👑Eighteen~

Rishabh's eyes narrowed as he watched Meghatri try to feign innocence. He knew that Meghatri's actions had led to Devangini's near-drowning, as it wasn't possible for someone to trip over so easily.

"Meghatri, don't bother trying to deceive me," Rishabh said, his voice firm but controlled. "You pushed Devangini into the lake, didn't you?"

Meghatri's smile faltered, and for a moment, Rishabh saw a glimmer of guilt in her eyes. But she quickly regained her composure, her expression smoothing out into a mask of innocence.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Rishabh," Meghatri said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I would never harm anyone, especially not a guest in our palace. You must be mistaken."

Rishabh's eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his temper in check. He knew that confronting Meghatri directly would only lead to more lies and denials. Instead, he decided to bide his time, waiting for the perfect moment to expose Meghatri's true nature.

Just then, Devangini emerged from the inner chambers, looking refreshed and composed in her dry clothes. Rishabh's eyes met hers, and he could see the gratitude and admiration shining in them, while he stared at her, as she was looking pretty in Meghatri's attire.

Meghatri passed a glare to her attendees as they had styled Devangini so well, in that simple attire too, which was the last thing she wanted.

"Thank you, Baujiraj," Devangini said to Rishabh, coming near them, her voice barely above a whisper. "I owe you my life."

Rishabh smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction and purpose. "I'll always protect you."

"Uh...Megh Kanwar, I'll return this..."

"No need, Devangini. Hum utran ki cheezein nahi pehente dobara. Vaisey toh I don't give my things to anyone so easily, but since you're my guest, and met with an unfortunate accident here, I had to do this bit. It was my duty. Keep the outfit,"Meghatri said, faking a smile.

"I remembered having some work back at home, Gini, let's go,"Rishabh declared suddenly, shocking both of them.

"You were supposed to stay till evening,"Meghatri protested.

"Now I won't. Humnein kaha na, humein ek zaroori kaam yaad agaya hain? Also, I should drop Gini to her home too. I think she needs some rest now,"Rishabh replied.

Meghatri gave a nod reluctantly, before passing a look to Devangini, who bid her bye and thanked her for her hospitality, before Rishabh held her hand and took her away from there.

The sun was about to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the small village of Kulsagara. Snehanvi, her heart racing with anticipation and fear, slipped out of her house, carrying a small bag with her. She had been planning this escape, and finally, the moment had arrived.

As she ran down the deserted village road, the sound of her footsteps echoed through the stillness. She didn't dare look back, fearing what she might see. Her parents, her relatives, or even Baldev himself might be chasing after her.

Someone or the other will soon find out that she's missing and the next moment people will search around the entire village for her. She had to leave before that. She had to cross the village border before anyone spots her.

She could have escaped at night too, but the guards would be around her house at that time, and the silence of the night might make it difficult for her to accomplish her mission.

It was the eve of her wedding day, and she knew it very well that this was her last chance to escape from that horrible fate. Hence, she didn't think twice before taking the risk.

The people in her house were busy with the preparation for the next day, and she took it as a chance to slip out, avoiding their attention.

Just as she turned a corner, a car screeched to a halt in front of her, sending her heart into a frantic spin. Snehanvi's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the white Roll Royce, she had known so well.

Virat, taken aback by the sudden appearance of a beautiful young woman in the middle of the road, leaned out of the window, his eyes locked on Snehanvi's frantic face.

"You? Here? What's wrong?"Virat asked, stepping out of his car. "Are you okay?"he added, his voice calm and soothing. "You almost ran into my car!"

Snehanvi, still trying to catch her breath, hesitated for a moment before responding.

"I...I'm sorry," Snehanvi stammered, her eyes darting around nervously. "I was just...in a hurry. Thank God you're here." She held his hands and said,"Please take me away from here."

Virat's eyes narrowed, sensing that something was amiss. He glanced at Snehanvi's bag, and then back at her face, his expression softening.

"You look like you're running from something...or someone. Something wrong has happened at home?"he asked.

"My parents are getting me married to Baldev forcefully,"she said, shocking him.

"What? Again? But after that incident how could they..."

"They don't understand, Yuvraj. You please take me with you. Take me away from here as soon as possible. I don't want to marry Baldev! I really don't. I will do anything to stay away from him and from this village. Please help me. I want to study more. I want to do something in life,"Snehanvi's pleas echoed around the place when they heard the sounds of footsteps behind and she turned around to find her brother with few other men of the village.

"So this is the reason why you didn't want to marry Baldev, haan?"he asked, glaring at her and then at her hands which were holding Virat's hands.

"Sumit! It's not what you're thinking,"Virat said, removing his hands from Snehanvi's.

"Yuvraj! You're the would be king, we cannot say things to you, but we aren't fool too. My sister has been all over you since the first time you came here. Mujhe toh pehele se hi shaq tha. Now I am sure. Chaliye. You both have to go with us or else things won't be good for the reputation of the royal family I guess,"Sumit said bitterly.

Virat glared at him and came ahead, asking,"You're threatening me? How dare you?"

"Yuvraj! You're in our territory now, and remember, we hold power now. The country is a democratic one. If we don't support you, you won't retain your political power at any cost,"Sumit threatened back.

Virat passed him a cold stare before thinking,"I have to remain calm. Losing one territory will shake the trust of the other territories too."

He looked at Snehanvi, and she looked down, seeing his irritated expression, understanding that because of her he was in problem now.

"Mujhe pehele se hi pata tha ki unhey mera waha jaana accha nahi lagega. She won't like seeing me there. She doesn't like me much,"Devangini said while Rishabh drove through the roads of Chandraprayag.

"That doesn't means she'll shove you towards death."

"She did it by mistake. She didn't push me."

"You're too naive."

"Then who's intelligent? You?"

"More than you at least. Which way?"

"Haan?"

"Which way leads to your home, stupid?"

Devangini frowned and said,"Yahi gaari rokiye. I'll go alone."

"What do you mean by you'll go alone?"

"Why did you call me stupid?"

"Because you are,"he replied, slowing the car after taking a turn towards the road leading to the main town.

"And why so you think so?"

"Because you don't know who's harmful for you and who isn't."

"I know that very well, okay?"

"Really? Then stop defending Megha. If I had any poof, I would have..."he trailed off.

Devangini stared at him and asked,"She's your friend, isn't she? You'll still support me over her?"

"I always support what's right, Gini. That's what true rajputs do."

Rishabh turned towards her and found her staring at him. Therefore, he chuckled and asked,"Why are you staring at me now?"

"You're different than what you appear to be,"she replied and he giggled.

"Icecream khaogi?"(Will you have icecream?)he asked suddenly.

"No! Not today."

"Then some other day?"

She gave a nod and he continued driving, happily.

When he halted the car in front of her house, she said,"Won't you come in?"

"Not today,"he replied with a chuckle and she frowned and asked,"Then some other day?"

"Sure!"he said.

Devangini giggled and said,"You're kid! You did what I did a while ago."

"That's called reverse chronology."

"Yah whatever!"she said and opened the door of the car, after adding,"Thank you again, for saving me. I would have been dead otherwise."

"Gini!"he called and she turned around.

"Haan?"

"Take care,"he said, concern evident in his tone.

She looked at him, and gave a nod before stepping out of the car and shutting the door.

Rishabh drove the car backwards, while she stood. He waved at her and she waved back with a smile, before he drove off, and she looked on, missing his company instantly.

"Yuvraj! My daughter has tried to run away from her wedding the second time today, and now we know the reason. The reason is you,"Sitanshu said to Virat.

People of the village had gathered around Snehanvi's house, to see what decision is being taken regarding the matter. Baldev and his family had also arrived in the meantime.

"I beg to differ. I am not the reason behind your daughter running away from her marriage. It was you all. You didn't allow her to study further and were forcing her to marry the guy she doesn't like at all,"Virat argued.

"Sachmein? Yuvraj? Hein? Thik hain, toh je chhori ne pucche zara, vah ko aap pasand ho ki naa,"Baldev said bitterly. (Really Yuvraj? Alright, ask this girl whether she likes you or not)

"I don't think she does,"Virat said confidently.

"But I think she does. She doesn't want to marry Baldev but will surely marry you if given a chance. Isn't it Anvi?"Sumit asked his sister, who looked down.

"I don't want to get married to Baldev, Bhai Sa. Please understand. Baba Sa, please let me go to the city and study. That's the only thing I want,"she begged.

"Nah! Jeh saara intejaam ho jaaney ke baad thaare ko aisey hi jaaney dey, chhori? Humein barbaad karke chhoregi ke?"Sudha said. (No! After all these arrangements we will let you go away? You want to destroy us or what, girl?)

"Maa Sa please,"Snehanvi pleaded.

"I'll pay double the amount spent in the wedding arrangements and all. Set her free,"Virat declared.

"Yuvraj, when you have so much sympathy for her then why don't you marry her? Or you have some other plans? Why do you want to take my young beautiful sister away like this?"Sumit asked.

"Bhai Sa! Stop it! Stop insulting him,"Snehanvi protested.

"Dekhaaa! Kaha tha na maine. Kuch toh chal reve se vah dono ke beech. Puccho chhori se! Sach bulwao,"Baldev hissed.(See! I told you all, something which is going on between them. Ask the girl. Make her tell the truth.)

The villagers also agreed with him, some because of their orthodox thinking, others because they wanted more drama, and rest were simply supporting Baldev.

One of the members of the village elders, came ahead with a holy book and said to Snehanvi,"Re chhori! Haath rakh iskey upar aur bol, thaare ko Yuvraj pasand se ke naa."

Snehanvi took a step back, while Virat argued,"WHAT NONSENSE! Aaplog kiyu zabardasti kar rahe ho baat baat par? I have said I'll sort out the financial matter and everything. She just wants freedom. She doesn't have any feelings for me."

"We would like to hear it from Snehanvi,"Sitanshu said coldly, and stared at his daughter and added,"Yuvraj can't take the decision of your life if you don't consider him as your guardian. And since I am your guardian, you have to get married before leaving this house, or else you aren't going anywhere. Now you decide what you want to do. You want to get married to Baldev or want to go with Yuvraj."

Snehanvi looked at Virat and then at Baldev, who was staring at her like a cunning hyenna, ready to pounce on her the moment he'll get her alone. She knew what a dangerous creature he was, and marrying him means marrying a lifetime of torture. While, on the other hand stood Virat, the man she actually had fallen for. She had the last and only chance to go with him, if she considers him as her guardian and break ties with her family. Hence, she does what her heart told her.

"I want to go with Yuvraj. I consider him as my guardian,"she declared and people in the village started murmuring and talking among themselves, discussing the matter.

"Yuvraj, do you accept to be her guardian?"Sitanshu asked, looking at Virat.

"Yah! Being the crown prince I am the guardian of all of you in a way or the other. I don't have any problem in taking her responsibility. Snehanvi, you can go and sit in my car, you can stay in Chandraprayag before getting admission in the university of your choice,"Virat said.

"In that case, Yuvraj, you have to marry her,"Sitanshu's words shocked Virat while everyone around went silent.

"What? Being someone's guardian doesn't means they have to get married. What if there was a boy in place of her? How could you all he so narrow minded even in today's time?"Virat yelled.

Baldev picked up a stone and threw it at Virat, but he dodged it and took a few strides before giving a kick to him, making him fall into the crowd, while he shouted angrily,"YOU SCOUNDREL! Ram Deo!"

"Jee Hukum?"

"Get this guy arrested and throw him into jail,"Virat ordered before turning his attention back at Snehanvi's family members.

"I won't marry your daughter. That's not possible for me. And I am sure even she doesn't want to marry me. It will be the same thing again. You are putting me in place of Baldev,"he said.

Sumit caught Snehanvi's neck and pulled her forward, while saying,"Really Yuvraj? Wait a minute then." He looked at his sister and held her hand, keeping it forcefully upon the holy book, the village elder was holding. "Bol abb. Tell everyone the truth. You want to get married to Yuvraj or not. Tell everyone."

"Bhai Sa please..."Snehanvi pleaded.

"Sumit stop it!"Virat commanded.

Snehanvi stared at Virat, and then at her family, and then at the villagers who were shouting that she should marry Virat, and he was glaring at them, trying to stop their growing shouts.

She then looked at her hand which was kept in the holy book as she was urged to tell the truth about her feelings for Virat. She knew that it would be a sin to tell a lie, also, she didn't have any choice other than marrying Virat, as the other choice was Baldev and her orthodox family. She wanted to escape from here at any cost. She knew that she was being a bit selfish too and that her life might become a hell. But then, it was supposed to be so, either way. Hence, choosing the hell with Virat was better than choosing the hell with Baldev.

She closed her eyes and took a breath and said,"Yes I want to marry Yuvraj."

As soon as the words left Snehanvi's lips, the villagers erupted into cheers and applause. Her family, who had been frantically trying to convince her to marry Baldev just hours before, now beamed with pride and happiness.

Virat's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at Snehanvi with a mixture of shock and anger. He hadn't expected her to agree to marry him even in dreams, but she did exactly the opposite.

The village elder, who had been holding the holy book, smiled and nodded in approval. "Then it is settled," he declared and Sitanshu declared,"my daughter Snehanvi and our Yuvraj shall be married tomorrow, as is the custom in our village. And Yuvraj, if you back out of this marriage then we will declare a revolt against Chandraprayag and you'll lose our areas as your territory. I am sure, the adjacent villages will do the same if Kulsagara does so. Backing out of wedding when the girl is ready, means tarnishing her image too. Now you decide."

Virat fisted his hands, as he had never felt so helpless in his life before. He had always been tactful and strategic in case of politics, but he failed the first time, that too because of Snehanvi.

He glared at her while saying,"So be it. I'll marry her."

As the villagers began to chant and celebrate, Snehanvi felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Had she just made a huge mistake? Virat clearly had no interest in her and yet she had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him.

Virat walked away from there, and it was clear that he was disappointed and displeased with her, which scared her.

************************************Here goes the update. Please leave your comments or updates will be more slow. Keep Reading and Keep Vommenting Guys.😘❤️