Tae has made his decision, and he knows the sooner he acts on it, the better. Thinking too much generally breaks the resolve, and he's aware of it. So, after spending some time with Aradhya, he took his leave. She could sense the turmoil in his head, and she had a hunch it's about their relationship, considering it was just yesterday she asked him to make the relationship official. 

She wondered what it was about them that was making him restless. Does he not love her anymore? Or has he ever loved her, for that reason? She knew she was overthinking. Her mind was conjuring up various scenarios, none of which sound favorable to her. But, then again, she can't help someone else's feelings, can she?

Meanwhile, Tae went to the boys and asked them to meet in his room that evening, for he wishes to discuss something important with them. The serious look on his face made the guys accept it without making a snarky remark. And now, he decided to go back to his room and sleep peacefully for some time, before he gets ready to face the storm.

Aradhya went to meet the girls as well. She was aware that the guests will be leaving soon, so, putting everything at the back of her mind, she decided to meet them happily for the time being. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk about it. In fact, she actually wished to talk to someone, preferably Atmika, Shivali or Subhadra, the childhood friends. She wanted to talk to someone, and tell them her deepest, darkest fears. She knew talking about them makes them powerless. But was it the right time? 

That evening:

Taehyung's room:

Tae's room was huge, befitting a royal. And it wasn't surprising. considering he was the royal guest or probably, a part of the royal family itself. He himself wasn't sure about his identity at this point. In this era, the people residing in the palace were his only family, and he has somehow come to accept the palace as home. But, for how long? It was still a question. And whether or not the actual royal family considers him family was a question as well.

The guys reached his room, and it didn't took long for the usually silent room to get filled with the chitchat of the boys, talking about random stuff. The glowing happiness on their faces made Tae reconsider his decision for a moment. But he knew, there was no avoiding reality. They'll have to face it if not today, then tomorrow. And there are chances that tomorrow will be too late to discuss anything. 

He came out of his thoughts when he noticed that the boys were looking at him with anticipation.

 So, the moment has come. Gear up, Tae, it's now or never. He told himself mentally.

"Haan toh bhratashri, kahiye, humein kaise smaran kiya?", Jungkook began dramatically, and Jimin chuckled. Taking a deep breath, he began - "hyungs, mai Aradhya se prem karta hu." This is where he should start, right? 

"Humein gyaat h!" came the answer. There were multiple reactions on the faces of the boys. Jimin smirked, Jungkook chuckled, Hobi clapped, laughing, being a literal sunshine in the darkness enveloping Tae's thoughts. Jin smiled, Namjoon looked happy too, while Suga rolled his eyes. Meanwhile, Tae blinked. Once. Twice. Looks like the secret relationship was not so secret, after all.

"Aur... kis kisko gyaat h?" He couldn't help but ask. Were we that obvious? He wondered. They didn't really had any interaction in the public sphere, if you don't count the 'now not so secret' glances here and there. 

"Pata nhi! Mujhe toh ye bhi nhi pata tha ki inn sbko bhi pta h." Jungkook shrugged. Others followed the gesture. They were indeed unaware of each other knowing about the clandestine relationship. They didn't told each other, in an attempt to keep Tae's secret, but, oh well...

"Vaise, maine aap logo'n ko bataya nhi pr mai bhi Yuvrani Aashna ke sath ja raha hu." Jimin told. 

"Haan, ab yahi aur shesh reh gya tha." Tae mumbled, more to himself than to others. And fortunately, for him, they didn't hear it... or if they did, they ignored it.

"Kahaan?" Jungkook asked, and Jimin gave him an 'Are you dumb?' look. "Saurashtra, aur kahaan!" He clarified nonetheless. After the two seemingly simple confessions, the room went silent for a while, reminding Tae of the silence before the storm. Either way, He cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention, which he soon got.

"um.. hyungs, kumari Aradhya ne mujhse vivah karne ki ichchha prakat ki hai. Parantu, mujhe nahi lagta mai unse vivah kr paaunga." He finally said. His eyes were downcast, but he could feel six pairs of eyes fixated upon him. Glaring, probably, or maybe just curious. He thought. "Aur aisa kyu?" Namjoon asked, giving off his leader vibes. Tae reassured himself and took a deep breath. Although he was not doing anything wrong, and he knew he shouldn't act like he is guilty. But lord, this confession was making him question everything.

Shrugging his thoughts aside for a while, he said- "Kyuki, mai yahaan se nhi hu." And raised his eyes to meet that of Namjoon's. "Aur agr mujhe kabhi yahaan se jaane ka avsar mila, toh mai use jaane nhi doonga." His face maintained a stoic expression. It took a moment for the rest of the boys to process his words. And when they did, Namjoon hummed in agreement or disagreement, he himself didn't know. And the rest didn't dare say a word, as if they were afraid of their own voices, at that particular point of time. 

********