83.
"Papa?" Aarya called softly, standing at the doorway.
"Yes, come in," Aarav smiled, looking up from his laptop where he was scrolling through places to visit in Spain. Planning a trip was never simple for him—his royal identity meant careful disguises and precautions.
Aarya ran toward him, and Aarav lifted her easily, settling her onto his lap.
"You look gorgeous, my baby," he said, gently running his fingers through her hair. Aarohi had clearly experimented again—Aarya's hair was styled differently, and it suited her beautifully.
"Thank you!" Aarya giggled.
"So," Aarav said, tapping her nose lightly, "tell me—are you liking this place?"
Aarya nodded enthusiastically. "There are sooo many people here! I love playing with Vayu. But he's a bit messy," she pouted. "He even pulled my hair today."
"That's alright as long as you're not hurt," Aarav said softly. "You pull my hair sometimes too, you know."
Aarya smiled at that.
"And Chachu and Miss Beautiful love me so much!" she added excitedly. "Chachu gifted me a cub today!"
"He did what?" Aarav almost yelled.
"He gifted her a leopard cub," Aarohi's voice came from behind.
Aarav looked up as Aarohi stepped inside. He motioned for her to come closer.
"Are you serious?" Aarav asked.
"Yes," Aarohi sighed. "He thinks Aarya should get used to them—just like how Vayu is. Honestly, I really can't deal with that man sometimes."
Aarav shook his head, still processing.
Aarya clasped her hands together and looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. "Can I keep the cub, please, Papa?"
Aarav laughed helplessly. He never stood a chance against that expression.
"Alright," he said, chuckling. "You win."
"By the way," Aarav said, shifting slightly, "it's good you came here. I was going to meet you anyway. Shaurya has decided to go on a trip to Spain. Yug might come with us too—I still need to ask him. What about you and Veer?"
Aarohi smiled faintly and shook her head. "I don't think we can. I have a campaign coming up, and Veer and I just returned from a trip three months ago."
Aarav nodded, understanding.
"Will Aarya be going with you?" Aarohi asked.
"Of course," Aarav replied without hesitation. "She'll enjoy it too."
"Seriously, Bhaiya?" Aarohi asked, disbelief clear in her voice.
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"You were the one who told me," Aarohi continued gently, "that you couldn't enjoy your last holiday with Shaurya Bhai because he got an emergency call from the underworld. Now you finally have a chance to spend real time together. Don't waste it."
"Well," Aarav said thoughtfully, "won't it be even better with Aarya around?"
Aarohi sighed softly. "I know this might sound cruel, but sometimes parents need time for themselves too. Right now, you and Shaurya Bhai need each other. Even Veer and I went on a holiday and left Vayu with Dadi. You can leave Aarya with me."
She leaned down and pinched Aarya's cheeks playfully. "I'm sure you like staying with me, don't you?"
"Yes!" Aarya replied instantly.
Aarav looked at his daughter, then back at Aarohi, conflicted.
"I don't know," he said finally. "I need to talk to Shaurya about this first."
Aarohi nodded. "Of course."
A moment later, a knock sounded at the door.
Asim stood outside. "Sir... Ma'am... the Queen Mother—Rajmata—has returned from Jammu after her campaign."
Aarav nodded, but his heart began to pound heavily in his chest.
Aarohi looked at him, worry filling her eyes. "Bhaiya..."
"I think," Aarav said quietly, steadying himself, "I need to meet her."
---------------------------
Everyone was confused—Prince Aarav had returned to Amritnagar, yet he arrived at the palace in a car belonging to the Shekhawats. Whispers followed the vehicle as it passed through the gates.
When Aarav stepped out, the palace guards immediately bowed. He remained standing for a moment, taking in the familiar sight of the palace—grand, unmoving, and heavy with memories.
"Aarav," Shaurya's voice came softly.
Shaurya reached for his hand. Aarav accepted it.
"Let's go."
Aarav nodded. He had decided to meet his Dadi unannounced.
As they walked through the palace corridors toward Rajmata's chambers, Aarav suddenly stopped. An old woman was already standing there, waiting.
Rajmata.
Aarav froze in his tracks, his fingers tightening around Shaurya's hand. After a moment, he gently let go. Shaurya sensed the unease but stayed a step behind, silently observing.
Then Rajmata did something unexpected.
She bowed.
A deep, respectful curtsy—meant for Aarav alone.
Shaurya immediately stepped aside, making sure the gesture was not directed at him. Aarav felt a strange, crushing weight settle on his shoulders. He hurried forward and caught her by the arm.
"Please... don't do this," Aarav said quietly, lifting her up.
"My Aarav is back," Rajmata whispered, tears filling her eyes as she cupped his face.
Aarav did not cry.
Instead, he held her hands firmly, grounding both of them.
"Come with me, my child," Rajmata said softly, slipping her arm through his. "Humare saath aao."
Aarav glanced back at Shaurya. Without a word, Shaurya stepped forward and joined them.
Rajmata led them into her chambers, chuckling lightly. "I've grown old," she said. "So I invite everyone into my room now."
Aarav knew how lonely this palace had become for her after his father's death. Aarohi stayed with her when she could; otherwise, Rajmata immersed herself in campaigns across other states—anything to avoid the silence.
"How was Jammu, Dadi?" Aarav asked gently, sitting beside her on the bed, holding her hands.
"It was good," she replied. "But the weather's quite troubling".
She studied his face closely—his eyes. The light she once knew was gone.
"Aarav," she said, her voice trembling. She joined her hands. "Ho sake toh hume maaf kar dena. Humne tumhare saath bohot bada paap kiya."
Aarav swallowed hard. "I've forgot everything, Dadi," he said calmly. "I came here today to tell you that I don't want the throne. I don't want the royal title."
He smiled faintly. "I know Papa wanted that for me. But he didn't know you thought I wasn't deserving."
"Aarav, you are deserving," Rajmata said urgently.
"Your actions didn't say that," Aarav replied quietly. "I was just allowed to stand and see my father's burning pyre. Mujhe unke antim sanskar karne nahi diya gaya."
Even Shaurya stiffened at that. He hadn't known.
"I don't know if it was pity or grief," Aarav continued, bitterness edging his smile, "but the day you realised I didn't truly belong to this family—everything changed."
"That was my mistake," Rajmata said, her voice breaking. "I had just lost my son. I didn't know what I was doing."
She clutched Aarav's hands tightly.
"But this family cannot survive without you."
"This is quite impossible, Dadi. If I become the King, it will end the bloodline of the Chauhans."
"The world doesn't know about it," Rajmata replied calmly. "And it never has to."
"How much am I supposed to hide from everyone?" Aarav's voice cracked despite his effort to stay composed.
"Aarav—"
"No, Dadi. I can't hide anymore," Aarav said firmly. Shaurya immediately placed a steady hand on his shoulder.
"Aarav, listen to her first," Shaurya murmured.
Aarav nodded, taking a deep breath.
"You were raised to be a King," Rajmata said softly but decisively. "You possess every quality required. Two great leaders trained you, my boy. I cannot risk the throne by handing it over to someone else."
Aarav frowned. "Aarohi is more than capable of taking the throne."
"She won't," Rajmata replied, her voice hardening. "You know that. And your cousins— they are waiting, watching. Do you want that? Your papa despised them. They are traitors to this family. And your mother... she had royal roots as well. So you don't need to worry about that".
She held his hands tightly. "Please listen to me one last time. Let me die in peace."
Aarav remained silent for a long moment.
"Alright," he finally said. "But I have one condition." He straightened. "I will not hide my relationship with Shaurya from the public once I become King. If Shaurya agrees, my daughter and Vayu will have their royal titles. And Shaurya will never bow to me—at any event."
Rajmata smiled, pride shining in her eyes.
"Aarav, I must bow to you. It is royal protocol. I cannot break it. My father bowed to Surya Uncle as well."
"That's for the two of you to decide. But if you decide to come out publicly, I'll stand by you", Rajmata said. "But remember—people will question the child as well."
"My Aarya is stronger than most adults," Aarav said softly. "She has already seen too much and accepted it with grace. But the pressure of the world is different. I need time—for her, for Shaurya, and for myself."
Rajmata nodded, understanding settling in her eyes.
"I'm doing this because it's my duty," Aarav said at last as he stood up.
He bent down and touched her feet respectfully before turning away. Shaurya bowed slightly to Rajmata and followed him out.
"I don't know how the hell I'm going to do this," Aarav muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"Whatever happens," Shaurya said gently, pressing a kiss to his forehead, "I'm with you. Always."
Aarav nodded.
"Sir," a guard said hurriedly, "a crowd has gathered outside the palace. They want to see you."
"And you let them inside the gates?" Aarav asked incredulously.
The guard gave an awkward smile.
Shaurya chuckled. "Come on. Everyone wants to see their King."
Aarav exhaled slowly, then smiled. Together, they walked toward the palace balcony.
It wasn't just a handful of people—a vast crowd had gathered outside the palace gates. Men and women of every age stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes filled with hope.
Aarav raised his hand in a gentle wave. Cheers erupted instantly, echoing through the palace grounds.
To them, it felt like their Prince had finally returned—not just in body, but in destiny.
No one questioned Shaurya's presence at his side.
The bond between their families was well known, and seeing Shaurya after so many years only strengthened that belief.
"I don't want to say anything," Aarav murmured to Shaurya, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Shaurya chuckled softly. "Then let's go inside."
They stepped back into the palace, the balcony doors closing behind them, shutting out the noise. Shaurya cupped Aarav's face, pressing a tender kiss to his lips.
"Baby," he whispered.
Aarav rested his forehead against Shaurya's as he stood tiptoed. "I can't trade our love for this throne, Shaurya. Not yet. Let's take our time." He smiled faintly. "I can't wait to go to Spain."
Shaurya intertwined their fingers, grounding him. "Let's go home for now."
Aarav nodded, holding onto his hand a little tighter.