Maira watched her daughter with concern, but seeing Pari's calm demeanor brought her a sense of relief. It seemed her daughter was managing the situation far better than she had expected.
The group boarded their carriages and made their way to the royal palace. Niya's carriage was grand and luxurious, a stark contrast to Pari's more modest one. Why is there such a difference? Is Niya really adopted?
Pari also noticed that Reeta's carriage was larger and more extravagant than hers and Maira's. Observing the affectionate exchanges between her father and Reeta made her uneasy. There's something off about this, she considered. But she chose to set those thoughts aside for now.
Upon arriving at the palace, they were greeted by the emperor seated on his throne. His expression shifted to a frown as he took in the sight of the group entering the hall.
Reyan stepped forward, determination in his voice. "Father, I'd like to make an announcement."
The emperor focused his attention on Reyan and then the others. Niya quickly added, "Your Highness, we have an important matter to discuss."
Mayank, Niya's father, joined in. "Your Highness, we are here to break the engagement between my daughter, Pari, and the prince, as my other daughter, Niya, is in love with him."
The emperor turned to Pari, noting her relaxed posture and the surprising lack of sadness in her eyes. He was intrigued; she didn't appear to be the timid girl the rumors suggested. Instead, she seemed confident, even aloof. Perhaps there is more to her than meets the eye, he thought.
He then asked Niya and Reyan, "Are you both sure about this?"
Niya responded immediately, "Yes!" but Reyan hesitated, glancing at Pari, who was casually inspecting her nails. A slight pang of discomfort gripped his heart, as if he was making a significant mistake. But then he turned to Niya, who smiled back at him with certainty. Niya is the better choice, he reassured himself. She has talent, while Pari… she's just not the right fit.
Steeling himself, Reyan nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."
A matchmaker was called forth to perform the ritual to break the engagement. He chanted a spell, and a red string appeared, connecting Reyan and Pari, before breaking with a swift flick.
In that moment, Reyan felt an emptiness settle in his chest. He looked at Pari, who let out a sigh of relief, a smile gracing her lips. It left him feeling unsettled.
Afterward, another ritual began, during which a new engagement string was formed between Reyan and Niya.
Niya beamed with pride, realizing that she would soon be the wife of a royal prince. Her long-held dream was materializing, and she cast a victorious glance at Pari, now feeling like she had definitively won.
Mayank didn't miss the opportunity to speak up. "Your Highness, when will the wedding take place?"
The matchmaker replied, "There are two auspicious dates: one in a week and another next month." Mayank quickly chose the latter date, feeling immense pride. His status would undoubtedly rise in the kingdom, earning him the respect he sought.