Cursed by Destiny

Chapter 1 - Promises of Protection

“Brother, where are you?” Dhara called out, her voice laced with playful frustration.

“Here, you fool! How will you ever find me if I actually get lost someday? I guess I’ll just die waiting for you to come save me,” Abhay replied with a teasing tone.

“Can you please shut up, brother? How do you know I wouldn’t find you? Besides, who would want to kidnap a fool like you anyway?” Dhara shot back, her tone dripping with mockery.

“Your Majesty, can we go back to the palace now? His Majesty has been waiting for us for a long time. He will worry if we don’t return soon,” General Drishya said, his voice tinged with concern.

“Oh, my dear General Drishya, don’t you worry. I’ll take care of my foolish brother. You know Father is never worried about us when we’re with you. He trusts your capability,” Dhara said, her eyes wide, clearly trying to convince the General to wait a bit longer. “Besides, I’m yet to have a sword fight with my brother,” she added, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Dhara drew her wooden sword, standing ready and pointing it towards Prince Abhay. With a smirk, Abhay put aside his real sword, grabbed a wooden one, and charged at her. Dhara dodged the attack as quickly as she could, twisting her sword in an attempt to disarm her brother. It was a failed attempt. Without hesitating, she tried the same move again, only to have her sword caught by Abhay’s with ease.

She stood there, stunned, as her sword flew out of her hands and landed far away, far enough that she couldn’t retrieve it quickly. Dhara wasn’t sad about her loss, but she was shocked at how her brother had overpowered her so effortlessly, while she had struggled with all her strength to even move his sword a little.

Noticing her expression, General Drishya, worried that his little princess might be upset, approached her. But before he could say anything, Dhara turned to him and asked, “How is my brother so strong? How did he manage to overpower me so easily?”

With a small smile, General Drishya said, “Why don’t you ask your brother yourself?”

Dhara nodded and walked towards Abhay. As she got close, Abhay checked her over, ensuring she wasn’t hurt. “Brother, I’m alright,” she said, thumping her chest with her fist, trying to show him how strong she was and that he didn’t need to worry.

Forcing a smile, Abhay took her small face in his large, rough hands and asked, “Why can’t you just live like a girl? Why do you need to put yourself in danger?”

Dhara knew her brother was worried about her safety and didn’t want her to get hurt. Silently, she pulled her face from his hands and hugged him. She whispered into his ear, “Because I want to protect you, dear brother.”

Abhay, holding back his tears, replied quietly, “Then work hard, you fool. You’ve improved, but you’re still very weak. How will you protect me? I guess I’ll have to wait a long time if I’m ever to be rescued by you.”

Hearing these words, Dhara pouted and said, “Then wait! I’ll come and rescue you, believe in me. I will always come to save you. So don’t worry—no matter how long it takes, just know that your little sister will come for sure.”

“But for now, you both need to return to the palace, or no one will be able to save you from Her Majesty,” General Drishya said with a grin.

“Brother, let’s go. General Drishya fears Mother,” Dhara giggled.

Prince Abhay nodded, sheathing his sword. As they made their way back to the palace, Dhara bombarded her brother with a flurry of curious questions.