INTRODUCTION | (necessary)
The golden glow of twilight streamed through the tall arched windows of the royal chamber, bathing the room in a warm, almost ethereal light. The air was still, heavy with the scent of lavender from the incense burning in ornate holders. The chamber was opulent yet serene—its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of phoenixes, and the walls draped in silken tapestries that whispered stories of the kingdom's glories.
On the grand four-poster bed, Niharika Dev Suryavanshi—the queen of Suryangadh, rested, her hand tenderly cradling her swollen belly. Her face bore the glow of impending motherhood, mingled with a shadow of worry—a testament to the war being waged beyond the palace walls. Beside her, her youngest daughter, Veer Dev Suryavanshi, only three years old, lay curled up, her cherubic face peaceful in slumber. The soft rise and fall of her breaths were the only audible rhythm in the room, apart from the faint crackle of the fireplace.
By the bed stood the six-year-old crown princess— Advika Dev Suryavanshi, her tiny frame poised with a composure that defied her tender age. Draped in an elegant lehenga, befitting her royal lineage, she kept one hand resting on the hilt of the sword she wore at her side. The sword, sheathed in rich leather and adorned with the royal crest, was no ordinary accessory. It was a true blade—a testament to the princess's bravery, intelligence, and rigorous training. Awarded to her by the king himself, it symbolized her readiness to shoulder responsibility far beyond her years.
"माँ" (mother) she said softly, her voice a blend of youthful innocence and commanding assurance, "when will father return? He promised he will teach me the ways of battlefield after his return."
Niharika's lips curved into a gentle smile as she reached out to Little Advika, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. "Soon, my love. Your father fights bravely for us all. He will return with stories of valor—and he will see the strength that his eldest daughter already carries in her heart."
The crown princess nodded solemnly, her fingers curling instinctively around the hilt of her sword. "I will guard you until he does," she declared firmly, her tone resolute.
Niharika looked at her daughter with pride and a hint of melancholy, knowing the weight the young girl carried on her slender shoulders. "You already are, my brave girl. Your courage is my strength."
Outside, the world seemed tumultuous, but within the chamber, an aura of love, resilience, and quiet resolve prevailed. Advika stood sentinel, embodying the heart of a warrior and the soul of a protector, even in a moment of profound vulnerability.
Suddenly Niharika winced briefly as the labor pains surged, but her face remained serene, betraying no sign of the storm within. Her regal composure held firm as she turned her gaze to Advika, standing loyally by her side with her sword at her hip.
"Advi," Niharika said softly, her voice steady despite the strain. "Inform Avni (personal maid of the queen) to summon the royal physician and the midwife. They must come at once."
Advika straightened, her small figure radiating a sense of duty far beyond her years. "ठीक है माँ, हम अभी वापस आते हैं।" (okay mother, I'll be back soon) she replied firmly and hurried to the chamber door, her steps purposeful, and delivered her mother's command with precision to Avni who was standing firmly near the door. Within moments, the palace was alive with motion as the summoned healers rushed to Niharika's side.
Hours passed as the day faded into night. The torches in the corridors flickered, casting dancing shadows across the walls. Niharika's cries of pain pierced the quiet of the palace, though they were tempered with an unwavering strength. Finally, the cries of a newborn filled the chamber. The third princess had arrived—a tiny, fragile life swaddled in warmth and love.
The midwife handed the baby to the Niharika, who gazed down at her youngest daughter with a mix of exhaustion and joy. Advika, standing nearby, watched in awe as her mother softly whispered blessings over the child.
But peace was fleeting. Just as the household settled into calm, a soldier burst into the room, his face pale and strained. He bowed deeply before delivering his grim news. "Your Majesty, the battle goes poorly. The general has fallen, and the king is in need of urgent reinforcements."
Niharika's face tightened, but her resolve never faltered. She handed the newborn to the midwife with utmost care and turned to Advika. Kneeling briefly before her eldest daughter, she placed both hands on the young girl's shoulders.
"Advika," The empress said, her voice low but filled with conviction. "आपको अपनी बहनों का ख्याल रखना होगा और महल की रखवाली करनी होगी। हमे वहीं जाना होगा जहाँ हमारी जरूरत है।"
(You must take care of your sisters and watch over the palace. I must go where I am needed.)
Advika nodded solemnly, her hand instinctively brushing the hilt of her sword. Though her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, she straightened her back, mirroring her mother's courage. "I will, Mother. I promise. अपना ख्याल रखियेगा. हमें, हमारी बहनों को और इस राज्य को आप दोनों की आवश्यकता है।" (Take care of yourself. Me, My sisters and this kingdom need you both.)
Niharika rose, ignoring the pain wracking her body. Clad in a flowing red lehenga, her steps were determined as she left the chamber, the flicker of the torchlight making her appear almost otherworldly. Despite the turmoil within and without, the empress marched into the storm, her will as unyielding as the crown she bore. Clad in gleaming armor that caught darkness of the night, each plate etched with intricate designs that spoke of her lineage. At her side hung a sword of unparalleled craftsmanship, a gift from the emperor himself—a blade that symbolized their bond, forged in trust and passion.
The first ray of light illuminated the battlefield that was in chaos, but the moment Niharika arrived, the tides began to shift. Her movements were fluid, her strikes precise, as she commanded the troops alongside her king. Their eyes met across the fray, exchanging silent words of trust and understanding. Together, they fought with an intensity that was both fierce and poetic, their coordination a testament to their love and shared thirst for victory.
Yet, unbeknownst to them, a dark shadow loomed—an intricate conspiracy woven by the very one they trusted most. The king and queen, revered as the greatest rulers, symbols of unity, power, and love, were being betrayed from within.
After hours of brutal combat, the enemy was defeated, and the battlefield erupted in victorious cheers. Soldiers hailed their rulers as saviors, their spirits lifted by the sight of Rudra Dev Suryavanshi and Niharika standing side by side, swords still crimson from the fray.
But joy turned to treachery in an instant. Amidst the celebration, the trusted one—name shrouded in mystery—approached the Rudra under the guise of congratulation. In a flash of betrayal, Rudra was struck down, his blood staining the soil they had fought so valiantly to protect.
Niharika's scream of horror pierced the night. Her eyes blazed with fury as she turned to face the traitor. With a ferocity born of grief and wrath, she unsheathed her blade and, in one swift movement, severed the head of the man who had dared to betray her Rudra. The battlefield fell silent, the echoes of her vengeance reverberating in the hearts of all who bore witness.
Dropping to her knees, she cradled the Rudra's head in her lap, tears streaming down her face. "आप हमारी ताकत हो रुद्र।" (You are my strength, Rudra) she whispered, her voice trembling yet resolute. "आपने ही हमे जीने का उद्देश्य दिया अब आप ही हमसे हमारा अस्तित्व नहीं छीन सकते।" (You gave me a purpose to live, now you cannot take away my existence from me)
Rudra—his voice weak but filled with love, managed a final smile. "आप ही हमारे सब कुछ हो, निहारिका" (You are my everything, Niharika)" he murmured, his hand reaching to touch her face. "हम आपको और हमारे बच्चों को छोड़ नहीं सकते, पर अब हमारा वक्त आ चूका है। जैसे आपने हमारा नेतृत्व किया वैसे ही हमारे राज्य का भी नेतृत्व करे, प्रिय। हमे आप पर विश्वास है। (I cannot leave you and our children, but it's time for me to go now. Lead them as you led me, love. I believe in you.)
Rudra's breathing slowed down and his hand that was on Niharika's face dropped. Determined, Niharika refused to believe it was the end. She stood, her strength defying her exhaustion, and dragged Rudra away from the carnage. 'This is not the end.' She thought in her mind.
No enemy, no ally, no kingdom could find them again, despite relentless efforts. Legends arose, of their undying love and the mystery of their disappearance. Some said they escaped to a faraway land to heal, others whispered of a divine intervention, their spirits ascending as eternal protectors of the realm while some who wanted them dead assumed they died. But one truth remained: the story of the greatest king and queen, united in love and power, lived on in the hearts of their people forever.