It's been few days since we fought and it was the day that the emperor's going to announce him as crown prince officially.

He haven't talked to me yet which was my biggest concern. I was just mad that I lost my watch. He have no idea how important that watch is to me nor I can tell him about it.

I closed my eyes and a lone tear left my eyes realizing that he doesn't want me to talk to him.

Did he start hating me?

Keeping those thoughts aside, I entered the restroom and changed into a proper dress to wear for the ceremony.

Then, I left outside where the whole palace was in a bustle. The whole palace was decorated.

Even though, the ceremony is going to be taking place in the main palace but I have no idea why are they decorating the palace. I am sure that it should've been Arjun who ordered them to do so.

"Princess, the carriage is waiting for you.", A soldier informed me.

"Is your highness crazy?", I asked and he frowned in confusion.

"Why?"

"Why did he order to decorate the palace even though he know the ceremony is going to take place in the main palace."

"Uhh, yeah.. our highness won't do anything without purpose. He definitely have some reasons..", he said and took his leave immediately.

"Is he in his senses?", I muttered walking outside where a horse carriage was waiting for me.

Only if he wasn't mad at me, he would've took me there in his own horse. But, why the heck did he do that!?

I hate him for this right now. I got in the carriage reluctantly and then the carriage started moving.

Being frustrated, I looked out of the window where I looked at the whole village surrounded with flowers and decorations. I was stunned to see the view. People were really happy.

I have no idea what they saw in him but it was obvious that they're trusting that he will be a good emperor. I can respect him for that single reason.

The people were celebrating as if their own some became king. It was really surprising for me to see such innocent people. Now, I know what we lack in 20th century.

"Princess, many people want to see you and give gifts to you. You want me to stop? It's ok if you're not willing to-"

"Stop the carriage. I can't deny when they give something heartly.. it would be rude.", I said and he obeyed my orders and stopped the carriage.

As I got down the carriage, there were many people surrounding and greeting me. It was a little chaotic but I liked how the whole dynasty's people want to meet me.

"You look so beautiful, dear.", An old woman said and I smiled at her.

"Thank you so much.", I said as she handed me a small box.

"Open it when you're alone.", She said with a sweet face and I nodded with a smile. I was so curious to know what was inside it.

Following the grandma, many people have several gifts leaving half of my carriage filled with gifts.

I thanked all of them one by one because each and everyone who gifted me things have spent their time for me and it would be really rude of me if I don't thank them seperately.

After few minutes, I continued my journey towards the main palace.

In few minutes, I reached the palace where it was loaded with rich decorations and happy people. The view was indeed beautiful.

I was constantly searching where he was inside the huge palace but I couldn't find him. The fact which hurts me is, he doesn't want to see me even in a happy event.

I remember how excited he was for this day. It was hurting me how he doesn't want me in this happy moment.

That's when I spotted Aarthi's face in the crowd. She was trying to cover her face with a veil which made me confused. I can sense something's going to be wrong based on her behaviour.

I tried to follow her but because of the crowd, I can't. I missed her. I searched throughout the crowd for few minutes but gave up after I was unable to find her.

I sighed and returned back inside the main palace in search of him. I decided to apologise because I don't want him to stay cold to me always. I was hurt by his behaviour but yet I'm the one who's apologising.

I went straight upstairs and searched room by room where I finally spotted him inside one of the rooms wearing the Kada which I gifted him few months ago.

A small smile crept through my lips seeing that. That's when I realised I want to live with him a hundred years. No, I could even live more than hundreds years if there was no death in our life.

Meanwhile, I was able to hear people screaming sounds outside the palace. My expression turned shocked after hearing those awful screams.

I looked inside the room as I saw Arjun's shocked expression. He turned back and rushed outside where he spotted me.

"What- what happened outside?", He asked in a serious tone.

"I don't know.", I replied where he left me and immediately left upstairs.

I rushed downstairs to see what happened even though I was scared a lot. I have no idea what was happening but I was silently hoping that there shouldn't be any problem in his crown prince ceremony.

He would be devastated if it happens.

I finally reached oustide the palace where I saw fire everywhere and people running to save their lives. The soldiers were spending their lives to save the people.

I looked at Arjun who was rescuing children from the fire not aware of his life. I don't know if he's afraid to stand next to fire but I'm literally shaking.

I was silently praying inside my mind that nothing should happen to any of us.

That's when I again spotted Aarthi's black dress. I immediately recognised that it was her. She was standing near a tree enjoying every view.

Bitch!

I made long strides towards here where she was holding a knife in her hand. I was having confidence on myself that I would be able to resist her attacks.

I don't know from where this much of confidence did I get from. Maybe, because of my anger..

Once I reached her, I immediately grabbed her hand where she was holding the knife. She noticed me and tried to attack me with her other hand but eventually failed.

I twisted her hand and the knife fell from her hand.

"You know what? Arjun will never ever love you again. He's mine and he will always be mine.", She said where I didn't understand what was her real intentions of doing this.

"What do you want from me?"

"I want your husband"

"That's never gonna happen."

"That is. And you're going to watch it with your own eyes.", She said while struggling in my hold.

"Listen, bitch! I agree that he loved you for few years but right now, he is my husband. Aren't you disgusted to steal someone else's husband?"

"You were the one who switched the bride, remember? You betrayed me!"

"You and your mother were the one who sold me for your selfishness.", I said and pushed her down where she fell down with a thud.

Suddenly I felt someone holding my hand and I turned back to see Arjun's mother. She was aimless where to go.

"What are you doing here! Hurry up, let's just leave..", she looked like she was blabbering in fear.

I was a bit surprised to hear how polite she was talking to me. But, right now, being safe from the fire should be my first priority.

"Bitch!", I heard Aarthi yelling at me and I turned back.

There was fire and smoke all around I saw her running towards me with the knife she dropped at the floor. I was stunned. I couldn't even progress what I should do.

When she came near me, I closed my eyes tightly being stiff. After few seconds of feeling nothing, I slowly opened my eyes where I saw the knife being held behind me and not at me.

I turned my face behind to see Aarthi's hand holding the knife which was stabbed in Arjun's mother's neck.

The knife was still inside of her neck which freaked me out.

"Now, Arjun will hate you himself..", she muttered while taking her hand from the knife leaving the knife inside her neck.

I was too shocked to even reach. I have never seen something like this and never knew Aarthi would go to this extend to get Arjun.

Arjun's mother collapsed on the floor where I gasped. I sat down and looked at her sufferings. I don't know what to do.

I yelled for help but nothing could be heard in the fire and smoke. I decided to take the knife out of her neck which was stabbed.

I finally took out the knife from her neck with shivering hands and quivering lips.

"Mother!", I heard Arjun's voice and turned behind to him where he gave me a shocked expression.

He looked at the knife in my hand and then his mother's dead body and then me.

Don't tell me he misunderstood me!

"A-Arjun, I-I I didn't-"

"What the hell!", I was cut off by the emperor's voice which sounded really angry.

I immediately dropped the knife which was fully covered with blood. I don't know what I have to do..

"Arjun, it wasn't me. It was Aar-"

"Soldiers! Arrest her!", The emperor yelled cutting me off where my eyes were only on Arjun who was shocked to even react.

What else one should react after their mother's dead?

But, there was a small hope inside me that Arjun will believe me. Will he think that I actually did something like this?

Most of the soldiers were busy in watering everywhere to put off the fire. Two soldiers came towards me and caught my hand forcefully and twisted my hand backward.

I let out a small sob as it hurted. But, Arjun was quiet. His expression told me he was heartbroken.

After struggling a bit, I gave up and walked with the soldiers. Everything was so sudden. I wish it's all a dream and I would wake up in his arms again.

But, I know there's no chances of it. It was reality and I have to accept it.

How am I going to make them believe the truth?

That was the only thing that was running inside my mind. Unshed tears left my eyes as I thought about Arjun.

Will he really think I killed his mother?

I was afraid he would believe all those lies. If I could get a chance to talk to him, I would explain everything and make him believe me.

Even father or my brother didn't came to the ceremony as Arjun fought with them. If they were here, they would've believed me.

I don't know when I reached the basement and I was pushed inside a cell that was very ugly. It stinks metallic smell of blood.

I felt like puking smelling that. The walls had splashes of blood which was enough to scare the shit outta me.

There was only a small source of light which was because of the fire. If it wasn't the fire, this cell would be in complete darkness.

It looked like a torture chamber. The sudden urge to cry came over me and I did.

I cried. Cried till I was able to cry. Teared until there was no more tears left.

I wish anyone who believe me was right here with me. Even if I try to explain the truth, I doubt if anyone can believe me because the knife was in my hand.

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