The third prince was holed up in the secret base set up by "that" person. Alfonso was still under the surveillance of Nakul, who didn't want any nuisances that he would create in this situation.
His assistant, Lekha, was sitting beside him on the sofa. Despite being his assistant, Alfonso was smitten with Lekha. He had a one-sided crush on her; despite his advances, she remained adamant that he should find someone better than her due to her not being a noble.
Alfonso didn't care about her status; all he cared about was love. He looked at Lekha and slowly caressed her silky black hair. He wanted to escape all this and have a carefree life.
"Lekha, should we escape?"
"Your Highness, you know we can't do that."
"But Lekha, let's escape from this life and live somewhere else together."
Lekha looked over at Alfonso, her lips trembling.
"We can't be together, Your Highness." She replied with her voice shaking.
"Bu-"
Alfonso's gaze fell at her face. Lekha's face was set in perpetual sadness, as if they were never destined to be together. He couldn't make up words to ask her the reason after seeing the face she was making. Alfonso fell silent, as if the world were crashing down at him.
'I wish I never went to "that" person for help.'
Alfonso has been entangled with "that" person since his childhood. He has always been a pawn for their plans. But the bitter truth was that their guidance helped Alfonso stand up independently and let him become a better person.
He was taught various things and trained very well by their guidance. Alfonso knew that they didn't have any ambition for the throne. The reason for the schemes was unknown to everyone except that person.
Alfonso was a mere spectator on the board they have set, using the Empire as their playground.
Nakul entered the room with a light knock on the door. He was accompanied by two men dressed in black, presumably assigned high-level guards for his safety.
"Your Highness. We have decided to let you out of the house."
Alfonso's face was set in the scowl.
"Huh?"
"We were ordered to give you this task and release you from house arrest."
Nakul handed him over the paper with the task written on it. Alfonso's face changed as he kept reading the paper note he was given.
"Do you think you can order me to do these?"
Nakul sighed deeply in exasperation, glancing down at Alfonso.
"Look here, Alfonso. You are not the authority here. We are. So obey the orders from Master."
Alfonso got up and closed in to punch Nakul's face in fury. He was promptly handled by the guards as he was wrestled to the ground.
Nakul looked down at the struggling Alfonso.
"Don't be too harsh with him. Let him go."
The guards loosened the grip on Alfonso, letting him loose as his anger subsided.
"Your Highness. We need you to do this, or else Master will take the measures necessary. You know how bad it can be."
"By measures? What do you mean?"
"So far, I have heard. Your mother's life might be in a dangerous situation. An ambush? Maybe a poisoning attempt or falling off the stairs in the palace."
Lekha audibly gasped at the statement. She was beside Alfonso, getting him up.
"Nakul, you can't do this to the prince's mother."
"You know, Lekha, it's not up to me. I am just a mere messenger for Master." Nakul sighed deeply, with a hint of pity in his voice.
Alfonso was seething with rage at his threat. He clenched his fist, trying to calm down his nerves.
"Fine! Don't hurt Mother for this. Give me the note; I will do it."
Nakul handed over the note with a wry grin.
"Your Highness, Prince Harsha has survived most likely; we didn't find his body, but what we found were numerous killed assassins."
Alfonso let out a sigh of relief; there was a chance his brother had survived. It was a momentary relief for him. He unfurled the note and read it silently.
"Are you serious? This is quite dangerous!" He exclaimed with a frustrated tone.
Nakul glanced back with a light smile and left the room quickly. He didn't want to comment on it, as it was up to Alfonso to decide whether he would take the risk or not to protect his mother.
Meanwhile, in the Yadava Kingdom,. Gauri was meeting up with the old man, who was her saving grace and power. The old man was Yogendra Ahir. He was the father of Gauri's mother and her grandfather.
Gauri had yet to reveal the truth about her identity to her grandfather. Before, she was scared of the potential of losing the place she had by revealing it; now, with Harsha's words, she decided to face it.
She won't run away from her identity. She arrived at the mansion and met the old man, who revealed the truth about her identity and why she hid it from him.
The old man had tears in his eyes and hugged Gauri tightly.
"Sorry, Gauri. This old man couldn't save anyone." The hunched-back Yogendra cried in her arms. He had lost his grandson and only daughter to Ravi Seuna.
After the old man finally calmed down,. His granddaughter Gauri was strong, smart, and had all the qualities of a ruler. He was still skeptical that, due to her gender, she would be shunned by the other nobles.
"Gauri, Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, Grandfather. First, we kill that bastard. I will take the rightful place as the Queen of the Yadavas. I won't run away from my identity."
"All the preparations are done. We can begin whenever we want to." He pulled her shoulder so she ducked down so he could pat her head softly.
"You have my blessing, Gauri. We will not lose."
"Also, Grandfather. I don't know why, whenever I think of someone, my heart pounds uncontrollably. Is it a disease?"
"Is it a man?"
"Yes, Grandfather. He is handsome and... " Her voice trailed off.
The old man's jaw dropped. His granddaughter was tall and strong; her hands were not ladylike with years of practice of the sword. Her imposing demeanor was changed to that of a shy maiden madly in love.