Canvas of Timeless Fate

Chapter 32 - A dance of Blades and hearts

Prithviraj moved behind me, his presence suffocatingly close as he adjusted my grip on the sword. His fingers wrapped around mine, firm yet gentle.

“You’re holding it wrong,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

I swallowed. “Then show me.”

His hands guided mine, positioning my arms correctly. “A sword is not just about strength, Shivi. It’s about balance, control.” His voice dropped lower, almost teasing. “And patience—something you seem to lack.”

I huffed. “Are you teaching me or insulting me?”

He chuckled, stepping back. “Both.”

We began sparring, slow at first, his blade clashing against mine with a rhythm that was almost hypnotic. I held my ground, determined not to let him overpower me, but he was relentless. Every move I made, he countered effortlessly.

Frustration bubbled within me. “You’re not even trying!”

He smirked. “Oh, I am. You’re just not ready.”

I narrowed my eyes and lunged forward, but in one swift movement, he sidestepped and spun me around, his arm wrapping around my waist. My back pressed against his chest, my sword arm pinned beneath his.

The courtyard was silent.

I could hear his breathing, steady and controlled, while mine was uneven. My heart pounded against my ribs as he leaned down slightly, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear.

“Easily distracted, Rajkumari,” he murmured.

I struggled, but his grip only tightened for a moment before he let me go. I turned to face him, glaring. He was smirking—no, he was enjoying this.

Adinath and Manik burst into laughter from the side.

“Looks like our queen is learning more than just swordplay,” Manik teased.

I shot him a glare, but my cheeks burned.

Prithviraj sheathed his sword, looking far too satisfied with himself. “That’s enough for today.”

I scowled. “I can keep going.”

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper only I could hear. “And I can keep holding you like that. Your choice.”

I stepped back quickly, my heart racing. “I hate you.”

His smirk widened. “No, you don’t.”

I turned on my heel, ignoring the amused glances from the soldiers as I stormed off.

I didn’t know what irritated me more—the fact that he was right or the fact that I didn’t mind him being this close anymore.

The dim glow of the lamps cast long, flickering shadows across the walls as I sat cross-legged on the thick rug in my chamber, staring at the half-completed painting. The delicate strokes of color had started to form more details, yet the space beside me remained blank—waiting, needing to be completed by him.

I was lost in thought, tracing my fingers along the edge of the canvas, when I felt his presence before I even heard his footsteps.

Viraaj.

He stepped inside, his movements quiet, deliberate. His deep gaze found me immediately, unreadable and dark. He shut the door behind him, sealing us in a space that felt far too small all of a sudden.

"You found something, didn't you?" I murmured, sensing the tension in his stance.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair as he walked toward me, his presence overwhelming. "Yes," he admitted. "I found out how this painting ended up with that merchant."

I sat up straighter. "Tell me."

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. "The painting… it was never lost, Shivi."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Viraaj sat down beside me, resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlocked. "That merchant wasn’t just a businessman. He was a collector of rare artifacts, paintings, and objects with historical significance. But this—this was different. He didn’t just acquire the painting. He was given it. And do you know who gave it to him?"

I held my breath. "Who?"

Viraaj’s gaze locked onto mine. "A royal servant. One who served in both Kahilya and Parthiva years ago."

The words sent a chill down my spine. "Someone who had access to both kingdoms?"

He nodded. "He was loyal to both, but when the rift happened between our fathers, he took it upon himself to preserve the last piece of their alliance—the painting. But he knew it was dangerous to keep, so he entrusted it to the merchant under a false name."

I stared at the painting, my mind racing. "Then why was the merchant hid  it for so long ? "

Viraaj leaned back, his fingers tapping against the rug. "Because someone else is after it. Someone who knows its true value. And they were willing to kill for it."

The weight of his words settled over me, but something else lingered at the back of my mind. A nagging suspicion, one I had been ignoring for too long.