"Ashmita, there is something I want to tell you," Rishi said while looking into Ashmita's eyes.
Ashmita looked at Rishi and her heart suddenly felt anxious. She slowly nodded her head.
"When I left Lotus Kingdom, it was because my father was poisoned." Rishi said slowly.
"What??" Shock would be less of a word for Ashmita's reaction.
"Yes. I received a message that there were some internal affairs which needed my presence, so I've planned my journey accordingly. Before I was leaving, I wanted to confirm something with you. But I think I messed it all up" Rishi said while caressing his hair.
"You know Ash.. I am afraid to confess my feelings to you. Earlier I never used to believe when people say about love at first sight, but the moment I met you I started believing in it" Rishi said while looking at Ashmita causing her heart to skip a bit.
"I know I hurt you because of my own insecurities and didn't respond to your question that day. I wanted to fix it but as I came to know of one shocking news, I had to rush immediately," Rishi said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"That day, after meeting you, I went to my room and tried postponing the journey. But then my people informed me about the real message. That someone tried to harm the throne."
"That gave me no further chance to respond to your questions. Ashmita doesn't get upset and becomes distant from me. I don't take it.." Rishi said while his eyes turned red.
Ashmita's eyes brimmed with water she turned aside to stop her threatening tears.
"After I went to my place I understood the severity of the situation. Luckily my mother stopped the worst from happening. But the matter wasn't resolved yet."
"So I went personally to solve the issue. We found out that one of our own family members did that. We're all aware that these things are common in the palace but still, it pains a lot when the person who raised you tries to harm you." Rishi stated.
Unknowingly rishi wiped the teardrop which was falling from his eye. Ashmita heartaches for Rishi. She wants to console him, comfort him. She placed her hand on his and squeezed it assuring him it will be fine.
Rishi felt some warmth in his heart and continued, "We found out that my uncle took help of a witch to harm father."
"Wi.. Witch?" Ashmita asked with bewilderment.
"Yes. I too didn't believe about their existence until I saw one with my own eyes" Rishi stated.
'So like elves.. witches are real. Ohh my.. So many things are happening around us' Ashmita thought to herself.
Her thoughts are cut off as Rishi continued "I and Raj went to the forests searching for her. We captured her but later we came to know that there are so many witches out there who are aiming to come out."
"This is bad. Did you find out their location?" Ashmita voiced out.
"No. We are still in search based on the witch directions. Right after this incident I came to know that Lotus Kingdom was going to war on Rose Kingdom. This news shattered my heart."
"I went to see my father to discuss this but he refused to provide support to Lotus Kingdom. I understand his intentions but nothing could be done about it. I wanted to help you in any possible way. But even having a kingdom by my side I was not able to help you. So I thought of a plan" Rishi stated.
"You know how I got this plan? Because of your message through your favorite pich.. some parrot" Rishi didn't remember the name of the parrot.
"Pichu." Ashmita corrected with a smile.
"Yes. Pichu is such a cute and sharp tongue parrot," Rishi said.
"What?"
"Huh. Nothing. In that message you mentioned about the prince of cosmos, you remember? That helped me get the idea. But most importantly that message made me realize the feelings for you" Rishi informed while remembering how he confessed about his feelings to Raj along with his shocked expression and his admiration for Ashmita.
"But how?"
Rishi thoughts are cut off by Ashmita's words.
"In fact cosmos prince is my friend. We were trained together by the same master," Rishi confessed.
"Hoo.. So that is why you know everything about him. In fact he seems like a womanizer. But wait.." Ashmita said while covering her mouth.
Rishi felt bad for Charles for his bad reputation.
"So you asked for help from the cosmos kingdom. Did he ask for anything in return" Ashmita grasped the main point.
"Don't tell me he asks for an endless supply of women. My God. He is such a pervert. Rishi you shouldn't agree to his request. Even Though your aim is to help us.."
"Hey.. Ash. Ash! Can you please cool down a bit? He did ask for something in return but that is not women. So please calm down and listen to me" Rishi calmed her down.
'I am sorry Prince Charles for tarnishing your name. I know you are not like that but your childhood friend is the one who tarnished your name first. I am merely acting this way to make him believe that I trust his words' Ashmita apologized to prince cosmos in her mind.
"ACHOO!!!" Charles rubbed his nose. 'Ah.. someone is badmouthing me. Maybe it's that moody prince Rishi' he thought to himself.
"Listen. I sneaked out from my kingdom because my father informed me that he will provide support to me but if I try something behind his back, he will disown me" Rishi said.
"What? Don't tell me you lef.." Ashmita didn't continue her words when the truth dawned on her. Suddenly she felt guilty about everything that happened in Rishi's life.
"No Ashmita. I didn't leave the kingdom behind and come to save you. So don't feel guilty about anything. First, I was agitated by my father's words and felt like leaving the throne but my mother convinced me and saved me from making a mistake'' Rishi stated.
"What did your mother say?" Ashmita asked curiously.
"She said that 'Rishi. If you left the kingdom and people behind for her. She will feel guilty throughout her life. So think before you act. Are you planning to hurt her?"
"Then the realization hit me hard. I understood how worse things would have got if I left. So, I thought about this situation and came up with an idea."
"What is that?" Ashmita asked.
"I went to my father and made a deal with him.." Rishi informed with a smirk.
"Deal?"