laughing though. You sound like your mother-"

"This is not the time-"

In a swift, with an unexpected move, Raghuveer shifted closer to Dipankar, his fierce eyes boring deep into Dipankar's, as he spoke, "Why do you think I am interested in taking over the throne, huh? To kill and torture our people like your mother? To disregard those blunders our ministers commit, like our father? Never, I will show you and your pitiful mother how to rule without shedding the blood of innocent souls!"

"But you won't be able to, Raghuveer. You are already late in this endless game of politics, most of the ministry is favouring us. You won't stand a chance-"

"Chance?" Raghuveer scoffed as his lips curved up into a fake smile as his chest heaved in pride, "Chances are for those who believe in luck, and I can assure you that I am enough to take you and your fake council down in no time."

"Good luck with your downfall then. But remember, if you choose this path then not only you, must also that woman you desire will fall-"

"Riya is none of your business." Raghuveer spoke loudly, curbing Dipankar from completing his sentence. But deep down even he knows the fact that he should not pull Riya in this turmoil of Royal egos and their cruel world.

Hearing enough from Raghuveer, an angry Dipankar turned around to march inside the house but before he could, Raghuveer's final words for the night set his heart on fire.

"I am not you, Dipankar. I will not be a weakling to let go of a woman I like, nor will I let go of a throne I desire."

• •

Green leaves were rolling down on the dirty brown ground as the sunlight peeked through the dense and tall trees. Once again, the sunrise was gorgeous. Or maybe it can be the fact that anything and everything can be beautiful with Raghuveer by her side.

Riya couldn't sleep last night, her eyes remain open lost in thoughts of her existence. She was so eerily lost in her thoughts to even notice the time swap, so lost that even a long night seemed short, but having enough of the gloomy dark room she managed to step out of the chambers to relive the morning air, and that was when Raghuveer jumped in front of her surprising her to death.

Well, it can be a little scary if the person in your thoughts just jumps in front of you like a summoned ghost. But shortly, Raghuveer suggested a morning stroll through the backyard and almost immediately she accepted his offer.

Her brown eyes were struck on the tall and gigantic green trees and the falling dry leaves, but a certain man in sight made her heart drum and pound loudly as Riya kept her mouth shut.

As a kid, teachers complained about her talkative nature. About how she would disturb their classes and divert students attention but a momentous thing which can only keep her lips tight is nervousness.

And that important task which has got her fingers fiddle and her heart pound can be expressing her feelings for him, to get a clear picture of their relationship rather than flirting forever. But the negative thoughts about him pushing her away turned her brain into a puddle of anxiety. That second when she got to know about a way to go back to her life, her world turned upside down fearing the separation from him.

Last night, after a long session of gossips and jokes with Dhruvan and Sahsthra, she couldn't help but realise her strong were her feelings for Rahghuveer, no one except her might know how the fear of rejection might feel like. When Dhruvan left for the night, Riya decided to talk to Sahasthra about her feelings and almost immediately Sahasthra named it love, but for Riya that word is huge. Love is something unconditional, to support the person in every aspect and most importantly they become your life.

Riya couldn't help but think twice, how can she ever fall in love in just a little span of days? It might not be love, but whatever she feels for Raghuveer is rather deep and intense. Which is not something like her school time crushes.

After an hour-long conversation with Sahasthra, they have come to an agreement that she should at least try to get clarity about their relationship status. With that agenda in mind Riya could barely catch a wink of sleep but now, having him this close to her, her brain was absolutely frozen.

"Ah, this morning can be a little special. Guess why?" Raghuveer asked out of the blue, pulling Riya back from her thoughts as she focused on him. His royal blue clothes seem to be dominating the trees around and a small smile curved upon his face, which can practically make every flower jealous.

"Why?" Riya asked after a long silence as her eyes shifted to concentrate on the mesmerising dark brown shade of his eyes, will she come out as a creep if she keeps staring like this?

"Certainly, a girl I know must have broken her brain along with her arm." The seriousness in his voice almost fooled Riya but soon he burst into fits of laughter making her glare.

Rolling her eyes at him she glanced at her arm which was wrapped up in thick layers of medicinal rags. All this while thinking about him she actually forgot about her wound, it's as if her brain could only focus on this man rather on the pain.

Riya could see the house in sight, which means that their privacy is about to end. If she couldn't do the talk now, she might have to wait till everyone at the house left.

"Umm, Raghuveer?" Riya mumbled out finally, but the immediate frown on his face made her bite her inner cheek. Riya could literally read the question on his face about why all of a sudden she has called him by his name.

"Your brain is broken indeed, and I keep confirming that every time you open your mouth." Saying Raghuveer shook his head laughing and Riya gulped loudly, taking in large inhales of air gathering up her courage.

"We have to talk."

"Are we flying right now?" And the humour in his voice made her courage dull.

What if this is a sensitive topic for him? He is rarely this jovial and happy in mornings and she shouldn't spoil this, but Sahasthra has taken a word from her that at any cost she would discuss with Raghuveer.

Riya stopped walking at once and held Raghuveer's hand pulling him back to face her. By the unexpected pull, he stood close to her and remained rooted to his spot noticing the serious look on Riya's face.

The happy morning tweets of birds did nothing but amplify the fear of rejection in her, just in case, if he rejects her then where will she go? What will she do?

"What happened?" His smooth voice reached her ears as a thin line of frown took over his forehead. He looked worried, his features softening at the nervousness of Riya.

"I-i wanted to talk about us."

"Us?"

"Yes, you see, I wanted to know what you think about me?"

"About you?" His eyebrows shot up as little in surprise but shortly a small smile filled his face as he spoke, "Ah, you mean your hair? Alright, for your happiness-"

"No! Not about hair! I mean about attraction! Like, do you have any feelings for me-"

"My lord!" A loud yelling voice disturbed them as they turned to the direction in which the voice came from and Riya unknowingly let go his hand.

A small troupe of men were marching towards the entrance of the house, from their appearances Riya could make out them as soldiers. Grey and red clothing with a stiff armour, a long sword case hanging around their waist as they stood straight and then, right behind them came physician Vishwanath running with a huge brown box in his hands.

Seeing him, Riya felt an urge to run away, has he come here with soldiers to force her to leave? And the look on Raghuveer's face was nothing better, his face turned red as he kept glaring at the soldiers and the physician.

"Dhruvan!" Raghuveer screamed for him but his sight focused on the men who came uninvited. A shivering Dhruvan immediately came at the call as he stood in front of Raghuveer.

Raghuveer's voice was so commanding that every member inside the house came out to see what the commotion was about.

"Who has allowed them here! Is this my house or a royal place to barge in every time? Where were you when-"

"Rajkumar Ji, your father is not doing well." For the first time, Riya could see Dhruvan interrupt his master's talk and instantly Raghuveer's face turned pale.

"What?"

"Yes, my prince. The royal physicians have concluded that the king is on his deathbed, and he has requested to have a look at his children before he leaves this world." Physician Vishwanath filled in for Dhruvan as he stepped forward speaking.

With no further conversation, Raghuveer and Dipanakar hastily changed into a new set of clothes and Sahasthra made her hair decorating with sweet-smelling flowers as she tried to straighten the curled up edges of her half-saree.

Almost in the span of a blink, everyone was ready to go to the royal palace. While Dhruvan and Pulvit readied their masters' horses, a tiny silver chariot pulled up near the entrance for Sahsthra. Riya sat by the porch, her chin resting on her right palm as she observed everything.

"What will you do about your lunch?" Raghuveer appeared in front of her as he questioned silently.

"Oh that, I will try to-"

"Don't. I will send a maid with your lunch, so just relax peacefully for today." Saying Raghuveer kept watching the soldiers and horses in front of him and a heavy sigh left his mouth as he looked lost in thoughts.

Noticing the look on his face Riya caught his hand, entangling her fingers with his as she spoke, "Don't worry, Veeru. Your father will be alright."

Raghuveer passed a smile at her as he tightened his grip on her hand as he spoke, "I am not worried about my father, but the royal chaos for the throne which follows after his death is what annoys me."

His words felt strange to Riya. He is not worried about his sick father? Maybe he is just covering his emotions by acting cold towards this sensitive issue.

"Raghuveer," Vishwanath called as he walked towards them, his sight unavoidably settled on their entwined fingers, making Riya pull her hand away.

There is no need for her to do this, but around this old man, she can't help but feel dominated, after all, he knows something about her which she wants to avoid at any cost.

"I have offered my medicinal box to Dhruvan, so make sure that box is delivered to the royal physicians."

"Alright." Said Raghuveer, as his gaze now remains fixed on the physician, and shortly the time to leave has come.

Dipankar and Pulvit were already on their horses and Sahsthra was climbing the white, silver chariot.

Raghuveer stepped down to leave but instantly turned around as if he wanted to speak something with Riya, and she looked at him expectantly. But even after a few seconds of a longing look when he couldn't speak anything Riya waved her hand smiling at him, indicating him to leave.

With much hesitation, he turned away from there to the horse and Physician Vishwanath stood beside Riya on the porch as they watch the horses and chariot depart from the house with royal soldiers marching behind them.

"I just wish for those medicines to be delivered at the right time," Vishwanath spoke out of the blue as he glanced at the way in which everyone left.

"Why couldn't you take them yourself? Were you kicked out of the palace or something?" Riya tried to joke to break the awkwardness around them but he still seemed to be serious but quickly he smiled.

He chuckled slowly as he spoke, "How did you guess this perfectly?"

"What?" Riya asked as she was now confused, is he joking or was he actually kicked out?

"I was undoubtedly kicked out, there is no place in a palace for a royal who disregards his duties as a prince," Vishwanath said, as his eyes held an emotion of pain and discomfort.

"Wh-what? You were a prince?"

"Yes, and if everything went right I should have been the king. But the death of my wife made me a Queenless King, and I refused to accept another woman as my queen."

Riya felt mentally disturbed hearing that a prince who refused the throne was kicked out this ruthlessly? If he was a prince then the present king must have been his brother. How come Vishwanath is still not allowed to visit his brother on his deathbed? How cruel can these royals be? Her heart turned heavy with these thoughts knowing that Raghuveer has left for such a nasty place to visit the king.

Now, she already prays for Raghuveer and Dhruvan to be back. She doesn't want Raghuveer to face the cruelty which Vishwanath has faced. Lost in thoughts Riya sat by he porch leaning her head against the circular pillar near the patio wondering how would Raghuveer have reacted to her question if they were not interrupted.

Wondering his reaction, Riya desperately waited for him to return to their house, but only, he never did.

***