Ahil lowered his head to look at Ira's face. A wide smile appeared on his face as soon he saw her blushing "Ah, someone is blushing?" He asked teasingly.
She quickly looked up at him and held her smile back. She fixed her posture as well as her expressions. "W-Who is blushing?"
"You." Ahil pointed his finger towards Ira.
"No, i am not." She replied. "Let's start practicing. Raksheet told me not to waste my time on chit-chatting with you and focus on practising." She tried to change the topic and somehow it worked.
"Ah, i know. He told me that before." Ahil groaned "He is so annoying!"
"You are complaining about my husband infront of me?" Ira asked while crossing her arms on her chest and wearing a serious look. She wanted to scare Ahil and later tease him but her plan didn't worked.
Ahil narrowed his eyes and pushed Ira's head back with his index finger. "I am talking about my brother, not your husband."
She rubbed her forehead while pouting in disappointment.
Ahil stood straight and laughed to see Ira's reaction. "Sister, you shouldn't mess with someone older than you. You have so much to learn yet."
Ira placed her hand down. She was embarrassed and wanted to start practicing as soon as possible so that she can escape from this embarrassment. "Ok ok, now let's start our practice." She grabbed her sword and went to practice, leaving Ahil behind laughing silently on her.
Days has passed, Ira and Raksheet both are busy with their practice and work. Both were working hard and giving their best. Ira was making efforts for Raksheet and Raksheet was making efforts for his kingdom and people of his kingdom so that they will accept him as their king more easily and will be happy with him. People of Jwalana already like him but he want to give them more reasons to like and accept him as a king of Jwalana and same goes with Ira, she know her husband love her so much but she want to give him one more reason to love her more. She don't want to be a burden on Raksheet, especially on Coronation day. She don't want her husband to worry about her instead of worring about his coronation.
They didn't get to spend much time together, yet they were trying to give each other as much attention as they can. At first, Ira used to feel tired because of practicing more than she used to, so she used to fall asleep as soon as she enters in her chamber. Raksheet was also busy with his work, so he sometimes had to stay awake till late at night or sleep in his office while working.
When they realized that they were not spending time with each other and barely had a chance to meet, the fear of resenting each other forced them to spend time together.
They seeked time at night after having dinner. Talking to each other while hugging and cuddling in bed, telling each other how their day went, had become their routine. Raksheet sometimes tries to steal kisses from Ira and he succeed in it. Ira sometimes pretends to be angry and sometimes let him enjoy his theft, because she know her husband wants more than just a kiss but he is not asking for it. He didn't wanted to distract her from her training. She should store her energy for her training which is more important than anything else, according to Raksheet.
Ahil was trying hard to be a good teacher and teach Ira every possible skill and techniques that can protect her and help her beat her opponent. But sometimes he gets distracted because of their relationship. He can't go hard on her. After all, she is his sister-in-law, he can't scold her or punish her for her mistake how he do with other soldiers and knights.
The one more thing he was hesitating to be strict with Ira, is her husband. Ahil was afraid that his brother will rip his skin off if he dare to scold or punish his beloved wife. But he was relieved as well because Ira is not one of those spoiled princess who complaints to her husband over small things. he know Ira will never complaint to Raksheet because she know her husband is always so hard on Ahil and she don't want to give him one more reason to scold Ahil without any mistake.
Anyways, Ira was doing well. As she was learning fencing since a long time, she know basics and some good techniques her grandfather taught her. Ahil didn't had hard time to teach her, the only thing that was disturbing him was their relationship but soon he overcomes it when Ira told him to treat her like his actual student. She even asked him to scold her if she do any mistake but fortunately, Ahil didn't got any chance to do it.
Their parents were supporting them too. Ashwant and Abhiveera were helping Raksheet and introducing him to the responsibilities he will have to perform in future. But Raksheet is already performing some of them which proves that he will be a great king.
Avanya and Neisha were also trying to help Ira as much as they can. They don't know anything about fencing because they never learned it but they at least know that Ira need more nutrition and energy to perform it. They were making sure that Ira was getting more protein and nutritious food and proper rest after her practice. They sometimes used to visit Ira to see her practicing.
Day by day, Ira's skills are getting better. She was sure that even if she can't defeat Raksheet, she can at least give her husband hard time and won't disappoint him. She will deliberately try to look weak. She was thankful to Ahil for spending such a long time on her, training her, polishing her skills.
"I think your training is about to finish." Ahil said to Ira who was placing her sword on its place. "Now we just have to wait till brother takes your test."
Ira's heart skipped a beat. The smile on her face suddenly dropped. She bited her lower lip in nervousness while twisting her fingers. Since the day Raksheet told her about test, the word 'test' is scaring her and haunting like a nightmare. She know that she is ready for it but still she is afraid to fight with Raksheet. The look on his face when he told Ira about test was appearing infront of her eyes, making her heart beat faster. His dark eyes, his frightening expression and cold voice gave chills down her spine again.
Ahil, who was standing there, watching Ira's expression turn from happy to nervous, finally spoke "You don't have to be nervous. You are ready for the test. I am sure you will pass it."
Ira turned her eyes to Ahil. She smiled faintly "Thanks brother. I hope, i will pass the test. I don't want to disappoint him."
Ahil went towards Ira and held her shoulder "He will never be disappointed on you. You are thinking too much. Doesn't matter if you pass the test or not, He will still be happy to see you improve your skills. So, don't worry and prepare for test with freemind."
Ira closed her eyes and breathed heavily, trying to be calm. She opened her eyes and smiled at Ahil "Ok, i will. Thank you so much for teaching me and helping me."
Ahil puts his hand down "No need to thank me, just pass the test and that's enough for me. I want to see my hard work pay off. "
"It will. I will pass the test."
"How was your day? Don't tell me you again over worked." Ira asked, lying on bed with her husband. Her head resting on his chest and he caressing her left hand and kissing it sometimes while his left arm wrapped around Ira's shoulder, cuddling.
He chuckled "What if i say yes, i over worked?"
Ira freed her hand from Raksheet's grip and slapped his chest slightly, making him burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" She pouted angrily. She looked up at her husband's face "Why you don't listen to me? Can't you think about your health before you wear out yourself all day?"
"I am not a weak man who get exhausted after working for short time." Raksheet said proudly and held Ira's hand again.
"Is the whole day a short time for you? Huh?"
He kissed her hand and hugged her tightly "Hugging you makes all my fatigue go away. As long as I can cuddle with you at night, i don't mind working hard at day time."
"But i don't want you to get sick because of over working. Please take care of yourself." She said in a low voice and hugged her husband tightly, burying her face in his chest.
Raksheet looked at her small body hugging him tightly. He smiled softly and rubbed her arm gently.
"Don't worry, i will not get sick." He assured in a sweet tone that made Ira look up at him. "But if you still want me to take care of myself, then i will."
Ira smiled slightly and again rested her head on his chest. "I know you are a strong person who won't get sick easily, but still, i don't like it when i see you over working and ignoring your health. I have a strong and powerful image of you in my eyes..." She looked at Raksheet, her brows slightly curled ".....I don't want to see that image go down."
She cupped his face with one hand "I am not saying that you always have to act strong and powerful to keep that image. Just don't force yourself that can affect that image. You can tell me if you are feeling tired or sick, i will always be there for you, to cheer you up and help you. So please, take care of yourself."
Raksheet held her hand that was cupping his cheek. He kissed her palm. "I know what you are trying to say. Thank you for worrying about me so much. I am glad I have you beside me."
He caressed and gently patted Ira's head "We should sleep now. You have to get up early tomorrow, don't you?"
She looked at him confused, not having any idea why he is asking her to get up early in the morning. "Why?"
Raksheet widened his eyes and gave Ira a judging look "Don't you want to give the test tomorrow? Ahil told me that your training is finished, so we have to take your test."
Ira's heart stopped beating for a second. Sweat started to form on her forehead as she remembered about her test. Tomorrow, in morning, her husband will take her test and decide whether her training is over or not.
"T-Test? Ah...y-yes yes, i remember." She tried to smile but fear was seen on her face "But tomorrow? I didn't knew about it."