Chapter 12: 10 ✨🪭 Fluttering feelings

Chapter 10 : Fluttering feelings

I'm back with part 2

Wow it's a 4k chapter.

I feel like I should set a chapter length 😭😂

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What do you think could be good chapter length? (My max is 4k atp for now.)

Thankyou again 💞💞 I love reading your comments and questions.

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Kingdom of Nanda

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The crowd gathered around the palace square, eager to witness the fate of the traitor. Varun, a young and handsome teacher who had been caught, was dragged by two guards to the center of the platform. His face was bruised and bloodied, his clothes torn and dirty. He looked around with defiance.

Prince Nayan, the heir of Nanda, stepped out of the palace, followed by his advisors and ministers. He wore a royal robe of purple and gold, and a crown of jewels on his head. He looked at Varun with contempt and anger, and addressed the crowd.

"People of Nanda, you are here to see justice done. This man, Varun is a spy for the King of Virata, our sworn enemy. He is here to leak our secrets, sabotaged our defenses, He tried to touch Princess Anya, He is guilty of treason, and deserves to die. And will be beheaded right here in front of everyone"

The crowd booed and jeered at Varun, who shook his head and tried to speak.

"No, it's not true.. I am not the spy of any King, I am but a mere traveller who is being framed I would never harm and woman yet alone a princess, it was only self defence, she came onto me."

Arjun's eyes flashed with rage. He raised his voice and continued.

"Silence, Fibber!! I witnessed the events You dare to speak of my sister, when you have harmed the princess of Rana. You have no right to live."

The crowd gasped and murmured, shocked by the revelation. Varun looked at Nayan with disbelief. By now Ivaan and Nimit had gathered around the crowd too, Ivaan stops Nimit from attacking them publicly his anger too had no limits watching the state of Varun.

"Please don't make me repeat myself again, it's really hurting to move any muscle at this moment, I would never hurt a Princess.Where is she? Let her speak for me. There is nothing you have to prove your accusations while you have already declared the punishment, what kind of Justice is this"

Nayan waved his hand A guard came and he ordered to bring the Princess to the court, She and Indu came into the public trail covered with a veil.

"Behold, the princess of Rana, Princess Anya, who will be the future queen of Nanda. She is the proof of your crimes, peasent. She is the witness of your guilt. She is the victim of your evil."

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Ivaan took his belt knife from his holder, if this were to go down, it would be the three of them together, he would protect Varun at any cost.

"Princess Anya, Tell them the truth." Nayan proclaims ,

Anya moves forward a little scared and shy at the escalation of events, this was not the way of her land, yes it was true a seal engraved knife that was found but that was not hardcore evidence, this was not justice.

she wished for him to be punished but not killed, she wanted them to get him to speak spill the truth , and to be let gone.

"Tell the truth sister he tried to harm you by attacking you, he dared to touch a Princess he should be executed right in front of everyone for that." Arjun says comforting Anya.

Anya opened her eyes, and looked at Varun. She recognized him, and a flash of emotion crossed her face, when she saw his current state, She opened her mouth, and spoke voice Stern.

"That is not the truth, dear Prince he wasn't trying to touch me, he was defending himself trying to run away as a coward he was."

Loud gasps were heard, people giving mixed reactions.

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"I wasn't running away Princess, you had taken something that was precious to me and refused to give it back, I was merely requesting you to give it back."

Varun says sensing Ivaan and Nimit were close, he just had to device a plan, for which he needed time.

She paused, and then said the words that sealed his fate.

"Deciption is known to the best quality for a Spy, but lying here is not going to get you anywhere, why didn't you explain yourself, you had decided to run away, Tell the truth now or else I won't hesitate to let the order be executed. This will be deadly"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, as Nayan smiled triumphantly. He turned to the executioner, and gave the order.

Indu grabbed Anya's hand, "You cannot let this happen Anya, he should not be beheaded for this! We couldn't even prove anything."

Anya looks back at Indu, "I just want to scare him to spill the truth Indu, no one will be beheaded here."

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

But,

"Kill him." Nayan orders as Ivaan and Nimit walk froward in the crowd planning to attack.

Prince Ivaan clenched his fists as he watched the scene unfold before him.The Nanda king had captured Varun and accused him of espionage. Now he was about to execute him in front of a cheering crowd.

The executioner raised his axe, which startles Anya and Indu.

Anya rushes to Prince Nayan trying to persuade him.

and as the axe is swung it down on Varun's neck.

"Stop it!" Indu exclaimes loudly.

"You cannot do this, Prince Nayan this is injustice." Indu continued. Stopping Ivaan and Nimit in the path. Ivaan recognises her from her veil still pulled down, but he remembers her voice.

"Princess Indu you don't understand we can let this go." Nayan tries to explain.

"Yes Prince Nayan I understand, believe me I hate the tyrant as much as you do he is not human, taken hundreds and hundreds of lives I can never forgive such a person, but this guy is just a pawn to him raised and to be discarded as he wanted. If anything I would rather see the Demon tyrant himself beheaded here instead of the mere spy of his, who might not even matter to the demon." Indu continues.

Ivaan smirks at this, The Demon tyrant huh? So she had heard of him and the rumours his dear step mother had created.

"Atleast now give up, your loyalty means nothing to the Demon you serve, why would you protect someone who won't protect you?" Anya asks coming in front of Varun who smiles looking at Ivaan.

"I told you I serve no one not the west or the King of Virata." Varun exclaimed which was technically correct him didn't serve the king of Virata, his loyalty was to the Prince of Virata.

"Don't you dare mock" Anya says getting the sword from the servert and holding it at Varun's throat, "kneel" while showing his knife to him she commands and Varun follows, "just because we defend to not kill you doesn't mean we will keep entertaining your bullshit, now you either tell the truth of this knife and die on it's mercy." Anya says sensing his tensed look, she smiled that should be enough,she doesn't want to hurt him, but get to know about this Demon tyrant now he either will be proved innocent or guilty based on what he says.

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Varun looks down breathing troubled.

"My,..... late mother............She was from the South, this is the one of a kind knife that was made for her, and it's very precious to me, it makes me feel as she is still here..... with, in the past 7 years I have never let anyone else touch the knife. That is why......." Varun answers geniunely it was the truth every single part of it.

This made the audience waiver and that's what Varun wanted, he looks around and sighs, gaining the sympathy of the people it's only a matter of time that the spell will be broken and questions about his identity will be asked, he stares up at Anya who has a mixed expression herself.

Ivaan's rages at this, The Princess had dared to keep a sword on his throat she would pay for this.

Indu comes forward moving the sword away, "You can't do this to him!" Indu says, Varun looks at Indu , she surely was affected by his words one princess was emotional and loving while the other was contemplating and suspicious surely has seen criminal and their ways.

Anya looks at Arjun and Nayan

"Okay, I agree, this needs more evidence for him to be publicly excuted, but this doesn't proves that he is completely innocent either, kindly have him put him behind the bars, and have his background investigated and even if a single thing you say gets proven wrong there would be no second chance. If you know something about the Demon tyrant tell right away, because if it gets proven, even the Gods won't be able to help you."

People cheer at Anya's verdict she surely was proving to be just ruler, someone who can be their future queen. They were also praising Indu for her bravery and kindness.

Nayan orders the guards to have him put in the dungeons with no lights and Varun finally sighed in relief. He got saved.

Ivaan and Nimit smile behind their mask , they just got the best possible outcome, now it just a matter of time and they would get Varun out of the dungeons.

Ivaan would thank the Princesses to get involved being capable of influencing the judgement , because if it were just the Prince Nayan and Arjun they would be having a bloodbath right now.

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Ivaan and Nimit were on a mission to rescue Varun and the time was ticking, who had been captured and thrown into the dungeons. They had managed to sneak into the palace, disguised as guards, and were looking for clues to find the hidden entrance to the underground prison.

They had devised a plan to get Varun out of the dungeons, but for that they needed a fake order and a seal of Prince Nayan. They had learned that Prince Nayan was away from the palace, attending a hunting party in the nearby forest with Prince Arjun. They decided to take advantage of his absence and sneak into his chambers, where they hoped to find his seal.

They waited until nightfall, when most of the guards were asleep or drunk. They climbed over the palace wall and made their way to the wing where Prince Nayan's room was located. They avoided the torches and the patrolling dogs, using their stealth and cunning. They reached the door of the prince's room and picked the lock. They entered quietly and closed the door behind them.

They searched the room, looking for the seal. They checked the drawers, the cabinets, the shelves, and the desk. They found many valuable items, such as jewels, coins, weapons, and books, but no seal. They began to lose hope and wondered if they had wasted their time.

Then, Ivaan noticed a painting on the wall. It was a portrait of Prince Nayan, wearing a smug expression and a fancy outfit. He had a ring on his finger, with a large red stone. Ivaan had a hunch and walked towards the painting. He lifted it off the wall and saw a small safe behind it. He smiled and called Nimit.

"Nimit, I think I found it. Come here," he said.

Nimit joined him and saw the safe. He nodded and took out a small device from his pocket, that could crack any combination. Inside, they saw a wooden box with a golden lid. They opened the box and found the seal. It was a metal stamp with the emblem of the royal family: a lion with a crown.

They grabbed the seal and closed the box. They put it back in the safe and closed it. They hung the painting back on the wall and left the room. They had accomplished their first part of the plan. Now, they had to forge a fake order that would allow them to enter the dungeons and free Varun. They hoped that their luck would hold and that they would not be discovered.

Now they had to wait for Prince Nayan to return and excute the second half of the plan. Until then they had to blend in and not get caught.And find where exactly they had kept Varun.

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In the Courtyard.

On the third day, The Princes had went for hunting. Meanwhile the queen would give gifts and sweets to the hardworking soldiers and guards who protected the kingdom from enemies and invaders. Indu and Anya's aunt asked them to join her in the rituals, saying that it would be a good opportunity to learn about the kingdom and its people.

Indu and Anya agreed, and followed their aunt to the palace courtyard, where a large crowd of soldiers and guards had gathered. The queen greeted them warmly, and thanked them for their service and loyalty. She then handed out the gifts and sweets, which were wrapped in colorful paper and ribbons. Indu and Anya helped her distribute the presents, and smiled at the happy faces of the recipients.

As Indu was handing out a box of sweets to a guard, she noticed something odd about him. He had a scar on his cheek, and his eyes were cold and piercing. He looked different but She shrugged it off, and gave him the Sweets.

"Thank you, miss," the guard said, taking the sweets "You are very kind." Ivaan says finding it amusing to find Indu again, she had saved Varun's life for which he was very thankful, for her kindness.

Indu smiled politely, and was about to move on, when the guard stopped her.

"Can I ask you something, miss?" he said.

"Sure, what is it?" Indu said.

"Why did you save the spy of the demon tyrant?" Ivaan asked.

Indu wondered why the guard would ask her such a question. Were the soldiers here brave enough to question the royalties. She decided to play along, and see what he was up to. Even though she couldn't see much of his face through the helmet, his eyes were piercing.

"I think he is a horrible person," Indu said. "He kills people without a second thought, and only sees kingdoms as lands to conquer. He doesn't care about the people, or their culture, or their happiness. He is a tyrant, and a demon, but that doesn't mean we have to turn into him to defeat him, If anything I would like to see his head bend, and not his people who must have been put through the same cruelty he shows others"

The guard nodded, and smiled. But it was not a friendly smile. It was a wicked smile.

"I see," he said, walking closer closing the distance the servents had went to bring more and a refill and almost every soldiers had moved on leaving just the two of them, she stepped a step back unconsciously "And what if you were to meet this person right now?"

Indu gasped. She looked at him again, feeling uneasy. He was evading he space, his eyes cast down to meet her's she was considerable a little more than a length of head smaller than him.

"I would....."

......... "I'm sorry your Highness, he is new here, My princess, doesn't understand the etiquettes and rules, I apologise in place of him for wasting your precious time, please continue with your rituals princess I will make sure to educate him." Nayan barges in apologizing.

Indu smiles "it's alright, he didn't disturb me."

"Thk you for your kindness my Princess."

Nimit pushes Ivaan forward and get away from Indu.

"Wait!" Indu calls back, Nimit freezes looking at Ivaan, "some much for laying low and keeping our cover huh? What were you thinking? If she gets suspicious it's over for us!" Nimit whisper scolds Ivaan.

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Meanwhile in the Dungeon.

Anya was feeling guilty. She had been the one who had exposed Varun now he was locked up in the dungeon, awaiting his fate. She had thought he was a spy, but possibility of him not being one started to weigh on her thoughts what if she learned that he was just a wandering bard, looking for stories and adventures.

She regretted her rash, She was visiting the dungeon, and bring him some sweets and gifts for the guards there.

She arrived at the dungeon, yhe servents carrying a basket full of goodies. She smiled at the guards, and offered them some of the treats. They were surprised, but grateful. They liked Anya, They let her pass, and told her where to find Varun's cell ,she had decided there was no harm in giving sweets to even the criminals held.

She walked down the dark and damp corridor, until she reached a barred door. She peered inside, and saw Varun sitting on a straw mattress, looking bored and miserable. He looked up when he heard her footsteps, and his eyes widened when he saw her.

"Princess Anya? What are you doing here, is that a knife in your hand, came back to finish what you started?" Varun says amused she looked troubled.

She smiled nervously, and held up the basket. "I brought you some sweets," she said.

He stared at her, then shook his head. "You're unbelievable," he said. "You're the reason I'm here, and now you're trying to bribe me with candy ? Do you think that will make me forget?" Varun pushed as she seemed to ignore the conversation.

She bit her lip, angry of the accusations "No, of course not, do remember you are still not proved innocent yet, the claims still remain" she said. "I don't expect you to forgive me. I just wanted to do something nice for you. You don't have to accept it, if you don't want to."

He sighed, and softened his tone. "Look, Anya, I appreciate the gesture, but it's too late. The Prince might have already sentenced me to death. If not for Princess Indu,"

She gasped, that could have been true but she would have never let that happen even if Indu hadn't stopped.

He shrugged, and gave her a sad smile. "That's the way it is. You should be proud of yourself."

She shook her head, and clenched her fists. "If the allegations are proved wrong, i will personally see that you are released with respect and compensated for the damage that has occurred "

He raised his eyebrows, and chuckled. "You'll help me ? How? Do you have a magic wand? And how are you going to reverse the situation " Varun was pushing it, it was only a matter of time he could be compromised, but his background was sealed well he had taken place of an actual teacher from the west.

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She frowned, and thought for a moment. "I don't know. But I'll think of something.."

Varun smirked at this because he was actually who she had claimed him to be a spy , he winced his cheeks hurt from the beating, she was similar to her sister kind.

He looked into her eyes, and felt a surge of emotion. "You're sweet, Princess Anya."

Anya's eyes widened, at this blush rushing towards her cheeks but she looks away. Feeling a flutter of emotions at the way he looked.

He cleared his throat, and said, "Thank you for your gesture, you see I'm famished, they seemed to forget about me, since yesterday i was dragged here."

She ordered to get him some water and wished him luck, for his trail.

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In the Courtyard

"Wait!" Indu calls back, Nimit freezes looking at Ivaan, "some much for laying low and keeping our cover huh? What were you thinking? If she gets suspicious it's over for us!" Nimit whisper scolds Ivaan.

Nimit looks back at Indu smilingly "what is it my princess?"

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

"Your hands are empty!" Indu says, walking towards him.

Nimit looks confused, but Indu hands over the sweets and gifts to Nimit, sighs in relief and thanks her generously. Indu casts a glance at Ivaan who is staring intensely on the floor which seemed more interesting to him it seems. She missed the eyes, beautiful blend of brown and warm tones of yellow and amber beneath, yet it felt cold.

She was away, thinking even the guards here seemed to be handsome.

Nimit and Ivaan walked along the corridors, pretending to patrol, while scanning the walls and floors for any signs of a secret passage. They avoided eye contact with the other guards, hoping that their uniforms and helmets would not arouse suspicion, they had managed to kill two guards and take their place,but it will be just a matter of time they would inquired.

Suddenly, they heard a loud scream coming from a nearby room. They exchanged a glance and decided to investigate. They opened the door at the very end and saw a horrifying sight: a man was being tortured on a rack by two masked men, while a third one was watching with a cruel smile.

"Varun!" Ivaan whispered, He ran towards his friend, followed by Nimit. The torturers were caught off guard and asked why they were there.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "How did you get in here?"

"We're here with Prince Nayan's orders, he is to be taken to torture ground for interrogation" Nimit says, pulling out a fake order from his belt. He threw it at the watcher. The watcher read it, still suspicious, "isn't it too early for the interrogation?"

Ivaan reached forward to the rack and tried to free Varun. He untied the ropes and lifted him off the hooks. Varun was bleeding and bruised, but still alive. He groaned and opened his eyes.

"Ivaan? Is that you?" he whispered.

"We're have to get you out of here soon," Ivaan whispered , He looked around and saw a key hanging on the wall.

He grabbed it and unlocked the shackles on Varun's wrists and ankles. He helped him stand up and supported him with his arm. "Stop lazing you bastard the prince has ordered to drag you to the ground if you delay." The other guard also start helping get Varun out.

"Come on, let's go," he said.

They turned to the door and saw that Nimit had managed to disarm the watcher and stab him in the chest. He was lying on the floor, motionless. The other two torturers were also dead, killed by their own tools. Nimit had used his quick reflexes and agility to turn the tables on them.

"Nimit! This is not the time, we have to get out of here soon," Ivaan exclaimed.

"I can't let the people who tortured Varun to be free."

"Thanks, but we don't have time to celebrate. We need to get out of here before more guards come," Varun also says. He picked up the sword and handed it to Ivaan. He took Varun's other arm and helped him walk.

They ran out of the room and headed for the exit. They hoped that no one had heard the commotion and that the way was clear. They had found Varun, but they still had to escape from the palace. They knew that they were was not out of danger yet.

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Remysolmoon

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I was thinking of adding songs and creating a playlist of songs any suggestions are welcome.

I am gonna go sleep now

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