The Royal Enchantment

Chapter 4: Shadows in the palace

Viraj stepped into the palace gardens, taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air. He walked along the winding paths, enjoying the serene atmosphere, until he reached the lotus pond. Kana, his valet, stood waiting for him, holding a small basket.

"Good morning, kunwar sa. I brought your favorite breakfast - fresh fruit and pastries."

Viraj smiled, taking a seat on a nearby bench. "Thank you, Kana. I needed a quiet moment before the day's meetings."

As they sat together, Viraj noticed a stranger lingering near the palace gates. The man wore a symbol on his attire that looked familiar, yet Viraj couldn't quite place it.

"Kana, who is that man?" Viraj asked, nodding discreetly towards the stranger.

Kana followed his gaze. "I'm not sure, kunwar sa. He arrived earlier, asking to speak with your father."

Viraj's curiosity was piqued. Who was this mysterious stranger, and what did he want with his father?

Kana leaned in, lowering his voice. "He seemed quite insistent, kunwar sa. Your father's guards had to persuade him to wait."

Viraj's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "I'll speak with papa sa about it. Maybe he knows something."

Just then, Abhijeet, emerged from the palace, flanked by two guards. He approached Viraj and Kana, his expression serious.

"Viraj banna, I need to speak with you about the stranger. He claims to represent the Ranas and requests an audience with me."

Viraj's instincts prickled. What did the Ranas want with his father?

Abhijeet's eyes scanned the surroundings, ensuring they were out of earshot. "I've had dealings with the Ranas before, Viraj. They're not to be trusted. This could be a ploy to gain leverage over us."

Viraj's grip on his cup tightened. "What kind of leverage, Papa sa?"

Abhijeet's expression turned grave. "I'll tell you more later, beta. First, I need to meet with this representative and gauge their intentions. Kana, please escort the stranger to the meeting hall."

Kana nodded and departed, leaving Viraj and Abhijeet alone.

"Papa sa, I don't like this," Viraj said, his voice low. "The Ranas have always been rivals. What if this is a trap?"

Abhijeet placed a reassuring hand on Viraj's shoulder. "I'll handle it, Viraj. But I want you to be cautious. If anything feels off, don't hesitate to act."

Viraj nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. What did the Ranas want, and how far would they go to achieve it?

Viraj watched as Kana escorted the stranger to the meeting hall, his mind still racing with questions. He decided to follow at a distance, curious about the meeting.

As he approached the hall, he heard muffled voices inside. Viraj hesitated, wondering if he should enter, but his curiosity got the better of him. He slipped inside, hiding behind a pillar to observe.

Abhijeet sat at the head of the table, with the stranger seated across from him. The man's symbol-emblazoned attire seemed to gleam in the light.

"So, you represent the Ranas," Abhijeet said, his tone neutral. "What brings you to our palace?"

The stranger smiled, his eyes glinting. "A mere courtesy visit, Hukum. We wish to...rekindle old alliances."

Viraj's instincts prickled. Something didn't feel right.

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Kiara entered the cozy dining hall, where her family was already seated and enjoying their breakfast. Her mother, Rukmini, smiled warmly as Kiara took her seat beside her.