Canvas of Timeless Fate

Chapter 12 - playing Better

As we examined the carvings and inscriptions, something caught my eye-a small alcove hidden behind a crumbling pillar. "Over here," I called, pointing to the opening.

The others joined me as I reached into the alcove, pulling out a weathered scroll. The parchment was fragile, its edges frayed, but the script was legible. It mentioned a merchant who operated between Kahilya and Parthiva-a name that seemed oddly familiar.

Before we could delve further, the sound of footsteps echoed through the shrine. Viraaj immediately drew his sword, his posture tense. "We're not alone," he muttered.

Suddenly, a group of masked men emerged from the shadows, their weapons glinting in the dim light. They attacked without warning, their movements swift and calculated.

I grabbed a dagger from my belt, my heart pounding as I parried a blow aimed at me. Manik and Adinath fought fiercely, their swords clashing against the attackers'. Viraaj, as expected , his strikes precise and deadly.

In the chaos, one of the attackers managed to graze my arm with a blade. I hissed in pain but continued to fight, determined not to be a liability.

After what felt like an eternity, we managed to overpower the assailants. The remaining few fled into the forest, leaving us breathless but victorious.

Viraaj was at my side in an instant, his eyes scanning my injury. "You're hurt," he said, his voice low but filled with concern.

"It's just a scratch," I replied, trying to brush it off.

He didn't listen, pulling out a clean cloth from his satchel and pressing it against the wound. "Hold still," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I watched him as he worked, his brow furrowed in concentration. There was a gentleness in his touch that contrasted sharply with his usual demeanor. "You're surprisingly good at this," I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

He glanced up, his expression softening. "I've had practice. And I'd rather not see you get hurt again."

For a moment, our eyes met, and I felt a strange warmth in my chest. The way he looked at me-like I was something precious-was enough to make my heart skip a beat.

Manik's voice broke the moment. "We found something else over here!"

We joined him and Adinath near another alcove, where they had uncovered a small wooden box. Inside was a ledger containing names and transactions. One name stood out-the same merchant mentioned in the scroll.

"This could be the connection we've been looking for," Viraaj said, his tone thoughtful.

With our discoveries in hand, we made our way back to the palace. The journey was quieter this time, each of us lost in our thoughts. Viraaj rode beside me, occasionally glancing my way as if to ensure I was still alright.

When we reached the palace, I couldn't help but think about Viraaj's caring side. It was a side of him I hadn't seen before, and it lingered in my mind long after we parted ways.

As I prepared for bed that night, I found myself smiling, the memory of his concern and the warmth in his eyes refusing to fade.

The past few days had been a strange mix of mundane and extraordinary. I spent my time practicing in heavy royal attire, draped in intricate jewelry that jingled with every movement. The weight of the gold and gems was something I wasn't used to, but I forced myself to adapt. After all, I wasn't just Prerna Agarwal anymore-I was a princess in this era, living the kind of life I'd only read about in history books.