"I haven't seen you for ages" Nadira sighed, "I have sent you so many invitations but you have never accepted one. But looks like this time you have made up your mind huh?" She gave a mocking look at Ananya.

"Now you are starting too?" Ananya rolled her eyes, "please, spare me" she leaned on the table and supported her head in her palm.

"What happened you seemed like your mood is off" Nadira smiled, "shall I inform brother that you are not feeling good?"

Ananya glared at her, "don't take him in our conversation. Whatever he does has nothing to do with me" she let out a groan.

"I haven't even said anything" Nadira shrugged. "But I guess this time, aunt is determined to find a good bride for him. You know, brother is soon going to be the crown prince and he needs a wife to accompany him"

Ananya narrowed her eyes, "do you need to remind me? I am very well aware of it" she threw a tight smile towards Nadira before saying, "I guess among all the princesses, Princess Soniya will win the title"

"Princess Soniya?" Nadira frowned. The playful expression on her face vanished instantly. "Who is that? I don't remember I knew anyone with such name"

"Oh, then let me enlighten you dear friend" Ananya smiled, "she is the princess of Alwar, of course her parents couldn't make in the ceremony so she came to congratulate personally. She has also given your aunt a beautiful gift" though she was explaining, she couldn't hide the displeasure at all.

"So what? Why did you think that Princess Soniya will win?" Nadira couldn't understand.

"Ah! I wouldn't have such thought if I haven't seen your dearest brother being so closed with her. Actually they really looked like perfectly matched couple. You know the saying goes, a match made in heaven. Besides Alwar and Samrat would have a harmonious relationship if this relationship becomes official" Ananya straightened herself, "afterall Alwar is famous for its precious gems which people desire. The profit is from everywhere, a total pakage"

Nadira sighed. She looked at her friend. Ananya was few years older than her and almost about the same age as her brother but they still make the best bond and become best friends. She was also aware about the secret admiration they have for each other. Now seeing her like this Nadira was confirmed that this Princess Soniya is creating troubles between the couple intentionally or unintentionally.

"You are thinking too much. Aunt wouldn't agree to anything if she don't like it" Nadira told her, "besides there's still time before everything settled down. If you don't like Princess Soniya then stay away from her and as for brother' s matter I will see it myself" she wouldn't let any woman come in between. That was for sure.

Ananya rolled her eyes, "actually you know what don't bother yourself. Your brother has become the idol of admiration among the beautiful delicate princesses. Let him deside it. It's his life anyway"

"Ay, are you giving up so fast? You aren't even trying to fight" Nadira asked.

"Fight? For what?" Ananya questioned. "How can there be a fight when there's no claim or promises. To be honest, I can rub salt in the wounds but how can I do it when the person wouldn't let me see where the wound is?"

Nadira leaned back and smiled, "do you mean you want to beat Princess Soniya black and blue?"

"Humph, I didn't say that" Ananya turned her head and refused to admit.

"Dear friend you are dying here in jealousy yet that brother of mine is really blind" Nadira shook her head.

"Who is jealous?" Ananya abruptly glared at her, "I have said it, I really don't care about him. I have something to do so I will leave now" she got up and left immediately.

Nadira sat there watching her friend left fuming. "Princess Soniya huh?" She uttered to herself.

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Ananya was walking in rage. Her heart was displeased. She was walking so fast that her maids behind her find themselves unable to match her pace. They were almost running behind her. As she was about to take a turn she bumped into something hard.

"Who—" she was about to yell but stopped at once when she saw the person before her.

"Anirudh?" Ananya exclaimed in surprise. She couldn't believe that she was really seeing him.

"Hello Princess" Anirudh smiled.

"You are here too?" Ananya asked again.

"As you can see" Anirudh shrugged.

"Oh my god, I never thought that I will be able to see you here. This is such a great surprise" Ananya suddenly become happy and she forgot about her anger few moments ago.

"Why were you walking so fast? Were you in a hurry to reach somewhere?"

Ananya shook her head, "no, I was bored. But since you are here, I think I don't have to die in boredom"

"Okay then I will keep you accompany" Anirudh nodded.

"Let's go, I have so many things to tell you" Ananya hold his arm and pulled her with him. Anirudh helplessly let her drag him to wherever she wants.

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"So you are going to be crowned as Crown Prince soon" Prince Rihan said as he looked at Digvijay. "I also heard that this time you also going to choose a bride?"

Digvijay rolled his eyes, "don't ask me. This matter is kind of mess"

"Why is that? There are many princesses joining the ceremony. And those who will be coming here will all be reputed daughters. Can't you find the one in the sea of beauties?" Rihan laughed.

Digvijay narrowed his eyes, "are you mocking me? If you were that interested then why don't you take the step and bring a wife back with you?"

Prince Rihan raised his hands in the air, "oops not doing. The ceremony is for you and you should be the one choosing the bride first. After the session if anyone left of my liking at the end then your suggestion could be considered"

"Thanks, but not interested" Digvijay shook his head and leaned back on the chair.

"Why are you refusing? Is it because you don't want to marry or you already have someone you like?" Prince Rihan wiggled his eyebrows.

Digvijay frowned, "can't you just shut up for a moment. I need some peace for myself"

Prince Rihan smirked, "well, I thought you are still stuck on certain someone"

"Oh you are a fortune teller now? Since you have predicted then enlighten me who is it?"

"Well..... Like Princess....Ananya?"

"What?" Digvijay almost startled.

Rihan frowned, "wasn't that Princess Ananya?" He pointed towards the far direction located in the flower garden, "I didn't know that she has a suitor here"

Digvijay's head snapped towards the direction in lightening speed. He frowned when he saw the two figure walking in the garden while laughing and talking. Suddenly his fist clenched tightly and his eyes turned red in anger. Rihand turned his head and saw the expression which made him smirk. He comfortably leaned back and said again.

"Ah, such a beautiful couple. Princess Ananya is really a beautiful lady, and the man because her well really suited her. Is it her fiance or something—"

"Shut up" Digvijay growled like an animal.

"Why are you so angry? I was talking about Princess Ananya's choice of man. Can't I even appreciate a good—" before Rihan could complete Digvijay already left the scene. But Rihan was not in hurry as he just smiled and relaxed.

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"Why didn't say you will be also coming. If I knew than I would have stopped by and came with you" Ananya said.

"Well it was out of plan. I wasn't also expecting to come here. Father's health has improved a little so he sent me here"

"I just hope he would recover soon" Ananya smiled. They walked around the garden.

"Have you met everyone?" Anirudh asked.

"Yes, I have arrived earlier. I even forced mother to come with me"

"It has been days that I met aunt" Anirudh sighed, "because of the royal matters I couldn't travel like before"

"Then let's go and meet mother first. She will be too happy to see you. You know she has been talking about you recently " Ananya said.

"Really?"

"Yes, let's go. I will take you to her" she hold his arm and about to pull when she stopped suddenly. She frowned when she saw Digvijay standing at the garden entrance. His expression was cold which sends shiver down in her body. Unknowingly she gulped down hardly.

"What happened?" Anirudh asked frowning at her.

"Well—" Ananya started but Digvijay walked forward towards them.

"You are—" Anirudh said.

"I am Digvijay" Digvijay said.

"Oh, I am sorry, I didn't recognised you at first" Anirudh smiled, "I am Anirudh, the prince of Sukambhar"

Digvijay nodded, "welcome to Samrat, Prince Anirudh"

"Thank you" Anirudh nodded and about to say something when his servant appeared out of nowhere.

"Your highness, his majesty is waiting for you"

Anirudh sighed and nodded, "looks like I have to leave now" he turned towards Ananya, "I will see you later Princess"

"Okay" Ananya smiled.

Anirudh nodded towards  Digvijay before leaving with his servant. After he left, Digvijay turned towards Ananya who was watching Anirudh leaving.

"What happened you seemed like you are fond of Prince Anirudh?"

Ananya looked at him, "what's the matter your highness? You can fond of Princess Soniya yet I can't find someone who is interesting? I don't have any problem with your matter, why is that you are     interfering in mine?"

Digvijay clenched his jaw, "I am not fond of Princess Soniya. Don't make up such nonsense"

Ananya shrugged, "whatever it is. I am tired. I will leave first" she said and walk pass him but before she could even few more steps Digvijay grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him.

"What are you doing?" Ananya glared at him.

"Are you trying to trigger my jealousy point dear princess?" Digvijay hissed, "I must remind you, it's not very appreciative"

"Your highness, it's nothing to do with me whether you appropriate it or not. Would you please let me go now? If others see us like this they would take things differently"

"Since they are taking things differently then let them give more to think" he whispered as he closed the distance of their faces.

Ananya's eyes widened, "what are you doing, get—" she couldn't finish her words when her lips were sealed by him. It took few seconds before the temperature of the garden to heat up.

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Heated 🙈

This young generation of historical era are 😆