" Maharaj!!!" Sudhman stood at the chamber's gate, his eyes wide in disbelief and hands stopped from telling the beads of his rosary.

Chandrajeet stood paralysed as well. He never expected Sudhman to hear him. Only Sudhman have the authority higher than the king, people trust him more than they trust the king. It was Sudhman only on whose advice Chandrajeet was made king just after that fire incident.

Sahdev who was sitting till now finally got up. " Gurudev! We will have to save Rajkumar Vijay as soon as possible. Your king is yours to punish" his voice had an urgency in it " do you have any idea where this cave is"

Sudhman finally came out of the shock he recieved " Soldiers arrest this man and put him behind the bars. Bring Raj Kumari Vijaya to me right now" Sudhman barked orders " Pandu Kumar! This cave can only be the place where Raj Kumar Vijay used to hide in his childhood. It behind that mountain in east. Take soldiers with you and please don't return without my Raj Kumar" for the first time Sahdev got a hint of desperation in Sudhman's voice.

Without waiting further, Sahdev stormed off to that mountain, soldiers following him behind.

It didn't take him much time to reach that mountain, the cave stood wide open hid only by the creepers hanging there. Without much delay, Sahdev ran in with his parsu ready for any attack. The soldiers followed him.

With highly alert steps, Sahdev finally reached the inner most corner of the chamber where Vijay was held captive. His hands tied with heavy iron chains but there was no one around him as Sahdev had expected.

" Rajkumar" Sahdev went near him cutting those iron chains. And at that moment only he realised why there wasn't any soldier.

He had brought them with himself only. One of the soldier which came with Sahdev attacked on him but Sahdev's movement was swift and precise with years of practice.

And then began a bloodied fight with Sahdev on one side and hundred of soldiers in other side.

Sahdev one by one killed them all, pushing them into the fire of hell.

" We can't kill him. Kill Raj Kumar Vijay first" one of them shouted as others now charged toward Vijay who lay there like a statue. His eyes observing everything but yet he was helpless.

Sahdev became his shield as he tackled the attacks meant for Vijay one by one with sheer precision.

Slowly the number of soldiers declined and the number of deads increased. When Sahdev thought all of them are dead, he walked to Vijay but one of the soldier while breathing his last breathe attacked on Vijay with his sword.

Sahdev in the hurry to protect Vijay came in between resulting in the sword leaving a deep cut on the right side of his waist.

Sahdev tied his agnavastra around the wound tightly and helped Vijay to get up. He took Vijay to the palace while his own body lost blood.

Here in the palace Vijaya stood in front of Sudhman who seemed very much guilty. " Forgive me Raj Kumari! I was so arrogant and rigid in my thinking that you couldn't even come to ask for help from me " his hands were joined and face morphed into pain.

" You are not at fault Guru Dev, this wretched man is " Vijaya looked with pure disgust at Chandrajeet who was held captive at a distance.

" Keep blaming me dear daughter. Until now your brother must have breathed his last breathe " Chandrajeet let out an evil laugh.

" Soldier! Tie his mouth tightly so that he can't open his filthy mouth " Sudhman ordered" you don't worry Raj Kumari, Pandu Kumar himself has gone to bring back rajkumar Vijay "

" Rajkumar Sahdev??" Vijaya asked clearly suprised.

" Yes Raj Kumari! It's because of him only that I got to know the truth. If you are standing in front of me right now then it's just because of him " Vijaya was surprised but she was more thankful to Sahdev for helping her.

Both Sudhman and Vijaya eagerly waited at the gate of palace for Sahdev and Vijay. Then as the first ray of sun came, Sahdev emerged on his horse with Vijay beside him.

Vijaya could not be more thankful to him. Her face got adorned with a smile seeing her brother after years.

Sahdev helped Vijay come down, with his support Vijay walked to where Vijaya and Sudhman were standing.

"..behna..." Vijay's voive was too weak. It was just above a mere whisper. Vijaya clinged to him like a child crying profusely.

" Jyest! Are you all right?" She asked looking for any wound.

" .. I am...all right dear" Vijay managed to speak " thanks to Pandu Kumar" everyone turned toward Sahdev who dropped on the ground unconscious.

" Kumar!!!"

Sahdev was led in along with others. Vijay and he both were treated of their wounds.

Vijay's whole body was covered with scars, God knows how many times those men torturer him , his bones which were sticking to his skin was the proof of him being hardly given any food.

He was bathed, his long beard cut and hairs neatly groomed. Doctors gave him some herbs for fast recovery and told him to rest for some days.

On the other side Sahdev laid unconscious. Doctors stitched the cut but he has lost blood and that's why he fainted as well. He was clever enough to tie the wound and not let further blood loss.

Vijaya sat near him as he gained conscious. Vijay , Shalya and Sudhman also accompanied him. " Rajkumar" her voice was calm and full of gratitude.

Shalya helped him sit while he registered his surroundings.

" I can't be more thankful to you Raj Kumar Sahdev! I am your slave for this life and the others to come" Vijaya said with tears in her eyes " the time when my own turned against me, you came like God and vanished all my sorrows. You saved my brother and me, gave us what was ours. Whatever I will do, it won't pay back for what you did for us"

Sahdev said nothing or he didn't know what to say. Was it his duty to save her? But who is she to him? Why was he literally ready to die for her? " It was my duty to fight for righteous Raj Kumari "

" Indeed you have done a lot for us Raj Kumar " it was Vijay who said" my life lay at your feet, it's your gift only. In future when the time will come, I will pay back for this scar by my life. My loyalty lies with you from now on " Sahdev gave him a small smile not knowing what to say.

" Where is Chandrajeet?" Sahdev asked.

" He is behind the bars Raj Kumar " Sudhman said" according to Madr's law code, he will be imprisoned for life time "

" But Madr is now under Hastinapur's domination " Sahdev played his card. He knew very well what he was doing" and according to Hastinapur's law code, he will be sentenced to death for taking two lives and imprisoning two innocent person "

Sudhman smirked. So he was right. Sahdev did had planned what he will do after capturing Chandrajeet. Madr would have never killed Chandrajeet given he has royal blood in his veins but Hastinapur don't see it, only law prevails there.

" As you say, Pandu Kumar " Sudhman said with much pause.

" Putr Sahdev! It's time to return. I have got numerous letters from Indrprast. Your bhabhi directly gave warning to me. Either you will return in the next three days or she will wage war against my kingdom " Shalya said making everyone smile.

" But he is not well yet " Vijaya reasoned.

" I won't be breathing if I made bhabhi shri wait Raj Kumari " Sahdev said. After arguing for some more time, it was mutually decided that Sahdev will leave for Indrprast tomorrow from southern Madr only. Although it was mainly Vijaya's decision who heard nothing from others.

Everyone left leaving him to rest but Vijaya stayed. Why? She don't know.

" I see Raj Kumari Vijaya, you are taking revenge from me, ordering me and leaving no choice. The table has turned now " Sahdev smiled

" Why shouldn't I? Only I know how much you have tortured me with your demands. " Vijaya crossed her hands over her chest" asking for water when the jug is already there, cleaning books and what not "

Sahdev chuckled. Indeed he did a lot to know the truth.

" Now have rest. You have to travel tomorrow as well. Pranipat " Vijaya left leaving Sahdev in a different coldness.

The moment she left, her cousin Chandani entered. After capturing Chandrajeet, Sudhman decided to keep his family in the palace only. They knew nothing about the deeds of Chandrajeet and therefore deserved no punishment. Chavi and her two daughters Chandani and Maya still held on to their position.

" Pranipat Raj Kumar" Chandani gave him a small smile. She didn't know how to say what she want.

" Pranipat!" Sahdev said with a solemn face " what's the reason of this arrival Raj Kumari?"

" Raj Kumar... You know what my father did... I feel shame to call him my father" Chandani's face showed disgust " now..I have nothing...the real princess is back...Vijaya jiji is back and I am nothing...but..." She hesitated to say.

" Be clear Raj Kumari" Sahdev said.

" I know you have denied this proposal long ago Raj Kumar. But I can't help my heart which only belongs to you now. I am left with nothing but I have my love for you and only you Raj Kumar. Please accept my love and marry me " Sahdev was not much suprised. He knew about Chandani's feelings some where.

Sahdev began in the most calm voice "I respect your feelings Raj Kumari but I can't marry you nor accept your love. I never felt in the same way for you nor will I ever be able to do "

Chandani's eyes glimmered with tears "Oh great Pandu putr! What do I lack that you are unable to love me back. I am beautiful and knowledgeable as well then why can't you accept me? "

Sahdev's eyes shined with some different light as he said" because I have given my heart to your jiji long ago Raj Kumari. She is all what I see when you talk about love, I hear her name when you say love, I see her innocent eyes when you ask me about love "

Chandani was surprised. She faintly knew Vijaya worked as a maid in Indrprast but she had no idea that Sahdev loved her. But Chandani too was stubborn to let her love go " what's the harm then Raj Kumar? " She began in a much calculated and manipulative tone "I won't mind being a co-wife , jiji and I will live happily "

Sahdev shook his head" No Raj Kumari! It's not what you are understanding. Marrying you will be like betraying her. She might accept you as her co wife but I will die thinking of the sin I committed, the pain I gave to her "

" What is it that she have but I don't? It won't be a lie if I say I am younger and more beautiful than her." Chandani was now getting more desperate.

" Outer beauty is just a myth Raj Kumari. It fades away with time. What stay with you is your inner beauty and Vijaya have that. How can I even think of betraying the one who jumped in front of a deadly spear just to save me? She was ready to die for me and you want me to hurt her?" Sahdev's voice was still really calm.

" But you haven't asked her till now. Will she marry you? Will she accept your proposal?" Chandani tried one last time.

" She might not and I won't ever force her. I am ready to live with her memories only. But I won't marry anyone else. If I will ever marry then it will be Vijaya and Vijaya only " there was a firmness in his voice which suprised Chandani.

She left his chamber defeated unaware of how someone can love other so much.

Here Sahdev himself wondered when did he fell in so much love with Vijaya. He decided to announce his decision to his family and sent an official proposal to Vijaya once he reach Indrprast.

Whatever the reply will be, he will accept it....