Yashika The uncanny puzzle of KING[ 18+]

17 - Princess Yashasvi

YASHIKA'S POV

As I was sitting on the edge of the lake, it felt actually really nice.

With the breeze flowing through my hair, touching my face, making me feel free.

After so long, I felt alive inside. Seeing Hema and Dhruv sitting on his back and running around like there was no tomorrow made me feel important and empowered. But at the same time, there was this baffling silence between us.

So, I decided to ignore it and enjoy my time here before I go back to my shell. As I was admiring the silver of the moon spread all over the lake, shining delicately at night, a hand came forward holding something.

Looking at it for a few moments, I followed it, and it was Rajasa . Looking at me with a smile, there was just peace, at least for him.

"What is it?" I asked him, looking a little bit confused. "Why don't you read it?" was his reply.

Taking it from his hand, I opened the scroll and read the words that rendered me silent and made me think of myself as always happens every other day for the last three full months.

Unrolling it, I started reading each and every word he had inked.

"Aap khud ko naa apna paayein, lekin humein aap mein hi saara sansaar nazar aata hai.
Khud ke gunahon ko hum mita nahi sakte, par aapke samne yeh raja apna sar jhukata hai."

(You may not have held on to your own self, but I see the whole world in you.

I cannot erase my own deeds, but this king bows his head before you today.)

I kept looking at it for I don't know how long.

The scroll, that writing, those words, and the smell — it was all the same as every other letter I got every night.

I did not want to get all teary-eyed, but I just wasn't able to control my tears.

Since the last three full moons, when I kept myself hidden, the only thing that was lighting up my world was that one letter I used to get every night.

I did not know who was writing it, but it always made me smile, even if it was for just a few moments.

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DIGVIJAY'S POV

I could see her teary eyes even after her hard tries not to cry, overwhelmed by the emotions of my words. Though I had no idea what she might be feeling.

I did not question her or even try talking to her, leaving her with her thoughts to take in the moment.

"I know I do not deserve it, but will you ever forgive me?" she tilted her head a little.

"For what I did to you?" referring to her marks.

But she just chuckled. Why did she do that?

"For this," pointing a finger at her face, she said. "You don't owe me an apology now. Yes, I do feel bad, I feel ugly when I see my reflection in the mirror. I shatter into a million pieces, but at the same time, I take it as a good omen," I thought I heard wrong. So I asked her what she had just said.

"Yes, you heard me right. Because now, no one can force me to dress up and serve all the drunk and shameless royals who enjoy our bare chests more than the dance," it cracked me inside hearing her words.

I can't even imagine what she went through all her life. How much it must have scarred her every time she was forced to dance for those men.

"May I ask you something?" she turned her face to meet my gaze.