A/N: As the story twirls it gives me immense pleasure to inform my ardent readers that the story stands first under the hashtag 'twirl'. A mere coincidence or sign, can't decide. But thank you from the bottom of my heart. Enjoy reading.

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Arya and Aadya were having fun at Abhedya's pool party. Some of his friends were good and a lot of fun to be with. Abhedya was physically present there but mentally he was absent. He could not get Swarnima out of his mind. Every girl at the party gave him a glimpse of Swarnima. He didn't touch alcohol. He knew the meeting with the council was important and he didn't want the label was a reckless protector.
He wanted to be the pride of his parents. He promised himself to serve the state with the best of his abilities.

"Birthday boy... when do you plan to propose to her?" Arya asked the madly in love Abhedya.

Abhedya didn't deny. What was the need? It was obvious and he was happy to accept the truth. "I don't know when... but soon enough. She is still burdened with the state responsibilities and those rules. Let her claim the throne or if the council 'permits' her...what utter nonsense this council thing is... then I shall show my 'childhood sweetheart' what she means to me."  Abhedya had blush and smile, spark and shine while narrating his best friend Arya his plan.
With that, both brothers dived in the pool.

At the farm, everything was going as per plan. Randeep and Rudra gathered and rechecked all the proofs. Nandini set Abhedya's dress for the council to meet. Maan was taking care of the security. Tara was checking the CCTV angles so that it will be easier for her to analyse the behaviours and responses of the council when they know WHO THE REAL HEIR IS.

Arya informed Rudra that they were over with the party and are on their way to the house. Everyone was quiet and anxious. The lie they had spoken and lived with for years was about to be revealed. A burden that they were buried with will be pulled off their chest.

Swarnima was in her room. She needed to dress for the council to meet as per the guidelines. A blue coloured pantsuit was what Nandini told her would be most appropriate.

Abhedya reached on time and was asked to dress quickly and shave Clean. Accentuated with a gold emblem on the pocket of the blue textured fabric bandhgala, with slit pockets and a centre front buttoning. Paired with blue textured fabric pants. Abhedya always admired his mother's taste in fashion, but the dress that lay in front of him today was extraordinary. It fit him perfectly. If looks added any value he would propose Swarnima today. He looked suave and urbane.

Abhedya came out of his room and went to the living room where everyone sat. The chatting stopped and everyone looked at the walking Adonis. Abhedya looked magnetic, stunning, enthralling and the list could go on and on. Swarnima knew it was incorrect but she could not take her eyes off him. Abhedya's wink made her eyes to blink.
Pri got up and put a small dot of her kohl behind Abhedya's ear. "Nandini would have filled tubs, doing it."

"It's okay Pri, accept that there are things you believe beyond your science logics." Nandini knew how emotional Pri was.

"I thought I would see you in a lavish gown and jewels and fancy hairdo. But, you are wearing a pantsuit?! Strange! For a princess." Abhedya teased Swarnima but somewhere he was hoping to see her all decked up. Not that she looked any less than a gorgeous Aphrodite.

No one spoke anything. They had no answer to Abhedya. They had no guts to break the news to Abhedya that SWARNIMA WAS NOT A PRINCESS. They lied to him.

The bell rang and Gene opened the gate for a man. Standing tall at 6feet 6inches, physic like a hulk. It looked as if Titan just walked into the room. Swarnima bow before him. "Khamma Ghani"
"Ghani khamma. Are you ready?" The man gave Swarnima a sword.
Swarnima took a deep breath and nodded.
Rudra, Randeep, Pri, Nandini, Maan and Tara took a step back.

Holding a sword in one hand, and marching up and down with the other hand Swarnima and the man walked up to Abhedya, pointed their swords on earth and bend their heads in front of him.

Abhedya was petrified with astonishment. "By the grace of God, the state of Swarnbhoomi welcomes it future king ABHEDYA RAJVANSHI. We the protectors of the state and it's rulers swear to do our duty with utmost sincerity and loyalty. Kindly, accept us at your services." The man and Swarnima pulled out their swords in front of Abhedya.

"Abhey, please put your hand on their head." Rudra's voice choked at the end.

Abhedya did as his father instructed him. His thinking capacity had ceased. Swarnima and the man stood up and the man rubbed his thumb at the sharpened edge of the sword and put a tilak from his blood on Swarnima's forehead.
"Jai Bhawani!"
"Jai Bhawani!"

Abhedya sat with a thud. Nandini hugged Pri who was crying. Rudra came to Abhedya and took his hand in his and revealed...
"Abhey, we are the rulers of Swarnbhoomi. You are the real heir to the throne. It's time you take on your responsibilities as the new king."

Abhedya looked at his father in a broken state. Swarnima told him he will know the deepest darkest secrets today. But, this was not what he expected. His simple life as a lover boy twirled and he stood as the new king to the state!!
Is this a joke? Or a dream? Or a conspiracy?
"But, dad how?" Abhedya could only manage a whisper.

Rudra was himself shaken. He didn't dare to tell his son what conspiracies were set up.

"Kunwar sa, you are the grandson of, the great king ABHIMANYU Veer Rajvanshi and the iron queen of Swarnbhoomi RUDRAPRIYA  Devi Rajvanshi. When the extremely kind and generous king Abhimanyu was on his visit to RAJATBHOOMI on the insistence of their wicked King UPMANYU, he was trapped and murdered brutally by his men. He was just 24 years of age when he died.
When the news reached the queen she was shattered. But she needed to be protected because she carried in her womb the future heir to the throne of Swarnbhoomi. Your father, RUDRA RAJVANSHI and his twin sister, PRIYAMANI RAJVANSHI.
Upmanyu's men were everywhere. He had always eyed taking over our flourished state. But, with the king and queen alive he could not do so. He duped and deceived the king in his trap but before he could reach the queen she was flown away far from his reach. He kept searching for her. He threatened the council members, tried dirty politics but could not reach the queen.
After, delivering the future heirs, the queen gave her kids to her most trusted friend... Swarnima's grandmother who raised future heirs like her own. They flew away from the country to ensure safety of the kids.
The Queen returned to Swarnbhoomi and revenged the death of her husband like a ferocious lion.
Even the strongest person has certain weaknesses and the Queen's weakness was her kids. She lost her husband at a very young age but she didn't want the hair of her kids to be harmed.
So, she asked Swarnima's grandmother to give Rudra Hukum and Priyamani baisa her name. They are the future heirs of Swarnbhoomi is secret that should die with her in her grave. Swadesh was chosen to be the protector of the heirs. Consider it a sign of God, Swadesh was born with the magical eyes, which is a rare feature to us the PROTECTOR CLAN.
The deal between Swarnima's grandmother and the Queen was fair. It was because of Swarnima's grandfather's greed that the reigning king lost his life so if Swarnima's grandmother wanted her son's and her life to be spared she should do as per the Queen's order. Swarnima's grandmother was a lady with very high morals. Her husband's deeds haunted her. Duping the world with exchanged identities was her proposal. She could risk her son's life but she will protect the future heirs. She knew she lost her friend but she wanted to do her bit for the state.
On the 21st birthday of Rudra Hukum, he refused to accept to be the king of Swarnbhoomi. He had his reasons and it created a rift between the real mother and son. Swadesh knew about the arrangement since he was young. His mother's last wish was... 'he had to save the heir to the throne till his last breath. The shame his father brought should be washed with his brave and selfless act.'
Swadesh tried to convince Rudra Hukum, but he never accepted. Swadesh proposed to the queen that Abhedya Hukum should be transferred the rights to reign when he turns 21. The Queen agreed but she also chose Swarnima to be the protector because the raj Guru said so and she was born with magical eyes. She can not only hypnotise but the change in colour of her eyes is extremely rare.
'If my daughter can be of any service to the state which I call my mother, I will be indebted for my life.' I remember, Swadesh had pride in his eyes when he announced that.
Fate played its game and once again, Rajatbhoomi won in its dirty games and we lost Swadesh. Dushyant still thinks he killed the heir to the throne. Fool! He doesn't know how foresighted the Queen was. She protected the future heir and its protector.
Swadesh's death broke the queen again. She chose to stay away from the state and protect Swarnima and Dheya.
Rudra Hukum and Priyamani baisa came to Swarnbhoomi. The state which was theirs and the state which their friend who was like their brother died protecting. They parted ways to keep their families safe.
The Queen lied, yes, that Swarnima and Dheya also died in the attack but that was only to protect them. She knew the love you all had for Swarnima. You will force to take her with you and that would spoil the game and be dangerous because demons like Dushyant don't give up so easily.
Swarnima was presented as the heir to the throne in front of the council three years back. It was the Queen's strategy to protect the real heir. I am glad it worked and today I bow before you our future king." Eklavya narrated the entire story to Abhedya.

Pin drop silence in the room. Swarnima was dying bit by bit looking at Abhedya. She could not see his broken and shocked state. Till now they were just friends and she could still sit next to him or hold his hand to comfort him, but now they were ruler and protector and all such acts were forbidden.

Tara passed a glass of water to Abhedya. He drank it in one go.
"Abhey, you may choose to refuse as Rudra did. Then the council will decide the future of this state. This is the last year the state can rule without its ruler. After that, either it will be governed by the central government or Dushyant might prove and win the right to rule. In both the conditions, our state and its people shall suffer. We know the condition of other states of the country. Whatever decision you take, choose wisely." Randeep gave his suggestion.

"You know about this?" Suddenly Arya came and asked Swarnima in a high pitch. She nodded her head.
Arya clapped his hands and said, "wow! Miss Swarnima... you are indeed rare. We have been friends since forever. You could not trust us and tell us about the arrangements... sorry the conspiracies around us? I am ashamed to call you my friend. Your father has done a lot for us... I respect that.. but what you have done as a friend... I... I .. don't even have words." Arya came close to her and whispered, "you broke my brother and his trust. I shall never forgive you." He pushed Swarnima on the sofa and smashed a glass on the floor.

"Aryaaaaa!! what kind of behaviour is that? What is her fault? She could not reveal the truth. She was bound by the promise she made." Randeep shouted at him.

"Of course papa. She is never wrong." Arya raged in anger.
Randeep shook his head in disapproval and patted Swarnima's head.

"I... I... don't want to rule," Abhedya said in a broken and scared voice. He was only looking at the ground.
The news fell like a thunderstorm. Swarnima looked at him. 'Please Aby... don't deny. Please.' Swarnima's heart was begging.

"Abhey, we are living a life given to us as a benefaction. Swadesh lived our life and died in our name. He protected us till his last breath. His daughter is also dragged into this. You have to claim the throne and free her and all those who are levied with such unnecessary burdens. This man here, Eklavya has not seen his wife, his children ever since he started his duty as the protector to the queen. Is it fair? Do these people not deserve their share of happiness. You don't want to rule... don't rule. But, spare a thought for the people of the state." Pri tried to put some sense in Abhedya.

"That is emotional blackmail mom! You cannot do that. Don't put him into all this. They chose their duties. Swarnima could have denied being the protector if she has so many problems." Arya was hating all the drama.

"Right, Arya. You sit at home and we soldiers are on duty protecting you. We die in the process at times. Don't we have families? But, we choose to do our duties because we know someone has to go out there. Swarnima is not complaining... she never did. Not when she was denied going to school, not when she was restricted to wearing only black-white or dull colours, not when she was refrained to make new friends, not when she was not allowed to see her brother DHEYA. Yes, she has not seen her brother since the day he was admitted to the rehabilitation centre. Only, his progress videos, if any. When the throne is claimed she will be able to meet him. So, yes if this is emotional blackmailing, it is. Because this girl here deserves it." Maan lashed out at Arya.

"Maan Hukum, Swarnima has not made any sacrifices. It is part of being a protector. Please, do not term her duty as a sacrifice. Her brother is safe and breathing." Eklavya was a man with zero emotions, probably.

"The council is here. I will escort them to the hall. Swarnima please get Kunwar sa to the room. He will declare his decision in front of the council." Eklavya left the room.
Rudra and Randeep followed him.

The people left in the room were quiet. Abhedya went to his mother and asked her, "mom, what should I do?"
Nandini knew the dilemma his son was under. She hugged him and said, "close your eyes and you will get the answer."
Abhedya closed his eyes and tear rolled down his eyes. But, his decision was made.

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Dear Readers
Word meaning:
Khamma Ghani/ Ghani khamma: greetings in Rajasthani language.
Jai Bhawani: prise the Indian goddess Bhawani
Kunwar sa: Indian title denoting the prince.
Hukum: the word used for the master in Rajasthani language.
Baisa: the word used for women as respect in Rajasthani language.
Note: these words from Rajasthani language are sometimes used in different context too. I am explaining the context here.
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Eklavya was the royal guard to the Queen. Swarnima was presented as the heir to the throne to protect the real heir. She was a true Protector.
If you have any doubts please feel free to ask in comments.
I hope you liked the plot. The story gets intense from here on.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love