"What do you mean?"
Raksheet sighed, he turned towards Ira "You think they can take their father's position, but they are not qualified for it. They still behave like immature kids. They don't even know how to control their horses! Once they went hunting. They had to kill the wild boar destroying the crops in the field. But this brats don't know how to handle their horses while killing the boars. The horses got frightened by the arrows hitting the boar and got out of control and started to run all over the field. Instead of killing boars, they had to spend their time controlling horses. The entire crop of the field was ruined. I had to go there and help them. All the hard work of the farmer's went in vain. Now tell me, how am i supposed to like them?" He asked. Anger was seen on his face when he recalled about the incident.
The farmers asked for help from their king but instead of help, they got a big loss, seeing their crops they grew like their child getting destroyed.
Ira started to laugh, she was imagining the situation Raksheet just explained. Him running after each horse to catch him and control. All of them running on the field crazily.
A smile appeared on Raksheet's face after seeing his wife laugh. The sound of her laughter is so pleasing that it warmed his heart. He never saw her laughing before. "Is that funny to you? Huh?" He asked in a soft tone.
Ira tried to control her laugh and spoke "I am sorry...I shouldn't laugh. It's a serious matter...I am so sorry."
He chuckled "It's ok." He looked at her with admiration in his eyes "You look so pretty when you laugh."
She looked at him, her smile slowly faded and then she slightly nod "Thank you." She looked away to avoid the awkward feeling inside her.
"Do you know about dove bird?" Raksheet asked, catching her attention again.
She looked at him "Yes. I know. It's a white bird. It's used as a messenger." She replied.
Raksheet smiled "Yes, it's a white bird, used as a messenger. But today, you were looking like a dove bird."
Ira furrowed her brows. She thought Raksheet is again trying to tease her and make fun of her. "What do you mean?" She pouted in anger.
Raksheet laughed, seeing her pout "Don't be angry. I am not making fun of you. I mean to say, you were looking like a dove bird because it's a symbol of new beginning, peace, fidelity, prosperity and more importantly...love." he said the last word softly, making Ira's heart flutter.
He took her hand in his and caressed it. "For me, you are my new beginning. Whenever I see you, i feel peace entering my heart, my heart suddenly feels calm. You are my prosperity and....." he looked in her eyes "....you are my love." He then kissed the back of her hand.
His sudden confession made Ira wide her eyes. Her heart started to beat fast when Raksheet kissed her hand. She wanted to pull her hand away but Raksheet's grip is too strong.
"Princess, your skin is so smooth." He said, still caressing her hand.
Her hand was looking so small in Raksheet's. It's embarrassing to compare it.
He again kissed her palm, making her heart beat faster than before. She don't know what to do. She wanted him to hold her hand and kiss it again but at the same time, she wanted to get out of this situation as soon as possible.
She quickly pulled her hand back and looked away "I-I am sleepy. Good night." She turned around and quickly lay down.
He smiled at her shyness and came near her ear "Good night, princess." He whispered in a sweet voice.
A chill ran down in Ira's body. She closed her eyes tightly and took some deep breaths to control her heartbeat.
After some time, when she didn't heard any voice and didn't felt any movement beside her, she turned around to see if Raksheet has slept or not.
She slightly turned around, just to see him lying beside her and staring at her with a smile on his face.
She quickly turned arround, regretting looking at him. 'why he is still awake?!' she screamed in her mind.
"Not feeling sleepy anymore?" He asked.
Ira immediately pulled the sheets over her head, feeling embarrassed.
"What happened in Jwalana palace. How did they introduced their 'new bride'?"
Abel asked with a smirk on his lips as he grabbed the glass of wine and took a sip.
"Your majesty, they didn't said much about princess Ira. They introduced her as Prince Raksheet's wife and new member of kumar family." The spy explained.
Abel stopped drinking "That's it?" He asked, raising his one eyebrow questioningly.
The spy nod. " Yes, that's it."
"Didn't they tell about her hiding from world? Even if they didn't, No one asked about it either?" He chuckled sarcastically "Not only the king, but the peoples of Jwalana Kingdom are moron too." He was about to drink his wine but....
"They asked." The spy added
Abel stopped "what?"
"The people of Jwalana asked about her not showing up infront of anyone."
A evil smile appeared on Abel's face "What did they answered?"
"They said 'Princess Ira is a kind of shy person. She don't like to show up infront of people much. She prefer to spend her time studying or doing the things she like. That's the reason no one saw her or met her before'." The spy replied.
Abel was silent for a moment but then started laughing like an idiot.
"W-What.... Studying and...and doing the things she liks?" He asked, still laughing hard.
The spy nod.
"H-How silly excuse." Abel said "They don't know how to make an excuse, how they can rule a kingdom? Princess Ira never got to study! And they are saying she likes to study? And the things she likes? Does anyone cares what she like?"
The spy looked down.
His smile slowly faded and anger covered his expression. "I am feeling bad for Ira. How will she live with such a stupid people? First she had to bear her biological family and now, she have to bear her in-laws. Poor Ira, i will free you from that stupid family and useless kingdom."
Ira was sitting on her bed when she heard a knock on door.
She turned her gaze towards the door and found her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law standing there, waiting for her permission to enter in chamber.
"Mother, grandmother, please come inside." She got off from her bed and went towards them. "Good morning."
"Good morning."
"How are you? You must have been tired yesterday. Did you sleep well last night?" Avanya asked, walking towards Ira.
"Yes. I slept well. Thanks for the concern." Ira replied with a smile. "Please, come and sit." She pointed towards the table near the window.
"Yes." They replied and went towards the table.
They sat down and Neisha asked "Did you like yesterday's party?"
"Yes grandmother, i liked it. The decoration, food everything was so good. Especially the guests, people of Jwalana are indeed respectful and kind." She replied.
"I am glad to hear that."
"By the way, I hope Advika helped you well yesterday." Avanya asked concern.
"Yes, she helped me well." Ira smiled brightly when she mentioned Advika.
They smiled at her and Neisha spoke.
"You were looking gorgeous when you entered in palace hall, i mean, you are indeed beautiful without any doubt but yesterday, your beauty was on next level. Advika is experienced maid. She know how to do her work properly."
Ira nod in agreement.
"Ira, did you saw the palace? Did Raksheet gave you a good tour to your new home?"
"Yes, he did." Ira replied. "I didn't know that he write poetry."
"He can. He love to do poetry." Neisha replied.
"Father used to read poetries for him. And he loved it. Slowly he started to write and it became his habit" Avanya said.
"After your grandfather he's the only one who can do poetry. Even his father can't do it. Ashwant is not interested in it much."
Ira smiled "Really?"
She wanted to know about her in-laws. She is curious but afraid to ask too.
She was deep in her thoughts. She didn't realised her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law is still there. Watching her, waiting for her to say something.
They looked at each other confused.
"What happened to her?" Neisha whispered to Avanya.
"Let me ask." Avanya whispered back.
"Ira, what happened? Where are you lost?" She asked with a smile to not make Ira feel awkward.