Veer,

Bhai laughed when I requested him to command Sitara to accompany me. The girl just refused straight on my face, stating she takes orders only from Bhai. When I narrated the whole thing he just laughed. ''Don't mind her, she is just like a stubborn kid.'' He said and lifted the intercom, asking Sitara to report. She walked in with Vikram in her arms, Deepika had already left for NGO and Vikram was now Sitara's responsibility. My son is the only man for whom her expression soften, for others she is just a stone, ''You will accompany Veer to Suryagarh today.''

''What about the Prince? There is no one today to take care of him, your grandmother and mother both are out to attend an auction. Queen Ananya is resting and Princess Deepika left for work.'' Bhai pressed his lips and then move forward, gathering Vikram in his arms, ''I am home today, I will take care of the future King.'' He pecked Vikram , who squealed throwing himself at his uncle. Sitara nodded and turned her stony green eyes to me, ''When do we leave?''

''Now" She nodded and followed me out .

***

We were little late in reaching our destination, Sitara had suggested something and we took a detour to my summer Palace before moving to Suryagarh. I have been informed about the ruckus created by some people there, threatening the locals against supporting us. Today, they will see how cruel I can get. I commanded the driver to take me directly to the spot. When I stepped out, around 20 men stood circling a scared looking bunch. I rubbed my face, I hate bullies. ''You have 10 minutes, surrender and step back.'' I warned

''You think we are scared? This isn't your territory; it belongs to Mahendra Singh and after him his son and grandson. We won't let you have even a piece of it. We will wipe you and that son of yours'' Bhanu loaded his gun hearing the bulky man and I gestured him to stay put.

''You have hired pussies, they can only fight with gun.'' He challenged me again, angling my head I gestured her to step out. She did, with fire in her eyes. They threaten the Prince she vowed to protect with her life, ''I don't need men to fight you, she is enough.''

''Even I am not required, dogs like you need wolves.'' In a flash Sitara pulled open the car boot letting the hounds free, on my command they attacked. They were trained, beyond anybody's imagination. The leader turned mad recognising the girl who single handily ran havoc in the Palace, killing many of his allies. I smiled when Sitara pinned a man down trying to hurt an innocent peasant. The bulkier one grabbed her from behind, pulling her off his ally. But does he know she hunts like a predator, she plays with her prey giving them a sense of victory and then she kills them mercilessly. I watched as Sitara's fingers pressed the specific nerve on her attacker's wrist, his grip loosened as he groaned in pain. She turned around and kicked him hard in centre of the rib cage, throwing him flat on his back. She adjusted her finger rings and slapped him hard, leaving a bloody trail on his cheek, ''Back off, all of you or die.'' She warned and men started stepping back looking at their leader's condition. Her eyes met mine and I gestured her to come back, she did but didn't like my idea of leaving the man alive , I had other plans.

''Why did you chose her hukum? Did you doubt are capability? Bhanu asked hurt . I smiled at my man Friday, ''No, we could have finished them with single bullet, but I wanted to show them how weak they are. Sitara fought them before and their hate for her would push them to attack her without understanding her abilities. Now they know, even the girls of Jaigarh are better than them.'' Bhanu nodded. I whistled , signalling my hounds to be back. They walked growling threatening their prey. We decided to move to the Palace to discuss the further steps.

''The estate shares its boundary with a reserved forest.'' Sitara informed halting my steps

''How do you know?'' I asked

"Mahendra Singh would murder his enemies and throw them in the jungle, giving animals a feast. I discovered this during my stay.'' She replied

''That's a government property.''

''Yes, but many of these government employees worked for him.'' She informed. That was a big information. I have to get the details of these people and set things right. ''What more do you know?''

''He had usurped the lands of illiterate farmers for his liquor unit and was involved in human trafficking. Princess freed many girls and children, I feel there are more.'' I nodded, she was right things like these involve a bigger channel and people. Money involved is huge and the ones involved in it won't let it go that easily.

I decided to let Nahar Singh manage these people. He had been an old player and the he looks wise to me. ''Hukum , the team is here for Palace renovation.'' Bhanu informed and I nodded. I wanted the darkness to leave this place. I have plans to bring Deepika here, so that she could live the memories of her grandmother in light and not the fears of her father. After instructing the team and appointing security for them, we left for Jaigarh. Next, I have to settle the loans and lands of people he had forcefully taken.

When I came back, I got to know that Deepika was in Ananya suite. I made my way to it and could hear the laughs from the entrance. I knocked and got the invitation, ''Come in Veer, I was expecting you to follow your wife.'' Ananya teased.

Smiling I walked in greeting her. Dipu was right, Ananya does look dull. But that has no effect on her playfulness. She still is the same, she smiled affectionately at Vikram who had managed to crawl to her and now demanded her attention ''Yes, I love you more than your uncle. You look so better than him.'' She cooed Vikram pulling him to her face level. Vikram happily giggled getting all the attention.

''Yes, he is good looking but leave him for someone young. You are too old for my nephew.'' Bhai joked making me and Dipu cough. He definitely invited trouble riling her in this state. She narrowed her eyes at him then turned to Vikram, ''Ignore him, he is jealous.''

''Ananya, you should rest.'' I advised

''That is only thing I am doing Veer. The day I deliver, he is going to stay at home to tackle the baby and I go to work, on my scooty.'' That got bhai's attention. But he simply shook his head, looks like he got used her temperamental behaviour. We decided to leave so that Ananya can have a small nap before dinner. The moment I extended my arms to pick Vikram , he started crawling towards bhai with jet speed, squealing to gain his attention. Bhai smiled and lifted him up, ''I will send him in some time.''

''Bhai, he will trouble you guys. Ananya needs rest.'' Dipu reasoned

''That's wrong. Vicky is the best.'' Bhai groaned at the nick name. But it was useless, my son responds to it now. As we walked out we heard Ananya assuring my little son of all the help he needed in future to win a girl.

''You wanted your son to be a good boy , and his A is teaching him to be a Casanova.'' I joked. Dipika just shook her head smiling.

***

''You didn't tell me about your project'' Dipika asked as we walked into our suite. I took my shirt off and pulled her closer, pecking her forehead I replied, ''Just give me some more time, you will know all.''

She nodded, not probing much. After a minute another question came, ''Did you or bhai scolded Raksha?''

''We wanted to and so bad. I was contemplating about dragging her back, but Ananya took the responsibility to make her understand. Hope she does.'' She nodded, she opened her lips to throw a question again. I took the opportunity silencing her , sealing my lips with hers, ''After days I have all your attention so stop asking about everybody. Just enjoy this moment with me. Please.''

She nodded. ''Can I ask you something Dipika?'' Her eyes gave me a go ahead, ''How and when you met Brijesh. Tell me if you are fine to share.''

She huffed , lowering her head she stared at her clasped hands on her lap. Moving my hand, I squeezed her hand gently, ''It's okay if you don't want to.''

''I want to. Don't know where to start.'' She replied turning quite. I let her be, waiting for her to be comfortable. She lifted her eyes, ''I was 15 when he came to our Palace the first time. Granny warned me against stepping in front of him. But luck had different plans. My dad send in a message, asking me to report immediately. I was too scared to defy his order , I gave in. When I walked out in the garden area, Brijesh was seated opposite to my father. I wanted to run back and lock myself, but fear of my father pushed me forward. Once I was in his reach, he pulled me forward. Displaying me like an object. And you know what he said, She is yours if you go by my terms.'' My fingers curled hearing that. I wish Mahendra Singh was alive so that I could kill him again.

''You can't imagine the way his eyes scanned me Veer. That moment I hated being a girl, I was aware about his brutal ways with women. I knew my Father traded me so he could get control over my share of wealth, as my spouse would be equal partner in it. It shocked me that a young guy like him can be that monstrous, after that it became a routine. He would do all to lay his hands on me. One day, he dragged me to the dungeon and that's when Nahar Singh kept the gun on his head. Next day, I was being shipped off to London. Then you know.''

''Your spouse has the equal rights, wasn't your grandmother scared that you might end up in wrong hands,'' I asked

''No, she was wise and calculated. She knew my father's weakness and she cashed it. I knew, come what may she will bail me out. But I never expected her to leave me all the rights. I don't want any kind of danger around my son. ''

''There is no danger Dipu.'' I assured

''What do you know about Netra?'' She asked me angrily, her eyes holding the fear for her son. I pulled her in my arms, ''What do you know about us Princess?''

''What kind of a question is that?'' She asked confused

''We are cultured people and that is often taken as our weakness. Dipu, Netra will lose the remaining left with her , if she lifts her finger at my son. Above all your son has a crazy guard Sitara, I don't have to elaborate about her.''

''You don't understand. She wants what I have, all for her son. It was his right.'' I didn't let her finish, ''Right? No, such things should not go on the basis of birth rights but on capabilities. Your Grandmother knew you were worthy as compared to your brother. That is why she gave it you. Now don't back out. Full fill your duty, as the head of that estate and bring Vicky up in a way that he needs no one to support or protect him.''

She stared at me and then broke into laughter. ''What?'' I asked. She giggled, ''You just called him Vicky.'' And she started giggling again. I watched her affectionately, it gave me immense pleasure to watch her smile. Slowly I will make her talk about everything, and I should keep a tab on Netra too.

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Birth of a new Princess.

Please ignore my mistakes. Its unedited. Do drop in your views and comments