"How is his majesty?" Ankush asked.
"He is fine. I served him food. No one touched his food and it's clean." Agastya replied and looked around "Did you saw Veer today? He didn't showed up since morning."
Ankush shook his head "No, I didn't. May be he is in his chamber."
"I think he got a hard scolding from his father." Agastya said and laughed.
Ankush chuckled and said "I think so too. But....what if he tried to do something at night? I don't have good feeling about it. I am feeling like, something big is going to happen."
Agastya stepped towards him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder "You are overthinking. I have instructed Ajit strictly not to leave his place at night. He will do his best to protect his majesty and I have asked a servant to stay with him. They will guard outside his majesty's chamber at night. If Veer tried to make them leave from there, at least one of them will be there in absence of other one. So, stop overthinking and pack your bag. We should leave now."
Ankush nod understandingly and started packing his bag.
When he was done, he said "I am done. Let's go."
Agastya grabbed his bag and started walking towards the gate.
"By the way, what about your friend that came for job last time?" Ankush asked.
"Who? Niraj? Yes, He got the job. He is getting trained now." Agastya replied, stepping out of the palace gate "He will join us next week."
He sensed someone watching them. As he looked around, he saw a dark figure standing at a distance, looking straight at them. When he tried to look closer, he recognised him.
Vikram waved at them, leaning over a tree trunk but immediately walked away from there.
Agastya sighed in relief that it was Vikram.
"What happened?" Ankush asked.
He looked at Ankush and replied "I saw Vikram."
"Where?" Ankush asked curiously, glancing around "I didn't met him for days. Where is he?" He tried to search.
"He left." Agastya replied "Come let's go."
Ankush clicked his tongue in disappointment but started walking with Agastya.
"Why your friend can't join us now? I got the job and started working right away then why can't he work now." He continued the conversation.
Agastya chuckled "You got to work immediately because of your background. But according to the normal procedure of hiring a servant in palace, we need to train them for a week. We have to tell them all the rules of palace and how to work. Like, don't enter in anyone's chamber without their permission or when they are not in their chamber. Don't disrespect anyone or argue with them. Your posture should be straight, your lips should be curved in a slight and polite smile all the time. You have to obey everyone doesn't matter how disrespectful they are."
"That's too much." Ankush commented.
"Yes, it is. Last year, the responsibility was on me to train servants and it was too tiring."
"Why?" He looked at Agastya's tired face.
"Some of them were too rude and stubborn. They didn't wanted to listen to me. They were clumsy. And because of that, I had to dismiss them. I felt bad because some of them really needed the job but...." He sighed, feeling guilty.
Ankush looked away and replied "You don't have to feel bad. You were doing your job. It's their mistake. If they can't even listen to their trainer, how will they listen to their master? the royal family members."
Agastya smiled slightly and nod "May be....you are right. It's my job to train them and if they fail in it, I have to fire them. I can't do anything about it. It is the procedure."
"Well, do you trust your friend? That Niraj?"
Agastya looked at him and nod "Yes I do. Why?"
"Someday, can you tell him about our mission?" He whispered.
Agastya thought for a while and then answered "If I feel like I need his help and have to tell him, I will. Don't worry, everyone know Veer's nature. No one like him in this entire kingdom."
"Fine." Ankush replied.
When they almost reached Agastya's house, Agastya said "You go home. I will be back soon."
"Where are you going?" Ankush asked.
"To meet sir Cabail. I should inform him what happened today in palace."
"You can go tomorrow as always."
"No, it's important. I should go now." Agastya insisted.
"Then I am coming too. Let's go together." Ankush said, not wanting to leave Agastya alone at such a late night.
"No, no need. You must be tired. Go home and sleep. I will be back soon."
"But, I can't let you go alone." He looked around "The road is completely empty. No one is here. The secret route to sir Cabail's house is very wild and dark. You shouldn't go there alone at late night."
"I am fine. I have went to his house many times before, late at night, through this same route. You don't have to worry about me." He patted Ankush's shoulder and said "It's already late. Mukta is alone at house. Go and stay with her. I will be back soon." He slightly pushed Ankush to leave from there and waved at him, leaving for Cabail's house.
Ankush waved back and went away for a while. But as soon as Agastya started walking towards Cabail's house, Ankush came back and started following him.
After some time, when they were near Cabail's house, Agastya sighed and turned around.
"We are here. Come out now." He said in a little loud voice so that Ankush can hear him.
Ankush was shocked. He didn't realised that Agastya is calling him. He looked around and Agastya again said.
"Ankush, come out." He ordered.
Ankush hesitantly came infront, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. He smiled awkwardly and tried to explain.
"I-I didn't want to follow you but.....but I didn't wanted to leave you....alone." He pointed towards the road and said in low voice "The road is empty. There can be wild animals in forest, behind trees. I didn't wanted to leave you alone." He looked down, playing with his fingers nervously.
Agastya sighed and turned around. "You are still a kid. A stubborn kid." He commented and started walking towards Cabail's house.
Ankush quickly ran behind him like a actual kid and stood behind him when he knocked on the door.
Soon Cabail opened the door. "Agastya? What are you doing here at such a late night?" He asked and gestured them to come inside "Ankush, you too?"
They stepped inside and Ankush smiled awkwardly.
"He followed me." Agastya said lazily.
"I didn't meant to. I was just worried for you." Ankush defended himself.
Agastya sat down on the mat on the ground and said "He thinks I am younger and weaker than him. I can't protect myself."
Ankush immediately sat down beside him and said "I didn't said that. Of course you are stronger than me and you are older than me. It's just, I was worried for you. I didn't wanted to make you angry."
"Then why didn't you obeyed me? Why didn't you go home?" Agastya asked displeased.
"I am sorry." Ankush replied and looked down.
Cabail closed the door and brought some water for them. He gave the glasses of water to them and sat down infront of them.
"Don't scold him. He was worried for you." Cabail said and patted Ankush's back. "It's fine, you didn't meant to anger him. He forgave you."