**Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, thus does not revolve around the real world. Any kind of words or incidents mentioned does not signify anything related to the real world. **
It was a golden afternoon in the gardens of Ampranam, the sun casting warm light over the white marble and the vivid blooms of bougainvillea. Their petals fluttered in the soft wind, whispering secrets only children could understand.
Princess Shivantika, dressed in a soft lavender angarkha, chased after her younger brother, Yuvraj, who giggled with mischief.
"You'll never catch me, sister! I'm the fastest prince in all of Ampranam!" he laughed, darting between rose bushes.
"Oh really?" she called out, panting with a smile. "Wait until I catch you, then I'll go to the royal mother and ask for justice! A royal court for you, little monkey!"
Their laughter echoed through the garden, light as the breeze.
But the joy was short-lived.
"Princess Shivantika!" A shrill voice sliced through the moment like a dagger.
Chhoti Rani, the King's concubine, stood at the edge of the garden, her face twisted with disdain.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Playing like a common girl in front of the servants? You are a royal—act like one!"
Shivantika froze. Yuvraj stepped behind her, clutching her hand.
Before she could speak, Chhoti Rani stormed over and grabbed her wrist, her nails digging into the delicate skin.
"You bring shame to the royal house," she hissed. "Come with me. Now."
She dragged Shivantika across the stone corridor, her grip unrelenting. Inside her chamber, the door slammed shut behind them.
"You will stay here, alone, until you learn how to behave like a true princess. No food. No visitors. Just your own guilt to keep you company."
Then she left, the lock clicking coldly.
***
By nightfall, hunger gnawed at Shivantika's stomach like fire. Her throat was dry, her limbs weak. Her head spun as she lay curled up on the floor.
Then—footsteps. Not light, careful ones like a maid's. These were slow, firm, and heavy. A man's. An intruder? An assassin?
She staggered to her feet and grabbed a dagger hidden beneath her pillow. The door creaked open.
She turned fast—ready to strike.
But a strong hand caught her wrist and another pressed softly over her mouth.
"Shh… don't scream. It's me. Veer."
Her eyes widened, instantly softening. His voice was calm, familiar, grounding.
"Veer…" she breathed when he removed his hand. "What are you doing here? If anyone sees you—"
"I couldn't bear the thought of you starving, Princess," he whispered. "I brought food. You shouldn't be punished for being joyful."
Her eyes welled up. Veer—the only man who had ever protected her, the man she had fallen for the moment he had rescued her from bandits two years ago. That day, bruised and trembling, she had looked up at his face and thought she had seen a god. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with piercing eyes that held both fire and kindness. His voice was deep and steady, his every movement purposeful. A soldier of unwavering discipline and quiet dignity, Veer had been appointed as Sidharth's personal guard—but to Shivantika, he had become so much more.
Since then, she had lived in quiet devotion. She watched him train in the courtyard, admired the graceful way he handled his sword. His sweat-drenched body, his sharp features, the scar near his brow—every detail burned in her memory.
Even when she fell and broke her leg trying to peek at him, she didn't regret it. She often whispered to herself:
"I saw him... and he saw me. That's all that mattered."
***
Her legs eventually healed. And one day, she had been practicing walking with help from her most trusted maidservant, Radha. She slipped. But once again, it was Veer who caught her.
"Thank you again… my savior," she had whispered, clutching his hand. "You keep saving me. Why?"
"It's my duty, Your Highness," he said, lowering his gaze.
She looked into his eyes. "Is it only duty, Veer? Or something more?"
He didn't answer.
That day, she pulled him into her chamber.
"Please… don't speak like that," she whispered. "My feelings for you—they're not silly. They're not childish. I love you, Veer. Genuinely, truly."
He took a breath. His jaw clenched.
"Princess," he said, gently removing his hand from hers, "I am a mere soldier. You are the daughter of a King. What you feel… it is dangerous."
"I don't care about danger. I don't care about rank. My heart only knows one truth—I love you."
But he walked away.
And she broke down in sobs.
***
That night, her elder brother, whom she always called Bhaiya, entered.
"Why are you crying like this?" he asked. "Is it because Veer rejected you?"
She looked up in shock. "You knew?"
He sat beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I've known for a while. I also know… he feels the same. He just doesn't say it."
She wiped her eyes. "Then why doesn't he say it?"
"Because he's afraid. Afraid of breaking rules, of being punished. But I'll help you, Shivantika. You're my sister."
She hugged him tight. "Thank you… thank you for understanding."
***
(Present)
Back in her room, Veer appeared again.
As he placed his hand over her mouth to silence her, they stumbled against the wall.
Their faces inches apart. Nose brushing nose. She closed her eyes, waiting.
But then—sniff sniff—she pulled away.
"Wait… is that food I smell?"
Veer blinked. Then laughed softly.
She grabbed the plate like a child and ate with wild hunger, not caring for manners.
Veer sat down beside her, watching her.
"I never imagined the graceful Princess Shivantika eating like a hungry lioness," he teased.
"I haven't eaten in a day," she replied with her mouth full. "I have no shame."
He smiled. "You're beautiful, even like this."
She paused, looked at him.
"Veer… why are you really here?"
"I'm here," he said, eyes locked on hers, "because I was wrong to reject your feelings. I was afraid. But not anymore. I love you, Shivantika. I always have."
She stared at him, stunned. She didn't even respond.
He stood. "Take care of yourself… my princess."
And left.
Only after he disappeared did the meaning of his words hit her like thunder.
She screamed into her pillow with joy. She didn't sleep the entire night, smiling, spinning, dancing in her room.
***
The next morning, news arrived that her marriage alliance was broken. The kingdom she was to marry into had declared war on Ampranam.
Veer, Sidharth, and the King had gone to war.
Days later, only the King and Sidharth returned.
Shivantika's heart raced.
"Bhaiya! Where is Veer?" she asked, her voice trembling. She wore a beautiful silk pink lehenga—the color of bougainvillea—hoping to surprise him. "Why didn't he return? Did he… say anything about me?"
Sidharth's face darkened.
"Veer is gone… Shivantika. He… died in battle. In his final breath, he whispered your name."
Her world stopped.
The lehenga slipped from her hands. Her body went cold. Her knees gave way and her vision turned black.
***
She woke up surrounded by her family.
"What happened to her?" the King asked, panic in his voice.
"I don't know, Your Majesty. She didn't seem unwell earlier," said Rani Maa.
Shivantika blinked. "Did… did something happen to me?"
The royal physician stepped in. "Let her rest. She needs peace and quiet."
Everyone left.
Except Rani Maa.
Once alone, the Queen pulled out a dagger from beneath her robe.
Shivantika's eyes widened.
Her mother spoke coldly. "How long has this been going on, Shivantika? Did you think I wouldn't notice the sparkle in your eyes every time he was near? Even when you broke your bones, you were happy. Why?"
Shivantika stammered. "Maa… I—"
"You were nothing but a pawn," the Queen continued. "Your beloved Bhaiya and Chhoti Rani played you like a puppet. Even your trusted Radha betrayed you. Everyone around you was part of it."
"No… No! Veer… he wasn't—" she whispered, breaking down.
The Queen threw the dagger on the floor.
"You don't believe me? Then take this dagger and go ask your dear brother. Just survive, Shivantika. Whatever happens next—live."
***
She rushed into Sidharth's room.
He was laughing, holding a wineglass.
"Shivantika?" He quickly hid the glass. "Why are you here?"
She didn't answer.
He sighed. "You want to know the truth? Veer is truly dead. It wasn't a dream. He's gone."
She collapsed in front of him. "Why… why did he have to die?"
"Here," he said, handing her a glass of water.
"Drink. Calm yourself."
She drank. Seconds later, she felt dizzy.
"Bhaiya… why do I feel like the room is spinning?"
He looked at her coldly.
"Because, dear sister… I poisoned you."
Her eyes widened.
"What…?"
"Everything your mother told you is true. My mother was cast aside. I was ignored. I wanted revenge. And you… were my tool."
A voice from the curtain added, "And I was his accomplice."
It was Radha, her most trusted maidservant.
"I helped him. I gave him every detail about you. We love each other. He promised to marry me."
Shivantika couldn't speak.
"Veer was my brother," Radha smirked. "He didn't love you. He was playing a role—until he actually started falling for you. And for that… he died."
"And the war?" Shivantika managed.
Sidharth smiled. "I sent that kingdom a secret message. Promised them power in return for attacking us. Tonight, they will finish what we started."
Shivantika's world went dark again.
***
Past midnight, she woke up weak, dizzy, and alone.
She stumbled out and saw the courtyard…
Blood. Bodies. Silence.
Her father. Her mother. Her little brother. Her grandmother.
All lying dead… beneath the bougainvillea tree.
She fell to her knees, shaking.
"Shivantika…" a faint whisper.
It was Rani Maa, barely breathing.
"Take… this ring. This letter. Go to your aunt… the Empress Dowager of Shi. She will protect you…"
She described the secret passage—behind the golden vase. She handed her the dagger and a vial of poison.
"Go… live… survive, my child."
With that, she closed her eyes.
Shivantika ran. Through the secret passage.
Through the night.
Her heart was shattered.
But she remembered her mother's words:
Just survive.
And one day, she would decide what to do with the pain.