ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

88

Hi lovelies, this chapter has 4500 words and ends with a question so make sure you read till the end ❤️

Target for next chapter: 1200 votes and 750 comments

*** Vishnu Gupta ***

"You better have a very valid reason for calling me in here in the middle of the night," I told Kheera angrily as Pritham and I stepped into his meeting room.

"I very much do," he said, then turned to Pritham. "Ms. Avanthika is back," he stated.

"What?" Pritham and I both exclaimed simultaneously.

"You heard it right," he said, gathering a map and some documents.

"How deep into the forest can you go at this hour?" he asked, looking at Pritham — not even giving him a chance to comprehend what he had just said.

"I... um..." Pritham took a moment to regain his composure after his initial shock before he could answer the general's question. "As deep as required, sir," he said finally.

"How deep can you go without putting your life in danger?" the general rephrased, his voice sharp.

"Trust me, sir, my life isn't at risk by—"

"Answer the damn question, Pritham! We don't have time to debate the necessity of unwanted sacrifices," the general yelled.

"An estimated fifteen kilometers radius from the outskirts of the forest, sir," Pritham replied firmly. "Beyond that, it gets too dark."

"That's good," the general said, glancing back at his map. "This is the exact location where the King saw Ms. Avanthika," he said, pointing to a place on the parchment. "I want you to go there and see if she's still around. If she is, arrest her and bring her back to me. If she isn't, search the nearby vicinity and try to find her."

"Sure, sir," Pritham said, taking the map and studying it intently.

"Also, find out why the tribals we questioned earlier lied about not seeing her. Take all the Eastern soldiers and anyone else who knows their way around the forest with you," he added.

"Yes, sir," Pritham nodded and was about to leave when the general called him again.

"Sir?" Pritham turned back.

"Two very important things, officer," he said gravely. "One — do not let Ms. Avanthika speak to anyone. Not a word must come out of her mouth once you capture her. And two — she has a baby with her. Make sure you find the baby and ensure that it is unharmed."

"Baby?" Pritham whispered to himself, curiosity flickering across his face, but he did not dare question the general.

"Noted, sir," he said instead, nodding quickly before leaving — like a true soldier on duty, no questions asked.

"Why are we caring so much about a prostitute, Dheera?" I asked, my voice laced with anger the moment Pritham left. "Do you even understand the impact this is going to have on the state if King Parthan ever finds—"

"Deva slept with her," Dheera interrupted me.

My heart skipped a beat. I dug my fingers into my palm, hoping — praying — that it was a nightmare. But the sharp sting of pain told me it wasn't.

"This can't be true," I whispered. "This is a terrible prank!" I shouted, my voice breaking. "Dheera, tell me it's a lie!"

"I wish it were," he replied softly, pain evident in his eyes. I shook my head in disbelief.

King Devendra would never do this.

No way.

"Get yourself together. We don't have time for this," Dheera said firmly, not giving me a moment to process. "Tell me what to do."