With the dawn of the next day, the King of Magadha's worries had come to an end, for now, the powers of the magical amulet were with Kartikeya.
As the first rays of morning light entered the palaces of Magadha, a royal court assembly was held, attended by all the courtiers of Magadha.
The king addressed everyone and reviewed the preparations for the upcoming war. Suddenly, a beautiful woman was presented before the court.
"Sire, this guest bears the royal seal and wishes to meet with you," the guard announced, ensuring the message reached all present.
Everyone, including the king, was astonished upon seeing her. Who was this incredibly beautiful woman?
The king commanded, "Who are you, and why do you wish to meet with me? Who has sent you with the royal seal?"
"Glory to the king! I am Arushi, disciple of the great sorceress Amba."
Arushi's beauty was no less than that of a fairy descended from the heavens.
The court fell silent as Arushi stood gracefully before the King of Magadha, her presence radiating an air of mystery. The courtiers exchanged curious glances, whispers spreading through the assembly. The King, regaining his composure, leaned forward on his throne, his gaze fixed on the woman before him.
"Arushi, disciple of Amba, what business brings you here to Magadha? And why now, when our kingdom prepares for war?" the King asked, his voice steady but laced with suspicion.
Arushi stepped forward, her voice soft but commanding. "Maharaj, I bring you a message of great importance. The powers of the magical amulet you now possess are not what they seem. Kartikeya may believe he holds control over them, but he is mistaken. The amulet is bound by ancient magic, and its true power can only be unleashed by one who understands its origins."
The courtiers gasped. Kartikeya, the King's most trusted son, had been preparing to use the amulet in the upcoming battle, confident in its strength. But now, doubt clouded the King's mind.
"And what do you know of this amulet?" the King asked, his interest piqued.
Arushi smiled faintly. "I have studied the magic of the ancients under my mentor, Amba. She foresaw the rise of this amulet and its connection to the fate of your kingdom. I have come to offer my guidance in unlocking its true potential, but only if you trust me, Maharaj."
The King paused, weighing his options. Arushi's words had cast a shadow of uncertainty over his plans, and the court awaited his decision with bated breath.
Finally, the King spoke, "We shall see if you speak the truth. For the fate of Magadha hangs in the balance."
Suddenly, Kartikeya speaks up. "What is this nonsense being discussed here, father? And since when did you start believing in magic and this sorceress?"
"You asked me to wear this amulet because I believed in your faith, but now you're indulging in magic and such things!"
"Father, you know very well that wars are won with swords and sound battle strategies. Magic is nothing but an illusion. And if this sorceress were truly so powerful, why isn't she ruling the world by now?"
Expressing his anger through his words, Kartikeya begins to leave the court.
As he walks out, he glares at the sorceress Arushi and grips his sword more tightly in anger before storming out.
Meanwhile, Siri's fort was almost fully decorated. The princess was waiting for the coming days, as the day of her coronation was fast approaching.
The princess looked outside and saw Arjun, who was busy with his work, and at the same time, he looked quite handsome.
Princess Radha had started to secretly like Arjun. She had already made up her mind that after becoming queen, she would run the kingdom with Arjun's help.
As the preparations for Princess Radha's coronation neared completion, the atmosphere in Siri's fort was filled with anticipation. The courtiers were busy with last-minute tasks, ensuring everything was perfect for the upcoming ceremony. Radha, however, found her thoughts drifting away from the grandeur of the event.
She stood on her balcony, her eyes fixed on Arjun, who was overseeing the arrangements with his usual diligence. His strength, grace, and the quiet determination with which he carried out his duties captivated her more with each passing day. Arjun was not just a warrior; he had a wisdom and humility that drew Radha toward him.
For a fleeting moment, she imagined herself by his side—not just as a queen, but as a companion. Radha had always been determined to prove herself a capable ruler, but now, the thought of having Arjun's support gave her a sense of security she hadn't felt before.
The thought of ruling Kaushal alone had once filled her with dread. The weight of responsibility seemed too much to bear, but now, with Arjun in her heart, the idea didn't seem so overwhelming. His presence gave her confidence, and she could already envision him standing beside her, guiding her through the many challenges ahead.
As she continued to watch Arjun, a soft smile formed on her lips. Her mind was made up. After her coronation, she would officially appoint Arjun as her chief advisor, and with him by her side, she would rule Kaushal with strength and wisdom.
But little did Radha know, destiny had its own plans, and the days ahead would test not only her leadership but her growing bond with Arjun. War, betrayal, and unforeseen challenges were lurking on the horizon, waiting to disrupt the peace she had begun to dream of.