Crown

Chapter 22

Finally annual games had finished,  all the winners were presented awards by the chief  guest viceroy of Kolkata. King Jai was feeling defeated after his plan flopped so badly. While arnav tried to blackmail him, threatening  that he will each one of his secret to the world that would not only destroy his wealth but his future too. But he thought arnav was bluffing,  he still went with on his plan but khushi  changed everything  in second. King Jai was regretting bringing khushi as his daughter  in law, if it had not been for Shyam's stubbornness and his won greed for wealth and having strong  relation with such a huge kingdom,  he would have never brought her here.

King Jai was opened door of his study and as the door closed,  he felt the sword stop just near his neck, making him jump in fear.  He looked to his right,  arnav stood, his eyes filled with anger and hate he was Felling within him.

"Father!  I  am warning you for the last time, don't try to kill me again." 

"wow!  Look at you. Finally making direct threats to me. No more hiding behind the mask of innocent, are we?"  

"I was  innocent once, father!  But you changed me."  arnav said controlling his emotions, how still that  small kid within him wants to feel love of his father. Just like khushi ,he is also craving for love and acceptance  of his father. How unlucky they were,  to struggle for something that comes naturally to people.

"you were never innocent arnav. I always knew what you would become,  I also know that you are planning to snatch my throne from me, from your brother" King Jai stared at him, fire burning in his eyes. 

"I am not planning anything father. I will not take away your throne. You can rest assured." he said to his father for the umpteenth time,  maybe this time he will trust him.

King Jai laughed, arnav's sword  still lay thrust to his neck.

"I am not blind arnav. I can see things,  I can see the future, I can see you and your army approaching. Just like one of your soldiers threatened me today on your command. Should I not consider that act of your ,as  a warning."  King Jai clarified his thoughts.

He deep down knew arnav has that quality to rule,  even when he has tried to keep him away from everything related to kingdom,  arnav has still somehow has Manged to create his own set of rebels.  He even learned  warrior skills,  even when King Jai has especially  warned to not to let him near any of training areas and threatened the trainers of death, if they trained him. But somehow, arnav still manged to achieve every quality of a king, he knew someone from within the palace has helped him, but who would dare to go against him. He will soon find the culprit.

Arnav knew no matter  how hard he try, his father will never trust him. He withdrew his sword, kept it at his side, still staring at his father with a mix of hate, craving, detachment.

"your true self is out finally at least." King Jai said looking at  arnav with victorious eyes.

"I always knew that you are not as innocent,  harmless as you project as yourself to be." he continued, moving towards  to arnav, with uncanny blink of madness.

Not able to take it anymore,  arnav twisted his father arm and legs, making him fall on the floor, in a  swift move. Arnav head his sword near his father's  neck  and threatened him, " good that you know now! So, I will suggest don't mess with me, otherwise I will make your life a living  hell,  if you already don't end up making it  hell yourself." 

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Dinner was a very a quite affair that night. The silence was so deadly, that every  breath been taken, in the room felt like burden. Khushi was just controlling her anger, how can she eat seating at the same table with the man, who just so effortlessly  tried to kill her and  her husband. She kept her gaze low on her food, her left hand holding arnav's right in tight grip.

Akash broke the deadly silence with his witty laugh that made arnav confused.

"Today has been such an entertaining  day, hasn't it?" Akash said looking at everyone, smiling so brightly as if his own brother has not been nearly killed today. Khushi felt so irritated by his behavior,but she didn't  say anything.

"But climax was kind of meh! Right everyone!" akash continued, now his steal gaze fully  at arnav.

" Anyway,  brother arnav,  how was your celebration  with your son. I am sure he  and his mother must be delighted by your presence." akash said taking sip of his soup,but his eyes still stared on arnav, who turned uneasy at his son's name.

Khushi snatched her  hand ,back from arnav's hold, as he try to stop her,she looked at him questioningly.

"yes,  arnav how he is. I must sent a very expensive gift for my grandson, if only you had told me you were going to London to attend his birthday." King Jai said, taking small bite of his meal, as arnav gritted his teeth in anger.

"is it true? " khushi asked arnav  in a whisper. He fisted his hand in anger, trying to control himself.

" of course it's true sister in law haha. He is man after all before anything else. Having a few illegitimate  children is, his right as the prince." akash said chuckling.

Arnav looked at chuckling akash, who winked at him in return to his angry gaze.

"arnav, is akash  saying the truth. You have. " before khushi can finish her sentence, keeping a stone over heart, arnav replied  without taking his eyes off akash.

" yes I have son in London." 

Before arnav can say more, khushi angrily  threw her food off the table and stood looking  at him with hurtful eyes.

"why you hid it from me. Why..  Why you cheated me like this." khushi yelled.

" I am not obligated to tell you everything." arnav said angrily,  events of the day are taking a toll him. Can his life ever leave him  be in peace.

Khushi look at him, crying and ran to her room.

Arnav ran after her, trying to somehow to get out of the situation he is in.