The sun had already begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of deep orange and violet. A soft evening breeze rustled through the open windows of the royal study, carrying with it the distant sounds of the bustling streets of Kahilya. I sat at my desk, fingers drumming lightly on the polished wood, waiting.
Adinath and Manik were supposed to arrive in the morning. There were important matters to be settled—weapon inspections, scroll finalizations, and strategy meetings. They never skipped their duties. Not once. But today, neither of them had stepped foot inside the palace.
What could have happened?
I stood, pacing towards the open balcony. From this height, the grand gates of Kahilya were a Little visible, lined with elite soldiers standing in formation. The security had been tightened upon my orders. No unknown person could pass through undetected, and certainly not a particular princess with no local connections.
Princess Shivanya.
A smirk tugged at my lips. She would try to get in, but she wouldn’t succeed. She had no allies here, except us. She would get caught for sure. I was almost excited at the thought of her storming into the gates, frustration evident in her sharp gaze as she was stopped by the guards.
But there had been no such report all day.
I was lost in thought when hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor. A moment later, the doors burst open, revealing Adinath and Manik. Their expressions were a mixture of amusement, panic, and nervousness—an odd combination that instantly put me on alert.
I straightened and narrowed my eyes.
“Where were you both all day?” I asked in an authoritative tone.
Manik and Adinath exchanged a glance before grinning mischievously.
“We were... busy,” Manik said, his voice teasing.
“Busy with what?” I asked, my patience thinning.
Adinath folded his arms, smirking. “Busy showing Kahilya to someone.”
Something about his tone made me pause. My eyes flicked between the two of them. A strange feeling settled in my gut.
“Who?”
They both grinned wider. “Princess Shivanya.”
I froze.
Shivanya? Here?
“How?” My voice was sharp, disbelief evident. “The gates—”
“She got in,” Manik shrugged. “We don’t know how.”
I clenched my jaw. This was impossible. She couldn’t have entered without alerting the guards. My security was foolproof. No one could pass without being checked.
“How did she even—?”
Adinath cut me off, his tone playful. “Doesn’t matter how, but she did. And we were with her all day.”
I could barely process the words.
They knew she was here, and yet they didn’t inform me?
“And why,” I asked slowly, “did you two not think to tell me?”
Manik cleared his throat. “Because she hates the Prince of Kahilya.”
I sucked in a breath, my fingers curling into fists.
She hated me. Wait not viraaj !
The annoyance that simmered in my chest was undeniable. She barely knew me. And yet, she despised me? The thought was irrationally frustrating.
I exhaled sharply. “So, what did she want?”
“She came looking for someone,” Adinath said, rubbing the back of his head. “The owner of a painting she saw in her kingdom.”
I arched a brow. “And you helped her?”
“Of course,” Manik smirked. “And she’s meeting us tomorrow.”
Something flickered in their eyes, and suddenly, they exchanged glances as if remembering something. Then, in unison, they burst out—
“You should meet her.”
I frowned. “I am going to meet her.”
“No, no, not as you,” Manik shook his head. “As Viraaj.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”
“Because,” Adinath smirked, “she wants to meet Viraaj. Not the prince of Kahilya.” ah ! I forgot.
The realization dawned on me, and I exhaled, rubbing my temple. “She really does hate me, doesn’t she?”
Manik laughed. “Oh, she loathes you.”
I rolled my eyes, but before I could argue, Adinath clapped my back. “So, get ready. We’re going to her.”
Without waiting for my response, they turned towards the door. I shook my head.
“This is ridiculous.”
But I was already moving.
We raced through the corridors after getting ready , making our way to the stables.
“Do you even know where she’s staying?” I asked, adjusting the sheath of my sword as we walked.
Manik smirked. “Of course. I sent guards to keep an eye on her.”
I stopped mid-step, narrowing my eyes at him. “You what?”
“For her safety,” he added quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender. “She doesn’t know, though.”
I exhaled, shaking my head. At least someone was thinking ahead. It wasn't me !
The horses were already prepared, and as we mounted them, the guards nearby moved to accompany us. But I gestured for them to stay back.
“Not this time.”
Manik chuckled. “Look at you. A prince sneaking out for a woman who hates him.”
I shot him a glare. “Shut up and ride.”
We galloped through the palace grounds, the wind rushing past us. The streets of Kahilya were alive with evening energy—shopkeepers calling out their wares, the scent of street food mingling with the crisp air, and the soft hum of folk music in the distance.
As we rode towards the place where Shivanya was staying, I found myself smirking.
She was going to meet Viraaj.
Not the prince.
And she had no idea.