"Did you say something to the king?" I heard a familiar voice speak. And although she did not take the name, I know it was meant for me.

Sigh.

Sighing is all I could do.

I turned back to the Queen Mother who was standing there, looking at me with fire in her eyes. The fire, that burns when you are angry. The fire, that burns when you are determined. And I am sure she was determined to throw me out. Out of this palace.

But none of it mattered.

I realized I just had to count my days, and survive, not in the palace, but in this world somehow.

Although I wasn't optimistic, I wanted to believe that I'll be out of here, out of this place for good. It was just a matter of one year.

I walked up to her. I hope she did not expect respect for her, from my end, because that is not going to happen.

Never.

"I am not ready for this. Let's continue next time. Mm?" I left her looking at me in shock.

I did not care. My exhaustion had taken over my rationality. I left the place, to go back to the room allotted to me.

I don't know what I was so mad about. It's not people haven't been rude to me in 2069.

They have.

More than this. Far more than this.

But still I haven't been so disappointed, so distressed as I was now. I don't know why, but it bothered me.

His rudeness.

If I have to be honest, I somehow wanted to make the king pleased. Pleased and happy at my presence.

The same way, like my coffee did. The same way like my name did.

I locked my room, and changed in to one of Ela's dresses. Although I wouldn't sleep in an attire like that if I would have been in 2069. But I was not. And in comparison to the outfit that I was in, anything else would prove to be comfortable.

Was I not adjusting? Was I not trying hard? Why was it not enough?

I had slept through the remaining day, just like the previous one. I woke up at around midnight again. I wanted to go out, maybe just have another cup of coffee to myself but I was scared of seeing him again.

I did not want to meet anyone from the royal family.

Not now, not anytime soon.

So I just laid in my bed, playing some offline music to myself. Keeping the volume to a minimum, so as not get caught. I knew the heavy built men, would be still standing outside my door.

I knew this was coming. This fatigue, the one that keeps you awake at night despite how tired you are. The one that stays, even after a good long sleep.

But I did not expect it to be here so soon.

I wondered if this is how a female feels, once she is married off. Working her ass off and trying her level best to fit in a family, she does not even know.

I wonder why did I even think of that reference. But it made sense.

What I was trying to do was: to get involved; with the royal family, with the royal people. I did not have to actually do that.

I could just keep to myself, away from those people. I mean, Brinda was still a good company to be with.

And if I am not around them; when there is no 'me', there are no mistakes.

Simple.

I somehow managed to put my mind to ease after taking this decision. I decided to mind my own business, like I would, in the college.

But still, the flashbacks of the last couple of days, did make it difficult for me to survive the night.

I missed my family, I missed my friends, I was hell of confused here, scared at this place, and on top of all, I missed 2069.

I laid there, listening to music, no matter what genre, I ended up crying myself to sleep.

---

I woke up with heavy, sore, swollen eyes. My Q tab showed it was 9 am in the morning. I was amazed I was not woken up by Brinda. And as much as I would want to ponder on it, I had no energy for it.

I opened up the door, to find her sitting on a stool, next to my gate, lost in her own world. She got alert and stood up as soon as I opened the door.

"You did not wake me up?" I questioned, my voice still low.

"I did." She defended. "but you did not open the door, so I waited here."

"Have you been waiting here for a long time?" I asked, she just nodded in a yes. She wouldn't get the time reference if I were to explain, but to me, it was 4 hours. She was sitting here, for four hours now.

I felt bad. I didn't like anyone waiting for me.

That is why perhaps I was okay with coming early to any place, and wait for my friends.

I invited her in, and I was happy when she did not hesitate. She had gotten another dress for me today as well. As much as I wanted to say no to it, I wore it anyway. I was trying. I was trying.

Luckily, this one was better than yesterday. lighter. More suitable. A white colored dress. Beautiful and simple.

I did not wear loads of jewelry.

They are exhausting. I was anyway going to stay in my room now on.

I had no compulsion to look like I belong here. Because I did not and I won't ever.

"You have missed through breakfast. Is there something I can get for you?" Brinda asked.

"I don't know... fruits." I was in no mood to eat anything heavy, like the royal breakfast.

She nodded and left to get me some of my ordered breakfast.

The day was already weighing heavy on me. I went out of my room, to roam a little in the corridor. Looking at the world outside.

I could see the road from the corridor, in a long distance though. I couldn't help but smile at it. That is the world I wanted to be a part of.

I realized I still loved history. It's not going to go anywhere. I just have to find things to love here. And that main road, the one I could see in a distance from the corridor, right outside my bedroom, was one of those.

I was strolling out, waiting for Brinda. I knew it would take her a while, given the distance between my room and the kitchen, and the size of this palace. And when I was roaming out there,

I saw him.

Walking towards me. Taking huge, bold steps, while he approached. I couldn't help but take a note of his features.

Just until he doesn't see me, let me see him well.

He looked fierce, just like history described him, yet I could find a hint of his gentleness.

Mercy.

His head was forever covered in that royal crown, that was meant just for him. His eyes were sharp, like the ones that wouldn't miss anything.

Still somehow missed my presence, acknowledging his. And his lips, I don't know how to put them, they were neutral. Like they didn't know how to smile, but when they did, they were the most beautiful .

I recollected his smile, from the first time we had lunch together, when he couldn't help but laugh at my ignorance. I recollected his beautiful smile, when he tasted coffee.

The memory brought a faint smile to my face. I was still looking at him, but not looking AT him.

I was zoned out, until he looked my way. He caught me staring at him, with that smile on my face. And yet when he turned to look at me, I stood straight. Changing my expression to a neutral one.

He was walking with two of his ministers, the ones that spoke a lot when I first entered the royal court.

I realized, they must be his handed men. Right and left handed men.

He stopped talking abruptly and narrowed his eyes at me. I took my eyes off him, not wanting to meet his gaze.

And I was not shy. Or embarrassed. But I didn't want to go through a difficult day after going to a terrible night.

So I did, what I thought was the right thing to do.

I ignored him.

Neither bowed, nor offered any type of salutation and walked straight to my room. I don't know, what about seeing him, will make me weak, but I was sure, not seeing him will definitely make me feel better.

Atleast that's what I thought.

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