Part 1

Part 1: The world that lays beyond

"Here you go! "Dhara presented her the 16 special sweet dishes that had been solely prepared to offer God because of tonight's special occasion.

But her petline cheeks were now fallen, glow from the godess like face gone. What with the way the prince was looking at her, his deep piercing hazel orbs gazing at her every moment she had been in his vicinity.

Her skin had been prickly under the scrutiny. But above that all what troubled her were her own thoughts.

She wanted to get away from that constant gaze as soon as possible today afternoon. Yet the pitful irony that she was there today as his soon to be bride. His bride!

Now the hundred pie question was if she isn't able to tolerate his gaze from ten feet away for a afternoon when hundred other guests are present, how is she supposed to tolerate his touch, the same gaze and the same presence for the rest of her life?

"Ooo..."someone squeaked. "Lost in the thoughts of your prince? "And loud laughter filled the room. It did not take much time there after for the conversation to catch fire.

Prince Amerendra being the prime topic for the rest of the evening but the voice raising its hood inside Devika stayed loudest of them all.

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"Hail prince Chandra, hail the kingdom of Maniteek!"cheers rang along with the voices as the prince completed his walk of grace.

Right from when he had dismounted his horse outside the palace a few moments ago, the congratulations and words of appreciation had came flowing in, from everyone. But he hadn't paid attention because for all he knew all those good words were nothing but a way to butter the prince of this powerful kingdom that he was.

If he wanted appreciation, and words of praise for all he did. He wanted it coming from the king and no one else.

So here he stood in front of his grim father, the king of maniteek. His head held high, for he knew his father could not escape this situation now and if anything he had to atleast say a single word in his praise today even if only for the sake of the full attendance of courtiers today around them.

"I heard you won over the ghahanies? "He raised an unimpressed eyebrow and Chandra felt his blood starting to boil. "Impressive!" And that was all the king said before he was gone towards the royal chambers in the eastern wing of the palace.

"The court is adjourned! "The announcer outside hollered and the loud royal court slowly came to a complete silence. When the back-talks came to an end. When the boisterous treacherous courtiers had left.

He burned with fury and his body beared testimony to that as it shook in outrage. Infuriation over his father, hatred over the insensible society and most of all his vexation over himself!

The jaws that were covered in thick bushes of unruly beard because of practically living in wilderness for the last two weeks clamped over each other.

His large calloused hands that had barely left his swords throughout the weeks now itched to snap a neck in two. Specifically the neck of his father or elder brother.

He had left the comforts of the palace, to fight a war for his father, a war that they were bound to loose was suddenly the reason for their victory!

How? Because of HIM! His damn life that he had very casually put into danger so that he could make his father proud of him. For once.

But it all became futile. Didn't it? Sleeping on wet grass for nights on end with his hand as pillow and aching wounds as companions had earned him this! Hadn't it?

A mere 'impressive!'from the king's part that was more a taunt than praise.

He was pretty sure, his prim and proper elder brother must be now celebrating his own victory.

Now that he had lost once again!

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