Princess Fighter: Search for the Throne

XLV

It was very unfair and Mriga could only grumble about it. His stamina has been excellent these past few weeks due to strenuous exercise under Ramanujam's supervision. But it seemed pitiful in front of his senior.

Whether it was because of his request or vice versa, Bela told them that they were done that night. While Mriga was dropping down on the ground, Shaurya bowed to him and started collecting the equipment and mats that had been used by them.

Leaving the two of them in the courtyard, Bela returned to the house where Raghu was waiting for her. Strengthening himself for another scolding from her, he took out a bundle of bananas and peeled them for himself.

He knew it was just the beginning and he needed to keep his energy levels high. The last two nights were very difficult because he barely had time to sleep.

"Are you being pulled back?" he asked calmly.

Bela was shocked to hear him say that. Although they never talked about it openly, she knew that she was aware she had a different past than normal people.

"Just a minute to help. It seemed urgent," he did not know what else to say.

Raghu nodded and replied, "I'd better draw a balanced diet chart for the three of you. I can't tolerate sick people in my house."

Bela smiled while tears formed in her eyes at her unconditional love. He went and slipped his arm around her waist, surprising her.

He believes that this seemingly shy and usually confused man is sent to his life as compensation for his unfulfilled dreams.

Sending a prayer of gratitude to heaven, he placed his lips on his neck, which gave his skin goosebumps. Bringing the woman into his arms, he did not hesitate and pulled her for a deep and passionate kiss. Familiarity yet the heat made them drown in each other's arms.

Shaurya held his breath, lest he make the two of them realize his presence. He had walked a few seconds ago to where Raghu pulled Bela into his arms and he never got a chance to announce his presence.

Turning his gaze away from the sight of the fire in front of him, he retraced his steps back to where Mriga was still lying on the ground like a dead fish.

He could feel his pulse racing uncomfortably in his veins and seeing the flushed cheeked girl with hair plastered all over his face, it did not make matters any better.

In the last few weeks, Mriga's body has begun to change. Whether he realized it or not, Shaurya had a hard time ignoring that. He knew that for the next he would never be able to disguise himself as a boy, forever.

"How much longer do you intend to lie here? Do I have to do all the work myself?" he spoke in a harsh tone, bringing his attention towards him.

"ah! You're back already? What did Mom say about the equipment? Did you tell him that we have to take it out just because we're going to use it every night? Why add to the workload when it's unbearable?" he wailed.

"It seems that I was not taught to question my teacher's will or orders. Apparently, you haven't studied well despite being taught by the same group of teachers," the reprimand was clearly heard in his voice.

Mriga sat in confusion. Didn't he agree to her request some time ago and go look for his mother?

Then why did he suddenly say these evil things to her? He begins to suspect that the poison has permanently affected his brain. He experiences strange mood swings and behaves contradictorily every minute.

Removing the sweat-laden hair from her face, she scowled at him and got up. If he doesn't want to talk to her, he will do it himself.

Before Shaurya realized his desired target, he had already climbed the stairs and walked in.

"Argh... don't you two have any shame? Can you guys not hold back in the common areas of the house? Until when you'll behave…"

Shaurya could not hear any more high-pitched words from Mriga's mouth. He grinned, imagining the expression on his face right now.

Inside the house, Raghu hurriedly covered his brazen daughter's mouth with his palm. Yes, their family was a forward-thinking family and he never shied away from showing his affection for the two women in the house.

But this is a bit overkill, even by his standards. Thankfully, it was not the slick man who came, but his daughter.

While Bela stood glued to the same spot, with a red face, Mriga's long grin was seen peering through Raghu's fingers on his face.

Releasing her hand, Mriga said, "Alright. No need to look so sad. Mama will go to return everything to the storage room. Veer and mama took at least twenty minutes to complete. So... uh, you guys ..”

Before either of his parents could punish him, he ran out shouting in joy. By the time she reached the courtyard, Shaurya had cleared the entire place and hung the mats on the wall to dry once the sun rose.

"Oh! Have you finished everything? Umm, so, to show my gratitude, should I take you to the best scenic spot in the zilla?" he asked with a boost.

He was cautious in trying to give privacy to his parents.

Shaurya nodded his head showing his approval. But his expression did not reveal his true thoughts. He still did not fully calm down after witnessing the scene inside and initially wanted to reject Mriga's offer.

But the greed to spend more time with her made her agree to her offer.

Ever since he learned that he was assigned to a mission that could mean he couldn't return, he told himself that it was good if his heart was fixed elsewhere. The next ten days with him were all he had and he wanted to spend every second of it with him.

Even without him noticing, his tone and actions had become softer towards him back then. Since she would not express her feelings for him through her lips, her body had taken it upon itself to show through each movement what she meant for him.

He followed Mriga out on an uneven path, walking one step behind him. He could hear her chattering but instead of paying attention to her words, his senses were focused on her profile.

He greedily absorbed his scent, the way his hands moved according to the excitement of his words, the wavy hair that stuck to his body like a second skin.

Being this close to him was testing his self-control to its absolute limits. He doesn't know when or how or why.

All she knew without a doubt, was - she was the only one, the last girl she would love!

"That's why no one's ever found this place. Don't you think that's amazing?" Mriga spread her arms in style and invited Shaurya to see the scene in front of them.

Shaurya did not know how they arrived at this place and he also did not remember what he said was the history behind it.

Using his stone-faced behavior as cover, he simply nodded, hoping he wouldn't ask him about it, now or later.

Seeing the slightest hint of excitement on his face, Mriga rolled her eyes in frustration and sat down on one of the stones there.

They sat in a favorable spot from which the twinkling lights of half of the zilla could be seen.

Although the place was not located at a very high point, its sloping location made it seem as if it was on top.

After a moment of hesitation, Shaurya also sat down next to him but still stared intently at the scene.

When there was no sound from her partner for the next few minutes, she wondered if she was asleep. Poking his neck to the side, he looked and then looked again.

Mriga's current expression was much different than usual.

"Are you.err.." she wanted to ask if she was okay but the words got stuck in her throat.

"Have you ever been in a relationship that didn't work out in the end?" he asked gently.

For a moment, his heart soared thinking about it, but then he looked at it carefully. Is he sad? But he was very cheerful just a moment ago.

Why are women such complicated creatures?

If that bastard hurt him, he would break his neck, even if he had to come back from the dead for it.

He belatedly realized that while he was busy grinding his teeth and clenching his fists, he was still waiting for an answer from her.

"Uh, given my circumstances, it would be a miracle if the relationship worked out," he said, without the slightest bit of self-pity.

He was looking at the stars above when he said so. In the next instant, he could feel his yearning gaze on his face. Somehow, his closeness to him or the impending circumstances made him say the next few lines.

"If I'm being an orphan isn't enough, add up my almost non-existent social skills and if that still doesn't get in the way, don't forget the secret double life I lead. How can I have a chance?" his voice had no tone but he could feel the bitterness of his words.

Mriga forgot her sadness for a moment and said, with heat, "What rubbish? A person's background is something that is not in his control. So how can that be a determining factor? As for your behavior, well, it seems like less, sometimes but don't you know that most girls fall in love with a sullen, arrogant guy who seems to be carrying chips on their shoulders. And your good looks make that fusion all the more interesting."

Shaurya's jaw opened at his words and he turned to look at him. But in her spirit to make her feel better, she continued without any filters in her mouth, not even realizing the implications of her words.

"The life of a secret spy might make it a little challenging to balance things but women of all ages love intrigue. Just think, if you were a girl, would you choose two Good Lord shoes that are predictable and boring when you have a bad one? A boy with a murderous look and a sizzling aura in front of you. I mean is it's even a choice. Don't be discouraged. Waita minute. You will probably see women fighting for your attention and affection sooner rather than later. As for that in the past, they must have been blind," he finished his words in a high tone.

"So, is that the kind of guy you like?"

The gentle question Shaurya asked brought him back to reality.

He wanted to give her a frivolous answer but somehow the pain in his heart resurfaced.

With a wry touch on his lips, he replied, "I'm not sure if I want to like any man, anymore. You know, unlike you, everything about me is normal. Even so, or because of that, my relationship is not."

"not working. In the end, I asked myself was I lacking, or was he? Maybe, it's me…"

His next words remained unspoken as Shaurya had gripped his neck and placed his lips on his lips with a sudden force.

Mriga's body froze to the point of not moving. They had been sitting so close to each other that all she needed to do was twist her body and hug her.

Part of Shaurya's brain was shocked by his behavior. Has he lost his mind? But the rational part was ruthlessly squashed under the pressure of the emotions buried within him.

One of his arms wrapped around his back, while the other wrapped around his neck. Although it was not planned intentionally, that position really left no space between their bodies.

Realizing that he was gripping her too tightly, she loosened her grip on her neck and slipped her fingers into her hair.

Her lips that had only touched her lips until now, decided to find the texture and taste of her mouth.

Making use of her shocked state, she pulled her non-resisting lower lip into her mouth with her teeth and bit her soft inner part, almost like the first bite of a berry.

A shivering bolt pierced through Mriga's body, making her flinch.

He let go for a moment.

Avoiding her round and wide eyes and the questioning look within, she stood up and said indifferently,

"Reaction time is too slow. We'll work on it for next."

While she looked at him cluelessly, she continued by shrugging her shoulders,

"Having holes in self-pity and self-doubt is something that doesn't suit you. It would be the privilege and honor of any man to be able to receive your attention and affection."

He returned his own words to her, but he was in no condition to register or respond to them.

"Let's go back. Your parents must have been wondering about your whereabouts," with that, he pulled her up and began to descend.

He still hasn't spoken a word.

"I have to dare to go out! Did I just lose my mind there? What am I thinking ??? Good Lord! taste of his mouth ..." The inside of Shaurya screamed.

All he wanted to do was make her feel better after listening to the broken words coming out of his mouth. The anger he felt towards the man for making him sound so hurt and unsure made him lose his mind at that moment.

Only after a few minutes did Mriga realize that her fingers were intertwined with hers. When did he take his hand? In a hurry he pulled it out and he gave no resistance, as if he was the first to put it there.

Dying with embarrassment, she did not know what to ask or how about what had just happened. He looked so calm and collected as if what happened a while ago was a normal occurrence to him.

"Is he trying to make me feel better? Wait a minute, does he offer comfort to all the girls in this way? Did I feel sorry for her in vain all this time? Is he a player?" unaware of the black thoughts swirling in her head, Shaurya walked beside her with a small smile on her lips.

He finally calmed down. His entire body was filled with smell and taste. It seemed like his soul had come alive after a very long time.

"I.. no, I mean next time.ahem, what I want to say is if, not it will happen but if I, or another girl is confused or upset in front of you, don't be so quick to offer support in, umm. The situation required some words of encouragement and not, uh, any drastic action," he said, anger clearly visible in his voice.

He moved his head to the side but Mriga firmly stared at the ground.

Careful not to let her smile filter through her words, she replied, "This is only the first time I have given such a boost in personal matters. I thought showing my sincerity would be more effective than saying empty words."

Mriga stopped and raised her eyes to look at him in astonishment. He really was the 'acted one.'

While one part of him was relieved that he was not willing to do this to others, the other part was amused at his stupidity. Forgetting the intimacy and awkwardness just a moment ago, he patted her on the arm.

"I also thought! You are clearly inexperienced in matters of the heart and give advice. In that case, you should listen to me. For the next time, when a girl comes to you and reveals her heart, you just have to show 'sincerity' - you through words and that too, which is neutral. Otherwise, they might consider you a pervert," he sounded arrogant.

Shaurya was surprised by the thought process of this girl.

How could he reach this age without being bullied for his stupidity?

"I don't plan to listen to the other person's heart and his sadness" he replied in a serious tone.

Mriga did not expect a thank you from him, but this answer was deliberately made unclear.

Was he trying to say that he would not repeat his behavior or was it a warning for him for telling him about his situation from the start and as a result, somehow it was his fault?