The moon hung low over the palace residence of Rudradeva, casting long shadows across its ancient walls. In the stillness of the night, a small figure crept toward the back door. It was Ansh. His steps were steady, his breathing calm, though inside, his heart thudded like a drum.
He slipped through the doorway, making his way toward the kitchen. Just as he neared the corridor, a palace guard approached. Ansh ducked quickly, hiding behind a large pillow stacked against the wall. The guard walked past, none the wiser.
Relieved, Ansh tiptoed forward again. But as he reached the kitchen window, another guard suddenly turned the corner. Startled, Ansh leapt through the window in haste. His foot struck a clay pot on the ledge, sending it crashing to the ground.
"Who's there?" the guard barked, rushing closer.
Panic flared in Ansh. He hunched his shoulders and mewed softly, "Miao, miao…" pretending to be a stray cat.
Before the guard could investigate further, a calm yet commanding voice echoed through the hall.
"Wait."
The guard froze and turned. From the shadows stepped Lady Meera.
"It must be some poor cat hiding from a predator," she said smoothly, her eyes twinkling. The guard looked doubtful, but Meera dismissed him with a wave. "Return to your duties. All is well."
"Yes, my lady," the guard said, bowing before leaving.
The moment the man vanished, a hand seized Ansh by the ear.
"Ouch! Aunty Meena!" he yelped. "Please don't pull so hard!"
Her brows arched as she looked at him. "Little Ansh, what are you doing here at this hour? Tomorrow your special lectures begin, and yet here you are, sneaking into the palace."
Ansh widened his eyes innocently. "But Aunty… Principal Veerendra told me you were missing me. That's why I came."
Meera's stern expression softened, though she knew well this was part of his act. Still, she released his ear.
"Alright, alright. Stop your dramatics. Tell me, have you eaten?"
"No, Aunty Meera," Ansh admitted honestly. "I didn't have my dinner. I came straight here to meet you."
Her lips curved into a smile. "Then come along. You'll dine with us."
---
The great dining hall glowed with golden lamplight as Ansh followed Meera inside. At the table already sat Vijay and Ashwini.
Meera, the daughter-in-law of the current Rudradeva, sat with quiet grace. Her two children were there as well—Vijay, who studied alongside Ansh at the academy, and Veerendra, now Principal of the Bharadwaj Academy.
Dinner passed with warmth and chatter, though Ansh felt Vijay's mischievous eyes on him.
When the meal ended and the elders departed, only the three youngsters remained.
Vijay leaned back in his chair, smirking. "So, Ansh, shouldn't you be preparing for tomorrow's extra lectures?"
Ansh scowled. "Hmph. Just you wait—I'll have my revenge."
Vijay grinned. "Revenge? What will you do, complain to my mother?"
Ashwini groaned, slamming her palm against the table. "Enough! You two never stop bickering. And Ansh, you should be grateful. Vijay carried you on his back during the task while we finished the assignment. Instead of sulking, you should thank him."
Ansh flushed red. "…Hmm."
Vijay chuckled. "Leave it, Ashwini. Let him pout. Tomorrow, he'll be busy enough with those dreaded extra lectures."
Hearing this, Ansh grew irritated. His eyes flicked toward the window, where several carriages were just leaving the palace gates. Suddenly, he bolted from the hall, his feet pounding against the marble floor.
"Ansh, stop!" Ashwini shouted, rushing after him.
"Stop, you fool!" Vijay called, leaping to his feet.
The two chased after him, only to find Ansh clambering onto the back of a palace carriage. With a wild grin, he clung to the wooden frame as the horses surged forward.
Startled, Vijay and Ashwini scrambled onto another carriage in pursuit.
The night erupted with the thunder of hooves as the carriages sped into the darkness—Ansh leading the chase, his laughter echoing into the starlit sky.