It was morning and he wasn't back yet. I went to the dining hall and saw the four of them sitting in the dining table with food ready for him.

I took my seat beside Aarthi. She was shooting me an angry glare. Should I wait for him to come too? No No No..

I started eating my food as everyone's gaze was at me. What if Arjun doesn't return today?

"Princess Thara surely doesn't know how to respect husband..", Chitra said. Aarthi scoffed.

"She doesn't have self-respect first of all. All these years, she always gets thrashed by my mother and me. Yet, she stays insensitive.", Aarthi said.

"Wait and see what's going to happen to the mother of yours..", I said with a smirk. She was surely confused.

She's going to pay for all things she have did. She's going to pay for pushing my mother from the stairs.

I finished my dinner and washed my hands. After probably 1 hour, they were still waiting. The food was already cold.

I went to the graden and looked at the beautiful flowers. It was calm and peaceful. The birds were chirping which was cute. It's really rare to see birds in 2022.

I literally jumped when I felt someone's arm around my waist. I turned back and saw Arjun making me sigh in relief.

"They're waiting for you. Go fast.", I said and he frowned.

"Why they're waiting for me? To eat breakfast?"

"Yes"

"You are done eating breakfast right?"

"Yeah. I was really hungry. But, they consider it as disrespecting you."

"It's ok.", With this he left to the palace and I continued to look at the flowers. In the corner of my mind, I was feeling jealous.

After some times, I went inside the palace and saw Aarthi and the three concubines giggling about something and Arjun reading from some palm manuscript.

I took my seat on the couch opposite to Arjun. I rested my head on the couch looking at his handsome face. He was like a Greek God any girl want to be with. In short, he was perfect.

"Why are you looking at him like this?", Aarthi whispered in my ear angrily and I smirked with my gaze not leaving Arjun.

"Because he's my dear husband", I whispered back at her still looking at Arjun. I was mocking her in which she gritted her teeth in anger.

"You're really dumb if you think I'll let you go so easily..", she muttered to me which I totally agree.

"Let's see what you're capable of doing.", I said as I got up. Arjun was busy reading those manuscripts. I took a seat beside Arjun. I was just curious what'd be in those manuscripts.

It's the first time I'm seeing palm manuscripts.

"How do you read this? There's no dots, full stop, or any punctuation marks..", I said as I took one of the palm in my hand.

"What?", He asked confused.

"Well. What's written in this?", I asked pointing a manuscript.

"It's written that as long as you do good to others, you'll be pure."

Good quote.

"Is there many more palm scripts with you?"

"Yes. I have a lot. You want to read?"

No! I want to sell. Ancient things will be worth millions in my timeline. I will make sure to steal some palm manuscripts before I leave.

I'll be rich if I sell a single palm..

"No. I will tell you when I'm free. Please lend me some when I ask you.", I said and he nodded smiling. All these time when I was talking to Arjun, I could feel the heated gaze of Aarthi.

I went back to my room and closed it behind. I rested my head for few minutes and couldn't tell when I fell asleep. I was waken up by a knock in the door.

I opened the door to see a maid.

"The empress is here. She wants to see you."

"Arjun is in the palace. Am I right?", I asked because I can't manage that lady alone.

"No. Prince left to the training ground few minutes ago."

No no no. He can't leave me alone with these crocodiles who's ready to swallow me any minute.

"Tell her I'm feeling sick."

"She seemed angry. I think it's better if you come downstairs and tell her."

"Well. I'll come. You can go", I dismissed her and made my way downstairs.

Once I reached downstairs, I saw the empress and the three concubines were kneeling infront of her and Aarthi was serving her tea. At the moment Aarthi's gaze met mine, she smirked which was suspicious.

I stood infront of the empress. She was sipping tea while positioning her gaze to look at me.

"Kneel down infront of me", she ordered which made me go mad.

I don't like someone ordering me.

I stayed silent without kneeling nor talking back. I was making her mad. Aarthi was surprised to see my guts infront of the great chera kingdom's empress.

"You're disobeying me.", The empress said fuming in anger.

"I don't have a habit to respect elders. I have a habit only to respect who deserves it. So sorry that I'm disrespecting you."

The empress got up angrily gritting her teeth.

"So, you're saying I don't deserve respect?", The empress yelled.

"I don't want to say it. But, you don't deserve being respected. For me, you're a cheap lady who tried to marry me off to an old man who have 26 concubines in the name of deal. You're a woman who don't respect other woman and treat them like a trash.", I said and everyone around was surprised or we can say shocked.

"I can put you in the cell.", She yelled and I looked at her.

"It's up to you. But, don't expect me to respect you even after that.", I said finally.

"I'm asking for the last time, will you bow me or not."

"No"

I was making her go crazy with my disrespecting words. I assume no one have ever talked to the empress in this way.

"Put her in the cell!", The empress ordered the soldiers and they were trotting towards me. I was ready for being put in jail.

They held my hands tightly making sure I don't escape. They were dragging me to somewhere when a voice stopped them.

"Stop it!", I could recognise Arjun's voice yelling at the soldiers. They stopped and left my hand immediately. Relief pooled me. Maybe, he could save me..

"What happened?", He asked. Aarthi, the concubines and the empress looked at each other. I'm pretty sure they're planning for something.

"Thara called the empress with names. I don't know since when she started using those bad words..", Aarthi lied.

"Yes. She called the empress with names and I heard it with my very own ears.", Ganga said and the other two nodded.

The empress faked some tears and pretended like crying. Oscar acting..

"A-Arjun... They're-", I was cut off by the empress.

"She disrespected me. I promise, Arjun. You can ask your trusted maids and soldiers.", The empress said. Arjun immediately called a soldier and asked if I called empress with names. The soldier looked at the empress.

Fear was evident in his eyes. Without any choice, the soldier nodded. Arjun looked at me angrily. I have never seen him this angrily. But, why do I feel like laughing? Am I having nervous laughter?

"I hope she's not the same with you, Arjun. I want to know atleast if she's respecting you. I don't care if she respects me or not. But, I want her to respect you.", The empress said with crocodile tears.

Arjun was really touched at her words. She's manipulating him with her tears.

"Apologize! Touch her feet. Apologize. And say you won't repeat it again!", Arjun yelled at me. Don't, Thea! My subconscious yelled.

"But, I-", before I could finish, Arjun yelled, "do what I said" and it made me flinch at the spot.

It would be embarrassing to do that. That's what they want and I will not let them to do it. Its time to show I have more ego than them.

"Listen to me. You cheated me to marry me. Have I said anything? No. You want to see your mother yesterday. I left my own marriage and came with you for your happiness. Now, time to show your gratitude."

"I didn't ask you to do that.. I didn't ask you to take me to my home yesterday. I said I can go on my own. But, you were adamant that you'll not let me with my brother."

"I hate your behaviour, Thara..", he said and I didn't react.

"As if I care if you hate it.", I yelled.

"You called an empress of chera dynasty with names. You should apologise for that.", He yelled back.

"What if I say no?"

"I'll send back to your kingdom back.", He said and I chuckled.

"I'll be the more happiest person if you do that. I don't want to deal with your bitchy concubines and your lying mother and my evil sister."

Their eyes widened looking at me talking like this. Most importantly, the empress was fuming in anger.

"I'm asking for the last time. Can you apologise or not?", He asked dangerously.

Don't be scared, Thara!

"No", I said and he was more angry.

"You're testing my patience", he warned. I looked at smirking Aarthi which was making me mad in angry.

"I won't apologize.", I said calmly with my head lowered.

"She's really stubborn. Why did you marry such a girl?", The empress said and Aarthi scoffed.

"She knew that no one will marry her. So, she decided to marry Arjun by cheating.", Aarthi said chuckling.

Arjun trotted towards me and held my wrist tightly. I could feel him fuming in anger. He dragged me outside and I was stumbling. The empress, Aarthi and the concubines were following me as they was curious what he's going to do to me.

"Climb over the horse!", He yelled.

"But, why-"

"Just do what I said before I slap you.", His voice was dangerous. His eyes were bloodshot with anger. I got on his nerves a lot.

I did what he said. I climbed over the horse and Arjun climbed behind me.

"What are you going to do?", The empress asked.

"I'm going to leave her back in her kingdom. She'll never come back again.", He announced and it did something to me.

Never? I-I don't really care. Do I?

"I don't care", I yelled. I want to apologise now but my ego is not allowing me to.

"I don't care too.", He yelled back and started riding the horse. I was nervous. I could feel his angry breath hitch my ear. His words kept replaying in my ears.

I'm going to leave her back in her kingdom. She'll never come back again.

I turned back to looked at his emotionless face which was only looking forward the path. He was only concentrated in riding the horse.

I don't know what should I do. I was reluctant to leave him. Finally, Aarthi was successful in her attempt to chase me away. I wish we will not reach my palace so soon.

There's many hours left to reach our palace. I was in the edge of crying. I was just holding back my tears. I was determined to not let it. My body was stiff which was pressed to his.

I don't really want to argue with him. But, he doesn't believe me. He only believes Aarthi and the empress.

Oh shit! I left my watch in his palace!

"A-Arjun.. I left something very important in your palace. I want that. It's very important to me. Please..", I looked at him in hope.

"I don't care."

"Please. I want it!", I literally yelled.

"You won't do what I said. But, you expect me to do anything you say. Am I right?", He yelled in my ears.

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