Princess Soma's POV

I walked inside the room with a clenched jaw. Why does everyone lokk at that bitch all the time? Prince Manik also looked at her all the time, like he wanted to pull her to him, keep her close. I couldn't settle my heart with such scene. Even though Queen Mrinal was generous and talked gently I could see the loving eyes when she looked at that bitch.

"Why?" I screamed and threw the vase on the table crashing the it on floor. I glared at the scattered case. Only if I could crush that woman with my hands. The fire in my heart started to burn again. How can I tolerate all of these? How could I endure everything knowingly.

"Princess?" Rushi gasped as she ran inside. "Princess are you hurt? Do you want me to call the imperial physician to look at your wounds?" She asked hurriedly.

I waved my hand "I am fine. Call the maids to clean the mess" I calmed myself down. I couldn't get angry at this time. I have been tolerating all the insults in my heart. No matter what I do, they couldn't see anything. All my efforts has gone wrong and could only enter the blind eyes.

"Princess you looked sad, what happened? You have been working since morning. You must be tired" Rushi looked concerned.

"All my efforts fell into blind eyes Rushi. No matter what I do, it's nothing infront of the eyes of people" I said and walked towards the window. It's a night time and I could see the moon glowing beautifully. I sighed, "if one day I become an ordinary person, I will set you free"

Rushi cried out "princess what are you saying? This maid has devoted herself to you. Even if you don't give any allowance, I will happily serve you. I will never leave your side" she kneeled on the floor immediately.

I turned to look at her and suddenly my eyes brimmed with unshade tears. I turned around showing my back to her, "get up, prepare hot water bath for me, I want to clean myself"

"Yes, I will prepare immediately" Rushi nodded and left.

I looked at the sky. I have been preparing food for them. I even learnt what kind of food Prince Manik likes. But what's the point, everything went in water. He didn't even ate anything. Everyone thought had food but their were engaged in other words" I closed my eyes and tears fell. Since young, Nandini got everything she wanted. She got father's love which I craved. Father would cared about her more. If she get hurt he would call the lines of physicians to treat her. He would take her out to make her happy. If I ask for something he would order the servants to do that for me. What kind of mistake I did for which he would neglect me like this? Am not I his daughter? His own blood and flesh? Then why would he always look after her and wouldn't do the same?

"Princess her highness is here" a maid informed.

I turned around to see mother walking in with her maids. She waved her hands gesturing the maids to leave the room.

"Mother what brings you here?" I asked walking towards her.

"Soma, my dear are you sad?" She looked concerned.

I smiled "is there any point mother. No matter what I do, I couldn't get what I want. No matter how much efforts I put to win, there are no chances"

She sighed, "I understand" she touched my shoulder "Soma you have grown up to be a beautiful lady. I know your father loves Nandini more and look after him. But it's because she is born by his beloved wife and also his first child. But dear, you are also his daughter and he loves you too. It's just ..." She stoped.

"Don't worry mother, you don't have to explain anything more" I shook my head. "I am not blind. Now I could see things clearly"

I heard her sigh "Soma, brace yourself. Everything will be fine. I tried to talk to your father but didn't get much chance since we have guests here. But I will try talking to him again. I will try to fix -"

"Mother" I called stoping her "please don't bother anymore"

Her eyes widened "Soma?"

I gave her sad smile, "it won't improve anyway. Today I could see how Prince Manik looked at Nandini, the way he looked at her....." I sighed "and Her highness seems to like her too. Since they all are in agreement, there's no use of doing this anymore"

"Soma you are giving up?" She shook her head.

"Will there be any chance of winning? I tried mother, but Prince Manik is too reluctant to look at my efforts. He is a well reputed Prince and even if I force myself in he wouldn't care about me. Mother you said father also wants him to marry Nandini. Since that's the case, then let it be. He only thinks about his first daughter anyway. Since childhood I could see it. He was always biased towards us. Me, Hansika we all are same. Everything we would do will be at fault. I hated Nandini and will always do that. And now she has become popular his love for her has increased"

"My dear, your mother is here" she hugged me. I hugged her back and suddenly sobbed. I failed, gaining my own father's attention.

"Everything will be fine my dear" she said.

"Nandini lost her mother because she died. But I lost my father even if he is alive" I said once we broke the hug. "And I don't think I will ever be able to get his attention" I shook my head.

Mother's eyes were wet with tears "I apologise my dear, I failed to change your father's heart. He couldn't get away from the thought of his first wife. He was always devoted to her and I was just the success of his royal achievement"

"Mother, I want get away from here. How about I go to the Kanchi Temple for few days. I could lit incense to pray to God and find some peace too. Father is busy with guests so he wouldn't care, it's not that he ever cared anyway" I smiled.

"Kanchi Temple? It's two days journey from here. You want to go so desperately?" She frowned.

I nodded, "I find it's the best choice for myself. Since there's no chance for me, then I wouldn't put any efforts to embarrass myself more"

She looked at me then sighed "fine, if that's what you want. I will arrange for your leave then. I will let your father know later"

I nodded. After chatting for a while she left. Rushi also informed me the bath was ready. I walked inside the bathroom and took off my cloths before entering in the water. When the hot water touched my body I felt relaxed. The light fragrance hit my nostrils and it was just like I wanted.

"Princess do you need anything more?" Rushi asked.

"No it's perfect" I replied. I dropped my hand and hissed in pain.

"Ah Princess careful. The burnt on skin is still fresh. You can't let water touch it" Rushi cried out before holding my hand. I looked at the burn mark and but my lips. It happened when I cooked meal for everyone in the kichen. I was in a hurry thinking everyone would get hungry because of the long journey and burnt myself.

"It's fine. It does not pain anymore. You go and pack our cloths. We will go to Kanchi Temple tomorrow" I said slowly touching the wound.

"Kanchi Temple?" Rushi frowned.

"Yes, I need a little escape from the troubles" I said as I closed my eyes. Because I finally understood no matter what I do Prince Manik would never notice me.

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Princess Nandini's POV

"Princess I have made the bed, you can sleep now" Hanna said as I read the book sitting on the chair. I looked up to see she had already prepared the bed for sleeping.

"You are done so fast?" I frowned. "you could have done it slowly"

"I thought you are tired. The dinner was too noisy. You even cooked a dish for everyone. And everyone praised so much. Though Princess Soma cooked in the day no one praised her but when you cooked Crown Prince didn't protested and had the meal with a smile. Even her highness the Queen Mrinal also praised your skill" Hanna looked happy.

I sighed. To be honest Soma really put good efforts in arranging the meal. Though there are many to help her, she arranged everything well. I wouldn't have cooked if that devil didn't force me. I still remember when I was enjoying the coll breeze in the balcony.

The evening wind was cold but too good. It's so calming and satisfying. I was so engrossed in my own enjoyment that I didn't noticed someone was already there behind me.

"Enjoying alone?"

I nearly jumped on my place hearing the husky tone. I turned around abruptly only to see Devil smiling down at me. He looked like he was enjoying my state.

"What are you doing your highness? You scared me" I glared at him.

"Scared? Really? Isn't it too surprising to hear such thing from someone ego could beat few people without getting tired?" He retorted.

"What do you want to prove by that your highness? That thing and this thing are different just like front and back" I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

"Anyways, I am here to say something" he charged the topic immediately.

"Say what?" I frowned.

"I want you to cook something for me in dinner"

My eyes widened then I glared at him. What does he think of himself. Does he think I am his personal chef to cook whenever he wants?

I smiled weirdly "your highness taking advantage all the time is not good. That day I cooked because you were wounded. It was my duty since I got the responsibility but I want to remind you, please refrain yourself from using it again and again. It's not appropriated all the time"

He raised an eyebrow "you think your responsibility is done? Princess I am still wounded, my would needs time to heal, you can't back off from it"

I bit my lips glaring at him. This man knows how to take advantage of others.

"Still reluctant?" He smiled , "I will have few words with his majesty then. I need to-"

"Fine, you are the winner your highness " I replied through gritted teeth. He smiled at me.

"Saying yes is not hurtful it is?"

I turned my head at other side reluctant to reply a single word. Humph! I won't talk to him anymore.

Later during dinner as per his wish I cooked a simple dish. Other chef in the kitchen has prepared many dishes so I only made one dish. But I couldn't serve him alone so I let the maids to serve to everyone.

"It taste good" Queen Mrinal said with a smile. "this dish is different from others"

"Your highness, this dish wasn't made by the chef. It was cooked by the first princess herself" the maid who served food replied respectfully.

"Oh you made this Nandini?" Queen Mrinal looked at me. I couldn't help but flash a smile to her.

"I got bored so I tried something your highness" I smiled trying to find an excuse.

"Manik you hadn't eaten anything during lunch. How about you try this one? See if it matches your taste?" She looked at her son.

Devil nodded and ate few bites "hmm.... It's not bad" he said but continued to eat.

"It's really good" King Hemang praised.

Everyone looked happy and content. My gaze fell at side to see the Queen just smiled and ate silently. Whole Soma sitting beside her has her head lowered. I frowned. What happened to her? She was always that desperate to catch Devil's attention then why she is not trying any tricks? Is she planning something again? My eyes narrowed at her figure but she never raised her head to look up. I really find this behaviour strange.

"Princess?" I was pulled back from the trance when Hanna called again.

"Huh?" I looked at her "umm.... I think I should go to sleep" I closed the book and got up from the chair. I felt tired and get on bed. It's better to have rest early. And I don't know what kind of event is waiting for tomorrow again.

Next day, I got up and took a bath before changing my dress. Hanna helped me comb my hair before styling it. She was putting hair clip when she spoke.

"Princess today early in the morning when sun was about to rise, I saw a royal carriage was going out of the gate. Since was slightly dark I couldn't see who's carriage was leaving. But I could guess it was a royal carriage"

I frowned. A royal carriage leaving early in the morning? Who could that be? Prince Harish? I didn't think so. Father said he went out yesterday for some work. So he didn't joined in dinner too. Then who left early in the morning?

"We will see. Now let's go to greet everyone" I said and left for the meeting hall. When I reached the hall I saw everyone was already there, chatting and laughing. I greeted everyone then sat at side. The maids served morning tea and snacks in the hall. My gaze roamed around. Hansika was sitting beside Queen but I couldn't find Soma. There wasn't a trace of her shadow. She is not here? It was really strange. I am observing since last night, her attitude has changed. In the dinner she didn't tried to speak or act anything. She obediently sat there and ate her food like avoiding everyone. And today she is not here.

"Oh where is Soma?" Queen Mrinal raised the question, "she is silent since yesterday. Everyone is here but why can't I see her?"

The Queen smiled, "she went to pray. So many things has happening in the palace. During the hunt Prince Harish and Manik got hurt and before there are some problem in the kingdom. Soma said she wanted to pray to God for peace and left early in the morning"

So the it was Soma who left. But why did she left so suddenly. She did it silently without informing anyone. I looked at the Queen seriously. If they really wanted to use this trick then why didn't they said it earlier or boost it? For Soma who was always desperate to impress the devil, to leave like this, it's like she don't wanted others to know. And loking at father, he looked surprised so he was unaware about it too. Today this mother and daughter pair are really strange. What happened to them suddenly?

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