Chapter 33
Rani Kalyani: Beta… ye aapke haathon mein kya hua hai?
Aaryan stiffened.Panic flashed across his face before he could stop it. His fingers curled inward, hiding his wrist as his breath hitched.
Aaryan: kuchh bhi nahi… B...bas vo… c...chot lag gayi thi…
His voice shook despite his effort.
Rani Kalyani noticed everything.the fear and the rush both.
The way his shoulders tightened like he was bracing for punishment.
She tilted her head slightly, voice still soft.
Rani Kalyani: Kya hum aapko dara rahe hain?
That did it.Aaryan panicked even more.
What if the Maharani felt insulted?
What if she got angry?
He shook his head hurriedly, eyes wide.
Aaryan: N.. nahi, Rani sa… a...aisa nahi hai…”
Rani Kalyani smiled.
Not the smile of a queen.
But the smile of someone who understood fear far too well.
She lifted her hand slowly and placed it gently on Aaryan’s head, her fingers moving softly through his hair.
A reassuring pat and Aaryan froze.
Then....
His eyes closed on their own.
For the first time in his life, that touch didn’t hurt.
Didn’t scold.
Didn’t demand.
It was warm and safe.
His breath trembled as something unfamiliar settled in his chest.
Rani Kalyani: Toh phir… thik se baitho na, beta.
Aaryan nodded faintly and adjusted himself, sitting properly beside her now less tense, though still unsure.
Rani Kalyani: Waise…Aap ye nakaab kyu pehne rehte ho?
The question struck deeper than expected.Aaryan’s eyes filled instantly.
He blinked hard, forcing the tears back, lips trembling as he lowered his gaze.
Aaryan : B...bas… a...aise hi…
Rani Kalyani studied him quietly.
Rani Kalyani:Toh phir ek baar ise hataoge?Hum aapka chehra dekhna chahte hain.
Aaryan’s breath stopped.
His hands tightened in the fabric of his kurta.His eyes widened in pure shock.
Rani Kalyani (softly): Hum hi toh hain, baccha… Bas ek baar.
Aaryan’s heart pounded painfully.
He didn’t want to.
He was scared.
But he was too soft-hearted.
What if the Maharani felt bad?
What if she thought he was being disrespectful?
Slowly, hesitantly, Aaryan stood up.
He walked toward the door on shaky feet.He glanced once to the side… then the other as if checking whether someone might suddenly appear.
Then he closed the door carefully, bolting it softly.
The small room fell silent again.
Aaryan stood there, back to the door, hands trembling About to do something he had never allowed to show to anyone.
For a few seconds, he didn’t move at all.His fingers trembled as they rose to the edge of the white dupatta, clutching the fabric like it was the only thing holding his world together. His breath was uneven, shallow, fear fluttering wildly in his chest.
Slowly… very slowly…
He loosened the cloth.
The dupatta slipped down inch by inch, brushing against his cheeks, his jaw, his throat until finally, it fell completely from his face, pooling softly in his hands.
Silence..
Rani Kalyani stopped.
Not blinked.
Not breathed.
She simply froze.
Because standing before her was a beauty she had never witnessed before.Aaryan’s face was unreal.
Soft , so impossibly soft that it looked like it had been painted with careful hands.
His skin held a gentle glow, warm and flawless, untouched by harshness.
Long, dark lashes framed his eyes those same eyes that were now lowered, lashes trembling, hiding oceans of fear and innocence.
His nose was delicate, straight and fine.His lips soft, pink, slightly parted looked as if they had never known a cruel word, let alone cruelty itself.
A faint flush bloomed on his cheeks, betraying his nervousness.
He looked like a fairy who had wandered into a palace meant for warriors.
Even Rani Kalyani known across kingdoms for her regal beauty, sharp features, and commanding presence felt something stirred inside her chest.
Aisa saundarya…
Not bold.
Not seductive.
Pure.
Untouched.
Fragile.
For the first time in many years, Rani Kalyani forgot to be a queen.
She simply stared.
Aaryan shifted nervously, fingers tightening around the fallen dupatta.
“M...Maharani…” he whispered, voice shaking.
His eyes remained downcast, unable to bear her gaze. Rani Kalyani finally blinked and when she spoke, her voice was quieter than ever before almost reverent.
Rani Kalyani: sundar
She slowly stood up and took a step closer not invading, not frightening just closer enough to truly see him.
Her gaze softened further.
Aaryan stood there, hands trembling slightly, heart still racing.
His cheeks had turned a deep shade of red under Rani Kalyani’s lingering gaze. He shifted nervously, clutching the dupatta in his fingers.
Barely above a whisper, he asked softly.
Aaryan: K... kya… kya main wapas laga loon ise, Rani sa…?
He couldn’t lift his eyes.
The attention felt overwhelming too gentle, too warm.
Rani Kalyani smiled, truly aww-struck.
Rani Kalyani: Haan, bilkul....
Relief washed over him instantly.
Aaryan hurriedly lifted the dupatta and covered his face again, as if hiding behind it would calm the rapid beating of his heart. Only the tips of his ears still pink peeked out, betraying his embarrassment.
Rani Kalyani: Thik hai, beta.Ab hum chalte hain.
She paused, looking at him kindly.
“Par yaad rakhna agar kabhi kisi bhi cheez ki zarurat ho… toh seedha humare paas aa jaana.”
Aaryan nodded quickly, eyes moist, gratitude swelling silently in his chest.
He stood up and bowed deeply.
Aaryan: Ji… Rani sa.
Rani Kalyani gave him one last warm look half mother, half queen and then turned toward the door.
Moments later, she left the chamber.
The door closed softly.
Aaryan remained standing there for a while, hand resting lightly over his chest.For the first time in his life
Someone powerful had looked at him
not with cruelty and ownership but with care and that feeling stayed with him long after she was gone.
....................
The sharp clang echoed across the open training grounds as Randhir’s sword came down hard, forcing the other blade back with sheer strength.
Dust rose beneath their feet, muscles taut, breaths controlled.
Rishav laughed even as he stumbled back a step.
“Arre bhaiya..... aaram se!”
He spun smoothly, attacking again, fast and playful.
Randhir blocked effortlessly, wrist twisting, blade sliding dangerously close to Rishav’s shoulder before stopping just in time.
Rishav grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief as he circled his elder brother.
Rishav: Waise bhaiya…
He lunged suddenly.
“Aapki prem kahani...”
Randhir parried sharply, eyes flashing.
“.... kahan tak badhi?”
Randhir mocked-glared at him, jaw tightening.
Randhir: Bakwas band kariye, Rajkumar Rishav.”
He attacked this time fast, precise, relentless. Rishav barely managed to block, laughing breathlessly as he jumped back.
“Arre! Matlab sahi jagah lag gayi!”
He ducked just in time as Randhir’s blade cut through the air above his head.
Rishav: Sabha mein jo hua poora rajmahal baat kar raha hai!Ek ‘naa’ ne toofaan laa diya!
Randhir’s grip tightened.
Their swords locked mid-air.
Steel screamed.Randhir leaned in slightly, voice low.
Randhir: Tum zyada bolne lage ho.
Rishav: Chhota bhai hoon.Haq banta hai.
He twisted free and struck again but Randhir disarmed him in one swift move, sword flying out of Rishav’s hand and landing in the dust.
Randhir’s blade stopped just short of Rishav’s throat.
A heartbeat of silence.
Then....
Randhir stepped back immediately.
Rishav burst out laughing.
“kya honahar raja banega aap bhaiya manna padega hum jaise tejasvi talwar baaz ko hara dete ho aap"
He said with pride and picked up his sword again, wiping sweat from his brow.
Rishav: Par sach batau to ab aapko ek Rani ki jarurat to hai aur hume ek nayi maharani ki, maa kitna datti hai n.
Randhir turned away slightly, sheathing his sword with more force than necessary.
Randhir: Talwaar chalao.
Zubaan nahi.
Rishav watched him closely the tension in his shoulders, the distracted eyes.His grin softened.
Rishav: Haan haan. Jaisa aap kaho...