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Kingdom of Rana
In the enchanting Kingdom of Rana, where the sun always seemed to shine a little brighter and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, Varun as theh official minister of Prince Ivaan arrived with a sense of urgency. He had taken the fastest route, accompanied by only a few loyal soldiers, to warn the king about the impending visit of Ivaan's stepmotherâa visit that was more of a veiled threat than a friendly call. He also carried with him the (birth chart) kundali of Prince Ivaan, as requested by the Kingdom of Rana.
Inside the grand palace, Varun was greeted by Veena, the maid of Princess Anya.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Rana, Minister Varun. I am Veena, and Princess Anya has assigned me to assist you during your stay," Veena said with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Veena. I need to see the king urgently. There's nothing more to discuss until I speak with him," Varun replied, his tone serious.
Veena's expression turned serious. "I see. Unfortunately, the king and queen are not here at the moment. They are away, The King and Queen are on a walk to seek sunlight as part of the king's treatment."
Varun sighed, taking a moment to process the information. "That's unfortunate. I need to speak with them as soon as possible."
Seeing his frustration, Veena suggested, "Why don't you explore the kingdom in the meantime? It's a beautiful place, and I'm sure you'll find it quite interesting."
Varun nodded, deciding to take her advice. "Alright, I suppose I can do that. Lead the way."
As they walked through the bustling palace corridors, Varun couldn't help but be mesmerized by the grandeur around him. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and the floors were covered with plush carpets that felt like walking on clouds. He stopped to admire a particularly beautiful painting.
"Look at this craftsmanship! It's incredible," Varun exclaimed.
Veena glanced at the painting and explained, "This painting is of a little child. If you look closely, you can see a hint of sadness in her eyes. It's terrifyingly beautiful, isn't it?"
Varun noticed the strange black lake in the background of the painting, instead of the usual blue. "Why is the lake black?" he asked, intrigued.
Before he could ask more, Veena gently pushed him forward. "Come on, Minister. We have much to see and little time."
"Oh, right. Sorry, Veena. This palace is just so... magnificent," Varun said, quickly catching up.
"Yes, it is. But if you keep getting lost, we'll never get anywhere," Veena teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Finally, they reached a corridor where vibrant dupattas and silk cloths were spread out on a clean cotton floor. The place resembled an indoor textile mill, with colors so vivid they seemed to dance in the sunlight. Varun, intrigued, tried to step inside, but Veena quickly stopped him.
"Can't you see the clothes down? If your feet touch them, you are done for! It's for tomorrow's puja," she warned.
"Ah, I see. I wouldn't want to be the one to ruin the puja preparations," Varun replied with a chuckle.
Inside, Varun's eyes were drawn to a radiant figure sitting on a staircase-like arrangement. The sunlight bathed her in a golden glow, highlighting her delicate features and the intricate dress she was sewing. Deciding that meeting the princess might be the next best thing to meeting the king, he called out, "Princess, may I come in?"
The princess, engrossed in her
work, did not respond. Varun knocked on the door, and she finally looked up, her eyes filled with curiosity. Not recognizing him, she gestured in sign language, "What are you here for?"
Varun, confused, lo
oked at Veena. "Did I do something wrong? Why isn't the princess talking?"
Veena gently tapped his hand, her expression serious. "That's Princess Katha. She is.....mute," she explained, her eyes respectfully lowered.
Varun, taken aback, looked at Katha with a mix of surprise and regret. He quickly bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry, my princess. I didn't mean to offend you."
Princess Katha smiled softly, her eyes warm and forgiving. She waved her hand gracefully, signaling to Veena.
"She says it's alright," Veena translated, her voice gentle as she conveyed the princess's message to Varun.
Varun, relieved, smiled back. "Thank you, Princess Katha."
Katha waves her hand inward asking them to come in , looking at Veena winking her eyes.
Veena, understanding the princess's playful nature, pointed to a series of wooden lotus flowers floating in a shallow waterway. "You see those wooden lotuses? You have to jump from each of them to reach her," Veena said with a mischievous smile.
Varun looked at the waterway, about four to five inches deep, with wooden lotus flowers leading the way to the princess. Determined, he began to jump from one lotus to the next, his antics drawing laughter from the maids and Veena. As he reached the end, he saw Veena walking from the other side on a clear path, and he realized they had been mocking him. He couldn't help but laugh at himself.
"So much effort just to talk! You princesses are something else," he thought, amused.
Finally standing before Princess Katha, Varun introduced himself properly. The room around them was a vision of elegance, with silk drapes and intricate tapestries adorning the walls. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, and the soft light filtering through the windows added a magical touch to the scene.
"So, Minister Varun, what brings you to our kingdom?" Veena translated for Katha, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Well, apart from the urgent message I have for the king, I also brought the birth chart of Prince Ivaan, as requested by your kingdom," Varun replied, pulling out the carefully wrapped scroll.
Veena, who had been listening intently, couldn't resist adding, "Oh, so you're not just here to jump on lotuses and entertain us?"
Varun laughed, "No, Veena, though I must say, your lotus-jumping challenge was quite the experience. Do you make all your guests do that?"
"Only the special ones," Veena replied with a wink.
"Well, I feel honored then," Varun said, grinning. "But seriously, I need to speak with the king as soon as possible. It's about Ivaan's stepmother. She's planning a visit, and it's not a friendly one."
Katha's expression turned serious, and she gestured to Veena. "I understand. We'll make sure the message reaches my parents as soon as they return. In the meantime, you're welcome to stay and enjoy our hospitality," Veena translated.
"Thank you, Princess Katha. And thank you, Veena, for the... unique welcome," Varun said, bowing slightly.
Veena laughed, "Anytime, Minister. Just remember, next time, watch where you step!"
________
Forest of Kanakpura.
"Prince Ivaan?" she exclaimed, her voice a blend of astonishment and relief.
Ivaan, equally taken aback, stepped closer. "Princess Indu? ... Is it truly you? Or am I imagining things?"
"What do you mean? It's really me."
They stood there, momentarily stunned by the unexpected reunion. The dense forest around them was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was fresh and filled with the earthy scent of moss and wildflowers.
Ivaan couldn't help but chuckle as he observed her disheveled appearance. The sight of her, with leaves tangled in her long hair and dirt smudged on her face, was a stark contrast to the regal image she usually portrayed. His amusement was tinged with a sense of admiration for her resilience.Why does she always look so out of place whenever he sees her? He recalled their previous encounters, each one marked by her unorthodox behavior for a princess. The last time, she was covered in blood and mud, tending to the injured with a fierce determination that belied her delicate appearance.This princess clearly didn't care about royal appearances. Her priorities were always on others things which must be somewhat freeing for her as he has seen the strict standards Princesses are put throw, the king seemed different than the usual with regards to his daughters, it seemed ok not on maintaining a pristine image.
It was one of the things he found most intriguing about her.Tiny leaves peeked out of her long hair, tempting him to remove them, but he restrained himself, not wanting to invade her space.
Indu noticed his smile and glanced at him looking at his attire the plain commoner look unlike the usual. Her eyes, usually so composed, now sparkled with curiosity and a hint of challenge. "It's rude for a princess to just stare like that," Ivaan teased, making Indu laughed sarcastically. Her laughter was a sweet, melodic sound that seemed to lighten the dense forest around them."Oh please, in those clothes, no one would believe it's the great Prince of Virata standing here in commoner attire,"
Indu retorted, dusting her hands and suddenly feeling self-conscious. She glanced down at her own muddied dress, realizing how far they both were from their royal personas.
"That's rich coming from you. Have you seen yourself right now? You look like a lost puppy covered in mud," Ivaan laughed heartily. His laughter was genuine, a rare sound that echoed through the trees, momentarily dispelling the tension but it did irritate Indu to some extent.
God, when I asked for someone to help me in this scary big forest, you couldn't send anyone but him, this jerk, she whispered a prayer, trying to remove the leaves from her hair.
Her frustration was palpable, but there was also a hint of relief in her voice. Despite her complaints, she was glad not to be alone."What did you say?" Ivaan asked, catching only the last part of her muttering.
His curiosity was piqued, but he maintained a playful tone, not wanting to upset her further."Nothing. What time is it? Everyone must know by now that I'm lost," Indu said. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her anxiety.
She hated feeling vulnerable, especially in front of him. "They must be looking for me. I should just wait it out here."
"I don't think that's possible," Ivaan replied, his tone serious. The shift in his demeanor was immediate, his eyes darkening with concern. "There was a storm last night and it was fierce. The winds howled through the trees, destroyed away the paths. By morning, the forest floor was a maze of fallen branches and debris. I can't recognize the way anymore. Unless they get help from the locals, it's not quite possible."
As he spoke, memories of the previous night flashed through his mind. The storm had been relentless, with lightning illuminating the sky and thunder shaking the ground. He had sought shelter under a large rock, finding a curved cave.
Now, in the aftermath, the forest was unrecognizable, a labyrinth of obstacles.
Ivaan began walking ahead, his eyes scanning the ground for narrow, rigid sticks. The forest was dense, with the canopy above blocking out much of the sunlight, casting eerie shadows on the path. As he found suitable sticks, he began sharpening them into arrows, his hands moving with practiced precision. Even though his backpack already seemed to have plenty of arrows, Indu wondered why was he doing so.
"What, I survived a storm?" Indu gasped, her voice echoing through the trees. She looked down at herself, checking for any signs of injury or damage. Her disbelief was palpable, mixed with a sense of relief that she was unharmed.
Ivaan looked back at her and laughed, a sound that seemed to momentarily lighten the atmosphere of the forest. "Relax, darling! The storm destroyed the northern western direction more. We are way up the middle; you must have not even realized the storm."
Indu ignored his mocking nickname and quickened her pace, moving ahead of him. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of frustration and determination driving her forward. "In that case, I just have to find my way out. Simple enough," she said, her voice filled with false bravado as she tried to convince herself more than him.
After a while, she started getting tired, both physically and mentally. The silence from her companion, who kept marking the way they were walking through, was grating on her nerves. The forest seemed to close in around her, the trees towering like silent sentinels. Indu would wait for a few seconds, looking through her periphery to make sure she wasn't too far from him. The path was uneven, littered with fallen branches and slippery with mud, making each step a challenge.
Ivaan laughed at her antics, deciding it was better not to initiate a conversation with this feisty one. He admired her spirit but knew her stubbornness could be dangerous. His eyes constantly scanned their surroundings, alert for any signs of danger.
Indu found a baby bunny and, irritated by the silence with Ivaan, started talking to it. "You must know all the ways here, right? Why don't you guide me?" she asked, her voice soft and coaxing. The bunny's presence was a small comfort in the vast, intimidating forest.
Ivaan stopped suddenly, sensing some movement in the distance. His body tensed, every muscle ready for action. "Indu, shhhh, don't make noise," he said, his voice low and urgent. His eyes darted around, trying to pinpoint the source of the disturbance.
But Indu, still mad at him, didn't stop talking. She also walked much louder and faster in the opposite direction of where Ivaan was. "What did you say?" she asked, her voice rising in defiance. Her frustration bubbled over, making her reckless.
Ivaan whisper-shouted, "Indu, don't move! It's odd that there's a young baby without its mother in the forest. Most likely, it's a sign that the mother and the others are huntâ"
He couldn't even finish before a wolf jumped out of the grass right near Indu, followed by two more, blood on their mouths and rabbit flesh lying around. The sight was terrifying, the wolves' eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Ivaan was right; the baby was the only one left. Scared, Indu started walking back, clutching the baby close to her heart. Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps, fear gripping her tightly.
The wolves moved with a predatory grace, their bodies low to the ground, muscles rippling under their fur. Their growls were deep and menacing, a sound that sent chills down Indu's spine. The lead wolf bared its teeth, saliva dripping from its jaws as it locked eyes with Indu, seeing her as prey.
Ivaan quickly got his arrow out, taking aim. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins. He knew he had to be precise; even if he managed to take one down, there were two more, and Indu was way too close to the wolves. The wolves began to circle, their eyes never leaving Indu, their growls growing louder.
A sudden jump made Indu close her eyes, falling back. The lead wolf lunged at her, its jaws snapping shut just inches from her. In that very moment, Ivaan released his arrow, hitting the wolf squarely in the side. The wolf yelped in pain and fell to the ground, but the other two wolves were undeterred.
Ivaan quickly nocked another arrow and took aim. The second wolf leaped towards Indu, but Ivaan's arrow found its mark, piercing the wolf's heart. The third wolf hesitated for a moment, its eyes flicking between Ivaan and Indu, before deciding to attack. Ivaan's third arrow flew true, striking the wolf in the throat and bringing it down.
Indu got up and ran to Ivaan, getting behind him. "Listen" Indu spoke softly, frightened. Her voice trembled, and she clung to him with the bunny in her hold, seeking safety.
But Ivaan didn't look back, his anger simmering beneath the surface. She was almost attacked right in front of him. If he had missed by even a second, she would have been injured badly at the least. He started moving fast after giving her an angry look. His eyes blazed with fury, his jaw clenched tightly. She had not been listening to him, doing the opposite of everything he said to her. His anger was a mix of fear and frustration, knowing how close she had come to serious harm.
"Ivaan, IâI mean, Prince, ......Prince Ivaan, please listen," Indu started rushing behind him, trying to catch up, her voice filled with desperation and regret. She realized the gravity of her actions and the danger she had put them both in. Her heart pounded with fear, not just from the wolves, but from the intensity of Ivaan's anger.
.....
Notes
Life update: joined a full time course so yea life is stress 4 hours travelling and no time.
So don't even ask me about more updates.
I will update Little bit at a time as per if I get some time.
Missed writing alot so here's a new chapter.
Let me know your thoughts.
Comment on story plot.
And see you soon.