Rudraansh POV

"Who said I don't want to marry you "! I shouted.

"What?" She asked in shock

"What?" I heard Raghavendra shouting.

"I knew it!" Thakurma and Kakima squealed.

I looked around realising what I had just confessed, it was even confusing for me to say something like this.
I cannot marry Princess Sukanya but the thought of Mira marrying someone else filled me with anger and I blabbered over something which even I am not sure about.

"I meant I will not let you marry unless I find your father." I stood up and sprinted out, the stitches made me much slower in pace but I would rather hurry than face their interrogation.

I sensed her following me and as soon as I entered my quarters I turned towards her. She stumbled upon her steps but before I could take this chance to hold her she balanced herself.

"What is it?" I asked tapping my toes.

She folded her arms over her chest and stared at me pointedly.

I huffed. "What's with the attitude?" I questioned and turned towards my study.

"What's wrong with your attitude ?" She asked back and I glanced at her angry face. Why is she even angry at me?

"I don't see why my enemy's daughter who tried to kill me several times is asking me about my attitude " I taunted, I shouldn't have said that but after processing my thoughts I have come to the conclusion that I do not trust her.

No matter how overwhelming she makes me or how every fibre of my body yearns for her she has given me nothing but betrayal . I was fool to keep any expectations.
I could see the hurt on her face but as long as I do not figure out how to deal with this situation I will not go near her.

I will not.

But then I saw her approaching me and I had to physically remove myself from her proximity and sit on the chair pretending to read some scroll which had list of some monthly rations.

"I am being threatened to kill you" she said in a shivering voice and I raised an eyebrow over her sudden confession.

"What could possibly threaten a princess?" I asked and saw her hands shaking. She was nervous and bothered.

"Someone who is dear to me is kept captive and if I don't kill you, that person dies" she said taking a step closer to me.

She looked eccentric today, and I noticed with her koel filled eyes and red mahavar painted hands she looked even more beautiful . Her eyes had innocents but her actions were of a traitor.

"And who has kept this dear person of yours as captive" I asked lazily pretending to be not interested in her talks but the truth was I hanged onto her every word with sheer concentration. She was willingly saying something which I still couldn't be sure of its authenticity but I was getting some words from her.

"King Harshadip " she said slowly and I thought of all the possible answer.

I felt a pang of guilt realising Harshadip must have kept someone close to her as captive and whatever she is doing is for that person. But as per Raghav informant, Mira had no family members.

"Your own father? More lies " I coaxed her so that she would tell me more.

"I am not lying , you know ... you know my father is not always morally correct" she said with a hint of anger and I wondered what could be the hidden meaning behind her anger.

"Oh I know very well about him, so who is he keeping captive ?" I asked waiting for her to tell me some truth .

"My mother.... I meant my governess, she took care of me from childhood and I consider her as my mother" she said in a weak voice.

If she is saying the truth that means Mira has someone close to her. Somehow I felt relieved hearing that she has someone in her life.

But why Harshadip is keeping a common woman as his hostage, he could have assigned anyone for this task. A more skilled one in such case. Why to send a common woman. The realisation that there is more to this truth kept me on edge.

" Where is he now?"  I asked slowly. She looked at me intensely.

"I cannot tell you, you have people over here working for him, if words get out he will kill her" she kept her stand.

I stood up. " So you do know where he is?" I said and walked towards her. She realised her mistake and stepped back.

"You know the consequence of not telling me" I said sternly and silently triumphed over the thought of killing him.

"I am not afraid of you. I told you the truth and I will not tell you where he is. The moment I say his location you will send army of men searching him, he will surely know of it"

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration, I didn't like arguing with her but the situation didn't help me either.

"Okay I will send few men "

"Again No"

"Yes"

"No" she huffed in anger and I held her neck pulling her towards me, I grabbed her waist and raked my fingers slowly.

"This is my last warning" I said as the anger grew within me, I am this close on getting my hands on him and fulfilling my revenge and she was ready to take my wrath.

She pushed me with all her strength and I stumbled back.
"No Rajaji! You do not understand this. He is my father! I do not want him dead! I could never see his dead body even though I have thought about it myself. Also I know how that man can be, one word of this and my mother is dead. You know what loosing a mother means" she screamed, the tears smearing her face and she wiped them off harshly.

With her sudden outburst and confession I became more confused.

"I am...am sorry I tried to kill you but ...but I would not change a thing if it meant my mother could be safe." She said, her breathing becoming erratic and I feared she might have another panic attack.

She turned back and stomped outside.

"Wait!" I shouted but she didn't listen.

My heartbeats raised seeing her state,the fear of her health started worrying me.

"I said wait. That's a King's order" but she still didn't listen, I stomped towards her in fast steps.

"Wait please " I again said as she took a step towards the exit of my quarters.

"Mira! I said wait" I said in frustration and she stopped, the awareness of what I had chosen to call her gnawing on me.

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