Aparajita

It's been 3 days since my last encounter with Rishabha. Where is he? What is he doing? And what is he planning to do? I can't stop thinking about it. He said he was here for me, for my swayamvar.

Flashback~

"I am here for your swayamvar. For you." He says smiling.

"Why are you here for me? The swayamvar is only for the princes of Kapila kingdom." I say raising my eyebrows.

"But I was already invited in the swayamvar that was going to be held in your father's kingdom. He has yet not sent any notice that says that the invitation is not valid." He says placing his hands on my shoulders and making me sit on a rock.

He bends down on his knees and starts applying the medicine on my other smaller wounds, after wrapping a white cloth around my arm.

"But King Madhavdev will not allow you to participate in the swayamvar. You should go back to your kingdom, Rajkumar." I say giving him a questioning look.

"Don't worry Rajkumari, leave that upto me." He says with an assuring smile.

"Aparajita...." I hear someone shout. It's Abhaya.
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We reach the palace, and we're immediately taken to the assembly. While walking towards the hall, I can't stop myself from forming that jealous image of Abhaya from before. Was he really jealous or it's just in my brain? He's really the only man in this palace that is a little bit sensible and bit of a gentleman.

We reach the assembly where the king questions and lectures us. Thankfully, Abhaya handles the situation for us and we're allowed to go after some time. But not Rishabha. He's asked to stay in the assembly for further questioning.

Kamakshi and I go to our chamber. We change into our regular clothes. It's already pitch dark outside. I am starving. I hear a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" I ask.

"Aparajita, it's me, Abhaya." I hear his voice.

"Please come in." I say standing up from my bed.

He enters the room along with two maids. Both of them holding a plate full of food. They place it on the table and leave.

"Both of you must be hungry. Please help yourself." He says smiling.

Kamakshi and I start eating. The meal seemed so delicious after a good fight. Just as we finish eating, there's another knock on the door. Abhaya opens the door. It's Aniruddha. He had a bowl in his hand. He comes in and closes the door behind him.

"I've brought some herbal medicine. Let me apply it on your wounds." He says making his way towards me.

"How thoughtful of you Rajkumar." I say smiling at him. "Kamakshi take the bowl from him and apply it on my wounds." I say looking at Kamakshi.

She understands quickly and takes the bowl from him. He lets out a scoff. She applies the paste on my wounds. I try my best to not let a voice out, because this paste makes my wounds burn like anything. Once she's done, she places the paste on the table.

"Apply it every 5 hours." Aniruddha says.

"Thanks to both of you. I owe you both. Now, I would like to rest. I've been very tired after the fight." I say yawning.

"Yes Rajkumari, please rest, we'll take our leave." Abhaya says reaching for the door.

Both of them leave. I quickly take my jewellery off and change into a more comfortable saree (traditional Indian dress) and slip into my bed. Kamakshi is already in her bed, waiting for me to first sleep. I wanted to make sure she's always with me so I had ordered some of the guards to add an extra, rather smaller bed in my chamber for her. My head falls on the pillow and immediately I am dozing off.

Flashback ends.

__

That was the last day I saw Rishabha. In the assembly. I've not even once seen him after that. I tried to ask Abhaya and Aniruddha about him, but both of them did not have any idea. Apparently, they were both in my chamber when Rishabha was being questioned. So, now I have my last resort. Achyuta. Why it has to be him? God! I'd rather let Aniruddha flirt with me then see Achyuta's face. His face is merely so annoying, I get sick when I see him.

But for now, I had to keep my annoyance aside. He was the one who could answer me, besides the king. Well, after my conversation with Maharaj in his study, I better go to Achyuta. I make up my mind. I call one of the maids and tell her to deliver a message to Achyuta, saying I desire to meet him.

After a few minutes, there is a knock on my door.

"Who is it?" I ask, expecting it to be the maid.

"You summoned me, my lady." It's Achyuta's voice from behind the door frame.

I had expected him to call me in his room or something like his father did. But here he was, knocking the door of my chamber. I signal Kamakshi to open the door. The door opens, he enters.

"एकांत." He says looking at Kamakshi.

(Solitude: meaning, leave us alone)

Kamakshi immediately leaves, closing the door.

"You took the pain to come to my chamber yourself?" I ask standing up from the bed.

"राजकुमारी अपराजिता बुलाए और अच्युत न आए, ऐसा कभी नही हो सकता." He says smiling widely.

(It can never happen that Princess Aparajita calls and Achyuta does not come.)

Ohh God! All of the men in this family have sweetest words on their tongues, always.

"Do me a favour and tell me what happened to Rishabha." I say without being swayed by his words.

His eyes immediately gave a hint of disappointment. But immediately, masked it. His expression now, serious.

"This is why you summoned me?" He asks, his voice devoid of any emotions.

"Yes Rajkumar. And I need the answer, please." I say stepping forward.

He takes a few small steps, closing the distance between us. I don't move. We're close enough to hear each other breathe. He grabs me by my waist and pulls me closer. I collide gently to his chest. He stares right into my eyes. Then he slowly bends his head, bringing his face near my left ear. I could feel him breathe slowly.

"Well little princess, everything comes with a price." He whispers in my ear.

God! Why does he do this? His whispers bring shivers down my spine. I put my hands on his bare chest, to push away from him. Only getting furthermore trapped, as he tightened his grip.

"What do you want?" I ask softly.

"You. Aparajita, I want you. But I will acquire that myself. As of now, give me one of your belongings. I will give you your answer." He says, again whispering in my ear.

God! This man. Only if he were not my enemy, his words would've swayed me. And what's with his weird demand? Why does he want my thing? But I wanted my answers, so I played along. I wrap my hands around his neck, stand on my toes, so that I can reach his face, well almost. I place my face near his left ear.

"Deal accepted, Rajkumar. Now leave me." I whisper in his ear.

I come back to my position. I see his face. He's amused. But it seems to give pleasure to him. He frees me from his embrace. I take two steps behind. He's smiling at me like he's admiring a little girl. Again. Why does he do this?

"So, what will you give me Aparajita?" He asks stepping forward.

I immediately turn to my right at walk towards my dressing table. I open one of the drawers and take out a wooden box from it. I come back towards him and hand him the box. He opens the box. The box had my gold anklets in it. They were one of my favourites, gifted by my father. Well king Shashidev. Now that I'd cut all the ties with him, I no longer needed these anklets. So I gave it to Achyuta.

As soon as he opens the box, his face brightens up, forming a big smile. Wow. He never smiled like this before. Does he like the anklets so much? Or is there anything else in it?

I handed him the box without seeing. I take a few steps forward to peek in the box. They're indeed anklets.

"Why are you smiling so much, Rajkumar?" I ask unable to hold my curiosity.

"Well, you do know that in Kapila if a woman gives her anklets to a man, it means she's confessing her love, right?" He says not looking up from the anklet in his hand.

Crap! I totally forgot about that tradition. Abhaya had once told me in the Gurukul when I tried to give him my anklet as a souvenir when he was going back to Kapila for vacation. I immediately go towards him, attempting to take the box back. But he holds the box above his head. I definitely can't reach there. I jump to reach, but I can't.

"Too late, Rajkumari." He says.

I stop attempting to take the box back. Anyways, even if I give my anklet to him or not, that doesn't change the fact that I hate him.

"Be delusional, Rajkumar. I hate you. Keep the anklet. It will not change the fact that I hate you." I say pointing my finger towards him.

His playful expression suddenly turns cold. Crap! Did I speak too much? Aparajita, why can't you control yourself?

"Rajkumar, I didn't..." I try to clarify myself.

"Rajkumari Aparajita, Rishabha said he'd come here to participate in swayamvar. He said his invitation was not declared invalid. Since he had the invitation given by your father, my father allowed him to participate in the swayamvar. All the other invitations are to be declared invalid. Now 7 princes of Kapila along with Rishabha will compete to be your groom. He's currently residing in the guest room on the other side of the palace with tight security. Congratulations." He says coldly.

As soon as he's finished speaking, he doesn't even wait for my response and leaves my chamber. I think he's mad at me. But why does that matter to me? I got my answers. That's it.

***

Hey readers! I hope you enjoyed today's chapter... Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Leave a like if you liked the update. Let me know your favourite line or part in the comments. Stay tuned for more. Check my ig for spoilers and other updates. Take care. xo.

~Rose