The Fire In Her Eyes

VIII

The sun was overhead beating down on Rudra's neck but he politely nodded when Princess Shreshta held up two different designs of jhumkas. Much to Rudra's disappointment, King Amish had arranged for his visit to the marketplace of the bustling town along with Princess Shreshta hoping to leave them alone for a while. 

The next few hours were in vain as the unusual couple walked through the market. Rudra had to rescue multiple villagers from the wrath of the entitled little princess and her lady in waiting as they berated even little girls for accidently bumping into them. Although, he wasn't fond of Shreshta since their first meeting, her encounter with the commoners made him dislike her even more. A princess was supposed to put the needs of her people before hers, making her a selfless ruling figure apt to be a leader. While he did not expect her to act like an empathetic leader, considering she was a mere princess, he expected every member of the royal family to be sympathetic towards their own people and it was off putting to see her act like an entitled snobbish princess.

The only reason he tolerated her was so that he could sojourn in Kranthi and stay close to Mohana. Were he to express his disinterest in Princess Shreshta, his family would have to take their leave and move onto the next kingdom but Rudra knew he would not step a foot out of Kranthi until he made Mohana his queen.

Just as he was deep in thought, thinking about his next move on Mohana he heard the commotion near the peepal tree. Multiple people surrounded the tree now cheering together as they stared up at its branches and that's when Rudra noticed, Mohana sitting on top of the branches holding a small kitten in her arms.

Panic engulfed him as he strode over to the peepal tree, momentarily forgetting about the princess he was there with. He was already at the base of the tree when he noticed the concerned glances of the people around him. He felt his heart in his mouth and stood directly under her as he saw her footing slip twice, hoping to catch her if she were to fall. Just as he figured, she lost her footing completely and came barreling towards him. He opened his arms, catching her efficiently as she clutched the kitten tightly in her arms. He felt himself relax once he had her in his hold knowing she was secure in his arms.

A smile crossed his face as he heard her mumbling about her gaining magical powers.

"No, sweetheart, you haven't been gifted the art of witchcraft yet ", He remarked waiting for her to open her enchanting her eyes.

Rudra momentarily forgot how to breathe as she snapped her eyes open and stared into his soul, knowing he would never get tired of staring at her hypnotic eyes. His eyes shifted to her tantalizing lips as they parted in surprise upon seeing him. Rudra wanted someone to give him reward for his ironclad self control because lord knows he was tempted to taste her lips right then and there, in front of everyone letting them know she was his.

"Mohana!", Shreshta yelled at her sister.

Shreshta upon noticing Rudra's absence had followed him towards the crowd making her blood boil upon seeing her sister in the arms of her future husband. Shreshta had a knack for being delusional and somehow had convinced herself that Rudra was obsessed with her in the short span of time they had met so seeing the scene unfolding in front of her had her blood curling in anger.(AN:Delulu is the solulu but not in the case of poor shreshta XD)

Mohana attention snapped towards her sister, eyes widening in surprise and horror. Rudra's attention stayed on Mohana, annoyed at the disturbance.

"Put me down!", She whisper yelled to Rudra.

"I don't want to", Rudra deadpanned.

Mohana stared at him incredulously as he had grown two heads.

"Are you out of your mind, Prince?", She grit out at him.