If love had prevailed (Ponniyin Selvan AU)

Samudra Kumari

Translation: Princess of the Ocean

Arulmozhi and Aditha always dreamed about going to battle and defending their nation. Their fighting had received praise even when they were dueling on their own, but together no one had beat them.

Now, Arulmozhi couldn't spar with his brother for the next few years.

His absence was a gaping chasm in the palace. No one smiled or laughed as much as they used to, a severe change from the lively family they has been.

They were trying to bring back a sense of normalcy. Arulmozhi tried to be more lively during trainings and had even played a few pranks, which was usually his brother's forte. Kundavi was participating in court and had tried to bring her brother's approach in tactics alongside her own, while also attempting to be upbeat in their anna's place.

But even she, the queen of deception, couldn't hide the emptiness in her eyes.

The royal family should have been happy. And proud, for the prince proficient enough to go to war at the mere age of sixteen. It should have been wonderous, as it was something of the legends.

Instead, they were wracked with unending worry. To them, he was their playful Anna, and imagining him in the midst of bloodshed and war was a terrifying thought.

With the constant whirlwind of emotions plaguing him for the past month, Arulmozhi simply wanted some peace of mind. Which was why he was now making his way to the Vishnu temple to offer his prayers for his Anna.

The gods of that temple would definitely listen, for Aditha had spent pretty much most his last month in Thanjai there.

Though whether he went to pray or not, Arulmozhi was not sure.

The thought didn't make the younger prince grin like he would have, but a small smile did appear on his face. At the memory of how happy his Anna had been before he went for war.

Arulmozhi had figured why the crown prince had been so reluctant to leave. Nothing could be more obvious.

The younger prince had picked this temple to also check on that akka, Nandini. She would also feel the consequences Aditha's absence.

He noticed her the moment he set foot inside the the temple, sitting at the edge of the temple pond, lost in her thoughts, yet evidently showing worry.

He was in a disguise, having begged to father to let him go without guards, so no one recognized him as he went to sit beside her.

"Akka?"

Her eyes shot upwards, noticing the presence beside her, then recognizing the face and immediately getting up and bowing, "Ilavarase! I'm so sorry, I didn't notice you, have you come for a pooja? I'll ask Nambi to go get everything ready-"

"Akka, I'm not here for a pooja", Arulmozhi interrupted before she could say anything else, "Just to pray. And talk to you"

Nandini's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, "Why would you talk to me Ilavarase? Is it something important?" Her mildly motherly tone and genuine concern warmed the young prince's heart.

He could see why his Anna liked her.

"You-", he paused, contemplating the effect his words, "You looked sad"

A melancholic smile. "Ilavarase, you need not worry about the plights of an orphan girl, you are royalty"

"You let another member of the royal family think about you"

His words brought forth a shuddering breath in the older girl, as she sat back down, her mask cracking, but not yet broken.

Her voice wavered as she replied, "He was adamant. Observant. And too caring for his own good. I had no choice in the matter"