#incorrect bahubali

Aarya woke up feeling refreshed, her heart light surprisingly. She knew she was surrounded by the enemy force who was waiting for her to make the wrong move but the only thing she could focus on was the fact that she was getting married to a man she thought she hated until a few days ago, and suddenly she couldn’t imagine her life without. Her akandas glowed a dull grey as the sunlight fell on them, and she frowned as she picked them up. “That doesn’t seem right.” She murmured as the dull grey enveloped her hand, spreading chills to every part of her that they touched.

She shrugged as she set them down and freshened up, walking out of her room. 

The servants greeted her with immense respect, their eyes shining with something akin to fear and disbelief as she strolled past them all. “Where’s Bhalla?” She turned and asked, making one of the servants step away uneasily. “Er, His Majesty is still in his room. But we advise you not-” “I’ll get him out then, thank you.”

Aarya waltzed to Bhalla’s room, knocking twice and walking in after she heard no response. She looked around, frowning when she didn’t spot him. “Bhalla!” She called out, her frown deepening as she saw no sign of him. She exhaled, twisting the ring on her finger when a voice rang in the room, “At your service.” 

Aarya’s breath hitched, turning around as she saw Bhalla step out of his washroom, hair wet and his loincloth clinging around his waist loosely. Steam came off his body, making him suddenly look all the more like a God. Her face flushed violently as she took a step back, turning away when her knee hit a table, making her buckle. Bhalla surged forward, wrapping his arm around her waist to steady her as he smirked down at her. “Instead of falling because of things, fall for me next time, will you?” 

She just rolled her eyes, trying to stop the blood rushing to her cheeks as he stepped closer to her. “You have to- oh!” She slipped again as her knees gave out because of the bed behind her and she fell onto it, looking up as Bhalla placed both his arms on either side of her. Her eyes widened and he leaned in to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his eyes dropping to her lips. “Your face is red, you’re sweating in my room and it’s generally cold this time of the year in Mahishmati. Is this because of me?” 

“No,” Aarya huffed, her eyes falling shut as Bhalla nuzzled his head into the crook of her neck, his warm breath tickling her. “I’m still not used to your kingdom. Sundarsi is so much colder than here, in case you haven’t noticed.” “Is that so?” He murmured into her skin, tracing his fingers across her waist and revelling in her shivers. “I haven’t noticed, really. I was focused… elsewhere.” 

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere.” Bhalla looked up for a moment, his eyes twinkling as they raked over her hungrily. “I have you on my bed now without flattering you, Aarya. Do you want me to start flattery now?” His hand on Aarya’s bare back slipped up, toying with the strings of her blouse while Aarya tried in vain to push him away. “Behave yourself, will you? This isn’t right.”

“You’re mine, and this is something everyone knows now. If people question my actions and affections I’ll serve their heads to you on a golden platter.” A smile crept on her face, still trying to get distance between both of them. “Although,” Bhalla pulled away, a smirk on his face when Aarya tried to fight the frown off her face. “I like listening to you, and you told me to behave.” 

He got off the bed and pulled her to her feet, smirking at her visible anger. “What brings you over to my room? Is there anything not right with the services? I could-” “No, it’s none of that,” Aarya interrupted him, her eyes darting around his room as she walked around, all of her interest suddenly on the intricate works on the walls. “I was just… I wanted to see you and your kingdom, and who better to show me the place than you?”

Bhalla’s face softened as he observed her, a smile making its way onto his face as he waltzed over to her. “You needn’t ask, I’ll show you my kingdom. Come, get ready and I’ll show you everything.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and she smiled, brushing past him to leave his room.

His eyes locked on the akanda she left by his bedside, frowning at its dull grey glow as he picked it up, studying it. “Kattappa!” The general walked in, bowing to Bhalla who continued to study the stone. “I want you to do something for me.”

— — —

Bhalla waited in the stables, pacing around as he waited for Aarya to arrive, when Kattappa approached him with a frown. “Something is wrong in Sundarsi, Your Majesty. And it seems all the priests of their temples are worried about it, because whatever is happening over there, it’s not their doing. Either that, or someone is forcing an insider to do something.” 

Bhalla’s frown deepened as he watched Kattappa put out the akandas, whose glow got weaker, flickering dark grey. “When a Sundarsi citizen uses their stones, they glow as white as the moon. Sometimes, the glow could change, but they never felt cool to touch when being used, or turned grey. It has started since their queen has come here, and now their general wants her back in Sundarsi.”

“What’s going on?” 

The men looked up, watching Aarya walk in with a frown on her face. “Is there something wrong, Bhalla?” He shook his head, stepping forward and holding his hand out for her to take. He spared Kattappa a final glance as he shoved the stones out of her view while Bhalla helped Aarya onto a horse. 

“Come now, let me show you my world.”

— — — 

Hushed whispers echoed in the halls as Aarya swatted Bhalla’s wandering hands away, glaring fleetingly at him while he rolled his eyes, following her. “It was supposed to be a tour around your kingdom, Bhalla, not an opportunity for you to-” “I know, my queen. You don’t have to scold me so much.” He stared at her strutting figure and scoffed silently, his glare shifting to the soldiers guarding the halls. “Even my mother didn’t scold me the way you always do.”

“Well then, you better get used to this, my king. You’ll get an earful daily if you don’t mend your ways after we wed.” Bhalla smirked, opening his mouth when Aarya yelled out in shock, her bracelet snapping off and falling. The akanda at the very centre shattered in the air as the pieces fell to the ground, black as the night. Aarya held her wrist, wincing as Bhalla rushed to her, cradling her hand delicately in his while they stared at the broken stone in concern.

“This- this has never happened before,” Aarya mumbled, her eyes frantic as they looked to Bhalla, “Our stones are the strongest, this is not supposed to happen, Bhalla, what’s going on? This is a very bad omen, have I gone wrong anywhere?”

He shushed her, bringing her closer while Kattappa ran into the hall, eyes wide. “Your Majesties, please follow me.” They followed him as they all entered the courtroom, seeing the officials of Sundarsi present too.

 Anjasi and Sadhana bowed, their frowns evident as they made way for the head priest to approach Aarya. “Your Majesty, there’s someone here to see you.” He said gravely, guiding Aarya and Bhalla to the palace doors. “Guruji, what’s happening? The akandas, they’re not supposed to-”

“Perhaps,” He sighed, staring at the man who walked through the doors of Bhalla’s palace, “he is your answer.”

Aarya turned, her face turning pale as she stared, the man kneeling down in front of her. Bhalla observed as the man kneeling took Aarya’s hand in his, bringing it to his forehead while the others filled the hall. Anjasi and Sadhana watched him with uncertainty, their grip on their weapons tight while Aarya pulled her hand away, stepping back.

“I apologise for keeping you waiting all these years, Your Majesty,” Rudra said, looking up at Aarya as though her eyes held all the answers in the universe. “But now, I have returned to make you mine again.” 

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Bhallaladeva watched as the entire kingdom of Mahishmati went up in flames, riots and screams of the people all around the palace as they mourned the loss of his brother, Bahubali. His younger brother, the cousin who ruined his life, who stole the kingdom, his mother’s love, the people and the woman he desired. 

His grip on the dagger in his hands grew tighter as his guards struggled to contain the hysteria outside, his anger threatening to erupt any second. Devasena screamed at him as she got dragged away, cursing and promising that he would never be happy as he killed her husband. Bhalla wanted to scoff at that; it’s as if he was ever really happy.

His father, Bijjaladeva scowled as Kattappa was brought back, thrown at the feet of the throne. Kattappa looked up, bruised and defeated as Bijjaladeva scowled harder.

“Don’t tell me Kattappa, you actually thought that Sivagami or that vermin would survive? You’re a slave to the throne, to Bhalla, never forget.”

Kattappa sighed, the weight of losing his Bahu heavy on his heart, and stood up. He bowed wordlessly to the throne, to the man sat on it, and walked out of the room, leaving Bhalla and his father all alone. Bhalla watched him leave and stood up, walking out to the balcony. The people were not as loud as before, although they were still crying, the fires that had started because of the riots had gone down, and the Sun began to rise.

Bijjaladeva turned to the guards and beckoned them forward, his eyes going back to his son standing outside soundlessly. “Make sure every single sound made by those infidels is snubbed by the Sun setting today. It’s a new day and my son shall rule gloriously, right Bhalla?”

Bhalla stood and watched his kingdom roar, his hands shaking by his sides. He would rule, and he would be the only one ruling.

— — 

Mahishmati had a lot of neighbours, including Kuntala which produced the princess Devasena. Kuntala was a small kingdom but was mighty in its own accord, full of fine warriors. The news of Devasena’s husband dying in a battle and the princess herself vanishing with her child, and the sudden death of the Queen mother of Mahishmati spread like wildfire amongst all of Mahishmati’s neighbours.

They knew the truth, but wouldn’t dare to speak up in fear of Bhallaladeva and his ruthless reign. And so everyone silently accepted Bhallaladeva as their emperor and let him take over their mighty but smaller kingdoms, because they all wanted to live.

Everyone, that is, except for the kingdom of Sundarsi. 

Sundarsi was not as big as Mahishmati, but was a fierce and formidable hermit kingdom that few dared to venture into. No one knew a lot about Sundarsi, but they knew enough to not step close to them. And Bijjaladeva knew this, and understood that a kingdom of their value under Mahishmati would change the course of Mahishmati and his son’s legacy.

He watched as his son ruled over Mahishmati and the neighbours royally for months and his patience began to dwindle, Bhalla’s loneliness irking him.

“Bhalla,” he tried once again as they sat together, feasting, “how long will you be alone? This empire of yours needs an Empress too, not just you as a mighty ruler. They need to see someone beside you as a piece of decoration at least.”

“They could’ve seen Devasena.” Bhalla murmured, not looking up at him while Bijjaladeva fumed. “Devasena is in our prison locked and tortured, and has been so for months! Are you still going to keep thinking about that bitch?” 

He took a deep breath and steadied himself, turning to look at the guards, Kattappa standing in front of them. “Hey Kattappa, don’t you think this kingdom requires a Queen?” Kattappa just nodded, head still down. “Yes, sire.”

Bhallaladeva rolled his eyes, standing up to walk out, but paused near Kattappa. “You really think this palace needs another woman in it after what happened to the Queen Mother and your Bahu’s wife?” Kattappa finally looked up at him and sighed. “I can’t be sure, Your Majesty. A lot could happen with the arrival of a Queen to the empire, but I can’t think of anyone worthy from the kingdoms you’ve conquered.”

Bijjaladeva clapped and nodded, rushing towards them. “Of course none of those kingdoms are worthy enough to produce a Queen for our throne, but you know who is? Sundarsi and their young princess, Aarya.”

Kattappa frowned, lowering his head. “Pardon me, but Sundarsi is just not any ordinary kingdom, Your Majesty. We don’t even know-” “Then get to know, Kattappa.” Bijjaladeva interrupted, dismissively waving his hand. “Get to know all you can about that not-any-ordinary kingdom, and let us know. We should know more about our next conquest, shouldn’t we?” 

They all turned to Bhalla, as he stood silently. His father eagerly nudged him and he shrugged, nodding before he turned and stormed off. Kattappa bowed once and walked out with a few other soldiers, leaving Bijjaladeva alone. He chuckled to himself, sauntering back to the table and grabbing a glass of wine. 

“Soon,” he murmured, drinking the wine wolfishly. “Soon that mysterious kingdom will be ours too. You just wait and watch, Princess Aarya.”

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Aarya swam in her pool, the glowing waters warm as she watched the setting Sun from her palace. After all the princes and Bhalla had left, she was alone for a while and enjoyed the peace it brought, her thoughts constantly drifting to how Bhalla held her every chance he got. She shook her thoughts away, feeling heat rush to her cheeks everytime his face popped in her head.

She swam out of the waters and walked to her room, drying her hair when a knock startled her, making her look up. “Akka, it’s me.” Abhaya’s voice rang and she sighed, opening the door. “Come in, you know you don’t have to knock.” Abhaya just rolled her eyes and sat on the floor, watching her sister pick out clothes for herself. “Are you alright? You’ve been  spending a lot more time by yourself ever since your disastrous swayamwar. You can talk to me, I’m the better sister.” 

Aarya scoffed and sat on her bed, looking down at her sister. “How many times do I have to tell you not to sit on the ground? Get up and sit by the table or on the bed, will you? And no, Aradhya is the better sister. You hit me a lot.” Abhaya stared at her. 

“I do it out of love, akka.” 

“You do it out of spite, Abhaya. Anyway, nothing has happened. I’m completely fine.”

“Really? That’s why you’ve been wearing that ruby ring a lot? You’re twisting it too, and I heard of someone who has that habit.”

Aarya looked at the ruby ring she was wearing and saw that she was indeed twisting it, her eyes widening. She tried removing it, her face scrunching up as the ring didn’t budge. Abhaya laughed, sitting beside Aarya and holding her hand. “Your secret is safe with me,” she said gently, prying Aarya’s hands apart. “What secret? I have no secret, Abhaya.”

“Akka,” Abhaya’s soft voice made Aarya look up, and Abhaya smiled slowly. “You’ve dealt with our parents dying gracefully, far better than Aradhya and I did, and you’ve been ruling this country all this time so well even without having the crown on your head. You held onto Rudra for three years, and when you found out he was no more you felt strangely relieved, and I know that. It’s because you’ve met and spent time with Mahishmati’s king.”

Aarya stood up, rubbing her shoulders as she glared at Abhaya. “I’m not in love with Bhalla, can you stop saying such nonsense?” “I never said you were, akka. You’re saying that yourself.” Aarya spluttered in disbelief and Abhaya stood up, staring at her.

“You don’t have to fight your heart because of what has happened, akka. I know he’s the reason behind Amarendra’s death and Devasena’s disappearance, and that’s why you’re not ready to accept him at all. But give him a chance, will you? I don’t like watching you go through everything alone. Neither does Aradhya.”

Abhaya walked to the door to leave, but stopped, turning to her sister one last time. “You left your fight with him, akka. That’s a sign of defeat, don’t you know it? You’ve lost to him, and I think you know what it means.”

She left, and Aarya sat back on her bed, rubbing her face. “I have lost to him, haven’t I?” She chuckled to herself, looking out of her room.

— — —

“Your Majesty, a letter for you.” Aarya took the letter from her soldier, watching as he left. It had been a long time since Bhalla had left for his kingdom, and Abhaya’s words kept echoing in her head. Her unconscious confession weighed on her heavily, but she forgot about it the moment she saw the crest on the letter. 

“Devasena.” she gasped to herself, a smile growing on her face as she opened it, reading through the letter.

To my favourite,

How are you Aarya? I heard you got crowned Queen of Sundarsi, I’m sorry for not being there for you on such an important day. I’m sure your parents are watching and are so immensely proud of you. I’m writing to you from Kuntala, and our situation here isn’t that uplifting. 

We’re falling apart, and I’ve returned just in time, I hope. All this while, my disappearance wasn’t normal, Aarya. I was held prisoner in Mahishmati, by Bhallaladeva and his father. Bhallaladeva, the very man who you invited to your kingdom and who fought for his place next to you as a suitor. I know you never accepted him, because of his hand in my husband’s and son’s death, and my entire life collapsing.

I have no place for anything good for him in my heart, for he has caused irreparable damage to me, but that doesn’t mean you should do the very same. You have no reason to despise him and keep him away from you, and I stand by that.

You’ve changed him Aarya, and I saw it the two times he had visited me after seeing you. The first time, he wanted you for himself, and by the second time he had fallen in love with you. And after falling in love with you, he let me go, the woman who for some reason made him succumb to the evil in his mind. His love for you is beating the evil in his head, something I never believed to be possible.

I’ll heal in my own time, the pain of losing my lifeline won’t leave me just yet. But you should heal too, and maybe he is your remedy. Stop holding onto your past, Aarya. I say this thinking of your best.

I’ll come see you when I can.

Oh, and do something about his father. He’s a menace.

Devasena.

Aarya sighed to herself, closing the letter and resting her head on the wall. The letter fell out of her hand and onto the floor as the Sun set in front of her, reflecting on her face. She unconsciously went back to twisting the ruby ring on her finger, her mind drifting to the last conversation she had with Amarendra.

“So,” Aarya began, sitting on top of a branch as Amarendra sat on another branch a few feet below her. He looked up, smiling at her and handing her a fruit he picked. “So…” he trailed off, waiting for her to continue. Aarya sighed, sitting straighter. “You’re going to wed Devasena in Mahishmati, I’m assuming.” Amarendra nodded, smiling at her. “You should come to our wedding, it’s going to be magnificent. Amma will not back down anywhere when it comes to celebrating something so important to me. You’ll be there, won’t you?”

“I’m not sure, Amarendra. I don’t visit other kingdoms other than Kuntala, you know that. I’ll think about it, but I make no promises. You, however, have to promise my best friend’s happiness and comfort forever. Only then will I let you wed her.”

Amarendra chuckled, climbing up to sit beside her. “After Kattappa, you’re my closest friend. And I promise you, no harm shall ever befall Devasena as long as I live. I’ll treat her like a queen, not that she isn’t one already.” 

“And you,” he turned to her with a smile. “You will make a mighty ruler, I know it. You should come to Mahishmati, Aarya. You’ll meet the rest of my family; Amma, my uncle, Bhalla, everyone else.” His smile widened, nudging her. “I think Bhalla will like you, you know. Maybe not initially, but-” 

“Oh, so you mean my first impression isn’t good?” Amarendra and Aarya laughed as they ate the fruit. 

“Actually, Bhalla might not approach you with the best thoughts in the beginning, considering how much you and I are alike, but he won’t resist your charm for long. He will fall for you so hard, it will be a little embarrassing.” 

“I’m better than you, if I do say so myself. Also, that's your older brother, what makes you think I’ll like him?”

“Whatever you say, Aarya.”

Aarya rubbed her eyes, looking up. “It’s amazing how well you know your brother, and he almost never knew you at all.” She whispered into the night sky, watching as the stars twinkled back sadly. She walked back to her room, her footsteps heavier and thoughts swimming in her head.

— — —

“With all due respect, you’re saying we wage war against Mahishmati? For no reason?” Sadhana rubbed her temples as Anjasi looked at Aarya with concern, not understanding what was going on in her head. “It’s not for no reason, Senadhipati, we’re doing this for a reason.”

“And that is?”

“Mainly to have Bijjaladeva out of my way, since that old man is the only one interested in Sundarsi getting conquered. Bhalla has never shown interest in our kingdom, and he’s very likely to stay that way, if not for his father trying everything in his power to bring us down.”

Anjasi and Sadhana quietly looked at each other as Aarya leaned forward, observing the map of Mahishmati. “If I’m not wrong, and I’m sure that is the case, he must have already sent someone to snoop around our borders or to try to do something stupid.”

Just then, the doors to the camp opened and a few soldiers dragged in a beaten up man, throwing him at Aarya’s feet. “We caught him in our libraries stealing our books, Your Majesty. Books related to our akandas and our battle strategies.”

Aarya smirked, looking at the man. “And he’s from Mahishmati, isn’t he?” the man wiped his bloody face, trying to get onto his knees. Her soldiers nodded and she waved them off, turning to Anjasi and Sadhana with a smirk. 

“So, what do you say now?”

— — — 

Bhalla stared at Aarya, shocked as she pointed the dagger at his neck, her soldiers surrounding them all in a matter of seconds. Kattappa was pinned down onto the floor and she spared him a glance, smiling at him. “Apologies for what is going on, Kattappa, but it seems like your king’s father isn’t the greatest.” 

She turned back to him, her smile melting into a smirk. “Checkmate, I believe. You have nowhere to go in your own kingdom. And you can’t call for help either, not when the king is in the hands of the enemy. Shall we go to your palace?” 

“When I dreamt of you in Mahishmati, I thought it was for you to stay forever as my queen, not to defeat me in a war I had no idea about.” Bhalla said, looking down at her and stepping forward, not even caring of the dagger digging into his skin. Aarya raised an eyebrow, turning to her soldiers. “Send a message to the palace that the king has been captured, and that he will be released only when I talk to his father.” She turned back to Bhalla and lowered her dagger, signalling her soldiers to step away. Kattappa and the other soldiers of Mahishmati got released as the dagger disappeared from her hand, and Aarya stepped back from Bhalla, not missing the way he surged forward a little to stay close to her. 

“Shall we head back to your palace? We have quite some time, we can spend it here by the riverside too.” Bhalla smiled, taking her hand in his and he turned to Kattappa, nodding once. “We will be fine, you don’t have to follow us. Shall we, Aarya?”

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“I don’t really fight girls, you know.” Ajay, the prince from Sundarsi’s neighbour was quite a headstrong and arrogant one, and Aarya stared at him with disdain as he smirked, eyeing her up and down. Bhalla and the other prince sat outside the arena with a clear view of what was going on, and Bhalla glowered at Ajay, his blood boiling. 

“I’m not as generous as you. I fight little boys too, it builds their character.” Aarya smiled as Ajay’s smirk dropped, watching him pick up his sword. Bhalla watched them closely as the words of the princes rang in his mind.

Bhalla stopped when he heard hushed voices, turning to see the only two princes left talking to each other in a room. He looked around the empty halls and walked towards the room to hear better, eyes on the princes. “... she seems to hate him anyway, so that makes it better for us.” One of them, Haridev, said as the other, Ajay, nodded. “If we both win, it doesn’t matter if he wins or loses, she will choose one of us as her grooms. Mahishmati’s king is uselessly trying to get her.” Ajay laughed as Haridev chuckled along.

“Since I’m the host, I’ll let you make the first move,” Aarya’s voice snapped Bhalla out of his thoughts as Ajay scowled, charging at her. Aarya easily dodged his attacks, the sound of metal clashing against metal echoing in the arena. Anjasi and Sadhana watched from the other side, and Bhalla could tell for once they were cheering for Aarya’s opponent, who was not doing well at all. 

Ajay felt his anxiety spike as he saw himself lose against Aarya who wasn’t even trying that hard while cornering him, her moves precise and immaculate, and closed his eyes, his God stone around his neck activating and pushing Aarya away, making her skid back. Bhalla exhaled the moment he realised she didn’t fall down, and so didn’t lose.

Ajay smirked, his eyes glowing gold as Aarya straightened, her grip on her sword tightening. “You said you had no problem with us using our God Stones, so why not? Apologies for not warning you, our Lord Brahma blessed us with brains.” Aarya shrugged, the blade glinting in her hand and she flung it straight at Ajay, the metal piercing through the barrier he had made for himself and into his armour, hurling him across the arena.

Haridev beside Bhalla stood up, his eyes widening as he pointed at the throw, turning to Bhalla and then back towards the arena. “She- she pierced through Brahma’s magic? Without using any magic herself! She defeated him without using her God stone!” Bhalla smirked, leaning back as he glanced at him. “You realise you’re next, don’t you?”

“Lord Brahma blessed you with intelligence, but not the sense to know where and how to use it.” Aarya said as walked over Ajay while he struggled to pull the sword out of his armour. She smiled, leaning down to tug it out and pointed it at his throat, her smirk widening at the way he flinched, trying to hide his face.

“I believe your kingdom belongs to me now, doesn't it?”

Ajay gulped, staring at the sword as he scrambled onto his knees, nodding. “Y-Yes, yes Your Majesty!” He turned to his advisor and screamed, “Get the message sent across! We submit to Sundarsi!” At his statement, the God stone around his neck dulled and Aarya’s stone glowed brighter. Haridev’s breath hitched as he ran down the arena, stumbling and kneeling down beside Ajay in front of Aarya.

“I forfeit! We will submit to Sundarsi as well!” Aarya’s stone glowed so much brighter as Haridev’s stone dimmed, and she glanced at Anjasi and Sadhana with a smirk. “Well, this was supposed to be for my wedding and instead I got us two kingdoms. Isn’t that nice, Mantriji?” Anjasi just stared at Aarya while Sadhana bit her lip to contain her smile.

Bhalla walked down to the arena, his claps echoing as they all turned to him. He smirked down at the kneeling princes, raising an eyebrow. “For how much you both plotted to defeat and wed her, you look very comfortable on the floor. Also thank you, your incompetence means I win without having to fight my queen.”

The princes paled as they stood up slowly, backing away. Aarya spared them a final glance and sighed, waving them away. She turned back to Bhalla and tilted her head, frowning. “Who said you’re not fighting me?” Bhalla and everyone paused as she stared at him. “I’m not accepting you as my husband, Bhallaladeva. Not until you defeat me.” Her voice lowered as she stepped closer to him, her eyes twinkling. “And I really like the thought of having you under me. Mahishmati under Sundarsi sounds wonderful, you know.”

Bhalla stared at her, his gaze dropping to her lips as he lowered his head, getting closer to her. “Is this just a way for you to have me close to you? Because I promise, you don’t have to fight me to have my hands on you, I'll do it in a heartbeat.” She stepped away, not glancing at him as she walked back. “Pick up your sword, we should start.” 

Bhalla sighed and turned to Kattappa, taking his sword from him. “I fought many wars and conquered many kingdoms, Aarya. I’m so much stronger than the fool you just fought, you don’t have to lose to me like this.” He twirled his sword in the air as she just raised an eyebrow, motioning for him to start. Bhalla shook his head, relaxing his hand. 

“I won’t charge at you, Aarya. You go first.” Aarya nodded, raising her sword when one of her soldiers came running, bowing to her. “Your Majesty, they’ve returned!” Sadhana frowned, stepping forward. “Who has returned?” 

“Rudra’s troops, Senadhipati! After three years, they’ve returned!”

— — — 

Aarya raced through the halls, her heart beating out of her chest and tears bubbling in her eyes. She had left the fight with Bhallaladeva without a glance and could hear everyone running behind her but didn’t care. She wiped her face as she reached her courtroom, setting her hair and turning back to see Anjasi and Sadhana right there. “Do I look good?” She asked breathlessly, her voice shaky. Bhalla and Kattappa reached them then, watching as Aarya struggled to compose herself.

Anjasi nodded with a small smile and Aarya smiled back at her, relieved. She opened the doors and they walked through, looking around. Bhalla noticed a troop of men on their knees, tired and worn out as they waited for their queen’s orders. 

“You can stand up, it’s alright.” She said, and they all stood up. She looked through them all, her smile vanishing as she searched them over and over. Aarya stepped back, tears filling her eyes as she looked at the oldest of the troops, biting her lip. “Where… where is Rudra? I was told his troops were here, where is he?”

He sighed, looking down. “We lost him a year ago, Your Majesty. He died a warrior’s death.” Aarya closed her eyes, tears spilling freely as she crumpled to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Bhalla stared at her, feeling his chest tighten and the sir leave his lungs as she continued to cry, everyone else staring at her sadly.

He stepped forward, kneeling down beside her and taking her into his arms, shushing her gently. He didn’t know who Rudra was, but he understood enough to know that he was the man Devasena talked about, the one who held Aarya’s life and heart in his hands. Aarya refused to wed anyone for this man, and just as she did it, she found out he was gone.

Kattappa stared at his king with wide eyes, realising that the cruel ruthless man he had seen in front of him all these years was softening for this queen. The same man who got his brother and nephew killed, his sister-in-law imprisoned and countless kingdoms enslaved was weak for a woman who didn’t reciprocate. Somehow that made Kattappa pity him all the more, the king who supposedly had everything he could ask for but not what he craves.

Aarya’s cries stopped suddenly and she pushed Bhalla away, her eyes dark with rage. “Don’t you ever touch me unless you want to be killed. Return to Mahishmati and forget everything you know about Sundarsi, Bhallaladeva. You have a day.” She stood up and wiped her tears, storming out of the courtroom. Anjasi followed her and Sadhana dispersed the troops, turning to Kattappa. “I apologise for our queen’s behaviour, Kattappa. Please don’t think too much of it. I suggest your king gets ready to depart soon. I’ll be going now.”

Bhalla stood up, the tear stains still on his armour as he looked in the direction Aarya left. He turned and walked off to his room, Kattappa following him. “Your Majesty, we have to-” “We’re not going anywhere, Kattappa,” Bhalla cut him off, his gaze hard. “We’re not leaving until she agrees to become my queen. And I’ll do whatever it takes.”

— — — 

Aarya stared at the moon from her temple, eyes dull. Three years she had waited for Rudra even though a part of her knew it was in vain, and the moment it turned out to be true, her heart just sighed. She cried for all the time lost and spent hurting and waiting for Rudra, but felt an odd sense of relief knowing it was over.

“I had spent so long waiting for him, haven’t I? At least it’s over now.” She whispered, leaning back on a pillar. The statue of Mahadev smiled kindly at her, her God stone glowly softly as she felt warmth enveloping her and lulling her to sleep.

“You look beautiful in the moonlight,” Bhalla’s voice shook her awake and she looked up at him, watching him stare down at her with an unreadable expression. “What are you doing here?” She asked, straightening as he sighed. “I am here for you, of course.” Aarya scowled, standing up. “I told you to leave.” “And I told you,” he glared at her, backing her into the pillar and placing his hand on the side of her head, trapping her. “I told you I was here to make you my queen. Just say yes, Aarya, I’ll give you the world.”

“I don’t want the world, or to be your queen. What made you ever think I’d say yes to you? Becoming your queen is effectively turning my kingdom into your slaves, and I’ll die before I let that happen.” 

“You’re so beautiful but so stubborn, aren’t you? I don’t want your Sundarsi, I never did. I just want you. Be mine, that’s all I want.”

Aarya’s breath hitched in her throat as Bhalla leaned towards her, his breath fanning on her lips. The distance between them reduced as Bhalla got closer to her, but before he could do anything he got pushed back. He looked at Aarya and saw her God stone glowing, the idol of Mahadev staring at both of them with glowing eyes.

Aarya blushed red, pushing her hair out of her face and clearing her throat awkwardly. “I’m so sorry.” She whispered, holding her ear as she looked at the idol. Bhalla laughed, the sound so carefree and relaxed it made Aarya turn to stare at him. “You apologise to the idols too?” He laughed loudly, holding his stomach as he doubled over. “Why? You know someone who does?”

Bhalla’s laugh went down as he looked away, nodding. “He did. Bahu used to do that a lot when we were young. He cried in front of Durga Maa’s statue a lot of times, and would go and talk to her a lot as he grew up.” Aarya stared at him. “He knew you hated him.”

Bhalla turned to her as she looked at the idol. “Amarendra knew you hated him, just didn’t anticipate it was enough to get him killed. We met when I went to Kuntala, and he talked to me about it as he wanted my permission to wed Devasena.” She sighed, turning back to him. “He loved you though, and felt bad that your mother spent more time with him than she did with you. He wanted to always tell you that, and told me he would once he and Devasena returned to Mahishmati.”

Bhalla stared at her, watching as she stepped closer to him. She raised her hand, resting it on his cheek and brushing her thumb softly against his cheek, wiping the tears that he didn’t know had fallen. He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and she pulled him closer.

“I should go,” he whispered, taking her hand in his as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Aarya closed her eyes and Bhalla stepped away, staring at her one last time before he walked away. She turned to the moon and sighed, playing with the God stone on her hand.

“What’s happening to me?” She whispered into the night and felt her stone glow, warming her up.

— — — 

Kattappa frowned as Bhalla approached him and stood up. “Is everything okay, Your Majesty?” He just nodded, looking outside to the temple. “We’re leaving tomorrow, Kattappa. Get everything ready.” “But I-” “I’m still going to make Aarya mine, I’m not letting her go. But I have something else to do first,” He turned back to Kattappa, a lopsided smile on his face. “I need to free Devasena.”

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Bhalla tossed and turned in his bed after returning to Mahishmati, unable to sleep. He sat upright, walking to a table to gulp down water, groaning in frustration as he tossed the glass in his hand away. Aarya’s words kept ringing in his head, the immense satisfaction in her eyes as she watched the smirk leave his face haunting him. “She’s so stubborn and ridiculous, oh God.” He walked out to the balcony, watching his kingdom in the night as the stars twinkled above.

Groaning to himself again, he picked his sword and walked out of his room, out into the open grounds. The guards silently bowed to him and watched as he passed the prison cells, swinging the sword in the air as he got to the grounds. He just stared into the open for a while, breathing heavily.

“What happened, Maharaja? Can’t sleep?” He froze at the voice, his erratic heartbeat loud and deafening in his ears as he turned to see Devasena in her cell, a mocking smile on her face. He had forgotten entirely about Devasena in the few days he spent in Sundarsi, and only seeing her had reminded him once again of everything that had happened. 

She stared at him as he dropped the sword and rolled his eyes, glaring at her. “Prisoners don’t talk, Devasena. Go back to sleep, won’t you?” She laughed, the sound so cold and hollow he felt his body seize up. Of course she couldn’t sleep; her husband and son were dead and she was a prisoner, all because of him.

He cleared his throat and looked away, running a hand through his hair. “I heard about your trip to Sundarsi,” She mused as he silently stood, listening to her. “Was it your first time there? Aarya was lovely, wasn’t she?” Bhalla perked up, turning around to her.

“You know her?” Devasena’s smile turned fond as she looked at the sky, a soft sigh leaving her. “Kuntala and Sundarsi are not that far from each other, you know. We knew each other during the most important years of our lives,” she spared Bhalla a short glance, her face unreadable, “my husband had to get her approval to wed me, you see.” Bhalla’s breath ran short as he finally understood Aarya’s behaviour towards him.

It wasn’t what she heard that made her dislike him, it was what she had seen and felt.

“Is Aarya doing well as queen?” Bhalla scoffed, looking around. “You’re getting too comfortable around me, Devasena, don’t forget that I put you in that cell.” Silence followed as Devasena looked up, smiling at the moon. 

“She has been the queen for only a day,” Bhalla began and Devasena turned to him, her eyes widening as she noticed the small smile on his face, “but she already is taking all the right decisions. It’s like she was made to be queen. Her people love her, and so does everyone in her council. She’s having her swayamvar soon, and she invited me to watch it too.”

The smile left him as he picked up his sword, his face hardening. His grip on his sword and he swung it around violently in the air. His frustration grew as he kept thinking of Aarya and her swayamvar, and Devasena watched him lose his mind, her smile blooming.

“You want Aarya, don’t you?” Bhalla froze, eyes wide as laughter spilled from Devasena. She laughed loud, pointing a finger at him as Bhalla straightened, the weight of her words on him. “You fell for my Aarya in the few days you stayed around her, and the thought of her marrying someone else is making you lose your mind. Oh, I’m loving every part of this. And she despises you for what you’ve done, so she will never say yes to you.”

Bhalla glared at Devasena, stepping forward and tugging at her chains to pull her forward. She stumbled and fell as he glowered, his voice no more than a whisper. “I will make her yield, or she will suffer just like you are right now.” Devasena chuckled, a smirk on her face as she looked up at him.

“You’re forgetting, Bhallaladeva, that she’s not me. She lived her life serving Lord Shiva, she will kill herself before she yields to you. Oh, and she’s already in love. Just give up.” Bhalla’s grip on her chains got tighter as Devasena choked, struggling in his control. He raised his hand but stopped, Aarya’s glare popping in his head as he let go of Devasena, stumbling back.

Devasena gasped for air, staring at him as Bhalla looked at his shaking hands, heavy breaths leaving him as he stormed back to his palace. He paced in his room, head running wild as Devasena’s words and Aarya’s face kept swimming in his mind. As he looked to where he set his sword near Durga Maa, the goddess smiled at him kindly, lightning cracking in the sky behind him. The goddess’ smile somehow got kinder as the truth sank into Bhalla, making him sit on his bed with a thud, the storm outside getting darker.

— — — 

Aarya sat in her room, looking at herself in the mirror as her handmaidens dressed her. The swayamvar was just her way of going through all kingdoms and putting the winner in uncomfortable conditions to make him back out, making sure that he and the others would talk about how Sundarsi wasn’t to be meddled with for the next few decades.

The door to her room opened and Sadhana walked in, nodding at her helpers to leave. Aarya smiled at her through the mirror and Sadhana smiled back, silently braiding her hair. “You have something to talk to me about, don’t you?” Aarya asked as Sadhana finished braiding her hair, moving to grab flowers and put them in. “Are you sure you don’t want to wed the winner of this intensely long competition you’re conducting? You have been waiting for him for years, Aarya, it’s quite alright to move on.”

Aarya straightened and stood up, walking away from Sadhana. “He promised, akka. He promised he would return.” “It has been three years since he made that promise, and he’s not here. He was never going to return Aarya, when will you understand that?” Aarya scowled at Sadhana’s words and turned to her, eyes shining with tears.

“He was the only one I ever fell in love with, how can you-” “You’re a Queen first, Aarya,” Anjasi’s voice made both of them turn to the door as the prime minister stared at them, her face grim. 

“Your duty has always been to your kingdom first Aarya, not to yourself. And you fulfilled it wonderfully all this time. So don’t hesitate now either.” She walked to Aarya and stroked her cheek softly, a sad smile on her face.

“You and Rudra were in love, but not anymore. Let go, Aarya. It’s alright.” a tear slipped which Aarya quickly wiped, nodding. “I know, but it’s hard to tell my heart the same thing. It doesn’t matter, I’ll be fine. Is everything ready, Mantriji?”

Anjasi nodded, pulling away and walking with the other two to the door. “Everything is exactly how it should be, Your Majesty. All kingdoms have sent their princes, and they’re resting in their respective quarters. The ceremony shall commence in ten minutes, we will need you in the courtroom soon.”

“Give me a few minutes, I’ll be there.” They nodded, smiling one last time at Aarya before they left the room. She broke down crying, holding onto the door as she struggled to stifle her sobs. She furiously wiped her face, breathing in as she regained her composure.

She went to the temple, praying to the idol of Lord Shiva as she bent to pick some sandalwood, frowning as she saw rubies placed beside her usual quartz crystals. She sighed to herself, bowing one last time before she turned and walked through the temple doors, memories swirling in her head as she made her way towards her courtroom, a future she wasn’t happy with awaiting her.

Aarya swam to the shore of Narmada, quartz crystals in her hand as she turned to the rising Sun and prayed for her kingdom’s health, when a voice broke her out of her reverie. “You know, swimming in these waters by yourself is dangerous. Especially holding onto so many God stones, they’re supposed to be with the Queen.” 

Aarya smiled and looked back, seeing a man near her age, maybe a few years older. She recognised his uniform and her smile widened, taking him in entirely. “Are you a soldier?” He nodded, smiling proudly. “Yes, I joined a week ago. My name is Rudra, what’s yours?” “Aarya.” 

“Huh,” he murmured, holding out his hand. She took it as he walked her to her horse, watching her with a smile as she got on. “Like our princess.”

He found out the next day he had met the princess.

–

Rudra watched Aarya sit outside her palace, painting. He couldn’t see her painting but was content with the way her lips formed a soft pout, tongue slightly poking out as she picked up colours with her brush, doing something he had no idea about. He saw Anjasi approach and walked to Aarya, bowing to her once. “Your Majesty, Mantriji is here. I think we need to go inside, I’ll have someone fetch your painting.” 

She looked at him in alarm and stood up, nodding and hurrying towards Anjasi. He turned to look at the painting and his eyes widened as he stared at himself, decked in grey and silver with Aarya, smiles on their faces.

–

“Do you have to go?” Aarya murmured as Rudra stared at her sadly, the Sun setting behind them. “I don’t want to leave you, Your Majesty, but I’ve been assigned to go with the others and I have to. I’ll be back before you miss me too much, I promise you.” He tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear as he smiled, letting go of her hand and walking away. Aarya watched him leave, an uneasy feeling of helplessness settling in her chest.

Aarya blinked, smiling at everyone as she entered her courtroom, marching to the throne. She sat down and looked around, observing every prince and feeling distaste bubbling in her chest. She watched Anjasi address them and smiled, standing up, when the courtroom doors burst open and Bhallaladeva waltzed inside, Kattappa a few feet behind. 

Murmurs grew in the hall as Anjasi looked at Aarya with a tight smile, and Aarya felt exhaustion pool into her head. “Bhallaladeva and his constant bursting through my halls will break my doors, I just know it.” She grumbled, staring at him as he walked up to her, taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss to it.

The murmurs grew louder as Aarya snatched her hand back, frowning as Bhalla smirked at her, walking back to take a seat a few feet away. “It’s very kind of you to accept my invitation to come and watch the swayamvar, Your Majesty, but visitors or anyone has no right to act this way with me.” She curtly said, and Bhalla laughed, his loud voice drowning the murmurs.

“A man does what he has to do to woo the woman he desires, I hope you understand, Aarya.” Bhalla’s remark made Anjasi and Sadhana scowl while a prince stood up, outraged. “Woman you desire? What is going on here?!” Bhalla rolled his eyes, sparing him a glance and then looking back at Aarya, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Well last I heard, a swayamvar is happening. And I am here not to watch, but to make Sundarsi’s queen mine.”

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Aarya ran to the horse shed, hugging her horse and smoothing out his coat, climbing onto him. She ignored the guards and took off, racing down her palace into the village side of Sundarsi, stopping outside a little cottage, empty only for her to use. She walked in, getting out of her royal wear and putting on the clothes of the townsfolk and wrapping her lower face with a cloth to hide herself better. What had happened in the palace irked her to no end, and after getting all the visitors from the kingdoms settled, she left to clear her head. The kingdom was still in a festive mood, celebrating her coronation, which made it harder for her to go and blend into the civilians but she still managed.

Aarya ventured into the market, going through the ornaments put up for sale, the events of the day still swimming in her head. Her scowl deepened each minute, and she mindlessly bought items, Bhalla’s words echoing around her.

“Are the various princes over here worried that my presence is preventing them from having a fair chance to fight for the Queen’s hand? Or is the Queen worried that the winner is already here? Because I see no reason for me not to participate. Unless, of course, either of my previous statements are true. And if that is the case, I should wed Aarya right now.”

Aarya huffed, moving to the mandi for vegetables for her horse. As she purchased, she felt someone watching her, and turned around. When she saw no one, she went back to getting her vegetables and traced her path back to the cottage. 

She smiled at her horse, feeding him and rubbing his back fondly. “You know, after he left you’re the only one left for me right? Oh, I love you so much Baadshah.” She crooned, showering praises when the feeling of being watched returned. She walked into the cottage, looking around, when she felt a person behind her. Before they could react, she grabbed her dagger, turning and pushing the person back, dagger pressed into their broad chest.

A chuckle vibrated in the man’s chest as she glared up, trying to recognise him when she spotted the scar across his eye, making her grip on her dagger loosen. “What are you doing here?” Aarya seethed, backing from Bhalla when he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back into him. “Watching over you, of course. It’s not hard for me to find you, even amongst all those people.” 

He reached to pull the cloth off her face, scoffing as she struggled in his grip. He took his own disguise off, tutting as he let his eyes shamelessly roam over her. Aarya stepped on his foot harshly, making him let her go with a hiss as she backed away from him, glaring fiercely. “Don’t touch me without my permission unless you want your other eye scarred too. And unlike yourself, I won’t go easy.”

Bhalla’s face darkened as he turned to Aarya. “It’s nice to know that you’re aware of everything that has happened, although I'd like it better if you don’t bring it up. I’m not overly fond of that time.” She looked away from him, eyes darting around as she checked for eavesdroppers. “How did you even know to find me here?”

Bhalla sighed, checking the spot Aarya dug her dagger into. “You’re attached to your kingdom quite a bit, and seemed like a person who would go into the crowd to disappear. So I got here, and I was right.” Aarya turned to him with surprise, realising in fact the man in front of her began to understand her a lot more than she expected from him. She shook away thoughts, glaring again.

“If you’re doing all of this for Sundarsi, I suggest you-” 

“Will you calm down, Raniji? I’m not here for your stupid kingdom.”

Bhalla cleared his throat awkwardly at the expression on her face, walking around the cottage. “I mean, I don’t want your amazing kingdom. Admitted, my father and I arrived here with the intention to force you into surrendering to us, but…” He trailed off, looking at Aarya as she impatiently stared at him.

“My father was the one always interested in Sundarsi, and although she is lovely, I don’t want her anywhere as much as I want you.” Aarya felt the air leave her lungs as she searched his face, her own heating up at his blatant admission. Bhalla sighed at the unreadable look on her face and approached her, opening his mouth but she cut him off.

“I don’t believe you, Bhallaladeva.” 

Aarya stared up at him and shook her head slowly. “Don’t blame me for not doing so, either. I lost my best friend because of you, you know. Someone you claimed to have wanted, and by wanting her you’ve ruined her entire life. Her kingdom is in shambles, and you’re the reason.”

She walked to the door, stopping once. “You can’t bring Devasena’s husband or son back, you can’t do anything to revive her lost life, and this is because you wanted her. Now I don’t believe you want me, but if that is the truth, then I’m all the more afraid for my kingdom. Return to Mahishmati while I’m still being nice.”

Bhalla watched her leave him alone and smirked, straightening. “See that’s where you’re wrong, I didn’t just want Devasena then; I wanted Bahu dead. This situation is so different, my queen, and you’ll see.”

— — —

“The swayamvar is to have three rounds, and our queen will choose the man she wishes to marry from the winners of those rounds.” Anjasi announced and the princes smirked to themselves, confident that they’d be winning the rounds all the time.

“So if all the rounds have the same winner, she won’t choose, will she? After all, it’s not much of a choice then.” Jayanth, a prince, chuckled, and Bhalla stared at him coldly. “You know, I wanted to be nice to you and let you believe you had a chance, but not anymore.” he stared at the prince and the others beside him, making them shrink into their seats. “Aren’t you all princes of kingdoms that I own? What are you even doing here when the queen is clearly going to be mine?”

Jayanth opened his mouth, but closed it instantly as he realised the position of all the princes. They were all royalty of kingdoms Bhalla had conquered, and they were fighting for someone Bhalla wanted to wed. “I suggest you all go home, before I change my mind about how I let you rule your kingdoms.”

Aarya walked in right then, watching ten princes of the invited twelve and uninvited extra stand up, glowering but pale, shaking with fury and fear. “You- you can’t do this to us!” Jayanth tried weakly as Bhalla smirked, leaning forward. “Watch me.” 

Aarya frowned, turning to a wide-eyed Anjasi and Sadhana as the princes turned to her. “We are sorry, Your Majesty, but we can’t take part in this swayamvar. Not when… not when our emperor is a part of it too. We shall take your leave.” Her eyes widened as the princes all bowed to Bhalla and scampered out of the palace, not listening to Anjasi and Sadhana trying to stop them. She turned to Bhalla, who smiled gleefully at her, and scowled. “What did you do? You foul man, this is not how we honour visitors!”

Bhalla rolled his eyes, casting a glance at the other two princes who were glaring at him, before turning back to Aarya. “Everything is fair in love in war, Aarya. And this is war, isn’t it? War for your love, and a war for my love. I’ll do anything to win.”

Aarya cleared her throat, feeling her face heat up at his words as she glared at him, turning to the other princes apologetically. “I’m so sorry for what he has done, I-” “It’s alright,” one of them interjected, displeasure evident on his face. “He has done us some good, now there won’t be stupid rounds and winners.”

The other one nodded along, and Aarya raised an eyebrow. Bhalla looked at her, amusement swimming in his eyes. He knew she was angry beyond measure with the way they cut her off, and watched as she changed her decision. He could’ve stabbed those princes right then and there, but knew that it wasn’t needed. He still wanted to do it though, he couldn’t deny.

 “You’re right, there’s only going to be one round.” She said, making everyone look at her in confusion. Anjasi stood up, opening her mouth but Aarya raised her hand, silencing her. “Fight me, and if you can hold your ground with or without your God stones, I’ll choose one of you. Should you fail, your kingdom becomes mine.” 

Aarya looked at all of them, her gaze settling on Bhalla as they smiled at each other. “So, what do you say? Are you ready?”

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