Agneya - The Unknown King

Chapter 21 - Warning

But before Samrat could reply anything, another voice was heard saying, "I will accompany him".  Everyone turned to Yuvraj Agneya who uttered the statement.

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Agneya stared straight at Samrat, who was seated exactly opposite to him, in the other corner, without minding any attention he was receiving from others.  Samrat was startled at his suggestion and went tongue-tied for a moment.  Later he composed himself and said, "Yuvraj, Are you sure you want to go?".  Agni nodded at him and Samrat sighed, and announced that Agni will accompany Dakshesh to the naming ceremony.

Once the dinner is completed, everyone went back to their chamber but the the Kings and Queens, whose children were residing in the Academy, went to meet their sons and daughters, even in the middle of the night.  Likewise, Rashmi and Charu's parents also went to meet Charu in her residence and entered her chamber after getting required permissions from the incharge of the residence.

The King of Akashpura called out, "Charusheela!".  Hearing his voice, Charu came towards him and touched his feet to seek his blessings.  The king was satisfied as he remembered Rashmi who didn't even greet them properly.  Charu greeted her mother as well and all of them sat down.  Charu asked Damini to bring some refreshments for them which they denied saying that they finished their dinner just now.

The king said, "Charusheela, I came to inform you that your brother's naming ceremony is to be held in two weeks time.  I know that you cannot participate in the ceremony as the students cannot leave the academy in the middle of the year, except in some unforeseen circumstances.  But I really wished that you could attend the ceremony with Rajkumar Dakshesh".

Charu frowned at his words and asked, "Rajkumar Dakshesh is coming to the ceremony?  But he didn't tell anything to me.  How come he could leave the academy in the middle of the year?".  Her mother replied, "Because he is not an ordinary Rajkumar.  Rather he is from the Royal family of Pranyakta, the powerful lineage in this whole realm.  Samrat can bend the rules for them.  And yes, it was announced by Samrat just during the dinner that Rajkumar Dakshesh will attend the naming ceremony, along with Yuvraj.  Then how would he know?". 

Charu whipped her neck towards her mother and asked with a frown, "Yuvraj Agneya?".  Her father explained that he volunteered himself to look around the Kingdom.  Charu got immersed in thought for a second and then they started talking about whatever they missed in these time.

On the other hand, Rashmi was pacing in her chamber with a tensed face and Dakini, who was worried about her, asked, "Rajkumari calm down.  What is going to happen if you keep walking like this, without rest?  You will spoil your health".  Rashmi slumped down on her bed and thought, "Why has he not come yet?  It's been an hour since the dinner ended.  Is he angry with me?". 

Agneya's chamber

After the dinner meet was over, Agni came to his chamber to refresh himself before going to Rashmi's chamber.  And just as he was about to leave, Samrat entered his chamber through a portal himself.  Both of them kept staring at each other for sometime and then Samrat asked, "Why do you want to visit Akashpura?".   Agneya replied nonchalantly, "Just to look around the kingdom".

Samrat came near him and said, "We both know that it is a lie,Yuvraj.  I want to know the reason why you volunteered yourself to go with Dakshesh.  I was about to send Rashmi along with him so that-".  Before he could finish his statement, Agni shouted, "That's why".  He breathed heavily in anger and continued in a much calmer voice, "That is the reason why I volunteered myself".  Samrat was speechless for a moment, although he guessed the reason to be Rashmi.

Composing himself, Samrat asked, "Do you like Rashmi?".  Although he dreaded the answer, he had to make things clear.  Agni answered in his usual stoic tone, "Yes".  Samrat rubbed his forehead and went to sat down on his bed.  He was confused as to how to explain it to Agni and then said in a low voice, "Rashmi is Dakshesh's soulmate".  To which Agni replied, "Was.  She was his soulmate.  Not now".

Samrat was frustrated on hearing his reply and said, "I don't know how to make you understand Agni.  But one thing I'm warning you is that the bond of a soulmate is very powerful and if not today, then some other day, Rashmi will go back to her soulmate.  So don't involve too much feelings".  Agneya didn't reply anything and Samrat exited his chamber through a portal again.

As soon as Samrat exited, the door of his chamber opened with a thud, startling him and he became ready to attack the intruder with a ball of fire in his hand.  He became relaxed after seeing the person in the chamber and then asked, "How did you enter the residence in the first place?".

Instead of getting an answer, he got another question, "Why didn't you come to my chamber?".  He looked at Rashmi, who closed the door using her lightning strike and said, "Samrat was here till now and warned me to stay away from you.  That is Dakshesh's soulmate".  He gritted his teeth while saying this and his intense glare directed at her, was making her feel guilty for hiding their truth from the world. 

Rashmi replied in a whisper, "Oh, so that's why you didn't come".  Agni enquired, "What else did you think?".  She proceeded to clarify her actions while still maintaining her composed look, "Yuvraj, I thought you might have misunderstood my actions during the dinner meet.  My intention was not to invite Rajkumar Dakshesh".  He replied in a dangerous voice, "I know.  Your intention were not about who should come.  Rather it was whom to prevent".

Rashmi didn't meet his eyes and heard him say, "I know that you won't tell me the reason".  He came too close to her and said with his breath fanning on her face, "Rest assured, I will find out the reason myself".

Glossary:
Samrat - Emperor
Samragyi - Empress
Rajkumar - Prince
Bratashree - Brother
Bhabhishree - sister-in-law
Acharya - Master/Teacher
Mamashree - Uncle (Mother's Brother)
Mamishree - Aunt (Mother's brother's wife)
Bade - elder or big
Chote - younger or small

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Precap:

Kiss?

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Hi guys,

Hope you like the chapter.

Do vote and comment if you like the chapter.

Word count: 1100

Thanks,
SM.