𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧

14⚚ Let that go

Vencie POV:

Three brothers were helping Viraj in the kitchen while Amaira was lounging on the couch, engrossed in her TV show.

A sudden knock on the door broke the calm. Gaurav, being closest to the door, wiped his hands on a towel and opened it. Standing there was one of Agastya's royal guards, his stance firm and expression formal.

The guard saluted. "Commander Gaurav."

Gaurav returned a nod, his eyebrows slightly raised. "What happened?"

"His Majesty and His Highness are waiting for Her Grace in the main palace dining hall for breakfast, Commander," the guard informed.

Gaurav paused, glancing back into the kitchen where his brothers were still cheerfully preparing breakfast. He sighed, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.

"She'll be there in ten minutes," he replied. The guard saluted again and departed.

Closing the door, Gaurav walked back to his brothers, who had noticed his slight change in demeanor. "Agastya called for Amaira to join them for breakfast. The king is also there," he said, his tone resigned.

Viraj turned from the counter, a brief flicker of disappointment flashing in his eyes. "But—" he started, only to trail off.

Rithvik, who always knows what Viraj is thinking, caught the unspoken disappointment and interjected with a reassuring smile. "It's okay, I'll let her know," he said, stepping toward the living room.

Viraj sighed, turning back to the stove but not before muttering under his breath, "So much for breakfast together."

Meanwhile, Rithvik approached Amaira, who was still glued to the television, completely unaware of the conversation. He sat down beside her and nudged her shoulder gently.

"Princess, your brother and father have invited you for breakfast. I already told them you'll be there in ten minutes."

Amaira's head snapped toward him, her face immediately falling into a pout. "But bhai...I don't want to go," she whined.

Rithvik gave her a patient smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know, princess. But it's been days since you've seen them. Don't you think it's time to face them? They're waiting for you."

Her lips quivered into a frown as she looked toward the kitchen. "But we were supposed to have breakfast together," she mumbled, glancing at her brothers who were still busy cooking.

Rithvik tilted her chin gently, his tone soft and encouraging. "We'll come visit you this evening, and we'll all have dinner together, okay? For now, go see your father and brother. They're waiting for you."

Amaira bit her lip, conflicted. She knew he was right. She'd been avoiding her father and Agastya for days, but she didn't want to leave the cozy morning she'd been enjoying with her brothers and Viraj.

After a long pause, she sighed and nodded reluctantly.

"Fine, but you all better not eat without me tonight!" she grumbled, standing up to head to her room.

Rithvik chuckled. "Deal. Now hurry up, princess."

As Amaira got ready to leave, she went to Viraj, a soft smile on her face. "Shall we go?"

Viraj gave her a small nod, his expression unreadable as he followed her out. The three brothers, watching them leave, silently returned to their work without eating, grabbing a few fruits instead.

Walking alongside Viraj, Amaira noticed his unusually quiet demeanor, his face carrying a hint of sadness.

She knew him well enough to understand the reason—he cherished their little moments together, and she could tell he was disappointed they couldn't have breakfast as a family.