Queen of my heart (continued)

The competition

Vote before you read : ) And enjoy.

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The palace court was being decorated because the princess was going to arrive with her husband ,the Maharaja.

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 After the swayamvar announcement, everyone doubted if Maharaja Ashwini would even take part in it . It would be considered lowbrow to fight against a young lady . But Ashwini was mesmerized by her , he couldn't distinguish the fine line between love and conduct.

Many great rulers rejected , many accepted for the sake of popularity and power .Many didn't because they knew she was cursed , many did for the sake of their eyes to enjoy a beauty.

He accepted the proposal.

And here in the land of Southern Mountains stood against the Beauty , shirtless, with a sword in his hand. She wore a yellow saree and her skin was draped by turmeric and sandalwood paste . Her hairs were tied in a bun .And her skillfull hands supported a sword .

"Maharaja , I am delighted and truly blessed to have you as my opponent ."She said with her bold voice and brought her sword to life.She swung it around herself and targetted towards Ashwini.

 Only one thing was in Ashwini's mind , the gorgeous princess shouldn't get a scratch either by his or her own sword.

He defended himself from her . Indeed she was a born warrior , a very impressive one. Yet she didn't even had to impress him , he was already smitten .Sweat beads were visible on Devika's face but she was very much driven into her fighter spirit . Same was the state of Maharaja's chiseled chest but he was very much driven into Devika's beauty ,that he forgot he was participating in a sword fight.

 And as a consequence Devika's sword slipped through his abdomen skin and made a cut . The blood oozed out disembarking the fight.

 Maharaja lost just like other kings . The competition was called off as the sun was setting.

 Devika joined her hands and bowed before him before leaving while servants ran towards him to aid the deep cut.

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Maharaja now pacing in the guest room cherished those sweet memories during the sword fight ,how she bit her bottom lip while making a move ,how her fingers clinged the handle of the sword and how her hairs seem to find a way to linger on her face and her eyes which threw daggers additionally.

He heard a knock on the door . 

Raja Vishalam stood in front of him.

 "Maharaja Ashwini , I hope you are in good health . I apologize to you for the ferocious actions of my Princess Devika." He said to him as he sat on a chair. 

"Rajaji , you have no reason to apologize .I should be thankful to you for letting me have a new experience , to learn something new from a true warrior. " Ashwini replied to him confidently. He knew he had nothing to be ashamed of . Losing to a woman .Nah. That too a very fierce woman...

"Maharaja, it came to my notice that you pretty enjoyed getting slashed."Vishalam eyed him smirking.

"Yes , I enjoyed every bit of the fight . And I must tell you I found an ideal Queen in Princess Devika." Ashwini exclaimed.

"Very well then ." Vishalam stood up. "And I must tell you that I found the ideal husband in you for my princess. Maharaja ,please do the honor of accepting my daughter's hand for marriage " He hugged Ashwini and left for his courtly works . 

Ashwini bid him farewell with happiness in his eyes.

Just then a servant came in. "Maharaja Ashwini Sarkar , Here's a letter to you from Princess Devika ." The servant handed the letter and went away not before bowing. 

"Maybe she wants to give me another cut " Ashwini muttered to himself and smiled reading the letter.

"Maharaja Ashwini ,

My apologies for hurting you .I would be grateful if you could meet me by the pond ."

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I walked towards you for days and nights with all my might and power .But you were so cunning that I could never catch hold of you. In the end it took softness from my side for you to melt over me.

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