Everyone was seated in the courtroom. It was time for the king to make certain announcements. Jayadev was sitting on his throne and every one was looking at the wise king.

Jayadev said, "As you all know, we are going to wage a war on Pratapnagar. I have an important announcement to make regarding the war. I have already announced that Yuvraj Rudradev will lead the war. Now, there is another matter which is of great concern. We are waging a war but we cannot ignore the security of the capital. So I would like to announce that, Rajkumar Vinayak will be in-charge of the security of the capital."

Rudradev acted as if he was displeased with the decision. Ojaswini also tried to look disappointed. When Vinayak saw their faces, he was satisfied. He believed that he was given a very important duty. He stood up and said with folded hands, "Maharaj, it is indeed a great honour for me. I will guard Matangpur with my life."

Ojaswini and Rudradev smiled at each other. Things were going as they had planned.

After the court session, Ojaswini was resting in her chamber. A maid entered her chamber and bowed to her. She said, "Rajkumar Vinayak has arrived."

"Let him come inside," Ojaswini ordered the maid.

Vinayak entered the chamber. Ojaswini stood up from her place and smiled at him, saying, "It gives me immense pleasure to learn that my dear brother, has not forgotten me even after getting such a big responsibility. Well, may I know what brings you here?"

Vinayak smiled at her and said, "I am quite hungry. I think we can talk while having our food."

Ojaswini asked a maid to bring food for both of them.

They were having food together when Ojaswini said, "So now my brother has great responsibilities towards the kingdom. After all, he is going to guard the capital while the crown prince is away with almost half of our army."

Vinayak drank some water and said to her, "Maharaj placed his trust in me and put such a big responsibility on my shoulders. Are you not happy with this?"

Ojaswini looked at him and chuckled. She said, "I am not as evil as you think, Bhratashree. Of course I am happy for you. I am proud of the fact that I am the sister of a brave warrior like you. What more can I wish for?"

They finished eating after sometime. Vinayak suddenly asked Ojaswini, "Are you in love with someone?"

Ojaswini narrowed her eyes and looked at him. She said, "I do not have any lover. But I would like to know why my brother asked this question to me, all of a sudden."

Vinayak laughed at her words and said, "Rajkumar Bhaskar, the crown prince of Ajaynagar admires you a lot. If you agree, I would like to talk to Maharaj and our father about your marriage with Rajkumar Bhaskar. And if they agree, we will send a marriage proposal to Ajaynagar."

Ojaswini said to him in a cold tone, "But I do not like him. I have met him before but I did not find a single reason to admire him."

Vinayak smirked. He said, "I will not force you to marry Rajkumar Bhaskar. After all, you are my only sister and my most precious treasure."

The same night:

Vinayak went to the brothel to visit Menka. Surabhi, the Madam of the brothel, welcomed him. He gave her a bag of gold coins and said, "I want Menka. I want her alone, just for myself."

Surabhi took him to a chamber. There was a bed in the middle of the chamber, which was decorated with flowers. After sometime, Menka entered the chamber.

She wore a blue coloured dress and her hair was decorated with fresh jasmine flowers. Every part of her body was radiating the warmth of the fire of her youth. Her gold ornaments were glittering. She was looking no less than an Apsara from heaven.

Vinayak looked at her and was bound by the spell of her beauty. He brought her close to him and enjoyed the fruits of her youth. 

They were lying on the bed after Vinayak was fully satisfied. Menka said to him, "Do you intend to stay here till morning?"

Vinayak smiled at her. He ran his index finger on her face. He touched her lips and then kissed them. He said, "My dear, I will start the preparations for the war tomorrow and so, I will not be able to visit you for several days. That is the reason why, I want to stay with you till sunrise."

Menka said to him, "Why do you visit me so often?"

Vinayak looked into her eyes and said, "I do not know why I come to visit you every night. Being away from you feels like torture to me. My heart burns for you, Menka. Your eyes have captured my soul. I keep visiting you so that I can ask you about my own well being."

Menka had moist eyes. She kissed Vinayak's neck and said, "Are you telling the truth?"

Vinayak held her hand and placed it on his chest. He said, "Feel my heart with your hand. Am I lying?"

They hugged each other and continued their lustful games.

Next morning :

Vinayak left the brothel a few moments before sunrise and entered the palace in the morning. He did not enter through the main entrance in order to avoid being noticed. But unknown to him, Rudradev was walking in the corridors and had seen him entering the palace.

Rudradev said to himself, "Bhratashree, I would really like to know why you entered the palace at this hour like a thief."

He went to Ojaswini's chamber. A maid was standing in front of the chamber. He said to her, "Where is Rajkumari?"

The maid said to him, "Yuvraj, Rajkumari is taking a bath."

Rudradev nodded his head and said, "Tell her to visit me in the royal library before the royal court session." He left after giving instructions to the maid.

Ojaswini was bathing in a pool which was specially prepared for her. It was in an open space. Since it was meant for her, men were not allowed in and around that place.

Ojaswini came out of the pool when she had finished bathing. A maid handed her dry clothes. She wore them and went to her chamber where, her maids helped her to change into a beautiful dress.

A maid came to her and bowed. Then she said, "Rajkumari, Yuvraj has asked you to meet him in the royal library before the royal court session."