The imperial palace of Swarnartha—
"Has anyone seen His Highness, the Mahamantri?"
"Search everywhere! Does anyone know his whereabouts?"
Panic spread through the palace.
Servants rushed through corridors, guards exchanged uneasy glances, and whispers turned into fear.
The acting king had been missing… for a day and a half.
And soon—
The entire empire knew.
________________________________________
Next day when sun was up high and weather was just growing warm
Chha chha tnk think khat khat. ...
Clang… clink… thak…
Sound of modifying weapons
What are you doing outside? Making weapons!!!
"We will be needing them, I brought just this morning and sharping them". All focused he replied.
"I got some clothes for you," he added There's river fall a nice place to bathe , I will guard so you can wash up if you want.
(Sweat ran down his neck as he worked, dressed only in a simple dhoti, shaping wood-sharpening blades and modifying weapons.)
Ok,She nodded
He lead her to the basin after taking her clothes he brought with him.
Let me take a look if it is safe around( he was checking if there were any animal 🦍 or snake 🐍 or any venomous insect)
Fine for now , I will turn now.If anything just give a call.
Ok. (She just followed him quiet and did as she was told)
She bathe herself well and wiped herself with the dry cloth.had her hair bunned. And draped the light saree.
It is ok now, you can wash up and we can return after.
Hmm , he turned.....and paused.
Hahahha. Mild laugh released from his lips after witnessing his wife wrapped in a saree as the saree was not drapped properly.
Haa..ve you ever drapped yourself before hahahhuh?
What's wrong? she frowned
Don't you think pleats are touching the ground, way too low.... and the drape it's too loose.
he stepped closer
He reached his hand to her .....
She instantly stepped back.... Out of instict
He stopped
"I'm sorry," he said gently. "I didn't mean to startle you. Will wash my hands and clean myself before helping you.
He stepped into the stream and washed and changed himself into the dhoti and some loose upper shirt.
He returned.
I am sorry, it's just no men has touched me before. Maids have always helped me dressed before.
And.. I often used to wear choli-skirt with dupatta (lanhenga type) before
You do not need to startle yourself; I'll help you drape
Hold the Pällu. (She held it)
A higher, will that be okay,ummm .. a little more higher...Good it looks easy to move. ( Almost 3 inch above the ankle length)
He unwrap the saree , and started draping saree a little higher that usual for getting her comfortable.
He adjusted the fabric carefully, avoiding direct touch.
Now pleats ...Great ..
Huh..will you tuck in yourself....(He hesitated,embarrassed)
Aumm
The plates ... I mean (he was shy ) I will hold the pallu for now. Place it on my shoulder.
(He was already bending so it was easy for her to put the Pällu part on him)
She tuck in the plates. (She also get shy hearing and realising)
Here place the Pällu on your left shoulder.
Done.
Her hair slipped loose, open all long falling past her waist. as it was damp, undone hair , fresh out of bath, was surely giving beautiful vibe in a different way.
For a brief moment—
He simply looked.
Then quietly took a dry cloth and wrapped her hair, squeezing out the water.
How do you know to drape a saree?? you make plates quite well and quick.
I usually wear dhoti, so this much is common, we do not have men to help with these on a battlefield.
Umm, seems believing.But to drape the saree.
Well, I draped a saree myself before while cosplaying in Gurukul. That was penalty in a bet, Yuga had to endure that as well , I was the one who draped him.was really difficult before then.
mmh…"
"hmm…" (light amused sound)
"mhmm…"
"mmh-hm…"
"hnn…"
"mhm…" ( slight giggles with lips closed)
He poked his finger right into her cheek after finding her cute 🥰 unconsciously.
(That was their first unguarded but sweet moment, guess)
I picked some fish 🐟 🐠 and filled water 🌊 🪣 .
Since you did hard work, I will make them.you Princess' are learned to cook.Our mother always used to put salt and spices.
________________________________________
"First the king, and now the king's right-hand man has disappeared!!! No one knows what they might be planning. Empire's in ruin now"
The words spread like a pandemic even in the neighbouring Empires.
________________________________________
In Navayana kingdom—
"I demand to meet with the crown prince- Viraj ." A man in a black cloak all covered at the palace entrance was looking for the crown prince of Navnayana "
What's with the commotion here??
Greetings to the princess. (Bowed their head)
The crown prince hunh. How can we let suspicious looking man towards.our crown prince.
It is very urgent. Please let me meet him I have something important to inform him.
What's with the commotion!!!
greetings your highness: the royal princess. this man is asking for our crown prince.
//She looked at him a black robe . whole body covered even the face, only eyes were spared but from his eyes it was certain that the man was not ordinary.//
I will take him to the crown prince. ::: The princess started leading to the palace and took him to a isolated corner.
Say! what you have so urgent. With suspicion, she bind him with her magic and asked him.
Regarding the subject of the King of Swarnartha. I have found a lead. It has to be secret,no one shall know about it not even the council.
How can I trust the talking mouth of mere man?
He took out his emblem and showed it to her.
After taking a look, she told him to follow her.
knock!knock! After knocking the door twice, she opened it.
BROTHER!! This man claims to have a lead about the sister,he seems to be of close comrade of the king.
He uncovers himself.
I heard that after the king, the acting king also fled...(with deep gaze asking him to get to the point)
The thing is, when I was thinking about it, king's words strike me suddenly.
"we shall be prepared for the worst,even in my absence, the empire shall be in excellent hands,it shall never perish."
He told this while marking the two places on the hidden map. When I opened the map to find those places, there was a page attached to it, there were 5 names written on that page.
I was shocked to find them there.
He showed them the map and the page.
These names are of the inner council.
And the two of them are from our side . - (Viraj and Shambhavi-they both synced together.)
I think the king was suspecting them from before. Yug continued further.
Maye be he will be on the way to one of these place he marked on the map 🗾 (the hidden map specifically designed for Royals).
Maybe this one this one,it is way nearer than the forest , through they fled.And the places he marked with cross between the two places, maybe he will need help.— Viraj stated
So we have to gather together our army and start the journey. — Yug
It will take 2 month to reach ' Panchavat' by the horse cart and war essentials. The close place marked. — Shambhavi
With magic we can deduce the time upto 1 month.—. Viraj
Ofcourse, As I knew him, for him alone with just , the queen he will be able to reach there in 20 to 25 days. — Yuga.
So, that means we will reach there 6-7 days after they have reched.— Shambhavi
We will start moving quietly them from the next dawn.Let's meet at the place from where they fled.I will get some top mages and you shall get some battalion from your side. — Siraj
.........
Can you let me have audience with our royal princess. As we shall proceed after her confirmation as per the royal obligation.
I would appreciate if you would allow me to meet her in private. Or do I have to ask officially.
You can have your audience with her. - Siraj
I'll call for her. (Shambhavi get back to bring her)
A few moments later...
Yug!! 😕... You are here, what happened !!
We'll evacuate.
No it is all right I will talk to him in my room, you can have guauds follow us. Said the Princess
She have Yug follow beside her to the room.
What's with your sudden visit?
He explained all of the things bit by bit.
Showed her the map and the names.
So you are uniting to help my brother. What if they betray us.
We will have a pact sign with them.
Hmm ok... For them it's the Queen's safety upmost but we shall Focus on both of them to get back safe.
Not in a history of our heritage queen had been taken from us before. Always keep that in mind.
Ok....How are you here princess??
Ofcourse, better than my brother.
I remembered that the king told me to give this,at the extreme situation.
He gave her a small wooden box and said: (he told me only Royals of Swarnartha can have use of it and told me to give it immediately)
I shall take my leave now.
Good luck.
Yug then took his leave and returned.
________________________________________
After knocking two or three times, Siraj enters the room the Princess was staying.
She was standing beside the window with mild light from the setting sun radiating behind her. Her look was serious and firm.
Greetings to the princess.
I am not your princess here as we have dealt.
Then,May I know your name.
''Raaya''.... I am called "Raaya"
Princess Raaya, I thought you liked me (first sightedly) far enough to follow me here did not knew you would be this sad after Yug left.
Did you not miss my presence as we did not meet after.
With his straight eye piercing right towards her eyes. What the words would convey it was his eyes who were clearly telling not to betray and unwanted trouble, as they already have their Princess missing.
Prince with silence smile and the her eyes steady - conveying there's nothing to hide and they are clearly not guilty.