The Royal Beast & His Caged Princess (The Royal Beast #1)

CHAPTER – 15

I t's been a week since Isha came to Ranawat palace, she didn't encounter her husband and she thanked her stars for that. She thought now since she isn't the one cooking or the one who is supposed to serve him, she doesn't get to see him much since usually, that's the only time she sees him, apart from when he decides to torture her or remember that she is his slave, and he wants to have his rights as a master. Honestly, she is surprised that he is considering not torturing her due to her injury. She remembered how he made her touch hot vessels, cook for him and serve him despite her both the palms being completely pierced by glass pieces and bleeding... But why isn't he torturing her now?? What changed?? She questioned herself, why did she see the concern in his eyes for her?? Is it there before or just these days?? Several questions ran through her head, but she had no answers to any...

Amruta asked about Isha's favourite dishes from Ranveer and cooked all those since she could eat some normal food in light quantities and not just soft fluids now... She took food to her daughter-in-law's room...

"Ma...", Isha called as soon as she saw Amruta carrying the food plate...

"How is my Isha?? you know, I made all your favourites today", Amruta said with a wide smile... She arranged the plate on the small table available in the room and Isha slowly made her way to the table...

"Thank you so much ma, I was tired of just having those fluids and soups... ", Isha said giving her mother-in-law a hug, and Amruta caressed her hair and cheek...

Isha started devouring the food while talking some casual things to her mother-in-law...

"Where is Ranveer??", Amruta asked wondering about her daughter-in-law's brother who wouldn't leave his sister even for a minute except for when she needed a bath or to change clothes...

"He needed to sort some issues regarding business, so he went to Rajput palace to get the required files", Isha answered and Amruta nodded...

"Maharaj is eating well??", Isha asked suddenly after some time and her question surprised her mother-in-law as well as herself...

"What??", Amruta asked, not bothering to hide her shock...

"I mean... I haven't seen him in one week, I mean... I... He, food cook...", Isha fumbled

"Wait... Calm down and tell me things like a normal human", Amruta said trying to stop her smile which is threatening to escape...

"Ma... I just wanted to know, he doesn't have any problem with you cooking and serving right?? If he does, I could cook, I am fine now, or at least I could serve him", Isha said, well that's the half-truth, the fact that she didn't see him for a week is also not sitting well with her...

"No beta, I don't think he had a problem with it, and no, I'm not serving him since he is eating in his study...", Amruta said sighing deeply, remembering about her son...

"But ma, he always prefers eating at the dining table, no?? I remember Avyan telling me, he never skipped eating at the dining table, not even once in past 15+ years, whenever he is at home...", Isha got worried, Is it because of her?? Will he punish her for this as well??, she thought, well she is partially right, it is because of her...

"I don't know Isha, and I don't care, now stop talking about him and finish your food", Amruta said sternly and that was enough to shut Isha up, as her mother-in-law, barely used that tone...

Just then, Isha received a call from her brother, she sighed and took the call, he called her 15 times from the morning, regarding her food, and medicines and to know how she is...

"Bhai, I'm fine, ma brought me lunch and I'm almost done with it, and then I'll take my medicines, yes, I know what medicines to take, and no, I'm not feeling any kind of pain, after taking my medicines, I'll sleep... Anything else you want to know??", Isha asked before her brother could say a word, Amruta chuckled seeing the cute siblings...

"Yeah, I want to ask you one last thing", Ranveer said seriously...

"Now what?? I answered all your questions", Isha said huffing...

"Which mental hospital would you prefer?? Curing your ill mental health is as important as your ill body", Ranveer said seriously and burst out laughing hearing his sister's laboured breaths indicating she is furious...

"You are a donkey, and you remain so", Isha said and hung up leaving Ranveer to laugh...

"What happened Isha??", Amruta asked noticing her daughter-in-law's angry face...

"He said he would admit me to a mental hospital, how dare he??", Isha said and Amruta laughed but soon stifled seeing Isha's cry-baby face...

"He was just joking Isha...", Amruta said pinching her daughter-in-law's cheeks, who now became cuter and extremely beautiful than before, with proper food and care, and more importantly with no torture from the BEAST.

Amruta and Isha talked for a while before Amruta left the chamber, asking Isha to sleep... Ranveer returned at night and after dinner, Isha fell asleep, after that, Ranveer too left the chamber deciding to come in the morning before his sister woke up.

After Ranveer left, Abhyansh, calmly walked to his wife's room, this is routine, after Ranveer leaves the chamber, he goes and looks at his wife, who would be sleeping by then, he knew that Ranveer will leave only after Isha falls asleep...

Abhyansh looked at his wife's serene face for 30 seconds before leaving the chamber like every day, he doesn't know why he does that but looking at her innocent face gave him so much peace, which he never felt till then, and he got addicted to that... He didn't want her to think that he cares for her, so he avoided seeing her so that she gets that he hardly cares. But, in reality, being careless toward her no more came to him naturally, he had to struggle a lot to even put up an act of that kind and he certainly didn't like that.

A week passed by and Isha started walking and doing small work... She wanted to start serving her husband his breakfast and dinner, knowing how much he is used to it, and how particular he is regarding it. She is grateful that he gave her enough time to rest and heal, and now since she did, she wanted to get back to her duties gradually, Isha is always disciplined and took things like these seriously, if she believed something is her responsibility, she would fulfil it no matter what and she took Abhyansh's works as her responsibility and now she wants to start fulfilling it.

She got up in the morning and started cleaning her room a bit, and moved to other parts of the king's chamber to see if everything is placed well or not. Since she is not well, Abhyansh allowed servants to handle the work till she gets fine... and she sighed in relief as the servants did a pretty good job, so she didn't have to stress so much on her first day itself. Since she got fine, Ranveer went to Rajput palace, promising to visit her once in 2 days.

It's time for breakfast and she went to call her husband... She is shivering inside but she must start it one or the other day, and she wants to start her work before he could point it out or blame her for taking advantage of his generosity.

"Maharaj...", she trailed looking down, entering his office after he allowed her... He didn't say a word waiting for her to speak and she understood his silence.

"I'm grateful to you that you gave me enough time to heal, and now that I'm fine, I want to resume my d...duties, I am here to call you for breakfast", She said, she is scared thinking that her tortures would also start along with her duties, but she has no option, she had to remind him before he could punish her for that as well.

But Abhyansh didn't know what to do, he can't torture her now, not anymore, but if he didn't, she would think that he cares for her, she already saw his worried eyes twice.

"Send my breakfast here, you are my slave, just follow my orders", he said coldly without looking at her face, ouch! that slave part hurt her, but she composed herself...

"Yes Maharaj", she bowed a little and walked away, he missed her eyes but kept his facade... He is so tempted to go to the dining table and have her delicious food served by her, but he had to stop himself, he had to ignore her...

When she returned with his breakfast, he internally groaned, he avoided having breakfast at the dining table just to avoid her, earlier he wouldn't have his breakfast for he missed her, and now because he wanted to avoid her.

"I said 'send my breakfast here' not 'bring', I don't want you to come here", he said and started eating calmly without looking at her, she served him for that time which surprised him, he thought she would immediately move away following his order but she didn't, and he enjoyed his last meal with her serving him before he continues with his 'ignore wife' mission.

He finished his breakfast and got up...

"Maharaj, I'm sorry for not understanding your orders properly, it won't happen again", Isha uttered looking down... For some reason, he didn't like her calling him 'Maharaj', he wants to hear his name from her one more time, but he knew better than to ask her to call him that...

Isha didn't understand why her husband doesn't want her to serve him, she should feel relaxed that she got a chore off her head, but she isn't, she felt as if someone has snatched her right... but why?? She shook her head and indulged in other work with her mother-in-law, she decided to leave for the office from the next day as she doesn't want to strain herself more for today...

Days passed by and she is hell confused about his behaviour, he wouldn't ask her to do anything, she didn't serve him food as he wanted, and he wouldn't even order her to make coffee for him frequently like before, though this thought is at the back of her head, she enjoyed her free time and also for she doesn't have to encounter the BEAST now.

She had fun with her mother-in-law and sometimes her brother-in-law joins them though he wouldn't say much to her, she understands he cares for her, and she respects him for the support he gives her.

Days passed and Abhyansh continued his 30 seconds staring at his wife after she slept, he asked her to continue sleeping in bed, till she completely gets fine, and she obliged. After her final checkup, the doctor declared her completely fine, and Ranveer and Amruta are the happiest. Ranveer even wanted to take her out, but she refused as she knew Abhyansh would refuse.

At night, she laid the bedsheet on the floor and soon dozed off. Abhyansh who came there to see his wife like every other night fumed seeing her sleeping on the floor. The things he did on their first night flashed in front of his eyes. How he threw her on the floor harshly without the thought that she could get hurt which she did. Those memories didn't sit well with him. He felt a pang in his heart. Why?? What changed?? He wanted to scream about the contradicting feelings he is having. The peace he always gets looking at her serene face is nowhere today, instead, extreme pain has taken its place. How harshly he treated her, he is feeling so much fury on himself and that's a first. He is a self-obsessed man, he never blamed himself or got angry with himself. He is extremely proud of everything he does, but now his cruel acts towards his wife acted as nails on his heart daggering it every second.

He wanted to wake her up, and ask her to sleep on the bed, but if she asks him why?? What would he say?? He knew the doctor declared her completely alright and that's the reason she is sleeping on the floor tonight. She will understand he cares for her if he asks her to sleep on the bed. He stormed out of her chamber, took a puff of the cigar, and had his whiskey, stronger than every day, but nothing calmed him. He chain-smoked but even that didn't calm him, he thrashed his laptop lid close, and walked to his room. He laid down on the bed, but his soft bed made him feel like thorns everywhere. He got up and laid on the floor with his head on his arm and continued smoking since he realized sleep is far from him tonight. Sleep usually is not for him as he hardly sleeps except for an hour or two at night but this night even that few hours of sleep is far.

He hated the overwhelming feelings he suddenly started having for his wife and is determined to avoid even looking at her now. But fate has some other plans.

The next morning... his right man for his other works 'Stephen' made his way into his office and looking at him, BEAST got an idea that something wasn't right as he hardly came to Ranawat palace since Abhyansh wanted to keep his other businesses away from the palace or his family though everyone is aware of it.

"What??", Abhyansh asked in his cold tone...

"Your highness, the investigation officer found out we were behind the attack in New York last month, they declared the situation an emergency and is stated as a 'gang war' in the reports that are to be submitted to the federal next week", Stephen said in his robotic tone...

"Gang war my a**, if there would be a gang war, then there would be a blood bath, Abhyansh Singh Ranawat never settles for less, reports shouldn't reach the destination, Stephen, burn them and the man who is responsible for them as well", The beast ordered coldly... Well, killing an investigating officer is a huge step and Stephen never thought his boss would take that decision considering how risky it might get, but he knew better than to question the BEAST. He never revokes his decisions...

"Handle the after mess as well", Abhyansh ordered, and Stephen nodded before walking away...

Usually, Abhyansh would have chosen a careful way out, but he is pissed because of his feelings for his wife, the woman he is supposed to hate but surprisingly doesn't anymore.

"Hukum, Mrs. Ranawat is here", The servant informed, shivering more than usual as the BEAST is in fury now...

"Ask her to go away, and don't come inside...", he screamed, the poor man scurried away and conveyed the same to Isha who sighed sadly.

Her brother planned a small lunch for her. He cooked everything all by himself and asked her to come to the Rajput palace if she loves him. She could go there from her office directly, but she didn't have permission to do so. She needs to inform about her every action to her husband, take his permission and that's why she is here...

She called him on his phone having no option since he wouldn't allow her inside, he cut the call, groaning inwardly. She sighed deeply, she has to get permission from the king as she already promised her brother and she could never break a promise.

She called him again, praying that he wouldn't burst out on her in anger...

"What??", he barked angrily, she jumped in her place, hearing his shout even on phone scared her like hell...

"I... Bhai...", she fumbled, but closed her eyes knowing he hates it when someone fumbled, but surprisingly, her voice calmed him and he waited patiently for her to complete... "Bhai planned lunch for me in Rajput palace, can I go??", she asked him and his lips slightly twitched upwards, if she wanted, she could have left for Rajput palace from her workplace, but she didn't, she called to ask his permission. Her innocence made him wonder at the same time, he didn't like the way she asked him, she did it as if he is her master and not her husband. That's when reality hit the him hard. He is her master, as he never tried to become her husband. And the sad part is he is not sure if he wanted to become one ever, and will she ever let him?? All these are new to his emotionless heart and overwhelmed him...

"Maharaj...", her tone brought him out of his thoughts, hell, he zoned out, which is very new... "I won't go anywhere except for Rajput palace, please trust me", she pleaded, and he closed his eyes in what he didn't know was 'pain'. She thought he didn't trust her, no he made her think so, whereas he did trust her blindly, which is a first. He knew she wouldn't leave him since she gave him her word.

"You can go", he said and hung up... He could never get tired of hearing her tone, he thought... His 'BEAST' form which was raging with fury before her call, instantly calmed upon listening to her tone. How did he even think that he could stay sane without seeing her?? He questioned himself but he had to try... By trying, he remembered, if the investigating officer is shot, there will be another mess and he had to fly down to the United States to get the mess cleared. He saw it as an opportunity to avoid his wife, but his mind and heart instantly disagreed.

He could ignore her but wanted to stay near her, though he couldn't see her, the thought of her staying under the same roof as he, made him stay sane. He dialled Stephen.

"Don't kill him, but he should die, Accident", Abhyansh said, in few words but Stephen got the whole picture.

"Yes, boss", Stephen said, confused by his boss's orders for the first time in years... Abhyansh hung up upon hearing the positive response.

The BEAST never shied away from shooting down the people who opposed him or acted against his interests. In fact, he knew there are chances of legalities involving if a person or group of people are shot down but he always preferred killing them rather than giving them ambiguous deaths which could confuse the police and jury like accidental deaths. He wanted his rivals to know how dangerous he is, no one has the courage to question the BEAST, yet he decided to face the questioning in the worst case or handle the situation all by himself, but never compromised on the way he eliminates his rivals... But, for the first time, Abhyansh asked Stephen to kill a man by accident, well that could send mixed signals to their rivals that the BEAST chickened out, thought Stephen but he didn't have the audacity to question his boss.

Abhyansh knew there is a possibility that his rivals could think that he is afraid, but his only reason is he didn't want to go away from his wife and wanted to avoid all possibilities which could lead him away from her.

Isha returned in the evening and saw Abhyansh walking towards his office, he is just in front of her, she walked towards him; to bow and greet him but he turned in the opposite direction and walked away, she frowned... If she didn't know about her husband, she would have thought that he purposely avoided her. She shrugged thinking he might have remembered some other work.

Days passed and Abhyansh continued to avoid Isha and now she had some idea that her husband is doing this purposely. Her first doubt started when she saw him talking to the whole family, he was explaining to them about some securities, and when he saw her coming towards them, he stopped abruptly, asked Amruta to explain to her, and left from there. Everyone in the family thought he had work so he left abruptly but Isha who was observing him for many days understood but didn't get why he is doing it.

It's been a week since that incident, but Isha didn't get why he is avoiding her. She returned from her office early and made coffee and snacks for everyone. She asked a servant to give them to Abhyansh who she knew just returned from office.

Isha decided to give snacks and coffee to Avyan as well and when she asked a servant about Avyan's whereabouts, she was informed that he is in Abhyansh's office. She sighed, if she would have known before, she would have sent the snacks to him as well.

She shook her head and decided to take the snacks by herself. She wanted to see how her husband will ignore or avoid her now but what happened there amused her.

"I brought snacks for Prince Avyan, Can I enter the office??", Isha said politely to the elder servant, Ramlal who is standing outside Abhyansh's office.

"I'll ask Maharaj", he said and went inside shivering, these days, the king screamed every time he went and told him about Isha wanting to enter inside. Abhyansh hated ignoring his wife or saying 'No' to her. So, whenever he had to do that, he fumed at himself which came out on the poor soul.

Isha is almost certain, that he would reject her entering the office but surprisingly, she was allowed and understood the reason why she was allowed, as soon as she entered the office. She wanted to laugh at her husband's childishness, she never thought she would get to witness the mighty Royal BEAST running out of his own office just to avoid his wife. Well, he wasn't literally running off, but she witnessed him walking to the balcony closing his office door holding his phone to his ear speaking on his phone.

She smiled widely, before handing the snacks to Avyan who is surprised to see his sister-in-law smiling widely for the first time looking at his brother, well his retreating back.

"Am I missing something??", Avyan asked

"What?? Um... no, no", Isha said trying to hide her smile.

"I know I am, well what is it??", Avyan asked with a smile.

"Nothing, you tell me, your brother got a call??", Isha asked, and Avyan frowned at the question which is out of context but he answered.

"No, When Ramlal(servant) came informing about your visit, bhai sa said 'yes' to him and got up abruptly picking up his phone, I think he has some important call to make and he just remembered about it, but bhai sa never remembers things so suddenly, he always has everything planned out and not a thing misses his brain", Avyan said with a deep frown making Isha giggle getting he just made up that call excuse to avoid her. She understood that her husband would have rejected the servant even this time, but he didn't want to reject her entering his office in front of his brother and insult her?? Well, that's a first since he never backed out from insulting her or looking down upon her in front of everyone.

She put a brake to her thoughts listening to her brother-in-law's words.

"Woah, so many emotions in one minute, you were smiling one second, then it turned into sad, anger, again smile... What am I missing, will you tell me??", Avyan asked, she giggled at her brother-in-law's teasing, Avyan talked to her like this only a few times and this is one of those times.

"Nothing, have these snacks and tell me how they taste??", Isha asked pointing at the snacks tray she brought for Avyan.

"You made them, they would be delicious obviously", Avyan said taking a morsel, Isha thanked him, and suddenly her eyes met a book which is on the table at the corner of the huge office room.

"Avyan, this book??", Isha said moving towards the table...

"Yeah, I read this series, I love thrillers, you want it??", Avyan asked, and Isha nodded frantically.

"There is one more copy of it in the library, I'll take that, you can have this", Avyan said and Isha squealed like a child and started reading the book standing there only.

Abhyansh who saw his office from the balcony glass door didn't see his wife, the corner table is not visible from the glass door, so he thought she went away, and he entered his office and sat on his chair.

"Bhai sa... so, about the tower construction project at...", Avyan started but Abhyansh's words surprised him...

"First ask Ramlal to inform her to make a strong coffee for me...", Abhyansh said, and only then Avyan realized that his brother didn't know about Isha's presence. Hearing her husband talking about her in front of her but not realizing that she is there, froze her.

Avyan simply looked at Isha, and looking at Avyan's face, he understood that Isha is there, he cursed himself inside... He made a fool out of himself. Now he had to tell her about the coffee but again, why would he?? If she is present here, she would have heard it.

"I'll get the coffee", she said politely and left the office with the book in her hand stifling her giggle.

She never thought she would think her husband is 'cute' at any point of time in their life but today she did. He looked so cute trying hard to avoid her. And the look on his face, when he realized he made a fool out of himself, is priceless. Since Avyan didn't dare to look at his brother's face, he didn't get to know otherwise, the BEAST would have gotten embarrassed. Even thinking about it made Isha giggle, and what followed is a very entertaining idea in her head. She wants to have some fun with the BEAST and she would have it no matter what.

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