Damini found herself with a pounding headache trying hard to open her eyes as she felt water splashing on her face.

Few hours ago...

Her body bent backwards and before her head could hit the ground a hand snaked her waist holding her. A gasp was left from Pariha as she rushed to Suryaveer to take her daughter from him while he held lifeless Damini by her waist. Pariha went away taking her daughter as not to see her. He patted her pale cheeks to make her respond on the contrary her body was still and unmoved. Her state was so bad even her head hung back without support.

"Call the physician!" He roared to the guards nearby and swept her feet off the ground carrying her to nearest room. Her body felt fragile and cotton like for him as he wondered how she must have been raising swords with her slender milk coloured body. Though Damini was his enemy he wanted her to live so that he could achieve what he wanted but it seems she protested it by playing with her life. For Damini nothing mattered just her duty for the kingdom she served loyally since birth. Neither her life nor the consequences which could cost her life was important.

Suryaveer took her to the room while all the eyes on his way widened with the scene. Their King carrying a girl for first time who was not his niece but a mere maid. He placed her on the bed gently for the first time moving away and turned back as the physician lady rushed in to examine her. Giving a curt nod to him she started to diagnose her. Suryaveer stood pinching the bridge of nose till she finished her work. It was not like he cared for her but it was as if his hardwork will have no result. The middle aged physician cleaned her hands walking towards him and said bowing at him.

"Your majesty, the girl fainted due to lack of energy in her. Looks like she hasn't eaten since days. I have given potion now. She will wake up in some time. She needs to have some food so that medicine works." She informed him and left while Suryaveer called for food waiting for the patient to wake. Just then Madhura came running worried As she came searching for Damini as always. She gasped at her pale new roommate lying on bed.

"My goodness! Bai sa? What happened? Your ma..majesty... Sorry... I..." She knelt next to the bed sobbed then realised Suryaveer's presence she stood to bow. Suryaveer waved to her to be seated.

"She passed out." He replied her and she sobbed more.

"She.. she stays wi..with m..me. I told her.. pleaded her.. to eat... have some water atleast... She didn't even get a wink.. of sleep. Staring at the sky all night... I shouldn't have neglected her.." Madhura stammered and sobbed as she explained Damini's careless health. She was the one who cared for her even though Damini was bit harsh at first. In instant they heard Damini whimpering and struggling to open her eyes. Madhura rushed to her side making her sit while Damini tried to adjust with surroundings. Taking deep breaths she straightened amd Madhura wiped out her tears and smiled

"Bai..bai sa. I was so worried. Thank the almighty for saving you." She said to which Damini gave her a weak smile. Her eyes reached the person she didn't expect to see who had his sharp gaze on her. He passed a plate of food roughly to Madhura signalling her to give it to Damini he said in low voice.

"Eat this."

"Have you poisoned it? Moreover I won't eat even if it is not. I would die of starvation but won't eat. Especially when you command." Her voice though came like whisper it had her stubbornness and unchanged audacity. Her weak Eyes still had fire which ignited his anger. For a moment Suryaveer cursed himself for keeping her alive. He took two large strides reaching near her and held her face.

"You think I like you to see you alive. You are alive now just because I want you to to suffer each second and give up eventually. Eat now." He sneered at her while she stared blankly and Madhura silently prayed of not having a terrific scene between them like on the first fay. Damini's lips turned up from a side giving a smirk then pushed the plate far from her with her strength which saved from falling. In anger for disobeying his least expected act Suryaveer slapped her hard that she fell to other side in unconscious state and Madhura gasped.
An anklet sounds resonated and Pariha walked in gracefully.

" Your majesty." She grabbed his attention as she called him out.

"Pariha?" Suryaveer gave her a questioned look expecting her to have a reason. Knowing what he wants to ask she glanced at Damini who was being held by Madhura then back at Suryaveer she said.

" I would like to inform you that from now Damini will serve me as caretaker for Aadrika." She informed him about the new change she made with life of Damini which made Suryaveer stun of what he never ever to happen.

His enemy being close to his sister who has nothing for him.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment trying not to vent all his anger on his beloved sister he gulped before he spoke to convince her.

"Pariha, you won't..."

"I have all the rights to choose who serves whom as I run the palace and its matters." Pariha cut him by mentioning her only power she had. Never he wanted Pariha to voice out for a slave he brought. Hearing what his sister said and knowing that her words won't change he stormed out in anger not before throwing a glare at the pale lifeless person.

Water was splashed on Damini's face and she whimpered feeling cold on her face. Opening her eyes she recalled what happened before she passed then saw Pariha at the entrance she strained to get up when Pariha said.

" Are you alright, Damini?" Pariha asked Damini as she walked near her bed and stopped her to stand.

"Have the food." She said commanding voice forwarding the plate but Damini nodded in negative.

"Princess, I have respect for you but forgive me. I won't break my word for myself." Damini said softly as she had no intention of opposing Pariha who had given her a feel of trust. Pariha raised her finger motioning to stop in her track and said

"You have to. Physician said You are on menstruation. You need to take something in atleast to support yourself from pain. None but only we know how much we endure. Understand it." Damini felt her convincing words true and eyes spoke care. Saying a prayer in her mind shr took her first bite of food while Pariha whispered 'good'.

"One more thing, you will be under my service as Aadrika's caretaker. It is a command." Pariha informed Damini as she stopped eating.

"I am satisfied with what I have. I wish you accept rejection of promotion because I don't wish to." She replied making sure that her tone didn't seem to be rude.

Pariha chuckled at her statement and smiled

"You are a miracle that Aadrika likes you very much in short time. Even leaving alone for some time she insisted you to be with her. It is not mine but her wish. And I am sure you are no harm to her. Or it would be bad." She replied of the scene when her daughter who is a mess with new person ranted Damini's name soon Damini passed out.

Being surprised of a liking by a little innocent princess who knows only to play Damini pondered for a second that will it hinder her main job then accepted saying.

"For sake of little princess' happiness I would like to be her caretaker. I feel honoured that you have entrusted your precious to me. Do not worry about her then. I will take care of her in best way. " Damini assured of her duty given

"Good then. Get well soon. And don't skip eating." Pariha patted her thigh over blanket

"Princess..." Damini called her stopping her in tracks and turned. Giving a smile she said words from her heart.

"Thank you for your care. "

After storming out of the room Suryaveer marched to his chambers ignoring Viraj's call on his way. Sensing the disturbance Viraj went behind him. Parting the curtains he reached his bedroom. He let out a frustrated scream which clearly stated Viraj that his friend is in anger. He stepped to him slowly putting his hand in his shoulder.

"Your majesty, what happened which anger you?" Viraj asked

"Pariha...She kept that Prathaangarh girl at her service. I couldn't convince my sister. Never lets me." Suryaveer said and gritted his teeth. His anger had sadness behind it. His failure. His failure of having such a bond with his own blood-sister whom he brought up like his own child. One and only incident brought such a rift between them for which he searches answer like a mad man destroying many kingdoms. And he won't stop until he finds it. This was his promise for himself.

Viraj took a breath and said about information he found.

"About her, Damini, she is the most closest person to the kingdom having a lot of contacts. Even being a Subhedar she has friendly relationship with subjects with no complaints but a rival among other governors. They say she has keeps secrets behind her behaviour. I think she doesn't have anything except having political contacts. Yet I feel King Mahendra know about it otherwise King won't sign treaty to give away his provinces and pay half of treasury as tax just for his son and a mere Subhedar girl. Maybe Damini has information to spill?" Stating his opinion and details regarding Damini Viraj stood back for getting his order.

Suryaveer listened carefully and turned facing Viraj. He was back with stony rude face which was normal for Viraj.

"Keep digging in until we get a clue. They seem to have a lot of matter in them. Find a sensitive point at hit them so they would spill. And about that insolent tell Tahseen have an eye on her always and increase Pariha's security. Keeping enemy at your den is harmful for the pride anyday. Did any message arrive from siege troops?" He asked in a breath with stern voice of King Suryaveer who wanted a positive answer according to his motive.

Viraj bowed his neck a little then replied

"Not yet your majesty. Soon we will receive news once we succeed. I'll take care of Princess' security. With your permission." He requested for his leave assuring his friend of precautions.

Suryaveer nodded curtly signing to move saying

"You may take your leave, Viraj."

Sun rose for the next morning as the same routine except for Damini who had been given an important duty by Princess Pariha herself that too in short notice of Damini who had no experience which started gossip around the maid quarters. Damini got dressed in her plain red and blue lehenga with golden border and a decent look of a maiden and left to royal section of palace. She entered Pariha's simple yet of elegance chamber like herself and found her all alone.

"Greetings, Princess." Damini greeted Pariha who was busy in arranging her dresses. Knowing by her voice Pariha continued with folding her clothes while Damini stood gazing at the royal Princess in a simple plain outfit with less jewelry unlike the other princesses who hang themselves with heavy ornaments which seem to strangle them just to look artificially beautiful. Such a gorgeous princess who could make all the men fall for her has a beautiful daughter as her replica whose mother spends time alone.

"Why did you get up? You could have taken rest for couple of days. "Without looking at her Pariha replied which came out as a scold.

"I didn't want little princess to wait for me and tire you. I am indebted for care you showed. For that I am at your service till my breath lasts. " Damini spoke with thankfulness and listening to her words Pariha turned sharply with knitted eyebrows.

"How easily can you utter such words with heavy meaning without thinking twice?" Pariha asked with puzzled face to which Damini had no reply just a nervous face.

"Anyways Aadrika is not here now. Find her, play and make her learn. Most hardest - make her have food. Keep your royal kitchen duties aside when you are with her. No matter where she runs keep an eye on her." Not expecting an answer from her Pariha took her seat and instructed Damini and she listened carefully.

" Do not worry about her princess. I understand your concern. I will take care of her at my best. By a good side that she likes me is bit easier to be with her." Damini assured the mother of the child who is in her care with a soft smile which could bring content in anyone. Her last words changed Pariha's face that she went into her own thoughts.

"Had it been easier for me I wouldn't have to control her." Pariha muttered with sad tint in her eyes. She went for a pause then sighed sarcastically

"How can I control her when I can't control myself!" Pariha said sardonically reminding of her mournful past she never dreamt of. A past which changed her lifestyle in seconds. A past which created a hole of loneliness and seperation which she never experienced before. The past which wounded her and her daughter day by day. The dreadful past which has scar on the innocent princess' life even though she has no clue.

"I will take your leave, Princess. I'll be at your palce by a call." Seeing Pariha blank out in her own words Damini felt bad as well as awkward of being in her private space she said and took leave by permission.

Asking every person crossing her looking at all the corners of corridors and verandas Damini checked almost half of the royal wing for Aadrika who seemed to have not appear. Handling such a mischievous toddler who doesn't have her legs at a place and make others run without getting tired was Aadrika's daily routine. She loves when maids and servants fail to catch her which boosts her more. She is the only one who keeps the fort of Rajangarh alive with her laughs an giggles. She is the apple of an eye of her uncle who gives her all freedom and fulfills her small wishes and be his source of joy. Just like her mother used to be.

Damini who never wanted to stay at Rajangarh and burn them into ashes for harming Prathaangarh without a reason now became a care taker of the current third generation of clan, the little innocent princess who knows only playing games. Irony! Only The supreme lord knows What more ironies are yet to come!

Touring around the palace she finally landed at the large imperial garden full of colorful fragrant flowers of all types and greenery till eyes reaches. Her mind raised a question of how this verdant garden is maintained neatly. Walking around the lawn she found Aadrika at the stairs of seating space at the centre of lawn. She had put up a frown face with her lips in pout and a hand cupping her cheek. She went to her sat on her knees reaching Aadrika's height and kept her hands like of imitating her. Aadrika turned her face.

" What is little princess doing alone here? Who made you sad?" Damini asked Aadrika in mimic baby voice then softly held her chin to take her cute frown look.

"No one is plwaying with me. I no like them. " Aadrika whined

"Then What am I here for? To play with you." Damini said smiling.

"You plway with me all time?!!" Her eyes shined like the brightest star to which Damini nodded.

"Who would not like to be with such a darling princess? Don't bother about them. They don't know any games to play. We both will play lots of games all the day but with your mother's permission. Alright?" Damini said lovingly with extra drama to cheer the little girl up.

"Yayy we plway!! I plway!!!" Aadrika jumped gleefully

"But first you should have your breakfast. Now tell me little princess,what do you love the most to eat?" She asked sweetly as to make her have something so that she would not be in empty stomach.

"Laddoosh!" Aadrika screamed happily mentioning her favourite sweet dish.

"Let us get delicious laddoo for the little princess Aadrika."

Lifting her up in arms Damini along with Princess Aadrika they both flitted off to
Royal kitchen with precaution that stoves and are out of her reach and made her sit at a far from the kitchen area asking two other maids to look after Aadrika for few minutes while she prepared laddoos. She came with plate of laddoos made Aadrika have them with moans and cute chubby full cheeks and big round eyes finishing till her little stomach accepts Damini taught series of dates, months , stars and words orally repeated by Little Princess Aadrika in her baby voice and this continued till evening, visiting her mother for her lunch and permission to play more. Being bored of orals playtime started of 'catch me' as Aadrika ran behind Damini.

Damini ran slowly near corridor passing through minister's and chiefs offices and meeting rooms which was a restricted portion to stroll around without permission, with a weak possibility of getting an information about the her last move of calling off siege. Aadrika ran behind Damini like she wanted as it would be one of best excuses she could ever give. This run-to hear move failed as she didn't get anyone talking she slowed down then got defeated from Aadrika who won in play.

"I am tired, princess.. I can't run more." Damini knelt down acting as I'd ahe waa trying to catch breath.

"Then let's play hide and seek" Aadrika came up with new one which glowed Damini's mind a perfect game for perfect timing. Instantly she agreed notifying Aadrika to hide in the corridor area itself. Having such an opportunity in hand like butter and being late evening she quietly stood behind curtains and pillar hoping to hear relevant to her mission by any minister's mouth from meeting room. Along with this she kept an eye on Aadrika finding her hidden spot then occassionally sounding as if she was searching for her which made Aadrika elated that she was hard to find. Any passer by could tell that little princess is hiding behind the big pillar at corner. She heard some incoherent matters of state which was not of her concern from long time then gave up on this as princess Aadrika might come to look for her, she went back to corridor quietly like she came but unluckily a voice called out which she hated.

"What are you doing here, insolent? Don't you know this wing is restricted for maids like you?" Tahseen asked whose voice boomed as corridor was empty. To their luck Aadrika was to other side who did not know what was happening. Hearing voice of whom she hated in a wrong time she stopped on her track took a deep breath closing eyes.

"So, are you plucking flowers from these rooms Tahseen?" Damini turned then replied

"Do you think you could survive here? I saw what you were doing." Tahseen walked dragging her skirt jingling her anklets which made a different sound than other ladies' anklets and jhumar tikka bouncing on her forehead. From head to toe her behaviour spoke hubris and differential made her a philanderer as a way of survival in territory of a culture way out of hers.

"Go and tell whomsoever you want. I don't care for dust matters." Damini came few steps forward matching her level

"We will see who is dust and sand. Who flows away." Tahseen challenged to which Damini scoffed.

"I suppose you see me as your competition for God knows sake. But for me you are just a nonsense who pokes around with no work to do and lie with his majesty. Am I right?" Damini taunted turning in Tahseen's face red.

" Don't bite more than you chew, Tahseen. Or you'll choke and eventually die." She replied with smirk while Tahseen's anger increased as she took breaths. Glaring at her for a second she turned walking away the way she came clicking her jewelry on her hard steps.

"Cutthroat bitch, your death is near. Let me see how his majesty leaves you alive after you are caught now. " Tahseen smirked as her mind thought of evil.

"Nonsense, always messing with me." Rolling her eyes out of frustration Damini said to herself then moved stealthily towards the end of corridor catching Aadrika from back when a hand from other side caught her neck raising her high off the floor.....

"What a tough time we are facing! No one is at aid. Warriors had their end and leaders on their way too. One on verge other at no state of informed. Why are we alive to see these days? Is this what we wanted to our kingdom? To our subjects? Seeing children suffer in front of eyes of parents? Where one does not know how their child is miles away... Did we regret and suffer for these years to see these days??..."

A lady poured down her anguish to the almighty not being able to put them buried deep down as she did for years.

A voice resonated realising the destiny.

"Warriors remain alive in hard times when we need even though they are not present. This is written in our fate..... Suffer... to look at destruction...Maybe for the sin we committed...."

°°°°°°

Another update of Damini is here.

A lot of questions put to think upon.

Do you know what is the reason behind all acts of Suryaveer? Any guesses..

And what do think about Damini's attempts?

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