The medical camp bustled with life, yet Adhitya barely registered the crowd. His attention was locked onto one person—the woman who moved seamlessly between the patients, her voice shifting from firm to gentle, her hands working tirelessly to heal.

  Dr. Sanjana.

  She was unlike any woman he had ever encountered. There was no pretense in her actions, no exaggerated kindness for show. Every word she spoke had weight; every command she gave was met with swift obedience. Even Soori, the reckless boy with a sharp tongue, seemed drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

  And that was precisely what unsettled Adhitya.

  For the first time in his life, he found himself… jealous. A foreign emotion, one that he neither welcomed nor knew how to handle. The sight of her eyes, warm with admiration as she looked at Soori, twisted something deep within him. He was not one to compete for anyone’s attention—never had he needed to. Yet now, an unfamiliar urge surged through him.

  She was going to be the first and last.

  That realization struck him with force. He had never considered courting anyone before, never felt the need. But for her, he would fight—even if he did not yet know how.

  And then, fate presented an opportunity.

  The moment the messenger arrived, announcing the emergency, Adhitya saw his chance. Without hesitation, he stepped forward. His voice, steady and authoritative, cut through the chaos.

  “I can help.”

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  The words were not merely an offer but a decision—a declaration. He had already planned everything before they even turned to look at him.

  He watched as Sanjana’s mind worked rapidly, considering the situation. He could see her hesitance when it came to riding. His sharp gaze caught the small, fleeting glances she cast at Soori, at her assistants.

  She didn’t know how to ride. And neither did they.

  Anticipating her dilemma, he did something he had never done for a woman before. He extended his hand toward her.

  And then, he waited.

  At first, it was merely a test of patience. But as the seconds stretched, he felt the first sting of embarrassment. Would she refuse him? Would she prefer Soori instead?

  His heart pounded, but not a flicker of emotion showed on his face. Years of training as a future king had taught him to mask his thoughts, to never reveal weakness. Today, he silently thanked his tutors for that invaluable lesson. If not for them, he might have been visibly flustered—a thought he could not even begin to accept.

  But then—finally—her hand slipped into his.

  A rush of emotion swelled within him, so potent that he almost faltered. He had never felt something quite like it before—this quiet, inexplicable joy. For the first time in his life, he had wanted something purely for himself. And now, he had it.

  He pulled her up effortlessly, catching the slight tremor in her frame. She was unbalanced. Because of him.

  A deep satisfaction settled in his chest. He had never derived pleasure from another’s weakness, but this was different. This was her—the woman who had unknowingly changed something in him.

  Controlling the involuntary smile that threatened to form was the hardest part. But after a moment, he stopped trying.

  As the horses surged forward, her warmth pressed against his chest, her uncertain grip tightening on the reins.

  Suddenly a mischievous thought sprouted in his mind. Before he could stop himself, the words tumbled out—smooth, casual, almost teasing.

  “If you feel unsteady, lean on me.”

  The moment they left his lips, he bit the inside of his cheek.

  What if she snapped back with one of her prickly remarks?

  What if she scowled, called him shameless, and pushed herself away?

  What if— Gods forbid—she wanted to get off the horse entirely?

  Adhitya stiffened, bracing himself. This woman was more than capable of doing all that and worse.

  He was anticipating her reaction. Not with dread—but with a strange, unfamiliar excitement.

  Since when had he become like this?

  If any of his subordinates had taken advantage of a chivalrous act with such a remark, he would have been the first to reprimand them. Yet here he was, barely suppressing an amused smirk.

  And then, just as his thoughts threatened to spiral further—

  A hesitant, airy “Okay.”

  His heart thudded with quiet triumph.

  Thus the journey had begun.

  And so had something far more dangerous.