Night had completely embraced Panchavat.
The palace, which had echoed with discussions throughout the day, gradually fell into silence. Only the distant footsteps of patrolling soldiers and the occasional chirping of crickets disturbed the stillness.
Almost midnight.
Siraj quietly made his way through the palace corridors.
He intended to meet his sister once before the army departed at dawn.
As he passed by Yug's chamber, his footsteps suddenly halted.
The wooden door opened.
A lone figure stepped outside.
The person was dressed in full armour from head to toe, face completely concealed beneath a helmet.
The figure glanced around cautiously before walking toward the forest behind the palace.
Siraj narrowed his eyes.
"At this hour?"
"Who could that be?"
His instincts immediately awakened.
Without making a sound, he followed from a distance.
The moonlight guided their path as both disappeared into the quiet forest behind Panchavat palace.
The forest was calm.
A gentle breeze swayed the leaves overhead.
After walking several hundred metres, the mysterious figure stopped beside a large ancient banyan tree overlooking a peaceful lake.
Siraj hid himself behind another tree.
He watched carefully.
The armoured figure slowly removed the helmet.
Long, silky hair cascaded down like a dark waterfall, reaching almost to the ground.
The heavy armour followed, piece by piece, until only a simple dark robe remained.
She sat beneath the banyan tree.
Quietly.
Patiently.
Untangling her long hair with her fingers.
The moon reflected across the lake, surrounding her in silver light.
Siraj's eyes widened.
"Princess... Raaya?"
For several moments...
He simply watched.
Nothing about her resembled the composed imperial princess he had known.
Here...
She looked free.
Almost peaceful.
Minutes passed.
Nearly fifteen.
Only the sound of the wind accompanied the silence.
Finally—
Siraj stepped out from behind the tree.
"Princess Raaya."
His voice broke the stillness.
She froze.
Then slowly turned toward him.
Surprise briefly crossed her face.
"You..."
"How?"
She immediately stood.
"Why didn't I sense you following me?"
Siraj folded his arms.
"Perhaps..."
"...because I used magic to conceal myself."
Raaya frowned before shaking her head.
"No."
"That isn't it."
She stared directly into his eyes.
"I couldn't see your colour."
Siraj blinked.
"My... colour?"
"You are the only person whose aura I cannot perceive."
A brief silence settled between them.
"When did you begin following me?" she asked.
"The moment you left Yug's chamber."
"And why?"
Siraj gave a small smile.
"Because you looked suspicious."
"I was on my way to meet my sister..."
"...and then I saw someone leaving the Mahamantri's chamber in full armour."
"I simply followed my instincts."
Raaya crossed her arms.
"Then perhaps..."
"...you should continue to your sister."
Siraj took another step closer.
"It is rather late now."
"I believe we have something to discuss."
His sharp gaze met hers.
"Don't we..."
"...Princess Raaya?"
Raaya sighed softly.
"So..."
"You finally wish to question me."
"I've wished to question you for quite some time."
Siraj replied calmly.
"You disappeared."
"You left behind nothing except confusion."
"My kingdom nearly went to war because of it."
"My sister was blamed."
"My people suspected yours."
"And yet..."
"You simply vanished."
Raaya lowered her eyes.
"I know."
"You know?"
Siraj's voice grew colder.
"You disappeared after meeting Yug."
"You knew everything from the beginning, didn't you?"
She remained silent.
His expression hardened.
"Answer me."
Finally—
Raaya looked back at him.
"I knew..."
"...that things would become complicated."
"But I did not disappear to betray anyone."
Siraj frowned.
"Then why?"
Raaya looked toward the moon reflected upon the lake.
"My presence..."
"...would only have made everything worse."
"I chose to leave."
Siraj laughed bitterly.
"You call disappearing without a word..."
"...a choice?"
"My family searched everywhere."
"My mother blamed herself."
"My father prepared for war."
"My sister cried."
"And you call that..."
"...a choice?"
For the first time...
Raaya lowered her head.
"I know."
"I am sorry."
Siraj took another step.
"No."
"You don't."
His voice was quieter now.
"If you truly understood..."
"...you would never have left."
A cool breeze passed between them.
Neither spoke.
The lake remained perfectly still.
Finally Raaya broke the silence.
"I owe all of you an explanation."
"And you shall have it."
"But..."
"...not tonight."
Siraj looked at her without blinking.
"And why should I trust you?"
Raaya smiled faintly.
"You shouldn't."
The unexpected answer caught him off guard.
She continued,
"Trust is earned."
"Not requested."
"And I..."
"...have not earned yours."
Siraj stared at her for several moments.
Then...
Very slowly...
He nodded.
"I'll give you one chance."
"When this war ends..."
"You will answer every question."
Raaya inclined her head.
"I promise."
The wind rustled through the banyan leaves.
Above them...
The moon silently witnessed the beginning of a strange understanding between two people who had started as enemies—
Yet no longer felt entirely like strangers.. but a bitter sense of rivalry still exists