Eklavya entered the safe house to see his future king and his protector in a deep and intense eye lock. Fisting his palm he called out "Kunwar sa, khamma Ghani." Abhedya dropped his gaze and accepted his greeting.

"Jai Bhawani" Swarnima and Eklavya exchanged their greetings by praising the mighty goddess.

"The Princess is about to arrive let's head out." Eklavya requested Abhedya.

Standing outside the safe house Abhedya and Swarnima had a red hue on their faces not because of the sunlight but because of the light their hearts were beaming with.

A convoy of five cars came to a halt and Eklavya went to the car Princess Mayuri was sitting. He opened the door for her and bow infront of her.
An amazingly alluring beauty stepped out of the car in a deep red knee length dress which enhanced her figure and made her look very appealing.
Abhedya was awe struck. He was gawking at the princess. She was walking down the garden but Abhedya stood rooted on his spot.

"Kunwar sa, please go ahead and receive her." Swarnima prompted Abhedya but he didn't respond.
With gritted teeth Swarnima repeated, "Kunwar sa, please go ahead and welcome the princess."
Abhedya gained his consciousness and went ahead to welcome the princess.

"Welcome to Swarnbhoomi , Princess Mayuri." Abhedya welcomed in a very charming tone.

"Charmed prince. thankyou! The state is beautiful and so are it's people." Mayuri remarked forwarding her hand.

Abhedya kissed the back of her hand and flirty smiles followed.
"Welcome Princess Mayuri." Swarnima bow infront of her and she nodded in response.

Swarnima escorted them inside. Mayuri and Abhedya sat on opposite sofas. "It's our honour that your highness agreed to offer her exclusive services for Swarnbhoomi at such a short notice." Swarnima said offering them welcome drinks.

"Swarnbhoomi is a very special state and I would not miss a chance to meet their 'exclusive' prince before he is introduced to the world." Mayuri had a smile lingered on her lips.

"Well! thankyou or I feel estimable.. which is a better reply? Princess?" Abhedya questioned.

"Estimable"
"Thankyou is just fine"
Swarnima and Mayuri answered at the  same time. Mayuri raised her eyebrows at Swarnima and she bow her head and said, "apologises. I just spoke as a reflex."

"As a reflex? Even when he asked 'princess' specifically. Anyways I don't require anything else. Thankyou, you may leave." Mayuri told Swarnima politely.

"Actually Princess Mayuri, she was the one who duped everyone till date. She was introduced as the heir to the throne. I guess old habits take time to go." Eklavya clarified.

"Everyone believed she was the princess? Really? Uhh.. don't get me wrong you look Umm.. you look fine but acting like a princess and being one are two totally opposite things." Mayuri explained her.

"I think she is one aloof beauty. If she can dupe the extremely wise council of Swarnbhoomi, trust me Mayuri, she can rule the world. Hello everyone, I am Karanjeet Pratap from Raonagar." A tall, dark and handsome boy who stood at the door introduced himself.

"You don't need introductions your highness. Please come. We were informed that you will arrive after an hour." Eklavya bow to greet the prince of Raonagar.
Swarnima bow too and welcomed him.
Abhedya stretched his hand for a shake.

"I would have waited for you brother. We could have come together." Mayuri told her brother.

"Liar! Even if I would have told you to wait for five minutes you wouldn't have. She was so excited to meet the future king. I can see you had all the reasons." Karanjeet teased his sister and she blushed.

Swarnima knew her teeth will pain. She gritted them so hard. Abhedya just smiled in response. Swarnima brought a welcome drink for Karanjeet.

"Miss Swarnima I have heard a lot about your bravery and brilliance. I must say I am thoroughly impressed. Once the coronation is done why don't you pay a visit to our town and guide us towards shaping the future of our town." Karanjeet invited Swarnima to his town.

"She is an exclusive asset of Swarnbhoomi and we do not share our treasures." Abhedya answered on behalf of Swarnima.

"Uh.. ofcourse. I heard the bond between the rulers and protectors of Swarnbhoomi... saw it with my eyes today. But, while we are here for three days we can learn from each other. My sister Mayuri will look after your training of royal mannerisms while I can learn some skills from the aloof beauty, here." Karanjeet suggested.

"Let's proceed for lunch. It's about time." Eklavya did not want another encounter.

The dining table was full of scrumptious and exquisite dishes. State specialties and general variety. Abhedya took the seat at the head , Mayuri to his right and Karanjeet on her left.

Swarnima and Eklavya served them the three course meal and the lunch received a lot of appreciation.

"So, Abhedya, when do you wish to start?" Mayuri asked him.

"Today evening is good. We can have the diner after that." Abhedya suggested , his attention however was diverted to Karanjeet who was observing Swarnima.

"Sounds good. We shall meet at sharp seven then. Thank you for the wonderful lunch Abhedya." Mayuri said getting up from the table and Abhedya pulled her chair to help her.

"Miss Swarnima when do I get to learn a few techniques from you?" Karanjeet asked.

"My duty does not permit me to leave the king and I have to guard him 24/7. So, if you could excuse me, but Eklavya is here and there can be no better coach than him. Eklavya will be honoured to introduce you to some skills." Swarnima politely rejected Karanjeet and Abhedya sighed in relief.

"Sure. When Princess Mayuri comes in the evening why don't you join her. There is ring behind where we could learn a skill or two." Eklavya was happy.

Karanjeet smirked and said, "why not, see you in the evening. Goodbye prince Abhedya, Eklavya, Miss Swarnima."

After the royal siblings and Eklavya left, Abhedya pulled Swarnima from her elbow and ordered, "listen stay away from that prince.. he is trying to flirt around with you."

Swarnima released her hand and nodded her head. Abhedya pulled her again and asked her, "you didn't tell me how did I look in 'formal shirt and pants'?"

"I told you before you will look good in them. Princess was charmed I am sure." Swarnima answered him but jealousy or hurt or something in between, could be seen on her face.

"Oh! So you wanted me to look good for the princess?" Abhedya questioned her.

"Yes" Swarnima answered picking up plates.
Abhedya helped her in the work and asked her, "are you sure, Mayuri was 'charmed by me?"

"I guess so." Swarnima put the dishes in dish washer.

"Good then because I think she is pretty hot and would look good with me." Abhedya teased her.
Swarnima just nodded her head and did her work.

"What's for diner? If you need help I am always available for you." Abhedya wanted to tease her but not hurt her.

"Your diet has oats and salad for diner. The guests will be served Italian tonight which will be organised from outside. For your information Princess Mayuri loves Italian." Swarnima kept cleaning the spotless kitchen slab.

"I don't want to eat oats! I hate them. I will eat Italian with Mayuri." Abhedya declared.

Swarnima gave a paper to Abhedya which prescribed his diet by a dietitian. "It's not easy to claim the throne. You have to sacrifice a lot of things. Food is just small thing. Besides, you liked oats remember you tasted from my bowl at the farm house."

"Fine! Don't lecture me. By the way, Why didn't you tell me about your punishment Nim? It was my fault. Are we so distant now?" Abhedya finally questioned her of the punishment she got by Eklavya.

"What could I tell you? Just try to understand yourself sometimes. I pleaded you that day to not say anything infront of him but you could not read me." Swarnima stopped her work and finally faced him.

Abhedya saw her pretty face. He knew he was wrong. Infact the idea of calling Princess Mayuri  was wrong. Why does he not think before taking action. Now he had to deal with Mayuri, that flirt Karanjeet and hurt Swarnima. If he was hating someone flirting with her she must be hating it all the more.

"Why do you bow infront of everyone?" Abhedya asked her.

"Code of conduct. Royals have to be treated royally." Swarnima bow infront of him With a smile.

He pulled Swarnima and said, "I order you.. from now on you shall not bow infront of anyone except God. You get that? Now just go and rest. I will complete the work. Shhh! No arguments else I won't punish like Eklavya but my punishments will be much much severe."
Swarnima was shocked with Abhedya's behaviour. She didn't argue and went to her room.
Abhedy completed the rest of the cleaning and smiled. 'I wanted to make you jealous but I love you like a mad man! I will chase you and make you mine my lover girl. Flirting with you will be so much fun. Be prepared our final exam of the game called love has begun.' When two lovers think the same way.. expect some fireworks.

It was evening and Abhedya was ready in yet another pair formal shirt and pant as per instructions. Swarnima changed her dress too.
Mayuri came wearing a sexy halter neck black top and shimmer pants.

"hot." Abhedya whispered in Swarnima's ear eyeing Mayuri and welcomed her.

"So, Abhedya your first lesson is to compliment the women you are meeting. Now! I took an hour to dress up so your compliments must be flattery." Mayuri said grabbing Abhedya's arm. Swarnima's expression changed for a micro second but she masked it up.

"Compliment you? Well my dictionary will fall short of words in your praise Princess." Abhedya genuinely felt she looked good.

"Stop that flirting now! Mayuri not when your brother is here." Karanjeet remarked. "Miss Swarnima could you escort me to the ring?"

"Sure. Please come." Swarnima led the way to the ring.
It was now Abhedya who gritted his teeth.
Swarnima came back with a smile on her face and Abhedya didn't fail to notice it. Mayuri was bugging Abhedya with her royal mannerisms.
Abhedya was groomed by Nandini and Rudra who himself was/is a prince. It was inherent in him. But, this well he dig for himself he can't escape. Swarnima laid the diner table when Eklavya called her.
"Swarnima, Prince Karanjeet wants to learn bahumukha, please come and help me teach him."

"Kunwar sa, I will be back in fifteen minutes." Swarnima left with Eklavya.

In the ring Swarnima and Eklavya were teaching Karanjeet a skill. Abhedya and Princess Mayuri also came there. Abhedya hated what he saw. Swarnima was hugged in a similar way he hugged her the day he was taught this skill. Abhedya though held her much closer but Karanjeet was also not far. They were close, much to Abhedya's dismay.

Karanjeet was panting and sweating with the practice session. He thanked Eklavya and Swarnima and bid bye. A sweaty prince could not stay for the diner.

Abhedya quickly finished diner with Mayuri and avoided all her flirts and remarks. Some politely and some bluntly. Swarnima could not judge what was the reason behind Abhedya not flirting with the girl he found 'hot'. Receiving no positive response Mayuri left after diner.

Abhedya locked the door of the safe house and pulled Swarnima to his room.

"What were you doing in the ring?" Abhedya questioned her in anger.

"Ring? Today? Helping Prince Karanjeet learn bahumukha. Remember you learnt it the other day." Swarnima answered in all innocence.

"And you lashed out and accused me for touching you inappropriately. Was Karanjeet's touch appropriate? You liked him touching you and hugging you? You were fine infact happy when he touched you?" Abhedya accused Swarnima.

"The other day you justified that your touch was within the boundaries of the skill learning and no where was it inappropriate. If I felt that way I am wrong and I misunderstood. So, how come Prince Karanjeet who was not even touching an inch of my body inappropriate? I apologised to you and you accepted my apology. what I felt wrong was not wrong is what you explained to me. Quoting all examples from our past." Swarnima argued. He could not just accuse her of something she did not do.

Abhedya pushed Swarnima to the wall nearby, held her face in his hand and raged, "don't you dare compare me with him. I can touch you the way I want. You belong to me and only me." Abhedya was so much in anger that he opened Swarnima's shirt's buttons from the bottom.
"I can do whatever I want with you. Did his touch cause goosebumps like the way when I touch you?" Abhedya's hand went under her shirt and he touched Swarnima's bare waist. His finger trailed from her stomach to her back.
"Did his touch ignite sparks in you?" Abhedya's hand now traveled on her back till the hook of her bra.
"Did his touch make you feel loved?" Abhedya kept trailing his hand on her bare back and his nose was moving up and down from Swarnima's face to the neck. He sniffed and inhaled the aroma he loved. Fruity, minty fragrance drove him mad.
"Did his touch..." Abhedya could not complete his sentence because he made the mistake of seeing in Swarnima's eyes which were filled with tears.
He immediately took his hand out of her shirt and stepped back. He covered his face in guilt and came to Swarnima to apologise. "I.. I .. I am sorry I.. fuck! Nim.. I.."

"Shhh! Just don't say.. just fuck! That's what you were about to do?" Swarnima asked him in a teary voice.

Abhedya held her shoulders and said, "no no no no! Never! I would never do that! Shit! I just got carried away... I was angry and I could not see that Karanjeet coming close to you... I am sorry Nim.. please forgive me.. I will never repeat.. hell I will... I am just so sorry.. please don't cry. I can't see your tears.. Nim please."
Abhedya wiped her tears and Swarnima jerked his hand away and slapped him right across his face.

That slap just didn't touch his cheek but his soul!!

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Dear Readers
New entries.. new variants... old love.. old lovers.
Abhedya just crossed his line. His possessiveness and jealousy made him do something he would otherwise never do. But, he was rightly punished with 'a' slap or there will be more?
Stay hooked!
Lots of love