#bahubali 1

[sada-siva-sanyaasi]

jagadeka veerudu athiloka sundari - part thirteen

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Aarya’s hands shook as Rudra stared at her, his unfocused eyes shifting between her and Bhalla’s grip on the sword tightened as Rudra’s focus fell on him. “But to make you mine,” Rudra hissed, pointing his hand at Bhalla, “he needs to die. And that honour shall be mine.” 

Rudra staggered towards them and Bhalla stilled, feeling Aarya’s palm on his sword. She slid it out of his hand and stepped forward, pushing the tip of the sword into Rudra’s chest, stopping him. Rudra’s assault froze mid-air, looking down at the sword barely hurting him as Aarya stared at him. “You’re not you, Rudra. Let me take you to guruji, he will-” “I believe it’s too late for that, Aarya. You’re coming with me, like it or not.” Soldiers filled the ground but stopped when Bhalla raised his hand, waiting. Aarya’s face hardened as she twisted the sword into his heart, pulling it out and feeling the blood splatter all over her face. Rudra fell back, hand on the gaping hole in his chest, and he looked up to watch her throw the sword away. 

“That wound will send you back to where you came from. Our magic has been cursed because you returned from the dead, Rudra. The least you can do is tell me how you came back.” 

Blood spluttered from Rudra’s mouth as he crumpled to the ground, vision blurry and body decaying. Wordlessly, he continued to stare at her as his life slowly left him, yet again. “I've done nothing other than love you, even in my death. And I’ll do so again, Your Majesty.” 

Everyone backed off as the black akandas fell down around him, turning to ash as he died. “What happened?” Bijjaladeva’s voice rang out as he stormed over, staggering back the moment he saw the dead body. Aarya bent down, collecting the ash of the stones as Bhalla looked around, his eyes finding Anjasi and Sadhana. “I think you need to take him away, I’ll take care of her.”

He waved the rest of the soldiers away as Aarya stayed on the ground, collecting the ashes while Rudra’s remains were taken away. Anjasi paused, watching her carefully before turning to Kattappa, nodding once and leaving. As they all left, Bhalla knelt down beside Aarya, enveloping her shaking hands in his and tugging her closer to him. “Would you like to go inside with me, now?”

“Why is it so cold, suddenly?” Aarya murmured, shuffling closer to Bhalla as he helped her up, both of them walking back into the palace. Bhalla huddled her shivering form as close to him as he could and moved her to her room, when he noticed the tight grip she had on the ashes. “Your kingdom isn’t so-”

“Aarya, you need to rest,” he interrupted, shaking her slightly when he paused, hearing voices from the other side of the corridor getting progressively louder. He turned around and saw Kattappa walking towards him, his face grim. “Your Majesty, you have to come with me. And I think it’s best you bring her along too.” Aarya frowned at that, straightening. “I’m fine, where should we go?”

They both silently followed Kattappa towards the voices, and heard Bijjaladeva hiss from his room. “When I told you to strengthen the spell on that scum I didn’t mean to the point where he needs to die again, you fool! You have ruined all my work!” 

“I beg you, forgive me,” a voice rang out, and Bhalla inched forward to see a soldier on his knees in front of his father, tears flowing. “I only did what you asked me to, sire. I did the spell to bring that man back, and instructed him to get her out of Mahishmati. I didn’t know such a thing would happen.” 

The head priest of Mahishmati scoffed in annoyance and walked to Bijjaladeva. “I had warned you already, sire, that spells to do with the dead are very dangerous. Not only have you brought back a man dead for more than a year using magic that is not your own, but also tried to utilise him for more than a day. The gods will frown upon us, and curse us.”

“It’s not just the gods.” Aarya stormed through, the ashes slipping from her hands as she grabbed the nearest sword, pointing it straight at Bijjaladeva. “All this time I suffered, my kingdom suffered, and it was because of you? Our weakening magic and ashen stones is your fault?”

Bhallaladeva walked in, fury all over his face while his father’s pale face shone with sweat as he looked to Bhalla for help. “You dare put a sword to my throat?!” He tried to sound strong but he only sounded weak and desperate, hands twitching. “You dare use my magic against me?!” Aarya thundered, chest heaving as her hands shook too, pressing further into his neck. 

“I could kill you this instant and your son wouldn’t be able to stop me, not just because he doesn’t want to but also because even with weaker magic I am the strongest person in this palace. And you were pathetic enough to think you could send me out of Bhalla’s life this way?”

She stepped away, throwing the sword to the ground and turning to Bhalla. The commotion attracted the attention of the counsel of Sundarsi, with Anjasi and Sadhana and their head priest arriving to the room. “Your father is vehemently against our marriage, Bhalla. This means we declare-” “No one is declaring war, Aarya.” Bhalla scowled, walking to his father. 

“Listen to me, Nanna. Will you, or will you not accept our marriage? Despite every single thing you have done, I still am talking well so don’t test my patience.” Bijjaladeva glowered, pushing his son away. “I would rather die.” Bhalla’s face remained stoic as he turned to Aarya. 

“If he won’t accept our marriage, it’s his fault. He’s not the emperor anyway, he seems to forget that. He won’t be attending tomorrow, we can just get wed.” 

“Bhalla, but-” 

“Since you don’t wish to accept it, don’t. You’re old anyway, Nanna. Don’t you think it’s time you went to be a part of the pilgrims?”

Bijjaladeva staggered back, tears burning in his eyes as Aarya looked between both men with uncertainty. “Bhalla, he is your father, I can’t-” “You very much can. We can, Aarya. I don’t care who’s in our way.” Casting his father a last glare, Bhalla grabbed her hands and walked out. Kattappa stared wordlessly at Bijjaladeva as he crumpled to the floor, crying pathetically. “That bitch- she stole my son!” 

“She didn’t, Your Majesty. You drove him away.” Kattappa bowed once, leaving him alone. Bijjaladeva stumbled towards his bed, falling down on it. 

As he drowned in his own misery, Bhalla and Aarya silently walked towards his room, lost in their own thoughts. As the moon stayed high in the night sky, Aarya turned to Bhalla and said, “It’s midnight, Bhalla. The next day already.” Bhalla raised an eyebrow, staring at her quirky smile with one of his own. “And it is, what about it?” Aarya slowly grabbed his hands, entwining them as she gazed softly at him. “I know it’s not really the best idea I have gotten, but shall we get wed right now? It is the next day, and it is apparently auspicious too.”

Bhalla kept staring at her as she got nervous, looking away from her. “If you think we must wait, then I don’t mind-” “Mahadev’s temple is not here, but we have a quartz shivling down near the prayer halls. Let’s go.” Bhalla’s grip on her hands tightened as they hurried towards the prayer halls, faces glowing with moonlight and happiness.

— — 

News spread instantly of Mahishmati’s emperor and Sundarsi’s queen’s hushed marriage, stunning even the kingdoms’ counsel. The couple had alerted their respective ministers of their decision to vanish to be with each other for a while, further astounding everyone. Mahishmati’s citizens rejoiced at the absence of their emperor, even going as far as feeling happy for him owing to his change in behaviour. Sundarsi continued to be governed by the princesses, their magic restored while the old royal of Mahishmati fumed, his own empire being taken care of by Kattappa and the counsel.

As this went on for a couple of months, a soldier ran through the halls of the palace in Kuntala, alerting their queen, Devasena. “Your Majesty, we have visitors. You need to come.” He gasped, looking towards the halls as Devasena waltzed past him, arriving at the bridge as a smile took over her face.

Aarya beamed at her, walking to her with open arms as Devasena rushed to hug her, both the women sighing as they reunited after ages. Bhalla stood behind them, a soft smile on his own face as they pulled away, Devasena gasping at Aarya. “You look ethereal, Aarya. I haven’t seen you this happy in so long, how are you?” Aarya giggled, wrapping an arm around Devasena while she greeted Bhalla, all of them walking towards the palace. 

“My husband is taking wonderful care of me, I am good. How are you?” Devasena’s smile wavered, but she nodded, exhaling as she pulled her friend closer to her. “Much better now that I have seen you. Would you like to rest? I shall have your room ready.” Aarya nodded, walking behind a soldier towards her room. As Bhalla was about to follow her, Devasena stuck her hand out, stopping him. “We need to talk, both about my best friend and the child in her.”

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[sada-siva-sanyaasi]

jagadeka veerudu athiloka sundari - part nine

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“You can let go of my hand.” Aarya said as they walked further from everyone else, and Bhalla stepped closer and tightened his grip on her hand. “I don’t want to.” She turned back to look at him, tugging her hand out of his grip in vain. “I’m here because of my kingdom, not to fulfil your nonsensical fantasies about me. So do both of us a favour and let go.”

Bhalla scowled as he pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arm around her waist, refusing to let go while he leaned in, breathing her scent in. His other arm stayed free as he cradled her face, pushing stray strands of hair away. “And I told you that I don’t want to. Don’t make this harder than it is, Aarya, you don’t know what kind of a person I am.” Aarya glared at him, still struggling in his embrace.

“Let’s see what I know, shall we? You’re the same guy who killed my best friend’s husband and her son, imprisoned her and kept her locked up here in a state worse than your other prisoners, came to my kingdom to take it over and somehow started wanting me and so now you’re on this mad conquest to have me instead. What did I miss? Oh, you also killed your mother. This speaks volumes about the kind of person you are to me.”

Bhalla’s glare got vicious as he backed her up into a rock, his words icy. “No matter what I’m willing to do for you, you’re just not ready to give me a chance, are you?” Aarya’s breath stuttered as he got impossibly closer to her, leaving absolutely no space for her to move. 

“I don’t even know what you’re willing to do for me, because it feels like you’re doing it for my kingdom.” “Do you still think I want your kingdom? After everything that has happened?” Aarya tried to fight the frown on her face when Bhalla let go of her, stepping away from her. She cleared her throat and looked away, sudden nervousness seeping in. “Well, do you have a way to prove you aren’t after my Sundarsi?” 

Bhalla glared at her, before he turned, looking at the soldiers far away. “Kattappa!” He roared, and both of them watched Kattappa walk over to them, bowing. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Bhalla turned back to Aarya and spoke to Kattappa, not taking his eyes off of her once. “Have I ever bowed or knelt in front of anyone?” Kattappa frowned, shaking his head. “Never, Your Majesty.” 

“In front of my family?” 

“Not once.”

Bhalla kept staring at Aarya as he got down on his knees, making Kattappa gasp in shock. The other soldiers walked over to see, all of them staring in wide eyed disbelief as Bhalla lowered his head, picking Aarya’s leg up and placing it on his chest, right above his heart. He looked back up at her, smirking as he saw the look of absolute shock on her flushed face.

“Do you still think it’s your kingdom I’m after and not you?”

Aarya flushed darker as the shouts and yells of outrage in the crowd of soldiers grew, and took her foot off his chest and back onto the ground, looking away. Kattappa took a step back, watching his king on his knees for a woman, strangely reminded of the time Devasena had walked over Bahu’s shoulders to get across the broken bridge. A wistful smile appeared on his face and he bowed to Aarya, placing his sword down. Looking at their king and general on their knees in front of Aarya, the rest of the soldiers of Mahishmati followed suit .

One of her soldiers came running to her, bowing once. “Your Majesty, Bijjaladeva is on his way here!” Aarya smirked, walking past Bhalla and the rest of his army towards her men. 

“I believe there’s a negotiation that will happen now.”

— — —

“Where is he? Where is my son?!” Bijjaladeva thundered through the camps set up, his temper raising as he realised no one was in fact paying attention to him. Kattappa walked out of a tent and bowed, and Bijjaladeva swung his hand, striking his face with full force. “My son got cornered and taken as a prisoner on his own land, and you’re bowing to me?! Where is that bitch?” 

“That bitch has your son in her hold, so speak respectfully.” Aarya walked out of her tent and smiled at Bijjaladeva, motioning for him to come inside and sit down. “Sit, I don’t like to delay things.” He scowled and sat down in front of her as she observed her nails, barely acknowledging him “How dare you come to our kingdom and capture our king, keeping him prisoner? Have you no shame? Where is my son?” 

Aarya looked up finally, her face bored as she regarded the man in front of her. “You came to Sundarsi invited to threaten us in your own stupid way to surrender, to leave your spies there to lurk and get our secrets, and you talk of shame? It doesn’t suit you. Also, your son is… where he should be.” She looked at Kattappa and nodded, watching as he disappeared into the adjoining tent.

Bijjaladeva stood up, all colour leaving his face when Bhalla was brought to him, chained up. Aarya smirked, watching both of them. “Consider this my repayment for what you did to Devasena. Now, do you want to work on an agreement? Because as much as I hate to fight the weak, I wouldn’t mind it if it’s you.”

Bijjaladeva fumed in outrage, looking at his son. “This is the woman you chose to stay next to you forever?! She’s a snake! She has chained you like an animal in your country in front of your people, and is calling us weak!” Bhalla wordlessly stared at her while Aarya sighed, standing up. “I didn’t want to chain him, trust me. But I had to let you know what it felt like when I found out my best friend was locked up in your prison for months, treated worse than all the petty criminals you kept in there.”

With a wave of her hand, the chains on Bhalla fell off and Bijjaladeva rushed to him, checking for injuries. Realising he was unharmed, Bijjaladeva turned to Aarya, the sneer still on his face. “You think you’re making a very valid point, don’t you? What do you even want?”

Aarya walked towards the men, standing in front of Bijjaladeva. “You declared war on us, and I wish to settle this in a manner that won’t hurt Sundarsi or Mahishmati. Don’t you want to listen?” She took a step towards Bhalla, standing beside him. “I left my fight with Bhalla that day, which meant I accepted defeat. That also means I should marry your son, and I am ready to.”

A smile appeared on Bhalla’s face as Aarya continued to talk to Bijjaladeva. “However, I do have my conditions. The first one being Sundarsi and Mahishmati will continue to be ruled as they are right now, we will just be on friendly terms and you will not try to conquer us; we belong to ourselves. The second one is that I’m not pressured into giving you an heir, and when I do my child will not be bent according to your laws, be it a daughter or a son. You will especially not look down on my child if it’s a girl. Only if you agree to these conditions shall I wed your son.”

Bhalla opened his mouth, but Bijjaladeva cut him off. “And if I don’t accept your conditions?” Aarya smirked, her dagger materialising in her hands again as she flung it to the side. Bhalla and his father saw the fiery blade hit a map on a mast, the fire spreading across the map. Bijjaladeva gulped at the realisation it was the map of Mahishmati, and turned to Aarya. “Then I’ll burn your kingdom to ashes, and I’ll offer your head to my Mahadev. You’ve been a thorn in my flesh for too long, Bijjaladeva, and I won’t let you come in between me and what I want.” She turned to Bhalla, her eyes softening just a little.

“I think I made what I want pretty clear, in case you didn’t get it.”

Bhalla’s smirk widened as he turned to his father. “It’s time for Mahishmati to celebrate, Nanna. Get everyone ready, I want the festivities to begin right away.”

— — —

Bhalla walked behind Aarya as she looked around his palace, her face intrigued but her eyes excited and impressed. “Do you like my kingdom?” He murmured, stepping closer to her as she looked up at him, alarmed at the sudden proximity. She cleared her throat and stepped away, avoiding his gaze as she nodded. “It’s nothing like Sundarsi, but it’s really pretty. Your people don’t have magic with them?”

He shook his head, stepping closer to her again, a chuckle leaving him when she stepped away again. “My queen doesn’t have to be scared of me, you know. I don’t bite.” Aarya rolled her eyes and chuckled, turning to Bhalla. “Not yet, you don’t. Given the chance you’ll do anything to me, I know that.” 

“And how are you so sure?” The fires burning in the hallways shone in Aarya’s eyes as she stepped close to him, grabbing his necklace to tug him closer to her face, planting a soft kiss to his jaw. “Because you and I are not so different when it comes to each other. Good night, my king.” She gave him a final smile and walked into her room, leaving him alone in the halls. Bhalla exhaled shakily, not realising he had been holding his breath all the while and laughed to himself, before straightening and walking to his room.

— — —

Tumblers of wine crashed to the ground as Bijjaladeva’s screams echoed in his room, scaring the soldiers outside. He threw his things around, roaring in outrage and paused to look at the flames in front of the idol of Durga Maa, tears staining his face. “She humiliated my son, left him no respect in the eyes of his men and is now ready to wed him, all while Bhalla is watching like an absolute fool! That bitch reduced my son to a puppet and I will not have it! And you will watch, devi, as I bring her to her end and free my son!”

A soldier knocked on his door and entered, bowing to him and putting a scroll in front of Bijjaladeva. After he left, Bijjaladeva picked up the scroll, going through it. His eyes widened, maniacal laughter spilling from him as the scroll fell from his hands while the goddess watched him balefully. “Now, let’s see what the whore can do.” 

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[sada-siva-sanyaasi]

jagadeka veerudu athiloka sundari - part eight

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Aarya swam in her pool, the glowing waters warm as she watched the setting Sun from her palace. After all the princes and Bhalla had left, she was alone for a while and enjoyed the peace it brought, her thoughts constantly drifting to how Bhalla held her every chance he got. She shook her thoughts away, feeling heat rush to her cheeks everytime his face popped in her head.

She swam out of the waters and walked to her room, drying her hair when a knock startled her, making her look up. “Akka, it’s me.” Abhaya’s voice rang and she sighed, opening the door. “Come in, you know you don’t have to knock.” Abhaya just rolled her eyes and sat on the floor, watching her sister pick out clothes for herself. “Are you alright? You’ve been  spending a lot more time by yourself ever since your disastrous swayamwar. You can talk to me, I’m the better sister.” 

Aarya scoffed and sat on her bed, looking down at her sister. “How many times do I have to tell you not to sit on the ground? Get up and sit by the table or on the bed, will you? And no, Aradhya is the better sister. You hit me a lot.” Abhaya stared at her. 

“I do it out of love, akka.” 

“You do it out of spite, Abhaya. Anyway, nothing has happened. I’m completely fine.”

“Really? That’s why you’ve been wearing that ruby ring a lot? You’re twisting it too, and I heard of someone who has that habit.”

Aarya looked at the ruby ring she was wearing and saw that she was indeed twisting it, her eyes widening. She tried removing it, her face scrunching up as the ring didn’t budge. Abhaya laughed, sitting beside Aarya and holding her hand. “Your secret is safe with me,” she said gently, prying Aarya’s hands apart. “What secret? I have no secret, Abhaya.”

“Akka,” Abhaya’s soft voice made Aarya look up, and Abhaya smiled slowly. “You’ve dealt with our parents dying gracefully, far better than Aradhya and I did, and you’ve been ruling this country all this time so well even without having the crown on your head. You held onto Rudra for three years, and when you found out he was no more you felt strangely relieved, and I know that. It’s because you’ve met and spent time with Mahishmati’s king.”

Aarya stood up, rubbing her shoulders as she glared at Abhaya. “I’m not in love with Bhalla, can you stop saying such nonsense?” “I never said you were, akka. You’re saying that yourself.” Aarya spluttered in disbelief and Abhaya stood up, staring at her.

“You don’t have to fight your heart because of what has happened, akka. I know he’s the reason behind Amarendra’s death and Devasena’s disappearance, and that’s why you’re not ready to accept him at all. But give him a chance, will you? I don’t like watching you go through everything alone. Neither does Aradhya.”

Abhaya walked to the door to leave, but stopped, turning to her sister one last time. “You left your fight with him, akka. That’s a sign of defeat, don’t you know it? You’ve lost to him, and I think you know what it means.”

She left, and Aarya sat back on her bed, rubbing her face. “I have lost to him, haven’t I?” She chuckled to herself, looking out of her room.

— — —

“Your Majesty, a letter for you.” Aarya took the letter from her soldier, watching as he left. It had been a long time since Bhalla had left for his kingdom, and Abhaya’s words kept echoing in her head. Her unconscious confession weighed on her heavily, but she forgot about it the moment she saw the crest on the letter. 

“Devasena.” she gasped to herself, a smile growing on her face as she opened it, reading through the letter.

To my favourite,

How are you Aarya? I heard you got crowned Queen of Sundarsi, I’m sorry for not being there for you on such an important day. I’m sure your parents are watching and are so immensely proud of you. I’m writing to you from Kuntala, and our situation here isn’t that uplifting. 

We’re falling apart, and I’ve returned just in time, I hope. All this while, my disappearance wasn’t normal, Aarya. I was held prisoner in Mahishmati, by Bhallaladeva and his father. Bhallaladeva, the very man who you invited to your kingdom and who fought for his place next to you as a suitor. I know you never accepted him, because of his hand in my husband’s and son’s death, and my entire life collapsing.

I have no place for anything good for him in my heart, for he has caused irreparable damage to me, but that doesn’t mean you should do the very same. You have no reason to despise him and keep him away from you, and I stand by that.

You’ve changed him Aarya, and I saw it the two times he had visited me after seeing you. The first time, he wanted you for himself, and by the second time he had fallen in love with you. And after falling in love with you, he let me go, the woman who for some reason made him succumb to the evil in his mind. His love for you is beating the evil in his head, something I never believed to be possible.

I’ll heal in my own time, the pain of losing my lifeline won’t leave me just yet. But you should heal too, and maybe he is your remedy. Stop holding onto your past, Aarya. I say this thinking of your best.

I’ll come see you when I can.

Oh, and do something about his father. He’s a menace.

Devasena.

Aarya sighed to herself, closing the letter and resting her head on the wall. The letter fell out of her hand and onto the floor as the Sun set in front of her, reflecting on her face. She unconsciously went back to twisting the ruby ring on her finger, her mind drifting to the last conversation she had with Amarendra.

“So,” Aarya began, sitting on top of a branch as Amarendra sat on another branch a few feet below her. He looked up, smiling at her and handing her a fruit he picked. “So…” he trailed off, waiting for her to continue. Aarya sighed, sitting straighter. “You’re going to wed Devasena in Mahishmati, I’m assuming.” Amarendra nodded, smiling at her. “You should come to our wedding, it’s going to be magnificent. Amma will not back down anywhere when it comes to celebrating something so important to me. You’ll be there, won’t you?”

“I’m not sure, Amarendra. I don’t visit other kingdoms other than Kuntala, you know that. I’ll think about it, but I make no promises. You, however, have to promise my best friend’s happiness and comfort forever. Only then will I let you wed her.”

Amarendra chuckled, climbing up to sit beside her. “After Kattappa, you’re my closest friend. And I promise you, no harm shall ever befall Devasena as long as I live. I’ll treat her like a queen, not that she isn’t one already.” 

“And you,” he turned to her with a smile. “You will make a mighty ruler, I know it. You should come to Mahishmati, Aarya. You’ll meet the rest of my family; Amma, my uncle, Bhalla, everyone else.” His smile widened, nudging her. “I think Bhalla will like you, you know. Maybe not initially, but-” 

“Oh, so you mean my first impression isn’t good?” Amarendra and Aarya laughed as they ate the fruit. 

“Actually, Bhalla might not approach you with the best thoughts in the beginning, considering how much you and I are alike, but he won’t resist your charm for long. He will fall for you so hard, it will be a little embarrassing.” 

“I’m better than you, if I do say so myself. Also, that's your older brother, what makes you think I’ll like him?”

“Whatever you say, Aarya.”

Aarya rubbed her eyes, looking up. “It’s amazing how well you know your brother, and he almost never knew you at all.” She whispered into the night sky, watching as the stars twinkled back sadly. She walked back to her room, her footsteps heavier and thoughts swimming in her head.

— — —

“With all due respect, you’re saying we wage war against Mahishmati? For no reason?” Sadhana rubbed her temples as Anjasi looked at Aarya with concern, not understanding what was going on in her head. “It’s not for no reason, Senadhipati, we’re doing this for a reason.”

“And that is?”

“Mainly to have Bijjaladeva out of my way, since that old man is the only one interested in Sundarsi getting conquered. Bhalla has never shown interest in our kingdom, and he’s very likely to stay that way, if not for his father trying everything in his power to bring us down.”

Anjasi and Sadhana quietly looked at each other as Aarya leaned forward, observing the map of Mahishmati. “If I’m not wrong, and I’m sure that is the case, he must have already sent someone to snoop around our borders or to try to do something stupid.”

Just then, the doors to the camp opened and a few soldiers dragged in a beaten up man, throwing him at Aarya’s feet. “We caught him in our libraries stealing our books, Your Majesty. Books related to our akandas and our battle strategies.”

Aarya smirked, looking at the man. “And he’s from Mahishmati, isn’t he?” the man wiped his bloody face, trying to get onto his knees. Her soldiers nodded and she waved them off, turning to Anjasi and Sadhana with a smirk. 

“So, what do you say now?”

— — — 

Bhalla stared at Aarya, shocked as she pointed the dagger at his neck, her soldiers surrounding them all in a matter of seconds. Kattappa was pinned down onto the floor and she spared him a glance, smiling at him. “Apologies for what is going on, Kattappa, but it seems like your king’s father isn’t the greatest.” 

She turned back to him, her smile melting into a smirk. “Checkmate, I believe. You have nowhere to go in your own kingdom. And you can’t call for help either, not when the king is in the hands of the enemy. Shall we go to your palace?” 

“When I dreamt of you in Mahishmati, I thought it was for you to stay forever as my queen, not to defeat me in a war I had no idea about.” Bhalla said, looking down at her and stepping forward, not even caring of the dagger digging into his skin. Aarya raised an eyebrow, turning to her soldiers. “Send a message to the palace that the king has been captured, and that he will be released only when I talk to his father.” She turned back to Bhalla and lowered her dagger, signalling her soldiers to step away. Kattappa and the other soldiers of Mahishmati got released as the dagger disappeared from her hand, and Aarya stepped back from Bhalla, not missing the way he surged forward a little to stay close to her. 

“Shall we head back to your palace? We have quite some time, we can spend it here by the riverside too.” Bhalla smiled, taking her hand in his and he turned to Kattappa, nodding once. “We will be fine, you don’t have to follow us. Shall we, Aarya?”

---------------------------------

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[sada-siva-sanyaasi]

jagadeka veerudu athiloka sundari - part seven

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Bijjaladeva smiled and welcomed his son with open arms, embracing him heartily. “Oh, I missed you! How have you been these last few days? Is Sundarsi finally ours?” Bhalla scowled, shaking his father off as he walked into his chambers, rubbing his temples. “I’m fine, I still have to figure out a way to get Aarya.” He mumbled, pouring himself a glass of wine while Bijjaladeva frowned behind him. “A way to get her? What’s that supposed to mean, I thought you went for her kingdom! We need her kingdom, not her! What part of it-”

“I don’t want her kingdom!” Bhalla roared, pushing everything off the table in front of him as he turned to glare at his father. “How do you not understand that? I never wanted Sundarsi, it’s just another mindless conquest you forced into my head! I want Aarya, Nanna! I want Aarya!”

Bhalla’s words echoed through his chambers, loud enough for the prisoners and guards outside the palace to catch them. Devasena perked up hearing her best friend’s name, not hearing anything else other than Aarya. “He’s back without her and isn’t able to digest it, is he?” She chuckled to herself, lying back.

Bhalla stormed out, leaving his father as he walked to where Devasena was kept, Kattappa following him closely. He approached the area, having his guards open the cells as he went to sit beside Devasena. She stared at him as he didn’t say a word, just looking at the walls. 

“I take it she rejected you?” Devasena watched as he nodded slowly, twisting the ring on his finger. “Rudra died.” Bhalla murmured, looking down at his ring as Devasena sat straight, her eyes widening. “You know-” “I figured it out because of her reaction. He died a year ago apparently, and when she found out…” He turned to Devasena, his face impassive. “You didn’t cry when you heard Bahu died in Kattappa’s hands, or when you saw my mother and your son die. She waited for him for three years, and finding out he had died, broke down in front of everyone on the floor. She didn’t care who was present and cried, Devasena.” 

Bhalla stopped twisting the ring, standing up. “Kattapa, get the keys. We’re freeing Devasena. There’s no reason for Bahu’s wife to be locked up.” Kattappa nodded, bringing out the keys and removing the shackles from Devasena’s hands. She rubbed her wrists, sighing at the feel of freedom as she turned to Bhalla. “Why are you doing this, Bhallaladeva? This doesn’t seem like you at all.” He didn’t spare her a glance as he stepped away from her, looking towards the palace. “You can stay in Mahishmati if you wish to, or return to Kuntala and handle your own kingdom. The choice is yours, and you don’t have a lot of time to make the choice. I’m sure my father is probably losing his mind seeing this all, so be quick.” 

“You still haven’t told me why.”

He stopped, turning back to her. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m trying to make things right. I want to receive the kind of love Aarya had for Rudra. I want her, and I don’t think it’s possible if she sees you here. So for my sake and yours, leave Mahishmati Devasena. I’ll send you off safely.”

Devasena chuckled, walking towards him. “You’re using the wrong words, Bhallaladeva. It’s not wanting that you have towards her. You’re falling in love with her and it’s actually changing you for the good, albeit too late. I will never forgive you for what you’ve done to me and my family, but I can hope you won’t repeat this against her. Aarya deserves the world, and if you can’t give it to her just don’t take anything else from her like you did to me.”

She looked at Kattappa and smiled softly, watching him bow to her. “I should head to my kingdom, they need me there.” Bhalla turned to Kattappa as well, nodding. “I think you should send her off, Kattappa. Make the right arrangements.”

Devasena cast one last glance at Bhalla as Kattappa began to lead her away. “Be careful with Aarya. Should I hear anything about her being hurt in any way, I’ll kill you in your palace Bhallaladeva.”

Bhalla watched as she left and looked up, sighing to himself.

— — —

“You released Devasena? Are you out of your mind?!” Bijjaladeva screamed at the top of his lungs, while Bhalla looked away from him. His father lost his mind the moment he found out what he had done, and the guards watched him rage on. “What’s so wrong with it? Do you think I will ever get Aarya if she finds out her best friend is being held prisoner in my kingdom, in a condition worse than the other prisoners? I had to release Devasena, even if I didn’t want to.”

Bijjaladeva seethed, glaring at his son viciously. “You absolute fool. Have you lost your mind after falling in love? Use your brain, Bhalla! There’s no power in falling at that princess’ feet-” “She is their queen, Nanna. Not a princess.” Bijjaladeva scoffed at Bhalla’s interruption, his glare getting worse.

“Do you want to live your life as her pet?! Because that’s what she will reduce you to, and she is clearly succeeding!” Bhalla turned to his father and pushed him roughly, making him stumble backwards in shock. He stalked towards Bijjaladeva menacingly and crouched to his level, sneering. “For once stop trying to make my life the way you wanted to live yours, will you? I have all the power I want, and even Bahu isn’t alive anymore, nor is Amma. just let me live on my terms, Nanna.”

“All this time, were you not living the way you wanted to? You wanted to be king, you wanted power, you wanted Bahu dead! And I just made sure you got what you wanted!” Bhalla rolled his eyes, standing up. “You let me have those because you wanted those too, stop fooling yourself. Now let me have Aarya, because I don’t want anything else.”

Bhalla walked away, leaving his fuming father behind, struggling to stand up. “Fine! Go after her and ruin yourself! Don’t come back to me when you realise that she’s in fact the end of you!” He gasped for breath, face red as he stormed to his room.

Bhalla sat on his throne, watching as Kattappa walked back inside, bowing once to him. “Devasena has been sent back to Kuntala, Your Majesty. She has promised to write back once she arrives there.” Bhalla sat wordlessly, and Kattappa straightened, turning to leave. Before he left, he turned back to Bhalla. 

“You asked me if this palace needed another woman after what happened to Rajamata Sivagami and Devasena here, and I told you I couldn’t be sure.” Bhalla looked at him and for once saw a smile on his face, directed to him. 

“Not the palace, but Aarya entering your heart is changing you, Your Majesty. And it’s clearly a good thing.”

— — —

Bijjaladeva sat enraged in his room as he kept gulping down wine, his son’s antics flashing in front of his eyes. Bhalla had changed after his return, and it was clearly visible to everyone who saw him. His rules had changed, his reactions to people had changed and he always sat in his balcony with a lost look in his eyes, infuriating Bijjaladeva to no end. 

Bhalla was still a ruthless tyrant, but he was loosening his hold and his father was getting scared.

“He’s losing his mind because of that witch and her stupid magic from her hills, we need to do something.” He hissed at the priest who sat in front of the idol of Durga Maa, eyes closed in a state of trance. “We shall, your Majesty. We definitely shall do something, have a little patience.”

Bijjaladeva just scoffed and drank more while the Goddess glowed dangerously in the firelight, her warmth stopping before it touched him. He rolled his eyes at the idol and put his glass down, picking up the sword in front of her. “Forgive me, devi, but things have to be done.”

— — —

Bhalla raced to the river beds of Mahishmati on his horse alone, the Sun ahead of him still not out. He stopped just as the water reached his horse and got off, watching the waves crash. The soft sky made him smile to himself when a ship appeared in his view, the smile vanishing immediately. His soldiers filled the beach and got in front of him to protect him while Kattappa reached the area, sword drawn out.

“Who’s coming?” Bhalla asked as Kattappa shook his head, standing in front of him. “This isn’t someone we know, Your Majesty, or are aware that they’re arriving.” Bhalla nodded, watching the ship. His eyes widened as a smile slowly made its way onto his face, and he placed a hand on Kattappa.

“Lower your weapons, Kattappa. That’s not a threat arriving.” Kattappa looked up, nodding as everyone relaxed, putting their weapons down. Bhalla’s smile widened as the Sun rose behind the ship slowly, his grip on Kattappa’s shoulder tightening. “That’s my queen arriving, aren’t celebrations in order?”

The ship stopped and Bhalla looked up, seeing Aarya lean forward, resting her hands on the railings with a smirk on her face. “Did you miss me?” Bhalla smirked and stepped forward while she got lowered into the waters, walking towards him. He stuck his hand out, watching as she grabbed onto it while he tugged her closer into his chest. “You have no idea how much,” Bhalla murmured, brushing Aarya’s hair out of her face.

“Unfortunately I don’t care, I’m here for something else.” Bhalla frowned as she stepped away from him, only then realising she wasn’t dressed to just see him. Her eyes glowed as a dagger appeared in her hand.

“Your father waged war against Sundarsi, and I’m here to retaliate.”

---------------------------

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[sada-siva-sanyaasi]

jadadeka veerudu athiloka sundari - part five

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(this is relatively shorter, I realised, and I am sorry about it :( I'm just low on energy at the moment, I'll write more next time I promise - juhi <3)

Aarya ran to the horse shed, hugging her horse and smoothing out his coat, climbing onto him. She ignored the guards and took off, racing down her palace into the village side of Sundarsi, stopping outside a little cottage, empty only for her to use. She walked in, getting out of her royal wear and putting on the clothes of the townsfolk and wrapping her lower face with a cloth to hide herself better. What had happened in the palace irked her to no end, and after getting all the visitors from the kingdoms settled, she left to clear her head. The kingdom was still in a festive mood, celebrating her coronation, which made it harder for her to go and blend into the civilians but she still managed.

Aarya ventured into the market, going through the ornaments put up for sale, the events of the day still swimming in her head. Her scowl deepened each minute, and she mindlessly bought items, Bhalla’s words echoing around her.

“Are the various princes over here worried that my presence is preventing them from having a fair chance to fight for the Queen’s hand? Or is the Queen worried that the winner is already here? Because I see no reason for me not to participate. Unless, of course, either of my previous statements are true. And if that is the case, I should wed Aarya right now.”

Aarya huffed, moving to the mandi for vegetables for her horse. As she purchased, she felt someone watching her, and turned around. When she saw no one, she went back to getting her vegetables and traced her path back to the cottage. 

She smiled at her horse, feeding him and rubbing his back fondly. “You know, after he left you’re the only one left for me right? Oh, I love you so much Baadshah.” She crooned, showering praises when the feeling of being watched returned. She walked into the cottage, looking around, when she felt a person behind her. Before they could react, she grabbed her dagger, turning and pushing the person back, dagger pressed into their broad chest.

A chuckle vibrated in the man’s chest as she glared up, trying to recognise him when she spotted the scar across his eye, making her grip on her dagger loosen. “What are you doing here?” Aarya seethed, backing from Bhalla when he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back into him. “Watching over you, of course. It’s not hard for me to find you, even amongst all those people.” 

He reached to pull the cloth off her face, scoffing as she struggled in his grip. He took his own disguise off, tutting as he let his eyes shamelessly roam over her. Aarya stepped on his foot harshly, making him let her go with a hiss as she backed away from him, glaring fiercely. “Don’t touch me without my permission unless you want your other eye scarred too. And unlike yourself, I won’t go easy.”

Bhalla’s face darkened as he turned to Aarya. “It’s nice to know that you’re aware of everything that has happened, although I'd like it better if you don’t bring it up. I’m not overly fond of that time.” She looked away from him, eyes darting around as she checked for eavesdroppers. “How did you even know to find me here?”

Bhalla sighed, checking the spot Aarya dug her dagger into. “You’re attached to your kingdom quite a bit, and seemed like a person who would go into the crowd to disappear. So I got here, and I was right.” Aarya turned to him with surprise, realising in fact the man in front of her began to understand her a lot more than she expected from him. She shook away thoughts, glaring again.

“If you’re doing all of this for Sundarsi, I suggest you-” 

“Will you calm down, Raniji? I’m not here for your stupid kingdom.”

Bhalla cleared his throat awkwardly at the expression on her face, walking around the cottage. “I mean, I don’t want your amazing kingdom. Admitted, my father and I arrived here with the intention to force you into surrendering to us, but…” He trailed off, looking at Aarya as she impatiently stared at him.

“My father was the one always interested in Sundarsi, and although she is lovely, I don’t want her anywhere as much as I want you.” Aarya felt the air leave her lungs as she searched his face, her own heating up at his blatant admission. Bhalla sighed at the unreadable look on her face and approached her, opening his mouth but she cut him off.

“I don’t believe you, Bhallaladeva.” 

Aarya stared up at him and shook her head slowly. “Don’t blame me for not doing so, either. I lost my best friend because of you, you know. Someone you claimed to have wanted, and by wanting her you’ve ruined her entire life. Her kingdom is in shambles, and you’re the reason.”

She walked to the door, stopping once. “You can’t bring Devasena’s husband or son back, you can’t do anything to revive her lost life, and this is because you wanted her. Now I don’t believe you want me, but if that is the truth, then I’m all the more afraid for my kingdom. Return to Mahishmati while I’m still being nice.”

Bhalla watched her leave him alone and smirked, straightening. “See that’s where you’re wrong, I didn’t just want Devasena then; I wanted Bahu dead. This situation is so different, my queen, and you’ll see.”

— — —

“The swayamvar is to have three rounds, and our queen will choose the man she wishes to marry from the winners of those rounds.” Anjasi announced and the princes smirked to themselves, confident that they’d be winning the rounds all the time.

“So if all the rounds have the same winner, she won’t choose, will she? After all, it’s not much of a choice then.” Jayanth, a prince, chuckled, and Bhalla stared at him coldly. “You know, I wanted to be nice to you and let you believe you had a chance, but not anymore.” he stared at the prince and the others beside him, making them shrink into their seats. “Aren’t you all princes of kingdoms that I own? What are you even doing here when the queen is clearly going to be mine?”

Jayanth opened his mouth, but closed it instantly as he realised the position of all the princes. They were all royalty of kingdoms Bhalla had conquered, and they were fighting for someone Bhalla wanted to wed. “I suggest you all go home, before I change my mind about how I let you rule your kingdoms.”

Aarya walked in right then, watching ten princes of the invited twelve and uninvited extra stand up, glowering but pale, shaking with fury and fear. “You- you can’t do this to us!” Jayanth tried weakly as Bhalla smirked, leaning forward. “Watch me.” 

Aarya frowned, turning to a wide-eyed Anjasi and Sadhana as the princes turned to her. “We are sorry, Your Majesty, but we can’t take part in this swayamvar. Not when… not when our emperor is a part of it too. We shall take your leave.” Her eyes widened as the princes all bowed to Bhalla and scampered out of the palace, not listening to Anjasi and Sadhana trying to stop them. She turned to Bhalla, who smiled gleefully at her, and scowled. “What did you do? You foul man, this is not how we honour visitors!”

Bhalla rolled his eyes, casting a glance at the other two princes who were glaring at him, before turning back to Aarya. “Everything is fair in love in war, Aarya. And this is war, isn’t it? War for your love, and a war for my love. I’ll do anything to win.”

Aarya cleared her throat, feeling her face heat up at his words as she glared at him, turning to the other princes apologetically. “I’m so sorry for what he has done, I-” “It’s alright,” one of them interjected, displeasure evident on his face. “He has done us some good, now there won’t be stupid rounds and winners.”

The other one nodded along, and Aarya raised an eyebrow. Bhalla looked at her, amusement swimming in his eyes. He knew she was angry beyond measure with the way they cut her off, and watched as she changed her decision. He could’ve stabbed those princes right then and there, but knew that it wasn’t needed. He still wanted to do it though, he couldn’t deny.

 “You’re right, there’s only going to be one round.” She said, making everyone look at her in confusion. Anjasi stood up, opening her mouth but Aarya raised her hand, silencing her. “Fight me, and if you can hold your ground with or without your God stones, I’ll choose one of you. Should you fail, your kingdom becomes mine.” 

Aarya looked at all of them, her gaze settling on Bhalla as they smiled at each other. “So, what do you say? Are you ready?”

--------------------------------------

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[sada-siva-sanyaasi]

jagadeka veerudu athiloka sundari - part three

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Bijjaladeva stormed into his son’s room in the middle of the night, the sounds of his footsteps echoing in the massive room as he saw Bhalla sit outside in the balcony, eyes closed. He scowled, walking over and standing in front of Bhalla. “Everything that has happened a while ago, and you’re sleeping? Bhalla, we must do something if we want this kingdom in our hands!”

Bhalla opened his eyes and looked at his father, a smug smile on his face. “Will you relax? The kingdom will be ours soon, don’t worry about it. Now go back to your room and rest, and let me rest too, will you? It’s Aarya’s first day as Queen tomorrow, I’m excited for her.” 

Bijjaladeva stormed out of his room and Bhalla sighed, standing up to walk to his bed. He stopped when he heard a sound from outside, walking to look around. When he looked down, a smirk grew on his face as he saw Aarya asleep beside a pool of glowing water, an open book and quill in her hands. Bhalla folded his hands and leaned onto the balcony railing as Aarya shivered, curling further into herself. The quill and book slipped from her hands and fell to the ground, red ink from the quill spilling on her hand and making her jump up in shock.

Bhalla watched as she stood up, looking around and pulling her veil tighter around herself, walking to the pool of water. She put her hand in and his eyes widened as the water pushed her hand out, spotless. Suddenly the pool stopped glowing, and Aarya frowned, gasping as she looked up, meeting his eyes. The smirk dropped from his face, but grew back when he saw Aarya glaring at him, waving at her.

“Sleeping well, Yuvarani? You need a lot of it, tomorrow is a big day!” Aarya scowled harder and stood up. “I’m not a princess anymore.” “You still dress like one. Start putting on more jewellery, you’ll start looking like a queen. If you don’t have any, let me know, I’ll send my jewels to you.” Aarya closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose as she cast him a last dirty glance and stormed into her room, not noticing her dress spread the spilled red ink everywhere.

Bhalla leaned back and went back into his room, shaking his head as a chuckle left him. He stopped in front of a mirror, looking at himself and freezing, the smile dropping instantly. “Since when did I start smiling because of someone?” He murmured to himself, rolling his eyes and getting into bed. He gazed up at the roof, the pretty sparkling universe on it slowly lulling him to sleep.

— — — 

Aarya smiled at the counsel as she sat on the throne, everyone in the hall watching her with bated breath. As the new Queen, Aarya had to announce a new law and remove an old one as per Sundarsi’s tradition. She let out a long sigh and opened her mouth, but the doors burst open as Bhallaladeva and his father waltzed in, smug smiles on their faces.

Murmurs grew in the hall as Aarya watched Bhalla sit down a few feet away from her, his smirk ever present as he stared right back at her, gaze unwavering. Anjasi cleared her throat, standing up and making the hall silent. “As per our traditions, our Queen Aarya shall make new laws today and mitigate an old one. Your Majesty, if you will.”

Aarya took her eyes off Bhalla and stood up, smiling at everyone else. “As a kingdom led by women for almost her entire history, Sundarsi is yet to do things to improve the lives of women compared to before. My first law would be that today onwards, women can own land and other property for themselves, without having to rely on their family or husbands to own them in order to have a share in the family wealth.” 

Applause filled the room as the citizens allowed to witness the moment hollered and cheered for their Queen, Anjasi and Sadhana exchanged proud smiles. Aarya continued, “Coming to the old law to be removed, as of today the law raising compulsion for women to wed in order to work is being of no value. Women can henceforth practice any trade they’ve learned about before getting married.”

The cheers grew louder as Aarya sat down, her smile turning relieved as she realised that her people were happy with the first laws she had passed. “But what about you, Your Majesty?” The cheers shut down as Bijjaladeva smirked from his seat, leaning onto his sword. “A new queen for a kingdom so vast, when will you wed and bring a king for your people? I think they need a ruler, don’t you think so?”

“They have a ruler, Your Majesty; me. I have no intentions of getting wed anytime soon, and when it does happen I shall be sure to invite you.” Aarya’s smirk made Bijjaladeva scowl as chuckles erupted in the hall. Bhalla smirked and turned to his father. “This is why you don’t speak out of turn, Nanna. You should’ve spoken so much later, but now I can speak.” 

He turned back to the council and stood up, the air of confidence around him growing as he realised how quickly people shut up seeing him. “All well for now, but what about the future? You might have realised, but Sundarsi is now a point of interest to so many other kingdoms because I came to see your coronation. People are intrigued about the great hermit kingdom, but once they come to know that this kingdom doesn’t plan on having a king anytime soon, the interest will morph into want.” 

Bhalla looked at Aarya and walked towards her, his words still audible to everyone. “You might be a progressive kingdom putting up women as much as men, but to the rest of the world a man is still more powerful than a woman. Defend yourself against two or three kingdoms by yourself, but what will you do when twenty or more come together against you?” 

Aarya looked at him as he leaned down, the smirk on his face as he tilted his head. She leaned forward, smiling as she said, “I’ll defeat all those twenty kingdoms if I have to. Conquering is not something just Mahishmati can do, you know. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my kingdom and my people from people wanting to take over.”

Aarya stood up, making Bhalla straighten as she looked up at him. “If you’ll excuse me now,” she pushed past him, walking when he tugged her back towards him, holding his hand up to show her bangles tangled in his clothes. “You shouldn’t move so quickly, Aarya,” he murmured as she glared at him, moving to free her bangles. “You might get stuck somewhere you don’t want to be.” “Don’t you worry, Bhallaladeva, I always find my way out.” She hissed, moving away and walking from him. 

He smiled as she left, before clearing his throat as Bijjaladeva came to stand beside him. “Now even if she doesn’t want to get married, her people will force her. Oh, you’re so smart, my son.” Bhalla ignored his father and walked out, stopping before Kattappa. “Make the arrangements, we will be returning to Mahishmati tomorrow evening. Just before the magic begins here.” 

— — — 

Aarya fired her arrows repeatedly at the target, her eyes blazing. Sadhana watched her from afar, concerned, as Aarya kept picking up arrows and firing. The council meeting that had happened a while before wasn’t what Aarya wanted to hear, even though she knew they all spoke with her wellness in their minds.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, Your Majesty, because in no way do we underestimate you,” Jeevannadh, her advisor said, “but after what Mahishmati’s emperor and his father have said in the court, the citizens are worried and aren’t able to console themselves. Sundarsi as a hermit kingdom has suffered few to none invasions, but that was only because our predecessors didn’t face opponents like we might. Mahishmati is a potential and formidable threat to us, and it won’t be long before other kingdoms also want to get a taste. It is better you get married for them to live in their stupid delusions that a king is in fact ruling, when it is just you.”

Anjasi frowned, looking at Aarya. “He has a valid point, Your Majesty. If you were to wed a prince from a small kingdom, they would be our territory and he could be the acting ambassador in front of the world. It pushes others away from us.”

Aarya’s grip on an arrow tightened to a point where it snapped in her hands, the splinters getting into her palm. “You’re not firing right, Aarya.” Bhalla’s voice rang in the archery yard, making her close her eyes. “Mahadev, please grant me patience,” she murmured as he chuckled, standing next to her. “Oh yes, as a new queen you need a lot of it. Here, let me teach you to fire.” 

Bhallaladeva stepped closer to her, wrapping his fingers around hers on the bow, and she looked up at him fiercely, the bow catching fire in her hands. He stepped back in shock as she dropped the bow, the ghostly blue flames enveloping it and reducing it to ashes instantly. He watched a stone on her bracelet glow as she breathed heavily, her glare on him still fierce.

“I’ve been taught to honour my guests, have you not been taught to respect your hosts?” Bhalla ignored her words and stepped closer to her again, looking at her bracelet. She noticed his gaze and looked down, watching the glowing bracelet tend to her wounds. “Don’t tell me, your kingdom has no God stones?”

Bhalla raised his eyebrows, looking at her. “We are loyal to Durga Maa, of course we don’t use quartz crystals.” He twisted the ring on his finger, looking at her. “Rubies are our forte, they look better too. Although I do admit, the quartz stones are considered the most powerful. ” Aarya scoffed, reaching for another bow. “What’s got you so fired up, Raniji, the meeting went bad?”

Aarya glared at him as she shot the target straight in the centre, her next two arrows piercing each other as they slit her first arrow and stab the target. The entire slab went up in flames as she dropped her bow, wiping her forehead. 

“You would love that, wouldn’t you?” Bhalla laughed, the sound loud and echoing through the area as he picked her bow, looking at it impressed. “It’s heavier than I expected, not bad. And you’ve got no idea what I would love, really. I think it would surprise you.”

Aarya just huffed and walked past him, her pallu hitting him in the face. “I don't like surprises, you should know that.”

— — —

The next day had gone by pretty uneventfully, much to Bijjaladeva’s dismay. “Oh, I was expecting a lot to happen today before we left, bhalla,” he murmured as Bhalla looked at him balefully. “Do you have to say your thoughts out loud? Things will happen before we leave, she will ask me to marry her. You watch.”

And something did happen, just not what Bhalla was hoping for.

As they began to leave the palace, he noticed the bustling excitement in the halls, people gushing and whispering and he turned to Anjasi curiously. “What’s got the people so excited?” She smiled as Aarya approached them, smiling mischievously.

“Shall I see our guests off? I think it would be impolite if I don’t, right Mantriji?” Anjasi nodded and Aarya got into the carriage with Bhalla. She sat beside him, looking out and smiling at the people who waved at her excitedly. 

“You’re planning something, aren’t you? Getting married without telling me, Aarya? That would upset me, I thought you and I were close enough for that.” Aarya chuckled at Bhalla’s words, turning to him. “I am telling you what I am about to do, Bhalla, don’t get so upset just yet.” His throat dried up when he heard his name fall so effortlessly from her mouth. They got out of the carriage and he stood in front of his ship, watching it get loaded as she leaned closer to him.

“You’re right, I am getting married. I’m planning my swayamwar, and guess what, it’s open to all of my neighbours.” Bhalla stared at her as her smile grew wider, the Sunset making her face glow. “Now men will compete for my hand, and you are more than welcome to watch it. You will, wouldn’t you? I thought you and I were close enough for that.”

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