The Return Of The Forgotten Prince

CHAPTER 6

Keshav was still processing everything as he walked beside Vikrant. The royal palace, gunpoint, a literal king saving him—bhai, yeh toh filmy scene ho gaya!

As they stepped into a quieter corridor, Keshav exhaled dramatically. “Boss, zindagi mein adventure toh chahiye, but this was next level! Bas helicopter chase aur ek action sequence aur hota, toh poora Bollywood ka climax ready tha.”

Vikrant, who was usually hard to amuse, actually felt a small smirk tug at his lips. This boy… had an unbelievable way of switching moods. Pehle itna dara hua tha, aur ab masti mode pe aa gaya?

He finally stopped "You do realize that entering restricted areas in a palace isn't exactly ‘adventure,’ right?"

Keshav grinned "Mere liye toh hai! Aur honestly, agar aapko nahi milta, toh shaayad aaj meri photo news mein hoti—‘Unknown boy mysteriously vanishes from Rajvansh Palace.’”

Vikrant sighed "You don't take things seriously, do you?"

Keshav leaned back, his grin softening. “Kya karein? Har baat ko dil se laga lenge toh jeena mushkil ho jaayega. Kuch chize bas uper wale ke bharose chor deni chahiye wo jo karte hai hamare bhale ke liye hi karte hai"

Something about that statement made Vikrant pause. For a moment, silence stretched between them, but before Vikrant could dwell on it, he simply exhaled and moved forward.

As he led Keshav into the royal hall, the atmosphere around them shifted. Conversations halted, eyes turned, and the weight of unfamiliar gazes pressed onto Keshav’s shoulders like a silent judgment.

He immediately felt out of place.

The Rajvansh family was seated with an effortless grace that screamed power, and here he was—standing awkwardly, his usual confident smile wavering under the sheer intensity of the moment.

Keshavendra Singh Rajvansh, was the first to speak. His voice, calm yet firm, held the authority of a man who had seen generations bow before him.

"Who is this?"

Not who are you?—but who is this? Like he wasn’t even worth asking directly.

Keshav swallowed, glancing at Vikrant for some kind of lifeline, but the elder prince simply stood beside him, composed as ever.

Vikrant answered for him. "This is Keshav. He—"

"—was caught sneaking into the restricted area," Shaurya finished, his sharp eyes locked onto Keshav like a hawk assessing prey.

Keshav chuckled nervously. "Okay, ‘sneaking’ is a bit of a strong word. I’d say... ‘accidentally wandered’ sounds much better."

Aaryan scoffed. "Do you think this is funny?" His voice was cold, unimpressed.

Keshav blinked. "Not funny-funny. More like… mildly humorous in hindsight?"

Silence.

Yeah, they were definitely not laughing.

Keshav glanced around the table. Anahita’s expression was unreadable, Kashi’s gaze was neutral but curious, and Ranjit and Suhani simply exchanged brief glances before looking away, uninterested.

Shaurya leaned forward, his hands clasped together. "Do you have any idea what happens to trespassers in this palace?"

Keshav hesitated. "...Um. They get a very warm and hospitable welcome?"