Next day, the royal family along with Siyaansh were having their daily breakfast in the dining hall. The Queen, Somaya that is Anugraha's mother insisted that the family should have atleast one meal together. Siyaansh was always treated like he was a part of their family so he was also included.
"So what do you think of your new personal guard, Anugraha?" Somaya asked, just like her name she was gentle and her voice was as flowers flowing in light breeze.
"Ofc he'd like her, she's a beauty. Right brother?" A voice as soft as his mother yet with a teasing undertone spoke, it was Maitreyi, Anugraha's one of the three older sisters. Anugraha was the youngest out of his siblings, two of his older sister Adrika and Aamani were already married into the kingdom of Nirrti in the Southwest. Both were married to the two prince, Bhushan and Kiaan who were brothers. Originally king Prajya had decided to marry the two princess in two different kingdoms but during the wedding of the Adrika and Bhushan , the younger Aamani and Kiaan fell in love.
"There you go, I haven't even spoken to her yet. Besides she looks somewhat scary, she didn't smile once the whole time. Can you believe it?" Anugraha
"She must have felt a need to punch you seeing the way you were acting like a child" Siyaansh sneered
"Could you please shut up? Maitreyi's teasing is enough for now, you don't have to add yours" Anugraha
After enduring countless teasing from Maitreyi and Siyaansh, it was finally the time to meet Abhitha. Anugraha waited infront of the Royal court and finally he could get a glimpse of her from a distance walking towards him.
Yesterday I was too disturbed by the fact that a woman will be protecting me. Now that I see her, she's indeed beautiful, Anugraha thought.
Abhitha bowed a little and greeted Anugraha.
"No need for such formalities, we're are probably the same age" Anugraha spoke in hopes of getting along with her.
"I shall do my formalities regardless of what you suggest, your highness" Abhitha spoke in a flat tone, her expression as cold as ice.
"Their is no need to be so uptight. Just to make you aware , I do not care about such trivial things " Anugraha spoke reciving no answer, he sighed assuming it was a no.
"Fine, fine, keep calling me that. I do not care. Now let's go to the market and buy few things to eat" Anugraha walked ahead and Abhitha followed.
As they walked through the market, Anugraha was showered by greetings and stares.
"Should you really be walking around like this ? How is your father okay with this?"
Abhitha asked, surprised how the only heir to the most powerful kingdom was walking around the streets with no guards.
"Who said he's okay with this? Ofcourse he's not, he's just a nagging old man. I just listen to his scoldings and then do whatever I want hahaha" Anugraha
"You should speak of your father with utmost respect, this in not something you should be proud of" Abhitha
"Okay Granny, I'll keep that in mind"
For this Anugraha recieved and cold glare from Abhitha.
"What!? We're of the same age, yet you're scolding me like my father"
Abhitha just sighed in annoyance and moved her gaze towards the road.
As they were ideally walking through street markets, Anugraha felt a hand grab the back of his collar stopping him from his track. Not knowing who it was, Abhitha's hands instinctively went towards her sword.
"You're again wandering around leaving the training!? Anugraha, if you keep doing this I'll have to inform his majesty!!" It was Siyaansh. Abhitha let go of her sword and turned to the familiar man, who was still holding Anugraha by his collar.
"I was going to come in few minutes" anugraha
"Like I'll believe that" Siyaansh started dragging anugraha by the back of his collar towards the Palace.
"Don't be like this Siyaansh. Just give me thirty minutes,okay? I'll be at the training ground in thirty minutes" Anugraha
"Shut up and follow" Siyaansh.
Abhitha followed them without making any comments.
They definitely are really close, almost like blood brothers, She thought.
After some dragging, Anugraha followed obediently. After some walking they reached the training ground. The training ground was situated just behind the Royal court, it was big empty area without any grass grown unlike other areas of the palace. Opposite to the back of the Royal court, at one end of the training ground was the Armory.
Many young soldiers were practicing swordsmanship. As the three of them entered, they recieved greetings from the aspiring soldiers.
"Here! How many times do I've to tell you to carry your sword with you? You ignorant fool"
Siyaansh tossed the sword and Anugraha caught it.
"What's the need when I've a personal gaurd following me around, right Abhitha?" he said in an attempt to get a reaction out of her.
"You should still carry your sword" Abhitha answered sincerely.
"I wasn't being serious, you realise that? Forget it let's start the practice"
As they were preparing for their practice sessions, they all heard a boy the same age as them gossiping about the prince and his new female guard.
"Can you believe it? A person like him is going to be the king, a man who needs protection from a woman. What a shame"
He spoke purposely loud enough for them to hear.
"This bastard needs to be reminded of his place" Siyaansh reached out for his sword but Anugraha stropped him.
"It's fine, do not cause an unnecessary scene" He said with a reassuring nod.
Just as Anugraha was calming Siyaansh, Abhitha stepped ahead.
"Since you are running your mouth so much, let's see if your capable enough to criticize others. How about we have a match?"
Both Anugraha and Siyaansh were taken aback by Abhitha's sudden proposal for a match. Abhitha unsheathed her sword, revealing the blood red glare.
"Abhitha, do not act so rashly. I do not care for such trivial gossips" Anugraha spoke receiving no answer from her.
"This woman" Anugraha cursed under his breath.
"I would have accepted your invite to compete but you possess spiritual powers, it will by no means be fair" the man spoke
"Do not worry, I shall not make use of my powers and fight with just my skills" the red glare of the sword slowly faded, making it look like any other ordinary sword.
"Very well, that shall do"
At the end of the day she's just a woman. Since her spiritual powers are out of the way, this shouldn't be difficult, the man thought. He unsheathed his sword and they both took their positions.
The man charged towards Abhitha with his sword yet she was as calm as still water. She effortlessly blocked his attack, pushing him back causing him to stumble a little. She dashed towards him and striked her sword towards his.The swords hitting eachother created clashing sounds. The way she moved looked like she was dancing to the rhythm of of the swords clashing, her movements were gracefully yet flaunted her dominance. With one more strike the man's sword was tossed to the side and Abhitha's sword was pointing to his neck.
"You dared to criticize the prince when your skills are even worse than his, I hope you realise your place after this and do not thoughtlessly run your mouth about the future king of this kingdom" Abhitha spoke.
"Is that supposed to be a praise for me or an insult?" Anugraha spoke in an offended tone to which Siyaansh patted his back "it's okay, she's just speaking the truth" he said in an attempt to comfort him recieving a glare from Anugraha.
The boy apologised few times to the prince and Anugraha did not waste his opportunity to tease "I shall remember your face till I become the king, you hear me?", He apologised a few more times and rushed out of their presence. Abhitha placed her sword in her sheath and walked towards the pair.
"Do not tolerate such ideal gossips from here onwards" Abhitha spoke which seemed more of a command.
"Understood but hey! what was that "worse than him". Their was absolutely no need for you to say that." Anugraha complained.
"But I only spoke the truth, I do not see a reason for you to be this offended" Abhitha, spoke as if it was a matter of fact.
"You realise I'm the prince, right? Where is the respect?" Anugraha
"I thought you did care about just trivial things " Abhitha
Siyaansh was silently watching the banter between the two but decided to interfere,
"Okay okay, that is enough. Anugraha, let's get started with the training"
"Fine" Anugraha gave her a final glare and started practicing as Abhitha watched.