Page 124 of A King's Oath

She nodded, her lips tipped in that perfect curve of acknowledgement and mild enthusiasm, one that was ingrained into them for public life ever since they were born.

“Kumari. Are you here for work as well?”

“Yes,” Avantika lied, taking Samarth’s cue.

“You are Jaidev Rao Scindia’s daughter?”

“Niece. I am Kunwar Ajay Rao Scindia’s daughter.”

“Right… it’s been a while since I stepped foot in India. But it was nice meeting you. Both of you. My flight is announced or I would have loved to chat,” she held up her elegant hand that was locked around a phone, passport and a boarding pass.

Samarth stepped out of her path. She turned and walked towards her boarding gate. Her gait was so royal. Royal and modelesque. Like she could own the runway and also own the man owning the runway.

“Who is she?” Avantika whispered to Samarth as soon as she was out of earshot.

“My mother.”

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“Hey,” she called out to him once the plane had settled and the flight was idling on the runway.

“Hmm?” His head emerged from his phone that he was still using, sending out texts.

“Your mother?”

Samarth smiled, toggling his phone to airplane mode and tossing it in the holder between them. This time they had made sure to snag their seats together and taken the privacy screen off. His shoulder did not touch hers but it would, if she so much as leaned another inch.

“Yes.”

“Samarth…” her anger took off at his heedless response. “How can she behave like this with you?! How dare she walk away without even a proper bye? She didn’t even look at you long enough! What kind of a whacko…”

His eyebrow cocked up — “Language, Kumari.”

“Shut your mouth. Why did you even introduce us? Such a woman shouldn’t even be graced with your eyes. You should have just walked off. Seriously, Samarth, why would you talk nicely to her? Fold your hands in front of such a woman?”

“Sheismy mother. I have to fold my hands.”

“She didn’t even touch you…”

“It’s alright, Ava.”

“No it is not!”

He chuckled, grabbing her hand. That’s when she realised she had it up and wildly gesturing. His touch, shockingly, calmed her whole body. She breathed. His chin nodded with each breath of hers, as if willing her down from Ragetown.

“Want water?”

“No.”

“Ok.”

“Where does she live?”

“Denmark, if I am not mistaken. Last we heard she was there. She has lived all over Europe.”

“What does she do? Is she married?”

“I don’t know.”

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