I never thought this would burst into an argument between us. I was sitting on the dining table for few minutes now. I don't want to go to our room and see his face.

After sometime which felt like hours, I decided to go to my room. I'm not going to care about his presence over there. I drank some water and paced towards my room and opened the door revealing Arjun sitting on the couch and reading some palm scripts.

I entered and closed the door behind. I plopped on the bed and looked at Arjun whose full focus was on the damn palm script.

"I'm sorry for talking rude..", I muttered in the silent room.

"It's not about you talking rude. It's about the spies, Thea. How would you feel if someone is eavesdropping us behind the door? You feel suffocated right?"

"It's not about eavesdropping. It's just my brother is assuring my safety. He would not be peaceful knowing I can get into any problem anytime..", I said trying to justify my words.

"So, you're ok with someone eavesdropping.."

"Absolutely no..", I said and he shook his head in disbelief.

"I don't want this change into an argument. Just keep your damn mouth shut!", He said and I didn't talk anymore.

I shake the thoughts out of my mind and believed that this anger and argument would be over soon.

Since I was feeling suffocated inside the room with Arjun, I went to the garden and was having a fresh breath. I was sitting on the wooden bench looking at the flowers and birds.

I looked at the sunset and realised it's time for me to go back. It's really punching my ego that I should go back to my room.

He's an asshole!

I walked to the living room and plopped on the couch. I wasn't willing to look at him. Plus, there will be an argument if we're in the same place.

Soon, it was night and I have already settled in the dining table while the maids were serving my food. I felt someone's presence beside me and turned back to look at Arjun.

I turned my head at the moment my eyes met his. I focused on my food and only food.

"What's your problem?", He muttered.

I didn't reply and continued to eat. I started ignoring him. I could feel his sharp gaze which was fixed on me.

"Talk to me", he said in a ordering tone.

You couldn't order me around like you do with your side consort and concubines, Arjun..

"I'm pretty sure you heard me..", he said and started eating. Meanwhile, I was stuffing the tasteless kali with fish gravy which was not that oily and spicy. In short, it wasn't in my taste!

It was hard for me to swallow the pieces.

Maybe, it would've tasted good if I'm in 2022. They would've added so many oils and spices to make it delicious.

"You don't like the food?", Arjun asked looking at me struggling to swallow the food. I shook my head without any choice. I didn't even finish one part of my food.

I'd rather starve to eat this.

After swallowing the single piece of Kali, I was drinking water. Water is more tastier than this food.

"Okay. Don't worry about how much time you take to eat. Just make sure to finish everything..", he said washing his hands. He finished his food so soon even though there were many in his plate compared to mine.

"I'm not eating this. Eww!", I said making a disgusted face looking at my food.

"You can't waste that. You know how many people out there are struggling for this food?", He said and I turned my face.

"I don't like it when you don't look at me while I'm talking..", he stated.

"It isn't my concern..", I said and he took a sharp intake.

"Come on, try to eat it. It's tasty nah.."

"Then, it means your tongue is dead.", I said and I heard him chuckle.

"Okay then, I'll order my men to get some good from shops..", he said and I nodded.

"What do you prefer to eat?", He asked.

"I want rice with puzhi kulambu, appalam and fried potatoes. Everything should be super spicy and oily. Mainly, remember the last word.."

"You mean everything being spicy and oily is very important?"

"You got the point!"

"Why don't you eat something healthy?", He muttered and marched towards the soldiers.

He repeated my order and mentioned that it should be spicy. I sighed, placing the kali aside. The soldiers left and Arjun sat in the dining table beside me.

"You have changed..", he said. Yeah, because I'm not the person you think and I am..

"Yeah, maybe.."

"There was time when you'd eat this the whole three times a day.", He says and I was about to puke.

Eeks! Who would like this?

Maybe, it's only me who don't like it..

"Okay, anyway, I'm not the same anymore. You know what? People change frequently. We can't be the same all the time. Maybe, tomorrow, you could not be the same person anymore. Maybe you'd change into a person who is selfish and ruthless..", I lectured.

"What about you? You've changed into a person who's more stronger and brave. I don't know what changed you.. But, I like this change.", He said and I smiled.

"Really? So, you want me to stay like this forever?", I asked.

"Yes please.."

"Okay. Your highness don't want to please me. I'll always be what you wish, your highness..", I said dramatically.

"I like the way you're you. Being yourself is the best version I'd like to see..", he said and I chuckled.

Soon, after probably 10 minutes, the guards came with the food parcel which was wrapped in banana leaves. They placed the food in the table and dismissed themselves.

I unwrapped the parcel and smelled the delicious food.

"It's awesome!", I exclaimed and he smiled. He definitely didn't like me eating oily and junk foods which isn't healthy. But, little he did know I'm used to eating these junk foods.

"Okay. Eat fast and let's go to bed. Yes?"

"Yeah. Fine..", I said.

I was so excited to eat the delicious food. After so many days, I'm finally going to have a food that's tasty and spicy. All the foods I have eaten was tasty too but not till the level of 2022 fast foods.

I started eating the meal little by little. I was eating slowly because I don't know when I'm going to eat like this again. Maybe, there's chances that I will not eat tasty foods like this anymore..

"Eat fast... It's already 12.", He said.

"Come on, what we're going to do if we sleep so fast. We have all day long tomorrow to sleep. So, don't worry..", I said and continued to eat bit by bit.

"You became lazy.. you have to be up tomorrow at sharp 5 and you're getting ready within 6. Then, you're going to come with me to the temply and be atleast a little devotional. Since you came here, I never saw you praying.", He said and I took a pause form eating.

"Being devotional doesn't mean we have to pray all day long. We pray to God in our mind and God can hear our prayers. Good people don't believe in God for good things to come ahead. It will happen automatically.", I explained.

"That's- praying is very good habit and you should follow it everyday."

"That will be followed by people who insist on getting up early. I don't insist on getting up early and forcing someone to get up from sleep is a form of torture."

"It's always torture for you if I say anything that you don't like..", he complained.

"Am I forcing you to follow things that you don't like? No. So, don't force me as well..", I said and continued to eat.

After an hour, I was done with eating and went off to bed along with Arjun. I cuddled with him and the next moment, I went off to sleep peacefully.

I got up as the sunlight hit my face and I grumbled getting up. I looked at the time which read 11:00 a.m. Arjun wasn't beside me.

I freshened up and changed into a red and black mixed dress with heavy works. I wore ornaments with light makeup. I really learnt to dress myself in this heavy clothes without any help so soon.

I went out where the maids were ready with the breakfast. I ate Idli and sambar for the breakfast. But, there was difference between this recipe and the future recipe that I knew.

I looked at the concubines sitting in the couch probably tensed.

So, they've returned..

I assume Aarthi returned too because the concubines are like parasites which stick with her.

Arjun already left for some work out in the village. I looked around and saw no one who was Tamizh's spies. I was a little disappointed that there's no one to inform my condition to my brother anymore.

But, anyway, I didn't bother about them and plopped on the couch parallel to the. I couldn't see Aarthi anywhere and I was more than grateful for that.

Sighing, I gulped a glass of water and started to do some embroidery on clothes. I learnt to do embroidery from Adhira before marriage. I got a sudden interest in embroidery and started doing it in couch itself.

I was designing a sword symbol in Arjun's jippa. It's really interesting to try embroidery in his dress. But, the problem is, it's his favourite jippa and I was silently praying God that it shouldn't go wrong.

If it goes wrong, I'm done.. He will definitely not leave me alone. Even though, the jippa is really old and have a small hole in the collar.

I like how men doesn't give up on their favourite shirt even though if it's torn.

But, I have to accept the fact that I was never like that. My favourite dress changes time to time.

After probably 1 whole hour, I looked at the perfect sword embroidery which was made by me. I was feeling proud of myself.

I was excited to show it to Arjun. He'd definitely love it!

I went back to the room ignoring the concubines who was still being seated in the couch. They didn't interfere in my stuff nor fought with me which gave me relief.

I was waiting in the bed for him to come home soon. After waiting for two whole hours, I heard the door knob twist, the door open and Arjun walked in.

He looked so happy. I don't know why but I was happy that he was. I gave him a warm smile where he marched towards me. Before I could process what was happening, he pulled me into a tight hug and I heard his giggling sound.

"Can I know what's reason for your happiness?", I asked and we pulled apart where he frowned.

"You don't know what day is it? This is the day where the third selection process..", he said.

"Third? You didn't tell me it's today.", I said.

"I thought you know.", He said.

"What happened in the third selection process? Did you win? What competition is it?", I loaded him with a ton of questions.

"I won.. and, it's just about some logical questions about people. Father wants to know how much we care about people's happiness, health and wealth."

"Oh.. What were the question?", I asked curiously.

"He cleared his throat and asked to us in a strong echoing voice I'm the emperor of the kingdom as you know. I'm not a good king and is charging a lot of tax at people. As a prince of the dynasty, what'd you do?"

"What did you answer?"

"What would you answer if you were in my place?", He asked. I thought for few seconds thinking about all the logics.

"Maybe, I'll just advice the emperor and if he doesn't listen, I'd provoke people to a small protest against this..", I answered unsure of my answer.

"This was the answer of other princes except me.", He said and I was surprised.

"Really! Everyone answered like this?"

"Yeah, they didn't tell something that would be unmanageable by the emperor. They just said something that is manageable.", He said.

"What did you answer?", I asked.

"I said I'd war against you. I'll show you what's the power of people. People may not always be the same innocent one. They can turn into swords anytime and I will give them an idea of war against you and I'll be the core of the war."

"Woah! Let me guess what happened next. The emperor would've liked your guts and made you won."

"Hell, yeah! He said he wanted the next emperor after him to be courageous and not to fear anyone in this whole world."

"Yeah, that's right. Even if a God is wrong, it can't be persuaded. Wrong is always wrong.."

"You got it.."

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