Translations-

Rajkumari- Princess

Rajkumar- Prince

Maharani- Queen

Maharaja- King

Rajya-Kingdom

Ma-Mom

Pitaashree- Father

Didi- Sister

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Arohi flashes a cute smile before starting to eat her food. I watch her as she tries to scoop up her food with the spoon, struggling as she keeps on dropping the rice back on the plate. A chuckle escapes my mouth as she manages to eat her first bite, without making anything fall. She pouts as she struggles once more.

"Here, give the spoon to me." I chuckle, extending my hand to her.

She frowns, trying again she ignores my help. After a few attempts she gives up, passing the spoon to me. I easily pick the rice with the spoon, putting it in her mouth as she smiles.

"It kept on falling when I tried to pick the rice like that!" She pouts.

"I saw, open your mouth again." I chuckle, shaking my head and holding my laughter back as I feed her rice.

"Ais...Rajkumari?" Aditya corrects himself as he glances behind him, seeing handmaidens walking by.

He smiles and sees Arohi on my lap as I feed her. He enters the room, standing by the door.

"Here I'll take her home." He said, approaching us.

"Aditya, are your parents at home? You can't leave her alone." I protest, holding Arohi closer.

"No, they are on a trade visit to Magadha. It's fine I'll ask the neighbour to look after her, I'm on patrol..." he begins to explain but I stop him.

"She can stay here." I interrupt and see Arohi's face light up, her eyes widening in excitement.

"Please, please," Arohi begs Aditya. She shows her innocent puppy eyes to him making him chuckle.

'If it is fine with you Aisha?" He asked, turning towards me.

I nod and hear Arohi exclaim a 'yes' quietly to herself and a smile forms on my face. She looks up and realizes I have heard her. Her face turns red as she smiles nervously.

"Aisha, for your parent's sake, don't try to escape the palace," Aditya tells me as I roll my eyes.

"I'll think about it." I smile as he frowns and pinches the bridge between his nose with a look of helplessness on his face.

"If it makes you feel less worried then I will not try to escape," I say. He looks up and this time the look of helplessness changes into a smile of gratefulness.

"I'll take my leave then." He smiles and turns around to leave, closing the door behind him.

"Woah!" Arohi exclaims staring outside. The moon slowly rises and it's ghostly glow illuminates the kingdom. It's light reflects off the palace windows. The night sky is a dark blue blending into an ominous, pure black towards the horizon.

"Where are the stars?" Arohi pouts as I lift her and walk towards the balcony.

"They are there, they are always there. You can see them if you squint a little. The little specks of light glowing." I reply pointing towards the sky.

She lay her head, resting it on my shoulder as we both gaze at the night sky. After a few minutes, I hear soft snoring, looking beside me I see Arohi's eyes closed as she sleeps. A smile forms on my face watching her as she sleeps peacefully, holding her gently in my arms.

I open my eyes, slowly adjusting to the light, I can see the sun rays shining over the horizon, about to rise. Turning my head I look at the sleeping girl beside me, quiet snoring can be heard.

I get up slowly making my way to the balcony, the morning breeze welcoming me. I look out to the horizon, streaks of pink and orange fill the sky. Birds fly by chirping as they retire from their nests. I look below the balcony, noticing there aren't any soldiers. Glancing around the east entrance, not a single soldier can be seen.

"Where are the soldiers?" I mumble leaning over the rail, looking left and right.

I know I have said I won't but I go towards the chest beside the bed and open it trying to make not much noise. Looking through the chest, I find what I want, a plain shawl. I am in my nightclothes which is a plain cotton saree which is good otherwise people would have recognised me if I was wearing my normal attire. I bring the shawl over my face, covering my eyes and nose. I can still see thought as the shawl is easy to look through if you are right up to it.

Glancing over to Arohi, I make sure she's still asleep, a smile appears on my face when I find her fast asleep. Slowly climbing onto the balcony rail I lower myself down onto the ledge under the balcony. I sigh, relief fills me as my feet land onto the ledge. I look down, the fear of heights overwhelming me as I back away against the wall.

It isn't too bad, only ten feet in the air, I only have to jump off the ledge right? Walking up to the edge of the ledge I jump, closing my eyes as I fall. Landing on two feet, I open my eyes as I realise I am on the ground in a crouch position. A sigh of relief escapes my mouth as I stand glancing around for anyone but to my surprise no one is here.

Walking further I look around, there really aren't any soldiers here. In front of me is the wall, twenty metres high. Glancing around I approach towards a bush that has managed to grow on both sides of the wall. No one can notice that something is wrong from a distance but if you are standing right beside you can see that there is a hole directly under the castle wall leading out to the other side. I crouch down, pushing a few branches from the bush away as I crawl under the tunnel. Light shines from the other side, I emerge from the tunnel glancing around for any patrol. As soon as I am sure I stand up, brushing some of the dirt of my saree and pulling the shawl over my face.

I walk down the steep path that leads to the town, resting my hand on one of the houses as I catch my breath. Looking around there isn't a single person to be seen, not even the guards. I walk further into the town looking around, paranoid for someone to be there.

"Rajkumar!" A voice exclaims quietly, catching my attention, it is coming from around the corner of the steep hill.

"Rajkumar?" I mumble under my breath as I hide in one of the alleyways between two houses. Paurav Rajya doesn't have a Rajkumar. Who is this Rajkumar then?