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King Dhruv's (Sahil's) POV

With every passing moment, I felt my heartbeat increasing as I moved towards the forest.

Diya's letter with the bead implied that I was supposed to meet her at the place where our relationship had commenced. Yes, the waterfalls. The place which had given me the most beautiful memories to cherish for the lifetime was now our battleground. Today was the night of the full moon. The time when we usually meet.

Though I wanted to come alone before the sunset,  Vansh insisted that I must not compromise my safety. After all the matter was related to the politics and the kingdom. So I ensured that my personal army of the soldiers (around 10-12 of them) would accompany me. It was decided that they all would wait in the outskirts of the forest while I would advance towards the forest. Alone.

I had ordered them not to kill anyone from the rival kingdom without my commands unless they attack us first. Or attack me. They would keep a watch from the outskirts of the forest and come within only if they find the situation suspicious! I wanted to honour the wish of the Princess and keep the things strictly non violent!
They were supposed to enter the waterfall the next morning after the sunrise.

We all dismounted outside the forest and watched for any signs of anyone who had already approached the forest. There were no horses around or footprints.

Suddenly out of distance I could see a black horse approaching from the distance. It was Diya's. I was impressed because she came alone! It must have been very brave of her to approach me alone.

However her face was covered with a metal helmet. I could only see her eyes and hair.

She dismounted the horse directly in front of me so that we both were standing face to face! I could only note the fearless expressions of her eyes. Though I found it bit different today. I have always been intoxicated by her eyes. But today they looked different. As if I didn't matter to her. They looked indifferent.

As soon as she dismounted the horse, I could simply see the blue beaded necklace she was wearing. She also noticed the bracelet that she had given me as a gift and nodded.

I bowed in front of her as a sign of respect and she didn't say anything. Just returned the greetings by bowing back!

"Shall we Princess?" I Said mockingly. Usually when we meet, I address her as "love" or "my life" and so on.

However again her eyes were indifferent. As if unaffected by my sudden mockery. As we both advanced towards the waterfall, she didn't speak anything. Which was strange because she would not leave any chance to speak with me in private.

"What a strange situation we are in! I wish destiny wouldn't have played such a game with us. Trust me I had no intention of fighting with you. But I understand that we both have duties to honour. Towards our country and countrymen." I kept on mumbling while she just stared at the forest as if she had came here for the first time. Which made me suspicious because she was following me rather than leading as if she didn't know the path towards the waterfall. Was she really Diya? Or was she Adiya but they both were different person? Or did Diya sent someone else to face me?

"I request you to remove your helmet Your Highness." I Said in the most polite but in the firm tone. She stopped on her tracks and moved her head side to side. As if saying no.

"Your Highness please don't be offended but I need to confirm if you are the same person that I think is? Please accept my request." I almost begged. If it wasn't my Diya, then the battle would be easy to win. Because then my hands won't shiver while holding the sword. Or my heart won't be pained by seeing her bleed.

By the time I had asked her to remove her helmet, we had already approached the waterfall.

"I didn't know that the King Dhruv is modest enough to request someone!" I heard a shout coming from my behind and turned around to find Diya! Wearing a similar soldier uniform!

And then who was the girl in the uniform wearing the helmet?

"Greetings King Dhruv, I am Princess Adiya! Thank you for accepting my request!" Said Diya.

"You May leave now Sarini!" Shouted Diya while the women in helmet bowed and went towards the direction leading the exit of the forest. Not before Diya asking her to hand over that blue necklace.

"Who is she?" I demanded while she wore that necklace back.

"My grandmother's bodyguard. She insisted that Sarini accompany me. Just in case." Said Adina Nonchalantly.

"But why did you send her to meet when you had already reached here earlier than me?" I asked dumbfounded.

"So that she can fool you and the other soldiers. Just in case you all attack her. Basically she was instructed by my grandmother to take my place and identify your intentions. I am glad that my hunch was proved to be right. For some unknown reasons, I knew you would never cheat me." She confessed and sighed.

Did I tell you how impressive she looked? Kshitij kingdom had an emblem of sun meeting the earth in red background. She wore a red coloured soldier uniform and looked regal in it. Like a fearless warrior ready to strike. Unlike Diya, she appeared cool, calm, collected and powerful! I looked at her appreciatively. There stood a Goddess in front of me! I never knew that bravery turned me on!

"Let's battle!" She smiled and I just nodded. We both advanced towards the waterfall and she then touched my feet. But why?

"You taught me swordfight remember? Technically you are my teacher. And as a student, I seek your blessings."
She smiled.

Now I was in trouble. Because as per the tradition, a guru has to bless his student by saying "vijayibhava" Which means "May you achieve victory!"

It was an irony that I had to wish her the same and she just smiled. And then laughed.

"Imagine my situation Sahil, I have to attack my Guru! My mentor!" She said

"The hands which dreamt of  adorning your neck with a garland (for the wedding) will now to be used to slash your neck with blood! This is the nightmare coming alive!" She complained as she held her sword.

I could sense a faint shivering of her hands and a small drop of tear emerging out of her eyes.

However it was followed by a commanding voice of a warrior!
"Let's begin!" She said. "Whose ever dies, loses."

Let the match begin!

If you have forgotten please like this chapter! A genuine request. Won't take a second to do that! But it will bring a smile to my face!