Malhar found himself walking aimlessly in the quiet back garden of his quarters, the soft rustle of leaves and the faint fragrance of jasmine calming the tumult in his mind. He had asked for lunch to be brought here—away from the imposing presence of Aai Saheb, Jahnvi, and the two new arrivals in the fort. He needed solitude, a brief escape from the courtly obligations and the questions that gnawed at him.

Aai Saheb's words echoed in his mind, relentless and heavy, causing him to question everything. What was he doing? What did he truly want? Her voice had been firm, as always, carrying the wisdom and authority of someone who had seen more than her share of politics and battles. And yet, beneath her sharp words, Malhar could hear the same question Jai had once asked him, the day they had conquered Hyderabad; What is it you seek, Malhar?

That question had gone unanswered then, and it still did.

He stopped near a stone bench, resting his hands on its cool surface, lost in thought. The responsibilities of a king were vast and burdensome—decisions, alliances, territories, people. He had conquered kingdoms, won battles, and yet here, in the stillness of his private garden, he found himself more uncertain than ever. His heart weighed heavy, not with the affairs of the empire, but with matters closer to home, to Jahnvi, to Gauri, and to himself.

Malhar shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside as he walked back into his study. The space was quiet, the air thick with the scent of aged parchment and ink. He picked up a quill, dipping its nib into the ink pot, his movements methodical as he brought it to the stack of documents awaiting his attention. He didn't have the patience for these matters today, but duty came before everything else.

His eyes quickly skimmed the words, barely absorbing the content before he scratched his name at the bottom of the page and sealed it with the signet ring on his finger, the dull thud of the seal stamping down with finality. He was about to move on to the next document when a voice startled him out of his focus.

"Looks like you're busy!"

"Oh my god!" Malhar yelped, the quill slipping from his fingers. His hand flew to his chest as he tried to calm his racing heart. "You could have killed me, Gauri!" His breath was quick, though relief washed over him once he saw her face, a mixture of mischief and playfulness.

Gauri stood at the doorway, her silk saree draped elegantly over her shoulder, but her eyes gleamed with amusement. "Would they kill me if I accidentally killed you?" she asked, her expression dead serious despite the playful glint in her eyes.

Malhar shook his head, his heart still pounding as he half-smiled at her. "I don't know. Maybe?" He sat back in his chair, catching his breath. "But if you want to find out, go ahead. I'm sure the kingdom could use a scandal."

Gauri laughed, a sound that filled the room with a lightness that temporarily lifted the weight on Malhar's shoulders. "Then we'll have to find out, won't we?" she teased, her lips curving into a sly grin as she stepped into the room.

Malhar's gaze shifted past Gauri to the young girl standing behind her, balancing a tray of food. She looked nervous, her head bowed as she waited for instruction. The rich aromas of fresh roti, curry, and spices wafted into the room, a reminder of the lunch Malhar had requested.

"You can leave the tray here and go," Malhar instructed gently, gesturing toward the small table by the window.

The girl nodded quickly, setting down the tray with quiet efficiency before slipping out of the room, leaving Malhar and Gauri alone once more.

As she walked toward him, Gauri's smile faded just a fraction, replaced with something more thoughtful, more searching. She looked at him, really looked at him, as though trying to understand the man behind the king, behind the crown.

"Raje, what's on your mind?" she asked softly, sitting across from him. There was no teasing in her voice now, just quiet concern.

Malhar met her gaze, but for a moment, he wasn't sure how to answer. There was too much to say and yet nothing that could be spoken aloud.

His heart was in turmoil, torn between the role he had to play and the feelings he struggled to suppress. Gauri was his future, a match made for the kingdom, a partnership of strength and power. But Jahnvi... Jahnvi was a whisper in his soul, a presence he couldn't ignore, no matter how hard he tried.

"I'm just... tired," Malhar finally said, leaning back in his chair. "Too many things to think about, too many decisions to make."

Gauri watched him for a long moment before nodding, her expression softening. "You don't always have to carry the weight of all the troubles alone, you know."

Malhar smiled faintly, appreciating her words, even if they didn't ease the burden. "I know," he replied. "But some things... I can't share with anyone."

Gauri tilted her head, her gaze searching his face for an answer he wasn't ready to give.
Then, with a sigh, she reached for the tray of food. "Come, let's eat before the food gets cold. You'll think better on a full stomach."

Malhar nodded, grateful for the distraction, however brief it might be. His mind had been swirling with unspoken thoughts, the weight of unacknowledged feelings pressing on him like a boulder. Gauri's presence, though unexpected, was a welcome relief from his internal storm.

"It's the first time you've joined me for lunch," Malhar remarked, his tone light but with a subtle edge of curiosity. "I've had countless meals alone, yet today, you decide to grace me with your presence. I wonder what has earned me such an honor?"

Gauri feigned offense, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she crossed her arms. "There is no place for kindness in this world, is there?"

Malhar chuckled, a rare warmth creeping into his voice as he tore a piece of warm bread and dipped it into the fragrant Yakni. "Sure."

"Aai Saheb told me to keep you company," Gauri explained, flashing a wide grin that lit up her face. "I'm sure she didn't want me throwing a fit in front of Damini Kaki and Abhinav, so here I am, tasked with 'babysitting' you." She added air quotes with her fingers, still smiling.

"More like I'm babysitting you," Malhar quipped back, his eyes flickering with amusement.

Gauri narrowed her eyes playfully, a hint of mock indignation on her face. "Not nice, Malhar Raje."

"Sorry," Malhar said softly, though the apology was laced with an understanding between them, one that transcended words.

For a moment, they sat in a comfortable silence, the sounds of the bustling courtyard outside fading into the background as Gauri studied Malhar's face. Her playful demeanor gave way to something more sincere, a deep concern that had been gnawing at her for days. "Kabhi kabhi khudgarz hona jayaz hai," she began, her voice low but steady. "Manna aap par iss taaj ka bhaar hai, but upar waley ne yeh zindagi aapko di hai, apne liye. Live for yourself, Raje... just this once."

Malhar's smile faltered, giving way to a hollow chuckle as he leaned back in his chair, eyes unfocused, lost in a haze of unspoken burdens. "You don't know what you're talking about, Gauri," he muttered, his voice tinged with the heaviness of responsibilities that seemed to press on him more with every breath. "You don't know how bad of an advice this is right now."

Gauri folded her arms, her expression softening, but her tone resolute. "I'll always want you to choose what makes you happy, Raje, no matter the consequences. Pick yourself first before you have to pick anyone else."

"Wow," Malhar exhaled sharply, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint, tired grin. "Where's all this intellectual talk coming from? What happened to the Gauri I know?"

"Aai saheb's training is finally kicking in, don't you think?" Gauri replied, her eyes twinkling like a child seeking praise.

"Training?"

"Training on how to act and behave like a queen," she said, her voice dropping as she sighed, the weight of that expectation surfacing in the pause that followed.

"You know you don't need any of that, right? You're already more than enough, Gauri." Malhar's voice was earnest, his gaze steady.

"Oh, you." Gauri rolled her eyes and tossed a piece of bread playfully at him, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Don't make me tear up now."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Malhar responded, dramatically placing a hand on his chest, eliciting a ripple of laughter between them.

The easy rhythm of their banter was shattered by a voice behind them. "I see Malhar's developed a sense of humor in my absence."

Both Gauri and Malhar spun around, their heads snapping in unison towards the doorway. There, framed in the soft candlelight, stood Jai—tall, imposing, and every bit the soldier he was, his riding uniform dusted from travel.

"I'm back," Jai said, dropping his helmet to the floor with a soft thud, unbuckling the sword that hung heavily at his side.

"Jai!" Gauri squealed, her joy bubbling over as she dashed toward him, flinging herself into his arms.

Jai caught her with ease, their laughter filling the room as he spun her around before gently setting her back on her feet. Gauri's face was flushed with happiness, her smile wide and unguarded, a rare sight.

Malhar stood behind them, waiting his turn, his lips twitching into an impatient smile. "If you two are done, can I have my best friend back?" He quirked an eyebrow, gently nudging Gauri aside with playful fingers.

"What do you mean?" Gauri protested, grinning. "He's my best friend too."

But Malhar and Jai were already locked in a tight embrace, their friendship deeper than words. Malhar held on for just a moment longer than usual, and when he spoke, his voice was low and filled with unspoken relief. "I've missed you."

Jai clapped a reassuring hand on Malhar's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm back. We'll sort everything out. Together."

The tension that had lingered in the room seemed to dissipate in that moment, as if Jai's presence alone was enough to make the looming problems feel more bearable.

"Right now though," Jai grinned, his gaze shifting to the dinner table, "I'm starving. Let me eat first before we tackle the world."

With that, he made his way to the table, effortlessly scooping food onto his plate. The once quiet room came alive with warmth, the buzz of conversation weaving between bites of food and clinking glasses. Laughter rang out in waves, and for a fleeting moment, Malhar allowed himself to be free—free from the burdens of tomorrow, free from the weight of decisions yet to be made.

For now, there was only this—his closest friends, the glow of the fire, and the laughter that filled the King's quarters, transforming it into a haven of comfort and peace.

Malhar closed his eyes briefly, letting the sound of their voices wash over him. For the first time in days, he allowed himself to smile—a real, unguarded smile. Tomorrow could wait.

AN: hey sorry for the delay
The next when we bag over a hundred votes.
Lots of love
xoxo