Hello Fam :)

Warning: Separate books mean separate warnings. So, today we are dealing with two chaotic idiots who scream before they think :P

Happy Reading...

Nandini was engulfed in a protective embrace as soon as she stepped inside her house. Her dad was alternating between kissing her hair and tightening his arms around her. If she wasn't wrong, he was close to panicking. There are only a handful of things that would make her dad lose his cool.

"I would have come sooner if I had known you would miss me this much", she joked, forcing her dad to break the hug, to look at her properly. It was also the first time Nandini looked at him properly and it worried her. Yash looked aged somehow. His beard was two inches longer than his usual stubble, his eyes were dead tired. "Dad, are you okay?"

"You tell me, Nandini. What's going on with you?", he told and went in, taking her bag.

Nandini followed him. He dropped the bag near the couch and took a seat, asking her to sit down. There was a plate covered, probably food and water.

"You don't call me for days and a guy picks up suddenly saying he is your friend, a friend I have never heard about. The next day, the King of Amritpuri comes to my home, not my office, my home asking you for his son. He says you have met each other in the party, a party I never knew you went to and I was there. He thinks you both love each other or something and continue seeing each other in Delhi. I know if you love someone, you would tell me and for a fact, I know you hate them. So if he is thinking anything that would put you in harm, I am ready to file at least fifty cases but he is also my boss and I don't want to be impulsive when I don't have all the facts on my table", said Yash.

"You said, he is not your boss", she pointed out.

"Baby girl, don't sass with me. Concentrate on the point you are supposed to."

Nandini sighed. It was going to be a long night. She would better get comfortable. "Can I take a shower? Change my clothes?"

Yash rubbed his forehead. "Go, I have switched on the geyser. The water should be hot by now. Food is warm too. I have just taken out the oven. Do you want me to charge your mobile?"

"No, leave it. Let's not bother about the world for the night", she told and smiled. This was her dad. The one who would care about the smallest needs. She had already sent a text to both Cabir and Manik about reaching safely. Cabir asked her about the updates and she promised him to tell once she gets to know about it. Manik, on the other hand, didn't reply.

She had the time to think in the shower. Raj Malhotra knew about her even after she went in as Alya Murthy. She wasn't sure why he didn't ask about her sister. Second, her dad knew about her sneaking into the party. She needed to give a good excuse or truth. Third, Raj Malhotra wanted her to get married to Manik? Manik was going to be really pissed off. The guy needed a break from all the matchmaking his family was doing.

When she returned from the shower, her dad was on a call with Alya. Looks like her sister wasn't at home. Thank God for small mercies. "Where's Alya?", she asked after the call.

Her dad handed her the food plate. "Went to some conference. Representing her designs."

She nodded and started having her food. She was a decent cook, Cabir too but her dad was a goddamn Chef. It was one of the things she missed in Delhi. There was a silence in the room which was getting awkward. Her dad was scrolling through his mobile but she had no distraction except for her thoughts. After eating, she put the plate in the kitchen before returning to the living room.

"Okay, speak up", he said.

"I don't know what to say. Harshad doubled up my work. The guy who picked up your call was my friend. And no, I am not in any relationship with anyone."

Yash stared at her for a moment. "So, your friend is the Prince?"

"What?", she said, gaping at her father. "How did you-?"

"Baby girl, if you forgot, lawyer, remember?", he said, pointing at himself. "So stop trying to beat around the bush and tell me everything. Because if you want it or not, tomorrow morning we have to go to Amritpuri. Why were you even at the party? You told me you were not interested."

"I wasn't. I went to prove a point to someone."

"That someone is Alya?"

"What?", she yelled. "Dad, you can't guess everything."

Yash rolled his eyes. "She was the only one at home when the invitation came and Cabir. You would rather punch Cabir than go to a party you have to prove a point to him. Also, Alya was here when the King came here. She wasn't too happy that you were there or used her name. What's up with that? You went in as her? That's stupid when you know she was already going in."

"I didn't know Raj Malhotra would single me out or barge into my home. There were a hundred people. How would I know he would search for me?"

"It's already ten, Nandini. Why don't you tell me everything that has happened? What's your equation with Alya because your sister refused to answer saying it wasn't her that messed up with the King? Why did you have to meet the Prince and then maintain a friendship with him again? Why do you have to come into their radar?"

"Dad, do you really think I am incapable of interacting with royalty?", she asked, because she hated them alright but it looked as if her dad didn't want her to meet them either.

"No, kid. No", he said and stared at her before letting out a groan after a long time. "God, help me, I am betraying my wife." He forwarded his hand, asking her to come in before throwing an arm around her, pulling her close. "Your mom hated the royalty with a passion. She was all up for human rights. Didn't believe that the power should go from father to son. That's how we met. After we got married, the King invited us to a similar party, don't remember the occasion. Your mom lasted half an hour before she leaked a rumor that the King is cheating on his wife. Raj Malhotra just laughed it off because everyone knew how much the Malhotras loved their women. When that didn't work, she threw red wine all over his white pristine suit. It looked like an 'accident' and he didn't say anything when your mom apologized, faking tears even. To this day, no one knew about it being a deliberate move and she made me promise not to tell a single soul. And for a fact, I haven't seen the King wearing a full-on white suit in a party again."

"Oh my god", squealed Nandini. "Yash Murthy, I was wrong all my life in thinking you are my hero when actually it was her all along."

Yash chuckled. "Yeah, you took after your mom so much that I knew you would get inspired by this story more than caring about my heart. You hate the royalty as much as her, Nandini, or so I thought. I wasn't ready to go through that torture again. And if you are not as lucky as her, I would hate to think about the trouble you could get into."

"You would save me though", she pointed out. Nandini relaxed at the sight of her dad smiling. That and his hand around her proving that they were fine, she was finally home.

"Till my dying breath", he said just as easily. "So, Alya and you don't get along?"

"Why don't you guess everything and I would finally tell you which ones were wrong?", she teased.

Yash shook his head, his smile more resigned than judging her. "You are beating around the bush. Since when?"

She sighed. Maybe it was finally time to speak the truth. "Dad, We are twins just for namesake. For some reason, Alya hates me. And I am not fond of her either. We just don't get along. But we both love you so much so it was a mutual agreement that we wouldn't let you know about any feud between us. It only increased with age.

"On that day, she struck a nerve when she said I am not worthy enough to be in the vicinity of the royalty. And I had this mad urge to prove her wrong so, I dragged Cabir. We planned to return whenever you reach the party. I didn't plan on meeting the Prince. I didn't even care about him but Cabir asked me for a dance and because of partner exchange, I had to dance with him. I saw he was different. As you said, frustrated to be even there. We talked, nothing serious or personal. It was a decent conversation.

"I didn't think about him until I met him at a mall in Delhi with a bunch of kids to watch a Disney film. He is a doctor and those were his patients, who had days left in their lives and Manik wanted to make them as happy as possible in their remaining lives. How can I hate him after that? No one knows he was a Prince in Delhi and he panicked when he thought I might reveal it. After that, we just clicked and he is my friend."

"I knew that kid had a good heart inside. I have heard stories about him all his life and the trouble he gets into. Even with that, Raj Malhotra loves him to a fault."

"Wait, what?", interrupted Nandini. "Raj Malhotra loves his son?"

"Why are you surprised?"

"No, according to Manik, his dad has nothing to do with him", she told.

Yash was surprised too. "No, Nandini. Whenever we are together, the King talks about his son, about how good he was at saving lives and being a doctor. Do you know he is among the top decision-makers in the hospitals? And all that he had achieved without using his family's background?"

Nandini nodded. "Yeah, our company had a deal with their hospital. He was there in the meeting."

Yash raised an eyebrow at her but didn't comment. "Okay, why don't you go to sleep? Rest for a few hours."

She nodded but then stopped. "Dad, what happens tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow we are going to the castle, you are going to tell whatever you are feeling or not for the Prince to him, and we are returning. He might be powerful but I am not letting him force my daughter into doing anything against her will", he said determinedly.

Nandini threw her arms around him and felt Yash kissing her head. She broke the hug to look at him. "When I came home, were you panicking?"

"You are all I have, Nandini. If someone powerful is barging into my home asking for my daughter's hand all of a sudden to a person she hated the last I know about, yes, I would panic, yeah", he told. "Don't think too much about this, baby girl. And I am sorry about Alya. I just, every sibling banter and argue but I never thought it was that bad. I have failed as a father."

"Dad, you haven't. We are at different frequencies and they don't match. It has nothing to do with you. You know you are the best dad in the world", she told. She counted it as a win when a smile appeared on Yash's face.

"Stop buttering. Go and sleep. And no night chats with Cabir. I know he is curious but we have to leave early and I don't want you to meet them while you are surviving on just caffeine", he told.

Nandini sighed. If she wasn't telling Cabir, he would call Yash. Her dad was at a disadvantage here. Manik, on the other hand, might be worrying himself.

XXX

"Morning, your majesty", greeted her dad.

They were taken to the dining hall directly where the King was having his breakfast.

"Morning, Yash. Ah, Nandini. It's wonderful to meet you finally. Every time there's a question about you, this man would dodge it completely", said Raj. He looked normal?

When Nandini faked a smile without speaking anything, her dad elbowed her lightly. "Good morning, Mr. Malhotra", she said. Nope, she isn't referring to him as 'your majesty'.

Raj Malhotra didn't seem like he noticed and asked one of the butlers to arrange the plates for the two.

"I am sorry, Mr. Malhotra. I am not feeling hungry", she told.

I am not eating food until you tell me what's going on, Abhimanyu.

You skipped food last night. I am not allowing you to skip it again. So shut the hell up and have something. It would give you the energy to protest or throw a tantrum whatever you want.

The King burst out laughing suddenly as he looked at Yash. "Aren't they made for each other?"

Manik was here?, thought Nandini. Is that why he hasn't been replying to her since yesterday?

Even if she had heard his voice she couldn't mask her surprise when Manik was dragged in by his brother-in-law. Going by the similar expression on his face, even the doctor wasn't aware of Nandini's presence in the castle.

"Nandini?", he muttered with a frown before turning to Abhimanyu. "What is Nandini doing here?"

"Manik", called Raj, "sit down and give a company to our guests. We will talk about it."

The breakfast was a tense affair and the only people who were relaxed were the King and his son-in-law. After breakfast, the King stood up. "Nandini, can I speak to you in private?"

Two people tensed up suddenly. She understood why it was Yash, she already got instructions to not rile up the King but Manik was a surprise. Before she could answer, he was standing up, leaving his breakfast.

"I want to talk to Nandini before your conversation", he announced and left the room.

Nandini looked at Yash, who gave her hand a squeeze and the King was smiling as if everything was going according to his plan.

XXX

She followed Manik into a secluded corridor. He halted when there were no guards surrounding them. "Nandini, I am really sorry about all this. I swear I never told them about being in love with you."

"Calm down, Manik. I believe you, okay? So, calm down first", she told. And once he was relaxed, she smiled more assuring him than anything. "You didn't tell me you were coming. Why weren't you replying to my texts?"

"I was protesting", he told, surprising her. Because the Manik she knew was calm and composed even when an idiot scolds him in front of a room of audience. He wouldn't have screaming matches with the highest authority present in the room. "They dragged me here, forcing me to apply for leave without even telling me the reason. Last night, Abhimanyu slipped up saying there was a proposal with someone I loved which I don't."

Nandini chuckled. "You wound me, Princess. You don't love me?", she teased.

Manik laughed. "Trust me, you are the most tolerable person at the moment in the castle."

Then I am sorry for testing your patience.

They turned to find Raj Malhotra with a smirk on his face. "Sorry, Manik. I have cleared my morning for this meeting and I would love to finish it now. I am sure you can catch up after that. Anyways, there shouldn't be a lot of catching up pending. You have been together till yesterday morning."

"Stop stalking me", he yelled at his father who rolled his eyes.

"Nandini, please", said the King, asking her silently to follow him.

She nodded, glanced one final time at the Prince before following him.

XXX

Nandini was surprised when the King informed her that the room they were in was his personal study room. It was massive. He made sure she was comfortable, even asking her if she needed a drink. When she denied, he took a seat beside hers, abandoning his chair on the other side of the table.

"Nandini, tell me about yourself", he asked. It wasn't an order, he was smiling even and it felt more parental than someone with authority.

"I am damn sure you know everything about me, Mr. Malhotra", she retorted. It was an accusation but the King just laughed.

"When I got to know that someone has impressed Manik at the party, I was surprised. That boy was too much of a rebel to choose anyone. I had to enquire about you and whatever I got to know, I was impressed."

"But you forgot the fact that you can't order feelings on people even if you are the King, your majesty", she said, not hiding the sarcasm in his voice.

Raj sighed before taking her hand. Nandini wanted to pull it away but his hold only got firmer. "Nandini, kid, let's just forget Manik for a moment, okay? I want to talk to you."

"What do you even want to talk to me about? And give me my hand back", she told. It felt childish but it was her goddamn hand.

The King sighed again but he left her hand. "Nandini, I know you don't love Manik."

"What?", she asked.

"I know, okay? We aren't here to talk about that", he said.

"Then what am I entertaining you here for, Mr. Malhotra? Because I don't know what you told my dad when he asked me to quit my job to come for this meeting", she said. She could use a break from work and from Harshad but she wasn't going to agree with them.

"As I said, I know you aren't in love with Manik yet but you are getting there, right?"

"Not at all creepy, Mr. Malhotra", she said, with a glare. Who the hell was he to stalk her?

"Nandini, it's not stalking. How about we talk like two civilized humans rather than all the snark?", said the King.

"I would have if you had invited me here like a civilized human", she commented.

The King sighed more exhausted. "When I wanted to meet you, I never thought it would be easy, you know? Manik likes you and you are Yash's daughter, to begin with."

"Don't drag my dad into this", she warned. He was tense already on her behalf.

"What I meant was", said the King, "that he doesn't take shit from anyone. And you don't either. Listen, Nandini, when Abhimanyu told me that Manik met someone at the party whom he liked at least to have a civilized conversation, someone named Nandini, I was happy. I have searched for you only because my son has left the castle the next day and for a fact, I know he would stay and die single just to spite me.

"Imagine my surprise when we found no Nandini who attended the party and whom Abhimanyu recognized. I would have thought Manik might have made up something but Abhimanyu has met you. So, we went through the records. It was easy then because there were two Alya Murthys. I was happy to know that the girl my son liked is Yash's daughter."

"So you thought of threatening my dad and forcing me to marry your son", she asked.

Raj shook his head. "No, kid. This was months back, okay. Last week, I had met Yash a couple of times because of work. Nandini, I love your dad. I have known him since he started his practice and I have started training to carry out my responsibilities. He cracks cases without breaking a sweat. He could manipulate any case to bring justice to a person but the whole last week, he wasn't in his element. When I asked him, he told me about you. How you were working in Delhi, how your boss overloads you with work, and how it's only a text throughout the day from you that tells him you are safe."

Nandini frowned. Had she worried her dad too much? It was a tough week and she was purely running on caffeine and an hour's sleep. She felt horrible for putting her dad through something that would affect his work.

"Nandini", called the King, putting a hesitant hand on her arm. "Don't blame yourself, kid. You were busy with work but we are your parents and we worry about you, okay? It's not your fault and neither is it your dad's. Okay?"

Nandini nodded. She mightn't be at fault but she wanted to meet her dad. To personally talk about this and apologize. And here she thought her dad's latest appearance was because Raj Malhotra threatened him.

"Why am I here, Mr. Malhotra?", she asked, the fight and the hostility leaving her that had been there ever since she met the King. She couldn't blame him for something that he didn't do.

Raj smiled. "When Manik let it slip to Mukti and Abhimanyu that he met you again in a mall and you both became friends, I had your background checked. It was casual because that boy hadn't shown interest in anyone and if he did now, you must be really special. What I found had impressed me, Nandini. The way you have taken your company to greater heights and how much it had benefited from your association. So, I have an offer for you. Your dad said you weren't quitting your job because you want to start your own business but you don't have a solid plan. Is that right?"

Nandini nodded, agreeing with him.

"So, come here and look after my business along with Abhimanyu", he said.

What the hell? His business spans all over the place. Is he practically asking her to look after his entire kingdom?

"Yes, I am asking you to look after my entire kingdom", he said, chuckling because she had spoken that aloud. "You would have the help of course. Abhimanyu is my most capable person and I trust him with my life. Also, Mukti. They both are already looking after my business and I want you to join me."

"This is huge. You are offering me everything of yours. How could you trust someone after having just met?"

"Because you are Yash's daughter, through and through and Manik likes you. If you are important to two of my most loved people, I would trust you", he told.

"What are you getting out of this?", she asked.

"A hope."

"What?"

"A hope that you will fall in love with my son and marry him someday. We both know Manik isn't going to step up as a King after me. Mukti isn't interested and Abhimanyu isn't the right person. He is soft-spoken and good at following orders but he is too soft, too good at heart. I am looking for someone who would say no in the face of death, wouldn't take shit from enemies, and would be compassionate enough to look after my people. If you are marrying Manik, I want you to take the responsibility as the Queen of this village."

"Yeah? Tempting, very tempting", she said, snorting. "What if I don't marry him? What if I refuse your offer? Will you threaten my life and make it hell?"

Raj rolled his eyes. "No, kid. What kind of movies are you even watching nowadays? If you aren't marrying Manik or if you don't want any of this, you have the freedom to walk away from here. You could go to Delhi or anywhere, do whatever you want. If you are walking out, I wouldn't interfere in your life. Who succeeds me would be my headache. But if you are changing your mind someday, my offer would always be open for you. Even if Manik is marrying someone else and according to the rules, you can't become the Queen, you would be an important decision-maker of this place. I am putting my trust in your capabilities, kid."

Nandini has hated Raj Malhotra for almost the entirety of her life. She has an issue with authority, with people who would order her to do something. Ever since her childhood, she had done the exact thing that someone asked her not to. It was also one of the reasons her dad never bothered to design her life. But sitting here, in front of Raj Malhotra, letting him break all the characteristics she had associated with him before even meeting him, wasn't how she expected her meeting with the King of Amritpuri to go. He is a good king, just not a good father. Manik's words surfaced in her mind.

"You aren't what I thought you to be", she confessed. "But Manik? Why didn't you try to be a good father to your kids?"

"Because I don't know how to", told Raj, the sincerity in his voice surprising her.

She didn't know he would answer her. No parent would take it easy if someone was questioning their parenting.

"Nandini, I was trained to be a King ever since my childhood. After I met my wife, we were supposed to raise our kids together. But then I lost her during childbirth. Manik was a premature baby and he had survived on oxygens during his first month until Mukti was born. I never learned to be a parent and in my grief over my wife, I just lost myself. It took me a few years to come to terms with my wife's death but by the time I have two troublemakers running all over the castle. You must have known about the history behind the name of this village?"

Nandini nodded. Amritpuri was named after Amrita, the wife of the first Malhotra King.

"The Malhotras were known for their love for their wives. Along with our training to handle the responsibilities of a kingdom, we are also trained to respect women, not overshadow them, and not hinder their freedom like they don't with ours. I did that with Mukti but Manik was a wild card. Whatever I do, whatever I say, he would rebel against everything. After some time, I just left him alone thinking it would at least make him happy. But then he became a doctor and he drifted away", said the King.

"He is a good doctor. He is saving lives there", retorted Nandini.

"I know, kid, and I am really proud of him. But then I miss my son too."

And Nandini didn't know what to say to him. Even if she was working away, she had a schedule fixed with her dad. Call once a day, video call once a week, and come home whenever she is free. If she couldn't make it, Yash would drop in to check on her whenever he had some time or in the vicinity because of work. Manik, on the other hand, had completely cut off his family except once in a while when he talks to his sister and Abhimanyu. If what she had seen during the two times she was in the castle was anything to go by, the family had to force him home for him to visit them. "Manik never knew what a mother's love felt like. There is no soft touch to his upbringing and with you being unavailable, he didn't have any familial love."

"I know. But we have drifted too far apart to mend our relationship."

"Maybe you haven't? Maybe you could try at least? Mr. Malhotra, the Manik I have seen a while back isn't the one I have known for the past few months. He brings a calm aura around him and takes care of people he knows. He is kind and compassionate and the most amazing human I have ever met. He takes the kids with heart ailments to movies, he spends an hour extra with them, making them happy to bring smiles in their remaining short lives. He tried to protect my best friend from getting heartbroken. Last week when I had a deadline and didn't have time to take care of myself, he was doing that for me. He didn't have to. But this Manik, he is chaotic", she told.

"He hates being here. He thinks he is compromising his freedom. The kid doesn't even like having someone clean his room here but sometimes we can't help which family we are born into, right?"

Nandini nodded.

"Do you really believe what you said?", he asked. "That Manik would come around if I try?"

Nandini shrugged. "What would you lose if you are trying? After my mom, dad had been there at every step of my life. He never let us feel her absence."

"I would try, okay?", said Raj. And for the first time, she saw a vulnerable father instead of a King.

She smiled but it was replaced by a frown. "Which reminds me, did you threaten my dad?"

Raj chuckled. "Did Yash really tell you that?", he asked.

Nandini shook her head. "No, but he was panicked and asked me to quit my job."

"I didn't. At least, I thought I didn't. Nandini, imagine, I have known him even before you were born but during all these years, I haven't ever met you. He is good at making excuses and keeping you away from me. I don't know why. So, I was stern, yes, but I thought we were friends and he wouldn't believe the seriousness", said Raj.

"You are his boss, I guess, somehow, so, no. He did believe it", told Nandini.

Raj frowned. "I guess, I should talk to him and clear it."

As if on cue, someone barged into Raj's study room.

XXX

After his dad took Nandini away, Manik went back the way he came. He found Abhimanyu talking with Nandini's dad in the meeting hall. Those two must know each other since Abhimanyu handles most of the business of the Malhotras but there was a frown on Yash's face and he was looking at the door every few minutes. Manik walked and sat on the chair beside him, ignoring any warning gesture from his best friend.

"Uncle, I am Manik, Nandini's friend", he said, introducing himself. They have met already once but not as his daughter's friend.

"Yeah, Nandini told me", he said, the frown never leaving his face.

"Uncle, I don't know why you are brought here or why Nandini is forced to come home leaving her work, but I promise you I wouldn't let anyone hurt her."

Yash nodded.

"Stop being dramatic, Manik. No one is hurting her", interrupted Abhimanyu.

He glared at his best friend. "Taking away someone's freedom to listen to your orders is hurting someone, Abhimanyu."

Abhimanyu rubbed his forehead. "Mr. Murthy, please ignore that idiot. Nandini is safe and you know it."

"He knows it? He doesn't believe it", pointed out Manik. Yash was tense.

"Manik, yaar, stop protesting about every word. You haven't stopped since yesterday."

"And I wouldn't anytime soon if you keep on dragging me and my friends to satisfy your egos", retorted Manik. He suddenly felt a pair of arms around his neck and felt himself relax.

"I missed you, Bhai."

He patted her head. "I missed you too, Mukti. I didn't miss you at all, Thakkar."

His best friend rolled his eyes.

Mukti laughed at them before planting herself on the armrest of Manik's chair, wrapping an arm around his neck. "Yash Uncle, Nandini would be fine. Dad just wants to talk to her and if there's an issue, we will handle it. Your daughter will be safe, I promise."

"Yes", said Manik. "Uncle, Nandini said you are a terrific lawyer. How many cases can you think of filing at this moment against my dad in this situation if things go wrong?"

Yash shrugged. "Four or five?"

"See, you know what to do if something happens to her", said Manik, grinning at the older man.

He saw Abhimanyu rolling his eyes. "Stop provoking our people against us, idiot."

Manik ignored him. "If anything", he said to Yash, "I would fight with my dad before anything happens to Nandini, and Abhimanyu would help me."

"Why would I help you?", asked his best friend, narrowing his gaze.

"Because otherwise, I would come up with something to manipulate Mukti into beating the shit out of you."

Mukti burst out laughing and dropped a kiss on his hair.

"Mukti, you are supposed to support me", complained Abhimanyu.

His sister shrugged. "If you are assured that Nandini is safe, you shouldn't be worried about his threat, Abhimanyu. And if something happens to Nandini, Manik doesn't need to manipulate me. I would do that myself after all the secret meetings you are having with my dad."

Manik turned his head to face his sister. "I love you so goddamn much." He then turned to Yash and talked to him. Mukti dragged Abhimanyu aside sometime later when she got a call, leaving the two alone.

"Uncle, I am sorry for picking up your call. You were calling continuously and I know how much you love her, so, I thought you must be worried about her", he told.

Yash nodded. "She told me, you were looking after her. Thank you."

"She is my friend. It was a decent thing to do", he told.

They talked for a while where he explained his work and something random. When he realized it was too long since Nandini was with his dad, he frowned. "Do you want to break into my dad's study room?", he asked Yash.

"I am a lawyer", he told. "That's considered illegal."

"Not when I am the one doing it. I don't trust my dad. He is good at manipulating people when he wants to. Let's just go and check if Nandini is fine."

Even Yash couldn't refuse to check up on his daughter's well-being.

XXX

Manik barged into the study room. Nandini was surprised to see Yash following him. "Are you done with this stupid meeting?", asked Manik.

"What?"

Beside him, Yash had a frown as he looked at Nandini and relaxed slightly when she blinked his eyes at him.

"Dad, I don't know what you are trying to do here but Yash Murthy is under my protection. If you are plotting anything that would hurt him, directly or indirectly, I would stage a protest here."

Nandini was surprised at the way he was defending her dad instead of her. The King winked at her without anyone's notice.

"I thought you would defend your 'friend' instead of my friend, Manik", said Raj.

Manik grabbed Yash's hand, surprising everyone in the room. Nandini was amused. If Dr. Malhotra was an Angel descended from heaven, Prince Malhotra was a chaotic rebel who had an issue with everything royal. God, was this fun?

"Nandini doesn't need anyone to defend her. She is a goddamn strategist and she would take down the castle within a day if you are forcing her to do anything but Yash Uncle is worrying like hell because you decided to kidnap his daughter", he said, raising his voice.

When did it become Yash Uncle?, thought Nandini. And kidnap, seriously?

"He is my best lawyer, Manik. He doesn't need anyone to defend him either", said Raj.

"Yeah? Your best lawyer is out of his element as he is glancing at the door for his daughter to appear every few minutes. Hand over his daughter to him, dad. You have an issue with me, you talk to me. Let's deal with each other. Leave them out of this", said Manik.

Raj rolled his eyes before freeing Yash from Manik's hold, earning a protest from the Prince. "Nandini, why don't you talk to Manik while I clear my misunderstanding with Yash?"

Nandini nodded but wrapped her arms around her dad into a brief hug before Raj took him out of the room. When she turned around and saw the disbelief on Manik's face, she sighed and pulled him into a hug, keeping him there until she felt him sag against her. "Calm down, Princess. Everything is fine."

He sat down on the chair which Raj was sitting a few minutes back. "I am sorry you had to go through this. Was he forcing you into anything? Do I need to talk to him?"

"I did talk to him and no, he isn't forcing me. In fact, he has offered me something", she told, briefly explaining the deal without bringing any feelings into it.

Manik relaxed. "What have you decided?"

"It's too much, Manik. I don't know if I could handle it or not."

"Of course, you could. You have been handling your entire company. It's just a few more here. Abhimanyu is handling it and you would have his help too", he said.

It was such a contrast from the Manik a few minutes back. "I need to talk to dad too."

Manik nodded. "Take your time. I won't let anyone force you", he promised. "Anyway, want to explore the castle?"

Nandini was always a firecracker but Manik? People who thought Manik is sweet, cute, and domestic, deal with this chaotic idiot now. :P

It's fun writing two different versions of Manik in the same stories.

Next Part whenever I finish writing. Also, I am planning to complete this book within 10 parts. Let's see how this goes. :)