We were roaming in the market of 1441, four of us.

Neel had joined our brigade the last minute like he always did. I don't know what was up with him. What was he so concerned about?

I was too happy to actually mind him. It was my first time in this era seeing outside than the palace.

I mean I did travel from the central palace to this one but that's not supposed to be counted.

Aarini had been sticking around me, blushing a little too much every time she saw Yug. I don't know how she managed to not notice it but I did see Yug steal glances at her.

"I saw a good 'jewelry and accessories store' behind. I want you to take me there." I went to Neel and demanded.

Both the men were walking ahead of us. Hands folded behind, just taking a stroll and stopping at nowhere in particular.

They weren't out for shopping. They were body guarding us

He turned around to look at me, and I am sure I must have arrived as a surprise to him.

"You are asking me?" he confirmed

"Yes" I affirmed "just you." I looked straight in his eyes. He seemed confused at this but pulled himself back together.

"Fine. Let's go." He turned in the opposite direction. "You two go ahead. We'll catch you soon." The king turned to Yug and Aarini. Aarini eyed at me controlling her urge to smile while Yug just shot me a glance and turned to the king to bow down to him in obedience.

---

We went ahead, this time him maintaining his pace to walk next to me.

Sweet.

None of us spoke anything. None of us knew what to speak about.

The world here was very different from what I imagined. It was slow here. Fresh and peaceful. Nothing here was cemented and therefore everything just looked so fragile and temporary.

Like my stay in this world.

"Thank you." He said, breaking the ice.

I turned to look at him, tall, next to me.

"For?—ah for yesterday, getting your dad out of his room! It's okay." I said back to him.

"For that too." He said, confusing me this time. I just glanced at him wanting him to continue.

" I was there yesterday when you were talking to my father. I wanted to thank you for that" he continued.

I was surprised. I don't know if I should be embarrassed. I mentally replayed my conversation with the old king to check if I had said anything disrespectful or mean. But luckily I did not.

"I want him to come with us to our palace, thanks for putting the offer in front of him so effortlessly." Can't Neel just forever be this way to me. Polite.

I just smiled in response unclear of what should I say next.

Every passerby who could identify him was stopping and bowing down to him, whom he quickly dismissed.

Royalties.

This was one of the other reasons why I couldn't have a proper conversation with him. We were always interrupted.

"When are you giving me another cup of that syrup?" he spoke again trying to keep the conversation going

"Syrup?" I later realised he was talking about coffee.

"Ahh that is called a " I chuckled

"Yes that."

"Alright let all of us have it today." I didn't want to suggest drinking alone with him, although I did want to.

"I thought you said it was supposed to be our secret!" he spoke immediately.

"Ya right"

"I just want us to be there Jiera." Had the world around been a little silent, I am sure he could hear my heart thump out loud at this. I don't know what was so beautiful about hearing him call my name.

I hoped I was not as red as Aarini would turn when she would see Yug.

He was still looking at me with that same serious focus. The one that evidently said that he was not fooling around.

"Just you and me?" I didn't want to take any wrong hints. Please

He nodded firmly in approval.

"Okay." I spoke meekly. "Tonight?" I asked him

"Sure." he once again turned to look ahead.

"But-" I said again.. "I don't know where to find you."

"I'll show you the directions to my room." He said as if it wasn't a big deal.

I hope it isn't.

---

Both us were smiling for definitely different reasons. Both me and Aarini. We sat together in our room but none of us actually present here.

"How did it go?" I finally asked her

"What?" she was still blushing

"your

"hmm?" she leaned ahead to hear me better.

"Your time with him?" I made myself clear.

She turned red again.

"He was polite. This was the first time I have spoken to him for so long." Her head fixated on the floor, and her facial muscles getting stretched with the forever lasting smile on her face.

Touchwood

"You know he got me these." She pulled out a set of long traditional earrings. They were delicate and intricately designed like most of the jewelries here.

"What did he say?" I sat up straight facing her on the bed and I grabbed the jewelry to inspect.

"He said- 'I don't know what a king's sister will like, but I believe this will look good on you.' And so we got this one"

Aarini would jump with joy if she would know any better. I was glad I could atleast, for real, make one royal member happy.

I was more than surprised. I did not know Yug can be such a 'lover'.

Also it brought me to another question: What kind of lover will Neel be.

I don't know why my thoughts roamed there. But Iam sure it's going to stay there for a while.

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