"This is absolutely RIDICULOUS" Shravya had not failed to react the way I had expected her to.

"Who the hell do you think you are to decide" her eyes were filled with rage, her voice fuelled with disappointment.

I wished I could coil, retreat. I had never seen her so mad. Maniac .

Telling that I was scared would be an understatement. I was terrified. I did not realize until Neel had held my hand, that I was shivering. His warm hands, and firm grip offering me the tiniest comfort I could expect at that moment.

I don't know what I was so scared of, what really overwhelmed me. Was it the loud voice, the upcoming disaster that I could foresee, the fact that my brain thinks that this situation could be the basis of the incident where Shravya decides to kill Neel. I don't know. Can I be held responsible for this? Would anything be different if I hadn't been here?

"Who do you think you are to decide this?" She displayed her disapproval again.

"The bride!" Neel finally defended for his sister

I tried removing my hand from his grip as soon as the attention turned towards him, but that just made him hold it firmer.

I knew she saw it, she knew that I knew that she saw it. It was in the glance that she gave us back and forth in between our held hands and our faces.

"I have agreed upon this decision." The king's father finally took some accountability.

"Why would you do that? was it not enough for you , that my child wasted years of her life being slave to you."

"Mother!" Aarini interjected, demanding her to stop.

"She needs someone that can finally take care of her" she went ahead regardless.

Blood drained off the former king's face. It wasn't just the insult, it was the fear, the guilt, all of it that took down the RBCs.

He nodded approving, accepting the fact that no matter what, no matter how bad he feels, it Is the truth.

"That all more of a reason why Yug is the best choice." He said. "I wasn't there for my daughter, but neither were you. When I was locked up, you were the first one to leave the palace. Don't forget, you never tried to take Aarini along with you. You were always so concerned about getting off from the position of the queen when Neel was crowned."

Now it was her face that was all pale. Angry. Moreover shocked. obviously, it was her dirty laundry getting washed in public. And lo and behold, this was just the beginning.

"Only 'cause I was locked up doesn't mean I wasn't aware what was happening around."

What did I tell you about the old man. He is smart.

"I know there were no reasons, for Yug to be in that palace, so often, but yet he would drop by, atleast once in every 30 suns, regardless of how far it was. It had me curious, 'what is Neel really doing, to send a minister here so often. It wasn't later that I realized, he was coming there to check upon Aarini, something you and I should have done."

Tears welled up in Aarini's eyes, her vulnerability showing through it. Something took my attention from the corner of my eyes. It was Yug standing there, listening to all of it in patience. When everyone followed my gaze, including Queen mother who stared at Yug in pure annoyance and dissatisfaction, Yug still just stood there bowing down to everyone in obedience.

I would have loved to hear more about the deeds of this female no one was fond of, but I guess that was it for now. The royal family dispersed back to hide in the mighty property.

----

Neel took my hand, and along with him took me back to his quarters. Ignoring all the weird glances we were getting from people around. Some thinking what it really was, while others guessing 'I was screwed'.

"Where are you taking me, everyone's looking at us?"

"When have you started becoming concerned about others."

He had my mouth zipped. He was right. I was never bothered, but I guess I was slowly getting used to the life here. And I was more concerned about him than me.

We entered the huge, royal, aesthetic room. The quarters where the king rests.

He sighed, "I don't know, am I doing things right?" he questioned, the tone voicing his fears.

I looked at him confused. What is he really talking about.

"Am I taking the right decision for my sister. You know she deserves the world."

"You are not taking any decision for your sister, you are just letting your sister take a decision for herself." I explained. While he just looked at me , and nodded.

"You're right."

There was a knock on the door. A royal guard, standing erect, bowed down. Neel looked annoyed, but the royal guard couldn't obviously see it.

"Minister Yug and Your Majesty's sister have requested to meet you" he said. I was confused but then I realised, this was the king's quarters. No one, literally no one was allowed here.

Except myself.

And this stupid guard.

Neel approved of their presence.

Aarini looked sad, devastated. "I am sorry for whatever happened there. Mother was very mean to Father, I am sorry. This is all because of me."

"Shh! It's okay. It wasn't like we were expecting anything better. We knew how she would react. But trust me, none of it matters. As long as you are sure of this."

"We are very sure. this is what we want." She affirmed.

"That's it." I concluded.

Yug offered me a polite smile, a formal one at that. The one that said thank you .

yuck!

Yug shouldn't be formal with me, he is my best friend.

"let's go for a " I was suddenly ecstatic about this new idea that popped up in my head.

"What?" Neel was done. He was done with me using stupid words.

"Let's go out together, all four of us."

"Where?" Aarini was the first one to catch up on my excitement

Bff for a reason.

"I don't know, you tell me. We shall eat something nice, go out for a romantic walk, maybe."

"I can't stay out of the palace for long. I have been in the other palace with father for over a month. There are things that immediately need my attention." Neel said.

Boring. I rolled my eyes.

"but we can atleast eat something together. Something delicious."

"Like what?"Aarini asked.

"I have many things actually." I said and immediately felt a warm breath close to my ear.

"You are not giving them the syrup, are you?" Neel whispered. He sounded genuinely concerned.

I chuckled to myself ignoring the weird gazes from the couple standing ahead of us.

"No" I whispered back.

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