Rags To Royals (Royal #1: Book 1) | ✔

37

-• a new favour •-

It's baffling how deafening his existence is when he's rarely physically present around you. The first I saw him, as a stranger in this house, I was believed to think of him as a hallucination, an illusion created by my hazy, exhausted mind, which has no connection with the reality. And while I accepted their version of my experience, somewhere in the back of my mind, I was always on the look out, searching for those haunting pair of ebony eyes.

But when I did, hallucination seemed like a great escape. Strange isn't it? Nobody ever likes to hear what the truth has to offer, yet we somehow still try to seek it out. I should have basked in the blissful fantasy of lies fed to me. I shouldn't have chased him that night. I shouldn't have shown myself to him.

I wonder if I hadn't gone behind him that night, would he have still targeted me among all the siblings? He must be aware how powerful my family is and considering how he's always hiding in the dark, it doesn't feel like he has the upper hand. Why would he risk my brother's support by cornering me like this?

He should know the limits Yuvraaj's rage is capable of crossing. And if anyone from my remaining elder brothers find out, then it's over for him. Especially if that someone turns out to be Agastya.

How is he so cocky when he knows it's seven against one?

And he's only eighteen.

Where does so much confidence, such fearlessness comes from?

"Tara," I feel a hand being placed on top of mine. Lifting my head, my eyes chase the owner of the gentle touch, stopping at the pair of onyx ones that look down at me in concern. "What's wrong?"

"What?" I mumble, clueless about the context.

"You're barely eating your food." He points to my plate.

I look down and notice everything the same on my plate. All I've been doing for the last thirty minutes is stir the ghee in the lentil soup. Sighing, I put down the spoon and tear a piece of chapati, scooping the veggies before putting the morsel in my mouth. "I was just thinking about something," I shoot him a forced smile.

He nods and goes back to his own plate.

My gaze darts across the table, stealing a glance of my brothers, all of them busy in their own stuff. How will they react if I just blurt out everything that's keeping me occupied in my head? I'm sure Agastya will lose it. Yuvraaj will be disappointed I didn't tell it to him in private. Vivaan will be concerned about my safety. Yuvaan will understand the reason behind Yuvraaj's outburst and Dad, he'll be so mad that we kept this hidden from him.

But I can't do that.

Not if I want to protect Atharva.

I can't repeat the mistake I did with Tarun. He hates me, will probably hate me for the rest of his life, and while I'll survive with that fact, I can't go on with my life if same happens to Atharva.

I really like him.

And I don't want to risk losing my new friends either.

I don't want to be an outcast in the school just because of my brothers.

Determination fills my mind at that thought and I hurry up to finish my dinner so I can go and prepare myself for the inevitable. After dinner, Yuvraaj and Dad bid everyone good night while the rest of us head upstairs.

"Did you cover up everything for the history?" Ayush questions, referring to the group study I lied about to everyone.

I nod. "Most of it."