Chapter 7

Hurt. Pain. Anger. Betrayal. All these emotions were swirling in his head. Being the eldest son of king Atticus came with a price. Even a single flaw in him raised questions directly on his father and his upbringing . He was supposed to be well composed even if a storm of emotions were destroying his heart. He was supposed to be caring towards people even if there was no one to take care of him. He was supposed to be strong and firm even if loneliness inside him is scratching him. On top of it, he was legally the heir of throne of Florence which made his own blood brothers hate him. He could have happily given the throne to his brothers but none of them were worthy enough. They all were selfish and think about the kingdom was last thing in their mind. Well, Marcus was different. He was more prone towards arts and music. He had no interest in ruling and becoming a king. He wanted to be a musician which King Atticus didn't approve of because it didn't suit a royal prince to be a musician. At that moment, Augustus came to his rescue and saved his younger brother from his father's wrath but who will save him. He was the one who was forced to marry Valentina just in order to secure their relations with Sicily. He didn't want to marry but loved Valentina after his marriage. Now, after her death, his father is again forcing him to marry a girl who do not belongs to his culture and land. He was stunned when she agreed to marry just because of a promise. She didn't even flinch and think for a second.

One thing was for sure that she was a lady of her words but she didn't know about his past. She didn't know that he has a son. He didn't want to put her life in trouble because his brothers except Marcus were not to be trusted at all. They hated Augustus so much that they could even kill him. Being his wife, her safety would also be at stake. He decided to scare her in order to change her decision.

Rithambara was going to her mother's room when suddenly one hand went around her mouth and other tightly on her throat and was dragged in a corner room. Without wasting a single moment, she took out her small sword from her waistband and made a deep cut on the intruder's arm. His arms loosened and Rithambara turned around to see none other than the person whom she has to marry. She shouted at him, "how dare you to touch me? "

Augustus's hand was bleeding heavily but ignoring his wound he told her, "listen, back down from this marriage or else consequences will not be nice."

Rithambara asked him in her angry tone ,"are you threatening me? You are our guest ,this is the only reason that you are not dead by now or I would have ripped your arms apart by now.

Ignoring her words Augustus used his other hand to turn her around and pinned her to the wall and said, " I will never give you love which a wife deserves. Even if I will become the king of Florence, you will not have your rights as a queen. You will not be able to survive in Florence apart from your land and culture. I'm sure you don't want to marry a person who will not respect you. "

With one swift motion, Rithambara freed herself from his clutches and held his throat tightly and said," Who is asking for your love? As far as rights are concerned, I don't ask for my rights, I snatch them. I'm bounded by a promise or else I would not marry you even if you were the last person on this earth.

I'm sure you can decline your father . He asked me to marry you not the other way around. "

Augustus removed her hands from his neck and took deep breaths in order to regain his breathing. He never knew that a woman's grip can be so strong. Rithambara smirked after seeing him breathing hard. Augustus's ego was bruised badly and all thoughts of explaining and giving reasons to her flew out of window. He clenched his jaws and said, "wait till I take you to Florence . I will break you mentally . Don't blame me afterwards that I didn't warn you "

Suddenly Rithambara laughed and next moment she told him in a firm tone, " no matter how many times you use swords to cut water, it will not effect it even a bit similarly breaking me mentally is something which you can only dream off "

Then she tore a piece of her saree from corner and tied it on Augustus's wound and said, " I love challenges and if you think that you can break me by taking me in a different culture and making me suffer then think again because the more you heat the gold, the more it shine. "

Augustus was speechless because of her actions and words. Rithambara started to walk but stopped and turned around and said, "next time try choke throat technique if you are trying to attack from behind. It's more effective. "