Chapter 36 The Parting of Crowns and Promises
The Royal Court was suffocating that morning.
Sunlight streamed through the tall stained-glass windows of the court chamber, painting fractured rainbows over marble floors and stone hearts. The room was full—nobles, ministers, generals—all draped in gold and protocol.
At the head sat Queen Roshni, her expression unreadable beneath the weight of her crown. Her voice, however, rang clear and commanding:
> “To understand the people, one must walk among them. Prince Hatim shall embark on a royal tour of all seven provinces of Chandlok. Effective immediately.”
Gasps fluttered across the room. Murmurs. Surprise. And at the center of it all—Hatim.
He stood slowly, a storm in his eyes.
> “This wasn’t discussed with me.”
Roshni met his gaze evenly.
> “Because your duty is not to question. It is to serve.”
Hatim’s jaw tightened. “I’ve only just married. My place is here—with my people. With my wife.”
Roshni smiled thinly. “Exactly. Which is why you must go. A king must know the land he hopes to rule.”
The courtiers nodded, more out of habit than agreement.
Sana sat on a smaller throne beside him, her hands cold in her lap. She didn’t speak—she wasn’t allowed to—but her eyes found his instantly. He looked back, and in that glance was every unspoken protest.
> Don’t go.
> I have no choice.
> Then come back to me.
Hatim turned to Roshni one final time.
> “How long will this journey last?”
> “Three months.”
Three lifetimes, it felt like.
He gave a stiff nod. Then sat.
The court resumed its noise. But neither Hatim nor Sana heard any of it.
---
Later that night, Chandlok was cloaked in twilight. The stars blinked through layers of velvet sky as if trying to warn them.
In the west wing, their chamber was dimly lit by oil lamps and the golden glow of farewell.
Sana stood by the window, veil undone, hair loose around her shoulders. Hatim entered quietly, closing the door behind him.
She turned to him. Neither spoke for a while.
> “So it’s happening,” she said finally.
Hatim walked over, gently taking her hands in his.
> “I tried to refuse. I tried everything.”
> “I know.”
His fingers brushed her cheek.
> “You’ll be safe here?”
Sana nodded, though her throat burned. “Of course. Meher will stay. The palace is still home.”
Hatim looked unconvinced. “I don’t trust her.”
Sana didn’t need to ask who ‘her’ was. Roshni’s name lingered unspoken between them like a dagger.
> “I’ll be careful,” she whispered.
Hatim stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her tightly. “I don’t care about legacy. Or titles. Or duty. I care about you.”
She closed her eyes, burying her face into his shoulder. “Then come back to me. Whole. Untouched by whatever the court tries to make of you.”
> “I will. And you? Promise you’ll wait?”
> “In every breath.”
Hatim held her longer, as if trying to memorize the shape of her. His voice, when it came again, was thick with unshed emotion.
> “You are my beginning, Sana. And whatever happens—my end.”
He kissed her, long and deep, sealing the promise like it was holy.
---
At dawn, the royal procession stood ready.
Trumpets blared. Elephants lined the palace steps. Soldiers stood in ranks. Chandlok watched.
Hatim stood in dark robes, crown gleaming.
Sana stood behind him, in soft blue silks, face veiled—but her eyes never left his.
As Hatim mounted his steed, he looked down at her.
> “Don’t let the palace change you,” he said softly. “And don’t let my absence make you small.”
> “I’ll be fire, Hatim. Until you return.”
He smiled at that.
Then rode away.
And Sana stood on the steps long after he vanished from view.
A quiet chill slid down her spine.
The storm had begun.
---
?? Author’s Note:
HELLO. This one hurt in the most elegant, royal way ??? Chapter 36 gives us duty vs love, silent glances, and that gut-punch of knowing something bad is coming—but not knowing what yet.
Hatim didn’t want to leave. He tried to fight it. But the game has started, and Roshni’s move is in play. Bestie, you FEEL that chill, right? Because…..... it’s coming ????