Two hours passed in idle chatter. The air hung thick with excitement, but the prince stood unmoved at the centre of the stage, still as stone. Not a word. Just presence.
"When will the Princess arrive?" a man asked, impatience curling in his voice.
"It's not time yet," a woman replied.
"Time?" the man said. "What's more auspicious than a King and Queen on stage?"
"Not for citizens of Varahi," she said, and those around her went quiet.
"Varahi?" someone repeated. "Where's that? I've never even heard of it."
The woman turned to them, her tone sharp with disbelief. "You lot really don't know anything, do you? Frogs in a well. Varahi wasn't always a little town on the border. That place has a history—three thousand years deep. It's seen more war than this entire kingdom put together."
Gasps murmured through the crowd.
"Back in the day, it was Sagnik's strongest ally. Stronger than some kingdoms. You think Sagnik is mighty now? There was a time Sagnik bowed to Varahi. Not officially, of course. On paper, they were equals. But in truth?"
She leaned in. "Sagnik stood only because Varahi allowed it."
"And who are they?" another asked, curious now.
"Panvara bloodline."
Someone near the edge whispered, "Panvaras…?"
She nodded slowly. "Yeah. That name used to shake the world. Battle freaks, every one of them. Even the children. I'm telling you, a ten-year-old Panvara could take down two grown men—barehanded. No weapons. No tricks. Just raw strength and terrifying skill."
A hush fell.
"But 300 years ago, on one night... the entire bloodline was assassinated."
"How?"
"No one knows. There are stories, thousands of them. Some say it was poison. Others say it's an insider's work. But the most whispered tale?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "They say it was our King who ordered it. Planned it to the last detail."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because power fears power. They were equals. And strong allies… start looking like future enemies. But that's just an old tale."
"So they died. Why does it matter now?" someone muttered.
She smiled thinly. "Because rumour has it… Someone survived."
A breeze stirred. Cold.
"Princess carries Panvara blood. Not pure—but enough."
A shift in the air. The torches flickered wildly. Then—
Darkness.
Every flame extinguished at once. Lanterns dimmed, torches failed, and clouds rolled over the moon, swallowing its light.
Guards rushed to relight the flames, but the air had thickened. Like a stubborn wall.
Then—a sound. Hooves.
A carriage drawn by five white horses stopped in the commoner's section. The murmurs grew louder. Who would dare arrive there?
The door opened. No one stepped out. For a heartbeat, the entire world held its breath.
Then the clouds moved. Moonlight spilled onto the earth, catching the shimmer of silver and white.
A figure stepped out of the carriage.
Long black hair, like silk. Blue eyes glimmering like frost. Her dress—white laced with silver threads—caught the moonlight and returned it tenfold. Every breath from the crowd stilled.
"It is the Princess," someone whispered.
As if her arrival soothed the elements, the air softened. Flames relit, flickering back to life. The weight of the night lifted.
Prince Aariv's expression shifted. A smile—not wide, but deep. Knowing.
The Princess took a single step forward.
Elegant. Reverent. As though each step acknowledged the earth beneath her. People stood without meaning to, compelled by grace alone. In that moment, under stars and silver skies, she was not just a royal. She was sacred.
Prince Aariv stepped down from the stage, walking towards her with the calm of a man.
He stopped before her, bowed slightly, and offered his right hand.
"Allow me to lead the way," he said, voice low but clear.
She placed her left hand in his, and he raised it gently. Together, hand in hand, they ascended the stage.
He turned slightly toward the elders. "Should I let them begin?" he asked softly.
The Princess gave a single nod.
"You heard," Aariv said, voice deepening. "Begin."
The old man on the stage looked at the King and Queen. They nodded. The chants began, resonating like echoes from another time. Sacred syllables filled the air, binding power and duty.
Moments later, the chants stopped.
The old man looked at them.
"Do you swear, before Gods, King and Queen, to carry burden and kingdom's responsibility until your bones turn to dust?"
"We do," they said in unison.
"Do you swear to rule with mercy, not by blood and law?"
"We do."
He turned to the gathered crowd.
"Does anyone object?"
Not a single voice rose.
"Does anyone have any objection?" he asked again.
Silence again. Tense. Thick.
"Does—"
Prince Aariv raised his hand, cutting him off.
He stepped forward, toward the edge of the stage. The crowd quieted, every eye on him.
"I, Aariv Vayansar," he began, "Blood and son of Sagnik. Heir to the throne and its burden."
He paused.
"From today, I remove the title 'Prince' from my name. Today, I ascend not to rule above you, but to stand beside you."
His gaze swept across the faces below.
"My mercy is earned. Loyalty will be rewarded. Betrayal will be a sin. And the sinner's punishment… is death."
A hushed gasp.
"My reign will not be built on fear—but do not mistake kindness for weakness."
He turned, nodding toward the Princess. She stepped beside him. They stood together side by side.
"This is Saarya Vedhira," Aariv declared. "Your future Queen. Not by blood. Not by name. By choice. My choice!"
He reached for her hand. Fingers laced, steady and sure.
"I do not ask for your approval. I only ask that you witness."
"From this day, I rule with her. Not for politics. Not for power. Because I chose her. And she chose me."
He glanced across the crowd.
"Anyone who doubts her place at my side…" His eyes narrowed slightly."…doubts me."
"I assure you, I do not fall easily. Remember this night—not as the night a Prince rose… but as the night you met your King."
There was a heartbeat of silence.
Then—
A young woman in the crowd cupped her hands. "Long live Queen Saarya!"
It broke like a dam.
"Long live King Aariv!""Long live the Queen!""Long live our King and Queen!"
The chants shook the air, echoing into the stars.