The next morning, Vishragarh's court glittered with the trappings of ceremony—rows of courtiers in silks and jewels, the soft thrum of pakhawaj drums in the background, and sunlight spilling through colored glass windows in shades of saffron and emerald.
But beneath the beauty, Shaurya could feel it: the tension that coils in a room where smiles hide swords.
The envoy from Nandigram had arrived.
Arrival of the Nandigram Delegation
They entered the Darbar Hall in perfect formation—twelve guards in green-and-gold armor, carrying lances tipped with blades shaped like lotus petals. Behind them walked a tall, wiry man with an oiled mustache and a sharp, fox-like face: Senapati Hariprasad, Nandigram's commander.
And beside him… the woman Shaurya had met in the shadows.
Princess Rajnandini.
This time, her crimson sari was replaced by a flowing gagra choli of deep teal, embroidered with golden peacocks whose feather eyes were tiny sapphires. She walked with the grace of someone who knew that the eyes of an entire hall followed her—and thrived on it.
The courtiers whispered, but Rudrapratap Ashval silenced them with a gesture.
Rudrapratap: "Welcome, daughter of Nandigram. The throne of Ashval greets you in friendship."
Rajnandini bowed just enough to be polite—but not enough to seem submissive.
Rajnandini: "Friendship is a rare jewel, Maharaj. Nandigram values such treasure."
Her voice was like a river—smooth, but with an undertow.
The First Sparring of Words
After the initial pleasantries, Pramila Devi, Ashval's Minister of Foreign Affairs, brought forward the marriage proposal openly.
Pramila: "A bond by matrimony between the Forest Kingdom and Nandigram would create stability along the southern trade routes and ensure mutual defense against… less civilized forces."
Shaurya: "And yet, such bonds also create obligations—obligations that may not serve both equally."
Rajnandini tilted her head ever so slightly, the peacock-feather veil at her shoulder shifting like an eye.
Rajnandini: "Perhaps. But obligations are the seeds from which power grows. You of all people should know that, Maharaj Shaurya."
The way she spoke his title—half honor, half challenge—made several ministers exchange uneasy glances.
Behind Closed Doors
That night, a smaller meeting was held in the Lotus Pavilion, a chamber open to the moonlight but shielded from eavesdroppers by spells and gold-latticed walls. Only Rudrapratap, Pramila Devi, Shaurya, Rajnandini, and Senapati Hariprasad were present.
Here, the masks slipped—just a little.
Rudrapratap: "We will speak plainly. Nandigram is beset by internal factions. The marriage would stabilize your throne, Princess, and bind your realm's prosperity to ours. But what is it that you truly want?"
Rajnandini's eyes flicked toward Shaurya.
Rajnandini: "What I want is an empire that does not rot from within. If this marriage gives me the power to cleanse the corruption in Nandigram, then I am willing. But—"
She let the word hang.
Shaurya: "But only if the groom is not a pawn."
Her smile deepened.
Rajnandini: "Exactly."
The Testing of Trust
Later, as the others departed, Rajnandini lingered. She approached Shaurya, her anklets chiming softly on the marble.
Rajnandini: "When I was eight, I saw a cobra in my father's court. The guards froze. The courtiers screamed. I picked it up and let it bite my arm. It died in minutes. I lived."
Shaurya studied her.
Shaurya: "Are you telling me you are immune to poison?"
Rajnandini: "No. I'm telling you I learned that the deadliest things in court are often the most afraid."
For a heartbeat, they stood silent under the moonlight, their gazes locked. Somewhere in the gardens beyond, the call of a koel echoed in the night.
The Intrusion
But their moment was broken by a sharp crack of displaced air—an intrusion through the palace's wards.
Two hooded figures appeared at the edge of the pavilion, moving with lethal intent. Their curved blades gleamed with a faint green sheen.
Assassins.
Shaurya moved instantly, the Adhipatya System flaring in his mind:
"Threat Level: Moderate. Suggested action: Eliminate before questioning. Capture probability: 72%."
He chose capture.
A flick of his wrist summoned an indrajaal net of crackling blue energy, ensnaring one assassin mid-leap. The other turned toward Rajnandini—but she was faster, producing a dagger from her veil and slashing across the intruder's arm, forcing the blade away from her.
The guards arrived seconds later, dragging the two unconscious attackers away.
Rajnandini's breathing was steady—too steady for someone who had just faced death.
Shaurya: "You don't scare easily."
Rajnandini: "Neither do you. Perhaps we'll suit each other after all."
To Be Continued…