What would happen if you were appointed as a bodyguard for the person you were supposed to assassinate?
Adhiveer is a beloved king. Adored by everyone in his kingdom and beyond.
Shiva, a professional assassin, gets easily appointed as his royal gu...
There was no greater feeling in her mind than for the want of being with him. But the idea of spending every moment with him was tainted by fear, fear of the truth, of the betrayal that panged her heart. For she was a liar and the mask she had adorned throughout the time she was with him had begun to wear off. If he found out about it then it would bring only pain to him.
He asked her to walk with him, and this time, she matched his pace. He didn't let go of her hand, he held it close to him and walked in silence. An odd set of feelings plagued her mind: fear, desire, guilt, cowardice...but more than all of these, the ascendant and pervasive was a feeling she had never felt before. A sense of longing and need. A need for him, a need to be with him.
They stopped and silence engulfed them. It was not awkward or unexpended but was serene and peaceful. His gaze danced on her face, asking questions but he didn't verbalize them. The silence was what she needed. A pact of unsaid words was enough at the moment she thought. Then he walked with her to her room, still holding her hand. As they reached he reluctantly let her go and waited for her to say something. No words would have sufficed the whirlwind of emotions within her. "I will see you tomorrow, my king. Have a pleasant sleep." Were the only words she could muster up to say. He looked disappointed but didn't speak. Then he smiled and left.
The next day was the wedding and the palace was roaring with guests. It was decked up with beautiful and ornate flower arrangements and crystals. It was draped with silks of vibrant colours reflective of opulence and grandeur. Everywhere that Shiva looked she saw beauty.
People from near and far kingdoms had arrived. Men and women in expensive drapes flaunting wealth and affluence. Women with flawless skins, delicate figures and adorned with fine jewellery were seen in every space the eyes could scan. The clanking of their bangles and jingling of their anklets echoed through the palace. A mixture of perfumes and scents permeated the corridors and gathering halls, dizzying her.
Shiva thought of the women in her village, though their skin had freckles and spots due to toiling in the sun, how beautiful they looked without the need for these fineries. How the ornamentation of one's outer appearance would change the perception of the people watching them. The inner flaws of nobility were expertly hidden by outer appearance.
Queen Nirvi had instructed her maids to take care of Shiva and Reva. They were to see to it that both of them would be given the finest clothes and jewellery. Princess Lavanya had chosen the drapes that Shiva would wear and also the jewellery that she would adorn. Reva was given a beautiful purple attire which complimented her complexion and made her look even more beautiful than she did. She was given gold jewellery, a gold waistband and a golden pin for her hair.
Shiva was given a beautiful golden-yellow drape, with pearl necklaces, rings, anklets and bangles. They helped her take a bath. The maids looked at the scars on her body making her conscious, making her feel out of place. After the bath, they anointed her with perfume and tied her hair loosely, placing white flowers in it. When she looked in the mirror, she couldn't recognise the person staring back at her. She felt like a decorated doll and had to brace herself.
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