The following morning dawned crisp and golden, brushing the palace with light that made the marble floors gleam like liquid gold. Aadhya had barely slept, her mind still alive with the memory of the ambush, of the hands that had pressed against her, and of the shadowy stranger who had caught her before disaster struck. She rose from her bed quietly, adjusting her dupatta, smoothing the folds of her lehenga, and allowed herself only a brief moment to acknowledge the fluttering in her chest at the memory of his presence.
Meera was waiting outside her chamber, as ever, her eyes scanning the corridors even as she moved to help Aadhya dress.
"Princess, I do not like the way the court will be today," Meera whispered, lowering her voice. "The news of the ambush has spread. They will watch you more closely, especially the queen and her daughters. And... king will be distracted by visitors."
Aadhya tilted her chin, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Let them watch. They will see only what I allow them to see."
The gates of the palace announced the arrival of travelers with the clangor of hooves and the murmur of attendants. Aadhya's curiosity was piqued; she leaned from her balcony as the new guests approached. A carriage, elegant yet showing signs of a hurried journey, rolled into the courtyard. The palace heralds quickly announced their arrival:
"Honored guests from the Rathore dominion, seeking shelter due to unforeseen difficulties!"
Veer Rajan Veerani strode into the courtyard almost immediately, staff and nobles falling into respectful formation behind him. His eyes softened as they met an old friend stepping down from the carriage. Lines of worry and age had begun to trace his friend's face, but his presence carried the same weight as decades ago.
"Arjun Rathore," Veer Rajan said warmly, striding forward. The two men clasped hands like brothers reunited after years apart. The crowd hushed, sensing the intimacy of the meeting. "By the gods, it has been too long. How fares your son? And your daughter—she must be as spirited as ever" Veer Rajan said looking at the princess who looked to be in the same age as Aadhya.
Arjun Rathore's eyes flickered toward the palace gates, taking in the court with practiced attention before he replied, voice low and deliberate. "Rudra grows restless, as always. His sister... she is lively, clever, and much like the tales speak of your Aadhya. I hear she has matured gracefully into her position."
Veer Rajan's eyes twinkled, a mixture of pride and curiosity. "Indeed, she has grown strong. You must see her for yourself." He gestured toward the balcony where Aadhya stood, her expression serene and composed.
Aadhya noticed the older man's gaze settling on her and the subtle nod exchanged between him and his wife. Though she had no idea who they were, she felt their eyes study her with a weight that made her chest tighten. There was admiration, yes, but something else too—a quiet, calculating interest that stirred the flutter of awareness deep in her bones.
Inside the great hall, the reunion of the two kings drew attention from every corner. Courtiers whispered at the sight of Veer Rajan and Arjun Rathore clasping hands, murmuring about old alliances and the potential benefits of this unexpected meeting. Rajeshwari, never missing an opportunity, hovered near Aadhya, her silk robes rustling like a predator ready to pounce.
"My dear, such unexpected guests," she murmured softly, her fingers brushing Aadhya's arm as if to shield her. "One wonders what influence they might have over our affairs."
Aadhya's lips curved faintly. "Influence, Stepmother, is often overestimated." She kept her voice light, masking the sudden stir of curiosity and intrigue she felt at the newcomers.
Veer Rajan and Arjun Rathore moved to the side, speaking in hushed tones of shared history, of old campaigns, of sons and daughters who grew faster than time allowed.
"They speak of Rudra's exploits in the northern territories," Veer Rajan said casually, yet the undertone was proud. "A boy feared by soldiers, respected by allies. He must have grown into a formidable man."
Arjun nodded. "He is... as I have warned. And his sister—she would find your daughter an equal in wit and grace, I dare say."
Aadhya caught only fragments of their conversation but felt a shiver of anticipation. A sister? Rudra? The words floated through her mind like distant thunder she could not yet comprehend.
Later, the guests were escorted to the palace quarters. Aadhya passed them briefly in the hallway, bowing politely, eyes focused yet observant. Arjun Rathore's wife gave a small, approving nod. Aadhya felt the weight of their presence, the aura of command that seemed to radiate even in the absence of Rudra himself. She could not place why her pulse quickened, why a faint flutter lingered in her chest.
Meanwhile, Devendra Singh Chauhan, ever eager to cement his favor, approached Aadhya with a practiced smile. "Princess, it seems your court attracts both friends and admirers today," he said smoothly, gesturing toward the Rathores. "Perhaps you will allow me the honor of escorting you through the introductions?"
Aadhya inclined her head lightly, her smile polite, her mind already racing with strategies. She would allow nothing to betray her inner calculations. Devendra's charm, the eyes of Rudra's parents, the murmurs of the court—all pieces on a board she was only beginning to play.
Her heart reminded her of the stranger in the forest—the one whose name she did not yet know, whose presence had shaken her to her core. Yet she remained outwardly composed, careful not to reveal the storm within.
As the evening descended, the palace lights shimmered, casting shadows across the marble floors. Aadhya retreated to her chambers, thinking of the unexpected guests, the subtle hints about Rudra, and the future that now seemed more uncertain and dangerous than ever. One lifetime had taught her to watch, to wait, to plan—and this lifetime would be no different.
She pressed her fingers to the windowsill, eyes tracing the fading glow of torches in the courtyard, and whispered under her breath:
Fate has brought new players to the board. Let them watch. Let them think they understand me.
And somewhere, in a distant kingdom yet unknown, Rudra's presence waited, a storm gathering in shadow, yet unseen.