~You may have your heart with you, but I do not, for it has been called a stone now~

-Affu-

Beautiful, isn't it?

Staring at the light blue sky, with birds flying around freely like the world held nothing but peace, I felt myself sighing out loud. Beautiful, it was.

Unlike my life!

Life...is something, supposed to be beautiful, like there's nothing to worry about tomorrow, for it will be the same as today. Lively and fun-loving. But can it be the same for everyone out there? Can it be beautiful like how everyone brags about?

Not in my case, at least!

And that's exactly why I'm jealous of beauty. Beauty of sky. Beauty of nature. Beauty of animals living around. Beauty of Life of certain people.

I am deeply jealous of those! Why? It's simple. Because, I don't have it. I cannot have such a beautiful life, like the sky looks to be. The birds living in there, seem to be so happy unlike me. The animals roaming around the forest, the water stream around, everything around me looks beautiful while me...My life? 

It's simply not!

And that makes me so jealous of people around, who's living a Royal life unlike me. 

Is it bad to be jealous?

I'd never know. Not like I ever tried.

"Miss Bhatt!" Facing the other side, I was met with a familiar pair of warm orbs. I smiled at him. That one old man who I'm fond of. "Good afternoon, Mr. Chatterjee." I stood up to greet him. 

"Oh! So, you are here for something professional." he muttered, with a frown on his forehead, and I bobbed my head at him. It's true I am fond of Mr. Chatterjee, but I keep that fondness away, when I get inside this huge building.

This Palace!

"Well, come on in, then." he said, and I followed him silently, to the cabin. On entering inside, I didn't bother to look around, as I was familiar with it all.

"Good afternoon, Miss Bhatt." I turned around to face him, and I bowed down, the next second. Udayveer Chauhan, King of "Kingdom of VeerPur". Kingdom of VeerPur consists of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. Maharashtra was the only state the former King was ruling, but with our King's capabilities, he freed the people of Karnataka and Goa from Democracy by conquering them.

And that's how VeerPur was formed!

"Good afternoon, King." I stood stiff, with my hands folded behind my back, and head held high. "You asked for me!" I stated, while tilting my head to have a look at his face. "Yes! I have got some work for you, Miss Bhatt." he turned to face me, from the window, and I nodded my head letting him know that I am listening.

"That's your new mission." he stared at something, and I followed his gaze to see a Red File, on his table. Walking towards it, I took it in my hands before opening to read from it.

Staring at the File, I knew I had a blank expression. Looking up at him, with the same expressionless face, I scrutinized my gaze at him.

"This..is my mission?" I still couldn't believe it. I stared at him, for longer than required. "Yes!" he replied, and I let out a sigh.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. But I think, this is going to be illegal." I pointed out, and he flashed a smile at me. "Of course, it is. But I can't take risks, you know. That Royal...is too important for me." he started to stare through his window again, and I kept staring at the file in my hands.

"Why me?" I looked up, at him who was staring outside, through the window. Being tall, of 6 feet, a rigid form, with those grey hairs, he was nothing but a shrewd King for the outsiders and I was more than ready to bow down to him, for he knew the meaning of that, which I look in a person, the most.

Respect!

"Because you are capable of it." I heard him, before he turned around to glance at my expression. "Aren't you?" he added, and I stood up, on my feet ready to bow down to him.

"I am, King. And I will make sure, I bring you the best." I said, and turned to leave.

"I know you will, but trust me when I say it, he's no commoner. He is a Prince." I heard the King, and I titled my face to nod at him. "I would keep that in my mind, King." I bowed, again and left the place, not before hearing him wishing me best of luck I could get.

And I believe in my luck!

***

"What the hell!" I screamed, on top of my voice when I saw the condition, in which my Living Room was. The cushions were laying on the ground, like someone did a marathon on it. The tea-poi did not have anymore magazines on it, for they were scattered on the ground. Moreover, the floor consisted of nothing, but food stains, of course along with the cushions.

I groaned hard!

"You dimwits, Khuranna brothers!" I yelled out, while marching towards that place where they will be having a feast with each other.

The Kitchen!

And there stood, two men-oh children, pointing their forefinger at each other, fighting over a bowl of something. 

Something or food!

"Hey Vamp!" they grinned at me, and the moment one of them was distracted by my visit, the other snatched the bowl away.

"What the heck! Aryamann Khuranna. Give that f*cking bowl to me. That's mine." 

"Oh please! That's mine, Abhimanyu Khuranna. Or better, Poker Face Khuranna!" 

And there it goes. I pressed onto my forehead, before throwing my hands in air.

"Tell me one thing." and that got their attention. "Why the hell am I friends with you?" I barked out, and they stared at me blankly, as if they were hurt.

"Oh!" Aryamann wobbled his lips, and I narrowed my gaze at him. "How would we know?" he shrugged off, and I stared at Abhimanyu, who ignored his brother's comment. "I don't like him, so I am not gonna comment." he pointed out, before snatching the bowl from Aryamann and dashing out.

"You traitor! How could you possibly trick me stating you dislike me?" Aryamann left behind Abhimanyu, and I stared at my Kitchen helplessly.

"Bless my soul, Lord!" I muttered out loud.

***

"Whaaaaat?" Aryamann jumped on the couch, making me to stare at it's texture. "That...is my hard work. So pull your oh-so-gorgeous a*s off it." I pointed at my couch, and then his pretty buttocks. "Oh forget about that damn oldie, Vamp. Are you even hearing yourself? You are going to a freaking oh-murder-me mission." he spoke, frowning and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Firstly, do not call it an oldie. That freaking is the thing where you're sitting on. Secondly, I am not going to get myself killed, but complete this mission and return." I stated, before burying my head in the file. The same Red File.

"Well! It's not any normal person, on whom you are supposed to make a report on, little Vamp. It's a Goddamn Royal. Especially because.." Abhimanyu trailed off, before looking here and there and then at me. "It's The Devil Prince." he added, and I stared at him, without blinking my eyes. 

I did not ignore the fact that, Aryamann was gasping dramatically too!

"Abhi." I muttered, and he bobbed his head at me. "Why the hell are you whispering?" I yelled out, and they both palmed their ears. "Haven't you heard the phrase that even walls have ears?" Aryamann whispered out, and I leaned back to the couch.

"I really don't know why I am stuck with the both of you." I muttered, and I knew they were shrugging off the comment. "Because, you really can't choose friends." I heard Aryamann, and I gave him a grin.

"How sweet! This time, you're right. And I am accepting that the statement suits me well." I said, and got up, to move upstairs.

"So you sure about this mission?" I heard them, and I swatted my right hand in air. "Nandini Bhatt never rethinks but make it happen!" I pointed out, before sprinting towards my room.

"Well, best of luck, Little Nandini. We ain't gonna leave you, this time too." I heard it coming from downstairs. I sighed. "Oh, I wouldn't wish the opposite." I muttered to myself, before walking inside my room, and throwing myself on the bed to get some sleep.

Or trying to get some sleep!

~~~

Running my fingers through the fine texture of the thing that I'm holding onto, I opened my eyes to see it was the very same pillow. My Mother's pillow!

Taking it closer to my heart, I tried to inhale her faded fragrance which would have helped me soothe the pain in my heart.

Yet! There won't be any difference.

How would it be? When all I ever need is my mother beside me, caressing my hairs while I wake up? When all I ever need is a whisper from her that she would love me forever. When all I ever need is a smile of hers which would be enough to let me know that I am not alone.

But...

She is not here!

My solace! My peace! My only love! 

Who are all in one, my Mother, is not here!

"Prince Manik!" I stared at the closed door, sighing out loud. Oh! The duty of a Prince.

"Yes!" I answered to the person, standing outside my door. "It's time for your breakfast." I heard him, the butler. "You may go!" I commanded, before getting up and strolling towards the washroom, to get cleaned.

***

"Where is my loaf of bread?" I heard him, yet I continued gulping down my cereal. I never bothered about the mess he creates. 

He, His Majesty Raana Vedh Singh, King of the Kingdom of Tezpur.

"This is..your loaf of bread, Your Majesty." the butler stuttered, and I poured myself a glass of juice, rising my right hand up in the air to halt the maid who was ready to help me out with it. But I did not need it!

"You think I am blind? Do you?" that...was not at all gentle but harsh in tone. "N-No, Your Majesty. Forgive me for the mistake." the butler stuttered again, and I glanced at him. 

I really do not remember his name, but I remember him being the most understanding when it comes to issues related to me. 

And help those in need. Always! My mother's voice rang in my head, leading me to wipe my lips with the napkin kept on the table.

"The loaf of bread you talking about..." I looked up at the roaring man, whose attention was averted from the butler to me. "Was the same you gave to your Dog last night." I pointed at his pet dog, kneeling on the ground beside his chair. "That makes the sentence..It's over." I added, and got up to bow to him.

"Good day ahead..Father!" I turned on my heels to leave, remembering that I hesitated to use that word, this time too.

You can't blame me when that man really doesn't deserve that title from me!

***

"This isn't the place we were supposed to be." I stated, and looked at him. "Yes! I know. We are going to meet the Mayor, once we are done with this meet." he replied, and pointed at a girl, who was sitting in our garden, and sipping something from the cup in her hand.

And I realized it was yet another Princess!

"Alright!" I nodded, and walked ahead. Let me just get done with it.

"Greetings, Princess!" I said to the Princess, who looked up at me, and I saw her smiling, with her cheeks reddened. She looked beautiful. Just like every other Princess I met!

But why do their cheeks get reddened the moment they look at me?

I took a seat, opposite to her. The moment I sat, a maid came running towards where we sat and started to pour a hot drink in a cup. She kept it on my side, and I pushed it gently towards the Princess' side on the table. "I do not need your service. Thank you!" I glanced at the maid while speaking and started to fill my cup, by myself.

Taking a sip from it, I looked up to see bewilderment filled faces of the maid and the Princess. I furrowed my eyebrows at it. "You may leave." the Princess commanded while looking at the maid, who left soon. I have heard that Princesses have melodious voices, but I haven't met any. 

None of their voices sounded as melodious as my mother's!

"Did you want me to fill your cup, Prince?" I heard the Princess, and I stared at her. "Why would you?" I asked her, without hesitating and she started to stare at me, bewildered. "Uh..I thought..you may want my help. That's why you didn't want the maid at your service, right?" she said, and I let out a sigh.

The same old story! 

"No. If I wanted you to do something, I would have asked you to. I asked the maid to leave, because I did not want her service. Besides, why would a Princess work for me?" I asked, and she widened her eyes at me. "Doing something for you doesn't mean..working for you, right?" she asked, unsure of her statement.

She is not even sure about what she wants!

"If that's what you believe, then I can't have a say in it." I shrugged, before sipping from my cup. "No, you do. You are the Prince. We may..we may even get married." she said, almost shyly and I frowned.

I heard from mother that girls shy away, when their husbands speak something romantically. Did I even say anything romantic for her to shy away?

"I do not think I own you Princess. Even if we are getting married or not, I really do not like owning people and forcing my say in them. I mean, do what you want and let me do what I want. Marriage doesn't mean, you have to be dependent on each other." I pointed out, before taking another sip of my drink.

"You--you mean, there won't be any husband-wife relationship between us?" I heard her squeaking, and I looked up at her shocked face. I frowned. Husband-wife relationship? What did she mean by that? "What do you mean by that sentence, Princess?" I asked, not understanding anything she meant.

"I mean..won't we live like a normal husband and wife? Like, asking about each other's day, and sharing what we feel. Letting each other be the center of our attention. Being with each other, together. Being the King and Queen that people bow to, together." she said, and I stared at her wordlessly.

Being together, always in everything. That's what she meant! Do we have forever in a married relationship? I don't think so.

"I don't know what's your perspective about marriage. But mine is about listening to my father's command, for having a Queen is mandatory to rule a Kingdom. I am just listening to his command." I said, and the next second, she stood up.

"Forgive me, Prince. But I am looking for a King, who can accept me as his Queen as well as his wife. Not just a Mandatory Material for a Kingdom." she said, and left the place after bowing to me, followed by her maids and guards.

Like expected!

And I took another sip from my drink.

~~~

"Well! This is huge!" Aryamann muttered, and I stared at the huge building in front of my eyes, with distaste. A Palace is not a thing that fascinates me. What's so good about that mere building? 

Just because Royalty lives in there?

I believe it's yet another building, the only difference is the size of it being different from the normal buildings.

"I don't find it any different from King Udayveer's Palace." I commented, before turning the steering wheel of my car, and moving to the outskirts of the Kingdom. We have already reached the Kingdom of Tezpur, heading to our new home.

And that's how we met Tezpur Palace, but unlike passing by it just like another building, I'd stopped my car to have a look at it.

After all, that's my new interest!

"Well, Palace means huge and that would include King Udayveer's and King Raana Vedh Singh's as well. Because, they are The Royals." Abhimanyu retorted, and I threw a glance at him. "That's all they have. Being Huge. Be it their arrogance or wealth." I said, matter-of-factly and took a turn towards the next street.

"Between, how are we going to start with this Mission of yours, Vamp?" I heard Aryamann, and I shrugged at it. "Well. I do have a plan." I said, and glanced at them to see them staring at me with their eyebrows raised.

"Now is not the time to discuss about it, though." I added, and stopped at the entrance of a gate. "So when is that time, little Vamp?" Abhimanyu chirped out, before getting out of the car, and moving towards the gate to open it.

"Not now, bud!" I called out, irritating the hell out of him. "I am not a kid to be your bud, Miss Bhatt." he growled out angrily, and got inside the car. I chuckled. "Well, as you say, bud." and this time, Aryamann too joined me to laugh at Abhi's expense.

"I know r--Holy Muffins! This is horrendously bootifoooll!" Aryamann screamed, and got out of the car even before I could stop and park the vehicle. That guy is insane! Who the hell tries to get themselves killed, dude?!

"I can't blame him, though." Abhi muttered to himself, before getting out of the car. Thankfully, he waited till I parked it. I simply stared at the two-storey house, in front of me. I roamed my eyes around the area, and I realized there's really no neighbors nearby.

Good for our job!

"I think it's time to meet." I said to myself and then looked over my left to see the tip of the Palace, which is still visible due to it's height, even though we are kilometers away from it.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Finally, the first chapter is up. 

How did you find it?

How did you find Prince Manik and Nandini as?

I don't know if I can still keep up with the "Affu's MaNan chemistry", but I am just wishing the best to happen. 

Love,

Affu.