ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

53

As a new year gift, here is a surprise update ❤️

Hope you all have a wonderful year ahead and get everything you wished for :)

Target for next chapter: 1410 votes and 750 comments.

Also this chapter has 2800+ words and ends with a question so make sure you read till the end.

*** Yashoda ***

"Wow," I whispered as I stepped into the tent, my eyes widening at the sight before me. The vibrant colors of the fabric draped across the interior, the neatly arranged fruits in the corner, the cozy pillows and blankets, the sweet aroma of candles mixed with the faint floral fragrance—and most strikingly, the bed. The fluffiest, most inviting bed, perfectly placed on the floor, looking as if it belonged to a dream.

"You like it?" the general's voice came from behind, calm yet slightly expectant. He stood with his hands behind his back, watching me intently.

I nodded and smiled, my heart fluttering.

"You know, general sir," I began, "since I was a child, whenever I saw a bed this soft, I just felt like forgetting everything and jumping on it—giggling like a crazy monkey."

The general chuckled at my unexpected confession.

"Well then," he said with a playful smile, "forget everything,  jump on it and giggle like a crazy monkey."

"No," I shook my head immediately. "No, I'm not allowed to do that after the age of ten."

"Why so?" he asked, his confusion genuine.

"It's inappropriate, my mother said," I explained. "Once girls grow up, jumping makes their curves look indecent. Laughing with all their teeth shows them as loud, and occupying too much space while sitting or sleeping makes them look less graceful." As I said it aloud, I couldn't help but question the absurdity of it myself.

The general was silent for a moment, his face contemplative before he finally spoke.

"With all respect, Yashu," he said, his tone calm yet firm, "could it be possible that your mother was... perhaps wrong?"

"But she was only telling me what the world told her," I replied, feeling a strange urge to defend the beliefs I'd grown up with. "And the entire world can't be wrong, can it?"

"I don't know," the general whispered honestly, his eyes meeting mine. "I really don't," he added, shaking his head slightly.

"But if the world is what's stopping you," he said, reaching over to pull a string that lowered the curtain acting as a door, plunging the room into a dim, candlelit glow, "I'll shield you from the world."

I stared at him, my heart melting with his every word.

"Your beauty enhances tenfold when you are being yourself, love," he said softly, taking a step closer. "Give me the honor to see it."

I felt a tear escape the corner of my eye, overwhelmed by his sincerity. I quickly looked away, trying to hide my emotions. My eyes darted back to the bed, then to him, my mind torn. Should I do it? I wanted to, but...

"You have five seconds," his voice interrupted my thoughts.

"And what happens after five seconds?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.

Before I could process, he swept me up into his arms.

"This happens," he said with a smile as he gently tossed me onto the bed.

"General sir!" I yelled, first in shock, then in delight as I landed on the soft mattress.

"Hahaha, this is fun!" I exclaimed, my laughter bubbling up uncontrollably as I rolled on the bed.