Jesta who was left alone looked at the pristine waters, only to find them revolting. She ground her feet on the floor in frustration. "So childish!"
Running out of the palace complex, Vajradandaka took the princess to a nearby market where he bought her the milk candy. The market was technically still inside the royal enclosure. Thousands of people worked and lived in the royal grounds. The market catered to their various needs. If it wasn't for that, they would have to go to the lower areas to get what they need.
The shopkeepers in the market were stunned as they performed their salutes to their king. But some of the older ones weren't that surprised to see him here. The brat used to run to the market all the time when he was a kid. He knew every single ware available there, including the famous milk candy. Just as he bought a piece and gave it to his niece, Vajradandaka ran into a lady who covered her head with her dupatta. But how could that bit of disguise fool him?
He caught her elbow as she passed him, "Varu, where are you going dressed like that?"
Varunapriya did not put any pretenses and threw down the piece of cloth shielding her face.
"Where am I going? Ask your favorite sister! If it weren't for you marrying her to that lame Captain of the Royal Guard, who is always under his wife's thumb, do you think I would have this much trouble getting out of the palace!"
Vajradandaka held her elbow again as she turned to leave once she finished her rant. "Wait a minute! Varu, are you saying third sister is restricting you from leaving the palace?"
"Who else is married to that dumb brat from Surya clan?" Varunapriya snapped.
"Sshhh!" Vajra hissed and resisted the urge to slap his palm on his sister's mouth. "We are out in public. Fourth sister, what are you doing?"
"Calling a spade a spade. Idiot an idiot," Varunapriya had no remorse whatsoever and repeated.
Unlike her tall second sister or valiant eldest sister, Varunapriya remained at a medium height. But she was still tall for a woman, acquiring natural womanly grace as she crossed puberty. Her round face from childhood became more egg shaped. Her soft cheeks and beautiful eyes, her lovely countenance and delicate bone structure made her stand out as a real beauty among the eight princesses. It often made Vajradandaka wonder if she was the same little girl with the weird quirks and harsh expressions that was always on his ass since childhood. No matter how beautiful she is though, she only had to open her mouth for her real personality to come out. Just like now.
"Listen Captain Harsh-deep is a fine young man. He has yet to grow into his potential and that is why he seems a little…" Vajradandaka frowned. Harsh-deep was twenty-two. He was a boy that his brother personally groomed back then to take on this very role later on. The man was a fine warrior, even if his leadership skills weren't all that great. "He's still young. He'll grow into it," Vajra shrugged, reluctant to continue the topic under the ears of his bodyguards. They were too close for comfort and normally, Vajra wouldn't have said anything. But Varunapriya was known to take a rant to a concert level unless it was properly addressed.
"Do I look like I care?!" Varunapriya was not satisfied. "Listen little brother, you gave all the power of how to run this palace to third sister. You must be very satisfied. Now you two don't need me at all. So have fun! I'm leaving."
"Wait! Where are you going?" Vajradandaka ran after her after giving his niece to a bodyguard. "Why are you so angry? Varu, won't you tell me please!"
Varunapriya turned around in a flash, anger flashing between her eyebrows. Seeing the genuine concern on her brother's face however, she paused.
"Vaju, don't follow me," she said in a flat tone. "I'm going out for a while."
"Why?" Vajradandaka didn't think this was just a fight between sisters. Although his third sister and fourth sister were known to fight like cats, Varuna would only have some sarcastic remarks in the end when asked about it. She doesn't like to show her angry side to people. She clearly did so now, though. "Why did third sister stop you from going out?"
"Why don't you ask her!" the princess's voice rose sharply. "And while you're at it, as your captain of the guards to grow some balls!"
"For god's sake Varu!" Vajradandaka was breathless, trying not to see other people's faces in the market. His bodyguards discreetly started to clear a circle around them. They already knew that while this fourth princess looked beautiful and elegant, only shit came out of her mouth when she's angry. Kshatriya women were bolder with their words and actions, so no other warriors would judge. But the people could still misunderstand, affecting her reputation as a result.
On the other hand, Vajradandaka was not as understanding as his bodyguards. He felt it was unfair that he was getting grilled eight hours a day about morals, ethics and social codes while his sister can flout all of them with ease and not care about anything. It had been five years since Vajra cursed to his heart's content. One can only imagine his pain.
But the princess was not done with him yet.
"Why are you always sticking up for her?" she put her hands on her hips and demanded loudly. "All our friendship from when we were children, all our secrets and our games…You remember none of that now, do you? Third sister is your favorite now! That is why you married her in house while you plan to box me up and send me away to some dumb Water Kingdom to be—"
"To be what?" Vajra finally understood what the problem is. But he also didn't understand. "To be their queen?!"
The next in line to Hangi was a handsome and educated prince of twenty-two years old. He is generous, responsible and intelligent. Vajra had met him one. The elegance and poise with which he held himself would touch anybody! Not just that, by giving Hangi his favorite sister, Vajra planned to pressure the current king to pass the throne to his son. Hangi was neutral ever since the war five years ago. It's trade was also not as aggressive as before within the coalition. This was the perfect time to form a marriage alliance with the nation considering it will definitely come seek out Martanda's blessings at the rite of passage.
"Fourth sister, are you telling me you want to marry within like third sister?" Vajra said as he slowly led her to a private area. "To do what?! You will be the queen of your own country in Hangi. Besides, the nation's divine root is perfectly compatible to you, since you are both Water! You might even awaken divine powers in your lifetime. Fourth sister, staying home, you can only hope to dabble in some politics, but eventually never get anywhere…Will you be just happy by influencing me and doing nothing yourself all your life?"
Varunapriya was silent while Vajra spoke. She even avoided his eyes, but didn't deliberately do so. She simply refused to look at him. "Vaju, you never asked me for my opinion on this, so there's no point convincing me now—"
"Fourth sister, what the—" Unfortunately, Vajra was not even allowed to say 'hell'. He swallowed and continued. "Fourth sister, you know everything about what I do, you know every little detail about our political situation. You know the logic behind every argument that ultimately led to this decision and you concurred with each of those arguments when they were being made! So how is this not asking for your opinion?! Fourth sister, I did not ask for your opinion because you made that decision!" Vajra slapped it on her face right back. "When you agreed or influenced me to take a certain political course, naturally you concurred with the decision."
"Of using myself as an object of trade?!" Varunapriya's voice became harsh. She looked like she wanted to slap her glib-tongued brother. "I don't think so!"
Vajradandaka sucked his breath when he heard those words. Frankly, he was a little afraid of each of his sisters. Varunapriya, being closest in age with him, should be one he was least afraid of. But unfortunately, it was the opposite. When women lose their temper, man can only throw in the towel.
Pressing his fingers against his head, he said, "Varu, you have seen Yuvarja Ajwala of Hangi. Such a calm and elegant man…he's also smart and intelligent. I thought only someone like that would deserve you. But clearly, my intentions were misunderstood as seeking personal gain by using you. Never mind then…There's still time to discuss your marriage."