||A Royal Excuse|| Chapter 3 on page 22[updated] - Page 14

Chapter Two: Consented Abduction

~Manyata~

"Would make great headlines, wouldn't they?" he asked snatching the papers out of my limp hands.

"What would you take to hand them over to me?" I asked trying to compose my horrified nerves.

A dark glint spread through his eyes, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Stay with me." he said simply. "For five months, without exchanging a word with your family." He added, his voice turning grave towards the end.

"What-You can't be serious."I stated disbelievingly while he held onto his I-mean-business attitude.

"Why would you want that?" I continued, baffled at why someone wouldn't just ask for truckloads of money at a situation like this.

His eyes flashed for a while before turning dangerously cold. Within seconds, I was pressed against the wall, his tall frame towering me.

"Let's just say, for the sake of our enmity." He declared coldly.

"Get your hands off me!" I spat, trying to pry his steel grip off my shoulders. After a futile struggle, I let go, sighing frustrated.

"Look, I can pay you with luxuries more than you've ever dreamt of if you'd just please let me go today." I said calmly, trying to make a point. "Hand me the evidences and I promise the money would be at your doorstep in no time-"

"Whoa whoa get a hold there Princess!" he said cutting me off, looking amused. " I've already got luxuries more than you've ever dreamt of." he informed, his signature smirk back on his lips. "Not your fault though, seeing as you hardly know me!" he added.

"Well, then enlighten me please!" I said mocking interest, already pissed with his smug and airy attitude.

"Princess Manyata" he said, moving slightly back to bow, while I stood with my eyebrows furrowed.

"Meet Yuvraaj Udayveer Singh" he finished, rising back to his full height.

My breath freezed in my lungs as the night dropped yet another explosive on my very much mortal heart.

As senses slowly approached my blank mind, indistinct moments started popping out from my memories; moments of our tiny feet stomping against the lawn as we chased each other, moments when our childish giggles filled the entire palace. Moments when our tiny palms clasped each other under the blanket when Dadisa sung us lullaby. And the moment when his plastic sword left a never-erasing scar on my back.

He snapped his fingers before my eyes bursting the bubble of consuming thoughts.

I glanced up at him, stupefied.

After the parting we'd had, I had all but imagined I would ever meet him in my life. And instead of being given an explanation to Dad's sudden bitterness towards his closest friend and ally, I was packed off and sent to London. I'd been henceforth showered with orders to forget him and hate him every time I'd mentioned him to Dad. Only once I grew of age to be able to comprehend the happenings in my life, had I been handed over the bitter facts. Uncle Giriraj had framed Dad for his wife's murder. And Uday, who'd promised to stand up for me no matter what, had complied with his Dad's lie. And as planned, no one suspected the five year old claiming to be an eye witness. It had taken years for the truth to sink in. But there was no reason for me not to believe them. Dad may not be the most moral person on Earth but surely, human life could not mean so little to him. There was no way Dad would have pressed a trigger for the sake of politics let alone backstabbing his dearest friend.

Since that day, not only had I been taming a growing despise in my heart for Uncle Giriraj's betrayal but I felt an even crushing pain for the distance that had sprawled out between me and Uday.

My eyes implored the depths of his dark ones. He couldn't be Uday. This arrogant, blackmailing, halkat, veda held no resemblance to my memories of the sweet, innocent boy who once used to be my best friend.

"Relax Princess", he said his cool palm reaching for my cheek. I flinched, slapping it away.

"You can give your little mind a rest. You'll get your doubts answered eventually." he continued oblivious to my reactions. "So, shall we?" he smiled, holding out his hand.

"What gave you the idea I'm coming with you?" I spat, drawing my hands behind my back.

I snuck a hand into my purse and rummaged for my phone, trying my best not to attract his attention. I nearly screamed out in triumph when my fingers clasped around the familiar metal frame of my phone. Holding my breath, I punched in Vijaybhai's number.

He just smiled his devilish smile which played weird games with my hormones, making me want to feel the softness of his lips.

Holy Cow! I flushed, screaming internally and aimed an imaginary gun at my ridiculous desires.

I begged for the call to connect fast. Never in my life had I been so edgy. The fact that I was standing with a guy (an impossibly handsome guy, my brain shamelessly interjected) who was claiming to be the last person Dad would want me to stand with, did not help either.

"The idea could not be more obvious!" he said, his sudden voice alerting me.

A startled gasp escaped my lips as a cold hand grasped my wrist and yanked it forward.

My phone went clattering against the floor before its screen turned pitch black, disappearing into the darkness of the club floor. With it, my last hope died down.

"We don't have time for your silly tricks, Princess!" he said, his voice dripping threat.

"A desperate reporter's number is a press away." He said waving his cell phone. "You've got three seconds to decide if the reporter's promotion is dearer to you or your Dad's reputation."

Three.

I closed my eyes. Dadisa, Mom, Vijaybhai were all standing with shocked eyes as the police barged in. Dad's face was drained.

Two.

Dad stood behind the bars, his head hung low as the media buzzed incessantly, questioning his infidelity.

One.

I opened my eyes, determined.

He proceeded to press the button.

"I'll come." My voice was no more than a whisper.

He smiled, seemingly proud at his work.

The cold midnight wind bit at my skin as I stood outside the club beside the most obnoxious man I've ever laid my eyes upon. It had taken him no more than two minutes to maneuver his way out of the maddening crowd. He just seemed to have a way with things. And the fact might be the probable fuel to his smugness. I sneaked a glance at him as he fluently passed orders at his phone. My breathing hitched as I took in his proper features under the streetlight. The dimness of the club did no justice to his looks. Now that he was not glaring at me or threatening me, his face looked angelic, too handsome to be real. His dark hair was long enough to fall just above his eyes. His nose bent in perfect proportion and his face cut in sharp angles, surely gave him the look to die for. And his lips-

"Like what you see, princess?" An all too familiar arrogant voice made me tear my eyes from his lips.

It took all that I had in me not to give in to his accusation and hang my head in embarrassment. Instead, I scoffed and looked him square in the eye.

"You flatter yourself, Prince!" I challenged, my voice turning mocking at the word Prince.

His lips parted to pass a remark but I was too busy thanking my stars for saving me from the fit of embarrassment when a car screeched to halt before us.

It seemed to be a more expensive model of Jainandini's Porsche, something I had been unsuccessfully pestering Dad for years. My longing glance came short at the tiny flag hoisted at the hood of the car. I looked closely only to find it bearing the Royal Jaigarh Family logo. Lord, he really wasn't kidding about his background.

He glided to the car, holding open the door for me. I stood numbly at my spot as the reality of my situation sank in once again. The car I was longingly admiring seconds ago was meant for driving me away from my home. The irritatingly handsome jerk holding the door open for me wanted to trap me far from my family. I would be carried away to nowhere else but my kingdom's enemy. And I had all knowingly consented to the abduction for the sake of Dad - someone who wasn't likely to even notice my disappearance.

Originally posted by: chitra_rao

res

editing **

Originally posted by: ...navina...

That was the most exceptional pieces of writing I ever came across. It was BRILLIANT!!! I could visualise the entire scene. Please continue soon.

Originally posted by: adorable_rana

Payal dear update na...Its been so long now can't wait more...updateee🤗