Shay lowered the phone from his ear just as a sharp, chilly wind howled low across the fields. The monsoon pre-shower had finally decided to arrive late, throwing a veil of grey clouds across the sky.

His brother kept on racing on the paddock beyond the west wing, swooshing by the low white fence where Shay stood, frowning at his brother's upset mood.

It was no surprise Prithvi bhai was mad at something. Unlike ordinary people who channel back their rage at people who have hurt them, his brother was an exception. He vented his rage in racing. He had a passion for racing since childhood which later turned him into a honorary member of VST Jockey club.

Roar- his white gelding, raced wildly across the slick stretch, its hooves slicing through the mud. Shay's jaw tightened as he glanced up at the sky for the umpteenth time. It would rain anytime.

Just then, a black umbrella bloomed open his head. Sneha balanced a thermos in other hand, meeting his furrowed gaze.

She didn't say anything.

He grabbed the thermos absentmindedly, the heat seeping into his fingers while his worrying eyes remained drawn to the man tearing through the winds.

"He's been riding for an hour now," Sneha murmured after a tense moment, when he began to sip at the sweet, warm beverage.

He hummed.

Hot chocolate. 

He really needed that.

She gave a confused look when his eyes flicked to her pointedly. 

"Why didn't you go to your appointment today?" 

She stiffened. "I... didn't think it was important."

His brow arched sharply. "Not important?" He lowered the thermos. "You've been suffering leg cramps since weeks. Please don't make me book it myself, Ms. Take a few days off."

"It's fine, really. Nothing urgent."

"When you behave like that..." he smiled. "I feel like a corporate sadist treating you like my slave. I'm serious. You have only taken eleven days off in these eight years. Consider it. Also, go and meet Isha. I'm sure she's missing you."

Her lips pursed. "I will... consider it, Your Highness," she murmured before stepping back, head bowed.

He mentally sighed at the newfound distance between them. All because of his twin and Harsh...

"Inform me when His Highness is finished. You can keep the umbrella." He handed her the thermos, gaze moving to Yug who straightened immediately.

"Clear his schedule for today. Cancel all the appointments."

"But sir he has—"

"I said, cancel. You are the PA. Do whatever it takes. I don't care. Make sure no one or nothing disturbs him today. Send me a message when he reaches out to you willingly. Where's Prince Harsh?"

"Perhaps his room, your Highness. He was last seen there."

Shay nodded, and spun on his heel, ready to head inside.

[This work is only published on Scrollstack and Wattpad by DaisyDayNew.]

He strolled across the windy path to the palace, air flapping the lapels of his jacket. He paused at the threshold, looking over his shoulder at the darting distant figure. His brother wouldn't listen today. 

His shoulders slumped at that thought, lips pursing.

He turned and stepped into the lobby, walking past the arched window. He crossed the West Wing, and entered the warmer marble hallways of the South Wing.

After reaching he boy's room, he paused at his door for a brief moment, before he knocked once.

No reply.

Twisting the knob, he pushed the door inside. 

The room was dim, only the muffled noise of distant storm filling the silence. He quietly approached the sleeping figure on bed.

Harsh was sprawling under a blanket, one leg out, other tucked in. His arms hugged a jacket to his chest, balling it up like a pillow. A streak of drool pooled on it.

Was that... Prithvi bhai's jacket?

And he was... drooling on it?

Shay exhaled loudly in a faint mirth. His lips tugged up automatically at how adorable he looked. 

He took out his phone and snapped a picture, sending it to Jay.

Me: He's fine. Look, sleeping. 

The reply was instant.

Gorilla: Are you sure that's not foam from poisoning? And why is he drooling? That's not normal.

Shay rolled his eyes. Typical.

He nudged the sleeping Koala's shoulder. "Wake up, Koala."

Harsh groaned, and slapped away his hand. He groaned and curled up more.

Shay tried again, nudging him. "Harsh? Listen to me. Wake up."

The boy frowned, and rolled onto his side. "What..." 

His honey eyes squinted at Shay's looming figure. "Quieter twin...?" He croaked. 

Shay grimaced, pointing at himself. "That's my name?"

Harsh yawned and curled up on the other side.

His eyes widened. "Don't sleep now!" He hushed. "Hey, Koala! C'mon. Just a minute."

Harsh stirred with a groan, and sat up with a scowl. "What!"

He clutched his throat immediately. 

Shay leaned closer and without a warning, snapped another picture of Harsh.

Harsh squinted wearily. But he didn't say anything, his face dropping forward, dozing off. He jolted awake, then dozed off again.

"One for drooling on bhai's jacket," Shay smirked.
Another click.

Harsh groaned drowsily. "Why are taking pictures of me?" he mumbled in a quiet, hoarse voice, hand shooting to his voice box instantly. 

"Verification, Koala..." Shay replied dryly, already sending the new photo.

Gorilla: I still don't believe you.

Me: Then... don't?

Harsh flopped back on the bed with a faint huff, pulling the blanket over to his chin. Shay shook his head at the theatrics and leaned over him, tucking the blanket behind his ears. "Don't catch cold now..." he mumbled.

However, Harsh was lost to the sleep already.

He turned to leave, pausing the threshold of the door. He glanced one last time at the sleeping Koala.

Koala... he repeated in his head with a chuckle.

As soon as he realized what he had said, he toughened his feelings immediately. He wouldn't attach to the boy. They might be connected by blood, but they were still strangers by heart. Just as Prithvi bhai said days ago, "Don't fantasize."

He wouldn't. The boy wasn't a part of their family. Their lives.

He was just a deflection. 

A responsibility.

***

Dinner was unusually smooth for the first time.
The rain had finally broken through the clouds, lashing against the glass panes of the long windows hall in rhythmic streams.

Harsh looked away from the rain, picking at his food with a fork. His throat was still a little funny, nothing that warm food couldn't help. His eyes flicked up. Prithvi was stiffly eating his food, avoiding everyone's gaze.He wasn't smiling like he usually did, face looking paler, with a faint redness around his eyes and nose.

Maybe he should ask the older male what had tired his soul? However, he pushed the question to the back of his mind immediately. They were not a family. Could never be.

Harsh wasn't one of them. They were princes by their virtue. He wasn't. He didn't even want to be one. He just wanted to move farther from these people so he wouldn't keep second guessing why or when they were upset with him.

"Prince Harsh?" Prithvi looked up.

His fork froze midair. "Yeah?"

Prithvi finally set down his fork.
"You'll be starting college tomorrow."

For a second, Harsh thought he had misheard it, until he realized he didn't. "Tomorrow...?"

Prithvi nodded calmly. "You have rested enough. It's time."

"But—"

"No arguments," Agney cut in, not looking up from cutting the meat on the plate.

"Shay will be accompanying you," Prithvi added.

That froze Shay. "Pardon?"

Prithvi turned to him sharply. "Hm?"

"Why me?" 

"Because you're the quieter twin?" Harsh retorted, before shoving a mouthful of food. Honestly, he didn't mind him. Anyone was better than Jay or Yuvaan. 

Shay glared, irked. "Oh, please." He turned to Prithvi. "Why can't we wait for Jay? He can monitor him better. Besides," he turned to Agney. "Wasn't Harsh Jay's responsibility?"

Agney nodded. "Yes, but the situation demands otherwise. Princes wait for no one."

"What is the emergency even?" Harsh retorted. "The emergency?" He chuckled.

Nobody laughed at his joke. He shut up, rolling his eyes and stabbing a vegetable to pulp.

Prithvi's eyes swept back to Shay, becoming softer. "You will learn from it."

Shay stared at him, face blank. "Seriously?"

He looked up between them, his heart sinking slightly at Shay's reluctance. He didn't understand why the quieter twin didn't want to go with him, or why he looked so annoyed? He had never troubled him.

He masked the sudden sting in his chest with a smirk. "Don't worry, Your Highness. Wouldn't want to burden you with charity duties."

Agney glared at him pointedly. 

"What? I'm speaking the truth." He chuckled, self depreciating.

Agney's voice sliced through the room. "Seems your throat is working well enough," he said sternly. "Have you started to prepare for the Youth Seminar then?"

He groaned, looking down.

"Eat then." 

He huffed, rolling his eyes. He purposefully dropped the fork, and looked up smugly.

Agney ignored him, resuming eating. Harsh's gaze drifted to Prithvi's who was staring at Agney with a quiet, heartbroken look. The older prince looked away, catching Harsh's gaze. He ignored Harsh, resuming eating.

Was he... mad at Agney?

Harsh's eyes darted between the stiff older brothers, unable to believe they were fighting. They were so close. 

Right?

The unease sat heavy in his chest.

             An hour after dinner, he stopped before Prithvi's door, shifting on his leg. It was a bad idea. Very bad idea. Why should he reach out on his own? He should just turn and walk away. But his heart really wanted to know if Prithvi was alright. His hand grew a mind of its own and knocked.

The door swung open, Prithvi staring at him with his weary, tired gaze. "What?" He asked with no malice.

Harsh flinched, suddenly feeling awkward. Prithvi looked oddly dangerous and bitchy in the moment. He masked his nervousness, crossing his arms.

"You look awful," he commented. "And sick."

"Thanks," Prithvi deadpanned.

He squinted. "That wasn't a compliment." 

"Thanks again."

Harsh huffed, and began to walk away. He halted out of blue, and glanced over his shoulder. "Mind you, I still haven't forgiven you."

"As expected." Prithvi nodded.

Harsh frowned, turning straight. Stop me! He moved tentatively. Beg for forgiveness, c'mon. How will  I talk to you otherwise?

However, soon aggression fuelled his march when Prithvi didn't call out. 

Stubborn prick.

Prithvi watched him march away, the corner of his lips twitching up in a tired, amused smile before he sighed, and closed the door.

Teens...