Princess Nandini's POV

"What are you doing here?" I folded my arms as I looked at the person infront of me.

"I apologise if I am bothering you. But I want to thank you for helping me out of this matter and clearing my name. If it wasn't because of you, my reputation would've trained viciously" Dhanuk's sincere words made me narrowed my eyes at him.

"I am quite surprised that you are letting down your guards and thanking me so sincerely. Am I dreaming"

"I am really grateful if what happened in the court today and the way you took my side, no one could actually do that" he shook his head. "I know father was worried about me and had investigated the situation privately but he couldn't help me directly in the court as he was the king. I won't say much, thank you again" he bowed.

"You don't have to do such formalities" I waved my hand. "What I did was what should have been done. And I didn't help you because you are related to me or something. I don't want you to get confused with things which is why I am clearing this matter. Listen clearly, I helped you because you are Sagala's future and your reputation is much more important than anything. But you need to give up your childish thought and learn how to be mature so that you can understand what's happening around you clearly. This time it was lucky that your enemies left the loopholes behind which made the process easier but don't expect that everytime it will be easy like today. If you don't learn anything from your situation then you will die when you face the stronger opponents I'm future"

Dhanuk looked at me stunned but he nodded after sometime, "I understand, thank you for reminding me. I will take my leave now Elder sister" he said and turned around to leave.

"His highness looks he have understood something" Hanna whispered behind me.

"It is better if he understands or Sagala will face destruction on the future" I looked at his retreating back and turned around leaving the area.

Later that evening father asked me to meet him in his study. Currently we are sitting in the study room with a fresh tea infront of us.

"I appreciate your efforts you put to clear Dhanuk's name. When the investigation failed at the end, I almost lost the hope. Even if he wouldn't bear the harsh punishment, he would have to face the questioning mouths in the future. As a prince of Sagala, how could he success the throne with such rate?" Father sighed.

"Father this time it was a good luck for us. But everytime it won't be easy. Dhanuk is innocent in nature which is why he failed to understand his situation and couldn't find a way out. If this continues then others will definitely pick on him and push him away from the road. We need to stabilize his ability first before we think of him as the next successor of Sagala. Putting too much hope will blind us to see the loopholes which will definitely create problems in future and may at that time it will be hard to deal with the situation" I told him.

He nodded, "you are right. We need to find someone who is promising and could enhance his mind and abilities. He needs to grow up and have the maturity in him. But who could train  him in such a way?"

I smiled "I have heard something. If you want to hear, I can definitely narrate it"

"You have? Let's listen then"

"I heard there was a old general of previous Sulant dynasty living in the arms of nature. He resides in the vally town with few of his disciples. Though he is old, he is still energetic and has the strict discipline. It says that those who was trained under him become the great hero in the future. I think no one could be better than him. If Dhanuk want to prove himself capable of handling the future responsibility then he need to endure some difficulty"

Father thought for a while before he looked at me "you said he is the general of Sulant dynasty?"

"Yes, he is. Though Sulant Dynasty was destroyed but few people are still living here and there. It's just hard to recognise them well. There's also saying that this general was the most capable and understanding during his time. Even their enemies feared him the most. If it wasn't because of the betrayal of their own people Sulanties would still be living gracefully"

"How did you all this?" Father frowned.

I gave him mischievous smile "I found it in the history of Dynasty. I have been reading books lately"

He raised an eyebrow "how did you know about the general?"

"When I found him he was not dead and there's possibility of him living somewhere I secretly sent people to search for his whereabouts. I did it out of curiosity but I wasn't expecting it will be helpful" I replied and quickly pick the tea cup and started to drink. The tea was already cooled down as I tasted the flavour.

"You don't have to drink that cold tea to escape the interrogation" I heard father say and I looked up.

"I wasn't doing anything" I denied and he shook his head.

"I agree to what you have suggested. Under the guidance of such a well trained general, I hope Dhanuk will learn things from him" he nodded.

"But father will Dhanuk agree?" I frowned.

"Why shouldn't he? Given the situation he was in it he don't try to enhance his ability and skills then how will he be one the next king. He is a man and man had to bear the pain and endure hardship. If he can't even do that I won't hesitate to disown him" he slapped the table angrily.

"Father calm down. You don't have to be this angry" I got up and patted his back.

"Humph, I will call for the meeting and I want you to be present there too"

"But why me? Father you know the queen does not like to see me. Why I have to be there?" I frowned.

"I don't want to hear any of your excuses, I will be there. Don't disappoint me"

I sighed. It was not a statement but an order which I couldn't refuse. Father really knows how to drag me down.

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"Your majesty, do you have to send Dhanuk away?" The Queen looked confused. "the court of the mess just cleared and you are sending him away like this?"

Father looked at her, "this is for his own benefit. After the chaos of the court I realised Dhanuk couldn't hold himself firm if he don't understand things. Court is complicated and ruling over those cunning people are not easy too. Dhanuk is still naive and lack the understanding. He was lucky that Nandini was able to find the loopholes and could clear his name or even if he was not given life threatening punishment, his reputation of a prince would have been affected. I don't want him to be weak, this is also the reason I am sending him away to learn something"

"But your majesty, Dhanuk is still young and he needs time to understand things clearly. There are many teachers who could help him. Why he have to leave the palace? Besides after the chaos of the court he just got free. And you are pushing him into the hardships again? How can this be fair?" Queen retorted.

"What do you mean by that?" Father glared at her, "he is also my son and this is why I want him to strengthen himself for the future responsibility. As his mother you need to encourage him for this. Do you think with an innocent mind and simple character he could become a king? He can rule Sagala? If you are having such wish then I must say it was nothing but a wishful thinking. I could never hand the throne to someone who couldn't even help himself. The court will eat him alive even before he could sit on the throne"

"Your majesty, I was just saying how will he endure the hardships when he was raised in the royalty. I fear he couldn't withstand it" Queen lowered her voice.

"He is a man. And a man needed to endure hardships to achieve his goal. Don't forget nothing can be yet without hard work. If he want to rule Sagala in future then he needed to learn how to handle the responsibility first. Did the court left him because he was young and innocent? In the politics of royal court, nothing is valuable if you can't hold yourself strongly and has the Vicious heart to see blood every single second. Dhanuk is not a girl who will have anyone to protect him. In the future he had to take decision alone, handle responsibility alone and rule alone. There won't be me or Nandini to help him. If he can't learn from young age then when will he learn?"

Queen sighed, "I understand your majesty's point. I was just little overwhelmed with everything. The chaos of the court has been dragged from this past days. And now that finall Dhanuk proved innocent, he is leaving the palace. As a mother how couldn't my heart ache for him? I had to refrain myself from seeing my own son for how long? How could I rest my heart thinking all these your majesty? Afterall my heart is not as strong as you" she sobbed.

Father looked troubled but his expression was still serious "before you become a mother you are the queen of Sagala. Your responsibility towards the kingdom is greater than your son. And what I am doing is for best. I want Dhanuk to be capable enough to take his own decision and handle things, and he couldn't do that if he stays here inside the wall of the  palace. He need to learn things, wider his experience and gather knowledge. In the future, Sagala will feel proud to have such a long"

Queen's lips trembled as she looked at him. She looked like she wanted to say something but at the end nothing came out of her mouth. The silence of her is the indication she has agreed already.

"Father, will Dhanuk able to endure the hardships of outside? He was raised in the palace and pampered as a prince, what if he couldn't give up the total comfort at the end?" Soma who was sitting at side asked.

"He need to endure anything that will make him something he will be proud of himself. I have done the hardships which is the reason you all can enjoy the luxurious life. If I had given up because things are hard for you think you can sit there with a position? Dhanuk is already an understanding boy, he won't refuse. A man's life is full of struggle and hardships. Just because he was born in the royalty, it doesn't mean he can live without doing anything" father said making Soma stop asking more. Just turn Dhanuk walked in.

"Father you called me?"

"Ah, my son you are here" father nodded, "I have decided for you to leave the palace and learn few things outside. You are grown up now and you understand it well what happened in the court against you. There are times when even if you are innocent, you couldn't prove yourself though. It was lucky your sister could help you but it won't happen everytime. The court is messy and I want you to learn things which will help you to grown stronger and enhance your ability. Do you agree" he asked directly.

Dhanuk looked suprised at first. But he nodded slightly, "yes father"

Father nodded with satisfaction "the place you are going will only be known to you. There won't be any guard or servent to help you. You need to help yourself. You are leaving today, take your horse and start your journey. This journey will ensure how strong you are. And there's another thing your master doesn't know you, so even if he refuses to teach you, you need to persuade him with your own ability. You won't be returning back until you have completed your lessons. Do you understand?"

"Yes" Dhanuk nodded.

"Here" father handed him a small scroll, "this has the details of the place and people you need. Now go and start preparing to leave. I don't want you to waste anymore time in thinking or other things"

"I understand father, I promise, I won't disappoint you" Dhanuk said and turned around leaving without glancing back.

"Dhanuk" queen whispered behind. I watched him leaving with a straight posture. I hope he understands things this time and don't give up.

"Your majesty, where did you sent him? What if I want to meet him sometimes? How will I find him?" Queen asked.

"You can only meet him after he returns completing his lesson. Before that no one is allowed to meet him" father said and turned around before leaving. I looked at the Queen who looked shocked.

"I can't meet my own son" she mumbled to herself.

"Mother" Soma got up and went to her before hold her shoulder, "mother please don't be sad. Dhanuk will back soon"

I sighed inwardly. Did father just called me to watch this scene? I shook my head and got up before leaving the room.

"Princess do you think his highness can success for what he is going?" Hanna asked once we are out of the room.

"It depends on him of course. What can I say afterall the who is going is not me" I shrugged.

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Crown Prince Manik's POV

"Brother are you done?" Rushil walked in raising the yent curtain. "We have been here for 5 days already but you haven't went for hunting. It was your idea yet you seem not to interested at all"

"I am thinking of something" I replied shortly.

"Thinking of what?" He asked.

"He was thinking of gold animals to hunt" a mocking laughter roared outside before a person walked in holding a pair of rabbits.

"You hunted rabbits brother Rana?" Rushil frowned at him.

"Isn't it delicious?" Rana raised the rabbits, "rabbits meats are best, I thought we could have a little celebration tonight"

"I never knew as a prince your capacity is limited to rabbits only" I told him. Rushil snickered at side.

"What do you mean by that Manik?" Rana almost roared. "do you want to eat tiger's meat to satisfy yourself?"

"Better choice" I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Of course, you would only think of that. You can't see anything other than tigers. Which is also the reason you are not out for hunting" he mocked.

"Brother shall we return then?" Rushil asked.

"What's the next destination?"

"Um.... Let me check" Rushil pulled out the map and looked at it. After sometime he nodded, "we have already far away from Minnagara. We are at forest of Tribulant which fells between the territory of Minnagara and Sagala. So after crossing the first we will enter Sagala Kingdom"

I raised an eyebrow. Sagala? A small smirk played on my lips. A glaring eyes flashed in my mind. Those fierce glare, looks like we will be meeting soon.

"Brother what do you want to do?"

"Since we are near Sagala, lets take a journey there. Afterall people say Sagala is beautiful. I would also like to enjoy the beauty once"

"Huh why don't you say you are desperate to meet the great princess directly? You really don't have to puzzle the words" Rana mocked again. I rolled my eyes whole Rushil laughed.

Meet? Of course I want to meet her. Afterall it's a pleasure to tame a wild cat like her.

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I know you all have been waiting for the update. Because of the sudden invitation of cousin's wedding I had to leave and couldn't find the chance to inform anything. I made this chapter long. Hope you will enjoy it.

Happy weekend