Third Person's POV

Maisha knew that she couldn't succumb to his dominance. He can't know that she's scared. The more powerless he feels over her, the safer she is with him. Basic human psychology. She lifted her head up courageously and looked him in the eye, a stern intimidating look. She had seen all kinds of people while working in police and then as a spy but no one had emanated such a powerful aura around her. It was scary and thrilling at the same time.

He smirked, climbing the Chariot as she sighed heavily, releasing the breath she didn't know she was holding. She hesitantly climbed the chariot and rode with him while Dev accompanied them on horseback. She looked out as a small frown appeared on her forehead. "What is it?" he asked with eyes fixated on her.

"Why does he get to ride such a cool horse, is it a stallion?..... And I don't," she pouted like a little girl and looked at him seeming to forget what happened few minutes ago.

That's how she had always been. She had always been positive. She sure had seen a lot of crime and bloodshed early in her career but forgetting and moving on was her policy. She didn't know that over a span of few years, this so called virtue had made her so detached to the people around her and she had built these walls around her that protected her from being hurt.

Aditya was a little surprised at her change of attitude but it attracted him to her in weird and yet another different way. "You can have one when we return back. Choose any from the stables," he stated as a matter of fact.

"Can I ride this one when we return?" She asked hopefully and gave her cutest look. He just chuckled at her expression ,"That's for Dev to decide. It's his horse." Maisha just huffed in response and continued looking out. The palace and it's estate was huge, greenery everywhere. Which era was she in? It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't even tried to go back home ever since she came here. She wanted to go back but she never tried. She just went on to make a living. She didn't try to find that stupid time machine, she didn't try to find the place where she landed and she hadn't searched for any clues. She just lived. It made her wonder if she was really happy in her previous life. It wasn't a particularly wonderful life, but it wasn't all that dull too.

She surely missed her parents, her dog. Who would've fed the dog!? She didn't even want to think about it. And had her parents assumed her to be dead? Her mom would be devastated. All these thoughts clouded her head as she sank further in her seat. She threw her head back and closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose as the reality hit her. She was in a different world now, a world with no one to turn to. And the chariot only reminded her of that fateful evening in the caravan.

Her change in mood hadn't gone unnoticed by Aditya who sat next to her. But he decided not to comment on the situation as they silently rode to their destination. To Maisha's pleasure, the burdening journey had finally come to an end. She mentally thanked the charioteer and decided to put the depressing thoughts at the back of her mind and focus on the task at hand.

She gaped with jaws hanging at the huge conglomerate in front of her. And that dipshit called it a workshop?

"You call this a workshop?" She asked not believing her eyes.

"Does it not meet your expectations?" He said helping her out of the chariot.

"More like way superceded! Workshop is such a poor name. Look at the grandeur of this thing!" She exclaimed not being able to contain her thrill. He led her in feeling proud at his achievements. He still remembered the chaos in which he had been crowned. He was just fifteen at that time. And now even if the threat of war lingered, his people were happy in his rule. And he was proud of that.

Maisha tugged his arm and practically ran inside as Dev followed them behind a bit annoyed on being left out. But he was happy, for his friend had finally found someone who could maybe help him let go of his inhibitions. But he wasn't really ready to trust Maisha. The probability of her being a spy from the West still lingered in his mind.

Aditya introduced Maisha to the head alchemists as the new Army Chief and left her with the elderly to discuss the further changes as he had accompanied her for other reasons which he needed to attend with Dev.

"So I was thinking that maybe we could incorporate a bit of aluminum," she said as the alchemist shook his head rejecting her proposal.

"If we can add any Ayas (metal) it can be copper only and adding copper is not really useful." He simply said.

'Which village girl has His Majesty brought!' he thought to himself.

"What about the life of swords?"

"What about them?"

"They rust." Maisha rolled her eyes a bit annoyed at this man's obstinacy. He had rejected all her proposals so far without even listening properly.

"They are bound to, little girl." He said rather harshly. She deep breathed trying to contain herself.

"Why don't you add carbon, I mean coal to iron. Then it won't rust anymore. Saves cost,"she said.

"We are already doing that. Five percent."

"No, try one percent. Five percent is way to much. It will increase the brittleness and we won't be able to sharpen it well." She said calmly as the alchemist contemplated thinking that the plan might just work. "We'll call it Wootz steel," he smiled at her in appreciation of the new name.

"Also, I have designs for guns," she said grinning. She took out the designs she had brought while the alchemist ordered one of the workers to start making a few samples of the required swords.

"Guns?"

"Yeah, these are like little cannons," she tried to explain handing the bark to the alchemist.

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"Sire, the spy is still not opening his mouth. Keeps on saying weird words. Foreign tongue," one of the Sepoy trembled as Dev's dagger was against his neck. "By hook or by crook, get something out of him or your family won't see tomorrow's sunrise." He pushed the Sepoy who ran.

Aditya was confirming the progress of manufacture of war items and personally checking the accounts, expenses and profits from the export as he was approached by Dev. Aditya had a habit of surprise visits to the big establishments to make sure that their was no infiltration of goods or information, no adulteration and no corruption.

Those who tried otherwise were never found, even by their families. Everything was on top gear with the kingdom on verge of war and any mistake couldn't be tolerated. Meanwhile, the reports from Dev's and Aditya's spies which were spread throughout the kingdom suggested that they had been infiltrated by foreign spies. First from the east, and now the west, everyone seemed to target his kingdom with a hawk's eye.

What if they all are in this together? Aditya pondered.

"Still nothing," Dev informed with head down. He hated to disappoint his King. So he had decided to stay back and beat the crap out of that bastard till he spoke out. He'd find his weakness and torture him like no one had ever done. Aditya trusted Dev's capabilities. He nodded indicating that he had left the matter in Dev's hands.

After their inspections were done Dev left, while Aditya went looking for Maisha. What he found was shocking rather impossible.

Agastya Shivaji Roy, the head alchemist, who always had a stern cold demeanor was chuckling sitting on his throne like chair with Maisha cracking a string of laughter along with him. "You are literally, the funniest person I've ever met Sir," she managed to say in between her fits of laughter and the alchemist nodded," Those are just my experiences with experimenting. If I tell you how my father taught me, you'll die of laughing," he choked on his own words.

"But, on a serious note, I would really love to meet your daughter. She seems really smart. I could use her help with exploring this area," Maisha said composing herself and standing up. She had sensed Aditya's presence and was stiffened a bit now.

"Sure, sure that would be lovely. She'll be back in a few days after her friend's wedding is over," Agastya ji said standing up himself. Both of them acknowledged the King who bowed back in respect.

"I shall get going," Maisha touched the alchemist's feet as he pulled her up, gave her blessings and told her that the sample of the machinery would be delivered to the training grounds in a week's time.

Maisha was giddy after a long time. She smiled ear to ear on their ride back. "Ah, what a life!?" She mumbled to herself sinking in her seat satisfactorily.

"What did you say?" Aditya's eyes snapped up at her.

"I...um... Nothing... Absolutely nothing," she stuttered in Hindi realising that she had just spoken in English.

"You spoke another language. Tell me which one," he commanded.

"Angrezi (English)," she said in a small voice.

"Is it a language of west?" He asked hopefully. The invasion was blocking his mind completely. He was honestly stressed out. What if she is one the spies too? In the back of his mind he didn't want to believe it but he couldn't just let his guard down. He had to be careful with her.

"You can say that." She kept her answer small not wanting to point out that in the era she was in, English might have not evolved yet. Maybe they used Latin. But she didn't want to get in an unnecessary trouble so she kept her mouth shut.

"Tomorrow, you go with Dev to interrogate a spy. Dare not say a word about it. He'll explain everything," Aditya quietly commanded as she nodded.

By the time they reached the castle, it was late evening and the sun was setting. "You should rest," Aditya said helping her down. "Umm... How did you recognize me?" Maisha finally coughed up enough courage to ask him.

He smirked closing in on her till her legs hit the wheel of the chariot. He had trapped her. Maisha secretly felt excited at all the possible scenarios that could happen. She felt her breath hitched as he moved closer, his minty breath fanning on hers. Her heart was thumping out of her chest. She closed her eyes as he leaned in ever so slowly, and whispered in a low seductive and hoarse voice, giving her chills,"the huge mole on your left foot." He laughed and went away as Maisha shot her eyes open and seethed,"Asshole," earning a chuckle from him.

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A/n

Soooo???? U like it?

To my lovely folks

Thank you so much guys for your support and votes. You have no idea how much they motivate me. Keep supporting and voting for me. And do share your opinions. I'd love it.

Yeah, I messed up the history of Wootz steel a bit. But that's why it's a fiction. I Donno, I just wanted to add some little technicalities.

****Wootz steel: A steel produced in ancient India with 1% carbon and 99% iron.

Also, I will update FATESHIT by tonight.