Canvas of Timeless Fate

The morning sun was high in the sky, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the vast courtyards of Kahilya’s palace. I sat in my private chamber, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of a silver goblet filled with water. Scrolls and documents lay sprawled across the heavy wooden desk before me, detailing reports from the borders, trade agreements, and, of course, the recent unrest surrounding the merchant murders.

Yet, my mind was elsewhere.

It had been only a day since our marriage, and everything still felt surreal. She was here, under my roof, living as my wife—my queen.

A smirk tugged at my lips as I recalled how she had thrown daggers with her eyes when she realized she was officially mine.

But beneath her defiance, I had seen something else. Confusion. Uncertainty. She was fighting a battle within herself, one I was determined to win.

A knock on my chamber door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Enter,” I commanded.

Adinath and Manik stepped in, their expressions a mix of amusement and concern.

“What?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

Manik sighed dramatically, crossing his arms. “Nothing, just here to check if our beloved maharaja is still breathing. You’ve been acting like a lost man ever since your wedding night.”

Adinath smirked. “Did Rani-sa finally tame our wild beast?”

I shot them both a glare. “silence .”

But instead of backing down, Manik waggled his eyebrows. “Tell us, prithvi, how does it feel to have a wife who can outwit, outfight, and possibly outrule you?”

I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Are you both here to be nuisances or do you have actual work to discuss?”

Adinath chuckled but turned serious. “We do, actually. There’s been movement near the eastern borders. It seems the assassinations weren’t just isolated incidents. Some of our spies report that a faction loyal to an old enemy may be involved.”

I tensed. “Who?”

Adinath exchanged a look with Manik before answering. “The remnants of the Dandakar Brotherhood.”

My grip on the goblet tightened. Those bastards again?

“They never fully disappeared, did they?” I muttered.

Manik shook his head. “No, and it seems they’ve been waiting for the right moment to strike. They’re planning something, and we need to find out what before it’s too late.”

I nodded, my mind already working through possible countermeasures. “Increase patrols near the borders. I want scouts sent out immediately. If they’re gathering forces, I want to know where and why.”

Adinath bowed. “It will be done.”

Manik hesitated before adding, “And what about Rani-sa? Should she be informed?”

I clenched my jaw, the thought of involving Shivanya in yet another dangerous matter making my blood boil. She’s already been through enough.

“No,” I said firmly. “She’s still adjusting to Kahilya. Let her have some peace for now.”

Manik and Adinath exchanged glances but didn’t argue.

Once they left, I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples. This was supposed to be the beginning of stability in Kahilya, yet chaos loomed in the shadows.

Still, amidst all this, one thing remained constant—her.

My little Shivi.

Later that evening, I found myself wandering through the palace halls, my feet instinctively leading me toward her chambers.

I hesitated outside her door for a brief moment before pushing it open without knocking.

She was sitting by the window, dressed in a simple saree, her long hair cascading down her back. The golden bangles on her wrists jingled softly as she traced patterns on the windowsill absentmindedly.

She looked… peaceful.

For a moment, I just stood there, taking in the sight of her.

Then, as if sensing my presence, she turned, her sharp gaze meeting mine. “Did no one ever teach you to knock, rajkumar ..-sa ?”

I smirked, stepping inside and shutting the door behind me. “I figured a husband doesn’t need permission to enter his wife’s chambers.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she turned her attention back to the moonlit view outside.

I walked up behind her, resting a hand on the window frame beside her. “What are you thinking about?”

She hesitated before answering, “My home. My people.”

I frowned slightly. “Do you regret coming here?”

She let out a soft sigh. “It’s not about regret. It’s about responsibility. I was a princess of Parthiva before I became the Queen of Kahilya. My kingdom still holds a piece of my heart.”

I nodded, understanding. “You are free to visit whenever you wish.”

She turned to me in surprise. “You would allow that?”

I smirked. “I may be possessive, but I’m not a tyrant, Shivi.”

She looked away, but I didn’t miss the small smile that played on her lips.

There was a moment of silence before I spoke again.

“I know you’re still hesitant about this marriage,” I admitted, my voice softer than before. “But I meant what I said—I will never marry another. You are mine, and I am yours.”

She glanced at me, something unreadable in her eyes.

“And what if I leave one day?” she whispered.

I stiffened.

I could see the conflict in her gaze, the silent battle she was fighting within herself.

I leaned in slightly, my voice low and dangerous. “Then I will bring you back. No matter where you go.”

She inhaled sharply, her hands gripping the fabric of her saree.

I reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering against her skin. “You can fight it all you want, Shivi,” I murmured, “but you belong with me.”

She swallowed, her breath hitching slightly.

I smirked. “And before you argue, let me remind you—you were the one who kissed me first.”

Her eyes widened, her cheeks tinting pink. “You—”

“Goodnight, Rani-sa,” I said smugly, stepping back before she could retaliate.

I turned on my heel and left her chambers, satisfied with the stunned expression on her face.

But as I walked away, my own words echoed in my mind.

What if she really leaves?

The very thought sent a sharp pang through my chest.

No.

I wouldn’t let that happen.

She was mine.

And I wasn’t letting her go.