''I love you.'' Chitra turned around with a jerk feeling the air of his voice warming her form. Her heart hammered as her eyes searched for a glimpse of him. His playful smile, his eyes which when fell on her made her feel alive.

She huffed, she was again day dreaming about him. Since their last confrontation, she had not slept soundly and felt Vansh in her every breath. She blamed herself for being rude to him, but his inability to understand her reasons had left her disappointed. She had fallen for Vansh , who wanted to be different from the Rathore name. Now, he had forgotten about all his dreams and she blamed herself for that.

''You are not going to Royal Palace today.'' Sitara's voice broke Chitra's thoughts. Composing her thoughts she got busy shuffling her books. ''I have project to finish.''

''Hukum was asking about you. Make sure you visit him.''

Chitra banged her books hard on the table. ''What do you want Ma? First, you banned me from stepping into the Palace, and now you are pushing me to go there.''

''Watch your voice girl. You are talking to your mother.'' Sitara's voice came as a warning. Chitra stepped back, standing upto Sitara was out of question. Stomping once; she walked out angry. First time in all her her life, she wanted to vent her frustration out,she wanted to smash things in anger, scream her heart and throttle Vansh. Why? She couldn't answer. 

Chitra took a deep breath composing her thoughts before stepping into the Palace. She quietly made her way to the kitchen, and started preparing tea for Ranvijay.

***

''Chitra, please arrange my study. You know how I like it.''Ranvijay requested when Chitra bought him his tea with favourite snacks. Chita nodded walking away. 

''What are you doing Ranvijay? I don't like this dull Chitra. When we don't have any issues with her being a part of Vansh's life then why this drama?'' Ananya questioned her husband who watched Chitra stomping from on one corner to other of their suite library. In past, she had always greeted them with a smile. Today, she had walked in with a dull face, not bothered about Ranvijay's compliment about her tea, which she demanded. 

''Have you ever seen this little bird so angry?'' He asked Ananya. 

''That's not the answer to my question.''

Ranvijay smiled, joining his hand with hers, he walked her to the garden area on the porch. ''I am not just preparing Vansh, I am preparing her too. Past has always proved that one should be prepared. Granny was our shield , then it was you and me but what after us?''

''It was needed then, I hope they never face what we did.''

''You cannot predict the future Anu, one should always be prepared. I am just doing my job.''

Ananya was thoughtful. After a minute she said. ''I don't like your method , you are stressing them.''

Ranvijay smiled. ''Wait and watch.''  Chitra walked out after arranging the study. ''Anything else Hukum.''

''Yes, I missed your smile.'' His reply made her smile. Walking to her, he pulled her in a loving hug. Chitra had always been special, her undying loyalty towards him had left him surprised and overwhelmed. Just because she promised him, she was ready for all the pain. ''Do want to share something child.''

''No, I am all good.'' She replied with a wide grin. Chitra left after greeting the Royal couple. After a minute, Ranvijay grabbed Ananya's hand dragging her along.

''Why are we following her?''

''Because I am going to prove my point.'' With a roll of her eyes, she followed Ranvijay out towards the balcony which over looked the entrance. As Chitra stepped out, she was being stopped by a young guy. The Royal couple watched the two youngsters converse and then the guy stepped closer.

''What?'' Ananya was agitated 

''Wait Ananya.'' Ananya watched as Chitra warned the guy but he grabbed her arm, next moment he was on floor with Chitra pinning with down with her knee on his chest. 

''When did this happen? She never trained before'' Ananya asked surprised

''She did! After putting some distance from Vansh on my request,she channelled her anger and pain towards the training . The next Ananya is ready.''

''I am sure you must have given her the idea on channelizing  her anger.'' Ranvijay smiled, it was a statement. ''But I loved my sweet Chitra.''

''She is still the same, and will go back to her old self once she thrashes Vansh.'' Ranvijay replied with a smile.

''Ranvijay, its not about being Ananya, she can be Chitra too.'' He squeezed her arm. ''You changed for us, they will have to prepare for future. I will make sure of that.'' 

Ananya smiled. ''I should have understood this when you pulled them apart. You always have a reason.'' He smiled,  he wanted the kids to be ready  for anything what future had for them.

***

''Urvi, I will keep my distance but if I see that annoying J around you, I am going to break all my promises.'' Leela made her decision vocal. Jai aka J was a big show off and friend of Urvi. His extra care and attention towards Urvi had made Leela go all alert. She had always been over protective about Urvi, and knew  the reason of his attention. He wanted to cash the situation of Urvi's leg and pretended being the one with big heart to fall in love with her. His intention was to gain support of Urvi's influential family for his benefits, but Leela stood in his way.

''You worry a lot.''

''Because you refuse to, so I decided to worry for both. Please keep a distance.'' Leela requested. Urvi placed a peck on her cheek. ''I will. Now please drop me to the pool area.'' 

Leela nodded, she walked Urvi to the pool area. She didn't miss Urvi's excitement, and the reason for it. She has seen Advay at the party and the silent exchange between the couple. Though Leela was happy for Urvi, she wanted to stay alert and guard her friend's heart.

Urvi beamed when her eyes met that of Advay's . Since the party, they hadn't spoken a word but their eyes did all the job. They took their respective seats on the opposite sides of the pool,their eyes locked.

She took in his look, her eyes slowly taking in him from toe to head. When their eyes met his; he raised a brow asking her opinion. She made a thoughtful expression and replied with a shake of his fingers that he looked just fine. He raised a brow ,with a smile he gestured she looked amazing. Urvi blushed, Advay placed palm over his chest pretending to faint.

Vansh watched the drama from the other end blowing the air through the straw into his drink.''Seriously'' He wasn't expecting someone to chorus with him. His  eyes met that of Leela's who for some reason was frowning at him.

''I know you.''

''No. You don't, you just saw me with Urvi.''

''Yes, that's as good as knowing .''

''Really, then what's my name?'' Leela questioned leaving Vansh speechless. 

''I know you.'' She mimicked. ''Your kind of  guys seems to know all girls on planet.'' 

''Hello, you don't even know me.''

''but you just claimed to know me.''

Vansh opened and closed his mouth like a fish. ''Sorry, I said that.'' He gave up. They both went back being the audience. ''Mad!'' They chorused again watching the couple conversing through eyes. 

''If this continues, they will grow old sitting here.'' Leela declared. 

''I know; they seemed to be from the era  of silent movies By the way, I am Vansh Rathore. Advay's cousin.'' Vansh extended his hand. Leela ignored. "I just introduced myself.''

''because you wanted to; I don't.''

''I guess, you didn't hear who I am.''

''A proud Prince from the powerful clan of Rathores. I get it.'' Vansh stared at the girl, she looked irritated at him for some reason. 

''Have I ever offended you.''

''Your cousin has, he broke my Urvi's heart once and if he does that again, I will break his and you bones.'' He decided  to back off, something was definitely pissing her off.

Advay frowned when a guy approached Urvi. Leaning closer, he pecked her cheek leaving her shocked. Her eyes met Advay's as  his jaw ticked. She pleaded and he gestured her to get rid of him. 

''That Jerk.'' That came again in chorus again. Before Leela could retaliate,  Vansh interrupted. ''Look, I just want to help them.''

''Don't! They need to find their own way without being influenced by anyone. I wasn't going to help them, I was going to get that jerk off my friend.'' As Leela walked off, Vansh stared at her a little lost and then shocked when she pushed the guy with Leela in the pool acting all sweet.

''Leela!'' Urvi's voice came shocked 

''I told you I won't tolerate his misbehaviour. Now, stop pitying him, your prince is waiting.'' Urvi turned and found Advay on her other side. He grabbed her by waist and with other he picked her clutch. Mouthing a thanks to Leela, he walked off with Urvi.''

***

''Why here Patti?'' Dev asked amused when Neelambari walked him to the sport arena of his Palace. 

'' because you have become lazy.'' Her reply made him chuckle. 

''Don't smile, chose the weapon of your choice.'' Dev chuckled but missed the gesture on his grandmother's face. Someone attacked him from behind and Dev fell on his face. He looked up but his grandmother stood stoic with a blank expression. The attacker lunged at Dev again but he rolled over on to the side. Neelambari watched as Dev kept dodging the attack but never retaliated. She huffed, though she loved his calm nature, he had to learn to answer the attack.  She looked at the man, shook her neck. The man nodded lunging at Neelambari. ''NO!''

Neelambari blocked the attack but by then Dev's anger had reached its peak. He grabbed the man from behind throwing him in air. ''How dare you?'' The man came to his feet to be lifted in air by throat. ''How dare you?''

''Put him down Dev.''

''I will, Once his life leaves his body.'' Dev replied his grip turning hard. 

''He did what I asked him to, let him go. NOW!'' Dev fingers loosened .

''Do you realise that any enemy could come in disguise and could have turned this drama into a reality?'' Dev asked irritated

Neelambari smiled. ''I am glad you realised that. Dev, if you keep dodging, the attacker will consider you weak. Never give a second chance. It could be anyone in my place, Sona, Sagar or Rolli. You might not get a chance like today.''

Dev rubbed his face. ''Why do you have to teach me this way? You almost killed me.''

''Because you refuse to learn the simple way.'' Dev hugged his grandmother. ''Don't try that again, you are precious.'' Neelambari smiled. ''This is why I asked him to attack me.'' He hugged her tighter. ''After I end all this, I will come home.''

Neelambari never expressed but her heart pained realising how deprived Dev had been. ''You can come any day sweet heart. Its your home and I would be the happiest one to have you back.'' His grin turned wider like that of a child. 

''I will be leaving today evening, but promise me you will be alert.''

''I promise Patti.''

***

 ''What do you have?''  Asked a woman 

''The Palace is heavily guarded. Leave palace, even Jaigarh is dangerous for anyone with malicious intentions.''

The woman smirked. ''I expected it. But what's the fun is doing the deed far from Lion's den. We will hurt his beloved daughter right under his nose. The Princess dies, and with her Dev and Ranvijay. They won't survive a minute without her, and I will have what I deserve.''

The woman wasn't aware that her little act was going set a chain reaction in Rolli and Dev's lives, which would help bring Dev in different light and awaken the Lion which had slept for long, Ranvijay Rathore.

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Next- Sona kept hovering around Vikram trying to look seductive, yet he paid no heed. It took Vikram all the strength to keep him emotions in check. 

Happy reading :)