Page 78 of A King's Oath

“You did something that you thought was necessary. I don’t like it, but what to do? I can’t force you or anything, right?”

“Right.”

A long sigh.

“I applied for transferring to another division,” he informed her.

“I know.”

“How?”

“Kirti didi.”

“Harsh?” Samarth laughed.

“Yep.”

He checked his watch. It was two minutes to 1. Rawal must have finished court. He turned and began to stride towards the palace.

“What are you doing for your birthday?” She asked.

“I don’t know. Any ideas?”

“Whatever I say, you will still be riding horses.”

“That was exactly what was on my mind! After all the palace rituals are done, I’ll take Chickoo and ride to Van Vihar.”

“But that you can do any other day also, no?”

“Tomorrow is also any other day, Ava.”

He wasn’t like her. He did not celebrate birthday months. The palace and his father and everybody else did. It was a ritual owed to the prince. To do poojan, to distribute sweets and clothes in the towns, to host a feast in the palace grounds. Samarth sat through it all with smiles and then just lived his day like any other.

“Will all your birthdays be like that all your life? I mean… will you never be excited for it, ever?”

“No,” he laughed.

“I don’t believe it. Some day you will be a little psyched about it.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Then I’ll have to call you every year and keep checking.”

His heart thudded again.

“Check,” he challenged, reaching the Rawal’s office.

“Fine,” she accepted.

“I have to go now.”

“Sure. Bye.”

“Bye.”

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“Rawal?” Samarth knocked.

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