The whole palace had gone into chaos. Soldiers and guards were running, hastily around, instructing everyone to keep in. Vihaan and Rihit were startled at the news of a dozen assassins slipping into the palace. Almost immediately, the two ran, grasping their swords.
"You look in the north and eastern palace, I'll check the others," Rihit said and scampered away after earning a nod from Vihaan. Vihaan fled to his teacher's room and knocked.
"Acharya, are you fine in there?" He yelled.
"I'm fine Vihaan. I've locked the doors from within and don't worry about me. I think I'm able to protect myself." He said. Vihaan sighed in relief and jogged away. He was afraid now, more about his mother being okay than anyone else. He did see the passage that lead to Aradhya's room and ignored it thinking that Aradhya was very much capable of beating any assassin.
He barged into Rajmata's room and found her calmly looking over the matters of the kingdom and a bit startled by Vihaan's abrupt entrance. Vihaan nodded to her and she nodded reassuringly as Vihaan walked hastily around the room, looking at every nook to make sure his mother was safe. Not a single body came into his sight.
Rajmata smiled at him and returned to her work. "Make sure you lock the doors from the other side." She said while Vihaan sighed. An ugly fear in his mind showed on his face. His father's death flashed before his eyes but he paid no to mind any of his emotions. He couldn't get too weak.
He walked out of the room and almost instantly, he was kicked down by a strong blow. He looked up at the masked killer who even through his mask seemed to be sneering at him. Vihaan rose to his feet. The assassin raised his sword and thrust it forward at Vihaan. Barely managing to get out of the way, Vihaan jabbed the man in the gut. He coiled in pain and a grunt left his lips. Even before he could revive from the blow Vihaan jabbed his elbow at his arm which cracked with a sickening crunch. The wail of the assassin resounded through the passage. With pain weakening his arm the killer dropped his sword. But the next second, his wails stopped. Put to halt by Vihaan's rapier, through his gut. He fell with blood pooling around him. Yet a smirk plastered itself onto the killer's face.
"Go save your wife, Maharaj." He said as he gasped for air. Vihaan headed towards Sadhana's room, not letting the killer's words get him. As he reached her room he saw Rihit standing there with Nandini and Sadhana shielded by his form. On looking at Vihaan the three tangled their brows.
"What are you doing here. You should be on the other side of the palace." Rihit blabbered, still not letting his guard down. Vihaan pondered on the words of the dying assassin.
"That killer said that I should go save my wife," Vihaan mumbled.
"Sadhana isn't your only wife, you idiot." Nandini scowled at him. Vihaan grew worried. He turned on his feet and ran as fast as he could to reach the far end of the palace, partially cursing himself that he gave Aradhya such far of a room.
His nervousness multiplied by a hundred when he called out to Aradhya but the door still stood closed. He pushed it a little as the door went agape and Vihaan lowered his cutlass at the sight before him. Aradhya knelt to the ground, her hair, unkempt and a blade resting at her neck. The masked assassin grinned at Vihaan.
Vihaan rose his sword only to lower it as the blade pressed into Aradhya's skin, drawing a line of crimson blood as Aradhya winced.
"Look, let her go. I'm what you want right? I'm here. Just let her go." Vihaan said, making his best effort not to show his concern for Aradhya but it came through.
"Maharaj, it's too great of praise for us that you think we're here for you. As much as we wish it was true, we are here for her." The assassin said gesturing towards Aradhya. Vihaan took a step forth threateningly and yet again backed down as he saw Aradhya's blood trickle down her neck to her collar bone.
"Though, we would be happy to make a bargain." The assassin smirked.
"Done, whatever you ask. Given." Vihaan hurried, catching Aradhya's questioning eyes. Her denial was evident in her gaze but Vihaan didn't back down. A dozen other assassins came out of the shadows and revealed themselves to the king, making it clear that he shouldn't get any ideas.
"Thrice the amount we're being paid. Each. That would be thirty-six thousand gold, each." The goons snickered. Their laughs filled the room. Aradhya looked at Vihaan who looked to be in a bit of turmoil. He sighed. Aradhya knowing that he would agree to their terms, never let her eyes slip away from his.
"Fine. I'm ready to come to terms with your bargain." Vihaan said and slid his sword back into his scabbard.
"No, Vihaan. That will bring great loss to the treasury. Don't bring harm to your kingdom just for me." Aradhya said while blood still dripped down her throat.
"And let you die? I don't think so. I won't let you die." He said and looked at the assassins, they brought Aradhya to her feet and forwarded towards the courtroom where Vihaan would announce his decision, still holding Aradhya captive.
Vihaan walked into the courtroom with his hands bound. Everyone was shocked to see the two like that. Aradhya seemed extremely calm for someone who had blood trickling down her neck. She shot cunning glances at Vihaan. They both were made to kneel.
Vihaan felt a hand crippling at his waist, he looked down while the assassins were busy terrorising the crowd. He found Aradhya reaching for the dagger at his waistband. She smirked at Vihaan and looked down and gestured for Vihaan to take the one at her waistband.
They both held each other's daggers, and almost in an instant, they shot up. And Aradhya took the lead of course. That was an able opening for Rihit to pop in too. The three fought the assassins, saving each other and team-assaulting the guys.
They stood panting, and Aradhya almost had an evil smile on her face. She dropped the dagger shot a look at Vihaan and Rihit and turned away without a word. Her steps resounded through the room.
.  .  .  .
"And she dropped her dagger... like clang and then walked out of the courtroom. I have never been this impressed." Nandini explained the whole situation to Sadhana who keenly listened.
"What is up with her lately. She has been like that for the past couple of days."
"She's been how? Evil?"
"No confident, fearless. There must be something."
.  .  .  .
"Just stay still, for the sake of God." Vihaan bellowed as he pulled Aradhya's jaw up and cleaned the blood on her neck.
"It's nothing, Vihaan. And even if it is something, I can do it myself." Aradhya uttered.
Vihaan glanced at her. He somehow liked her eyes maddened more than normal. He didn't look away, he couldn't. Aradhya held the gaze for longer. She had seen Vihaan being caring but this time she felt at ease. The touch and gaze she hated all these months were now putting her at ease and she knew she fought off this feeling for a long time.
Vihaan grew conscious of their proximity. They stood closer. Aradhya's scent was way too close to him. Her eyes were fixed on his. Vihaan cleared his throat.
"I don't care. And it wouldn't hurt you to be a little grateful."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Maybe because you were a total idiot out there. You could have beaten all of them but you just stayed there doing nothing."
"Why would you care? I was the one who talked badly about your teacher. I was the one who tried to kill you en number of times. I was the one who humiliated you in front of the entire court. I was the one who hated you for killing my brother. Why would you care?"
Vihaan was taken aback by this behaviour of Aradhya? Why all of a sudden? Why was she talking about those days again? He met her eyes again but he didn't utter a word. He tied the dressing and stood up.
"Don't go around doing stupid things again."
.  .  .  .
"Have you told her?" Rihit asked.
"About what?" Vihaan said bobbing Darsh lightly. Occasionally making sure he is still asleep.
"About Maharani Chaya's proposal? You wedding Tamasvini?"
"No, I haven't. I haven't even told Acharya or Ma. I don't want to make a fuss out of the matter."
"So you're thinking about marrying her?"
"I don't know yet..."
"Don't even think about it. You already have 2 wives. You don't need another." Rihit stated as he sat across the table with Vihaan.
"But, she is Aradhya's sister. And the whole scene of Ashokdhar and the prince's death has brought great downfall to the kingdom." Vihaan said.
"Yes, but what does it have to do with her?" Rihit was annoyed.
"I mean...not to praise ourselves but other kingdoms fear us. That given I don't think any of them will even dare to take Rajkumari Tamasvini in as their queen."
"Understand Vihaan, you can't go around marrying people out of pity. The word 'Married' has a meaning."
"You're right. I'll think about it..."
.  .  .  .
"Why are you so upset these past couple of days?" Sadhana asked as Aradhya, though with fire in her eyes, handled Darsh with the gentlest of touches. She shook her head sideways and pursed her lips. Aradhya smiled sadly and placed Darsh back in his crib.
"Nothing. Just memories. I remembered my home, Vikram and Bhairavi Ma who I no longer know where she exists, and surprisingly I even miss my father." Aradhya uttered while she went around the room cleaning things.
"I can understand. Now that you are the main queen you have a lot of responsibilities. And trust me, I was stressed when I first took on the post." Sadhana sighed.
As Sadhana was unable to attend court meetings and kingdom issues due to her sickness and healing, Aradhya had to take over her spot. And Aradhya felt honoured. Except for the fact that the people still called her names and all, apart from some disrespectful comments in the court -which Vihaan dealt with immediately- everything was fine. Aradhya stealing books from her Father's library was somehow came in good use.
"That reminds me, I have to meet Vihaan now, there's some financial problem we need to discuss," Aradhya said and pulled the curtains of the room.
"How are you going to meet him now?" Sadhana raised her brow.
"What do you mean. I'll go to his room and ask him. How hard is that?" Arafhya asked as she stood in confusion.
"It's not hard, but you need to have him in his room to discuss. Did he not tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"He left to Shiladhika this evening. He said he got an invite from your father."
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