Dipika,

I was woken up by the knock on my room door, I had been up all night as my baby was too reluctant to sleep. He seemed so energised, that all my efforts to put him to sleep went in vain.

I got up rubbing my eyes. Since I saw Veer near Vikram's crib, I am little worried. Though, he has accepted Vikram as his own, yet I am not able to push that hound incident out of my head.

I was greeted by my brooding husband atbthe door.He stared at me for good minute before opening his mouth, ''granny had arranged a masseur for Vikram. She is here.'' I felt like rolling over hearing the word masseur. This boy is definitely going to get spoiled. I invited the old lady in and Sitara followed her too. The lady laid Vikram on her lap in the porch region and started massaging him. He giggled squealed and after a minute wailed. To my surprise Sitara reacted immediately, ''Dare you hurt him.'' Sitara's knife was on the throat of the lady next minute. Poor soul shivered in fear, shaking my head I touched her arm, ''He is fine.'' She nodded moving back. Rest of the time, Sitara kept encircling the lady like a hawk till she was done with her work.

I was being informed about the details of the evening function. The day going to be a big one, the Palace will come alive in evening today. I smiled brushing my palms over the beautiful fabric of the dress selected for me by granny. Its rich, elegant and would have cost a bomb. There also was a fine soft satin cloth of the would be successor. I tickled his tummy, ''You are getting too much attention.'' He giggled and I playfully blew his tummy, he squealed loudly as I brushed my nose against his. My long hair forming a curtain on either side of him. His small hands tried holding my face as I spoke to him of random things. I felt eyes on me , that made me react instantly. Veer stood leaning on the door with his arms crossed, watching me like a predator. I quickly turned my eyes away and as an instantaneous reaction, I tried fixing my already fixed clothes as his eyes makes me uncomfortable . He straightened and moved closer sending my heart in a mad rampage. He slid in slowly onto the bed moving his eyes to Vikram, ''Can I take him for few minutes.'' He asked and I just nodded. I decided To move away and just then I felt a pull on my scalp. My son happily held a fistful of my hair pullingbthem unknowingly. Cooing him, I tried opening his stubborn fist slowly to have the other fist grab some more. Veer watched the drama and then inserted his forefinger in Vikram's fist freeing my hair. With other hand, he pushed my hair back of my shoulder rather too slowly for my comfort, his palm caressing my head and then my back. That's it, I quickly jumped off to fall again with a sharp pain on my scalp. My hair were now stuck in his gold watch, ''Like father, like son'' I muttered under my breath. Veer waited for me to free them, jerk. Who asked him to touch me. I tried to pull them off the metal belt as soon as I could. But they seemed to be too comfortable being stuck there. I turned impatient. I was aware he was watching me, the same way he had been doing since he fell for me. But now I hate those eyes on me, it makes me feel cheap. I will never be able to forget his words; he compared me to a slut. My impatience grew into an anger and he felt that, he lifted his hand to help and that moment I pulled them harshly off his watch moving out quickly.

***

Evening I dressed royally and got my baby dressed too. I combed his hair, parting them on the left. He looked such a decent boy, ''Be a good boy all your life.'' He didn't reply, just kept making funny sounds. ''Fine, I understood. You want to be a bad one.''

''Don't say like that.'' My private dialogue was broken my Ananya's voice. She shook his hand playfully , pecking his cheek she said, ''tell mommy, you will be a good boy, but will wink and whistle at beautiful girls like me.'' And he responds. We laughed. ''Let's go. Its time.'' Ananya looked breathtaking in the Royal Queens outfit, well she did carry it like a queen

We entered the crowded grand hall , walking straight to where granny and Mom stood. Bhai sat near the fire place, as priest chanted few mantras completing his coronation ritual. He lifted his eyes and asked for Vikram. I nodded, handing Vikram to him and the priest started some other ritual. Bhai placed a small tilak on his forehead, pecking his head gently. After finishing the rituals we joined the guests who had come to share our happiness. My eyes didn't miss the placement of guards all around the hall. They were all the main and trusted ones, and Sitara. She followed the one who held Vikram. I smiled, I know she had formed the instant bond with my baby. After all, she was the first one to hold him. I smiled as granny introduced the new Prince with pride in her eyes. Veer walked to her and took the baby with him, who now looked annoyed being touched and pecked by so many. Veer pulled him to chest rubbing his back to make him calm down. When he didn't he instructed Sitara to hand Vikram to me. I rocked my baby lovingly and Ananya watched smiling.

''What the hell they are doing here?'' Ananya's angry voice made me lift my eyes up and blood dried in my veins in fear. My Sister In law Netra,walked towards us, her eyes dangerously on Vikram. Behind her was my mother holding her grandson's hand. Ananya touched my shoulder, squeezing it gently.

''You seemed to have forgotten us, never mind I invited myself to bless the royal baby.'' She moved her hand to touch Vikram and I stepped back shaking in fear. She shrugged her shoulders unaffected extending a packed box towards me, ''its for him.'' Ananya's eyes moved and Sitara took the box. Netra smirked, ''Sacred? Good , you should be. My son will grow up one day Dipika and I will remind him of his family's murderer and his rights....''

''So will Vikram, and don't forget he is a Rathore. We will be ready then.I promise you, he will take you down single handily '' Ananya replied cutting her off with piercing gaze. ''Sitara, escort them out.'' Netra fumed, but there wasn't a thing she could do. It came right from the queen. I felt my feet turn jelly and quickly took the chair. ''I will be back.'' With that I watched Ananya walk off and the ones who followed her gave me the picture about what was going to happen.

***

The celebration ended after midnight and baby stayed awake and happy. I tried all to put him to sleep, all he did was giggle at my attempts. Granny gestured me and Ananya to leave, I was tired and Ananya too should resting as she is entering her second trimester.

I quickly got myself off the heavy attire and jewellery. After changing Vikram, I placed him in the crib and moved out on to the porch. I needed air ,fresh air. I felt breathless; the walls of my lungs seemed contracting, not allowing the air to move in. How long will I have to fight my own to survive? How long will I have soak myself in their blood to earn my smiles? I am aware, Netra's words aren't just plain threats. She meant it. For once I felt I was free of all fears, my family, my son was free of the darkness I bought along. But now, it follows me changing its form. Rubbed my chest, What if Vikram grows to be one like them ? No I shook my head, I will never let him turn into a monster. Parting my lips , I started taking in as much air as I could, yet it didn't seemed enough. Rubbing my chest, I crashed on my knees , trying harder. All that came were breathless gasps. I allowed my body to slump on the hard stony floor, unable to try more. Next minute I was being lifted up by force, ''Dipu, look at me. Open your eyes, you are hyperventilating. Open them and all will go''

I knew the voice and I wanted to go with it , but my eyes, by muscles refused to oblige. Next moment I felt something warm over my lips as my breath mingled with the owner of the voice. He pressed my chest, blowing more air into my mouth. I started calming, I was home and I opened my eyes. I gasped and then coughed, he rubbed my back. Opening my eyes, I looked into his, ''Better?'' He asked and I nodded. I tried getting up, but he scooped me up effortlessly, ''I can walk''

''I know, for now just shut up. Vikram has been crying for past 15 minutes. He needs you.'' Veer carried me to the room and placed me on the bed, moving to the crib. He lifted wailing baby up, handling him to me. I rubbed Vikram's chest and his head. He seemed hungry, I was about to feed him but found Veer staring, ''Can you please turn around.''

''No, do whatever you want to. I am not leaving.'' Annoyed, I turned my back to him and started feeding my crazy son. In few minutes Vikram slept, I was glad for that as I felt Veer's pierceing gaze burning hole at my back. I placed him in the crib and turned to be shocked, ''I am fine, go back to your room.''

''This is my room. Now just sleep.'' He replied unaffected .

''if you don't, I will go to the other room.'' Next moment he grabbed my wrist pulling me hard, I fell on him with her faces just an inch apart, ''There isn't a law that can keep me out of this room or your life. So be a good girl and sleep. Or I have other ways too.''

Looking at his serious expression, I gulped.He meant business and I decided to be a good girl. Rolling off him, I quickly moved to the other corner creating as much distance I could. I heard him chuckle and the I felt my side dipping more. I felt heat on my back and then his arm went around my waist. His lips touched my neck and I reacted, "No Veer!" He stiffened . His breathing elevated. I could make out he was angry. I hurt his ego through rejection. I smirked,  serves him right. Then I felt him turn and room went dark. I took a sigh of relief closing my eyes to welcome the slumber. 

 Ananya 

"I will be back" patting Dipika once, I followed the lady who dared threaten my Prince in my Palace. When I moved out to the lawn area, I smiled. Sitara had held the woman by throat as other prominent guards held their guards at gun point. " Well, so what we have here. A scorned foolish female. Tell Me, should I give chance of growing up to your son? " she paled and I smiled. " look around, the people who hold you captive are not under any order. They did it because you threatened their future king. And they won't hesitate in murdering anyone who does that." She looked ready to faint. I nodded once and guards moved back,  " but not today, I will give your son to make a choice. And if he choses Wrong, I will have our Vikram tackle him the way his mother did. Now, scoot before I change my mind"

They were being shooed of the Palace premises in a go, but who invited them. I moved in to be greeted by a smiling granny.  She gestured me to come forward and I did, " you deserved to be where you Are. Well done, I know my future is safe even after I leave this earth." I squeezed her palm requesting her not to utter such words. She just smiled patting my cheek.

"No more dare devil acts" Ranvijay commanded when I moved in his arms on our bed. I chuckled moving closer. " I am serious Anu!"

"I know, but I can't just let anyone walk into my house and threaten my family. She deserved it" he pecked my forehead, " yes, and I will keep a check on her. Now sleep" I caressed my tummy, girl or not, you will grow stronger and prove to be a nemesis to all your enemies. Because you are the daughter of worlds most cynical man.

 " are you calling me mad?" He asked, I blinked and then giggled. Now he reads my mind too.

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