Chapter 46: 🪭✨ 39 . Not everything is a trap?

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I'm back , back again 😁 😁

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This time i have made sure I'll not go for long.

You will have 2 updates a week.

Now I am thinking it can either be.

Sunday 1 chapter and on Saturday 1 chapter

Or

Saturday and Friday each 1 chapter

Tell me your thoughts on above.

Happy reading all 💕

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Forest of Kanakpura 🌲🌲

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The forest stretched endlessly before them, a maze of towering trees and shadows that seemed alive with whispers. The air was thick with dampness, carrying the earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves, and the faint light filtering through the canopy did little to illuminate their path. The chirping of unseen insects mingled with the occasional rustle of leaves, making the travelers acutely aware of their isolation.

Indu walked in the middle, her slender fingers brushing the bark of a nearby tree as if trying to sense its secrets. Her eyes, wide with a mix of wonder and apprehension, darted to every movement in the underbrush. Prince Ivaan led the group, his posture taut and commanding, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword while the other pushed away low-hanging branches. His sharp profile was lit intermittently by shafts of pale sunlight, his brow furrowed in a perpetual scowl. Behind them trailed Vikram, his dark cloak swaying with his unhurried steps. Though his demeanor seemed relaxed, his piercing gaze missed nothing, flitting between his companions and their surroundings.

Breaking the silence, Vikram’s voice carried a lilt of amusement. “Tell me, Princess,” he began, brushing a stray leaf off his shoulder, “You both often go on adventures like this?.”

Indu and Ivaan look at each other soon looking away turned slightly, meeting his gaze with a faint smile. “Not often,” she admitted, her tone even. “But honestly I’m not even sure how I ended up her.”

Vikram tilted his head, his dark eyes gleaming. “oh so you mean no one knows you are here?”

Indu felt a flush of heat rise to her cheeks, by the way Ivaan was glaring her down she knew what that glare meant by now she was letting Vikram in more information than needed. Before she could reply, Prince Ivaan’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Enough, Vikram,” he said without turning around. His tone was clipped, his irritation palpable. “Keep your words to yourself.”

Vikram raised his hands in mock surrender, his ever-present smirk deepening. “Ah, Prince Ivaan. Always so serious. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to shield the Princess from me. How Romantic”

Prince Ivaan stopped abruptly, turning to face him with a glare that could have frozen a roaring fire. “I’m trying to shield her from unnecessary distractions.”

Indu stepped forward, placing a hand on Ivaan’s arm before the tension could escalate further. “Prince Ivaan, there’s no need for this,” she said softly, her voice steady yet soothing..

Ivaan’s gaze softened ever so slightly as he looked at her, though his expression remained stern.

“Indeed,” Vikram interjected, a winning smile plastered on his face after all the princess was taking his side his voice playful but his eyes sharp. “Everything worth venturing into come with a little danger?”

Indu glanced between the two men, sensing the unspoken tension that lingered beneath their words. Ivaan shook his head, turning back toward the path, he muttered something inaudible, resuming his steady march forward.

Indu and Vikram exchanged a glance, the former suppressing a small laugh. “You’re impossible,” she whispered to Vikram, her tone caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation.

Vikram leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. “And yet, Princess, you find my company more intriguing than you let on.”

Indu rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it. As the three continued their journey deeper into the forest, the air seemed to grow heavier, the distant sound of water adding an eerie cadence to their steps.

Her eyes flickered back to the prince, who was walking a few paces ahead, scanning their surroundings with a hawk-like focus.

Ivaan suddenly paused, raising a hand. "Quiet. I hear something."

Everyone froze. For a moment, there was only the sound of the forest: the wind brushing through the leaves and the distant chirp of a bird. Then, a snapping twig.

"It’s probably nothing," Vikram offered, though his voice betrayed a hint of unease. "Let’s keep moving."

Ivaan didn’t respond, his hand moving instinctively to the hilt of his sword. He motioned for them to follow, his posture tense. Indu caught up, her earlier playfulness replaced by growing apprehension.

The group moved forward, but Ivaan lagged, his eyes narrowing on Vikram’s subtle gestures. The man seemed overly casual, almost as if he was leading them into—

Suddenly, Vikram pointed to a clearing ahead. “There. Let’s take a break; it looks safe enough.”

Indu, eager to rest, started toward it, but Ivaan grabbed her arm. "No," he said sharply. "We keep moving. This is too convenient."

Vikram laughed, his voice disarming. "Relax, Prince. Not everything is a trap. Or are you just looking for excuses to keep us all on edge?"

Indu wrenched her arm free. “Ivaan, stop being so paranoid. Not everything in the world is out to get us.” She walked toward the clearing, her back to both men.

Vikram followed, a shadow of a smirk playing on his lips. Ivaan hesitated but trailed behind, his instincts screaming at him to stay vigilant something was very weird about Vikram, he couldn’t decide if it was some stupid disturbance he felt because how the Princess kept giving all her attention to Vikram, and was getting smitten.

As they reached the clearing, Vikram subtly guided Indu away from Ivaan while Ivaan went in to refill his bottle, offering her water from his flask. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial tone. “You deserve better than someone who treats you like you’re fragile. You’re stronger than he gives you credit for.”

Indu hesitated, caught off guard by his words but touched nonetheless. “Prince Ivaan means well… he has saved me multiple times in the last few hours.”

“Does he?” Vikram countered, his tone soft but insidious. “Or does he just want to control you?”

Before Indu could respond, a sharp crack split the air. Ivaan’s voice rang out, laced with alarm. “Get down!”

Indu dropped instinctively as a dagger sliced through the air, embedding itself into the tree behind her. Vikram cursed under his breath, stepping protectively in front of her.

“Stay close to me,” he said, his voice suddenly grim.

But Ivaan was already there, his sword drawn, his gaze locked onto Vikram. "Move away from her," he commanded, his voice steady but deadly.

“What are you talking about?” Vikram demanded, feigning confusion.

Ivaan’s grip on his sword tightened. “You think I haven’t noticed? You’ve been leading us in circles, keeping us isolated. What are you planning? Tell me right now where are your accomplices”

Indu stared at Ivaan, horrified. “What are you saying? Vikram just saved me just now!”

“Did he?” Ivaan countered, his eyes never leaving Vikram. “Or was that dagger meant for you?”

The air crackled with tension as Indu turned to Vikram, seeking reassurance. But in that moment, his mask slippling a glint of evil flashed and disappeared. His grip on her arm tightened, reassuring her.

“What accomplices are you talking about?,” Vikram said, his tone devoid of charm.

Before Indu could scream, Vikram pulled her close, his dagger close to her throat. While pointed at Ivaan “Step back, Prince… don’t act to coy you were the only one far and the dagger came from the direction you just came in”

Ivaan’s heart pounded, his mind racing. “Let her go, Vikram..”

“Stay back Prince Ivaan,” Vikram sneered.

What happened next was a blur.

The moment Indu was able to elbow Vikram getting in between them not knowing who to trust.Indu scrambled away, Ivaan lunged, his sword clashing with Vikram’s dagger in a flurry of sparks

The two men fought viciously, their weapons a blur of steel. Vikram was faster, but Ivaan had the advantage of discipline and purpose.

“Ill protect you princess no matter what” Vikram spat, his blade slicing dangerously close to Ivaan’s shoulder. “Ivaan Ill not go down as easily as the princes you fight!”

Ivaan didn’t respond, his focus unwavering. He saw an opening, a split-second chance, and took it. His sword arced downward, slicing clean down Vikram’s chest.

For a moment, there was silence. Then the sickening thud of Vikram’s body hitting the ground unmoving.

Blood splattered across Indu as she watched, frozen in horror.

“You………………….. you killed him,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

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Oh well one more dead person it seems.💢

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Next update on Friday or Saturday - depending on your comments or ill pick Saturday ✨