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

CHAPTER – 24

R anveer and Isha sat in her room and are talking, Ranveer was talking about their childhood memories, and both were laughing remembering all that...

"Bhai... I will be back in a minute, do you want some coffee or anything to drink when I come back??", Isha asked

"Yes, bacha... coffee would do, bring for yourself too, but where are you going??", Ranveer asked

"Just a small work, will be back soon", she said and left, she couldn't tell his brother that she is going to check on her husband, he would ask 1000 more questions...

Isha slowly stepped into her husband's room, hearing her footsteps, Abhyansh woke up but didn't open his eyes, he wanted to see what she does...

He slept bare-chested thankfully, so she could easily check without the hassle of removing his shirt... she looked at the wounds carefully and sighed in relief seeing the pus not forming...

"I wanted to check if he has a fever or not, but I am afraid what if he wakes up sensing my touch?? And how would I touch him in the first place?? It's okay Isha... you can do it... come on...", she whispered to herself, Abhyansh wanted to pull her close and hide her in his arms seeing her cuteness but refrained...

Isha calmed down and put her palm on his forehead, her hand shivering... she, for a second, forgot why she put her palm on his forehead... it's the first time she is touching him, it's always he who holds her palms or arms or her cheeks, she never did that and she definitely felt so good with the contact of his skin...

Abhyansh's heartbeat raised sensing her touch... his whole body felt alive feeling her soft hand on his forehead... he felt his pain soothing...

"Hmm, thank god, there is no raise in temperature, I thought he would get a fever because of extreme pain since he didn't even take any medicines or painkillers... thank you ma kali for keeping him fine", she whispered to herself, joining her both palms and sending a small thank you prayer...

His lips twitched hearing her words, she sounded like a wife and his heart skips a beat whenever she behaves like his wife... he opened his eyes to look at her innocent face and seeing her still praying, he couldn't help but tease her a bit...

"Your ma kali would be sleeping now, why are you disturbing her??", he said, usually he is not the one to tease in the name of God, he is an extreme believer of Lord Shiva and does Puja every day without a miss, but Isha is yet to know that as he does it in the temple connected to his chamber, and a secret passage is laid there only for him.

Isha jumped away hearing his voice... she placed her hand on her heart to calm down her racing heart...

"Maharaj...", she said with disbelief...

"You okay??", he asked concerned looking at her shivering form, she is afraid of what would he say looking at her in his room at this time... she nods at him...

"I am sorry, I woke you up, I just came to check if you are fine or not... or if you need anything... I am leaving", she said and turned to go but he called her...

"Wait... check properly if I had a fever... ", he said, he wants to feel her soft hands at least for some more time...

"Huh... you don't", she said and he looked at her sternly which made her walk to him, she hesitatingly put her palm on his forehead and he looked into her eyes feeling her shyness... he held her hand and took it to his cheeks and then his neck... by then she became red due to shyness and the BEAST is enjoying it a lot along with her touch... her breathing quickened when her hand touched his neck...

"Y.. You didn't have tem... temperature Maharaj... ", she said trying to pull her palm away but he held it in his rough palm and made it cup his left cheek...

"I feel so relaxed now... why are you awake at this time by the way??", Abhyansh asked trying to divert the topic, he still had her hand on his cheek and his palm on hers... he couldn't let it go... he loved her touch too much...

"Bhai and I are talking, so didn't sleep... ", she said looking down...

He lifted her head holding her chin and pulled her to make her sit on his bed beside him, her eyes widened when she found herself on his bed...

"Maharaj...", she panicked, she remembered how he told her she is his slave and shouldn't use bed...

"Sh... it's okay... ", he said gently rubbing her palm, his little act calmed her but his proximity gave her another kind of nervousness...

"Maharaj... ", she said before her phone rang interrupting their moment, he cursed the caller while she thanked the caller guessing it was her brother and she is right... "Can I??", she asked showing her phone and he nodded looking at the contact...

"Yes bhai... ", she said into the phone...

"Ishu, where are you?? Come fast with our coffees", Ranveer said

"Yes bhai, I am coming", Isha said ignoring his first question...

"Come fast, Vik called, when I told him about the attack on you, he got so worried, he wants to talk to you", Ranveer said casually but her eyes widened...

"Vik... Vikram??", she fumbled getting up from her bed, Abhyansh fumed, hearing a man's name from his wife's mouth... and above that, the pain and longing on her face, and how she moved away from his bed immediately after hearing that man's name didn't go well with the BEAST. He pulled her again making her sit on the bed, this time more nearer to him, bringing her back from her thoughts... "Bhai... I can't... tell him I am fine...", she said cutting her brother who is saying something, but she hardly listened... she hung up and closed her eyes to calm herself...

She instantly calmed down feeling her husband's thumb rubbing the back of her palm in soothing circles and her eyes opened wide realizing what was happening, she tried to get up but he didn't let her...

"Since you are too innocent to get my hints, let me spell it for you, I want a normal husband and wife relationship with you... think about it", he said softly, her eyes widened in shock...

He realized she needs time and left both her palms; she ran outside as soon as he did. He wondered what wrong he said... he still had to learn that he can't just go and say things like that to his wife. He is that way, tells whatever is in his mind, till now, he didn't have to think about what others feel and how would they respond or react as they all acted according to him but his wife is different especially when she is hell-bent on never becoming his wife.

Abhyansh sighed, and tried to sleep but couldn't, the feeling of her palm on his face and neck kept coming into his head disrupting his sleep, above all that, the way she said 'Vikram' didn't go well with him, he is possessive to an extent that he didn't even want to hear any man's name from her mouth except for his... But she calls him 'Maharaj'. How would he change that?? He decided to ask her to call him by his name after he gets his hands on Kailash Rajput... till then he can't let people know that they are progressing in their marriage, if someone hears her calling him by name, then that's the end of it as he never allowed anyone to call him by his name except for his mother... his grandmother used to call him rarely, but when his marriage was decided, he ordered her not to... as he wanted his wife to know that he is a beast even to his family.

Regarding Vikram, he knew he is his brother-in-law's best friend and Isha also knows him, but he couldn't neglect the pain and longing on her face when Ranveer mentioned him...

He tried to sleep but he couldn't, so decided to go to his wife's room... huh... his wife's room?? When would he call their room?? He thought sighing deeply and walked towards her room...

"Ishu... coffee is wonderful, I love it bacha", Ranveer said

"Thanks, bhai... you remember the first time I made coffee for you", Isha said with a smile remembering that memory...

"Yeah... you made it so black that for a second I doubted if it was coffee or decoction", he said and she pouted...

"But still, you drank it fully praising me... I got to know from Seema kaki (cook in Rajput palace) that it's not the way to make coffee, bhayyu why don't you tell me if something I make is bad??", Isha complained

"Ishu... you were hardly 12 at that time, I was happy that you thought of making something for me, I couldn't disappoint you bacha... and trust me when I say this, I could even eat poison if you make", Ranveer said, he always says that to her...

"Then make it for breakfast tomorrow, your brother deserves it anyway", Abhyansh said walking inside...

"Ranawat...", Ranveer said with a sour face while Isha stood up in his respect... Ranveer too stood up nonetheless... his constant bickering with Abhyansh is another thing but he can't disrespect the king...

He signed them to sit and Ranveer took his seat on the bed like before whereas Isha stood there to see if he needs any help since he was wounded but he is walking so perfectly as if he is completely alright. He is about to sit on the couch when Isha ran to him...

"Maharaj... sit on the bed, the couch is lower and your stitches would open up... so please", she whispered and he nodded, Ranveer frowned as to what is his sister and brother-in-law talking about so secretly...

Abhyansh made his way to the bed and sat where Isha is sitting previously... she put some cushions to support his back...

"What's cooking up between you two?? And Ishu, why are you treating him as if he is a king... well he is one, but that doesn't mean you give him special treatment, you never treated me with so much care", Ranveer said

"Bhai... stop it", Isha said with some fear as she is afraid her husband would get irritated and throw her brother out of the room...

"Come sit with me my bacha", Ranveer said with jealousy, till then his sister only loved and cared for him but now seeing her so caring towards his brother-in-law made him jealous, Abhyansh understood his feelings and decided to tease him... well, he isn't any less jealous seeing his wife so close to Ranveer while she hesitated to even respond to him...

" Isha ... sit here", Abhyansh said pointing towards the place in front of him and Isha without any discussion sat there, for the first time she didn't do it because he ordered it, but because he asked her to, hearing him call her name, made her do anything....she never loved her name more...

"Ishu... you traitor... will show you what I can do", Ranveer said freely, Isha giggled but didn't say anything as she is not comfortable talking in front of her husband like her brother.

"So, what made the greatest king, His highness, Abhyansh Singh Ranawat come here at this time", Ranveer said and Isha's eyes widened... how can her brother taunt him?? Did he have a death wish thought she, she could never get used to the type of conversations her husband and brother has... since everyone else fears to even say a word in front of him, her brother says all the nonsense to him and still gets away surprising her...

"Rajput, I wonder how you manage to get profits with that pea-sized brain... how many times I should tell you, my palace, my chamber, and my wife...", Abhyansh said, every time he called her his wife, she felt so good at heart...

"Fine... fine... don't insult me now, I have great brains, if you want someone to taunt regarding their brain size, you should look at her...", Ranveer said pointing towards his sister...

"Bhayyu... I hate you", Isha said cutely pouting, Abhyansh's lips twitched upwards in amusement. He closed his eyes to regain his self-control otherwise he would have kissed her by now...

"What?? It's true... no actually, the size of your brain would be determined if you have one, but you don't have that chance", Ranveer teased his sister more... Before Isha could respond, her husband came to her rescue...

"If your flourishing business is what that's making you think that you have great brains and tease my wife, then I won't take a minute to destroy it and prove you wrong Rajput...", Abhyansh said in his cold tone, Ranveer knew he wouldn't do anything like that, but Isha got afraid...

"Maharaj... please... ", she started but Ranveer cut her off...

"Bacha... he won't do that, relax, acha listen, please talk to Vik, he was calling for a long time", Ranveer said when his phone started ringing again...

"No... tell him I am fine... will talk later", Isha said trying to mask her pain, but Abhyansh understood it.

"Did you guys fight??", Ranveer asked and Isha shook her head. "Then what's the problem, talk to him once", Ranveer insisted, and Abhyansh lost it...

"She won't if she doesn't want to, don't force my wife, and who the hell is he to get worried for my wife, tell him that she is absolutely fine and till her husband is alive, nothing or no one could harm her, end of discussion", Abhyansh said sternly making both the brother-sister afraid. Ranveer understood his jealousy while Isha thought he is just pissed with the discussion, then why did he come here in the first place??

Then she remembered what he said before she ran away... he wanted to be her husband?? What is he implying?? When those words left his mouth, she just ran away till her brain blocked them, she didn't want to think about it, there are a hell lot of weird feelings and emotions in her heart, happiness is one among them, she didn't understand why she felt it... how can she forget what he did to her?? Maybe this is one way to hurt her since he couldn't hurt her physically?? Her brain thought, she knew he is not the kind of man to play dirty... but she is afraid of the consequences. No, she can't even think of it... did he want an answer from her now?? Is that why he is here at this time??

"What are you thinking??", Abhyansh asked cupping her face with his rough palms, and that's what brought her out of her reverie...

She tried to take his hands off thinking about her brother who is just beside them but on not finding him, she looked around...

"Your brother went out to take a call, he told you, but you are too busy in your thoughts", Abhyansh said still holding her cheeks...

"Oh...", she replied, not understanding what to say...

"You didn't answer me?? What were you thinking??", he asked

"When would you and bhai leave so that I can sleep", she muttered but he heard her, he chuckled, and she looked at him with wide eyes... did he just chuckle?? No... she is definitely hallucinating...

"No, you are not, I actually chuckled...", he said shocking, she didn't say that loud then how did he understand what was in her head?? She wondered... "Your face gave away your feelings, now don't think much, I'll leave you to sleep now", Abhyansh said and got up...

"Sorry", she said embarrassingly... he shook his head and walked away... he didn't understand why her words didn't make him angry and instead, he felt kissing her chubby cheeks as she looked so cute murmuring about her sleep...

If it was someone else who said it, he would have dug a grave for them by now...

Abhyansh met Ranveer outside her room, who just finished his call and is about to move inside but Abhyansh pulled him away...

"Your sister wants to sleep, so let her, don't wander in her room or near it till tomorrow morning...", He said dragging him away...

"Let me say good night to her", Ranveer whined

"I am sure she can manage to sleep peacefully without your good night, move Rajput", Abhyansh said dragging him out...

"Bye Ishu, good night", Ranveer shouted before Abhyansh dragged him out of their chamber and closed the doors of their suit before going up to his room, sleep is far away, so he laid down for a while before getting up, he decided to skip exercise as it would open his wounds, he freshened up and moved to the temple attached to his suit and started with his prayers...

Ranveer, after coming out of the king's chamber or should he say being thrown out of it, walked out of the palace and checked his surroundings, and seeing no one noticing him, he started his car to meet his father.

As soon as he entered the place, his men greeted him, he walked inside, and his inner self screamed in satisfaction as soon as his eyes took in the sight of his a**h*le of a father, tied to a chair, his face, arms, and legs bruised... Kailash's eyes lit up seeing his son.

"Ranveer... I want to eat some proper food, arrange for it fast", Kailash said still not leaving his arrogance...

"Father, you do know that I am holding you as a hostage, don't you?? This isn't your sasural(in-laws place) that you are demanding for delicacies", Ranveer said coldly, his sister would have surely flinched hearing his harsh and cold tone if she was there, she never knew her loving, caring and extremely soft brother could be this cold.

"Ranveer, I'm your father...", Kailash said angrily

"I remember that, I can't forget it even if I want to... along with the fact that you are my father, I also remember how you tortured my sister, trust me when I say this, I'll make you pay for every teardrop she shed because of you", Ranveer said spitting venom

"Ranveer, that bi**h is not your sister...", Kailash shouted but the very next second, his son's fist landed on his left cheek...

"Dare you call her that... I don't have time to talk to you... I'm here to offer a deal to you... you need proper food and I need proper information... tell me two secrets of the many you are hiding from me... related to my sister... after I verify the facts, you will receive the food of your choice", Ranveer said

"You think I would tell you??", Kailash asked glaring at his son, now cursing the moment he made him(Ranveer)

"You are a spoilt brat father, you are so used to the feast you are being offered for years, I will also see how long you will survive with the food I provide you", Ranveer said and turned to leave when his father started speaking...

"I hate the fact that you know me so well, fine, I'll tell you but only one revelation per meal", Kailash tried to bargain

"Two, no discussions on this", Ranveer said

"Fine, 1 and half, I'm not going down beyond this", his father said and Ranveer huffed but nodded...

"Your grandmother... Rajmata Sanghvi Devi, you know she got severely ill and got bedridden in her last days, even then she didn't stop protecting that bl**dy daughter of my ba***rd of a brother....", Kailash was speaking when Ranveer's fist landed on his cheek again...

"Don't you dare say a word against my babhosa(uncle/father's elder brother), he was a father to me in those few years of my life more than you were in your entire life", Ranveer warned sternly

"You...", Kailash Rajput is about to say something when Ranveer interrupted him...

"I don't have time, go ahead with the deal and you will get your food, after I validate the facts", Ranveer said emotionlessly...

"She was secretly in touch with that bi... I mean Isha's school teachers, she was trying hard to arrange for her to go to school, I didn't like it a bit, I didn't want her to learn to survive in the outer world, I want her to remain as clueless as possible, my mother was almost getting successful at getting Isha out of the palace, her loyal men almost reached the chief minister of the state when I killed them, I understood she would have a backup plan, so before she could execute it, I killed her... anyways, it's not like she is going to live for years if I didn't", Kailash said shamelessly as if it was a very casual thing to kill your own mother...

Ranveer punched his father badly getting furious, his sister would be broken to know that their grandmother whom they both loved so much gave up her life for her...

"You killed your own mother... you killed my dadi sa... You bl**dy b**t**d...", Ranveer said beating him into sh*t...

"Stop right now if you want to know another fact, actually half fact, which could help you a lot now...", Kailash said with a smirk and Ranveer stopped immediately though glaring at his father...

"Before revealing it, you can validate the first one with the doctor that checked my mother before she died, I gave her poison-mixed food, doctor who declared her dead got to know about it, but I threatened him, you can go and check with him and for the next truth, why do you think the Royal BEAST married your sister?? You really think I have the power to blackmail him into marrying Isha?? No, he has his own personal interests, he bl**dy hates your sister's father, and he married her to torture her for her whole life... and if you think that what he is doing to her is the maximum he can do, then you are very wrong", Kailash stopped saying, coughing badly due to all the punches he received from his son, he is thinking that Abhyansh still tortures Isha...

"What is it, continue father", Ranveer asked getting impatient and Kailash smirked...

"There is one thing which even Abhyansh Singh Ranawat is unaware of, when he gets to know it, he wouldn't torture Isha, he would directly kill her...", Kailash said evilly...

"What is it?? And why does Ranawat hate bhabosa??", Ranveer asked trying to keep his calm

"Better luck next time son, for today, that's all, now I kept my side of the deal, keep yours", Kailash said evilly, by looking at his face, Ranveer understood his father won't give in so easily... Ranveer cursed him and left from there telling him, he would receive his food in some time...

Ranveer asked his trusted men to find out about the doctor and after checking the facts, Ranveer ordered his men to give him the food his father asked for... he is a Rajput, he would never go back on his word except when it's for his sister. For him, his sister's wellbeing comes before anything.

After Kailash had his food, Ranveer's men left the room to outside, guarding the place, leaving a single guard with Kailash, who is his loyal man, but they didn't know that.

"Your highness, I would help you escape this place, I can't see you getting tortured like this, Ranveer didn't know that it was you who planned that attack on Isha, otherwise he would torture you more", Kailash Rajput's loyal man said...

"No, this is the safest place for me, I can't stay safe outside, if that BEAST gets his hands on me, he will definitely torture me 100 times more than this, so, I better stay here, also, I am enjoying this game with my son...", Kailash Rajput said

"But why did you suddenly plan on killing Isha?? All the properties that are in her name would go to the trust if she died, have you forgotten??", his loyal man said and Kailash gritted his teeth remembering how his mother deceived him...

"No, that's a game played by my mother... I would kill her again, this time torturing her to death, if she was alive, how dare she play me...", Kailash said gritting his teeth and fisting his palm...

"Hukum??", his man asked

"Isha didn't have all the Rajput assets in her name, most of them are in my son's name, my brother meant when he said my son would be his successor, he wrote in his will that all the assets under his name would be passed on to my son after him, except a few properties, which he passed on to his daughter, even on those assets that are in Isha's name, Ranveer has equal rights. I was fooled by my mother, and I recently got to know about it. That bi**h is of no use to me now, so I planned to kill her, but that BEAST has to step in between... I don't know why he is so fascinated with torturing her, why can't he just let her die...", Kailash said in frustration...

"Don't worry your highness, we can plan again...", his loyal man said

"No, don't, that would be foolish, don't forget whom we are dealing with... they call him a BEAST for a reason. His power is endless, that man can dictate 76 country governments sitting at Ajmer. It's better we stay calm, I'll tell you when to do what to do... anyways, my son wouldn't kill me until he knows the whole truth and I'm not going to disclose it to him anytime soon, the ball is in my court now", Kailash said cunningly, he purposely gave half-information, now his son would go to any lengths to know the truth and protect his sister, he knew, Ranveer is not capable of taking Isha away from the BEAST, so he would obviously try to know the truth that would make Ranawat hurt his sister and hide it from him, and using the very same truth, he could play his son... but despite knowing Abhyansh's power, he is still underestimating him unintentionally. Kailash Rajput thought he could outsmart the BEAST but he still has to realize the fact that if there is something that could destroy Abhyansh Singh Ranawat, then it's he himself.

Ranveer came back in the early morning, Abhyansh who just came out of his suit saw his brother-in-law walking towards his suit with tired and distressed eyes. He knew where is he coming from but didn't know the reason for his distress and he didn't bother to find out, because he honestly didn't care, that man is old enough to handle his own problems... shrugged Abhyansh. But only if he would have tried to find out...

When it was breakfast time, his wife again gave him separate food and now everyone looked at his plate with questioning eyes though none had the audacity to question him, but he is sure they wouldn't spare his wife who doesn't know how to lie or cover up.

"I'll eat this meal for a few more days, will tell you when to make normal food for me", Abhyansh told his wife in his usual cold tone, and by that, they assumed that it was he who ordered her to cook these special meals for him and even she didn't know the reason. Isha looked at her husband perplexed as to why he said that but she didn't ponder on those thoughts much.

Ranveer was involved in his own thoughts, he didn't care about anything, his father's words kept running in his head, what is that truth that would make his brother-in-law kill his sister?? He is sure now that it's Abhyansh's hatred towards Isha's father that made him treat her like that, or in the first place, accept Kailash Rajput's proposal of marrying her. But why did he turn good towards his sister suddenly?? What if he again starts treating her badly?? How would he save his sister?? Is it right to take his sister away, that too when she is this happy with her in-laws, though Isha never expressed, or even addressed those feelings herself, Ranveer knew his sister likes her husband.

"Bhai?? Where are you lost?? You haven't touched a single morsel", Isha said with concern keeping her hand on his shoulder...

"Ha... ha Ishu...", Ranveer said coming out of his thoughts, looking at her, waiting for her to say something as he didn't hear what she said.

"Bhai... eat...", Isha said pointing towards his plate...

"Yeah... I am", he said taking the morsel. His eyes welled up getting worried about his sister. She is the only one he has in the name of family, he never considered his father his family, but after knowing what his mother let him do to his sister, he disowned his mother as well, of course not legally but by all other means. So, it's only Isha and he loves her more than anything.

Isha noticed him gloomy though he hid his welled-up eyes...

"Bhai... are you okay?? I'm concerned, bhayyu... you are not smiling, you look very gloomy, what happened??", she asked, seeing her brother without a smile is very rare, he always carried a smile and cheerful look especially when he is with her, but looking at his gloomy eyes, she got worried, and her worry didn't go well with the BEAST.

'What's there to worry about this a**, he would be fine always, she never got worried about me like that, did she bother about my smile ever??', Abhyansh thought, he knew he is jealous of his brother-in-law and that seemed very childish to him irritating him more...

"I'm fine Ishu, I want you to come to Rajput palace and stay with me for a few days, I'm missing you bacha", Ranveer said, his eyes gave away the pain and Isha quickly understood her brother. She saw the longing in those eyes and she closed her eyes and nodded, irritating her husband and shocking every other person, because she said 'yes' without asking the king. She realized her blunder looking at their shocked faces, her husband strictly asked her to keep it between them about the fact that now she didn't need his permission to do things.

"Bhai, I'll have to ask Maharaj...", She said hesitantly...

"He is here, you can ask, wait I'll only ask, Mr. Ranawat like you heard my request, please send my sister with me for a few days", Ranveer said 'Please' as he badly wanted it to happen.

"No", Abhyansh said, and got up, before Ranveer could say anything, he left for his home office. Isha sighed and looked at her brother...

"Bhayyu, I'll ask him next week, anyways, I couldn't come this week", Isha said

"But why??", Ranveer asked desperately, Isha looked at her father-in-law and Rajmata Devyani Devi getting irritated with the talks as they are used to eating in a silent environment while her mother-in-law has a kind smile on her face seeing the siblings' love whereas Avyan without a care in the world, is relishing delicacies made by his sister-in-law.

"Bhai, have your food calmly, we'll talk about it later", She said

"You also, sit and have your breakfast, you don't have to wait till the whole family finishes their breakfast, you are the queen, behave like one", Devyani Devi said sternly and walked away followed by her father-in-law with the help of a servant who helped him into his wheelchair.

"Ma sa is right Isha, now you only have to respect Abhyansh, you are the queen", her mother-in-law said caressing her cheek. Isha is very new to all this, getting this much respect is very awkward for her though she was born into a royal family, she was never treated like one, she wanted to say the same, but she didn't. She calmly sat on the table and started having her breakfast while talking to her brother, Avyan and Amrutha.

She avoided why she couldn't go with Ranveer this week, and after she finished her breakfast, she got changed into her office clothes, and before leaving she went to check on her husband's wounds.

"Maharaj... how are you feeling??", she asked him, entering his home office. He is about to leave for the office, and Bhairav is behind him holding his laptop bag and a few files. She didn't notice Bhairav but when she did, she felt a bit shy as she asked her husband in a very casual tone as if they are a normal wife-husband and she has a right on him, she didn't know why she did that and she just realized her tone seeing Bhairav's wide eyes staring at her as if she is some alien.

"Bhairav, wait for me outside", Abhyansh ordered, and Bhairav quickly went out getting more surprised as there is no anger in his king's tone, he is reacting casually as if his wife just didn't talk to him too casually, and not formally.

"I'm sorry, forgive me, Maharaj, I don't know how I spoke...", she started but he cupped her right cheek and she suddenly stopped speaking, her heartbeat raised when he started caressing her soft cheek with his rough thumb.

"So, you want to go to your palace with your brother??", Abhyansh asked

"Not now, I'll go after a week", she said, and he stared at her angrily and she got afraid... he put his other free hand on her other cheek and rubbed it softly calming her fear.

"I mean... can I go??", she fumbled, she thought he was angry that she said she will go, without asking him, how many times, he might say that she doesn't have to ask his permission anymore, but she still couldn't believe it.

"I don't want you to go, doesn't mean you need to take my permission, you still can go, but just know that I don't want you to", he said taking his hands off her cheeks and moving back, she instantly missed his warmth but quickly shook that thought away... she decided to discuss that some other time as he is getting late, for now, she decided to ask him about the thing for which she is there in the first place.

"Maharaj?? How are you?? I mean the wounds??", she asked gently, and he is overwhelmed by her care, like every time.

"Hm... I'm fine...", he said and is about to move away but stopped at her words...

"I...I packed turmeric milk along with your lunch, please drink it, I have also put the painkillers in the bag, I asked the doctor, I am sorry for doing that without asking you... please have them if you feel any pain", she said hesitatingly, she knew she is crossing her limits but the thought of him in pain dominated her fear.

She expected a strong glare or even worse a scolding, but she got the unexpected. Abhyansh turned and walked back to her, he cupped her left cheek with his right palm and pulled her closer raising both of their heart rates, she closed her eyes tightly unable to handle the proximity. He stared at her face for a minute, before kissing her forehead gently, and quickly walked off from there.

His heart swelled with happiness hearing her caring words, and she actually behaved like his wife, and he loved the previous casual tone she used on him. He didn't understand why, but he wanted that kind of relationship with her, he wants her to do all the things in front of him, or with him, things that other people can't even imagine doing in front of him. He felt so much happiness inside his heart, he couldn't name that feeling, but he actually felt like hugging her tightly and kissing her soft petals for eternity. That's the reason he quickly left from there as he didn't want to scare her off. Self-control always came naturally to him, he could control himself with ease even in extreme fury, he reacts only if he wants to, he trained himself to be that strong mentally but when it came to her, he had to try harder, putting all the efforts in the world to stop himself from doing things to her. He couldn't name the feelings he had for her, but his subconscious always knew it was 'Love', extreme and undying love, for his wife and that moment, when he held her cheeks and kissed her forehead, he felt as if staying away from her even for a second felt as torture to him. A thought of what if he lost her and he had to live his whole life without her?? crossed his head and extreme fear gripped his heart, he felt as if all the air is knocked out of his lungs, he couldn't breathe properly and that moment he realized, if all this is called 'Love' , then yes, he loves her, he felt as if there are no words in the entire world that could describe his feelings towards her. His wife, his ISHA, his everything.

As soon as his lips touched her skin, she felt as if she was on fire, with goosebumps all over, and butterflies in her stomach. After a good 5 minutes, she opened her eyes calming herself, just to realize that her husband left.

"What happened now??", she muttered, touching the place where she still felt his lips.

She suddenly got overwhelmed as a set of different emotions hit her, surprise, shock, happiness, fear, and even anger but out of all those, she felt the strongest emotion be 'love'. When he kissed her forehead cupping her cheek with so much tenderness, she felt his love and care, and that raised the emotion that she thought to be impossible for her to feel for her husband. 'Love'.

She sat on the floor to handle herself and slowly tears started slipping from her eyes... his care and love were almost impossible for her to acquire, and when she felt them, she got so happy but then fear gripped her heart. Is she right in interpreting his actions to be 'love'?? She knew she is naive and sees everyone in a good light. Even though she is right, could she give him a chance as her husband after all he did to her?? She could even think of forgetting all his physical tortures, but she could never forget how he called her 'sl*t' and said that he would never touch her with so much disgust.

"Don't worry, I won't go for sl*ts like you, I won't touch you even if you beg me to, you disgust me"

Those are his exact words, and just like that her happiness turned into extreme pain, she closed her eyes and tears flew from her eyes as that day's events ran in her head like a film, how he played with her dignity by asking her to be his 'slave for life' in front of his brother and the things he did that day.

She decided to stay away from her husband as she can never become his wife. She has decided. Now that she named her feelings for him, she knew that not caring for him is an impossible thing, she wants to take care of his every need and eliminate his every pain, and she would do it, but she can't encourage her feelings, she can't let herself experience his soft side which came with an expiry date or without any reason. She reminded herself of her limits and decided to follow them. She didn't know her husband's reasons for treating her so badly, torturing her, or playing with her dignity neither did she know the reason for his sudden change of behaviour or his affection. Her head started spinning over all these thoughts, she shook her head, had some water, and left for her office.

Abhyansh experienced happiness after a really long time instead of nothingness. He didn't even remember how being happy felt, though his face looked the same stoic one, he could feel his inners busting with joy and he let them as he knew he is never going to lose this like the other things that made him feel this emotion in the past. Isha is there in his life to stay, he would never let her go, he decided, and he would show her that side of him that took birth only for her. The soft, loving, and extremely caring side which never existed before.

Both wife and husband took strong and stubborn decisions, one to never involve in this relationship while the other to never let go of it.

Ranveer dropped his sister in her office and went to his office.

Abhyansh for the first time, reached home before time, he is eager to meet his wife, and his face is void of any emotions like every time but only he can sense his inner feelings, Amrutha is shocked to see him early, she thought he is unwell, so she dared to ask him...

"Abhyansh... you are early today??", Amrutha asked trying to hide her fear, but she is hell afraid her son would snap at her.

"Yes, I'm, this is my place, what I do, when I come is none of your business...", he said in his usual cold tone and as usual, tears formed in her eyes but still she dared to ask him if he is fine...

"I... I... are you fine?? I mean your health...", Amrutha trailed though she knew he wouldn't answer her properly, he would either snap at her or leave from there angrily but to her surprise, he answered.

"I'm completely fine", he said and left from there, surprising himself and his mother. Normally, he wouldn't bother to respond when his mother shows her concern, he doesn't like it, sometimes he answers unwillingly or to avoid her bugging but that day, he answered because he wanted to, though he didn't want to accept, he felt a tiny bit bad when he noticed her tears. He quickly shook his head, warning himself that he can't feel any emotions for his mother. He cursed his wife in his head as it's all because of her. He thought he is only treating her with tenderness but unknown to him, his emotions are slightly opening towards the woman who once held the most important place in his life. His mother.

He went to his home office and started working but he couldn't concentrate on his work, now that he felt his wife's skin with his lips, he wanted to do that again and again, he couldn't stop himself anymore, he wanted to experience how she feels in his arms. He knew he would be the very same BEAST to everyone but to his wife, he would be a completely different version, though it's hard to control his inner BEAST, he would try for her, thought he, but he didn't know that fate is going to play it's cruel game with his life again, but Abhyansh Singh Ranawat is not the one who would give up without winning.

In the evening, Isha went to the cafe with her brother to have some coffee and some desserts. They both sat in a corner booth... she decided to send a message to her husband as he asked her to inform him if she gets late.

"I'll be late as I came to a cafe with bhai", she sent, she didn't expect a reply as she observed her husband didn't like to type texts, he only did it at the starting days of their marriage, where he used to text her punishments, as he didn't like to hear her voice or see her face much. But, after things changed, he calls her if he has something to tell her but never texts her.

Abhyansh fumed looking at her text, he felt as if killing Ranveer because of whom his wife is getting late and he had to wait for some more time and every second was passing like a year. First, he didn't want to reply as he hated texting, but if he could feel her presence through this, then he is not going to leave that chance.

"Okay, when are you going to return??", he replied, when she heard a text sound, she thought it to be from a mobile company and ignored it. Instead, she focussed on scolding her brother as to why he brought her here. But, she is also glad as she is way too occupied in her grief and pain and she needs a distraction. Due to the fatigue of overthinking, she took a nap in the afternoon at her workplace and the nightmare she saw shook her from within. It was a similar nightmare making her recollect her husband's torture.

"Bhai... why did you bring me here?? Waste of money, instead I would make your coffee and your favourite desserts at home", she said

"Today, I don't want you to make it, just want you to enjoy, also at your home, I won't get alone time with you, that Ranawat always pokes his nose in everything. So, I planned this, I'm missing my sister... also, I was thinking to bring you here for a long time, they serve the best coffee in the city and their muffins, oh god, they are so delicious...", Ranveer said and Isha smiled at her brother who is back to his own self and just looking at her brother's smile, she forgot all her worries... she loves him more than her life and she will continue to do so till her last breath.

"Bhai... I love you so much, you are my everything", Isha said and Ranveer smiled at her, kissing her forehead... she remembered her husband, who kissed her at a similar place, before her anxiety took over her, she shooed her thoughts away.

"I know bacha... your bhayyu loves you too, I am sorry I couldn't protect you from my parents, but now I'll protect you from everyone and everything", Ranveer said determined, he is ready to die fighting the BEAST if he ever troubles his sister, he didn't completely give up the idea of separating his sister and brother-in-law, he decided to give their relationship a chance as he could see how much his sister cares and likes Abhyansh. But soon his thoughts are gonna take a U-turn.

"Okay, enough of these talks, bhayyu, I'm hungry", Isha whined and Ranveer hit her head...

"Have some patience, knowing your kumbhkaran avtar, I already ordered before we even arrived here, so the orders will be here in any minute", Ranveer said, and as if on cue, their orders arrived. Both dug in while talking and teasing each other. Isha had so much fun, and her mood which is so off thinking about her uncertain life took a complete turn after time with her brother.

Abhyansh got so impatient and wanted to send another text but his elephant-sized ego didn't let him. He put his hate for texting aside and sent her a text, how dare she ignore it, thought he, at a corner of his head, he knew his wife wouldn't ignore his texts intentionally but he stopped thinking rationally when it came to his wife, his feelings and emotions started dominating his head, which he noticed but didn't want to do anything about it, for once, he wants to lose control and let his emotions flow. He can't profess his love or tell her how important she is to him because he is not ready for it but he could definitely behave nicely with her and show her his feelings in his actions at least.

After two hours, Isha casually looked at her phone, and the ground beneath her feet slipped seeing his text.

"Bhai... let's go... let's go", she said hurriedly getting up...

"Arre what happened bacha...", Ranveer said, having his 4th brownie for the day...

"Bhai... Maharaj texted, god, I'm so dead today...", she said and he quickly got up... he took his brownie with him and kept eating even while driving to which Isha gave him an earful for concentrating on the brownie more than the problem at hand.

"Ishu... relax, just tell him, you didn't check and explain the situation, trust me, he won't say a thing to you", Ranveer said and she was taken aback hearing her brother's words, why are everyone around her so confident that he won't hurt her?? Including her own heart.

She texted back so that he knows that she replied instantly when she noticed his text.

"I'm sorry Maharaj... I didn't see your text, as soon as I did, I'm replying, we’ll be reaching home in half-hour", she replied, this time she is confident that he won't reply to her as he must be furious but he again surprised her...

Abhyansh's fury disappeared the moment he saw her text, he is imagining her panicking, by looking at her text.

"It's okay, no need to hurry, ask Rajput to drive safely", he sent and a smile formed on her lips seeing his care for her but soon her smile turned into a frown remembering what she has decided.

"Told you, he won't say anything to you", Ranveer said looking at her smile which had not turned into a serious expression.

"Hm, drive slowly bhai...", Isha said and Ranveer obliged, they talked generally, Ranveer so carefully raised the topic of her nightmare, he wanted to know what she saw so scary that she cried so much the day before and spoke so harshly to Abhyansh, he noticed Abhyansh's pale face, he couldn't digest the fact that his wife got so afraid of him, though there were hardly any emotions on the BEAST's face, Ranveer understood him. His sister is not like that usually, so he wanted to know what affected her that badly...

Isha refused at first but when Ranveer insisted, she started saying, and soon tears made their way from her eyes, the nightmare still gave her chills. She forgot that her brother didn't know how Abhyansh tortured her in the start, he just know he did, but what all he did is still not known to Ranveer, Isha told him her whole nightmare and how she experienced the same pain in her nightmare which she experienced in real life when Abhyansh made her palms injured with glass pieces and how he made her cook and serve with her injured hands. Ranveer's blood boiled, his distress returned with double force and sheer determination took it's place, he decided not to let his sister stay with BEAST anymore. He decided to act on the plan he discarded before seeing the improving relationship between Isha and Abhyansh. If the BEAST could torture Isha like that after knowing the half-truth, he didn't know what he does when he gets to know about the whole truth, and even the thought made Ranveer shudder in fear.

The siblings reached home, Ranveer consoled his sister and with his usual poor jokes, he brought her back to her normal self. Isha went to her husband to apologize, though she decided on not giving a chance to this relationship, she can't ignore him, she still is his slave, he didn't free her from that yet. She wants to be responsible but not involved in the relationship too much.

"Maharaj... I...I'm sorry", She said and he nodded without looking at her as he is a bit mad still as he missed her and she made him wait for so long. "Should I bring something for you?? Coffee??", she asked, he didn't respond, she waited for 5 minutes on not getting any response, she decided to leave as now she didn't even need to ask his permission now.

When she turned to walk away, she heard the chair screeching sound, she turned and saw her husband walking towards her... she kept repeating in her head to stay away from her husband and not to look into his eyes or let her heart react to whatever he does...

"Are you fine??", He asked, though his voice is the same steely one, she can hear the emotions in it... He is concerned for her and that melted her walls...

"Yes Maharaj...", she said avoiding eye contact, she is extremely sad and in pain that she must stay away from her husband when all she wanted is to hug him tightly and never leave the warmth.

" Isha ??", he called her with love and care visible clearly in his tone, this was the first time she heard him talk like that, she heard his soft tone but never this one...

She couldn't control herself anymore, she hugged him tightly and sobbed hard... the emotional turmoil she is having from that morning and her nightmares have taken a toll on her...

Abhyansh froze for a second but her sobs brought him out, he hugged her back, pulling her to him, rubbing her back and hair softly... he didn't know what to do, he never had a crying woman in his arms, well, he never had a woman in his arms like this, and no one, let alone women had the audacity to even touch his shadow, leave about his body. So, he is perplexed about the situation and above all that, her tears are piercing right through his heart, he didn't like it a bit. He is getting extremely worried about what has gone wrong that she is sobbing like this, that too hugging him, usually his wife never ever touched him, except for when he was wounded and she did his first aid. So, he understood the reason might be very huge.

On the other hand, all Isha's thoughts of staying away from her husband flew away, she felt as if she got addicted to the warmth of her husband, just in these few minutes, it provided the comfort she was searching for years... she felt so safe and peaceful in his arms ironically though she knew that she is crying because of the dilemma he created in her.

"Stop crying, whatever it is, I'll solve it, you are my wife, and I won't let any problem your way, don't cry", he said softly pecking her hair...

And, that's when she realized what she is doing, she quickly broke the hug and moved back to walk away when her husband held her hand...

"Tell me, what's the problem??", he asked trying to keep his tone as soft as possible.

"Nothing, I am missing my brother, I want to spend a week with him, so I'll stay with him for next week", she said and walked away quickly before he could stop her...

" What the actual f**k ", Abhyansh said looking at the way his wife just walked away, ran away would be a better word... she didn't tell him the reason for her sudden breakdown, above that she hugged him, and he started feeling heaven having his wife in his arms but her tears created havoc in his heart and head, and before he enjoyed the mixed feelings, she broke the hug and went away telling she would be away from him for one whole week, the coming week.

Isha cursed herself badly when she realized what she did, she sobbed hard sitting under the shower and after an hour, she freshened up, determined not to break down anymore, she need to stay strong and do her work, without being emotionally involved with her husband, she didn't feel so much pain ever in her entire life, now that she is experiencing this turmoil, she thought she is better off when he is rude to her, not to the whole torturing her, but in between, there was a period where Abhyansh was neither cruel nor affectionate. It's tough to handle either of his sides, she thought.

She wanted to go to Rajput palace right away, but she can't leave him when his wounds are still fresh, she knew he wouldn't listen to anyone nor anyone has the courage to tell him about his health, they don't even know about it in the first place. So, she decided to go next week. She went down and cooked dinner, and during the whole dinner, Abhyansh was looking at his wife, but she never looked at him, she didn't look at him even when he didn't eat the food properly and this frustrated the BEAST. He also observed Ranveer was surprisingly very calm, usually, he talks about one or the other thing while having food. Even he didn't look at Abhyansh and this rose more doubts in the BEAST's head, for the first time, the situation isn't in his control, so this made him extremely furious, but he controlled it, he didn't want to force his wife to talk to him or notice him, or scare her with his anger, so he calmed down.

He quickly finished his dinner, and the whole week passed that way, Isha behaved the same with him all the time, she cared for him, and she did everything she used to do before, but she stayed emotionally unavailable for her husband, and unfortunately, the BEAST who is supposed to lack in these emotional abilities, clearly noticed her actions and got frustrated every time but controlled himself. He took off his anger on some other things, he did a lot of sword fights, boxing, and other duals but never injured himself as he didn't want to worry his wife more than she already is. To his dismay, even Ranveer behaved the same with him, he didn't understand what has happened to both of them. He wanted to ask, but his ego didn't let him, for his wife, he wanted her to approach him with trust, and rightfully while for Ranveer, it's just his ego that stopped him from asking.

One day, during breakfast, Abhyansh got furious with these actions now, he badly wants his wife back who would look at him with those beautiful hazel eyes filled with care and kindness in them, most importantly love for him in them. Not this one, who did everything as a responsibility.He suddenly got up kicking his chair and pushing some utensils on the floor breaking them...

" What the hell has happened to you Rajput siblings?? ", he screamed at the top of his lungs, and everyone stood up in shock, they don't have any idea what was happening, as Ranveer and Isha behaved completely normally with them. So, the family thought he might have seen something in his phone regarding these two but wait, he is not using his phone, then what happened to him so suddenly?? they all wondered.

"Now speak up, damn it", Abhyansh said pushing some more utensils harshly on the floor, Isha flinched in fear whereas Ranveer stood there acting like he was calm but from inside he is equally afraid, who wouldn't be afraid of the BEAST especially when he is in his BEASTly form.

Ranveer nudged Isha to speak as he knew his brother-in-law wouldn't harm his wife no matter what, both of them know each other's reasons to an extent, Ranveer told her that he can't behave the same after knowing how he tortured her, he at least needed some time, whereas she told him that their future is uncertain, so she didn't want to involve with him emotionally.

"Ma...Maharaj... I need to talk to you alone...", she said, finally deciding on telling him the most important thing he needs to know...

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