𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧

33⚚ Unforgettable

If you really do want me to keep going, I need to hear it. Shower me with love, spam me with comments, let me know I'm not just shouting into the void here.

Don't you think I deserve that little bit of love for all the effort I've been putting in? Just a tiny bit? Come on, even I need a push sometimes. Writing may be my passion, but your love keeps it alive.

***

Vencie POV:

Amaira was heading back to the palace, her scowl deepening with every passing thought about Rayan and the concealed letter. Her chest was heavy with guilt, anger, and frustration.

She was lost in her storm of emotions when her phone rang. Without looking at the screen, she answered with a sigh.

But then came that voice.

Smooth yet commanding, deep yet gentle—his voice was a balm to her fraying nerves, grounding her instantly. It had the power to still the chaos in her mind, wrapping around her like the warmest embrace.

There was something raw and magnetic about the way he spoke, as though every word carried a promise of protection, love, and unwavering devotion.

That one voice—always managed to calm her, no matter what turmoil she faced.

"Baby?"

Viraj's voice rumbled softly through the speaker, a hint of concern underlying the smoothness. "You called?"

Amaira's lips curved into a small smile despite the tension twisting in her gut. "Where are you, Vijulu? I need to talk."

There was a brief silence on the other end before his voice darkened, dripping with a possessive edge. "Baby? You sound low. What happened?"

His voice dropped into a growl, fierce and protective. "Did anyone say something to you? Are you hurt?"

Amaira giggled softly, unable to help herself despite everything weighing on her. "I'm fine, Vijulu. I just... want to see you."

He exhaled, the tension in his voice softening but not disappearing. "Come straight home. Everyone's here. I'm sending Daksh to pick you up."

She hummed in agreement before hanging up.

Since the home was a secret heaven to her and her brothers, Amaira didn't want anyone—including the palace guards—to follow her there.

She signaled the driver to stop. The guard in the front seat frowned, shaking his head. "Your highness, Viraj sir will kill me if anything happens to you."

Amaira smiled reassuringly. "Nothing will happen. I promise. Go back to the palace. I'll be fine."

Reluctantly, the guard nodded as she stepped out of the car. Moments later, a familiar vehicle pulled up beside her, and Daksh rolled down the window, flashing a warm grin.

"Hey, my little princess," he greeted.

Amaira beamed, her earlier frustration melting away as she climbed into the passenger seat. "Bhai!"

He chuckled as he drove off. "What's got you running away from royal duties today, huh?"

Amaira sighed. "Just needed to breathe for a bit."

Daksh nodded knowingly.

***

"So this is what happened," Amaira declared, finishing her story. Her voice echoed in the hall as silence fell around her.

Deep sighs came from every corner, tension thick in the air. Amaira glanced around nervously. She had arrived half an hour ago and, as usual, her overprotective brothers had bombarded her with questions.