Chapter 3: 1 ✨🪭 Raised in love

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Palace of Rana

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She was the second youngest of the seven princesses and 2 princes Indu Ameya Rana , but she was the most beloved by her father, the king.

She lived in a magnificent palace, surrounded by gardens and fountains, where she grew up with her sisters and brothers. They were a happy family, and the king looked after the people of his kingdom very well. He was a wise and generous ruler, who cared for the welfare and happiness of his subjects. He often invited them to the palace, to celebrate festivals and holidays, and to share his bounty and blessings.

Indu had a special bond with her father, and she often accompanied him on his visits to the different regions of the kingdom.

She also had a curious and adventurous mind, Indu was fascinated by the stories and legends.She had a special fondness for books, except for that She had a pet dog, a Himalayan Guard Dog who was her faithful companion and friend. He followed her everywhere, and he was just like her calm and gentle for her, and accompanied her whenever she was happy or sad.

She had a vision and a purpose as a princess of what everyone expected of her, but she also had a desire and a passion of being an artist, even though she was shy about showcasing her talent.

Regardless she was raised with love and care, she enjoyed her peaceful life.

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Today was unfortunately becoming one of that few days where the peace of her life was destroyed.

Princess Indu was worried. She had just returned from the art class, and the rumours were spreading like wild fire of an another embarrassing scene. Her eldest brother, Prince Arjun, had stumbled in, drunk and disorderly, and had insulted the king's guests with his slurred speech and rude jokes. The king, her father, had tried to calm him down, but Arjun had only grown more defiant and aggressive. He had even thrown a wine goblet at the king's advisor, who had dared to suggest that Arjun should seek help for his addiction.

The king had finally ordered the guards to drag Arjun away and lock him up in his chambers.

He had then apologized to the guests and dismissed the court, looking weary and angry. Indu knew that her father loved Arjun, but he was also losing patience with him.

Arjun was the heir to the throne, but he was also a liability to the kingdom. His drinking problem that had started after complete shoulder dislocation an injury from a sword during a battle, he was  young to be on a battle field with a certain tyrant.

He had turned to alcohol to cope with his grief, and had gradually become dependent on it this last few months. He had also neglected his duties as a prince, and had alienated many of his allies and friends.

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Indu felt sorry for Arjun, but she also felt frustrated and helpless.

She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how.

She had tried to talk to him, to persuade him to quit drinking, to seek counseling, to find a new purpose in life as the doctors and experts has adviced him to stay away from any straining activities with his arm he was disturbed by this But he had always brushed her off, or ignored her, or snapped at her.

He had accused her of being a goody-goody, of being a traitor, of being jealous of him as he was supposed to be the Heir the New King but the rumours had started and doubts on his capabilities as a new king had been planted.

He had said that she didn't understand him, that she didn't care about him, that she wanted to take his place, which was a absurd thing but she knew it was his inner turmoil speaking , he was scared to be named useless.

Indu knew that none of that was true. She loved her brother, and she only wanted what was best for him.

She and her siblings didn't want to take his place, she wanted him to be a good king. She knew that he had the potential to be one, if he could overcome his addiction.

Indu knew that he was smart, brave, kind, and generous, when he was sober. She knew that he had a good heart, buried under layers of pain and anger. She knew that he needed help, but she also knew that he had to want it.

She decided to try again. She went to his chambers, where he was locked up. She knocked on the door, and heard a muffled voice.

"Who is it?" Arjun asked.

"It's me, Indu. Can I come in?" she said.

There was a pause, then a sigh.

"Fine. Come in," he said.

She opened the door, and saw him lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He looked pale and tired, and his eyes were bloodshot. He had a bandage on his forehead a new injury to add to the previous one, where he had hit himself with the wine goblet.

"Hi, Arjun. How are you feeling?" she asked, trying to sound cheerful.

He snorted.

"How do you think I'm feeling? I'm feeling great. I'm feeling fantastic. I'm feeling like the king of the world," he said, sarcastically.

She walked over to his bed, and sat down next to him.

"Arjun, please. Don't do this. Don't push me away. I'm here to help you. I'm here to listen to you. I'm here to support you, the doctors we we can bring more experts we will bring the best doctors in the world" she said, softly.

He turned his head, and looked at her. He gave her a bitter smile.

"Help me? Is that what you call it? You mean, to  judge me? To pity me, ?" he said, angrily.

She shook her head.

"No, Arjun. That's not what I mean. That's not what I want. I don't want to do any of those things. I want to help you, because I love you. I want to listen to you, because I care about you. I want to support you, because I believe in you. I don't want to control you, or manipulate you," she said, earnestly.

He looked away, and sighed.

"Indu, you don't get it. You don't get me. You don't get what I'm going through." he said, sadly.

She reached out, and touched his hand.

"Then tell me, Arjun. Tell me what you're going through. Tell me what you need.. I'm here to listen. I'm here to understand. I'm here to help," she said, gently.

He pulled his hand away, and sat up.

"What I'm going through? I'm going through hell, Indu. I'm going through hell every day.  i have lost the trust of my people, Because of this injury, i was supposed to win not saved like a helpless child" he said, his voice breaking.

She felt a surge of sympathy, and hugged him.

"I know, Arjun. I know. You know this you were never supposed to go without enough army , this is not a failure Arjun you , you are alive there are many princes who didn't even see another day after meeting.......him , in the battlefield we are so proud of you, always will be" she said, soothingly.

He hugged her back, and sobbed.

"Proud? No Indu this is pity and I don't want it not from you or any other of us and Father.......He doesn't love me, Indu. He doesn't love me. He hates me. , because I'm not like him. Because I'm not perfect now. Because I'm not his clone.Because I'm not his worthy son anymore," he said, bitterly.

She pulled back, and looked at him.

"That's not true, Arjun.. He loves you, Arjun. because you're his son. Because you're his pride.. . He loves you, more than you know," she said, firmly.

He shook his head.

"No, Indu. No. He doesn't. I'm broken"

She felt a wave of fear, and recoiled. This wasn't at all as her elder brother

"No, Arjun. No. You are as worthy the doubts .... The rumours don't let it get you , you know you have always had injuries and you have recovered always" she said, desperately.

He laughed, and grabbed her.

"Come on, Indu.  Don't be naive, Indu.You know the truth, as well as I do, The doctors haven't been able to improve my condition i haven't held a sword in months i am damaged " he said, weakly.

"Leave me alone Indu.........it would be better for all of you to hate me than pity on me."

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Indu's eyes widened understanding her brother below the sorrow and pain he wasn't able to take the hurt to his pride, the genius son had failed to win a battle and take down that tyrant.

The tyrant of Virata who she had heard of but never seen no one knew about him until he started the war , capturing the neighbouring small kingdoms one by one.

Arjun had went to help a smaller Kingdom without the Kings permission or enough army he had failed obviously but this also meant the tyrant wasn't supposed to be taken lightly although Arjun was young he was best of the best maybe not experienced in battlefield but the best indeed.

So this  tyrant being able to defeat her brother was already a emergency alarm set, he was not to be taken lightly.

Indu knew of only two things that He was the darkness affecting her family,

and that when it comes to her family she can go to any extent possible.

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Remy sol 🌙

Hey everyone, welcome to a new story hope you like it, comment you thought and do suggest songs to go with the theme to listen while reading the story.

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