With every small step she took forward, an unmovable weight settled heavy on her heart thinking about the uncertainty of his feelings as fear feasted on her soul. The gloomy atmosphere didn't do any better, the dark night and heavy rain-filled clouds just added up to her murky mood. The faint smell of the flowering plants greeted her as she passed by the courtyard once again reminding her of Raghuveer, he adores these senseless plants a way too much that now even she has developed a special liking towards them but the unfamiliarity of the lightless, silent house affected her already sulking mood. 

Has Raghuveer not returned yet?  Observing there being no traces of any soldiers or guards around the house she was forced to conclude that he hasn't returned, yet. Maybe, she can utilise this time to rehearse the dialogues she wishes to say without letting him know of what the old sage has said. Will it ever be wise to let him know that she has a way back to reach her house?

With havoc of depressing thoughts, her brain almost felt numb and Riya walked heavily tried with the day's events. If only she could see Raghuveer's face and go to bed, it will the best sleep she might ever have. However, her weary walk came to a halt hearing a deep male voice, making her head raise at an unimaginable speed startling the other person.

He stood by the porch of the house and it was almost impossible to see his features with a small light emitting from the entrance for the house.

"Riya?"

Almost immediately her shoulders fell hearing the voice, all the excitement leaving her soul. It was Jaidev, Raghuveer's friend. The shadow of his tall frame almost deluded her wishing it was the prince.

What was he doing here instead of Raghuveer? Maybe, his father's poor health was forcing him to stay at the palace. 

"Where have you been? I was just wondering if I might have to launch a search party-"

"I was with Physician Vishwanath, visiting their Aashram." She spoke slowly, those words tasting bitter in her mouth being reminded of the conversation she had with the old sage.

He didn't seem to believe her, his face held a sceptical look as if he was disappointed which made Riya boil with anger. His look bothered her more than anything, why is he to give her such a disappointed look! 

Riya cast him a narrowed look which in return earned her a small flush on his cheeks as he gave out a small embarrassing smile.

Jaidev smiles fiddling with his hands as he spoke, "It's just that, Raghuveer happened to mention that you dislike the Physician so I was just curious as in why would you ever leave with him. I was extremely worried to not find you here at this late in the evening, I apologise if I caused you any discomfort through my actions."

The sudden politeness caught her off guard. His apologising tone reminded her of the weariness she was feeling.

"It's alright, I am feeling a little sleepy so I require some immediate rest."

Well, she indirectly hinted him to leave this place so that she could rest and prepare a speech to have with Raghuveer.

She will confess. She can't have her feelings bottled up and later on regret about being unable to express her feelings for him.

"About that," Jaidev hesitated as he steps down standing in front of her, he stood just a few feet apart making her a bit uncomfortable, "Raghuveer is planning on staying at the palace for time being. The king's health is declining, and at such a point if Raghuveer gives up and leaves the palace he might never get his rightful position at the palace."

Riya held her breath as Jaidev spoke. Fantastic, now she might have to wait for another day to see that great prince.

"How long? A day or two?" Riya asked, her voice sounding on edge of a breakdown. Even those two days sounded too long to stay apart.

Why is this separation mattering so much? Before she realised her feelings for him, she might have been fine but now after this point, all she wants is to see him and confess like a madwoman. Or maybe the fact that the sage mentioning about some danger for Raghuveer and Dhruvan might have to do something with this uncomfortable feeling at her heart.

"Longer," Jaidev replied curtly, placing his hands behind his back and even in this darkness she could notice that change in his expression, "It is going to be more than a week or two, and it's risky for you to stay alone at this house so you are requested to come with me."

"Where?" Riya asked in a small voice, completely disappointed that she might not be able to meet Raghuveer for a week, and not only that but she has to move away from this house.

"I would suggest you stay at my place, however, if our Queen gets any whiff I  might be in trouble. So I would rather let you stay at my aunt's place and that is what Raghuveer wishes too."

Move to his aunt's place? Why should she?

"Can't I tag along with Raghuveer to the palace? I will-"

His eyes darkened as she spoke and with a narrowed eyes he interrupted her, "I never wanted to bring this up but if you are a maid working for a prince then why aren't you registered with the Royal ministry or the Royal head maid?"

His question made Riya's sleepy eyes force open. Shit, no one but Dhruvan and Raghuveer knows that she doesn't belong here. Alright, the sage and the physician included but the question from Jaidev made her heart race with fear.

Her feet turned cold as she kept looking in his eyes unable to cook up a lie.

"She is a distant cousin of mine, minister." A sharp voice answered for her, making Riya almost collapse down with relief.

Riya could see Dhruvan walking outside the main door of the house to them, at least she got to see him before leaving this house.

"That doesn't answer my question, Dhruv. Whoever it is, training and approval from the royal head maid are compulsory. However, why do I not find any information regarding this cousin of yours?" Jaidev now folded his arms together over his chest as he questioned Dhruvan with suspicion making Riya close her eyes in frustration. If the fact that Dhruvan had lied about her existence gets out, he might be punished and she can't let that happen.

"I-" Riya tried to speak something but before she could, Dhruvan picked up the conversation saving her.

"Her parents passed away due to an unusual disease and she was freed from contract slavery leaving her on streets and our kind prince took her in and provided her shelter and food. We have been waiting to register her after she has recovered from her wounds."

"That-, I didn't think it was this complicated." Jaidev looked surprised at his words and so was Riya. The emotion in Dhruvan's voice didn't settle well with her, it almost seemed as if the story wasn't a lie.

Only while looking at him did she notice a cloth sack in his right hand? With a close look, she understood that it wasn't a sack, it was a huge saree with clothes in it knotted by all the four sides. Dhruvan must have packed for her, she thought.

"Alright, we should hurry before the queen makes a move." Jaidev walked towards the left and Riya was startled to find a dark horse standing by the shed.

How come she didn't notice that huge animal before? 

"We will ride this," Jaidev said as he slowly untied the belt of the horse which was roped to a pole of the shed.

"What?" Riya asked not understanding, "I don't know how to ride a horse-"

"Of course, but I do." Jaidev winked at her, snatching the clothes sack from Dhruvan and tieing it to the mat which was wrapped around the horse.

Riya's eyes widened at the wink. Was that a friendly one or a flirty one? Whatever it was, something didn't seem right to her. He kept rushing her to evacuate this place and now he wants her to ride a horse with him? The mat on the horse was too small, and it also looked uncomfortable for two people to ride.

As if sensing her uncomfortable state, Dhruvan spoke for her, "My lord, I don't think it's a wise idea. Riya never rode a horse and-"

"Shut up, Dhruv. I know what is wise and what isn't. So you better know your place." Jaidev spoke through gritted teeth and something snapped in Riya.

The arrogance and rudeness in his behaviour adding fuel to the burning rage subsiding in her. From the beginning, the way he conversed with Dhruvan didn't go well with her.

"I am not riding that thing." Riya declared crossing hands over her chest as she spoke with confidence,   her nostrils flaring with anger, "Get me a bullock cart, or else I will not move an inch from this place."

Jaidev flinched for the first time as if he had been slapped. His flirty expression dissolved in seconds being replaced with a glare and Riya in fact felt threatened under his scary stare but she managed to pull a brave act by glaring back.

Before this could become intense Dhruvan held her hand pinching Riya in the palm making her yelp and seeing this Jaidev marched away from there in anger making Riya breathe in relief.

After a minute of peaceful silence, Riya turned towards Dhruvan still holding his hand as she asked him with urgency, "What is happening Dhruvan? Why can't I just come with you!"

Dhruvan let out a sad smile speaking, "You know why we just had a  demonstration and back at palace the questioning will be even more complicated so you should stay at Minister Jaidev's aunt's place till the prince returns."

Riya's eyes fell to the ground, and for some reason, she felt like crying. Why did this keep feeling like a separation for her? Till yesterday, she kept teasing and fighting Dhruvan, flirting with Raghuveer to make him talk to her but now she is going to stay alone at a stranger's place.

"Here." Saying Dhruvan quickly removed a ring from his pocket presenting it to Riya.

"What is this?" She asked wondering about the ruby golden ring in his palm.

Without any further explanation, he forced the ring in her hands as he hurried, "This is from our prince for you. This ruby pearl ring is a specific indication of a royal and no one will ever dare to hurt you seeing this. So keep it with you at any cost and according to him: this will keep our trouble maker out of trouble when I am unavailable."

Riya's heart fastened at his words, Raghuveer sent this for her? The ring was huge, thicker than any normal ring with a large white pearl surrounded by dark ruby stones. Without another thought, she tried to wear it on her ring finger but Dhruvan stopped her.

"What are you doing! Don't wear it, or else the prince will be exposed. Use this is in an emergency only." Dhruvan instructed and after a long thought, she removed the thin chain around her neck adding this ring to it in the place of a locket.

Dhruvan smiled at her when she showed him how intelligently she placed the ring and that innocent smile from him made her heart a puddle.

Riya threw her hands around him hugging him and, caught off guard Dhruvan stood still not making a move but when he noticed the small movements of Riya's shoulder he asked in an alarmed tone, "Are you crying Riya?"

Riya didn't reply but sobbed onto his shoulder feeling sad. Why was she feeling so emotional at this point?

"Don't cry," Dhruvan tried to console her as he tried to pat her head, "I heard Jaidev's aunt is a good woman who is very scared of demons so you won't face any trouble there."

Riya was almost fooled by his soft voice nodding her head but soon she glared him through her wet eyes, "By any chance are you teasing me?"

"Not at all." He almost sang offering her a small piece of cloth to wipe her tears and as she did he ran inside the house startling Riya with this sudden move.

Shortly he returned and gave her a smooth dark shawl, under the dim light she could see a few hand-stitched white flowers making her smile in awe at the work.

"This is so beautiful." Riya complimented hugging the smooth cloth closer to her as she spoke, "Is this for me?"

"No, it is for the minister."

When Riya narrowed her at him, he laughed looking at her.

"Of course not, it is for you. But treat it with care, alright? My mom weaved this one for me before she left this world."

"W-what?" Riya stuttered, shocked. Why would he ever give her such a precious memory?

"No, no. I can't have this-"

"Trust me, this worked like a lucky charm for me when I was out on roads starving. And now look at me, I found such a good master!"

Riya's eyes widened in realisation as she heard his words. Can it be possible that the story he weaved for her could be his? But when she noticed the uncomfortable look on his face she let the topic slide away.

He will tell her about it when he feels like.

"I will be joining the training from tomorrow. You know, the royal training grounds are enormous and Pulvit is so talented-" Dhruvan began babbling but the mention of Pulvit's name caught her attention.

"Dhruvan, will you tell me something if I ask?"

Without any hesitation, he replied his sight still at the entrance of the house.

"Yes."

"What do you think of Pulvit?"

Even in this absolute darkness, the spark in his eyes didn't go unnoticed as he spoke, "He is really kind and good. I heard that he might be awarded at this year's festival for his training skills and-"

"No. Not like that, I mean roman-emotionally."

"Ugh, um." Dhruvan looked tense all of a sudden, his position now became stiff. Of course, he couldn't tell, poor one how could he ever when he couldn't even realise what he feels?

Riya waited for him to speak something but when he didn't she decided to take it in her hands.

"You know there is nothing wrong in having feelings for a person-"

"Who said I have feelings for Pulvit! I never did! This is absurd-"

"I didn't tell anything as such. I am just explaining or sharing my perspective with you, so just listen."

Dhruvan didn't interrupt her after that as she continued to speak, "We all might feel romantic emotions for a person at some point and there is nothing wrong in it, whether it is a man or a woman. There is nothing wrong with a woman liking a woman, or a man liking a man."

"But it's wrong. It's impossible for them to be a couple, how can they ever create a family or have children-"

"Is having children the only ultimate goal of a human's life? Does love mean nothing? Why can't they have a family? Any person who has an unconditional love for their dear ones can always form a family. Love is irrational Dhruvan and nothing like a person appearance should ever matter, you can never control one's heart through placing rules the world wishes for you to practice. Love is pure and it should remain that way."

Dhruvan blinked his eyes. Once again before he diverted his sight to the sky.

A faint jingling sound of the cart arriving made them both snap from their thoughts. From what she could see Dhruvan definitely felt something for Pulvit and vice-versa. She won't let Dhruvan delude himself thinking his feelings were of admiration and realise his feelings late when matters go out of hand.

They definitely had a spark and she will protect it if she had too.

The cart stopped at the entrance and Jaidev stood there not taking a step front or back, probably he was still furious over their argument.

Riya nodded her head picking up her sack hanging around the horse and began to walk but all at once she felt Dhruvan grab her arm making almost trip.

She turned around to give him an earful but the determined expression ok his face surprised her.

"But by doing that or by being together, isn't it bad?"

"And why should you be good? Being good is a little out of style. Be you. Follow your heart." Riya almost whispered those words, as if she was talking to herself but out of the blue, he pulled her into a bone-crushing huge leaving her breathless.

Riya laughed loudly for the first time in the day, slapping his shoulder making him wince and shortly, she found herself sitting inside a moving cart. The house long gone as the cart followed Jaidev who rode on the horse before them, directing the way.

She could feel a deja vu. Sitting by the edge of a cart, receiving the bright moonlight. But only this time, there was no protective Raghuveer or an embarrassed Dhruvan but only her, with a sad smile which even forces the moon to go in hiding.

* * *

Yup, I know it isn't a Wednesday but I felt like updating cause I will be unavailable till this month-end. I have an exam to crack and its downright impossible with Wattpad by my side. I will definitely try to be back soon.

Anyways, what's your take on Jaidev?

Can Dhruvan and Pulvit ever fight the stereotypes and be together?

And most importantly when will our Prince be back? ( ꈍᴗꈍ)

Hey there! Don't forget to press this star if you are enjoying reading this work⭐