Princess Fighter: Search for the Throne

LVI

Himprayag

Ever since he was informed of the throne challenge, Mithilesh impatiently awaited Rudradev's response at his invitation.

Although he did not expect this situation to arise, the timing of these two events left him amused. All he had to do was carry out the financial expansion Rudradev had proposed earlier and claim his glory in front of the royal palace later on.

He was confident that he would be able to do so within half of the time his father had given him and his competing sister.

"Don't worry. I just want to help you make a tremendous success out of it. If we manage to do well, I promise to elevate you to the highest ministerial level, damn, I will even make you a special one" he assured Rudradev.

It was imperative to win Rudradev's loyalty completely to himself.

The Minister shook his head and said, "I am wholeheartedly committed to serving you. You don't have to worry about my cooperation. This project is very close to my heart. If I can get an ally like you in the process, it will definitely be a success."

...****************...

East Zilla

Ramanujam just received a letter from Prithvi. Things are not looking good in the capital and he is desperate to be there at such difficult times. But Prithvi insisted the recruitment team was nowhere near the capital.

Saraswati is currently in the Southern zilla and supervises the project that Prithvi assigned to her. The same details were unknown to anyone except the two of them.

As for Shaurya, he had no idea of his whereabouts. But he knew that Guruji was thinking of something, otherwise he would not have spread his core team in such a way.

Ramanujam's job in the Eastern zilla is to try and track down the two people that Prithvi has given him a sketch. Also, he oversaw the movement of poor, homeless people who appeared to have been hired by the intruders. Unfortunately, everything was silent, in fact, too silent to deliver the good news.

He started his day around late afternoon and did his surveillance duties after sunset. He invested several hours in the evening to build an information network before five trainees came to him.

Training these children was a byproduct of his presence in this zilla. In fact, Prithvi had told him that they had all been asked to go to the East zilla at the last minute just as he was about to leave Gurukul.

In his usual way, though, he tells Ramanujam that it would be good if he could set aside time from his routine to start training them to the level meant for spies who joined Suraksha Chakra after fainting from Gurukul.

It was already on the tip of his tongue to say that this apprentice was in no way qualified to receive that training but he held back, believing that his mentor would not speak for no reason.

To his surprise, all the interns showed great hope despite facing challenging assignments every night.

Although he had worked with each of them on a much closer level than Prithvi, he was unaware of their potential. It is true – a teacher will always be a teacher!

...****************...

Saptindhu

Ratansingh had doubts about the sudden defection from Shauryaveer. More than that, he was worried that his own situation was revealed in front of his senior in Chandragarh. How did he find out about Ratansingh switching allegiances?

And if he finds out while sitting in the capital, how many people between here and there are aware of it?

Did they come for him?

Although he asks repeatedly, Shaurya remains silent about his source who has told him about Ratansingh's shift of allegiance from his homeland to Sapsindhu.

He went to his handler and told him about the situation. He is advised to send a message to Chandragarh about Shaurya's desire to defect. The actions of their side will determine the truth.

...****************...

Northern Zilla

Bela's face smiled when she saw her eagle sitting in front of the gate of her house in the early morning. Almost running towards him, he removed a small brown scroll from his leg. The roll is the same color as the bird's foot as an extra precaution.

He read a message saying, "All hell has broken."

He heaved a sigh of relief that he managed to get to the other side safely and their plan was intact, for now. The first stage is complete, there is much more to go through.

Although Prithvi had told him about getting information from his mole about someone being seen in the 'ghost spring' at the mountain base a few nights ago, it was not until now, he was still agitated until he did not hear from her directly.

...****************...

Capital city, Chandragarh

Prithvi receives a message from Suraksha Chakra West zilla's office. When not encrypted, it reads that Shauryaveer has been spotted on Sapsindhu by various sources.

There is speculation that he managed to sneak into the country through the western border. He has contacted their spy, Ratansingh, there and recounted his desire to defect to another country.

The letter said that Ratansingh had drugged him with a truth serum and extracted this information from him and was therefore confident of his credibility. The message further asked Prithvi's opinion on future actions as Shauryaveer had guided and worked under him.

Prithvi rolled back the parchment before burning it. He stared at the empty, somber wall. After pondering over it for a few seconds, he picked up his quill pen and began to write back.

...----------------...

Saptindhu

"I have been given the order to kill him" Ratansingh told Saptsindhu's handler in relief.

Although this proves that Shaurya was not sent to expel him and his disguise has not been uncovered, he still finds it difficult to digest it.

Shaurya has made his mark very early in his career, not only because of his skills but also his sincere dedication to his country. It seemed almost impossible to change the total course in his personality in such a short span of time.

Both he and the handler agree that Shaurya is too dangerous and unpredictable a person to take to their side regardless of his claims and this order. But the handler instructs him to extract all the information Shaurya wants to share about the Chandragarh network.

"Take him and then, kill him as ordered by your senior" the handler told him. Snoots.

...****************...

East Zilla

"Don't tell me you're still sulking because you lost to me last night" Mriga's voice sounded joyful to a higher level.

Although this was the first time that Abhirath had been defeated in an individual or team exam, he did not take issue with it, especially after losing to his favorite person in the world.

But Mriga had already thought that he must have been upset at the loss and had been bothering her since late at night on the same topic. Or perhaps, that was how he brought up the topic over and over again.

Being used to her personality, she maintained her stoic face. It is easier to let him believe what he wants, instead of trying to argue. But Nirbhay could not help but grumble.

"Not him sulking but you preening, it's also like a drunk peacock. Winning one task, huh, what's the problem," he couldn't help but say.

Mriga opened his mouth to reply but then closed it realizing that there might be truth in his words.

"Hi everybody. How is it today? Amrapali Guruji is thrilled to see the higher performance charts for each of you. He made it a point to tell me, "Lata came up to them and told the group.

As usual, although he spoke to the entire group, his eyes did not stray too far from Abhirath's face. That fact did not escape the others and soon there was a mischievous push from under the table directed towards Abhirath. Embarrassed and annoyed, he stood up and excused himself.

Nirbhay and Vandit giggle like young girls, making Mriga join in as well. But Abhirath glanced at them with a warning, immediately silencing them.

"I mean, I haven't finished telling you everything, yet" said Lata timidly.

Chiranjeev also stood up and said, "Guruji, we all have our next class in a few minutes, so…"

"Yes, I'm sorry I held you all down. I just wanted to let you know that you guys are going to start shadowing the paired agents from tomorrow. You will all be assigned as seniors at the end of the day and you will have to report to them first thing in the morning tomorrow. Come and collect a list from me tonight" he said.

Chiranjeev spoke before the rogue trio could say something, "I'll come to your cabin and pick it up. Thank you!"

Lata looked at him confused for a moment before nodding her head and leaving.

"Is that my imagination or does she look a little sad?" Vandit asked.

Mriga nodded his head wisely and said, "Chiranjeev, you shouldn't have done it. Who are you to come between two loves ..."

"What did you say?" Abhirath approached Mriga and looked at him, causing him to swallow back the rest of his sentence.

"Do you know how blind you are? A fool who knows nothing!" with that agitated reaction, he combed his hair with a finger and left in a huff.

Mriga looked at everyone's face and said wisely, "Look, I told you she's still mad at me for last night."

As he went for his session on herbology, the remaining three people shook their heads dejectedly and felt sorry for their partner. It might be easier to express one's love for an animal than this 'fool who knows nothing.

...****************...

Northern Zilla

Bela had been procrastinating about this delayed conversation with Raghu, but now she was unable to delay it any further. He thought about the moment Prithvi had him active on the field with Shaurya on the training hill. At that time, it was decided that the time would come for the same depending on which direction their initial plans changed.

From Shaurya's message today, it looks like his status will soon change from a handler to an active agent. He had sent a hasty encrypted note to Prithvi as soon as he received Shaurya's letter.

All you have to do is tell her husband!

He knew that he should have told him about the possibility of something like this happening sooner, but a part of him kept telling him that he still had time. They didn't know if he needed to be active or not, in the end.

He felt guilty, thinking about his reaction but straightened his shoulders and went to the field where he threw out, checking the modified potato seeds he had sown.

"We need to talk" he said to her, without further ado.

Raghu was about to make a joke when he saw her serious gaze and asked her to sit in the shade of a tree across from them while she was about to wash her hands and come there.

...****************...

Northern Zilla

Bela knows that she is not supposed to talk about Suraksha Chakra or its details. But he's headed to a mission that has no time limit or guarantee of success. He owes her the truth.

When Raghu came and sat down next to him, he held his hand but could not look him in the eye.

He tried various thoughts in his head to start talking about it but failed.

"Is this the time you will tell me about you being an agent of the Cakra Suraksha team?" he asked with a small smile playing on his lips.

Bela's mouth gaped. Looking at his face, he shrugged his small shoulders. Turning his body towards him, he patted his head. He could almost touch the question on his face, it was written very clearly.

"Why do you think you were sent to the Northern Zilla for treatment? Have you never asked yourself that question? My father was the official Vaidya for the zilla spy office and we received a lot of injured spies for treatment. In fact, even after you got married to me, did you never wonder why my father traveled so far? It was to deal with a situation where agents could not come to the clinic," he said indifferently.

He seemed lost in that memory.

"You mean, you're a person too." That disbelief makes his voice shrill.

Raghu shook his head and said, "No, I don't have any inclination or talent. And once I fell in love with you, I thought one spy was enough at home."

Bela doesn't know whether to feel sad or angry or laugh at herself. He completely failed to see this while it was in front of his eyes and so blatantly.

However once he recovered from his shock, it became easier for him to say the rest. Without giving any details, he told her that he had to leave for an uncertain period of time. He will apply for leave under the pretext of poor health from the police station and will admit to going to the Southern zilla for treatment and healing.

Raghu was looking at a point behind his head somewhere. It calmed down after he finished talking. Bees around them also seem to sense the atmosphere and go looking for food elsewhere.

The sun, though not scorching, caused one to squint at it. Even without her saying it, Bela knew that it was unfair on her part to do the project without consulting her first.

They had been partners for too long, but to him, when it came to his country, everything faded in the background.

Anxiety over the opportunity to serve his country was snatched from him early on, having abandoned his bad wishes.

At the moment when he said yes to Prithvi without any trepidation, Raghu or his family did not even cross his mind. The woman inside him was embarrassed by his indifference, but the patriot praised his feelings.

Raghu broke his daydream with ******heavy and said, "Come back to me. I don't think I can manage the world without you in it. If I were competent enough, I would offer my services as your servant or protector, but something tells me that I am only a burden."

This gentle and usually quiet man is the only one who can make his heart beat fast, now and always. He got up from his place and stood up for a moment to turn his gaze to where they were. Squatting backwards, he leaned over his face, and poured his answer with a wild kiss without a hitch.

When Raghu answered with the same abandonment, she smiled and made love to her husband on the hot and hard ground there and then.

...****************...

Himprayag

Gayatri rolled away from the sweaty body next to her and placed her head on her arm, looking at the sleepy woman next to her.

Ahilya traced a slender finger on her sun-kissed cheek and sighed in satisfaction.

"What do you see?" she asked.

It was late at night and they were in Gayatri's room.

"I wonder if I should ask you to listen to my mother's advice or be selfish and tell you to let go of the kingdom" Gayatri said with a frown.

"Who says I can't have you and the throne?" Ahilya tried to pull Gayatri towards her but the latter got up from the bed and walked across the room.

Its tight, angled body was a sight to behold in its full splendor. The moonlight fell on it, making it look very smooth. Ahilya found herself drinking in front of her, greedily.

"Go back to bed" she persuaded him.

Gayatri shook her head violently and said, "If I don't talk about it, you'll be happy to do sword training from morning to night. Prince Mithilesh has joined hands with the new minister. He was one of the few ministers left in the neutral palace. If I understand correctly, this minister has the ears of the king. No wonder he wanted her by his side. We need to reach out to some people who haven't moved to his side. Or else, you will have absolutely no other recourse but to sell your body. And I'm not sure it would be an effective method either. I've checked all the would-be princes and most of their fathers are still alive. Even worse, they are really poor. So other than a few thousand acres of their land that was laden with problems, we got nothing. What was the queen thinking, offering such a solution?"