The grand bedroom of Raghav and Reema was a testament to royalty and elegance. The massive bed sat at the center, adorned with a canopy of golden embroidery and plush silk sheets.

Intricate wooden carvings ran along the edges of the bed frame, depicting tales of their lineage.

To the right, a vast wardrobe made of wood stood, its doors inlaid with delicate motifs of flowers and vines. The terrace, covered with heavy velvet curtains, provided a glimpse of the evening sky when parted.

Lanterns hanging from ornate hooks emitted a warm, golden glow, bathing the room in an intimate ambiance.

Reema sat on the edge of the bed, her posture tense. On her right sat Karan, his face clouded with confusion, and on the other side was Raghav, his expression a mix of worry and curiosity.

“Kya baat hai, Maa?” Karan asked, his eyes locked on Reema’s face, his tone laced with urgency.

(What is the matter, Mother?)

Reema let out a heavy sigh, avoiding her son’s piercing gaze. “Aap ye vivah nahi kar sakte.” Her voice was firm, yet there was a trace of sadness in her tone.

(You cannot marry her.)

Karan stiffened, his brows knitting together in frustration.

“Ye aap kya keh rahi hain?” Raghav interjected, his voice tinged with disbelief.

(What are you saying?)

Karan shot up from his seat, his fists clenched. “Kyu nahi kar sakte?” He demanded, his voice sharp but respectful. His frustration was evident, his tone cutting through the room like a blade.

(Why can’t I marry her?)

Reema stood as well, her eyes meeting her son’s with an unwavering resolve. “Kyu ki.. kyu ki hume uss ladki ke baare mein kuch pata chala hai.” Her voice dripped with disgust, her words sending a chill through the room.

(Because.. because I've learned something about that girl.)

“Kya matlab?” Karan’s voice softened, confusion overtaking his earlier anger.

(What do you mean?)

Reema took a deep breath before continuing, her disgust evident in her expression. “Wo ladki... wo ek aam graameen se prem karati thi aur usake saath usake shareerik sambandh bhi the.” Her voice faltered slightly, shame clouding her face as she spoke.

(That girl...she was in love with a common villager and also had physical relations with him.)

“YE KAISI BAKWAS BAATE KAR RAHIN HAI AAP?” Raghav’s voice thundered through the room, as he stood up. His face turned red with anger, his disbelief palpable.

(What kind of nonsense are you saying?)

Karan stood frozen, his mind racing. His emotions were a chaotic mix of disgust, confusion, and betrayal. His fists clenched tightly by his sides, his knuckles turning white.

Reema’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she turned to Raghav. “Hum sach keh rahe hain. Aapko lagta hai hum jhooth bolenge?” Her voice was steady, though it carried the weight of her shame.

(I am telling the truth. Do you think I would lie?)

Karan finally found his voice, his tone trembling. “Maa… ye… aapko kisne bataya? Kaise maloom aapko ki wo Aditi hai?” He placed his hands on his mother’s arms, desperate for an explanation.

(Mother… who told you this? How do you know it’s about Aditi?)

Reema held his gaze firmly, her voice unwavering. “Hume uspar pehle se hi shak tha, lag raha tha ke wo kuch chhupa rahi hai. To humne ek sipahee ko unke rajya bheja, unke baare mein pata lagane ke liye.”

(I already suspected her. It seemed like she was hiding something. So I sent a soldier to her kingdom to find out.)

Her words struck Karan like a blow. His hands fell to his sides as he muttered under his breath, “Humse chupaya kyu? Itna bada dhoka?”

(Why hide it from me? Such a big betrayal?)

Karan took a step back, shaking his head as if trying to shake away the truth. “Maa, ye jhooth bhi to ho sakta hai na? Koi esa kyun karega? Pakka unko badnaam karne ke liye kisi ne ye bakwas kiya hai.” His voice was desperate, clinging to the hope that his mother could be wrong.

(Mother, this could be a lie, right? Why would someone do this? Surely someone is trying to defame her.)

Reema, however, was firm. “Kisi ne? Kya ho agar humne kaha ki hume khud, uski behen ne ye bataya hai? Rajkumari Advika ne khud humare sipahee ko ye sab bataya hai.” Her voice was cold, her words cutting through any shred of doubt.

(Someone? What if I tell you that her sister herself told this to our soldier? Princess Advika has revealed it all.)

Karan’s body went rigid, his eyes wide with shock. He couldn’t process the betrayal.

“Parantu Advika esa kyun karegi?” Raghav asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

(But why would Advika do this?)

Reema took a deep breath, her voice soft but carrying an emotional weight. “Wo keh rahi thi ke wo nahi chahti ke hum andhere mein rahe. Nahi chahti thi ke hone wale samrat ki patni esi ho.”

(She said she didn’t want us to remain in the dark. She didn’t want the future queen to be someone like that.)

Her words hung in the air, filling the room with a suffocating silence. Karan and Raghav exchanged glances, processing the weight of what they had just heard.

Karan’s hands tightened into fists, while Raghav ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing.

Reema broke the silence, her voice laced with worry. “Ab hum kya karenge? Har rajya mein ye khabar hai ke Karan ka vivah hone wala hai. Aur agar ab vivah nahi kiya toh...” Her voice trailed off, and she glanced between them, her face a portrait of anxiety.

(Now what will we do? Every kingdom knows that Karan’s wedding is about to take place. And if the wedding doesn’t happen then…)

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as if struck by an idea. “Maharaj, hum agar Karan ka vivah Rajkumari Advika se karade toh?” she said, her tone desperate yet hopeful.

(Your Majesty, what if we arrange Karan’s marriage with Princess Advika?)

Raghav’s expression shifted, his brows furrowing as he tried to grasp her suggestion. “Ye kya keh rahi hain aap?” he asked, glancing at Karan briefly before looking back at her. “Hum esa kaise achanak dulhan badal sakte hain?” His voice carried a mix of disbelief and concern.

(What are you saying? How can we suddenly change the bride?)

Reema’s eyes narrowed, her tone now firm and filled with disdain. “Toh aap kya chahte hain? Aap chahte hain humara beta uss ladki se vivah kar le?”

(Then what do you want? Do you want our son to marry that girl?)

For a brief moment, Raghav seemed skeptical. His thoughts were troubled as the weight of the situation bore down on him.

He didn’t personally have an issue with Karan marrying Advika; she was noble, intelligent, and a perfect match for their family.

No, his concern lay elsewhere.

How would he convince King Dev of this sudden change? Refusing Aditi at this stage would not only offend their allies but could also jeopardize their kingdom’s reputation. This dilemma gnawed at him, pulling him deeper into his conflicted thoughts.

Finally, he straightened, his decision made. “Thik hai. Hum Maharaj Dev se vartalap karte hain is bare mein.” He said firmly, glancing at Karan. Then, turning his gaze back to Reema, he added, "Hum dekhte hain kya kar sakte hain."

(Alright. I will speak to King Dev about this. Let’s see what can be done.)

With that, he turned and started leaving the room, his posture regal yet heavy with responsibility. Without waiting for a reply, he left the room, his footsteps echoing ominously in the silence.

As the door clicked shut, Karan’s frustration spilled over. His voice was sharp, yet restrained. “Maa, ye aap kya keh rahi hain? Hum Rajkumari Advika se kyun vivah karein?”

(Mother, what are you saying? Why should I marry her?)

Reema’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stepped closer to him. “Aap abhi bhi uss nirlaj ladki se vivah karna chahte hain?” Her tone was rising, each word brimming with anger.

(Do you still want to marry that shameless girl?)

Karan looked at her for a moment, his lips parting as if to say something, but no words came out. “Maa, hum…” he stopped abruptly.

(Mother, I...)

The words he wanted to say seemed to elude him. His emotions churned within, but he couldn’t voice them. Instead, he lowered his head, his eyes glued to the floor as if searching for answers in its intricate patterns.

Reema sighed, her expression softening slightly as she placed her hands gently on his shoulders. She tilted his head up to meet her gaze, her eyes filled with both determination and concern.

“Hum jaante hain aapne uss ladki se prem kiya tha,” she said, her tone gentler now, but her words carried the weight of their family’s expectations. “Parantu aap apna lakshya mat bhuliye. Agar aapko samrat banna hai, toh aapko vivah karna hoga.”

(I know you loved that girl. But don’t forget your purpose. If you want to be emperor, you must marry.)

Her words were gentle but carried the weight of truth. Karan’s face twisted in turmoil, his mind torn between his emotions and his duty. Reema continued, her voice filled with a mix of hope and concern.

“Pure rajya ko khabar hai ke aap Maheshwari khandan ki Rajkumari se vivah karne wale hain. Hum vivah ese nahi rok sakte. Aur Advika... wo hume atyant hoshiyar aur shant swabhav ki lagti hai. Hume yakeen hai ke aap dono sath mein khush rahenge.”

(The entire kingdom knows you are marrying Princess Maheshwari. We can’t stop the wedding now. And Advika… she seems more intelligent and calm. I believe you two will be happy together.)

Karan stood frozen, his forehead creased with tension. The storm inside him was unbearable—disbelief, frustration, and disappointment gnawed at him.

He loved Aditi, no doubt, but doubt itself had now clouded his love. He didn’t even know Advika properly, yet the throne loomed in the background, a stark reminder of his responsibilities.

His breaths came in short, rapid bursts as he tried to collect his thoughts, but every option felt like a trap. His mother’s words echoed in his mind, forcing him to confront the harsh reality he could no longer ignore.

The room fell into an oppressive silence, Karan’s mind raced as he tried to reconcile the Aditi he knew with the woman his mother described.

Reema’s voice cut through the stillness one last time. “Ab nirnay apko lena hai, Karan. Lekin soch samajhkar lena. Yeh vivah is rajya ki izzat ke liye ek chhoti baat nahi hai.”

(Now it’s your decision, Karan. But think carefully. This marriage isn’t a small matter for the dignity of this kingdom.)

───※ To be continued ※───