The Prince's Beloved Stranger

18. BiswaSingha

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What was I thinking? Getting that close to her . . .

Shubhashini ji wasn't even wearing a dupatta while I was in the tent; I should have left.

I went to my horse and headed to the Fort before I did something questionable. She was standing there in the tent in a faded lehenga choli, the lamp casting shadows around her and her dark wavy hair loose open.

I wanted to move inside and took her in my arms. I wanted to hold her while her rosy cheeks pressed to my shoulder as she hugged me in return. I wanted to bury my face in her hair and inhale that unique scent of her.

My wishes must have shown in my face because Shubhashini ji stepped back and hurt her ankle in the process. And I was the reason she had to bear that pain.

Treating her ankle with that proximity, I wanted to pat myself on my shoulder for being the strongest man because my heart was on the verge of exploding.

I sped up with determination as I crossed the forest. I had to secure Silabhadra and then I would return to her.

As I was drawing nearer to Fort, I began to ponder seriously what my plan of action should be, once we take over SuryaNagar.

Nila wouldn't return without a victory and Baba would be furious.

It depended, I thought, upon what our present king was capable of and what was he likely to do. If he believed that I was still the barrier to his son's success, he might try to get an alliance with Rakhagarh, which only increases the difficulty.

By the time I reached the Fort, it was nearing midnight, and I was sure it would take mere time before the news reached the Shivastambha Dynasty and Baba would be informed about the attack. By that time I would be here ready to take over Rakhagarh if needed.

"Yuvraj ki Jai Ho," the foot guard bowed as soon as I reached the front gate.

"Alert all the soldiers to guard the east side of the Fort and prepare the High room for arrows," I said as I climbed down from my horse and marched toward the castle. "Call on Acharya to meet me," I ordered them as I strode to my quarter. I was in front of the door when I hesitated, turning to look at my guards.

They waited for any other instructions, which were mostly given by our Captain Amarendra. There were questions in their eyes as to why I was doing that duty and where was Amarendra or my brother Niladhwaj.

"We will guard the Fort and Shivastambha!," I told them. "Guard the land without question!"

"With life!" They said in unison without asking any further and bowed. I stood there still.

"And sent some of your soldiers to the market and guard the area. Not a single citizen should be harmed," I didn't wait any further and went inside.

One hour later I was standing in the High Room, waiting for any news. The attack was secret, only Amarendra and Niladhwaj would go to Suryanagar with half of our best trope of soldiers and attack them, breaking the alliance permanently.

Rakhagarh, on the other hand, would try to intrude while half of my men were on the field; I was waiting...

"Is it worth it?" A voice said from behind, and I turned to look at Acharya. He was the head of our council. One of our royal court advisors. He had served our Dynasty for many years, although in his fifties' he still stood with the dignity that only Acharya could manage.

"I need to break the alliance in the budding," I declared turning back to look outside.

"You were to be coronated last week, and now our captain and your brother are on the borderline of initiating a war against Suryanagar," he said.

"You are stating the obvious," I replied.

"Yuvraj, you need to understand that you are not the king yet,"

His words stopped the royal guards who were there with me, as they immediately stiffened in position if needed to defend me. I looked around and then looked at Acharya.

"You are the wise one, Acharya. Think before you act." I smirked as one of the guards inched toward him with a sword pointed at his throat. "There is no king in this land. There was no king for many years. This Dynasty was led by Queen Vishakha. And I will gladly remind you that I am his older son."

"Niladhwaj is the son. He is the one born in the royalty-" Acharya looked so different from the person I grew up admiring.

"Do not complete that sentence if you want to see the sunrise tomorrow." I was calm; I had done the deed already; Suryanagar would fall by within two days of not tomorrow morning, and I would take the throne as the Royal court decided earlier with Niladhwaj by my side.

"Niladhwaj will not always be on your side," Acharya smiled, eyes glinting. "King Vajradutta wouldn't let you take the throne. Royalty doesn't run through your veins, remember that Yuvraj,"

I knew that. However, Niladhwaj is not only their Yuvraj but also my only brother. I wasn't here to steal his rights; I was to rule our Dynasty with my brother.

"And you will not always be alive," I replied. "Stop plotting for once in your life, Acharya. Stop destroying life in the name of our Dynasty. You have done enough damage,"

Acharya stopped and glared at me.

"You think I don't know how our former Captain was killed? Do you think I don't know how you poisoned our former Maharaj?" I asked him.

"You think you are so proud of yourself? Huh," he scoffed. "Remember Yuvraj, no two lions can rule a jungle."

The guards around him slowly enveloped him. Acharya seemed to realise he was already going to be dead when I called for him and glanced at me with pure hatred.

"Shivastambha Dynasty need royal blood!" He hissed at me. And I closed my distance to him.

"My mother's blood is enough to make me royal," I whispered in his ears then stepped away. "Take him to the cellar. We will need him for interrogation."