The look on his face did not surprise her in the least. He was indeed the merciless and ruthless King of Mordis. She had heard rumors of him being called a demon on the battlefield but it was today that she had witnessed it first hand. With his hand still around Sahil's throat Gauri had no choice but to hold her knife tighter.

"Brother!!"

He could see the tears running down Priyanka's face as well as see the same look of fear 10 years ago. Just the thought of his sister reliving that moment right now made him want to kill everyone in Ashen. But when he saw those amber eyes from behind his terrified sister his heart stopped.

"No.. how could she?"

Omkara knew that Sahil was her beloved brother but he was already trying his best to give the Crown Prince of Ashen a chance to stand down. He had hoped the kick before was enough to subdue Sahil only to see the young boy get up and stab his friend. On the battlefield one must never show weakness and Omkara was not about to let Kali, Samarjeet or the Princes of Uthon believe that he King of Mordis was affected by a woman. When he grabbed Sahil by the throat he knew he couldn't kill the boy. Instead he was about to wait till the very last minute till Sahil would lose consciousness to throw him to the side.

"Did she really believe that I would kill him?"

If only she could read his mind then maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this.

What Omkara didn't know was that Gauri knew very well of his intentions. She too did not want to become his weakness so she had no choice but to go after his sister.

Gauri: Let the Crown Prince go and I will do the same.

Seeing him laugh hysterically while his eyes were filled with malice Gauri could only hope he would realize soon what she was doing.

"You dare take the Crown Princess of Mordis hostage?"

But when he saw blood coming down from Priyanka's neck Omkara lost it.

"Gauri!"

"You should know that I would dare."

Priyanka stood frozen as the woman behind her gently pushed her forward.

"Start walking."

Clenching her fists as she took her first step Priyanka could see Tej and Daksh standing near by with no intention of intervening.

Daksh: Father shouldn't we do something?

Tej: Idiot! This is the best thing that can happen to us. Just stay out and see what happens.

Kali who could barely stand knew that with this turn of events he had to ensure Ashen's safety.
When he saw Gauri and the Princess of Mordis come towards them he quickly ordered her to listen.

"Gauri! With the beast in his hands we need leverage!"

Disgusted with her father Gauri kept her eyes on Omkara who looked like he wanted to burn everything in his path. His dark eyes pierced deep into her has the blood stains from his men that she had killed splattered across her beautiful face. But his brows furrowed and his eyes grew cold  as he sees blood dripping from the sharp blade that was against his sister's neck. Clenching his teeth Omkara threw a weakened Sahil down to the ground in anger.

"Now let her go!"

"Three years."

Omkara who did not quite understand was losing patience tried his best to keep his sanity in line.

"Three years?"

"A peace treaty where Mordis promises to not invade Ashen for 3 years."

Gauri could see the joy in her father's eyes but what Gauri wanted was a throne for Sahil to sit on and the safety of her people. 

Omkara's lips curves up as he listens to Gauri's one demand and couldn't help but laugh louder than before. 

"Peace treaty? Holding the Crown Princess of Mordis hostage while talking about peace is ironic isn't it...Princess of Ashen?"

From that point Gauri knew that Omkara's anger had clouded his mind for he did not see her reason for doing all of this. Hearing him call her the "Princess of Ashen" Gauri could only remind her heart to stop bleeding from within. Pushing down the anguish that was surging inside her Gauri had to force Omkara to promise.

Pressing down on the knife fresh drips of blood started to slide down Priyanka's neck who seem to not feel any pain.

"Treaty or no treaty?"

Throwing down his Royal Dagger into the ground Omkara angrily agrees.

"Three years. For three years Mordis will not invade Ashen!"

Heaving a slight sigh of relief Gauri relaxed her shoulders that was tensed the entire time.

Omkara: But....the treaty will be signed in Mordis as I have had enough of seeing Ashen!

Nodding her head Gauri was now  successful in driving Mordis out of Ashen and now her next concern was the poison killing Sahil before her eyes.

Omkara: Will you still not release my sister?

Gauri takes out a handkerchief from her waistband and tells Priyanka to press it against her neck. 

Priyanka who was still in a daze quickly grabbed it and pressed it against her neck while running towards her brother.

"Brother!!"

Letting her stand behind him Omkara gently pats Priyanka's shoulder.

"It's okay now. Stand tall Priyanka."

Composing herself Priyanka continues to stand behind her brother while staring viciously at the woman that dared used her. "I will never forgive her!"

As Gauri was about to walk towards Sahil who was on the ground struggling to breathe she could hear Bhavya's voice.

"Princess!! Princess!! I have the tea!"

Ignoring everyone's eyes on her Bhavya tried her best to squeeze through all the soldiers until she almost tripped on a man who was obviously on the brink of death.

Gauri: Come quick!

Forcing Sahil to drink the tea Gauri was happy to see his blue lips turn pink and was now breathing evenly.

Bhavya who was shaking at the sight of what a close call this was fell to her knees.

"Princess! I'm so sorry! I should have ran faster."

Gauri who was more than proud of her apprentice smiled "Bhavya..you did great."

Omkara who was now trying to put pressure on the stab wound on Rudra's back could only see his friend slipping away. 

"Rudra! Come on GENERAL! You dare die here in ASHEN?!"

Tej finally stepped out to see the outcome of the ordeal and he must say that even though he wanted Omkara or Priyanka to die but seeing Rudra in this state was not half bad.

"Your Majesty since you agreed to the peace treaty then we must leave Ashen as for General Rudra....."

Turning his head to the vile man Omkara's anger made Ari lunge at Tej who quickly backed away.

"You dare tell me what to do?!"

With Ari showing his fangs and gazing at him with it's demonic yellow eyes Tej could only cower down.

Omkara who did want to lose his friend did not want to beg anyone from Ashen for help and Rudra could clearly see the dilemna his king was in.

"Your Majesty I wish I could have fought along your side a bit longer. But do take my body back to Mordis."

Holding on to his friend's hand Omkara was about to bite down on his pride and ask Gauri for help but when he heard footsteps behind him he knew.

"Gauri..."

Gauri: If your Majesty does not mind I will send my Apprentice on your journey so that she can treat the General.

Bhavya's eyes widen in shock at her Princess's words. "Princess?! You are sending me to Mordis?"

Gauri smiles to reassure Bhavya that everything would be alright.

"His wound should not be hard for you to treat. In a months time should be enough. By then we should be there to sign the treaty. You can return with me after."

"But Princess!"

But when Bhavya met with Gauri's sharp gaze she knew she had to go.

Without a word Omkara raises his hand to signal his men and Ari to return to Mordis leaving Gauri to only stare at his back as he helps his General into Priyanka's carriage. Bhavya who has never seen a carriage this big was nervous to be riding with not only the injured General but also the King of Mordis and his sister.

Rudra who was lying there drenched in blood as the carriage moved at full speed started to mutter.

"Treat the Princess first...."

Omkara who saw that Priyanka was still holding the handkerchief to her neck looked angrily at Bhavya who quickly moved closer towards the Princess.

Bhavya: Let me see.

She could tell that the Princess must have been frightened because she had to use great force to pry the handkerchief out of the way and what she saw confused her.

Omkara: What? You don't know how to treat a simple wound as that?!

Bhavya who looks down at the angry King.

"Your Majesty...there is nothing to treat."

In disbelief Omkara turned his sister towards him and true to the maid's word there was not even a single nick on Priyanka's neck.

"Then where was all that blood coming from?...Gauri...."

His eyes no longer cold Omkara closed his eyes the rest of the way while Bhavya was trying her best to save the dying General.

*********************************

In her own Carriage with Sahil resting by her side Gauri takes out another cloth to wipe the wound on her fingers.

"Omkara...I am sorry but this was for the best."

Sahil who had worries of his own wanted to ask his sister but was a bit afraid to.

"Gauri...What will father do to you?"

Stroking her brother's hair Gauri could only smile.

"Do not worry. I decided to risk everything for you so I am willing to endure the punishment."

Sahil who was very afraid at this point.

"But Gauri..the punishment for poisoning The King of Ashen as well as the Princes of Uthon...it would not be light..."

Closing her eyes as the carriage takes her back to the palace Gauri could only softly say to her worried brother.

"I know."

**I hope you guys like this update and do vote if you did. Feedback is always encouraged 😊.