The tale was not extraordinary yet it was not simple either. It was not the story of two people falling in love but it was much more beyond it.
As it is said falling in love is the simplest thing. You can fall in love without even seeing the person in the first place. But, is it 'Love' in actuality?
And, if it does, why does anything else matter?
***
1652, Mahablaeshgarh, a powerful princely state of western Hind. Known for its huge size, power, and dominance over the Hind. But, it was not alone in the terms of power, size, and dominance. There was another strong Empire in the western region of Hind. Suryagarh.
There was a huge desert known as Ran between the two strong Empires. The burning desert had already witnessed one deadly war between these two states, two decades ago. The war was famous for the revenge of a woman against an old man. The subject matter was Consent. The war was famous for the revenge of a brother against another brother and the subject was still Consent.
Consent is a simple word yet it is the most difficult one to understand. And, war always happens for this word. The consent has no gender, no religion, no race, and is certainly not bound with time either.
And, now the two biggest states of western Hind were about to witness a sensational saga of Princess Nandani of Mahabaleshgarh and the Crowned Prince of Suryagarh, Rudra Dev Singh on the same word Consent.
Nandani was the charm of her Empire. The sunlight of proud parents and grandparents, the best friend of a caring brother, the goddess to the people, and the soul of the Mahabaleshgarh's happiness.
Her day starts with taking care of her parents, followed by a visit to the common people of Empire, seeking her education, giggling with her friends, and then meeting one more time her grandmother and parents before going to bed.
She had mastered every field that existed back at that time. She was well versed in literature and learned three accents along with Urdu out of interest. She mastered horse riding, sword fighting, archery, and the politics of war, and she was blessed with an intelligent brain.
She also learned household and always helped her mother in running the Empire. And, she also learned seduction secretly as she always wanted a happy married life. A Queen with no influence over the King was no great Queen. She believed. And man craves a woman. Reality.
But, all her intelligence fails on two things first when she lies, and second when she trusts.
Everyone knew that she was a terrible liar. She could not lie even if it was good. Her tongue starts speaking unreal words when it comes to lying. And, her brain stops making intelligent decisions when she put her trust in someone.
And, now she had put her trust in someone. Rudra.
Two years had passed since she first met Rudra. The man was eight years older than her and yet he managed to beat Nandani's heart to the stage that she started missing her when he left. He stayed in her Empire for nearly three months and their love grew deeper. It first started with the interaction at the Royal dinner which he attended as a guest and a friend to Prince Abhinandan.
Then the talks started to take place in frequent meetings sometimes coincidental and other times intentionally in the royal garden, in the streets of the Empire, in the chamber of Abhinandan in front of Abhinandan, and in the Library.
Letters exchanges started happening and soon public places took place of private meetings. Sometimes in the corner of the kitchen, behind the royal gardens, between the shelves of the library, and in the chambers of the Princess.
But, he left her with the promise that he would come back as he needed to go to meet his younger brothers. Nandani's heart hurt as the flings just started to grow deeper and he already thought of leaving. She wanted more, more than talks.
But, the wait was finally over when he came back again after two years in 1652. The year of tragedies.
On the other hand, Rudra was all set to play the second last step of his plan.
His life was quite the opposite of Nandani's. He was no charm absolutely no sunlight to anyone but he was a nightmare for King Suragami Dev Singh, the King of Suryagarh, Rudra's Uncle.
He was the most deserving person as he was the one who survived the deadly battle which claimed the three sons of Surgami Dev Singh. He survived the arrows landing right on his shoulder, his knee, and his thigh. He was the only one who survived fifteen sword cuts right on his chest. He was the only one who survived to behead the King's enemy.
He was a true warrior. The one who burned himself in the deserts of Ran, knew the weather better than any man and understands the heat better than anyone. He was the only one who knew control better than anyone. Nothing could bring fear to him. Nor the swords, nor the battles, nor the commands of the Kings, nor the love for anyone, nor the fear of God. He was a beast who breathes death and revenge.
Yet, he was a sharp warrior who loves to know his opponent's weaknesses before killing them.
The comfort of home and palace, he never witnessed it. He spent his major life in the Gurukul, learning better and becoming better. He was the favorite of his teachers. An Ideal student. Mastered in every war technique. He had tasted salt over his wounds and not even sighed. He mastered control over hunger, pain, emotions, and over Love.
No one knew why he left Nandani alone for two years. He himself did not know but it was felt that she hampered his control over love. She touched his heart and for the first time, he felt scared of someone. He immediately left and came back when he believed that he could control his emotions this time to proceed with his plans.
But, only time could tell what was ahead for him.
Will he succeed in his plan or the hole that Nandani made in his heart would expand enough to fit her in completely?
Make it 5k Family soon. ❤❤❤
A big shoutout to anushkasangari_ for making these beautiful covers.