The Fire In Her Eyes

IX

Daksha stood in front of the majestic oakwood doors contemplating what terrible sins she had committed in her past life to be serving her lady. Her poor heart would not hold up much longer if Princess Moha kept making her a scapegoat. Daksha could hear her heart pounding in her ears as she tightly clasped her hands in front of her. Lord knows the young girl was a terrible liar yet she was here to make up a white lie to rescue her lady's ring from the most intimidating man she had ever met in her life.

The doors opened and Daksha cast her eyes down to the floor to avoid looking at his face, knowing she'd break out in cold sweat, were she to look him in the eye.

"Your majesty", She bowed her head in respect.

"You again", Rudra remarked in his deep resounding voice.

"M-my lady has requested for her possession", Daksha said meekly.

"Did you not relay the message to your lady", He grunted.

"Princess Mohana is very ill right now. The vaidya(a physician) has ordered her to be resting currently", Her voice quivered as she lied through her teeth.

"Why didn't you say so before? Do not fret, I shall go meet the princess myself", Rudra replied knowing all too well from her body language, what a boisterous lie it was.

Daksha snapped her neck to look up at the Prince seeing the determined look in his eyes. Her eyes widened in panic and she flailed her hands in a motion to stop him

"NO! You-you cannot meet her. Her disease is- is, it's highly communicable. Yes, that's what it is. The princess would be disheartened if our esteemed guest caught some disease because of her", She nodded her head, most likely trying to convince herself she handled it well.

"Then how are you not sick?"

"B-because it is only communicable to men? It is the daughter of the vaidya who is treating her after he fell sick", Daksha tried not to physically cringe as she thought on her feet. God she is never getting entangled in Mohana's messes anymore. It's not like it was a complete lie. Mohana was allergic to men. It just seemed like Prince Rudra was an exception to this case. Mohana could try to hide it all she wanted but Daksha knew her like the back of her hand. The way her dear friend blushed whenever he was the topic of their conversation let her know all she needed to.

"I see how it is. The Princess is sick with a disease, communicable only to men. Well, then I shall meet your lady when she has recovered. You may leave now", Rudra played along with her lie as he told her to depart.

Rudra had been in an irritable disposition due to the fact that his lady had been avoiding him like a plague. It had been two days since their last encounter in the marketplace and since then it's like she had disappeared from the castle. She was not even seen during the meal times and to add to his displeasure, he had to spend long hours in the company of Princess Shreshta. He had made up his mind to end his misery tonight. Rudra would meet Mohana by any means whatsoever.

Meanwhile Mohana paced back and forth in her quarters, fiddling with her fingers, eagerly awaiting Daksha's return. She rushed towards her oakwood doors upon hearing the loud knock and scuffling outside only to be met with the the disappointed face of her handmaiden.

"I do not care what you throw at me but I shall never go back to do your dirty deeds anymore. My poor heart, Oh Lord, I was frightened for my life. That man is the epitome of a lion in the form of a human, so very intimidating and sharp", Daksha ranted on.

Mohana's disappointment was only superficial because it meant that she would have to meet him again and although she would never admit, deep down she knew it made her heart flutter in excitement.