A/n : before I forget about it.

1) Chaulakyas is a name I came across on the famous Indian dynasties. I do not know anything about it, neither have I read it's history and I only used the name, the rest is fictional.

2) Thank you very much my lovely folks for all the support, I would really wish if you'd vote and comment. I would love your opinion.

3) Soooo, what do you think of the book so far???

4*) This chapter talks about alluvial gold. And it's true, history wise. Alluvial soil is a type of soil and the flood deposited fresh alluvium every year in North India and that soil contained tiny gold particles. Recent evidences have also been found.
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A servant entered Dev's chambers who stood in the balcony with a glass of toddy ( palm wine) in his hand planning his next move. The servant left as quietly as he entered, handing the scroll given by Dhruv Sindhiya, his right hand, a marvelous assassin and his top informant. It was a secret letter. If you read the letter, it would look like a message from home, informing how the family was and how everyone was so happy.

Dev went to his study and took out the wooden stencil he had hidden under the table in another locked secret drawer and began decoding the message. The stencil was a wooden piece with a few holes. He carefully kept the stencil over the letter, jotted down the alphabets to make words and consequently, sentences. The final message came out to be-

The Roman army has left their posts and are marching towards us. Chayanpratap and Angad Rai were seen with the Roman general who had been hiding in the Capital. According to them, their forces will reach in two weeks' time

Dev's suspicions were confirmed now. Those two were the traitors and they were going to pay for it. He jotted down another secret letter which looked like a response to the first one but commanded him to gain their trust and send the strategies of attack, the multitude and extent of the impending war. He handed the letter to one of his men who delivered it to Dhruv in an hour's time. Being in the Capital, talking face to face was still risky when undercover. So the a letter was the safest method. Dev couldn't believe that the Roman Army General stooped as low as to spy on the enemy.

He had to discuss the matters with Aditya, first thing in the morning. In the mean time, a Sepoy, again one of his palace spies informed him about the little auction Maisha had held in the morning, without any permission.

"What object was the prize of this auction?" Dev asked a little amused at the rebellious nature of this woman.

The Sepoy was speechless, rather frightened to speak out but the question was a death trap. If he answers, Maisha won't spare him and if he doesn't Dev would make his life a hell. Being more fearful of the boss with whom his allegiance lied, he answered , "His Majesty's nights."

For a moment, Dev couldn't comprehend the new information and when he did, a small frown appeared on his masculine features as he ushered the Sepoy to get out, who happily escaped. Dev sipped his wine as the frown replaced a beguile smile that took over his features apprehensive of the result. What Maisha had pulled off was an invitation to an atrocious treatment and it was something Dev could never have done. If he was being honest, he was actually looking forward to an amusing change in his friend's depressing and dull life and the lively queen just might be able to pull that off. That's all he expected from her. Still waters run deep..., at least she definitely wasn't that. She was safe, for Aditya and the palace.

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Maisha and Aditya were in the carriage heading back to the Palace as Maisha was comfortably snuggled into Aditya's chest and dozed off while Aditya's heart was at ease, first time in years. He wrapped his arm protectively around her, squeezing her more into him while he lovingly kissed her forehead feeling giddy at the smile that appeared on her face instantly.

The woman beside him had the power to destroy him and his dynasty for she possessed his heart now. He had no idea up till now, how much she affected him, ticked him off and the intensity of emotions he felt for her was overwhelming. He stared in awe as to how strong she is that she doesn't need a man to live a happy life and at the same time the immense emotions she holds in the tiny heart of hers. He had never come across such a person who was so brave, unorthodox, rebellious and so beautiful and endearing inside out. He was completely whooped and seeing her cry in the training area made him want to destroy the whole fucking world.

His silent confessions of love were interrupted by her light stirring as she fluttered her eyes open focussing at the surroundings. She could inhale his woody minty scent drawing her eyes up to his brown orbs which stared back in intent trying to read any and every emotion.

She was star struck and nervous under his scrutiny as she shifted away only to land on top of him as the crampy carriage moved. He helped her get off unwillingly as she moved to the opposite side, facing him, cheeks flushed. "Are you alright?" He asked in his usual rugged voice which was now laced with concern.

"Umm, yes. I'm fine. Totally," she stuttered shocked at her own voice that had never been this shaky.

"Okay." Silence fell over as the carriage continued to move.

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Chitra had sent dinner to Maisha and Aditya's chambers as the night had set in and almost everyone had retired to their chambers. So there was on one to accompany them for the dinner.

"Can we eat together? I don't want to eat alone," Maisha pouted as they headed to the West wing.

"Sure, wait for me. I'll come to your chambers in a few minutes." Aditya said heading towards his own to freshen up. Maisha entered her room to find the parcel from the Royal seamstress on the bed. She jumped in excitement and mentally thanked her swiftness and expertise. She opened her parcel impatiently, tearing the wrapping cloth apart without undoing the knots to find the most beautiful set of bras and a couple of long mid thigh t shirts as nightwear. There were some shorts and a couple of cotton pajamas. Her foul mood vanished as she squealed running towards the bath area to freshen up and try the clothes.

These clothes were the only sweet memories of her previous life which swam amongst her new found tenderness towards this new world and an inevitable attraction towards its King.

Forgetting about her end of the deal of the auction, Maisha slipped into the pool of warm water scented with sandalwood bark and lavender petals prepared by her handmaid who had already left her chambers an hour ago. Maisha liked privacy and wasn't really keen on having servants around her 24/7. They also had a life and deserved some free time. She thought. So she often dismissed them in the evenings. The water, though a bit cold now, eased her tired body as she decided which t shirt she'd be wearing after her bath. She made a mental note to buy a doll of the seamstress's grand daughter. The embroidery on the kurtas was exceptional.

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It was unexpected for Aditya to find Maisha's room completely deserted, no footmen, no sepoys as the entire hallway leading upto her room was empty, only the dim flame of wooden torches lighting his path. It could be so dangerous for her safety. He knocked her door since there was no one to announce his presence. "Wait a sec, I'm coming," came a hurried voice as he started sweating.

Hold your horses, it's just a dinner. He slapped himself mentally as his heart began speeding up. The whole mood of the hallway was so damn romantic. And it's just her voice that's got him like that. What will happen when he'd see her?

The huge doors flung open as Maisha stood, in her new comfortable t shirt and a pair of shorts, hair dripping wet stunning him. He couldn't help but stare at her long legs, big brown eyes and her natural self which was beyond imagination beautiful, atleast to him. "Come in, already. Food is getting cold." She broke his staredown as a blush crept on her cheeks. He nodded as they sat on the cushioned seats on the floor to devour the dinner. Aditya ate silently while Maisha kept on blabbing about their afternoon expedition and how excited she was, how funny Dev was and how gorgeous Chitra was.

"Had Chitra and Dev not have a thing for each other, I would've totally flirted with him!" She laughed causally as Aditya's eyes snapped up with an unsaid anger stopping Maisha from her rant. "What!?" She teased picking the raw onions from Aditya's thali as hers were finished. His eyes followed the piece of onion in shock and amusement. "You weren't eating them, so I figured...." She trailed off explaining her point.

"You wouldn't dare," he said unmindful of the onions or her comment.

"Seriously? It's salad. You must be kiddi-"

"No. Dev, I meant." He cleared up furrowing his eyebrows.

"Dev? What Dev.... Oooooh," a smirk played on her lips on realisation. "Someone is jealous," she sang as the frown deepened on his face. "You wouldn't, would you?" He repeated rather insecure. Maisha smiled as he got riled up even more.

"I wouldn't," she said pausing and then muttering , "I'll do way more than that once this war is over," causing Aditya to cough the water he'd been drinking. He got up irritated by her words and hurt by the sentiments as she registered that she had gone way too far this time. "Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was just joking. Dev is like a buddy to me. More of a brother. Besides, we're still married. Aren't we?" She said clutching onto his arm as he looked at her skeptically. "I don't want Dev to end up with someone like you," he said as Maisha's mouth hung open. And here she was thinking he might actually like her. That overly gorgeous bastard.

"What?" He smirked pleased by her reaction. There was hope after all. She straightened herself, mouth still ajar, twinkling and playful eyes as she settled on the edge of the bed and laughed, "You are a prick. You know that?"

"So I've been told," he sat beside her. They crawled up, plopping on the bed chatting with each other as Maisha's head rested on the headboard and Aditya's, on her lap.

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"More itr ( perfume)," Arundhati shouted at her handmaid as she scurried to grab a the bottle of rose scented perfume and sprayed it on her madam. "His Majesty would love this scent," she said dreamily adjusting her long dark luscious locks over her overly embellished night gown. She pushed her maid aside getting up and giving herself one last look in the mirror and heading out, towards the West wing.

"His Majesty is not present, Lady Arundhati." The Sepoy bowed down as Arundhati who fumed in anger and embarrassment. "What do you mean he's not here?" She gritted her teeth in disgust. She was disgusted by that menial servant. "He.... He just came here for a few minutes and then left."

"To where!?" She mentally cursed the village whore who had scammed her. She was already planning the ordeal of Maisha's hanging by telling about this auction to Aditya himself. There was no way the village gutters would get out of that alive.

"I... I don't know Lady." He bowed ready to receive his punishment. She stormed out to Maisha's chambers.

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"What!? Queen Mother is not your Mother?" Maisha exclaimed laughing.

"No. She isn't. I lost my mother when I was seven. She is my massi (mother's sister). She was married to our Royal Senapati and when the war broke out, everyone died, except her and me," the sadness in his tone was evident as Maisha's hand involuntarily started stroking his hair to ease the lines forming on his forehead, on reminiscing the past.

"She prepared me the best. She was my reagent till I turned fifteen. Without her, I wouldn't be a King I am today," he concluded thanking Anandani for all the disapprovals and harsh treatments that had made him even better over the years. "What about a mother's love?" Maisha couldn't help but ask to which Aditya scoffed.

"Love doesn't make a King, Maisha. It destroys him. It makes you weak. And I couldn't be weak." Maisha wanted to protest but bit her tongue. There's more to him than I thought. What if he got his heart broken. What if he loved someone else? She thought.

"Why were there so many wars? I just can't understand. Why can't people just live in peace?" She huffed as Aditya chuckled at her childishness. "Well, our kingdom was pretty small in North but we were rich and happy. Every year, floods came in the Yamuna and the Ganga, nothing we couldn't control, but with the flood came the natural deposits of alluvial gold. So, when the flood died, our economy would boost even more and we became rich." He explained as Maisha nodded in wonder and excitement of the new story. He shifted on her lap from facing the ceiling to facing her as he continued.

"Naturally, the other kingdoms were jealous of the prosperity of such a small state and wanted to conquer the fertile land and gold deposits. When I was seven, all three of our neighbors ganged up on us and attacked us."

Maisha cut him off, "That's so unfair. Three against one."

" Our chivalrous army fended the kingdom for six months straight. It was one of the longest wars in the history. At one time, we had to train the commoners. Villages, towns and the palace was empty. Men, women and children above fifteen, everyone fought. I remember it was only two women and a lot of children in the the safe house of the palace." He sighed pinching his nose at the memory but Maisha's soothing actions eased him to open up to her. She was silent too. She kept stroking his hair lovingly and occasionally rubbing his shoulders.

"We lost the war. I lost my childhood, my parents and all my elder siblings. Queen Mother lost her husband and children. There were ashes all around. The villages had turned to burial grounds. Numerous women and young girls were raped and sold. Prisoners of war were killed mercilessly. I still remember the shrieking of the maid who took care of the children in the safe house, when she was raped and murdered. I could never forget her cries." He sighed as a silent tear escaped.

" But we managed to save the Capital. Queen Mother built a small army of forty, trained them for three years straight and conquered back our kingdom. As soon as I turned fifteen, I couldn't wait anymore. I was to wait till I was eighteen but I was too keen to avenge my people's death." He didn't want to continue. That was the most ghastly deed he had ever done. The deed that made him certain that he was no less than a beast.

A tear escaped his weary eyes as he cringed at the haunting past that was now mocking him in the face. She took his face in her petite hands as he got up to fully face her, yet his eyes were far away from hers. She wiped his tear and kissed his forehead as if reassuring him with silent words that she would stay by his side no matter what.

"What I did was worse than any beast. But it was late before I could stop it." He shut his eyes not being able to look at her. "Hey, it's okay. Tell me what you did. We are in this together, right?" She shushed him.

"I.... I ordered my men to do what they did to our women," Maisha felt silent, her hands left his face and tears burnt in her eyes. How could he do that?

"I ordered them to stop the next second. But it was too late. They .... women were crying. I couldn't take it. I told them to stop but they laughed at me. Told me I was a little boy. I was their king and I couldn't even control them. So... so I started shooting them. My own men. They went limp on those women.... And and the women screamed. Those women screamed. And I saw it all. Those bastards violating them and I stopped them, I killed them but it was too late. I was too late." Another tear rolled down his cheek as he finally looked over to Maisha who was hysterical. She cried throwing her arms around Aditya's neck engulfing him in a needy embrace as he cried in the crook of her neck letting out his pent up emotions. " It's not your fault. You were too young to know any good. It's not your fault, Adi. Please don't cry. I'm so sorry for what happened but it's not your fault. You're not a bad person." Her voice was croaked with all the crying as she helplessly tried to soothe his bleeding heart.

"I'm a beast, Maisha." He croaked in her neck pulling from the embrace and said eye to eye, "and that is why you should go. This place is not for a person like you. I don't want to turn you the way I am. I'm a murderer Maisha. I kill," he said cupping her face as their foreheads touched. She shook her head defiantly. She didn't want to leave this man not after she realised how much she felt for him, not after she saw those sad bloodshot eyes full of remorse and self hatred and not after those eyes made her want to take all the pain away and kill everyone who caused it.

"You will never get rid of me Vikramaditya whatever," she sniffed as he laughed rather relieved for coming clean. Their heartbeats were accelerated, breathing unsteady from all the crying.

Maisha closed the distance between them as Aditya immediately responded by snaking his arm across her waist and pulling her into his lap. He licked her lower lip asking for permission which she gladly accepted and thus deepened their kiss. She moaned as he explored her mouth. She had never felt like this before. Every hair on her body was on fire. Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she closed herself to him making him moan under her as they both squirmed under each other's touch. Her hands tugged on his hair making him groan as they fought for dominance. A passionate kiss soon turned into a hungry make out as Aditya felt himself harden and Maisha too felt wet.

But their blissful moment was interrupted by Arundhati who barged in without permission.

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A/n : SUPER long chapter for my lovely folks. 3.2k words six hours and here we go.

That was a long ass chapter, full on romantic. But what would be Arundhati's reaction?

IMPORTANT********

Dhruv Sindhiya (Rohit Khandelwal)