Page 174 of A King's Oath

“No. Nobody is in danger. My father’s first cousin and his mother have had their eyes on the throne ever since a bill was introduced for women to inherit the throne. Papa got a court order to settle that but they have not given up. The public sentiment has been slightly bitter towards Maarani and the rumours that she made me renounce the throne. Now if that happens, the people of Nawanagar may not fully accept Sharan. Over time, and with these forces working, that might turn into more. We are avoiding that.”

“So this is temporary?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

Silence.

“Are you ok? You… your oath…?”

“Maarani released me from my oath.”

Avantika began to smile.

“But my promise stands.”

Her smile froze. “As in?”

“I had promised that her children would rule Nawanagar one day and that will happen. I will pass on the throne to Sharan when he is ready.”

“As you should. But he needs you to be his rock right now…”

“I cannot have any future with you now.”

“Excuse me?”

“There will be no contest to Sharan’s claim to the throne. I am sorry, Ava. I am backing off. I can’t marry you.”

“Like marry me now-now, right? This year you can’t marry me, right?”

“Ava…”

“It’s ok. We can postpone it for a few years… until you get things stabilised in Nawanagar. I am in…”

“I am not.”

Avantika stared at the parrot jumping from branch to branch outside her window. Its tail fanned, then closed. Fanned, then closed.

“Ava?”

“But… we decided, na?” Words tumbled out of her. “Huh? First we… we weren’t doing this. We were going to be friends. And then you said that you will do this, we will live far away, not come here, our children will not be royals, and… let’s do that. You can still travel up and down. I will never claim your time or stop you or hold you back. And I swear our children will never claim your throne or anything from that land. I assure you…”

“Ava.”

She snapped her mouth shut, realising how pathetic it sounded. How desperate.

“I swear, Samarth, I will bring up our children to never claim your Nawanagar! I swear!” She opened her mouth and still went on, even more desperate.

“I cannot leave Nawanagar. I cannot do this anymore. And this time, please move on. This is it from me. I am a weak, helpless man now, more helpless than I was then. It was my lapse in judgement that I thought this could even happen between us.”

“No! No way! Are you fucking crazy? I have everything planned out! My notice period is planned. I was going to tell Kresha about you!”

“Forget it and move on, Ava.”

“Shut the fuck up!”

“This is it. I am very sorry.”

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