𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬♛ 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧⚚

03⚚ Vixen

Author POV:

After taking the oath, Viraj was led to the king's office with Gaurav and Ashank standing behind him. The king sat at his desk, holding a letter—the very threat that had put Amaira's security at risk. Viraj kept his expression innocent, but inwardly, he was smirking.

The king held up the letter. "This is the threat against my daughter," he said, his voice firm.

Viraj gave a respectful nod. "I will protect the princess at any cost, Your Majesty," he replied, his tone resolute.

The king nodded approvingly. "You will need to stay close to her at all times. I want you to stay here for at least a month, or until this matter cools down. Can you manage that, Viraj?"

Viraj glanced at Gaurav and Ashank, who both gave him a small nod of encouragement. He straightened up and answered, "I am at your service, your majesty. As you command, I shall remain here as long as you require."

"Good," the king replied, satisfied. "I'll have arrangements made for you to stay in the princess's chambers."

"Your Majesty," Gaurav interrupted respectfully, causing the king to raise an eyebrow.

"Is there an issue, Gaurav?"

"Your grace may not appreciate the idea of Viraj staying in her chambers, Your Majesty."

The king's tone turned steely. "Then tell her it's my order."

Gaurav hesitated for a moment, then bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

The king dismissed them with a nod. "You may go now, Viraj. And remember, report directly to me if anything unusual happens."

Internally, Viraj smirked at how easily everything was falling into place. But on the outside, he maintained a calm and stoic expression, bowing respectfully before the king as he left the office. His plan was moving forward, and no one suspected a thing.

Gaurav sighed as he knocked on the princess's chamber door, knowing full well that Amaira was going to be furious when she found out about the arrangements.

"Why are you so tense, bhai? It's just for a month—she can adjust. It's not like I want to stay with her either," Viraj muttered, sounding annoyed.

Ashank smacked the back of Viraj's head. "Shut up for once, Viraj. You're not making this any easier."

Viraj just clicked his tongue in irritation, but before he could respond, the door opened, revealing the princess's head maid. She looked at them with a warm smile that quickly faded when Gaurav explained the situation.

"Gaurav beta, what's the matter?"

"Well, chachi, the king has ordered Viraj to stay in the princess's chamber for a month until the threats settle down," Gaurav said, bracing for her reaction.

Her eyes widened in shock, fully aware of how upset the princess would be over this arrangement. She let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, I'll arrange his room. But please, go talk to her, Gaurav. She's going to need some convincing."

Gaurav nodded and, without wasting time, went inside and made his way upstairs, knowing exactly where the princess would be.

He turned to Ashank and Viraj, stopping them at the base of the stairs. "Bhai, show Viraj around the chamber while I talk to her."

Viraj, eager to join, protested, "Why? I want to come too."

But Gaurav shot him a hard glare, and Viraj quickly plastered on a sheepish smile, backing away. Ash chuckled, leading Viraj through the main level of the princess's private chambers.