"I did not know you are also here your highness. It is a great surprise for me" Manik said looking at the person sitting before him. After visiting Varishtha he encountered many things and meeting few kings are included. Just like the king of Mihap and now the king of Virat. Though Samrat and Virat are different countries and situated far from eachother but there is harmony and peace in between. Virat is known for its landscape beauty while Samrat is surrounded by mountains and forest making it aloof yet powerful one. And in addition to the space of both countries, Samrat is two times bigger than Virat.
The king of Virat smiled "your majesty, it's my pleasure to get the chance to interact with you personally. When I arrived at mountain entrence I saw Samrat's flag but I didn't know you will also be visiting here"
It was true, Manik never showed interest in visiting places nor he joined any kind of country meeting which made him aloof and rare for people to recognise his face. So whenever people gets chance they try to find a way to meet him.
Manik smiled "my visit was sudden. Mother felt restless recently so she urged to pray for peace and asked me to accompany her. So I had to agree on that point and take her out to visit here"
"Good, good" the king of Virat let out a small laugh "her highness must be happy since your majesty agreed to it. Everyone knows how much her highness the empress dowager devote herself in royal duties"
"Mother is always like that" Manik nodded "she always thinks of others than herself. And since Vaibhav's recovery she wants to pray for his fortune too"
Suddenly the king of Virat's eyes widened. Everyone knew about the injury of second prince of Samrat. It says that his injury during war was so severe that it made him crippled and every medic tried to cure him but couldn't success in that process. Now that he heard it he couldn't help but shocked.
"His highness... second prince recovered here?"
Manik shook his head "it's a kind of miracle but it's also true. Vaibhav recovered before we visit Varishtha. After his recovery mother insisted on coming here"
"Oh...that..." King of Virat shook his head "then it's really a miracle" he said. But still he couldn't believe in his own ear. The second prince really did recovered from his injury when everyone said he is I jured for life and couldn't recover no matter what. But since his majesty personally said this then it must be true besides his majesty will never lie about such matter when his own family is involved.
"Your highness is here for any reason?" Manik asked observing his expression.
King of Virat nodded "yes, my eldest daughter's marriage has been fixed recently. No hiding from you but her star sign has some difficulty and after many trial we were able to find someone who is eligible to match her star sign. So it made queen's heart restless thinking something might happen in future so she asked me to visit here. Besides from ancient time Varishtha Temple is known for the source of peace. And anyone who prays here will get peace mentally and physically"
Manik nodded agreeing "true" then he looked around "I also heard Virat has kind of relationship with Varishtha Temple?"
Though Varishtha Temple situated in Samrat but the foundation history of the temple also related to Virat. Now hearing it king of Virat nodded.
"Yes, I heard from my great grandfather when I was a kid. Virat's royalty in earlier period was related to Samrat. At that time both royals are connected and our ancestors fought together to defeat enemies and won many battles. After years the trusted priests of our ancestors suggested to build a temple as a source of peace so that in later period it will help people to release their anxiety and hardships of life for sometimes. But after building the temple because of some circumstances both royalty parted and situated as it is currently now" the king of Virat explained.
Though in power he is lower than Samrat but in age and experience he is older than Manik. He is almost at the age of late emperor so he knew more about the things happened in ancestor period. Manik nodded knowing the truth. When he grew up the family entangled with many problems so he couldn't get any chance to know about this things. But king if Virat is different. He is already at his middle aged period and knows more than him.
"I never got the chance to know some certain things related to ancestors. I thank your highness for enlightening the situation" Manik said respectfully.
King of Virat smiled "your majesty is generous. It's also my duty to give you information"
"In that process you are my elder and related to ancestors family. Your highness won't mind if I refer you as royal uncle?"
King of Virat was shocked. He never thought that Manik will say something like that. Even though he is older than him but royalty had some rules too and based on that point... But Manik personally requested for it and if he refuse then it will be insult on his place.
"Your majesty is modest. I won't refuse anything your majesty ask for" he replied.
Just then a maid appeared informing the arrival of empress. Manik gestured to let her in. After sometimes Nandini walked in with Atropa following her behind. She stopped on her track when she saw there was another man inside the room. When Manik saw her stopped he gestured with his hand.
"Come here"
Nandini blinked few times before walking forward. She smiled at them as she stood beside Manik.
"Let me introduce you first. He is the king of Virat Jagdish and royal uncle she my wife Nandini" Manik said introducing both of them.
"My good greetings to royal uncle" Nandini bowed a little showing her respect.
Jagdish smiled "I have heard about you from his majesty, you are indeed beautiful. My queen always thought that her daughters are the most beautiful girl but seeing you I think her thoughts are mere imagination"
Nandini smiled "how can royal aunt's thought can be mere imagination? For every mother her daughter is the most beautiful one. For a mother it does matter how daughter looks like but in her heart she will always be the beautiful. If I compare to that, then I am far more inferior"
Jagdish heard Nandini's explanation and couldn't help but laugh out. What a choosing of words. With her explanation she did not let her guts down nor she insulted Shakshi. In this way no one can refute no matter what. He glanced at Manik before shaking his head. His majesty really did found someone beauty with talents.
In the other courtyard Ageratina was walking towards the garden holding her bamboo flower basket. Nandini loves to bath with flowers so she alway pick flowers personally from temple garden to add later in bath water but today is different, she couldn't help but feel annoyed when she saw a certain someone with familiar face.
"What is he doing here?" She thought to herself before rolled her eyes and started to pluck roses and jasmine.
From afar the young lad looking at her frowning. The servant behind him whispered "prince, isn't she the the one who were plucking grapes in the yard?"
"Hmm.." the young lad nodded "that day she walked away without any words. But today since we met again I won't let her go without any explanation"
"Prince are you sure? Why bother for someone who doesn't even match with your status?looking at her she doesn't look like any princess either" the servant said again.
"It doesn't matter" the Young lad smiled "she is kind of more interesting than any princess"
"My prince are you going to approach to her? Besides with my prince's looks and talent no woman will be able to refuse. Even in palace banquet many princess were doing everything trying to get your attention" the servant smiled.
The young lad nodded "let's go. Let's see what will she do today?"
They walked towards the girl who was busy plucking flowers. When she felt presence behind her she turned around and looked at the two person standing behind her.
"Remember me, that day you went away just like that. Well I won't mind it thinking you were unaware about my identity. But since we meet again today I would like to tell you something. I hope you will think of it clearly and reply to my words" the young lad started then smiled.
"First let me tell you, I am a honourable prince of Virat. You know many princess tagging behind me just to get my attention but I never paid a glance at them. But after meeting you, I felt like you are different from those princesses and I find you quite interesting" he continued with a pride shining on his face. His lips curled as he watched the girl before him.
The servant behind the young lad couldn't hold back as he smiled "young lady, my prince is generous and also kind. In such a young age he already achieved a good number of awards in war and fighting. His talent exceeded the talents of other princes. If young lady today accept my prince's proposal then you don't have to worry about living a good life"
The young lad smiled "Save it. You are exaggerating" he glanced at the servant before looking at the girl again who didn't uttered a words till now.
"Don't take his words seriously. Since I am already here, let me tell you directly. I am interested in you. So I want you to follow me from now on and obey me. I will tell my mother and father about you and let them perform the betrothal ceremony" once he finished he smiled charmingly again and suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand "Don't worry, even if I marry princess consort in future, you will always be me favourite concubine"
The girl looked at him then to her wrist which was firmly grabbed by him.
"Let go" she finally uttered.
The servant thought that she was shy so he smiled and said "young lady don't have to shy now. With my prince's influence even your family won't refuse such offer. And young lady should know that from now on you don't have to worry about anything"
"Let go" she said again like she didn't heard anything.
The young lad frowned "you don't have to think about anything now, all you need to do is follow me-" before he could complete his hand jerked away and the girl looked at him with glare.
"Who wants to be your concubine? Who gave you right to hold my hand, you bastard" she yelled glaring at him.
Both man looked shocked at her words adding to the glare she was giving.
The young lad frowned "looks like you have not heard what I said let me" he again reached out to hold her hand but this time his hand stopped in middle when a hard palm directly landed on his face. The force was so hard that it made his head turned to other side.
"Looks like you lack so much discipline and manners. This slap will remind you next time before touching any girl without their constant. Get lost" then she turned around and left without looking back.
The servant on side was too shock to utter anything. He shook his head before looking at his mater "my prince"
The young lad held his cheek while looking at the girl walking far away from him. This was the first time any girl slapped him so hard. She was the only girl who dared to slap him. Who is this girl? And slapped him even after knowing his identity.
A smirk played on his lips. This is truly interesting.
Note:-
😏 Some certain prince really does not know what shame is.