Chapter 2 2

BAHLIKA KINGDOM

MANIKARNIKA POV

I don't feel like going back to the palace so instead am going to my favorite place in the forest.

I sat down close to the river, feeling the breeze of fresh air as it calmed me down. Fresh tears escaped from my eyes as I remembered my father, he was the only kind person, he loved me like am his daughter and it just makes me love him more but now his gone.

Arnav's warnings came back to me.

'you have no protector anymore.'

No matter how much I hate to Admit it but I have to, he was right and now how do I survive? I have no one to go to in India.

I thought as new tears escaped freely from my eyes like it was nothing.

There was a sudden movement behind me as I saw the bushes sway and am sure it wasn't the wind that's the culprit.

Is someone watching me?

Or is there some animal skillfully trying to get it's prey?

Am I the prey?

What animal is behind me?

Why didn't I come with my weapon?

All these thoughts came to mind as I thought again,

I need to act quickly or else am dinner for.......

My thoughts were interpurted by sounds from behind me but these sounds are not made by any animal but swords.

I turned as I slowly walked to the direction of the noise then I heard a man shout in pain but I don't recall the voice and then another scream came and then another but non of their voices were familiar.

I heard no screams again as I quicken my steps and was face to face with angry Amber brown eyes.

"Arnav?"

I said, more to myself.

"What are you doing here?"

I asked almost yelling.

"That's what I get for saving your life foolish child."

He said clearly distressed and breathing heavily.

What?

Am Confused but then I remembered I heard screams of some people I don't know few seconds ago here in the forest, were nobody or rarely anybody goes and what is Arnav doing here?

Instinctively, I glanced over his shoulder, I see three men lying lifelessly on the grasses wet from dew.

They wore black all through and a symbol I couldn't see clearly was painted on their left cheek.

It was like a flower but from my view it wasn't clear as it was very small. Thankfully I have good eye sight and Can see far but I don't recognize the flower even though I can see only blurry and little of it.

"What happened?"

I asked clearly astonished.

"They were following you"

He said pointing at the lifeless corpse's.

"What..., Why?

"I warned you to be careful"

I was speechless as I just stared at him.

"Didn't you hear footsteps, where are your weapons and why were you not heading back to the palace, no more importantly why are you not with a guard?"

He asked breathing heavily and very distressed as I gave no reply clearly shocked and disturb. Here am worried about being thrown out of the palace and someone wants to kill me.

What for?

Who?

Seeing how stressed I have become he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"More importantly are you okay?"

Coming back to reality and putting my thoughts aside I saw sincere concern in the crown prince eyes but why would he be concern? Am just seeing things.

"Am okay."

I finally said.

"Good because I thought you were a clever girl, I guess I was wrong"

His face going back to irritated. I knew I was seeing things.

Wait how come he's here, that question has not been answered.

"What are you doing here?"

"I followed you"

He said as if he was stating the obvious

"Why?"

I yelled.

"Because I was going to the palace and saw you going somewhere else so I followed you."

Calming down he placed his hand on my shoulder,

"Look, it seems you got yourself some enemies and right now you don't have any protection as you are no longer a princess"

"Yeah I can tell"

I said as he rolled his eyes clearly exhausted by my attitude.

"But who would want to kill me..." I was going to continue when I remembered something, "you warned me about this, you said to be careful cause I have no protector"

"No. I didn't warn you about this but my mother because am clearly stating the obvious by saying you both don't get along and she might plan something against you to drive you out of the palace."

"Or maybe she has planned it."

I said pointing to the lifeless corpse's behind him.

"No, my mother hate you is one thing but for her to conspire to kill you is definitely another Mano"

He said, his face angry but his eyes and voice pleading for me to change my opinion.

But am adamant.

He's the only one along with my previous parents that called me Mano, but only when we are alone.

"Whatever..., What do you expect? Cause am clearly not convinced and I don't expect you to suspect your mother"

"Anyway, I didn't just warn you just for you to be careful but to propose something to you"

He was nervous as he scratched the back of his neck.

"What is it?"

"Marry me."