The Heir and the Humble

Clue To Break The Curse

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the palace as Devraj woke up, a sense of purpose filling him. After offering his prayers, he returned to the palace, the day promising to be as demanding as the previous one.

Rani Devi, his mother, was waiting for him with breakfast. As he sat down, she began, "I went to our family priest yesterday. He has fixed a date for your coronation."

Devraj, taken aback by the suddenness of the announcement, asked curiously, "When?"

Rani Devi replied, "In ten days."

The news hit Devraj like a tidal wave. Ten days. It was a short span of time to prepare for an event of such magnitude. A mix of anticipation and apprehension washed over him. On one hand, he was ready to take up the mantle of leadership; on the other, the enormity of the responsibility weighed heavily on his mind.

Rani Devi, sensing her son's turmoil, reached out and placed a comforting hand on his. "I know this is sudden, my son, but the priest indicated that this is an auspicious time. Destiny has its own plans," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of pride and concern.
Devraj took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "I understand, mother," he replied, his voice steady. "I will prepare myself."

A moment later, Devraj, his mind racing with thoughts of the future, broke the silence. "Mother," he began, his voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, "after the coronation, I would like to proceed with the engagement and marriage ceremonies with Anika."

Rani Devi smiled warmly. She had seen the growing bond between her son and Anika, and she couldn't have asked for a better daughter-in-law. "Of course, my son," she replied. "I will speak to the priests and fix auspicious dates."

A sense of relief washed over Devraj. The uncertainty about his future with Anika had been a constant source of worry. Now, with their impending engagement and marriage, he felt a surge of happiness and anticipation.

After breakfast, Devraj retreated to his cabin. The weight of the upcoming coronation was heavy on his shoulders. He needed to ensure a smooth transition of power and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead. His first call was to Yuvraj.

"How are things on your end?" Devraj asked, his voice filled with concern.
Yuvraj's voice, though tired, was filled with determination. "We're making progress. The situation is under control," he replied.

Devraj nodded, even though Yuvraj couldn't see him. "Good," he said. "I have some news."

Yuvraj's attention was piqued. "What is it?" he asked.

"The coronation is in ten days," Devraj announced.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. "That fast?" Yuvraj exclaimed.

"I know," Devraj replied. "It's sudden, but the priests have deemed it an auspicious time."

Yuvraj's voice turned serious. "I'll be there," he said firmly. "You won't have to face this alone."

Devraj was grateful for his brother's support. "I know," he replied, a sense of relief washing over him.

As they continued to talk, Yuvraj mentioned something that caught Devraj's attention. "I found something interesting in one of our grandfather's old scriptures," he said, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. "There's a reference to a curse associated with the coronation."

Devraj's heart skipped a beat. The old legends had always intrigued him. "What does it say?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

"It says that the king who ascends the throne is cursed with an untimely death unless certain rituals are performed," Yuvraj explained. "The remedy lies in the temple."

A chill ran down Devraj's spine. The words of his grandfather echoed in his mind. "You must not stop the prayers in the temple, and you must protect the temple for yourself and for your descendants."

Could this be the reason behind the constant emphasis on the temple? The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He had to protect not just the kingdom but also the temple.

"Send me a copy of those scriptures immediately," Devraj demanded, his voice laced with urgency. The implications of the curse were profound. He needed to understand every detail.

Yuvraj, sensing the gravity of the situation, promised to send the copy across as soon as possible. Within minutes, a soft copy of the scriptures landed in Devraj's inbox.

Hours turned into a blur as Devraj immersed himself in the ancient text. The script was complex, and the language archaic, but he deciphered the meaning with growing fascination. The remedy was as intricate as the curse itself. It involved a series of rituals to be performed at the temple, culminating in a final sacrifice.

A chill ran down his spine. The sacrifice was not of an animal, but of a personal desire, something deeply cherished. It was a test of one's resolve, a measure of one's devotion.

Devraj delved deeper into the scriptures, his heart pounding with anticipation and trepidation. The remedy was as intricate as the curse itself. It involved a series of rituals to be performed at the temple, culminating in a final sacrifice.

A wave of shock washed over Devraj. The implications were profound. His marriage to Anika, while filled with love and commitment, would now be tested in a way he hadn't anticipated. The rituals would span 6 months, requiring consistency and unwavering dedication.

Devraj's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. The implications of the scripture were far-reaching. He delved into the annals of his kingdom's history, searching for patterns, for clues.

His father had died mysteriously just after ascending the throne, his mother already carrying him. His grandfather, a legendary figure, had lived for a hundred years, a testament to his resilience and determination. Yet, the cost had been immense. He had lost his wife in the process of giving birth to his second son.

The realization hit Devraj with the force of a tidal wave. The curse was real, and its consequences were severe. He had to make a choice. He could ignore the prophecy and risk the fate of the kingdom, or he could embrace it, sacrificing his personal happiness for the greater good.

Anika's image flashed through his mind. Her love, her support, her unwavering faith in him. If something happens to him, He couldn't bear the thought of hurting her. But neither could he ignore the duty that had been thrust upon him.

The weight of the decision was immense. He was at a crossroads, his heart torn between love and duty.