8/04/2019

Target Votes: 280

Chapter 68

For the entire night Riddhima waited for her mother to return. It wasn't until early the next morning did Svetlana immerse out from the hidden passageway.

"Mother! Where have you been?!" Riddhima complains as she ran up to her mother who casually sat down at the small tea table.

"You need not worry where I was at."

Since she needed Tej's support Svetlana had to make sure that his love for her was still as strong as when they first met. So spending the nights with him while she was in Mordis was a must.

The only tiring aspect of it all was the aches and pains she was feeling now. As she tried to massage the discomfort around her waist Svetlana notices a bloody bandage on Riddhima's ear.

"What happened to your ear?"

"Mother! I don't want to wait for the others to arrive to use the mask! I want to use it now!"

Riddhima was too embarrass to tell her mother what happened. It was enough that she was eavesdropping but to have Omkara throw a dagger at her was too insulting. She was still the Crown Princess of Ashen after-all.

Narrowing her brows in displeasure Svetlana did not want to deal with Riddhima's tantrums when it was crucial that she needed this plan to work.

"No! Omkara is not some dimwitted ruler. Do you know what he will do to us if we are caught?! We need everyone here. Just be patient. Just a few more days dear."

Clenching her fists beneath the wide sleeves of her dark blue dress, Riddhima was starting to resent her mother. Why does she always have to wait when none of the plans resulted in her favor. Now that she was inside the Mordis Palace where Gauri was no where in sight, it was the perfect time to seduce Omkara. Especially with the mask that was hidden behind the large mirror of the vanity table. The more she stared at her mother casually drinking tea the more Riddhima hated her situation. The answer to her every problem was within reach and yet it was her mother that was stopping her.

"No! I am no longer listening to her! I will use it!" Riddhima told herself as she joined her mother at the tea table.

"So what are we going to do today?"

Svetlana sets her warm cup of tea down as she takes a better look at Riddhima's injured ear.

"Keep this bandage on."

Riddhima could feel the bandage was soaked in her blood due to it's weight on her ear. "I should change it."

"Change it but use a white bandage instead. You will continue to go out to the main city to befriend the people of Mordis." Svetlana's wicked smile grew as she helps Riddhima change the bandage on her ear. "I will set up another play for you to act out today. This time the people of Mordis will surely love you even more. Make sure the Princess Priyanka is with you."

Although Riddhima nods her head in compliance to her mother's wishes, deep down inside she was waiting for when the sun sets tonight. The plan to use the mask when her mother was busy spending her nights with her father was making her feel extremely anxious.

"Should we go give our morning greetings? It is the only time we get to see the King of Mordis."

Svetlana let's Riddhima help her up from her seat as the two women made their way to the dining hall. However, Riddhima's smile quickly dissipated when there was no sight of Omkara. Priyanka on the other hand noticed Riddhima's sour expression right away.

"Why the long face Princess Riddhima? Did you not sleep well lastnight?"

"Good morning Princess. We slept very soundly."

"And your Highness?"

Svetlana smiled graciously as she sat down at the table that was filled with many light dishes. From eggs,porridge,soup, to bread and fruit.

"Mordis's cold weather makes one want to sleep in longer. I feel like my tired body has finally been able to rest and recuperate."

Of course the people of Ashen has never experience such a cold winter before. Their land was located in a more tropical climate where the weather was nice all year around.

"Although it is very cold at this time of year we do have a large hot spring located just behind the palace. It's a private and highly guarded hot spring for my brother and I. So if you would like to use it be my guest."

Riddhima's eyes lit up as she imagines Omkara soaking in a luxurious hot spring and decided this was the place she would use the mask. With steam coming from the hot water her chances of getting caught was slim. The fog will surely hide her every flaw.

"Where is the King this morning?" Riddhima finally asks.

"He had some urgent business to attend to and will be back in two days. So I will be in charge of your stay. Do you still want to see the rest of Mordis?"

"If you don't mind. I would love to continue to explore Mordis."

"How about you your Highness? Will you be joining us?"

Svetlana nods her head as she reaches for some fruit.

"I am well rested from my travels so I would love to see Mordis."

"Well, after breakfast I will have the carriage ready."

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

Cassi

Kalyani couldn't help but stare at her beautiful and talented grand-daughter. Even the other guests in the Inn were staring as they sat down for breakfast. The first floor was filled with people trying to get a table. At first Gauri suggested to have food deliver to their room but her grandmother wanted to see the excitement downstairs.

"Why are you only drinking tea dear? You should eat more so that we can head to the next town as we explore Cassi a bit. Is it because too many people are staring?"

Of course Gauri was well aware of the attention that she was getting but it was that one set of eyes that was making her feel uncomfortable.

"What is Samarjeet doing in Cassi?" To her knowledge Cassi was not a city he would pass on his way to Mordis. He was sitting with his guards at a remote corner of the Inn but his intense stares were obviously fixated on her.

"I will eat more when we are in the carriage grandmother. For now tea is just fine."

Meanwhile, Samarjeet was eating his bread while recalling the events of last night.

"It has to be her. To have medical skills like that.....it's you isn't it Gauri...."

The urge to run over to tear off that purple veil was surging through his veins but with that silver masked guard near by made it impossible for him to act.

"Who are those people?" Samarjeet whispers to his men but none of them could provide an answer.

That was when doubt started to cloud his judgement. Wasn't Gauri exiled? How could she be surrounded by such skilled guards? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? He needed to be sure and so for the rest of his journey he was going to stick to this group as close as possible.

Gauri was not the only one that noticed the unwanted stares of Samarjeet.

"Princess, do I need to take care of him? He seem to recognize you." Arjun whispered as he bowed his head closer to Gauri's line of sight.

"No need. Someone is already aware of his lingering eyes."

Underneath her veil, Gauri was smiling as she looks over to the opposite corner of the Inn.

Sitting alone with a large black cloak was a mysterious man with a black lion mask revealing only a playful smile that she was too familiar with. If only these people knew that the King of Mordis was sitting there they would be flabbergasted. So the mask was a very nice touch. However, the gold trimming around his dark eyes reminded her of Ari's beastly pupils. She was definitely his prey.

Arjun did not second guest his Princess and returned to his post, which was to stand right behind her.

Seeing Gauri casually just drinking tea made Omkara feel a bit wronged, as he was not having such a pleasant time. First it was the presence of the Prince of Gopar, of whom he wanted to gauge those leering eyes out. Then it was that guard who dare to share whispers with his beloved Queen. When the tea cup in his hand shattered he could see Gauri's brows narrow.

"So careless." Gauri grumble as she stood up from her seat.

"Gauri dear, where are you going?"

"I will just be a minute grandmother. I will return quickly."

When everyone saw that the skilled woman from last night stood up their eyes quickly tried to look through that purple veil that covered the bottom half of her face. Her movements were gracious and light, giving them the impression that she was merely floating by them.

With Arjun slowly walking behind her, Gauri made her way towards Omkara who was waiting patiently. However, after just a few steps she was blocked by Samarjeet.

"Miss. Have we met before?"

Unfortunately, before he could get an answer the guard with the silver mask drew his sword and pointed at his neck.

Samarjeet's guards quickly drew their swords as the Inn was now filled with gasps of fear.

"Step aside." Arjun warned.

"I mean no harm Miss. It's just that you look very familiar."

As much as he tried to sound harmless, Gauri did not bother to answer as she continued to walk towards Omkara, who was obviously not happy.

Seeing the woman coldly walk pass him Samarjeet decided to retreat back to his corner with his men. The last thing he wanted to do was get off on a bad start with these people. After all he wanted to stay close to them. But seeing the woman he believes was Gauri sit down next to another man made him very jealous.

"Who is that man?!" Samarjeet griped as he sat back down.

As for Gauri, her eyes were too focus on the blood dripping from his palm but when she saw that playful smile of his, her eyes shot him an annoyed look.

"I can't help but think you did this on purpose." Gauri softly spoke as she reached out for his injured hand.

Omkara did not answer as he watched her meticulously take out a small pouch that had her needles and ointments. Her medical skills always left him in awe as she picks out every shard that was embedded in his palm.

The entire Inn suddenly fell into complete silence as they curiously observe the two people in the corner.

As she gently applies the antiseptic and antibiotic on his palm she could feel his intense gazes.

"Stared enough?"

Gauri continues to wrap a long bandage around his palm but felt him grab hold of her hand.

"Are you feeling any pain?" Gauri unhurriedly asks as she lets him hold her hand.

"Yes. But the pain is here."

"Oh?" Gauri sarcastically asks as she sees him points to the left side of his chest.

"Is there anything you can give me to relieve this unbearable pain? Miss?"

She could feel his warm breath through her veil as his mischievous tone of voice tickled her ears.

"Unfortunately I am not an expert in the matters of the heart Sir. I have no medicine for your dire problem."

As she was about to stand up to return to her grandmother she felt him pull her back down.

"Yes, it's dire indeed. But I am sure you have the cure. Let's make an appointment for my treatment. Tonight should be good for you?"

Looking down at her hand that was still caught by his, Gauri pressed down on the bandage.

"That hurts Miss." Omkara frowned as he lets go of her hand. But before she turned her back on him, Gauri slightly turned back to look at him once more.

Omkara smiled as her beautiful sharp eyes answered him.

"I take it as a yes."

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