A Promise Above The Throne
(part-2/2)
Amarendra Baahubali x Manorama (oc)
Summary - An orphaned palace healer never imagined that treating Amarendra Baahubali's wounds would change her life forever. As their bond blossoms into love, palace conspiracies threaten to tear them apart.
[ Disclaimer - This is a fanfiction based on the Indian movie franchise - Bāhubali . All characters mentioned in this fic belong to the makers of the movie except oc.]
Words - 5.1k
Part 1
masterlist
The river drifted gently beneath the moonlight.
A blanket of stars stretched endlessly above the river, their reflections shimmering in the calm water like scattered diamonds. The little wooden boat floated lazily with the current, surrounded by blooming lotuses that swayed with every ripple.
Manorama rested against Amarendra, her head tucked beneath his chin, her palm flat against his chest, while his arm remained securely around her shoulders. His thumb absentmindedly tracing circles on the exposed skin of her back, as though reassuring himself she was truly there.
Neither wished for the night to end.
For these few hours, they belonged to each other.
Here there was only the moon, only each other.
Amarendra let out a quiet breath, his gaze fixed on the stars above.
“I've been thinking…” he murmured.
Manorama tilted her head just enough to look at him.
“About us?” She asked.
He nodded.
“What happens when the kingdom discovers us?” She asked.
The question lingered between them.
Manorama lowered her eyes and interwined her fingers with his.
“I don't know what tomorrow will bring…but I don't regret today.”
He rested his forehead lightly against hers.
Neeve neeve gaganam
Nenu neelo neelam la samelanam
Neeve leni tarunam
Paripurnam kadanta naa payanam
Oka neeve manasantha
Oka neeve jagamantha
Jagamele naa hrudyani yele janakivi nuvve le
(You are the sky,
And I am the blue that becomes one with you.
A moment without you
Leaves my journey forever incomplete.
You alone fill my heart,
You alone are my entire world.
Who else could reign over my heart, If not you?)
“No matter what lies ahead, I will be with you.” he promised.
The night breeze carried his words across the silent river, while the boat drifted onward beneath the watchful moon.
Manorama smiled, though there was sadness behind it.
“You make promises so easily.” She said, tracing circles near his heart.
“No,” he said, “only the important one.”
“When I was little…” she confessed softly, “I thought gods had forgotten me. Every person I loved…left, one after another. I stopped asking for anything after that.”
His embrace tightened.
“They did not forget you.”
She looked up.
“They were taking their time before leading you to me.”
She reached up, brushing a loose strand away from his forehead.
“You're making impossible things simple.” She said.
“They are simple.” Amarendra replied. “Love is simple, it is people who make it difficult.”
Then he pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead.
The boat continued drifting through the lotus-covered river, carried by the gentle current.
Manorama stirred in her sleep just as dawn began to break.
Her eyes slowly opened, she blinked for a few seconds before realising they were still on the boat, she had hugged Amarendra in her sleep, her head resting on his bicep. He had his arm around her waist, the other under his head as he slept.
He looked peaceful when asleep.
“Baahu…” she whispered, nudging him slowly.
His eyes fluttered open, immediately finding hers.
“We need to go.” She said.
Together they slipped back into the palace without anyone noticing, the sky was still a little dark and as usual he walked with her till the entrance of the staff quarters.
Before they parted ways he placed a quick kiss on her forehead.
They never noticed the servant who lingered just long enough to witness the prince's parting kiss.
“Rajamata…Sivagami!” Bijjaladeva exclaimed in disgust as the kingdom people cheered for Baahubali below.
Bijjaladeva was nursing a wine goblet and stood near the railing watching the people beneath him in disgust, Bhallaladeva was seated a few feet away, in deep thought, a few ministers were present along with them.
Bijjaladeva slowly turned towards his son.
“Bhalla…have you ever thought of killing your mother?” He asked, stumbling forward.
A glass clattered to the floor.
Bhallaladeva looked at his father, his eyes widened at that question. Everyone looked shocked.
“But I have thought so,” he said, pointing to himself. “When she gave birth to you, she breastfed that filthy boy along with you. That's when I felt like killing her for the first time.” He said, his grip on the goblet tightened.
“She gave him the position, assets and the rights,” he continued, “They belonged solely to you, in every such situation I had thought of murdering her!” he said, walking towards Bhallaladeva. Every minister present in the room looked alarmed.
“And today, she has given the kingship to that bloody low life and not you! I feel like strangling her with my own hands!” He said. “Bhalla…shall we kill her?”
Bhallaladeva looked at him, his expression unreadable.
For a moment it felt like Bhallaladeva was indeed considering committing a heinous crime like that before he took the goblet from his father's hand, putting it aside.
“You've consumed too much alcohol, father.” He said calmly.
The ministers let out a sigh of relief.
“Youe mother's guard dog is here.” Bijjaladeva murmured.
Just then Kattappa walked inside, bowing to the prince.
“Hey dog!” Bijjaladeva called him.
“Sire?” Kattapa replied.
“What do you have to bark about now?” Bijjaladeva said, a couple of ministers chuckling at the insult thrown at him.
“Rajamata Sivagami Devi has decided Baahubali's coronation will take place on the auspicious day of Vijayadashami. You are the first one to be invited.” Kattappa said.
Bijjaladeva looked like he had been slapped, he threw away the goblet in his hand. He stood up, fuming in anger.
“The past is repeating again! The throne that belonged to me was given to my brother! And now, my son's right to the throne is being snatched away by my brother's son! Then what about my son, my grandson, my great-grandson? Are we slaves?” He came forward and gripped Kattappa’s iron choker, “Speak up dog! Why didn't they make me the king?”
He moved back, removing the angavstram that covered his torso.
“Is it because I'm handicapped? What if my left hand is weak? Isn't my other hand enough to rule the kingdom?” He said, lifting his right hand before swinging it around and hitting the pillar with his fist, part of the pillar fell apart at the impact.
He rested against the pillar, catching his breath.
“It wasn't because of the hand you weren't given the throne, it was because of your crooked mind.” Kattappa said with absolute calmness.
Everyone looked at Kattappa, some seething with anger.
“You filthy dog!” Bijjaladeva said, turning around, “your tongue needs to be slashed for the words you just spoke, do you know that?”
“Pardon me, isn't it crooked to think of killing your wife?”
“Did you overhear our conversation?”
“No, sire.” Kattappa shook his head, “Since I am a dog, I sniffed the truth out.”
Kattappa bowed and made his way out.
A few hours after the incident, a servant arrived, the same servant who had seen Baahubali with Manorama that morning.
Bhallaladeva and others were in the exact same position when Kattappa had left.
“Your highness.” The servant bowed in front of Bhallaladeva.
“I have kept an eye on Baahubali for the past few weeks as you told me to.” He said.
Bhallaladeva gestured for him to continue.
“Everything is normal except for one thing.”
“What is it?” Bhallaladeva asked.
The servant hesitated for a moment.
“Baahubali has been visiting the medical wing a lot lately. There is a healer, I've seen him sneak out of the palace with her. I think the prince has fallen in love with her.”
Bijjaladeva scoffed.
Bhallaladeva leaned forward in his chair, his eyes curious to know more.
“Who is she?” He asked.
“Her name is Manorama, she's been studying under the chief healer for about three years.”
“Huh? A healer? Could he go any lower?” Bijjaladeva said.
Bhalladeva looked like he was thinking, “why do you think he's in love?” He asked the servant.
“They were out all night and came back to the palace right before dawn.”
Bhallaladeva dismissed the servant, the corner of his lips curved in a smirk.
“Everyone has a weakness father, looks like my dear brother has gotten one too.” He said.
“Bhalla…what is going on in your head?” His father asked.
Bhallaladeva remained silent for a brief moment, his twisted mind already coming up with a plan.
“We'll get him to confess in front of the Queen mother.”
The next morning, Manorama was walking towards the medical wing but then a hand shot out and suddenly pulled her into a secluded corner. A large hand covered her mouth before she could let out a scream.
“Shhh…it's me.” Amarendra whispered, moving his hand away from her mouth.
“What are you doing?”she whispered back.
His hand one arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
“Baahu what are you doing? Someone will see us!”
He just brought up his other hand which was holding a pink rose.
“Oh…you came to give this?” She asked.
He then carefully tucked it into her braid, brushing away the stray hair.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, she looked around to see if anyone was coming before she stood on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek, too close to his lips.
Before she could move away, he captured her lips in a gentle kiss. It lasted for a few seconds and they pulled away.
Amarendra buried his face in her neck, inhaling the fresh sandalwood scent.
He placed a kiss on the side of her neck, Manorama closed her eyes in pleasure.
“Baahu…”she murmured, “someone will see us…”
“No one will see us.”
She pushed him away, “As much as I would like to continue this, I have to go.” she said, slowly pulling away and made her way to the medical wing, leaving him alone.
A little while later when she was arranging the herbal jars into their places.
Chaitra, a fellow healer came and joined beside her with fresh cotton, putting it away.
“So…” she started.
Manorama looked at her.
“Either a very determined mosquito found you… or someone has been very fond of you.”
Manorama blinked.
“What?”
The healer pointed towards the side of her neck.
Realisation hit instantly.
Her eyes widened, without another word she walked to the polished bronze mirror.
The faint purplish mark was unmistakeable.
She stared at it in horror.
She pulled the pallu of her saree, higher around her neck, in attempts of covering it.
“It–its nothing.” She said quickly. “I must have–”
“Walked into the prince's lips?”
Manorama buried her face into her hands.
Chaitra laughed.
“...please don't tell anyone.”
Chaitra’s face softened.
“I won't.”
“I'm never letting him do that again.”
Chaitra simply laughed, patting her shoulder.
Manorama was still adjusting the pallu around her neck when hurried footsteps echoed outside the medical wing.
At first no one paid much attention but then the footsteps grew louder.
Heavy.
Measured.
Armoured.
Every conversation inside the medical wing cam to an abrupt halt.
A squad of palace guards marched through the entrance, their spears glistening in the morning light. The man leading the squad scanned the room before his eyes settled on Manorama.
“Manorama.”
She looked at him in confusion.
“Yes?”
“You are to come with us.”
She frowned.
“Is anyone injured?”
“No”
He stepped forward.
“You are under arrest.”
The words struck the room like thunder.
“What?”
Several healers looked at one another in disbelief.
“There…there must be some mistake.” She said, shaking her head.
His expression remained unmoved.
“You have been accused of stealing property belonging to the royal palace.”
Silence.
Even the mortar Chaitra had been grinding slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a thud.
“Stealing?” Chaitra whispered.
“I have stolen nothing.” Manorama said.
Two guards stepped forward.
The chief healer emerged from the adjoining chamber, immediately sensing something was wrong.
“What is the meaning of this?” She asked firmly.
“We have orders to take Manorama into custody.”
“On whose authority?”
“Rajamata Sivagami.”
“There is no proof.”
“Our duty is not to question orders.”
She stepped between them and Manorama.
“This girl has served the palace faithfully for three years. She has treated soldiers, servants and members of the royal family alike. She would never steal.”
“I'm afraid that changes nothing.”
He nodded towards his men.
Before Manorama could react, cold iron shackles closed around her wrists.
She gasped.
“No…please…”
Every pair of eyes in the medical wing followed her.
Some stood frozen.
Others whispered among themselves.
As the guards led her through the corridors, palace servants stopped in their tracks.
The whispers began almost immediately.
“That's her…”
“What did she steal?”
“I never thought…”
Each word felt heavier than the chains binding her hands.
Tears blurred her vision.
“I haven't done anything…” she whispered though no one seemed interested to listen to her.
She thought they would take her to the royal court but instead they continued walking.
A cold knot formed in her stomach.
They descended a long stone staircase, they air became colder.
The scent of herbs was replaced by mold, rust and decay.
The light above faded with every step.
“No…”
The iron gates of the underground dungeons groaned open.
A scream echoed somewhere in the darkness, another voice laughed –wild and broken.
She instinctively stepped back.
“I…I don't belong here.”
The guards pushed her forward.
Inside, filthy stone cells stretched in the darkness.
The only source of light being the fire torch one of the guards was carrying.
There were no guards inside. Only prisoners. Criminals who turned maniac.
Some prisoners clawed at the iron bars.
Some simply stared with dark, hollow eyes.
One prisoner suddenly lunged against the bars, laughing uncontrollably.
She flinched.
Her breathing becoming uneven.
“Please…”
No one listened.
A guard unlocked an empty cell and shoved her inside.
She stumbled and fell on the damp stone floor.
The iron bars closed shut, the sound echoed through the dungeon. The guards walked away without another word.
Their footsteps faded and with them the light also, leaving the dungeon completely dark.
Manorama pulled her knees to her chest as tears finally spilled down her cheeks.
She was completely alone.
Back in the medical wing everything had stopped, none of them were able to process what just happened.
As soon as the guards took Manorama away, Chaitra had come back to her senses and sprinted out of there, her feet padded against the floor as she ran towards the royal chambers, she needed to find him.
She needed to find Baahubali, he wouldn't have known what happened, he wouldn't let it happen.
She turned around the corridor and dashed right into a guard, she steadied herself before she could fall.
“Are you okay?” the guard asked, “Watch where you're going.” He said before turning away.
“Wait!” She called out to him. “Do you know where Yuvraj Baahubali is?” She asked.
“Uh…he is not in the palace, he went to the farmers to inspect their destroyed crops.”
With this new piece of information, she ran out of the palace.
It took her almost an hour to reach the village and find the prince.
Amarendra was speaking to the farmers, when she tried to go near him, a couple of soldiers stopped her.
“Where do you think you're going?” One of them said.
“Please, I need to speak to the prince, it's urgent!” She said.
The soldiers did not let her.
As the commotion increased, Kattappa noticed her and nudged Baahubali.
“What is happening there?” Kattappa called out.
“This woman—”
“Yuvraj! It's important —it's about Manorama.”
Amarendra looked at her when she mentioned Manorama.
“They arrested her.” She told him.
The court was in full session when the heavy doors opened.
All the heads turned towards the entrance.
In strode Amarendra Baahubali, his footsteps echoing across the vast stone hall. Dust from the countryside still clung to the hem of his garments, evidence that he had returned without even changing after inspecting the flood- ravaged fields.
Behind him followed Kattappa.
At the far end of the hall, Rajamata Sivagami sat upon her throne. Bijjaladeva lounged nearby, a smug smile playing on his lips. Bhallaladeva stood behind his father.
Amarendra walked towards the centre of the court and bowed respectfully.
“Mother.”
A faint smile crossed Sivagami's face.
“You returned sooner than expected, Baahu.”
“The flood damage to the southern fields was not as severe as we expected.” he replied, “the affected were cprovided grain from the royal stores and arrangements have been made. The matter is under control.”
Sivagami gave a nod of approval.
“You have done well.”
Amarendra remained silent for a brief moment, his gaze swept across the court before setlling back on Sivagami.
“Rajamata…”
There was slight hesitation in his voice.
“I have just been informed one of the palace healers has been arrested, is it true?”
“Yes, it is true.”
Amarendra inclined his head slightly.
“May I know the charge against her?”
Sivagami spoke, her voice measured.
“She has been accused of stealing a gold necklace belonging to the treasuries.”
A servant stepped forward at her signal, carrying a folded cloth. He carefully opened it before the court. Resting within it was an ornate gold necklace.
“It was recovered from her quarters this morning.”
Baahubali's eyes lingered on it for a moment before lifting to meet Rajamata’s eyes again.
“Has she confessed?”
“No.”
“Did anyone witness her taking it?”
A minister stepped forward.
“No, but the necklace was discovered during the search.”
Amarendra remained thoughtful.
“Then this is circumstantial evidence.”
A murmur spread through the court.
“Until the investigation is complete, she shall remain in custody.” Sivagami said.
Amarendra frowned.
“Mother… even if the accusation proves true, it is just a necklace.” His voice remained calm, but firmer than before. “The underground dungeons are reserved for murderers, traitors and those wha endanger the kingdom.”
He took a measured step forward.
“How does the theft of an ornament warranty such punishment?”
Everyone present in the court looked at each other in confusion, they've never seen their prince question his mother before.
“The investigation is still underway.”
“Even so…I believe keeping a woman in the dungeons before her guilt has been proven is unjust.”
Bijjaladeva scoffed.
“Unjust?” He repeated with a laugh. “You speak as though she is some innocent maiden.”
Amarendra's jaw tightened, but he remained silent.
Sivagami's gaze narrowed.
“Baahu.”
He looked up.
“You seem unusually concerned about this matter. She is just an apprentice healer. There are ministers waiting to discuss the affairs of the kingdom…yet you choose to stand before me arguing about a palace healer.”
She descended one step from the dias.
“Tell me…why?”
Baahubali hesitated.
“I merely believe–”
Rajamata interrupted him.
“You merely believe nothing.” her eyes remained fixed on him. “This concern…it seems personal.”
"I am concerned because she has been imprisoned without sufficient proof, Rajamata. A woman has been placed in shackles before her guilt has even been established.”
Before Sivagami could reply, Bijjaladeva scoffed.
“She is a palace servant who is accused of theft.” he shrugged mockingly, “she simply became greedy.”
A few ministers shifted uncomfortably.
Bijjaladeva continued.
“Who knows how many things have gone missing because of people like her?”
Amarendra's jaw tightened.
“A thief deserves no sympathy.” He looked directly at Amarendra, “and if she truly possesses any honour, she would accept her punishment instead of pretending to be innocent.”
Amarendra took a slow, deep breath.
“There is no proof she stole anything.”
“There is enough.”
“It could be planted evidence.”
“Oh?” Bijjaladeva smiled mockingly. “So now the Yuvraj has become a judge as well?”
“Tell me, since when does the future king concern himself with the fate of a common woman?”
The court remained silent.
“Unless…there is another reason.”
His next words came slowly.
“Either the price has forgotten his place…or that woman has forgotten hers.”
Amarendra's resolve finally broke.
“Enough.”
Amarendra's hands slowly clenched into fists.
“You may accuse her of theft if you have proof but you will not insult her honour.”
Bijjaladeva laughed.
“Who are you to decide that?”
The court watched in complete silence.
Amarendra lowered his gaze for a brief moment.
“...I love her.”
The words were barely louder than a whisper yet they echoed through the throne room.
Not a single soul moved.
A minister's scroll slipped from his hand onto the floor.
Sivagami stared at Baahubali, her expression frozen in disbelief.
Bijjaladeva’s mocking smile widened.
Then Sivagami's voice broke the silence.
“What…did you say?”
Amarendra slowly raised his head.
There was no fear in his eyes.
No regret.
No hesitation.
“I love Manorama.”
His voice carried through the court, clear enough for every minister, every guard and every servant to hear.
“I know her heart, I know her kindness, I know her honesty and I know beyond all doubt, she is innocent.”
He took one measured step forward.
“If loving a woman of virtue is a crime…then I am guilty.”
The court was speechless, no one had expected the future King of Mahishmati to confess his love for a common healer before the entire court.
Only Bhallaladeva was unsurprised. His trap had worked exactly like he intended.
“Mother, I gave my word to live here forever. What you did was wrong mother.”
Sivagami staggered back.
“Did you say that Sivagami is wrong?” Bijjaladeva got up from his seat.
“Was it wrong on her part to have accepted you as her son? She treated you equal to her son, was that her mistake? She declared you the king instead of her biological son!”
He moved to Sivagami, “Did you hear that Sivagami? He says you've made a mistake.”
Sivagami stood up.
“Amarendra Baahubali, you have two options in front of you, do you want the the throne of the glorious Mahishmati or do you want to leave it for one woman.”
“If I choose that throne, it will be an insult to your parenting. I will not break my promise.”
“Is that so?” Sivagami said, “Bhallaladeva will be crowned as the next King on the same day. He'll be crowned under the supervision of commander-in-chief, Baahubali.”
Baahubali bowed respectfully.
Then a minister– “Rajamata please think—”
“This is my word, my word is the law.”
The underground dungeons had fallen silent.
The mad laughter that echoed through the stone walls now reduced to mutters from the neighbouring cells.
Manorama no longer knew how much time had passed.
The iron shackles around her wrists had begun to bite into her skin, every small moment sent a dull ache through her arms. Tears had long since dried upon her cheeks leaving behind only exhaustion.
She sat curled against the cold stone walls, knees drawn to her chest.
Footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Slow.
Steady.
She assumed another prisoner was being brought in.
The orange glow of the torch gradually chased away the darkness.
It stopped outside her cell.
She still didn't lift her head.
A sword was drawn out and the lock shattered in a single strike.
Only then did she look up.
“Baahu?” she whispered.
He stood before her, a torch in one hand, sword still lowered in another.
His eyes immediately found the shackles that bound her.
Without saying a word, he stepped in.
The moment she realised he was truly there, whatever strength she had been holding onto disappeared.
She stumbled towards him.
He caught her effortlessly as she buried her face into his chest.
“I didn't…I didn't do anything,” she sobbed “I swear…I didn't do anything.”
“I know…”
His voice was certain.
“I know.”
She clung to him as though he would disappear if she let go.
“I'm sorry…”
“You have nothing to apologise for.”
She shook her head repeatedly, unable to stop crying.
He wrapped one arm firmly around her waist, lifting his sword once more.
With two strikes, the iron shackles broke apart.
The heavy metal fell onto the floor with a loud clang.
Amarendra gently rubbed the angry red marks around her wrists.
“I'm here.” He said.
She sobbed harder.
He simply held her, letting her cry.
Several minutes passed before her breath slowly steadied.
Amarendra removed his angavastram and carefully draped it around her shoulders.
“Come.”
He held her hand and wrapped another around her shoulders leading her out of the dungeons.
Amarendra led her through a quieter path that wound away from the palace. Neither of them spoke. The only sounds were soft rustles of the leaves and distant calls of birds as the sun settled in the west.
Nearly twenty minutes later, a small palace came into view.
Unlike the grandeur of the royal palace, this one was modest, stone walls were draped in flowering creepers, a lotus pond shimmered beneath the fading sunlight.
The guards stationed outside immediately bowed.
Amarendra acknowledged them with a nod.
A handful of servants hurried forward before stopping in surprise at the sight of the woman beside their prince.
“Prepare a room and have warm water brought.” He told them.
He looked at Manorama
“You should bath.”
She looked down at herself.
Only then realising how filthy she had become. Dirt clung to her clothes, her hair had come loose from its braid and dried streaks of tears marked her cheeks.
She gave a small nod.
“I'll have fresh clothes arranged.”
She looked at him.
“Thank you.”
He offered her a gentle smile.
“You don't have to thank me.”
By the time she returned, the last rays of sun had disappeared beyond the horizon.
Her damp hair rested over one shoulder, dressed in a simple cotton saree the servants has brought for her.
The bruises around her wrists were however impossible to hide.
Amarendra's gaze lingered on them before quietly looking away.
A servant placed a two plates of food on the table before bowing and leaving.
Neither of them spoke as they began eating.
After only a few bites, Manorama lowered her hand.
“I can't…”
“You should try, you haven't eaten anything since morning.”
She forced herself to eat another mouthful before setting the plate aside.
“I'm sorry.”
He frowned.
“For what?”
“For causing all of this.”
His expression changed immediately.
“You caused nothing.”
“If I hadn’t–”
“No.”
He moved closer to her.
“Look at me.”
She slowly raised her eyes.
“You have done nothing wrong.”
The tears she has been holding back began to spill.
“I was so scared Baahu… I thought, Ivwould never be able to leave that place.”
He wiped a tear that rolled of her cheek.
She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her without hesitation.
Eventually she lifted her head.
“What happened after I was arrested?”
“It is over now.”
“Did Rajamata…”
“The matter has ended.”
She searched his face.
“You are not telling something.”
He smiled faintly.
“I'm telling you what matters. You are safe.”
She studied him for another moment before quietly nodding.
Night settled over.
Manorama and Baahubali lay upon the bed, she shifted closer to him arms slipping around his waist. He drew her closer into his embrace.
She buried her face into his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Within minutes, exhaustion finally overtook her.
She fell asleep in his arms
Amarendra remained awake.
He had given up the throne that day.
Yest as he looked at the woman sleeping peacefully against his chest.
He felt no regret.
Morning arrived quietly.
Sunlight spilled across the carved stone floors, filtering through the lattice windows.
Manorama stirred, she blinked slowly, momentarily forgetting where she was.
Then the events of the previous day rushed back in.
The dungeon.
The shackles.
Baahu.
She got up abruptly.
The place beside her on the bed was empty.
For a brief moment panic gripped her chest before she noticed his angavastram resting beside the pillow.
A soft knock came at the door.
A maid entered.
“Devi, Rajkumar requests your presence.”
She nodded and followed her.
The morning breeze greeted her as she stepped outside.
Amarendra turned the moment he heard footsteps.
“Did you sleep well?” He asked gently.
She nodded.
“The vaidya has prepared medicine for your hands.”
Kattappa stepped forward and held out a small wooden box.
“Thank you Kattappa.” Manorama said, accepting the box.
Amarendra looked at her, “I need to speak with the steward regarding a few arrangements. It won't be long.” He told her.
“I'll be here.”
He nodded before walking to the servants waiting near the entrance.
She watched him disappear before lowering her eyes into the little wooden box in her hands.
“Kattappa…can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
She hesitated.
“What happened yesterday, after I was taken away?”
Kattappa remained silent.
“Baahu won't tell me anything.”
Kattappa let out a slow breath.
“Rajamata gave him a choice.”
She frowned.
“A choice?”
“The throne…or you.”
The colour drained from her face.
“...What?” she whispered.
“He stood before the entire court and confessed that he loves you.”
“He what?”
Her hands trembled, the wooden box slipped from her grip and clattered onto the floor.”
“No…no he shouldn't..” she shook her head.
“He choose you before the entire kingdom.”
Manorama remained frozen where she stood. Her mind refusing to accept what Kattappa had just told her.
“He was supposed to become king.” She whispered.
She covered her mouth trying to hold her sob.
“Baahu made his choice of his own will.”
“He deserves that throne.”
“He deserves happiness as well.”
Before she could answer, Baahubali returned.
The moment he saw her tears and the wooden box on the floor, his eyes shifted to Kattappa.
“I believe she deserves to know.”
She couldn't even look at him.
“Is it true?”
He smiled gently.
“Yes.”
“You shouldn't have.”
“I should have.”
“No!”
She gripped the front of his angavastram.
“I’m not worth a kingdom.”
He cupped her face between his hands.
“Don't. Don't say that. I made you a promise.”
She threw her arms around him. He rested his chin lightly against her head.
“I would make the same choice again.”
The courtyard fell into silence once more.
Amarendra gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Mano…”
She looked up.
He took both her hands into his.
“For the first time in my life, I don't know what tomorrow looks like, I'm not longer the heir to Mahishmati, I do not know where life will lead us,” he said “But there is one thing I know with certainty. I wish to wake up beside you every morning. I wish to hear your voice at the end of the day. I wish to walk through every joy... and every hardship... with you.”
Her eyes filled once again.
“Manorama…”
His voice was barely above a whisper.
“Will you marry me?”
She stepped closer until only a breath seperated them.
“I have nothing to offer you, Baahu. No kingdom, no wealth…no noble lineage. I am only…”
He gently placed his fingers against her lips.
“You are what I need.” He said.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
She nodded.
“Yes.”
A smile spread across Amarendra's face.
“Yes?”
“Yes, I'll marry you.”
He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
Tags - @faebutterflygayaf @mylifesalreadyfucked @avasif @gulaabjamun08 @pn28 @adityami @eyekonic-shar-333 @kamalkafool @anxiousbeeing @ooopssssu @riddhi-on-break @teenagenerdrascalsports-blog @bittermiseryy @ninnimouse @batata04 @hamzair-is-my-otp @debsreads21 @gloriouspurpose01 @mainyahaankyunhoon @chocolaaaaatmilk @rhopalocera23
