"I think you should tell sister about it soon. If something happened, she should be prepared for it. If you suddenly announce it when there is not much time left, she might get angry on you that why didn't you tell her before." Ahil suggested.
Raksheet looked at him and nod "I know." He stood up and said "Let's prepare for war first and do the preparation to bring our spies back. Tell them to collect the information as soon as possible and come back with their family."
Ahil stood up as well and replied "As you say."
"Advika." Ira called as she entered in kitchen.
Advika turned around to look at Ira who was standing behind her with a slight smile.
"Your highness? What are you doing here? Do you want anything?"
"Actually....I want to use kitchen." Ira replied
"For what?" Advika asked confused.
"I want to cook something for Raksheet. Last time, I wasn't able to give him the sweets I made for him. So I thought to cook it today." She explained.
Advika understood what Ira want to say, she had heard Neisha and Abhiveera's conversation about war. Ira must be worried for her husband and who knows when she will be able to cook something for him.
She smiled at Ira and turned towards the maids working in the kitchen. "Drop the work and leave the kitch-"
"Let them be." Ira suddenly said, stopping Advika from asking the maids to leave the kitchen.
"I will cook at a side. Just give me the ingredients and fireplace. I will be quick. They have to prepare lunch. If I take the kitchen all for myself, it will take longer for lunch to be cooked."
"As you say your highness." Advika replied and escorted Ira towards fire place and gave her everything she wanted.
"I am going to clean the dining hall. If you want anything, ask anyone, they will help you." Advika said, pointing towards the maids working in kitchen.
"Alright." Ira replied and Advika left.
"I wish I was his majesty Raksheet's wife. I would have cooked food for him everyday. Look at her, showing as if she care for him by just cooking for him only one day. That too just a sweet." A maid whispered to the other one, feeling jealous of Ira's luck.
The other maid slightly pushed her by her elbow to stop her from saying anything in Ira's presence. "Shh, she might hear you."
"I can." Ira said while cooking sweets for her husband, making everyone look at her. Specially those two maid. Their eyes widened in fear and they looked at eachother.
Ira glanced at them sharply and continued her work "If I am not wrong, aren't you the one who said that you wanted to marry my husband when we came in kitchen last time?"
Everyone fell silent and looked at the maid who was shivering in fear after seeing Ira's sharp gaze and hearing her question.
"W-What? N-No your highness." The maid replied in low trembling voice.
Ira stopped and looked at her "Do you mean I am lying?"
The maid looked up at Ira in shock and joined her hands infront of her "N-No your highness. I didn't meant it. I-"
Ira continued her work and replied "Remember one thing. My husband is mine." She looked at the maid and said sharply "Don't you dare even think about him." She looked down at fire place and said "You don't know what he can do for me. My one word and you won't be able to see the palace again."
All other maids felt shiver running down their spines after seeing Ira's this side. She always looks kind and sweet with her sweet smile and caring nature for others. When she was taking care of her grandfather, everyone was wondering how someone can be so caring like Ira. But today, they are seeing Ira's other side.
"Just remember, stay away from my husband and don't ever dare to talk about him. I don't want to hear his name from that mouth of yours. Not even in your dream, you can think about my husband. Remember that."
The maid nod repeatedly, afraid that Ira might punish her or fire her.
"Good. Continue your work. Lunch shouldn't be late." Ira warned, not knowing that her husband is watching all the drama standing at the door.
"May I come in?" He asked as he knocked on the door.
Hearing his voice, Ira bited her lower lip, feeling embarrassed and knowing that he will tease her alot.
All the maids looked at the door and quickly joined their hands to greet Raksheet. "Greetings your highness."
Raksheet just nod and signalled them to continue their work. He still stood their, waiting for Ira's answer.
"May I come in princess?" He asked again and Ira nod, trying to control her smile.
He smiled brightly and walked inside. He went towards her and stood beside her.
"What are you doing here?" Ira asked, trying to look busy.
"Advika told me that you are here, cooking something for me. So I came." He replied and took some sugar in his hand to eat but his wife stopped him.
"I am cooking sweets. If you eat sugar now, you won't feel its sweetness." She said and made him put the sugar back.
He looked at her with narrow eyes and asked in low voice "Sweetness, huh?"
She pushed him away and went to place the sugar bowl away from her husband.
"Don't you have work?" She asked.
"Yes I do." He replied.
"Then why are you here?"
"If I had gone to work, how would I have been able to watch this drama?"
The two maids looked at eachother in embarrassment. Ira gazed at them sharply and he whispered.
"I didn't know that my wife is so strict. And can be jealous of such a small thing." He touched her hair and tucked it behind her ear.
He then spoke loudly so that everyone can hear him and stay in their limits "Do you think anyone can seduce me? I can reject the whole world for you. Don't care about things like this. Doesn't matter if the whole world wants me. I only want you. I am even ready to offend our enemy by rejecting his daughter for you. Do you think I care about anyone else?"
Ira shook her head, looking down at her hands. All the maids were wondering how much Raksheet love Ira that he is expressing it openly and ready to instruct the maids to stay in their limits. He is entering in kitchen for her, just to see her. He don't like to stay around women but he is entering in kitchen often which is filled with women, just for Ira.
He caressed her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "I am going to meet father. See you at lunch time."
She nod silently and he left. Ira felt her cheeks turning warm and a uncontrollable smile appeared on her face.
"Continue your work." She suddenly said, making everyone flinch on their place.
"The letter must be delivered by now." Ashwant said.
Raksheet breathed deeply and sat straight "We are preparing for war. I told Ahil to collect all the information about Bayar's preparation for war."
Ashwant nod and asked "How many soldiers are you planning to take into the war?"