The Power of Love

Masked Fear

The next morning, the Royal Palace of Seven Rivers was abuzz with excitement as the families of the grooms prepared for a special ritual. The King and Queen of Namah, Var's parents, had brought with them a sacred tradition that they wanted to perform before the wedding.

The entire palace was decorated with colorful flowers and rangolis, while the aroma of incense filled the air. The King and Queen of Namah, dressed in traditional royal attire, sat on a raised dais, while Roop's family sat cross-legged on the floor, eagerly waiting for the ritual to begin.

The King of Namah stood up and spoke, "Dear friends, we are honored to be here to celebrate the union of our son Var with your prince, Roopeshwar. Before we proceed with the wedding, we would like to perform a sacred ritual that has been passed down through generations of our family. It is a ritual of blessings and good wishes, and we invite you all to participate in it."

With that, the King and Queen of Namah began to chant mantras and light candles. They passed around bowls of holy water and turmeric, and everyone took turns to sprinkle it on each other. The atmosphere was charged with positivity and love, and everyone felt blessed and happy.

Roop's mother and sisters, who had never experienced such a ritual before, were moved by the beauty and power of the tradition. They joined in with enthusiasm, following the lead of their Namah hosts.

Roop's younger brother Megh, who had always been a bit of a rebel, was skeptical at first. But as he participated in the ritual, he felt a sense of peace and connection that he had never felt before. He realized that traditions and customs have a way of bringing people together, and that they can be a source of strength and comfort.

As the ritual came to an end, the King and Queen of Namah offered their blessings to Roop and Var, wishing them a happy and prosperous life together. The guests cheered and applauded, and the atmosphere was electric with joy.

As Roop and Var held hands, looking into each other's eyes, they knew that their love had been blessed by the power of tradition and the love of their families. They were ready to take on the world together, knowing that they had the support of their loved ones and the blessings of the divine.

After the ritual was completed, Queen Menavati of Namah approached Roop and placed her hand on his head. "May the blessings of the divine be with you, dear Roopeshwar," she said. "You are a special soul, and I am honored to have you as my son-in-law. I have one more ritual to share with you, one that is deeply significant to our family."

Roop looked at the Queen with curiosity, wondering what the ritual could be. As he touched her feet to show his respect, she continued, "In our family, we believe in the power of purity and truth. Before the wedding, you must perform a ritual of cleansing, one that will purify your soul and reveal your true self. You must wash your face with holy water from the Mahakal Temple and then look at your to-be husband's face under the light of the full moon."

Roop was taken aback by the ritual and its significance. He knew that his feminine traits were not accepted in the kingdom, and he feared that washing his face might reveal his true identity. "But your highness, what if...," he stammered, not sure how to voice his fears.

Menavati smiled gently and put a hand on Roop's shoulder. "Dear Roop, I understand your fears. But remember, our family believes in love and acceptance, and we embrace all forms of beauty. I have full faith that this ritual will reveal your true beauty to the world, and that Var will accept you for who you are."

Roop looked at Var, who had joined them, and saw nothing but love and acceptance in his eyes. Var took Roop's hand and squeezed it gently. "I promise to stand by you, my love," he said. "Together, we will face any challenge that comes our way."