She was healing. Slowly but surely, the wounds on her body were closing, but I knew the pain still lingered.

Every time she winced, every time she tried to stretch but faltered, every time she bit her lip to keep from crying out-it tore something inside me.

I had made sure those who hurt her suffered a fate worse than death. Their screams had echoed through the dungeons, but even that did not erase my guilt. No matter what punishment I gave them, it didn't undo the fact that she had suffered under my watch.

Even now, as she sat in the courtyard, bathed in the golden glow of the evening sun, laughing softly at something the maids had said, I found myself watching her, feeling that same guilt. She was healing, yes, but she should never have been hurt in the first place.

She noticed my stare and smirked. "What? Have you finally realized that I'm prettier than all the ladies in your court?"

I scoffed, leaning against the stone pillar beside me. "You're assuming a lot, Aranya."

She raised an eyebrow. "So, I'm not pretty?"

I smirked. "I didn't say that."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Nice save, Maharaja."

I enjoyed our banter. Somewhere between these last two weeks, we had settled into something comfortable. She teased me, and I teased her back. She challenged me, and I let her, simply because I liked seeing the fire in her eyes.

And yet, underneath all of it, something unsettling lurked-a fear I wasn't ready to face.

I was scared.

Not of her. Not of what she knew or what she was capable of. But of the inevitable moment when she would decide to leave.

She had been here before and left. I had forced her to go that time, fearing that if she stayed any longer, I wouldn't be able to let her go.

And now? Now I didn't even want to think about the possibility of her leaving.

After she broke the loop, my life had become emptier than I had ever imagined. I had thrown myself into strengthening the kingdom, making it the most powerful realm in history. And I succeeded. I became the ruthless, merciless ruler everyone feared.

But it hadn't filled the void she left behind.

And now that she was back, my world felt... alive again.

She had asked me why no one questioned her presence in my chamber, why no one whispered rumors, why no one dared to treat her differently.

I lied to her.

I told her that I had informed my people that she was my life-saver, someone to be treated with the same respect as me.

But the truth?

I had declared her the would-be Queen of Vyantara.

The ministers accepted it without question. The soldiers respected it. And the people? They loved her. Not just because of their loyalty to me, but because she was kind, honest, and undeniably different from the royal women they had known.

She had a heart that belonged to the people, not just the throne.

She helped where she could, even when the palace workers refused to let her do any work. She listened to the concerns of the people, even when no one asked her to. She spoke her mind, unafraid of rank or tradition.

She was everything a queen should be.

And yet, she wasn't mine to keep.

I watched her from my balcony one evening, as she sat on the swing in the gardens, her hair flowing with the gentle breeze.

She belonged here.

But for how long?

Would she leave again? Would she wake up one day and decide that this world wasn't hers?

I gritted my teeth. The thought alone was unbearable.

I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white. I didn't know what this feeling was.

Was it just a craving for companionship? Or was it something more?

I had never longed for anything in my life. I had never needed anyone.

But Aranya...

She felt like I had known her for years. She felt like she had always been meant to be here.

And I didn't know what I would do without her.

The morning light streamed through the grand windows of my another chamber, casting long golden rays across the polished marble floors. The scent of sandalwood incense lingered in the air as I sat in my court, listening to reports from my advisors and commanders.

The daily affairs of the kingdom were relentless. Border disputes, trade agreements, diplomatic alliances-every decision had the potential to shape the future of Vyantara. I listened, giving orders where needed, ensuring that my rule remained absolute.

Today was no different. My most trusted general stood before me, detailing the latest issues with a neighboring kingdom, their growing unrest, and how it might affect our trade routes.

As he spoke, a familiar sound interrupted the air-a series of three rhythmic knocks.

I didn't need to look up to know who it was.

Aranya.

The only person in this palace who knocked in such a distinct rhythm. Everyone else either waited for my permission to enter or bowed before even speaking. But she? She knocked, as if she were visiting an old friend.

I suppressed a smile.

With a flick of my hand, I dismissed my court. "That will be all for now. You may leave."

The ministers and generals bowed before departing, their footsteps echoing as they left. As the doors closed behind them, I finally stood, making my way to the entrance.

I opened the door myself, and there she stood.

Her gaze flickered between me and the two guards who had bowed as soon as they saw her. As always, she looked flustered by the unnecessary display of respect.

"I will never get used to this," she murmured under her breath, clearly uncomfortable with the bowing.

I shook my head slightly, amusement tugging at my lips.

"You should," I said, stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter.

She sighed and walked in, her anklets softly chiming against the marble floor.

I watched her carefully as she sat down, noting the way she held herself with ease now. Her wounds had healed significantly, though I knew they still pained her at times.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

She grinned. "Better. Look."

She extended her hands toward me, palms up, showing me where some of the whip wounds had once been. The skin was no longer raw, only faint scars remaining.

Without thinking, I took her hands in mine, tracing my fingers gently over the marks. My grip tightened slightly.

"I still haven't forgiven myself for this," I admitted.

She sighed, squeezing my hand. "You need to stop blaming yourself, Maharaja."

My gaze snapped to hers, and she chuckled.

"I mean... Rudraksha," she corrected herself, her voice playful.

I hummed in approval, though my mind was still unsettled.

"You're healing," I said after a moment. "That's all that matters."

A knock on the door interrupted the moment.

A soldier entered, bowing deeply. "Maharaja, I bring urgent news."

Aranya moved to stand, instinctively giving me space to handle matters, but I held out my hand to hold her, stopping her. "Stay," I murmured.

She hesitated but nodded.

The soldier straightened. "There has been unrest in the bordering kingdom of Malvastra. Their ruler has requested your presence. There are concerns that an internal rebellion may spill over into our lands."

I exhaled sharply. Malvastra. It had always been unstable, its ruler weak, its people divided. If the kingdom truly fell into chaos, Vyantara would have no choice but to intervene.

I dismissed the soldier with a nod.

"You don't need to go yourself," Aranya said as soon as the door shut behind him. "You can send someone in your place."

"This time, I want to go," I said simply. "A direct approach might be best."

She studied me for a long moment. "Then I'm coming with you."

I had been expecting it. The moment she looked at me with that gleam of determination, I knew what was coming.

"No," I said firmly, not even giving her the chance to argue.

She crossed her arms. "Why not?"

"Because it's dangerous."

"I can handle myself."

"You are not fully healed," I pointed out, glancing at the bandages still wrapped around her arms beneath her sleeves.

"I'm fine."

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "You think I will let you walk into a potential battlefield when you're still recovering?"

"I won't be walking into a battlefield. I'll just be beside you, observing," she countered.

I scoffed. "Observing?"

"Yes."

"No."

She sighed dramatically. "You can go in disguise, right? Then so can I."

I narrowed my eyes. "How do you even know I was planning on disguising myself?"

She smirked. "Because that's what I would do."

I clenched my jaw. Why does she always have an answer for everything?

"No," I repeated.

She suddenly leaned forward, placing a hand over mine. The warmth of her skin sent an unexpected jolt through me.

"Rudraksha," she said softly, her voice almost pleading.

I exhaled. She was the only one who could order me, and I would gladly be on my knees if she asked.

I was already losing this battle.

"You won't listen even if I refuse, will you?" I muttered.

She grinned. "Nope... No. "

I shook my head, fighting a smile. "Fine. But you will stay close to me at all times."

She beamed. "Deal."

I sighed in defeat. This woman will be the death of me.