"You want to do what?" Bhojraj exclaimed reading Shivaditya's petition.

"Pardon Bhaiya, he never betrayed us. And reinstate him as the crown prince" Shivaditya said.

"Reinstate him?" Bhojraj said.

"Yes, father."

"Is this a joke! Do you think the crown is some toy that you can keep juggling among yourselves? I can't do that. All the feudal lords support you. Even if I agree to your demand it will create a political crisis. There will be rebellions, wars, and whatnot. It's not possible."

"But we have wronged him, father. He needs to be compensated."

"Yes, I agree. He will be pardoned and I will appoint him as the chief advisors but I cant reinstate him."

"What if I renounce the crown?" Shiv asked.

"You won't do that. I won't allow it." Bhojraj replied angrily.

"I am sorry father I am going to renounce the throne. Please reinstate Dev Bhaiya." Shiv replied adamantly.

"You are defying me Shiv!" Bhojraj was shaking with anger.

"Father I am very sorry but please try to understand..."

"Enough! I have more important matters to deal with. I am pardoning Dev. That's it." Bhojraj dismissed Shivaditya.

He was angry. Shiva had been defying him even more nowadays. Shiv left reluctantly but this wasn't over yet.

********

Chitra summoned Poonam as soon she got Shiv's message.

"Your highness" Poonam bowed. Her eyes were bloodshot which meant she had been crying all night.

"Prince Devburman is going to be released today". Chitra said happily.

Poonam's expression changed like lighting.

" Really? Oh! thank you, your highness! how will I ever repay you?"

"I should thank you for bringing out the truth."

Poonam just looked down her face glowing with happiness.

"You can go to him if you want. I won't object."

Chitra said pointedly. Poonam blushed.

"I can't," she said softly.

"Why not?"

"I am not of his status your highness. I am just a lady in waiting. I just meet him when he demands. I mean he calls me when he wants to meet."

Chitra looked concerned "Poonam what kind of relationship do you have with him. Is he? I mean is he doing something inappropriate?"

"Oh no! Please don't misunderstand. His highness is the honourable man.....he never....he doesn't touch me in that way." She blushed remembering the kiss.

"So you just talk?"

"Yes he talks about his travels, the places he visited, the books he has read and he plays his flute which is from someplace called Tibet. He knows so many things....."

Chitra looked at her amused.

"He loves you Poonam," Chitra declared with an amused smile.

"Your Highness I can't think of such a thing. I am a low born..."

"You are not a low born Poonam. You are a Kshatraani(warrior class) just like me. You are free to choose your husband. It's good that you have such a good relationship with him but soon people will start gossiping and it will bring you ill repute. He is a Prince nobody will question him but you are a woman. "

"I know Princess. I am aware of it. But he has never.....I don't think he loves me. He is still in love with that dead lady. I can't even dream of marrying him" Poonam replied.

She looked unhappy.

Chitra was thoughtful then she said " Fine then. You can leave now."

Poonam nodded and left.

The news of Vallabhdev's death arrived soon after Devburman was released and installed as the new advisor.

Chitrangada was sobbing in a quiet corner of the terrace when Shiv found her. He immediately took her in his arms "You heard?"

Chitra nodded.

"Shhhh it ok."

"He was like my father Shiv. He was such a nice man. Father would be devastated."

"Things happen when they are supposed to happen Chitra we can't do anything against fate. Speaking of fate I forgot to inform you something very important. Kamakshi would be getting engaged to Maharaj Vikram."

Chitra looked at him stunned " What! When did this happen? "

"When I was away Father got the proposal from Maharaj Vallabhdev. He agreed to it because this will bring peace to a long-running dispute."

Chitra's heart was in turmoil. Should she tell him about Vikarm's outburst and forcibly kissing her before their non-wedding? It would enrage Shiv and he might go to any extent.

"But Vikram and I....we were engaged and it didn't end on good terms."

"I know. Even I am conflicted about this. I don't know much about him. You have known him for a very long time. So how is he as a person?"

Chitra wondered how to respond.

"Vikram and I grew up like brother and sister he had always been very considerate. Always brought exotic gifts for me." She smiled reminiscing the fond memories.

"Until the wedding. He was very angry which was normal I guess. I wasn't true to him either. Sometimes I feel guilty of breaking his heart."

"Technically you didn't break the wedding. They did! They didn't trust you. Not that I am complaining. I would have never let any other man touch you Vikram or anybody else."

He kissed on her forehead.

That scared Chitra further. Shiv would kill Vikram if he ever came to know about what he did.

"Shiv is it official? I mean Kamakshi's engagement with Vikram?"

"Not yet. Maharaj Vallabhdev and Vikram were invited for the annual fair next month. But now that he is no more and Vikram has been coronated. He will visit alone after the mourning period. If everything goes well we'll finalize the engagement."

"Vikram is visiting?"

Shiv nodded.

Chitra was perplexed. She wasn't sure how she would face him.

"You don't look happy about it. Is something wrong?"

"No! I am fine. What did father say about reinstating Prince Devburman as the Crown Prince?"

"He was furious as expected and it's not as easy as I thought it would be. I need to talk to Dev Bhaiya about it, get his consent then I can proceed. Making father agree is another ball game." Shiv replied.

"I need to talk to prince Dev as well I hope you won't get mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Last time you were very angry" She replied quietly.

He had a guilty look on his face.

"I am sorry Chitra that will never happen again. Yes, you cay meet him. He is my elder brother after all." He replied.

****

A few nights later Devburman was waiting at the designated place. He hadn't seen Poonam since they kissed. He still wondered why he did so.

He heard the tinkling of anklets and turned around expecting Poonam however it was someone else.

"Your Highness," Chitrangada said and field her hands in a namaste.

He looked stunned, not sure how to react.

"I wasn't expecting you, Princess."

"I know...please forgive me but I had to do this," Chitra replied.

He folded his hands "May I know the reason for gracing me with your presence."

"First of all thank you for saving my husband's life. I will forever indebted to you. Secondly, I need to know what are your intentions towards Poonam?"

"I don't understand," he said.