Ira didn't waited for an introduction. Seeing her grandfather was like seeing the sun after a week of rain. She set her jasmine necklace aside, jumped from the swing, and threw her arms around him.
Her white stallion was sitting under a tree, watching her patiently while eating hay. Her only friend who don't need words to console her when she cries. His presence is enough for her.
Viraaj held her tightly, his regal exterior melting into the warmth of a doting grandfather. "Did I make you wait too long, my dear?" he murmured into her hair.
"I can always wait for you," Ira replied brightly, pulling back just enough to slide the handmade jasmine garland over his head.
Viraaj closed his eyes, inhaling the sweet, fresh scent. "That's why you are my favourite grandchild." he chuckled, patting her hand as she tucked her arm securely into his.
Then, Viraaj's gaze shifted to the man standing a few paces away. Abhiveera was still a statue, his eyes wide and unblinking, as if he were staring at a miracle he didn't quite believe in.
"Ira," Viraaj said, his voice regaining its royal weight. "We have a special guest. I want to introduce you."
Ira looked toward the stranger. He looked ancient and noble, but there was a strange intensity in his stare. She gave him a shy, hesitant smile. Then, leaning closer to Viraaj, she whispered, "Does Father know? He will be angry if I meet a someone without his permission."
"Don't worry about that." Viraaj whispered back, his grip on her arm tightening protectively. He raised his voice. "Your Majesty, please. Come join us."
The words seemed to pull Abhiveera back to the reality. He blinked, his chest heaving as he forced his legs to move. He approached with a trembling legs, a forced smile masked his face.
"Your Majesty, meet my youngest granddaughter, Ira," Viraaj announced. "And Ira, this is King Abhiveera Kumar of the Jwalana Kingdom."
Ira stepped forward, her hands joining in a graceful namaste. "Namaste, maharaj" "Greetings, Your majesty."
"G-Greetings…. Princess Ira." Abhiveera stammered.
Viraaj noticed the cracking voice, the lingering stare "Is everything well, Your majesty?"
The king of Jwalana snapped his gaze to Viraaj, his face pale. "Yes… yes. It is just…." He looked back at Ira and something softened in his eyes "Your princess is so beautiful. I cannot take my eyes off her."
The words sounded like a compliment, but to Ira, they felt like a heavy weight. She retreated to her grandfather's side, feeling the heat of a blush on her cheeks.
As tea was served, the air turned brittle. Abhiveera sat across from them, his tea cooling, untouched. His mind whirlwind of questions, admiration, confusion and most of all… longing for something he never had.
"Ira, may I ask you a question?" he started, his eyes never leaving her face. "You are clearly of age.. so why I have never heard of you?"
His direct question caught them off-guard. Abhiveera is not one of those who beat around the bush. He is direct, straightforward and the one who command loyalty and honesty.
The smile vanished from Ira's face. She looked at Viraaj, her heart hammering against her chest.
Viraaj opened his mouth to lie, but the words died in his throat. He looked at Abhiveera and felt a strange, unknown pull. He couldn't tell the whole truth but he couldn't keep the door entirely shut.
"Ira is…delicate." Viraaj said, his voice thick with a fake sorrow. "She falls ill at the slightest breeze. We keep her inside these walls not to hide her but to keep her alive. For us, her health is more important than the gossip of the court."
Abhiveera leaned forward, genuine worry etched into his features. "Sick? But she is glowing. Tell me, my kingdom has the best healers and medicines in the empire. I will send them tonight. Name the illness and I will send all the medicines need to treat it with my healers."
Viraaj wrapped his arm around her shoulder protectively, as if to shield her from the world.
"She is recovering." He lied smoothly. "Slowly. In few months, I am sure she will be fit for the world. Until then, I am here to protect her."
Hearing the reassurance and Ira's recovery, Abhiveera sighed in relief, tension leaving his shoulders. "I see. To protect her from the cruelty of the world….it is a right thing. I am glad she will be well soon. I am sure she will be perfectly fit by the time her marriage arrives."
Ira forced a bitter smile. Marriage? Who will marry a princess whose own father think of her as a burden, who will never bring a true alliance and power to the throne.
The time for departure came too quickly. The entire Chakravarthy family gathered at the palace gate to see the guest away. King Dhishva stood tall and cold. His eyes never once drifted to his youngest daughter he once loved and celebrated.
"Aap bohot bhagyashali insan hain, maharaj."
"You are a lucky man, Your majesty." Abhiveera said to Viraaj as he prepared to mount his carriage. He turned one last time to Ira, his gaze softening into something that looked suspiciously like love or grief. "I invite you all to Jwalana. Especially you, Ira. I want my family to see what a true princess looks like."
"I would be honoured, your majesty." Ira replied softly with a polite smile that tugged at Abhiveera's heart.
Beside her, her brother Veer and her sister Veera shared a look of pure, concentrated venom. They were the stars of the kingdom. Ira was supposed to be the dirt beneath their boots.
As the carriage rolled away, the family turned to go back inside. But as Ira stepped towards the entrance, Veera stepped in front of her, her face twisted in a cruel mimicry.
" 'How beautiful a princess can be.' " she mimicked.
Veer leaned against the stone pillar with a dark chuckle, ready to watch the drama unfold.