The Battle Of Hearts A Choice Between Power And Love

Chapter 7 The Starry And Endless Night

ANNIKA'S POV 

This could easily be the worst mistake I have made in my entire life up to this day

Sharing a room with a total stranger was not what I thought I would be doing tonight but here i was in a room with the General, a man who I can't quite put a finger on what was his intentions of coming along with us to this trip why did papa even want to take him with us all the way to Punjab we had one more day of travel which made one thing clear one more day in close proximity with this man.

I shook myself free from the fog of unwanted thoughts I looked at the room it was big enough to have a bed a couch and a small table with two chairs. "so there is only one bed what do u suggest we do with it" i asked as I stepped in "well there is no use of this" I said with a groan as I pulled the veil that covered almost my whole face i hung it in the dress hanger "so will they provide us some night cloths are am I to sleep in this I look down at my clothes i really can't sleep in these" I said with a nervous chuckle

"Do I look like I run this inn princess" he replied with a smug ever smile tugging at the corner of his lips i rolled  my eyes "i never quite say that you do "   "well then do you  believe I will know the answers to your questions ?" he asked leaning against the wall ever so easily "nevermind asking you anything" I mutter under my breath 

"Dont worry now I am sure  you won't have to sleep in that" he  said looking pointedly at my attire  "How layered and heavy  is the the skirt ? anyways  let me ask Amaia if she had a robe or a nightgown for you," he said and left the room

I went in front of the mirror and took off my kangan (bangle ) doing all this work without Lakshmi I am not even gonna pretend I enjoyed it

I take off the earrings place the pairs of bangles in the drawer and try to take off my maang tikka the door creaks in

"Can i come in" he voiced from the other side of the door opening it "yes you may" i said he laid the dress on the chair behind me "Amaia's overpacking habit does prove to be helpful today this is all she has and she says it might be different from ur normal nightdresses"

"Ok then after all it's just for tonight how bad can it be," i chuckled i turned back to the mirror the maang tikka I was planning to remove had now been tangled with the strands of hair i groaned in frustration i took a step closer to the mirror as i try to detangle the strand of hair from the jewellery but the more i try the more it seems to get tangled

I hear a faint chuckle behind me "If u will permit I shall provide my helping hand" With a sigh of relief I drop the hands from my hair to my sides fine just be gentle and don't tug at my hair he gently pushes me down onto the chair and his hand lifted the maang tikka and held onto a strand of my hair his hands looked larger then mine I looked at my hand which now rested on the top of the dressing table and I look up at his hand in the mirror as it tucked away a strand of hair behind my ears his eyes find mine in the mirror I blinked as I looked away I sit done I asked as i looked back up again yeah almost there he said as he took off the maang tikka off from my hair "thank I said quickly not knowing what else To do " there you  go all done"

His hands dropped to my shoulders it wasn't too warm but warm enough to leave a trace of its warmth behind and within a second the warmth disappeared leaving a tingly feeling to arise in its way 

I turned to take a look at the nightgown it was - the fabric too thin compared to the fabric of my skirt it had two thin straps "that's all?" i couldn't stop myself from asking out loud

He looked confused by my question what do u mean 'that's all? did u think a nightgown will have five layers too?" " well no not like that !!" i threw the nightgown at his smug face how am i supposed to wear that ??"

"Just the way u wear all other clothes princess slip it over ur head and we are done"  he said rolling his eyes

"I know that i didn't ask for a tutorial"  I said as i turned back at the mirror "you have to help me do this since Lakshmi is not here to help me now". "Ok but help you with what exactly again?"

"The string of my blouse"  i point at them" I cannot untie them on my own its tightly tied maybe i should just call Lakshmi but the shawl is already ruined i can't use it to cover my head and i can't go out in the hallways without it" i grumble

"Fine i ll do it then just this once"  he took a step forward i could feel his breath on my shoulder as i held my breath my head over my chest i waited for him to pull out the knot i heard a slight curse as he murmured something to himself his hands brush against my skin the heat of the touch causes goosebumps to raise in my skin a slight shiver rocks my skin as he pulled off the kot in the blouse there you go careful he takes the shawl and wraps it around my shoulders "there you go all done "  i rush into the bathroom and quickly change into  the nightgown amaia gave for me

I found myself before the mirror again i brad my hair quickly as i went to the bed all tired now that its finally settling on me after all the trouble in travelling i groan as my back hits the bed i am going to sleep i said to no one in particular as he stepped in to take a bath right after I stepped out all ready to go to bed I could hear the sound of water in the bath and before i knew it i was fast asleep

I turn in my sleep as the bead creaks i don't bother to turn to his side now that he is in the bed too his hand brushes my hair away i stir in my sleep "What?" i murmur drowsily  "what about dinner princess?" he said i turn to him it takes me a second to finally realize we were so close and he had taken off his coat an now just wore his shirt and the same pair of pants oh i cleared my throat" i think i can skip it i am too tired to even move and i didn't have that much sleep yesterday' I said turning away and covering myself with the blanket

"Fine then don't get up in the middle of the night hungry you know what forget it" his voice sounded frustrated he ran his hands through his hair my senses went into overdrive without any notice i blinked "i am getting you  dinner and your going to bed only after you  finish it i am not being held answerable by your brother" i groan in my sleep do whatever you want i don't care Philip" then  i heard the door open and close and i fell into sleep again not wanting to be awake another second

Something or someone shook me awake to say I  angry was an understatement my anger reached my head did I want to strangle the person my eyes opened and it was HIM . i said" i didn't want dinner "but you  have to eat or you will be going to bed with an empty stomach" Okay fine whatever"  i glared at him talking to him was like talking to a wall no use at all

I took the plate from his hand it was roti and paneer good attest it was something i could stomach fast and the paneer smelled really good if i hadn't been angry I  could have enjoyed the food more i eat it in silence i looked around the room the curtains were drawn "were the others having dinner together ??"

"No i guess everyone is tired after the travel must have just had it in the room then" he says after a moment of silence said "we can just put a pillow between us cause i am not sleeping on the sofa that looks like  i will end up  with a dislocated shoulder if i sleep on it"

"Fine then but only because we have no other way and i am kind enough to not have you sleep on the floor" i can't help but let a little smirk play on the edge  of my lips 

A/N: hello dear readers hopefully all of you are tucked away safely from the sun and all the heat,  just got back from vacation and jumped back to updating the chapters for you guys, have a nice read don't forget to vote and comment 💕