AADRIKA : The writer of the story

Chapter 19 : Temper

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No-one

With only two days left until the wedding, the tension in Suryagarh was palpable. The entire palace was abuzz with activity—servants running to and fro, decorators adding the final touches, and guests from various kingdoms arriving to witness the union of Suryagarh’s princess and Indraprastha’s king.

But amidst all the excitement, Rajkumari Aadrika felt nothing but dread. The wedding that everyone around her seemed to be celebrating was a nightmare she was desperately trying to escape. Every passing hour felt like a noose tightening around her neck.

Despite her previous attempts to sabotage the engagement, Abhiraj’s resolve had only seemed to harden. The cold distance between them was undeniable, and every interaction they had was steeped in tension. Aadrika knew that once she was married, her chance to escape this unwanted fate would be gone forever.

Desperation fueled her thoughts as she paced her royal chamber, searching for a way out. She had tried subtle manipulation, open defiance, and even making herself appear unsuitable as a queen, but Abhiraj had remained unyielding. Now, with time running out, she needed something drastic—something that would not only force Abhiraj to reconsider but also make it impossible for anyone to argue against calling off the wedding.

As Aadrika pondered her options, a dangerous idea began to take shape in her mind. It was risky, almost reckless, but it was her last shot. If she could create a situation so scandalous, so damaging to the royal reputation, then maybe—just maybe—Abhiraj would have no choice but to call off the wedding.

The plan was simple yet perilous: she would engineer a public confrontation between herself and a member of the court, creating the appearance of an irreparable rift within the royal family. If she could make it seem like the wedding would bring shame or discord to both kingdoms, Abhiraj’s pride might compel him to cancel it to protect his reputation.

But the key to this plan was choosing the right person to provoke—a person of influence who could make the situation seem dire. Aadrika’s mind immediately went to her younger brother, Rudra. He had always harbored jealousy toward her, envying her capabilities and the attention she received from their parents. He was volatile, easily provoked, and most importantly, he despised her.

If she could goad Rudra into a public altercation, the resulting scandal might be enough to call off the wedding.

Aadrika spent the next day subtly preparing the stage for her plan. She made sure to be seen interacting with Rudra more frequently, subtly planting seeds of discord whenever they were in the presence of others. She knew that Rudra’s temper was quick to flare, and all she needed was to push him just far enough in the right circumstances.

The opportunity presented itself during a pre-wedding ceremony that evening. The entire royal family, along with Abhiraj and his retinue, was gathered in the grand hall, celebrating the upcoming union with music, dance, and feasting. The atmosphere was festive, with laughter and cheer filling the air.

Aadrika, dressed in an ornate lehenga, looked every bit the regal bride-to-be, but beneath her calm exterior, her mind was racing. She caught sight of Rudra standing near the edge of the crowd, his expression sullen and distant. It was the perfect moment.

She made her way over to him, her heart pounding in her chest. As she approached, she noticed that several members of the court, including Maharani Rajeshwari, were watching her closely. Abhiraj, standing beside his grandmother, was also observing her with that same unreadable expression he always wore.