"I will be the one to end Ariyan's life."
Fueled by rage, Kichakan stormed toward the place where Ariyan was. His steps were fast, his anger uncontrollable.
But suddenly—he stopped.
Standing before him was Janatharangan.
"Where are you going in such haste, Kichaka?" he asked calmly.
Kichakan explained everything that had happened, his voice burning with fury. But Janatharangan remained composed.
"I already know," he said. "Tell me, what wrong did he do? Attacking a child is a grave mistake. If you lose your temper like this for everything, how will you ever rule a kingdom?"
Kichakan clenched his teeth."But father… he cut off the leg of my soldier! Isn't that the same as striking me? How can I let him live?"
Janatharangan said nothing more."Come with me."
And just like that, he led Kichakan away.
Meanwhile, Ariyan sat beneath a tree near the riverbank.
That place… was his refuge.
There were times when a painful thought would return to him—that he had no one in this world. Whenever that feeling consumed him, he would come here.
Because this was where his life had begun.
As a child, he had drifted ashore in a basket along this very river. And ever since then… this tree had been everything to him.
A mother.A father.A sibling.A friend.
Whether in sorrow or in joy, Ariyan always returned to this tree.
From a distance, Alli watched him.
Something about him drew her closer.
She slowly walked toward him, but before reaching him, she stopped another soldier and asked, "Why does he always sit here?"
The soldier told her everything—how important this place was to Ariyan.
Hearing it, something stirred within her.
A quiet longing… to speak to him.
Just then, her companions rushed toward her.
"Alli! Where did you go? You ran off so suddenly!"
Alli quickly explained, "Ariyan is here. Something serious almost happened earlier. Some soldiers spoke wrongly about him to Kichakan, and he rushed to kill Ariyan. I informed father and stopped it."
She paused, her brows narrowing.
"But I don't understand something… Father usually listens to Kichakan no matter what. Yet today, he stopped him because of Ariyan. Why?"
Her doubt lingered.
Later, as Janatharangan returned to his chambers, a minister asked him,
"My lord, why did you restrain the prince? You've never opposed him before."
Janatharangan replied quietly,
"If Kichakan had fought Ariyan… he would have been dead within seconds. We cannot let that happen. Ariyan… is someone we need."
Back at the riverbank, Alli made up her mind.
She sent everyone away and walked toward Ariyan alone.
As she approached, Ariyan sensed her presence. He stood up immediately, lowering his gaze respectfully.
"Princess…"
"You don't need to show me such formality," she said gently. "You recognize me, don't you? Then why sit here alone like this? Have you grown fond of loneliness… or has loneliness claimed you?"
Ariyan let out a faint breath.
"From my childhood… everything was taken from me. My parents, my family… I don't even know who they were. Since the day I can remember, this place has been my world. This river… this tree… they are my only bonds."
Alli's expression softened.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hurt you."
"No… it's nothing, Princess. You should return."
She didn't move.
"Can't I stay here a little longer?"
Ariyan hesitated. "That's not what I meant…"
"All you need to do is listen," she interrupted softly."Don't ever say you have no one. I am here. Just like this tree… just like this river… I will be there for you."
For a moment, Ariyan couldn't respond.
"Tomorrow," she continued, "I will be going to the forest temple. You must come as my protector."
And with that, she turned and left.
Ariyan stood there, unmoving.
He did love her.
Truly… deeply.
But he kept his distance.
The thoughts within him never allowed him peace.
I have nothing… no identity… no past. Who am I to love a princess? Even an ordinary woman would hesitate to stand beside me. Then how can I even dream of her?
Those questions chained his heart.
And so, he avoided her.
But Alli… had already fallen in love.
She kept him close, appointing him as her personal guard. Yet Ariyan never noticed her feelings. He focused only on his duty.
And even if he had sensed it… he lacked the courage to speak.
For he feared rejection.
Feared that it would shatter what little remained of his heart.
Alli, too, hesitated.
Since he never expressed his feelings, she couldn't bring herself to confess hers.
Thus, both of them hid their love… deep within.
Their eyes would meet at times—but just as quickly, they would look away.
As if nothing existed between them.
Time passed.
The day arrived to visit the forest temple.
Under heavy protection, the royal family set out. Ariyan rode ahead on horseback, leading the formation. Soldiers surrounded them, while three royal chariots followed in the center.
They reached the temple at midnight.
As rituals began, everything seemed calm—
Until suddenly… the sky lit up.
Everyone turned in shock.
Flaming arrows rained down from above.
The soldiers immediately formed shields, protecting the royal family and escorting them into the inner sanctum.
But amidst the chaos—
"Alli is missing!"
"She's still outside!"
Without hesitation, Ariyan rushed forward.
There she stood.
Surrounded by masked attackers.
They moved toward her with deadly intent—
But before they could strike, Ariyan's sword flashed.
One head fell.Then another.
He moved like a storm, cutting them down mercilessly. Blood splattered across the ground as he carved his way through them.
Within moments… they were all dead.
Ariyan turned to Alli.
Without a word, he led her safely into the sanctum and reunited her with her family.
They returned to the kingdom safely.
But questions remained.
Who were those attackers?Which kingdom did they belong to?Why did they target the royal family?
In the royal court, discussions grew intense.
Janatharangan turned to Ariyan.
"I believe this is Adhiran's doing. He must have tried to assassinate me."
But Ariyan… was unsure.
Something didn't feel right.
Was it truly Adhiran… or someone else?
The mystery weighed heavily on his mind.
Days later, as Ariyan wandered deep in thought, he unknowingly walked toward a dangerous forest.
Alli noticed him and followed.
He stepped into the forbidden woods.
"Ariyan!" she called, rushing to stop him. "What are you doing? This is a dangerous forest!"
He looked at her, confused.
"What is there to fear?"
"You don't know about this place?"
"No."
She hesitated.
"This forest… is filled with mysteries. And within it… lives something called—Agomi."
Ariyan frowned."Agomi? What is that?"
Before she could answer, a voice called out—
"Alli! The Queen is calling you!"
She turned back.
"I'll tell you later…"
And left.
Ariyan stood there… staring into the dark forest.
Agomi…
Something about that word felt… unsettling.