Cittaja || Indian Historical Romance

1.

There are only two things that Shakra loves the most. Fighting and Mayurakshi.

Currently, both of them were engaged with each other and he felt left out.

Her soft and enticing waist was hidden over the iron armour. Her embroidered skirt was replaced by a green dhoti. Yet, her feet refused to part with those anklets and red shade. Her eyes were fixed on the target. Her shapely arms were holding the bow and the arrow. Her long hair was tied in a neat bun. The inking of the peacock feather peaked from the armour by her neck.

Shakra took a deep breath. She would leave him sleepless for a long time with that.

He walked over to her and touched the spot where her hair ended tracing the sparrow. "A necessary rule in battle is that you cover the vulnerable places. This spot is one of them." He whispered in her ears.

She didn't react at all. Just as powerfully focused as before. Her eyes looked out for the enemy. Her duty was to protect the white pigeon from being hunted. A test by the Guru.

She shot her arrow at one of the students who tried to hit the bird. Another one tried to move at her from the back but Shakra just looked over his shoulder and raised one hand in warning to stop. But one brave student decided not to pay heed to the warning and tried to attack the pigeon.

Shakra turned and threw his dagger, creating a large gaping cut through his shoulder. He shouted in pain.

"Yuvraj..." The familiar voice of their Guru reached them and he sighed.

Mayurakshi sighed loudly at the failure. The sound travelled through Shakra's ears and went down south.

The Guru with one look ordered Shakra to move away from her. Shakra sighed but followed the order.

"The test was meant for Rajkumari Mayurakshi. Not for you." He pointed out.

Shakra chuckled and walked towards his Guru. Touched his feet and turned to look at the princess.

She was surely a child of an apsara expert in attracting men. Sri Durga had been extremely gracious while deciding how beautiful this woman was supposed to be.

"I was just helping her. After all, I'm a great host. A Princess from another kingdom had shown up here in my Empire. I am expected to be gracious." He answered with a grin.

"I apologise, Guruwar. I assure you that I hadn't invited Yuvraj to help me. I know the test is meant for me. I am extremely sorry." She said sweetly to the older man. She instantly walked up to Guru Viswanath, "I was doing the task well before he decided to help me."

"You still did not pass the test, Rajkumari." Guru Vishwanath pointed out.

"Guruwar, I didn't entirely fail it." She complained.

"You didn't pass either, Rajkumari." He pointed out.

"Gurudev, it is unfair for you to fail her on the account of receiving little help. After all, we've both been sah-shishya to you since our childhood. By that relation, I should help her." Shakra answered.

Guru looked at him. Six months since he was crowned Yuvraj, Shakrajit had won several kingdoms. One kingdom on the list of ones he wishes to win is Krishneri, whose princess happened to be Mayurkshi. Vishwanath doubted that his fascination with Krishneri was rather based on its Princess. The second child of King Gokula. Born to the second wife of the King. She had a rather difficult relationship at her own home. Her father was helpless against Patrani Raashi. Her and her children. Yuvraj Adhiman and Rajkumari Yuvika. Three of them were a powerful force against Princess Mayurakshi. Vishwanath didn't put it behind Shakrajit to go conquer Krishneri just for Maryurakshi. Krishneri would find it extremely difficult to stand up against Shakrajit in an open battle.