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

CHAPTER - 21

T he whole night, Abhyansh didn't sleep, he couldn't, that night, he didn't have those one or two hours of sleep he usually has,. The next morning, he called Ranveer and asked him to meet him immediately... Ranveer asked why but Abhyansh hung up without answering him. Ranveer got afraid for his sister and called her to check if she is fine, sensing she is fine, he hung up telling her he called just to see how she is doing.

Abhyansh made his way to the breakfast table, and everyone stood up in his respect and sat down after he did. Isha served poha to Abhyansh.

"Today, you are supposed to make parantas right?? Why poha??", Avyan whisper-asked, the last night when they were talking about the next day's menu, before they heard Abhyansh's roar, Isha told him she is gonna make parantas for breakfast... But, keeping her husband's injuries in mind, she made poha which he could eat with a spoon.

"Avyan, I will make them tomorrow, for now, have this", Isha whispered, serving Abhyansh the other items she made.

Abhyansh is surprised to see Avyan and Isha's casual talk but as usual, no one noticed his expression as none had the courage to look at his face. His brother didn't converse that freely with anyone except for their mother. After breakfast, instead of going to the office, Abhyansh walked towards his home office, Isha ran behind him to stop him, as the study is not completely set, he destroyed it very badly and though the servants are working for hours, they haven't finished even half of it, she is afraid that Abhyansh would punish the servants.

"Ma...Maharaj... Actually... the study...", She fumbled... she closed her eyes to calm herself so that she could stop fumbling before her husband burst on her with irritation.

"Hm??", Abhyansh asked calmly, she opened her eyes looking at his calm self with wide eyes...

"Woh... they haven't finished cleaning your study Maharaj... I'm sorry, I'm supposed to help them, but I couldn't because of the breakfast", she said worrying him...

"It's okay, let them do at their pace, you don't have to do it, you have office, so go there", he said and walked towards his office confusing her... First thing, she is shocked by his soft tone, secondly, he still is walking towards his study, even after telling him that it's messy.

"Maharaj...", she called him again... and he understood why she is calling him...

"I'm gonna get my laptop", He said

"I'll get it", She said

"No....", he immediately said startling her... 'You would get hurt', he wanted to add but didn't, for obvious reasons... "I'll get it", saying he walked away...

She walked back, had her breakfast, and went to her room to change into her casual office wear... She wore a floral mustard color collar neck kurti pairing it with cream color cotton palazzo.

She went to the office in the king's chamber to inform Abhyansh about her leaving for work. She remembered what he said the previous day, but she is afraid to leave like that. She still got shivers whenever she thought about that night when he announced that she would be his slave and detailed all the rules to her and threatened she would face dire consequences if she failed to follow any of them.

She walked there and saw Ramlal, who bowed in front of her, and showed his hand, asking her to go inside.

"Won't you ask Maharaj??", Isha asked Ramlal

"Maharaj ordered to not to make you wait outside, he said you don't need permission to enter his office or his room, so you can go", Ramlal said shocking her...

"Wh... when did Maharaj tell you this??", Isha asked

"Today morning", Ramlal said, and Isha nodded walking inside...

"Maharaj...", Isha said, getting afraid of his reaction... What would she say, if he asks her why did she come there even after he asked her not to inform her about all her activities... He didn't want to waste his time while listening to her, maybe that's the reason he asked her not to take his permission, and here she is disobeying him. She cursed herself...

"Hm...", he responded looking at his laptop... and his frequent responses shocked her, he never bothered to respond or react to her before... What has gotten into him lately, she wondered...

"Maharaj... I... I'm leaving for the office", She fumbled, he could sense the fear in her tone... He raised his head and looked at her, and his eyes stayed on her for a long, this always happened with him, he just can't look away from his wife, 'how can she look so innocent and beautiful in just a simple kurti' is what's that running in his head... She looked down unable to bear his intense gaze which brought him back to his senses...

"Come here", he called her and she walked towards him and stood opposite to his chair in front of the table. "Come near", he said pointing his hands to himself... She widened her eyes but walked towards him soon recovering, following his orders... He held her soft palms in his bandage-clad huge and rough palms...

"I told you right?? You don't have to inform me about your activities, you can do whatever you want to... You have complete freedom, just inform me if you are getting late than your usual time, okay??", Abhyansh said softly shocking her, whenever she hears him speaking so softly in his rough tone, it shocks her... That word 'freedom' brought tears to her eyes...

"I...I have full freedom??", Isha asked with tears slipping from her eyes...

"You do...", He said wiping her tears...

"Thank you", Isha said, her tone filled with gratitude. ‘You deserve all of it' he wanted to add but didn't... He just nodded at her, but didn't leave her hands, and she is afraid to ask him to leave her hand, she loved when he talked that softly with her, she loved when he wiped her tears so affectionately, and is afraid he would get angry if she asks him to leave her palms...

"Maharaj... Mr. Ranveer Rajput is here to meet you", Ramlal announced bowing his head...

Isha tried to free her palms from Abhyansh's seeing Ramlal but he didn't leave her...

"Allow him in", Abhyansh ordered, Ramlal bowed in a 'yes' and left from there...

Abhyansh left her hands and she moved afar from him...

"Maharaj... Can I leave??", Isha asked as she is getting late for the office, so she had to leave though she want to stay and know why her brother is there...

"What did I just say??", Abhyansh asked raising his brows... Isha quickly walked away from there... It surprised Abhyansh, his lips slightly turned upwards, as no one till then left from his office without his permission.

"Hi bhai... bye bhai", Isha said and walked away as she is getting very late...

"Wait... Ishu... Ishu... at least greet your brother properly idiot....", Ranveer said but Isha rushed away irritating him... "I'll teach you a lesson Ishu", Ranveer shouted and Abhyansh cleared his throat...

"You must be either very daring or absolutely crazy to threaten my WIFE in front of me, huh??", Abhyansh asked seriously...

"Why do I feel you are furious?? Are you really?? Or it's just my feeling??", Ranveer asked taking a seat in front of Abhyansh...

"Good that your senses are still working Rajput", Abhyansh said in his cold tone...

"I don't understand, what happened?? Why did you call me this early in the morning??", Ranveer questioned with confusion etched face, Abhyansh didn't answer but slammed the file he received from his trusted men about his wife, in front of Ranveer... "What's this Mr. Ranawat??", Ranveer asked

"Open and see it for yourself", Abhyansh said, Ranveer didn't feel right seeing Abhyansh's fury, he got a clear picture when he saw what was in the file...

"You spied on my sister??", Ranveer said

"You have nothing to say about the contents inside it Rajput??", Abhyansh asked barely containing his fury...

"I...", Ranveer trailed

"Your b**t**d of a father kept torturing her and what were you doing all the time?? He house- arrested her, kept her captive in her own palace for 16 damn years and you were blind to all that??, I thought you loved your sister Rajput", Abhyansh shouted banging the table...

"I tried to talk to father many times, but he never listened to me, instead he threatened me to stop Isha's education if I talk about it, Isha got so afraid that she took a promise from me that I would never talk to father about it anymore... All she wanted is to complete her studies and work... I didn't know they tortured her in my absence, she never told me, the house help informed me after she got married... I just thought my parents didn't show any affection towards her, but recently got to know what all my sister had to go through, trust me Ranawat, every single time I think about all my Ishu had gone through, I feel like stabbing my father... If you think this is it then you are wrong...", Ranveer said showing the file...

"What do you mean??", Abhyansh asked raising his brows...

"There are a lot of things that are not there in this file", Ranveer said shocking Abhyansh...

"And those are??", Abhyansh asked coldly...

"It's not my place to tell, I don't know how Isha would feel about it...", Ranveer said remembering how his mother used to make Isha serve her, just for a few hundred rupees for sanitary napkins... Isha was never even offered medicine for her extreme period cramps and stomach-ache. Ranveer closed his eyes to stop his tears at what all his sister had to bear because of his parents...

"I will kill your father...", Abhyansh said furiously...

"You promised Ranawat, you won't kill him...", Ranveer said opening his eyes... Abhyansh realized the anger Ranveer has for his father, he understood Ranveer is not supporting his father... "I would kill my father, it's my right Mr. Ranawat... The moment I got to know he made Madan harass my sister, I decided, I will become Kailash Rajput's death, no one else...", Ranveer said fury dripping from his voice...

"I still can't believe you are this stupid to let all this happen to your sister, all these years, your good-for-nothing parents kept torturing and you are unaware of it", Abhyansh said raking his hair in frustration...

"Same as you are unaware of all the tortures she went through despite being married to her for 11 months", Ranveer countered and Abhyansh sat silently, not because he didn't have anything to say to Ranveer, but because of the pain he gave his wife...

"She suffered a lot of Rajput... A lot... She didn't deserve it", Abhyansh said holding his hair... The distress is clearly visible on Abhyansh's face and Ranveer is surprised at that, he never ever imagined that this BEAST could worry for someone... It felt as if he is witnessing a miracle... Seeing Abhyansh, Ranveer thought to play wisely to free his sister from the BEAST forever, though he could see the changes in Abhyansh, he didn't trust his sister could be happy with Abhyansh after all the tortures he put her through, so Ranveer wanted to take every chance he could to take his sister away from Abhyansh...

"Mr. Ranawat, if you really think Ishu didn't deserve all that, then provide her with freedom at least now, free her from your slavery", Ranveer said with a smirk

"Rajput... Do you take me as a fool?? You want me to free her from that promise so that you can take her away from me?? Nice try, but a bad move to play with the BEAST...", Abhyansh warned Ranveer dangerously, for a second, Ranveer got scared seeing the look on Abhyansh's face, there is extreme madness for his sister in his eyes... he looked like he would kill Ranveer then and there, even for thinking about taking away Isha from him...

"Mr. Ranawat... If you really don't want Isha in pain, free her from all this", Ranveer said gathering courage...

"Rajput... you can't play me, not even emotionally, I don't have them... Now, GET OUT", Abhyansh said, the last two words, looking into Ranveer's eye, scaring him...

Ranveer got up and left from there thinking to try some other ways... Abhyansh called his wife after he calmed his anger...

"Hello... Maharaj...", she quickly answered, as soon as she saw who is calling her...

"Did you inform anyone about our morning conversation??", Abhyansh asked directly...

"Which conversation Maharaj??", she asked getting confused, she didn't understand what he is talking about...

"The one where I asked you not to inform me about your activities??", he detailed her patiently... He knew what dirty games Ranveer is capable of playing if he gets to know about how he freed Isha from taking his permission... His wife is innocent, but he can't say the same about his brother-in-law...

"No... but I was planning to tell bhai...", Isha said

"Don't...", he instantly said, in a dangerously calm tone scaring her, he closed his eyes to control his temper... "Don't talk about it to anyone... not even to your brother... It's my order...", he said, he knew she would never disobey his orders...

"Okay Maharaj...", she said... he hung up after that...

"Kaat diye??(did he hang up??) Can't he ask me if I had lunch?? Or he could have said at least 'Bye' huh", she told herself... "What are you even saying Isha, you might have gotten mad to expect all that from a man like him", she cursed herself and got back to work...

In the evening, Isha came back home, Ragini and Reetu asked Isha to join for dinner in the evening, and she wanted to go, but she didn't want to misuse the freedom she got just that day... She is afraid of how her husband would react... What if he regrets giving her freedom?? She couldn't help but think like that as Isha was never made to feel like freedom is her right, it was always a luxury that she never got, and now when she finally received it, she felt as if her husband had done a huge favor on her and she will be forever grateful to him...

She made coffee for Abhyansh and pakoras for everyone as the weather is a bit colder which is rare in the place... She sent the snacks to her father-in-law and grandmother Rajmata Devyani Devi through servants and then asked her mother-in-law to help herself and Avyaan while she goes and gives it to her husband...

She got to know that the servants got his home office ready, so she is sure that he would be there only, she doesn't understand her husband's obsession with that massive study. She stopped near Ramlal to ask him to inform her husband about her visit but then she realized she could go in directly, she gave a small smile to Ramlal who didn't reciprocate it, just bowed his head in her respect, she frowned at his unresponsiveness and walked inside...

"Maharaj... your coffee...", she said a bit more freely than her every time robotic and submissive tone... He looked up in surprise hearing her joy-filled tone... She cleared her throat and controlled her happiness a little... "sorry Maharaj... I... I made pakoras as well, I know you haven't asked them and I should have asked you before bringing them but...", She started

"Put them there...", he said softly still staring at her intently... She didn't understand why he is staring at her like that these days, it didn't make her uncomfortable but nervous... She changed into a saree and looked more beautiful... "give me the coffee now, will have them later", he said pointing towards the pakoras, she frowned cutely but soon covered her expression... "what??", he asked

"Uhu...", she shook her head cutely, which made his lips slightly twitch surprising her?? Was that a smile?? Or is she hallucinating?? No no, how can he smile, he is not capable of it, she reprimanded herself...

" What is it Isha?? ", he asked so softly, her eyes widened, he called her name for the second time that too with so much affection, that for a moment she felt as if they are normal husband-wife and he is asking her why she is angry with him??, Even that thought shocked her, why is she hell-bent on imagining a blissful married life with this stone-hearted man... He can never be the husband she is desiring, she tried to make herself understand... she shook her head to stop her thoughts and Abhyansh's lips slightly twitched looking at her cute expressions and actions... He waited patiently for her to realize and answer his question and she finally did...

"They won't taste good when they get cold...", she said pointing towards the pakoras she brought... She knew he wouldn't listen, then why is she telling him?? To get scolded for interfering in his matters?? She thought... But the next thing he said shocked her...

"Okay, serve them, and you too, take a seat and have them...", Abhyansh said, and she blinked her eyes gaping at him as if he had grown horns...

"You want me to have food si...sitting with you??", she asked astonished... She still remembered his words about how he told her; she could never have food sitting beside him as she is his slave... Suddenly her eyes welled up with those memories and Abhyansh understood looking at her broken form...

"Yes, sit and have them...", He said softly, his heart ached badly with guilt and pain... how can he hurt her?? Of all the people, her??

He still didn't understand why her pain gives him so much ache, if the reason is her kind heart, then he saw many kind-hearted people in his life, if it was her ethics and loyalty, all his employees and people associated with him have that, but something in her pulled him towards her... that very same thing made her a huge part of his life... He knew his feelings are a lot deeper than he is letting them show even to himself... He purposely is avoiding thinking about his feelings as he knew it would create a lot of mess if he thought about them or her. Already, he always craves to see her, to be with her which he controls with a lot of difficulties.

"Y... You have them, I just brought for you... I'll eat with ma... and Avyaan", She fumbled and scurried away... He sighed at her retreating figure... When will she stop getting afraid of him or feel the pain of how he treated her?? Will she remain scarred for life, or will he be able to fade those memories ever?? If so, how could he do that?? Thoughts flooded his mind but looking at the snacks and coffee his wife brought, the havoc in his heart calmed down and peace and calmness took its place... He relished them with closed eyes, as usual, they tasted heavenly...

She reached the hall and looking at her teary eyes, Amrutha and Avyaan got worried...

"Isha... What happened beta?? Did Abhyansh hurt you??", Amrutha asked, and Isha shook her head unable to say anything... Past memories acted as needles to her heart which is beginning to trust her husband, she trusts him already but not with her heart, which she started doing recently...

"Bhai sa said something to you??", Avyaan asked, and she again shook her head...

"Then why are you crying??", Avyaan asked again, she shrugged her shoulders with a smile, wiping her tears...

"Lost your voice??", Avyaan asked again, and Isha shook her head... "Then say something", Avyaan asked her in irritation, and she busted out laughing... Her ever-so-calm brother-in-law's irritation brought a smile to her, making her forget her bitter memories...

"I can't believe this, you are making fun of me??", Avyaan said and Amrutha and Isha laughed out loud, and Avyaan too smiled at the two most important women in his life...

"Very good, both of you, fill your stomach with this laughter, I'm having the pakoras for myself", Saying this he snatched his mother's plate and also his sister-in-law's which her mother served, seeing her coming down...

Amrutha snatched back her plate while Isha smiled at him signing him to have hers as well if he liked it so much, Avyaan smiled at his innocent and kind sister-in-law...

"I was kidding, they are very tasty, but I can't have them all, I have to save some room for the delicious dinner you make", he said handing Isha's plate to her, which she took with a smile...

Trio talked for some more time, before Avyaan moved to his chamber to get some work done, while the two ladies started preparing for dinner... Isha noticed her husband's still fresh wound on his palm so she prepared Veg Biryani and two extra curries and masala raita for Abhyansh, they normally have white rice or jeera rice at night along with the kulche or thepla (types of Indian breads) with three curries, daal and a dessert, similar to the name, everyday food at the Ranawat palace is like a feast with a number of items, and the dinner was the lightest among all the meals of the day with 8-9 dishes, but seeing her daughter-in-law's extra efforts in making a heavy meal, Amrutha frowned...

"Isha... Why are you making so many dishes beta?? Huh, already you cook so many dishes every single day and making all these, that too thrice a day is very stressful... why are you increasing your workload, let's just get done with the dinner and take some rest... You look tired...", Amruta told her daughter-in-law while cutting vegetables...

"No ma... Actually, Maharaj's wound is still fresh... he can't have khoba roti(type of a Indian bread) and you know he can't have plain rice or something so bland, he needs spicy food, that's why I am making Biryani for him and you know he needs special curries and masala raita in it, otherwise, he won't even touch it...", Isha said with a loving smile, Amrutha smiled widely looking at her daughter-in-law, her son throws a lot of tantrums for food, he needs everything specific and according to his taste, otherwise he wouldn't even touch it, even she got irritated a lot with him many times, but Isha never for once got irritated, she always took care of his tastes, and put extra effort to make it more delicious so that he eats more... Isha, not only thought about Abhyansh but Avyaan as well, which made Amrutha feel blessed.

"Okay... Let me help you make the masala...", Amrutha offered...

"No ma, he would know if you helped, Maharaj is very sharp, and don't worry, I am not tired...", Isha said, this time, Amruta observed there is no fear in Isha, but unwillingness to let anyone else cook for her husband... Amruta wanted to tease Isha but stopped herself as she didn't want to scare her daughter-in-law who is oblivious to her growing feelings...

"Okay, just make it for Abhyansh, others will have normal food", Amruta said, and Isha nodded unwillingly... As it would take much time if she had to make for everyone...

Soon it was dinner time, and Isha served him the items she made for him, Abhyansh being the sharp observer he is soon noticed, the items being different in his plate compared to his family, but he didn't say a thing, he ate his food, and took 2 servings of Biryani and the curries which made Isha the happiest... She loves it if people eat contently, her happiness is endless when that people are her husband or her brother... Her brother, she could understand, as he is the most important person in her life, and she loves him the most but didn't understand why is her husband included in that list. She could do anything and tire herself to any extent if she could see him eating contently.

Abhyansh had his dinner and walked away from there, but he stopped to take a call still in the hallway when Avyaan started his whining. Pratap and Devyani left as soon as Abhyansh left. Avyaan thought his elder brother went away but didn't know he is still in the hallway and clearly heard his screams...

"You made Biryani for bhai sa and this khoba roti for us?? I also saw two extra sabzis(curries) in his plate... They looked very delicious", Avyaan said and Amrutha laughed whereas Isha gave a sorry look...

"Avyaan, I'm sorry, Maharaj's palm wound is still fresh, he can't use his hands, so I made rice so that he could have it with a spoon", Isha explained...

"But...", Avyaan started his argument, Abhyansh is surprised to see his younger and very mature brother arguing with his wife childishly... Abhyansh knew Avyaan appreciates his wife's cooking but didn't know he was this crazy about the food...

"Avyaan, eat silently, she wanted to make it for everyone, but I only stopped her... We didn't have enough time; you know how much hard work it takes to cook a meal like this?? So, stop whining and eat", Amrutha reprimanded Avyaan...

"But, She could have made simple rice for bhai sa, and he could have had the same vegetable curry we are having, what's the need to make specially for him if she is so tired?? Now I'm tempted to have it", Avyaan said and Isha felt bad... Avyan always reacted like this when it came to the food she made, he absolutely loved her handmade food...

"Avyaan, I'm so sorry, I promise, I will make all your favourite dishes tomorrow, you know your bhai sa, he won't have plain rice, he needs something spicy...", Isha said softly...

Abhyansh's lips twitched upwards, this is the third time he is smiling in a single day because of his wife, well normal people couldn't know it's a smile, but if you observe closely, you can find that it is a smile, an unnoticed one of Abhyansh Singh Ranawat... Seeing her care, he felt so good but hearing her apologizing equally irritated him...

"What's happening here??", Abhyansh asked in his cold tone... Avyaan's eyes widened so did Isha's and Amruta's... Avyaan cursed his big mouth, why can't he stay shut...

"No..Nothing Maharaj... You... You want something??", Isha fumbled

"Avyaan?? You have anything to say??", He asked coldly ignoring her attempts to save her brother-in-law...

"No... No bhai sa... Nothing", Avyaan said bowing down, hearing his brother's tone, he understood that he heard everything...

"If I see any tantrums on the dining table, I will throw you out of the palace", Abhyansh said and turned to walk away...

"Look who is lecturing you Avyaan", Isha said looking at Avyaan, trying to make him feel better but in all this she repeated the same mistake as her brother-in-law, not noticing if her husband really left or not...

Amruta tapped on Isha's arm hardly bringing her to her senses...

"What did you say?? You think I throw tantrums??", Abhyansh questioned looking at his wife furiously...

Isha cursed herself for her stupidity... Avyaan who is eating, hearing his brother's furious tone again, coughed badly as the food got stuck...

"Avyaan... you okay?? Oh my god! Have some water...", Isha gave water to him while tapping his head lightly, while Amrutha rubbed his back...

Suddenly Abhyansh felt so jealous of his brother, His wife is so close to him... She never cared for him like that... never tapped his head like that...

"You didn't answer me", Abhyansh asked, this time his fury increased, so did the coldness in his tone...

"N..No Maharaj, I didn't mean that... Forgive me", Isha bowed her head down...

"Isha Abhyansh Singh Ranawat... This is the last time I'm telling you, Hold your head high", Abhyansh said in his strong and tough voice, shocking Amrutha and Avyaan, the last time he told her this, none heard, but now when he told her in front of them, they stood there shocked, also he called her by her name... her full name... Hearing that name from his mouth, Isha got goosebumps all over, the hair on her nape raised, and her cheeks got warm... "Come to my office after finishing your dinner", he said and walked away...

"What's that?? Did bhai sa actually say that or I'm hearing things??", Avyan asked

"Exactly my doubt, what happened to my son??", Amrutha asked

"But I already told you, he told me to keep my head high while I talk to him, why are you so shocked??", Isha asked

"I thought you are hearing things...", Avyan said and Isha frowned at her brother-in-law... "sorry, but that's because of bhai sa's track record", Avyaan apologized to his sister-in-law...

"By the way, Isha Abhyansh Singh Ranawat, have your dinner fast, you have to go to your husband after that, you can't keep him waiting", Amrutha teased her daughter-in-law unable to control herself anymore, Isha blushed furiously...

"Ma... What are you saying??", Isha said, sitting at the dining table on serving herself, Amrutha stopped her and served her...

"What?? I just said what I heard, Isha Abhyansh Singh Ranawat...", Amrutha said

"Ma... please, don't say that whole name... and don't tease me, I'm scared, you know why he called me, he heard what I said, now he will punish me", Isha said getting scared

"Punish and you?? I don't think so... don't worry, just go", Avyaan assured his sister-in-law...

"I'm afraid, please, you too come with me na", Isha asked

"Yeah, so that seeing me, he can remember about my tantrums and then kill me right?? No thank you, and why are you so scared, he wouldn't hurt you", Avyaan said

"How are you so sure", Isha asked having her dinner...

"Because Mr. Abhyansh Singh Ranawat cannot hurt Mrs. Abhyansh Singh Ranawat", Avyaan said with a smirk like he is teasing Isha but he meant it...

"Avyaan... you too...", Isha whined, with red cheeks...

"Sorry, I am kidding...", Avyan said

"But I wasn't", Amrutha said and Isha looked at her mother-in-law pouting sadly...

"Okay okay don't pull that face, have your dinner fast... He doesn't like waiting", Amrutha said casually but Avyan thought his mother is teasing his sister-in-law...

"Ma, stop teasing her...", Avyaan said

"But When did she tease me?? She just stated a fact that your bhai sa doesn't like waiting, which is true... Now I'm more scared", Isha said innocently...

Amrutha and Avyan busted out laughing looking at her innocence... Isha frowned, but shook her head and had her food, after getting another round of moral support from her mother-in-law and brother-in-law, she walked to the lion's den...

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