Tears of frustration came from her eyes and she went away from the fair.  Following her Dakshesh too went away.  Rashmi gave the packed nose ring to Dakini and went on to check other shops while Agneya kept following her without letting others know.

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Rashmi along with Dakini, was tasting some delicacies in various different shops and enjoyed a lot.  Many a times she sneakily looked at Agni, to check whether he is still nearby or not.  He didn't solely stare at her so as to not make it obvious to all but still noticed her every movement and expressions.  Suddenly his eyes caught a shop which was selling glass bangles in different colours. 

Seeing Rashmi immersed in eating, he went towards that shop.  His posture and dress along with Ornaments were enough to let the people know that he is from Royal family although they may not know who he actually is.  Seeing him coming to his shop, the shopkeeper welcomed him heartily and asked for his choice of colour.

Agni thought for a moment and said, "Show me some blue colour bangles".  The shopkeeper immediately came up with a set of bangles which were ranging from small to bigger sizes.  Agni chose a variety of different sizes of bangles which he thought would fit and paid the price.  Looking at the Shop reminded him of Rakshatra.  Every year, during the temple festival, a fair would be organized.  As the Royal family of Rakshatra, they always visited the fair.

And Everytime, his Father would buy his mother Red colour bangles as he failed to get that on their first year of Fair, due to some security issues.  Even though Agni missed many such fairs during his Gurukul Education, he knew how much his parents loved eachother.  Agni thought, "Hope you both are doing well Baba and Maa.  And please don't forget me".  Suddenly he was overwhelmed by emotions and got tears in his eyes.  But soon, the shopkeeper handed over the packed bangles, which brought him out of his thoughts and he controlled his emotions like he never had any tears in his eyes.

Rashmi, after finishing her food, looked around but couldn't find him.  Dakini asked, "What happened Rajkumari?".  Rashmi replied, "Nothing".  But still she kept looking around and finally found him getting packed  bangles from a bangle shop.  As he started to move towards her direction, Dakshesh came out of nowhere and said, "I was searching for you and finally got you.  Come let's go fast .  Otherwise we might miss the performance". 

Agneya frowned at him and looked at Rashmi once, before saying, "Why so early? We decided to go after dinner right?".  Dakshesh replied, "Yes but now I don't have any interest in looking at these shops alone.  So why not uplift the mood by watching some refreshing performances?.  And during dinner, they might make you sit for a long time, till late night.  So it's better now".

Agneya sighed and slapped himself in his mind for accepting to this visit, out of guilt for misjudging the courtesans.  Now he doesn't have anyone else to blame.  Moreover Dakshesh's behaviour towards Rashmi, is making it more difficult for Agni to behave normally with him.   Both of them left from there, while Rashmi watched him and slowly she too followed his direction.  Dakini was confused why her Rajkumari was walking so fast suddenly and quickly followed her along with the things they have bought. 

Finally Rashmi's step halted when she saw that he had entered the tent of courtesans.  Dakini was breathing heavily and thanked God for the halt but it was short-lived as Rashmi took a U-turn and started going back.  The return was not so fast and Dakini was saved from fainting.

On the other hand, Agneya entered the arena where the performance was set to start and took a seat on the couch.  The seats were organised in a circular manner while the courtesans will perform on the stage set in the middle.  Dakshesh too sat beside him and ordered for the servants to bring their special drinks.  Agni also took a drink and realised that it can make a person inebriated.  So he didn't consume it further.

One of the courtesans performed on stage and when there was a break for the second dancer to come, Dakshesh saw the seat beside him was empty and turned around to see if Agneya was anywhere around but he was not there.  Soon the performance started and his attention diverted to that. 

Rashmi reached back to her chamber and was welcomed by the person who had made her feel jealousy for the first time.  The jealousy which she didn't feel when her sister was chosen over her, both by her parents as well as the so called soulmate.  After overcoming the intial shock, both Rashmi and Dakini calmed down.  Dakini greeted Yuvraj Agneya and kept the things in the room and left the chamber. 

Agneya came near Rashmi and before he could say anything, She ignored him and went towards the dressing table mirror and started opening her purchases.  He asked, "Are you ignoring me?".  Still she didn't reply and arranged her purchased things on the table.  She saw the nose ring she bought and wore it to check how it looks on her.  The nose ring with it's chain linked to her hair, looked too beautiful.  She saw Agneya standing behind her and his look of satisfaction with a small insignificant smile, made her happy to a great extent.

Agni said, "I have one gift for you".  He opened the box of bangles and gave her a few of them.  She frowned but forwarded her hand, indirectly asking him to make her wear it.  He hid his smile and made her wear it with pleasure.  She might not realize it but by giving him the right to touch her and adorn her, she had already made a great leap in their slow moving relationship.  And Agni felt elated with their progress.

Rashmi saw her bangles and asked, "Why blue?".  He replied, "Your power is space and the colour we see from the ground is blue.  That's why I chose it.  Moreover your powers also seem to be vast like the Space".  Rashmi stopped her movement of bangles and kept silent.

To clear the tense situation, Rashmi asked, "What about the other bangles?  Did you get many bangles because you were not sure about the sizes?".  Agni shook his head in denial and said, "Those are for my mother and sister.  I will definitely give it to them, soon".  His longing to be with them was visible in his words and Rashmi wondered what compelled him to leave them and come here.

Rashmi spoke out loudly what she had in mind, "Why did you leave them and come here?".  To which he replied, "It's because of my father's promise to Samrat.  Once his promise ends, then I -".  Agneya was stuck whether to include her or not and then told, "Once it ends then we shall leave this realm.  If you are not willing to leave, then I won't force you to do so".  Rashmi replied without a second thought, "I don't have anyone here to call as Family.  Well except Dakini".

Before Agni could ask any other questions to clarify her vague statement, Rashmi diverted the topic by asking, "Tell me, how did you enjoy the dance performance of courtesans?".  She stood up from her dressing table and looked at him eye to eye and said, "Were you mesmerized by their art form?".  Agneya looked at her with a smirk and said, "Very well enjoyed.  The women were looking like Apsaras from heaven.  Their voice when they sing was melodious to hear".

Rashmi was infuriated by his audacity to praise them without any hesitation and turned to just go and get ready for the dinner conference of the Royals.  Agni stopped her by pulling her elbow and said, "What were you doing in the fair, after I left for the performance?".  She replied reluctantly without even turning towards him, "I visited many shops and tried their products".

Agni replied, "And I have been waiting here since then.  Thinking that you would come back soon".  Rashmi frowned and said, "When did you come here?".  He replied, "Within a few minutes of the first ever dance performance.  You know how I travel".  She turned to look at him and trusted his words after meeting his eyes which didn't have any fear in them.  Unknowingly she has been trusting him without a doubt, ever since their first meet in front of the forbidden gate.

Agni let go of her hands and she was about to go, when he said, "Wouldn't you remove your nose ring?  It is to be worn after the marriage right?  Actually we don't have any such customs in our family back in Rakshatra.  That's why I don't know".  Rashmi went back to the mirror and removed her nose ring slowly and then put it back in the box safely.

Then Rashmi asked him to leave as she had to get ready and so Agni decided to go back to his chamber.  Just then Rashmi said, "When you come back again, remember that your punishment is waiting for you".  He looked incredulously at her.

Glossary:
Samrat - Emperor
Samragyi - Empress
Rajkumar - Prince
Bratashree - Brother
Bhabhishree - sister-in-law
Acharya - Master/Teacher
Mamashree - Uncle (Mother's Brother)
Mamishree - Aunt (Mother's brother's wife)
Bade - elder or big
Chote - younger or small

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Precap:

While the Royal conference was happening, there in front of the forbidden gate, a voice called, "Today I completely submit to the power of Asuras and work towards establishing their domination".

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Hi guys,

Hope you like the chapter.  Do vote and comment if you like the chapter.

Word count: 1600

Thanks,
SM.