Aishwarya's pov

When i woke up , Ranjeet was not there.i was informed, he had some urgent work. the whole day just passed by but , i didn't see him .

Maybe he was too busy. Suddenly, i heard a knock on my door. Tripti entered with a plate with some sweets and tea in it.

" The king will be here soon.. this is for you and the king. "

She said putting it down on the table. I was sitting on the bed , the room dimly lit with candles. It was pretty late..

" He doesn't like sweets Tripti"

I chuckle eating one of the sweet.

" Mm~ it's tasty"

I look at Tripti.. she doesn't look good today.

" What's wrong Tripti? Are you okay?'

I move closer to her to check her temperature

" You don't have a fever"

I mutter to myself touching her forehead. but she behaved even weirdly when she bowed and turned to left

" I'm sorry princess...i need to go"

" Sorry for wha-"

As i was about to ask , Ranjeet enters the chamber and my attention was drawn to him from Tripti.

He looks tired. Tripti shut the door as she left. She left rather hastily today. Ranjeet put his overcoat on the couch and sat down with a tired sigh.

I smile then sit beside him and caress his head softly as he had his head leaning back on the couch with his eyes closed.

" You seem tired"

I spoke rather softly

" Hnn~ tough day"

I chuckled..

" So this cold face maniac also get tired"

I teased him..but to my surprise he pinched my bare waist so hard that i cried in pain.

" Ahhhhh...!"

I could see his victorious smirk

" You little minx.. had enough of teasing?"

I pout and grumble rubbing where he pinched

" I hate you~"..

" And i love you and that little pout of yours"

He said and laid his head in my lap like i was his personal pillow

" Get off me!! You monster!!"

" Aww..baby..lemme rest a bit."

Seeing his tired face and how relaxed he looked lying like that..i gave up with a sigh.

I must say ..we have rather got closer after that bandit incident. I'm seeing rather fun sides of him lately.

I caress his head softly as he closed his eyes.

" You know ... I used to lay like this in my mother's lap. It felt so peaceful like right now"

I smile caressing his hairs

" Hn... What was she like?"

" Pretty...very pretty and the kindest person i knew. She had a beautiful smile"

The way he spoke about his mother with so much admiration and love. It made my heart warm up.

We talked for a bit.. i gave him a head massage as he said he was having a headache.

" You should drink the tea. Tripti said it has herbal properties in it and have some sweets too. They are so tasty"

He sit up as i leaned to pick up the sweets.

" You know I don't like sweets"

" Ya ya~ but i love them"

I say recklessly munching on one of the sweet while drinking the tea.

" It's so good.. try some"

He chuckles then wipes the side of my mouth .

" You eat like a baby... Eat slowly. It's all yours"

I grumbled but continued eating.

He pick up another cup and took a few sips

" It's good righ-"

Suddenly, he started coughing holding his neck and fell on the ground. He coughed blood and i could see he couldn't breath properly.

" Ranjeeetttt!!!"

I sat on the ground rubbing his back. I couldn't understand what was happening. I also drank that tea but i was fine. Why...

" Ranjeet...what is happ-"

I ran to open the door and call for guards.

" Call the physician!!!!"

I yell to the guards then ran back to Ranjeet. He fainted ... White foam like thing and blood was coming out of his mouth.

" Ranjeet!!! Please!!! Please...wake uppp...noooo"

Tears started streaming down my face. No ! My heart was hurting.my chest felt so tight like someone was pulling my heart out.

I can't loose the only person i love in this world!! No...he is important to me..please god...

He was taken to the bed and physicians started working on treating him..in an instant the whole chamber was filled with guards and physicians to save him.

And before i could think of anything. His grandmother, the mother of late king slapped me . She was the only person who loved him in this whole palace. I can understand she was hurt but why she slapped me ? I couldn't understand until i heard her next words and it all made sense to me.

" What did you give to my grandson ?!!! You ungrateful wench!!"

She hated me and my guts since day one. So obviously she wouldn't leave any chance to have me out of his life.

But my mind was too occupied with Ranjeet to even feel the pain of that slap or to respond to someone. Tears were not stopping to fall from my eyes.

" Take her and lock her up in the dungeon!! And let her starve!"

I was lockef up in the dungeon without listening to me even once .

It's been two days.. I haven't eaten or drink anything. Not like i wanted to have smthg .. i didn't know if he's okay..if he's.... Alive.

I spent two sleepless nights. Noone came to inform me anything about his whereabouts.





My heart was breaking even more when all the puzzle pieces were put together to get a conclusion that ...Tripti betrayed me.

Why she was behaving so weirdly..why she apologized for no reason at all.. why she left so hastily..

She was the first person i trusted in this world.. how could she?? Why?.. i had so many questions but no answer.

I wanted to meet Ranjeet..i want him to hold me..save me from this cruel world. My head was so cloudy, heart so heavy..my chest feels so tight yet I can't cry..

This cold dungeon didn't feel cold at all because my heart was even colder. I could feel my body getting so weak.

It's the third night in this dungeon...i look at the moon through the small ventilation high on the wall... sitting on the cold floor

" Please stay alive... for me"