𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧

61⚚ Together

Author POV:

Amaira picked up her phone, its soft ringtone breaking the stillness of her room. She placed it against her ear and began walking down the stairs, her voice gentle. "Yes, Bhaiyya?"

On the other side, Gaurav's voice came through with the familiar calm laced in concern. "Princess, we might be a little late today. Is that okay? Should I send Daksh to you?"

Amaira smiled instinctively, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's okay, Bhaiyya. I'll be fine. Just finish your work and come back safe, hmm?"

But Gaurav, as always, wasn't fully convinced. "Why don't you come to our home today, cupcake? We're all working nearby. Once we wrap up, we'll meet you there. By the time you reach, Daksh should be home too, hmm?"

She sighed, pausing halfway down the stairs. "Bhaiyya, I'm not a kid. I'll be fine, please don't worry, okay?"

There was a moment of silence, then Gaurav tried again, "Princess, but—"

But before he could finish, muffled sounds came from the background—voices, footsteps—and then another voice cut in, clear and commanding.

"My dear baby princess,"

It is Rithvik.

"You are coming to our home right now. I already told Daksh to prepare all your favorites. So we'll see you there."

Click.
He cut the call.

Amaira blinked, staring at her phone in disbelief for a second before a small laugh escaped her lips. She shook her head with a fond smile.

Because when Rithvik orders something?
There's no point arguing.
Or your ass might just meet his infamous royal broomstick.

"Fine, fine... My overprotective brothers," she mumbled to herself and went to grab her things.

Sometimes, love doesn't need soft words.
Sometimes, it comes with firm commands and favorite food waiting at the end of the day.

***

She stepped outside and, unsurprisingly, found Bhageera already waiting with the car at the entrance. At this point, she didn't even bother wondering how he always knew.

The man is her literal shadow.

"Why am I not surprised, Bhai?" she said, sliding into the passenger seat.

He gave a small bow as he started the engine, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Commander Gaurav called me, Your Highness."

Amaira just hummed, deciding not to correct his formal tone today. She had tried many times before—but it is just a Bhageera thing.

Loyal to the bone, loyal to her brothers, loyal to his king.

Halfway through the ride, she spotted a small ice cream truck parked near a public park and felt a tug at her heart.

"Bhai... can we have ice cream, please?"

Bhageera didn't hesitate. He immediately slowed the car and pulled over to the side.

"Yes, Your Highness."

She got down with a soft smile, and instead of heading straight to the truck, she walked into the park opposite it. The cool evening breeze played with the strands of her hair as she watched a group of kids playing football.

It is already 7:30 PM—she wondered briefly why they were playing this late until she noticed a coach at the side, blowing his whistle. Ah, football practice.