Prince Veer stood tall before Aarya, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. His voice was warm and affectionate as he spoke. "Come, let me feed you today. You deserve it, my dear. Today, we will do things my way. I will feed you with my hands to show you how much I care."
Aarya looked at him for a long moment, her eyes tracing every detail of his face. There was something about the way he always tried to make her smile that both touched and frustrated her at the same time. But despite her silent gaze, she did not speak, her lips sealed in an unspoken sadness. She could not bring herself to speak, not yet.
The meal that Queen Yashodhara had brought was something Aarya would have devoured in a heartbeat on any other day—her favorite dish, the one that had always made her heart light. But today, everything seemed different. Today, nothing felt right. Not even the familiar flavors brought her any joy.
For the past two days, Aarya had been living in a haze of emotions. She hadn't touched food because it no longer seemed to offer any comfort. The weight of everything that had been happening—the royal politics, her looming marriage, the secret she was keeping—had drained her.
Veer watched her closely, a look of concern crossing his features. He could see the cloud of despair that hung over her, and it pained him. He knew that Aarya had always been a strong, independent warrior, but even she had her breaking point.
"Come on," Veer said softly, his voice filled with teasing affection, hoping to break the barrier of silence. "You need to eat something. Or else, I'll finish it all myself. And then I'll have to apologize for not saving any for you."
He took a spoonful of the meal, savoring the taste with exaggerated delight. His eyes sparkled as he spoke again, his tone playful. "Ah, this is so delicious! How could anyone resist such a feast? It would take someone truly unfortunate to turn down such a meal."
Aarya's heart clenched at the sight of him trying to lighten her mood. His words, though teasing, were full of love. She felt the warmth of his care and, for the first time in days, felt the smallest flicker of comfort. Without saying a word, she reached for the plate, reluctantly taking a small portion. She couldn't disappoint him.
As she hesitated for a moment, Veer offered her a spoonful, holding it up with a playful smile. "Here, let me feed you. It's the least I can do for my beloved princess."
She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. They welled up in her eyes, a soft sob escaping her lips. Aarya didn't know why, but the tenderness in his gesture, the love in his eyes, and the weight of everything she had been carrying overwhelmed her. She quickly wiped her tears, embarrassed at her vulnerability.
Veer's heart swelled with affection. He placed a hand on hers, offering a reassuring smile. "Hey, you don't need to apologize for crying. You've been through a lot, Aarya. You don't have to be strong all the time."
Aarya blinked, her eyes meeting his. She could no longer deny the depth of the connection she felt for him, and her walls, which she had built so carefully over the years, began to crumble. She took a deep breath and, with a quiet nod, accepted the food he offered.
As she took the first bite, Veer grinned triumphantly. "See? I told you it was delicious. I have impeccable taste, after all." He let out a playful laugh, his voice light, as if trying to ease the tension that had lingered in the air for so long.
"Now, it's my turn," he added with a wink. "I'm going to eat from the hands of my future queen."
Aarya hesitated at first, still grappling with the mix of emotions inside her, but seeing his earnestness, she gave in. With a soft smile, she fed him the next bite. The gesture, though small, felt monumental to her. It was a quiet exchange, one that spoke volumes without words.
Both of them sat there in a peaceful silence as they continued eating, each moment feeling more precious than the last. For that brief period, the world outside seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them in their shared intimacy.
Once the meal was finished, the room fell into a comfortable stillness. Veer, his eyes growing heavy, leaned his head against Aarya's lap. He sighed contentedly, feeling the warmth of her presence, the connection they shared. Aarya ran her fingers gently through his hair, a tender smile forming on her lips. It felt so natural to care for him, to be this close to him.
For a moment, everything seemed perfect. But the peace didn't last long. Aarya's mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. She could feel the weight of the world pressing down on her, and she knew that nothing could stay this simple forever.
"You should go now," Aarya said softly, her voice filled with hesitation. "If anyone finds out, it could cause trouble for both of us. We have to be careful."
Veer's expression darkened slightly, and he sat up, looking at her. "It feels like the entire kingdom is conspiring to drive me away. You don't want me to stay, do you?" His voice was laced with a hint of hurt, though he tried to hide it.
Aarya's heart clenched at the sight of his pain. She quickly shook her head. "No, it's not that. You know I want to be with you. But the situation… it's dangerous. We can't risk everything for a moment of happiness. We both know that."
Veer studied her face, searching for any sign of doubt. "Aarya, you know I will do anything to be with you. I'm not going to give up on us. But if this kingdom, your father, won't accept me, then I'll find a way to make it right. I promise you, we'll find a way."
Aarya's eyes softened as she gently cupped his face. "Please, Veer. I love you. But you have to understand—my father will never accept this. He's made his decision. You don't have to bear the consequences of his actions."
Veer's gaze hardened with determination. "Don't worry about me. You are my future, Aarya. And I won't let anyone or anything stand in the way of that. I'll make sure of it."
He stood up, his tone now more resolute. "I will go. But trust me, Aarya, I will come back. We will be together. I promise."
Veer transformed into his dragon form in a flash of radiant energy, his wings unfurling, his eyes glowing with a fierce intensity. Aarya watched him leave, her heart heavy with both hope and fear. As Veer flew into the sky, disappearing into the distance, she felt a sense of loss, but also a flicker of anticipation. She knew that he would return, and with him, he would bring change. She only hoped that change would be for the better.
Meanwhile, in the royal court, King Jay Singh sat at the head of a large table, surrounded by his ministers. The air was thick with tension as they discussed the matter of Princess Aarya's future.
"I've been thinking," Crown Prince Bhim Singh said, his voice filled with conviction. "We need to hold a competition, a grand tournament. We'll invite all the neighboring kingdoms, and the winner will marry Princess Aarya. This way, we can be sure that she marries someone worthy of her."
King Jay Singh nodded thoughtfully, considering the proposal. "And what do you think, Prime Minister? Do you agree with the prince?"
The Prime Minister, a wise man with years of experience, nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. This competition will allow us to test the mettle of the princes from other kingdoms. We will see who is truly capable of being Aarya's equal, both in battle and in leadership."
King Jay Singh looked satisfied with their plan. "Very well. We will send invitations to all the neighboring states. Let the competition begin soon."
With that, the king dismissed the meeting and returned to his private chambers. There, Queen Yashodhara awaited him, sitting by the window, her expression clouded with concern.
"My king," she began softly, "I hope you understand the consequences of your decision. Aarya is not a pawn to be played with; she is a warrior, blessed by Lord Mahadev himself. This competition and this plan could break her spirit."
King Jay Singh's face hardened. "I've made my decision, Yashodhara. Aarya needs to understand that she cannot marry that dragon. We'll find her a worthy prince, and she will accept him. She must."
Queen Yashodhara sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of her daughter's defiance. "But my king, Aarya has already made her feelings clear. She loves the dragon prince. She won't marry anyone else. If you force her into this, it may tear our family apart."
King Jay Singh stood firm. "Enough. I will not allow my daughter to marry a creature from another realm. This is the only way."
In her chamber, Princess Aarya sat alone, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The decision her father had made, the competition, the prospect of being forced to marry a stranger—it all seemed unbearable.
The door opened, and Queen Yashodhara entered, her face a mixture of love and concern.
"Aarya," she said softly, her voice gentle. "We need to talk."
Aarya looked up, her heart heavy. "I know what you're going to say, Mother. You've come to convince me to accept this competition."
Queen Yashodhara sat beside her, her hand resting on her daughter's shoulder. "Aarya, please understand. Your father is doing this to protect you, to ensure that you marry someone who is worthy of you."
Aarya's eyes hardened. "No, Mother. You don't understand. I won't marry anyone but Veer. You can't force me into this."
The tension between them was palpable, and Queen Yashodhara's heart broke at the sight of her daughter's defiance. "Aarya, this isn't just about your feelings. This is about our kingdom, our future. Your father is right. You cannot marry him."
"I will not marry anyone else," Aarya shot back, her voice filled with an unwavering resolve. "If my father forces me, I would rather die than marry anyone else."
Queen Yashodhara's eyes widened in shock. "You can't mean that. You can't disobey your father. You can't choose death."
Aarya stood with her fists clenched. "If I have to, I will."
The room fell silent as the two women locked eyes. Neither spoke for a long time, both understanding that the rift between them was now deeper than ever.
With a heavy heart, Queen Yashodhara stood up and walked toward the door. "I cannot support this, Aarya. But I will not stop you either."
As she left, Aarya sank down onto the floor, her heart breaking with the weight of the decision she had made. She had chosen her path, and now she would have to face the consequences.
As the days went by, the tension in the royal palace increased. The competition was on, and Aarya's future hung in the balance. However, deep down, she was certain of one thing: she would not marry anyone but Veer. No matter what it took, she would fight for the love she believed in.