I finally went back to Aarini's room after spending somewhere around half an hour, strolling in the garden, that had now been the witness of our confession, with him. Holding on to his warm hands that even had bruises and calluses formed due to his battles, practice and workout. But ofcourse he wasn't embarrassed of them and neither were I.

What I did find weird however, is that in the little time we were still together, Neel yet hadn't asked me anything about Yug and Aarini. And I don't know if it was relieving or scary.

He cannot be avoiding the topic completely, can he?

With butterflies still lingering around in my stomach, I finally managed to quietly open the massive door of her bedroom, expecting her to be sleeping.

But she wasn't there.

I looked around on the floor and asked the security guards standing out, but to no avail. I did not know where did she go, and to be honest I did feel guilty for leaving her all be herself when she genuinely needed me.

Suddenly the door opened, allowing a very lost, scared, Aarini in. Her focus seemed lost.

"What's wrong?" I asked rushing towards her. "Where were you?"

She looked at me blankly, answering none of the questions.

"What is wrong?" I shook her this time.

"I-" she stuttered. "I told father about it." She spoke softly

What the fuck!

"About what?" please don't be what I am thinking.

I was scared. If incase I somehow manage to convince Neel about Yug and Aarini, but his father doesn't allow, it's gonna go down in drain.

"I was impulsive. I was confused. I thought it was the best thing to do. But I guess I messed up." She cried out.

"What did you tell him?"

"That I want to marry Yug. That Yug is all I want. And that if I don't get to marry him, I won't marry at all."

"

"hm?"

"What did he say?"

"Nothing. And perhaps that's the most scary part of all."

What the hell is up with this father and son. Why won't they comment anything?

"I am scared. He will throw Yug out of the palace." Aarini continued crying

"Your father won't do that. He is not that mean."

"You don't know anything Jiera. He was the most strict, most ruthless King when it came to his disciplines and morals. He can do anything."

"But Yug holds an important position in the court. They can't just let him leave."'

"Are you seriously dumb. Don't you know how many people are willing to grab that seat. There is a slit-throat competition. It doesn't take long for these people to replace each other. They had easily replaced my father, the King. They don't care."

I was terrified. I didn't dare say Aarini that now not only her father but also Neel knows about it. And he had the same reaction.

I was scared for Yug. Had we just created a mountain of trouble for someone who had clearly warned us about it. It wasn't fair to him.

----

Brinda knocked on my door and I greeted her with a troubled face. I had trouble sleeping last night, due to multiple reason.

Good and the bad.

"Why are you so early?" I was still tired.

"I am sorry. But Your Majesty wanted me to hand this to you immediately." She held in front of me a folded piece of paper.

"Neel.. I mean Your Majesty sent this for me?" I was still confirming. The anxiety or the butterflies, in my stomach started making their presence evident.

Brinda just nodded in response.

"ok."

I don't know what Brinda thinks of me now. Does she think something is up between me and Neel?

I dismissed Brinda and opened the letter. It read "Meet me in my personal quarters once you are ready. You are the first person I want to see. Let's go to the court together. And I have told the guards to allow you in, so don't worry."

As much as I was blushing, I was equally scared. I had zero clue how a traditional romance works. I did not even know if it was okay.

Even with the absence of clocks, these oldies were always punctual for their work. I had been keeping a track, and I realized, Neel reaches the Royal Court at the same time, they summon the court at the exact same time, they eat regularly at the exact same time and I don't know how do they manage to do it daily.

Neel said he wanted us to go the Court together, so I had to get ready and rush to his quarters as soon as possible.

The guards, as Neel promised, did not stop me from entering, instead made way for me.

I knocked his door, and waiting for his response, entered HIS room.

For the first time. His scent dominating the massive room.

He turned to look at me as I shut the door.

"Are you serious?" I whispered. As if the guards hadn't already seen me.

"hmm?" he raised his eyebrows.

"People will talk about us. Its not right."

"people do that all the time. Why does that bother you? I was serious when I said I like you. I have got nothing to hide." He couldn't comprehend my doubts. But if he was okay with it, I'd trust him.

"Fine. Why did you call me here for?" I asked

"I told you, you were the first person I want to see." I smiled in response.

Does he know he sounds such a teenager right now. But I am not complaining. I like this version of him.

"Let's go" he said, offering me his hand to hold.

"Wait!"

He looked at me, wondering what I was up to.

Well even I did not know what I was thinking.

I leaned ahead, standing on my toes, holding him by his shoulder, in attempt to kiss him on his cheek.

"What was that?" he slowly pulled away, holding his cheek, not matching my eyes, and smiling to the ground.

"Does the king even blush?" I teased him, trying to match his eyes.

"Keep quiet. What was that?" he smiled.

"A.. " I said.

"What?"

"umm... just my way of wishing that you have a good day ahead" I tried explaining him in the best way I could.

He finally looked at me and before I could understand, he left a small trace of his lips on my left cheek.

"I am already having one. I hope you have one too."

There was nothing we could do except staying silent and smiling at each other.

"let's go" he said again, extending his hand out for me to hold.

We were walking through corridors after corridors, most of them empty, and if anyone would be around, we would free ourselves off one another's grip.

"Don't you think we have something more to talk about?" I finally asked him after pondering about it a million times in my head. His relaxed face flexed in response.

"I know we do." He acknowledged. I remained silent for him to continue, and as if sensing this, he went ahead.

"I will talk to Aarini and Yug directly about it." I don't if I should be happy about the fact that he hadn't yet come to a conclusion, or scared that he hadn't yet come to a conclusion.

But I had decided to tell him about this for a reason- I wanted him to take the matters in his hands. I was okay with relying on him, and so I did not push it further.

We entered the royal court and as if this was not all, we had another intriguing site waiting for us.

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