Asra's voice rang out sharply, unable to mask his anger. "Julian, what did you do with us? Why do you always go your own way?"
William, ever the calm leader, stepped in with a gentle tone. "What happened, Julian? Tell me honestly."
Julian glanced at his brothers, a flicker of frustration in his eyes. "There's no one here but us—so why do you keep acting this way, Asra? Your constant scolding… it makes me sick."
Asra folded his arms, hurt and annoyance visible. "I scold you because you just do whatever you please, no matter the consequence."
William reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Asra's shoulder. "Let's hear Julian out. We solve things together, as a family."
Julian's defenses softened for a moment. "I made my own choice. I saw something in Payal that you wouldn't understand. I couldn't go through with what you wanted."
The room was heavy with silence, the brothers' unique personalities shaping every word: William's wisdom, Asra's intensity, and Julian's restless spirit, all colliding as they worked to find unity amidst their differences.
As Julian turned to take his leave, he paused at the doorway, his voice ringing with quiet but unmistakable certainty.
"If you don't want her as your wife, that's fine," Julian said, his gaze unwavering. "I want to make her mine." His statement left no room for doubt—he was clear about where he stood.
William watched Julian carefully, recognizing the weight behind his words. Asra's jaw tightened, frustration evident in his posture.
"You should talk to Father about this. Not with her, and not with me," Julian added, locking eyes with both brothers. "I hope I've made myself clear."
For a moment, silence stretched in the air, charged with unspoken emotions and decisions yet to be made. Julian's departure signaled the beginning of new challenges for the family, forging his own path with conviction and certainty—ready to claim his destiny.
William and Asra lingered in the hall, voices low as they reflected on Julian's change.
"What kind of human is she?" William mused, shaking his head. "Julian changes after just one meeting—as if he's never been this serious before."
Asra smirked, amusement in his eyes. "Honestly, we both know we never truly see eye-to-eye. This marriage is the only reason we're together discussing anything. But Julian's made his choice, and it's time for us to think wisely."
William arched a skeptical brow. "What do you mean by that?"
"If we refuse this marriage, Father will just start searching for brides for us again," Asra explained, somewhat resigned. "We've rejected too many already. Now Julian actually cares about this one, and you've seen his aggression."
William nodded thoughtfully as Asra continued, "There's no need to do anything. Just go with the flow. Most importantly, Father wants a child from us. If we're not interested in being married, after the wedding we simply take different paths. Julian will handle his own responsibilities."
With a weary chuckle, William agreed. "You're right. It's a win-win for us," he said, the tension easing as they both realized this arrangement could grant them the freedom they wanted while leaving Julian to take on the family legacy.y
Payal sat alone in the unfamiliar room, her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a restless wind. "What's wrong with me?" she wondered, struggling to make sense of the jumble of emotions that pressed in on her. Anxiety, confusion, and longing all vied for space in her heart—a quiet ache beneath every thought.
Her gaze drifted to the soft dress she wore, its luxurious fabric cool and smooth against her skin, shimmering subtly in the lamplight. The delicate embroidery and gentle sparkle reminded her that she wasn't home, not truly—this world was beautiful and strange, yet so far from the warmth she craved.
Outside, the bustle of the household seemed distant. Payal couldn't name the feelings that welled inside her, nor could she quiet the persistent fear of being alone—of not belonging, of being expected to mold herself into someone else for the sake of family and tradition. She gently ran a hand over her dress, captivated by its texture, the gentle electricity whispering across her skin—a reminder that even small comforts felt foreign here.
She didn't know where she was in spirit, even while she knew the physical boundaries of the room. A light pulse of panic fluttered in her chest as she realized she wasn't just lost geographically but emotionally, too—a stranger in both her surroundings and her own heart.
For a moment, Payal closed her eyes, longing for connection and hope amidst the isolation. The soft sound of her breath was the only companion; even her own reflection in the glass felt unfamiliar. She wondered if she was expected to adapt, to surrender her dreams for the sake of duty. Would love ever blossom in such a place? Or would she be swept along, a shadow following tradition rather than her own desires?
But even as uncertainty pressed in, the gentle caress of her dress and the silent flicker of hope reflected in every tiny sparkle offered a small comfort—a reminder to breathe, to trust that, someday, she might truly find herself.