Chapter 4: 2 ✨🪭 Raised in Pain.

Palace of Virata.

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The young prince was only seven years old when his mother died of a mysterious illness. Ivaan loved his mother dearly and missed her every day. She was kind, gentle, and always had a smile for him. She taught him how to read, write, and play the sword fight with him the wooden sword he still had. She also told him stories of his ancestors, who ruled the kingdom with wisdom and justice.

His father, the king Narasimha Varma, was grief-stricken by his wife's death. He became distant and cold, and rarely spent time with his son. He immersed himself in the affairs of the state, and left the prince in the care of his new wife Madhavi, the queen. She was a cruel and ambitious woman, who hated the prince and wanted to get rid of him. She treated him harshly, and made him do chores around the palace.

Madhavi also hired tutors who beat him and mocked him for his mistakes while it was seen a symbol of dotting mother to everyone else. She never gave him any praise or affection, and constantly compared him to her own sons, Ivaan's half-brothers. They were spoiled and arrogant boys, who bullied Ivaan in every possible way, being hostile to him. He also had a half sister who he never could understand where she stood sometimes she would help him and others she would stay silent.

Ivaan suffered in silence, and hoped that his father would notice his pain and rescue him. But his father was too busy and too blind to see the truth. It was not only his father, Madhavi had fooled it was everyone else too with her facade.

The only time he cared about the prince was training the prince to be a strong and brave warrior, who could defend the kingdom from its enemies. He made him practice sword-fighting, archery, and horse-riding every day, and punished him harshly for any failure. He never praised him or hugged him, and often ignored his cries and pleas. Everytime any of his Half-brothers were pushed to their limits his mother would swoon in to protect them.

Ivaan felt lonely and unloved, and wished he could escape from his miserable life. His younger self dreamed of his mother, and wondered if she was watching over him from the heavens.

The naive 7 year old also hoped that one day, he would find a friend who would understand him and care for him. He prayed that one day, he would be free from his step-mother's tyranny and his father's neglect. He hoped that one day, he would be happy.

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Ivaan's life changed as a little ray of sunlight stopping from making his heart freeze when he met a shy boy in the palace stable. He was a stable boy, who had come to take care of the horses. He had short brown hair, black eyes, and a friendly smile. He saw the prince sitting, and approached him with curiosity.

"Hello, who are you?" he asked.

"I'm the prince," he said, without looking at him.

"The prince? You don't look very happy. What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing. Just leave me alone," he said, hoping he would go away.

But he didn't. He sat down next to him, and offered him an Chikoo.

"Here, take this. It's an chikoo. It tastes good. Maybe it will cheer you up," he said.

Ivaan took the chikoo and bit into it. It did taste good, and he felt a slight warmth in his chest.

"Thank you," he said, softly

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"You're welcome. What's your name?" he asked.

He hesitated, then said, "It's Ivaan."

"I'm Nimit. I work in the stable. I help my father groom and feed the horses. Do you like horses?" he asked.

He nodded. He loved horses, and often rode them when he was allowed but those were only with his instructor's being with him all the time

"I do. They are beautiful and loyal. They make me feel free,......free of this world" he said.

"Me too. They are my best friends. Do you want to see them?" he asked.

Ivaan hesitated blinking for some time before nodded again. He followed Nimit to the stable, and saw the horses. They were magnificent creatures, with shiny coats and proud eyes. Nimit introduced him to each one, and told him their names and personalities. Ivaan felt a connection with them, and stroked their manes and noses. They nuzzled him back, and he smiled.

Nimit and Ivaan became friends, and started meeting secretly in the stable. They talked about their lives, their dreams, and their fears. They also played with the horses, rode them, and raced them. Ivaan felt happy for the first time in his life. He felt that he had found someone who understood him and cared for him.

The Queen didn't pay much heed to their friendship as she had concluded Ivaan befriending a farm boy could bring no benefits to him , but how wrong she was.

Nimit also used to duel with him with a stick, a knife, and a bow. He said that he had learned from his grandfather, who was a soldier in the king's army. He said that he wanted to be a soldier too, and protect the kingdom from its enemies. Ivaan admired his courage and skill, and wanted to be like him. He learned quickly, and soon realised Nimit was a good fighter.

They grew up together, and became inseparable. They shared everything, and swore to be brothers for life something Ivaan couldn't harbour with his real siblings who bullied him. Nimit soon realised even though Ivaan was a prince he was a plaything in his family.

Nimit vowed to protect him from any harm, especially from the queen and her sons, who hated Ivaan and tried to hurt him every chance they got

Years went by in the same way tge sand slips away.

But Ivaan should have known better because life was never easy for him, he thought he had found some comfort in a stranger he can call family.

His family of blood had betrayed him again

The one day things changed.

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The king was furious when he heard the news. His son Ivaan had been caught stealing from the royal treasury, and had confessed to his crime. He had taken a large amount of gold, jewels, and precious items, and had used them to gamble.

The king summoned Ivaan to his throne room, and confronted him with his anger. He shouted at him, and called him a thief, a liar, and a disgrace. He accused him of being greedy, selfish, and ungrateful. He said that he had spoiled him, and given him everything he wanted and was not hard on him because his mother had died that he had failed as a son, a prince, and a heir.

Ivaan tried to defend himself, and explain his reasons. He said that he had not stolen anything, and that he had been framed by his half-brother Zain, the prince.

Zain said the truth was Ivaan jealous of him, and hated him.

He tried and tried to defend but to no avail, Zain had planted the evidence in his room, and forced him to confess. Ivaan said that he had tried to protect his brother, and that he had done nothing wrong but they had turned against him and blamed on him everything while it were them who had gambled.

But the king would not listen. He slapped him, and ordered him to kneel. He said that he had no choice but to punish him, and teach him a lesson. He said that he would strip him of his title, his lands, and his inheritance that he would send him to the dungeon, and lock him up for life and he would never see him again, and that he would disown him as his son.

Ivaan felt a surge of pain, and a tear rolled down his cheek. He looked at his father, and begged him to believe him he was merely 15 Nimit was there too helpless as it was  announced that anyone supporting the Prince Ivaan will be thrown into the dungeon with him.

But Nimit still he kneeled beside him, which frustrated Ivaan even more he wasn't even able to protect people who trusted him he was as his stepmother always said ..........Weak!

The king turned away, and said that he doesn't want a dishonest son like him.

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The king  looked at the one of his half brother, who was standing next to him ,Zain.

The King smiled, and hugged him. He stared  that he was sorry for what had happened, and that he was glad that he was safe. He said that he will be rewarded for his bravery, and that the King would make him his heir.

Zain smiled back, and everyone thanked him for getting rid of Ivaan, who had been a thorn in his route as he was the true heir. He said that he had planned everything, and that he had succeeded. He smile said that he had fooled his father, and that he had won.

And Ivaan should have known better he was the weakling in between them he should have known when they came to him for his help something was not right just like as Nimit said.

He, Zain looked at Ivaan, who was kneeling on the floor. He smirked, and mocked him. He said that he had always hated him, and that he had always wanted to destroy him. He said that he had finally done it, and that he had enjoyed it. He said that he had no pity for him, and that he deserved his fate.

He then kicked him,. He said that he was nothing, and that he would rot in the dungeon just like his lying friends.He said that he would never see him again, and that he would forget him as his brother.

Ivaan felt a wave of despair, He looked at his brother, and cursed him.

But the king had ignored him, he was framed and ordered the guards to take him away. He said that he was done with him, and that he wanted him out of his sight. He said that he was no longer his son, and that he was dead to him.

The guards dragged Ivaan out of the throne room, and threw him into the dungeon. They locked the door, and left him in the dark.

He wasn't aware what had happened to Nimit probably just like him thrown into a different dungeon.

That's when everything changed for him he was stupid and hopeful and someday his father would realise how much better has he become and come to love him.

But the truth is he was an unwanted child a burden to his father who was only here because of his dead mother.

Eventually a meeting of ministers were held and, Ivaan was released given back his title, but the pain was never forgetten, he had sworn to himself never ever again he will be in such a situation again, where he could be stabbed so easily and throw out, just like that.

Because no matter how much he tried this family of his was curse to him. If he had to fight evil he had to become evil, there is no right and wrong in such situations, the only truth here is Success.

the one who wins is the truth.

Ivaan only had one goal in his heart ever since , to win the game, and the throne will be his , he was not going to be stopped no matter what!

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Remy sol 🌙

Reader me - to writer me

I'm just glad ☺️ Ivaan met Nimit also he need a brand new family instead of this sht show

Kindly share if you like it and let me know your thoughts!!!!! I'm excited for this story.

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