After seven years (Lakshman is 19 years old now... We are back at the same place from where we started the childhood track )

"Did anyone see the twins?"

Asked Kausalya with a smile while Sumitra rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"I don't know when they will be mature enough to avoid being late for the breakfast..."

The royal family of Ayodhya were sitting around the table and waiting for the arrival of the younger princes.

"Sumitra... Beware... You are speaking in front of our daughter-in-laws..." Said Kaikeyi. Then she winked at Urmila and Sruthakeerthi. "Urmila and Sruthakeerthi will be angry..."

Sruthakeerthi couldn't help but giggle.
"No Kaikeyi maa... I totally agree with Sumitra maa... I am also searching for a solution for the same problem..."

Dasharath smiled at Sruthakeerthi. Princesses of Mithila became close to heart with in a small period of time.
They became his own daughters, not daughter-in-laws.

Mandavi grinned mischievously.
"Sruthakeerthi agreed with Sumitra maa, but look at Urmila... She is sitting silent... What should we guess from your silence?"

Urmila glared Mandavi with wide eyes.
"Didi... You never leave any situations with out teasing me..." She murmured in fury.

Everyone laughed at her cute pouted face while Sita pleaded both her sisters to control themselves.

"These girls..." She whispered in dismay.

"What did they do?"
Asked Ram who was sitting near to Sita.

"Can't you see Raghunandhan? They are fighting in front of our parents!"

"So what?"

Sita glared Ram in disbelief.

"Fighting is also a way of expression of love, Maithili... They are adorable..."

Sita smiled. "Then I think, you don't love me...". She said with a naughty grin.

"What?" Asked Ram. Shock was visible on his face.

"We never had arguments... You never fight with me..."

Ram slowly touched on Sita's fingers leaving her heavily blushed.

"You are perfect Sita... Everything you decide is absolutely correct and we share the same mindset... Then how could I fight with you?"

Sita fixed her focus on the floor. Her cheeks were reder than rose flowers.

Bharath slowly patted on Ram's shoulder to recall him to the real world.

"Bhaiya..."

Ram smiled at Bharath in embrassment.

"Where were you both?"
Dasharath asked loudly. All turned their head towards the door to find Lakshman and Shatrughan standing there, smiling.

"We were at the garden..." Said Shatrughan but at the same time Lakshman also lied.
"We were at the river bank..."

Shatrughan rolled his eyes at his twin.
"What is this Lakshman bhaiya! You just spoiled everything "

Lakshman bit his tongue. Before entering the palace they both decided to lie so that they could escape from the scolding of their parents. But Lakshman forgot the fact that they planned to say they were at the garden and ended up saying river bank instead of garden.

"Very good... We all believed..." Laughed Bharath.

"Bhaiya... Please..." Pleaded Shatrughan.

"Tell me the truth... You went for an horse ride... Didn't you?" Kausalya asked narrowing her eyes.

Lakshman smiled nervously.

"Sorry maa..." Shatrughan confessed. Their mother unmasked the truth easly.

Sumitra didn't utter a word but her death glare was enough for her sons.

"How many times I told you both that don't go for an horse ride alone..." Dasharath shook his head being unpleasant.

"Forgive us, pithasree..."

"Well... Come, and eat now... It is already late..."

There were two chairs unoccupied. One beside Kaikeyi and one beside Sumitra. Lakshman ran and sat with Kaikeyi and gave a sweet fake smile for his twin.

Shatrughan gulped.
'Please God... Don't give a twin brother like Lakshman bhaiya to anyone else...'
He prayed in his mind.

"Laksh... Who was the winner of your horse riding competition?"

Kaikeyi whispered to Lakshman in a very low voice that others can't hear her.

Lakshman raised his head and replied with a victorious grin.

"As always... Lakshman... The best horse rider in entire Aaryavartha..."

His sound was a little loud that Sumitra heard that.

"You are impossible Lakshman... First you disobeyed us and now being proud on your act..."

Lakshman bowed his head while a chuckle escaped from Urmila's mouth.

"Urmi..." Ram called her sister with a mischievous face. "I told you na... Only thing which can make our brave Laksh afraid is Sumitra maa's death glare..."

Urmila nodded her head in agreement.
"Absolutely bhaiya..."

Lakshman pouted.

"This is too unfair bhaiya... You team up with Mila to tease your Laksh?"

Urmila hit her head with her palm while Ram rolled his eyes.

Lakshman glared at the change happened to Ram and Urmila. He was confused.
'What happened?'

Kaikeyi slowly patted on Lakshman's shoulder.

"My dear... What did you call her?"

At that time only Lakshman realized the reason.

According to the royal culture of Ayodhya, couples are not allowed to call their nick names in front of others, especially in front of Parents. Ladies always addressed their husbands with their another names.

Sita called Ram 'Raghunandhan' while Mandavi called Bharath 'Kaikeyinandhan'. To avoid confusion, Urmila selected 'Saumitra' for Lakshman (he told her that he prefers that name ) and Sruthakeerthi chose the name 'Sumitranandhan' for the youngest Prince.

"My dear... What did you call her?"

Both Lakshmila blushed while their family laughed at the pair.

"Mila is a cute name... Sounds like coming from heart..." Said Kausalya affectionately.

Dasharath thanked God for blessing him with his family. They loved each other that much.

'I think I should share the happy news with all right now ' he thought.

But before Dasharath could start a soldier entered.

"Glory to Maharaj Dasharath... I am here as a messenger from Kekaya..."

"From Kekaya?"

Dasharath looked Kaikeyi but she also was confused about that sudden message.

"Tell me... What is the message?"

.................................

"Yudhajith... Did you get any reply from the soldiers?"
Asked Ashwapathi. Tension was visible on his face.

"No father... Not yet "

"I won't allow him to do so... I won't allow him to break that promise..."

Yudhajith sighed in fury.
"I couldn't believe that King Dasharath could do this to my didi Kaikeyi... I was really shocked when I heard that news from Manthara..."

Ashwapathi stood up with a determined face.

"My daughter and my grandson Bharath are most precious to me... I won't allow anyone to take the crown away from them..."

I am Sorry...

My dear friends, Ridhima123_, ShraddhaKonde, enamot, and my didi n-i-t-h-y-a

I broke the promise about the update. Not once but twice... I am sorry...really sorry for that, my teacher gave two unexpected assignments🥺 and told to complete them before yesterday night.

I am really guilty for making you sad...

Please accept my apology...

Love you all💞

I will try my best to update next chapter as soon as possible...