Author's Note

First of all, I must thank each and every one of you who bought the previous chapter. Your support, which I did not expect, has been a significant boost. More than 300 people purchased the chapter and read it, not only providing me with financial stability but also reinvigorating my motivation to write even faster. The concept of this passive income has played a crucial role in rebuilding my motivation, reminding me of the value of my work and allowing me to focus more on MHU.

I hope you will keep loving the chapters here as much as you enjoy them on Wattpad.

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Chapter ~ 16 Delicate Roses

Abhinandan POV

It had been a few days since Rudra's crowning ceremony. And, as I had promised Daadisa, I found myself back at the Temple with her. The familiar scent of incense and the soft glow of the candles brought a sense of peace. Daadisa's smile was radiant, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of happiness at the sight of it.

I even contended to have my family back. Everything was improving between my mother and grandmother, but nothing was improving with my father. Neither was I trying to. I had avoided him at all costs as I knew I would say the wrong things. I did not want to preach before the King; he would not want to listen.

Well, there was nothing to listen or do now. The damage to our reputation and pride was done.

Speaking of pride, I was also trying to forget about Trisha. She was getting married, and I should not have thought about an almost-married woman. It was immoral.

And, speaking of marriages, a group of ladies entered the den of the Temple to celebrate someone's pre-wedding ritual. I did not care who she was, and I immediately looked away as we were done praying and offering.

But, my Daadisa wished to stay longer to enjoy it. I did not know what kind of obsession she had with marriage. According to her, getting married was the only greatest thing in life. Ever since I knew I was alive on this earth, she had talked about me getting married to a beautiful Princess.

Growing up, once a week, she would remind me of my invisible wife, sometimes over a spoonful of sweet dish that one day my wife would cook for me, or a ring that I would give her after our wedding, or this or that.

She had dreamt of my wedding more than I did. Even my parents were crazy about my wedding more than Nandani's. They wanted a grand celebration for it. Like the Baarat would go on a vast Elephant, there would be a month-long feast, everyone would be there, and it would be grandest.

But I had no thoughts like that. Even, I had no thoughts at all about my wedding.

I came down and stood beside my horse. I could not help but wonder if Trisha's pre-wedding ritual would also begin in a few days. I did want to stop her from getting married, but I could not figure out the 'why'.

And, considering my previous standings over the last few matters, I had to point out that 'Why'. I could not force her to stop marrying over nothing. I did not know what to do even if she denied getting married on my word.

I sighed deeply.

What was it?

And, why the other day did I feel as if someone lit the torch to help me see the direction when Agastya asked me to suppose we were getting married?

I did not want to marry Trisha.

Or did I?

I pressed my teeth together to shake my mind off it. I noticed the soldiers standing around me. The weather was a good day.

After a few moments, I noticed that my Daadisa and those ladies had come down, too. I smiled when I saw my grandmother walking closer to me with Prasad in her hand.

"Here," she offered me, but I had no option but to take it. I only liked Kheer in sweets.

"Do you know who the girl was?" my Daadisa and I ignorantly looked away while helping her sit in the palanquin.

"It was Guruji's daughter," and when these four words came out of her mouth, my eyes widened with shock.

"What?" I immediately looked up to look at the ladies walking away.

Suddenly, I wanted to run and stop her. But a pang in my chest occurred when I realised she was getting married for real.

"Abhinan," my Daadisa called, and I gulped nervously, staring at her smiling face.

"She is a nice girl. You know, when I said that I wanted a beautiful girl for you, she suggested that I find someone who can understand you instead of beautiful. She told me that you look for peace over beauty," Daadisa said, and I lowered my gaze.

My hands fisted over my knees as I squatted down to her level.

She knew me better than I did. Yes, it was the answer to all my questions. I wanted peace, not love, not drama, nothing, just peace.

And, a thought of seeking my peace in her crossed my mind.

"I really wish to attend her wedding," her words brought me out of my thoughts, and I could not stop myself from saying.

"She is not getting married," I stood up and signalled the convoy to move. "At least not to that, Shantanu." Those words were inaudible for everyone.

It was not like Shantanu was not a good man, but why was he still unmarried?

I could not understand why his brother, also a soldier in the Mahabaleshgarh, got married in his teens while he did not.

Something was fishy.

But I did not care about him; I wanted Trisha to dump him.

Climbing up my horse, I moved along the convoy to the Kingdom. Once I left Daadisa there, I rode towards Trisha's home.

I had to talk to her.

But, as always, the hurdle was at home. Guruji was sitting outside on the cot. Until he was here, I could not step inside.

Thankfully, it was getting dark. That meant he had already had dinner and would sleep there only or go to the Ashram.

But why would he go to sleep in the Ashram?

And, until he was here, I could not meet Trisha.

But why was I hiding behind the tree?

I immediately stepped back and looked at the trunk. I could not believe it. How stupid I was becoming.

I could walk in straight and tell Guruji I wanted to talk to Trisha.

But he would not allow that. He would come up with something and send it back to me. No, no, no. It was a terrible idea.

I looked up and inhaled deeply. I think I should either wait or come later.

But a broad smile appeared on my face as soon as I noticed it was cloudy. And, the moment a slight tingle of lightning appeared, my smile grew even more comprehensive.

Now, I only had to wait.

I yawned as it was almost past midnight, and it still did not begin pouring.

I lay under the tree, waiting for Guruji to move. I felt dizzy. Another yawn followed, and I could not help but close my eyes.

I did not know when I fell asleep and did not wake up until I felt water droplets over my face.

My first thought was why I was sleeping under the tree. But I quickly remembered why I was doing so.

Standing up faster, I noticed that Guruji was not there anymore. Suddenly, it started raining cats and dogs, and in a few moments, I was drenched.

But nothing could stop me today, I reminded myself.

If my problems were not more significant, I sneezed harder. Not again!

Like my mother, I had a strange sickness from the rain. I would begin sneezing when drenched in it, and my fingers would run cold.

But, it was not the time to pay attention to sickness. I could not return before meeting her. Collecting all my courage, I stepped forward and reached the front door. I looked around to see if anyone had seen me because I would have been finished if it had.

Thankfully, no one was around. I placed my hand on the door and gently pushed it open.

Why the hell was she sleeping with the open door?

I did not mind. It was dark here, and I heard her voice as soon as I placed my foot inside.

"Pitaji,"

It came from the other side of the partition, from where the very dim light of the candle spread into the corner, too.

I did not say anything, but my stupid cold made me sneeze.

"Aacchhhiiiiiiiiiiiiii,"

The noise of her bangles followed, and in a few moments, she walked out of the partition, keeping the dupatta on her head.

"Yuvraj," she was shocked.

And I sneezed again.

"Aacccccccchhhiiiiiiiiiiiii," this was the bigger one.

She looked around and then stared at me with questioning eyes. "What are you doing here?" and asked, stepping forward.

Her voice seemed afraid, so I closed my eyes for a moment. "I am sorry. I did not want to scare you, but Guruji would not move from outside," I tried to say, and she immediately stepped towards the door.

"Pitaji! where is he? And how did you come inside? Is he not outside?" She asked and opened the door.

I immediately closed it, and she looked at me with surprise.

"It's raining heavy, Trisha," I said, inhaling sharply before asking, "Can we talk?" She turned even more afraid.

"Please," I could not help but add, and another uninvited sneeze followed.

"You are wet and falling sick," she exclaimed and walked away from there to bring the small candle. She took out a pair of foot-length-length loincloths for me. "Here, change into it, or you will catch a cold,"

She hesitantly looked at me and then suddenly pointed at the partition.

"You should change; I am there," she said, and I nodded. It was better to agree with her, or I would have fallen sick.

As she stood on the other side of the partition, I stripped my clothes and wrapped the Lioncloth around me.

"I am done," I said in a low voice, and she walked out of the partition. Her eyes widened noticeably when she saw me, and I couldn't help but shrink a little.

"Umm, do you have any shawls? I am feeling cold," I asked, and she nodded nervously. Cold was not the actual thing I felt; it was my half-nakedness.

She took a warm shawl from the trunk and told me, handing it over, "My father's clothes are in the Ashram. The ration for the wedding needed to be stored here," she said, looking around. I followed her gaze to notice the large oil, wheat, and vegetable vessels.

"Yes, wedding," I muttered, lowering my gaze, and she asked.

"Should I warm up water for you?"

There was no stove inside. To use it, she had to walk out and light the fire, which did not look sensible at all.

"No need," I said, and she stood nervously at the door.

"Trisha, do not marry Shantanu," I could not help but say. She immediately lifted her gaze to me and shook her head.

"Why?" Her reaction was predictable.

"Because I do not want you to," I said, and she looked away, sighing with disbelief.

"You do not understand, Yuvraj," her voice seemed broken, and my hand went for hers to make her look at me. She trembled as I cupped my fingers around her wrist, fisting her hand to have her attention. The dim yellow-orange light from the mud oil lamp embraced her almond skin, making it glow like gold. Ethereal.

"Then make me understand," I suggested, noticing the shadow of our united hands on the muddy wall. My fingers clutched against her wrist firmer, and she gasped as I pulled her closer to me to decrease at least a foot of distance. The dupatta slipped down her head, forcing me to stare at her bare head. The tiny strands of her hair, which refused to stay in the restraints of the braid, tickled around her cheek.

After all, everyone loves freedom.

"Aap... ese hamara haath nahi pakad sakte, Yuvraj,"

"You... cannot hold my hand like this, Yuvraj," she reminded me in an uneven voice. I clenched my jaw, pulling her even closer. The anklet on her feet became noticeable for the first time, and I felt tightness in my chest.

"Hum haath tak nahi pakad sakte or jisko aap jaanti tak nahi uske saath aap vivah kar rahi hai,"

"I cannot even hold your hand, and you are getting married to a person whom you do not even know," I exclaimed, wondering how blind she could me, that she could not even see that he might hurt her, exploit her, touch her or maybe force her.

"Vo pati banne wale hai hamare,"

"He is going to be my husband," she said with determination, and I felt enraged.

I could not help but pull her closest and twisted her hand behind her back. My heartbeats raced with anger, and her eyes widened with shock.

"Abhi!" she gasped, and I could notice her heartbeats audible.

When I heard my name in her mouth, my fingers trembled to keep her this close. I should not do this to her. Or to anyone.

But her eyes boring into mine with questions and her lips slightly parted to breathe heavier built a strange confidence in me. My blood felt thicker and warmer, and I gently pulled her even closer.

She inhaled deeply and blinked nervously, shifting on her toes as our chests collided.

"Agar vo aapke saath ese karega to?"

"What if he does this with you?" I asked, trying to make her see the consequences of marrying him.

She shook her head slowly.

"Hamari kalai dukh rahi hai, Yuvraj. Hamara haath chodiye, hamari choodiyan toot jaengi,"

"My wrist is hurting, Yuvraj. Leave my hand, or my bangles will break," she demanded in a newly determined voice. My jaw tightened, seeing her ignore my question.

"Trisha, ek baar vivah ke baad aap usse chhod nahi payengi,"

"Trisha, once you marry him, you cannot leave him," I tried to tell her, but she looked away from my eyes. She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to pull her hand from my hold.

I melted seeing her struggling and cupped her face with my bare hand. She flinched as I touched her cheek and made her look into my eyes.

"Trisha, please. I do not want you to get married," I requested again, and I noticed a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Bass itni si baat nahi maan sakti aap hamari?"

"Can you just not agree with this one thing?" I asked, and she shook her head slowly.

"I have lost my father's trust in me, and I cannot afford to lose him just because a Prince does not want me to marry," she said, and I inhaled sharply and noticed her quivering lips.

"It's not... just a Prince does not want you to marry," I tried to say, and she gulped.

"Then help me understand what it is," she demanded, and I could not help but feel thirsted by her lips. I had never felt this urge before. They were beautiful—a similar shade of roses, a tiny mole under her lower lip building a desire in me to touch them to measure their delicacy.

My thumb moved painfully slow from her cheek to her lower lip, wondering if she would allow me. She began breathing heavier. Her gaze was confused, but her struggle came to a halt.

"Abhi!" she inhaled deeply and I blinked, controlling myself as I was hanging between a thread of righteousness and my cravings.

But, it seems like when the day ends, the rain begin, people hide in homes and the eyes find the one, cravings become stronger and the righteousness wraps into the hands, crumbling between the desires.

My face leaned in closer and she lowered her gaze. Our foreheads touched and she shook her head.

"Please," she breathed and I closed my eyes.

"This is not right," she reminded me and I felt my hand loosening on her wrist. She did not pull her hand back but said in a breaking voice.

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Chapter 17 ~ Marry me

Trisha POV

"Aapke kehne par nahi karte vivah, Naa awashye keh dete parantu ab bhot der ho chuki hai, or hum vivah nahi karenge to kya karenge. Poore gaao me bahut badnami ho chuki hai hamari. Sab jaante hai ki hum apne ghar se vivaah ke kuch din poorv bhaag gaye the. Ab hum yaha kisi se drishti tak nahi mila paa rahe. Naa hamare pitaji humse baat karte, na Rudra Bhaisa, Ranvijay or Agastya yaha hai, or naa hi ab hum Ghaat par jaa sakte kisi se do baat karne or apni sakhiyo se milne, or aap... or aap to humse bass isliye rusht hai ki humne aapke pitaji ki baat ka maan rakha or unke kehne par aapko samjhane ka prayas kiya. Ab ye vivah hi hume swatantra ki anubhooti karata hai... kitne din tak hum ek gaaye ki tarah is kutiya me chup chaap rahe or chupte rahe un nazro se, jinki drishti me hum gir chuke hai, kitne din tak?"

"I would have denied marrying him as you wish, said the 'No', but it's too late now, and what will I do if not marrying? My name has already been tarnished throughout the village. Everyone knows I ran from home a few days before my wedding. Now, I cannot even meet anyone's gaze. Neither does my father speak to me nor Rudra Bhaisa. Ranvijay and Agastya are not here, and I cannot even go to the riverbank to have a conversation with anyone or meet my friends. And you... you are upset with me just because I respected your father's words and tried to persuade you at his behest. Now, this marriage is the only thing that makes me feel like I have a chance of freedom... for how many more days should I remain hidden in this hut like a cow, avoiding the eyes of those who look down upon me? For how many more days?" I tried to explain amid the dangerous closeness between us.

My heartbeats were audible, and the way his scent was caging me around him made me feel I would faint at any moment. I could not believe he came here only to make me deny the wedding with Shantanu.

The way I could feel his knuckles against my bare lower back, goosebumps appeared over my skin like the touch of butterflies.

I could hear his heavy breathing as he pressed his forehead against mine.

"Do not marry him, Trisha," he muttered against my face, and I slowly pulled my hand from his hold. My eyes blinked nervously as he gently placed his palm on the side of my waist. It was a mere touch, but I could feel the coldness and the water-wrinkled fingers.

"Then who?" I asked, and he slowly pulled me even closer. It was getting out of control. I could not comprehend his or my intentions, which were unclear to me now.

He remained silent, and I closed my eyes, feeling his lips coming closer to mine. I could feel his raspy breath on my mouth. Our noses collided, and I used the last ounce of my sanity and placed my trembling fingers on his lips while shaking my head.

It was wrong. It was way too dangerous. He was younger than me, a Prince, and I was his teacher's daughter. Our friendship was forbidden in the first place, and if any of this happened, I would become the culprit of society.

He would never be wrong. The royals are never wrong.

I tried to pull my face away from his despite his hand on my nape.

"Me," he said, and I stood frozen. "Marry me," he said in an almost inaudible voice, and I immediately pushed him away.

"No!" I shook my head.

"No, please leave," my fingers ran cold, and my feet stumbled as I turned around.

"No," I whispered to myself.

But, suddenly, he pulled me back with a strong force, and I shivered with fear.

"I am serious, Trisha. Marry me instead if marriage is the only thing you want now," he said, and I thinned my brows.

"Why?" I asked, feeling anxious. Why was he after me all of a sudden?

"What, why? Why are you marrying Shantanu?" he asked with an anguished voice, and I heard the breaking of my bangles. I winced in slight pain due to the firmness of his hold on my wrist. It felt as if he did not want me to go.

"Because my father wants to, because he wants to, because his family wants and I...," I inhaled deeply and muttered. "Because I have said 'yes' to him," I did not know if these words were for him or if I was reminding myself.

He clenched his jaw before stepping closer to me in a hurry. "He will touch you, Trisha," his words were loathed with jealousy and less concern.

"Every husband does after the wedding," I reminded him, and he gulped.

"He will think inappropriately of you," he said, and I knotted my brows.

"And you do not?" I asked, and my words built an invisible wall of silence between us.

"Does this intention of marrying me signify that I have succeeded in seducing you?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"This is not it," he muttered, and I tried to pull my hand from his hold.

"Then, what is it?" I asked, and he lowered his gaze before closing his eyes.

"I cannot see you with any other man. I cannot settle the thoughts of you wearing bangles or anklets for a man,"

"But, for you," I cut him off, shaking my head in disbelief. I took him as a good friend, and I did not know that these intentions were there for me all the while.

He gulped silently and suddenly lifted his gaze to look into my eyes.

"Yes, for me," he declared, and I stood frozen. I could feel goosebumps appearing on my body. How could he say that so quickly?

I looked away for a moment.

"You must be drunk, and you should leave right away," my voice was slightly up, and he stepped closer, towering over me.

"Am I too bad to your husband?" he asked, and I lifted my surprised gaze to look into his eyes. I had never thought him of my husband, even in my wildest of dreams. I did not see him that way.

I could not say anything.

"Yuvraj," I breathed. "Please, do not make it any more difficult for me. Please leave. I do not want to hurt fath-"

"But, you can me and yourself for it," he asked, and I shook my head.

"I do not understand how I am hurting you by marrying Shantanu," I asked, and he held my forearm.

"Trisha," he said, and I lowered my gaze. My family wants me to get married, and I cannot think about any other girl being near me, even if it's a friend," he said, and I shook my head.

"That does not mean I have to marry you or you have to marry me. Feelings change. If you do not meet any girl, how will you feel comfortable with them?" I asked, and he bit his lips.

"What if I do not want to feel comfortable with anyone else? What if you were the one I wanted around me? I swear it's not lust, and I cannot even imagine coming near to you that way. But, the farthest I can walk towards any girl is the distance I covered walking towards you, and I cannot bear watching you with any other man," he said with slight frustration, and I could not believe my ears.

"You never spoke of it. After five years, we met just a few times and...," I stuttered. And you cannot claim to want me," I tried to explain to him, and he sighed deeply.

"How long will it take you to understand that I do not want you to get married to Shantanu?" He raised his voice, stepping closer to me, and I looked into his eyes.

"And how long will it take you to understand that this decision is not mine but of two families? Moreover, the invitations have been sent, and the preparations have begun," I reminded him, and he ran his fingers through his hair.

"And, most of all, I still do not understand the 'why'?" I said, and he looked into my eyes.

The silence followed for a few moments, and he nodded. "If you are not going to deny the wedding. I will do it my way," his words sent a wave of fear into my body, and I immediately held his hand as he tried to move towards the door.

"Yuvraj, you will not do anything stupid. Your family needs you the most, especially your father," I tried to say, and suddenly, he turned around and pushed me against the door.

"After all of this, you worry about my father, not me?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"Are you separate from your father? You are his son," I reminded him, and he punched on the door.

I immediately pushed him away as the bamboo in the door broke.

"Are you out of your mind?" I asked, and his eyes widened a little, seeing the hole.

"I am sorry. I thought it was stronger," he said, looking away and suddenly looking at me.

"Should I talk to my parents about our wedding?" He asked, and I immediately shook my head.

"No! I am getting married in just ten days. What will people think of me, of you, of our families? It will be the bigger talk for the Kingdom than your sister's wedding, and do you not remember that you were worried for the reputation of your Kingdom," I tried to say, and he clenched his jaw.

"You will keep rounding it to everything else but would not tell me if you want to marry me or not, right?" He asked, and I looked away.

"It's not that simple. You are a Prince, and I... I do not know who I am. Nobody knows my religion, my caste, my community and my parents. I can never marry a highborn. The family will never accept me,"

"Trisha, do you want to marry me or not?" he asked suddenly. I lowered my gaze, shaking my head. It was not that easy to answer.

Growing up, I was not told to make choices; instead, I had my way of living my life as it was. I could bear the pain, remain silent even if I was unhappy, and just live with whatever was happening.

"It's my father's decision to make," I said, and my voice barely came out of my mouth.

He sighed deeply and shook his head. I heard the door open and closed my eyes, shaking uncontrollably.

He left without hearing my answer. If it was what I wanted upon having a choice, it was 'Yes'.

But, I was not privileged enough to speak out loudly about 'Yes'.

And I knew I would never have a chance of it again. He walked down the stairs again, drenched in the rain, and I palmed my mouth.

I fall to my knees, placing my hand on my chest. It was aching.

The tears rolled down my cheeks uninvitedly. And I burst into silent cries.

At that moment, I felt I had lost him. Until now, I knew a part of us belonged to each other, but today, I felt that threat broken.

He was right here, asking me, showing me the weight of my options, and asking if I would make my own choice.

But choices have strange things about them. When made in self-interest, a few broken relationships are certain.

And I did not have even a few; I only had one proper relationship, which was with my father. I could not hurt him.

He left, and I sat there until it stopped raining, and the fun light of the sun peaked through the tiny hole in the door he had made.

Its glow fell upon my face, penetrating my eyes, speaking to me without words. It was a brightness towards a different future, a road that would take me to an extraordinary life, a different purpose to serve.

But he was not serious. He seemed jealous or anxious. And, maybe angry with me.

I could not figure it out.

"Trisha," suddenly, my father's voice caught my attention, and I immediately stood up. Once Yuvraj left, I could not go back to sleep, and I did not know that for the rest of the days, I would not even be able to take my mind off him.

"Ji, Pitaji," I tried to sound normal, but I was anything but normal.

It felt like he came and left my world, similar to the earthquake's aftermath.

"What happened? You did not milk the cows today. The buyers are waiting," he said and I shook my head.

"Ummm, give me a little time, Pitaji; I could not sleep well last night," I said, walking towards him and bending down to touch his feet as my morning ritual.

He stared at me blankly at first, and then a few lines appeared on his forehead.

"Are you okay? Did you go somewhere?" he asked, and I immediately lowered my gaze, remembering that I smelled like him. His scent. It was all over me.

"umm, no, no, Pitaji. I am okay. I should go," I blabbered, walking towards the cows shed.

My father knew, but he did not choose to speak about it. After that incident, his suspicion of me grew even stronger, and I could not help but think about Yuvraj only. A part of me was waiting for him to come back and see me and ask if I was okay after whatever he said to me.

Because I was not okay, another three days passed, and I made up my mind that he would never come back. Forcibly, I had to stop thinking about him and begin doing the pre-marital rituals.

As the ladies of our neighbourhood suggested, I decided to do the seven-day Haldi on myself, seeing the tan I had after harvesting crops.

The ritual began, and I could not help but sit like a statue before them. My father did not apply to me for the first four days, and I felt even sadder about it.

But, to my surprise, Agastya arrived just before two days of my wedding.

"Didi," he screamed, and I could not stop running towards him.

"Agastya!" I cried out and stopped before him.

"What took you so long?" I asked, and he sighed deeply.

"You know the Kingdom and the things," he said, and I looked behind him.

"Where are others?" I asked, and he smiled, hugging me loosely.

"They will arrive tomorrow. Nandani Bhabhisa, too," he said, and I smiled.

"By the way, where is your best brother?" he asked, and I thinned my brows with confusion. "I mean, the way he loves you he must be here to make sweets for your in-laws," he said and looked around.

"Whom are you talking about?" I asked, growing even more confused.

"Abhinandan," he said and I immediately rolled my eyes, slapping his cheek.

He laughed and turned serious of a sudden, asking me in a slow voice.

"Is everything okay between you two?" he asked and I looked around to see if people were seeing us or not and I could not help but shook my head.

"Bring it on," he said, walking with me.

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Chapter 18 ~ Disease

Abhinandan POV

I came back to my home, and the attendees near my chamber were surprised to see me drenched in a mere loincloth and a lady's shawl.

The silence around me felt more like a storm. The noise of thundering and rain was getting even more intense. And, amid this, I cared little about making the right decisions.

I lay on the bed, wetting the comforter and the mattress. I could not believe I had done everything to her a while before.

I looked at my hand, the one who broke the bangles in her hand. I immediately sat up. I felt something in my chest. I should not have done that. And, my lips.

I sucked on my lips. They were only an inch away from hers. She protested; she trembled before me. I could not believe it was me.

What happened to me?

What would she think about me? I did not think of touching her that way; I did not think of doing all that what I did.

What was wrong with me?

And, how in the seven hells I brought up the proposal of her marrying me. I did not decide before walking there. I only wanted to stop her. I did not want to marry anyone.

It was not the right time. A lot had happened to the Kingdom, and I could not believe I only wanted to marry her amid all of this.

The fear of losing her was making me insane. And it was growing deeper with each passing moment.

Knowing that she did not say 'Yes' made me feel weak in my bones. For the first time in my life, I wanted something, and it did not happen. Somewhere, it felt like a bigger failure than not being able to wage a war against Rudra.

And I could not believe she did not say 'yes' to me. I was a man of honour. I had never looked upon a girl's face, let alone touching her. I looked at my hand. I could still feel her waist on my skin. She was soft, softer than this bed ever felt.

Speaking of bed, I knew where she would be staying.

I immediately stood up, walked out of my chamber towards the garden, and looked at the Princess' chamber in the front. As I stepped closer, the soldiers standing outside looked at me with confused faces.

"Open it," I ordered, looking at the closed door.

They looked at each other, and one of them said, "Its keys are with the Queen only,"

I nodded, understanding, and then looked at the Sun. It was still time in the morning, and I had to wait until my Maasa woke up. I could not walk into her chamber, as my father would be there, too.

But my Daadisa sleeps alone.

I immediately walked towards her chamber and asked the attendees not to make any announcements. Walking inside, I found her sleeping peacefully and snoring.

I sighed deeply. She did not even tell me that it was Trisha in the temple.

But I needed to talk to her.

Stepping closer, I sat beside her on the edge of the bed and gently touched her hand. She shivered all of a sudden.

"Daadisa," I called, and she hummed.

"Maharaj, leave me a hand, it's inappropriate," she laughed, and I felt Ewwwwww.

How could she dream all of this at this age?

"Daadisa," I called again, and she laughed even more while asleep.

"Maharaj, please leave the hand. Someone will see," she blabbered in a low voice, and I called her louder.

"Daadisa!"

And suddenly, she started screaming at the top of her lungs.

"GHOSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!"

"There is a Ghossssttttttttttttt, Maharaaaajjjjjj, ghost,"

A shiver of fear ran through my body. I immediately looked around and found the curtains flowing; I felt scared, too. There was a shadow.

"A Ghosttttttt, ahhhhhhhhhhh, Maasaaaa, baaapusaaaaa, a Ghostttttttt," we both screamed together and I tried to sit her up so we could run.

But, as soon as she saw me, she stopped screaming and slapped me on my bicep.

"Abhinan!" she yelled at me, and I calmed down, too. "Daadisa,"

She sighed deeply and looked at me.

"Why are you naked?" she asked, and I looked at myself.

I immediately wrapped the wet shawl around me and sat beside her.

"Sit down. Do not make my bed wet," she said, and I stood up, exhaling profoundly and frustratedly.

"Daadisa, I need to talk to you," I said, and she laid back.

"In the morning, Abhinan," she said, and I sucked on my lips.

"Daadisa, I want to get married," I said, and she immediately sat up.

"What?" A wide smile appeared on her face, and she immediately stepped down.

Holding my hands, she approached the couch and pulled me to sit over it.

"Are you sure?" she asked with a surprised face, and I inhaled deeply, nodding.

"Come sit here," she said and held my hand.

"It is so good to hear. I am so excited. We will call all the Kingdoms for this Gangaur festival along with their eligible daughters. You can meet the girls and decide on your future," she suggested, and I closed my eyes, shaking my head.

"I have a girl in my mind," I said, and her eyes opened wide.

"What?? From which Kingdom?" she asked with the widest smile I had seen on her face, and I bit on my lips.

"She is from no Kingdom. She is a... commoner," I said. She stared at me for a few moments and then looked away with a tense expression.

"A commoner cannot sit on the throne. And, the first wife of the King sits on the throne," she said, and I blinked silently. "Maybe you should marry a Princess first for the throne and then marry the girl you like," she said, and I immediately looked up at her.

"No way. I cannot marry two girls," I declared, and she looked at me.

"Who is she, by the way? What is her clan? Does she belong to ours but is a trader or someone else?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"It's Trisha," I finally spoke out loud and clear.

An aching silence followed, and she shook her head. "But, she is getting married. Is she not?" she asked, and I nodded before shaking my head.

"Well, no," I said, and she asked me suddenly.

"Why did not you tell us before that you like a girl?"

I sat frozen with her question. "Umm, I did not know it either. And I do not think it's something like that. I just...," I blabbered a little. "It's just you all want me to get married, and after Nandani, the Kingdom feels so lonely, so it's just that she is a good friend of mine, and I cannot think about any other girl in my life..." I cleared my throat. "Chamber," I finished, and she nodded, looking at me.

"So, you want to get married to a girl who is already getting married to a man, who happens to be a soldier in the Mahabaleshgarh, posted outside the King and Queen's main chamber. And, above all, she is your Guruji's daughter, which means she is like your sister. A guru, Behan," I stared at her when she summarised everything, and I could not help but nod.

"Please do something, Daadisa. Should I kidnap her?" I asked, and she slapped on my thighs.

"I mean the way Baapusa married Maasa," I asked, and she looked at me from the side eyes.

"I still do not support Raj in that. And I cannot have my other son do the same thing. And, then, what will be the difference between you and him?" she asked, and I nodded, for seeing the aftermath it would cause.

"Then, how can we get married?" I asked, and she thinned her gaze, asking me.

"Does she want to marry you too?"

I turned silent when she asked, "I do not know," I said, and she sighed deeply.

"Do you love her?" she asked further, and I shook my head again. "I do not know that either,"

"Then why do you want to marry her?" she asked with frustration, and I looked at her. I could not believe that everything was dependent on the 'Why'.

"Ranima," suddenly, an attendee's voice caught our attention, and she looked at me too.

"Yuvraj," she called out, and I stood up, looking at her worried face and heavy breathing.

"Raja ji is having a high fever again," she said, and I looked at my Daadisa with shock. Her face grew worried, and she looked at the attendee.

"Take me there. I do not know what is wrong with my child. And, why is this fever not stopping," she blabbered to herself, and I stood confused and scared.

I ran towards the Chandra Mahal and found the whole chamber lit with candles. It was as if they had not slept at all.

"Maasa," I called for her and found her beside my father. She was bandaging his forehead with the cold straps.

"What happened?" I asked, and she looked at me with a worried face.

"The fever. It is back," she said, and I thinned my gaze.

"What do you mean by it is back?" I asked, sitting beside her and touching my father's cheek. He was shivering, and I gulped, seeing him like that.

"Do not do the cold straps. He is shivering, which would not reduce the fever," I said, and the Physician stepped forward.

"Yuvraj, his body is shivering due to weakness. He feels hot from this fever," he said, and I looked at him.

"What is this fever, and why are you not treating him?" I raised my voice on him, finding him standing free and hands tied.

"We cannot find the sickness," he said, and I stepped towards him angrily.

"What do you mean you cannot find the sickness?" I growled in anger, and suddenly, my father spoke.

"Abhi, my son," his voice sounded weak, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I had never seen my father sick. It was not like he did not feel ill, but we never saw him like that. Our parents never let any problems come near to us.

I turned to look at him. "Baapusa," I said, and he lifted his hand to ask for mine. I immediately went towards him and sat beside him.

"Abhi," he held my hand tightly, and I could see his hands cold. How was it possible? He coughed all of a sudden and groaned in pain.

"I know I have failed as everything," he began in a breaking voice, and I shook my head. "I failed as a son to my father, I failed as a brother, I failed as a husband, and then I failed as a father too. Most of all, I failed as a King. All my life, I made decisions, and seeing many unhappy with those, I could not be happy with them either," his voice was shaking, making me feel an ache in my heart.

"But I have great faith in your vision. You are not me; you are a thousand times better than me. You are a great son, a great brother, a great child, and after me, you will make a great King, too," he said, and I shook my head.

"Why are you saying all of this? It's just fever," I said, and my mother broke into silent cries.

Seeing her, my heart broke even more.

"Abhi, I do not know how much time I have left," my father said, and I immediately pulled my hand away from his.

"What the hell are you even speaking?" I stood up.

"It's just a fucking fever," I spat out loud and looked at the physician.

"And what the hell are you doing? If you cannot treat him, leave, and someone call the physicians from the other Kingdoms," I said, and no one moved. Everyone stayed at their place with their heads down. I heard my Grandmother sitting with the shock beside my mother.

"Abhi, please, my son, listen to me," my father said, and I turned to look at him.

"You will not speak any more word," I said, and my voice broke before I cried. Nothing is going to happen to you. You will be alright," I exclaimed with a trembling voice, and he tried to lift himself up, longing for my hand.

"I just need one thing to see before I die. I do not have much time left. They cannot find my disease, and I cannot bear the pain of coughing, and my bones hurt when I walk," he said, and I sat down beside him. My fingers fisted tightly around his hand, and he caressed the back of my hand with his thumb.

"Abhi, I only wish to see my grandchild," he stated, and I closed my eyes. "You are not that old, Baapusa. You are young, you are fit, you will at least for fifty years,"

"Even a year is too much for me to ask," he cut me off, and I cried.

"Please, do not say it, or I will hate you even more. You cannot leave me until I forgive you. You cannot leave me indebted with my... guilt," I said, shaking my head. "I do not even know how to run a Kingdom. There is so much to learn," I added, and he smiled weakly, looking at me.

"I am not going to die now. I wish to see your wife and grandchildren," he said and coughed all of a sudden.

"It was not Trisha's mistake. I asked her to talk to you. I know you are upset with it. But, it was me who wanted you," he blabbered and I thinned my gaze.

"She knew about your health?" I asked and I desperately wanted him to shake his head.

But, instead he nodded.

I could not believe it. She knew about it all the while and did not even bring it up to me. I could not decide if I hated her more before or I hated her the most now. She kept this from me.

I stood up from the bed and my father called out.

"Please, Abhi, I want to see the future of Mahabaleshgarh," he said and I shook my head. I would never marry her. Let her be the soldier's wife.

"There is no future of Mahabaleshgarh," I said and he coughed even harder.

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Chapter 19 ~ 'Why'

Abhinandan POV

"There is no future for Mahabaleshgarh," I said, and he coughed even harder.

"Abhinandan Mahabalesh, do not speak like that," my mother's voice caught my attention. I immediately turned to look at her, her face a mix of anger and tears. "This Kingdom is not a silver spoon to be used until you grow up and decide to throw it away. It has its value, its people, who look after a King for their betterment," she said, and I lowered my gaze.

"It is not an option. Through my womb, you are born with an inescapable duty to wear the crown. You cannot overlook it," she declared, her words like a heavy cloak settling on my shoulders. I inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her expectations and the gravity of my decision, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Is that what you are concerned about amid all of this?" I asked, and she looked into my eyes as I stepped closer to her.

"I know you are upset with us, with your father and broken knowing that he is suffering, but all of us are suffering too. Your grandmother, the people and I. We are suffering too. It does not mean we will not look upon our responsibilities and weigh them with our moods," she exclaimed, and my grandmother held her hand. "Calm down, Abhishree; give him a little time to decide," she suggested.

"How can he say that there is no future for Mahabaleshgarh? Maa Saheb?" she asked, and I gulped, lowering my gaze.

"I am sorry, Maasa," I immediately apologised, realising she had done too much for the Kingdom and us.

"Abhinandan, please, my son. I am sorry for whatever happened. But, please fulfil my last wish," my father's breaking voice caught my attention, and I looked away.

"I do not want to marry now," I said, and suddenly, my grandmother looked up at me.

"But, you said you wanted to," she said out loud despite my sight's warning.

"I have changed my mind," I declared in a slow voice.

"What changed your mind?" she asked, and I turned around.

"She lied to me twice, Daadisa. First, about her meeting with Baapusa, she hid his health from me," I could not stop myself from saying, and my father asked.

"Who? Trisha," he asked and added. Why does she matter here? Her wedding went well?" I could not believe he had forgotten about the girl who had risked our friendship for him in a matter of days.

"Unbelievable," I cursed out.

"She is the girl he wishes to marry," My daadisa spoke before I could, and a slight pause of silence followed.

"You will not marry her," he said, his voice now determined.

And, I thinned my brows. He was on his deathbed, but he could not keep his political opinions away.

"And why not?" I asked in anger.

"She is unfit to be married to a Prince. The crown and the people will never accept her as the Queen and the heir's mother," he said, and I chuckled.

"But, the King can beg her to bring his son back," I said, and he coughed harder.

"It was a different matter, Abhi," he said, and I shook my head.

"You are unbelievable. You can accept a slave's son as your son-in-law but cannot let a commoner sit on the throne beside your son. Why? Because Rudra became a King, and she is not a Princess," I pointed, and he inhaled sharply.

"Because Rudra earned it. And she is nothing. What does she know of being a Queen?" he asked, and I could feel his fever lowering as his voice rose.

"And, after all, it is Mahabaleshgarh. We only marry Royals by blood," he added, and I looked away.

"You are such a hypocrite, Baapusa. Nandani can marry whoever she wants, but I cannot,"

"Yes, because she is the daughter meant to belong to another home, and a son is the true lineage. Your heir will sit on Mahabaleshgarh's throne, not hers. Come out of this weird obsession of always comparing yourself with her. She is gone," he said, and I lowered my gaze.

"We have high expectations from you, Abhi," he finished, turning softer, coughing harder.

"I am afraid, but the King's situation is getting worse. He must rest," the physician interrupted. I glared at him, and he immediately looked down.

"Raj, let him," Daadisa said, and he shook his head.

"Very well. I am not even going to marry her after all. She is just a liar," I said and closed my eyes. How could she hide such an important thing from me?

It was fucked up.

I was hanging between betrayal, duty and desire.

I did not know which blade cut me deeper. I could not comprehend which wound was dangerous. Knowing about my father's health or knowing that I wanted to marry a girl about whom I knew nothing. She did not speak her heart to me. She did not tell me things she knew that would concern me.

"Abhinan," my mother placed her hand on my shoulder as I sat beside my father. I could not help but hug her tightly. She placed her hands on my head and gently caressed it.

"The life of a man is as difficult as privileged it sounds. I know you are confused and upset, and it is not the right time to make decisions for your life. But if you do not act sooner, it will be late. As your father, I also wish the same. What would I do after him?" she asked, and I closed my eyes, sobbing silently.

"Whoever you want to marry. I am with you. It is not the blood that builds the throne; it is the power required to make it survive. And, given the option, she will learn to be a Queen. Once a person sits on the throne, he learns how to be comfortable on it," she said, and I pulled away from her.

"But she lied to me, Maasa. I cannot trust her enough," I pointed out, and suddenly, my father interfered.

"I will never rest in peace if you marry a commoner. I do not hate her. She is a perfect girl, but my dear son, questions about the heir's fitting on the throne will be raised. The people will not accept it. It is the fear that has run the Kingdom for centuries. The fear we build among the enemies, among the people to keep ourselves tight in the positions by establishing relationships with the other Kingdoms through marriages and alliances," he said with a broken voice, and I shook my head.

"You have proven yourself a great King, but as you said, you are a terrible father," I said, standing up from there to leave already.

I returned to my chamber and sat on the couch, palming my face.

I hated everyone. And, primarily, my father and Trisha.

For the next few days, I could not help but stay beside my father until his fever broke, and he looked well. I talked to the physicians, and they said the same thing. His disease was different, and with time, he would keep losing his ability to fight with it and would have a slow and painful death. Even after I had a different opinion than his, these words slit me sharper than the swords.

He was my father, after all. I hated him, and that did not mean I wished him to die.

It was another day, and he spoke again about my marriage. He stopped sitting on the throne and began caring for the matters through his chamber only. My mother was always beside him, weakening herself as always for him. She had grown silent over the days and spoke less to me.

"Abhi," suddenly, my grandmother's voice caught my attention, and I stood up from the couch to help her walk in.

"You should have called me Daadisa," I said, and she smiled weakly when I helped her sit down on the couch and sat beside her.

"It's Trisha's wedding today," she began, and I immediately looked away, inhaling deeply. "I know you are upset with her, rather angry, and if I chose the right word, you might hate her. But it was not her fault. We learned about Raj later, too. He did not tell us either," she said, and I palmed my face.

Placing her hand on my shoulder, she gently caressed it.

"After today, it will never be possible," she said, and suddenly, the soldiers announced my mother's presence, too.

I heard her footsteps as she walked in, and I looked up at her.

She smiled weakly, looking at me, and kissed my forehead.

"Take me to Guruji. I will talk to him," she said, and I shook my head.

"Why marry a girl who cannot even tell things of my concern?" I asked, and she sat beside me.

"It was not her place to tell you," she said, and I looked at her.

"But, she could have," I said, and my grandmother held my chin to make me look at her.

"After today, apart from your anger towards her, you will have the guilt of not stepping up for yourself," she said, and I shook my head.

"It's her wedding today, Daadisa. She will never like it," I said, and my mother turned my chin towards her.

"Did she deny marrying you?" she asked, and I lowered my gaze.

"Not clearly," I spoke, and she said again.

"I will talk to Guruji. Maybe he will stop her wedding,"

I shook my head. "You do not know him, Maasa. And why should I marry her?" I asked, and she stared blankly at me while shaking her head.

"This war of finding the answer to the 'Why' is only yours. We cannot help with that," she said, and my grandmother nodded.

"It is not like there is a drought of girls in the Kingdom. Abhinandan is right, Abhi. Why marry her? He does not love him, not even like her. And, now, he hates her too. So, why to marry her," she said, and I thinned my brows with confusion.

"I am with you, Abhinan. Do not marry her. We will find a better girl for you," she said, and my mother suddenly nodded.

"Yes, it's better. A girl who will tell him everything like a raven," she said, and I shook my head.

"Both of you must leave now," I spoke out and sighed deeply with frustration.

"You are not helping me," I said, and they stood up.

"Okay, by the way, Kheer is in lunch," my mother said, and I shook my head.

"You know I do not like sweets," I said, and she chuckled.

"But, I have heard that someone ate two pots of Kheer in the Pratapgarh," she said, and my grandmother interrupted.

"It must be someone's ghost, Abhi,"

I palmed my face and watched both of them leave.

Why were her thoughts even bothering me? It was her wedding today, and she should get married to Shantanu as she wanted. It was not like she said 'Yes' to my proposal.

But she did care about me and my family. Well, my father most of all.

Yes, she cared about my father; he wanted to see his grandchild. That was why I wanted to marry her.

I smiled as I figured out the 'Why'. She was worried about my father more than me, and she must fulfil his last wish.

Yes.

Yesssss.

I nodded and stood up from the couch. Grabbing my overcoat, I collected all my courage and walked out to the stable. Greeting my horse, I climbed over him and ran out with the small troop of soldiers.

She asked me the 'Why'.

Now, I had it. And, she must marry me.

I was very late. The sun was about to set, and by the time I reached her home, the Baarat had arrived, and the groom was waiting for her at the Mandap.

Shit.

I immediately stepped down my horse.

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