Before the Dawn
It was time to get ready to leave.
Kshiraj stood before Lavyaa, helping her arrange the pleats of her saree.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes."
"Are you ready?"
"Almost."
"You can relax. They will take you home safely. Do not worry about anything. Just return home."
He continued adjusting the pleats carefully.
"Then wait for me while I take you to the—"
"Umm... let me help you put your armour on."
Kshiraj paused.
"You have always helped me throughout this entire month. Let me do that at least."
She stepped closer while he was still trying to tell her to wait for him to take her to the carriage.
"But—"
"No buts."
She looked at him firmly.
"Come to me before you get ready. I also want to put tilak on you before we part ways."
"You do not have to follow the customs."
Her expression changed.
"Do you not want me to?"
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Did you really not want this marriage?"
Her voice was firm, almost adorably aggressive.
Kshiraj stood silently, looking at her for a moment.
Then he turned and walked out of the room without saying a single word.
Both of them let out a quiet, grief-filled sigh as he stepped outside.
Lavyaa stood there for a moment.
"Huh... I wanted to ask him something completely different. I don't know why..."
She took a deep breath.
"Huh..."
Lavyaa's thoughts
Why did I even ask him that?
Meanwhile — Siraj and Raaya
The night had almost passed.
Raaya gazed at the fading reflection of the moon and stars upon the lake.
"All night, you didn't say anything. Now dawn is approaching. Ask whatever you wanted to ask."
Siraj looked at her.
"Well... you did not run, despite having plenty of time."
"You are still here."
Raaya's expression remained calm.
"Can you not talk without a taunt?"
Siraj's eyes narrowed.
"What on earth are you?"
Raaya turned slightly toward him.
"You wanted to ask just that? About me?"
She gave him an almost amused look.
"Wow. Really amazing."
"You do not leave anything behind when you vanish."
"Even the most qualified mages leave some mana behind."
"But you..."
"No mana. No smell. No magic."
His gaze sharpened.
"What creature are you?"
"Hmm."
"What do you mean, 'hmm'?"
He stared at her.
"I can't tell you, traitor."
"Don't know why my sister has to be with people like you."
Raaya's eyes remained fixed upon the lake.
"You know..."
"It could have been you instead of your sister."
Siraj frowned.
"Huh?"
"The promise was only for a marriage between the families."
"You were older, so you were the first option."
"You refused Mother, even though you were a child."
"And when you became a teenager, you refused again."
"You didn't want to be married to cursed blood."
"You even refused to attend our family gatherings back then."
"You took an oath of celibacy."
"You hated it so much."
Raaya gave a faint, emotionless smile.
"Maybe I am a curse."
Siraj's expression hardened.
"You are pushing the blame onto me."
"That doesn't justify your actions."
Raaya said nothing.
She continued gazing at her reflection in the lake.
Siraj watched her.
There was something strange about the way she looked at the water.
Her eyes were focused on the reflection rather than the person standing beside her.
Something felt wrong.
Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him.
Raaya was startled.
"What are you doing right now, Yuvraj Siraj?"
"Give me your hand."
He held out his palm.
"I'm giving you something again, like before."
"Extend your palm."
His voice softened.
"It's my humble request."
"Take it."
Raaya hesitated before extending her hand.
His gaze was so intimidating that, for a moment, it felt as though she were the sinner standing before him.
What are you trying to do?
Siraj placed something unseen into her palm.
"I am giving you my protection."
He leaned closer and whispered,
"From now onwards, you are under my protection."
The gradually rising sun illuminated the sky.
The reflection of the river became clearer.
For a fleeting moment, their reflections stood together upon the water.
Raaya's expression changed.
She was flustered by his words.
And then—
She vanished again.
Like rays of light dissolving into the morning.
Siraj stood staring at the empty space where she had been.
Meanwhile, in the palace...
Knock. Knock.
Kshiraj was getting ready in his chamber.
He turned when he heard the door.
Lavyaa entered.
"I told you not to worry."
She walked toward him.
"And perhaps I told you to come to me before putting on your armour."
She carried a thali containing red and white sandalwood paste.
She smiled faintly.
"Let me get the feeling of being a wife for the first time while we are at it."
She lifted her hand but couldn't quite reach his forehead.
Kshiraj noticed.
Without saying anything, he leaned down slightly.
Lavyaa carefully placed the tilak on his forehead.
"May victory choose you."
Kshiraj looked at her.
"Then let me do the same."
"What?"
"Getting the feeling of being a husband."
Lavyaa's eyes widened slightly.
"I wanted to give you something on our first wedding night."
He reached for something he had been hiding for quite some time.
Slowly, he stepped toward her.
It was a kamardaani, a delicate jewellery waist chain.
He gently placed it around her waist, his arms briefly circling her as he fastened it.
Then he stepped back.
For a moment, an awkward silence filled the room.
Lavyaa finally broke it.
"Why didn't you enter yesterday with my brother?"
"Even after he left, you didn't come in."
"Why did you wait outside and return without entering?"
Kshiraj looked at her.
"Are you sure that was me?"
"I heard the footsteps."
"That could have been anyone."
"Any escort..."
She cut him off.
"I know your footsteps now."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You have a strange rhythm when you walk."
"I can differentiate them immediately."
Kshiraj remained silent for a moment.
"I did not want to invade your privacy with your brother."
"And after he left?"
"I didn't know what to say."
Lavyaa lowered her eyes.
"You didn't even answer the question I asked you before."
Kshiraj sighed.
"It was true."
"I didn't want to marry someone before."
Lavyaa's expression softened.
"That's why you look happy to go to war while sending me home."
"I'm happy for you."
Her voice was extremely soft and calm, like snowflakes drifting through the air.
Kshiraj looked at her.
"I am not worthy of you."
"I am cursed."
"That was what I first thought."
"I thought this marriage would only be an obligation."
"But it changed."
His voice became quieter.
"While I was with you... I started feeling a different kind of relief."
"And calmness."
Lavyaa looked at him.
"Then promise me..."
"Promise me you will return victorious."
"And take me back with you."
"I will wait for you."
Kshiraj stared at her for a moment.
Then he slowly lowered himself.
He reached for her ankle and gently unlocked the payal she always wore.
Lavyaa looked down in surprise.
"You too promise me something."
"When I return, you will tell me the story behind this payal."
"You never seem to take it off."
He held the payal in his hand.
"From now onwards, one will remain with each of us until I return."
"Until we reunite."
Lavyaa looked at him.
She nodded silently.
Neither of them knew what the coming days would bring.
Neither knew whether the promises they had just made would survive the storm waiting beyond the palace walls.
But for now...
They had each other's word.
With the first light of dawn spreading across the horizon, they finally left.
Each walking toward their own path.
Each carrying a promise.
And neither looking back.