Veer,

She left, and again. From the porch, I watched her walking away without give me any glance.  I kept walking backwards, my eyes on her retreating form. She didn't turn, not even once.Am I non-existent for her? Do I stand nowhere in her now? My legs collided with the edge of the bed , I crashed down filled with the feeling of dejection. Did she really think I would have harmed the child, I may have not seen him or held any affection. But I am not a monster to hurt a small baby. The thought of the child suddenly brought back his innocent face back to my eyes. He is mine, my son. Bhai was right he had so much of me.

I don't know, how long I sat like that. The growing darkness made me realised of my lost state. My muscles felt stiff sitting in that position. Leaning back I supported my back on my arms extended behind. As my palms brushed the silken smoothness, something soft came in the vicinity of my hand. Turning around, I grabbed it and smiled. It was Vikram's sock, so small and soft. Pulling it closer, I pressed it against my face and smiled. I suddenly felt light. He is my son, she didn't betray me.

''I regret the day I met his father.'' Her words from other day came back like a poisonous arrow. My grip on sock turned hard. She won't make it easy and I don't care. I was mad then, I am mad now, for not sharing her pregnancy with me. For keeping my child's life at stake, bring on wife. I am ready for all the challenges. Pushing the sock in my pocket, I moved to my room packing the necessary things. Rest can be bought later. I checked once and was good to go when I recalled about the hounds. First , I need to find the one who left the baby alone. Whatever the situation was, I had given strict orders of keeping the hounds off the chambers during the day. I was mad at the staff, who decided to leave Vikram alone even after Dipika asked her to watch over him. Quickly changing into casual wear, I threw the bag over my shoulder, walking straight to the hotel staff room. I am going the fire the one who left my son alone.

***

It was past midnight when I could make it to the main Palace. Grabbing my bag, I moved excusing my security and driver. I made sure to give them a day off for making them drive me at this hour. The Palace was quite, and why not. No one would be up waiting or expecting me. I moved to my suite, unlocking it gently. Placing the bag gently on the couch in the hall, I took my shoes off. I didn't wanted to wake Vikram up. Tip toeing to the room, I peeped before stepping in. Dipika lay sprawled diagonally on the bed. She must have slept off while putting the little guy to sleep. As I moved closer to the crib, my heart started thudding mad in anticipation. I smiled looking down at the small bundle in the dim light of night lamp. He was awake, or may be just woke up. He was moving his limbs and stared at the small merry go round hung on his crib. He made a soft squeal and I lifted him up, moving to the other room. I sat on the bed holding him against my face, we stared at each other in astonishment. I was overwhelmed, whereas he looked confused to be held by a new person, ''Hi son, I am your Dad and I am sorry for my earlier behaviour towards you. I wanted to know you even before you opened your eyes in the world. Your mother denied me that right.'' I turned quite feeling the growing anger in my veins, he smiled and that was the best thing I had seen in months. It calmed my heart and gave a meaning to my existence. Bringing him closer, I pecked his nose, cheeks, forehead. He squealed again making me chuckle. I cooed him for some time, trying to put him to sleep, but he seemed reluctant. ''Don't you sleep little guy.'' Don't know what he understood, but he smiled. Lifting him up, I walked around talking to him of random things. After few minutes, I felt he slept off. I checked once and then walked back into his mother's room, placing him gently in the crib. I covered him with the blanket and decided to leave, just then his mother decided to wake up. Her eyes met mine and then went to my hands in the crib. She jumped off the bed in lightning speed , grabbing my wrist she pulled me out of the room and locked the door, ''What were you doing to my son? If you think you can harm him, let me tell  you I won't let it happen.''

''I am not a monster.'' I replied calm. I didn't wish for any scuffle right now.

''No, you are just a bull headed Prince. Listen to me carefully, you don't believe him to be yours and now I am too acknowledging that Vikram isn't yours. You have no right on him, better keep distance.'' She warned, her eyes spiting venom. 

I took and step forward, she stepped back. I kept moving till she had nowhere to go. Pinning her to the wall, I came to her face level, ''If you think, I am going to beg for your forgiveness , you are wrong . You all the way gave me another reason to hate you, you kept your pregnancy from me. You risked my child for your benefit .'' She was about to open her mouth, I silenced her keeping my forefinger harshly against her lips, ''Let me complete. If you think , I was incapable of saving my ass. You ought to be crazy Princess. You did me no favour. And don't even think about separating my child from me, you don't want to meet the beast that reside in me.'' 

She kept her eyes locked with mine, thin layer of glistering liquid covering her dark orbs. She inhaled and sliced my heart again, ''I think it would have been best if I had married Brijesh. He was a beast and he accepted that openly. Step back Prince, I don't accept you as my consort anymore.'' Watching her for a minute, I did. She moved to her room, locking the door from inside. Annoyed, I crashed on the couch in the hall. Leaning my head back, I allowed my thoughts to run wild not realising when slumber took over me.

***

Morning I was woken up by her blabbering to Vikram, I concluded she was joining others for the breakfast. My neck and arms felt stiff, sleeping in that uncomfortable position. I stretched it a bit , lifting myself off the couch. She stepped out dressed in emerald green with my son in her arms. Our eyes met and she quickly turned hers away, moving out of the suite.

After freshening up, I made my way down to the dine-in area. It had been months since I shared meal with my family. My entrance brought a sudden silence to the room and then everybody greeted me. I took the chair next to Dipika and she quickly stiffened. I shared few light words with my family and then granny silenced everyone with the lift of her palm, ''I am retiring and so is your dad. Ranvijay, its time you take the reins.'' Bhai lifted his finger, but granny silenced him

''I know you don't believe in titles, but people dependent on you do. The title holds a power in this area. Coming week, you will be declared the new king and Vikram will be your successor.''

The mere mention of Vikram bought smiles to family's faces. ''Vikram is not the rightful successor, it should Bhai's coming child'.'' Dipika raised her thought, I second her on that.

''The first born gets to succeed . And what is this mine and yours, Vikram is ours and he will succeed me.'' Bhai concluded and others supported him.

Granny added, ''Done then, next week in presence of all the ones we know. We make this announcement and introduce the future Prince.'' There was a knock and Sitara walked in with a stroller. Dipika gently placed Vikram in the stroller giving a single nod. ''Sitara, once our prince is done with his tour, bring him to me.'' Granny commanded playfully. Sitara nodded, walking away with my little guy. We dispersed , just when I stayed on the table hoping to speak to my grandmother once. I want to apologise to each one of them for troubling them. ''Veer, come and see me in my office.'' Granny commanded and left. I am glad, she read my confusion. I quickly followed her and she welcomed me with open arms. I hugged her tight, ''I am sorry, I hurt you, for leaving my family , for being selfish.''

''No, you were hurt and I understand. Sit.'' She took her grand chair and I decided to sit in her feet, placing my head on her lap, ''Veer, I know everyone feels I loved Ranvijay the most. I am not denying it. Truth is, I respected you the most. You taught me the lesson of calmness, dignity and when you left it broke us. Son, I know it hurts. Love is second name of pain and patience and I am not going to blame you for what you did. Take your time but don't deprive Vikram of his father's love.'' I nodded

I know she still carries the pain of her love, ''Do you still miss grandfather, after so many years.'' I asked looking into her light eyes.

''Every second, and I am mad at him for leaving me so early. Yet, I am content that I got a chance to love and know him. It hurts, but it heals too. '' I nodded , she caressed my cheek as her eyes moved to my grandfather's picture in yonder years. They married very young, she was 15 and he was 18. She hated him for marrying and killing her dreams and he took that as a challenge. I smiled at the my grandmother, who is actually the the scion of this clan. My grandfather must be watching her with pride. Dad had told us once that when grandfather died, granny had to face the wolves in form of relatives and friends, she stood up and won every challenge. She faced every danger like a warrior, a tigress protecting her pack.   I took her leave, moving to the lawn area. I have to see my son.

Ranvijay

''Its good we brought Deepika and Vikram here. Veer needs a punishment, let him sulk.'' I said after having dinner and retiring for the night. Ananya just smiled. ''Why are you smiling?''

''Bringing Dipika back wasn't to punish Veer , it was to bring Vikram to a safe place.'' She replied combing her hair.

''He was safe there too. had that hound incident...'' Ananya shook her head, cutting me off. ''It isn't about hounds. if you remember, Dipika's sister in law in out there with her son. Vikram is not just your heir, he is heir to Suryagarh too. Which technically should have been his cousin's. That female won't sit quietly, Veer's Jal Mahal(water palace) can be an easy target. If they can plan to eliminate Veer, Vikram is just a baby. Our Palace is the safest place and after the heightened security, I don't think she would dare anything in this place with so many of us around.''

I couldn't help but but admire her brilliance. I Iifted her chin playfully up, ''You are smart my queen.''

''No, just Anu . And we have to be smart, I realised one thing. Its not easy to be what we are.'' She turned silent and then she looked at me, ''About Veer and Dipika, our little man will do the job. Vicky is magical. I am sure Veer will be here by morning.''

''Please call him Vikram.'' I pleaded, she pressed her lips and replied, ''I will call him Vicky and will teach him to wink and whistle.'' There was a minute of silence before she broke into laughter reading my expression. I scooped her off the floor, moving to our bed.

***

And she was right, for a moment we all were shocked when Veer made an appearance at breakfast. Me and Ananya shared a known smile. He kept silent speaking only limited words, but his eyes kept moving to his toddler , who seemed irritated being locked to one position. Dipika finally asked Sitara to take little guy for a stroll. 

Granny had announced transfer of powers and I am glad that finally we will be introducing Vikram to the world, shutting the curious jealous mouths. 

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Next- Introduction to future enemy. The grand introduction of Prince Vikranjeet Singh Rathore and cold war between Veer-Dipika

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