Yashika The uncanny puzzle of KING[ 18+]

18 - A meet happened 11years ago

YASHIKA'S POV

The words felt like a foul taste on my tongue. How could I be a princess? I was born a slave, treated like one—sometimes even worse.

"Clean up this mess and cook a new meal! Now, start!" Namita Devi barked.

My eyes reddened with each passing moment. I mustn't cry, I can't. "Yashu, please don't. Fight for yourself. No more pain. Don't let the tears fall. We'll cry together, but not here, not in front of her." I had chosen the name Yashu for myself at the age of ten, a name I would whisper when I craved a drop of love or comfort.

And now, that same inner voice, fragile and pained, urged me to hold back any tears. Crying meant fifty lashes for spreading negativity around the princess.

With clenched fists and eyes shut tight, eighteen-year-old Yashika knelt and began to eat the food off the floor before the princess, her mother, and even her father, the king. My self-respect shattered, each shard cutting deep, leaving me in a pool of pain and blood.

"I said LICK! Are you deaf?" Her command widened my eyes with fear. I could not endure another beating so soon.

Frantically shaking my head, I looked up, then bent down to comply. I licked as quickly as I could, gathering the food with my hands and stuffing it into my mouth, desperate to avoid punishment. The rough floor cut my tongue, the blood mingling with the taste of spices, each sting a brush with death. Yet, I refused to cry.

Her eyes burned with frustration, deprived of a reason to punish me further. I barely managed to request her leave to begin cooking again, my words slurred by my bleeding tongue.

Unexpectedly, she dismissed me.

I dashed to Kakasa's house, tears streaming down my face as I fled the palace, crossed the market, and hammered on his door.

Kakasa and his wife, both healers, had cared for me since I was thirteen when a lashing caused me to faint. They offered me sanctuary whenever I needed it, despite the danger they faced from the royals for aiding me. Since then, I always turned to them for medicines and comfort.

Now, my eyes stared blankly, past memories clouding my thoughts. The only question that haunted me was, "Why? Why did I have to endure so much if I was truly a princess?", and yet again a tear rolled down my cheek.

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DIGVIJAY'S POV

I walked to the guest chamber's waiting area. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a group of at least fifteen artisans accompanied by some musicians, with their Ustaad standing at the forefront.

After we exchanged greetings, we all took our places.

"Welcome to Vijayratha. Do you find it as homey as Delhi?" I asked, to which he smiled and replied, "No place can be better than your own home, don't you think, Rajasa?" That's what I admire about artists. They are free and pure, just like their art—never sugarcoated or diplomatic.

Chuckling lightly, I shook my head. "Can't deny that." After a pleasant conversation, we all left the place when Ustaad Ghazib Ali Sahab called out to me, "It's been 11 years, yet you remain the same," he said, examining me from head to toe. "Except you're taller now, your body is broader, AND... you have a real mustache." With a small laugh, he bowed and left.

"Humari hone wali Maharani, kal aapke liye bahut bada din hoga," (My future queen, tomorrow will be a big day for you), he said. My eyes still followed their retreating figures until they slowly disappeared from view.

Peering through the window, my gaze landed on a girl twirling, letting her skirt billow with the flow. Each step she took was a mesmerizing, opulent sight.

As I tried to get a closer look, I lost my balance, causing me to fall. "Ahh..." I hit my head against the window frame, and the next thing I heard was the laughter of a girl.

It was sweet and affectionate, unlike anything I had ever heard before. The innocence in it was captivating.

But then again, I am a prince, and no one is allowed to mock me.

"Hey you! Stop laughing, or else you'll be punished," I pointed my finger at the girl, and suddenly her face went pale. She wrapped herself completely with her arms and sat on the ground, shivering with fear.

"No, no, no... please... please forgive me," she stammered.

"Hey... it's alright. Don't apologize. I would never do that. I was just joking," I assured her. She looked up, but it seemed as if she wasn't fully convinced.

But me? All I could focus on were her deep glossy eyes that felt like a whole world itself. My eyes couldn't resist her.

At the same time called my name from far. "Yuvraj!!", as I turned I saw my mother walking towards me. "Coming", saying I again turned back to the girl only to see there was no one there now.

"Where did she go?", I was asking myself while looking for her but couldn't find anywhere. Nor in the chamber or down the long hallway.

"Digvijay, come with me", saying my mom just held my hand making me walk behind her.

"Atleast tell me, Where are we going?" , she paused, turned, and looked at me.

"To meet your future Wife and future Queen of Vijayratha.", and that made my jaw fall.

"What? Who? And why?", I was not ready to marry anyone.

"You will marry her. First because you are the future king and she is perfect choice for you, second she is my friends daughter and even before she was born I made promise, if it was a daughter, she will only and only come to my house. And now that she doesn't have any family I will give her one.", she was talking while still walking with a fast pace.

"What do you mean?", this was confusing me. Maasa again stopped and turned, "they were killed and now she lives with her Mamasa. After her father's death it was her Mamasa who took over the throne.", she narrated me the story as she knew.

"But why do I have to marry her now?", that made her chuckle slowly.

"You don't have to marry her now. I just want you to meet her. Know her a little."

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Heyyyy bubblies....here is your update❤️❤️

A little late but you have it now.

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