The royal palace of Udaygarh stood tall, its grand towers and marble halls echoing with whispers of power and royalty. However, within the shadows of its corridors, far from the bustling activity of the court, the chambers of Maharaj Jay Singh and Maharani Yashodhara were serene, weighed down by the gravity of impending decisions. Maharani Yashodhara, dressed in a deep emerald silk gown embroidered with gold thread, sat across from her husband. The silence between them was not one of discomfort but one of deep concentration.
They were engaged in a conversation that would alter the fate of their family and the future of Udaygarh. Their daughter, Princess Arya, had defied their will—refusing to marry the suitors chosen for her. She want marry with Prince Veer, a Dragon Prince from a distant world. The Princess's heart had become entangled with his, making it even more difficult to force her into submission.
Maharani Yashodhara's gaze was fixed on her husband. Her mind was calculating, every word and every move carefully thought out. Finally, she spoke, breaking the tension that had settled over the room. "Maharaj," she began, her voice unwavering, "we cannot let this marriage between Arya and Prince Veer happen. It would be disastrous for us, for the kingdom, and for the balance of power. We must act swiftly."
Maharaj Jay Singh's eyes narrowed in thought as he looked at his wife. He had always known her to be strategic, a woman of intellect and foresight. His mind raced as he considered her words. "You have something in mind, don't you?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and urgency. "What is it?"
The Maharani's lips curved into a subtle smile. "Yes, I do. But it will require precision and patience. We cannot force Arya into submission by brute strength alone. We cannot fight her power with mere force; after all, her strength is unparalleled. We must be more cunning. This requires a careful strategy."
She stood from her seat and approached the large wooden desk that stood in the centre of the room. With one swift motion, she called for an attendant. "Send for Rajkumar Bhim Singh immediately," she instructed. "It is time to put our plan into motion."
The attendant bowed and left swiftly. Maharani Yashodhara returned to her seat and resumed her conversation with Maharaj Jay Singh. "We must strike at the heart of the Dragon Prince's involvement in Arya's life," she said. "We must convince the Dragon World that this marriage is unfeasible. If we turn them against the union, Arya will have no choice but to return to us."
Jay Singh nodded slowly, his eyes focused on the plan forming before him. "You want to use the Dragon World's disdain for humans to our advantage?" he asked, his voice thoughtful.
"Exactly," the Maharani replied. "The Dragons will never accept a human princess as their Queen. If they believe that the union with Veer will bring dishonor to their kingdom, they will reject it. And once they do, Arya will have no choice but to abandon her plans to marry him."
Bhim Singh entered the room then, his presence as commanding as ever. The young prince, tall and strong, with a commanding gaze and a sharp intellect, walked toward his parents with purpose. He had long been a trusted ally of his mother, and now, it seemed, he would have to take on another role—one that was far more dangerous than any physical battle he had ever faced.
"Maharaj, Maharani, I have come as summoned," he said with respect, bowing slightly.
"Good," Maharaj Jay Singh said, looking at his son with pride. "Your mother has a plan, and it is time for you to be involved. We need your help to ensure that Arya does not marry Prince Veer."
Bhim Singh's brows furrowed as he took a seat. "I know of the Prince's arrival. What is it that you need me to do?"
Maharani Yashodhara leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with intent. "We need to make sure the Dragon World knows about Arya's involvement with Veer. But we cannot risk exposing ourselves directly. We need you to send word through your network of spies. Use them to plant the seeds of doubt in the minds of the Dragons."
Bhim Singh's mind worked quickly, analyzing the situation. "Understood. The Dragons' pride and disdain for humans will make this easier. Once they believe this union will dishonour them, they will reject it. And Arya will be left with no choice but to return to us."
"Exactly," the Maharani confirmed, her voice filled with assurance. "This is the only way we can ensure her obedience without breaking her spirit."
Bhim Singh stood, ready to leave and put the plan into action. "I will begin at once. The message will be delivered before long."
As he turned to leave, the Maharaj called after him, his voice carrying a tone of finality. "And do not forget the competition, Rajkumar. The suitors must still come. The competition is our public display, our way of forcing Arya's hand. Once the Dragon World rejects the union, she will have no choice but to accept the suitor we deem worthy."
Bhim Singh nodded. "I will ensure the preparations are made. It will all fall into place."
Meanwhile, in the princess's chambers, Arya sat quietly by the window, her thoughts lost in a world far away. The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the royal gardens in a warm glow, but the beauty of it all seemed to pass her by. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of Prince Veer. He had been the one constant in her heart since the moment they had met, and now, it seemed their worlds were on the brink of colliding.
Though her life had been filled with luxury and power, Arya had never felt truly free. She had always been a prisoner of her duty, a pawn in the royal game of politics. But now, she was faced with an impossible choice—one that would either bind her forever to the kingdom or force her to break away from everything she had known.
Her mind wandered to the conversations she had had with Veer, their shared moments of understanding and connection. She could still hear his voice, soft yet firm, as he spoke of their future together. But would the Dragon World ever accept her? Would her family ever allow this union to happen?
Arya sighed deeply, her heart heavy with doubt. She wanted to be with Veer, but her loyalty to her kingdom and family made it difficult to imagine a future that did not involve her royal duties. Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft knock at the door.
"Princess Arya," Bhānumati's voice called through the door. "May I come in?"
Arya looked up, a faint smile crossing her lips as she rose to open the door. Bhānumati, her closest friend and confidante, stepped inside, her expression filled with concern.
"Are you alright, Arya?" Bhānumati asked gently, her eyes scanning the princess's face. "You've been so distant lately."
"I'm fine, Bhānumati," Arya replied, though her tone lacked conviction. "I'm just… lost in thought."
Bhānumati raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Lost in thought? Or lost in him?" she asked, her voice teasing but with an undercurrent of seriousness.
Arya turned away, her gaze returning to the window. "I don't know what to do anymore, Bhānumati. I'm torn between my heart and my duty."
Bhānumati sighed, her expression softening. "I know this isn't easy, Arya. But you don't have to face this alone. You have people who care about you. People who will support you, no matter what."
Arya shook her head. "It's not just about me anymore. If I follow my heart, I'll be betraying everything my family has worked for. My duty is to Udaygarh, and I cannot forsake it. But if I marry someone else, someone I don't love, I will never be happy."
Bhānumati placed a hand on Arya's shoulder. "You will find your way. Just remember, your happiness matters too."
The next day, preparations for the grand competition began in earnest. While Arya remained isolated in her chambers, the palace buzzed with activity. The best suitors from all neighbouring kingdoms would arrive, each hoping to win Arya's hand. But little did they know, the true battle was not just for her heart—it was for her loyalty.
As the days passed, Arya felt the weight of her family's expectations growing heavier. But in the quiet of her room, her thoughts remained with Veer, the Dragon Prince who held her heart. Would their love survive the storm that was coming?