Aditi POV:
Zenora's words flash before me, and I come to my senses.
The fog in my mind clears like a veil being drawn back, revealing the world in sharper hues. My breath catches as I look ahead.
There—standing beneath the soft amber glow of the palace lanterns—is a girl.
She's dressed in SuryaGarh's traditional attire, a masterpiece of intricate embroidery and flowing silks that shimmer like desert sunlight. The rich maroon and gold of her dupatta drapes gracefully over her head, catching the breeze. Her hairpin makes it obvious that she is a royal.
"I can see the worry etched on her face. She genuinely wants to assist me. "Madam, do you require my assistance?" Her attendant cautions her against approaching me. I become aware of my surroundings, lying on a bed of grass, contrasting sharply with the last memory I have of a hard rock beneath me. The details of how I ended up here escape me. "Madam, who are you? Do you need my assistance?" She lifts her left hand, offering to help me up. With a sense of weakness, I place my hand in hers, reassured by her claim of being unarmed. I don't recall ever creating a character like her. Is she another member of royalty? Who could she be?"
I extended my hand to her, attempting to place my trust in her. There was a sense of absence; perhaps it was him... Why is his face eluding my memory? I am becoming lightheaded and feel as though I might faint. I felt disoriented until she grasped my hand firmly and assisted me in standing up.
She led me to her palanquin and invited me to take a seat on a wooden bench. A moment of uncertainty washed over me, as I was not yet familiar with her identity. It suddenly struck me that there were other characters in this story that I had yet to imagine. 'Madam, may I ask your name?' 'I am Princess Vishtha, the 1000th daughter of King Dhrupad.'
'1000?' I was astonished by that number. King Dhrupad is indeed quite prolific. 'My father is immensely powerful and influential, yet he has a gentle heart. If I mention you to him, he will undoubtedly be pleased.' When I envisioned Dhrupad's character, I had my brother in mind, which is why he had to embody kindness. However, I found it hard to grasp how he could have fathered 1000 children. 'So... where are your other 999 siblings?' 'Oh, sadly, I am the only sister among my 999 brothers. They say that when I was born, all my brothers formed a protective circle around me to welcome me into the world. It is said that I was destined to make history!' I smiled at her, feeling uncertain about how to respond appropriately. A sense of regret washed over me for not being in the right mindset to reciprocate her feelings. Zenora's words about eliminating an immortal echoed in my mind. Who could that immortal possibly be?
"My astrologer mentioned that I might meet someone special today, and here you are! "
She seems incredibly kind and remind me of Yash. I miss all of them dearly—Yash, Shikha Di, Aishwarya, and him. I wonder where he could be; I truly wish to see him again.
"By the way, I forgot to mention that today is my Swayamvar! Unfortunately, I don't have a friend to help me with my makeup since all my maids are not very helpful. Would you be willing to assist me today?"
"Speaking of Swayamvar, are you getting married? Yes, all the princes and knights will be attending my Swayamvar, and I am really looking forward to it! I wonder who will be able to complete my father's difficult challenge and hit the fish's eye?"
Swayanvar is a type of matchmaking event where all prospective bachelors of the kingdom compete in a type of challenge set by the bride's parent. I really thought I could never witness anything like this in this lifetime. I guess I was wrong.
In Mayanagari, a village of SuryaGarh:
Within the core of an ancient fortress, dimly illuminated by the warm glow of torches. The atmosphere is thick with tension and nostalgia. At the opposite end of the war chamber, footsteps resonate—deliberate, unhurried, familiar.
Maya turns abruptly, as if an unseen force has pulled at her very essence. Her gaze fixes on the cloaked figure entering.
Maya (softly, with unwavering conviction):
."..Master."
Without hesitation, she advances, her eyes gleaming—not with doubt, but with profound, aching relief. She halts just before him, her breath momentarily caught in her throat.
Maya:
"It is you. I knew it. I sensed it in my bones before I even laid eyes on you."
Arjun lowers his hood. His eyes, aged and shadowed by burdens, meet hers. For a fleeting moment, silence envelops them, conveying more than words could express.
Maya (voice trembling):
"They told me you had fallen. That you were lost beyond the borderlands. I should have mourned, but… I couldn't. Not for you. Not when every fiber of my being insisted that you were still out there. "
Arjun gently places a hand on her shoulder—firm, steady, grounding.
He steps back, and the moment between them freezes. His expression sharpens, and his tone shifts to something colder, steadier purposeful.
Arjun:
"I did not return to revisit the past, Maya. I came because something is awakening. A threat that transcends politics or war. I require individuals I can trust—those who will not question when I say *move."
Maya:" I always knew you would return. I am glad you are here.You say you didn't return for sentiment. Then what brought you back?
[Arjun is quiet. The silence is heavy, deliberate. Finally, he speaks, voice low.]
Arjun:
I'm not here to fight, Maya.
Maya (surprised):
What do you mean? You just said Dhrupad is moving toward war——what else can you do but fight?
[Arjun steps away from the archway and walks slowly toward the map. His fingers trail across the borders of Dhrupad's kingdom.]
Arjun (quietly):
I've seen enough war to know where it truly begins. Not on battlefields, but in silence… in choices made behind golden doors. I'm not here to raise a blade. I'm here to protect something, someone.
[Maya's brow furrows. She steps forward.]
Maya:
Protect what?
[A long pause. Arjun's jaw tightens slightly. He doesn't answer.]
Maya (softer):
Who?
[He still doesn't speak. His silence is louder than denial. Maya watches him closely—hurt flickers across her face, but she masks it.]
Maya:
I don't need to be protected from the truth.
Maya (softly, accepting):
Then tell me what you do need.
[Arjun exhales.]
Arjun:
Your trust. And your silence—for now.
[Maya nods slowly, the bond between them strained but not broken. She steps back, voice firm.]
Maya:
Then you have both. But I'll be watching. And when the moment comes—you will tell me everything.
[Arjun doesn't reply. He turns back to the map. His hand hovers over the eastern lands.]
Arjun (murmurs):
Dhrupad's court. The youngest daughter. If I can reach her… I can reach him. I am going to kill him before he even lays hands over My Aditi.
[Maya watches him for a moment longer, then leaves quietly, her heart heavy with loyalty and unanswered questions.]
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Aditi sat quietly in the lavish room gifted to her by Princess Vishtha. Despite its beauty, it felt cold, unfamiliar—nothing like home. Her heart ached with a longing she couldn't ignore. She missed Arjun—his voice, his presence, the comfort of knowing he was near.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she stared blankly at the embroidered curtains swaying gently in the breeze. The walls seemed to close in, pressing down on her loneliness. Frustration welled up inside her, sharp and burning. Why had fate torn her away from the one person she truly cared for?
Tears welled up, unbidden, and slipped silently down her cheeks. She brushed them away angrily, as if ashamed of her own sadness. But the ache remained, deep and unrelenting.
As Princess Vishtha knocked on the door while in tears, she called out, "Beautiful Lady! Please open the door. You have not shared your name with me!" Aditi hastily dried her tears and opened the door. "My name is Pranali," she replied, though she was unable to disclose her true identity, fearing the immortal beast that sought to consume her. "Pranali! What a delightful name! My cat was named the same!" She erupted into manic laughter, but when she noticed Aditi's lack of amusement, she fell silent.
"I understand that it didn't resonate with you, and I truly apologize for that. My sense of humor can be a bit quirky. Oh no! I'm running late for my ceremony! Pranali, could you help me with my hair?"
"Of course, Princess." Aditi skillfully styled Vishtha's hair in a lovely way, a technique she learned from her older brother Atharva. She fondly recalled how he used to do her hair after their mother passed away. She missed him today, more so than ever.
They all headed to the center where the Swyanvar was set to occur. During their journey, the palanquin struck a rock, prompting the princess to shout from outside, 'Can't you all manage the palanquin better?' One of the bearers responded, 'I apologize, Princess. Please forgive me; there was a rock in our path.' Aditi immediately recognized the voice—it was Yash. She informed the princess to stop the Palanquin. She came outside the Palanquin.
It really was Yash.