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ð Kingdom of Rana ð
The room fell into a heavy silence again as Queen Madhavi straightened in her seat, her expression shifting into a mask of deliberate calm. "Of course, we are here for a marriage proposal," she began, her tone light but underpinned with a trace of sharpness. "But it was for my son, Prince Zain."
The words landed like a thunderclap. Even the servants, trained to remain invisible, hesitated in their movements. Varun's jaw tightened visibly, his dark eyes flashing with restrained fury. Anya's hand froze mid-reach for her goblet, her mind reeling. Her son. The distinction was stark and deliberate, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Not the crown prince, Ivaan, but Zain.
Anya's gaze darted to Varun, whose knuckles had gone white.
Queen Madhavi didn't allow the tension to simmer for long. With a sharp yet practiced smile, she quickly added, "But what can I say? My hot-headed son, Prince Ivaan, seems to have beaten me here." She let out a carefully constructed laugh, as though the absurdity of the situation amused her. "Unbelievable, these children these days. So progressive in their ways, acting without consulting their elders."
Her laughter echoed softly, but the unease in the room only deepened. King Rana's expression remained unreadable, though his gaze flicked briefly to Varun, as if assessing his reaction. Queen Shalini's lips pressed into a thin line, a subtle signal of her own displeasure. Anya felt the tension coil tighter in her chest. Something didn't add up.
"My king," Queen Madhavi continued smoothly, inclining her head toward Rana, "if you would excuse me for a moment. I would like to discuss matters privately with my son's trusted minister." She rose gracefully, her movements deliberate, and gestured subtly for Varun to follow her.
Varun stood, his movements stiff with barely contained. "As you wish, Your Highness," he said, his voice devoid of its earlier sharpness, though the undercurrent of defiance remained.
They moved to the far end of the hall, speaking in hushed tones. Anya's sharp eyes tracked them, her curiosity flaring. She leaned slightly forward, her gaze narrowing as she caught the fragments of their conversation.
"...unacceptable... Did you think I wouldn't know?" Queen Madhavi's voice was sharp, her composure fracturing in the privacy of their whispered exchange.
"Your Royal highness," Varun's tone was low but firm, "with all due respect, it's not just about that but- will you still choose to ignore, your duties as the Queen and Prince Ivaans mother, Will you still bring up Zain and expose......................." Varun's voice lowered to whispers making it indecipherable.
Anya's heart quickened. The Queen of Virata was no ordinary woman; she was reputed to be the king's closest advisor, the architect behind countless decisions that had shaped their kingdom. How could she have missed such crucial details about Ivaan's actions and intentions? And the way Varun a mere Minister was talking to her.......
"That's it," Anya thought, her mind whirling. The dynamic between this stepmother and stepson wasn't just strained-it was fractured. This was the opening she needed.
If Queen Madhavi could be made to oppose this marriage, then perhaps there was a way to unravel the proposal altogether and spare her sister from this match.
As the conversation between Varun and Queen Madhavi continued, Anya turned her attention back to her parents. Her mother's gaze met hers, a silent question passing between them. Anya gave the barest of nods, her resolve hardening. Whatever game was being played here, she would find her way into it.
ð Near the borders of Rana ð
The creaking halt of the carriage jolted Princess Indu from her storm of thoughts. The sound of the horses snorting and the muffled chatter of soldiers filtered in, but it did little to ground her in the present. She glanced out of the window and frowned. This wasn't the palace. Her heart, already heavy, sank further.
Before she could voice her confusion, the door swung open, and Sneha, her maid and closest confidante, appeared. Sneha's face, usually so lively, was laced with concern as she entered the carriage.
"Why have we stopped?" Indu asked, her voice a fragile whisper, trembling from the remnants of the chaos she had endured. Her mind flickered to Prince Ivaan to Vikram-the confrontation, his audacious words, the smirk that haunted her thoughts like a specter.
Sneha kneeled slightly to meet Indu's eyes, her tone gentle yet firm. "It's just a small stay nearby, my princess. I thought it best for you to freshen up before returning to the palace. You've been through so much, and..." Sneha hesitated, her eyes searching Indu's face. "The world expects to see a princess, not this....."
Indu closed her eyes and sighed deeply. The weight of Sneha's words was a painful truth she couldn't deny. She longed for her family, her room, a quiet corner to let her tears flow freely. But she couldn't afford to crumble. The people who whispered in corners, the nobles who thrived on scandal-they would feast on her vulnerability. She opened her eyes, meeting Sneha's steady gaze.
"Do I look that terrible?" she asked with a weak attempt at humor, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles.
Sneha grinned, a flicker of their childhood camaraderie shining through. "Terrible would be kind, Princess."
Indu let out a soft laugh despite herself. "Fine. Let's do this."
Inside the modest stay, Sneha's efficiency took over. She ordered the soldiers and attendants to wait outside and busied herself arranging fresh clothes and a basin of warm water. Indu sat silently as Sneha worked, brushing out the tangles in her long, jet-black hair with practiced ease.
"What are you thinking about? Indu" Sneha began as she helped Indu into a lighter, pastel-colored ensemble, "You know you can tell me anything right?"
Indu chuckled softly, her voice tinged with nostalgia this was not her royal maid but her childhood best friend who could detect the slightest of change in her "I-I don't know Sneha, the last few days I-I saw him be the kindest and caring person to the heartless monster."
Sneha frowned as she heard to everything with complete attention.
"I don't understand him at all Sneha what should I......?"
Indu looked at Sneha expectedly while Sneha took a deep breathe "The thing is Indu as your Royal maid it is not my place to tell you which decision will be best for our kingdom nor do I possess the intellect to give you the right advice,
......... but as your best friend I only have one request from you, take me with you , wherever you are whatever happens, Ill be there for you, Please don't take this choice away from me."
"Because you'd never actually leave me, even if I ordered you to?" Indu asked, her voice quieter now. Sneha nodded her head sideways affirming her no, Indu chuckled slightly the answer was clear "You never have."
Sneha paused, her hands lingering on the final pin securing Indu's dupatta. She looked at Indu through the mirror, her expression warm and unwavering. "Never will, Princess."
Indu got up and looked at Sneha who smiled back at her "And don't worry so much Indu, I am sure Princess Anya and you will figure something out, we will get out of this I believe in you both."
ð Kingdom of Rana ð
By the time Indu reached the palace, the weight of her title was firmly back on her shoulders. The announcement of her arrival echoed through the corridors as she strode inside, her every step a calculated display of grace and poise.
"Where is everyone?" she asked an attendant, her voice cool but steady.
"They're in the luncheon hall, Your Highness, meeting with Prince Ivaan's Mother, Queen of Virata , Her highness Madhavi," the attendant replied, bowing low.
The mention of him-Prince Ivaan-made her blood boil anew. She quickened her pace toward the hall, her mind filled with the confrontation she was determined to have.
She walked into the luncheon hall, ready to confront this proceedings who had left her reeling, but froze in her tracks.
The grand room, with its ornate chandeliers and gilded furnishings, seemed frozen in time. The feast lay untouched on the table, and every face in the room was etched with shock and disbelief.
At the far end of the hall, Queen Madhavi stood with her arms trembling at her sides. Beside her, Minister Varun's face was turned slightly, and the bright red imprint of a hand burned against his cheek.
Indu's breath caught. He was just slapped.
"Minister Varun!" Anya's voice broke the silence as she rushed to his side. Her hands fluttered to his face uncertainly before settling on his arm, her face a picture of alarm and anger. "Queen Madhavi what are.. You doing?"
Queen Shalini rose to her feet, her regal demeanor giving way to indignation. "Queen Madhavi!" she said sharply, her voice slicing through the tension. "Explain yourself!"
King Rana, seated at the head of the table, set his goblet down with deliberate precision. The sound rang like a gavel, final and foreboding. "What is the meaning of this, Queen Madhavi?" His tone was calm, but his eyes were steely.
Queen Madhavi's lips pressed into a thin line, her composure cracking under the scrutiny. "He....," she began, her voice trembling with indignation, "had the audacity to insinuate-"
"Insinuate what?" Queen Shalini interrupted, her voice rising.
"That the Queen of Virata would resort to such disgraceful behavior?" Varun retorted agitated with anger, his eyes stern.
Madhavi's eyes flashed. "Mind your place, child!"
"And you, Queen Madhavi, should mind yours!" Queen Shalini interjected, her voice commanding. "Whatever grievance you have with Minister Varun, this public spectacle is unbecoming of your station."
King Rana, finally stepped forward. His voice, steady and sharp, cut through the heated exchange. "Enough."
All eyes turned to him, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. He walked forward slowly, his gaze never leaving Madhavi's.
"This," she said, gesturing to the scene before her, "is not the decorum of a royal court. If we cannot resolve matters with dignity, then what separates us from the commoners?"
His words settled over the room like a heavy cloak. Madhavi's defiance faltered, and Varun straightened, the anger in his eyes replaced by a flicker of gratitude.
"This is far from over," King Rana said finally, his voice like thunder. "Queen Madhavi, you will explain yourself in private this is not an acceptable behaviour in my court and punishable even. For now, this luncheon is adjourned."
As the room began to empty, Indu caught Anya's eye. Her sister eyes widened as she saw Indu, though unspoken thoughts rushed to Anya her sister was clearly shaken up and something told her it wasn't just what she witnessed,
Beside her Minister Varun released his arm from her's moving away "Now if you please excuse me Princess Anya, I would like to be left alone.
--------------------
Authors note ðµ
Oh my poor Anya and Varun, they already care for ........ eo.
Anyways Queen Madhavi, just ignited a whole fire factory cuz it's only because it was Varun our logical Minister he tolerated this, once Ivaan gets to know about this Queen Madhavi would need a literal life insurance.
On side note
For my ships â
(need to find ship names
For Ivaan-Indu And Anya -Varun)
Suggest if you have any?
âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸
Monday (Tuesday) update - n i oop...
Next update on (Sunday)