The Royal Deal

3.

You cannot expect
loyalty from the people
who would do anything
for money
-
Unknown

*****

The Royal Palace,
Rajasthan
7 AM

"Where's Yuvraaj?" The first question Kalki asked was about the crown prince once she was settled on her designated chair. Aryaman held back a snarky remark as he continued to eat, completely ignoring her

"Yes, where's he?" It's was Aradhana, their grandmother who questioned her grandchildren in general

"He cannot return for the following few days." Aryaman answered her and Kyna looked at her brother with suspicion

"Did you tell him about that marriage thing?" She asked him in a soft whisper and Aryaman looked at her alarmed

"I knew it." She hissed through her gritted teeth and pointed her fork at him

"So, tell me. What is the punishment that should be sentenced to you?" She asked him in a soft voice to ignore gaining the attention of the elders

"Are you the king? Or the crown prince?" He asked her in a soft whisper while a mischief appeared on his face

"I'm the apple of crown prince's eyes. The king as well. They'll consider my word." She flipped her hair and Aryaman rolled his eyes before he returned his attention to his meal

"Why did you do that?" She asked through her stuffed mouth
"I just wanted him to kn-"

"Princess Kyna, is that a way you eat?" Aaradhna schooled Kyna which made her eat quietly without pulling fights with her brother and her spine straightened

Kyna quietly shifted her leftovers in her brothers' plates as her lost appetite didn't allow her to swallow another morsel and her brothers continued to eat as if she wasn't adding her food on their plate to avoid getting her scolded

"If Yuvraaj doesn't wish to comeback, be it so. The King and Queen shall be visiting Delhi tomorrow." Aradhana announced and Ranvijay looked at his mother appalled

"But he needs to approve this advance, maa." He asserted and the older woman smirked as she rose from her chair

"This is inevitable." She said and left. Kyna followed the suit though confused as much as her siblings were.

✨✨

"What do you think dadi meant then?" Ved asked rest of the three siblings and they stopped doing whatever they were with their horses.

The four decided to spend their afternoon with horses in the open field and there they were.

"I think, a king's marriage is inevitable. The throne of a queen must not be left empty for long " Kyna caressed the hair of her horse as she stood by his side and her brothers shrugged

"I gotta go." That was Aryaman and the other three nodded
"Kyna," he turned to look at his sister in the eye earning all of her attention

"Make sure you eat." He said and left. Kyna scoffed softly but a subtle smile twitched at the ends of her lips

"He's spending a lot of time with Yuvi bhai. Influence can do wonders." Kyna mumbled and the twins laughed