The wind howled against the cliffside as Arya—once Tanvi—stood on the edge, looking down at the vast valley below. Her freshly cut hair brushed against her neck, a symbol of the life she had left behind. Dressed in a simple, worn tunic and pants, she looked like a common traveler, blending in with the world she now wandered. The weight of her disguise, of her new identity, still felt strange. But it was necessary.
She inhaled deeply, savoring the cool air as she adjusted the strap of her pack. She was no longer running from her past; she was walking towards an uncertain future. Just as she was about to continue down the narrow path, a faint groan caught her attention. She stopped, straining her ears to locate the source of the sound.
There, hidden under a thick bush, was a man—his body slumped against the rocks, bleeding from a deep wound on his side. Arya's instincts kicked in, and she rushed to his side. "Hey, are you all right?" she called, crouching beside him. The man groaned again, his eyes fluttering open, but he was too weak to speak.
Without hesitation, Arya reached into her pack for the medicinal herbs she had gathered along her journey. "Hold still," she said, gently pressing the herbs against his wound. "This will help with the bleeding."
The man grunted in pain but made no move to stop her. Arya worked quickly, using strips of her own tunic to bind the wound. "You're lucky I found you," she muttered, glancing at his face. He was handsome, despite the dirt and blood covering him. His features were sharp, his hair dark and matted, and his hands roughened by labor—or battle.
When she finished, Arya leaned back on her heels, wiping the sweat from her brow. The man's eyes flickered open, his gaze sharp despite his weakened state. "Who... who are you?" he asked in a raspy voice.
"Arya," she replied, her voice steady. "Just a traveler."
The man coughed, his voice low. "Thank you, Arya. I thought I was done for."
Arya shrugged. "Don't mention it. What happened to you?"
He hesitated before speaking, his eyes watching her carefully. "I was ambushed. On my way back to the capital. It was a trap—bandits, maybe. I fought them off, but... I didn't expect them to leave me for dead."
Arya's eyes narrowed. The more she listened, the more she realized there was something regal in his tone, something that didn't fit with his worn clothes and rough appearance. "Who are you, really?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.
The man hesitated again, then sighed. "You saved my life, so I owe you the truth." He paused, his hand weakly gesturing to his chest. "I am King Arjun, ruler of the neighboring kingdom of Jhelvar."
Arya's eyes widened. "A king?" she repeated, disbelieving.
King Arjun gave her a grim smile. "Not exactly the way you'd expect a king to look, right?" He winced as he tried to sit up. "But yes, I am the king. I was returning from a secret diplomatic mission when I was attacked. Someone must have known my route."
Arya frowned, glancing at the road ahead. "And now you're here, bleeding out on a cliffside."
"Not anymore, thanks to you," Arjun said, managing a chuckle despite the pain. He looked at her curiously, his eyes lingering on her face. "You don't seem like just any traveler, Arya. There's something different about you."
Arya stiffened but kept her expression neutral. "I'm just passing through, that's all."
Arjun didn't press further, but there was something in his gaze that told her he didn't believe her. "I owe you a great debt," he said after a moment. "As king, I can't let such a kindness go unrewarded."
"You don't owe me anything," Arya replied, standing up and adjusting her pack. "I just did what anyone would do."
Arjun smiled, shaking his head slightly. "Not everyone would have stopped to help a stranger, Arya. Especially one who looked like they were beyond saving." He winced as he shifted, clearly still in pain. "I insist. Let me repay you by welcoming you to my palace as a guest. You'll have food, shelter, and protection for as long as you need."
Arya hesitated. Staying at the palace of a king was dangerous—especially when she was trying to stay hidden from royal eyes. But the offer of shelter and food was tempting. After weeks of running, the thought of a warm bed, even for a night, was hard to refuse.
"I don't need charity," she said, her voice firm.
"This isn't charity," Arjun countered. "It's a king repaying a debt."
Arya studied his face, trying to gauge his sincerity. After a moment, she sighed. "Fine. But only for a night."
Arjun nodded, satisfied. "One night, then." He tried to stand, but his legs gave out beneath him. Arya quickly grabbed his arm, helping him stay upright. "Easy," she muttered. "You're not going to make it if you push yourself."
"I'm fine," he grunted, though it was clear he wasn't. Arya guided him carefully down the path, their progress slow but steady. As they walked, she noticed how different he was from Ajay. Where Ajay had been forceful and entitled, Arjun was respectful, almost humble. It was strange, seeing a king behave like any other man.
By the time they reached the palace, the sun was beginning to set. Arjun's soldiers rushed out to meet them, their faces filled with concern as they saw the state of their king.
"Your Majesty!" one of them exclaimed, bowing deeply. "We feared the worst when you didn't return. Who is this man?" He glanced at Arya with suspicion.
"Arya," Arjun said, leaning heavily on her for support. "He saved my life. Treat him as you would me."
The soldiers exchanged glances but quickly moved to obey. Arya was led into the palace, her eyes widening as she took in the grandeur of the place. The walls were adorned with tapestries and gold, and servants bustled about, tending to their duties.
"Make sure Arya has everything he needs," Arjun commanded before being led away by his physicians.
Arya stood there, feeling a bit out of place in the opulent surroundings. A servant approached her, bowing slightly. "This way, my lord," he said, leading her to a guest room.
Once inside, Arya collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion washing over her. She was grateful for the food and warmth, but her mind was spinning with questions. What would happen now? Would King Arjun eventually figure out that she wasn't who she claimed to be? And how long could she keep up this charade?....
The following evening, Arya—still under the guise of a male traveler—was welcomed into the grand court of King Arjun for a feast. The hall was bustling with activity, filled with nobles, ministers, and members of the court, all gathered to celebrate their king's safe return.
Arya stepped into the hall, feeling the weight of countless eyes upon her. She had traded her tattered cloak for a finely woven tunic, gifted to her by the palace tailors, but still felt out of place among the finely dressed nobles. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face. And there, near the back of the hall, she spotted her—Mira.
Mira looked well, better than Arya had hoped. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant gown, her hair flowing down her back. She stood beside a few ladies of the court, laughing lightly at something one of them said. Arya's heart lifted at the sight of her friend safe and sound. She wanted to run over to her, to tell her everything that had happened—from the kidnapping to her harrowing escape—but she knew she couldn't risk drawing attention.
As Arya moved towards an empty seat near the head of the table, King Arjun waved her over. "Arya!" he called out warmly, his voice booming through the hall. "Come, sit by my side."
The nobles around the table exchanged curious glances as Arya made her way toward the king. She took her seat beside him, feeling the weight of their stares. King Arjun leaned in, his voice low but filled with appreciation. "You saved my life. It's only fitting you sit with me tonight."
Arya gave a slight nod, still adjusting to the bizarre turn her life had taken. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she replied, keeping her voice steady. The king's generosity made her uneasy, but she couldn't afford to arouse suspicion.
As the feast commenced, Arya noticed the growing tension among the courtiers. Every now and then, she caught snippets of hushed conversations, murmurs about a royal investigation. Her ears perked up when she overheard a group of nobles speaking quietly near the far end of the table.
"The letter from the neighboring kingdom arrived this morning," one of them whispered. "An inquiry about a woman... Tanvi. They say she's been missing for weeks."
Arya froze, her heart pounding in her chest. The investigation had reached Jhelvar. She quickly composed herself, her face impassive as she tried to focus on the food in front of her. She couldn't let anyone know that she was the very woman they were searching for.
Arjun, noticing her sudden distraction, leaned in slightly. "Is something troubling you?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
Arya forced a smile. "No, Your Majesty. Just lost in thought."
The king nodded, but his sharp eyes lingered on her for a moment before he returned his attention to the feast.
A few minutes later, Arya saw her opportunity. While the court was distracted by a troupe of dancers performing for the guests, she slipped away from the table and made her way toward Mira. She approached her quietly, touching her lightly on the arm. Mira turned, and her face lit up with surprise and delight.
"Arya!" Mira exclaimed. "Or should I say... Tanvi?"
"Shh!" Arya hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard. "Not here. You can't call me that."
Mira's eyes widened, realizing the gravity of the situation. "What's going on? You look different. Why are you dressed like that?"
"It's a long story," Arya whispered, pulling her aside into a quieter corner of the hall. "I can't explain everything now, but just know I've had to disguise myself. The less you know, the better."
Mira frowned but nodded slowly, sensing the seriousness in Arya's tone. "I've been so worried," she said softly. "After everything that happened, I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again."
Arya's heart ached at the worry in her friend's voice. "I know, Mira. I've been through a lot. But you seem to be doing well here."
Mira nodded, glancing around the hall. "King Arjun's court is kind. They've treated me well. But... what about you? Are you in danger?"
Arya hesitated, her mind racing. She wanted to confide in Mira, to tell her about Prince Ajay's obsession, the bandits, the lies she had spun to survive. But if she did, she knew Mira would never let it go. She'd want to help, to protect her, and Arya couldn't let her friend get caught up in her dangerous game.
"I'm managing," Arya finally said, giving Mira a reassuring smile. "I just need to stay under the radar for a little while longer."
Before Mira could ask any more questions, a trumpet blast echoed through the hall, signaling the end of the feast. Arya glanced toward the throne and saw King Arjun rising to his feet, his gaze sweeping the room before landing on her.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Arjun announced, his voice commanding the attention of all present. "Let us raise a toast to new friends, to alliances forged in times of strife, and to the brave souls who walk among us."
Arya felt her stomach twist as the eyes of the entire court shifted to her. She forced a smile, lifting her goblet as the courtiers toasted.
As the festivities resumed, Mira leaned in closer, her voice a hushed whisper. "There's more, isn't there?"
Arya nodded slightly, her eyes scanning the room once more. "There always is, Mira. But not tonight."
Mira frowned, concern etched into her features. "Whatever's going on, I trust you. Just promise me you won't disappear again."
Arya's throat tightened. "I promise," she said, though the weight of the words felt heavy on her shoulders. Could she really keep that promise? With an investigation closing in and Prince Ajay still hunting her, nothing felt certain anymore.
She left palace next morning with tons of gift and thanking king for hi kindness.
Time had passed she has been traveling for 3