Shambhavi fell asleep holding rudra's hand. Rudra looks at her lovingly. A strand of hair was falling on her face. He softly tuck it behind her ear. He gently took off his hand from hers and left from there. Rudra wasn't feeling sleeping so he was roaming in the palace. When he was crossing the main door of the palace. He notice someone standing outside palace. He was the same old man who was standing outside birju's friend's house and heard their conversation. Rudra takes a closer look but the man hide behind the wall. The old man sneekingly looks behind the wall and saw that no one was there. He starts leaving.
Rudra: stop
The old man stopped and turns back. Rudra was standing infront of him.
Rudra: who are you? What are you doing here in this heavy rain?
The old man remains quiet and was looking at him shockingly.
Rudra: come with me. You shouldn't be here or you'll get sick.
The old man nods and goes with him inside the palace. Rudra gives him a blanket.
Old man: thankyou. You are too kind. Never thought a prince can help an old and poor man like me.
Rudra: how do you know? Who are you?
Old man: my name is bhaskar and I know all. Who are you and why are you here?
Rudra becomes shocked hearing all this from him he never even saw him before but that man still knows everything about him.
bhaskar: I am a citizen of this kingdom. My family died a long back since then I am all alone.
Rudra: what do you want from me?
bhaskar: I don't want anything. I just want to tell you something. I came here to tell you that you are forgetting about a person who could be your mother's killer.
Rudra: I don't understand, whom are you talking about?
Bhaskar tells him the name of the person. Rudra was taken aback. He refuses to believe him.
Rudra: how is it even possible? It can't be true. That person is died long back.
bhaskar: I don't know about that but that man ruined my and my family's life. He raped my daughter and she killed herself. He was a complete womanizer and when I raised my voice against him. He killed my entire family. I was weak and couldn't do anything.
Rudra was becoming more and more shocked hearing the old man's story but at the same time he was feeling sorry for him.
bhaskar: I am telling you the truth. That man can't die easily. King Vikramaditya accused your father for killing him but nobody knows what happened. Neither king vikramaditya nor your father.
Rudra goes in thinking mode. He reminisce all the past events from her mother's death to the war between the two kings.
Rudra: I know what I have to do. I just want to confirm one thing from someone. Thank you so much for telling about this. You don't know how much you have helped me. i don't have words.
Bhaskar: you don't have to thank me prince. I just did what is right and what you needed to know. If what we are thinking is true then your mother's killer is not very far from your clutches.
Rudra: rain has stopped, come I'll drop you at your home safely. You shouldn't go alone. It's very late.
Rudra goes with bhaskar to drop him safely to his house. They reached his house.
Rudra: do tell me if you need anything. You have done a huge favor for me.
Bhaskar: of course prince. I wanted to tell you that you are so benevolent and kind. You will be a great king in future.
Rudra smiles and goes back to palace.
In the morning
Vikramaditya and padmavati returns to palace. Everyone was outside to greet and welcome them. Raunak happily goes and hugs them.
Vikramaditya: my son, your birthday is gonna be a grand event.
Raunak: I know it'll be a grand event. After all its my birthday.
Shambhavi: see maa and pitaji. I told you we'll be fine and safe.
Padmavati: yes we can see that. Now can we come inside? So many preparations are left.
Preparations were on full swings for raunak's birthday. Everyone was busy in their respective work. Rananjay was checking all the preparations. Invitations were sent to all the nearby kings and relatives.
Rudra was in kusum van. He was thinking about his conversation with that old man bhaskar. He thinks
Rudra: even if its true, how am I gonna prove it. I should ask shambhavi first about this.
As soon he was leaving someone comes from behind and closed his eyes playfully. Rudra smiles.
Rudra: I know it's you.
She comes in front of him.
Shambhavi: how did you know it's me?
Rudra looks around to ensure that no one is around. He puts his hand around her waist and brings her closer.
Shambhavi: rudra what are you doing? Someone might see.
Rudra: why? Are you afraid to get caught?
Shambhavi: no but
Rudra: then what? I can recognize you with even closed eyes. Your touch is enough.
Shambhavi: really? What are you doing here? I was looking for you everywhere.
Rudra: nothing just wanted to spend some time alone.
Shambhavi: is something bothering you?
Rudra: no nothing like that but I want to ask you something about your uncle.
Shambhavi lovingly touches his face and smiles.
Shambhavi: you can ask anything my love.
Rudra: how did he die?
Shambhavi: years ago after your mother's death when your father declared a war against our kingdom. My uncle decided to go and talk to your father and to make him understand that my father is not culprit. But he never returns after that. Some soldiers brought his dead body. his face was badly crushed so it was impossible to identify him. We recognized him through his clothes and accessories.
Rudra: are you sure it was him? I mean you just said it was impossible to identify him coz his face was crushed.
Shambhavi: of course I am sure but why are you asking about him?
Rudra thinks for a while and something clicked in his mind. He looked at shambhavi and kissed her on cheek.
Rudra: thank you so much. I love you.
Shambhavi: thank you? For what? What did I do?
Rudra: nothing let's go we have so many arrangements to make for raunak's birthday.
Raunak in his room was trying all the new clothes for his birthday. Rudra and shambhavi comes in there.
Shambhavi: you look confused little brother. Do you need some help?
Raunak: yes I am confused what to wear. I had to look good. It's my birthday.
Shambhavi: you'll look good in anything. You can wear anything.
Raunak: you tell me what to wear. I am confused.
Shambhavi looks at the clothes and picks one.
Shambhavi: here, you should wear this. You will look like a prince charming in this outfit. May be you'll attract some little princess.
Shambhavi teases him.
Ruanak: is she coming too? You know na I don't like her. She always tries to compete with you and always tries to put you down.
Rudra: whom are you two talking about?
Shambhavi: our cousin. Princess Shakuntala. She is our distant relative and raunak she is out sister. You should not talk about her like this.
Raunak: I don't care I don't like her. I know this time too she'll come a day early to show herself superior to you.
Rudra: looks like she is a very interesting person. Have to meet her.
Shambhavi glared at him.
In the evening
King, queen along with shambhavi, raunak, rudra and all other people were waiting outside the palace to welcome princess shakuntala. After sometime they saw a well decorated carriage coming along with too many soldiers. Raunak was making faces but shambhavi stopped him from doing so. Carriage stops at a certain distant. A soldier comes forward and opens the carriage's door. A beautiful and highly overdressed girl comes out of the carriage with a fake smile and lots of attitude. She looks at everyone and gives a fake smile to everyone. She then approached king and queen and seeks their blessings. She saw rudra standing behind shambhavi and becomes fascinated seeing him.
Shakuntala: who is this man? Never saw him before. Is he new here?
Raunak: he is didi's bodyguard.
Shakuntala makes a face and goes towards shambhavi.
Shakuntala: you and bodyguard? What about your sword fighting skills?
She taunts her but shambhavi doesn't say anything. Shambhavi happily welcomes her and hugs her. rudra and birju were amazed seeing shakuntala's behavior and her look. Birju was trying hard to control his laughter. Shakuntala goes towards rudra.
Shakuntala: you seem very powerful. Even I want a bodyguard like you.
Shambhavi doesn't like her flirting with rudra. Rudra looks at her and decides to tease shambhavi.
Rudra: why not princess. You are very beautiful. You will surely get a bodyguard even better than me.
Shambhavi becomes shocked seeing him flirting with her. She looks at him angrily. Rudra was enjoying seeing a jealous shambhavi. Shakuntala was looking at rudra with dreamy expressions. Vikramaditya asks shakuntala to come inside. Shakuntala was going inside rudra was behind her. shambhavi looks at rudra but he ignored her. Suddenly shakuntala's leg slipped and she falls on rudra but he catches her. shambhavi becomes more jealous and furious seeing them and she left from there in anger.
