â¨ðª 26 : Their salvation or their downfall
I'm dropping the said double update of the week!
and I'm so glad I did it, actually changed the plot, and it turned out so well for m.e mainly because of the foreshadowing.
I did it. this author is pleased.
Thank you for the reads you all voting is so lovely, Kindly drop your reactions too in the comments, can we have more!!! [PS this double update is the ppl who commented in the last two chapters, you all are so funny it made me want to write more lol!!ððð]
The story reached 11k reads koajdashfiuwvwb
#8 in dramatic out of 6.74k is the best ranking we have!
#309 - death - 212k books
#20 - killing - 10.9k books
#28 - asia - 2.64k books
Now back to business.
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Palace of Rana
Ivaan nods in agreement and states, "I agree this could be the best for both sides. I believe I am ready to sign if King Ameya agrees too such a pact."
Varun walks up to him worried, questioning Ivaan. "What are you thinking, Ivaan, you can't possibly give them what they need., they.....they are expecting the heir of Nanda, ......... Prince Nayan."
"Varun," Ivaan's voice was a low murmur, a secret meant only for the two of them. "I know what I'm doing. You should know me better than anyone. ........My reasons." Varun shifted uncomfortably, His gaze darted to the window, where the wind tapped insistently against the glass.
"Weren't you also consumed by guilt before?" Ivaan asked, his voice barely audible. "The guilt of Princess Anya's marriage oath to the Nanda Kingdom?"
Varun's jaw tightened. The memory surgedâa blade glinting in, unintended consequences, a life silenced forever. "Yes," he admitted, his fingers tracing the edge of the window. "I was."
Ivaan continued, "We have a chance to make things right. To undo the past. Don't make me back out now."
Varun's loyalty warred with doubt. He clenched his fists, knuckles white. "But, Ivaanâ"
"Not here," Ivaan interrupted, glancing around and giving a sharp dismissal. "We'll discuss this later. Right now, focus on the pact. Draft it carefully. We can't afford any loopholes. Your opponent is cunning; she'll slip in clauses impossible for us to fulfill." Ivaan said, looking over to Anya, bringing Varun's attention towards her.
The quill scratched across the paper, ink pooling in the hollows of their secrets. They outlined termsâtheir salvation or their downfall Anya was instructing a frown etched her face the writers, waiting for her commands with the ministers surrounding her.
Varun's heart raced He nodded to Ivaan knowing his role and stepped towards them.
The air crackled with tension, and the flickering torches cast elongated shadows on the marble walls. Anya, the fierce princess of Rana, sat at the center, her eyes ablaze with determination. "Minister Shekhar" Anya's voice cut through the room like a blade. "We cannot afford ambiguity in this pact." The ministers shuffled their parchments nervously. Varun admired Anya's resolve. She was more than a princess a genius indeed.
Her raven hair cascaded down her back, and her blue attire accentuated her regal bearing. He stepped forward, catching her eye. "Princess Anya, Ministers," he greeted, "let me join in the drafting of this pact as a representative of Virata."
She hesitated, then nodded towards the seat right in front of the grand table, both sides occupied by ministers, advisers, and writers. "Very well, Advisor Varun. "As they huddled over the table, ink-stained quills poised, Varun felt the weight of responsibility.
The pact would decide alliances, borders, trade routes, and the fate of their people. He glanced at Anyaâher jaw set, eyes unwavering.
He read the agreement, only the information was written in clauses yet to be jotted down he got to action "Clause one," Varun began, "the borders remain inviolate."
Anya leaned in, her breath hitched as she had to nod in agreement to this to an enemy.. "And clause two," she added, "our armies shall stand united against any threat during the time of this agreement and as our own once the alliance is formed, You are bound to provide the protection as promised." Anya said her eyes challenging Varun.
The writers quills danced across the parchment, words flowing like a river. Varun's heart swirled with admiration. Anya's intellect matched her beauty, and her passion ignited his own he can't let her have a upper hand. "Clause three," Varun murmured, "the sacred alliance shall remain untouched from any bonds of land." Anya's fingers tightened at the thought of chivalry shown by him, the contradiction of his words vs actions. "And clause three," she whispered, "I agree neither Ivaan or Indu will be bond to an pact, of maintaining this alliance as an political strategy both will be free regardless of the outcome in the future."
Varun observed Anya, noting her discomfort as she had too reluctantly agreeing to his clauses He stole a glance at her, her discomfort in agreeing to him was pretty evident, interesting even ,only to be interrupted by her stern voice.
"Advisor Varun, kindly concentrate," Anya said. "We're drafting a pact here." Varun nodded, realizing he had missed something important she had said. "Apologies, Princess Anya," he replied. "Could you repeat the last clause?" Anya huffed rolling her eyes a bit.
"Writer, kindly repeat Clause number 5. I don't want the people of Virata claiming to be tricked. So Advisor Varun, pay attention."Varun smiled, feeling a touch embarrassed. He was usually sharp, but today had been an exception..
"Clause number five,"* the writer intoned, his voice like a blade slicing through the tension. *"In case the claims of Prince Ivaan, heir of Nanda Prince Nayan, being alive is proven wrong, the agreement will be nullified and so will be the promise of alliance, as the sign of a break of promise."
Varun's mind raced back to what Ivaan had said. The weight of responsibility pressed upon him. He had to tread carefully. The ministers exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with suspicion. They knew the stakes. The alliance was more than a mere political maneuverâit was a lifeline. But this clause, was a *dagger hidden in parchment*, threatened to sever it all if they decided to play with them.
Varun sat straight his voice low but firm. "This claim of Prince Of Nanda," he began, "has to be given secondary priority. It's a peace offering a move to strengthen your trust and the bond. But do we really have to add that all in the pact for it? Mere Trust is enough."
"Trust?"* Anya's eyes bore into Varun's. *"Trust is a fragile thing, advisor Varun It crumbles like ancient scrolls, and once broken, can never be mended."
Varun clenched his fists. *"And yet,"* he countered, *"we must weigh trust against survival. The alliance shields Rana from the storm gathering beyond our borders. If you discard it, you expose our people to chaos."
Minister Shekhar's voice resonated through the opulent hall, a reflection of the collective unease gripping the assembly. The air hummed with tension, akin to a taut veena string awaiting release."Why this hesitation?" Minister Shekhar's voice sliced through the charged air.
At the grand table, Princess Anya occupied one end, her regal demeanor softened by curiosity glinting in her eyes. Her midnight blue silk saree flowing down falling elegantly. Fingers traced patterns on polished woodâa silent challenge to the Varun.
Across from her sat Advisor Varun, his presence less flamboyant but no less weighty. His attire blended practicality with elegance. His gaze, unwavering, bore the burden of decisions yet unmade.
Between them sprawled the expanse of the tableâa battlefield of words where alliances were forged. Candlelight danced upon silverware, casting elongated shadows that clung to the crimson carpet. Chandeliers above, like frozen constellations, bore witness to the dance of power.
Minister Shekar's eyes darted from Anya to Varun, measuring their resolve. "I am sure it's your and Prince Ivaan's words that have won our trust. We bestowed the Princess of Rana upon your Prince, believing in the honor of your house. But if you are suggesting we can't trust in his words, can we truly have faith in this alliance?"
Princess Anya leaned back, a giggle escaping with a silken ripple folding the hands "Do you, even trust in the words of your great Prince?, Advisor Varun?" Anya's mocking tone evident.
Varun glanced across their faces etched in skepticism, circled him like vultures.
Varun thought, his jaw clenching. They were doubting our abilities, our loyalty surely he was able to relate to Nimit, conversations and convincing seemed way more exhausting that a war itself. His pride, flared within him.
"Absolutely not, Princess," Varun's voice cut through the chamber, a blade unsheathed. "This tone of doubtâit borders the line of disrespect toward my prince in this clause" His eyes bore into Princess Anya, unyielding. "I suggest for it to be rephrased. Make it clear."
Anya, her regal composure faltering, blinked at him. "What do you suggest it to be written as" there was something fishy she sensed.
Varun explained ""Clause number five. It shall henceforth to be read as follows: "Kingdom Virata in full cognizance of the Nanda heir's existence, affirms this claim. However, should kingdom of Rana, choose to disregard the agreement after , it shall remain inconsequential to the other party. Simultaneously, if Prince Ivaan fails to uphold his solemn promises, the entire accord stands susceptible to nullification."
"I hope we agree to this, the power of decisions should be given to both sides." Varun explains further.
Varun looks at Anya, "certainly I know Prince of Nanda and your alliance has been a guilt for us, but be careful of what you ask Princess Anya, nobody knows the future but play carefully you may never expect the things coming."
Silence settled like a shroud.. The ministers exchanged glances with princess Anya finally nodding in agreement their bewilderment mirrored in the flicker of candlelight. Varun's poker face revealed nothing.
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Apologies for any errors feel free to point out was in a hurry of updating
Also now that i have uploaded early will I be spared of updating this Saturday? I hope so!!!ð