Aaryawati's (Veerti's  POV)

"Let the match begin!" Announced The King and for a brief second I looked at Aaryaveer. For some reason, he was looking at me, rather than his man. As if concerned.

Suddenly out of nowhere, my rival, Nakul striked the sword at me. Automatically my hand lifted and my sword clinked with his.

So did Aaryaveer know that I am Aaryavati? Was he suspicious? Why was he looking at me like that?

For a few minutes, my body reacted automatically against the attacks of my rival while my mind was too busy to ponder over the reason behind mere "few second" stare from the King.

Suddenly, Nakul took a step back threw his shield at me and thankfully, I came out of my thoughts and moved my body backwards in a way that it fell a few inches ahead of me. Why the hell would a soldier throw his shield in the middle of the fight?

"I thought you were too busy daydreaming! Looks like you have just woken up." Grinned Nakul as he flashed his arrogant smile. Everyone around me laughed while I looked at Aaryaveer whose face was serious.

And I cursed myself for over thinking in the middle of a friendly but important match. Where did my focus go?

"You were lucky till I was daydreaming. Now that I am fully awake, your bad luck begins!" I shouted back and everyone became quiet.

Time to slice him with my sword than my words. I started attacking him, demonstrating my agility. I am a very strong person. Physically (though I look very lean). Because I had always been strict about my diet. Though everyone in the palace believed that I was too "choosy" about my food, I had my personal chef to treat me with healthy food. And that continued even after getting married.

My attacks had increased and so was my speed. I hardly provided any time to Nakul to attack me as my advances became more aggressive. I had already pushed him in the corner. He had earlier thrown his shield and that over confidence had costed him the match. Now he had a bare hand and a sword to adopt his defensive stance.

Since he was completely cornered with no way to go, I threw my shield and it hit him directly on the leg. And he fell.

"This is how you throw a shield!" I grinned.

I stood in front of him and pointed my sword on his chest (the tip of his sword had almost touched his chest)

He grinned and put his hands up as a sign of defeat. Everyone clapped for me.

"I am impressed. I have never seen a woman fight so bravely." Said Aaryaveer as I ventured out of the arena. Utsav, Nakul and Brahamadutta also nodded their heads as if backing their King's praise.

I grinned. He had no idea what his wife was capable of. However I hoped that now he wouldn't be suspicious of my identity. Never in his dreams could he imagine his wife defeating his best swordsman.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." I smiled at everyone and started to walk towards the direction of my tent. I had minor injuries and wanted to tend them.

"She is a wildcat." I heard a snicker from Nakul.

"Yes, she is something else." Then I heard the voice of Brahamadutta.

I turned around to look at Aaryaveer. It looked  like he was lost into his own world. I sighed and almost opened the flap of my tent. Suddenly I heard his voice.

"Veerti ji!" It was the same powerful voice that had the capability of shaking people to their core.

I turned around to meet his burning eyes. Right now he wasn't the friendly, happy and relaxed Veer. He was The King Aaryaveer. Powerful, stubborn and it looked like he was ready for the fight.

"Let's have a battle, ma'am." He spoke this time. There was a pin drop silence amongst the army men. The tension was thick.

I looked at him, eye to eye. Those same eyes that were hungry for their own answers.

In our married life, I never had a fight with my husband. Because our roles were well defined and set. He was supposed to be the superior one in our relationship. He was the King. He treated me with utmost respect, worshipped me like a truly devoted husband. And I, took my role of a doting, submissive wife very seriously. I had never questioned his decision and he ensured that all my needs were fulfilled without any demands. We were ideal husband and wife. But I had no idea how our equation would be on the battlefield.

Because now the roles had changed. I was his fellow battle-mate. He was my King in our kingdom. Agreed. But on the battle arena, we were soldiers. He wasn't my King and I wasn't his Queen.

I looked at him eye to eye. And for some strange reason, something passed between us. He wanted to assert his dominance to fuel is suspicion and I was not going to give him the satisfaction of being my superior. That's not how it would work with me.

As a woman, are times when you have to put your head down and stay away from unnecessary attention. And there are times when you have to make your place clear... to everyone. If I wanted to fight a battle along their side, it would be better if I teach them how to respect me... They respected me as a woman but now it was the time they respect me as a warrior. And that would start from NOW.

"Your Majesty, let's begin then." I turned around and spoke, loudly and clearly.