👑 Epilogue~

SIX YEARS LATER:-

[Play the song "Love Story" by Indila(Orchestra Version) mentioned in the video box above, as the background music here]

The midday sun streamed into the training courtyard, illuminating the earnest faces of two young boys. Durdhara stood before them, a sword gleaming in her hand. Akay, ever the respectful one, held his own sword with a tentative grip, while Sahitya, bubbling with enthusiasm, bounced on the balls of his feet, and Hriday stood with a determined expression, watching his mother.

"See! This is how you'll attack, okay Sahitya? Understood Hriday?" Durdhara instructed, gently guiding Akay's hand, step by step, into the correct attacking stance. Her voice, though firm, was laced with patience and affection. The boys nodded, their eyes wide with attention.

"Now defend," she instructed Akay.

"Jee Chhoti Mom," Akay replied obediently. He braced himself and, with surprising agility, defended against Durdhara's mock attacks, the blades clanging together in a playful rhythm.

"This is how you defend. Okay?" Durdhara asked, stepping back to address both boys. Again, they nodded, absorbing her lessons like sponges.

"Now slowly, you both will attack and defend with these plastic swords. Come on," she encouraged, distributing the swords with a warm smile. The boys eagerly took their positions, mimicking Durdhara's earlier movements. They attacked and defended, their small faces furrowed in concentration, the sunlight glinting off their youthful energy.

Suddenly, Akay paused, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Chhoti Mom, why is it necessary to learn sword fight?" he asked, his youthful curiosity breaking through.

Durdhara's expression softened. "It's a royal protocol, Akay. Every prince and princess learns this art,"she explained, her voice carrying a hint of ancient tradition.

Hriday, his eyes shining with ambition, piped up, "And I'll learn this art and be just like Bade Papa, right Mom?"

Durdhara's smile widened, a wave of maternal pride washing over her face. She gave a gentle nod. "Yes, Hriday," she confirmed, her voice filled with unwavering support. "You will learn this art, and you will be strong and brave, just like Bade Papa."

She looked at him gladly, seeing him having the same admiration towards Virat like Hardik always had.

Devangini kept the icecream and closed the car's door, saying to Raagini,"Have your icecream. Happy?"

"Very happy, Momma,"she replied, clapping and then took the icecream and said,"first you."

Devangini chuckled and said,"Just like her father,"before eating a bit.

She started the car and drove off, asking,"How was your class?"

"Very nice! I learnt shading with crayons, today,"she replied and put a spoonful of icecream into her mouth.

Devangini adored her and chuckled, murmuring,"So Rishi-coded."

The afternoon sun streamed through the living room window, illuminating a typical scene of domesticity. Hardik, sprawled on the floor, was engaged in a boisterous game with his younger son, Devang. Laughter filled the air as Hardik, caught up in the moment, declared, "And then we will go to Mars!"

Devang's eyes widened, captivated by the fantastical prospect. But nearby, Rishabh, who was quietly observing the scene, burst into laughter.

"Wowww! You'll go to Mars, Bhai? In what? Car?" he teased, his amusement evident in his voice.

Hardik's lighthearted mood shifted abruptly. He frowned, clearly perturbed by the interruption.

"Who asked you to listen?" he retorted, turning back to Devang. "This is our private conversation, right betu?" Devang, nodded enthusiastically.

A banter started between the brothers, which was suddenly shattered by a high-pitched cry. "Papaaaaa!"

Reyansh, Rishabh's four years old son, had been playing with a small ball, his attention momentarily diverted from his cousins. Now, the telltale sound of shattering glass echoed through the room. A favourite vase, perched precariously on a nearby table, lay in pieces on the floor, a testament to Reyansh's errant throw.

"Wow!"Rishabh said, clapping slowly and frowning while adding,"absolutely classic."

Reyansh ran up to him at once and climbed upon the couch before climbing upon Rishabh's shoulder.

"Arey kidhar charh raha hain?"he asked with a hard frown and Hardik laughed this time.

At that moment,Durdhara walked back from the practice sessions with the young princes.

"Dad!"Hriday said while running up to Hardik and sitting on his lap.

Seeing him Devang also crawled up to his lap, pushing aside the toys.

"Kya Bhabi aap bhi! Bacchon ko lekar talwarbaazi sikhane lag gayi ho."

"It's good to learn new skills rather than watching the phone,"Durdhara said and chuckled.

"Yes! Sahitya is fond of his tab. Chhorte nahi hain, khaatey wakt bhi,"Snehanvi said, coming there.

Hardik got up, carrying his sons in his arms, while asking,"Sunday ke din bhi Dadabhai kaam pe chaley gaye?"

"Nahi, kehe rahe theh ki ek important change karna hain unhey royal laws mein. Karke laut aayenge,"she replied.

"Hein? Aisa kaunsa change hain jiska humein nahi maalum? Bro might know,"Rishabh said when Shubman and Chandrika arrived, their two year old clinging to Chandrika.

"Hellooooo, Shivi!"Rishabh cooed at the child and she squealed throwing her arms at him.

He took her from Chandrika while Shubman relaxed on the couch.

"Kaisa gaya music tour?"Hardik asked.

"Concert kar karke gaaley mein dard hogaya humara. And then there were back to back recordings, the previous week. I am telling you, I'll be happy if my Shivanya won't be a singer."

"As if! Khud riyaaz karte wakt isey saamney bitha lete hain taaki yeh bhi abhi se sur taal sikhe,"Chandrika scoffed.

Devangini returned from her clinic, taking Raagini along and she ran up to Rishabh at once, who said,"Oh finally! Take doctor, take your son please."

Devangini frowned and said,"Weren't you too eager to have two kids? Now handle them."

"Perfect!"Shubman said and Hardik laughed and added,"Learn from me Rishi. Look how I handle both the kids."

"Yah right! You handle both of them. As if I am the one sitting in office most of the time,"Durdhara said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Devi! Ekbar Aryansh ko check karengi please. Bukhar kam huya hain pehele se,"Meghatri said from upstairs.

"Abhi aaye,"Devangini said while going upstairs.

"Ansh has a fever?"Chandrika asked Snehanvi.

"Arey haan usko vaccination lene ke baad aaya hain,"she replied, nudging Sahitya, who had lied down on another couch, upon Akay.

"What's wrong with you two? Jiji, why are they dozing off like birds do during a flu?"Snehanvi asked and Durdhara laughed.

"They practiced hard today,"she replied. "Akay went for horse riding practice too."

"Aur Rags, how was your day at the painting class?"Hardik asked Raagini who showed a thumbs up and then pushed squeezed Reyansh who shrieked loudly and hit her away.

Rishabh had sat down, holding the kids, and frowned harder seeing them like that while Shivanya clapped happily.

"See! You and Maan used to eat my head like that,"Hardik teased.

"Okay fine, Bhai! I got it! You're very happy to see me having a hard time with the kids,"Rishabh said making Hardik laugh out loudly.

Durdhara took Reyansh in her arms while saying,"Leave him. Inka toh aadat hain sabko tease karne ka."

"I agree,"Snehanvi said and Hardik asked,"What?"

"I am the queen."

"Do hell with that. Why did you agree to what Dhara said?"

"Jijiiiii!"

"Harry! Stop it,"Durdhara said.

"Accha let's go and have our lunch now. It's late. Maharaj is on the way. Maan, Chandri, go freshen up,"Snehanvi said.

"Haan, chalo, Shivi, let's go,"Chandrika said and took the baby and walked away, followed by Shubman.

"Chalo chalo, freshen up all of you. Akay, Sahitya, come on champs,"Durdhara said and took Hriday in her arms and all of them dispersed.

"How's he now?"Andrew asked Devangini who checked on Aryansh.

"Well and fine. He should be fine by evening."

"Thank you so much,"Meghatri said.

"See! I told you he'll be fine. Our boy is strong,"Andrew said.

"Absolutely. Megha, don't panic. He had a fever last time too. Abhi neend se uthte hi uchatle phirenge. Don't worry,"Devangini said and left.

"Hmm! So shall we go downstairs to have the lunch or are we on a fasting today?"Andrew joked.

Meghatri passed him a look. "Come on! You and your silly lines. Let's go."

"Better! I am starving and the lobsters awaits us, unless Rishu has already eaten them,"he said and Meghatri laughed, before getting startled as he pulled out a rose and handed it off to her.

"What's this for?"she asked, joy evident in her voice, which increased as she smiled after Andrew put a necklace around her neck.

"A small gift. Today was the day when I had proposed you,"he said.

"Okayyyy,"she chimed, her voice laced with happiness.

"I never knew you remember such trivial details too?"

"I am half European, sweetheart. Europeans are romantic,"Andrew said.

"As if! Indians are romantic too,"Meghatri said.

"I might need a prove from you regarding that,"he teased and she chuckled and said,"Sure thing. But isn't your lobsters getting eaten by others now?"

"Oh right! Lobsters. Let's hurry up,"he said making her laugh and they held hands while going downstairs.

"Lobsters kidhar hain Bhai?"Rishabh asked while everyone sat to have lunch.

"Apna lobster ka baad mein socho pehele Dadabhai ka suno,"Shubman said as Suryavardhan asked Virat about the new change in the royal law.

"Oh! It's a simple one,"Virat said, while Hriday sat on his lap, playing with a napkin.

"What is it, Veer?"Andrew asked.

"The next king won't be Akay,"Virat declared and everyone looked at him, stunned.

"What? But why?"Suryavardhan asked.

"Dadabhai, Akay is the rightful heir as he's your son,"Hardik said.

"That's the point. Just because he's the king's son, that doesn't mean he'll be the next king. That's not the ideal criteria for qualification to sit on the throne and wear the crown,"Virat said.

"Are you doing this because of...Mom's..."

"Yes Rishi. Her intension and actions were wrong, but the point behind it cannot be ignored. Sochnewali baat hain yeh. I don't want any of our children to thing wrong about the other. There should be fairness in everything. What if any of them is better than the rest yet doesn't get the throne because he's not the king's son? That will be wrong,"Virat said.

"That point is correct,"Andrew said, nodding.

"Thanks for understanding, Bro. Likewise, I'll request all of you to understand the point,"Virat said.

"But Dadabhai, won't Akay feel dejected? I mean, why there's a change of rule in his turn?"Durdhara asked.

"Anyone has to understand first, Dhara. One must be the change to bring in a change,"Virat replied.

"I think Veer is right. One who is most eligible will be the next king,"Suryavardhan said.

"We have set the criterias too. Once the official change is made, you all can see it,"Virat said.

Reyansh squeezed out ketchup on his plate and ran his finger on it. Seeing it Rishabh said with a chuckle,"Kaun raja banega yeh humein nahi pata par yeh mahashay nahi banenge that's for sure."

Everyone laughed hearing him and Snehanvi said,"Don't say like that, come on."

Virat chuckled and ran his hand over Hriday's head who fed a sweet to Sahitya.

"Apna sweet inhey deh diya aap ne, Hridu?"he asked and he replied with a nod,"Jo humara hain voh humare bhaiyon ka hain. Hain na Bade Papa?"

Virat gave a nod and said,"Absolutely."

**************The End**************

Guys please give your love to my new book,"Ivy's Illusions," which is a sequel to "Della's Delusions."

Here goes the last update of "House Of Royals." It was a lovely experience writing this book and sharing the journey with you all. See you again in a new journey. I have a few plots for my upcoming stories, which I'll be uploading in my book "Midnight Vedriti." I want you all to select one for me.Keep Reading and Keep Vommenting Guys.😘❤️