Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

The four boys were used to the theatrics between the two besties and didn't bother intervening in their squabble. Anyways, Vandit, the most vocal one, was busy sulking.     

Yash was the only one who spoke up as he addressed Mriga, "How are your hands now? Do you think that you will recover fully in the next two days? What did the Vaidya say?"     

While Abhirath scowled at him for using it as an opportunity to get her attention, Mriga gave Yash a small smile. She knew that he was asking out of concern and told him that there was nothing to worry about.     

"Since the physical testing is over, I suggest that we start with stage 2 tonight itself. I know that you are tired after a long day but since you have managed to catch up on your sleep a bit, we can do a few rounds of verbal question and answer sessions, right? Treat it like a warm-up," Yash suggested tentatively, almost bracing himself for a rejection.     

His face was devoid of any emotion.     

This time around Abhirath didn't object because he also knew that time was of essence and all the forty-five girls who had cleared the round, would be burning the midnight oil for the next two nights.     

"Alright, sure. Let's do it," Mriga replied.     

Yash pushed back his chair and got up.     

"Then, I am going to get the questions which I have shortlisted for practicing. I will see you outside the girls' dorm soon," with that, he left from there.     

Ishani was the one to emit a quiet sigh looking at his forlorn, receding figure.     

"This is the only way that he can show his love for her right now," she thought to herself.     

Himprayag     

It had been three days since the incident at the frozen ground. Shaurya had recovered fully and made frequent trips to the military camp with Bela and Gayatri since then.     

He hadn't seen Ahilya post that day when she came to the room where he had been recuperating. It was a good thing because Gayatri's antagonism towards him was palpable even without Ahilya's presence here. She clearly resented him for creating a rift between her and the princess. But Shaurya chose to ignore it and concentrated on gathering all the military detailing and information which he could, from the interactions with the army forces. Thankfully, Bela also was doing the same and couldn't be bothered about the 'sensitive issues' of the royal family.     

Despite Gayatri's personal grudge, she was extremely focused and professional in her conduct when it came to the official matters. If anyone knew the proposal in detail apart from Ahilya, it was her and hence, she understood the gravity and importance of the same as well.     

"When are we going to get an audience with the King?" Bela asked Gayatri politely before wrapping up for the day.     

They were running out of time and Ahilya didn't seem to be grasping their urgency.     

"I will ask the princess and inform you about it. Have a good evening," Gayatri replied shortly and tipped her head in Bela's direction, ignoring Shaurya completely.     

As her ramrod straight back receded from their eyes, Bela sighed and said, "Tsk tsk, wonder how long will her sulk last for. That's why romance and professional life shouldn't be mixed together."     

Shaurya, who had been listening to Bela's grumble with half an ear, suddenly became alert.     

The implication of her words became clear to him and hit closer to home and he hastened to counter with, "I…um, I think that if one partner is mature enough, there shouldn't be too much of an issue. In the case of these women, I believe that both of them are extremely childish when it comes to emotions. But not everyone is like that."     

Bela had been only talking in context of Gayatri and Ahilya when she said that but looking at Shaurya's earnest expression, she nearly burst out laughing. This guy was ready to further his own agenda at every turn!     

"You have been invited by your friend to join him for a mid-night meal at the usual place. Your friend will be waiting anxiously," a liveried footman came and told Bela.     

This time there was no note but a person… it seemed that the minister liked to mix things up. But he was using the official sentries for this work. Was he not worried about getting caught?     

Bela was extremely suspicious of Rudradev. Try as she may, she couldn't understand his motive for helping them out. Why would someone bother risking his well-placed position in the royal court to help another country further its agenda? What was he getting out of it?     

She looked at Shaurya who shook his head in negative. For the past two nights, he had been stepping out to explore and find some kind of information about Rudradev but till now he had got nothing. The previous links which had been extremely helpful in providing him with sensitive material about the Princess, were conspicuously absent now which led him to believe his original theory that it was the minister who had helped him earlier. But why? On the face of it, he belonged to Prince Mithilesh's camp and seemed to enjoy a lot of clout there. Then why?     

Royal Palace     

Raja Indraditya lay on the bed with perspiration clinging to his forehead despite the freezing weather outside. The Vaidya was gathering his tools when Rudradev entered the chambers. He had been surprised when he received the summons at this hour from the king. Thankfully, he hadn't left for the lodge yet.     

"How are you feeling, your highness?" he asked with genuine concern in his voice.     

Waving his hand, the king motioned the younger man to take a seat close to his bed.     

"What is the report from Chandragarh? Don't bother embellishing it. Give it to me as is," he huffed.