Later that star-studded evening, as the nobles of the court gracefully drifted back to their lavish quarters, the grand tapestry of the night sky unfolded above them like a mesmerizing canvas, with flickering stars acting as silent sentinels to the events about to unfold, Princess Alina approached the door to Veer's chamber.
She was alone, a solitary figure stepping out of the shadows, with no guards trailing behind her and no pretense of royal formality hovering in the air. It was a bold move, one that defied the elaborate protocols of her noble upbringing.
Inside the chamber, Veer was engrossed in inscribing a letter—an act that likely bore words meant for Malwa, a land that had intertwined his fate with her own.
"I have decided," she declared, her voice steady, yet laced with an undercurrent of urgency, "to marry you."
Veer's quill did not pause as he continued to pen his thoughts. His gaze remained fixed on the parchment, as though the inked letters held more meaning than the moment unfolding before him.
"Many have decided that. None have succeeded."
The princess's heart sank at his dismissive tone, but she pressed on, undeterred by his indifference.
"I'm not them."
"Yes," he replied, voice dripping with cool composure, "that's exactly why I say no."
In that instant, the tension in the air thickened.
"You refuse me?" Alina's breath caught in her throat, an incredulous whisper escaping her lips.
"I refuse what it would cost me," he replied, finally lifting his gaze to meet hers, his expression a storm of emotions barely concealed beneath a mask of reason. His voice was soft yet edged, like a blade coated in honey—sweet in its delivery, with an underlying threat.
"I've been imprisoned once, Princess. I won't trade iron chains for velvet ones."
The weight of his words hung heavily between them.
"You say that like love is a prison," Alina countered, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"No," Veer replied, his tone now gentler, yet filled with conviction. "I say that because I have tasted power. And most marriages steal it from men like me."
Her determination burned bright as she stepped closer, an embodiment of challenge.
"Then don't marry me out of politics. Or duty. Or alliance."
"Marry me because I can match you."
"Because I want you. Not your kingdom."
Veer scrutinized her face, taking in the fiery spirit that radiated from her—a mixture of pride and passion, flushed with life. For a fleeting moment, he faltered, a crack in his steely resolve forming just enough for a spark of hope to ignite.
But then, with an almost mournful whisper, he cautioned, "Want is a dangerous thing, Princess. It can turn kingdoms to ash."
"Then burn with me," Alina uttered, her voice barely above a whisper yet aflame with fervor.
He declined—stubbornly, patiently. Yet deep down, an ember had been kindled. The aftermath of that exchange festered in the air, as now everywhere Veer roamed within the sultanate, her essence trailed him. At the court, in the temple, at bustling markets, she made her presence known—never desperate, but always there, a steady reminder of her resolve. Her friends nudged her with playful teasing, and her father observed with a discerning eye.
Soon, the bards began to weave tales, enchanting melodies floating through the corridors of power:
"The princess who desires the untouchable man."
"The fire that could not melt stone."
Yet beneath the surface of these stories, Alina understood a deeper truth: He had not rejected her. No, he had presented her with a challenge. And challenges were the very fabric of her existence, something she thrived upon.
Fast forward to Malwa, one week later.
Veer's water empire had burgeoned astonishingly, transforming what was once a modest stall into an opulent marble-walled establishment in the heart of the capital. Foreign envoys flocked to savor his chilled nectar, while local nobles eagerly extended offers for land in exchange for distribution rights. The children of Malwa sang joyous songs that celebrated, "the water that cools the sun."
Veer navigated this newfound success with a quiet, unwavering confidence, a regal demeanor that came with the territory. But then, a murmur, a whisper started to wind its way through the bustling streets, reaching his ears unbidden.
"A royal chariot from Varnal has been sighted entering Malwa. Guarded. Closed. Marked with the crescent seal."
"They say it was for a diplomatic visit…but no scrolls have been exchanged."
"Some say it's the youngest princess."
"No. It's the one he refused."
It was early morning, and Veer found himself at the stone basin of the temple courtyard, cupping cool, clear water in his hands, lost in thought.
Then, he heard footsteps. They were not hurried or unsure; they had a fluid grace, exuding confidence.
He turned, and there she stood—Princess Alina.
She was resplendent in a deep emerald saree adorned with intricate gold trim, her hair elegantly braided in the revered style of Malwan queens. Her bold, expressive eyes locked with his, while her lips curled into a playful yet innocent smirk.
"Malwa isn't known for its tourist sites," Veer remarked, maintaining his poise.
"Neither am I known for chasing men," Alina replied, a flicker of mischief dancing in her expression.
"And yet…"
She smiled, a sparkle of determination lighting her face.
"I came to invest in your business. That's all," she declared, her tone deceptively casual.
Veer arched an eyebrow, not allowing her bravado to sway him. "No royal treasury backs a princess's personal curiosity."
Tilting her head, she leaned forward slightly. "Then perhaps I came to taste something forbidden. And maybe claim what my father failed to own."
Veer stood unfazed, meeting her fierce gaze with unwavering resolve. "Careful. You might just find yourself owned in return."
A flicker of challenge sparked in her eyes—half a warning, half an invitation.
"I am not easily tamed," she declared, her voice low yet resolute.
"Neither is fire," he replied with a smirk, "but it still dances when wind commands it."
As word of Princess Alina's stay in Malwa spread like wildfire, purportedly under the veil of a "trade alliance," the court erupted with speculation and concern