80.
Next day~
Aarav and Yug headed toward the open field. Yug slowed instinctively, taking it all in—the wide stretch of land, the clean air, the quiet power of the place. This was where the mansion's animals were trained, and the horses were allowed to roam freely here, far from their stables.
Shaurya noticed them approaching. Aarav was smiling—open, effortless. Shaurya gave him a small nod in return.
Ravi was already there with Kabir, Asim, and Harsh. As soon as Aarav stepped closer, they all bowed slightly in respect.
"Arre, stop it," Aarav said lightly, locking his hands behind his back. "It's good to see you all again."
"It's good to see you too, Aarav," Harsh replied with a grin. Then he turned to Shaurya. "Shaurya bhai, aap toh ghod-sawari hi bhool gaye lagta hai."
Aarav chuckled and glanced at Shaurya, who was calmly moving around his horse, checking the reins.
Shaurya swung down from the saddle and walked toward Aarav and kissed his forehead.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," Aarav replied, smiling.
Ravi approached with two horses, one on either side, holding their reins firmly. He gave a subtle signal. Almost instantly, the horses stepped into a neat line and dipped their heads toward Aarav.
Yug's eyes widened. "They're beautiful."
"You can have one too," Shaurya said. "But horses choose their owners."
Yug nodded, smiling softly.
Aarav bowed slightly in return, his gaze lingering on the animals with quiet affection. Then his eyes softened as they landed on one in particular.
Zafar.
Jet black, coat gleaming under the sun, powerful and proud.
"My boy," Aarav murmured, stepping closer and caressing his head. "I missed you, Zafar. Had fun with Rudra?"
Rudra—Shaurya's horse—stood nearby, brown-coated and strong.
"Rudra's been busy making babies," Ravi teased, patting Rudra's neck.
Rudra responded by nudging Ravi's back with a hind leg.
Ravi smirked.
Yug stayed quiet, simply watching, admiration written all over his face.
Aarav turned toward Shaurya, eyes glinting with challenge.
"Sardar," he said, voice playful yet daring, "humare saath muqabla nahi karenge?"
Shaurya smiled. "Aapse muqabla? Ismein jeetne ki himmat kaun karega?"
It was true—Aarav was an exceptional rider.
"Lekin theek hai," Shaurya continued, mounting Rudra smoothly. "Chaliye, aaj hum bhi dekhte hain hamare Yuvraj ki kaabiliyat."
Aarav swung onto Zafar with practiced ease, settling into the saddle. Shaurya followed as well as he sat on Rudra.
Ravi stepped back, pulling out his gun. He raised it into the air as both riders took position, reins tight, horses restless beneath them.
The shot rang out.
Both horses surged forward at once, hooves pounding against the earth, cutting through the open field. Aarav and Shaurya rode side by side, perfectly matched, wind tearing past them as the field stretched endlessly ahead.
Everyone watched in admiration.
As always, Aarav was a fraction faster—effortless, instinctive. Shaurya didn't rush to overtake him; instead, he matched Aarav's pace. Aarav reached the far end of the field first, Shaurya following close behind.
On the way back, Shaurya leaned low from his saddle, fingers brushing through the tall grass. He plucked a handful of wildflowers in one smooth motion and urged Rudra forward again.
Aarav glanced back and smiled.
He slowed Zafar slightly, waiting.
When Shaurya caught up, he held the flowers out. Aarav accepted them with one hand while keeping the reins steady with the other, then tucked the blooms carefully into his shirt pocket.
Without a word, Aarav reached for Shaurya's hand.
They rode side by side now, horses moving in perfect rhythm. Aarav laughed softly, joy spilling out of him, while Shaurya watched him with quiet awe. The bodyguards cheered, pride clear on their faces—seeing their boss like this, so open and unguarded, was rare.
Ravi smiled.
Yug did too.
They fit together. Completely.
Sunlight caught Aarav's face, making him glow, hair lifting in the wind.
As the finish line drew closer, Aarav gently released Shaurya's hand. He crossed first, Shaurya right behind. Aarav turned in his saddle, still smiling at him.
Shaurya guided Rudra into a slow circle around Aarav.
It was an old Shekhawat ritual—performed in celebration, in love, often at weddings. A silent vow.
When he finished the circle, Shaurya moved close and reached out, steadying Aarav by the arm.
"Aapko humari kaabiliyat pe shaq tha?" Aarav teased, fingers gripping Shaurya's shirt.
"Bilkul bhi nahi," Shaurya replied softly. "Aapki khubsurti aur kaabiliyat par shaq karna mumkin hi nahi."
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Aarav's forehead.
Nearby, Ravi turned to Yug. "Want to ride?"
Yug shrugged. "I don't know how."
"I'll teach you."
Ravi led a horse forward—pure white, gleaming, impeccably cared for.
"Is it yours?" Yug asked.
Ravi nodded.
Yug looked at the horse again, a mix of nerves and curiosity settling in his chest.
"And which one will I have?" Yug asked, scanning the other horses.
"Mine," Ravi said simply, eyes still on him. "For now. Come—climb."
Yug hesitated. This already felt like a bad idea.
But take a risk for once, he told himself.
He took Ravi's hand to climb up. Ravi noticed immediately—how tightly Yug held on. For a second, Ravi's focus shifted, then he steadied Yug properly, making sure he was balanced.
Then Ravi climbed up behind him.
"What the hell are you doing?" Yug snapped.
"You really think you'd survive this alone on your first try?" Ravi replied calmly. "I'll ride with you."
Yug shut up and gripped the saddle, suddenly very aware of the height. His stomach twisted.
Ravi took the reins, his body naturally towering over Yug. Yug rolled his eyes, feeling oddly small—like a kid pretending to be brave.
The horse started moving slowly.
Yug clutched tighter.
Ravi inhaled—and caught Yug's scent again. Clean. Familiar. Distracting. He closed his eyes for just a second before snapping them open. Focus.
Yug was wearing a hoodie. In this heat.
Ravi sighed and reached up, gently tugging it down.
"What are you doing?" Yug asked sharply.
"Aren't you hot?" Ravi said. "Your hair's growing out too. What are you so shy about?"
"My scalp is still visible".
"But you look fine to me." Ravi said.
"I didn't put on sunscreen," Yug muttered.
Ravi raised an eyebrow. He'd never used sunscreen in his life—and his was perfectly alright?. Yug's, on the other hand, was unblemished. Too perfect. Ravi looked away. He knew he was noticing too much.
Across the field, Shaurya and Aarav noticed them. They exchanged a glance.
"I'm wondering something," Aarav said, narrowing his eyes.
Shaurya smirked. "Isn't it better? I get you all to myself."
Aarav smacked his arm. "Ravi would never have helped me like that. He'd have let me crash."
He hummed thoughtfully. "Very fishy."
"Stop overthinking," Shaurya said, gently running his fingers through Aarav's hair.
Aarav relaxed, lacing their fingers together.
"I really missed riding him," Aarav said softly, kissing Zafar's head.
"And me?" Shaurya asked innocently. "Did you not miss that ride?"
"Oh shut up," Aarav laughed.
Shaurya only smirked, slipping an arm around Aarav's shoulders as they watched the field—where something quietly dangerous had already begun.
"Isn't this a little awkward?" Yug asked, glancing at the three bodyguards who were openly grinning at them.
Ravi shot them a sharp look. Instantly, all three turned away, pretending to be deeply invested in absolutely nothing.
Ravi slowed the horse further and guided Yug's hands to the reins. "Hold it yourself now."
Yug gripped them tightly. The horse remained calm—steady, reassuring. Yug liked that.
"Did you sleep well yesterday?" Ravi asked suddenly.
Yug frowned. "Why are you asking?"
"Aise hi," Ravi replied casually.
"I slept fine," Yug said.
"You're not from this state, are you?" Ravi asked.
Yug shook his head. "I spent my childhood here. My dad brought my mom along when he shifted. Later, during high school, we moved to Mumbai because of... some issues."
Ravi listened quietly.
"Eventually," Yug continued, voice lowering, "I found out my dad was seeing another woman behind my mom's back."
Ravi's jaw tightened.
"Where's your dad now?" he asked. His voice had changed—a bit strangely.
Yug noticed but just ignore it. "He's not alive. My mom and I were living in Mumbai when we got the news. They said it was an accident."
Silence followed.
Then Ravi spoke again.
"You came back to see him one last time. You wanted to know what really happened. You got suspicious—thought the Shekhawats might be involved. So you tried to get close to Aarav."
Yug froze.
His grip on the reins tightened. "How do you know all that?" he asked, fear slipping into his voice.
Ravi chuckled softly. "Do you really think Aarav is that na?ve?" he said. "He knows no one just walks into the Royals' circle—especially when the Shekhawats are involved. You appeared too suddenly. Of course he checked you background".
Yug stayed silent.
"So basically," Ravi continued, smirking faintly, "you were a spy. A harmless one—but still."
"Then why am I still here?" Yug asked quietly.
"Because you didn't hurt anyone," Ravi said. "And because Shaurya saw no threat."
Yug exhaled. "I wouldn't even know what to do. And honestly... I don't think his family was involved anyway. I didn't find anything."
He paused, then added softly, "But I did see a world I never knew existed. Not like the movies. Nothing dramatic. Just... conversations. Things Aarav says that don't belong in the life normal people live."
Ravi shifted the reins, guiding the horse onto a different path.
Yug looked ahead—and then toward Aarav and Shaurya in the distance. They were laughing at something, completely at ease.
"They look good together," Yug said quietly.
Ravi followed his gaze.
Shaurya looked alive. Truly alive. Ravi remembered the man he'd been over the past few years—cold, brutal, hollow. This version was different.
"But is this love worth all the pain they've suffered?" Yug asked, almost to himself.
Ravi didn't answer immediately.
The horse kept moving, steady beneath them, as the question lingered in the air.
"Sirf unhi ko maloom hai ke is waqt unke dilon mein kya rawani hai," Ravi said softly. "Ek doosre ki baahon mein wapas jaane ki arzu. Mohabbat ka ek pehlu aisa bhi hota hai—jo insaan ko andar se cheel ke rakh deta hai. Par yahi dard sukoon hai"
Yug scoffed lightly. "Mujhe nahi lagta mujhe kabhi tumhari wali mohabbat hogi."
Ravi smiled, faint and unreadable. "Aapko shayad kabhi ishq nahi hua ho," he said, "par aashiq toh sabhi hai".
Yug turned slightly to look at him. Ravi met his gaze for a second, then looked away. Suddenly, Ravi pulled the reins and brought the horse to a halt.
"What happened?" Yug asked.
Ravi didn't answer.
From the edge of the field, one of Shaurya's panthers emerged from the tall grass.
Normally, Luna was calm—almost indifferent around people. But today, she caught Yug's unfamiliar scent. Her body stilled, eyes sharp and alert, fixed on Ravi and Yug.
Ravi noticed her instantly.
The panther broke into a run.
The horse reared, front legs lifting as it neighed loudly. Yug grabbed onto the saddle in panic while Ravi struggled to steady the animal, murmuring calming words under his breath.
"Ravi—" Yug froze as the panther closed the distance.
Across the field, Shaurya heard the horse's cry.
"Shit," he muttered.
Aarav turned too, his face draining of color. He knew Luna didn't take kindly to strangers.
Shaurya urged his horse forward without a second thought.
"I don't want to die," Yug blurted out, panic choking his voice. "It's your plan right? You want"
"Shut Up," Ravi snapped, relief flooding him as he saw Shaurya approaching at full speed.
Luna leapt.
Just before she could reach them, Shaurya grabbed her collar mid-air and yanked her back with brute force. The panther landed hard but didn't resist.
Shaurya dismounted calmly.
"Did they forget to feed you today, hmm?" he said dryly, scratching behind her ears.
Luna immediately relaxed.
"Don't ever touch him," Shaurya warned softly, holding her face. "He's one of us."
Yug stared, horrified and confused. "This..this is your pet?"
Shaurya chuckled and nodded.
"What else do you have?" Yug muttered.
Ravi got off his horse and extended a hand. "Get off."
"Nahi, main yahin theek hoon," Yug said stiffly.
"Get off already" Ravi said again. "She won't do anything".
Reluctantly, Yug took his hand and climbed down, immediately positioning himself half a step behind Ravi. Ravi smirked.
Aarav reached them then.
"Sorry, Yug," he said gently. "You're new here so I guess she thought you're danger".
"Danger?" Yug exclaimed. "Mera kaleja munh mein aa gaya tha."
Aarav laughed softly and stepped closer to the panther. "Mujhe yaad hai bhi ya nahi—"
He held his hand out.
Luna sniffed, then instantly recognized him, licking his fingers. Before anyone could react, she jumped up, paws on Aarav's shoulders.
"Whoa, lady—easy," Aarav laughed as she licked his face.
He kissed her snout, and Luna practically melted, refusing to move away.
Shaurya scowled. "Luna, utro."
Then, muttering, "Teri waali andar hai. Jao, uske paas."
Aarav laughed even harder, gently easing her down.
The caretaker came running, apologizing profusely to Shaurya—and to Yug—before leading Luna away.
Yug exhaled slowly. "Tum logon ko yeh jagah Shekhawat Chiriyaghar ghoshit kar deni chahiye."
Ravi laughed under his breath.
Shaurya smirked.
Aarav just smiled.
"Well I guess it's already time for breakfast. Ravi, join us today", Shaurya said as he took Aarav with him.
Ravi nodded. Shaurya motioned the other three bodyguards to join as well.
Ravi glanced back at Yug. He still looked shaken, eyes darting around as if expecting Luna to reappear any second.
Ravi sighed.
With one hand, he grabbed the reins of the horse. With the other, he caught Yug by the hood of his hoodie and started dragging him along—Yug stumbling backward.
"Are you serious right now?" Yug protested. "Stop playing."
Ravi didn't respond. He kept walking.
"Hey—my hoodie!" Yug snapped. "You ruin this and I swear I'll kill you."
Ravi stopped.
Yug turned around sharply, glaring at him while fixing his hoodie. Ravi handed the horse over to the caretaker, and the two of them started walking toward the mansion.
Suddenly, Yug burst out laughing.
Ravi looked at him, bewildered. "I think that panther traumatized you so badly you've finally lost your mind."
"No," Yug said, biting back his laughter. "I just remembered something."
"What?"
"Nothing," Yug replied casually. Then added, "Popatlal."
Ravi frowned, still clueless.
Of course, Aarav had told Yug the names—had laughed while doing it too. And ever since then, they'd been replaying in Yug's head at the most inappropriate moments.