👑Forty Nine~

"You didn't think about us even for once,"Durdhara said in a complaining tone. "Sirf Dadabhai hi sab kuch hain aapke liye? Hum aur humare baby kuch nahi hain?"

"Dhara, Dadabhai would have been shot at heart, had I not intervened. I didn't have enough time to think any other way. I acted on my reflex,"Hardik said, trying to get up.

"Lete rahiye. You need rest. No need to get up."

"I am not that weak, my queen. It's just a wound on the back."

"Wound from a bullet. Don't act smart now. You are stuttering due to the effect of sedatives. Be quiet and keep resting,"Durdhara scolded him.

"Jiji! Everyone is blaming Andrew,"Snehanvi said while rushing in.

"For what?"

"Baba Sa thinks that he has caused the attack on Maharaj and has stolen the royal will from the study room."

"What?"both Hardik and Durdhara exclaimed while Andrew got questioned on the other side.

"I have told you already, I don't know where the will is. I didn't take it."

"Then why did you go to the study room? Tell us,"Rishabh asked coming forward.

"And if you really didn't cause the attack then why did you go towards the crowd? There are two witnesses here itself,"Shubman added.

"I have gone into the crowd to try to locate who has shot Veer...uh..King Virat,"Andrew said.

"Baba Sa, I think we should discuss these tomorrow,"Virat chimed in.

"No Veer. We will discuss everything right now,"Kadambari said.

"Yes! Andrew, tell us, why did you go to the study room?"Suryavardhan asked.

Andrew sighed and said,"I can't tell that."

"But I can,"Devangini said.

"Gini! You know about it?"Rishabh asked, furrowing his brows and she said while coming ahead,"Actually, me, Snehanvi Bhabi Sa and Dhara Jiji had found out something. Actually it's Dhara Jiji and Hardik Bhai sa who had been after this since past few days."

"What is it Devi? Tell us,"Meenakshi asked.

"Mr.Sinclair has taken a land's paper which belonged to Uncle Shaktivardhan."

"Uncle Shaktivardhan?"Rishabh and Shubman asked together while Virat looked at Andrew and then at Devangini who continued,"We, I mean, Bhabi Sa, Jiji and me, we have secretly gone to the storeroom and had found a secret passage leading to a bed chamber which is burnt and can be accessed only through the storeroom as it has been hidden by constructing a wall around the door outside. Hence, we cannot see it from outside. Uncle Shaktivardhan and his wife were killed in that room in an accidental fire, right?"

"That was no accident! That was a plot! A heinous plot!"Andrew shouted suddenly, shocking all of them.

"How dare you say something like that? Who the hell are you?"Suryavardhan asked and Virat uttered,"Big Bro. Aryaveer."

Shubman came ahead and stood beside Rishabh, asking,"Yeh kya ho raha hain? I am not understanding anything."

"Neither me,"Rishabh said and then looked at Virat who held Andrew's arms and asked,"Am I right? Tell me!"

"Yes you're right, Dadabhai,"Durdhara said, coming there with Snehanvi.

"Maharaj, this watch which he had gifted you. I had taken it to Bhai and he had found this written underneath the dial. See,"Snehanvi said, showing the watch to Virat who turned it and checked it's back side.

"Shaktivardhan,"was engraved on it and Virat's eyes filled with tears as he remembered it was the same watch for which both Aryaveer and he had fought over in childhood and the former had taken it away since it belonged to his father.

He looked up at Andrew while Durdhara said,"Ranaji is getting restless there. It's better we talk in front of him. He won't be at peace otherwise and that will be bad for his health. Also, all of you please remain calm."

Andrew sighed and leaned against the railing while everyone walked ahead.

"Why didn't you tell me?"Virat asked, holding his arms.

"I didn't want to, Veer. I had come for that paper, I got it. The next thing I wanted was to expose your father's misdeed, before that his other misdeed got exposed through Maan."

"He's your own uncle."

"Oh come on Veer. He's a killer."

"No he isn't. You have no idea how much he had searched for you. How worried he was. And when everyone got sure that something bad had happened to you as well, he was heartbroken. I have seen him, Big Bro. He isn't a wicked person. The situations..."

"Veer!"Suryavardhan's voice floated from a distance and Andrew said,"I think we should go. My punishment will be determined after all."

"It's not like that,"Virat said and sighed as Andrew walked ahead and he then followed up quietly.

"Bhabi Sa had told me about this family's brief history during Dad's time. And though she had forgotten initially but then she remembered that Shaktivardhan Uncle had a son too,"Durdhara said, remembering the night when Sakshi had told her about the Shekhawats and had gone out of the room with Mahendra, only to return after a brief second and tell her about the child.

"Then I told Ranaji everything. Everything that I had discovered till then. Also, about this picture which is actually Maharani Snehanvi's discovery while playing hide and seek with the children,"Durdhara said while taking her phone from Devangini's hand and showing the picture to everyone. "The kid in the picture resembles Mr.Sinclair, that's where I had my first doubt."

"I too had asked Maharaj about it to confirm and he had told me that he had another brother who's no more,"Snehanvi added.

"Then Ranaji had set a spy behind Mr.Sinclair, to keep an eye on him and we got to know that he had acquired the land across the riverside, where there's a small church,"Durdhara said and Hardik added in a low yet firm tone,"We got sure then, as without proper proof, that land cannot be acquired. It was uncle Shaktivardhan's. Only his heir could acquire it."

"As it was on his son's name,"Durdhara said, stopping him from speaking further. "Ranaji also did some background study on Mr.Sinclair and got to know that he was born in India and had acquired the french citizenship after the age of nine."

"But...but Aryaveer was kidnapped. I mean...the night when the two frightful incidents happened, he was taken away by someone and we could never find..."

"I was taken away by Mom's trusted attendee Maria,"Andrew interrupted Suryavardhan. "I still remember the night. How my mother had burnt to death in that room."

"So...what had happened to Uncle Shaktivardhan? We thought both of them had died in..."

"No!"he said looking at Devangini. "It was Mom whom I had seen burning in that room. Dad had met with an accident that very night while returning home after hearing the news."

"But you were sleeping. When did you go there?"Virat asked sitting beside him, remembering very well that they were sharing a room during Andrew's stay at the palace, as their fathers wanted them to mingle up well.

"You were asleep when I had woken up. Just like a mother feels her child's pain, her child can also sense her pain at times. I had gone towards my parents' room to find it ablaze and Mom was screaming in pain, screaming for help. The door was jammed. My tiny hands couldn't do anything. I saw her burning through the keyhole. Someone had locked the door,"Andrew said, his voice taking a higher pitch.

"The door was jammed, Arya. You're wrong,"Suryavardhan said.

"Keep feeding yourself with lies!"Andrew yelled, standing up. "Think once, how many untimely deaths has this palace seen in your reign? Why? There must be some reason! How did my Mom die and nobody could save her on time? Nobody got to know that she was burning? She wasn't the queen for sure, but she was no less. How did my father die on that very night? He wasn't driving the car for sure. He never went anywhere without the driver."

"Bro! Calm down,"Virat said holding his hand. "I can understand."

"I know you can. You too have lost your mother after all,"Andrew said and Virat looked away while Meenakshi added,"No he hasn't. He still has his mother here. You too would have, had you not left."

"I didn't leave on my on accord. Maria took me away for my safety, sensing a conspiracy going on against us. She couldn't save Mom, she wanted to save me at any cost. I didn't get enough time, that watch a few favourite belonging and that's it. Whatever important Maria could take, she had taken along with me. I cried, protested, fainted, but didn't get my parents back. This palace had been a nightmare for me."

"But...Bhabi...I mean, your mother, she wasn't a Sinclair. She was Anderson. Agnes Anderson,"Suryavardhan said.

"That's the surname of her maternal family. There wasn't anyone in her paternal family, probably that's where you would have searched for me,"Andrew said and Suryavardhan said,"Yes...Yes, I did. I had searched for you there as well, hoping to find a trace of you."

"I wasn't in London. I was kept safe in my mother's maternal house which was in the French countryside. I therefore grew up as a Sinclair."

"That night was a disaster, directed by fate, Arya. We never meant any harm to your parents or you. Trust me,"Suryvardhan said.

"What would be Dad's motive? There wasn't any. He was already the king,"Rishabh said.

"You were not even born at that time. What do you even know haan? My Dad was the rightful king, being the eldest son. He had all the qualities of a king, just one mistake and Dada Saheb changed his decision. My Dad had married the woman of his choice, and of course she wasn't an Indian or a royal. Dada Saheb was an orthodox person, hence, your Dad became the king. Dad and Mom were banished from the city and we had lived in Delhi."

"That mansion in Delhi is..."

"Yes Maan, that belonged to my parents. Isn't it Daadi Sa?"Andrew looked at Kadambari, who gave a nod and then extended her hands towards him. "Come here dear boy. I never thought I'll be able to see you again, my dear child."

Andrew went up to her and sat beside her, holding her hands as she caressed his face. "Surya, humnein aapko bulake kaha tha na ki yeh Shakti jaisey lagte hain humein?"

Suryavardhan gave a nod and she gave a hug to Andrew, saying,"My eldest grandson is back home."

"And that makes him the rightful heir of the throne,"Virat said.

"No it doesn't, Veer,"Andrew snapped at him, pulling back from the hug. "The king's son takes up the throne and you're the rightful king now. People love you, don't even keep this thought in your mind. I got what I needed. I just wanted search clues for my parents' death, to see it any foul play is there or not. I would have returned to France after that."

"No you aren't going anywhere,"Hardik said and he looked at him, asking,"You're saying that? You and Queen Durdhara were the first ones whom I had deceived. Remember that accident from which I had saved her? It was a got up. It was fake. Nothing would have happened to her even if I wouldn't have intervened. I had done that to establish friendship with you. Now tell me, do you really want me to stay here?"

Hardik nodded softly. "I do. This is your home. Situation made you take that step."

Andrew looked away and Virat said,"It's decided, as the king, I command you to stay here. You have to follow the order. Remember the protocol?"

Andrew frowned looking at him. "I am your elder brother, you're not mine."

"But I am the king."

"Smartly played."

"Learnt from you."

"What a joke!"Andrew scoffed.

"Both Bhai and Dadabhai have said, you have to stay here now,"Rishabh said.

"Yes! Please Bro,"Shubman added.

"Already started calling me Bro? Didn't even check my intentions?"Andrew asked with a chuckle. "You're too naive, Maan. Thank God you aren't the king. Such a soft-hearted person always gets deceived."

"Done with your philosophical lecture? Now off to your room,"Virat said.

"Aye what's wrong with you? I am not one of your people,"Andrew argued.

"Okay okay! No more arguments. Veer! What is this? You're the king now. Don't behave like childhood,"Kadambari said and looked at Andrew who was smirking at him. "You too!"she added and his smirk vanished.

"Arya,"Suryvardhan called and came ahead. He held his hands and said,"I am sorry for dragging you like that. I was...I was worried for Hardik. Sorry beta."

Andrew sighed and stood up. "All the mistakes you have made throughout your life, Kaka Sa, you have to say that word again and again to everyone I guess."

"Now shall we eat something?"Snehanvi asked, changing the topic, trying to lighten up the mood. "Jiji hasn't eaten anything too, neither of you did. Let's go."

"Dhara!"Hardik stared at Durdhara and she said,"I'll eat now. No need to give me that cold look."

"Harry, you take rest, I'll talk to the doctor and send the required food,"Meenakshi said, touching Hardik's cheek and he gave a nod, closing his eyes.

Everyone started departing while Rishabh said to Devangini,"Aayinda humsey kuch chhupai toh dekh lena. This was cheating! Why wasn't I included in the team?"

"Oh dramebaaz! This wasn't a treasure hunt,"Shubman said, hitting on his head from behind while Devangini giggled as the walked away.

"Bro!"Hardik stopped Andrew who was the last to move out. "I know that accident wasn't a got up. You really didn't know Dhara before saving her. Isn't it?"

Andrew looked at him and walked up to his side, slowly. He sat near him and replied with a nod, looking down. "I just knew you. I knew you got married to the princess of Rudragiri. Didn't check on her. The first time I noticed her was in a shop and the second time was during that accident. It then when I saw you and understood that she was your wife. I would have come here in some other way, but fate gave me an easy chance through you both."

"You like her a lot, don't you?"Hardik's next question startled him.

"Hmm! I am sorry,"Andrew said with a sigh.

"Don't be. It's obvious. My Dhara is extremely lovable."

"You're forgiving me just because I am your elder brother, right? Had someone else been in my place, you would have killed him,"Andrew said with a chuckle.

Hardik chuckled softly and gave a nod. "You'll get a good girl. Any girl, but not Dhara. She's mine, Bro."

"I know. I have accepted that. Don't worry."

"I know that. Thank you."

"Thanks to you, actually."

************************************Here goes the update. Keep Reading and Keep Vommenting Guys.😘❤️