Of Ashes and Oaths

Chapter 12

"When the palace walls whisper in fear, it's not the stone that shakes — it's the crown."

To say the palace was in chaos would be a laughable understatement. The air itself felt tense, almost vibrating with urgency, as if the walls had absorbed the whispers and were now holding their breath. Guards patrolled every hallway with heavy steps, their armor clinking in an unsteady rhythm. Some stood rigid by the gates, others swept through the corridors with sharp eyes, and a special contingent was forward-deployed just outside the royal chambers — more specifically, outside the grand double doors of Vivaan and Aradhya's quarters.

Inside, Aradhya stood on the sprawling balcony, her hands gripping the cold marble railing. From here, she could see almost the entire kingdom spread out like a living painting — but the beauty of it felt dulled tonight. The breeze carried the scent of the gardens, but even that sweetness couldn't wash away the bitterness that lingered in her chest. Her gaze was distant, though her mind was anything but calm.

The palace was on high alert. Every single person entering the gates was being scrutinized, questioned, and searched before being allowed passage. Even the cooks and maids had to show proof of where they'd been. The corridors buzzed with low murmurs and hurried footsteps, and though no one dared say it too loudly, the rumor had already woven its way into every corner of the palace:

Someone had killed Yuvraj Veeransh — the rightful heir to the throne. And now, whoever that someone was, they weren't finished. Their next targets? Maharaja Vivaan... and his queen, Aradhya.

She tightened her grip on the railing, jaw set. Her mind replayed the earlier conversation with Vivaan — the way his words had cut deeper than they should have, the way he'd dismissed her. At least, that's how she saw it. The reality was far different. Vivaan hadn't dismissed her; in his mind, he had simply chosen to pause the conversation until the storm passed. He'd thought he could come back to it when things were calmer, when the threat was handled and the air wasn't thick with danger.

But Aradhya didn't know that. All she knew was the sting of being left behind in a moment when she wanted to be heard. She didn't see that, for Vivaan, there was nothing — no council meeting, no personal pride, no unfinished argument — more important than ensuring the safety of his kingdom... and her.

And yet, standing there, with the kingdom spread out below her and soldiers moving like restless shadows, Aradhya's anger burned quietly beneath her calm exterior.

Meanwhile, in the armory, Vivaan stood surrounded by a cluster of ministers, senior guards, and commanders. The heavy scent of oiled steel and polished wood filled the large chamber, where racks upon racks of swords, spears, and crossbows lined the walls. On the far side of the room stood a massive strategy table — a carved wooden masterpiece that dominated the space. Upon it lay a miniature model of the entire kingdom: the palace rising at its center, gleaming even in scale, surrounded by meticulously crafted houses, shops, temples, and sprawling roads. Tiny figurines of guards, knights, and horses dotted the model, marking the kingdom's defenses.

Vivaan's sharp eyes scanned the table, his hand moving pieces across the miniature terrain. His voice was steady, low but commanding, as he discussed strategies with the ministers. "Increase the number of guards at the East gate. If they manage to breach that, the palace becomes vulnerable from three sides." He pointed to the narrow alleyways in the model. "Post archers here, here, and here. Keep runners ready to carry messages to the barracks at all hours."

He turned to Yugveer, who stood at his right side, his expression unreadable but his stance protective. "I want you at the front line—"

But before Vivaan could finish, Yugveer stepped forward and cut him off.
"My apologies to you, Maharaj," his voice was firm, yet there was an edge of emotion beneath it, "but I am not leaving you here alone. I am not going anywhere. My duty is to protect you, and I will do so with my life. So forgive me, but I will not leave this palace when you need me most."