-• fall from the grace •-

I roam the palace corridors exploring all. The experience is magical. There are portraits of Kings and Queens hanging on the walls, chandeliers drooping from the ceilings, traditional wall sconces highlighting the hallways, round staircases that seem like a maze, and carpets that make my feet light and padded.

My yellow summer dress floats along with me, a very bright contrast to the ruby red carpets. I climb and descend stairs, looking inside every door that's unlocked. Since the third floor is only for the young ones, I was not afraid of disturbing someone or stumbling upon anything problematic. If that was the case, Vivaan would have already apprised me about it.

In my heist to explore the magic of the palace, I come across a large set of double doors. So huge my eyes go wide trying to fit them in my gaze. I step forward curiously and raise my hands to grip the iron bars, pushing the doors open with a force. They make a loud sound which echoes throughout the empty corridors.

My mouth drops at the sight of my discovery. Like Alice in Wonderland, I'm set back in shock of the world I stumble into.

Books.

Everywhere.

Residing in the hundreds of shelves that reach high until the ceilings. I walk in carefully, trying not to make any sound. The void of silence grows as soon as I start to hear my own heartbeat, slamming hard into my chest. I trail my fingers on the shelves, over the spines of the books, and venture deeper into the huge library.

It must be the same library Vivaan told me about. True to his words, it is magnificent. I don't even want to start counting the books, they will be easily over ten thousand.

There are sections the books are categorised into. From science fiction to romance, almost every genre exists in this library. I search for the history section, curious about the late King Devendra Singh Chauhan my father told me about in the car.

When I finally find the history section, the books are placed according to the century they narrate. The sixteenth is high up, making it almost impossible for me to reach it with my hand. I blow out a breath from my mouth, wondering if there's any ladder here. I look around for a while and find one in the lounge section.

I go to pick it up and gasp at its weight. It is tremendously heavy. I grab the side bars and start to drag it towards the history section. I have to stop after sometime to catch my breath. Mumma was right. I'm too unhealthy for my age. Maybe skipping PE lectures did me more bad than good.

Wiping my sweaty hands on my dress, I resume dragging the ladder. When I finally fix it against the shelf where books regarding sixteenth century history are kept, my eyes go wide realising the height I'll have to reach.

I huff pathetically and climb the ladder, chanting internally to not look down. Because if I do, it's safe to say I'll break a bone or two and land my ass in the hospital.

"Finally," I smile at my achievement, now face to face with the thirteenth shelf. I look through the books and read the spines, looking for the ones about the late King of Jaigarh.

History of Jaigarh.

I pull out the book and place it on the flat surface meant to stand on. Then I look through the other titles.

Queen Ahilya Bai Chauhan.

I haul it out and stack it on top of the previous one.

The Ruler of all Directions.

There goes another in my collection.

By the end of my little to be read (but never actually read) list, I've seven thick books and myself at the mercy of gravity, waiting to be taken down the ladder and into the safety of support. I pick them all, hooking my chin on my arm that hugs the books to my chest and with one hand gripping the ladder, I start to slowly descend.

Not even halfway through and my breath starts to come out in harsh pants. Yeah, I'm unhealthy, there's no doubt anymore. I just hope I make it down safe without breaking my hip or worse, my spine.

"Who are you?"

I jolt at the unexpected voice, screaming in terror. The books tumble down my arms, one hits my ankle, the other pokes me on my left breast, and my arms flail, my right foot slips from the stair and I fall dramatically from my grace.

Another scream joins me. I look down at the boy staring up in horror and we both clash to the hard floor, with him taking all the fall as I lay atop him.

He whimpers loudly.

I gasp and sit straight, my hands flying to my mouth in shock. "Oh my God, are you alright!?" I lean in to help him up. He groans aloud, holding his elbow, his face screwed in intense pain. I bit my lower lip and pull my hands back, looking down at him in sympathy and guilt. "I'm so sorry," I watch him get up in struggle before he rests his back against the shelf and exhales a breath of exhaustion. His dark onyx eyes flicker up to meet mine, confusion apparent in them.

"Are you- " he clears his throat of the unclear voice. "Are you Taranya?"

I nod in response.

He sighs, pressing his lips in pain as he looks down at his elbow. I gasp spotting the blood soaking his white shirt.

"Oh my God, you're hurt!" I stretch my hand to take his arm and wince when he groans in pain. "Sorry, I'm sorry. Did it break? Should we call someone?" I get up to head out of the library but he grabs my wrist, shaking his head at me.

"Take me to my room. There's a first aid box in my bathroom." He mumbles.

I nod immediately and lean in, draping his healthy arm across my shoulders as I wrap my arm around his waist and help him get on his feet. He blows out a breath through his mouth, his eyes clench shut for a split second. "Let's go,"

We both, ever so slowly, little by little, reach his room, which as Vivaan said, is right next to mine. I go to open the door but he clicks his tongue, shaking his head at me.

"My pocket," he juts his chin to his right.

I pat his right pocket and find a card key. "Oh," taking it out of the confines, I tap it against the scanner and the door automatically opens. His room is similar to mine, but with brown and beige theme. I help him walk inside and settle him on the edge of his bed.

"Just get me the first aid box from the bathroom and you can leave." He instructs, pointing at the door on the left.

I quickly make my way inside his bathroom. It's sparkly clean for a teenage boy using it. Back in England, when Elliot was still living with his family and I would be over for a sleepover, his room used to be the messiest of all. I don't even want to imagine what his bathroom would be like. But then again, boys here must have maids to do the cleaning for them.

I open the cabinet on top of the basin area as he told me and withdraw the box of first-aid stacked neatly beside the clean rolled towels. Closing the cabinet doors, I exit the bathroom.

I kneel in front of him and put the first aid box on the ottoman.

"I'll do it," he says when I rip off the cotton from the paper wrap.

"It's okay. I know how to do this." I force a smile at him, trying to curb my nervousness at the fact that I met another half brother of mine, and not so pleasantly might I add.

"You don't have to," he shakes his head, reaching for the cotton in my hand.

I pull it away. "My mother was a nurse. From CPR to basic first aid, I know how to do everything. Don't worry, I'll do a good job." I mumble. "It was my fault. Please let me help." I add sheepishly.

He sighs in defeat and nods at me.

I gently roll up his white sleeve, revealing the nasty gash bleeding through the wound. "This will sting a little," I say as I go to disinfectant the scrap. He winces quietly, closing his eyes shut, his lips presses in a tight line. After I clean the area, I put on the band-aid. "Anywhere else?"

He shakes his head.

"I saw you taking loud breaths when we were walking. Is your hip hurt?"

He looks at me blankly.

"It does, right?"

He looks away from me.

I search through the first aid box and find a spray. "This will help the swelling," I show the bottle to him.

He untucks his white shirt and lowers the waistband of his pants. My jaw drops at the nasty bluish purple color forming on his bronze skin. "Oh god, this looks painful," I shake the spray and apply it to the swelling. Then I pick up the adhesive patch and cover the whole part. He releases his shirt, sitting straight with a heavy sigh.

"Thanks," he murmurs.

"No, I should be thanking you." I say guiltily while packing the first-aid box. "If not for you, I would have probably broken a bone or two." I clasp the lid shut.

"It was my fault to come up unannounced." He shrugs.

Yeah, that I actually cannot refute.

"You're Ayush, right?" I ask curiously.

He looks up at me, the surprise in his eyes fading like moon behind the clouds. "Dad told you?"

I hum. "And Vivaan Bhai told me your room is next to mine," I interlace my hands on the front.

"That," he points to the left. "That is your room now?"

I nod slowly. "Why? Is there any problem with that room?"

He simply smirks.

"What is it?" I question nervously.

His eyes gleam in amusement as they meet mine. "You seem to already have an enemy on your first day here," he says vaguely.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing," he shakes his head. "Can you leave? I want to rest."

"Oh, yeah, sure." I pick up the first aid box and keep it on the dressing table. "Get some rest," I tell him walking backward in the direction of the door. "And sorry again," I say genuinely before turning around and exiting his room, closing the door gently behind me.

Already have an enemy?

I tilt my head to the side in confusion as I enter my room and close the door after me.

What did he mean by that?

I plop down on the bed, resting my chin on my crossed arms as I stare out of the window.

I turn over and lie straight, looking at the ceiling in boredom.

Gosh, there isn't even a television in this room. How is one supposed to pass their time?

The books!

I sit up straight in realisation. Shit, I left them back in the library. Clumsily clambering down the bed, I wear my slippers and rush out of the bedroom, striding towards the end of the hallway. The doors were left open so I enter the library and run to where the History section is. The books were all scattered to the floor, two of them flipped open upside down.

I quickly pick them up, regretting my greedy nature when I find one of the books' spine broken. If only I had chosen one or two instead of seven, maybe it would have been easier for me to come down without harming the books, me or my half brother. It's not that I'll be reading them in one sitting either. It'll take me a century to finish one.

I put away the broken book, shoving it randomly in the shelf, not wanting the guilt on my conscience to linger longer than necessary. With the remaining six books, I leave the library. I put them on the floor and tightly grip the iron handle bars, grunting under my breath as I pull the doors close. They firmly shut with a resonating thud. Huffing out a breath, I pick up my books from the floor, hugging them close to my chest as I make my way back to my room.

My brows pinch together when I find Tarun lingering outside my door, two boxes, one big and other small, stacked on one another safely tucked in his arms.

"Hey," I announce my presence.

He turns, his eyes wide in surprise at the count of books in my hand. "You found the library?"

I look down at the books before looking back up at him, nodding in response. "What is that? Is it for me?" I ask, referring to the boxes in his hand.

"Oh, this?" He tilts his head, glancing at the boxes. "Yeah, it was delivered for you. It came from the head office."

"Head office?" I frown.

"Probably the Crown Prince sent it for you." He answers.

I nod and extend my arm, gesturing him to give them to me.

He eyes the thick books in my arms. "It's okay. I'll carry them."

I shrug and open the door, stepping inside the room. Putting the books on the bedside table, I turn around in time to find him placing the boxes on my bare study desk.

"You should keep your card key with you all the times. So no one comes inside your room without your permission." He informs me.

"Ah, yeah, but I don't know where it is. Vivaan Bhai didn't say anything about it." I relay quietly.

"He must have forgotten. Come with me." He walks up to the door leading to the walk in closet and opens it. I follow him inside, watching him slide the cupboard doors open and reveal the safe inside. "This is yours. Right now it is unlocked," he takes out the card key and shuts the safe close. "But you can use it after setting a pin number." He comes back to me. "Your card key."

"How do I use it?"

"I'll tell the security personnel to activate the electronic locks in your room. But once that happens, you cannot leave your room without the card key. If you do, you'll be locked outside. Keep it with you everytime you go out."

I nod in understanding. "Alright, thanks for the info."

He shrugs. "If you need anything," he fishes out a folded paper from his pocket. "This is my number. Just give me a call and I'll be at your service."

I blink, reluctantly taking the note from him.

Is he flirting with me?

No, Taranya. He's just doing his job.

"Thank you," I blush despite not wanting to.

He bows and walks past me. I hear the main door close. Heaving a relieved sigh, I retreat back into the bedroom.

I keep the card key on the desk and pull the chair to sit down. Sliding the boxes closer, I place the smaller one aside, deciding to open the bigger one first. Removing the tapes was harder than I thought. Pushing aside all the cardboard mess, I flip open the lid and gasp at the sight of the MacBook Pro. I carefully lift it up and push the box aside, placing the laptop just as gently on the shiny desk. It looks so beautiful. My hand slide on the slick body, in awe of the device. Then my eyes shift to the smaller box and I quickly grab it, impatiently unboxing it.

Inside lies the foldable phone I could have only dreamt about. I pick up the shiny purple device and the time lits up on the small screen. I flip it open, sucking in a deep breath of excitement as it comes to life. I lean back and surf through the system apps, locating the playstore immediately. After setting up my Google account, I quickly download Skype.

I get up from the desk and grab my blackberry from the nightstand. For the next half hour, I'm busy adding all my contacts to my new phone. Then I video call Janet.

She declines my call.

I try again.

She declines again.

"What is wrong with her?" I murmur to myself. "Oh, right, she doesn't know it's my number." I nod. I'll be creeped out too if a random number directly video calls me. I pick up my blackberry and call her through my old number.

"Hey!" She greets me.

"The number you got a video call from just now?" I ask rhetorically.

"Oh yeah, is it yours?"

"Yup. Answer it. I'll call again."

"Alright," she hangs up.

I grab my new phone and call her again. She picks up on the first ring. We both shriek upon seeing each other on the screen.

"Hi!" I wave at her excitedly.

"Bitch, move! I need to see your royal ass room!" She deadpans. I giggle and flip the camera to back, showing off my room as I rotate my arm slowly. I hear her gasp aloud. "Oh fuck. That's the dream! That right there is a dream!"

I chuckle.

"Wait wait! Is that a MacBook?"

"Yup," I walk closer to the desk.

"Wow," she murmurs. "Do you have a walk in closet?"

"Yup, but it's empty."

"I don't care. Show it to me!" She practically screams. I simper at her excitement. Opening the door to my walk-in closet, I show her the inside of the bare room. "My goodness! Jesus Fucking Christ, what the fuck, girl!"

I laugh freely.

"You're so lucky! If I get this in exchange of losing a family member, take my brother away right now!" She begs.

"Shut up," I roll my eyes. "You'd never want that, trust me."

"Whatever." She huffs. "Ugh, I'm jealous." She laments. "Tara, my offer still stands. Adopt me!"

"I'm not an adult yet," I turn the screen around.

"Then do you need a pet? I can bark."

I chuckle. "From what I heard, we already have one. His name is Perry."

"Then a plant? I became one for my fifth grade drama. Trust me, I'll be swaying with the winds even in summer." She sways her entire body, but honestly, it looks like she is having a seizure.

"No!"

She glares at me. "You're heartless. You just don't want to share."

I fall on the bed, bouncing slightly off the cloudy soft mattress. "Anyways, you know how many brothers I have, right?"

"Six, yeah, I know. You told me last time."

"I met one of the twins." I tell her.

"Oh," she perks up. "How was he? Kind? Jerk? Brotherly? Or just a straight up asshole?"

I purse my lips thoughtfully. "Nonchalant."

"What?" Her lips twist in confusion.

"Yeah, I met him in the library. I was getting books from the upper shelf when he came. His unexpected appearance startled me so bad I lost my balance and fell on top of him. Poor guy hurt his elbow and hip because of me." I sigh, the guilt coming back ten folds stronger.

"Wait, books and you?" She frowned. "You don't read books."

"That's not important right now." I roll my eyes. "My first impression on the brother of my age went horrible. To be honest, I was hoping to befriend one of the twins. Specifically him, since the other one sounds like a troublemaker. But now I can just hope Ayush doesn't change his path upon seeing me." I groan.

"Ugh, let it go. It was a mistake." She waves her hand off. "And he shouldn't have scared you off like that."

"But it was my fault too." I admit. "And he saved me."

"Like a prince charming," she sighs dreamily.

"That's my brother," I remind her in disgust.

"Like a Prince charming meant for the princess' best friend," she improvises. "You said he is of our age?" She looks me in the eyes. I nod. "Hold your breath, I'm coming." She says dramatically. I snicker at her with a shake of my head.

"You've one track mind, you know that?" I tease her.

"Whatever," she says sassily. "All I can do is think and imagine, you get to live the life, bitch. Be grateful."

I snort.

"Oh, God, Janet, is this your room or a trash depositary?" I hear Aunt Jenna grumble.

"Mom, please tell me you stole me from some royal family for revenge!" She demands.

"Are you dumb? I'd rather die than steal you from someone for revenge. It's already hard living with the fact that you're my daughter." She humbles my bestfriend real quick. I burst out laughing at the face Janet makes. "Oh, is that Tara!?" I hear her feet shuffle closer and soon enough she comes into the frame.

"Hi, darling. How are you?" She beams at me.

"I'm good, Aunt Jenna. What about you? Are you taking care of yourself?" I ask her softly.

"Of course, I am." She replies. "But you take care of yourself there, okay? Janet told me you've six half brothers?"

I nod sadly.

"Oh dear," she places her hand on her chest. "That evening when I talked to your elder brother, I was so nervous. He was so intimidating. And if the other five are anything like him, I can only pray for you."

I chuckle. "Don't worry, Aunt Jenna. I already met two out of the remaining five. Both are nice."

"That's a relief," she sighs. "Anyway, you girls continue your gossip, I'll head out now. I have to go grocery shopping."

"Bye, Aunt Jenna, take care of yourself." I wish her.

Janet and I plunge back into the meaningless chatter, without any regards to the time passing away so swiftly. When we hang up, it's already dark outside. I put the phone on the bed and scoot to the left, looking out of the window at the sparkling city lights. A knock on the door steals my attention. I get up and walk to attend the door.

A maid stands outside, her head bowed in respect.

"Yes?"

"The dinner is ready, Princess Taranya. Everyone awaits your presence in the dining hall. I'm sent to escort you. Please follow me," she steps aside, making way for me.

I nod and step out.

"The card key," she points at my desk.

"Oh, right," I slap my forehead at my forgetful nature and snatch the card key off the desk, closing the door behind me. "Thanks."

She nods, immediately taking the lead.

I nervously follow her.

"You said everyone awaits my presence. Everyone as in?" I ask with a bated breath.

"Your six brothers and your father."

And it's time for the most awaited dinner night. When she meets all of them, at the same time.

Excited?

Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day!