Next Day the king called suman in his courtroom.
" My lord you called me." Said suman as she bowed in front of him.
"Yes suman I wanted to know about the forest area of our Kingdom I am hoping you have cleared it already. I want all those immigrants out of my area. "
"Yes my lord as per your orders I have cleared it with the help of prince Thorin"
"Ahh... prince Thorin nowadays he keeps talking about you he was telling me that you fought pretty well with those immigrants."
"I m so greatful of prince that he considered me worthy enough of his praises"
"Perhaps he considers you much more worthy than that. Maybe he has grown fond of you. "
"My lord I assure you that he considers me nothing but a commander of his army. "
"I guess not ... perhaps he does considers you lot more than just a commander"
" I don't think so that you will allow your only son to pledge himself to a lowly citizen like me"
"Maybe I wouldn't have but after yesterday I doubt it...
Yesterday you broke his heart."
"I... b... but how I don't think so I have done anything which could hurt him ... but if I have I am extremely sorry for that but trust me my lord it didn't do anything intentionally "
The king smiled took her hands in his and kissed her hands.
"You looked extremely beautiful yesterday everyone's eyes were on you for a minute I couldn't recognise you but later on I did. You know when I got to know about Thorin's feelings for you I used to think what did he saw in you. But yesterday I got to know that a beauty like you deserves to be cherished inside the palace not to fight in the battlefield. But yesterday the way you showed your interest in prince asad it probably broke Thorin's heart."
"I m sorry my lord but I can't understand what did you mean"
" I mean you shouldn't give hopes to prince asad when there isn't any especially when you're going to be wife of prince Thorin my heir"
She gasped in shock she felt like her world has crashed into pieces how can she marry someone else except Shravan. No she can't she prefers to die rather than being someone else's wife
"But... how I mean I am just a lowly warrior "
"After some time you won't remain that "
" I... how can I marry prince Thorin... I"
"Are you trying to deny your king zoya I don't think your parents will like to bear its consequences "
"I m sorry my lord I can never dare to do that its just it was too quick "
"Its ok I know marrying the future king is something you can't even dream of ...
I have heard that prince Shravan is planning to revolt against us. We all know how brilliant he is. We need to plan our strategies too before he strikes war against us. This would be the last war which you would be fighting for us after that I will announce your and prince Thorin's wedding."
"But why especially this war my lord "
"Oh c'mon suman don't act as if you don't have any idea about this. I know that prince Shravan likes you too ... if he has delayed in war till now the reason is you . You have became his weakness. And only you can defeat him cuz he can't harm you but I hope he hasn't became your weakness too"
"Trust me my lord neither am I his weakness nor he is my weakness "
"Well we will see that in battlefield. You may leave now suman"
She bowed in front of him and left. A lone tear escaped from her eyes which she quickly wiped away she can't let anyone notice her vulnerable side. On her way out of King's courtroom she noticed shravan talking to prince prince his younger brother. She signalled him to follow her.
Shravan sighed what else was left to talk . Isn't she done with her lectures on rules and laws yet. He followed her outside half heartedly he didn't wanted break his heart once again he was tired now. Somewhere he was giving up on them atleast that's what he thought but he very well knew he can never give up on her. He went outside and saw her hopping on her horse. Where does she wants to take him he thought as he too hopped on his horse and followed her. She took them near some waterfall about which he had no idea. It was beautiful and along with suman it all seemed even more beautiful but he was somewhere scared he knew something was bothering her he hoped it doesn't have anything to do with him cuz he didn't wanted memories of this place to be filled with pain.
"This place is beautiful isn't it"
Said suman breaking their comfortable silence. Strange sometime silence seems more comforting than the talks.
"It is indeed I never knew that this place even exists"
"It does... you know life is like this running water it goes on and on even if more water is added in it or is taken out from it , it never stops. Just like that people may come and may go but our life never stops. "
"But it ends some day when its support system is snatched away from it "
"You won't give up would you"
"How can someone give up his life suman"
"So what have you decided are you going to fight"
"You already know the answer then why are you asking me you know I'll give up on everything rather than killing you"
"I pity our people who want you to see as their king. They don't know that their so called saviour is such a coward." Said an enraged what is she going to do with this man
"Call me whatever you want but that's not going to change my decision. "
"Shravan king knows that you were planning of revolt against him if you didn't strike the war then he'll kill you. "
"Why does it bothers you then you should be happy that your biggest problem will be out of this world forever"
"Please Shravan don't say anything like that... It hurts. ..."
"So the thought of my death hurts then do you even realise how much it hurts me especially when you are asking me to kill you do you realise how much difficult is it for me ... and Why suman why do you care whether I am alive or not when you don't feel anything for me."
"Why are you so stubborn Shravan why don't you understand that I do care because I ... " She stopped in midway didn't let herself complete the sentence. On the other hand asad was looking at with hope filled eyes finally she was going accept her feelings but when she stopped herself from speaking further his control slipped away.
"Don't. ... Please suman not now... atleast not when you are finally letting yourself accept us I m tired suman I can't fight anymore I need you please don't ditch me suman I beg you"
She let her tears fall which were threatening to fall from the time she came here. He was pleading to her literally begging for her acceptance she didn't wanted to deny him today she too was tired of fighting her feelings. The sight of shravan begging for her love broke all her resolve. She stepped closer to him , cupped his face with both her palms and kissed him with all the love she kept hidden inside her from a long time. Shravan at first was shocked as it all seemed a dream to him and he was scared that it will break soon but soon he responded to her. The slow innocent soon turned into a passionate and hungry kiss he kissed her like a man who has been starving for years and has finally got what he wanted. Their kiss was filled with all their pent up emotions the longin pain grief agony and most importantly love. She clung onto him like her life depended on him he wound his one hand around her waist and other around her head pulling her more into him. The whole atmosphere was quite the only sounds that could be heard was of waterfall the birds and their kiss. What he felt right now was something he couldn't name, it was bliss this word too wasn't enough for him to describe it his wait of so many years has finally ended his prayers were finally being answered what else could he ask for. Both of them didn't wanted to end their blissful moment but they had to for their need of oxygen.
They just stood there saying nothing just staring each other with his hands still around her waist and hers around his neck taking deep breaths.
"Don't give up on everything for me shravan"
"I won't just be with me ... with you by my side I can win this whole world "
" I wish I could but I can't some things aren't meant to be we're just like that "
"We are meant to be suman its you who isn't letting us"
"Shravan king wants me to marry prince Thorin he wants to use me against you "
"What do you want"
"I prefer to die rather than doing so"
"Please suman you don't have to just be with me please. "
"Why don't you understand shravan I have no choice if I didn't agree to marry prince Thorin the king will kill my parents and also my duties don't allow me leave my king during the wars. Shravan my ancestors have been serving this kingdom since forever what am I going to answer them when they'll ask me that why I left my king when he needed me. Shravan all the warriors pledge themselves to serve the king and the Kingdom till his or her last breath I can't break my pledge"
He cupped her face and kissed her again softly with only love and admiration this time there was no hunger no urgency just love.
"Why are you so stubborn suman?"
"I wish I wasn't"
"Kill me suman please"
"Shravan your people needs you you'll have to live for them for me. Shravan fight for the throne for your parents your people and ...me... you know I always had a dream to see you as a king and me by your side as your..."
She halted in midway realising what she was going to say no she can't say that aloud
"Queen..."he completed her sentence
"Some dreams aren't meant to be fulfilled but its half part will be fulfilled you will be the king the best king Eutopia has ever seen"
"I can't fulfill my dreams at your cost "
"Shravan this is game of thrones everyone has to sacrifice their most precious things to win this game you too will have to sacrifice yours. Listen to me shravan I can't be someone else's except you it will kill me each n every minute if that happens. I promise you that I'll commit suicide before this happens. I don't wanna die like a coward I want to die like a warrior in the battlefield. Take this as my last wish it's upto you whether you want to fulfill it or not. "
Saying so she left him and hopped on her horse.
"And yeah our seven subkingdoms too want to see you as their king I m sure they'll take your side during the war. Unite them convince them to help you and no one can stop you from winning this war"
With this last word she left from there leaving shravan in agony. He left from there to his palace once reaching there he went straight to his room on his way pushkar called him asking him about what happened as he looked upset but he said nothing just ignored him. Pushkar too followed him.
"Brother..." pushkar gasped as he saw disheveled state of shravan
"Why is she so stubborn pushkar why can't she understand that there's no shravan without suman she is my life how can I kill her with my own hands. "
"I don't understand what are you trying to say brother you talked to suman what did she said and why are you talking like this please explain"
He explained him whatever happened between him(shravan) and suman and what she wants him to do.
"For her rules and laws are above everything even above our love she can sacrifice her life but can't break these for us."
"Brother for once try to understand her pov too what can you expect from a lady who has been taught her whole life that these laws and these rules are above everything and everyone a lady whose ancestor has been serving us since time immemorial how can you expect her to break these laws for herself. "
"Then what do you want me to do ... you wanna say that she is right you want me to kill her."
" No I m not asking you to kill but I'll have to say that maybe she's right at her place."
"And I m wrong. "
" No you're not... brother try to understand her she's a righteous lady a lady of honour. She has the power to rebel if she wants she has that authenticity but she doesn't not cuz she wants to rise in front of people she just wants some respect and she wants to stand upto her morals"
"Maybe you are right pushkar but problem is still the same she wants me to kill her in the battlefield and ascend the throne. How can I "
"Well as far as I know you just need to kill the present king to win the throne not suman. "
"But she has said till the time she's with the king no one can harm him."
"What if she's not with him during the war"
"Is that possible. "
"It is... I can indulge her in war with me"
A greatful and radiant smile appeared on his lips he felt like he's got his life back even if it was small hope but it meant a lot to her. He hugged pushkar tightly.
" You don't know pushkar what you have done to me. I love you"
"Save your I love yous to suman I should take your leave we need plan a war you take rest I think you need it"
"Yes finally I can rest peacefully now."
Pushkar smiled and left from there. Here in the room shravan felt as if he got a new life finally he can breathe. He can dream of a future with suman. Since the party day sleep was far away from his eyes but now he can sleep properly.
Next day shravan and pushkar has decided to meet the Kings of their seven subkingdoms and ask for their help. For few days he can't see suman but that was important for their future. He can bear this small distance for their beautiful future. He will strike the war as those kings will agree to help him and he will win his Kingdom along with suman. With this determination he left from Eutopia.
Next few days suman couldn't see shravan she has no idea where he was she knew he was stubborn and truly doubted whether he has followed her advice or all she could do was to pray that he had followed her advice. When the king got warning from shravan she thanked god for answering her prayers she was truly happy that he has finally listened to her and ascend the throne which actually belonged to him but was sad too as this war is going to be the end of their story which hasn't even bloomed yet. Tomorrow they were going to strike the war probably tomorrow will be last day of her life for once she wanted to see shravan one last time. Lost in her thoughts she was sitting near the same waterfall where she has shared most blissful moments of her life with shravan. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't noticed footsteps reaching her it's only when she heard shravan's deep voice she came back to earth.
"I knew you'd be here only. "
Startled she turned back to see shravan just behind her.
"Shravan what are you doing here you shouldn't be here in Eutopia ... you can land into a big trouble if anyone notices you here"
He smiled and sat beside her.
"No one will come to know about me I am sure no one has any idea about this place. "
"Yeah you're right... I m happy that you followed my advice."
"Did I had any choice. I was going to lose either way ."
"You won't lose , this way you will fulfill everyone's wishes "
" what about my wish to be with you suman "
She said nothing but turned other side to hide her tears
"I wish things were different I never wanted our story to end like this. "
"Its not the end it can never. "
"You know shravan when king called me he said I am your weakness its cuz of me you have delayed war till now or else you'd have attacked long back i dunno whether it's true or not but promise me one thing shravan that you'll never let me be your weakness I want to be your strength not weakness promise me"
"Shravan you were never my weakness you have always been my strength and will always be I promise you that. You know I have always been pestering you to leave King's side but this time I won't not cuz I know you won't agree with me but cuz I know things are already difficult for you I always have. I respect your decision to keep your duties above everything. I was being selfish asking you for to not fulfill your duties but I can't help it suman I can't afford to lose you."
"Let's not talk about these things shravan I don't want to ruin this night I want to give you good memories not the bad ones. Come I want to show you a place."
She took him to a wooden house which was in the middle of the jungle. It was small but beautiful. There were few portraits few decoration items and a bed in the middle. It looked like a secret place.
"Its mine and Anysia's secret place. Whenever me and anysia wanted to spend some time secretly or hide from our parents we used to come here . My grandparents had build this for me. You know even my parents don't know about this place."
"Why did you show this to me then"
"I don't know I just wanted to share my little secret with you" she said with a enthusiastic smile.
He closed the gap between them and kissed her lightly. After some time they broke their kiss for the need of oxygen.
"Shravan can you fulfill my one more wish I want to make this night beautiful for us I want to be yours before I die..."
"Suman plz don't say that nothing will happen to you I promise "
"Don't make such promises which you can never fulfill. We both know it's not possible. I don't know what future holds for us i just know that i want to be yours tonight please make me yours. "
Without a word he picked her up in his arms and put her on the bed. Soon the room was filled with moans and groans. That night witnessed the union of two souls who has been longing for each other since ages, the purest moment between two lovers. The moment of pure bliss. They would have never thought that they would be like this now. All sweaty and with no clothes on. Yet comfortably cuddled up into each other. Shravan knew only then what it was like to hold your life in your hands.
The most calm and peaceful slumber overtook them. After many sleepless and numb nights, these two hearts beat together as they slept a comfortable nap.
Next day shravan woke up to notice suman's side empty. He knew where she must gone now. He sighed and got up from the bed picking up his clothes he smiled looking at his clothes which were thrown here and there in the room. Finally he made her break the rules she broke an important law of Eutopia by loving him he wished just like this she could once decide to not to fulfill her duties towards the king but alas she won't, breaking rules and disrespecting her duties were two entirely different things. Soon after getting ready he too left from there afterall it was the day when he'll either get suman or lose her forever it all depended on ayaan and him. He prayed to god that their plan will work he can't afford to lose suman .
The war was on shravan noticed from far that pushkar was skillfully fighting with suman and so was suman sometimes it felt pushkar was overpowering her but other times it looked like she is overpowering him. One thing he was sure he needs to get to the king soon cuz it didn't looked like pushkar could handle suman for much time. He fought with the King's commanders skillfully and defeated them now there was a war going on between him and prince Thorin. The rage inside him overtook him, this man has dare to look suman the way no one can except him . he stabbed him with his sword. Now the king and him were face to face. Suman too noticed this from far and instantly knew what's going on why is pushkar so much interested in fighting with her except helping his brother. She douched back to avoid pushkar's attack and attacked on his one leg with her sword he fell back. Grabbing the chance suman ran towards the the king who was engaged in the war with shravan and she could figure out he isn't going to last for long. Shravan was skillfully fighting with the king he has disarmed him also and was going to stab him to put an end on this battle but a sword came for the King's rescue. He looked up to see the owner of the sword and as he saw the owner he turned pale he felt as if the blood running through his veins has dried cuz it was none other than suman.
"What happened prince don't you have the courage to fight with me or you are scared that you will be defeated by a woman. "
She said as she flung his sword and charged on him.
"No one can harm my lord till the time I am alive. To reach him first you'll have to kill me." He knew what indirect hints she is giving him. But he could not bring himself to follow her hint.
She again attacked him swiftly and this time too he skillfully parried his attack with his shield. Bringing her sword down she strike Shravan's exposed shoulder which cut him deep in his right shoulder.
"I have heard people saying that Eutopia can never have a brave and skillful warrior like prince shravan but it looks like they were wrong. People of Eutopia has joined their hopes with a wrong person." Saying so she again tried to attack him ferociously but slowed down as she saw that the king is going to stab him in his back. She acted quickly and turned themselves. The sword stabbed suman instead of shravan. A stunned shravan stared suman as she fell on shravan's left side.
An enraged shravan charged towards the king and stabbed him straight in his heart before he could even react. The battle was over he won but at cost of suman no that won't happen she'll be by his side forever. He turned towards suman and took her in his arms.
"Suman please stay with me nothing will happen to you."
" I don't think I will survive shravan but don't have any regrets now I am dying in your arms and I am dying while saving your life I couldn't have been more lucky shravan. Now that I am going to die after being completely yours I couldn't have asked for more. I love you I always have I always will even after my death. "
"You're not going to die I won't let that happen please hold on listen to me this time please. Don't give up on me bear with me you're not gone yet." He pleaded to her and picked up her limp body in his arms and towards the nearby hut where all the arrangements were done to treat the injured warriors. He called the doctor and ordered himto treat suman. Till that time pushkar too came there.
"I m sorry brother I couldn't keep my words. It all happened cuz of me " Said pushkar with his head hung low
"You tried ur best pushkar you don't have to feel guilty for all this. " Shravan tried to comfort pushkar but failed miserably as he himself need to be comforted.
Pushkar held his hands made him sit sit on nearby stone.
"She'll be alright your love won't let her go trust me. The bad phase of your lives has just ended now she can't leave you alone when you two can finally become one. You have waited for her since long time she can't go now. I know she won't "
He said nothing just nodded in a yes. After some time doctor came out of the hut and told them that she's out of danger now and they can meet her. He took quick steps towards the hut while pushkar went away with the doctor to give him his prize giving some needed privacy to the couple. As he came inside the hut he saw suman lying on the bed with her eyes closed. Finally his life came back to him his suman was back to him this time for ever they were no more hurdles now but just them . He sat closer to her on her bed and caressed her head due to which she opened her eyes lazily giving him a lazy but most genuine smile.
"Finally you won." Said suman weakly
"I had to I couldn't let you go."
"Its only cuz of your love that I am alive it gave me strength to even fight with my death. "
"Nothing can separate us now suman we'll be together forever. " Shravan said and pecked her on her temple.
"Forever. " she said as they drifted to the most peaceful slumber they ever had holding each other. Dreaming of a beautiful future that's waiting for them.
After a month when suman was completely fine soon ShraMan were tied with a knot of marriage as shravan didn't wanted to wait anymore. And after lots of frustrating rituals they somehow managed spend some quality time alone in his room.
"Damn I hope these rituals will be over soon cuz I can't bring myself to do more rituals."
She giggled and guided him towards their bed
"Rest for a while you look tired"
"You know your smile makes my tiredness flow away out of the window moreover who can dare to rest when I have such a beautiful wife beside me. "
He was going to kiss her but a knock stopped him. Sure enough they were calling them for another ritual
"Don't they have some other important work to do at this time. "
"Well the king gets to decide what's important and what's not." She said with a mischievous smile
"Surely he does." He said with a mischievous glint in his eyes getting her hint.
Soon they were indulged in making love to each other ignoring the calls. Sometimes rules should be broken.
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