Chapter 36

"No." The word slipped out before I could even think.

"What?" he shouted, his shock evident. "You promised me! If you don't go through with this, then according to the scriptures, you'll burn in hell."

"Then let me burn there rather than here." I answered, my voice unsteady, but my words weren't. I'll be damned if I let anyone control me by the words I promised. Even if they were the ones I did willingly.

His grip faltered, and I seized the moment, stepping out of his hold. My hand throbbed where his fingers had clamped down. The faint light of the night revealed deep marks etched into my skin. I rubbed the spot gingerly, my eyes lifting to meet his. His gaze was fixed on the bruises he'd left. For a second, it felt like his eyes were filled with guilt. But as soon as they came, they went away. It felt like I imagined it.

"What have I done to deserve your hate? Why don't you understand that that marriage means nothing to me?" he asked in disbelief. "Why would you rather go to hell than be with me?"

Before I could say anything, a meek voice spoke beside me. "I'm sorry for interrupting."

I flinched in surprise but quickly composed myself. It was a maid. Her head was bowed, and she was trembling with fear. From the way she had turned toward me, it was clear the message was meant for me.

I softened my tone to ease her nerves. "Yes?"

Without lifting her gaze, she murmured, "Rajkumari Aarohi, I've been asked to call you inside, if you've finished your conversation."

A soft smile touched my lips. Even now, he was checking on me while still giving me the choice to stay.

"Who is the message from?" Duryodhan's voice cut through the air, laced with irritation.

At his words, the maid's head shot up, her wide, frightened eyes like a deer caught in headlights. She glanced at me, then at him, and back at me again, clearly at a loss for how to respond.

I spoke, completely ignoring his question, "I'm sorry, Rajkumar Duryodhan, but I have to leave. We can continue this conversation later." Or may be never.

He didn't try to stop me. How could he? I had dismissed him publicly. I knew he would make me pay for it later. But that was a problem for another time. Maybe he'll forget the next time we meet. Because I wouldn't be here tomorrow morning. In the span of our conversation, I had made the decision of what I was going to do next and I was leaving right now.

As I walked toward the castle, I slipped a ring off my finger. It was given to me by Krishna. So, I could say it belonged to me. Anyways, I'll pay it back to him later.

Still moving, I held the ring out to the maid. "Thank you for delivering the message. I trust whatever you witnessed will remain between us." It was an obvious bribe, but I couldn't afford any more rumours tied to my name. At first, she hesitated, shaking her head. But when I gently insisted, she finally accepted it.

"Thank you, Rajkumari," she said gratefully.

To ensure her silence, I asked, "What is your name?"

"Mansi, Rajkumari," she replied, her tone as meek as before.

"Mansi, can deliver a message for me?"

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I had changed into my regular clothes—a simple pair of pants and a T-shirt. They were comfortable and I had a long journey ahead. All my belongings were packed away in Alexa, along with the money Krishna had sent me alongside the dress. I didn't get the chance to meet him.

Everything was almost ready. I double-checked my food supplies: warm food that would last until tomorrow and dry rations that could sustain me for a week if needed. It wasn't much, but it was enough for emergencies.

I was ready. But I still waited. I had to see him, just one last time.

I heard his footsteps approach, steady and deliberate. Without turning, I said, "Took you long enough to get here."

"Arjun asked me to perform some rituals with him. I couldn't say no," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of apology.

A small smile played on my lips. I could feel his presence now, standing just behind me. Slowly, I turned to face him, lifting my hands to rest near his neck.

"So, you kept the lady waiting," I teased, a glimmer of mischief in my voice.

His eyes dropped to my hand. I froze, shit, I had forgotten about the bruises. Shades of purple were already starting to show across my skin. He gently took my hands away from his neck, his fingers brushing over the marks with a tenderness that made my chest tighten. It was as if the pain he felt was deeper than mine.

In a voice steady but laced with restrained fury, he asked, "He did this."

I was quiet. He took my silence as confirmation. His jaw tightened as he said, "He has to pay for it."

His fury was palpable, radiating off him like heat. I never imagined he could be this angry. Yet, somewhere deep inside, it made me happy to see how much he cared. He cared enough to go against his brother.

"Don't worry," I said. "He's already paid. I make sure all my tabs are accounted for." Changing the topic I asked, "Aren't you going to ask where I'm going?"

"Let me guess. You're going to learn weapons," he said, correctly predicting my plans.

A hint of smile formed on my lips, "The answer you have guessed is correct."

I turned, leaning against the car. He mirrored my stance and asked, "So, which teacher have you chosen?"

"I'll try to get Lord Parshuram to accept me as his apprentice," I replied. It would be difficult, but he was the best mentor anyone could hope for.

He smiled knowingly. "That's exactly what I expected of you." Then, he turned his face towards me and added, "But I hope you would leave tomorrow. With the wedding festivities, the roads are bound to be crawling with bandits."

"You know Alexa's capabilities," I replied confidently. "Bandits are no match for her. I'll send you a note if anything happens."

In the months we were together, we tried to change Alexa in a lot of things. His mechanical skills far surpassed mine, even with my degree in mechanical engineering. We had experimented a lot. Alexa could let off small scale missiles and send a missile like note to a specific person on command using tracking. But there was a problem. She couldn't change forms if even a screw was missing. She would be stuck in whatever form she was until we get her all of the parts she sent in the duration of the fight.

"Yes, I know," he said. "You don't know how much that calms me."

I turned to face him, "Will you send me letters?"

"I would, but I don't think it's allowed," he answered pointedly.

I laughed lightly. "You know me; I love breaking rules." He was watching me with such loving eyes that I didn't want to stop talking. "Accha, even if you don't send me letters, I'll send you one every month."

After a pause, I added softly, "And if, at any point, you feel you don't like me anymore, you can marry someone else." I didn't want to hold a great guy like him in shackles. They made people bitter.

He didn't react dramatically. Instead, he smiled as if he'd already anticipated my words. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, he said, "Why would I want to be with anyone else when I have your letters to keep me company?"

"I don't know," I murmured, suddenly uncertain.

He stepped in front of me, his height towering over mine. Yet, instead of intimidating, it made me feel safe. He made me feel safe. He answered like a vow he had repeated thousand times and would not hesitate to repeat another thousand, "I want to be only with you. I desire no one else. You are enough for me."

At this point, I just wanted to stay here. I needed to leave quickly or I just might do that.

His voice, now unsure asked, "So, this is it?"

I chirped, "Nope. This is just the beginning." Sliding out of his arms, because if I didn't, I might just stay there forever, I smiled and continued, "I may have forgotten much of what will happen in the future, but I know two things about it." I added after a thought, "And one bout the present"

By now, I was near the driver's seat, and he still hadn't moved. Speaking serenely, I said, "I know you will be a great king, and I know a war is coming. No matter what we do, it can't be stopped. So, we have to be ready."

He didn't deny or question my words. Instead, he accepted them and asked, "And what is it that you know about the present?"

I love you.

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I didn't say it. It wasn't the right moment. "I will let you know in the future," was what I had said.

We didn't say goodbyes. they weren't necessary. We were not leaving. It was just one step towards our future, together. We just watched each other going through different paths to reach there.

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So, this is the end of part 2 of the 4-part story. I think around 5 to 6 hours of story. But I am not sure. It could be a lot more.

I would also thank everyone who chose this story and have come to like it. I hope it was worth your time. Your likes keep me motivated to do better. I hope you continue this journey with me.

Word count: 1675