Finally, it's been a week and Aarthi got released yesterday. I was getting ready because today is the first selection process to choose the next emperor and I was hoping Arjun would win.

Ezhil couldn't participate because the emperor ordered not to. His order was indeed a right thing, cause an attempt rapist cannot be the next emperor.

Aarthi and those three witches were glaring at me the whole day which I totally ignored. Arjun already left to the ground ordering his soldiers to get me there safely.

It was a great humiliation for Aarthi as she couldn't order around the maids like she did before. It was because of me and I had no regrets in it.

I was wearing a beautiful red dress because last night, he said red was more suitable for me and it seems like it was made for me. I was such a blushing mess yesterday. I match the red dress with gold jewels and minimal makeup with curled hair.

I made my way outside the room where I saw four of his trusted soldiers were waiting to escort me. Since there will be many people present there, he appointed more soldiers to take care of me.

Did he do the same for Aarthi? I don't know about that, but I would be kinda jealous if he did. I made my way to the horse carriage and got in.

The carriage started moving where I could see the village people enjoying. They were excited to see who's gonna win the first step of selection process.

As they saw my carriage moving, most of them bowed and greeted me where I replied them with a warm smile and little children were offering me flowers and commented that I was beautiful.

I was surprised that the whole village was respecting me. Soon, I reached the ground and saw 13 princes standing on the ground. My eyes stuck at Arjun and I waved my hand where he smiled at me.

God! His smile!

More than 10 soldiers were guarding me as I took a special seat where the emperor and empress were seated. There were other daughters-in-law of the emperor and empress seated beside me.

"I'm the main consort of Tharun, 10th prince of this dynasty. Nice to meet you and I suppose you're Thara.", A beautiful woman who was seated beside me said and I nodded.

"Yes, I am and what's your name?", I asked.

"My name is Keerthana.", She introduced and I smiled.

"I'm the wife of last prince, Arj-"

"I know, I attended your wedding.. Your wedding was a mess but I'm happy to know that you both's relationship worked out and you both are happy.. when will we be able to see little prince?", She asked and I blushed.

"I don't plan on having a prince or princess now.", I said and she nodded understanding.

It was nice meeting her. She doesn't judge people so easily and I like that good character of hers. She's so good to me.

"Who do you think will be the next emperor?", She asked and I thought for a second.

I've seen Arjun's ability and fighting skills but I haven't seen the ability of the rest princes. I couldn't tell so easily.

"I don't know. But, I've seen Arjun talking about being a king. I know it's his biggest dream of his life and as his wife, I'll completely encourage him till he gets what he want.", I said and she grinned.

"Woww! You're so good! We can make a very good friends!", She squealed and I smiled.

"Also, I heard you don't get along that witchy empress. I don't like her too. She's so annoying and think she can order around. She doesn't even treat women as a human. Being a woman, how can she just do this!", She finally vented out.

"Yeah. Even when Ezhil was about to rape me, she cheaply said I was the one who was seducing him. He fought for her son. If Arjun wasn't in my side, I would've probably killed him on my own hand.", I said and she laughed.

"I'll do the same if Tharun wasn't in my side. He mostly takes his mother's side which is quite bothering me.", She said and I was surprised.

"Oh my God! Same here.", I said.

"How does all her son's support her no mattar if she's wrong or right?", I asked and she sighed.

"She's good at manipulating.", She said and I nodded.

"The first stage is Archery!", The head soldier yelled and everyone was ready with their bow and arrow. I saw Aarthi from a distance where she was sitting in the crowd and looking at the ground.

I ignored her and forced my gaze back to Arjun who was ready for doing Archery. Everyone got in the horse with their bow and arrow.

I learnt in my school textbooks that Archery in ancient India is used for hunting and combats while Archery in modern India is used for competition and creative activities or hobbies.

Everyone started riding the horse while bringing the string close to their face aiming at the target. They aimed and in a split second, they leave the arrow where it stuck on the target board.

I saw Arjun's arrow stuck in the precise bulls eye. Everyone around the ground got up clapping their hands and cheering the princes. I looked at others target point where everyone's arrow were stuck apart from the bulls eye.

Omg! Arjun was the only one who threw the arrow in the bulls eye!

I couldn't help but feel proud that my husband has won the first stage. He was very good playing in Archery. It's really hard to be precise while riding a horse and gladly he did.

If he was in 2022, he's gonna be the death of every girl. Girls would die to meet him or even get near him. God! Is this my boon or bane to meet this handsome guy?

"Wow! Your husband's really awesome!", Keerthana said and I grinned. I looked at the emperor who was surprised by Arjun's accuracy and the empress who was keeping her face seethed.

"There will be five minutes break before the second stage continues!", The head soldiers announced.

"You want to meet your prince?", She asked and I nodded.

"You can meet him in this 5 minutes. Wanna come with me? I'm going to meet Tharun too.", She said and we got up pacing towards where every princes were resting and drinking water.

I went near Arjun as Keerthana went to her husband, Tharun. Arjun got up surprised and circled his arm around my waist.

"Your brothers and the whole village is watching", I whispered and he smirked.

"Does it look like I care? How was my performance?", He asked and I recalled his splendid performance.

"Woah! That was awesome! Everyone was surprised. It's really hard to aim while riding on horse. How did you do that?"

"Well, It's nothing."

"Won't your brothers feel bad that they lost? Maybe, you should speak to them..", I suggested and he chuckled.

"Our bond is stronger than anything, Thar- Thea. We won't take this silly competition serious. Everyone's good excpet— Ezhil..", he said.

"I don't want to talk about Ezhil right now. What's the next competition?", I asked excited and he pecked the side of my lips.

"You'll get to know soon.."

"Come on, I'm excited. You know how curious I am to know what's the next stage?"

"You're going to know in 5 minutes anyway..", he said.

"Okay.", I said and he pecked my neck sending shivers down my spine. I was feeling awkward that thousands of people are watching us.

We pulled apart as he gulped another mouthful of water.

"It's time?", I asked and he nodded smiling. I returned the smile and there was a loud buzzing sound of the trumpet indicating that the five minutes are over.

"The second stage is sword fighting!", The head soldier announced where me and Keerthana rushed back to our placed to get a better view of the ground.

Everyone was ready for the sword fight with their sword as people clapped and cheered in excitement. I assume it's one of their entertainment thing..

I smiled at Arjun as he took a second to look at me. Princes were paired to fight. There were total 12 princes with the exception of Ezhil. Soon, the fight started as the princes started to fight with each other.

It was indeed interesting for all people. But, it wasn't the same case for me as the person fighting in the ground is one of the most important person in my life.

The fight was really vigorous and fast paced. I still remember how Tamizh and Arjun got into a sword fight before our wedding in my palace. But, the fight over here is more brutal and I couldn't guess who was fighting well as everyone's step was quick.

"Don't worry, they'll be fine.", Keerthana consoled me and I nodded.

"They're very lovable siblings. They surely won't hurt each other.", She said.

"But, why did Ezhil choose to hurt?", I asked and she sighed.

"That's because, Ezhil was the favourite son of his mother among the 17 children. He grew some ego that he's the favourite son and he have everything and everything he did will be always right and he'll be next emperor for sure with the help of his mother. But, all of them have gone in vain.", She explained and everything made sense.

"He loved you, right?", She asked all of sudden.

"No, he's obsessed with me. Would he do something like rape and killing to a person he love? No. It's clearly obsession..", I said and she nodded understanding.

Finally, the fight came to an end and the 6 people who won came forward. Arjun and Tharun was one of them which I was happy about.

The six people was paired and got into fight. The fight lasted for probably ten minutes and finally came to an end. Now, three people was there which included Arjun and Tharun and I was happy about it.

Finally, as per the emperor's order, the three got into the sword fight and I was silently praying that Arjun should win. I remember him saying that being the next emperor was his dream and I don't want him to be broken.

His years of hardwork was to become the emperor of this dynasty and it will only happen if he pass this and become the crown prince.

Finally, Arjun knocked them down on the floor in easy two steps which quite surprised me. He's freaking talented! I was looking at his handsome self as sweat dripped from his strokes of hair which made him look more perfect.

Clap sounds echoed through the whole place. The emperor was very happy that Arjun won but the empress wasn't. I can tell by her looks that she was mad that Arjun wants to lose.

The trumpet sound was heard meaning that there will be 5 minutes break for the princes. I could tell that Arjun was tired.

"You wanna come with me?", I asked Keerthana and she nodded.

"Yeah, Tharun looks so tired..", she said and I hummed walking towards them.

Once I reached, he smiled and walked towards me.

"You were awesome!", I said and hugged him tightly in excitement.

"Really?"

"Yes! You know how impressed everyone was? Especially, girls were drooling over you..", I said the last sentence in a grumble.

"And you're jealous about it..", he said smirking. I lowered my head and bit my bottom lip.

"So, what's the next stage?", I asked and he chuckled.

"You know that I'm not going to tell you. Also, I have a surprise for you after we reach home..", he said and I was curious.

"I'm waiting for us to get home..", I said and he hummed.

"What about the next selection? Is that on the ground as well?", I asked and she shook his head slowly.

"It's in my father's palace.", He said and I hummed. The buzzing sound of trumpet was heard and I sighed walking towards my place where every princes went to the ground.

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