Abhedya opened the door for Shiela Doshi who was the policy maker for the welfare of Swanbhoomi. She was a lady in her fifties who had a pleasant smile and a positive aura. Some of her policies were so brilliant that even other states wanted to adopt them but corruption and its brothers always acted as road blocks. Swarnbhoomi was still untouched with such monsters to an extent.

Swarnima came out of her room and greeted Shiela. "Hello Kunwar sa, Swarnima. I am here for talking to you about something really important. Swarnima does Kunwar sa know about our friendly kingdoms as yet?"
Swarnima nodded in a no.

"Then how do I start, let me see.umm.. okay Kunwar sa, there are some kingdoms who are very friendly with us and have helped us in our tough times. They are no longer rulers as per the law but still they are royals. So, this is a list of eligible princesses from those kingdoms who are willing to teach you the royal mannerisms. The underlined agenda is... if you find someone suitable you may court them."

"Really? So, the royals have to choose the royals?" Abhedya asked Shiela.

"Ofcourse not. Swarnbhoomi is the state formed on premise of love and whoever you choose as your partner is acceptable if you love them truly. Infact, if you love an enemy and the feeling is mutual, the state and the council will accept her with open arms.
This, was Eklavya's suggestion. He thought since you are single so it would be apt and beneficial if you find someone appropriate for yourself from our friendly kingdoms. It is just a suggestion though. You are free to choose the one you love." Shiela explained Abhedya the arrangement.

"That means, if, Swarnima was the princess she would have also been given these rights?" Abhedya questioned. It wasn't just a question but matter of life and death.

"Obviously. As I said, our state is known for its love stories. Swarnima could choose anyone she liked. Trust me, the guy she chooses would be the luckiest guy on the planet earth." Shiela cleared the biggest doubt/trouble Abhedya had.

"You knew about it?" Abhedya asked Swarnima.

She nodded her head in yes.
"I will just be back in two minutes. Sorry. It's urgent." Abhedya ran inside his room and shut the door.

He did a happy dance. That means she just hid her identity and not betrayed him. Abhedya put his palm on his face and breathed a sigh of relief.
'But, why did she not tell me this? Damn you! Nim! You killed me. Now, I will force you to confess your love. Let's meet some princesses and tell them what an actual princess is..
you don't need to be born in a royal family or wear a crown to be a princess and my SONA is a born princess, my princess.'

Abhedya came out of the room and calmed himself before telling Shiela, "sorry! Umm.. can I see the pictures of the princesses and a brief about them?"

Shiela passed him the iPad and Abhedya swiped the pictures with brief descriptions.
"It's not tinder. Read carefully before selecting." Swarnima spoke for the first time.

Oooooh that jealousy!!! Abhedya just wanted to kiss that little pout on her lips. Swarnima was fidgeting with her fingers while Abhedya was selecting.

"Sorry I forgot to ask. What would you like to have?" Swarnima asked Shiela. She just wanted to leave the place where Abhedya was sitting and selecting his future prospective partner.

"Umm... tea is good." Shiela told her.

"Have coffee Mrs.Doshi, she makes excellent coffee." Abhedya suggested swiping his finger on the screen of the IPad.

"Okay! Coffee then." Shiela answered and Swarnima left quickly from there.

"Kunwar sa, I would also like to bring to your notice that history knows the best alliance till date our state has seen was between its ruler and its protector. The future queen fell in love with her protector and when they married they worked hard for the state and its welfare. The state truly turned to Swarnbhoomi since then." Shiela was a very experienced lady. She was one of the oldest and reputed member of the council. Abhedya and Swarnima's expressions and gestures were easy to read.

Abhedya bit the inside of his cheeks to hide his smile and simply nodded his head. Swarnima returned with two cups of coffee.
"This one is really pretty and this one too." Abhedya showed pictures of two very pretty princesses to Shiela.

"Ummm.. are you sure Kunwar sa? Princess Juhi is just 15. She is on the list because she is a princess." Shiela pointed out.

Swarnima chuckled and smiled.
"I meant the one after that." Abhedya covered up.

"Princess Mayuri. Oh! she is lovely. She will be perfect for the job and probably you too. I will make the necessary arrangements and most likely she will be here by day after. Till then, these are her details please read thoroughly. To woo a Princess could be tough." Shiela said winding up the meeting.

"Trust me I know how tough it is dealing with a princess." Abhedya shook his hand with Shiela and thanked her. Her visit brought the light and hope back to his dark and lost life.

Swarnima took the iPad in her hand and saw the picture of Princess Mayuri. She was indeed very beautiful and appealing. In the picture she was dressed in a gorgeous emerald green gown and matching jewellery in huge stones. She was tall and had the perfect figure. Her area of interests were dancing and designing dresses. She loved horse riding and run a designing house of her own. She has a heart of gold and helps the needy.

"Perfect! Ain't she?" Abhedya took the iPad from Swarnima and stared at the picture lovingly.

"Who am I to comment. We have the exercise session in the evening please be ready." Swarnima informed Abhedya.

Abhedya controlled his heart and his emotions. The fact that Swarnima did not tell him he was free to choose his partner and the alliance between ruler and protector was possible, she deserved a little punishment. It would be so much fun to see his jealous cat in action, once again.
....................................................................

It was the day when Princess Mayuri was arriving and the safe house was decorated for her welcome. No major pump and show because of secrecy and security issues.

Nandini came to safe house and straight away questioned Abhedya, "you are meeting a princess and you don't bother telling me? Listen Abhey, don't think you are going to be a king so you can do whatever you want. I am your mother and I have solo rights to approve or disapprove your girl, get that in your thick head."

"Woaaa! My dad's tigress calm down. I am only meeting her so that she teaches me about the mannerisms that the royals follow. The underlined agenda may be fixing our alliance but you know I am my mother's 'good' son and will only choose the one she approves." Abhedya kissed his mother's cheek and hugged her.

"You better stay true to your word." Nandini pointed her finger at Abhedya and went in Swarnima's room. It was dark and not tidy. That is so unlike her. Nandini further came inside and called Abhedya. "Where is Nim."

"I don't know. She has not gone out. Must be here." Abhedya entered her room for the first time.
There was a door next to the bathroom door and Abhedya turned the knob to open it. The sight infront of Nandini and Abhedya made them startled. Swarnima had her earphones on and was busy doing her work.

Tears gathered in Nandini's eyes and she ran to Swarnima.
"Nim! What is this? Why are you doing it?"

Swarnima left her task and got up. Her face lost colour seeing Nandini and Abhedya. She dusted her clothes rigorously.
"Masi.. how come.. I locked the door.. oh stupid me! Umm.. I was.. this is a fantastic exercise and so useful. With this traditional stone mill grinder we now have flour which is absolutely fresh and hygienic."

"Nim! Stop it beta. I know you. Who asked you to do this? Why do they come up with such barbarous and primitive methods to punish you. Just name him Nim. My son is the king, he will not tolerate such injustice with anyone." Nandini went to Abhedya pulled his T-shirt and confirmed, "you won't let this happen Abhey... will you? Just punish those who punish my innocent Nim."

"Masi.. relax. It's okay. I told you I.. I am doing it out of choice.." Swarnima was trying to convince Nandini when Abhedya cut her short and said, "hiding behind a secret room? You think we are fools?"
Swarnima just lowered her head.
"It's Eklavya's punishment right.. for that day?" Abhedya questioned her. Swarnima nodded her head in a 'yes'.

"What day? What happened? Tell me. What's wrong with Eklavya? It was Swarnima who was supposed to teach and train you with everything. Rudra is also upset with his decision. But, this is unacceptable and I will tell Rudra."
Nandini went out of the room to call Rudra.

"Masi please don't." Swarnima shouted from behind.

Nandini stopped and looked at Swarnima with pity. How much more does this angel disguised as Swarnima will have to undergo.

"Abhey, if there was a definition to a good son, you would fit into it. Can I ask you something? The day you get the rights to change things around you.. the first thing you do is free Swarnima from this cage. I know she is chosen to be your protector but promise me you will not keep her caged and set her free to do what she likes." Nandini put her hand out for Abhedya to swear.

Abhedya was about to put his hand on his mother's hand when Swarnima put her hand in Nandini's hand and said, "if this cage ensures my king and my state are safe I call for a Life imprisonment for my self. Masi, Eklavya is a wise man. I trust him. If he has given me a punishment I am probably wrong. So, stop wasting these tears and smile. Anyways my punishment gets over today. We have to welcome the princess. Are you here for her?" Swarnima diverted the topic.

"Welcome Princess Mayuri?? Never!! You are my princess Nim and you are welcomed in my life. one princess is enough for this life." Nandini kissed Swarnima and hugged her. She observed Abhedya and his worries. Nandini hinted her desire, her decision to Abhedya in the words.
She always considered Swarnima her daughter and she will only become her daughter in law. That was her dream. Though she would never force Abhedya or Swarnima to choose against their will. She wanted their happiness.

Nandini left after putting lots of cream and lotion on Swarnima's hands. It was like a mother massaging her new born with lots of tender,love and care. The love that Nandini had for Swarnima was beyond boundaries of relations. It was unconditional and unfathomable.

"Please dress up Princess Mayuri is about come." Swarnima requested Abhedya.

"Dress up? Why? I look stunning in everything." Abhedya said combing his hair with his hand.

'Why!! Why does he have to play with those silky locks!' Swarnima thought. Recovering from a zoned out moment she said, "it's not about good looks only. There is a dress code you have to follow while she is here. Formal clothing only.. like shirts and pants or denims may be at times. Proper shoes, hair, basically you have to be at the best of your behaviour and styling."

"Keep those rules to yourself. I make my own rules and I will wear what I like." Abhedya argued.

"Not possible. You are a royal behave like one. I think you will look more handsome in a formal shirt and pant." Swarnima tried to explain the stubborn prince.

Abhedya came close to her and asked, "more handsome? So, you do agree I fit it into the category of handsome."

"Fit into the category? You could be an adjective to handsome.." Swarnima shut her mouth immediately. "Ummm.. please get ready you cannot let the princess wait." Swarnima quickened her steps from there to her room.

'BLUSHING' had an altogether new synonym... 'ABHEDYA'. He was dizzy in love and admiration he received.
Abhedya changed into his light blue checkers shirt and navy blue pants. If his girl wanted to see him in formals.. formal it is then. He styled his hair, wore his formal Gucci shoes and belt and his favourite perfume of the same brand. His hand was adorned with a smart watch.

He came out in style with a plan to sweep Swarnima from her feet but he was blown away with the sight infront of him. Dressed in a similar blue checkers shirt and black pants with her hair tied neatly in a braid, a thin line of black kohl and her naturally pink lips enhanced with same colour... Swarnima looked deadly. In all terms, because Abhedya stopped breathing when he saw her.

Frozen on his spot Abhedya kept looking at the beauty infront of him without her even realising because there was no sound not even of his breathing. But, when Swarnima turned to Abhedya's direction she had the same reaction. Both souls were captivated by each other. It was like a spell was cast and no one knew how to break it except for....

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Dear Readers
I am sure you are happy to read Abhedya's confusion and misconception of royals choosing royals got cleared.
A new preparation of jealousy mixed in love syrup is ready to be served... pull up your chairs.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love