The Battle Of Hearts A Choice Between Power And Love

20 To Catch a Glimpse

Philip's POV

I heard a noise outside my office, somewhat like the sound of anklets. I immediately asked Alfred to shut up by mouthing it and went out of the office.

As I opened the door, I caught a glimpse of a lehenga?

My eyes shot opened wide.

So someone was eavesdropping on us.

But something about the sound of the bells on the anklet reminded me of Annika.

"Shit" I cursed under my breath.

If it was her, I was fucked up. William soon came up behind me.

"What happened? Did you see somebody?" he asked.

"Yeah, I did. But I am not sure who it was. It was a girl, that's all I know" I answered in a frustrated tone.

"I fear it's the princess" I added.

"Why would see be here at this time? That too without any notice?" he asked, growing worried.

"I don't know" I murmured. "We must go to that play tonight, just to make sure that it's her. I need to make sure - see it for myself" I said.

"Well, it starts in a hour or two, so should we leave?" he asked.

"Is everything ready for tomorrow's inauguration ceremony? I won't let her get in the way of that!" I asked him.

"What if she informs the king before we go?" he asked.

"I don't think she will.." I said, my voice trailing off, as I hung on to the last strand of hope.

"I think you trust her too much. Why wouldn't she?" William said and left. The wheels in my head were turning too fast.

Would SHE spill it out before we get here?

Will she?

Or will she not?

The probability of it was not very certain, just like HER.

Shaking myself out my thoughts, I went back into my office. I noticed that Alfred was gone. With a sigh of relief, I started wrapping up the work and as I closed the office, William had called for the carriage. We got in and left for the palace. To our surprise, the event had already started.

People were flooding into the palace grounds. It looked like the palace was open to the people to witness the play that was displayed in a rather grand manner. Right in front of the palace we stopped the carriage and walked. We could see the play just starting. Some people – who may be higher officials for the royalty - sat down on a few chairs put up for them and some cushions and stools were drawn out for the others. A few stalls were set up specially for the event. Lights adorned the whole area. A group of ladies huddled together in a corner, gossiping and wearing what looked like a paste in their hands. The whole place was bustling with energy, enjoyment and happiness, which contrasted to the chaos and restlessness of my thoughts, that ran in full speed as if partaking in a race driven by fear and panic.

The royals had reserved seats for us alongside them. Aditya came and led us there. I sat down with Aditya to my right and William to my left. Then I saw the princess and Lakshmi, along with my sister, as they walked into the place. My sister thoughts seemed to have taken this opportunity to swap her normal outfits to a rather 'traditional' one for the folks here - a saree. I heard Aditya gasp in awe, as he caught a glimpse of my sister. So this was a saree! I was used to seeing them in a lehenga – now it seemed like they had more then one traditional outfit! I let my eyes wander over the princess. She had changed herself into a yellow saree, while my sister wore a blue one.