23 â¨ðª Favour of Singular influence
Follow me @ remysolmoon
Thank you for the 7k reads.
(No high ranks for this week kinda was inactive )
Hope you like the chapter â¤ï¸
..................
..................
************
************
************
Palace of Rana
In the grand courtroom, filled with anticipation and whispers, on the other side of the room, Varun's smile was like that of a player ready to make a winning move when he saw Princess Indu make her entrance.
Varun felt his odds of triumph soaring. He had never been one to lose, and with Indu's arrival, he was even more determined not to be outdone by Anya. Indeed, the only person more thrilled than Varun at this moment was Ivaan.
As Indu stepped beside Anya, Varun moved forward confidently towards Anya and Indu, standing before them.
He echoed Anya's earlier words, but with a twist, aiming to dismiss all the challenges she had raised against the proposal he had made. It was a bold move, one that would set the tone for the events to follow.
"Concerning my other two sisters, here in Rana, we uphold the voice of the girl as the paramount rule, they have the right to select their partners, and, my sisters are not here; they have departed on their own volition, left Rana, liberating them from this land and the duties." Varun's repetition of the words was not merely a mimicry; it was a deliberate, calculated expression of his plan.
Anya, by her own design, had forged a path, and he was resolute in seizing this turn of fate. Previously, the challenge lay in swaying an entire assembly: the king, his council, and the princess herself. But now, the tide has shifted to favor a singular influence.
With Anya's proclamation that the princess's preference being the paramount rule, the labyrinth of persuasion had simplified to a mere straight line; only the princess had to agree to the marriage.
While there were 2 princesses in the courtroom, attempting to sway Anya's resolve was comparable to trying to hold the wind in one's grasp-intangible and nearly impossible. Yet, when one looked upon Indu, there was an essence of softness, In Indu's presence, the formidable task of changing the opinion seemed, for a fleeting moment, within the realm of possibilities
Indu, whose heart seemed to dance on the edge of her sleeve, a glimmer of hope sparked within Varun.
Unlike Anya, whose icy, strategic intellect mirrored his own, Indu was a person of passion, seemingly poised to leap before any threat of danger to save her siblings.
If successfully maneuvered through her emotional waters, it could prove to be crucial for their victory. Amidst the intensity of her passionate outbursts, there exists an opportunity-an opportunity to establish a partnership that might tip the balance to his advantage.
He exhaled a breath, as though the heaviness of his thoughts were physically pressing upon him, while his fingers wandered thoughtfully over his chin.
Varun stood before Anya, taking a step forward, his eyes clinging to Anya's with the same piercing intensity she gave. Anya, for her part, met his gaze unflinchingly, her eyes a turbulent sea of emotion, tears glistening like dew at the brink of a fall.
As if a protective Instinct Anya pushed Indu behind her, effectively becoming a shield for her from Varun's gaze. It was a silent standoff, charged with the electricity of unspoken challenges and the fierce desire to protect.
"Princess Anya, you've made a vow to honor the memory of your late fiancé,
who valiantly fell in battle.
You intend to reject a new proposal to stay true to your promise to him and his kingdom. It's a bold and selfless act, one that speaks to the depth of your loyalty.............. Yet, it's also a heavy burden for someone so young.
War has already taken much from you;
it need not claim your future happiness as well. While it's not my place to question your decision,
I hope you consider that life still holds many possibilities, and you have the right to seek joy and fulfillment"
In a moment of vulnerability, His words, filled with unexpected kindness, surprised her,
It was a crucial moment for Anya, as she realized that even amid political intrigue and personal turmoil, genuine compassion can still be found.
This realization may not alter the course of her decisions, but it certainly adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
Princess Anya searches Varun's eyes for a hint of deceit. Yet, to her surprise, she finds only sincerity.
As Varun hears the echo of his own words, he realizes the meltdown of his words into a gentler tone.
He retreats to the icy demeanor instead of the warmth that had momentarily seeped through.
"Now that being said, Princess Anya, it seems the tides of fate have shifted, Your sister, the Princess of Rana once thought to have left the kingdom, has returned........ This changes the dynamics of the decision-making, as she too holds a stake in the kingdom's future.
It's only fair that she be given a voice in this decision.
Her choice, whatever it may be, will shape the path ahead for all of us as well. "
Varun steps further, towering over Princess Anya due to his height, and in this close encounter, he could see the eyes burning with an intense fire, a clear display of her fierce spirit and unyielding resolve.
Varun shifted his position sideways to gain a clear line of sight to Princess Indu, who was previously hidden behind Anya's figure.
"Allow me to clarify our current situation, Princess Indu," Varun spoke, detailing the choices she had: forging an alliance with Prince Ivaan, which could bring peace, or engaging in a war against Virata that would likely claim her brother as its first casualty.
He shared the stance Princess Anya had taken, emphasizing the serious nature of their situation.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, a reflection of the significant decisions that loomed over them, decisions that held the power to alter the course of their futures.
The stalemate in the conversation was palpable, and Ivaan felt a tug of conscience. He stepped towards Arjun and Aditya Singh, his hands reaching out to untie their bonds. It wasn't just a king he saw in those weary eyes, but a father's love and concern for his son. Ivaan hoped that offering a seat to the bruised prince might ease the father's heartache if only a little.
War has never been an easy thing to navigate through; it is the ultimate test of every human emotion possible. He knew that.
But as soon as Arjun found his footing, his pain morphed into defiance. With a swift motion, he aimed his head at Ivaan, an act of rebellion. It was Nimit, ever vigilant, who caught the movement in time. He stepped in, guiding Arjun back, ensuring the prince's moment of resistance was brief, and the delicate balance of the moment remained undisturbed.
In the quiet that followed, every person in the room understood the language of unspoken words and gestures. They were a testament to the complex dance of honor and power, where every move could either mend fences or deepen rifts.
"Ivaan's voice carried a stern warning, his patience thinning. "You still don't realize the consequences of your actions, do you? There's only so much leniency I can offer you, Prince Arjun. Don't test my patience further."
The room tensed at Ivaan's words, a clear ultimatum to the defiant prince. Arjun, still on his knees, met Ivaan's gaze, the air thick with unspoken challenges and the weight of potential conflict.
Arjun's eyes blazed with defiance, and his voice rose, laced with provocation. "Your threats mean nothing, Ivaan. Do you think I fear you?" His words, sharp as daggers, cut through the tense silence.
Ivaan's hand moved to his sword, but Nimit was soon to get his own sword out, the metal singing as it was drawn from its sheath.
The sound echoed ominously in the room, a clear sign of his waning tolerance.
"Words have power, Prince Arjun," Ivaan said, as he stepped back while Nimit pointed his sword toward Arjun's neck to stop further rebellion.
Ivaan's voice low and controlled said"But they are no shield against the consequences that follow."
"Please Stop!"
Indu stepped out from behind Anya, her sister's protective stance. Everyone gaze falling on to Indu.
Anya's hand trembled as she reached out, her shake of the head a silent plea for Indu to reconsider but Indu removed her hand from Anya's hold.Varun too, shifted, letting Indu move forward towards Ivaan.
There, in the midst of the gathered onlookers,
A single tear escaped Indu's eye. It was a quiet testament to the storm of emotions raging within her. Yet, her head remained unbowed, her posture unyielding. The pride that coursed through her veins was evident; it was the armor she wore against the uncertainty of her heart's desires and the weight of her duty.
Indu's eyes swept over to the throne, pausing on the figure of her father. His appearance was unkempt, a stark contrast to his usual regal demeanor, reflecting the turmoil that had befallen their household.
Beside her stood Anya, her gaze imploring, filled with a silent entreaty that spoke volumes. Her eyes, brimming with a mix of desperation and hope, seemed to convey a wordless message to Indu: to withhold her response.
In the tense silence, the hostages lay wounded no not only her brothers but all the other soldiers who were caught trying to save the prince, their lives hanging by a thread as the sword's sharp edge threatened to end. Fear was palpable, trembling through the air as they awaited their fate.
Indu knew the gravity of the moment; a decision lay on her shoulders, one that needed to be made swiftly to avert a tragedy.
Indu's gaze fixed on Ivaan, her contempt for him was unmistakable. The emotions swirling within her were a turbulent mix of fury and aversion. As she made her way toward him, her face was an open book, each feature spelling out the intense anger that had firmly planted itself in her heart. Ivaan saw her walk towards him the look spoke volumes of anger that had taken root in her heart.
He stood there, taking in the sight of her-the woman whose beauty once captivated him, now marred by resentment. It was a look he understood all too well, for had their roles been reversed, he might have felt the same.
But that was not the world he lived in; his reality was governed by a single rule: to secure victory, to win! no matter the emotional toll it exacted.
Her eyes were cast downward in a gesture of defeat and doubt about whether she was making the right decision, but she knew she had to take the decision fast if she wished to save Arjun; he had already angered Ivaan beyond his limits.
In a moment of sheer will, she raised her gaze, locking eyes with him.
His presence was like a winter's day-harsh and unforgiving. As he fixed a stern look upon her brother, she saw the icy threat he embodied to Arjun He lifted his eyes, Looking back at her, meeting her gaze.
She took a breath, breaking her a silence Saying the words that had her churning with hate; never in her life did she think she would have to say them to such a person.
"I'm Ready."
"I-I Will Marry You."
----------
The End
----------
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Just giving you a award-meme i kn you kn!!! How much i love ur comment and interactions , but genuinely it will be no fun for me to write without your comments so here's me meme-complimenting u.
Author's note
remysolmoon
I've poured my entire dedication into writing this chapter( ps was awake whole night ð), which also happens to be my favorite chapter. I might share the reasons for its significance later on, though it's neither a secret nor something of great importance. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your support and comments on this story has meant a lot to me, even though very few reads I gained along the lines your comments were encouraging.â¤ï¸
Thank you for reading !!!!!