chapter 18
?Darkness slowly covered the sky.
The stars appeared one by one.
?The procession quietly left the temple.
?The palanquin moved gently along the forest path while torches flickered beside the soldiers.
?Inside...
Ashnoor rested her head against the wooden frame of the palanquin and remained silent .
But every time she closed her eyes...
?
?She saw him.
His rough hands protecting her from falling.
?
?His astonished gaze.
?
?Those impossibly beautiful brown eyes.
?
?Unknowingly, her fingertips brushed the place on her waist where he had held her.
"Tu yye sab kya soch rhi hai , pap lage ga tujhe"
?"What are you thinking, it's a sin ?" she scolded herself.
?
"?tujhe uska nam tak nhi pta to or tu uske bare me ese soch rhi hai!"
?"You don't even know his name and here you are thinking him like this !."
"me to us se kbhi mimili bhi nhi phir kyu mere sapne me ata hai itne time se ...
?hey bhagwan...ye konsi mahima hai apki?"
I've never even met him before today... then why has he been appearing in my dreams for so long?
Oh God... what kind of divine mystery is this?
?Yet...
??Her heart refused to listen.
?Shyama smiled teasingly.
?"You've been unusually quiet since we left."
?"No..."
?Ashnoor replied absentmindedly.
?"I was just... thinking."
?Thinking?
?She wasn't thinking.
?She was reliving every single second.
?His rough hands.
?His scent.
?His voice.
?Those eyes...
?Again and again.
?Without realizing it...
?A tiny smile appeared on her lips.
?Outside, Harshvardhan glanced once toward her palanquin.
?"She must be tired."
?He had no idea.
?Sleep would be the last thing visiting
?"Where?"
?
?"Inside... inside a palanquin."
?
?A dangerous silence followed.
?
?
?"I slipped it beneath the cushions before your soldiers reached me."
?
?Abhimaan slowly turned.
?
?"Whose palanquin?"
?
?"I don't know."
?
?"I swear!"
?
?"It looked like, belonged to a wealthy person."
?
?"They had already entered the temple."
?
?"I thought I would recover it later...
?
?Abhimaan stared at him for several moments.
?
?He knew when a man was lying.
?
?This one wasn't.
?
?"Take him away."
?
?The soldiers dragged the prisoner toward the temporary prison wagon.
?
?No one dared ask what punishment awaited him.
?
?---
?
?Minutes later...
?
?Abhimaan returned to the temple entrance.
?
?The lively fair had become almost deserted.
?
?Only a few merchants remained, packing their belongings.
?
?He surveyed the area where the royal palanquins had stood.
?
?Nothing.
?
?Not even a single footprint remained untouched.
?a group of soldier went to grather information and few remained with the abhimaan.
?
?suraj approached an elderly flower seller at the entrance.
?
?"You were here before sunset."
?
?The old man bowed nervously.
?
?"Y-Yes"
?
?"How many palanquins left the temple today, did you notice any different one ?"
?
?The man thought carefully.
?
?"Only two."
?
?"It looked like belonged to the wealthy family , there was a woman who brought few things from here , by their language and dressing may be they are from Amber."
?
?Abhimaan's eyes narrowed slightly hearing them.
?
?"Who was inside?"
?
?i only saw a beautiful young woman with her but.."
?
?"Her face remained covered."
?
?A veiled women...
?
?Without warning, an image flashed through Abhimaan's mind.
?
?Hazel-green eyes.
?
?A frightened face.
?
?Soft hands pressed against his chest.
?
?He dismissed the memory immediately.
?
?Coincidence.
?
?Nothing more.
?
?"What direction did they take?"
?
?The flower seller pointed toward the western road.
?After sometime
?umang returned with information
?"They established their night camp outside the border."
?
?Abhimaan mounted his black stallion in one fluid motion.
?
?"We ride."
?
?Suraj frowned.
?
?"bhaisa, the men have travelled since dawn."
?
?"They are exhausted."
?
?"They will endure."
?
?No one argued.
?
?Within moments, nearly fifty mounted warriors thundered into the darkness.
?
?---
?
?By the time the royal palanquins reached the temporary ????? (ghema), darkness had completely engulfed the sky.
?
?Hundreds of torches illuminated the vast encampment spread across the open plains just outside the state's border.
?
?Soldiers hurried from one corner to another.
?
?Some were sharpening their weapons before the night's watch, while others were tending to the horses.
Large cauldrons simmered over roaring fires as cooks prepared the evening meal. Servants carried water, blankets, and supplies from tent to tent.
?
?The entire camp bustled with disciplined urgency.
?
?The moment Ashnoor's palanquin crossed the entrance, several soldiers bowed respectfully.
?
?"Rajkumari has returned."
?
?The bearers lowered the palki.
?
?Ashnoor stepped out, followed closely by Shyama.
?
?She had barely taken a few steps when she froze.
?
?Standing outside the largest royal tent, his hands folded behind his back and his posture perfectly straight, was her eldest brother.
?
?His sharp eyes were fixed on them.
?
?His expression revealed absolutely nothing.
?
?Neither anger.
?
?Nor relief.
?
?Nor disappointment.
?
?That unreadable calm frightened Harshvardhan far more than shouting ever could.
?
?Harshvardhan quietly cleared his throat.
?
?"Bhaisa..."
?
?Silence.
?
?Only the crackling of firewood could be heard.
?
?Ashnoor nervously lowered her gaze beneath her veil.
?
?After what felt like an eternity, her eldest brother finally spoke.
?
?" Aap log wapas agye"
?"You returned."
?
?His voice was calm.
?
?Far too calm.
?"Ji ...bhaisa".
?"Yes... Bhaisa."
?
?His gaze lingered on both siblings before softening ever so slightly upon Ashnoor.
?
?"Go and have your meal."
?
?Ashnoor looked up in surprise.
?
?"You must be exhausted."
?
?"We leave for Amber at first light tomorrow."
?
?"There will be no delays."
?
?Ashnoor nodded obediently.
?
?"As you command."
?
?Just as she turned to leave, something caught her attention.
?
?A little distance away...
?
?Several injured soldiers were receiving treatment from the royal physicians.
?
?Two wounded maids sat nearby while herbal medicine was being applied to their injuries.
?
?Their attire was unfamiliar.
?
?They certainly did not belong to Amber.
?
?Beside them stood armed guards wearing the insignia of another kingdom.
?
?Not far away, an entirely new royal tent had been erected.
?
?Its entrance was heavily guarded.
?
?Ashnoor frowned slightly.
?
?"Bhaisa..."
?
?Her brother followed her gaze.
?
?"You are wondering who they are."
?
?She nodded.
?
?"When I had gone to the nearby village this afternoon, we encountered a large group of bandits attacking a royal caravan."
?
?"The caravan belonged to the princess of a neighbouring kingdom-one that has shared friendly ties with Amber for generations."
?
?"The thieves greatly outnumbered them."
?
?"So we intervened."
?
?Harshvardhan added quietly,
?
?"Several of their guards were badly injured."
?
?"Our physicians insisted they could not continue their journey tonight."
?
?"Our destination lies in the same direction for some distance."
?
?"So they shall travel with us until it is safe for them to proceed on their own."
?
?Ashnoor's gentle eyes filled with concern.
?
?"Is the princess badly hurt?"
?
?"Only minor injuries," her brother replied.
?
?"She is resting."
?
?Ashnoor instinctively stepped forward.
?
?"Should I meet her? Perhaps she-"
?
?"No."
?
?His answer was immediate.
?
?"You have done enough travelling for one day."
?
?"You will eat."
?
?"You will rest."
?
?"And you will not concern yourself with anything else."
?
?There was unmistakable affection hidden beneath his commanding tone.
?
?Ashnoor smiled softly.
?
?"As you wish, Bhaisa."
?
?She nodded before leaving with Shyama.
?
?As she walked away, she glanced once more toward the unfamiliar royal tent.
?
?A strange feeling settled in her heart.
?
?Almost as if tonight was only the beginning of something far greater.
?
?The camp had finally grown quiet.
?Only the crackling of the dying fire and the occasional footsteps of the guards disturbed the peaceful night.
?Inside one of the royal tents, the young princess slowly opened her eyes.
?The herbal medicine had eased the pain in her wounds, but sleep refused to stay. Every time she closed her eyes, flashes of burning torches, clashing swords and the ruthless bandits returned before her.
?With a soft sigh, she pushed aside the curtain little of her tent to get a glimpse of outside.
?The cool night breeze brushed against her face.
?For a few moments she simply stood there, letting herself breathe.
?"Had that prince not reached in time..."
?The thought alone made her shiver.
?Her gaze wandered across the camp.
?Most of the soldiers were already resting, while a few guards silently patrolled the surroundings.
?Just then...
?The distant sound of horses echoed through the forest.
?She instinctively looked toward the entrance of the camp.
?A troop of soldiers rode in first.
?Behind them came an elegantly decorated palanquin.
?The princess frowned.
?"Someone important?"
?The palanquin came to a halt.
?Its curtain was gently lifted from inside.
?A young woman stepped out.
?The princess blinked.
?For a heartbeat...
?she simply stared.
?The moonlight seemed to settle upon the girl's milky skin, making it glow with an almost unreal softness. Long light-brown hair cascaded down her back like silk, swaying gently with the wind.
?Even dressed simply...
?there was something extraordinarily graceful about her.
?The princess had met countless noblewomen throughout different kingdoms.
?Yet...
?she had never seen someone quite like her.
?Before she could gather her thoughts-
?A figure jumped down from his horse.
?looked like the same prince...
?who had saved her life.
?Rajkumar Karandev
?Her lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile when she noticed him near a tent.
?But the smile disappeared almost instantly.
?The stern expression that had frightened even the bandits softened the moment he looked at the girl.
?He walked straight toward her.
?Without saying much, he gently brushed away a loose strand of hair that had fallen across her face.
?The girl looked up at him with a tired smile.
?The prince smiled back.
?It wasn't the formal smile of a prince.
?It wasn't the polite smile he had shown her.
?It was... warm.
?Almost instinctively, he placed an arm around her shoulders, gave her a light side hug and said something that the distance swallowed before it could reach the princess's ears.
?The girl nodded obediently .
?Before leaving she looked towards her way and asked him something , she lightly nudged his arm, making him chuckle.
?The princess watched everything in darkness with silence
?A strange feeling settled inside her chest.
?Not anger.
?Not exactly.
?Just...
?an unfamiliar heaviness.
?"Who is she?"
?She turned towards her maid without taking her eyes off the retreating figure.
?"Find out."
?The maid looked confused.
?"The young lady."
?"Ji, Rajkumari."
?Almost an hour later...
?
?The maid returned looking embarrassed.
?"My apologies, Rajkumari."
?"I couldn't learn anything."
?The princess raised an eyebrow.
?"Nothing?"
?"The soldiers refused to answer."
?"Refused?"
?"They said Rajkumar Dev has strictly forbidden anyone from speaking about anything."
?The princess's curiosity deepened.
?"So carefully protected..."
?Her gaze drifted once again toward the tent where the girl had disappeared.
?"Who are you?"
?
?
?Inside Ashnoor own tent...
?
?Warm lamps bathed the interior in golden light.
?
?Everything had already been arranged.
?
?Fresh water.
?
?Clean clothes.
?
?A simple evening meal.
?
?Shyama carefully removed Ashnoor's jewellery one piece at a time.
?
?"You hardly touched your food during the journey, Rajkumari."
?
?Ashnoor absent-mindedly nodded.
?
?Her fingers slipped inside the folds of her shawl.
?
?A faint metallic touch met her fingertips.
?
?The jeweled scroll container.
?
?Relief washed over her.
?
?No one had discovered it.
?
?She carefully hid it beneath a wooden chest containing her personal belongings.
?
?"I'll see what it is tomorrow," she whispered to herself.
?
?As Shyama combed her long hair, Ashnoor found herself staring into nothingness.
?
?Once again...
?
?Ashnoor had changed into a light, comfortable lehenga and blouse, perfect for resting after such a long journey.
?
?Golden lamps flickered softly as the night breeze moved the curtains.
?
?A little away from the bed, Shyama had already fallen asleep on a cushioned couch set up for her.
?
?Everything was peaceful.
?
?Except for Ashnoor's heart.
?
?She turned to one side.
?
?Then the other.
?
?She hugged a pillow.
?
?Closed her eyes.
?
?Opened them again.
?
?No matter how hard she tried...
?
?Sleep just wouldn't come.
?
?Every time she shut her eyes...
?
?She saw him.
?
?Those impossibly deep brown eyes.
?
?The steady way he had caught her before she fell.
?
?The calm look on his face.
?
?"What is wrong with me?" she whispered softly.
?
?"I don't even know who he is..."
?
?At last...
?
?Exhaustion took over.
?
?
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