I just binge read "butta bomma" and I love love love it already! The banter with bhalla is so cute🥺. I'm so so excited for next chapters!
(I have my physiology exam tomorrow but I couldn't stop myself from reading the fic as soom as I saw the notifications!😭❤️)
Ahh, thank you so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying it!! 😭❤️ (Good luck on your exam if you haven't done it yet, and if you have, well done!!)
Butta Bomma
A. Bahubali x Reader x B. Deva
#7
The Etiquette Lessons
Synopsis: Following the events of the pooja, Bhalla has taken it upon himself to hire a royal trainer to aid Y/n with her Etiquette in hopes of making palace life easier for her. But when Y/n's etiquette classes go down in hell, Bhalla grows a soft spot for the girl and subconsciously assists her. Bahubali, on the other hand, guides her through the ins and outs of etiquette and openly encourages her, striking a pang of jealousy in Bhalla.
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As Y/n and Gowri strolled through the corridors of the palace, Gowri, her tone tinged with curiosity, asked Y/n, "How have your lessons been going, Y/n?"
Y/n sighed and rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Oh, you know, the usual. I've become a pro at curtsying and pretending to be fascinated by endless discussions about royal protocol."
Gowri chuckled, "It's not easy, but it's useful to fit in. You're doing well."
Just as Y/n was about to respond, a certain prince made his unexpected appearance, causing Gowri to discreetly step back and bow, giving the two some space.
With a low bow, Gowri looked over at Y/n before scampering away from the two in a rush. Y/n, crand her neck and caught sight of her bad luck.
“Well, if it isn’t the bane of my existence.” She muttered to herself
Bhallaladeva's entrance was met with a cool, annoyed glance from Y/n, who was clearly not in the mood for idle chitchat.
With a smirk that hinted at his satisfaction in riling her up, Bhalla inquired, "How have your lessons been going, Monkey?"
Y/n's lips curled into a sarcastic smile, her annoyance evident in her response. "Oh, absolutely splendid," she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I can now curtsy with the grace of a swan and maintain a poker face during the most riveting discussions about tea ceremonies."
Bhalla couldn't help but find her snark amusing, and he leaned slightly closer, his gaze locking onto hers with an almost mischievous glint. "Ah, the essentials of court life. You're learning to blend in admirably."
Y/n's scowl deepened at his response, her irritation far from concealed. She quipped back, "Of course, because nothing says 'Mahishmati royalty' like mastering the art of politely nodding while inwardly screaming."
Bhalla shot back with a teasing smirk, "Ah, necessary evils, Monkey. Even Monkey princesses need refinement."
Princess?
Y/n, rolled her eyes and huffed, having had enough of Bhalla’s annoyance.
“You know what, I have better things to be doing right now, Your Royal Snarkiness.” Y/n spat, irritably, Bhalla arched a brow.
“Oh yeah?” He smirked, “Like what, Monkey? Climbing trees so you don’t fly too far from your roots?” Y/n glared at him, her eyes narrowing.
“No. Like practicing how to gracefully and formally kiss someone’s ass for my next class!” She yelled in a whisper.
With that, Y/n pivoted on her heel, her sari swaying with each determined step, and began to walk away from Bhalla, her annoyance propelling her forward.
Bhalla watched her retreating figure, his astonishment from her final retort evident in his features.
Then, as the seconds ticked by, Bhalla couldn't contain his laughter any longer. The chuckles bubbled up, and soon enough, he was outright laughing at Y/n's sassy retort.
The laughter lingered in the corridor even after Y/n had disappeared from sight, leaving Bhalla with a bemused smile.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Y/n's next lesson in the etiquette hall seemed like an exercise in patience.
The instructor had lined up her students, which was a group of patient Mahismati children ranging from five to twelve years of age and one impatient ‘Mexico-ian’ of over twenty that stood out like a sore thumb.
She ordered them to balance books on top of their heads while maintaining a perfect posture.
As Y/n struggled to balance the heavy books on her head, her eyes began to wander, seeking even the slightest distraction from the monotonous exercise. The instructor's voice droned on in the background, explaining the importance of grace and poise.
Unable to bear the tedium any longer, Y/n mischievously glanced around to check if the instructor was too engrossed in her lecture to notice. Seeing an opportunity, she decided to make her escape from the seemingly never-ending lesson.
With deliberate care, Y/n slowly lowered her hand to the stack of books on her head, one by one, gingerly removing them and holding them by her side. Her posture remained perfectly composed, but her actions were far from what the instructor intended.
Just as she successfully slid the last book away, Y/n tiptoed toward the exit of the etiquette hall, her eyes scanning for any sign of the instructor's attention shifting in her direction.
Amused by the audacity of her act, Bhallaladeva had been silently observing the scene from afar. His lips curled into a faint, smirking grin as he watched Y/n's escape.
Y/n's nimble footsteps and the quiet creak of the door echoed through the hall as she made her daring exit. She thought she had succeeded in evading the instructor's watchful eye, but little did she know that she had an audience of one.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Y/n found solace near an isolated pond within the palace grounds, the serene waters offering a moment of calm amidst her frustrations.
However, her moment of solitude was soon interrupted by the arrival of Bhallaladeva, who had tracked her down.
Bhalla, with a playful grin on his face and his tone teasing, asked,
"What are you doing here instead of gracing your presence in the hallowed halls of education?"
Y/n, still harboring her earlier annoyance, responded with a defiant tone, "I'm doing what I want, so mind your own business."
Bhalla grinned at her feistiness and then added in a mockingly stern manner, "Ah, but remember, I am the prince, and I could have your monkey tail cut off for such insolence."
His words were laced with humor, but Y/n wasn't in the mood for jests. She shot him an irritated glance and turned her gaze back to the rippling water.
Undeterred by her annoyance, Bhalla took a seat beside her, his eyes still dancing with amusement. He inquired more sincerely this time, "Alright. What's bothering you?"
Y/n hesitated for a moment, weighing her options. She had grown accustomed to their banter, but something about Bhalla's tone and genuine curiosity made her reconsider.
"Why do you care?" Y/n responded, her voice a mixture of frustration and resignation. Y/n shot him a dark glare, “Besides, if you’re just here to poke fun at me, I’m not in the mood, Your Royal Snarkiness.”
Bhalla's playful facade faded as he sighed, his expression softening. "I may have my moments of jest, but I genuinely want to know what's troubling you. So, please, tell me."
Y/n glanced down at the rippling pond, her reflection distorted by the moving water. Finally, she decided to open up about her struggles.
"It's those blasted etiquette lessons," she began, her voice laced with frustration. "I'm terrible at all that formality and grace stuff. I’m the oldest in the class by roughly ten or more years, and all the others are better at it than me!
A five year old! A five-year old passed the test and I didn’t! And we had the same thing! The instructor seems to have it out for me, and it just keeps getting worse every day. I can't figure out why."
Bhalla listened attentively, his eyes fixed on Y/n as she spoke. The mischievous prince had given way to a more thoughtful and empathetic Bhallaladeva, which was as rare as could be.
He could sense her genuine frustration, and it tugged at something inside him. Something he’d never felt before.
After a moment of silence, Bhalla offered a sympathetic smile. "Formality and grace may not be everyone's forte, you know. And sometimes, instructors can be a bit... rigid in their methods. But you shouldn't let that bother you so much."
Y/n glanced at him, surprised by his understanding. "You think so?"
Bhalla nodded. "Absolutely. Being true to yourself is just as important, if not more so, than adhering to the rigid standards of etiquette. Besides, I've always admired your... uniqueness."
Y/n couldn't help but smirk at his use of the word ‘uniqueness.’ "Well, thanks for the pep talk, Prince Bhalla.” Bhalla gulped, a small tint of red starting to appear beneath his dark beard.
"Anytime, Monkey. And if that instructor gives you any more trouble, you know where to find me."
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
One day, as Y/n struggled to execute a particularly challenging maneuver for her homework out of class, Bhalla, who to Y/n’s horrid luck happened to be passing by, couldn't resist offering his snarky insight. "Oh, look at that, Monkey," he quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You're almost as graceful as an elephant on roller skates."
Y/n shot him an exasperated look. "Well, you try doing this with a straight face."
Bhalla leaned closer to her, his tone still dripping with sarcasm. "I'm afraid I wouldn't want to outshine you, Monkey."
Y/n's brow furrowed in annoyance, but she couldn't deny that there was a glimmer of helpfulness within Bhalla's snark. "And what, may I ask, is your great suggestion?"
With a sly smile, Bhalla responded, "Simple, really. Just imagine you're gliding through a field of thorns while balancing a glass of water on your head."
Y/n rolled her eyes. "Oh, thanks for that enlightening advice, Your Snarkiness. I'll be sure to use it next time I'm in a field of thorns."
Bhalla grinned, his amusement apparent. "You see, Monkey, you have to learn to find elegance in the absurd. That's where true grace lies."
Y/n let out an exasperated sigh, not realizing that Bhalla's seemingly snarky comments actually held kernels of useful wisdom.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Y/n's thoughts swirled with Bhalla's unexpected advice as she strolled through the palace corridors, her mind racing to decipher the hidden wisdom in his snarky remarks.
Lost in her contemplation, she was taken aback when she collided with a sturdy presence. Before she could stumble, strong arms reached out to catch her.
Bahu's warm smile greeted her. "Y/n, why’s your head in the clouds today?" he teased, a twinkle in his eyes.
She let out a small laugh, her cheeks tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "I guess I've been preoccupied with these etiquette lessons, or rather, my apparent lack of grace during them."
Bahubali's empathetic nature immediately sensed her distress. "Ah, the infamous etiquette lessons. Don't worry, you're not alone in your struggles."
Y/n couldn't help but smile at his reassuring words. "It's just that I feel like I'm fumbling through a maze of unfamiliar rules and expectations. His Royal Snarkiness- I mean- Prince Bhallaladeva tried to help, in his own snarky way."
Bahu chuckled. "Ah, Bhalla and his snark. But don't be too quick to dismiss his advice. Sometimes, he has a peculiar way of shedding light on things."
She nodded, reflecting on Bhalla's words. "He did mention something about finding elegance in the absurd."
Amarendra Bahubali nodded thoughtfully. "That's Bhalla for you, mixing wisdom with sarcasm. But he might have a point. Sometimes, breaking away from convention can lead to true grace."
Y/n's curiosity was piqued. "Do you think you could show me, Your Highness? Help me understand these customs better?"
With a warm smile, Bahubali extended his arm. "Of course, Y/n. But first, let’s drop the formalities, I think we’ve been acquainted long enough to be on first name basis.” Y/n gaped at the prince, before quickly gulping and forming a small smile on her face. “Let's take a walk and discuss this further."
“Of course… Bahubali.”
As they walked through the palace's grand corridors, Bahubali shared insights into the kingdom's customs. He explained the significance of each gesture, each formality.
Y/n listened intently, her initial anxiety giving way to a growing sense of comfort with the way the younger prince explained it. Bahubali's patience made Y/n feel at ease. Something she hadn’t felt much of since she arrived in Mahismathi.
She felt that she found a genuine friend in the prince, someone who not only offered her wisdom but also a sense of belonging in this unfamiliar world. Something Bhallaladeva clearly lacked. Y/n rolled her eyes at just the thought of him.
But despite his snark, Bhallaladeva’s guidance did not go unnoticed by Y/n, but it was Bahubali who watched her lessons with genuine curiosity.
Unlike Bhallaladeva, he didn't hide his amusement when she stumbled through the intricacies of courtly behavior. Instead, Bahubali often found himself chuckling at her endearing mishaps.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Bhallaladeva wasn’t the only one who noticed the struggle that Y/n seemed to go through for these etiquette lessons. Bahubali, with his keen eyes noticed almost instantly when he saw the look in Y/n’s eyes after a lesson.
As much as he admired the girl’s resilience, he felt the instructor was indeed being a bit much on her.
Being the younger prince and potential kind of the entire kingdom, it wasn’t very hard for Bahubali to pull some strings, just to help Y/n out a little.
He didn’t do much, simply requested her etiquette teacher to go a little easy on her, so when this news broke out to Y/n, Bahubali couldn’t have expected her reaction to play out the way it did.
Y/n couldn't contain her happiness upon receiving the news of Bahubali's help. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him in a spontaneous hug. It was a genuine, unrestrained display of gratitude.
Bahubali, initially taken aback by her sudden embrace, chuckled warmly at her enthusiastic reaction. "You're very welcome, Y/n."
Realizing her lapse in formality, Y/n quickly composed herself and executed a playful but exaggerated formal bow. "Thank you, Bahubali, for your valuable help."
Bahubali grinned, "No need for such formalities, Y/n. Just Bahu is more than enough."
With a bright smile, Y/n nodded. "Of course, Bahu. Thank you again." She then bid him a hasty goodbye. "I'll put your help into practice right away."
As she turned and hurried away, Bahubali watched her with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Her genuine enthusiasm left him both mystified and pleasantly surprised, and it brought a warm smile to his face as he continued on his way.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The entire kingdom of Mahismathi - and by the entire kingdom, just Y/n - held it’s breath as Y/n’s final day for etiquette played out. This would be it, all of the practice, hours and days spent practising etiquette would be tested that day. Would she do well, she would pass, one tiny mishap though, would result in her re-starting the entire course.
Little did she know, she had two unexpected observers eagerly awaiting the outcome, just asmuch or even more anxious than her.
Bhallaladeva, despite his usual stoicism, couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness wash over him as he anticipated Y/n's performance. His snarky demeanor had been replaced by genuine concern for her.
He decided to sneak into the hall, hoping to catch a glimpse of her and put his mind at ease.
On the other side of the hall, Bahubali also felt a sense of curiosity and concern for Y/n. He had provided her with some advice, and he was eager to see if she had taken it to heart. Bahubali, too, decided to quietly slip into the hall to observe her progress.
Y/n, oblivious to the presence of her secret observers, took the test with determination and focus. Her every move was executed flawlessly, and she demonstrated a level of grace and poise that had previously eluded her.
Y/n, drawing from the snarky but helpful remarks of both Bhallaladeva and Bahubali, tackled the test with newfound confidence.
When the teacher informed Y/n that she had passed and was no longer required to attend classes, Y/n couldn't contain her excitement. In a moment of joy, she fist-bumped the air, her excitement for all to see.
Both Bhallaladeva and Bahubali watched Y/n's jubilant celebration from their hidden positions, their expressions shifting from surprise to pride.
Before Bhallaladeva could make his way over to Y/n to offer his snarky congratulations, Bahubali had taken the initiative.
Bahubali felt a wave of pride wash over him. With a warm smile on his face, he quickly emerged from behind a collum and approached Y/n.
"Congratulations, Y/n! Truly unmatched," Bahubali said, his eyes filled with pride. "I always knew you had it in you."
Y/n's cheeks flushed slightly at Bahubali's kind words. His encouragement meant a lot to her, and she replied with gratitude, "Thank you so much, Bahubali. Your advice really helped me."
Bhalla watched from a distance, mildly annoyed that his brother had beaten him to it. He decided to wait and congratulate Y/n later when she wasn't surrounded by well-wishers.
But Bahubali's presence brought a genuine smile to Y/n's face, and she appreciated his support.
However, she knew there was someone else she needed to thank. She turned to Bahubali and in a rushed voice, quickly said, "I’m sorry, Bahu, but I have to go."
With that, Y/n excused herself and left the hall in search of Bhallaladeva. She ran through the palace corridors, eager to find him and offer her thanks for his advice.
She finally spotted him nearby and sprinted up to him, her eyes gleaming with exhilaration.
"Bhalla!" she exclaimed, coming to a stop in front of him, completely forgetting all formalities in the excitement and calling him by his name. "Guess what?!”
Bhallaladeva turned to her, “Oh, so you’ve just decided to nickname the elder prince and ruler of this entire kingdom?” He tiled his head, “I’ll have you know the only two people who have called me ‘Bhalla’ and got away with their lives are my mother, father, and Bhaubali.”
Y/n rolled her eyes, caring little for the words that would have had her begging for her life had she heard them two months prior, “Yeah, yeah, sure, that’s great, you can do that later,” She dismissed his wrds with a wave of her hand before the excitement returned to her eyes like a glimmer. “I passed my test!"
Bhallaladeva's face lit up with feigned surprise. "You did? Well, that's quite an accomplishment," he said, his tone dripping with mock admiration.
Y/n couldn't contain her enthusiasm, and she raised her hand high, ready to high-five Bhalla. However, she quickly realized that the concept of a high-five might not be familiar to him. Bhalla looked at her outstretched hand with uncertainty, unsure of what to do.
With a cheerful laugh, Y/n said, "Oh, sorry, I forgot that high-fives are a… erm… my kingdom thing. We do this." She gently slapped her own hand with a demonstration of a high-five.
Understanding dawned on Bhallaladeva, and he eagerly followed her lead, giving her a light smack on her hand. "Ah, I see. Well done, Y/n," he said with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Y/n couldn't help but share a piece of her world with Bhalla. "Where I come from," she explained, "people high-five each other when there's good news or just when they're happy. It's a fun way to celebrate, and in this case, me passing the lessons."
Bhalla, ever the snarky prince, couldn't resist making a teasing comment. "Well, I'm surprised you managed to complete it," he quipped, "I didn't know monkeys were so good with etiquette, monkey."
Y/n's initial excitement waned as she scowled at Bhalla's comment. She wasn't one to back down, though, and she quickly responded with her own snarky remark. "Well, Your Royal Snarkiness, I may be a monkey, but at least I'm a monkey who can pass an etiquette test. Can you say the same?"
The two of them began walking together, their banter back and forth like a playful game of verbal tennis.
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