Ira stopped on her place. She turned to look at Veera with the same defiant expression she have practiced over years. "Jealous?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Veera chuckled sarcastically as if Ira is someone beneath her "Jealous? Of you? I don't have to. What would I be jealous of? You have nothing! Not your parent's love, no one will ever protect you except grandfather. You don't even have your own identity. Who are you? just a princess hidden from world?"
Ira's fist clenched tightly, suppressing her anger as the humiliation started burning her heart.
"Enough!" the voice wasn't loud. Just a command waiting to be caried out without questions. King Dhishva stood at the base of the staircase. His face, a mask of a cold detachment towards his youngest daughter.
"Both of you, to your chambers. Now." He ordered without looking at them.
"But father she-" Veera started defiantly, unwilling to let her sister leave without punishment for taking spotlight away from her.
But King Dhishva wasn't in mood for any drama, he had more important matter to think about, Ira's secrete getting revealed in front of an outsider.
"Quiet! I don't want any explanation. Go to your chamber, now."
Veera shot a death glare at Ira, annoyed that her father is not even trying to take her side or punish this unwanted daughter of his. While stomping her feet in anger, she walked away, not even glancing back at her father or brother.
Ira just murmured a hesitant greeting before walking away hurriedly, not wanting to face her father's wrath.
Veer sighed, ready to leave as well since the drama is over but Dhishva stopped him, telling him to come with him to the office for some work.
When they entered the office, they saw Viraaj already sitting there, reading some reports with pure detachment after what happened in garden.
Dhishva straight went toward him and complained in displeasure "Father, you know what happed today wasn't good. People will know about her existence, her appearance. And if that happened, it will only disgrace our family's reputation."
Viraaj slammed his hand on the desk, the sound echoing in the silence of the office "Dhishva! Mind your tongue!"
Veer shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension in the room.
Viraaj stood, his tall frame radiating a terrifying authority. "Are you even aware of what you are saying? You are not just insulting your daughter, you are insulting the very blood that gives you your right to sit on the throne."
He threw the reports on floor in anger. "If you can't handle the responsibility of being her father, leave it to me. I never asked you to love her. I named her, I loved her, and I will decide who she meets. You will stay out of it."
He stormed out, leaving Dhishva standing in the wreckage of the papers. His fists clenched in silent, impotent fury.
In Jwalana, Abhiveera was completely lost in his thought. Thinking about Ira, her eyes, her smile, her voice, her appearance, everything so familiar yet so strange. Even his family started noticing his behaviour, unable to understand what caused them king to smile a moment and stared at a distance with the same regretful eyes they have seen for years.
His family started asking him, trying to get the glimpse of what's occupying their king's heart. When during dinner, he told them about Ira, his youngest grandson chocked on his food.
His mother, Queen Avanya rushed to helped her son. Rubbing his back and giving him water.
"D-Did you said….p-princess Irya?" Prince Ahil asked, still coughing slightly.
Everyone looked at Abhiveera with wide eyes and shock, waiting for the answer.
Abhiveera smiled softly and replied. "No, not Irya. But she is just like Irya. She is the princess of Aaro. Youngest granddaughter of King Viraaj."
"But king Viraaj only has two grandchildren." Ashwant, his son and the current king of Jwalana, argued.
"That is what the world believes," Abhiveera replied "But they have kept her hidden. Viraaj says she is sickly. That her health is so fragile for the world. They hides her to protect her."
Prince Raksheet, the crown prince and eldest grandson, narrowed his eyes. He didn't see a beautiful princess, he saw a strategic opening. "A sickly princess hidden for years? Huh? That is a massive weakness for Aaro. Why would he show her to you, grandfather? It's a dangerous secret to hand over."
"Perhaps he trust me." Abhiveera said, shrugging. "Or perhaps some things are meant to be seen."
"Trusting a stranger in one meeting is a fool's errand." Raksheet muttered.
"Sometimes," Abhiveera said, his voice turning stern "You know a soul the moment you see it. We have signed a blood oath of secrecy. Ira's existence stays within these walls."
As the dinner continued, Abhiveera looked out the window towards the distance. He felt a strange and heavy tug at his chest. He didn't just want to protect Ira, he felt a burning need to bring her here, to the light where she can breathe without the walls or Aaro closing around her.