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LII “You Cannot Keep Me Away Forever.”
Last Updated:
2025-04-30 15:21:50
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The Rule LIII Look For A Queen
The terrace stretched wide above the courtyard, its carved stone railings warm under the touch of the late sun.Below, the courtyard bathed in soft gold; a tender scene unfolded — Inayat sat cross-legged upon the grass, her white robe pooling around her, a harp cradled in her lap. Beside her, Aabroo leaned in eagerly, small fingers fumbling across the strings as Inayat corrected her with patience and laughter.The music rose in broken, sweet notes, catching the breeze and carrying upwards.Samarth sat among his lords and officials, but his gaze wandered too often. His hands were resting on the armrest like the king he was, his figure cast in gold and shadow, unmoving save for his eyes — always drawn toward Inayat.None among his council dared follow the king’s gaze.None but Lord William.The elder noble leaned lightly on the rail as he stood near it, his voice casual as he said, “The courtyard wears a fairer sight today, sire.”Samarth’s brow lifted, but he said nothing.William smil
Last Updated : 2025-04-30The Rule LIV The Art Of Torment
Samarth’s return from the inspection had been awaited, but no one waited more eagerly than the monarch himself — for the face that resided in his thoughts more vividly than any report, any city, or any fortress he had passed through. Inayat. Her name was a flame upon the parchment of his heart.The journey back to the palace was long, yet Samarth rode with the urgency of a man whose soul was being pulled by a tether invisible to all but him. Dust rose behind his steed as the city gates opened wide, horns heralded his return, and citizens bowed low to their sovereign. Yet, his eyes searched not for applause, but for a shadow in the upper balconies, a glimpse of a familiar silhouette.Once within the palace, he did not tarry. His boots echoed down the marble halls as he went straight to his chamber to cleanse himself. Robes of dark silk, belted with gold, were placed upon him by his attendants. His hair was tied back in a loose clasp, the seal of his reign engraved upon the ring that a
Last Updated : 2025-04-30The Rule LV Do Not Walk Away
The scent of saffron and roasted cumin filled the royal dining hall, mingling with the rich aroma of freshly baked bread and slow-cooked meats. Torches lined the marble walls, casting golden flickers upon polished silverware and porcelain dishes. Aabroo sat to the right of the king, her small hands clumsily peeling a pomegranate, utterly lost in her own world, humming a tune under her breath with no care for the muted tension surrounding her.Samarth sat at the head of the long table, dressed in a regal robe of deep cream embroidered with threads of muted gold. He held his goblet without tasting it, his thoughts clearly elsewhere, his gaze often wandering to the empty seat reserved to his left.Once again, Inayat had refused his invitation.He had sent a word — softly worded and spoken with an earnestness that few had heard in the king’s voice. But the response was the same as the previous night: She will not be joining, my Lord. She is resting.No excuse. No explanation. Just dista
Last Updated : 2025-04-30The Rule LVI Undone By Love
He gently pulled her closer, not to imprison her but to bring her back to the space she had abandoned. She came slowly, reluctantly, and then, with hesitation, sat beside him.He gazed at her for a while. Her eyes were lowered to her lap, her fingers tightly entwined.“Aap ro kyun rahi hain?” he asked, voice low with concern.(Why do you weep, dear lady?)She shook her head. "Nahi jaante ki kyun itna ro rahe hain hum," she murmured. “Nahi jaante ki kyun aapke qareeb aane se yeh dil itna ghabra jaata hai.”(I know not why these tears flow so freely from my eyes. Nor do I understand why my heart trembles so, each time I draw near to you.)His brows furrowed.“Kya humne kuch kiya hai?” (Have I, perchance, committed some folly?)She lifted her eyes to meet his. In them, he saw longing. Pain. Something unsaid but sharp as a blade.And then she spoke, breaking something inside him, “Aap humse door rahein toh zyada achha hai.”(It is better, perhaps, that you keep your distance from me.)He
Last Updated : 2025-05-01The Rule LVII Rejection After Rejection
The sun cast a warm, golden hue upon the sandstone floors of the Ivory Chamber — a secluded hall within the palace reserved for counsel of the most private and delicate nature. Today, the chamber held a different kind of weight: it was filled with polished officials, dignified nobles, and the high priest himself, gathered around long tables draped in crimson silk, upon which lay carefully rolled parchments and framed portraits.Portraits of princesses.From across the distant provinces and allied kingdoms, images had arrived in ornate frames and scrolls: delicate faces of noble birth, each captured in their best light, adorned in the jewels of their homeland. It was the beginning of what would be known as the Selection.Samarth, king of kings, sat upon the cushioned divan at the head of the room. A silken robe of forest green and obsidian draped his broad shoulders, a golden clasp bearing the crest of his house fastening it in place. His dark hair was loosely tied back, a sign of inf
Last Updated : 2025-05-01The Rule LVIII Tonight, We Mourn
Night draped the kingdom in a hush of solemnity. Only the watchful glint of spears, the shifting shadows of torches, and the disciplined tread of soldiers stood guard against the encroaching silence. In the secluded wing of the citadel, hidden deep beneath the eastern ramparts, the flickering lamplight cast trembling shadows over the carved stone walls of the healing chamber.Here, lay Aakash.The young soldier’s chest rose and fell faintly, his breathing slow, shallow, steady. His wounds — once deep gashes of crimson — were dressed in layers of salve and linen. His face was still pale, touched by sleep too deep to stir. Around him, guards stood in a firm semicircle. Their spears faced outward. Their gazes flicked from door to shadow to each other. At the center of them, seated but never still, was Commander Veer.It was he who had stationed the guards. He who had demanded Aakash’s wounds be treated in this hidden place. It was he who had stood watch since the moment the king had left
Last Updated : 2025-05-01The Rule LIX Farewell Of The Bold
The night had fallen heavy upon the kingdom. A hush lay over the land, broken only by the muffled sound of hooves pounding against the earth. Samarth, the King, rode hard beneath the darkened sky, the wind pressing against his cloak like the breath of fate itself. He had been summoned not to council, nor to war — but to farewell.At the rear wing of the palace, beyond the rosewood courtyard and down the corridor lined with flickering oil lamps, a chamber had been prepared. It was the room of transition, where the departed were honored before being returned to the soil. Within its walls, the scent of myrrh floated with dignity, rising like soft incense toward the rafters. A solemn stillness blanketed the air.Aakash, a humble ship-guard and devoted servant of the crown, lay upon the ceremonial table. His body had been bathed with care — water warmed and scented with lavender and sandalwood. His wounds, harsh and unrelenting in life, had been gently tended as though love could unmake d
Last Updated : 2025-05-02The Rule LX The Call Of A Feast
Pale light filtered in through narrow windows of the council chamber, casting long shadows across the mosaic floor. The large round table, polished by time and tempered by centuries of counsel, held goblets of spiced wine and sealed scrolls — evidence of discussion, persuasion, and subtle war.It had been fifteen days since the burial of Aakash, and though the court still moved with respectful silence, the rhythm of palace life was slowly returning. Mourning had been dignified, as befitting a soldier who died with honor — but time moved forward, indifferent to loss.Lord William stood with his hands folded behind his back, a deep maroon cloak draped across his shoulders, clasped with the sigil — a serpent coiled around a crown. His white hair was oiled and combed neatly, his expression unreadable. Around the table sat the chief officials — Ministers of Trade, War, Culture, and Lineage. These were men seasoned in statecraft, loyal to the realm, and loyal — perhaps more cautiously — to
Last Updated : 2025-05-02
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The Rule LXXXVII And The End
Samarth's eyes, cold and blazing, darted around the chaos of the battlefield. The wedding grounds had become a warfront. Screams pierced the air, steel clashed against steel, and blood painted the floor once gilded for celebration.He turned from Sabrina with a snarl curling his lips. Without waiting, he rushed through the courtyard, his boots splashing into pools of blood and shattered petals. His guards closed around him, forming a protective shield as he mounted his horse with practiced precision."Protect him!" Veer’s voice echoed as he engaged in fierce combat, his blade a silver blur, felling enemies two at a time.Samarth kicked into his horse's sides, surging forward with fury burning in his chest. Inayat. Aabroo. The image of them being hunted sickened him. Behind him, a dozen riders followed, their faces resolute, blades drawn.Sabrina, seeing his retreat, bellowed to her army, "Kill the rest. Let none remain!" Her voice was venom and vengeance.The tide surged against the p
The Rule LXXXVI The Ruination
The day of the wedding dawned like a benediction from the heavens. The sun rose slowly, gilding the spires of the palace in soft gold, casting a warm glow over the bustling kingdom. The air was fragrant with fresh marigolds and rose petals, and the palace echoed with joyful voices, music, and the sounds of celebration. The hearts of the people beat with anticipation, for it was not merely the union of a king and his bride — it was the binding of two destinies, sanctified by faith and the will of God.From the upper balconies to the vast courtyards, all was adorned. Silk banners of ivory and crimson swayed in the breeze. Draperies stitched with threads of gold whispered against the marbled walls. Lamps flickered in readiness to be lit at dusk, casting soft glimmers upon the polished stone floors. The scent of incense and jasmine floated in the corridors as nobles and commoners alike readied themselves for a wedding that would be etched in memory for generations.Within her chamber, Ina
The Rule LXXXV To The House Of God
The desert wind was calm that morning, brushing softly over the golden sands as the sun began its slow rise beyond the dunes. The palace gates, tall and majestic, opened with a quiet groan, revealing a caravan waiting under the pearl-gray sky. Camels stood adorned in fine cloth and gold-tasselled harnesses, their hooves shifting gently on the stone-paved courtyard. The guards stood in rows, their spears gleaming with polished steel, their eyes scanning the horizon with quiet vigilance.Inayat emerged first, dressed in a layered ensemble of ivory and peach, her head lightly veiled, golden embroidery catching the morning light. Her delicate anklets jingled softly as she walked toward the lead camel. Samarth followed, his sherwani a rich cream, bordered with gold thread, a soft white shawl resting on his shoulder. His presence was commanding yet serene, and his gaze found her as naturally as breath finds the chest.They mounted their camels, Inayat with practiced grace, Samarth steady be
The Rule LXXXIV What Lies Ahead
The great hall had long gone quiet. The last echoes of music had faded down the corridors, and the petals that once rained upon her now rested on the cold marble, fragrant and still. But in the solitude of her chamber, Inayat lay curled upon her soft, brocade-covered bed, the warmth of celebration still glowing inside her heart.Her cheek pressed gently against a silk pillow, arms folded around it like it might float away if she didn’t hold on. Her eyes, soft and filled with starlight, remained fixed on the delicate ring wrapped around her finger. The pearl gleamed faintly in the dim glow of the single standing lamp beside her bed. It was gentle and elegant, like everything she had ever dreamed of.She stared at it, unmoving, but her mind was alive with memory.She could still feel it: his gaze. How he had looked at her in that moment. How his eyes never once left her face even as petals fell and music roared. It had been more than a gaze — it was devotion, offered wordlessly. Not the
The Rule LXXXIII Stepped Into Forever
The palace was draped in splendor, touched by the hands of artful decorators and blooming with the essence of joy. Silken banners fluttered from grand arches, embroidered in gold thread with the twin emblems of House Samarth and House Inayat. The royal hall, usually a place of counsel and command, had transformed into a sanctum of celebration. Candle chandeliers hung like floating stars, scattering their golden light over polished marble floors that reflected the excitement of the day.Every inch of space below was filled with noblemen, ambassadors, emissaries from afar, commanders, sages, and friends of the kingdom. Laughter echoed against high ceilings, blending with the distant music of flutes and harp strings. Above, on every balcony and gallery, more guests leaned against the carved railings, craning to witness what had drawn such fervor — a union the kingdom had longed for.Two priests in white and gold robes stepped forward to the center stage, where a great circular platform h
The Rule LXXXII Simple Joy
The sunlight was mellow that morning, filtered through carved jharokhas and falling in soft golden squares upon the polished marble floor. The chamber designated for the king's fitting had been transformed into a vibrant workspace. Bolts of fabric in every hue imaginable lay neatly folded on low teakwood tables, while ornate designs of embroidery were pinned across scrolls of parchment hanging against the walls. The scent of freshly brewed spiced tea lingered in the air.Samarth stood tall at the center, stripped down to a fine muslin undershirt and loose cotton trousers, the chill of the cold season barely bothering him. Around him were his closest men — Raj, the General Commander, tall and ever sharp-eyed; Veer, the tactician with a penchant for jokes; and three council ministers who had stood beside him in countless matters: Vaibhav, Amar, and Kshitij.A lean, graceful man in his late forties circled the king with a measuring tape. The master of textiles and tailoring, a famed Vast
The Rule LXXXI Teasings And Gentleness
The moon spilled its silver warmth over the palace gardens, painting the world in gentle light and shadows. The fragrance of night-blooming jasmine floated up from below, and the quiet rustle of the breeze through the silk curtains gave the air a kind of hush, like the night itself was listening. Inayat stepped into Samarth’s private chamber, her anklets chiming softly beneath the folds of her pale blue skirt. The room was bathed in warm amber light from the brass lanterns hung above. A scroll lay half-unrolled on the polished wooden table, abandoned. Samarth stood near the window, his dark silhouette drawn against the moon.She paused a moment, smiling quietly to herself before calling gently, "You look like you’re about to leap out of that window."Samarth turned, and the usual weight in his eyes lifted just a little. "If I did, would you come catch me?""No," she replied at once, walking toward him, "but I’d probably climb down and pull you back by the ear."He chuckled, stepping
The Rule LXXX Wedding Preparations
The afternoon sun filtered through the carved jharokhas, casting a delicate mosaic of gold and shadow upon the marble floor of the palace’s bridal chamber. The scent of rosewater lingered in the air, mingling with the subtle sweetness of sandalwood oil and fresh jasmine garlands that had been strung up along the lattice windows.Inside the room, laughter rang like bells.Inayat sat cross-legged on a thick silken rug, her maroon skirt pooling around her like a blooming flower. Her dupatta, sheer and embroidered with silver vines, was pinned loosely atop her head, the ends cascading over her shoulder. Around her sat her trusted women — Ridhima and Leela, their eyes sparkling with mischief — while across from her, a group of skilled women from the royal atelier prepared lengths of exquisite fabric on low tables.Swatches of fabric spilled in gentle waves: ivory muslin embroidered with gold threads, pale blush silks with silver zari, delicate organzas dyed in hues of rose, almond, and cha
The Rule LXXIX Quiet Prayer And Unborn Dreams
The golden light of early dusk filtered through the carved jharokhas, scattering intricate patterns across the marble floor. Inayat reclined gracefully against the cushioned settee, her silken robe shimmering with subtle embroidery, hair loosely braided and threaded with pearls. Aabroo sat beside her, her hand loosely folded into hers, and on the rug before them, Leela and Ridhima lounged like blooming lilies, laughter bubbling softly between them.The sound of anklets jingled as Leela stirred the contents of a small brass bowl beside her — an ointment she was making, grinding crushed herbs with steady fingers stained green. Ridhima, meanwhile, was braiding a thin garland of jasmine, the scent lifting like incense in the air.“You’re going to be Queen,” Ridhima said suddenly, teasing spark in her eye. “Just like that. One night and the heavens have shifted.”Leela chuckled. “What enchantment did you use, my lady? A glance? A touch? Or simply your silence? He was smitten like a deer ca
