The Heir and the Humble

Another Curse

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the garden, Devraj and Anika sat on the grass, enjoying the peaceful ambiance. The tigers, Rani and Raja, were lounging nearby, their presence adding to the serene atmosphere.

Just as they were about to share a tender moment, the front door burst open, revealing a disheveled Yuvraj. He had clearly been asleep, his hair a mess and his clothes wrinkled.

"What the hell happened to you?" Devraj exclaimed, amusement evident in his voice.

Yuvraj rubbed his eyes, trying to avoid the embarrassment that he just interrupted their moment. "I was sleepwalking," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "I think I was looking for the bathroom."

Anika couldn't help but laugh. Yuvraj, the strong and capable heir to the throne, reduced to a sleepwalker. It was a comical sight.

"Well, next time, try to aim better," Devraj teased.

Yuvraj glared at him, his sleepiness fading. "Very funny," he retorted. "I could have fallen down the stairs."

Anika placed a hand on his arm. "You're safe now," she said, her voice soft.

Yuvraj nodded, his expression softening. He looked at Devraj, then at Anika, and a small smile crept onto his face. "You two look cozy," he teased.

Devraj shot him a playful glare. "Go to bed, you idiot," he replied.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice filled with sleepiness.

Devraj chuckled. "I was introducing Rani and Raja to Anika," he replied.

Yuvraj's eyes widened in disbelief. "You did what?" he exclaimed.

Anika giggled. "It was an experience," she said, her voice filled with amusement.

Yuvraj groaned. "Those brats," he muttered. "I hope they didn't scare you, Anika."

Anika shook her head. "They're actually quite gentle," she replied.

Yuvraj looked at Devraj with a mix of disbelief and admiration. "You're crazy," he said. "Bringing a girl face to face with tigers."

Devraj shrugged. "They're family," he replied, a protective glint in his eyes. "They wouldn't hurt her."

Anika reached out and took Devraj's hand. "I feel safe around them," she said softly.

Yuvraj sighed. "Alright, lovebirds," he said, trying to hide his amusement. Yuvraj chuckled and retreated to his room, leaving Devraj and Anika to enjoy the rest of the evening in peace.

Devraj leaned back in his chair, a sense of accomplishment and exhaustion washing over him. The homam was over, and while his body ached, his spirit felt rejuvenated. He had fulfilled his duty, honoring the traditions of his ancestors. Yet, as the weight of the ritual lifted, the weight of his responsibilities as king settled back on his shoulders.

The coronation was mere days away. The transition of power was imminent. He would be relinquishing his role as the active ruler to Yuvraj, but the title of king would still be his. With it came a burden of expectations, a constant pressure to uphold the legacy of his forefathers.

And then there was Anika. His love for her was a beacon in the darkness of his responsibilities. She was his solace, his strength, his everything. Their love story was still young, and he yearned to build a future with her, filled with laughter, love, and the patter of tiny feet.

A thought occurred to him. He turned to Anika, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation. "Have you ever thought about having children?" he asked softly.

Anika was taken aback by the question. She hadn't considered it seriously before. But now, as she looked into Devraj's eyes, she realized that she wanted to build a family with him.

"I've always wanted children," she admitted, her voice filled with emotion. "With you."

Devraj smiled, his heart filled with warmth. He was ready to be a father, to share his love with a new generation. But a shadow of doubt crept into his mind. He remembered an old legend, a curse that had plagued the royal family for centuries.

"There's something you should know," he began, his voice heavy with seriousness. "A legend says that the king who ascends the throne will not be blessed with a daughter."

Anika's heart sank at the mention of the legend. She had always dreamed of having a daughter, someone she could share secrets with, someone to nurture and love unconditionally. The thought of not being able to fulfill this dream was a bitter pill to swallow.

"I've always wanted a daughter," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "To dress her up in pretty clothes, to teach her everything I know."

Devraj reached out and took her hand, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. "I'm so sorry, Anika," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I never meant to put you through this."

Anika shook her head. "It's not your fault," she replied, trying to sound strong. "We'll deal with it together."

Just then, Yuvraj entered the room, his presence a welcome distraction. "What's going on?" he asked, sensing the tension in the air.

Devraj explained the conversation, his voice heavy with concern. Yuvraj listened intently, his face a mask of contemplation.

"Don't worry about it," he said, his voice filled with assurance. "If destiny has a different plan, we'll respect it. But if I have a daughter in future, consider her yours. I'll want you to bring her up to be the princess you always wanted. Dev will teach her everything she needs to know, from martial arts to diplomacy."

Anika's eyes welled up with tears. Yuvraj's words were a balm to her wounded heart. She threw her arms around his arm, hugging his arm tightly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Devraj smiled, feeling a surge of love and gratitude for his brother. In that moment, surrounded by the two people he loved most, he felt a sense of peace. Whatever the future held, he knew they would face it together.

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Hii guys,

I would like to give you a target and decided to post the next chapter only when I get 10 votes for this chapter.

It's not a compulstion for you to vote. Just vote it only if you like my story and expecting next chapter.

It will make me happy to know that someone is waiting for my story.