HIS ROYAL BRIDE

chapter 21

Udaipur

Shivansh slowly descended the staircase, his eyes still heavy with sleep. As he entered the hall, an unusual silence engulfed the entire palace, leaving an unsettling feeling in the air. It was quite different from the lively atmosphere he was accustomed to.

Just two days ago, Shivansh had gone on a picnic. He returning late last night. When he arrived, he couldn't help but notice the sadness on everyone's face.

When he asked about it everyone told him that it was nothing and they just missed him. He was tired and didn't ask further and slept.

Shivansh made his way to the kitchen, where his mother was preparing breakfast. "Maa, what's going on?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"When I came back yesterday, everyone seemed upset, and now the whole palace is unusually quiet. Please, tell me what's wrong."

His mother, trying to reassure him and replied, "Oh, bacha, you're overthinking things. It's nothing serious, really. You should focus on your studies. Why don't you go and call everyone for breakfast?"

Although her words were meant to calm him, Shivansh couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more that noone wanted him to know.

He first went towards his Dadosa, who sat in his favorite armchair, engrossed in reading the morning newspaper. Shivansh approached him Dadosa looked up, his eyes filled with love, and gently caressed Shivansh's head.

Curiosity burning within him, Shivansh couldn't help but ask, "Dadosa, why does everyone seem so down? What happened while I was away?" In an instant, Dadosa's warm smile vanished, replaced by a pained expression.

He stood up abruptly, making excuses, "Umm... Shivansh beta, I need to take my medicine before breakfast. It's later than usual, so I should hurry up." With that, he hurriedly left the room, leaving Shivansh with more questions than answers.

After not getting a response from his grandfather, Shivansh went to his badi ma, Amrita.

When he reached her room, he saw that she was crying. He immediately went to her and gently placed his hand on her trembling shoulder.

Amrita suddenly got startled but felt relieved when she saw Shivansh. With a tender touch, he wiped away her tears and asked," badi ma ? What happened? Why were you crying? Is everything okay?"

Amrita quickly replied, "Yes, my child. everything is fine....By the way, why did you come? Did you have some work?" Seeing his badi ma so sad, Shivansh didn't feel right asking the question he had come to ask. He didn't want to make her more upset.

" Actually I came here to call you for breakfast. Chaliye ab ye aansu mat bahaiye aur niche aaiye... I hate tears, Amrita. " He said dramatically which made Amrita laugh.

( Actually I came here to call you for breakfast. Now don't cry and come downstairs. I hate tears, Amrita. )

"Okay, fine. I'll go and call Sidharth and Ishani. You quickly take a shower and come," Amrita said, and Shivansh started to leave the room. But then his eyes fell on a photo frame that Amrita was holding in her hand...

It was of a father and daughter smiling looking at the camera - Arnav and His Princess.

Shivansh is twelve years old currently. He wasn't there when that incident happened and since then noone talks about it. When Shivansh questioned about his bade papa and his sister, he was told that his bade papa was shote in a attack and till now noone told about his sister. He questioned many times but everyone divert the topic everytime.