If love had prevailed (Ponniyin Selvan AU)

Avanidam Pogadhe

Translation: Don't go to him

Kundavi had realised she would miss her brother. 

Just not this much.

It turns out his mischief and pranks were fundamental to the royal family.

To not drown in the overload of worry that threatened to consume her, the princess had refrained from thinking of her brother, except from when she prayed for him. 

However, as she went to meet a person her brother had spent quite a lot of time with, all she could think of was how he would hate her for doing this. 

But she had to. As the princess of the empire, her loyalty to her nation beckoned her to. 

At least that was what she told herself as she made her way to the Archagar's humble home.

Two guards were accompanying her, the two that had been assigned to accompany her for her kingdom tour, next month. 

Until now, they had been following her, silent and steady, but the moment she turned away from the temple to the brick and wood house, they halted. Then continued, but were now whispering between themselves. 

"The Ilavarasi's going to meet her, Ashwin!"

"Yes Karthi, I figured, how do we stop-"

"You can't stop me", Kundavi said, as she turned to face them, letting them know how subtle they were being, "My Anna's small crushes aren't as important as the fate of this empire"

For that one of them simply replied, "Ilavarasi, if it were as small and insignificant as you said, you wouldn't be here"

For the first time in ages, the princess was silenced.

Only for mere seconds, though, for she instantly replied with, "I'm the princess of this empire. You claim to know what is beneficial for this nation better than me?"

The soldier's eyes widened in apology and panic as he replied," No Ilavarasi, we do not claim so"

He paused to take a breath. 

"But we think we know what is better for the prince's happiness"

The Ilaiya Piratti took in a shuddering breath, knowing very well that this would destroy her brother's emotions, "He will get over her"

She did know it would devastate her brother. She simply underestimated how much it would, to what extent he would be destroyed without his princess. 

She did not know that now, though, and was adamant on stopping this relationship before it grew, not knowing it was already a raging fire and not a new flame.

The soldier started again, his concern for the prince overtaking his fear of the prince, "But Ilavarasi, he loves-"

"He does not love her", Kundavi's eyes flared as the word left Ashwin's mouth, "This obsession will pass"

Then, refusing to hear another word, the stubborn teenager turned back and walked into the Archagar's house, leaving the dread filled soldiers behind her.

The space she had walked into was small, but bigger then most simple homes. There was a division that led to another space, but Kundavi didn't go inside, not wanting to take away their privacy. 

Instead she called out, "Umm, is anyone home?"

"Yes, I'm coming", a melodic voice replied from the other side of the division.

As the beautiful girl walked through the gap in the division, and straightened then bowed at the sight of royalty, Kundavi thought one thing. 

Exactly who I wanted