Riddhim attacked from the front—
and Advitiya from behind.
The assault was sudden.
The soldiers guarding the palanquin were completely unprepared. They tried to stop them, but failed.
Advitiya, his face concealed, swung his sword toward the curtain of the palanquin—
Clang!
Before the blade could strike, another sword blocked his attack.
Someone had stepped in.
Dhananjayi stood before the palanquin.
Dressed like a warrior, her face covered—only her sharp, blazing eyes visible.
Advitiya paused.
Those eyes…
fierce, unyielding—like fire.
"Who are you?" Dhananjayi demanded.
"Why are you attacking us?"
Riddhim moved closer to the palanquin and said coldly,
"We've come to take the princess."
Dhananjayi stepped forward.
"If you wish to take my sister… you will have to kill me first."
Her voice was calm—yet filled with challenge.
"If you have courage, fight me."
And just like that—
the battle began.
---
Advitiya clashed with Dhananjayi.
Their swords struck against each other with force and precision.
Meanwhile, Riddhim rushed toward the palanquin and pulled aside the curtain—
No one.
He froze.
Dhananjayi, still fighting, smirked slightly.
"Did you find the princess?"
Advitiya stopped for a moment.
"She's not there," Dhananjayi said.
Then, turning toward Riddhim, she added confidently,
"It's not so easy to capture the princess of Sumetra."
Before they could react—
she threw a handful of dust into Riddhim's face.
"Ah—!" he coughed, stumbling back.
And in that moment—
Dhananjayi disappeared.
---
"She escaped…" Riddhim muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Advitiya looked in the direction she had vanished.
"Where will you run…" he murmured under his breath.
---
Dhananjayi had already signaled Swapnili to escape with the guards.
By the time she reached the Radha-Ballabh temple at Amrakut, Swapnili was already there.
Swapnili immersed herself in prayer—
while Dhananjayi stood guard outside.
Soon, a soldier rushed in with urgent news—
"The royal family of Durgaavati is approaching!"
Dhananjayi thought for a moment.
Hiding now would be foolish.
Instead, she ordered everyone to change into simple clothing so no one could recognize them as people of Sumetra.
Swapnili and Dhananjayi both covered themselves with veils.
---
Moments later—
Queen Mother Dhriti entered the temple with the royal family.
Seeing Swapnili and Dhananjayi praying before the deity, the guards ordered them to move aside.
Prince Amalendu said sternly,
"Step away. The Queen Mother will now offer prayers."
From behind her veil, Dhananjayi spoke calmly,
"But our prayers are not yet complete."
"I do not care," Amalendu replied.
"Move aside."
Swapnili whispered nervously,
"Didi… let's leave…"
But Dhananjayi stepped forward.
"Forgive me, Rajmata," she said respectfully.
"I may be speaking out of turn… but tell me—does God belong to anyone alone?"
Dhriti looked at her, pride still in her voice.
"What are you trying to say?"
Dhananjayi replied firmly,
"Why must we leave our prayers incomplete? If someone asked you to stop midway… would you?"
Swarnendu scoffed,
"Because you are commoners."
Dhananjayi's voice sharpened.
"Does God judge by status? King or beggar—before Him, all are equal."
She paused, then added,
"Why not pray together? Perhaps your wishes will be fulfilled even sooner."
Her voice softened slightly.
"In the end… when we die, we all share the same identity—the dead… do we not?"
Amalendu was about to respond, but Shekharendu stopped him.
"Enough. Not before the deity."
He turned to Dhriti.
"Mother, let the prayers begin. This girl speaks wisely."
Rijuma smiled warmly.
"You speak beautifully, child. What is your name?"
Dhananjayi replied without hesitation,
"Dhanalakshmi… and she is Swapnalakshmi."
---
At that moment—
Advitiya and Riddhim arrived.
The ritual began.
Everyone prayed together.
But behind her calm expression, Dhananjayi's thoughts burned.
Lioness of Durgaavati… I still remember your arrogance.
You blocked the waters of the Chetana River…
You burned the fields of Upali Valley…
All because my father spoke the truth…
I will repay everything.
---
Nearby, Riddhim whispered to Advitiya,
"Did you see how she turned everyone with just her words?"
Dhananjayi heard him.
For a moment, she wanted to respond—
but held back.
A careless word could reveal everything.
---
Swapnili, hearing Advitiya's voice, tried to turn back—
but Dhananjayi stopped her.
"Don't," she whispered.
---
Just then, Shekharendu asked,
"Where do you live?"
Dhananjayi answered calmly,
"Nearby, Maharaj."
He handed them a pouch of coins.
"We are from Durgaavati. Soon, the festival of Goddess Basanti will be held. You are invited."
---
Later…
In her chamber, Swapnili sat quietly, a small kitten resting on her lap.
Dhananjayi stood nearby, tying the string of her bow.
"Didi…" Swapnili spoke softly,
"I've found him… the one I was searching for."
Dhananjayi looked up, surprised.
"Who?"
Swapnili hesitated, then whispered—
"Prince Advitiya."
She covered her face shyly.
Dhananjayi frowned.
"Do you even understand what you're saying?"
"I heard his voice that day… at the lake. It's the same. I'm sure of it."
Dhananjayi's expression hardened.
"You may tell me this… but never tell anyone else."
"But Didi… I see him everywhere… in my dreams… his presence…"
"No."
Her voice was firm.
"The Lion Dynasty is our enemy. How can you even think of marrying one of them?"
Swapnili tried to protest—
but Dhananjayi had already walked away.
Still…
Swapnili did not give up.
She wanted fate itself to bring her to him.
---
Meanwhile…
Queen Bhargavi entered King Maarg's chamber.
"You called me?"
"Yes," he said, holding a letter.
"What is that?"
"An invitation," Maarg replied.
"To the swayamvar of Princess Rupkatha—the only daughter of King Ranvijay of Amaravati."
Bhargavi smiled.
"Then Soumitra has been invited too?"
"He has been asked to participate."
"That's wonderful."
Maarg added,
"I should inform Basumati as well."
Bhargavi's expression darkened.
"Why? Has Dhananjayi been invited too?"
She laughed mockingly.
"That girl… always pretending…"
Maarg's voice turned firm.
"Whatever her status… Basumati still carries royal blood. And Dhananjayi—whether I accept her or not—is my first child."
---
To be continued… ✨
---