ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

84

This chapter has 3700+ words and ends with a question so make sure you read till the end.

Also the answer to my question on the coversation board is that Nanda supported Vaishu more than Meihu.

Target for next chapter: 1200 votes and 750 comments

Next update: 9 Sept 7:30 if target met, 13 Sept 7:30 if not met

*** Devendra ***

"Mahadev," I whispered to myself as I rubbed my forehead.

So many complicated medical terms... so many things to learn... so many things to remember... how the hell am I supposed to study all this—on top of my regular meetings and duties, no less?

I have a heartless general...

I thought to myself as I heard his footsteps and then a knock on the door.

"May I come in, Your Highness?" Dheera asked.

"Take the devil's name and he arrives just in time," I whispered, well aware that he could hear me, before saying aloud, "Come in."

"Your endearments for me are charming, Your Highness," Dheera said as he walked in, and I rolled my eyes.

"You seem stressed?" he asked, studying me closely.

"Of course I am stressed," I replied, annoyed. "The devil registered my attendance in hell for three whole years."

"You are being dramatic," Dheera replied nonchalantly.

"Shut up and leave me alone," I muttered, returning to my reading.

"Come on, Your Highness," he said, trying to cheer me up. "Loosen up a little, let's have a battle and relax for a while."

"You think I have time to battle?" I snapped, holding up my book to show how massive it was.

"Physical health is important, Your Highness," he stated matter-of-factly.

"Then why the hell did you punish me with this?" I asked, agitation rising.

"Mental health is also important, Your Highness," he replied smoothly.

"How is me studying medical science at this age and time going to help with my mental health?" I demanded, gritting my teeth.

"My mental health, Your Highness," he replied and at that moment, I lost my patience. I immediately snatched up a nearby paperweight and hurled it at him.

He caught it... of course.

"I could've gotten hurt, Your Highness," he said, sounding offended.

"Who told you that wasn't the intention?" I shot back, returning to my reading.

"Well," Dheera sighed, "if you really want to hurt me, might as well use the sword." And that convinced me.

"Right then," I said, closing my book with a snap. "Let's battle."

*** Randheera ***

CLINK. CLINK. CLINK.

The fierce strokes of the King's sword repeatedly struck against mine. I tried my best to dodge and defend myself, but his aggression kept growing wilder, almost unrestrained.

In retrospect, challenging him to a battle when he was already angry might not have been the wisest decision.

CLINK. CLINK. CLINK.

The intensity kept increasing as we pushed ourselves, quickly escalating until we reached level seven—the danger zone. Yet neither of us chose to stop or slow down. We continued, sweat rolling down our bodies, hair whipping in the air with every rapid move, our swords clashing so often that it sounded like one continuous ringing of steel on steel.