The soft crunch of gravel under their slippers was the only sound in the cool, silent air.

Vaidehi adjusted the thin veil covering her head and looked around, a wide smile tugging at her lips.

They had crossed the last checkpoint—the palace gates were far behind them now.

"See?" Pranati, her childhood bestfriend as well as the royal maid, whispered, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"I told you it would be easy. These guards are nothing compared to us."

Vaidehi let out a soft, relieved laugh, careful not to make too much noise.

"Even the personal guard didn’t catch us," she said, casting a glance over her shoulder.

The path behind them was empty, shadowed by thick trees and the soft mist of early dawn.

"His name is Shaurya. I didnt know we could tackle him as well."

Pranati puffed up proudly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

They shared a victorious smile, feeling almost giddy at their success.

But what they didn’t see—hidden just beyond the curve of the path—

was a tall figure moving silently through the shadows, his steel-grey eyes locked firmly on them, a ghost who would not be shaken off so easily.

The narrow path wound deeper into the quiet fields, the palace far behind them now.

The faint grey mist of early dawn clung to the ground, curling around their feet as they walked swiftly.

Vaidehi had slipped out of her royal lehenga into a more practical attire — a soft, cream-colored kurti reaching her knees, paired with loose, faded pants that allowed her to move freely. Her thick hair, usually adorned with ornaments, was tied in a simple braid.

Pranati pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, shivering slightly in the morning chill.

"I hope no one catches us Rajkumari?" Pranati whispered, nervousness and fear bubbling inside her all of a sudden.

Vaidehi smiled faintly, her blue eyes twinkling with excitement.

"No one will. They’re all sleeping off last night’s court feast. And besides," she added, adjusting the sword she carried, "I need to keep practicing. The day I stop... is the day I lose."

Pranati sighed but didn't argue. She knew better than to try stopping Vaidehi when she had that determined look on her face.

They reached a small, hidden clearing surrounded by tall neem trees — their secret practice ground.

The grass was wet underfoot, glistening with dew, and the only sounds were the distant calls of early birds waking up.

Vaidehi stretched her arms, breathing in the cold, crisp air, her body itching to move.

She tossed her shawl aside and took her stance, raising her sword lightly.

Pranati sat herself down on a stone nearby, hugging her knees to keep warm, ready to watch over her friend like she always did.

Unseen by either of them, the shadow moved beyond the trees —

blending into the mist, his dark grey eyes never leaving the slender figure in the clearing.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he watched her movements — quick, fluid, determined.

This princess was nothing like he had expected.

She was... fire hidden under beauty

Vaidehi tightened her grip on the sword, readying herself for the morning practice.

Just as she stepped forward to begin, a warm voice floated across the clearing.

"I wondered if you would come today, little one."

Vaidehi turned, a bright smile lighting up her face as she saw Guruma approaching. Dressed simply yet regally, Guruma's presence radiated a comforting calm, almost like a mother seeing her child after a long day.

Vaidehi quickly placed her sword down and bowed respectfully.

"Guruma!" she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

Pranati, who had been idly plucking at the grass, stood and bowed too, her expression polite.

Guruma reached Vaidehi and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead, an affectionate smile on her face.

"I heard whispers in the palace... that your security has been tightened. I thought you might not come today."

Vaidehi chuckled softly, a little mischievously.

"It will take more than a few guards to stop me, Guruma."

Guruma shook her head, her eyes twinkling.

"Of course it would. You have your mother’s spirit." Her voice softened at the mention of Vaidehi’s late mother, and for a moment, they both shared a quiet look of understanding.

Then Guruma’s smile returned, brighter.

"Come, show me how much my stubborn little Rajkumari has improved."

Vaidehi eagerly picked up her sword again, falling into position. Guruma watched, arms crossed loosely, as Vaidehi launched into a series of swift, precise movements. Her footwork was light, her strikes controlled yet full of strength.

As Vaidehi moved across the clearing, lost in the rhythm of her training, Guruma's smile grew prouder with every step.

When Vaidehi finished the set, slightly breathless but grinning, Guruma clapped her hands together once in clear approval.

"You have improved more than I expected," she said warmly.

"Your strikes are sharper and Your form is stronger. I am proud of you, Vaidehi."

Vaidehi’s chest swelled with happiness, her blue eyes sparkling under the faint rays of the morning sun.

"It's all because of you, Guruma," she said earnestly.

"You believed in me when no one else did."

Guruma stepped forward and cupped Vaidehi’s cheek gently.

"And I always will, my Betu."

From a hidden distance, hidden among the shadows of the trees, the grey-eyed guard watched the exchange closely, his gaze lingering longer than necessary on the young princess who glowed with fierce determination.

He leaned casually against a thick trunk, arms crossed, his dark-grey eyes never once straying from the petite figure darting across the field.

There was something almost maddeningly captivating about her — the way her blue eyes gleamed with focus, the way her slender frame moved with grace and purpose.

Not the spoilt, pampered princess he had imagined. No... she was different.

His lips curled into a faint, amused smirk as she stumbled slightly while adjusting her grip, only to recover with stubborn determination.

"Fierce little thing," he mused under his breath, the words spoken with a strange fondness he didn’t care to acknowledge.

She was his enemy’s daughter, the very bloodline he had vowed to bring to its knees.

Yet here he was, tucked in the shadows, watching her like a moth drawn helplessly to the flame.

A dangerous game he was playing — one he could not afford to lose.

Vaidehi, meanwhile, spun into a finishing stance, breathless and glowing, her chest rising and falling rapidly with the exertion. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, the simple cotton kurti clinging slightly to her damp skin, making her look both ethereal and devastatingly real all at once.

The guard's eyes darkened.

There was a storm brewing inside him — a war between the man craving revenge and the man who couldn’t tear his gaze away from her.

For a moment, Vaidehi tilted her head, a flicker of unease brushing across her features, as if sensing someone’s eyes on her. She scanned the treeline briefly.

She found nothing out of place and turned back to Guruma.

His lips curved into a slow, evil smile.

"Careful, little lioness," he murmured under his breath, voice low and almost tender.

"You have no idea the storm that's about to hit your kingdom."

____________

The morning mist thickened as Guruma gathered her shawl and smiled at Vaidehi with pride.

"Keep practicing. You have the heart of a true warrior."

Vaidehi smiled, her chest swelling with a quiet pride she didn't voice aloud. She bowed respectfully, and Guruma, after a few more words, turned and disappeared into the fog.

Vaidehi turned to Pranati, wiping the light sheen of sweat from her brow. "We should leave before someone realizes we’re gone," she whispered.

Pranati nodded eagerly. "Come! Let’s go before your 'personal guard' catches us!" she teased under her breath.

They grabbed their stuff and started walking quickly through the narrow trail back toward the city edges.

The mist clung to them like a second skin, and the darkness still hadn't fully lifted. Their soft footsteps barely disturbed the morning hush.

And then — the sound of boots crushing dried leaves.

Close.

Too close.

Both girls froze mid-step, their eyes wide. Another crunch, slower this time, heavy and deliberate.

"Someone’s following us," Pranati hissed, grabbing Vaidehi’s arm.

The faint crunch of boots over gravel echoed louder now.

Vaidehi’s heart froze — those were not the footsteps of a single person.

These were heavier, more deliberate.

Pranati's eyes widened in panic as she hissed, "Guards!"

Without wasting a second, she darted into the shadow of an old cart covered with cloth, disappearing like smoke.

Vaidehi turned swiftly, searching for cover — but the path was too open, the walls too far.

The guards' voices floated through the mist, low and clipped.

"...Check around the trees."

Panic clawed up her throat.

She spun, trying to slip away into the darkness — but a sharp beam of a lantern swept too close, grazing the hem of her kurti.

"There!" a guard shouted.

Vaidehi froze like a deer caught under an arrow’s aim.

And just as the clatter of boots charged towards her —

a hand shot out from the shadows, strong and sure, gripping her wrist.

Before she could even gasp, she was yanked into the dense darkness between two broken stone walls — a heartbeat away from being seen.

A firm palm covered her mouth, muffling her sharp gasp.

The world seemed to fall away — the only things real were the hurried thud of her heartbeat and the presence behind her, her back against someone's well built chest.

And then... his scent enveloped her.

Deep, dangerous, and devastatingly beautiful.

A whisper of rare sandalwood laced with the faintest hint of crushed dark citrus — masculine, commanding, and pulse-quickening — as if the night itself answered to him.

It seeped into her senses, pulling her closer even without touch.

She could feel his warm minty breath against her temple — warm, steady, in complete contrast to the chaos swirling inside her.

"Shh," came a deep, low voice against her ear — so quiet, so close, it sent a shiver down her spine.

Vaidehi froze. The warmth of his breath caressed the curve of her neck, sending a wave of heat through her body. His hand, large and firm, pressed gently against her mouth, the touch as commanding as it was intimate.

Every breath she took was clouded by the scent of him — a rich, masculine fragrance that swirled around her, heady and intoxicating.

Her pulse quickened, thumping hard against her ribcage as she felt his chest rise and fall with every steady breath. His body was solid, too strong, too unyielding behind her, and the warmth of him seeped through her clothes, igniting a heat in places she hadn’t known could burn so fiercely.

His grip on her waist was unrelenting, pulling her against him, but not roughly — gently, as though he were claiming her space, but without words. The intensity of his closeness made it hard for her to think, harder still to breathe.

Vaidehi’s mind spun as his fingers brushed the delicate fabric of cloth around her waist, the touch sending ripples through her nerves, making it impossible to ignore the overwhelming pull between them.

The world seemed to close in around them, the shadows of the night, the sound of their breath, and the pressure of his touch — everything else faded away.

Every part of her wanted to break free, to pull away from the intensity of the moment. In that instant, pressed so close to him, Vaidehi couldn’t help but feel the undeniable strength he held.

His gentle grip was enough to keep her still, it made her wonder: if this man ever truly tried, he could bend the world to his will. The thought of such power, so effortlessly displayed, left her breathless, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You’re safe," he whispered, his deep voice a velvet murmur, smooth and steady, but carrying an undertone that sent a spark of something electric through her veins.

Startled, Vaidehi turned her head slightly, and her eyes widened when they met his — the new guard.

He was close.

Too close.

His hand was still pressed gently against her mouth, while the other rested firmly at her waist, holding her in place without effort, yet making her feel like she couldn’t move even if she tried.

For a heartbeat, they just stared at each other.

His grey eyes locked with her blue ones, silent, unreadable, but heavy with something that made her chest tighten.

The faintest frown tugged at her brows, confusion mixing with a strange awareness that prickled across her skin.

Slowly, his hand lifted from her mouth, leaving behind the warmth of his touch that she could still feel, maddeningly so.

But the one at her waist didn’t move. It stayed, steady, grounding her against him — like an invisible pull between them.

Vaidehi inhaled shakily, realizing how close they still were. The space between them barely existed, and the sheer size of him, the quiet strength in the way he held her — it clouded her mind.

She opened her mouth to say something, anything — but no words came out.

He didn’t speak either. He just... looked at her. As if he was memorizing the way she looked in that moment — startled, breathless, caught.

The tension wrapped around them, thick and tangible, and she hated how aware she was of every inch of him.

Of how his touch lingered, how his gaze pinned her in place more than his hands ever could.

She swallowed, trying to find the words, but all she could manage was a quiet exhale. "What are you doing here?"

His gaze remained fixed on her, and she saw the faintest twitch of his lips as if he found her question almost amusing.

Still, he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he gave her a look that sent a shiver through her. His fingers tightened just slightly on her waist, but it wasn’t painful—more like a subtle reminder of the control he had over her. The air between them was thick now, laden with something far too intense for her to understand at this moment.

“I could ask you the same question,” he murmured, his voice still low, almost like a growl.

Vaidehi stiffened at his words, but she couldn’t look away from him — from the way his grey eyes seemed to pierce straight through her, unraveling every thought she was trying to hold onto.

"I…" she faltered, trying to summon the boldness she was known for. "I don't owe you an explanation"

A ghost of a smirk played at the corner of his mouth — not quite a smile, but close enough to make her pulse race.

He leaned in just slightly, his presence wrapping around her like a net she couldn’t escape.

"Perhaps," he murmured, his thumb brushing — just once, feather-light — against her side, "but I wonder what your father would say… if he knew his daughter slipped out of the palace walls before dawn."

The way he said it — soft, almost lazy — was worse than any threat. It was a reminder that he could cause trouble for her if he wanted to.

And yet... there was no real malice in his voice. Only curiosity. Challenge.

"I didn’t ask for a guard," she said, her voice sharper now, trying to regain some footing.

"No," he agreed, almost thoughtfully. "But you have one now."

The words hung between them, heavy and unspoken.

A warning. A promise.

Vaidehi finally found her voice, narrowing her blue eyes at him as she straightened her back. His hand was still resting lightly at her waist — not holding her anymore, but not exactly letting her go either.

"Hum apna khayal khud rakh sakte hai," she said, tilting her chin up defiantly.

Shaurya’s grey eyes flickered with a faint glint of amusement, as if he was weighing her words — and finding them both bold and reckless. His lips curved, not quite a smile, more a smirk that promised trouble.

"I can see that," he murmured, voice low and rich, the barest hint of teasing laced beneath it.

And just like that, he released her fully, stepping back with a lazy, almost dismissive grace — but the intensity of his gaze never wavered, lingering on her for a beat longer than necessary.

Vaidehi’s breath caught, but before she could form another retort, hurried footsteps crunched against the gravel.

Pranati, eyes wide and frantic, emerged from her hiding spot, looking between them.

"There you are!" she whispered fiercely, grabbing Vaidehi’s hand. "Come on, before we’re actually caught!"

Vaidehi gave one last glare toward Shaurya — who simply raised an eyebrow, as if daring her to say something more — and then allowed Pranati to tug her away into the pre-dawn mist.

They slipped into the narrow path back toward the palace, Shaurya stayed hidden, his gaze sharp, body coiled with silent awareness.

He saw one of the palace guards trailing after them, suspicion hardening his features. The man reached for the sword at his side, clearly about to call out.

Shaurya moved before the thought could even finish.

A blur of movement.

A hand clamped over the guard’s mouth, yanking him backward into the shadows with brutal strength.

The man barely had a second to struggle.

Shaurya’s grip tightened — iron, merciless — and with a vicious twist, he snapped the guard’s neck with a soundless, sickening crack.

The guard slumped lifelessly against him, not even a gasp escaping into the night.

Without hesitation, Shaurya lowered the body carefully into the dark, stepping over him with a predator’s ease, his movements precise and practiced, as if it cost him nothing.

His grey eyes briefly flickered in the direction Vaidehi had gone — completely oblivious to the danger that had brushed past her.

His jaw tightened slightly.

"Kya keh rahi thi? Hum apne khayal khud rakh sakte hai?," he thought grimly, before his gaze softened against his will.

Making sure the path ahead was clear, he melted back into the darkness, his steps silent as a shadow, resuming his silent watch over her.

____________________

The heavy palace doors creaked softly as Vaidehi and Pranati stepped back inside, having quickly changed into their usual attire. Vaidehi fidgeted with the edges of her flowing orange dress, trying to smooth out any signs of the earlier adventure.

They rounded the corner just as a familiar voice called out.

"Rajkumari," the head attendant stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced at Vaidehi’s attire. "You weren't outside the palace, were you?"

Vaidehi blinked, caught off guard for a moment, her heart racing at the thought of being discovered.

“No... no,” she said softly, her voice a bit higher than usual. "I haven’t left the palace."

The attendant, clearly skeptical, studied her closely, her eyes flicking between Vaidehi and Pranati. There was something in the air that made her uncertain. Vaidehi’s innocent smile didn’t help her case, and she wondered if the Rajkumari was truly being truthful.

Still, the aura of purity and naivety that surrounded Vaidehi was undeniable. She was no politician, no master of deception.

After a long pause, the attendant’s stern look softened, and she bowed her head slightly. “Forgive me, Rajkumari. I must have been mistaken.”

Vaidehi’s heart fluttered with relief, but she smiled kindly and nodded. “It’s no trouble,” she said, trying to appear unaffected. “You’re just doing your duty.”

Once the attendant was out of sight, Pranati let out a quiet sigh of relief. "That was too close."

Vaidehi glanced over at her, still oblivious to the true weight of the situation. "Why would they think I left? I'm sure they know I wouldn’t."

"Well," Pranati began, her voice tinged with concern, "sometimes... the palace doesn't trust you as much as you'd like to think."

Vaidehi blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But I never do anything wrong."

"Not everything is about right or wrong, Vaidehi," Pranati replied, a faint sadness in her voice. "Some things are... well, about control."

Vaidehi tilted her head, her eyes wide as she tried to understand. “But why would they try to control me? I’m just trying to be helpful, to learn.”

Pranati sighed and placed a gentle hand on Vaidehi’s shoulder. “You’re too pure for all this, Vaidehi. They see that... and they want to keep it in check.”

Vaidehi thought about her words for a moment, her gaze distant. She smiled, her innocence shining through. "Well, I don't mind being careful. As long as I get to keep practicing."

In the dim shadows just around the corner, Shaurya watched her with a hint of amusement, the faintest smirk on his lips.

She had no idea how close she was to unraveling everything — and how easily she could have already slipped up.

Her innocence, so genuine, made him smirk, but also... something else stirred within him.

"Such purity," he thought, eyes narrowing slightly. "I wonder how long she'll survive in this cruel world... so... naive."

But for now, he let her pass by without revealing his presence, enjoying the way she floated through life with no idea of the dangers awaiting her.

_________________________

Secret Chambers of Devdhara Palace:

The ancient secret chambers of Devdhara Palace lay buried deep beneath layers of stone and history — forgotten by most, but not by those who knew where real power slept.

Down here, the air was colder, heavier, filled with the weight of centuries-old secrets.

Shaurya moved like a shadow along the narrow passage. His footsteps made no sound, his presence as silent and lethal as a coiled predator.

Ahead, Vikram, his trusted general, was already waiting — standing just beyond the flickering reach of a torch.

At the sight of him, Vikram straightened, bowing his head slightly.

"Samrat," he greeted, voice low and respectful.

Shaurya leaned against the stone wall with arms folding across his chest. His grey eyes, sharp and unreadable, cut through the dimness like blades.

"Report," he said, voice pitched so low that even the stones seemed to hold their breath to listen.

Vikram stepped forward a fraction. "No progress yet," he said carefully. "We've covered the outer corridors and the abandoned archives, but..." — he hesitated, choosing his words with care — "the RELIC remains hidden."

A muscle ticked in Shaurya’s jaw — the only sign of his growing impatience.

He turned his gaze to the heavy shadows stretching further into the heart of the secret chambers, his expression impossible to read.

"It’s here," Shaurya said after a beat, his voice low, dangerous — the kind of certainty that demanded obedience, not doubt.

Vikram offered no argument. He had long since learned that Shaurya's instincts were never wrong.

Shaurya’s mind, against his will, flickered back to a certain pair of wide, trusting blue eyes and the way her soft lips had felt trembling under his rough hands.

The image burned hotter than he liked to admit.

With a slight push off the wall, his tall frame straightened, the command in his voice unmistakable.

"Find it," he said, his words slicing cleanly through the heavy air. "Before I burn the whole world down."

Without waiting for a reply, Shaurya turned, his figure melting back into the shadows of Devdhara Palace’s secret chambers.

Vikram watched him go, a shiver running down his spine at the Samrat's words, then just as silently, disappeared into the darkness.

___________________

Vaidehi hurried through the quieter wing of the palace, her lehenga gathered lightly in her hands, her head ducked low. Her hair was still damp from the rushed bath, a few loose strands clinging to her rosy cheeks.

She was trying her best to avoid any unnecessary attention.

She needed no more questions about where she had been, and certainly no more suspicious glances.

Turning a sharp corner, she almost collided straight into a wall, or so she thought.

She gasped, stumbling back instinctively — only to find herself staring up into familiar, unreadable grey eyes.

SHAURYA.

Her heart kicked up painfully against her ribs.

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

He stood there like a force she couldn’t reckon with — tall, brooding, the faintest shadow of a smirk brushing his lips, as if he found her attempts at discretion almost... amusing.

Vaidehi blinked rapidly, flustered. "I— I’m sorry," she managed, stepping to the side quickly, desperate to escape the heavy pull of his presence.

Shaurya didn’t say a word.

He merely tipped his head slightly, his gaze lazily tracing her face — with a certain... curiosity, a certain intensity that made a shiver run down her spine.

She clutched the folds of her dress tighter and dipped her head, rushing past him without another word.

As she disappeared down the hallway, Shaurya allowed himself a slow, measured breath.

His hands remained loosely at his sides, but his jaw tightened ever so slightly.

VAIDEHI.

Still unaware of the war quietly raging around her... and the one she was slowly, mercilessly igniting within him.

A humorless smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

There was innocence in her, yes — but there was also a stubborn fire, one she hadn't yet realized she possessed.

And he... he had always been drawn to the flame.

"You're going to be trouble, Little lioness" Shaurya murmured under his breath, his voice rough with something he didn’t dare name yet.