The Cursed Princess of Suryagarh: Book 1

12. Black

Shreya sat back down with the fantasy book, immersing herself in the world of magicians and sorcerers chanting spells beyond human comprehension, and she felt herself get sucked into the pages of the tome as all the other worries were pushed to the back of her mind. Especially those concerning a certain prince and his sister. However, she couldn't continue being so indifferent to their woes when she discerned how the sunrays were receding outside the windows. Her gaze went to her phone. Aryan had called her a couple of times while she was engaged in a heated discussion with Aarush, and she was itching to ring him back, but Aarush hadn't returned yet and Adya was still not home. Concern gnawed at her heart for both, and she checked her phone again. It was nearly six.

One and a half hours had passed since Aarush promised to return early, but as there were no signs of him in her vicinity, she was not sure if she should do anything about it or not. She didn't have any of the siblings' phone numbers either to contact them, but probably Balwant Singh stationed outside the manor—palace as she mentally corrected herself—might be of some help to her restive heart.

With that thought in her mind, she picked up the cup of green tea that one of the servers had offered to her ten minutes ago, and she crossed the length of the entry chamber beyond which lay the ornate wooden door to the mansion. She had only just pushed the door ajar when she saw Balwant Singh hobbling up the steps after perceiving her shadows on the stairs.

He bowed deep and kept his head down. "Do you need something, madam?"

Her lips had parted. She was never used to these overt displays of curtsy and respect. "Uh..." She licked her lips. "Do you know where Aarush or Adya are? They aren't back yet."

"I am afraid I am not aware of their whereabouts."

She heaved a sigh. "Thanks, Mr. Singh."

He flashed her a toothy grin. "I should be the one thanking you, madam. You saved me from His Highness's ire this morning. Forever grateful."

She had only just opened her mouth to tell him it was not a big deal when the crunching of gravel beneath cruising tyres and the faint revving of an engine fell on her ears before the whooshing of a vehicle. A swanky white rare-edition Audi rolled into her line of vision, halting under the portico. The engine was killed a moment later, and Aarush clambered out of the car. The shades were still on him, and the moment he stepped foot at the bottom of the staircase, Shreya could feel another bunch of tingles rushing down her spine. She knew he was a handsome man, but damn did he look good with those black shades on!

Balwant Singh was terrified once Aarush cast a glance at him, and he kept his head down, slinking back to the extreme end of the step he was on. His form shook, and he sniffled once in a while.

Aarush didn't take his eyes off the quivering man. His lips thinned into a line. "Why are you limping?"

Balwant Singh allowed a feeble smile on his face. "I met with an accident when returning from Rampur this morning. The motorbike skidded in my haste."

Aarush breathed in exasperation. "Did you at least visit the hospital?"

Balwant Singh responded with a meagre shake of his head.

Aarush heaved a sigh and started ascending the stairs, but instead of entering the house past the young girl at the door, he made a beeline towards the guard.

Balwant Singh looked up for a moment before training his gaze on his feet again.

"You did good, Balwant Singh," Aarush said. "I overreacted. I shouldn't have. The curse on the princesses of Suryagarh is a personal problem. It's not your fault that he died."